Work Text:
The fireplace roared beside Poe, dear Karl was curled up on his lap, keeping him warm. Branches tapped his window on repeat as the storm continued through the night. None of it bothered him, he was content. As far as Poe was concerned, it was a perfect night.
The sound of the wind made it easy for his mind to wander, and as he watched the blanket of snow settle over the city his imagination soared to life. His hand itched for his quill, but he'd already spent so much time writing tonight. Now it was time for him to rest and allow himself to be refueled with inspiration.
Yokohama was a lovely place, and while he wasn't entirely sure what drew him to this location, he was grateful for it. The home was such an odd concept to grasp. For a writer like himself, perhaps home was the bond he shared with the ink on the page. Or maybe it was the comforting roughness of his best friend's fur between his fingertips. He mused over the concept some more as Karl stretched out his neck so Poe could scratch behind his small ears, a smile graced his lips the moment he heard the critters' familiar chatter.
Quiet beauty and peace without disturbance, he’d been happier than he'd ever been. What had he been thinking to join the guild in the first place? Not that it mattered, since its disbandment Poe had been living the high life. Day in and day out he spent each day chasing inspiration, every single day he got to create to his heart's content. There wasn't a single thing he would change, his life was perfect as it was.
He heard a knock on his door. Poe flinched, surely it was the wind? Again, the banging continued. Karl perked up as the disruptor of his peace relentlessly pounded his door.
No one knew the overly complex code to his front gate, and that was intentional. He picked up Karl and set him down gently on the floor before he got out of his chair and walked over to his bookshelf, eyeing all his various creations until settling on one fit for someone rude enough to trespass on his peace. Something simple, a mystery anyone could solve.
In due time of course.
By the time they escape, Poe will have already sent the book somewhere far away, far from his property. It deters even the most persistent visitors from a second attempt. He understood his house looked like an unusual western-style haunted mansion to the locals, but that gave them no right to intrude on his privacy. Therefore he felt no remorse for handling them as he pleased.
His heels clicked against the floor as he walked over to the grand front entrance with a candle in his free hand, he used it to light the other candles he preferred to use for ambiance on nights such as this. Artificial light, as convenient as it was, lacked the authentic warmth only fire could bring. He placed the candle on the foyer table and reached for the door handle, all too ready to banish the stranger.
A blast of cold air chilled his bones as he creaked the door open just enough to peek outside.
“Finally! I almost froze to death out there!” Before he could react, the intruder pushed the door the rest of the way open and let himself inside. Moonlight illuminated a shorter figure as the nasal tone ground against his ear drums.
What?
That wasn't supposed to happen? Why was the man letting himself in?
The stranger kicked the door shut, creating a loud thump as Poe stood frozen in place. His intruder was far underdressed for the weather, wearing only a long white shirt that went down to his mid-thighs, while his arms were tied up behind his back by a thick rope. The intruder's dark hair was unruly, snow clung to every strand as his figure was racked with shivers.
“Excuse me, you're intruding on my property.” Poe tried to sound stern, but like usual his words came across far too soft to be intimidating. The stranger turned around to face him.
He looked… Average? His height was that of the average male in this country, his hair color was the same common shade of black he'd seen all around. Yet those piercing green eyes were the most vibrant Poe had ever seen. He was almost taken aback by the sheer beauty, for as ordinary as this man appeared, he did possess one extraordinary quality.
That felt wrong though. Something in the depths of Poe's mind was screaming at him. A deep cry welled up from the bottom of his heart, yet he still couldn't place the feeling as his eyes traced the bruises on the man's arms and face.
“Yeah, I'll be hiding out here for a day or two. Or at least until Dazai decides to show back up again.” The man answered him, yet his response left Poe with more questions than answers. First off, the audacity this man had was baffling! How can he simply invite himself into another person's residence and declare his intention to stay without even asking permission?
Fine then. He could stay, inside his book that is. Poe pulled out the novel and opened it, holding it up to the other man's face.
He waited for his ability to activate, but the familiar glow of light didn't show up. Poe peeked open his eyes to see the man wasn't even looking.
“Yeah, no, I'm not falling for that one. Untie me first and then we'll talk.”
This man was aware of his ability? Poe didn't like that, his gaze narrowed as he pushed the book further into the other man's face.
“I insist.” didn't have any words to give this man. “Read it, then we'll talk.” He spoke sternly, standing firm as the other let out a sigh.
“Fine! Okay, already we'll do it your way. You owe me for this one, you have no idea what I've been through this week, I haven't had a proper meal in days and you're going to make me solve a mystery on an empty stomach.” With that, the stranger opened his eyes and he was immediately enveloped by the golden glow of Poe's ability. The book fell to the ground, closed shut. Karl took the opportunity to come out of his hiding spot and scurried over, pawing at the front cover.
Owe him? Poe scoffed. What could he possibly owe an intruder? Either way, Poe dismissed it, knowing that the man would be in the book for at least a week or two. He'd dispose of the book first thing in the morning, perhaps he'd send it on a train to the other side of the country? If he woke up early enough he wouldn't even have to interact with anyone.
Yes, that sounded like a good plan.
Poe picked the book up and carried it up the stairs with him. Karl trotted happily behind him as he walked into his bedroom and left it on his bedsheets haphazardly.
He'd deal with the book in the morning. After that cold gust of air, Poe was craving a warm bath. So that's exactly what he did. He tucked Karl away into his little bed and headed off to the bath, stripping off the many layers of his outfit and soaking in the comforting tub.
As he washed himself with soap, his mind briefly wandered back to the shivering form of the other man. It oddly pulled at his heart. The man looked as if he was on the verge of freezing solid. He frowned and tried his best to dismiss the thought.
In the morning, he'd send the stranger somewhere warm.
Hoping that was the end of it, Poe tried to get the man to leave his thoughts, but it was almost as if he was caught under some kind of spell. Every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was green, enticing him closer.
Poe finished his bath quickly and finished the rest of his nightly routine, changing into a thin bathrobe instead of pajamas. His mind still wandered in circles around his book's captive guest. He sat at his bedside and poured a glass of his fine wine, drinking a bit to help him drift off into sleep easier.
He put out the fire and turned on the heater in its place before climbing back into bed and burying himself beneath the luxurious comforter. The book remains forgotten on the opposite side of his spacious, extra-large bed.
Poe would deal with it in the morning, and with that, he fell asleep to the thought of those vibrant green eyes and the bruises that littered the man's form.
~~~
The first thing Poe registered when he woke up was the heat in his arms. It was firm, far firmer than the plush comfort of his pillows or sheets. His eyes shot open, bare skin was brushing against him. In his arms was the bound stranger from the night before, his oversized shirt rode up in the night, exposing his lower half which was also bare. Poe gasped at the scandalous sight.
Far too delicate bruised legs were entwined with his own in almost an intimate manner. The warmth of the stranger's limp form pressed against his thigh. It awakened something inside him, a desire that Poe instantly shut down. Blood rushed to his face, turning him red as the duvet beneath him.
Poe was petrified in place, he wanted to push him away, to shout. But what good would that do? It would only wake the exposed man in bed with him. Shouldn't he still be in the book? How could this be? Was it impossible? There was no way this could be happening.
Was he dreaming? No, Poe was familiar with the tone of his imagination. He didn't create this, this was reality.
With that, he took a staggered breath in and tried to scoot away slowly. Shivering from the loss of contact. He didn't know how this man managed to escape his work so soon, but he wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Poe reached for one of the books he'd written for leisure and opened it.
His tired mind wasn't thinking critically yet, he just didn't want to deal with any human interaction. Poe placed the open novel in front of the stranger's face, so it was guaranteed to be the first thing he saw when he awoke.
He made the mistake of allowing his eyes to wander once more, taking in the sight of the restrained man beside him. Perhaps he hadn't noticed because of the dim lighting the night before, but the bruises extended well beyond the man's arms and face. He was covered in them.
Sympathy welled up inside of him at the sight, it felt wrong. It was like he was viewing something that shouldn't be. The very image offended him and he didn't have an answer as to why beyond pity.
Except it wasn't pity. It made his blood boil. The fact that anyone harmed him, that someone laid their filthy hands on…
Poe’s mind went blank.
He furrowed his brow, feeling the throb in his temples. Poe brought a hand to his head to nurse the forming ache, already forgetting about what he'd been thinking about moments earlier. And then he heard the sheets rustle along with a soft groan. His ability activated and the bedroom was enveloped in the light of his ability as the book fell against the sheet. Poe sighed, feeling relieved now that the man was once again trapped in his book.
Poe let out a large sigh and wondered if he should prepare himself a cup of coffee before bringing the novel to the train station. Ultimately he didn't think he needed it, his heart was still thumping wildly. He picked up the book and ran his hands over the cover.
He didn't wish to part ways with this book though, it was a work of art that was precious to him. There was no mystery to solve, only the beauty of his beloved yet quaint kingdom by the sea.
He often used it to wake himself up in the morning. The novel begins with being plummeted into the sea, the cool chill of salt water as he swims a few feet over to the dock is more effective than any cup of coffee on the planet.
Wait.
His eyes went wide, as a deep sense of dread fell over him. The man's bound arms came to mind once more.
He won't be able to swim.
The man will drown.
Poe wouldn't know what to do with himself if anything happened to
To…
Once again the ache caused him to grip his head in pain, but he didn't have the time for that. Without thinking any further, Poe opened the novel and entered his work.
After being encompassed by light, the familiar chill of salt water bogged down his bathrobe. The sand beneath his feet settled in between his toes as he lifted his head to breathe waves were calm like always, and Poe was just tall enough to stand in the shallow water by the pier, his head barely above the waterline.
He could see a disturbance in the water caused by the man's thrashing as he kept jumping, trying to reach high enough so he could get a breath of air. Poe swam over to him and hoisted the man up enough so he could breathe. Physical strength wasn't his forte by any means, but he managed to pull the man to the dock and climbed up first before pulling the restrained man onto the flooring.
The man kept coughing, and for a moment Poe worried something was seriously wrong. His breath was heavy as he tried to catch up on the missed oxygen.
“Are you CRAZY?! You almost drowned me!” the yelling faded out into a shrill whine fast. He had just rescued the man from death, but it was fair to blame him since this was his fault anyway.
Wait no! It wasn't, it was this man's fault for breaking into his home anyway. Poe didn't respond to the man's complaints and asked a question.
“How did you get out of the novel?”
He received an unamused stare as the man opened his mouth to continue his complaints. “Ugh I'm too tired to deal with stupid questions, just untie me already. I've had enough!”
Poe's gaze softened as he watched the man once again succumb to shivers at the cool breeze. In this world, the sun never rises, and the moon never sets. Each star remains fixed in its place above, granting tranquility whenever he wishes for it. But he was well aware of how cold it could be in this world. As he took the uncomfortably pathetic form, he nodded. Besides, he was in no danger here, this was his world and he knew every secret, every haven, and how to exit at will.
“Alright…” Poe mumbled the words out as he knelt by the other side, being careful not to aggravate the man's bruises as he untied the ropes. His arms were irritated and burned red from the friction of being tied up for so long. If Poe had to make an estimate, he'd guess they'd be in place for around two days…
As soon as the man was free, he stretched out his arms and scratched an itch on his nose. “Finally, took you long enough Poe.”
Poe…
He said it with such familiarity, yet Poe was certain he did not know this man. The memories were nowhere to be found yet…
Yet even still he…
Poe continued to stare, once again captivated by the others striking green eyes. He blushed as he realized just how transparent that white shirt was after being drenched. The man in question followed his gaze and looked down before giving Poe an odd look.
“Well are you just going to stare at it or are you going to give me something else to wear? I swear you and your dress up in these books. You treat your readers like dolls and shove them into fancy outfits and of course, this is the one time you throw me in a book that keeps my real clothes” The man's complaints filled the silence, and even though Poe knew he should be annoyed. The irritation never came, as odd as it was, he enjoyed hearing him speak.
“Pardon…?” Poe tried to clarify what the man meant and bit his lip as he finally voiced the question he'd been starting to wonder. “Have we… met before perhaps?”
At those words, the other let out a loud sigh, a hint of disappointment on his face. “Yeah, we have.” It even sounded softer than the man's earlier complaints.
The man got up and started walking away, toward the kingdom. His mood soured by Poe's query, but Poe hadn't expected the stranger to get up and walk away.
“Wait.. where are you going?” He had so many questions he wanted to ask now, the man felt too familiar for Poe to brush off the claim. Deep down, he was certain it was true.
It had to be. But why did he have no recollection of him? This man was in some sort of trouble, it was obvious he had escaped from harsh captors…
And on top of that, he came to him for help. The thought warmed him on some level. He followed after the man as they approached the sleeping kingdom, its walls towering above them as the bell tower sang out its melody in the distance.
Once they were side by side again, Poe glanced at the shorter man. His face was still sullen in a pout yet he retained that air of confidence. Even in his bruised, and disgraced physical state, the man's inner strength shined forth. Shoulders held high along with confidence in every step. He strolled the streets like he owned the place, this man was down on his luck, but he wasn't defeated.
Not by any sense of the word.
Poe made up his mind, he took the lead and walked right over to one of the many doors lining the old-fashioned road. He pulled it open silently, stepping through as he was transported to a balcony on the opposite side of the kingdom. From here, the vast ocean was replaced by a sea of clouds, fountains placed high up on the wall gloriously creating waterfalls on both sides. The stranger followed him through the door, waiting for Poe's next move.
This time he traveled five doors down and walked through, leading the man through the complicated maze of doors that connected in no apparent order. It was a short walk, and after going through a dozen doors they reached a large garden near the top of the kingdom wall. The entire area was bathed in a gentle blue glow as the flowers bloomed beneath their feet. Each blossom emits a soft light. Poe noticed the stranger's mood beginning to brighten as well, every door and unexpected surroundings amusing his guest.
Now, when he opened the last door, they weren't brought anywhere else. The door opened up to a quaint bedroom with stone walls. On one side there was a bed next to a window, overlooking the entire kingdom. To the other side, there was a desk, filled with journals, a quill, and its ink. The view from the study overlooks the vast sea of clouds before them. His guest walked right over to the wardrobe and made himself at home without a word, sifting through the clothes.
He pulled out an outfit Poe had no recollection of writing…. Yet its design, the intricacies had telltale marksmanship of something his mind had concocted. As the man held it up to his body, Poe noticed it was a perfect fit.
“Really Poe? A corset?” The man asked as he dropped that part of the outfit to the ground. Without warning, the other worked the white shirt over his head, stripping in front of him without regard.
Poe gasped and tried to look away, yet he couldn't. He couldn't turn away from the sight, and the other man didn't even try to stop him. He quietly stood there, watching as his guest put on an outfit that had been designed just for him…
Who was this man? If his memories were altered, yet the proof of his existence hadn't been erased from the pages of his work. Perhaps it was the work of an ability? Ability is useless against the work he writes after all. A reality-altering ability was used to target this man and erase him from the memory of those he knew. Based on the man's state, they had kidnapped him with the intention of no one realizing he was gone. Poe was a skilled detective himself, so far everything was pointing to that conclusion. He had irrefutable evidence in front of him of such.
The man pulled another outfit out of the wardrobe and tossed it at him.
Poe looked down, turning around before shedding the soaked robe and switching into the dry clothes. Although Poe had the decency to turn around and step out of the man's line of sight. Once Poe was done, he turned around to the stranger who had now helped himself to his bed.
“You came to me for help,” Poe stated, taking a seat beside the other, his heart thumping wildly.
“I needed somewhere to hide, I've got the rest covered already. But it'll be a few days until I can get this stupid ability nullified.” The man kicked back and rested with his arms behind his head.
“I see…” Poe said as the silence enveloped them again, time ticking by as they both relaxed in the bed. He continued refining his deduction in his head, but even so, there were still some things he couldn't deduce.
“May I ask your name?” He asked it softly, but the other didn't seem bothered by his inquiry.
“Edogawa Ranpo.”
Ranpo… The name even sounded familiar, as if it was a mantra he'd repeated thousands of times. He tried testing the name on his tongue.
“Ranpo…”
There was a lull in their conversation, a blush forming on his cheek as he did his best to deduce the nature of their relationship. The way his heart sped up every time they were nearby. How he never wanted to look away from his gaze. Even his voice left him wanting more. From the second the stranger had shown up, he'd stolen all of Poe's thoughts, holding them captive as he wanted nothing more than to learn more about the man before him.
“... What was the nature of our relationship?” He needed confirmation in words, at least for this, he wanted to hear Ranpo say it himself. Instead, that look of displeasure returned to those beautiful eyes.
“I'm not answering such an obvious question, you already know don't you?”
Poe nodded quickly, still reeling from the shock.
Yes, it all made sense now…
He took a step back, looking over the man in a new light. Poe hadn't considered entering into a romantic relationship before... Why would he need one? Maintaining human connection, in general, was pointless to him after…
After… he met Ranpo.
He smiled to himself, finding his answer. It had been because of this man… All the gaps in his memory were conveniently filled with this context. It fit so well, he was certain of it, the memory didn't return to him, but he knew in his spirit that it was the truth. Poe could feel it, the remnants of a deep passion that surpassed memory.
“Yes… I know…” His words were soft as he took a seat next to Ranpo, eager to learn more about him. A man had been the one to steal his heart, and Poe wanted to know everything. He could feel the sweat beading on his forehead, the anticipation and adrenaline building.
“Then I want some food. I haven't eaten in three days.” Ranpo held his stomach while he complained, his energy levels appearing to be at an all-time low.
“Y-yes! Of course!” Poe walked over to the journal on the desk and began to write. Immediately a small table set for two appeared in the center of the room. The meal was truffles risotto with mushrooms and parmesan, the Western cuisine was accompanied by two glasses of chardonnay.
Ranpo smelled the food, he got up sluggishly from the bed and plopped himself down in one of the chairs. His tired face pouted as he looked at the food and then back at Poe.
“Ew.”
~~~~
Poe was learning things about Ranpo already. For starters, he was a very picky eater. The man refused to touch four different dishes before finally chowing down on dessert when presented with it. Poe didn't think it was a meal suited for recovery… Especially considering the man hadn't eaten in days, but that was the other thing.
Poe could not say no to this man.
Everything about him was charming, even his picky habits only seemed endearing to him. So much so, that Poe's food remained forgotten on his plate as he sat there across from him, his chin being held up by his palm as he watched the other dig into his chocolate cake.
Another thing he had learned, Ranpo was smart. No, smart didn't begin to describe him. He was the greatest genius who ever lived, and Poe fully understood now how he managed to escape his mystery so quickly. How had he been lucky enough to catch the attention of this spectacular man? It was surreal to him that someone as incredible as Ranpo truly appreciated him too in such a way.
“Is it good? Do you want more?” Poe asked all too eager to get up and write more for his forgotten lover.
“Yeah, make some red bean paste ice cream, but make sure it's strained.” Ranpo's words were muffled due to him speaking with a full mouth, and even that caused Poe to smile.
Unrefined, yet brilliant. It was just another thing he got to learn about Ranpo. Ah, how lucky was he? To bask in his presence and get the chance to meet him all over again… To experience all this wonder as he learns all his habits and unique traits as if it were the first time… The emotions that hadn't been stolen with his memories only fueled his desire. Poe smiled and scribbled down the dessert his beloved had asked for.
The dessert then appeared on the side, with an extra scoop. His worthy partner deserved nothing less. He soaked in the smile Ranpo made as he took the first bite, truly this sight was better than any meal. After they had finished, Ranpo patted his belly and leaned back in his chair. “Thanks, I was so hungry I could die.”
Poe had finished his meal by then and had just finished wiping his lips with a napkin. “It’s my pleasure…” He set the cloth down and timidly gave the other a warm gaze. “What do you wish to do now? We can stay in here if you like…”
Ranpo looked around the room and nodded. “I don’t care what we do, I'm tired.”
Poe smiled and began to write in his notebook. A first aid kit appeared on the bed, he got up to grab some of the antiseptic and bandages. “Then… May I treat you?” He knelt
Ranpo looked down at him, he finished swallowing the last bite and nodded. Poe slowly reached out and held Ranpo's foot carefully, examining the exquisite structure. He'd walked a lot… Perhaps for around an hour without shoes and before the snow had fallen… The underside of his foot was littered with cuts from his barefoot journey. Poe dipped a cotton ball in the disinfectant and carefully dabbed it onto the wounded skin.
Ranpo's leg twitched as the antiseptic got to work, no doubt leaving a burning sensation in its place. So Poe waited for the man to become comfortable again before he started disinfecting the next area. He wondered if he had memories mapping out the man's body before.
Their relationship was romantic but… Were they lovers? Poe looked up at the other for answers only to find Ranpo's eyes were squeezed shut.
He was childish in a way, even the small burns from his treatment caused such a reaction. His smile quickly fell as he imagined how much more painful all the bruises littered on his form must have been.
“Who did this to you?” His fingertip circled old the rope marks on his ankles, ones Ranpo must have broken free of before his escape.
“Some organization. I had a lot of their members arrested a while back but I got distracted and messed up. They thought if they erased me from everyone's memories they could take revenge and keep me there for ‘Super Deduction’. People are real idiots.”
It was exactly as Poe had deduced. But what was Super Deduction? Was it the name of Ranpo’s special ability? “You're a detective I presume?” His fingers trailed along the skin as he continued bandaging his partner.
“Yeah, the world's greatest,” Ranpo replied and looked down, seeing Poe's handiwork unfold. “I'm starting to look like Dazai.”
Poe knew that man, he was an agent at the Armed Detective Agency. That must be where Ranpo was employed, it would certainly explain Poe's connection to the facility. “The nullifyer correct? I also presume he's your coworker?”
Ranpo gave him a nod. “Yeah, we work together. I left a note for him back at his dorm for when he finally decides to show back up again.”
Poe somehow felt disappointed that Ranpo hadn't come to him first, jealous even. But no matter, Ranpo was here with him at that moment. That was what mattered, Ranpo was safe in front of him and he had his attention.
They continued chatting to fill the time while Poe finished up bandaging the other foot. Eventually, he ran out of skin to dress since the rest was covered. Feeling somewhat disappointed that he no longer had the excuse to touch the man freely anymore, Poe pulled back.
“You should remain off your feet for a while…” He instructed as he continued kneeling at the other side.
“Are you going to marry me?”
Poe coughed, physically speaking he wasn't confident in his ability to carry a grown man far. But as he imagined the other on his back, arms latched around his shoulders for support, he couldn't help but blush. The idea certainly seemed appealing…
“Would you go on a walk with me if I did?”
And thus began their adventure around town, Poe had used his notebook to make Ranpo weightless enough for him to carry. He supported his legs as the other pointed at the stars and made comments about all the little details in his work. He was amused by the simplest of pleasures and genuinely appreciated the inspiring sights.
It made Poe feel appreciated in a way he hadn't expected. He led him back down to the docks and placed Ranpo in a small boat. The two of them rowed out to sea, enjoying a peaceful night under the starry sky. The hours passed by quickly and Poe was continually surprised by how intimately Ranpo knew him.
Once their boat landed at the grand bell tower in the distance, he picked the other back up and carried him up the stairs. From the peak, all the lights from the kingdom's wall could be seen. Their reflection in the shimmering sea below was nothing short of breathtaking. After that, they took a seat at a table and played chess.
Poe lost.
They spent the rest of their afternoon like that, Poe enjoying the company of Ranpo, he truly was brilliant. Even just staying by his side felt right. But Poe's internal clock was telling him it was time to depart from this fantasy. He looked back at the man who was lying in the sand, playing with some sparklers Poe created using his ability.
“... It's time for me to feed Karl.” Poe pulled out his book again, ready to create an exit. “Do you wish to stay here, Ranpo?”
The man in question looked up, he thought about it and shook his head. “Nah, I'll follow you out.”
Poe smiled and within seconds, he willed an entrance back to reality.
~~~~
It had been three days since Ranpo had come to stay with him, and Poe wished that his coworker would never come to pick him up. Every day, every moment was far more wonderful than the last. He found himself in awe the more he learned about Ranpo. His wounds were healing nicely, but Poe still preferred being carried around.
And Poe was happy to oblige, as long as it was within his novels of course.
But there was one thing Poe was dissatisfied with.
He was a romantic at heart, and the more time he spent with Ranpo, the more that deep obsession and desire grew. Ranpo hadn't done anything to initiate anything of the sort… And while Poe was fine with that, he also was dying to experience it.
So tonight, he crafted a plan. A brilliant one, he'd utilize all the knowledge he'd gathered about Ranpo over these few days to concoct the perfect date. It was quite easy to get things past Ranpo after all… On the surface, Ranpo appears to have no weakness. But he has a crucial one.
Two.
The first is his inattention. If it's boring, or he doesn't deem it worth his time, he will not investigate further.
The second is Ranpo's blind devotion. The man trusts blindly, against all logic, against all reasoning. If he chooses to believe something, he will believe it and ignore any evidence that contradicts it.
To make his perfect date a surprise, Poe had to make it boring! Although it seems counterintuitive, it's truly the best way to bless his beloved.
“Hey Poe, get me a refill.”
His lover's voice called out from the bedroom where Ranpo was recovering. His soda had run dry and Poe eagerly rushed back in to pour him more.
“Yes! I've brought a variety, which flavor would you like??” The energy in his voice carried over, he was practically glowing as Ranpo eyed the various flavors and picked a new one to try.
“Not bad Poe.”
His eyes trailed over the lovely skin of Ranpo's neck, the way his Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped. Poe wished he could trail his fingers against it, oh he wished he could pepper it with kisses….
And like always, Ranpo hadn't noticed his starving thoughts since he was too preoccupied with something sweet.
Tonight though… Poe had decided once again to indulge Ranpo in every way he desired.
~~~
A few hours had passed, and Ranpo had drifted to sleep again. Poe made his move, placing the book he had specifically crafted for this moment over Ranpo’s eyes. He had a separate copy for himself prepared and laid right next to the man.
“My darling… Sweet dreams, I'll join you soon.” He whispered the pet name into his beloved's ear, even though he hadn't worked up the courage to say it in reality.
Soon, he would.
And with that Poe entered his work and waited. It would probably be another hour or so before Ranpo would arrive. The setting was an amusement park, after that he'd prepared another scene in a fancy bakery for dinner. Since sweets will bless his other half better than a regular meal could.
The sky was stuck in a perpetual sunset, and there wasn't a single person in sight. Poe in his hand held a bouquet of cotton candy, the design was intricate, and even the roses were colored with different hues of red.
Poe breathed a sigh, waiting in his suit for Ranpo to appear. He paced back in forth, tapping his feet against the pavement. It wasn't long after that, that Ranpo materialized into the world, almost falling over in his groggy state. Poe rushed over to assist him.
“... wha..?” Ranpo mumbled, still rubbing his eyes as he began to wake up.
“For you. “ Poe handed the bouquet to the man who was still half asleep. Ranpo's nose twitched as he smallest the sweet treat that had been handed to him and without even opening his eyes, Ranpo took a bite out of the cotton candy flower, ruining the design.
“Not bad Poe,” Ranpo mumbled, stretching out his limbs, and looking at the amusement park in front of him. There was a look of childlike excitement in his eyes.
“What would you like to do first?”
Poe allowed Ranpo to drag him across the entire park, first enjoying the teacups and then working their way up to more extreme rides. Poe himself was starting to feel dizzy but, it was worth it to hear Ranpo’s little laughs during every drop and spin. The evening progressed, and before long Ranpo’s stomach was growling in anticipation of his next meal.
So Poe led him to the Cafe nearby, the table was already set with Ranpo's favorite desserts. A candle dinner by the pier, overlooking the ports of this wonderful city. Ranpo finished his ice cream first and then got started on his cake. Poe watched as the messy eater didn't even bother to clean the crumbs of chocolate on his cheek.
As his lover… Poe wanted nothing more than to clean it off himself, but he could wait.
“Ranpo… Even though I may not remember our history I… My feelings remain unchanged.” Poe spoke up as he leaned over the table, being extra careful to not burn himself on the candle in the center.
Ranpo seemed to pay his words no mind and made some muffled sounds as he ate. Had it always been this hard to get his partner's attention? He wished he had his memories at this moment so he knew exactly what to do. But alas, he's been building up the courage.
Courage to do something he wanted for once.
After days of spoiling Ranpo, Poe was ready to finally ask for something in return. He wanted the opportunity to learn about his lover intimately… To experience the thrill of first love with him all over again.
So Poe quickly reached over and caressed Ranpo's cheek. He saw the other give him a curious look, so Poe just smiled back at him and leaned even further onto the small table, bridging the gap between them completely.
Within seconds his lips were pressing against Ranpo's soft and sweet lips. Feeling greedy, he licked some of the crumbs off Ranpo's lip himself.
It felt divine… Ranpo tasted as sweet as he thought he would. Poe worked a hand into the other's messy hair, cherishing the moment between them. His lover wasn't contributing anything to the kiss, but that was alright. Poe had surprised him with it after all.
“I may not remember our first but… I'll cherish this memory until my return… Darling.” Poe pulled back and whispered the words, his eyes slowly opened. Poe had wondered what reaction his lover might have to his surprise affectionate gesture.
But when Poe laid his eyes upon Ranpo's face…. He felt himself go cold. There was no hint of warmth, green eyes were shot open wide, shoulders tense in recoil. It was shock, surprise, but…
Not a welcomed one.
Poe felt his skin clam up, his throat tightening. “Ranpo…? I apologize if I was too forward. I simply…”
Ranpo remained unmoving, after a moment he heard Ranpo speak up with uncertainty. “You kissed me.”
Poe gulped, his eyes averting to the floor. He hadn't known he could feel this terrible. What had he done wrong? Was it possible he'd misunderstood? No, Ranpo had confirmed their relationship was of this nature.
He had… Right..?
“I simply thought…. I wouldn't surprise you with a date….” Poe could feel his hand begin to shake. ‘Please don't look at me like that’ He didn't want to see that look in his beloved eyes. “We're lovers… right?” The last word a question, he hoped desperately it was true.
Silence, the wind chilled him to the core as Ranpo dealt the finishing blow that caused all his composure to crumble link sand.
“Are you stupid?” Ranpo bluntly stated the words, and Poe took it far harsher than it had ever been intended.
Poe couldn't help it, tears started to well up in his eyes, disappointment, frustration, and embarrassment all taking him over.
“I…” He couldn't finish, he had no defense, no excuse. It was at that moment, another missing piece clicked for him.
The agony of unrequited love. He'd experienced this pain before, never to such a degree… He'd been so blinded by his desire and wishes, that he'd failed to piece together that those feelings only went one way.
He lowered his head, tears falling as he spoke. “I suppose I am.” He was an idiot, a fool to have allowed himself to be carried away by such a fantasy. Of course, someone as wonderful as Ranpo, as perfectly brilliant as this man wouldn't have time for someone like him.
Ranpo came to him out of necessity for help, they held a friendship of some sort… But It was always him doing everything, always him pampering the man, doting on him. Ranpo not once returned any of it, yet he was too blinded by his love to see that.
He was a fool, truly an idiot indeed.
“Excuse me…” He muttered before getting up from his seat and dabbing out of the restaurant, but every single piece of scenery, every detail only reminded him of Ranpo. He'd done all of it for him in mind.
He didn't want to think about it.
Poe left the book, tears streaming down his face as he leaned on his bedpost for support. Karl rushed to his side sensing his distress, but Poe was in no shape to think logically. Right now his emotions were driving him, his heart was broken and he was at a loss for what to do with the pieces.
He could put the pieces back together, apologize, and try to laugh it off once his memories return. Perhaps they could look past this. But he didn't want to do that.
He was terrified, terrified of what years of memories might do to his mind. Once he regains his memories of Ranpo, everything will surely get worse. Poe didn't want to deal with that pain, perhaps it was selfish of him but Ranpo was equally selfish.
Selfish for not clarifying in the first place, if he cared about him in the slightest, he would have noticed Poe's misconception.
How many times has he helped Ranpo in his time of need and asked nothing in return? How long has this one-sided pain been eating away at him? He didn't know, and he didn't want to find out. Poe looked at his shelf and picked up a book. His books were unaltered by abilities… If he were to remain in one for some time, at least until the nullifier undoes the ability, he could keep it like this.
He didn't have to remember Ranpo if he didn't want to. He could recover from this, move past it. It was so tempting, tempting enough that Poe found himself jumping right back into his kingdom by the sea. He didn't want to see him or think of him for now. Even though tears continued streaming down his face he made his way back to his room in the kingdom wall and slammed the door. He let out an anguished cry as he sobbed into the pillow.
Years worth of frustration he couldn't even remember welling up and bubbling forth. Even if he stayed in here and chose to never regain his missing memories with Ranpo, he surely would never get over the man.
~~
“Hey, wake up.”
Poe could hear a sweet familiar voice calling out to him, smaller hands shaking him awake from his sleep. His eyes were still swollen from the tears he’d shed the night before, throbbing as he opened them to see Ranpo’s figure beside him.
What was he doing here? Poe gripped the edge of the blanket and hid his face under it, trying to avoid the other in any way possible.
“What are you, A kid? Put the blanket down!”
He could hear the frustration in Ranpo’s voice, but even so, Poe didn’t want to face him, he didn’t care if it was childish, he was trying to nurse his broken heart and bruised ego. After a few seconds, he heard a sigh before the other man crawled under the sheets with him. Of all the things Ranpo could have done, this was something Poe expected the least.
“Please just go..!” He argued in protest, he wanted to be alone. Cold hands touched the sides of his face, directing his gaze towards the other. Their eyes met, and Poe could see the conflict in the other's stare.
“I’m sorry.” He watched as the apology escaped Ranpo’s lips, and Poe’s brow shot up in confusion. Poe hadn’t been expecting an apology from Ranpo, but the words seemed to ease the tear in his heart. It even filled him with a tiny bit of hope that this could be reconciled.
“... You should have clarified, why would you lead me to believe…?” Poe got choked up as the memory of the forced kiss returned to his mind once more. “Believe we…”
“I messed up okay? I already said sorry, what else do you want from me?” Ranpo argued back, pushing closer, far too close. It only served as a reminder of the boundary between them that Poe would never be able to cross.
“I would like for you to leave me alone.” Poe squeezed his eyes shut, his heart was beating so fast it felt as if it might burst. “I understand our dynamic perfectly well.” He’d had all night to think about it after all and it left him feeling like a bullied child. An uneven, unbalanced relationship where one side took endlessly while he couldn't say no.
Poe ground his teeth together as he let out a pained breath. The frustration and pain bubbled over as his breaths became less steady and his normally gentle voice began to raise in volume. He began to ramble, spouting out all the pain. “You're a vampire that bleeds me dry. You take advantage of my heart time and time again, playing me without remorse, asking requests of me I could never refuse. I can sense the alterations in my memory, I know the gaps. Therefore I know how much happier I was before I met you six years ago.”
“... Poe, listen to”
“In my eyes, you're my light, my muse, the inspiration behind every piece I write. Yet in your eyes, I'm nothing more than frail branches.” He slid out of the bed, putting distance between them as he grabbed his journal. With just a stroke of a pen he could banish Ranpo from this world and that was entirely what he planned on doing. He was getting more and more worked up by the second, he gripped the quill and dipped it in the ink, opening the journal to the next free page. He was about to write the first word before Ranpo's hand grabbed his own, holding it in place to stop him. Your winds bend me and mold me as you please, severing my branches and leaving me broken while you relentlessly bombard me like a storm-.”
“I DIDN'T KNOW!” Ranpo shouted over him, yanking the pen away from his hand. Poe recoiled a bit at the loud outburst.
“You didn't… know?” He repeated back with a quiver. There's no way that was possible.
“Just stop, I didn't know! I wasn't trying to manipulate you, I hate gross stuff like that! Why are you so stubborn?! You won't even stop rambling for five seconds so I can explain!” The smaller man spat back as he took the book and hugged it close to his chest, preventing Poe from taking it back.
“How was I supposed to know you were obsessed with me? I don't pay attention to stuff like that!”
He could feel his embarrassment rising, and Poe backed up. There was no reason to call him out like that, it was like rubbing salt in a wound. Before Poe could protest, Ranpo closed the gap between them, taking another step forward.
“Don't go off on your own making stupid assumptions. You stole my first kiss. I had a right to get angry at you, you know.”
Poe's eyes shot open, and it was then he looked down to see the flustered look on the smaller man's face. First… kiss? He took Ranpo's first kiss. He traced the other's lips with his eyes and blushed, but he still felt mortified.
“I was your first?” Should he apologize? No matter the circumstance, it is wrong to steal a kiss… Especially someone's first… Well, if Ranpo wasn't his lover, then this was his first kiss too he supposed…
He had a hard time regretting it, knowing that Ranpo's first kiss belonged to him, and him alone.
“Do you resent me bad enough to want to forget about me?” Ranpo at this point had cornered him, Poe's back was pressed against the cold stone wall behind him.
“... Our, relationship isn't necessarily… even.” He looked at the ground, it was the only way he could handle letting this man down.
“Fine, let's even it out. You're my friend, Poe, you matter to me.”
Friend… Poe brought a hand up to his heart, trying to soothe the burn. After he'd spent the past few days considering Ranpo his lover, he didn't want to go back. The man in front of him had no grasp of the emotional turmoil he'd thrown him into.
“Then will you take responsibility for my pain?” He whispered, looking at Ranpo with unshed tears in his eyes. “You don't understand the deep anguish of unrequited love… It's better to not know, oh I wish I could have remained blissfully ignorant” How could Ranpo understand his pain? Someone as perfect as Ranpo surely could have anyone he wanted.
The detective got quiet. “... If I understood, would we be even?”
Huh?
Poe was at a loss for words as Ranpo slid the book he'd been guarding into Poe's hands along with a pen.
“My ability’s name is Super Deduction, it's the most powerful ability on the entire planet and it gives me the power to solve any mystery but I need my glasses to use it.” Ranpo once again invaded his personal space by opening the book for him and pointing at the blank page. “So give me my glasses. I'll make it even”
He couldn't tell this man no. As if he were moving on autopilot, Poe completed the command and scribbled the glasses into existence. Even Ranpo's bouts of arrogance were charming. He should be more surprised by the existence of a special skill of that caliber yet, it was so perfectly Ranpo.
It sounded right and made his heart ache again. So with a flick of his wrist, he fulfilled the other's wish without question. The glass appeared on the other hand and Poe watched as Ranpo took a step towards the window facing the sea of clouds.
The detective's hand trembled slightly as he put it on, for once the confident aura Ranpo seemed to exude was missing. Ranpo was uncertain.
What was he going to deduce? Poe felt his heart sink as he connected the dots. Ranpo was making it even. That meant Ranpo was in love with someone, and it wasn't him.
He held his breath watching as Ranpo opened his eyes and used his ability. Poe saw no indication that it had been activated. Ranpo quietly took off the glasses without a word. Poe felt himself begin to panic as he noticed tears welling up in the eyes of the other.
“Ranpo…?”
The man marched a few feet over to the bend and plopped himself down, burying his face in the pillow Poe had just been holding close moments earlier.
~~~
After that, Ranpo cried and Poe was helpless to stop it. He hadn't wanted things to be even if it meant this. Poe didn't want Ranpo to suffer, it hurt. But the fact Ranpo had willingly chosen and gone through with this for his sake wasn't lost on him. Seeing Ranpo lose his cool, has brought some clarity back to Poe.
He had gotten worked up and judged their relationship incorrectly, but Ranpo was willing to make sacrifices for him. Even if Ranpo acted entitled to the world, and selfishly… He did care about Poe’s well-being. That was enough to soothe his anger.
“I understand the pain you're enduring… It's brutal, it felt like my life was sucked right out of my body. I became so blinded by that pain, I lashed out at you..” Poe mumbled quietly to fill the silence, he could see Ranpo's puffy eyes peaking out from the pillow.
“It sucks.” Ranpo's reply was weak, and Poe found himself feeling angry with whoever dared to reject his beloved…
“What a fool that person is, You're brilliant but you have terrible taste.” He let out, his internal thoughts without remorse or hesitation.
Ranpo's head whipped up at that, he glared and argued back. “You don't know what you're talking about, so don't you dare talk about him like that.”
Him? A man, so Ranpo wasn't opposed to being with another man after all. Poe's conviction only solidified. “I know enough to firmly state he's beneath you.”
“Shut up! You take that back!” Ranpo spat back childishly, he tossed the pillow at Poe without much force, he caught it on reflex and got to his feet.
“No, I will not! That person is certainly the most foolish being to ever walk the face of the earth! It's not jealousy, it's common sense! What other explanation is there? One would have to be blind to not see your brilliance… They would have to be deaf to not recognize the power in your voice…” He watched as Ranpo opened his mouth to protest, but Poe spoke over him.
“That person… Does his brain even work at all? How can he not see the honor bestowed upon him? He has the affection of the most perfect man on the planet and yet he takes it for granted? That is unforgivable!”
It was then he noticed the way Ranpo's lips were slightly agape, making an ‘oh’, his cheeks rosy.
“You know what, I've spent over ten years waiting for him to look at me the way you're looking at me right now.” Ranpo got out of bed and walked right up to him, invading his personal space once more. “What am I waiting for? I already know that's a dead end without a future and I'm halfway through my twenties yet I just had my first kiss yesterday! Screw waiting! I'm so sick of waiting.”
Poe listened to the vent with interest, he didn't step away from Ranpo this time.
“Hey Poe, say more stuff like that.”
Eh?
“Say… more?”
Ranpo moved closer towards him, leaning onto his body without any shame. The curve in Ranpo's back made him want to pull Ranpo into a fervent embrace right then and there.
“Yeah, I've made up my mind, you wanted me? Then you can have me.” The detective grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door while Poe's brain short-circuited on him. He was at a loss for words, it felt like everything he'd ever wanted was within his reach yet… Poe could see the tear stains on Ranpo's plush cheeks, his eyelids were still swollen from the tears.
Ranpo was only doing this because he was hurting… It wasn't out of a desire for him.
“Ranpo.. You don't want me… This isn't..” Poe tried to protest, and he did, but then Ranpo gave him a look that Poe couldn't refuse and he melted.
“I know what I want so why are you complaining now? You wanted this. I looked around that book you ditched me in and you had a whole bedroom setup with silk sheets, soda, wine, and condoms.”
Poe squeezed his eyes shut. “That- that was- Ranpo, I was under the impression we were lovers. I simply wrote it in as an option for us if after dinner we.. perhaps felt like…” Poe trailed off and gripped the sheets beneath him tightly.
“Yeah, but you were wishing we would. I know you Poe, we hang out every day so of course reading you is childs-play. I don't use super deduction on you cause why would I bother? I trust you and I don't need to use my ability to figure out what's going on in your head.”
If Ranpo could read him so well without his ability then why didn't he realize his emotions sooner? Poe was about to interject but his words were stolen from him as he felt warm lips crashing against his own in an uncoordinated kiss. It was obvious Ranpo hadn't done this before, and in a moment all Poe's objections were stolen. It lasted for only a few brief seconds, and Ranpo pulled back, Poe finally opened his eyes to see Ranpo's flushed face.
“... Two broken hearts don't make a whole,” Poe whispered out the warning gently, he knew he was reaching for something that wasn't his. If he tasted this kind of sweetness then it's ripped away in the future. Poe would surely never recover.
“Do you trust me, Poe?” Ranpo got off him, giving Poe the space to get away if he desired. Taking a deep breath, Poe met Ranpo's gaze directly and nodded.
“More than anything.”
“Then come on, we're going back to that book.”
~~~
Poe allowed himself to be led back into the book he'd designed entirely as a date for Ranpo. Upon entering the novel, they were returned to the fine clothes and styled hair that Poe had written them both into. Tear stains were gone, and it gave the illusion that they had never been there in the first place.
Ranpo looked at the park and started tugging at his arm, he led him right towards the beautiful garden he'd designed. The roses were in full bloom, and he hadn't expected for Ranpo to take an an interest in them. But once they were amongst all the flowers Ranpo took his hand and held it gently.
“I met you six years ago.”
Poe held his breath as Ranpo narrated their history. They'd met on a case, one where Ranpo defeated him, He'd become obsessed with the concept of revenge and spent six years planning.
Only to meet Ranpo again, and be bested by him once more.
But that time, Ranpo picked him up. He invited him to meet his friends at the agency. They became friends.
“You know, if I could go back and redo it all, I would. I should have invited you to join my agency that day.” Ranpo squeezed his hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of his palm gently.
“I'm bad at this stuff, and you're right, that guy is foolish but I always considered him my fool.” Ranpo’s eyes narrowed as he took a seat on the bench.
“He can't keep up with me, he’s as dumb as a baby. Even though he was helpless I figured I'd take him under my wing and protect him, you know? I'd support him by his side and take care of him, maybe someday he'd understand.” Ranpo’s brows furrowed as he gave Poe a pained smile. “But that's impossible, he's still like a toddler compared to me and he's never going to grow because he can't grow any further. In the end, I was still alone, not in a world full of monsters, but alone in a world where everyone is as dumb as a baby.”
“But then you came back into my life, you always kept up with me, even if you’re a few steps behind, you're never far.” Ranpo stared into his eyes as he whispered the next words.
“Thanks to you, I'm not alone anymore, sure I've got Dazai around but he doesn't know how to have fun like you do. He doesn't like mysteries, he doesn't have a creative mind that can paint great things like this.” Ranpo spread out his arms and gestured to the vast world around them. The orange rays of the sun finally began to dim as the world's sun began to set. “He wasn't you.”
“I liked this, I like your mind. The way you think, the way you problem solve, the way you create.” Ranpo said as he caressed Poe's hand gently. “And I know that if I ga shot, I'll fall head over heels in love with you. You're going to have to wait a while cause I'm not over him yet, but I've made up my mind. This is what I want.”
Poe held his breath as Ranpo gave him a wide grin. “I want a man on my level, and I've never met anyone as brilliant as you.”
He could feel tears welling in his eyes again, tears of joy from being recognized. Even if he didn't have his memories. He could tell he'd been waiting to hear these words for a long time. “Ranpo.. If you were to change your mind. I would never recover.” Poe's lip quivered as the breeze brushed past him, the orange glow was quickly being enveloped by blue as the night set in. Ranpo smiled back and spoke up once more.
“I know, and I'm not going to. My mind is made up, it'll take time, but you can trust me on this one.”
Poe pulled Ranpo into another kiss, his arms wrapped around the smaller man's body as he cherished every second of it. Ranpo wasn't his yet, but he would be. Someday this man's heart would belong to him and him alone.
~~~
They finished the rest of their date with his heart soaring high. There was still a hint of anxiety over the fact that Ranpo had been in love with another man just a few hours ago. But he trusted Ranpo, if Ranpo said that he would fall for him in time, then Poe would take those odds.
For now, they both relaxed in the bedroom Poe had designed for them. He had just changed into his pajamas in the other room while Ranpo was rolling about in the soft sheets, enjoying the bedding he'd made exactly to the others' liking. There was rustling as black hair popped out from under the covers. “What's troubling you… Ranpo?” Poe resisted the urge to call him darling.
The man in question frowned, his eyes were puffy as if he'd been crying again. Poe could deduce the reason, but he still wanted to hear Ranpo tell him himself.
“Unrequited love sucks,” Ranpo mumbled as he shed the blanket and tugged at Poe's arm. “Hey, don't you want to do something already?”
Poe's cheeks turned red as he shook his head quickly. “No… Ranpo, you're hurting right now.”
“So, let's do it anyway, I don't want to think about him anymore.” Ranpo pulled Poe down and pinned him against the bed. Before Poe could protest Ranpo was already sitting on his chest, looking down expectantly.
He didn't want to be another man's replacement, their first time should be beautiful and full of love. As much as he wanted to experience Ranpo now. It could wait until his feelings were fully reciprocated.
“Ranpo, you don't love me, and I don't know you.” Poe put his foot down metaphorically while taking the chance to pull Ranpo into an embrace, he stroked his back. “I love you, I can feel my desire for you in every breath I take. But I do not remember our history that led to these emotions”
Ranpo stayed quiet and nuzzled into Poe's chest. Black hair tickled the exposed skin around Poe's collarbone, the detective didn't respond but he allowed himself to be pet.
“Tell me Ranpo, what's another way I can steal your thoughts away from him tonight?”
~~~
In the end, they didn't get much sleep after all. Most of the night was spent talking about mysteries and various cases Ranpo had completed. It was refreshing to hear all the wonderful memories. Whenever his darling started getting down, Poe would simply stroke his back until he felt better.
Eventually, they both drifted off to sleep and woke up to being outside the book. Poe looked around in confusion, uncertain as to why they were outside. A brunette was sitting in his favorite armchair with his legs crossed, in his hand was one of Poe's favorite worlds.
The man's ability glowed a soft blue light as he read over the pages. An ability singularity, the man was able to read his works without getting sucked inside.
The nullifier, Dazai Osamu.
Ranpo was still comfortably resting in his arms, and Poe wasn't ready to let him go yet. So he remained quiet and locked into some sort of staring contest with Ranpo's odd coworker who decided to invade the privacy of his bedroom.
After a moment, Dazai spoke up with a smile. “Sorry to intrude~ I'm here to pick up our agency's best detective.”
This caused Ranpo to stir. He rubbed his eyes and grinned as he saw Dazai. “Took you long enough.”
“You both look cozy, should I come back another time?” Dazai teased as he walked over to the bedside.
Poe honestly wanted to reply yes, since he knew this man's presence would take Ranpo from his arms. And sure enough, Ranpo wiggled out of his embrace and hopped out of bed.
“Nope, come on, let's undo this dumb ability.” Ranpo followed the other out the door, but once he was at the threshold he turned back and gave Poe a sincere smile. “I'll take a long lunch tomorrow. Come by the agency and I'll treat you to some ice cream from Uzumaki.”
Poe nodded quietly, was this a date? Had Ranpo invited him on one.
“Yeah, it's a date. Our second one, so don't forget about it now!” Ranpo added in, reading his thoughts.
“I wouldn't miss it for the world, darling,” Poe added back, quickly getting out of bed and walking over to the doorway. He cupped Ranpo's face in his hands and bent down to place a kiss on the man's forehead.
“Hyuuu~” Dazai made a dramatic whistle as he watched from further down the hall, causing Ranpo to get flustered and argue back.
“Shut it Dazai.” Ranpo then turned his attention back to Poe and smiled. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
Yes. Tomorrow.
With that Ranpo left his arms, leaving Poe with an aching hole in his chest as his beloved walked away. The past few days had been such a whirlwind of emotion… But he'd never felt so alive. He could only imagine the joys he would feel once Ranpo undone the ability and his memories returned to him. So in the meantime, Poe went to his desk and started writing in preparation for Ranpo's next visit.