Work Text:
It had been a long time since Poe had felt this content.
A very, very long time.
It’s roughly one in the morning, his living room illuminated only by the light of his television. He and Ranpo have been watching movies for quite some time now.
Poe couldn’t recall when it had happened, but their positions seemed to have switched from them sitting side-by-side, to Ranpo laying down with his head in Poe’s lap.
The detective had dozed off some time ago, right before the climax of the movie currently on screen. Poe had taken it as an opportunity to play with Ranpo’s hair; running his fingers through it oh so gently as to not wake him. It felt so nice and soft, he never really thought of Ranpo as one to take great care of his hair, but he was pleased to be proven wrong.
Despite the shrieks and explosions happening on screen, Poe feels completely serene. His focus hadn’t been on the screen for quite some time, and even the sound had escaped his awareness at that point. He just watches Ranpo sleep, praying that he doesn’t wake up anytime soon. He’s incredibly cute, and Poe didn’t want to be caught.
It had been a long time since Poe had a proper friend, but he isn’t so dense as to assume this is normal behavior. The feeling in his gut is too warm and soft, made him feel much more vulnerable than he had ever felt.
He feels the desire to pull Ranpo even closer to him as well. Having him sleep on his lap is already fairly intimate, but Poe can’t help but long for more. He feels his cheeks burn at the thought of it.
They have been friends for a few months now, and throughout that time Poe has witnessed his feelings for the other man shift substantially.
At first Poe had believed that the infatuation he felt for the other was purely out of admiration for Ranpo’s deductive capabilities. Whenever Ranpo had whipped out his glasses and uncovered the truth in mere seconds, it made Poe’s heart speed up. The man had an intellect anyone would be amazed at, so Poe didn’t think too hard about the reasoning behind his admiration hours after witnessing Ranpo in action.
It was when his focus shifted from the impressive case solve to the cheeky look on Ranpo’s face when he was gloating over his victory. How he would always bounce with excitement when they would both be at the crime scene. How Ranpo always encouraged Poe to work things out as well and hop in to finish his work rather than to simply solve it on his own. He loved the camaraderie, he loved seeing what only could be interpreted as endearment on Ranpo’s face whenever Poe was able to solve a case. He really had grown from cheering Ranpo on as he used his Super Deduction, to an equal assisting in a case.
Even more than that, he grew to become Ranpo’s friend.
He wants to be more than just friends, though.
“I love you.” He whispers, soft enough that he himself could barely hear it. It just slipped out of him; he could only thank the stars that Ranpo was asleep for his confession.
“I love you too.” He hears whispered back, and freezes.
Huh?
“H..”
Ranpo adjusts himself so that he’s looking right up at Poe, his green eyes wide awake and unwavering. Poe’s heart is going a mile a minute. It feels like his whole body was on fire, and he can’t bring himself to move let alone speak. He’s absolutely mortified.
“Is that not what you wanted?” Ranpo asks him, bringing his hand up to the one Poe left frozen in his hair. “If you wanted something unrequited, you shouldn’t have been so cute about it.”
“I…I-I uh…” Poe can’t handle Ranpo’s gaze, and looks over to the side. He has to recollect himself.
Ranpo seems to let him too, staying silent and rubbing small circles into Poe’s hand. He can’t tell if it was helping him calm down or making things worse.
“I thought you were asleep.” Poe finally says, and looks back at Ranpo. He’s met with a gentle smile, something he wasn’t used to. His eyes still glint with amusement, but the combination of the two things is making Poe dizzy.
“You never play with my hair when I’m awake,” Ranpo says, still in a whisper. “I like it.”
“Oh.” Poe responds with, his extensive vocabulary eluding him.
Ranpo hums, and Poe assumes that means Ranpo wants him to continue playing with his hair. Unfortunately, Poe still can’t bring himself to move much at all. They sit there in a silence that can be considered awkward at best.
“So,” Ranpo begins.
“So.” Poe echoes.
“Do you really love me?”
Ah. Yes. That.
“I do.” Poe confesses again. “Love you. That is. If that’s fine.” His hand tightens a little, his anxiety bubbling up again.
Ranpo lets out a snort, and squeezes Poe’s hand reassuringly. “Of course it is, silly. I told you I love you too.”
Now, without any kind of surprises, Poe finds himself relaxing. He lets out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding, and melts into the couch. “I was so afraid of messing things up.” He admits. “I haven’t had such a good friend in a long time. I was worried if I said anything to you when you were, ah, awake, that I would ruin what we have. You’re really special to me, Ranpo-kun. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You’re so cheesy.” Ranpo mumbles and attempts to pout. Poe can see just the slightest hint of red on his cheeks though, and Poe realizes he’s not the only one who’s embarrassed. “You’re special to me too. I don’t want to lose you either.”
Ranpo sits up, sliding his and Poe’s hands off his head and scoots up close to Poe. They’re face to face, hardly any room between them.
“Can I kiss you?” Ranpo asks. Poe’s brain short circuits once more, and all he can do is nod in response.
Ranpo cups his head in his hands and closes the distance between them. Poe feels a spark of electricity shoot through him, and he wraps his arms around Ranpo’s waist.
Ranpo’s lips are soft and warm, and Poe pulls him even closer. It’s not the nicest kiss in the world, very obvious neither of them have experience in this department. Nevertheless, it’s wonderful.
“I can’t tell you how long I’ve been wanting to do that.” Ranpo says when he pulls back. He gives Poe a quick peck, but after that it seems like they’re done for the time being.
“You can do it any time you want now.” Poe responds. Ranpo buries his head in Poe’s chest, and one of Poe’s hands works it way back into his hair.
“Yeah.” Ranpo hums, clearly happy but Poe can tell he’s tired.
They sit like that for a moment, Poe once again running his hands through Ranpo’s hair, drawing smalls circles and twiddling with strands. Poe is certain this time that Ranpo is asleep; his body slumped against his and his breathing slow, even.
For how many sweets he eats, Ranpo is surprisingly light, so Poe picks him as carefully as he can and lays him down in bed.
It’s the first time they’ve shared a bed together, but enough has happened that night that Poe doesn’t get flustered about it. He slips in after he makes sure Ranpo is settled, extra careful that he doesn’t bump into Karl who lays at the end of the bed as he gets comfortable.
Poe scoots close to Ranpo and wraps his arms around Ranpo oh so gently.
He thinks he’s woken him up at first, but it seems Ranpo is still asleep when he turns and snuggles closer to Poe. His face is pressed close Poe’s chest, and Poe adjusts so his head is just above Ranpo’s own. He entwines their legs together and takes a deep breath.
He isn’t sure if he’s actually going to get any sleep with how fast his heart’s racing, but it isn’t the worst position to be stuck in.