Chapter Text
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Edgar was pacing around his roomy, dark apartment with Karl following him diligently. He knows he needs to feed Karl now but he can feel himself panicking.
Karl whines for food and Edgar absent-mindedly picks him up and shushes him gently, rocking him back and forth.
“It’s okay Karl, we're just meeting up with Ranpo-kun today. Ranpo, Ranpo… you like Ranpo, don’t you?”
Karl squeaks and starts climbing his shoulders, and Poe sighs.
“Fine, let’s get you some food. You never talk sense when you’re hungry,”
Poe puts down a plate of cat food for Karl and straightens up when his phone pings. A message from Ranpo!
Stepping over Karl, he hurriedly opens the phone and his eyes scan the screen.
Ranpo
Hey, Poe-kun! Fancy meeting at the library in like, 10 minutes?
He gulps and texts back, trying to ignore the way his heart speeds up when he sees Ranpo’s name, or how his face is blushing as he sees his friend in his mind, smiling as bright as the sun.
Poe
Sure thing! See you there!
Ranpo
Are you going to bring Karl?
Poe smiles under his mass of dark hair, and his fingers glide over the screen, while he tries to imagine his friend’s reaction.
Poe
Of course!
He wants to see you!
Ranpo doesn’t respond, and Poe bites his lip nervously. Was his response too energetic? No, no, maybe he’s just busy.
Poe picks Karl up off the floor and moves around, getting ready and trying to push down his swirling feeling of anxiety.
When he steps out of the apartment, the glare of the summer sun is warm and blinding. Karl sinks his little fingers into Poe’s shoulders to get some grip.
Poe hisses softly and starts walking quickly to the library, trying to come up with conversation starters in his mind. Or anything to talk about, really.
2 minutes later, Poe shows up outside the library, as planned. Searching around, craning his head just above the crowds, he can’t spot Ranpo anywhere. He glances over to Karl.
“Can you see him?”
Karl let’s out a small disappointed squeak, and Poe pats his head.
“Yeah, I thought so. Let’s get out of the crowd, Karl,”
They make their way to a small café/bakery opposite the library, and push open the rustic glass door. A small bell jingles, and Poe smiles.
Ranpo would love this place, he thinks as he sees the wide variety of baked goods.
The cashier looks up at the sound and smiles politely. “What’ll you have, dear?”
Poe remembers how much Ranpo loves chocolate, and takes out his wallet, “I’ll have…”
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Poe was now sitting by the window, a tasty assortment of baked goods filling the table in front of him. He was still searching the masses for Ranpo, whole also holding back Karl from the food.
Taking out his phone, he messages Ranpo.
Poe
I’m in the Café, meet me there?
There was no response again. Why did Poe feel so affected by this??
On the table there were chocolate covered fudge squares, slices of chocolate chip sponge cake, some sort of sweet bun, sugar-coated cake bites, a small croissant and caramel sauce in a pouring dish. It hadn’t cost much, and it all looked delicious.
All that was missing was Ranpo.
Poe sighs and holds up Karl to the window, trying to draw in someone’s attention. Waving his little paws and making small sound effects. Karl seems to enjoy it.
Suddenly, there’s a flash of brown clothes as Ranpo darts up to the window, his hands splayed on the glass and his eyes wide and full of excitement. He makes a funny face for Karl, then he notices the food.
All the wondrous food on the table, so appetising and tasty. All that’s missing is-
His train of thought is cut off when the raccoon is lowered, and his eyes meet Poe’s. His face melts into a small smile and he runs for the door, laughing and jumping.
Poe barely had to turn his head when there's a sharp jingling sound and a figure darts past him and takes the seat opposite, panting slightly. Poe opens his mouth, when Ranpo smiles and he laughs beautifully. Why does he have such a beautiful laugh?
Poe snaps his mouth shut and blushes quietly.
“Hi, Poe-kun!” he chirps.
“H-hi Ranpo-kun,”