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It was simply an average day at the Armed Detective Agency, with Ranpo neglecting the proclaimed ”boring” paperwork. As the Agency usually did they turned to his companion, Poe to persuade him, yeah. Like he has any sway over the Greatest Detective in the whole world, he was talented sure, but nothing compared to his rival.
“Poe-kun! I’m bored, do you have any more books with you? The non-boring ones of course.”
Ah, yes he still was here for a reason, his presence had become pretty normal for the ADA, Yosano called him over if he didn’t already have an arranged time to show up from Ranpo.
Poe made his way to his rival’s desk and sat in the extra chair, shoulders hunched over and Karl curled around his shoulder. “Yes Ranpo-kun I did bring over a new manuscript, it’s not quite done yet so I’m open to suggestions on improving the mystery aspect,” now this was easy, sliding back into comfortable conversations about a new story he’s writing with, no gross… complicated emotions.
Ranpo lit up like Edgar had offered him his favorite snack and quickly made a grab for the manuscript, despite knowing this wasn’t an intimate act in the slightest, the carefree smile mixed with increased proximity made Poe falter. If Ranpo noticed he certainly didn’t show it, simply picking up the unfinished writing and flipping through it.
The story was one Poe had been working on for quite a while and he was fairly proud of it, the plot twists weren’t overly spontaneous and it was certainly a difficult mystery to solv-
“It was the farmer!”
Or not.
“I- I suppose I could’ve concealed it better…” he trailed off, slipping back into his own thoughts to figure out a better way to introduce the culprit. When he was getting lost in his thoughts Ranpo snapped in front of him, bringing him back to the present. His cheeks heated from under his bangs and he mumbled an apology.
Ranpo made a motion that almost seemed like he was rolling his eyes, he very well couldn’t with his eyes closed but somehow the message was still conveyed.
“Poe-kun you need to quit being so obvious, people will ask questions.”
Edgar froze, what? “I-I’m confused as to what you mean Ranpo-kun,” he spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. He’d been so meticulous about not letting any of his feelings show through to his rival, the person he admired most who he had finally gotten to be like equals with.
Ranpo leaned back and started scavenging for candy in his drawers, “Well, your crush on me Poe-kun, people might start to pick up on it.”
oh.
Edgar abruptly rose from his seat; he never was good with confrontation, emotional or physical. Hearing those words he’d dreaded ever since he realized his emotions, spoken so freely from Ranpo sent him spiraling.
He couldn’t look at him, to see the disgust etched on the face he’d found so much comfort in. Losing to Ranpo he could handle now, but a rejection from him? Poe just might die from that shame, the detective wouldn’t be wrong to be disgusted. Worthless worthless worthless worthless-
“Poe-kun what are you doing?” the words had passed right through Edgar, his feet moving on their own accord towards the door and his mind screaming.
stupid stupid stupid stuPID STUPID GET OUT NOW STUPID
Karl had started rustling around as if sensing the turmoil inside his head, he couldn’t even focus on his pet, nor the hot tears streaking down his cheeks he ignored in favor of salvaging what’s left of his dignity.
Of course, Ranpo found out.
He was the world’s greatest detective.
And Poe? A fool, and absolute imbecile for falling for someone who could figure it out instantly. Pathetic. So he ran. Like he always did.
The walk back to his apartment felt like a few seconds blended together, like walking in a fog, he had a destination in mind but he couldn’t see two feet in front of him. Trapped in that haze of self-loathing and it was impossible to ignore.
After stumbling up the stairwell he arrived at his apartment, his hands trembled violently and he slid back against his door the second it shut. The silent tears gave way to hiccups and before he knew it he was sobbing. An ugly sound of the famed writer Edgar Allen Poe crying on his floor echoed throughout the small apartment. A disturbing picture he made sure.
It could’ve been hours before the hiccups slowed, Or perhaps it was only a few minutes, it certainly felt like an eternity. The dread still filled his chest but his eyes were starting to dry, he simply didn’t have any more tears to shed over his stupidity.
He dragged himself up from the floor, Karl had run off to somewhere in the apartment in all the noise, honestly, it seemed a fair response. Seeing the pitiful state he was in certainly didn't sound appealing. Poe forced himself steady on his feet and walked to his room, the urge to vomit arose suddenly but he really couldn’t be bothered.
Once he entered the room he sat down on his bed, his phone on the nightstand ringing incessantly, wow. Ranpo had been so upset he must have sent Edgar his piece on the offending display. He could see the text now.
“You disgust me”
The words taunted Edgar, suddenly he didn’t have the stomach to even check the phone and he tossed it into a corner of his room. Nausea returned in full force.
Karl walked into the room holding a tissue box in his mouth, he scurried up to Edgar and dropped the box in his lap. The ache eased slightly upon seeing his friend. “Thank you,” he spoke softly, letting himself run his hands through Karl’s fur to calm down.
“He has to hate me now, Karl. I don’t know what I’d have done if I had to see him look at me with that disgust,” he paused a moment, his voice wavered and sounded raw from the sobbing earlier. “Father was right about me, I’m an abomination. And now Ranpo-kun knows it too,” the tears began flowing freely again, Karl hissed at the mention of his father.
Edgar could feel himself slipping, it would be so easy to give in to that dark feeling. The dark oceans plaguing his mind coercing him that the water felt so nice, just take a swim, drown in that emptiness. Even after so many years, at his core he was still that scared little kid that never had the courage to stay, he would always be the runaway.
Terrified, alone, trapped with an ability he doesn’t know what to do with, and born so incorrect. A freak in every meaning of the word.
He fell into a fitful sleep, he didn’t particularly want to deal with the dreams he knew would come, but he was so exhausted. Every muscle felt sore and his eyes were puffy, his throat rubbed raw, it was better to just sleep now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edgar awoke around noon the next day, he felt gross all around. The dried tears made his skin feel wrong, and the indents in his palms from when he tried grounding himself seemed to have drawn blood as there were red marks smeared across his fingers.
He began the long trek to the bathroom for a probably well-needed shower, maybe he could just spend the day wallowing in self-pity, the option sure sounded appealing. Still in his clothes from yesterday he made his way out of his room, he was not prepared for what greeted him as he walked out.
“Ranpo?” his voice sounded, rough from sleep and wavering with confusion, because oh boy Edgar you’ve really lost it now haven’t you?
“Took you long enough to get up, where do you keep your snacks Poe-kun?”
He stood there for a moment gaping like a fish before awkwardly gesturing to the bottom cabinet of his pantry. He simply sat himself down on the couch, the thoughts whirling around his head all concerning a certain detective and it was disorienting to say the least.
When his voice finally decides to return he blurts out, “Ranpo what are you doing here?” His voice was bordering on desperate but he couldn’t hold the panic at bay much longer, he made a fool of himself and his rival was at his house, eating his snacks.
“Isn’t it obvious Poe-kun I’m here to demand an apology!” Edgar winced, ah that was it, before he could stutter out an apology Ranpo continued his rant.
“How rude indeed, I mean you ran out of the agency and didn’t even give me time for my grand confession!”
“Your what? Wait that’s what you are upset about?”
“Obviously, what else?”
He spoke as if this was the easiest thing to understand ever and Edgar had never felt so lost.
As badly as Poe wanted to immediately accuse Ranpo of lying, he looked genuine, maybe a little disappointed like he was really put out about Poe leaving. “I’m sorry I ran Ranpo-kun,” Suddenly what the detective had said clicked “Confession? You- I- you like me?!” his voice raised a few octaves and Ranpo’s s face softened if just a little.
“Of course I do, don’t be stupid Edgar. It doesn’t suit you,” There wasn’t a hint of mockery in those words, just bright green eyes boring into grey. It felt like everything had faded away after the confession, thoughts running too fast through Poe’s head to recognize.
“I love you so much Edgar, and you gave me a right scare yesterday. ”
The dam broke, Poe rushed forward and enveloped Ranpo into a shaky hug, tears flowing freely down his face. Ranpo simply lifted his arms around the writer in a comforting embrace, letting him cry. It was so domestic Poe fought back another wave of tears and spoke.
“I love you too, Ranpo, so much.”
They had so much to discuss, but that could wait. This was all they needed, for now, just a grand detective and the writer he adored in his arms, safe and loved.