Work Text:
“EDGAR”
It’s too early,
“ED”
So so loud.
His bedroom door slammed open, “Edgar Allen Poe, I have been calling your name for five minutes!” It was Lucy. Poe sat up in his bed looking utterly disheveled, “Jeez, you look terrible, anyways, your boyfriend is here to see you,”
Before he could even process what Lucy said, she was already out the door and down the hall.
BOYFRIEND????
He got up and was instantly flattened by a flying Ranpo.
“Do you have anything new for me to read today?” The brunette asked excitedly, hanging off his back like Karl.
“Not quite yet Ranpo, I’ve hit quite the writer's block recently,” Poe said, shaking the detective off.
“Now if you would excuse me, I have to put on something more presentable,” He worried, pushing Ranpo out of the room and shutting the door behind him.
He wore a deep purple sweater vest with a white collared shirt and a pair of black dress pants. To finish it off he wore his black cloak draped over his shoulders and a pair of brown high-heeled boots. Poe stepped out of the room and went off to find Lucy because he needed to have some words with her about calling Ranpo his boyfriend.
But before he could he was greeted by Ranpo and Karl.
“I apologize for my appearance earlier,” Poe said, still blushing at the thought.
Ranpo shrugged and flipped his lollipop to the opposite side of his mouth, “Do you have an old novel I can read?” He asked expectantly, picking back up their previous conversation
“Not anything you haven’t already read before,” He said with a nervous laugh. Ranpo frowned, “Well, do you have any food?”
“I can make waffles,” Poe offered, “If you want of course,”
Ranpo nodded and ran off toward the kitchen. That gave Poe more time to find Lucy because he knew damn well Ranpo didn’t know where the kitchen was.
He eventually found Lucy in her room getting ready for work.
“Lucy!”
“Yeah yeah, what,” She said turning around while she tied her bandana
“You called Ranpo my boyfriend, yes?” He asked, tapping his foot
“Yeah, so what, aren’t you guys dating?”
“NO, WE ARE RIVALS,” He yelled, her eyes widened, “Apologies,”
“Well I mean with how often he comes over to hang out, I just assumed,”
Poe sighed, “We are not dating, we are rivals, Lucy,”
“Well it seems like Ranpo wants more than just rivals, so think on that,” She said walking past him out of the room
Poe stood there stunned, “Also, I have a date with Louisa tonight so don’t count on me coming home right after work,” She added, striding her way to the front door
He huffed and remembered Ranpo was probably lost somewhere in the mansion.
After some searching, Poe found Ranpo in a sitting room playing with Karl. They ate and Poe dragged him out to run a few errands, with the promise of snacks, of course.
As they walked he continued to think about what Lucy said before she left. And come to think of it, Ranpo had been acting a bit stranger than usual. Who was he kidding, Ranpo would never feel that way.
–time skip–
“Y’know, the way you act around Ranpo, you might be in love with him too,” She said, sitting criss-cross on the couch in Poe’s study
Poe was pacing, he was definitely thinking too hard about whatever this was, “I’m not in love with him Lucy, it’s a healthy rivalry, or friendship, or, oh for the love of god I don’t know,” He flopping down onto the hardwood floor
Lucy winced at the dramatic fall before going to lay next to him, “I think you’re thinking too hard about this Ed. So what if you have a little crush on him, it’s not that big a deal,” She offered
Poe groaned and flipped to face her, to which she did the same, “I know you’re trying to help but it’s making me think harder,”
“I know, I know, but ‘m just saying, no one spends six years writing a book for their ‘rival’” She said, using air quotes to further her point.
Poe thought some more, feeling his face heat up at the thought of Ranpo actually being in love with him.
The pair lay there for a few more minutes before Lucy got up, “Alrighty, it’s midnight so I’m gonna go to bed” She said brushing off her dress, “You should too, those bags under your eyes look more like luggage,”
“Haha, very funny,”
And with that, the red-headed ability user walked out. Poe sighed and covered his face with his hands. He probably should go to sleep, but he really wanted to work on his new novel, and so he did.
Poe stayed up an hour after hour until it was finished, despite writer's block, he did it and then promptly fell asleep at 5 am.
He woke up around 3 pm with a blanket draped over his shoulders and the sound of mischievous giggling coming from the hallway. Ranpo burst in with Karl on his head.
“Well well, look who's finally up!” He said excitedly
Poe rubbed his eyes and stretched his back, “Ranpo dear, How did you get in?” He yawned, not realizing what he had said
“What?”
“I asked how you got in, did Lucy let you in?” He asked, lowering his arms, “Won’t Kunikida be mad you’re not at the agency?”
“No no, you said something before that,” There was a sly smile pasted on his face
“Ranpo d-” Poe stopped and slammed his hands onto his mouth, definitely blushing.
Ranpo giggled and hopped over to stand behind his chair, “Woooowww, I didn’t realize you thought of me that way, Edgar~” He teased
“It was an honest mistake! I’m just tired is all,” I said with a nervous laugh
“I like that nickname, you should call me that more often!” Ranpo said, even Poe could tell that his cheeks were quite pink, “Now, it’s lunchtime, let’s go get something to eat!”
Ranpo dragged him out the door and to get lunch they went. It was a mild walk to the nearest cafe but nevertheless, Ranpo still complained.
“Are we there yet?” He whined, hanging off Poe’s arm as they went.
“Just a few more minutes, I promise,” He said, his face practically burning up.
They finally reached the cafe after much complaining and whining and sat down to eat. Ranpo got a few sweets, Karl got blueberries, and Poe got a coffee. Ranpo excitedly babbled about the new mysteries he had solved and about everything new at the agency. Poe sat and listened quietly, simply enjoying being in his company.
Poe paid their tab and they started to the ADA building
“Where are we going?” Ranpo asked, “This isn’t the way we came,”
“I was going to walk you back to the Detectives Agency,” Poe stated, turning around as Ranpo stopped behind him. He let out the biggest sigh any human could possibly muster.
“But I wanna spend time with you,” He whined, “That’s why I told Yosano to drive me to your house insteaddddddd,”
Poe was lucky most of his face was covered because taking just one look at him would instantly give away his feelings.
“A-alright,” He stuttered, “I guess we're going back home then,” Ranpo cheered and started running back towards Poe’s house. The poet had to take longer strides to make sure the detective didn’t take a wrong turn or get lost on the way back.
The two arrived back at Poe's house and Ranpo flopped down onto the couch next to the entryway.
“Oh! I almost forgot I finished my novel last night!” Poe exclaimed, heading up the stairs towards his study, Ranpo in close pursuit now suddenly interested.
“I’m excited for you to read this one, I think you will enjoy it,” He said, clapping his hands together as they entered the study. Ranpo grinned and went to sit on the chair across from Poe’s desk while he fetched the manuscript.
Poe handed the detective a leather-bound notebook, “It’s in here,”
13 minutes later Ranpo had solved it, “It was the police officer, correct?”
Poe nodded and slumped down into the back of his chair, “That was five minutes longer than last time,” He stated, “Would you say I’m getting better?”
“You’re always getting better Ed!” Poe blushed, he wasn’t expecting praise, and from teh genius detective no less!
“Though I noticed you wrote in a bit of romance between the main character and his partner,” Ranpo added
Poe took in a sharp breath, “W-well, I thought I’d try something different, no?”
“No, I thought it was nice, a little change of pace from your original style,” Ranpo said spinning in his chair, “You should add new stuff each time, it makes your stories all the more interesting,”
Poe blushed again, “Why thank you Ranpo,”
“But,” there's always a but isn’t there, Poe sighed.
“I couldn’t help but notice, the dynamic seemed a tad familiar,”
Poe tensed up, “I’m not too sure what you’re talking about,” Poe was lying straight through his teeth
Ranpo gave him a knowing look and stood up from the spinny chair, “Alrighty, I guess I was imaging it,” He checked his phone, “Yosano’s gonna come pick me up, cuz -Kida thinks it’s to late for anymore anything,”
“He also wants me to go to work tomorrow,” Ranpo whined, “Walk me out would you?”
“Oh! Of course Ranpo,” Poe said following the shorter one out of the study. One could hear a car pull up and a muffled honking noise as they approached the door, Poe opened it for Ranpo.
“Such a gentleman,” Ranpo commented, skipping off to Yosano’s car, and waving goodbye before he got in. Poe waved back and closed the door, no doubt the color of the ripest tomato ever.
He went back up to his study and skimmed over the manuscript, having written most of it in a state of delirium the night before. The dynamic was indeed recognizable, but Poe couldn’t place his finger on it. He’d have to ask Lucy when she gets home.
_____
“No, yeah, this is definitely yours and loverboy’s dynamic,” Lucy said handing him back the draft
Loverboy???
“I agree,” said Louisa, who was over for a visit.
“Oh gods, he knows now doesn’t he,” Poe groaned, slumping back into his desk chair
“Knows what?” She asked, taking a bite out of an apple she found in the kitchen
“That I have romantic feelings for him,” He whispered
“You don’t need to whisper loser, it’s not like he’s here,” she said, “and besides he probably already knows,”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, isn’t he like the world's greatest detective or something, he’s totally inside your head already,”
Poe blushed and covered his mouth with his hand, “No,”
“Mhm,” Lucy hummed
“Oh, what do I do?” He asked, looking up at her through thick bangs
“Confess,” Lucy said, “Just tell him over coffee or something,”
“I don’t think it’s as easy as it sounds,”
“I dunno, worked for me,” She shrugged, pointing a thumb at Louisa, “But, you know, don’t listen to the one actually in a relationship,”
Poe shot Lucy a look, even though it was probably best to listen to her advice. Even if she was being kinda mean.
“Here, how about this,” Louisa offered, “Write him a poem, you’ve written tons right?”
Poe nodded
“And if you don’t want to watch him read it, you could make it a mystery and send him in,”
“You two are the best,” He sighed, thumping his head down on his desk
“I know,” Lucy said, placing a hand on her hip, “it’s what I’m here for,” Poe groaned at the comment. Louisa tugged at Lucy’s sleeve, “I think we better leave him be for a moment,” She said, “Come on love,” She pulled Lucy out of the room and shut the door behind them. But Poe could still hear muffled taunts as the pair walked down the hall.
After an hour of thinking, Poe decided he simply couldn’t focus and went off to bed. Falling to sleep with Karl rested at his side.
______
In the morning, or more 12 noon, he had a bout of inspiration and threw together a quick acrostic poem, not his best work but it would have to do if Poe actually wanted to confess. He stared at his phone and hesitated to call, or even text his rival of 6 years. It wasn’t even that big of a deal…
Who was he kidding, of course, it’s a big deal! If it all goes wrong he could lose his rival and most tresured friend. What if Ranpo thinks he's disgusting, what if he never wants to speak with him again?
What if, what if, what if-
“Are you gonna call him or what,”
Of course, Poe could always count on Lucy to interrupt his overthinking.
“I can’t! My heart won’t let me,”
“Since when did you get all sappy,” She snarked
“I’m a poet Lucy, it’s my job,” Poe shot back
Lucy snatched the phone from his hands and before Poe could even react, she typed a message and sent it off.
“Lucy,” He said tensing up, “What did you just send,”
“I just told Ranpo to come over,” She said, “I said it was an emergency,”
“Lucy Maud Montgomery you little asshole! I’m going to kill you!” He threatened as she ran out of the room, giggling like a schoolgirl.
Poe groaned and realized he needed to notify Ranpo that there was no actual emergency and Lucy was just being a little shit.
_____
An hour later there was a knock at the door, and who else could it be than Ranpo? At this point, he was spending more time at Poe’s home than he was at the agency. Kunikida probably hates him.
Poe opened the door and handed Ranpo the poem without a second thought. I was really now or never ever.
He began reading and was sucked into the page, landing in front of Poe’s mansion.
Poe watched through a window in the fictional house, having been in too close proximity to Ranpo when his ability activated. Now he was forced to watch the mystery unfold.
“Did, he just teleport me outside?” Ranpo thought aloud, “Nooooo, no yeah I’m probably in the poem,”
He got up from his place on the ground and started to the mansion, when something fell from the sky and hit him, point blank, in the forehead.
“Ah balls, that hurt,” he whined, picking up the item. It was a piece of candy, with a small note attached to it
“I should feel the need to answer a question-” The detective read aloud, “What? OH! It must be a line from the poem!” He deduced, taking the candy from its wrapper, and stuffing the trash in his pants pocket. He strode to the front doors of the mansion, hoping to find another line.
On the door handle was a lollypop, and tied to that, another paper!
“Laying on my heart and in my mind,” He read, “What an emo,”
Ranpo opened the door and proceeded to find a note, and a candy, every few rooms and hallways. Now he stood in front of the last door and opened it to find Poe with the last note and the last candy.
“Nice! I found you!” He exclaimed, hopping over to the taller man, and snatching up the note. He sat down on the floor and pieced the last note into place.
Oh, how Poe wished he could disappear right about now. The only reason he sent Ranpo it was so he didn’t have to witness him read the stupid thing.
“Alrighty, now let’s see what we have here,”
–
I should feel the need to answer a question
Laying on my heart and inside my mind
Our chemistry is quite amusing
Veering towards a bit confusing
Every waking moment I am consumed by it
Yearning for someone to feel the same
Oh how terribly I want you to bear the same burden
Upon knowing how I feel
–
Poe turned to face the window, hiding his face in his hands. After, maybe, 30 seconds he heard the clicking of shoes on the hardwood floor.
He felt a small tap on his shoulder “Poe?”
Oh, gods-
“Poe~ can you turn around, please?”
The taller of the two spun on his heels. Still covering his face with his hands, even though his hair was doing most of the work. He felt hands on his wrist bringing down his hands to his sides.
Ranpo stood on his tippy-toes and threaded his arms around Poe’s neck for stability. He glanced down at his lips then back up to his eyes, hidden by a thick mop of dark-brown hair.
“Can I?”
Poe took a deep breath through his nose, knowing what the other was asking. He nodded, allowing himself to be pulled down into a brisk kiss.
“I love you too,” Ranpo whispered, pulling Poe in for a second, slightly longer, kiss.
Poe’s heart fluttered as he wrapped his arms around Ranpo’s waist. This is what he had been waiting for, for 6 years. It didn’t occur to either of them that the kiss meant solving the mystery, so neither noticed when the setting faded around them, back to their original spot in the entryway.
It wasn’t until Lucy coughed, very obnoxiously, that they separated. Poe wore a deep red blush and Ranpo a giddy smile.
“I should probably head back to the agency,” Ranpo giggled, pulling Poe in for one more kiss before leaving, “Bye-bye my love, text me later!”
Ranpo was already long gone before he could respond.
—-
“Now I owe Louisa 20 bucks,” She scoffed, “Fuckin poem,”
“You placed bets?!”