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Ranpo and Poe sit in Poe's messy office. They've been there for a while, just sitting on the ground not talking. Poe knows he's messed up somehow. Ranpo is turned away from him and refuses to look him in the face. Poes quietly overthinking to himself and biting his nails, a habit Ranpos asked him to break. Ranpo finally breaks the silence.
“I hope you know I'm disappointed.”
His words are quiet yet so loud in the study. Poe doesn't know what he's done, what he did wrong, how he's messed up. Was it something he said or did? He always tried to be calm and polite so where did he go wrong?
Then suddenly a thought hit him, what if Ranpo had found out? But he couldn't have, he kept quiet about it and showed no hints to doing it at all, no aftermaths, nothing.
Finally Ranpo speaks again.
“Why didn't you tell me Poe?”
This has Poe stumped, what didn’t he tell Ranpo? He's tried to be honest, but something he just can't admit to. He opens his mouth and his words come out dry and desperate.
“What do you mean dear? I have told you absolutely everything”
“Liar.”
Ranpo’s words ring out loud in the quiet room, they're harsh and emotional, he turns and grabs Poe's sleeve, pulling it down it reveals numerous bandages.
“How long were you going to keep quiet Poe? Keep this a secret? Don't you trust me?”
Poe’s eyes widen as he stares down at the bandages, his mouth hanging open slightly.
“H-how-”
He starts but Ranpo cuts him off.
“I saw them when you handed me your book. Poe, I'm your boyfriend, you need to tell me these things”
Ranpo pleads, looking at Poe with watery eyes. Poe remains quiet as he stares at Ranpo.
“I’m sorry darling, I swear I was going to tell you but-... I got scared”
He mumbles the last part, ashamed at the thought. Ranpo looks slightly offended at this.
“Scared of what?! Am I scary to you Poe?!”
His words are sad as tears start to form in his eyes, he stares at Poe looking for answers.
“No it's that- well I-” Poe sighs “I thought you might break up with me”
He mumbles, tears forming in his eyes as he looks at the ground in shame. When Ranpo speaks his tone is softer than before.
“Oh Poe, I would never do anything like that…”
He pulls Poe in for a hug and they both cry together. Poe feels safe in Ranpos arms, they cry into eachothers shoulders for a while before Ranpo pulls back and cups Poe's cheeks in his hands lovingly.
“You have to promise me you will stop, seek help if you need to, this isn't healthy and you need to stop Poe, please, do it for me?”
Fresh tears fill Ranpos eyes as he speaks. Poe stares at him for a second before pulling him into another tight embrace. He whispers soothingly into Ranpos ear.
“I will, I promise dear”
Ranpo cries into his shoulder, these tears were different, they were tears of relief.
“Good.”