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Ranpo grinned. Another case solved by the world's greatest detective he thought proudly. He was called in earlier that day to solve a case the local police were investigating. It was a murder case of a man going around and killing people who had some sort of power in various companies. He wasn't even replacing them, the guy was just mad that he got fired from what Ranpo deduced.
Maybe I can go on an evening walk with Dazai. We haven’t had those in a while. It’s adorable to see him blush whenever I outsmart him in our games. He smiled at the thought. It’ll have to wait though. Something tells me this day is long from over. He shrugged. Nothing he couldn’t take care of.
After hearing everyone's round of thanks and goodbyes, he walked out of the police department and put his hands behind his head. It was a nice sunny day, no clouds were in the sky, it would be a perfect day for Dazai and I to go on a walk, not even in the evening, the detective remarked. To anyone who saw him, he looked careless and happy. He was the world's greatest detective, living without a care in the world ready to get his paycheck from an easy case.
Yet Ranpo knew better than that.
They haven’t captured the man yet, they knew where he would be and what he looked like, though he wasn't behind bars. The man was most likely in an alley following Ranpo to capture, and potentially murder him.
Ranpo was prepared for that though. He wasn’t Fukuzawa’s pupil for nothing. He made sure Ranpo was trained to defend himself no matter who he was fighting. Ranpo wasn't much of a fighter, but he could get himself away in a pinch. If it wasn't for the fact that he couldn't take the train to save his life, he could have no one nagging him about how his ability worked. He had to take risks, it was part of the job. Yet no one seemed to understand that. It always worked out in the end, so why did it matter?
Ranpo glanced at an upcoming alley. He’ll corner me there. He might have a team with him to surprise me. He thinks I'll have a team of people to deal with him. He grabbed out his phone and sent Dazai, who happened to be doing business in the same area, his location. He’d understand what Ranpo meant, he always did.
Just as he predicted, when he walked by the empty alleyway, he was grabbed and thrown across the alley. Looking up, Rapo saw that there were five people there. At least two or three of them should have an ability. I'm not sure what exactly but i can hold them off and lead them to the police. Dazai should be here in time, he’ll be finishing up by this point to meet me at the police station.
“Well well. Looks like the great detective doesn't have anyone to help him. Not even the police will be here in time to save you. I’ll make sure to kill you before they get here of course. Can’t have ignorant people walking these streets.” a man said. Ranpo recognized him as the killer. He had dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. Ranpo immediately got up.
Seems I’ll have to fight my way out of this. He thought as one of the men approached him.
The next few minutes were a blur. Ranpo was dodging most of their attacks through his deduction and knocked many of them out. One of the men had an ability that allowed him to travel at almost light speed for a very short amount of time. Along with the murderer, Ranpo was starting to have trouble.
After dodging the gifted man, he was punched in the gut and sent towards the wall. He quickly got up again and dodged another attack before trying to take the knife the blond man had.
I can't run from this guy. If i dont knock him out quick enough I might not make it out of here safely. He thought suddenly.
Ranpo then felt a foreign feeling after that thought. He barely felt it, only a very few select times.
Fear.
Complete and utter fear.
I messed up. Ranpo thought as he was thrown on one of the walls after a failed attack. I miscalculated and I don't think I’ll be able to get back to the police station. If I make my way to the street I could lose them in the crowd. It's low but I'm close enough to the police station that if I run they can't get to me.
Once Ranpo stood up again after hitting the wall, he quickly found a way to escape the two men. Just as he was about to dash in between them, he felt a sharp pain across his abdomen. Snapping his head up, he saw the glint of a silver knife stained in blood. Falling to the ground, Ranpo glared at the two men as he held onto his abdomen. He could barely focus before, but now it was even worse.
He closed his eyes and tried to focus on his breathing. If I’m lucky, someone should be coming in 3…2…1..
That's when he heard two quick gunshots and the men collapsed on the floor. Most likely dead. Ranpo looked up and saw Dazai.
Ranpo gave a reassuring smile. Seems it worked out in the end. It always does.
Ranpo opened his eyes and blinked a few times. Looking at his surroundings, he was back at the agency, in Yosano’s office. He was in one of the hospital beds. Most likely post treatment, considering his abdomen hurt significantly less.
Ranpo took a deep breath. I'm about to get lectured by at least three people. They'll rub it in my face for the next six months or so won't they. Now everyone will know I failed. If I can't even defend myself, how will they trust me to defend them?
Yosano heard him breath, she walked over to him and sighed. “So you're awake. Good. Now you will hear the earful I’m about to give you.”
Here we go, Ranpo thought as he sat up straight.
Just as she was about to start though, someone opened the door. It was Dazai.
“So you're awake Ranpo-san!” Dazai exclaimed with the most fake happy tone Ranpo ever heard. “Yosano-san. Do you mind if I talk to Ranpo-san for a minute? I have something… important to discuss with him.”
Yosano nodded and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. Once they were left alone, Dazai gave Ranpo a cold look. It felt like the room temperature dropped a significant amount at his cold stare. Yet Ranpo didn’t crumble.
He watched as the other man sat down on his bed. He waited for Dazai to start, he wouldn't crumble under anyone's cold gaze (except for Fukuzawa. He knew the moment he was alone with him he’d start crying during his lecture).
“Now Ranpo,” Dazai started, dropping the formalities. “Why the fuck did you think it was a good idea to do that. If you knew you'd be targeted, why would you willingly go get yourself beat up and potentially murdered. You knew you couldn't take them on. You don't have a combat ability like the rest of us. You know that. You're not stupid.”
“I knew you'd be there in time-” he started.
He felt the sharp sting of a slap on his face.
“Liar.” Dazai whispered full of anger. “Liar. It was a miscalculation wasn't it? You can't fool me, Ranpo.”
Ranpo looked away. “You're right Dazai. I.” He took a breath. “I miscalculated and that almost cost me my life.”
He looked back at Dazai and before he could register his facial expression, Dazai enveloped Ranpo in a hug.
“Ranpo. Ranpo, I love you too much to lose you. I lost a loved one before and I refuse to lose one again. My dear, you mean too much to me to let you go.” Dazai started. “How else am I supposed to have someone as smart as me in the agency if you were gone? Who’s snacks would I steal if I was having a bad day? Who else would I hug when I wasn't feeling my best? Who else would I love? I lost the only other person I've ever loved because he made a stupid decision. I refuse to let that happen to you, dear.”
Before Ranpo knew it he was crying. Dazai tightened his hold on Ranpo. “I'm sorry Dazai, I really am. I’m the one who needs to protect the agency. I’m the one others look to for help. God, Dazai, I'm supposed to be the best. I’m not supposed to fail. And yet I did. The agency was founded because of me and if I can't live up to that then what's the point?”
Ranpo felt himself get picked up and put on Dazais lap. A hand went up to his hair and started finger brushing it.
“I’m sorry. I didn't mean to get myself injured that much. I thought I could make it out easy enough and lead them outside. I love you too, Dazai. I love the agency as well. I don't want to leave you all alone.” Ranpo assured.
“Ranpo. You don't have to be perfect. You can't take the train and you get lost easily. That's what makes you human. When we say we love someone. We always say we love them along with their flaws. That's why I love you Ranpo. Your addiction to sweets is hilarious and you're adorable when you try and find your way. You can't be perfect yourself, Ranpo. It’s simply how we are. And I love you with all your flaws and annoyances.” Dazai whispered as he continued to brush Ranpo’s hair.
Ranpo leaned back and looked at Dazai. He was beautiful. Even in this moment, his hair framed his face perfectly and his brown eyes were unreadable but stunning either way. He smiled and kissed Dazai on the cheek.
Dazai smiled. A genuine one. “You're not leaving my side for the next three months, you know that?” Dazai asked playfully.
“Knowing the old man he’d make it five. Maybe six if he’s really having a bad day.” Ranpo replied with a sigh.
Dazai brought them together again in a hug. This time, Dazai nuzzled his head into Ranpo’s shoulder.
“So, does this mean I can call you my boyfriend now? Since we finally decided to talk this out?” Ranpo asked, brushing through Dazai’s hair.
Ranpo heard a muffled yes in his shoulder from Dazai.
“Good.” he murmured. “Good.”