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There was no way Poe was getting any sleep tonight.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, the dark room felt surprisingly warm despite its conditions. He was lying on a twin-sized bed, facing the wall. It wasn't even half the size of his own.
Now that wouldn't be an issue if he were alone that is.
Curled up beside him was the most perfect human being to exist. His only worthy adversary, his rival, and his muse. Poe could hear the gentle sounds of his breathing, and he knew if he moved even an inch closer, he could hear the man's beating heart.
Oh, how was he supposed to rest in these conditions..! It was impossible, there was no way he could sleep with the back of his wrist pressed against Ranpo's. The warmth of his rival's skin ignited his mind like a fire with no way to escape. The pair of handcuffs chained them to one another physically.
Much like the invisible chains that irrevocably tethered him to Ranpo all those years ago…
Perhaps this was a physical manifestation of that, the result of years of obsession, and countless days of desire. Desire that morphed from a need for revenge to an endless thirst for his presence. He held his breath if only to hear Ranpo's better. The soft rhythm of the others sleeping filled him with emotions he was struggling to place. Poe was no stranger to obsession, it was a common occurrence throughout his life. But nothing compared to the unfiltered adoration and awe he held for Ranpo.
Eventually, Poe had to breathe, he wondered if he synchronized his breath closer to Ranpo’s, if it would bring them closer.
Closer…
A leg brushed against his own, it felt like a bolt of electricity shot up his spine. He was so close to utter perfection, so close to the most brilliant man on the planet. Even if he was locked up in enemy territory, there was no safer place on the planet.
Where could be safer than Ranpo's side? He couldn't think of anything. Ranpo was sleeping soundly, so it wasn't even a concern, he knew they were in no danger. Ranpo would solve everything in the morning. So until then, he had the entire night to bask in the presence of his sleeping Rival. He was so close, physically he could memorize so many little details, details he never could have known had he still been in America.
He wanted to know all of it, no he needed to. Like a starving man craving his next meal, he wanted to devour every bit of information he could get. He was so close, yet not close enough.
He could never be close enough.
Poe dared to turn around, his body moving slowly, carefully, so he wouldn't disturb the other's sleep. He rested his face right in front of Ranpo's, staring at the man's defined features.
Ranpo's eyelashes were thick, he wondered how they felt. Poe shivered as he imagined the edge of his finger gliding against them, the phantom touch of their lush bristles left him feeling giddy.
His mind continued to wander, taking in every detail up close from the size of his pores, to the plumpness of his cheeks. A smile crept unto Poe's lips as he observed Ranpo's own.
Oh if only he could experience Ranpo on a deeper level, if only he could touch Ranpo firsthand instead of relying on his imagination. Was it normal to think of your rival like this? To not only wish to surpass him but experience everything about him in any way possible? Poe didn't know, he could smell the mint candy on Ranpo's breath from before they were captured.
He carefully spun his hand around in the cuff and aligned his fingers with Ranpo's. The other hand was small compared to his own, but that only fueled his desire to encompass Ranpo.
Without thinking, Poe intertwined their fingers, holding Ranpo's hand as he dreamed of never letting go. He only had a few short hours chained physically to this man, and he was going to make the most of every second. The heat generated between their palms made him dizzy. Truly they completed one another in a way no one else could dare to.
Ranpo started to stir and Poe froze. An arm wrapped around Poe's torso as the detective unconsciously cuddled up to him for warmth. Unruly strands of hair tickled his neck and chin as Ranpo buried his face in Poe's chest.
Ranpo was so close to his heart. Perhaps his heartbeat would become the rhythm of Ranpo’s dream. The melody of his passion reaching the depths of his subconscious, would Ranpo dance to it? Would he be swept away by the beat until his heart synchronized to Poe's tune? He could only wish that were the case. If Ranpo were to think of him with such fervency, if Ranpo shared this same passion Poe would be the happiest man alive.
But alas, the world had not been so kind to him. He will settle for this, he'll settle for the dreams and crumbs he can pick up by Ranpo’s side. That is enough for him.
Still holding Ranpo's hand in his grasp, he used his free hand to gently cradle the other's head. Ranpo rubbed his face into Poe's shirt as he tried to get comfortable in his sleep.
Poe had never felt such joy, it was a high like he'd never experienced before. Oh, he wished this night could last forever, that he would never have to leave Ranpo's arms.
Perhaps he could pour this desire onto a page. Could he capture Ranpo's very essence? Transcribe his wonders into poetry so he can relive this moment over and over in the form of words.
Was such an incredible feat feasible? Could he express Ranpo in the form of words?
No…
Ranpo was far beyond that, he was indescribable. To learn every detail, every feature, every small thing that made him into the man he was would take years..
It was a task that would require years of study, yet Poe didn't think he'd mind. Because Ranpo was the most fascinating work of art he'd ever encountered.
His free hand ran through the other's hair, committing the feel of each strand to memory, gently caressing the sleeping detective's head as he imagined a future by Ranpo's side.
Even once they were no longer bound by these cuffs, Poe would remain bound to Ranpo forever. It was Poe’s fate, his purpose, his duty, and his reason to exist. He shut his eyes and allowed the small smile that graced his lips to grow. The moonlight streaming in through the window as sleep evaded him.
Poe was glad to be bound.