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It was hard for Ranpo Edogawa to yearn for something that he didn't have. If there was a snack that he craved, or a case that he wanted to solve, he would've had it as soon as possible. After all, he was certainly the most deserving detective in all of Yokohama, and it was a crime for him to not be receiving these basic necessities. Ranpo even planned ahead in terms of getting his needs tailored for at the earliest time. The news channel was always on in his apartment, he had a safe full of snacks at work, and there was an entire pantry right next to him filled with a wider variety of goodies. In every scenario, Ranpo had no problem feeding and entertaining himself.
Sure, candy kept his mouth occupied and solving any case boosted Ranpo's ego, no matter how easy it was. But admittedly to the detective, his favorite quality about his needs were that they were easy to satisfy. It didn't matter if he wanted something salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy, or hard. There was always a cheap snack in his reach to binge on. And, there was also no harm in solving a local problem in the name of the Agency. It felt nice to get what he wanted in a simple and timely manner.
Yet, there was one concept that Ranpo would walk on bare glass to have at his convenience. His biggest craving didn't have a clear method of satisfaction, and that made him yearn for it more.
Unfortunately, this particular need did not come in a bag, or from any police office. It was also something he couldn't buy, no matter how hard he tried. If Ranpo wanted it that badly, he would have to earn it. He's tried every day in the Agency to gain that luxury from his co-workers, but he was only met with... different responses. Actually, there were only four people in the entire world that gave him that non-tangible item.
"Two of which aren't alive anymore," he silently considered.
Ranpo was interrupted from his train of thought by an unexpected call. He quickly grabbed the grey flip phone on the wooden table adjacent to him and swallowed his sweet gummies before coughing and putting the device to his ear.
"Heeellloooo~?" Ranpo teased. "How are you Fukuzawa?"
The older man on the other side of the line sighed.
"Hello, Ranpo. I'm alright. I'm only calling to remind you that you're needed at the Agency tomorrow afternoon."
The detective groaned loudly. Ranpo knew that this call would be carried out to hold him accountable for his work schedule.
"Buuuttt," Ranpo whined, "it's my day off tomorrow! I just got off of work today anyway-"
Sadly, Fukuzawa had already ended the call before Ranpo could complain any further. The detective pouted at his phone before closing it and tossing it back onto the table. He then stuffed a few hard candies into his mouth while he laid down on the couch, resting his head on one of the arms, his feet remained crossed on every pillow.
Despite his professional, cold demeanor, Fukuzawa was one of the only people that gave Ranpo what he truly needed. His boss gave him safety, praise, and money, all stemming from a feeling that he had towards Ranpo.
And he wanted to receive that feeling again. Specifically, from the only other person that could satisfy that kind of craving.
Ranpo originally believed that his rival was nothing more than another source of entertainment, albeit he didn't see the other man very often. Everything did change after a party following the Guild's fall as an organization. Out of boredom, Ranpo invited his opponent to this event just to see how he would react. From then on, the detective began to find everything about the brown-haired author to be quite amusing. The way his ears turned red whenever he was complimented, his smile after giving Ranpo a new novel, or some candy, or even the special attention he gave the detective. His partner made him feel appreciated in every way possible, from his physical habits to his actions. And when the older man confessed his true feelings towards Ranpo, the detective found no reason to shut down his advances. Especially when Ranpo knew that his rival would be praising and spoiling himself! Unfortunately, Ranpo's new lover did not wish to live with him just yet, due to his new profession as an author.
Even if his boyfriend's mind was elsewhere, Ranpo made him promise to visit at eight o'clock. Much to his demise, it's still seven forty-five. It's even worse due to the fact that the news channel begins their commercial break around this hour, so the detective had nothing to keep him occupied. He stretched his arm towards the remote on the table and switched off the television, right before he decided to stare at his limp body through the large, black screen.
Ranpo knew that he shouldn't be looking so messy when he had a guest coming over. His black, spiky hair was disheveled, his (borrowed) baggy, black t-shirt revealed his collarbones, and it was obvious that the detective's black shorts needed to go in the wash.
"Why can't he just get off of work to love me properly? That's all I want." Ranpo pondered, tears welling in his eyes. "Why can't I have him NOW?"
In every case, detectives relied more on factual evidence than their personal convictions or feelings, and for the world's greatest detective, emotions were out of the question. He simply considered desires and facts. But Ranpo wasn't getting what he needed. He needed to feel loved by his boyfriend immediately. Ranpo missed his warm, loving arms, his muted, purple eyes, and his thick, brown hair. Not only did the detective find his author handsome, but he also had grown fond of his characteristics and habits. Every time his beloved smiled at a novel, or enjoyed a cup of coffee, or even put on his cloak, Ranpo couldn't help but feel admiration and attraction for the other man, despite viewing him as less than equal. Everything about Ranpo's rival seemed much better than what the average person could justify. Even in his dullest moments, his boyfriend had Ranpo captivated.
Everything about his favorite person remained engraved into Ranpo's mind. It was better to spend time with his lover than to solve a case. And he believed that his author was sweeter than any-
The hard, cherry-flavored sweets in Ranpo's mouth had begun to taste bitter as he slowly sat up and opened his emerald green eyes. His dark reflection stared at the pathetic man tensed up on his own couch over a second-best loser. His foot immediately started tapping while he heard the pair of glasses on the table mocking him, thoughts spinning inside of his own mind as if they were being blended and mixed. Meanwhile, the red, circular sweets in his mouth felt like it would burn his tongue alive.
"I don't need him! I don't need him right now! This is stupid! I am the greatest detective in the world and I will not be hindered by my rival! "
He spat out the candies onto the table while he begun to cry uncontrollably, burying his head into both of his hands. Ranpo's sobs were loud, messy, and high pitched. There was only one fact in front of him. And, a good detective sees things the way they are without any personal bias or past circumstances. As much as he didn't want to admit it to himself, Ranpo was not being a good detective in the moment.
"..."
"I need him right now. My rival. I don't want anyone or anything else's shows of affection, tangible or not. I just want-"
Ranpo immediately stopped crying when he heard four knocks on his door. He kept his head buried in his hands while his visitor turned the knob and cautiously let himself in.
"My dear Ranpo? Is everything alright?" The guest said while slowly seating himself down on the couch next to the detective. "I heard you weeping from outside, and-"
"POE!!" Ranpo yelled as he basically crawled on top of his boyfriend, straddling him and putting his arms around his neck while burying his head into the other man's shoulder. The author's heart rate quickened under the detectives affection, but he quickly relaxed his shoulders and wrapped his arms around the detective's back.
"Poooeeee.... Why did you come so lateee? Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?"
Poe stammered before tightening his hold and began stroking his back using his thumbs. This small show of affection caused Ranpo to start crying again, tears and snot beginning to ruin Edgar's perfect coat. While this happened, his boyfriend was nervously attempting to comfort him with praises and reassurance. Nobody had asked Poe to treat Ranpo so nicely, and Ranpo couldn't understand why Poe was being so understanding with his uncharacteristic behavior. He just jumped up on his rival and cried on his shoulders!
"I'm sorry, my dearest Ranpo. I hadn't kept track of time. Please forgive me, love." He softly spoke, while placing a small kiss in Ranpo's messy hair. Poe only came a minute late, but it shocked him to see how much being punctual means to Ranpo. "I should've came earlier. Is there any way that I could compensate you for the distress I've caused you?"
The detective buried himself further into his boyfriend while they both sank further into the couch. Meanwhile, Ranpo let out a small whine before wiping his eyes on Poe's coat, slowly lifting his head to look at his favorite author.
"Poe..." Ranpo mumbled while moving aside Poe's hair, trying to see his favorite color incapsulated in his lover's eyes.
"I guess it's fine. But..."
Ranpo gave up on his sentence and soaked in the sight of his Poe. His soft hair, his permanent scent of fresh paper, the concerning, purple bags under his eyes, and the gentle flush on his face whenever he was with his green-eyed detective. He needed more than Poe's affection, or compliments, or gifts. He just needed him today. And if Ranpo wanted that, he would have to speak up. That was the only way to satisfy his craving.
"Can you stay the night, Ed? " Ranpo whispered, his voice threatening to crack. "Please?"
The detective was drowning in shame. He could never act like this towards anyone, begging for them to stay through tears and snot just because he missed them. But Ranpo knew that Poe wanted this too. Especially because of the way his hands immediately tensed up and from his body temperature rising. But Ranpo was willing to stow away his pride for today, just to curb his appetite for the brunette.
Suddenly, Poe had shifted his weight and forced himself to sit upright while Ranpo was still clinging onto him.
"I would be delighted to, Ranpo. If you could lend me a spare change of clothes... or if you could hand some of my articles back."
Poe tugged at his oversized tee on his boyfriend, chuckling softly while Ranpo scoffed and untangled himself from the author's embrace.
"Whatever!" Ranpo spat, his voice increasing in volume and steadiness as his face relaxed. "Lets go to my room. You can take stuff there."
...
There was no way that Ranpo would ever get up.
Underneath the covers of his full-sized bed, the detective was laid on his back with his boyfriend resting on his stomach. Ranpo's window was completely open, inviting a hostile chill outside of the warm heaven Ranpo was enveloped with. Best of all, his lover was dressed in a huge raccoon onesie. The detective did demand that Poe kept the hood off of his head to selfishly smell his expensive shampoo.
Ranpo blinked. He didn't care how cold it would be in the morning, or how much work he had tomorrow. Ranpo didn't even pay any mind to Karl. All that mattered was Poe. His warmth, his love, his arms wrapped around Ranpo, his steady breathing, and his head buried in his chest. He couldn't resist giving the author's forehead a light kiss, or two, or five.
Poe had then lifted his head and craned his neck toward's Ranpo. Suddenly, he gave a soft, slow kiss to his rival. Both of the men smiled haphazardly before Poe groaned and set his head back onto Ranpo's chest. The detective felt his heart and his lips buzz from his rival's embrace before closing his eyes one final time, soaking in the love and relief he felt. In this moment, Ranpo was safe, warm, and satisfied.
"It was worth the wait."