Chapter Text
Today, was a unique day: for Kunikida. One where he found himself in such a deplorable state. One where he found his senses numbed by the hot beer in his belly. One where he found himself laying on the filthy, wet pavement. In just an afternoon he become the type of person he loathed.
If it was any other day he wouldn’t have been caught dead drinking himself into this sullen dark, depression. Gosh he was almost as pathetic as Osamu . Infact at this moment he wished he was as deplorable as Osamu.
Maybe then he’d be able to carry this heavy burden on his shoulders without falling into this pathetic display.
Maybe then he wouldn’t be running from his reality.
The mix of the cold pavement and his warm body, made his mind blur with the painful memories.
His mind couldn’t even be trusted despite large amounts of alcohol he had consumed.
Every time he was reminded of the circumstances that got him into this internal dread he was hit by a wave of pounding headaches. So he tried to focus on how numb his fingers felt, the way that the alcohol burned in stomach.
Just everything and anything to keep his mind occupied.
Now, every time his head start to twing and itch. He focused his efforts on paying attention to his physical surroundings.
Like the sound of the water draining through the storm drains.
The loud conversations he heard through the main walkway despite being a secluded alley.
The lack of rain dripping on his forehead.
The dark grey umbrella now blocking the rain.
The passionate emerald eyes, starting at him so intensely as if there about to burn a hole into him. The wet tounge sensation he felt across his cheak-
“What the hell” he yelped out frantically. He swiftly stood up. “What the hell is that”
“Well Hello to you to Kunkida, I didnt expect to see you so frightened over a small raccoon. Especially when you should be thanking it for saving you.”
What the hell was Ranpo doing here.
He coughed lightly to grasp his attention and then continued. “ I was returning from walking Karl here from a short walk, I like to let Karl be his own guide”.
“You mean you let Karl guide you.”
“Well he is a smart animal.” The man said as he proceeded to lower himself down to Kunikidas level before continuing. “I didn’t expect you to be so prejudice against animals intelligence, especially when your like this”
Kunikida didn’t bother to dignify that statement with a response. He had other more important things to focus on instead of amusing Ranpo.
The younger man seemed emboldened by the lack of response and continued to invade his personal space. His bright green eyes were unyielding. They refused to leave his body for even one second. It was as if they were examining him, desperate for any information they could gather.
He felt the power he once had in this dynamic slowly diminish with every passing second. On paper they were practically equals but in these circumstances…
He felt weak.
Powerless
It was unexpectedly freeing. All the thoughts he once had turned into mush under his green eyes.
Suddenly the pounding headaches he felt were no more, with the extinction of the memories no longer plaguing him.
As he started to relax in this moment. The younger man suddenly stood up from the ground and began to walk away.
The quick movement left Kunikida feeling desperately empty. A loss that was unexplainable to even himself.
Just before reaching the end of the alleyway he turned his head slightly and spoke.
“Let’s go”
It wasn’t a question. It was an expression of authority. A simple command. A command he wasn’t obligated to obey. But yet- he still rose and followed the shorter man’s lead. A small smirk appeared on Ranpo’s face before he wiped his head forward.