Work Text:
Dazai watches as Ranpo glances towards the book again then to himself likely taking in his horrified face. “Hm, and this is supposed to be?” Ranpo questioned with a blank expression.
“Nothing important Ranpo-san!” Dazai hurriedly exclaims reaching towards him, “Now if you would so kindly hand me it ba-“
“Hm no thanks.” Ranpo says, bringing Dazai’s journal out of his reach. “I find it quite rude you’re keeping secrets from your superior. Especially if it has something to do with me.” Ranpo states.
Dazai pauses, “hah.” He lets out an exasperated sigh. So you’ve already figured out what the book contained? He thinks to himself with a strained grin.
“Eh? What makes you think it’s about you? Don’t you think it’s a bit arrogant to think so?” Dazai teases.
Ranpo tilts his head. “The first page was all about how I solved the fushinoro case. Quite admiring too.” Ranpo gives him a blank stare.
Dazai presses his lips into a thin line. “So what if the first page has your name hm? You just did something that day worth noting. after all, you are my superior right?” Dazai says defensively.
“Don’t use my words against me.” Ranpo offensively says, then pauses and opens the book to a random page. ““Entry 17, today Ranpo-San tried out a new candy. He looked so pleased with it…I’ll keep the brand in mind, perhaps he’ll like the other sweets.”
“That’s just-“
“Entry 50, Ranpo-san brought chocolate strawberries for me today! Well the whole agency but details. I’ll savor them, isn’t it weird they taste sweeter than usual?”
Dazai bits his lip, “Ranpo-san-“
“Entry 68, Ranpo-san -Hey!” Ranpo shouts after having the book snatched from him, “I almost fell Dazai! You-“ He stops.
Dazai clutches his journal to his chest, breathing rapidly. He looks away feeling the heat rise to his face. Ranpo blinks. “Eh? It can’t be that embarrassing to be admiring the greatest detective.” He crosses his arms.
Dazai looks at Ranpo baffled, his mind slowing and face cooling down. “What?” Ranpo says. “Unless it’s all fake?”
“Huh? No Ranpo-San! You’re amazing I- uhm it’s just…” his voice fades away. “You really don’t…” Ranpo gives him an impatient stare. Dazai collects himself and smooths out his clothes glancing at Ranpo. He takes a big breath, “So, are you going to explain why you’re in my room? Oh and snooping around.”
Ranpo shrugs, “You left it on your desk, am I supposed to ignore it?” Dazai blinks a few times, opening his mouth to comment. “It’s whatever. Let’s go back to the snacks.” Ranpo says.
“Right.” Dazai says, watching as Ranpo walks past him to go to the kitchen. He goes to his desk to hide the book in a drawer - knowing it would be pointless since Ranpo had already seen it - and walks out, closing the door behind him. He steps to the couch expecting Ranpo to be waiting for him, “Are we going to continue the movie?” He asks cheerfully with a tilt of his head and hands on his hips.
“Yeah. Hurry up.” Ranpo says resting fully on the couch, covering all space . He noticed his blanket covering Ranpo’s lower half and-
Was that his hoodie?
Ranpo-San is wearing my hoodie? When did he- Ranpo let out an impatient huff and Dazai hurriedly seated himself in front of the couch thoughts racing, “My bad Ranpo-ran.” Dazai grabs the remotes and starts the crappy detective movie on again. He leans against the couch, careful not to touch Ranpo. While Ranpo starts his commentary on the movie again Dazai starts to replay the scene again.
It was like every other day; Dazai rotting away in his apartment when he heard a knock at his door. On the other side was the one person he didn’t expect, the detective agency’s star detective.
Of course he welcomed him with open arms, listened to his complaints and suggested a movie night to better his mood. After a short confirmation Dazai gathers his stash of snacks saved specifically for Ranpo and sets it on his coffee table. They get themselves situated on the couch and manage through half the movie before Ranpo complains about running out of snacks.
Dazai, being an attentive co-worker, walks to the kitchen to grab more chips for Ranpo only to find that Ranpo had disappeared from the couch.
He saw his bedroom door partly opened and ran to the room to find Ranpo holding his diary. The one about him…What unfortunate luck. All his silly thoughts about the man on his couch written out. Perhaps it was a bad idea to have written them down. If only- hm. Ranpo-San didn’t say much about it though. It was quite obvious he was in love with him there was some unusual feelings around. Maybe Ranpo was being merciful today, possibly the random hang out had ended up cheering him up?
(Or maybe he didn’t want to talk about those useless feelings,
feelings that shouldn’t be possible, shouldn’t exist. How could a monster, someone as vile as myself, be allowed to love. Or maybe it’s retribution for the crimes I committed, to be punished with emotions so deep and unrequited
it makes sense why would he? It gets all messy and pointless. It's better to leave it be.)
“Hey, pass me the popcorn?” Ranpo says. Dazai snaps out of his daze blinking and breathing unevenly.
He rubs his eyes, the light from the tv is painful, “right. Here Ranpo-San!” He hands the bowl to Ranpo. “I would appreciate it if you avoided dirtying my couch by the way~” He playfully states.
“Whatever.” Ranpo replies. Dazai tries to focus on the movie for a bit, to forget about his thoughts for a moment. He notices the lack of talking from Ranpo. He assumes he’s thinking about something then- “Dazai.”
That startles him. “Yes Ranpo-san~?” He calls out turning to the detective.
“You’re in love with me.”
Oh.
Everything seems to pause. I knew that he knew but it feels wrong for him to say it. It can’t be that he just realized. I- what do I say? Shut up, calm down. I can handle this. Be charming, play it off- do I lie? Deny, confirm? I stare at Ranpo’s blank face.
“Eh?” Dazai puts on his most convincing act. He tilts his head, blinking confusingly, “where’d you get that from?” Stupid stupid stupid. ‘Where’d you get that from?’ He thinks what nonsense is that? He just read your stupid diary!
Ranpo frowns, brows furrowing. He disregards Dazai’s act, "Don't play dumb.” He exhales heavily, almost choking on it, “I want an answer, say it to me.” Ranpo demands, eyes opening revealing his piercing green eyes filled with desperation.
Dazai is pinned by his stare, by the emerald eyes he fell in love with. “I-“ he sighs, “Yes. I love you, Ranpo.” He looks away, embarrassment creeping up on him. Despair more heavily though, He hears Ranpo’s breathing stop. He must be disgusted
What cruel joke is playing out?
“Dazai.” Ranpo says breathlessly. He refuses to look at Ranpo. “Dazai- “ he grabs his shoulder tugging on it until Dazak decides to face Ranpo again.
“Ranpo-san. “ Dazai says slowly, “if you’re doing to make a comment on it, don’t please I-“
He’s interrupted by soft lips pressing against his own.
Dazai’s eyes widen. The other's mouth swallowing his gasp of surprise..He feels gently fingers card through their hair. Ranpo's mouth hesitantly opened, inexperienced? Dazai pushes against Ranpo making him lean on the couch as his hands reach to hold him. After a few seconds he feels tugging on his hair.
They pull apart panting. Minutes go by, Dazai looks to Ranpo, “So-“
“I like you too, idiot.” Ranpo says turning his head, his hand over his mouth shaking slightly. Flush spreading to his ears. Cute.
“Only like?” Dazai teases, exhilaration pulsing throughout his body.
“Love. I- whatever.” Ranpo huffs.
Dazai's grin widens, “Aw come on I wanna hear it! It’s easy ‘I love you too!’ See?” He cheerily says.
“I love you too, Osamu. There.” Ranpo states.
Dazai freezes flush rising at the usage of his first name.