Ranpo slowly closed the door, trying to make as little noise as possible. He then got back to the guest bedroom. It was big and pretty, so much more comfortable than his own, but it felt unbelievably empty, Poe's whole mansion was. Ranpo didn't mind it when Poe was there with him, Poe made everything so much brighter, so much more interesting.
Ranpo sat down on the bed with a sigh, he was sure that he wouldn't be able to sleep well tonignt. He didn't care, all that mattered was the fact, that Poe was sleeping. Ranpo smiled to himself as he turned off the bedside lamp, burrying his face into the soft covers.
--
That morning, he woke up around five. He didn't feel the tiniest bit more rested, as he preicted. Ranpo stayed in the bed for another half an hour, trying to go back to sleep.
When he finally gave up on that idea, he quietly walked to Poe's bedroom, peeking in to see if he was still in bed. He was. Hugging a pillow, with the tiniest smile on his lips. That itself made Ranpo giggle. He closed the door and went to the kitchen, wanting to make breakfast.
That wasn't as easy as it sounded. He first had to find everything he needed. Ranpo quietly looked through each and every cabinet, looking for milk, eggs and flour. When he found everything, he came back. Standing infront of the stove, Ranpo had to go through every step a few times. Even though he wasn't the best cook, he was able to make pancakes. However, he didn't want to burn Poe's whole house down, so he decided to give everything a second thought, just to be sure.
Turns out he was able to make the dish just fine, despite the fact, that he got lost in thoughts many times, almost burning the batch.
He turned off the stove, walking to the table and placing the pancakes on there. He deffinetly wouldn't wait to eat them if it was anyone else, but he decided to do so for Poe, wanting to enjoy the breakfast with him.
Fortunately, Poe walked to the dining room just a few minutes after. ,,Good morning." He murmured while yawning. ,,Did you-"
Ranpo interrupted him mid sentence. ,,Did you sleep well?" He asked the same question Poe was just about to.
,,Yeah... Really well, in fact." Poe gave him a tired smile. He hasn't fully woken up just yet. ,,Were you alright? I hope the covers weren't too heavy. Don't tell me you got lost, trying to find the bathroom again!" He was back to his usual self now.
,,You worry too much." Ranpo sighed. ,,I'm an adult, remember?"
,,Of coirse! I just speak from exprerience." Poe responded.
They sat down at the table. Poe quickly looked back and forth between the food and Ranpo, surprised. ,,This looks amazing! I never knew you could cook."
,,I can do anything." Ranpo gave him a cheeky smile. ,,Don't get your hopes up though." He added, under his breath. Poe didn't catch the last part, being too busy admiring the pancakes. They weren't looking any better than the usual thing, but the fact that this was Ranpo's doing made it truly admirable.
,,Well then, thank you for the food." Poe said before finally trying it. Ranpo did a good job, Poe let him know thatg by giving him a thumbs up. Ranpo smiled at him, not being able to say anything, since he stuffed his mouth with the food.
--
After washing the dishes, Poe started to walk back to his room. Ranpo grabbed the back of the shirt, choking Poe by accident. ,,Nuh-uh. Don't even think about it!" He stated. ,,You're taking a break."
Poe turned around, coughing a little. ,,Right. Sorry, I forgot." Poe gave up on trying to get any work done while Ranpo was over a while ago.
,,You know, I did tell you a bedtime story last night." Ranpo put his hand to his chin. ,,So you will read me something now." He rushed to the living room, Poe following in suit.
,,What would I read though?" Poe asked. That earned a giggle from Ranpo.
¨
,,You write all the time, I think you have a lot of options."
Poe nodded his head and walked over to the library, kneeling to pick a book. After two minutes, he pulled out one. ,,You might like this one. I don't think I've even told you about writing it." He admitted. Ranpo didn't say anything. Instead, he jumped on the big couch and tapped on the place next to him. Poe sat down next to him and opened the book, brushing his bangs from his face to see better.
After two chapters, Ranpo was resting his head on Poe's lap, the other didn't even notice him gradually moving closer.
,,Edgar." Ranpo suddenly interrupted. Poe stoped reading, instead looking down to see Ranpo.
,,What is it?" He asked, closing the book.
,,Do you mind when I'm here?" Ranpo was serious, his usual smile gone. He just looked worried.
Poe didn't know what to say. The question was out of nowhere. Instead of overthinking, he tried to reply before that. ,,No." His answer was short, but it was good enough for Ranpo.
,,Sorry, that was a little weird." Ranpo tried to laugh it off.
,,Why would you think that?" Poe asked.
,,Huh?"
,,Why would you think that? I thought you knew that I enjoy your company." Poe put down the book, not caring about the fact, that he wouldn't know where he left off later.
,,I don't know." Ranpo was a little confused now, not really knowing why the though crossed his mind. ,,Ugh! I can't concentrate!" He whined, sitting up.
,,I'm sorry." Poe said quietly. ,,I didn't mean to do that."
,,No. It isn't your fault." Ranpo waved his hand in Poe's face, almost smacking him. ,,I know the reason!" He suddenly stated. Poe was now paying all his attention, waiting for Ranpo's deduction.
,, ... "
,, ... "
,,Can I kiss you?" Ranpo suddenly turned to Poe, looking him in the eyes. Poe has gotten used to the fact, that he would never be able to predict what Ranpo was about to do. He usually wasn't even surprised when Ranpo knocked on his door out of the nowhere, but this was on a whole different level.
Did he hear him right? Was he really asking for premission to kiss him? No. He deffinetly heard him right.
,,Yes please." He let out, not even registering that he was saying what he was.
That was what Ranpo was waiting for. He crawled a little closer to Poe. He placed his hand over Poe's, cupping his cheek with the other. He moved even closer, looking Poe in the eyes. He was just about to close the distance between them, when he suddenly stopped. He wasn't sure if he wanted this, if Poe wanted it that is. Ranpo was one hundred percent sure that this was the best decision of his life, but that didn't mean that Poe was feeling the same way.
He had a bad habit of agreeing to things, even though he didn't really want it. Ranpo was about to apologize, when Poe moved his hand to the back of Ranpo's head, gently pulling him closer.
Ranpo closed his eyes, finally feeling his lips on Poe's. Poe gently let his hand slide down Ranpo's neck.
The kiss wasn't long, but it was long enough. Long enough for both of them to realise how much they meant to eachother. How they were able to stay just friends for all those years was beyond them.
,,Ranpo-san" Poe said quietly. ,,I'm so glad." He closed his eyes and smiled. This was the happiest that Ranpo has ever seen him and it was his doing.
,,Me too." Ranpo practically jumped on Poe hugging him.
They ended up reading the whole book that day.
--
At eleven in the evening, Ranpo decided that Poe needed to go to bed, even though the other protested.
As soon as Poe got under the covers, he was glad that he did. After so many nights spent at his desk, he completely forgot just how nice his bed felt. That and the fact that Ranpo was there next to him, hugging him.
That night, Poe was able to fall asleep fast, not needing any pills, not needing any storytelling. All he needed was Ranpo, there next to him.
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Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this. I know that it's short and not really that good, but I'm so glad that I've written this. Ranpoe just has a special place in my heart and writing this made me feel great. I'm glad that I could escape to this, not thinking about everything going on for once. I will be back with a shin soukoku fic and I did write a soukoku one,that one is longer, so you might want to check that out. Please, let me know what you think.
Till next time, Kate.