Work Text:
The leaves from the trees seemed to form a path in front of the two as they walked down the paved walkway. The breeze was cool and refreshing, the exact opposite of the scenario they were stuck in previously.
"I can't believe they didn't think to check his pockets, too! How stupid." Ranpo stated loudly, causing a few heads to turn towards him as they walked past. Poe sub-consciously curled his head in more in hopes to receive less looks towards him, "A-Ah- I agree, that was quite foolish of them. A simple yet idiotic mistake." Ranpo nodded, "Exactly! I just can't understand the police sometimes. Why can't they just solve it as quickly as I can?"
He was obviously waiting for a comment from Poe, and of course Poe was quick to oblige. "They're just not as smart as your Ultra Deduction ability, Ranpo-Kun." Ranpo turned his head towards Poe, a grin apparent on his face. "Of course!" Poe felt a sense of admiration as he watched Ranpo's usual smile turn into a smaller one that was much more genuine. He thought it was the cutest thing in the world.
Finally, they made it to their destination- A small cafe attached and ran by the ADA. Poe laughed slightly, "I'm pleasantly surprised that you actually knew what directions to take in order to get here." Ranpo turned to look at him, offended, "Hey, I'm not that clueless! Yosano, Dazai and I come here quite often. The girl who works here makes really good sweets!"
Poe, now intrigued, walked in first, the thick smell of coffee and cake instantly hitting him. Although it was strong, it wasn't exactly uninvited. He could make out a scent of strawberry and, was that caramel?
Ranpo pushed past him, as Poe realized he had just been standing in the doorway like an idiot and sat down at the nearest booth. Poe sat on the other side, appreciating the comfortable leather seats.
Suddenly, a voice boomed from behind the counter, although Poe could not see it from where he was sat, "I'll be right with you!" Ranpo watched as Poe's eyes- or, eye, seeing as the other is covered, widened. Curiosity took over Ranpo as he could practically see the gears turning in Poe's head. "Is something wrong?" Ranpo said, tilting his head. Poe blinked, "Ah- no, I just... That voice..."
On pure coincidence, the person who owned said voice walked over, pen and paper in hand. "So, what can I g-" She made eye contact with Poe, and Ranpo didn't really know what to do. Were they enemies? Friends? Obviously not... anything more, right?
He was completely caught off-guard when a childish smile washed over both of their faces. Poe even stood up to hug the shorter girl. "Poe! Oh my god, I genuinely thought you like, died or something! I was so worried!" ...Worried? "No no, I'm doing perfectly fine! In fact, I was hoping to get in contact with you again soon, Lucy." In contact? What?
She then looked over to the side of the booth Poe was sitting at, spotting a familiar raccoon, "Is that Karl?!" Before Poe could respond, she lightly pushed him out of the way, reaching over to Karl. Karl chirped, running up Lucy's arm and nuzzling against her face. He was always one for attention. Poe chuckled softly, "Well, it looks like he's missed you." Missed her? How long have they known each other in order for Karl to even remember her? That traitor. No way Ranpo sharing his sweets with him now.
What the hell was going on?
Honestly, Ranpo couldn't describe what he was feeling. He never really remembered that Poe actually had other friends, since he commonly saw Poe alone, writing away in his room with only Karl as his companion. But now, there's a pit in his stomach while he sits by and watches this... reunion? He wasn't sure, but he honestly didn't care. He was getting irritated by how much they were ignoring his presence.
He tried to ignore the pain in his chest seeing Poe smile so fondly at someone else.
Ranpo sighs loudly, "ahhEMMM." They both turned to look at him due to the sheer volume of him apparently clearing his throat, "This is rather unprofessional of you, is it not? I want to order!" She shot him a glare, and he shot one right back. At this point, they were having an all-out staring contest.
Poe stood by awkwardly, fidgeting with his fingers, "Um... can I have a coffee- black? Please?" Now they were both looking at him, and he suddenly regretted attempting to get rid of the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Lucy smiled at him, putting Karl back onto the seat, "Of course. And... you?" She put back on her professional attitude but was visibly irritated with the detective. "I'll take two slices of cheesecake." Lucy nodded. Poe sat back down, sitting up straight and tracing the small scratches in the table with his index finger.
"Alright," Lucy said, looking back up from writing the orders on her notepad, "I'll have your orders ready in just a moment." She shot Poe one last friendly glance, and Poe smiles back.
Ranpo's not even hungry anymore.
He was honestly debating on just leaving. the table was already uncharacteristically silent, and they basically ignored him earlier. What jerks! He couldn't believe Poe would do that.
He also couldn't believe he actually hugged her. And missed her. And obviously spent time with her at some point since Karl seemed to miss her as well. What the hell was their deal?!
He crossed his arms, leaned back and basically pouted. Poe wanted to say something, but he didn't really understand why Ranpo was acting so... strange?
He then realized that it was most likely due to the fact that he might've ignored him earlier. He goes to apologize, but Lucy had come back to the table, a plate with two pieces of strawberry cheesecake and a mug full of steaming black coffee in both hands.
She dusted off her hands on her apron for whatever reason, "There you go! Do let me know if you need anything else, I'll be right over th-" She turned to leave, but Ranpo speaks up, "So..." She paused, and so did Poe, who was in the process of taking a sip from the cup of coffee.
Ranpo leaned forwards towards Poe, then looked back and forth between the two. Lucy stood awkwardly next to the table, one hand on her hip. "Why are you two so friendly with each other?" Lucy scoffed, "Actually, we are really close." Ranpo didn't like that answer, but wasn't able to respond, as Poe spoke up.
"Yes... she's right. While in the guild, we became good friends quite quickly, as not only is her ability room a nice place to write, but I enjoy her company. And so does Karl." Every compliment he gave Lucy drove a knife deeper and deeper into his heart, but he couldn't understand why. Lucy smiled, "Yeah! I remember going to your house every now and again and sewing up your tattered clothes in my free time. By the way, do you still need anything fixed? I don't have a super busy schedule these days."
Poe's face brightened, but Ranpo couldn't take it anymore. So, they hung out a lot, were VERY close, even hugged, which Ranpo had never even hugged Poe before, so he was incredibly spiteful towards that. He groaned, causing Poe to pause. "I hate this! You get to hug Poe and I don't? Unfair! Ugh, it's so obvious you have a crush on him, just say it!"
The two looked at him with disbelief. Ranpo continued, "If you two are soooo close just date or something! This is hard to watch! I'm leaving." He really didn't understand why he was so angry with them, why he was so envious of Lucy. Either way, he wanted to leave.
But in the process of getting up from his seat, Lucy erupted into laughter. If Ranpo wasn't angry before, he sure was now. No one was allowed to laugh in the face of the smartest detective-
...Other than Poe, but that was different. Totally different.
"Don't laugh, what is wrong with you? You're so annoying! You're so close with Poe and I hate it!" At this point, he was just saying whatever he thought in the moment. He soon regretted his words, pausing and realizing what he'd basically just said.
But then, to make things worse, Lucy speaks.
"Wow- that's- ha! Now that's funny." She wiped tear from her eyes, "Ranpo-kun." He looked her in the eyes.
"I'm a lesbian."
...
oh.
Ranpo just. Stands there. I mean- what else can you do? You just accused someone of liking your best friend (quote-unquote), and they don't even like that gender. He even debated on arguing with her, but how could you argue about the other persons sexuality? Ranpo was never wrong, how had he made such a stupid argument? Did he really just let his emotions get in the way THAT much?
Lucy paused, then continued, "...And based off of what you said earlier, and how red Poe's face is right now, I think I should leave. Have fun talking!" She first looked at Poe, winking. Poe flustered more, as he knew that wink meant "Hope you enjoy talking with your "rival"~". She then walked away, a smug look on her face.
And now, they were awkwardly staying silent, feeling an immense and weird pressure from just being in the situation.
"...um." Ranpo starts. He coughs, "...So. Uh- Whoops."