No one could compare to him. Yeah, it’s been like that his whole life… The way he saw the world was different and nobody else seemed to beable to see it the way he did; the way he saw things. The only people who did, they weren’t around anymore. Tired green eyes stare off into space looking at nothing in particular, but he seemed deep in thought — maybe even a bit despondent. Reminiscing. Thoughts that came and went and most days he never paid them much mind.
— His home was with the Armed Detective Agency now, and the people there were his family. They accepted him despite how differently he saw the world. Yet, sometimes it got a little lonely. Being different from everyone, not having an ability — just a talent. A skill. He wasn’t gifted.
It was probably just because he was tired, but… He felt sad. And being carried by the other, he just wanted to melt away. He was sleepy – and it was always a tired mind that weighed the heaviest.
“Hey, Poe…?” the words leave his lips softly, a tired mumble.
“Thanks for being my friend.”
poe noticed the change in his expression immediately. he said something wrong, didn’t he? it wasn’t surprising that he would. he was no good with social interaction; it was a wonder he hadn’t messed up earlier. he held ranpo a bit closer, afraid that he would try to leave ( even if it was difficult from that position ) -- not like he’d stop him if he truly wanted to, anyway.
karl, noticing the change in atmosphere, hopped down from poe’s shoulders to spread out across ranpo. poe was glad that karl easily warmed up to ranpo. although it was tough the first few times they spoke, that was normal. karl quickly picked up on poe’s happiness around ranpo. karl grew to care for ranpo almost as much as he cared about poe. that never happened. it was even more of a reason for poe to not want to lose ranpo, because he was his first --
“ -- friend ... ? ” poe whispered, the title causing a small smile to spread despite the heavier tone. he was so happy, he could’ve dropped ranpo then and there. but he didn’t, of course! poe was trying to carry some burdens from ranpo’s shoulders, even if that burden happened to be himself ( literally and figuratively ). “ o - of course! i’ll always be your friend, ranpo. it’s me who should thank you, anyway ... ” even though poe lost himself in his loss to ranpo, ranpo was the same one who showed him the will to live and keep fighting. ranpo inspired him to become a better writer, to create better mysteries. ranpo was inspiring him to become a better version of himself. and more than anything, ranpo talked to him, stood beside him, supported him ... poe was the one thankful to ranpo.
poe was coming up to fukuzawa’s place, and in a feat of balance and hand-eye coordination, only had to lean down a bit to open up the door. he made an effort to do it quickly so ranpo could relax at home. he seemed like he really needed it now. “ we’re back, ” poe called into the house as he slipped off his shoes. “ do you want me to put you down now? i can carry you to your room if you want. ”
