bungo stray dogs · ranpo edogawa · angst · survivor's guilt · broken · detective agency · tragedy · self-loathing · post-apocalyptic · dark
The study hangs heavy with the scent of aged paper and drying ink. Poe, his quill poised above a page, feels the atmosphere shift before he sees it. His normally effervescent companion, Ranpo, stands hollowed out, the light gone from his eyes. Without a sound, the detective steps forward, snatches the writing instrument from Poe’s hand, and climbs into his lap, burying his face against the fabric of Poe’s shoulder. A tremor runs through him. Poe freezes, the quill hovering forgotten, his own breath catching as he looks down in confused concern. "Ah? Ranpo, my dear, what is it?"