[They may not have been close, but Ranpo knows all too well how jarring it is to suddenly lose someone who was a part of your daily routine. Not to mention losing the only other person from their world.]
[As soon as Atsushi pulls him in for a hug, he hugs him back, resting one hand behind his back and another behind his head. He won't let go until Atsushi pulls back.]
[...or until Watson gets jealous, crawling out from under Ranpo's hat and hopping onto Atsushi's shoulder to nuzzle his cheek.]
[Atsushi doesn't pull back until Watson makes his appearance, when the sudden contact makes him startle.]
Oh - Watson. ...You two should both come in.
[The apartment is already back to its former blues and neutral tones, instead of the reds and golds Atsushi had switched to to make Dazai feel more welcome.]
[Watson startles back, his tail poofing up -- but he stays on his spot on Atsushi's shoulder.]
[The change in color doesn't pass Ranpo's notice. Did Dazai-san disappear a while ago? Or has Atsushi been going stir crazy trying to distract himself?]
...have you eaten dinner yet? We could go out, or stay in and order something? My treat.
Good, because I was already planning to stop by tonight anyway!
[--since he's still not really able to sleep in his old apartment, even if Watson's presence has helped somewhat.]
[And speaking of-- with Atsushi petting him, it only takes a few seconds for Ranpo to start purring. And the moment he does, Watson flutters over to try and curl up under Ranpo's chin. But seeing as he's sitting up, he ends up rolling down into his lap instead.]
[Pets for both of them, though even with Ranpo purring, Atsushi still looks troubled.]
...I was happy when he showed up, even though we'd never been all that close. I was trying not to show it before, but... I really was lonely, being the only one from my world.
...I can't even imagine what it would be like, to be the only one here.
[He seeks out Atsushi's hand, giving it a squeeze.]
But that's why you have me. And Atsushi and Dazai and everyone else who cares about you. So that when you start to feel lonely, you don't have to be alone.
Maybe it's not the same as having someone familiar from home... but at least you won't have to face that loneliness by yourself.
[Ah. Those words tug at his heart-strings, and he squeezes Atsushi's hand just a bit tighter. He may not be looking up at Ranpo, but Ranpo's still looking at him.]
...you remember what I said about the flowers I got you for Valentine's Day, right? Those sunflowers I saw when I was a kid-- it's not just that I like looking at them. When I see them, I feel like I'm home again. Like I'm with my family.
[He reaches up to rest a hand on Atsushi's cheek, hoping to coax him into looking back at him.]
When I look at you, I don't just see another person named Atsushi Nakajima. I see you. I see someone I love. Someone I consider family. Someone who makes me so happy, I can hardly believe it sometimes.
And anything that could make me even half as happy as you do couldn't possibly be wrong.
[The hand that had been on Atsushi's cheek shifts so he can wipe the tears from his eyes, before he ducks his head forward to press their foreheads together.]
Anytime you need to hear it-- I'll happily say it again.
[Watson sits up properly, hopping into Atsushi's lap. "Berry! And apple! And-- caterpillar!"]
...you know, I don't think we can find that last one in a store.
But aside from the fact that I can't seem to stop him from eating bugs, he doesn't really like meat? I'm still figuring it out, but it's not quite a fox's diet.
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He doesn't really have the right to complain, when Ranpo and Yosano were so much closer than Atsushi and Dazai ever were, but... it's been trying.]
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[As soon as Atsushi pulls him in for a hug, he hugs him back, resting one hand behind his back and another behind his head. He won't let go until Atsushi pulls back.]
[...or until Watson gets jealous, crawling out from under Ranpo's hat and hopping onto Atsushi's shoulder to nuzzle his cheek.]
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Oh - Watson. ...You two should both come in.
[The apartment is already back to its former blues and neutral tones, instead of the reds and golds Atsushi had switched to to make Dazai feel more welcome.]
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[The change in color doesn't pass Ranpo's notice. Did Dazai-san disappear a while ago? Or has Atsushi been going stir crazy trying to distract himself?]
...have you eaten dinner yet? We could go out, or stay in and order something? My treat.
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[Distraction seems more likely.]
Let's just stay in, if you don't mind?
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[Which is why he's gonna route them over towards the couch, if they weren't headed in that direction already.]
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Thank you.
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[...and maybe a small part of him is weirdly pleased that he's the one Atsushi called, but he'll just keep that to himself.]
Ah, and to remind you to eat-- I was actually on my way to try a new place when you messaged me! So now we can try it together!
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You have excellent taste, so I'm sure it'll be delicious. But you don't have to treat, really.
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[Nuzzles his head against Atsushi's for emphasis.]
[But also pulling out his phone to order some food, multitasking.]
It's already getting late, so I think I'll stay the night, too-- that's fine, right?
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That's fine. You're always welcome here.
[Even while he still had a roommate, Ranpo would've been allowed to sleep over at any time.]
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[--since he's still not really able to sleep in his old apartment, even if Watson's presence has helped somewhat.]
[And speaking of-- with Atsushi petting him, it only takes a few seconds for Ranpo to start purring. And the moment he does, Watson flutters over to try and curl up under Ranpo's chin. But seeing as he's sitting up, he ends up rolling down into his lap instead.]
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...I was happy when he showed up, even though we'd never been all that close. I was trying not to show it before, but... I really was lonely, being the only one from my world.
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[He seeks out Atsushi's hand, giving it a squeeze.]
But that's why you have me. And Atsushi and Dazai and everyone else who cares about you. So that when you start to feel lonely, you don't have to be alone.
Maybe it's not the same as having someone familiar from home... but at least you won't have to face that loneliness by yourself.
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I'm surrounded by friends. More friends than I had at home, even. So I feel kind of foolish for even complaining.
...But I suppose... as much as I love you, and Atsushi, and Osamu and everyone from your world - it's easy to feel like I'm... wrong, in some way.
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...you remember what I said about the flowers I got you for Valentine's Day, right? Those sunflowers I saw when I was a kid-- it's not just that I like looking at them. When I see them, I feel like I'm home again. Like I'm with my family.
[He reaches up to rest a hand on Atsushi's cheek, hoping to coax him into looking back at him.]
When I look at you, I don't just see another person named Atsushi Nakajima. I see you. I see someone I love. Someone I consider family. Someone who makes me so happy, I can hardly believe it sometimes.
And anything that could make me even half as happy as you do couldn't possibly be wrong.
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Tears well up in the corners of his eyes, but he blinks them back.]
I... thank you. I needed, I needed to hear that.
[He might never let go of Ranpo's hand.]
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Anytime you need to hear it-- I'll happily say it again.
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[He kisses Ranpo briefly, soft and chaste.]
...you can stay for more than just one night, if you want.
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Oh? You mean like a weekend sleepover?
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[He could be moving in with Poe, Atsushi doesn't know that he isn't.]
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Moving in? [His expression goes from mild surprise to a wide grin in the span of just a few seconds.]
Hmm... how about it, Watty? Do you wanna live with Asucchi-papa and Taiga-papa?
[Watson's response is to YELL and also roll around happily in Ranpo's lap as his tail wags like crazy. Yes, he likes this idea a lot!!]
Well, I guess that settles it!
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What do you like to eat, Watson? I'll go grocery shopping soon, I think I'm short on snacks.
[At least, he is if Ranpo's going to live with him.]
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...you know, I don't think we can find that last one in a store.
But aside from the fact that I can't seem to stop him from eating bugs, he doesn't really like meat? I'm still figuring it out, but it's not quite a fox's diet.
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[He'll pick some off the ground if he has to.]
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