30 Day BSD Pride writing challenge!

chapter 9

Day 9: Questioning (RanPoe)

The sound of pen on paper was the only thing that filled the walls of Poe's office apart from Karl's occasional nibbles on food. Poe's brown curls were wild and untamed, dry and unhealthy from the amount if time between showers. His eyes barely left the paper, only leaving for seconds to glance at Karl before focusing back onto his book. This one was different, however. One of his friends requested a book about human sexuality, so he spent most of the night and next day researching.
He would be happy in any other situation with writing, but this was different. While conducting his research, he started to question things. Things that never really manifested into his mind until now.

What 𝘸𝘢𝘴 he? Everyone he knew had a label already, so yeah felt different. He felt he needed a label to fur in, but he just couldn't find the right one. It was frustrating. These things are supposed to he easy and quick, right? I mean.. He was dating Ranpo.. So maybe he was Gay? But that didn't really fit him.. But, wouldn't that be selfish? To be attracted to more? Wasn't Ranpo enough? What? Of course he was! It's just-

"ARGH!" He threw his pen down, watching as the fragile glass shattered and ink stained the floor. Karl jumped up onto the couch, startled by the sudden outburst. Poe buried his head in his arms as he sobbed, not understanding why he couldn't just 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

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"Poeee~! I'm baaack~!" Ranpo threw his shoes off and ran to Poe's office, where he knew he would be. "You won't believe what happened today--" he stopped in the doorway, witnessing Poe's mental breakdown. "Poe..?" He quickly made his way to the man's side, making a mental note of the broken pen on the floor. He lifted the man into his arms, sitting on the floor. "Poe.. What's wrong, baby? What's going on?"

"I- I don't know what's 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦! 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥!!" He sobbed.

"What do you mean, Poe?" Ranpo rubbed the other man's back, attempting to calm him down.

Poe took a few deep breaths, calming down a little before answering the man. "I *hic* I don't know.. I'm writing this book on human sexuality, and I just.. I don't know what I am.." He sucked.

"Like sexuality wise?" Poe nodded. "Okay, that's okay. It's normal to feel confused, and, can I tell you a secret?" Ranpo asked.

Poe cocked his head, looking up at Ranpo with big eyes. "W- What secret?"

"You don't have to label your sexuality. Like, at all. If you don't know it, or don't feel like you need a label, then why have one?"

"I- I guess.. I'm sorry for bothering you. I know you had a movie or something planned for tonight.."

"Oh yeah!" Ranpo gasped. He pulled Ranpo into his arms, quickly making his way to their living room. Karl followed close behind. "Movie night!" He sat Poe down on the couch, already having set up the snacks earlier that day. He smiled down at the older man. "Are you feeling better, lovely?" He asked quietly as he sat down next to him, cuddling into his lap. Karl hopped onto his shoulder, happily chirping.

"Y- Yeah.. I'm just questioning a few things right now.."

"That's okay." Ranpo grabbed the remote, turning the TV on. "Just don't stress about it. Labels are optional." He turned on Netflix, flipping to the mystery movie section. As they flipped through the options, Poe smiled. He was happy, happy knowing that he didn't have to choose a label, and happy knowing that he just had a loving boyfriend, and that's it. Oh, and Karl. Karl is important too.

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AN: Thank you for reading!

Happy pride!

  - Julian🏳‍🌈

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