Bungo Stray Dogs Oneshots

The Detective and The Gravity Master (Ranpo x Chuuya)

Ship: Ranpo x Chuuya

Genre: Fluff

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The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, painting the streets of Yokohama with a soft golden hue. The Armed Detective Agency's office was tranquil, a stillness that Ranpo Edogawa found immensely satisfying. Most of the detectives were out on cases, leaving him alone with his thoughts, or rather, with his snacks.

Ranpo lounged at his desk, legs crossed, his eyes closed as he savoured the sweetness of his latest confection. The room was dimly lit, shadows cast by the setting sun playing across the walls. It was the perfect setting for a peaceful nap, or it would have been if not for the sound of approaching footsteps, accompanied by a familiar presence.

The door creaked open, and Chuuya Nakahara stepped inside, his sharp eyes surveying the room before settling on Ranpo. The detective didn't bother to open his eyes; he knew who it was without needing to look. The air around Chuuya always seemed to buzz with a certain intensity, a contrast to the relaxed atmosphere Ranpo preferred.

"Ranpo," Chuuya's voice cut through the quiet like a knife, but there was a hint of something lighter in his tone, something almost playful. "Don't you ever get tired of sitting around doing nothing?"

Ranpo's lips curled into a lazy smile. "I'm not doing nothing, Chuuya. I'm resting my mind after a long day of solving mysteries. You wouldn't understand, of course, being all brawn and no brain."

Chuuya scoffed, but there was no real bite in his response. "Yeah, right. You mean you're just too lazy to do any actual work."

Ranpo finally opened one eye, glancing over at Chuuya. "Says the guy who spends most of his time smashing things. You should try using your brain more often; it might surprise you."

Chuuya rolled his eyes and walked further into the room, dropping into a chair opposite Ranpo's desk. He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded the detective with a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

"I've heard that before," Ranpo replied, unbothered. He popped another candy into his mouth and closed his eyes again, clearly dismissing the conversation.

Chuuya watched him for a moment, his expression softening slightly. Ranpo was always like this - carefree, smug, and somehow always one step ahead. It was both infuriating and impressive, though Chuuya would never admit the latter out loud.

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the faint rustling of candy wrappers. Chuuya glanced around the room, noting the empty desks and the quiet that seemed almost unnatural. "Where is everyone?"

"Out on cases," Ranpo answered without opening his eyes. "Which means it's nice and quiet in here for once."

Chuuya nodded, though the thought of having nothing to do made him restless. He wasn't one to sit still for long, and the idea of a quiet afternoon wasn't nearly as appealing to him as it was to Ranpo. Still, there was something oddly soothing about the detective's presence, even if it was accompanied by endless smugness.

"Got any plans for the rest of the day?" Chuuya asked, more out of idle curiosity than anything else.

"Plans?" Ranpo echoed, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're looking at them. I'm going to stay right here, enjoy my candy, and maybe take a nap."

Chuuya frowned, unsure of how to respond. It wasn't like he had much planned either, aside from avoiding Dazai, who seemed determined to ruin his day with one of his ridiculous schemes. "I think I'll go for a walk. Do something productive."

Ranpo chuckled softly. "Productive? You? That's a laugh."

Chuuya shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. "Just because I don't sit around all day pretending to be a genius doesn't mean I'm not productive."

"Oh, I'm well aware of your... productivity," Ranpo tested, finally opening both eyes to look at Chuuya. "Remember that time when I trapped you in Poe's novel? It was quite admirable when you fought all those people in the book."

Chuuya smirked. "Glad to know you appreciate my talents."

"Talent, singular, you just throw punches to everyone who's a threat," Ranpo corrected, sitting up a little straighter. "But don't worry, Chuuya. Not everyone can be as brilliant as me. It's a burden I've learned to bear."

Chuuya shook his head, but he couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face. Despite Ranpo's constant arrogance, there was something oddly endearing about his confidence. Maybe it was because, deep down, Chuuya knew that Ranpo was as smart as he claimed to be - although he'd never give the detective the satisfaction of saying it out loud.

"Tell me something, Ranpo," Chuuya said after a moment, his tone more serious. "How do you do it? Solve all those cases so quickly? Is it really just your so-called 'Super Deduction,' or is there something more to it?"

Ranpo tilted his head, considering the question. "A magician never reveals his secrets," he said playfully, but when he saw the genuine curiosity in Chuuya's eyes, his expression softened. "It's not magic, Chuuya. It's just... seeing the world a little differently. I notice things that others don't and connect dots that others might overlook. And, yes, the glasses help."

Chuuya raised an eyebrow. "The glasses?"

Ranpo nodded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his glasses. "These. They don't actually do anything, but they help me focus, and get into the right mindset. It's more about perspective than anything else."

Chuuya stares at the glasses for a moment before looking back at Ranpo. "That's it? Just perspective?"

Ranpo smiled, slipping the glasses back into his pocket. "Perspective is everything, Fancy Hat. The way you see the world can change everything about how you solve a problem. You should try it sometime."

Chuuya huffed, leaning back in his chair again. "Maybe I will."

They lapsed into silence once more, but this time, it was filled with a newfound understanding. Chuuya had always respected Ranpo's abilities, even if he didn't always show it, and now he felt like he understood the detective just a little better. Ranpo, for his part, was content to let the moment linger, enjoying the rare instance of quiet camaraderie.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the room, Ranpo finally stretched and stood up, pocketing his remaining snacks. "Well, Chuuya, it's been fun, but I think I'm going to head out. Maybe grab something to eat."

Chuuya nodded, standing as well. "Yeah, I should probably do the same."

They walked to the door together, the later afternoon light spilling into the hallway as they stepped out of the office. For a moment, they simply stood there, basking in the warmth of the setting sun.

"See you around, Ranpo," Chuuya said, tipping his hat slightly.

"See you, Mr Fancy Hat," Ranpo replied with a smile.

And with that, they went their separate ways, each with a little more appreciation for the other than they had before.