#Fukuran against the world

[flaresanimedump]

What if Fukuran but it's illegal for non gifted to have relations with gifted

[flaresanimedump]

That post about Fukuzawa and Ranpo being on the outside looking in together was brought to you by headcanons about arranged marriage Fukuran/Ranfuku.

Ranpo not wanting to get married, but being sent off after his parents die anyway to the marriage they arranged for him. Fukuzawa, king of a neighboring land, has accepted that there is a certain way people expect him to conduct himself and behaves accordingly.

But Ranpo isn't just different, he's downright intolerant of many of the unpleasantries of the life on the other side of the glass. He's giving everyone hell from the moment he arrives, complaining about the uncomfortable clothes and layers of etiquette and long ceremony day and night. Everyone assumes he's some kind of sheltered spoiled brat, Fukuzawa included since they've never spoken directly.

Then the wedding night arrives and Ranpo is stunningly quiet for once, waiting against the headboard with his arms around his knees. Fukuzawa is still Behaving Accordingly, assuming Ranpo is normal under all his batty bravado. As he's taking off his clothes he says exactly what he's going to do with a stern finality that he hopes will reduce the whining at least a little.

But Ranpo doesn't complain, or pout, or look cowed. He doesn't even respond - he just starts crying.

It is with immediate and violent clarity that Fukuzawa realizes he's misread Ranpo badly. Though everyone calls him stoic, he understands the hearts of others better than most think. A rich, pompous brat doesn't cry like that over something this minor. These are the tears of someone who has been afraid and accosted too long finally breaking.

Ranpo cries quietly, scrubbing at the tears only for them to be replaced seconds later. "I don't want this," he mumbles "I don't know you but I have to leave home and live here and marry you and let you do whatever you want to me? All these stupid boring ceremonies - why couldn't we just sign a treaty? Who made this all up? I don't want to..."

Like music gaining clarity when he steps into a bar Fukuzawa is hit with the realization that he doesn't either. It's not that he doesn't find Ranpo attractive, but they haven't even spoken to each other. He didn't want to get married and he didn't want to spend an evening having sex with a surly stranger out of obligation.

He's spent his entire life wearing a mask to appease everyone else and Ranpo is giving voice to what's underneath it. To the self he hasn't listened to in decades. Thinking back on the days leading up to their wedding with this new context, he has been the entire time.

Fukuzawa drops his hands from his belt and kneels in front of Ranpo, taking his face in his hands, and finds he doesn't have words for a moment. Ranpo stares at him, the green of his eyes all the more vibrant through tears. He's too genuine for the world of royalty.

"Me neither."

Ranpo's eyes widen when Fukuzawa at last finds his voice. "Huh?"

"I don't want to do this either. Let's not and say we did."

For the first time since his arrival Ranpo looks surprised, hopeful almost. Fukuzawa's heart flutters at the sight. Ranpo's fingers curl around his wrists, a light touch of delicate, scholarly hands.

"Really?"

Fukuzawa nods and Ranpo relaxes, deflating like the air's gone out of him as he does.

Later when Fukuzawa's nearly asleep, Ranpo having snuggled up against his chest like it was the natural thing to do, he hears Ranpo mumble: "I should've known to trust my parents."