90s sadness and gay???

[dtective]

[By this point, Leon has lost track of how long he's been searching for Count D. It became an obsession that only grew with time, and now he couldn't keep to one spot anymore. Not while D was still out there. Across cities, across countries, he probably looked insane to everyone around him. But they didn't know the half of it! Sometimes even Leon wasn't sure he understood what he was doing.

Right now wasn't the time to doubt himself, though. He'd hoped that this lead would get him even an inch closer to his goal, but he hadn't counted on spotting him in the streets. It had to be him. He'd seen him turn and look at him, and those eyes—]

Wait! Stop right there!

[He doesn't hold back, shoving his way through the crowded streets and keeping his eyes locked on him. It doesn't work, because of course it doesn't, and his steps slow in his confusion. His heart is beating way too fast, his stomach sinks, and for a moment he's sure he's lost his one chance.

But something catches the corner of his eye, and his instinct tells him to turn. He reaches out, grabbing the first wrist he can and meeting D's eyes with his own.]

...Found you.

Comments

[dtective]

What else am I supposed to talk about?

[He sighs, staring at his toast as he holds it.] It's not like I can just mention a case I'm working on, or anything that's happened lately. I've just...

[Been running around after him?? Gave up everything for this?? He bites his toast again.]

It would all lead back to the same thing.

[pruning]

[D unfolds the blanket to fold it again, as if he's not purposely doing it to keep his hands busy.]

Then for that, I am sorry.

[Sort of. He's not sure what he's guilty or not about at this point.]

Do you resent me?

[dtective]

[Does he resent D? He stares at him as he considers this, and while he's getting more and more annoyed at him folding a blanket and not eating, he's not sure that he does resent him... But...]

I don't know. [An unhelpful answer, but he's at a loss.] Maybe not. It's not like you made me do any of this.

[pruning]

[Oh. That's better than nothing, he supposes. This may be the last time he folds this blanket, too...]

But I did leave you behind.

[Does he want Leon to resent him? Not really, but he's better at arguing than talking things out normally, so... well.]

[dtective]

...I didn't resent you for that.

[Sighing, he places his half eaten toast back on the plate, slouching a bit in his seat. He'll just focus on his lap for the time being.]

You almost said something, didn't you? I kept thinking about that. I thought that maybe if I had acted different, or stopped for just a god damn second, maybe... [Rgghghgh... He doesn't even know if this is right, and he's not sure if he'd rather D agree with him or laugh in his face.] I don't know, maybe things would have gone differently.

[pruning]

[Ah. What? He shouldn't have put the blanket down. He has nothing to stare at now besides Leon not looking at him.]

I was quite sure you did. Resent me.

[He'll get to Leon blaming himself or whatever he's doing in a minute, when he's had a moment to process being a super wrong asshole. Oops...]

[dtective]

Why the hell would I resent you?

[What the hell, that doesn't make sense! He frowns, eyebrows furrowing as he pinches at the arm of the couch.] If anything, I assumed you were the one who resented me. [Considering the father murder, you know.]

[pruning]

Oh, I certainly toyed with the idea.

[Like, just so that's clear: he did consider it. He keeps tugging at the corners of the folded blanket like that's going to make it neater, or something, until he finally forces himself to move away from it and take a seat on the couch. Why would Leon resent him...? Besides shoving him off a boat and leaving him behind with zero explanation about anything?]

I had thought that... you would not forgive me for allowing Chris to leave.

[dtective]

I had a feeling something like that was gonna happen, anyway.

[Their food is just sitting there, not being eaten... Except that half eaten toast.] I mean, I didn't think it would happen so soon, but it's not like I could stop them. [So why would he expect D to? It was... for the better.]

I think hanging around with you was actually good for the kid.

[pruning]

[What is... How did this get turned around on him?? How embarrassing.]

You've picked a terribly inconvenient time to develop some faith in me.

[Just leave him here to burn... He sits back, covering his face with one hand and sighing. As a favor to him, please forget this conversation happened.]

[dtective]

What the hell's that mean? Do you want me to resent you?

[Asshole! He shoves at his arm and leans forward to grab his toast again.] Stop being weird and eat something.

[pruning]

[Don't shove, you jackass!! He's having a moment here and he doesn't need that attitude right now.]

I haven't decided. [So, there's that. After another couple seconds he'll sit up properly and pick up one of the fruit bowls.] This would be simpler if you were only angry.

[dtective]

[Haven't DECIDED????]

No offense, D, but I'm human! Emotions don't come and go in single file lines like that!

[Like, he probably could have yelled a defense less strange, but he's emotional right now. Why is it so hard to get!] Sorry it's not more simple for you.

[pruning]

[Rudeness aside, it would be so nice if emotions were that simple. Work on that. He pops a piece of fruit in his mouth and frowns around it.]

I'm only telling you what I think. It would be simpler for both of us.

an edit 20 minutes later, laura...

[dtective]

There's no point in thinking like that. Nothing's ever that simple.

[Leon doesn't even wish it was. What kind of weird world would that be... Emotions are fine, even if he's Suffering half of the time.]

don't JUDGE me

[pruning]

[No, emotions are stupid and he hates them. He's a child.]

Don't lecture me. What did you expect all of this to be, then? I know you didn't come here looking for the mess you've created.

[Maybe eventually he'll stop being rude...]

too late

[dtective]

I don't know what I expected, okay!

[AGH, stop questioning him on that!] I just knew what I wanted to do and I did it! [At least that part is simple.]

It's not about what I expected or whatever, I just... it just felt right!

leaves this post

[pruning]

[Questions him on it repeatedly!! Too bad he wasn't expecting Leon to bust out things like "it just felt right," because that's the kind of genuine garbage that makes him trip over his thoughts and very nearly fumble a piece of fruit. Tragedy, averted.]

You— idiot! You never think about the consequences of your actions! [What would he have done if D had run away again, huh? Starve in a gutter?? Just because he was lucky doesn't make him right...] That isn't—

[That isn't what? He wants to say enough, but he's not sure if he'd even believe himself, so he sits back and angrily eats more fruit. Ugh!]

you would never leave the plant

[dtective]

That isn't what?! You're the idiot! [What a good comeback. He points his toast at D this time, leaning forward a little to emphasize his point.] I wouldn't have had to do all this in the first place if you just told me! You know I get worked up with things! Why'd you hold back?! I would've listened!

i'm taking my plants with me

[pruning]

[D, always great at prioritizing, glares down at the toast just waiting for Leon to shake crumbs all over his couch. That's just what he needs, during this argument--]

Your temper is not an excuse. [That's as far as he gets before he leans back even further, inching closer to closing off entirely again. He's holding back now, still...] I have told you over and over why I could not-- your stubbornness is preventing you from listening!

[He leans forward to put the fruit bowl down with a little smack, crossing his arms and looking away after. Let him make an attempt--quieter.]

I cannot-- do what I am meant to do, with you around. You distract me. You always have. I could not... [hmm.] It had become too much to bear.

yOU CANT LEAVE MY DUMB AMERICAN

[dtective]

[D's response is met, at first, with Leon's usual grumpy, argumentative face. But it fades as he goes on, the fruit bowl gets set down, and those words stop him in his tracks. He can't... do what he's meant to do. He means the whole revenge thing, right? So he was having trouble being a dickbag, is that the message he's getting here?

He's honestly stunned. At first, he's not sure how to respond, so he just stares blankly in his shock before he looks away and pulls his toast back.]

What you're "meant" to do... [He half mumbles it, tapping the toast against his lips.] What about what you want to do?

ah it's the plot of the manga

[pruning]

[Of course Leon cuts immediately to the heart of the matter. It's not difficult to, after everything they've talked about and everything D literally just said, but it's still... It took him this long just to get that far, so how is he supposed to talk about what he wants like it's the easiest thing in the world?

...Leon managed. D glances at him, then away again.]

Choice is not a luxury I have been afforded in this. To deviate from the path my people have been set upon... How could I?

[So... no? Probably no.]

shit that's true

[dtective]

Afforded?

[He hates hearing stuff like this. Why does he have to put it like this. As much as Leon tries to hold back, that sets him off enough to turn to face D on the couch, reaching for his arm with his free hand.]

Why can't you make your own path! I'm not telling you to give up on your people, but find some kind of in-between, if that's what you want!

[pruning]

[Ah- unsurprisingly, he'd get angry about that. D doesn't pull away from him any further, but it's all he can do to look bitterly amused. If it were that easy, goodness—]

I daresay I've taken enough liberties already, Detective. Grandfather would surely never speak to me again if I continued to carry on.

[dtective]

Is he even speaking to you now?

[He stares at D and waits for an answer to that, because honestly he has no idea.]