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]

[So even D is admitting they all look literally the same, at least in photographs. Okay.]

Your eyes... I didn't notice. [Like, he did, actually, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Looking into eyes is embarrassing when it comes to D, somehow.] Well, I could tell it wasn't you after we got there, anyway. So I guess you do have your differences.

[pruning]

[Okay... listen, maybe. Black and white photographs!!]

Thank you. [He means that, though he's a little surprised at himself for how genuine it sounds. Even Father and Grandfather can admit they're not exactly the same, but from Leon... well, it's nice.

But anyway.] I can't believe you were tricked so easily! My father is a terrible actor.

[dtective]

I think it was more wishful thinking at that point. I was just told I was off the case, and then this guy who looks that similar pulls up in a car? I didn't have the time to think about it!

[It took him a little bit because of all of the confusion and shock!! And irritation. A lot of anger there, yes.]

It didn't take me that long to figure it out.

[pruning]

[wishful thinking.....that's gay]

You still put yourself in the middle of it all! Though I haven't been able to figure out what Father's point was, leaving you in that garden... [like, other than self-righteous murder. What if he hadn't come back with the FBI agent? What was the point then, Father??

That's going to make him uncomfortable, though, so instead he'll switch gears a little.] You must tell me what gave him away.

[dtective]

[...................]

No way.

[HE CAN'T... TELL HIM THAT...]

[pruning]

[LEON... he leans in a little. Closer.]

Would you prefer I guess?

[dtective]

[WH... GO AWAY. He leans back and looks nervous, holding his hand up to keep D further. Stop!!]

Y-you can't guess something like that!

[pruning]

[LEEEEON. Tell him! He's leaning even closer because Leon resisted, ah.]

I am sure I could try. Shall I?

[dtective]

[he caN'T LEAN BACK ANYMORE... so he just stares awkwardly.]

You can guess all you want, cuz I'm not telling you crap! [There's no way he'd guess right anyway... How bad can guessing be??]

[pruning]

[Stares at him... okay he didn't go into this with any guesses, um.]

Well, it certainly wasn't the eyes. [because you're dumb...]

[dtective]

I don't know about you, but I don't go around staring guys in the eyes.

[pruning]

[well DO IT NOW!!]

They're the only thing about me that isn't physically identical to my father, not including my haircut.

[Is he kind of offended? Maybe. Tough to say.]

[dtective]

[Well, he is staring him in the eyes now... Half because he was leaning all close, and half because he pointed them out? He recognizes these eyes, of course. They're familiar, comfortable, other gay shit—

Uh.]

You're out of guesses, aren't you.

[pruning]

[That's a whole lot of gay shit. D looks right back at him before the whole moment - staring into his eyes, being this close - catches up with him and he abruptly moves to sit back again. Aha.]

Yes. Are you going to tell me now?

[dtective]

[Ugh, his heart's beating all fast and everything. He hates this. D's so weird!! Yeah, D's the weird one. He just stays slouched there for a minute, staring at D as he considers how dumb he is. Did he really think that would just work? Guessing once and giving up?

Ugh, but now he pities him or something. Maybe it's not that bad of a thing to admit...]

He didn't know how I liked my tea.

[pruning]

[...Oh. He wouldn't have guessed that, possibly because he wouldn't have expected Father to get as far as making him tea. Or bother making him tea. He isn't sure, really, but he looks at his own cup of tea and tries not to think about how he didn't forget that after so much time... apart.

Tries. He still thinks about it.]

And you are so very predictable about it... [he taps the sides of his cup with his nails before taking a sip to mask his expression - he doesn't know whether this is something to smile about, or— maybe not. Possibly, very probably not? Hmm.]

[dtective]

If I was so predictable, you would have made it right the first time!

[He got you THERE D, so hah!! He feels proud of himself, even if that smile and clear hiding of it goes completely unnoticed. He'll sip his own tea instead.]

Why do you think he was trying to pretend to be you, anyway? It was one thing to get me to follow him home, but after we were inside, he could have thrown me in that stupid forest at any point without doing any of that...

[pruning]

[Sighs... he doesn't understand his crazy father that well, how is he supposed to know? He didn't even know he'd done that until just now!]

To put you at ease? [That's a gay answer he tries to say lightly in case it's too much. Not that the next one is any better-] To get my attention and cause me to go to him, perhaps... We've never seen eye-to-eye, so I couldn't possibly know what he was truly thinking.

[dtective]

[All of those options are gay. Put him at ease...? Get D's attention like he was some sort of bait??? Leon hums in thought and closes his eyes to try and think more clearly, but the answer doesn't come. He couldn't tell at all what that guy was doing.]

It's probably better off that way.

[pruning]

[Look, the bait one might actually be the truth. Who can say.]

There isn't any point in wondering now. Father and Grandfather would have me dwell permanently on the past, but it's starting to get... tiring.

[dtective]

[Oh, that's a good sign right there! He knew D had it in him. No dwelling on the past means... a step in the right direction!! Surely.]

That would get tiring after a while. So, instead, it's a good thing we have that picnic planned! Now that we're roomies, there's going to be a ton of other stuff we can worry about instead of the past, too!

[Is he helping yet, oh so subtly]

[pruning]

["helping" is generous, but he's definitely doing something. Roomies... what has D gotten himself into, for real this time.]

Hmm, that does remind me... There is no polite way to say this, but you, my dear, are a slob. I won't tolerate trash and laundry thrown all over my shop.

[dtective]

[He is NOT a slob, excuse you. He knows exactly where everything is in his room.]

What're you trying to say? [Surely he's not expecting folded laundry... please.] I don't even get a real room, so where the hell am I supposed to keep everything?

[pruning]

[buys him a furniture set--no]

Not all over the floor. Were you considering using my floor as your personal shelf?

[dtective]

Don't just tell me where not to put things! [THAT OFFERS NO SOLUTIONS]

Where else would I put them? How about over the couch? On the couch?