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]

I will.

[And hm, in the back? That could mean any number of things in his weird shop.] How far in the back? [A pause.] What am I saying? That doesn't matter! As long as your weird animals don't try to eat me or something, then of course I'd like space for that!

[pruning]

They won't eat you, Leon. [He'll tell them not to. Don't go off alone anywhere yet??] Honestly, if you showed them a little more respect, they wouldn't antagonize you at all.

[dtective]

What do I gotta do, roll out the red carpet?

[HE TREATS THEM LIKE ANY ANIMAL, he's not mean!! He thinks. Tetsu was fun to play with?? Ugh, but now he's not sure if he'll still see them like he did on the boat or not...

He rubs at his face and puts his teacup back down.]

[pruning]

You could start with an apology for all those times you insulted them or toyed with their food.

[What kind of grown man mocks a raccoon???? He doesn't really have to do this, but: D thinks it would be funny.]

[dtective]

I'm not... [Going to apologize to a bunch of animals, he almost says, and then rethinks it. For once. Hmm... Are they still animals... He doesn't know.]

I'm not apologizing for anything! They started it.

[pruning]

[That's offensive!!]

Exactly how did they start it? Being in your presence isn't starting something, Leon.

[dtective]

I'm not defending myself in this! It doesn't matter anymore, anyway! We can just start fresh!

[pruning]

[That's now how any of this works, but fine! Fine. Hmph.]

I will speak to them and ensure no one gives you any difficulty.

[dtective]

Great, thanks!

[Score, no talking to animals necessary. Animal people??? He's going to stop thinking about things for now. He's done with his tea and food, so he relaxes sitting back like this.]

So what am I gonna do until we go out? I'm going to be bored to death in no time.

[pruning]

[Jesus it's like entertaining a big child. Not even— Chris was more independent than this... How is D going to get anything done with Leon hovering around whining about being bored??]

You could always go for a walk around the neighborhood.

[dtective]

It feels like that's all I've been doing.

[Hrmmm... He slouches a little more on the couch, but D is in the way so he can't lie down like he wants to. Darn!!]

Maybe I can take a nice, long nap!

[pruning]

You went to bed early and now you want to nap? [Even for D who sleeps as late as he does, this seems excessive. But alright, sure.]

If it will keep you busy, feel free.

[dtective]

Come to think of it, what do you do all day? Besides selling your pets.

[pruning]

Tidy up, check up on everyone, cook... [He's counting these off on his fingers, then looking at Leon and raising an eyebrow.] We don't all need constant stimulation to get through the day, you know.

[dtective]

You're weird and used to doing nothing but talking to animals all day.

[Doesn't count??]

[pruning]

And what incredibly memorable things do you usually do with your day, Leon? Sit on my couch and complain?

[jerk]

[dtective]

Work, usually.

[Since he hasn't had a date in... how many years... He just comes home and falls asleep after venting at D or questioning D or bothering D in general. Hrm.]

[pruning]

[Oh yes because that's so different from what D does all day?? Ah.]

You'll have to learn Italian quickly, in that case.

[dtective]

Why couldn't you have set up shop somewhere with people who speak English?

[pruning]

You weren't part of the plan.

[The opposite of the plan, in fact... so. Sorry, lazy American.]

[dtective]

[MAybe he should have been just saying?? Groan.]

Yeah, yeah, you've said that enough. Scoot over so I can lie down. I'll figure out what I want to do after I rest.

[pruning]

[They've been over this like ten times!! But fine, he'll scoot over to the very very end of the couch.]

You're going to be up all night this time.

[dtective]

I'll be fine from one nap.

[Maybe. Either way, he's going to lay on the couch and... put his feet in D's lap if he's not out of the way enough, deal.]

[pruning]

I will remind you of that when it's some ungodly hour of the late evening and you're complaining of boredom again.

[...and he just casually pushes Leon's feet away. No??]

[dtective]

[Puts...feet...back!!!]

Don't act like it's some big deal. I might not even fall asleep! Maybe I just want to rest my eyes.