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]

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.

[pruning]

[Pushes them off... again!!!]

Do it quietly, at least.

[dtective]

You're the only one who brings noise. I'm surprised someone hasn't marched through the door to drag you off somewhere.

[He's waiting for it... It's just like any old day off, right?? Hmm. Putting his feet... back up.]

[pruning]

[Why does this keep happening? Spare him. He's starting to give up.]

They would find me otherwise preoccupied with this oaf who cannot keep his feet where they belong! If only I were lucky enough to be whisked away from your ratty sneakers.

[dtective]

[Heh, victory is his!! For now, at least.]

Hey! This oaf is gonna be the one who protects you if any shit goes down. Didn't you say you missed me, anyway? You can deal with my sneakers for a little.

[pruning]

[Why is he in hell and why does Leon have to bring that up? Yes, it's true, but come on.]

I've known you for some time, and in all that time, I've always found it remarkable... that you've never bought a new pair of sneakers! Calling them ratty is almost an insult to rats!

[dtective]

[Why does he talk to this strange man. Ratty... for the love of—]

Say that again and I might kick you. [Nah] Why would I buy new ones if these ones fit just fine? I don't buy new shoes until I can't wear them anymore!

[Beyond just holes, he will replace these once they literally do not stay on his feet.]

[pruning]

[D sometimes thinks one of them is literally just a dead rat skin.... but never mind that.]

They're bad for your feet, to say nothing of how dreadful they look. [Especially now that he's seeing them in his own lap? Ew.] I can see your socks, for heaven's sake.

[dtective]

[He pointedly wiggles his toes from inside his shoes, take that.]

What's wrong with my socks? Nobody looks at shoes, anyway! They worked just fine for my job and they've worked for chasing after you, too.

[pruning]

[Good god, stop, they're hideous.]

Is that why you won't let them go? It would be too much like saying goodbye to an old friend? Your feet can make plenty of fresher, cleaner friends, Leon.

[dtective]

Have you seen shoe prices? I'm broke! Especially now that I'm jobless.

[Unemployed... gross. But anyway...] If you're gonna just buy me a whole outfit, I wouldn't refuse some new sneakers.

[pruning]

[Speaking as someone who has like 30 pairs of custom made silk shoes... whatever, hobo.]

Not dress shoes? [ha ha... a funny joke] If I'm to look after you, I will buy you new sneakers, too.

[dtective]

Don't say it like that...

[That's weird.] Still, thanks. I'll pay you back once I have enough money.