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'm not afraid to kick when times call for kicking!

[What kind of dumb line... Anyway, that counts D too, so watch out!! He... lightly nudges D's leg with his gross sneaker foot, that's all the playing around he's down for right now.]

The bites are almost always uncalled for.

[pruning]

[That's so stupid... Don't fake kick him!! That's awful.]

Well, it isn't as if you'll have anything to worry about— T-chan won't come around to see you. You've already won the couch.

[dtective]

...

[That's... oh. He thought he'd be able to laugh in success, but instead he's kind of bummed? Great. Cool.]

Don't go and make me feel guilty about it.

[pruning]

[........he doesn't feel bad for making Leon feel bad, hmm.]

That wasn't my intention. Would you like me to talk to him...?

[dtective]

No.

[Shut up!! Ugh. He's so tired of thinking too much every other second, so he stands from the couch suddenly and moves across this room of the shop, maybe peering at a few things... Maybe he should take a walk. It feels like D is getting to him the longer he stays here without a break, and it might be good to reassure himself that he's not going to take off if he steps out, too...

If he doesn't take off. He said so, so...

Leon glances at him from over his shoulder.]

I'm going out. I'll be back in time for the picnic.

[pruning]

[Oh— D blinks and turns to watch him wander away. He's been trying to think of something for Leon to do all this time to keep him out of his hair, and yet now that he's about to walk out the front door, suddenly his traitor heart isn't thrilled by the idea. It's not as if D thinks Leon might not return (he would have to be an idiot to think that, after all of this), but it's... It's been a while, hasn't it? And other things.

Still, how much can they argue before Leon reconsiders his decision to stay? D looks away from him to the table, where he leans over to start fussing over the breakfast dishes.]

Do try not to get to lost. It would be a shame to cancel our picnic because you made a wrong turn.

[just go...... he needs to panic clean]

[dtective]

[He might be thinking himself into circles constantly here, but he's not lost enough that he can't flash a dorky, thinks-he's-cool smile over his shoulder and give a thumbs up.]

There's no way I'm losing you again.

[Stop him.......... Just kidding, it's too late, the deed has been done and he's already shoving his hands into his pockets and heading for the door. Also... this way he gets out of having to help prepare the lunch! Ha ha ha. (Though with his bandaged finger as proof, that's likely for the best.)]

[pruning]

[If the universe would kindly spare D from having to witness these incredibly dorky displays, that would be wonderful. He rolls his eyes and waves Leon out, which is all he can manage to do before he has to stop and compose himself. Who gave Leon the right to say something like that after his stupid, pointless jab? After their extraordinarily dumb conversation about shoes...

Hopefully Leon's walk around the neighborhood will take him a while, because D will need some time to fret over his ridiculous lines and then actually do a few chores and prepare the lunch. It's only going to be sandwiches, but they're going to be amzing. Appreciate his skills.]

[dtective]

[Leon somehow manages to not get lost. He probably does run into a fair share of weirdos that only speak Italian and can't really communicate with him, even when he tries to practice it... Maybe a couple are real weirdos, knowing his luck. But he gets back without any drama or chaos, slamming the door open as he usually does.]

Hey, D, it's time to go! [Why? Because he decided. The shop's all still here, there's no emptiness like the other time... And that helps the sinking in his stomach just slightly. Especially that One Lamp, which Leon is looking at now.

But he's impatient, so again:]

D?

[pruning]

[D's almost ready to go when he hears Leon bang his way back into the shop out front, making him sigh over the kitschy picnic basket he prepared. He's past panicking by now, and everything has been prepared with efficiency.

Except D, who is... trying a handkerchief over his hair when he pokes his head out into the main room to frown at Leon for shouting?? It's to protect his hair, obviously.]

Come here and help me carry this basket.

I forgot I didn't reply to this until beans talked about petshop

[dtective]

You're already ready to go?

[He did not expect this... Not that he minds. He shuffles inside obediently to find the basket he needs to help carry. Honestly, it's such a small thing that he doesn't even think about how willing he is. It can't be that heavy, right?? Picnic time!!

He will pick this up and wait for further instructions, thanks. Hurry up with the hair thing.]

ya nerd

[pruning]

[What is that implication...? D looks at him for a beat, does not dignify that with a response, and continues to fuss over his head scarf thing while Leon picks up the basket. Then he brushes past him to head back toward the front of the shop.]

Come along, let's go before the park gets crowded.

shh

[dtective]

Yeah, yeah, I'm coming.

[Basket carrier... He notices that D isn't carrying anything, now!! Whatever, he'd probably drop the basket with his girly hands and ruin lunch. Yeah. Leon will tell himself these reassuring things for his masculinity as he follows like an oaf and waits for them to find the perfect picnic spot.

He might even admire the park when they get to it, if it's pretty enough! Italy is pretty, what do you know.]

[pruning]

[He's earning his lunch, if that makes him feel better. D doesn't feel like carrying a picnic basket around, and how convenient - he has a big, strong ex-policeman around to do it for him.

So basically, he's much more chipper than he was over breakfast, so far. The perfect picnic spot truly is flawless, the view is beautiful, and none of the children in the park are anywhere near here. It's great. D motions for Leon to stop and then for the basket, but not to take it - he's taking a blanket out of it to spread perfectly over the grass.

Time to settle in for a great lunch. He motions for the basket again.] Now then, our lunch isn't going to eat itself.

[dtective]

Alright, this is the best part! Let's see what we've got here...

[He'll set the basket down on the blanket when he's finally able, moving to sit cross-legged beside it and reach inside to pull everything out. Picnic!! Uninterrupted picnic!! That's the idea, at least. He's still going to glance up and look around very often.]

This spot's pretty good, actually. How'd you know about it? [He asks the dumbest things, who cares just eat]

[pruning]

[It's just sandwiches and things, nothing too elaborate... just kidding, this is a really elaborate spread for picnic sandwiches prepared in the past hour or so. How does he do it?? Who knows.]

A little bird told me. [D.........] Eat.

[dtective]

[Shut the fuck up........... Leon gives him a look that says just this before he looks at his cute little section of sandwich, holding it up curiously. It's as neat as ever... How did he do all of that in such a short period of time?

Well, it looks delicious, and it's not just sweets, so he'll eat this eagerly!]

Man, this is great! [Sandwiches aren't usually impressive...] I guess I really didn't notice how much I missed you cooking for me.

[Will he realize how this sounds?? No, because he's eating this bomb ass sandwich.]

[pruning]

[He's gifted, thanks. And he has his own dainty sandwich to eat, while he looks at Leon and raises an eyebrow. Yes, that certainly sounds... like something.]

How very honest. [chew......] I cooked for you last night.

[come on!!]

[dtective]

You and I both know I made those tomatoes look worse than they were. [He's just saying!! He filled them all funky, it wasn't the same.]

[pruning]

[Okay, but they were kind of sweet in their lumpy, embarrassing way. D won't say that, but he definitely thinks it as he takes another bite of his sandwich.]

Oh, I see. So you would rather be served. How typical.

[dtective]

Wha... Don't say it like that!

[He's trying to EAT... He shoves a cup or whatever was brought to drink at D to shut him up.]

I'm trying to compliment you! [Stop making it weird! Even if it was already weird.] Sheesh...

[pruning]

[Wow!! It was super weird and has been for a whole day!! But he'll accept this drink with an appropriate amount of his usual smug amusement.]

I am aware, thank you. [Taking a sip of whatever this drink is... it's probably some weird health drink because he didn't feel like the whole tea in thermoses thing today.] The simple satisfaction of seeing another person enjoy one's cooking... It's one of the few things humans can provide that the rest of the animal kingdom has little need for.

[Puppies don't care if he cooks for them or not.... just let him do his weird little thing, because he'll add this gay part after a moment.] I do enjoy cooking for you, despite your complaints.

[dtective]

What the fuck are you talking about?

[What is this ANIMAL NONSENSE, jesus he just wanted to say he liked these sandwiches and he missed eating together. It was casual picnic conversation, and now it's weird human vs non human furry bullshit and also that gay comment at the end?? He takes a slow bite out of his sandwich.]

Thanks, I guess... I mean, that's just good news for me, when I'm used to living off poor man's food! [Delivery and cup noodles, the life.] Just take it easy on the sweets.

[He won't try to convince him to add meat this time, but. Sweets... stop.]

[pruning]

[It's not furry bullshit, it's the truth!!!! Shut up and appreciate his gay comments and his sandwiches. He's not even offended, somehow.]

No sweets from me, and no greasy abomination fast food from the locals. I'm so proud of you, making a healthy decision.

[dtective]

It's not like I have a choice, here.

[He'd gladly disappoint D by grabbing a hamburger if he could. Anyway, they should be relaxing! But he's... not sitting back and lounging at all. In fact, he keeps looking around the park at anyone who passes by this quiet area suspiciously. It's too quiet!]