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]

[He... does want that? He thought he was saying nonsense, or sounding stupid, and that D would look at him with one of his usual smiles and everything would go back to how it was before. Instead, his heart beats faster and his cheeks heat up a bit. He's looking at D, and he's suddenly aware of how he looks. That look is nervous? So he must be genuine. This isn't just him messing with him.

He swallows back his nervousness. Could he really break through with D? Does that go against everything he's been doing trying to bring him justice? Maybe justice isn't what he needs. Maybe it doesn't solve everything...

Ugh!! Impulsively, he reaches over and claps one of his hands over D's in his lap. He shouldn't be that nervous asking someone for god damn company! What did his family teach him?!]

I'm here, aren't I? Maybe I don't notice everything, and there's still a lot I don't get, but I'll smack that smile off your face any day!

[...Well, the emotion behind it is well-meaning and cute.]

[pruning]

[D doesn't know what he's expecting - another thing that puts him on edge, if they're keeping track - but at most he expects some more comments about how he should have done this or that. More half-assed scolding, basically, so he's still staring down at his hands when Leon abruptly grabs them. D startles- how could he do anything but startle- and actually looks up at him, finally.

He almost doesn't hear half of what Leon's saying, he's too surprised by the sudden contact. Leon is saying something about hitting him, and D is blinking at him like he's only just arrived here at this picnic.]

You— [Ah.] I would not smack me, if I were you.

[Some of his usual edge comes back into his voice for that, before he backslides into that odd nervousness again. Leon's hand is warm. He's distracted by that. After a moment he pulls just one hand out from under Leon's to cover it instead, uncertainly.]

Will you stay? [Okay, he's already established that, so maybe if he adds to it without all of the "humans are fickle and don't you dare get bored of me" he's definitely thinking...] I suppose I am asking for more than is appropriate, but you must understand that if you are to stay, then I will not let you leave.

[Just get the rest of his crazy out in the open while they hold hands in the park, nbd.]

[dtective]

[Well that got serious real quick. That's a heavy request in how D says it, vaguely threatening and deeply lonely, from what Leon can pick up. He doesn't know if he's just imagining that or not. The hand over his barely registers, the throbbing in his own chest too distracting, but he squeezes D's hand a little more.

Does he want to stay with D forever? The word "forever" wasn't mentioned, but it feels like it comes with this request. There's no end date for "will you stay." He's asking for a lot more than that. He's asking for him to center his life around him.

He's already done that, he realizes, and his stomach twists a bit with a confusing feeling.]

Don't tell me you're going senile, D. I already said I was staying.

[It's mumbled so that maybe D won't notice that he's a bit caught off guard by all the feelings himself.]

[pruning]

[It isn't the first time he's asked for forever, to be fair, but this time it turns out he means it. That- and saying it- doesn't make it easier for him to bear, and it still feels like the most terrifying thing he's ever faced— keeping Leon here with him. He is asking a lot; he knows this. He doesn't know what he's doing, other than it's the only thing that's felt right since he pushed Leon off the boat.

Leon's answer comes, and D still isn't sure he's comprehended the scope of forever. If Leon needs this spelled out for him too— hopefully, he's just being paranoid. He should trust him now, of all times. That would help.

So. If he trusts Leon, and Leon is going to stay... The awful feeling in his chest might ease up some, finally. He's going into this blind.]

I want to believe you. [And mostly he does! But there's the voice of his father yet, reminding him not to hope... He tilts his head to one side, giving Leon a considering look.] No— I do.

[probably]

I will... hold you to that, you know. If I must.

[dtective]

Go ahead.

[That shift from "I want to believe you" to "I do" brings a small smile to Leon's face. He's really pissed at everything that's caused D to be this distrusting in the first place, what's lead him to hate humans and everything else, but if this is something he can help with, he will.]

I'm a man of my word.

[So how long are they going to hold hands.]

[pruning]

[Don't smile at him like that, how is he expected to deal with that? It won't be long until they're having another pointless argument about something like how to (or not) fold napkins, and yet... this—

He has to look down at their hands again, letting his hair fall forward and hide at least some of his expression. He's... pleased? He's smiling, for real this time. Don't look at him.]

You mean you're remarkably stubborn.

[they are going to hold hands for ten years minimum]

[dtective]

[Oh, he sees that smile!! It's there!! His own smile grows, and with a laugh he reaches over with his free hand to shove playfully at D's shoulder.]

It's a good thing I am, with all the crap you get us into! [He's a perfect fit, see!! He hasn't even yanked his hand back. I's much easier to relax like this.]

[pruning]

[Pushing him!! D's too caught up in everything that's happened to be angry, raising a hand to nudge Leon's shoulder in turn. Just the one, he's busy holding hands and not talking about it with the other.]

Me? As if you're completely blameless!

[dtective]

[Heh!! But ah, he shoved him back. Somehow that's hilarious and Leon has to laugh for it... but he keeps laughing. He can't even defend his pride of not causing any problems ever because he's just so relieved.

All of this wasn't for naught. D is ridiculous, too, acting all shy like that...]

[pruning]

[He isn't... shy!! Shy is a terrible word to use for whatever this is, because he isn't it.

Leon is just laughing at him...]

Are you through?

[dtective]

Oh, lighten up, D! I'm just relaxing.

[He reaches to grab a cookie from the set up of them and shoves it at D's lips. Chill.]

[pruning]

[A cookie in his face, now?! He jerks back from that, but not without taking a few crumbs with him that he hastily wipes off with his free hand.

Then, of course, he picks up a cookie of his own and shoves it at Leon. He could be mature, but Leon turns him into an idiot 13-year-old, soooo...]

[dtective]

[He's laughing, and so that cookie gets shoved pretty decently into his mouth, thanks. He half chokes in shock, crumbs spluttering a bit as he leans closer to try and shove his own cookie more. EAT IT, HE'S EATING HIS.

He also tries to say something around the cookie in his mouth like "I thought you liked sweets!"]

[pruning]

[Hah!! He's winning! This is what they've come to, shoving cookies at each other like actual children... D continues to lean away from Leon-and-cookie, mouth shut tight but still smirking??

Bury him, he's enjoying this. He's not going to say anything because that would give Leon an opening...! All he'll do is shake his head, like no— this is his Victory, not Leon's.]

[dtective]

[He's not winning shit! Leon is determined, and so he leans further. Their joined hands can still be a support, even if they're on D's leg, and he's really trying to reach with this cookie in his hand. Whatever his words are are muffled by the cookie in his mouth, still... He's going to fall over at this rate.

But not before just repeatedly shoving it at D's lips. Open up!! How can he resist!!]

[pruning]

[It's too late, this Actual Child can't defeat him! Or maybe he can, considering he's taller and leaning toward D, leaving D with very few options besides leaning back and craning his neck away from the cookie still attacking his face. It's breaking! A chunk of cookie falls to his lap, forgotten. Tragic.

But still, D's already won?? So this needs to Stop.] Leon—

[He turns his head but not enough, getting half a mouthful of cookie for his efforts. He pushes at Leon's shoulder futilely for another second, which turns into slightly more urgent fumbling to hold on and stop himself falling like an actual fool.

Too late...... goodbye]

[dtective]

[Leon laughs in his success, more cookie crumbs falling... and then D falls, and Leon follows. What a mess of losers. He's still kind of laughing between it all, and the rest of his cookie falls out of his mouth and somewhere onto the blanket. He pulls his hands back to himself, placing one on the picnic blanket besides D's face to push himself up so he doesn't crush the guy.

Just slightly, though, because he's gotta peer at D to make sure he's alive after this noncon cookie.]

Shit, sorry— [Look, he can apologize sometimes, even if he's grinning.] Are you okay?

[pruning]

[So much of that moment was gross, and yet... well, he's focusing on Leon's face very close and the rest basically on top of him. Hmm. Fascinating.

If the rest of that cookie he was forced to eat wasn't in his hair, this would be slightly less ridiculous... He chews the piece he couldn't escape, somehow still managing to frown up at Leon about it. Ugh.]

Oaf. [so, he's good.] Let me sit up, thank you.

[dtective]

[He's a little aware of how close they are, now, so he'll sit up and put his hands back in his own lap. Leon honestly doesn't even notice that he has crumbs all over his face, because he's busy staring at D.]

[pruning]

[Only a little aware... D sits up with a huff, brushing the cookie pieces off his leg before finger-combing his hair to deal with the other crumbs... this is a mess!!

...Leon..... this slob.] Your face, dear.

[dtective]

What, is it messy?

[He scrubs all over his face to try and fix this. He's not thinking about how they were just holding hands for a long while and then fell over on each other after a playful fight, nope.]

[pruning]

[Those things probably didn't happen for all the talking about them D isn't doing. Satisfied with his hair, he watches Leon go wild all over his face. That sure is happening... He'll helpfully reach over and brush some rogue crumbs off the front of his shirt after a couple seconds.]

Well, I hope you've learned your lesson.

[what lesson, D??? what??]

[dtective]

Lesson?

[what is he saying... He'll finish rubbing all over his face eventually.] What, that you're easy to knock over?

[pruning]

[okay...........hush]

No. Manners.

[dtective]

[He's so proud that he made D grumpy, look at him. Well, mostly he's happy they've agreed so completely to stick together. No more worrying that he'll slip away!!]

Too bad, you already said I couldn't leave.