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]

Why would I fall asleep? I've already taken a nap today.

[He's not a multi nap kind of guy?? Maybe.] What are you doing?

[pruning]

[Don't call him out... Take a nap instead. He's minding his own business, wherein "business" is just Leon.]

I'm... sitting here?

[dtective]

Lie down or something, you're making me nervous just staring at me like that.

[Please!!]

[pruning]

[Stares at him......]

You had your eyes closed a moment ago. [So it's fine that he was staring! But fine, he supposes he can lie down... somewhat stiffly, this is strange.]

[dtective]

That's better. I think...

[Who can't relax now? Hmm, but he's a little less relaxed now, too. He blames D staring at him for this, but he'll close his eyes anyway and pretend.]

[pruning]

[He only wants to nap in the park if he can be covered in butterflies, thanks much. How can he stare at Leon like this??]

You think. [rude... he'll try.... to relax?? he's just going to wind up staring at the sky and thinking too much about all of this.]

[dtective]

[Shhhh, he's already trying not to think about this. So, they're both going to lie here and pretend they're not thinking too much about this. A few minutes pass, and Leon opens his eyes again to blink at the sky. What are they going to do after this, just go back to the pet shop? Probably...]

Thanks. For the picnic and everything.

[pruning]

[It's too late, thinking about it is unavoidable. Is this the rest of his life, now...?? Was this all a horrible mistake, should he have never done this—

Oh. A thank you. He's not panicking.]

You wouldn't give the shake a chance and you threw dessert all over the place. [the WORST!! and yet.] Still, I am glad you're here.

[stares at a cloud, Wow]

[dtective]

[What, more gay shit??]

...Yeah. [Smooth reply. Hm.] Next time, I'm just bringing a coke. [So... there can be a next time, maybe.]

[pruning]

[Always more gay shit?? Leon isn't being gay enough, why.]

If you must. [hmph] I won't stop you.

[dtective]

[He's shy, be gentle.]

I guess we're pretty much done with this one... [Looks... to the side... at D. Hello.]

[pruning]

[No......... He looks at Leon. Are they done? Are they??]

I suppose. [doesn't move.... hey.]

[dtective]

[How long can they stare each other in the eyes like this, Leon is feeling awkward.]

But I guess we'd just be sitting around back at the shop, too. [So.......]

[pruning]

[D can go all day, try him.]

That is true. I do have some things to attend to. [But will he....]

[dtective]

[He's managing so far...]

Like what? Shouldn't you get going, then?

[pruning]

[Good luck...]

Could you find your way back without me? [#doubt but also, this is his excuse.] None of my errands are urgent.

[dtective]

[Mmmmkay, so maybe he forgot which way the shop was. It's been one day! He stuck to a complete circle on his walk earlier.]

If you say so. [Not urgent... Then they're just going to stay here?? He turns away because he's weak and can't take it anymore.] At least the weather's nice.

[He realizes he's said this maybe three times now.]

[pruning]

[D is winning... He scoffs at the dumb weather comment being said again, looking back up at some interesting clouds himself. He'll just stay here like this for a while... At some point he points up at a bird flying overhead, names it completely accurately from down here!! and lets his hand drop back to the space between them.

He does not bump Leon's hand on purpose, because he isn't 13 years old. Mostly.]

[dtective]

[Leon comments on how it looks just like some ordinary bird, completely inaccurately, only to end up startled by a simple bump of hands. He has no idea why this makes him hold his breath or glance over silently, but he sure does. His hand is frozen in place but his fingers twitch.

Was that... on purpose...?? No, it's got to be an accident. Why would he do it on purpose?

He's having a crisis.]

[pruning]

[Did Leon just die? Is he lying next to a corpse? D wonders if he should make some other wiseass comment about how unique the bird is, can't Leon tell, it's right there, but apparently bumping hands has destroyed him. Well...

He's already made enough stupid decisions today, so he'll do it again. Bump!!]

[dtective]

[...He did it again. That's definitely on purpose?? He can't BREATHE—]

Why do you keep doing that?

[pruning]

[Why does he have to be this stupid?? What did D do to deserve this? Is this what Father meant, with his parting words...?]

Doing what? [He'll hold hands with himSELF, whatever!]

[dtective]

[He may die here. D is making him feel like he's crazy, but he definitely didn't imagine feeling that twice. So... he at least manages to move his hand and nudge D's right back.]

That.

[pruning]

[What is that?? Did something happen? D has no idea.]

I haven't the slightest idea what you mean.

[dtective]

[What............ Okay, then he'll wait a few silent minutes and then bump D's hand again. Now who's feeling things!!!]