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

[pruning]

[Don't panic too much about gay staring, D still has to write him an order note and grab him some money. He'll putter around to do that for a bit, hang on.

Soon: the items. He doodled a little map on the back of the note, even though it's literally down the street until there's an X.]

Here you are. You shouldn't have to say anything.

[dtective]

[Leon's all ready to go and waiting by the time the note is actually handed to him. He stares at it, like it might make sense eventually, and accepts the money.]

Hopefully they don't try any friendly conversation.

[He'll be clueless. But well, this is the first step towards learning... or something.] Alright. I'll be right back.

[Off he goes on this Quest... if he hasn't returned in a normal amount of time then save him. But he'll probably make it back with the right pizza and everything!! What a good bf.]

[pruning]

[There he goes... D is only moderately concerned that he'll get lost coming back down the street and he'll get a strange phone call from the local mafia, or something. In the meantime he'll busy himself getting some plates and relocating both their glasses from before, for fresh drinks... Is he going to make Leon eat cheap pizza off an incredibly fancy china plate? Of course he is.

He will then be Waiting, and also kind of Fretting, and so when he finally does decide maybe he needs to go find his dumb American, he's at the door and opening it at the same moment Leon is returning.

Well!!] Oh— you're back. [HE'S... NOT SURPRISED]

[dtective]

[hELLO... He nearly runs into D with how eagerly he tries to barge in through the door. Luckily, he catches himself and just sort of wobbles awkwardly.]

Where were you going? [Surely not leaving him just when he thought things were fine... He stares at the pizza.]

This guy kept saying crap I didn't understand. The pizza took a while, too.

[pruning]

[Oh jesus, this almost ended badly. Pizza-badly!! After the initial shock of nearly crashing into Leon, he's embarrassed he was legitimately going to go look for him. Ah...]

Nowhere. I wrote very clear instructions... [He shuffles back a few steps so Leon can actually come in, gesturing for him to go ahead.] The place settings are already out.

[dtective]

Hang on... Were you about to go out and get me?

[He's able to pick up on this...!! D isn't spared. Leon still will move inside and carry the pizza with him, setting it down.]

I wasn't gone that long, was I?

[pruning]

[Long pause........ Well, anyway.]

Please try not to drip cheese onto the table, it's dreadful to clean off.

[dtective]

[Uh uh!! Now Leon has this knowing smirk on his face.]

I'm right, aren't I? You were worried I got lost or something! [He should feel more ashamed of this, but right now he's just pleased that the Count was so worried.]

[pruning]

[Stop!! Eat some pizza!!!! D's putting a slice on his fancy plate and pushing it towards him pointedly, definitely not in a huff about this.]

That hardly paints you in a flattering light, you know.

[dtective]

[He laughs a little, taking his plate and sitting down. Maybe kicking back a little.]

I don't know about that. I got home just fine, didn't I? [He's already realized this isn't like the pizza he's used to. But he got over his shock at the shop. It smells good, so it's fine!]

[pruning]

[Whatever... whatever!! D isn't even going to dignify that with an answer. Instead he picks up his drink and sits down, to frown over it while he scrutinizes Leon eating this pizza.

Whatever...] Feet on the floor.

[dtective]

[Whatever! Leon will pointedly stare at him as he slowly moves his feet back down to the floor. Sheesh. What a sore loser... Or whatever you'd call this.]

Come on, don't just look sour the whole time.

[pruning]

[Looks sourly into his glass!! Whatever! One day he'll shake the suspicion that Leon will go out for pizza, realize he's in too deep here with all of this, and never come home. But not this quickly...]

How is the pizza?

[dtective]

I wouldn't call this a pizza, but it's pretty good!

[Leon............] Do you like this kinda stuff?

[pruning]

[HE WOULDN'T CALL IT A..... LEON. LEON.]

Do you know where pizza was invented?

[This is a much more important issue than how much pizza he is or isn't eating.]

[dtective]

That doesn't matter. What matters was they brought it to New York and we improved it!

[IMPROVED IT...]

[pruning]

[Stare..........]

That's your opinion. [sips drink...] I am not very hungry right now.

[dtective]

[Squints at...]

Are you ever hungry for anything besides sweets?

[pruning]

I've treated you to meals before.

[Meals that... he participated in!! So, maybe. Maybe he just doesn't want to stuff his face with pizza right this second.]

[dtective]

It's weird if you're just staring at me.

[As if they didn't just stare at each other for an hour or something before getting this pizza. Jesus. He glances down at his plate, eating some more. Well, it's fine... The pizza is good.]

[pruning]

[What if he wants to keep staring at Leon? Can he stare at him while eating??]

I do not stare at you all the time.

[dtective]

[STOP... STARING... He keeps looking up and slouching more like that'll help.]

You're staring at me right now!

[pruning]

We're having a conversation! Should I give my attention to the floor, instead of you?

[LOOKS AT HIM]

[dtective]

[That's a good point... It'd be FINE if he was EATING TOO!! No, it's fine, he'll eat alone and be stared at...]

Last time I checked, messing with me isn't a conversation. [It is... though???]

[pruning]

[He has a drink and he's drinking it! That counts.]

You always assume I'm "messing with" you. [Like... often, yes, but not all the time.] I could have been admiring your strong profile, for all you know.

[but WAS HE maybe]