They had shot the breeze before between cases, always a little uneasily like only a suspect and a detective can, but never about his line of work until now. Specifically, it was about police jargon.
"Cuff and stuff," Leon said. "That's arresting someone in person."
Count D nodded, watching the other man from behind his cup of tea.
"There's rat; someone who snitches for the police."
"Dealt with many of those lately?" D asked slyly, earning a look from Leon.
"And there's a frequent flier. Someone we see a lot in handcuffs, if you get what I mean."
"Does that mean I'll never be a frequent flier?" Count D said, teasing the detective just a little.
"Just because we haven't caught you yet doesn't mean you're innocent!" Leon said crossly.
Count D looked at him, face partially veiled by drifting steam from his cup.
"Wǒ jī hū qíng rén."
Leon's jaw dropped. "What the hell was that?"
"Chinese, of course." Count D smiled sweetly. "That is one of my favorite phrases. Shall I tell you what it means?"
He set his tea cup down as Leon protested, then kissed him until he learned.
Rough translation: Wǒ jī hū qíng rén.: my almost lover.