"Hello? Anyone home?" Leon unceremoniously trudged into the pet shop, toting a rather pricey cake in one hand. Liebling, the German bakery down the street, was known for their rich, chocolaty confections. He made sure to get one piled high with almonds and strawberries.

If he was going to make an appearance, and maybe attempt an apology, he wanted to be prepared.

The shop was quiet. He wondered if he had come too late. There were no animals in the large, chintzy foyer. The plush couch that T-chan loved to lie in wait on was deserted. The few antique clocks that hung on the walls all clicked in unison. Eight o'clock.

Rather than unnerve him like most clocks tended to do, they set him at ease. It was natural, expected of the place. Time outside the pet shop was rushed and wasted. The air inside was always languid and soothing. The clicking wasn't ominous, just comforting.

As he sat down, D emerged from a back room.

"Ah, detective. I thought I heard you come in. Welcome back," he said with his usual smooth demeanor.

"Hey, uh, yeah. Been a while," he grunted. He toed the box on the low coffee table. "Brought you a present."

D looked simply delighted at the sight of the exquisite L adorning the top of the cream colored box.

"From Liebling! Oh how wonderful! But you shouldn't have. Would you like tea? You look a little worn out." As usual, when presented with a gift of sweets, D was all aflutter.

"Yeah, I would have been here earlier but I had to chase a guy down a few blocks away and take him in. Little prick thought he could pickpocket on a deserted sidewalk. His bad luck I'm a cop," he snorted, lighting a cigarette.

"Sounds very tiresome," he replied, though Leon couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. "I'll be back. Please make yourself comfortable."

When he disappeared into the small kitchen area, Leon leaned back into the cushions. The familiar scents of animal musk and incense were heavy in the air. The few months he had been frequenting the shop, he had never seen an open window. Which was to be expected considering the shop was sandwiched between two other businesses. He didn't really mind.

The streets outside were crowded, noisy, and dismal. L.A.'s china town wasn't the best of places, but the pet shop gave him a great place to relax. Though he hated to admit it.

D came back with the tea, smiling.

"If I remember correctly, you're partial to plum black tea. It's not as strong as the others. Plus I kept yours black, no sugar added!" He set a cup in front of him. "I also felt it would go good with this wonderful cake."

Leon accepted the plate with the generous slice of cake on it, but waited to eat until he had seen D take a bite.

His eyes closed happily, lips tipped in a delighted smile. Smug and pleased, Leon dug in.

It really was good. Right up to D's standards. The cake itself was soft, the frosting perfectly even and smooth. The strawberries were fresh and of the best quality, not like the ones Leon ended up buying. The almonds were enjoyably crunchy.

"You have a marvelous eye for sweets, detective. But...I have a feeling you have an ulterior motive behind this cake." D watched him over his plate, like a cat eying a potential threat.

Leon cleared his throat. "Well, yeah. I mean, after that dream and shit, I thought I shouldn't have avoided the place. Should 'a kept my cool." Apologizing was difficult. He hated how the count just watched him. But he seemed puzzled, not patronizing.

"I don't know what you mean," he replied finally.

"Those cats, from the dream! You kept them right?" He wanted to somehow show the count that he cared, that he wasn't some heartless asshole. Which confused him, because he thought that's what he was himself.

D's eyes narrowed. "Yes I kept them. They're with a foster mother now, and they're doing quite well."

"I'm glad. I...I said some pretty dumb shit and y'know, didn't mean much of it. Money doesn't matter in this case. As long as they're taken care of." He stumbled his way through it. But he had said it. And he was glad he did.

The range of emotions on D's normally stony face were more than enough of a reward. Shock, caution, and then pure joy when he realized Leon was telling the truth.

"Detective..."

"Please. Call me Leon. I've said it before," he insisted. "Detective sounds so fucking formal."

"Leon, then."

Well, maybe that was mistake. D intoned his name with a lovely little purr that made his hair stand on end. What was his problem? It wasn't like he was anything special. But he still felt color rise in his cheeks.

"Just trying to show you we Americans aren't all bad," he said loudly.

D chuckled. Then gave him quite a serious look. "You've taught me a lot Leon. You know, under all that crude vulgarity, you're a sweet man. I wish you would let that shine through."

"And I wish you'd act like a fucking man more, Jesus!" He sulked into his tea cup. The count sure knew how to get under his skin.

"Oh come now. I was paying you a compliment! Let's not fight after not having seen each other in so long," he pleaded as Leon stood to go.

"I'm not fighting with you. Quit acting like a damn broad. It's just late and I should be going. And calm down," he added. "I'll be back tomorrow."

D stood as well, worrying his hands. "I just don't want to leave on a sour note," he said softly.

Leon sighed. "What do you want from me? A hug?" He jokingly threw his arms out.

"How delightful of you to offer, my dear detective!" D laughed, and before Leon could protest he had put his arms around him.

"Christ D!" he exclaimed.

Leon didn't like it, but then again, he did. He had just been kidding, hadn't he? The smell of the shop was heavy around him, and he realized D smelled just as sweet. His hair was smooth and smelled of peaches. The robe he wore was soft.

"You're such a comfort to me Leon," D whispered. "I always feel so happy when you're around."

He felt flustered. Awkward in his own skin.

"That's dumb," he managed. Inside though, he felt he had gained a small victory. "But I guess I feel the same."

D looked up at him. "You do? But I thought you didn't like me." He was wearing almost half a petulant pout.

Not daring to look him in the eyes, he struggled for an answer. Finally he gave up and made eye contact. The count really was a looker. Both handsome and beautiful. The perfect yin and yang. There was so much hatred for humans, yet so much passion for animals and the simple things in life…it would be hard not to appreciate someone like him.

"I like you quite a bit," he said finally. His voice sounded hoarse to his own ears.

He realized D was gaping at him, and that his arms had fallen from his shoulders. "Detective…you're not acting like yourself tonight. Is everything alright?"

Leon's head was swimming. Was everything alright? How did he usually act? Was he still hugging D? Yes, his arms were still about the count's waist. He let go, stumbling away.

"I don't know. I love it here but seriously, I feel like my thoughts get voodoo worked on them or some shit. I gotta go." He whirled and bolted up the stairs.

"Leon!" He heard him call, but was already out on the street, breathing in the humid air and normal, human smells of the night. He had no reason to be so worked up. It was just D. He had only wanted to make good with the count, to ease his guilt of someday arresting him for all the illegal activities he was up to.

But he had missed him. Him and that damn shop. And he knew, when he got home, that night he would be visited by the same dream he had over and over.

Soft sighs. A deep harmonious laugh. Pale skin, obsidian hair…Leon gazed up at the person perched above him, feeling his heart beat wildly in his chest. A laugh still on his lips, D leaned down to press them to Leon's, his cool hands sliding down Leon's bare chest. His lips were sweet and as chilled as ice. 'What is your deepest desire?'

Leon jerked awake, D's voice still ringing in his ears.

Blearily looking at the clock, he groaned. It was four am. He flumped down onto his bed and stared at the naked women winking at him from his ceiling. For some reason, he found her grotesque, and rolled to instead look out the window, to the sky above, and wondered just what the hell was happening to him.

Hello all, and thanks very much for reading. I hope you've enjoyed things thus far, even though they're only warming up. I had wanted to say something in my first chapter, but better late than never I suppose!

Pet Shop of Horrors has been my favorite manga for quite a long time, D and Leon quickly becoming my favorite of love/hate couples. There is so much between them! I of course take no credit for anything belonging to Matsuri Akino.

I think this story will become a weekly post, perhaps to be updated sometime between Monday and Tuesday. If I'm feeling gracious or complete a chapter ahead of time, I will of course post it.

Thank you again for reading, and please review me kindly. (Though I will never object to honest, helpful criticism.)

~M