Event Horizons
A Petshop of Horrors Fanfiction
By: Sanjuno Shori
Rating: R
Pairing: DxLeon
Warnings: YAOI, AU, something of a TWT (meaning I've taken certain canon events and switched their order around, or ignored them all together so that the story makes sense. Made Papa D show up a few months later than in canon, D didn't run off to the moon after his dad kicked it, stuff like that), implied Non-Con, supernatural things, speculations on the mating habits of non-humans, etc.
Disclaimer: Okay now, PSoH is not mine, nor are any of the canon characters. I write for entertainment purposes only! I am making no money off this! That being said, it would please me for you to enjoy the story! - mew!
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AUTHORS NOTES
Gomen ne Ivy-san, I didn't mean to sound like I took your review the wrong way. My response to the review was supposed to be funny. Sorry if it didn't sound that way.
Well… I haven't really got much to say right now… so I think I'll just get on with the fic.
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Recap:
Then the bathroom door opened and a familiar – was that worry? Strange, and certainly unexpected…- voice filled his ears.
"Keiji-san, are you all right? What are you doing on the floor?"
-
Event Horizons
Chapter Two: Afternoon Excursions
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Have you ever experienced a moment where time slows to a crawl and everything just… stops? Where seconds take years and eternity passes in an instant? When the stillness between your heartbeats rings in your ears as your mind freezes and tries to make sense of it all? If you have, then you know how Leon felt as he stared at the apparition of Count D that was standing in the doorway of his bathroom.
Had he been in anything close to his right mind at the moment the detective probably would have done more than stare. As it was his mind was a confused whirl of pain and forgotten memory. He certainly would have reached for a towel to cover his important bits with. Things being as they were, the lingering traces of panic and disorientation, along with the very immediate pain and a hefty dose of shock kept his embarrassment at bay.
That did not keep him from voicing a question that, to Leon's blank mind, had the most import on the situation.
"D? What the hell are you doing in my bathroom?
The Chinese kami blinked at the bewildered look on his detective's face. The near complete non-reaction had him worried. Taking Leon's position at his feet and the breathless tone of his voice into account, it was a sure thing that the detective had fallen getting out of the shower.
This accident only enforced D's unvoiced plans for taking proper care of his detective.
"I have come to pick you up, Keiji-san."
"Oh, that's good. Because I really don't think I can stand up on my own."
D found himself blinking again. He had expected accusations of breaking in - which he had not, Leon had left the door unlocked, so D had simply let himself in - or demands that he leave, or shouting and swearing at the very least. This calm, slightly dazed response was a shock, and besides being charmingly cute, was rather worrying.
D knelt beside the prone investigator and helped him sit up. Quickly checking his detective over for any new or worsened injuries. Aside from the tiny bits of red leaking from the gash in his stomach and on his right thigh Leon appeared no worse, thankfully, for his fall. At least none of the stitches had been pulled.
Blinking lazily as the wet strands of his bangs fell into his eyes Leon tilted his head back to look at D as the Chinese shopkeeper wrapped him in towels.
"Detective? Leon! Pay attention please, do you have any medications?"
"Mmm, just some painkillers on the table by my bed. 'S where my bandages are too."
Leon rested his head on D's shoulder as the other man worked on securing the towels in a way that would keep them on when they finally moved from the floor. The world kept spinning around and around and making Leon's head hurt.
"Have you taken any medication today?"
"Yeah, and they dosed me with something before I left the hospital too. Don't know how long it's supposed to last either."
D bit back the unaccustomed urge to curse and took another look at the blond propped up against him, discreetly sniffing the air. According to the kami's senses Leon was, pardon the expression, drugged to the gills. Well, it was a mixed blessing. On one hand Leon would be much easier to manage, on the other, once the drugs wore off he would want D's head on a platter.
No matter, D could deal with that when the time came. It was not like it was an unaccustomed situation between the two of them. Leon was always upset about something. D was beginning to think that disgruntled was his detectives default state.
Tucking his arms around Leon back and under his knees D stood up. Eliciting a startled yelp from the blond as his right arm wrapped around D's neck. D could not help laughing softly as he made his way through the apartment, thoroughly enjoying having his detective clinging to him instead of shying away from his touch. Leon tried to glare but it came out as more of a pout.
A very attractive pout, especially considering that most adults just look ridiculous when they try to put on a similar expression.
D gently set Leon down on the bed, immediately re-bandaging the detectives ribs, shoulder, and other major wounds. The plastic that was taped around Leon's foot cast was removed and discarded. Then D read the prescription on the painkillers, and wrinkled his nose disdainfully before he firmly pressed Leon into taking one of the small pills with a glass of water. American medicine may be useless, but it was probably better to keep Leon off balance until D had the detective stowed away at the shop. D also read the note sent by the doctor who apparently assumed, wrongly, that Leon had somebody staying with. Well, now he had a valid reason to take Leon back home with him. Doctor's orders, Leon was far too injured to stay alone, and D could not leave the pet shop unattended…
D's thoughts were interrupted when Leon put his water glass down and shot a heated look up at D through lowered lashes and pressed his lips back into another delicious pout.
D blinked. Now, just where had that thought come from?
Of course he realized that the detective was an attractive specimen of his species. It was a difficult fact to overlook. The man may not be the most polite of people, but he had a vibrant personality and many attractive traits. His body was fit, not overly muscled, but in possession of a lean hunter's physique that put many of his colleagues to shame. Leon's face was well formed, his skin tanned, scars were close to unnoticeable, not to mention that his dear detective had utterly gorgeous gold hair and a stunning set of sky-blue eyes. D took a deep breath, taking in the warm, rich scent that wafted from Leon's skin, alluring even under the sharp taint of the medication…
Oh.
Leon was also high as a kite and, for all intents and purposes, naked in D's arms.
Oh dear.
The kami repressed the urge to swallow heavily. A sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach letting him know that, as much as he may want to, there was no way of taking his thoughts back.
Sitting back on his heels D fixed Leon with as stern a look as he could summon.
"Stay on the bed until I get back please, Keiji-san. I have to go check on the tea."
Leon blinked as D retreated from the room. Fuzzy thoughts about how he really did not look all that strong mixed in with a half-remembered heat and an absent appreciation for the pretty colours of the Count's cheno-whatzit dress-thing.
-
D paced furiously in Leon's kitchen, half-ready to start pulling his hair out.
It was… completely unacceptable to feel this way about Leo- about the Detective! He couldn't possibly-! His grandfather would-! Leon was not even interested! D abruptly stopped pacing, eyes closing as he shuddered, suddenly sinking into a chair as rational thought reclaimed dominance over his mind. The panicked denial fading.
It was, after all, undeniable.
Thus far, he had assumed that what he felt for Leon, - yes Leon, the blond man had stopped being 'Detective' in D's mind some time ago… - D had assumed what he felt was the same simple affection he felt for things like his pets, his friends, perhaps even his Grandfather if he was, or had been, pushed to admit to his feelings. Now with this added realization of attraction, of desire for the young American, he could no longer hide from the full magnitude of his emotions.
D could not, would not, lie to himself.
He had friends, family, and pets… D had even, on occasion, taken a being into his bed. Yet none of these had ever been as… all consuming as his golden lion. For his pets and friends there had always been affection, and for his bed partners only the satiation of lust. The two emotions had never been focused on the same being before.
Yet the most important detail of the entire situation stuck in his mind, causing a pain deep in his chest. Leon was not interested in any sort of relationship with the kami beyond what they already shared.
D shook his head in resignation.
"As always, my dear, passionate Detective, you find a way to make things as difficult as possible for all involved."
He stood up and started making the tea.
-
Leon was dozing when D walked back into the bedroom. The two mugs of tea he was carrying nearly ended up in the carpet.
The injured man had apparently taken D's instructions to heart and had not moved from the bed. The towels on the other hand had other ideas. They seemed to feel like making their way to the floor instead of performing their duty of covering Leon's body from amorous kami eyes.
Yawning as he blinked his eyes back open, Leon shifted as he turned his face towards D. Recognizing both the presence of another person and who that person was in an instant of tension and relaxation. D tore his eyes away from where a small, very small, towel was doing a damnably good job of covering the detective's hips while appearing to be on the verge of falling off.
D placed the mugs on the side table and gathered the clothes that had been lain out on top of the dresser.
"Here you are Detective. Why don't you get dressed while I pack your bags."
Leon blinked, slowly, and looked at D in confusion.
"Why are you packing my bags?"
D smiled brilliantly, some of his usual composure returning.
"You will no doubt be requiring clothes sometime this week, yes? If you intend on staying in my home Keiji-san then you will be needing something to wear."
And if that sentence did not bring to mind images of Leon walking around in D's personal suite in nothing but a collar, well, then D did not know what else would.
Leon blinked at D again.
"I'm going to the pet shop?"
"Yes Keiji-san, you and your younger brother will be moving in with me for the time being. At least until you have fully healed and found yourself a new apartment."
"You know about Chris coming back?"
"That I do. I also know about your eviction. Now, please do dress yourself Detective."
Leon sighed and sat up, towels sliding about in, to D's suddenly self-aware mind at least, utterly wicked ways. D got busy fitting as many of Leon's clothes as he could into the bags he had pulled from the closet as the blond struggled into his boxers and a pair of jeans with the right leg cut off below the knee. The shirt was more difficult, being unable to lift his left arm, but he managed.
D sneaked glances in whenever he could, obstinately to be certain that Leon could manage on his own and more truthfully to enjoy the sight of bared golden skin before it was hidden beneath cloth. Taking the full bags to the door where the driver waited, the Count handed the baggage over before turning back into the apartment. Several of his helpers swarmed through the open door and began to pack everything up. When no enraged bellow erupted from the bedroom, D decided that he was really very thankful that, for the next week or so at least, Leon would remain happily drugged into complacency. He would have to find some way of thanking the wily doctor who had prescribed Leon this particular brand of painkillers. There was probably a sedative element to the medication. It did wonders for his temper.
"Come along then Keiji-san, I have sent your bags down to the car already."
Instead of grabbing the crutches that D had leaned against the wall by the bed a few minutes earlier Leon smirked and held his arm out. D was not stupid. He understood the message in the gesture.
If you want me to go, make me… I trust you not to drop me along the way.
D was uncertain if Leon knew about the second half of the message, but he was not about to turn down an opportunity to hold his golden darling in his arms again. Leon grinned smugly as he was swept up into D's arms for the second time that day, blowing a wayward curl out of his eyes.
"I knew something was weird about you! You're stronger than you look."
"I deal with several large animals on a daily basis, Keiji-san, and I do all of my own lifting. Some of the feed bags in my shop weigh twice as much as you do."
"Oh…"
Which was true, actually, although Leon had no way of knowing that D's supernatural nature had more to do with his strength than anything so mundane as manual labour did.
They might have looked funny but several things were suddenly made apparent by their positions.
D was not really that much shorter than Leon and a pretty face he may have but he was not weak. The length of his nails made his fingers and hands look more delicate than they actually were, and his traditional garb hid the sturdy, broad shouldered frame Leon could feel pressing against him through layers of fabric. Leon entertained a not entirely sober thought that D was probably built like a martial artist, all long toned muscle and whipcord strong.
Eep.
Keeping his head down and burying his face in the warm silk of D's shirt hid his suddenly heated face. He had no idea where that thought had come from, or why it had an accompanying image of D wearing nothing but a pair of jogging shorts. Leon shivered at the feeling that image provoked, not entirely certain of what he felt. D's arms tightened around him in response and Leon hid an unexpected smile, resting his head on D's shoulder. Whatever, he could figure things out later.
Leon relaxed into D's hold as he was carried out of his apartment and down to the car. It was a very nice car. All black and shiny, with very cushy seats and was probably really expensive. D must be richer than he let on.
Damn, but he was out of it.
The driver stuck his crutches in the back with his bag and got back in behind the wheel. Leon ignored him as the car pulled out onto the street.
The detective did not know why he trusted the Count so much either. If somebody had told Leon earlier that he would let the Count carry him around like a new bride he would have either decked the loony or had the crazy person packed off to the funny farm. Only now he was watching the Count talk on a cell phone in Chinese as D arranged to have all of Leon and Chris's stuff packed up and sent to the pet shop.
The seat was really, really comfortable. Leon blew another stray curl out of his face. Stupid hair, he really did not know why he did not just cut it. Leon crossed his eyes as he stared in irritation at the curl that refused to stay out of his face.
Oh.
The Count reached up and tucked the annoying lock back behind Leon's ear, gaining the detective's attention. When D did not remove his hand but continued to run his fingers through Leon's hair the detective felt himself slowly relax as sleep began creeping around the edges of his mind.
That feels nice.
Leon's eyes slid partially closed, even as he leaned his head into the absentminded caress, resting against D's shoulder as the Count's free hand continued to pet Leon's hair.
-
D listened carefully as the doctor, the same one who had treated Leon and prescribed his medication, explained what said medications contained and their possible side effects. He had to know what Leon was taking now, so that he could replace it with something of his own design once they returned to the shop. D was not going to take any chances with his detective's health. All the highly processed chemicals in American medicine had to be bad for you. Leon would probably be less resistant to drinking what looked like 'tea' as opposed to taking pills, and it would be easier on the blondes system as well.
D finished arranging everything to his satisfaction with a feeling of triumph. It was only after putting his phone away that he noticed the warm weight pressed against his left side. There was a golden head nestled in his shoulder, and soft blond hair slid between his fingers. He froze, staring in shock. It was only after an unhappy murmur escaped from the sleepy detective that D resumed his petting and amusement replaced his surprise.
Yes, Leon was simply adorable when he was on drugs… and half-asleep.
Though D knew that he would eventually start to miss the passionate fire that made up his lovely detective's unaltered personality he planned on making the most of the sleepy, happy kitten his lion had become. Hopefully the trust currently being shown meant that Leon actually considered the Count to be a friend, and if not, then by the time he had finished recovering D would know how the detective truly felt about him.
In what D considered the best-case scenario, wherein Leon actually felt something back, by the time his detective was capable of moving out, he would not want to anymore.
D felt content to sit still and watch the light play on his detective's relaxed features. He had already informed his grandfather of what he was doing, so the rooms would be ready by the time he and Leon managed to pick up their new arrival and make their way back to the shop.
Things were working out perfectly.
-
He had spoken to soon. Nothing was going right!
D glared, but the stubborn set of Leon's jaw remained unmoved.
"Keiji-san, please, get in the wheelchair."
Leon glared back, his arms crossed defiantly in front of his chest.
"No."
"Why not?"
"I look stupid. I want my crutch."
D set his hands on his hips and increased the heat of his glare.
"I will not let you risk falling again. Airports are crowded, busy places, Keiji-san, as I certain you already know. It would likely be most embarrassing for you to fall on your face. Now, unless you want me to carry you around, you will sit in the wheelchair and let me push you around."
"… You push me around all the time anyway…"
Leon muttered under his breath, but nodded once and reluctantly held his arm out as D leaned forward to help him get out of the car. D only raised an eyebrow as he placed Leon in the wheelchair.
"I beg your pardon?"
Leon ducked his head, scowling to one side.
"Nothing."
"If you say so, Keiji-san. Shall we proceed?"
"Whatever."
Oh, Leon was pouting again. D smiled as he pushed Leon through the automatic doors. His detective really had no idea how cute he was.
-
Leon watched D examine the arrival list for a while before he looked down at the information in his hands. Nervously unfolding and refolding the papers before looking up and scanning the glowing chart. D smiled at the detective who scowled and smoothed the paper in his hands in response. D shook his head and took hold of the wheelchairs handles again.
"It looks like your brother will be arriving at this gate Keiji-san."
"D, I've been meaning to ask, what are you doing here? And how do you know about Chris coming back? I never told you about that."
"Well, your doctor informed me that you were not to be left on your own until you had healed significantly, so I volunteered my services. The pet shop has several spare rooms."
This was true, but it was probably better not to mention that D had phoned Leon's doctor some time after packing the detective and his belongings into the car.
"My doctor? How did you? Never mind, I don't care all that much about that. It's probably somebody at work trying to piss me off. At least you aren't Jill. Now, you still haven't told me how you know about Chris."
"I saw your mail on the coffee table, and I'm afraid I let my curiosity get the better of me."
"Oh."
D kept his breathing steady through sheer force of will. There had been no questions as to why D was helping, or how he had gotten into the apartment. Leon had not gotten upset, most likely because nothing D had said to him today was a lie. D had noticed that telling Leon the truth, or at least a version of it, tended to keep him calm. It was only when he was lied to, or when the truth was being avoided, that Leon really and truly lost his temper.
It was very particular. Leon was suspicious by nature, it was probably what made him such an effective detective, but the man seemed to instinctively know if any person, not just D, was being truthful or not. Come to think of it, that was probably what made Leon so edgy whenever he went to the pet shop, nothing was exactly as it seemed at first glance in that place.
"Here we are Keiji-san. Now the board said that your brothers plane has arrived already, so we should only have to wait a few minutes."
"Chris'll be the last one off."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Because he's a minor traveling without an escort. The flight attendant will bring him down to meet us after the other passengers have got off the plane. It a policy that keeps a kid who travels alone safe, and keeps them from getting lost. It also makes sure that the travel companies don't get sued by angry parents."
"I didn't know that."
Leon shrugged.
"You never needed to, so it's no surprise."
The automatic doors opened and the stream of people started to come through. Some were alone. Others walked in pairs or small groups. People waiting in the crowds greeted many, a few had no one waiting and walked off to the baggage conveyor alone. Some of the reunions were rather heart-warming.
D felt it as Leon tensed when the doors closed behind the last of the stragglers. The boy would be brought down soon, and D realized that his detective was nervous.
"Are you well, Keiji-san? Are your injuries paining you?"
"No. I'm fine D."
Idly, the count wondered if Leon realized that he had called the kami by name. There was no chance to talk further however, because the doors opened again, and a woman in a blue uniform walked out with a small boy at her side.
D smiled gently at the child who was an exact miniature of the man beside him. From the wide sky blue eyes, to the sun-kissed golden blond hair and warmly tanned skin, everything indicated that this boy was Leon's younger brother. The last thing to register was the terrified expression on the little ones face as Chris stared around at the mass of people.
Pushing Leon ahead of him D moved forward to where the boy was standing, ignoring the woman as unimportant. What mattered was letting the boy know that Leon was here.
"Chris!"
It seemed that Leon had come to the same conclusion, or perhaps it had taken him this long to find his voice. Whatever the case the child's eyes locked on his brother like a drowning mans on land. D drew both himself and Leon to a halt about two meters from where the boy stood.
Leon stared at the little boy who looked so much like him, so much like their mother that it was slightly eerie. Why had he allowed things to go on for so long without seeing his brother? Why had he let his Aunt and Uncle take Chris away from him again? Now that Leon was face to face with Chris all of the reasons he had given himself for avoiding the boy seemed empty, ridiculous. Chris was his family, the only family he felt anything for. He should have tried harder to get custody. Maybe if Leon had his baby brother would not look so broken.
The attendant gave them all an empty smile and said some empty words. Leon paid no attention to her. All his focus was on his brother. He reached out with his good arm, palm up, entreating.
"Chris?"
The child said nothing, staring wide-eyed for a moment before something in his expression shifted. Then his face crumpled and Chris threw his body into Leon's hold.
"Careful! He's injured!"
D's warning went unheeded. Chris was holding Leon no tighter than Leon was holding Chris. Leon's head was bent over the smaller one buried in his chest, soft murmurs escaping his lips. D looked away. Touched by a side of the detective he had never been prior witness to and feeling as if he were spying on something private.
"Shh, shh. S'okay Chris, I'm here. I've got you. We're gonna stick together now, yeah? Not gonna let 'em separate us again."
Leon felt more than saw D occupy the attendant, taking care of the official things. He felt grateful, it allowed him the opportunity to give all his attention to Chris. His baby brother, who had not spoken a word to anyone for the last month, and regressed into his previous mute state even more than the first time. Who had just stopped speaking again for some reason Leon did not know. Chris, who was the only real family he had left, who had been the only thing he cared about after his mother died. Who they had dared to keep from him for all these years, to steal back from Leon once Chris was 'normal' again and only gave him back so they did not have to pay to put him up in a mental hospital. Not fucking likely, not while Leon was still alive to do anything about it.
"God, I missed you kiddo."
:: Missed you too. ::
Leon laughed gently as Chris shifted to look him in the face. The brother's cheeks were dry but their eyelashes spiked suspiciously.
"I suppose we should get your bags, huh brat?"
:: Yeah. ::
Leon hugged Chris again, inwardly cursing the fact that D had forced him to put his left arm in a sling. He ignored the little voice in the back of his mind that reminded him that he needed the support unless he wanted to go from a cracked to a broken collarbone.
"Hey Count, we should probably go get Chris's bags now. We don't want to be late."
An amused D escaped from the flight attendant to return to Leon's side. Such a tedious task the social niceties could be.
"Late for what, Keiji-san? I don't recall having any appointments."
"Late for supper. I'm hungry and I'm sure Chris is too. Airline food is crap."
"Keiji-san! Please watch your language."
"Well it is!"
D shook his head and sighed theatrically.
"Let us proceed to the baggage claim then. I think it's best we leave before you feel the need to start actively searching for food."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Shall we go?"
"D! Are you making fun of me again?"
Once again pushing Leon before him D was quick to find Chris's bags and get the brothers out to the car. He had spent quite enough time among the human race for one day, and he was feeling the lack of his dear pets quite keenly.
One thing struck him as curious though. In the entire time from when Chris first arrived, the boy had not spoken a single word. It had taken an hour for them to finally escape from the airport, and through it all Chris had been completely silent. Instead the child had reverted to the same method of speech had had used the first time D had met him. Perhaps he had been wrong about sending Chris back out into the human world. The boy was worse off than the time Leon had first deposited Chris on D's couch so many months ago. Leon still talked to the boy though, and reacted like Chris responded vocally to whatever he said. It was decidedly odd to the people around them, like listening to only one side of a telephone conversation.
D sighed, brushing his hair back as he stared thoughtfully into space. The entire situation brought home just how little he really knew about the detective. The positive thing was that he now had time to learn about Leon, and from what he had seen so far the rest of what he had left to discover was bound to be interesting.
-
Chris watched his older brother lean against the seat; a slight furrow in his brow clued the young boy in to the pain the man had to be feeling. A spike of guilt struck his heart. His brother had come to pick him up, despite the pain he must be in. Chris had been so excited to see his brother and the Count again that he had not really noticed the injuries.
His brother had done his best, Chris knew, had written him letters frequently after he went back to his old home and called whenever he could arrange it. It had been months since the last time he saw his brother in person. Probably because of the way Leon always seemed to be fighting with Uncle. Leon had been really upset when he found out that Chris had left without telling him.
Looking again at the expression of hidden pain on his brother's face, and measuring the feelings he sensed, Chris felt helpless. He could not do anything for his brother, who had done so much for him. Chewing on his bottom lip Chris shot a glance over at the Count. Chris had not expected to see the Count standing next to his brother when he stepped off the plane. He could probably help Leon. The Count always knew what to do. After all, the Count was one of the first who had known how to listen to what he said.
But… the Count had sent him away. Maybe he didn't like Chris anymore…
But Leon was hurting, so maybe he should at least give it a try.
:: Count D? Leon's hurting. ::
D stiffened, as he was startled out of his thoughts, slowly turning to look at the blond child sitting on Leon's other side. He kept his voice soft, and unthreatening, just as if he were dealing with a nervous pet.
"I am sorry, Chris. I was not paying attention. Did you say something?"
Chris looked upset for a moment before his expression settled on determined.
:: Yes, I think Leon's in pain. Can you help him::
"Oh, yes I should be able to do something."
D hid his surprise and checked the time, cursing softly in Mandarin before he fished out a bottle of water and Leon's painkillers. The prescription said to take no more than two every three hours whenever Leon needed them, and it had been much longer than the allotted time since he had forced Leon to take the pill this morning.
"Keiji-san, wake up please. It is time for you to take your medication."
Leon cracked one of his eyes open. Now that he was paying attention, and no longer distracted by his musing, D could see the pained lines of the detective's body language.
"I don't want to."
"You have to, Keiji-san, the doctors instructions were most explicit."
"But they make me tired."
"That is because you must rest if you wish to heal quickly. Now please, do not make me force you."
Leon snorted, but a small hand on his arm made him pause. Chris looked up at him with pleading eyes, worry colouring his features.
:: You're hurt bad brother, please take your medicine. I don't want you to hurt. ::
Leon flinched and sighed. Glaring at nothing in particular.
"Gimme the damned pills."
As Leon took the water and medication, D leaned back in his seat to observe Chris through lowered lashes. This newest revelation was most surprising. He had not expected the boy to speak in the manner he had. After all, when he had sent the boy back to his family Chris had been ready to rejoin the human world. It should have been impossible for Chris to revert the way he had. But then again, he had not initially thought Leon capable of hearing the spirit language. After all, Leon had never heard any of the pets before, so what had made the boy so different? Perhaps it was because the boy was his brother, or it could be that Leon expected to hear his brother speaking, and did not realize how that child spoke. It was a likely scenario. But then again, as time had gone on, Leon had begun to hear the pets at unexpected moments, but stubbornly refused to realize what it was that he heard.
"You should be flattered Keiji-san. I had forgotten about your medication until young Chris alerted me to your discomfort."
It was time he got a few answers.
Leon blinked, running his hand through his loose hair and swallowing more water to get rid of the taste of the pills. Leon sighed, shaking his head.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm glad you tagged along, D. I didn't think he'd speak to anybody but me for a long time. Though I suppose it's a good thing that he likes you since we're staying at the pet shop."
Here Leon paused and frowned.
"That reminds me… Why are we saying at your place again?"
D was serene, smiling gently.
"You know that I cannot leave my pet's unattended, Keiji-san, and the doctors said that you need someone to stay with you until you have healed more. So that is why you must come home with me. You are soon to be in need of a new apartment at any rate, correct? So I do not see why you cannot stay with me until you are ready to leave."
Leon scowled, shifting in his seat to get more comfortable.
"Huh, if you say so. Why're you being so generous anyway?"
"Why, Detective, what else are friends for?"
"Are we friends?"
D was about to answer with a flippant quip, but something in the detective's voice stopped him, made him consider the question more seriously. Leon had sounded… sad, wistful under the sarcasm.
"Well, Keiji-san, I consider you to be a friend of mine. I look forward to your visits and enjoy our talks. I am honoured to have you staying in my home during your recovery."
"Oh… thanks."
D blinked. Was that…? It was! Leon was blushing! The blond had ducked his head down so that his loose hair fell forward in a curtain, partially screening his face from D's gaze, but the tips of the detective's ears were pink and colour bloomed across his cheekbones.
D struggled valiantly against the warm, gooshy feeling he felt at the adorable image. He only barely kept the sappy grin off his face, but could do nothing to stop the warmth in his eyes from showing.
Really, this was most out of character.
D shook himself. Setting his mind to another task, he had to find out more about why Chris had withdrawn from the human world again. If the child was still capable of interacting with D's world as well as the human world, then there was no telling what could happen. Or even…
Now why had he not thought of that before? If Chris had such extraordinary talents, especially at such a young age, then what did that say about Leon? Really, it would explain Leon's uncanny ability to detect lies and his irritability when in the presence of illusions or people and things with something to hide…
How truly… unexpected this all was. His detective was always so very fascinating.
- Tsuzuku… -
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END NOTES
Well what did you think? Like it? Hate it? Upset that D hasn't gotten into Leon's pants yet? Please, let me know what you think! This is my first PSoH fic and I want to know how I'm doing.
Yes, I know that hopping Leon up on drugs was a cheap trick but he wouldn't let me ship him off to D's otherwise, and it was either the drugs or getting tossed over D's shoulder and dragged… I figured the drugs had at least a small chance of working out as well as keeping him reasonably in character.
At least this way I have a chance to bring Leon back in character once he's unable to escape.
Anyway, please review minna-san! I need to know wither Leon is too OOC or if the tranquilizer excuse is working. Don't forget, reviews are very important to us.
So heads up minna-san, in the next chapter D brings the Orcot brothers home to the pet shop, and we finally get some definite DxLeon action happening!
Heh, time to go. It's 2:30 AM and my bed is calling to me. Ja matta ne minna-san.
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Finished:
Revised: 14/01/05
