"It was during the War," the Count says, which doesn't narrow it much of course, because here in Hades that can mean anything from the Punic Wars to the current Iraqui conflict. He leans his invisible head on one gloved hand and gives an elegant sigh. "I was away, leading troops, and I had no way of contacting my family." At his feet, Tzusuki looks up, his violet eyes very sympathetic.
"It was six months before I was finally able to get in touch with them—ah, Tzusuki, my love," tickling his chin with a rose that he happened to have handy, "aren't you awfully uncomfortable down there?" His mask curves in a shadow-smile. "It's much warmer and cozier on the sofa next to me." With the shinigami next to him, dark head cradled against his invisible chest, the Count seems in no mood to continue. Eyes half shut, Tzusuki doesn't press him.
Finally, Tatsumi cuts in. "Weren't you going to finish your story, Count?"
"Ah yes," nuzzling Tzusuki's cheekbone, "the story." He gives a deep sigh. "It was tragic, utterly tragic. Imagine my distress, when I finally made it home, footsore, and with my uniform in tatters, only to find, what? My wife in the arms of another man," shaking his head, "and my poor baby boy gone, I'll never know where."
"That's the saddest thing I ever heard," Tzusuki says solemnly.
"Isn't it, dear boy? Kiss me and make me feel better." And this time he nuzzles Tzusuki's lips.
"It's a load of crap, that's what it is," Tatsumi says. If Tzusuki will believe everything he hears, someone's going to have to protect him. "I was fourteen years old, and I was just fine in the country where you'd sent me." He folds his arms. "What's more, your position was ceremonial. You never fought in that war or any other."
"Yes, but my uniform looked just grand." The Count laughs. Then, turning back to Tzusuki, his face sobers. "Ah, how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have an ungrateful child." Ignoring Tatsumi's indignant snort, "do you see how tortured I am, Tzusuki my love? Really, you must kiss me again and make me feel better," and, thoroughly taken in, Tzusuki does.