Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ Event Horizons ❯ Two- Afternoon ( Chapter 3 )

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 Chris a few years older, D didn't run off to the moon, stuff like that), implied Non-Con, supernatural things, speculations on the mating habits of non-humans, etc.

Disclaimer: *Ahem* 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! ^-^

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AUTHORS NOTES

Sanjuno grins sheepishly and scratches the back of her head.

"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."

She bounces and grins for a minute.

"Well… I haven't really got much to say right now… so I think I'll just get on with the fic."

Leon snorts but says nothing, still in the process of ignoring everyone and everything in a fit of pique. D looks inscrutable as usual.

Shinma sweeps into a bow, grinning mockingly at the characters.

"You heard Meijin-sama. In you go. Don't dawdle now."

Pausing to ponder the idiosyncrasy of Shinma saying the word `dawdle' distracts Sanjuno for a moment. Reiai-chibi kicks her ear from his perch on her head.

"Sanjuno-sama! Start the fic all ready! We have things to do!"

She blinks.

"Ah, you're right Reiai-kun. Here we go~o!"

*snap*

= Whoosh! =

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Last chapter:

Then the bathroom door opened and a familiar -worried? Strange, and certainty unexpected…- voice filled his ears.

"Keiji-san, are you all right? What are you doing on the floor?"

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Event Horizons

Chapter Two: Afternoon

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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 even the stillness between your heartbeats rings in your ears as your mind freezes and tries to make sense of it all? This is 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 didn't keep him from voicing a question that, to Leon's blank mind, had the most import to the situation.

"D? What 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've come to pick you up Keiji-san."

"Oh, that's good, because I don't think I can stand up on my own."

D found himself blinking again. He had expected accusations of breaking in -which he hadn't, Leon had left the door unlocked, 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 surprise, and besides being charmingly cute, was rather worrying.

D knelt beside the prone investigator and helped him sit up. Quickly checking him 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 he 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 titled his head back to look at D as the Chinese shopkeeper wrapped him in towels.

"Detective? Leon! Pay attention please, have you 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.

"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'd want D's head on a platter.

No matter, D could deal with that when the time came.

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 couldn't 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 firmly pressed Leon into taking one of the small pills with a glass of water. D also read the note sent by the doctor who apparently assumed, wrongly, that Leon had somebody staying with him. Well, now he had a valid reason to take Leon back home with him. Doctor's order, Leon was far too injured to stay alone, and D couldn't 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. 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 didn't look all that strong mixed in with a half-remembered heat and an absent appreciation for the pretty colors of the Count's dress-thing.

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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 wasn't 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 person 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 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 hadn't 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. D tore his eyes away from where a small, very small, towel was doing a damnably good job of covering the detectives 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 be requiring clothes sometime this week, no? If you intend on staying in my home Keiji-san then you will, no doubt, need something to wear."

And if that sentence didn't bring to mind images of Leon walking around in D's personal suite in nothing but a collar, well, then D didn't know what else would.

Leon blinked at D again.

"I'm going to the pet shop?"

"Yes Keiji-san, you and your young guest 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?"

"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. D was really very thankful that, for the next week of 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've 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 wasn't 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 wasn't certain if Leon knew about the second half of the message, but he wasn't 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 labor did.

They might have looked funny but several things were suddenly made apparent by their positions.

D wasn't really that much shorter than Leon and a pretty face he may have but he wasn't 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, muscular 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 toned muscle and whipcord strong.

Eep.

Keeping his head down and burying his face in the warm silk of D's chenosagm 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.

He didn't know why he trusted the Count so much either. If somebody had told him earlier that he would let the Count carry him around like a new bride he would have either decked them or had them 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 his 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 didn't know why he didn't 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 didn't remove his hand but continued to run his fingers through Leon's hair the detective felt himself slowly relax; sleep 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.

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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 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 gold hair slid between his fingers. He froze, staring in shock. It was only after an unhappy murmur that he 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 wouldn't want to anymore.

D felt content to sit still and watch the light play on his detectives 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 guest and make their way back to the shop.

Things were working out perfectly.

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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.

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Leon watched D examine the arrival list, then 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? I never told you about him."

"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 after packing him and his belongings into the car.

"My doctor? How? 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 hadn't 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 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 heartwarming.

D sensed 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 him 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 thought he had to be hallucinating. The child 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? Now that he 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 he had his baby brother wouldn't 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 witnessing 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 hadn't spoken a word to anyone for the last year, who had just stopped speaking for some reason Leon had not been informed of. 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, and only gave him back so they didn't have to pay to put him up in a mental hospital. Not fucking likely, not while he 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; cheeks dry by eyelashes spiked suspiciously.

"I suppose we should get your bags, huh brat?"

:: Yes. ::

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."

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. Leon talked to the boy though, and acted like Chris responded to whatever he said. It was decidedly odd, 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 again that he hadn't really noticed the injuries.

His brother had done his best, Chris knew, had written him letters frequently once he was old enough to read, sent him gifts on his birthday, and had even visited whenever he could arrange it. It had been more than a year since the last time he saw his brother in person. Probably because of the way Leon always seemed to be fighting with Uncle. They had spent the week together, spending most of their time just being with each other, keeping their connection alive.

Looking again at the expression of hidden pain on his brother's face, and measuring the feeling he sensed, Chris felt helpless. He couldn't do anything for his brother, who had done so much for him. Chewing on his bottom lip Chris shot a glance over at the Chinese man who had accompanied his brother. He could probably help Leon, but Chris didn't know how to make the stranger understand. Leon was the only one who understood him, the only one who had known how to listen to what he said.

But…

Leon was hurting, so maybe he should at least give it a try.

:: Excuse me… Can you hear me? Leon's hurting. ::

D stiffened; 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'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Did you say something?"

Chris looked torn between terrified and elated before his expression settled on determined.

:: Yes, I'm sorry. Leon's in pain. Maybe you can help him. ::

"Oh, yes I had thought you said something to that effect."

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 more than the allotted time since he had forced Leon to take the pill this morning.

"Keiji-san, wake up please. It's 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, don't 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 coloring 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 unexpected. He had not expected the boy to speak in the manner he had, nor had he thought Leon capable of hearing the spirit language. After all, Leon had never heard any of the pets before, so what 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 didn't realize how that child spoke. It was a likely scenario.

"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.

"He talked to you?"

"Yes, indeed he did."

"That's great!"

Leon grinned, seeming genuinely happy to hear the news.

"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 can not 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 it is that 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 honored 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 detectives ears were pink and color 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 the boy, Chris. If the child had more such talents than what he had seen thus far, then there was no telling what could happen. Or even…

Now why hadn't he thought of that before? If Chris had an extraordinary talent or 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

= THUMP! =

Sanjuno smiles happily and bounces a little.

"Well what did you think? Like it? Hate it? Upset that D hasn't gotten into Leon's pants yet?"

"Hey!"

The furiously blushing Leon is ignored.

"Well please, let me know what you think! This is my first PSoH fic and I want to know how I'm doing."

Shinma rasps a whetstone over a rather nasty looking katana.

Sanjuno coughs.

"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 reasonable in character."

Reiai snickers.

"Well, at least this way you have a chance to bring Leon back in character once he's unable to escape, Sanjuno-sama."

She brightens.

"Hey, you're right! Well anyway, 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."

"What have I told you about threatening my fan base, Shinma-kun."

"… Gomen ne, Meijin-sama."

"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!"

"What the hell?!"

Leon is ignored again, although D is looking interested.

"Heh, time to go. It's 2:30 AM and my bed is calling to me. Ja matta ne minna-san."