Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ The Gift ❯ The Gift 16 ( Chapter 16 )

The Gift 16 by Kaialicious

Disclaimer: I make no profit from the characters of The Pet Shop of Horrors. They belong to Matsuri Akino. Li, Shang, Lynn, Tao, and Xui-Xui, however, are of my own creation and do belong to me…, D…, and no one else...for now.

Warnings: This story contains suggestions of a Yaoi relationship, possibly a spoiler or two. If you don't like Yaoi, then you're not even supposed to be reading this warning because I previously warned you about it in the description!

Author's Note: Okay people. We all have been waiting for this moment. Leon and D literally get their freak on! *Kaia, dancing badly*. ^_^

*****

He had to get word back to the office that he wouldn't be in for a couple of days. He intended to stay with D until he was sure that the count was all right.

"You do not have to stay, detective."

"Who else is going to look after you, D?"

"Tao will watch over me," he said.

"Tao? Who the hell is Tao?" Leon asked him suspiciously, "and why the hell haven't I seen him around here?"

D opened his mouth to protest his ill use of language, then decided against it and simply said, "Tao is a shop owner in China Town. He is very trustworthy."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. I buy things from him all of the time."

"What kind of things?"

"Tea leaves and herbs and rare necessities."

"Uh, huh," Leon said and glowered at him.

"What is troubling you?" D finally asked.

"How old is he?"

"Why do you wish to know?"

"Because I want to prepare myself for one of your other admirers," Leon answered angrily. "He's young right -has a thing for you?"

D looked aghast. "Detective! Tao has been a respectable businessperson in Chinatown for many years! To speak of him in such a way…it is disgraceful!"

Leon flushed in embarrassment. The way that D acted, it was as if Leon had insulted the count's father or something. Leon quickly apologized, and earned a curt, "Good day detective," for his effort.

"You're throwing me out?"

"I am not. I am merely tired and wish to be alone."

Leon frowned. "So that's it? Li gets to spend an entire night with you and I just get kicked out!"

"You will wake Q-Chan," D admonished him.

"Oh no, I wouldn't want to do that," Leon said sarcastically, but lowered his voice nonetheless.

"Damn it, D," he stood and shoved his hands in his pockets.

D caught the end of his jacket and said, "Leon…I am not upset with you. I simply need more time to myself. I don't think that I will be able to rest while you are here with me. You will be far too enticing."

Enticing hmm?

"Please understand."

Leon had not wanted to understand. He wanted to stay with D, hold him and love him until everything that Shang had done to him was just a faint memory.

"I don't want to leave you, D."

"I love you, detective."

"Christ, D." His words took him by surprise. He pulled his hands from his pockets, sat down beside D and claimed his mouth. The kiss was hungry, desperate, and hard, meant to soften D's will. The count moaned weakly and turned his lips to brush them against his jaw. His hand cupped the other side of Leon's face.

"I want you," Leon whispered huskily.

"We cannot…my body is still in pain."

Leon was alarmed by this. He touched D, tentatively smoothing the hair back from his face as if he would break. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"I did not want you to worry."

"I'm a grown man; I don't need to be babied by you."

"Nor do I," D told him.

Leon sighed. Why did they have to quarrel about this? "Tao is some kind of medicine man then."

"One might call him that, yes."

"You trust him?"

"Completely."

The lucky old bastard. Maybe Leon wouldn't have to spy on them after all.

"I still don't like the idea of leaving you," he grumbled. "Do you want me to wait until he gets here?"

"No."

"I'm not leaving you while the store is unlocked, D."

"Tao has a key."

"What?"

"He is an elder of the community, detective. He can come and go as he pleases," the count explained, "but he rarely leaves his shop."

"Ah," Leon nodded. "Too old to move, huh? That's very good."

"Detective."

"I'll see you later." Leon leaned down to kiss him and broodingly left, still upset that D didn't trust him enough to let Leon take care of him.

*****

D tightened his hold on the sheet and fought back the wave of tears that threatened to spill from his eyes.

My poor Leon...he thought glumly. How you must hate me.

He looked at Q-Chan and saw him staring at him.

"Do not look at me that way. I had to lie to him."

The count had had to send him away. Li's assistance in his healing had sparked his thirst for sustenance and D did not want Leon to fall victim to it. D needed time to get his body under control. Tao would help him.

We will be together soon, detective. Soon.

*****

It was hard having to leave D, especially after he had suffered such a traumatic experience.

He'd had just enough time to go home, take a bath and change his clothes before he headed for work.

"What happened to you?" Jill asked him.

"Nothing," he grumbled.

"Rough night with the count?"

Leon stared at her.

"You don't have to hide anything from me, Leon. I know how he feels about you."

Leon cleared his throat and said, "It's really none of your business."

"I understand. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be there to listen."

"Yeah, I'll remember that."

"Of course you know that the count will tell me everything."

Of course. Damn it!

Leon gritted his teeth and reached for the first hefty file on his desk. The sooner that he got some work done, the sooner the day would be over and he would be back with D.

*****

He practically sped down to China Town that evening. He didn't want D to think that he was overly impatient so he sat in his car for a few minutes, smoking a cigarette. His eyes never moved from the door of the shop. His fingers tapped restlessly against his thigh. He was feeling anxious and he didn't really know why.

"Ah to hell with it," he chucked the cigarette butt out the window and got out of the car. He sniffed his shirt. It wasn't too bad, but the scent of smoke was still present. D wouldn't mind too much.

He heard the faint tinkle of a bell. A tall Asian with dark, knee length hair accompanied an old man out of D's shop. The men were both dressed in traditional robes. The younger one carried a small wooden box in his arms. His eyes were dark and mysterious, almost empty.

He halted before Leon and visibly flinched, then backed up a few steps. The old man placed a hand on his powder blue sleeve and said something to him in Chinese. Leon distinctly heard the old man call him Tao.

"Good day," the old man told Leon. His young companion lowered his face and gave Leon a quick bow before he hurried off behind the old man.

Weird.

D's cheerful smile when he entered the shop did little to soothe his paranoid thoughts.

"Detective-"

"That better be Tao's grandson." Leon bluntly told him.

"Who?"

"The one with the long hair."

The count merely stared at him.

"Are you going to answer me?"

D began cleaning up the refreshments that he had set out for his guests -cake and tea. "He is an honorable elder of the community."

"Did he have plastic surgery, because he looks pretty damn young to me," Leon snapped.

D set the teacups on to the tray and said, "He made an herbal remedy for me and he gave Q-Chan an acupuncture treatment. Then we discussed my next shipment of goods. If you wish I can go into great detail about what I purchased."

He was testing him. "No, D that's…that's not necessary. I trust you. I'm sorry."

He pulled him against him. His insecurities were making him a complete ass.

"It seems that I will have to make it a habit of telling you that I love you," D said, touching his fingers to Leon's lips.

Leon kissed them and then kissed him. He was sure that D could feel him through his clothes. He was so hard.

"Detective…"

"Hmm?"

"I am quite well now."

He went still at the count's words. "Really?"

"Yes."

"No more pain?"

"No."

Leon grinned wickedly. In a matter of seconds, he had D over his shoulder and carried him upstairs.

"Detective!"

Q-Chan quietly sat from the counter watching the spectacle.

"This is highly unnecessary!"

"Yeah, but it's the quickest way of getting you upstairs," he said and patted D's bottom. "Just relax, I won't drop you."

The count was surprisingly light. Leon entered the bedroom and took a moment to savor the feeling of being in D's lavish room again. He noticed that the silken bed sheets were now a bright crimson. The color suited his mood. He was ready to unleash his passions, so ready.

Leon set the count down on the bed and began removing his jacket and shirt. "Are you going to get undressed, D?"

The count blushed and deftly undid the first few closures on his cheongsam with one hand. He did not attempt to do anything else.

"Do you want me to handle the rest?" Leon asked him.

D lay on his back in answer. Leon knelt beside him and slowly undressed him, revealing the count's glorious pale flesh. He touched his slender waist and asked him, "You don't have any more consorts that I don't know about, do you?"

D smiled and said, "No. My lover would not be happy if I took another consort."

"Your lover, huh?"

"Yes. He is a very jealous man."

"Humph, he has every right to be jealous," Leon said and lowered his head to kiss him.

So sweet…

He gained access to D's depths. D cupped his nape and moaned into his mouth. Every dream that he'd had of the count paled in comparison to the kiss.

"Wow…" he said when he broke free for air. "I think I'll steal you away from that lover of yours."

"Oh, but you shouldn't," D said and feigned a worried look.

"Why not?" His mouth was inches away from D's lips.

"He has a gun, and a very bad temper."

"I do not have a bad temper," Leon frowned and brushed his lips over D's forehead. "I'm a nice guy once you get to know me."

"I want to know you, detective."

The way that he said it was so sensual. Leon shifted his hips to adjust his member. "Jesus, D…"

The count brought his head down for another kiss. His teeth nipped at Leon's lip, lightly agitating the fullness of it. D repeated the act a little harder startling Leon. Leon lifted his head, and grinned. "Take it easy on me, huh?"

Color rose to D's cheeks. "I am sorry. I…"

Leon caught him off guard, seizing his mouth just as his lips were parted. His tongue was quickly sucked into the detective's mouth. "Hmmm…" he moaned and released the count's tantalizing tongue. "They should bottle the taste of you D," his lips wandered over D's jaw and throat, "because I can't get enough of you."

His hair feathered across D's chin as he traveled down to D's chest. He kissed the pink circle that surrounded the count's nipple, and then rolled the tiny bud into his mouth with his tongue. He tugged it, causing D to gasp at the sensation. He let his fingers lightly abrade the other one.

The count's long, slender torso beckoned him. He nipped and suckled at the smooth skin, attempted to leave a love mark or two there. It was damn near impossible to accomplish. The moment that redness appeared at the surface, it quickly faded away. Leon grew tired of the game and simply enjoyed tasting D. His flavor was as exotic as his looks. He tasted of cream and tea, and sweets. He smelled of orchids, and vanilla. Another appealing scent clung to him, an indefinable scent that was all his own. They were comfort smells and he felt comfortable having the count lying beneath him. Too much time had been wasted between them. He could hardly believe that they were finally together. There were no more inhibitions or restrictions. They could do whatever they wanted wherever they wanted. There was no Li, no Shang, and most importantly, no Q-Chan to disturb them.

He smiled against D's belly, then darted his tongue into the count's navel.

D inhaled sharply. His fingers disappeared into D's blond mane.

Leon held the slight curve of tender flesh between his teeth and gently applied pressure to it. D moaned and Leon released the soft skin. He looked up at the count and asked him, "Is there a problem D?"

D's face was flushed. His amber eye was golden with warmth, the violet eye, dark with desire.

"No," he answered, his gentle voice hoarse with passion.

Leon swirled his tongue around D's navel. The count's belly quivered.

Leon's hands traveled over his hips and the tops of his thighs. He was so silky soft. He pushed D's thighs apart, made him plant his feet firmly into the mattress. The count's long legs were on either side of him. Surrounded by fragrant silk, Leon eagerly examined his graceful lover. He was flawless, and beautiful. His member was alive with need. Leon cupped all of him in his hands, flicked his thumbs against the smooth skin of his thighs.

He didn't want to wait. No, he couldn't wait. The fire inside of him was begging for release.

He moved over him and brought his hips forward, brushed the tip of his cock over D's pink entrance. D's breathing hitched. Leon thrust into him. D gasped. His pupils widened.

"Sorry," Leon apologized for hurting him, placed several kisses on the count's mouth and neck.

"I am fine. It has been so long…" his words trailed off as Leon nibbled at the corners of his mouth.

"I'm inside you, D," he said in awe.

"Yes…"

"You feel so incredible."

D managed a faint whimper. Leon was holding himself absolutely still above him. His cock was imbedded in him, hot, throbbing, and large. D's body relaxed to accept him.

"Aah!" A few more inches of him slipped home.

Leon clenched his teeth. The count was blessedly tight. The primitive side of him wanted to thrust madly into him, fast and hard to release his seed. The saner side of him, the civilized one, wanted to be gentle with D. This was their first time together. He wanted to savor it, and remember it for the rest of his life.

"Leon…" D whispered softly.

"I know, angel."

He began moving gently within him. He soon became absorbed into what he was doing, and was struck by how bright and mesmerizing D's eyes were. The hypnotic effect of his gaze was only broken by the sounds of pleasure that came from D.

Leon grasped the count's rich dark hair and turned his head towards him to receive his kiss.

D's tongue tentatively entered his mouth, gave him small, furtive flicks that made him moan in response.

Where did he learn how to do that? Leon mused.

A brief image of Li entered his thoughts. He angrily deepened the kiss and his thrusts, wanting to diminish what little claim the red dragon had had over D.

"You belong to me, angel," he whispered, "only me."

He possessively touched the breathless count as he took him. Caressed his arms, nibbled at his pale shoulder. Everything that was D -everything, was precious to him.

"I almost…lost you," he painfully remembered, and touched D's face.

"It is…over, my dearest," D told him and lifted his hips to him.

"Oh, God…" Leon cradled D's hips in his hands and rocked smoothly into him. He cast aside his worries and allowed the pleasurable sensations of being inside of D take over his body. "Oh, God…" bringing him to him, lifting his narrow hips to receive his deep strokes.

"Oh, fu -!"

The bed, the room, everything seemed as if it was coming alive. A loud, ominous rumble filled his ears as if the very air was falling apart. The count clutched at him and let out a muted cry before he managed to stutter out, "L-Leon!"

Oh, God, D was cumming and strongly too if the spasms that rippled over Leon's length was any indication.

The count's tight, hot sheath became tight, hot, and wet with Leon's seed. D made a tiny whimper. Leon gave him a few more final thrusts, and kissed D's upturned face. The count shuddered as the remnants of his orgasm dwindled away. Tears moistened his eyes.

Leon hugged him and nuzzled his nose into D's dark hair. "God, I think the earth moved."

"My beautiful detective…"

Leon chuckled at his words. He shifted his weight, rolled on to his side to look at him. D touched one of the many scars on his tanned chest. "When will you give up this dangerous profession of yours, detective?"

Leon gave him a lopsided grin. "Hey, it's my dangerous profession that brought us together, D."

"Yes," he said, "but you have no need of it now."

"Really?" he smiled.

"You could be my assistant."

"That again. As much as I would like to assist you, D, I don't think that Q-Chan would like it much," Leon said and kissed his forehead. "Besides, I happen to like my job."

"Yes, how unfortunate, detective."

"Detective?" Leon raised a blonde brow. D's sullen expression made him smile.

"Are you upset, D?"

"Not at all, detective," he replied.

"Are you sure?" he whispered and caressed the count's chest and belly. D sucked in his breath and held it as Leon's hands ventured further down. "Because if you are…"

He pulled D's thigh over his hip, rubbed the tip of his member between his legs to find his entrance and slipped inside of him. D's eyelids lowered over his mysterious eyes. His fingers twitched against Leon's chest. He was in rapture.

Leon kissed the count's cheek, brushed his lips across D's brow. He cupped the count's buttocks in his hand and pulled him on to him.

Rain had begun beating lightly against the roof. Although there was no window in the count's bedroom, Leon could smell the fresh wet drops. It was almost as if the scent was coming from the count himself. The delicious smell spurred Leon to bring them both to their climax. The detective's ascension to pleasure had been so powerful that he fell against D, feeling quite drained of his energy.

"I think I almost died," Leon muttered.

D giggled and stroked his back. Are you all right?"

"I-I'm fine."

D nestled against him.

Leon's eyes shot open as he felt D's arousal pressing into his thigh. "Your stamina is unbelievable!"
D blushed and covered his mouth as he laughed.

"I'm glad that you find this amusing," Leon scowled.

"There is something that could strengthen your endurance," D said. "All that you are required to do is drink the tea that is made from a hibiscus flower. The flower's effects are quite potent. I happen to have a few of the lovely flowers in my possession."

"Tea?" Leon frowned. "Isn't their any magical beer?"

"Leon…"

"I don't need any tea," he said and reached for D again. "In fact, I'll prove it to you…"

*****

"Leon?" D whispered a few minutes later. His fingers lightly brushed against the detective's nipples.

"Give me ten more minutes," he muttered.

"If you drink the tea, we won't have to wait so long," D pressed.

"Did Li drink the tea when you were with him?" Leon asked, knowing that he would hate the answer because he already hated to think of them as lovers.

"He did not need to," the count answered honestly.

It was a blow to Leon's ego. "Of course he didn't. He's not human."

D kissed him. "Do not be jealous, detective. You are very good."

"Uh huh." He lay on his back and folded his arms beneath his head.

"Must I prove it to you?" D asked and climbed on top of him. Leon smiled and tried to sit up, D pushed him back down.

The count took his pleasure from him, his hair spilling over his face as he moved above him.

Much later, after the blond detective had succumbed to him, D kissed him awake.

"Drink the tea," he pleaded.

"You selfish thing," Leon smirked. "Hmm…all right I'll drink it."

"It will not take but a moment to prepare," D promised as he left the warmth of the bed. He donned a silken robe, and slipped his feet into a pair of soft, oriental slippers.

"This better be some tea," Leon told him.

D merely smiled at him and left the room.

Tea as an aphrodisiac, Leon mused. Now I've heard everything.

*****

The count set the tray he carried on to the bedside table and handed Leon a small teacup. Leon stared into the odd colored brew. "It's blue," he said.

"That is because it is made from the blue hibiscus. It is quite rare. Tao helped me to obtain it."

Leon frowned. There was that Tao again. They hadn't actually settled their argument about the dark haired shopkeeper. All Leon knew was that Tao looked too young to be an honorable elder of the community. What was more upsetting was the fact that Tao possessed a key to the count's sanctum.

He was about to address this issue when D strode to the bathroom.

Leon drank the tea. It wasn't so bad. He didn't feel any different.

The count returned with a small golden basin filled with warm water. He carried a white fluffy washcloth over his forearm. He set the basin on a footstool near the bed and dipped the washcloth into the water. He wrung the cloth out and cleaned Leon's body.

The detective opened his mouth, but no words came forth. He was getting as hard as a post. D gently wrapped his fingers around him and stroked him.

"Don't, D or I'll explode," he warned.

"You only think that you will," the count said and took him into his mouth.

Leon clutched D's head. The count was insatiable and now, so was he. He stroked D's back, caressed the firm globes of his buttocks.

"Don't be greedy, D. Let me taste you too," he said.

The count raised his eyes. They were dark with lust. His lips moist from his actions. He made a small sound of compliance and Leon pulled him forward to kiss him.

The count pulled away, and then arranged himself over Leon. He once more took him into his loving mouth. Leon took pleasure in caressing the backs of his thighs and calves. He was so soft and delicate. There was not a strand of hair on his skin, not even around his proud and beautiful cock. Leon felt like a hairy oaf.

He gently held D's shaft and glands at the base and touched his tongue to the silken shaft. D arched his back and drew his hair over Leon's thighs. Leon sighed. The air expelled from his lungs and blew against D's organ. D's hips pulled back a little. The count whimpered, but he refused to release Leon.

Leon enveloped him completely, squeezed the base of his stalk to milk him of his essence.

"Leon…" D's voice was shaking.

Leon reached one hand up and over D's small buttocks to pinch a rounded globe. His thumb slipped between the cleft and teased D's rosebud.

D shoved his entire length down his throat and tensed as Leon applied a little pressure. He laid his head against Leon's left thigh and let him explore his body.

"You're perfect," Leon said huskily and licked the tip of D's cock.

The count shuddered and gave him his release.

Leon could hear the faint wails of a car alarm going off in China town. The building was shaking. A rumble deafened his ears. A small ornament fell off the small bedside table and landed safely on Leon's clothes on the floor. This time, he was certain that the earth had moved.

*****

"Leon?"

He entered him without further prompting. The sweet cry that exited D's lips filled his ears. He relished the thought that he was pleasuring the count. D merely had to utter his name and Leon would know what he desired. More, he required more, so Leon gave it to him. He palmed one of D's nipples, rubbing it as he plunged into him. The friction of Leon's work roughened hands was heavenly. D arched into him, his fragile hips lifting to receive his strong strokes.

"More…Leon…"

He hitched D's leg over his forearm and pressed down into the count's softness. The smooth touch of his thigh against his side each time he descended made the nerves low in his belly and organ tingle.

D struggled to take everything he had to give, frantically crushing his slender body to him. Leon dipped his head to worry the count's other nipple with his teeth. He gingerly bit the little morsel and swirled his tongue over the bud.

The aphrodisiac was still going strong. Leon wondered if he should have only swallowed a few drops of the sugary liquid. He was starting to think that its effects were too good to be true.

Shit, this tea is going to be the death of us both!

But his worries were pushed aside as D's quaking body announced his ascension into paradise.

*****

Hours later, D cheerfully brought in a tray of food for them to share. Breakfast he called it.

"No more tea," Leon said as he saw the little teacups.

"No more tea," D smiled, "just breakfast detective."

"Ah, my most neglected meal of the day." He sat up, the sheet clinging to his waist.

The only thing remotely breakfast like on the tray was a bowl of strawberries and cream. White chocolate bon-bons, lemon custard treats, apple tarts, and slices of chocolate caramel drizzled cheesecake adorned the tray. There was tea of course, but not the strange blue tincture that D had made him drink earlier. This one smelled like cinnamon.

D had already begun to eat. He licked the custard from his spoon and Leon groaned.

"Are you…all right, detective?" D asked, dipping his spoon into the creamy desert again.

The way that D slipped the spoon into his mouth was what made him lose his control. He decided that he wanted to have a taste of the custard. He seized D and pushed him on to his back. D gasped in surprise.

"Detective, our breakfast!"

"I'm having mine right now," Leon huskily told him and used his tongue to part the count's lips. "Mmm…"

D let the spoon drop from his hand and wrapped his arms around Leon's neck. When Leon came up for air, he muttered, "Very sweet."

D just sighed breathlessly. "Oh, Leon..."

Orcot rolled on to his side and ran his hand over the silk that covered D's torso. "Breakfast was nice," he said, "it could get nicer though."

The count's cheeks reddened. Leon chuckled and lowered his head to kiss his brow. "I want to eat you all up, D."

The count turned towards him and buried his face in Leon's shoulder. "You are so silly, detective."

Leon clutched the count's shapely little buttocks and ground his hips against him.

"Why don't we," he paused to kiss D's earlobe, "get you undressed and then we could really have breakfast…together."

"Why must I be naked to eat?" D asked him.

"So that your clothes won't get dirty," he offered lamely.

D giggled.

"Come on…I'll help you." He allowed D to sit up and he pushed the count's robe off his shoulders.

D was already hard.

"Are you sure you didn't have some of that tea for yourself?" Leon asked him.

"Detective, I assure you that I have not -" D gasped and watched as Leon's hand captured both of their members. The detective began pumping his fist over them. D widened his long legs, and clenched the bed sheets.

"Ooohh…"

Leon loved to hear the little sounds that D made. They were delicate and they drove him crazy. He wanted to hear more of them. He worked his hand until he knew that he had brought the count to the edge.

D looked away from their touching members and moved forward. He set his hands on Leon's shoulders and looked deeply into his eyes.

"I love you, Leon."

Leon kissed him and said, "I love you too, D."

D smiled and touched his lips, ran his fingertips over the seam. "My darling detective."

Leon drew one of his digits into his mouth. D pulled it free and stroked his wet finger over Leon's lips then kissed him.

"See…your clothes are still clean."

There was a fine sheen on his skin. Leon licked D's shoulder and was shocked to find that the fine sheen was pleasantly sweet. The more the count perspired, the more fragrant he became. A bevy of floral and spiced scents emanated from his skin. Leon hungrily gleaned the count's flesh. The faint sounds of thunder filled his ears.

Running on instinct, Leon raised D's legs over his shoulders and took his shaft between his lips. The sound of the thunder doubled in force. China Town was going to have a veritable storm today.

Because D's hips were raised off the bed, the position gave Leon's hands ample room to roam. The blond detective slipped a finger inside of D and felt the count's thighs tremble against his ears. D flung his arms out, clenched the sheets, arched his back and let loose the most erotic wail that Leon had ever heard.

Leon increased the suction of his mouth. D tossed his head, and made a strangled cry as he came.

The thunder slowly ebbed away.

Leon released his member and gently set him down. He gathered D close.

"You control the heavens too?"

"Only for you, detective…" a tear coursed down into D's silky hair.

Their mouths melded together, and the light patter of rain accompanied the renewed sounds of their lovemaking…

*****

His back was cold, but that didn't matter. He was still hard and D was asleep. He didn't enjoy that much. The little detective was wide-awake. Apparently, so was Q-Chan. The long eared animal was staring at him from the open doorway. His beady little eyes looked inquisitively at Leon. Q-Chan sniffed the air and flew into the room. He landed on top of one of the pillows and made himself comfortable.

Leon pulled a sheet over his lower half and snarled out at him, "You're lucky I'm not in the mood to throw you out of here."

Q-Chan closed his eyes and went to sleep.

"Great," Leon muttered. "Everyone's asleep but me. This is so damn wrong."

The count stirred.

"Detective."

"Hello." He brushed his fingers over D's belly.

"Such language," he muttered.

Leon sweat dropped. He ran a hand through his messy blond hair and smirked.

D suddenly pulled the sheet from his hips and moved the sole of his foot over Leon's calf.

"More?"

"Yes, please," the count whispered.

Leon did not hesitate to give him what he wanted.

Q-Chan wakened and made a sound of irritation. His fur stood as D and Leon's groans grew louder.

"Oh, Leon…" D panted, his fingers clenching Leon's shoulders.

"Oh…God!" Leon groaned and plunged into the count.

Q-Chan had had enough. He left the room and the two gasping lovers behind. They were making far too much noise for his liking.

*****

After taking a bath and getting dressed, Leon went downstairs. He was shocked to find that the shop was overflowing with deliverymen and wooden crates. They were depositing the crates in the backroom and returning outside to get more of the heavy boxes.

Was this the shipment from Tao?

D's cheerful voice drew his attention. "Look at what Li has sent us, detective."

Leon stared at the red-orange creature that the count held. "What is it?"

"A red panda," D explained. "It is only native to China and very rare. It is quite an honor to receive one."

A red panda…Leon had never heard of such a creature. He had seen a panda bear at the zoo and the two animals looked nothing alike. This one looked more like a fox with the tail of a monkey than a bear.

"You're kidding me right?"

"No, detective," D told him. "In fact, the red panda's name was borrowed and given to the panda bear.

"Really?"

"Yes."

D was obviously taken with his new pet. Leon frowned. Q-Chan sniffed at the red panda. The panda in turn sniffed at Q-Chan. The panda licked Q-Chan's face.

Leon came closer to inspect the little fur ball. The panda growled at him. It looked as if Q-Chan had a new ally.

"What should we name her, detective?"

Leon shrugged, "I don't know."

"We will name her Xui-Xui," D smiled and cuddled his new pet.

"Great…"

"Here detective." He gave the panda to Leon before he could protest. The animal clung to Leon's shirt and coiled its tail around his forearm.

D signed for the delivery and was handed a red envelope. When the delivery people were gone, D and Leon went into the back room to look at the boxes. There must have been about twenty of them.

"All of these crates are from Li?"

The overnight delivery fee must have cost him a fortune.

"Yes." D blushed.

Leon frowned. "Oh, I see…"

The dragon prince had sent him gifts. Leon now knew what it felt like to watch the person he loved receive presents from someone else.

D busily began reading the letter that had been in the red envelope.

Leon grimaced as Xui-Xui's claws dug into his shoulder. He set the panda down on one of the crates, unwrapped its tail from his arm.

D finished reading the letter and sighed.

"Something wrong?"

"Lynn," he simply said and folded the paper. "It is very hard for him to accept Li's kindness."

"After everything Shang did to him, he still wants him back?"

"Love, detective," D told him.

The kid was really screwed up if he thought that Shang had loved him.

"This is for you." D gave him a rectangular slip of paper. Leon stared at it and widened his eyes. It was a check drawn out to him for an enormous amount of money.

Leon's eyes widened. "This'll buy a lot of beer and cigarettes!"

D frowned at him. "He said that it was for you to buy food. Do not buy any more cigarettes, Leon. They are not good for you."

Leon kissed D on his mouth. "You're right, but if I cut back on smoking, you have to cut back on sweets."

The count looked horrified. "I cannot!"

"Then I can't guarantee that I'll stop buying cigarettes." He looked at the check again. "Thank you, Li."

The first thing he was going to do after he changed the check was get some real food -no more pizza and burgers for him. High quality beer, some new t-shirts maybe…Hell, there was tons of stuff he could do with all of that money! Why was he thinking small? For this kind of money, he could go to Vegas!

He looked over at D. The count was stroking Xui-Xui's fur and talking to the panda in soft tones. Q-Chan climbed down his shoulder and made small chattering noises. D laughed, his lilting voice made Leon's belly flutter.

Yeah, he thought. I know exactly what I'm going to do with this check.

It was time for him to go visit that tailor again. He would have several bright colored cheongsams made especially for D. Perhaps he would have just enough money left over for groceries and beer…and a pack of cigarettes.

*****

Well…its over. What can I say? It's been swell. I'm not going to cry…okay maybe just a little *voice cracks*. I want to thank everyone who read this stuff. I want to thank Lynn for invading my dreams…you bad thing you *blush*, and I want to thank Matsuri Akino for creating such an interesting world. That's enough talk out of me. The End, exit, stage right. ~,_,~