Absently, his fingers strayed to the ribbon tied around the bakery box on the seat next to him. Although he wished it were under different circumstances, he was glad that he'd be seeing Count D. That beautiful black hair...that delicate face, prettier than any woman's he'd ever seen.
But he's NOT a woman. Knock this shit off.
Leon picked up the box and exited his cruiser, walking up the familiar path to the pet shop. He pushed the door open, setting off a series of howls and mewls. The exotic smell of incense filled his nostrils and gave him a pleasant light-headed feeling. Gold and green eyes glared at him from the darkness, and uneasily he moved further away from the cages.
"Irrashaimase," D's voice called from the back room.
"Just me, Count, no need for formalities."
Dramatically, the red velvet curtain parted, and D stepped forth. He smiled when he saw Leon, and automatically his hand moved down to smooth the silk of his cheongsam. "Why, Detective, how good of you to stop by. Did you bring something nice for me?"
"Yes and no," Leon said, holding out the box. Eagerly, D took the box in his slender hands
so beautiful
and unwrapped it. "Petit fours!" he crooned. With his slender fingers, he plucked a tiny cake from the box and examined it. "Look at these lovely sugar flowers...they're almost too pretty to eat, but I can't resist." Leon shifted uncomfortably as D parted his crimson lips and slowly, deliberately slid the sweet into his mouth. He chewed for a moment, then his pink tongue darted out to catch a stray crumb. His eyes never left Leon's.
That tongue...god, what that would feel like on my body...shut UP, Leon...
D smiled as though he could read Leon's mind, and daintily licked the tips of his fingers. "Shall I get some jasmine tea?" he asked, and without waiting for a reply, he bustled into the back room again.
"You said there was something not so nice for me as well?" D called.
"You know it's never just a pleasure visit."
"Why, Detective, you distress me," D said, his silky voice implying just the opposite. He returned with a tray bearing two teacups and a teapot. He offered Leon a cup first, then settled down on the sofa. "Q-chan? Would you like a petit four?" The strange batlike creature flew from the shadows and settled on D's shoulder, accepting one of the treats.
"Anyway, Count," Leon began, flipping open his notebook. "You sold an ocelot to Thomas Danone, and his body was found yesterday by his housekeeper. Exsanguinated."
D smiled. "You forget that English is not my native tongue. What does 'exsanguinated' mean?"
"I mean that every drop of blood was drained from his body." Leon handed D a sheaf of photos. D sighed as he regarded the pale, shriveled body sprawled out on an unmade bed.
"A most unfortunate thing, to be sure, but I had nothing to do with that. If his death was indeed due to the animal I sold him, then he disregarded my explicit instructions, and I cannot be held liable for the idiocies of others. We've been over this many times."
Leon squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose again. D's brow furrowed and he said with concern, "Is your head bothering you?"
"A little," Leon grumbled.
"I have something that may help," D said, extracting a small envelope from the pocket of his cheongsam. "May I put this in your tea?"
Leon frowned and ripped open the packet to peer inside.
"I assure you that it is not cocaine."
"What is it then? Some kind of hoodoo? Crushed dragon bones, powdered tiger penis?"
To his surprise, D threw his head back and laughed. "I believe it's what you refer to as aspirin."
Leon blushed and quickly dumped the powder in his tea, taking a deep sip. "Thank you," he said grudgingly.
"Perhaps some acupressure would help as well," D said, walking behind Leon and massaging his temples in slow, rhythmic circles. His long fingernails gently scratched Leon's scalp. Leon let out an involuntary moan and blushed again.
"Are you feeling better yet?"
"It's helping a lot," Leon admitted. He felt warmth spreading from his toes up the rest of his body, as though he were slowly being wrapped in thick warm velvet.
Almost like I was...drugged?
"Did you...drug me?" Leon gasped, trying to stand on wobbly knees. Failing, he sank back against the cushions again.
"Leon, you shame me with such accusations," D said gently. "I swear to you upon the graves of my ancestors that I did not drug you. I think what you are feeling is a combination of desire and confusion that is leaving you frightened...and weak."
Leon swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat, and with shock, he realized that his eyes were burning with tears. "I have...it's just that...I never felt this way about another man and I..."
"Shhhh...there's nothing wrong with what makes you feel good." D's fingers entwined in Leon's ponytail and pulled the elastic out, letting Leon's golden hair fall about his face. "Exquisite...like the lion for which you were named."
"I..."
D rose and extended his hand. "Come with me," he said. Leon stood again and accepted D's hand. A tear fell from his eye, and D leaned forward and licked it away. "Don't be afraid. I will take care of you. Now...and always." Leon stared at D, and the last bit of strength drained from his body. The last thing he saw was Q-chan hovering in the air as he sank to the floor.
* * * * *
...what's that smell?
Summoning every bit of strength, Leon forced his eyelids open. His vision blurred for a second, and wearily he regarded his surroundings.
not my room...
"Are you doing any better?" D's voice purred, and Leon sat up with a yelp.
"D!"
"I was beginning to get a little worried. You have been asleep for almost 4 hours. I think you are working too hard."
"Maybe," Leon said. With a start, he realized that he was nude under the luxurious silk sheets. "Why am I...?"
"It is bad for your circulation to sleep in tight clothes, and I must admit I was curious!" D's laugh was like silver bells trembling in a breeze. He leaned forward and took Leon's chin in his hand and gazed at him, his golden eye shining like sunlight viewed through amber.
"Did you...um...like what you saw?" Leon asked hoarsely.
"I most certainly did," D murmured. His hands snaked under the sheet and took Leon's throbbing manhood in his hand. Slowly, he began to pump his fist up and down, never taking his eyes from Leon. His lips parted, and he brought his mouth to Leon's. Abandoning his last shred of resolve, Leon gave in to the kiss. D's tongue slid into his mouth, exploring, and Leon tasted the sweet tea D always drank mixed with an unfamiliar spice. He felt his body being exposed to the air as D grasped the sheet and pulled it away.
"Tell me what you want," D whispered.
"Y...you know what I want."
"I want to hear you say it. Tell me what you want."
"I...I want you to..." Leon could not bring himself to say the words. He covered D's hand with his, moving it up and down his cock.
"Where words may fail us, gestures will always come through," D said, and kneeling on the bed between Leon's spread legs, he bent his head and took Leon's length into his mouth. Leon cried out with pleasure as his shaft was enveloped in the warm wetness. He fell back against the pillows and shut his eyes.
This is Jill going down on me, and she feels so good. When she's
done, I'm going to fuck him...HER...and then I...I...
To his amazement, he felt himself going soft. D released Leon and regarded him inquisitively, but did not say a word.
Weird. What just happened there?
"Keiji-san?"
I don't want to lie to myself anymore.
"Sorry. I'm okay. Please..." Leon whispered, feeling his cock fill with blood again. "Please..."
D smiled and bent back to his task. Leon pulled himself up for a better view and watched, transfixed, at the sight of his organ engulfed between D's crimson lips. He reached forward and swept the silken curtain of hair from D's eyes. D looked up without stopping, and Leon felt as if he was drowning. He could feel the pressure building inside of him, and his back arched. He pulled his hands away, not wanting to force D's head down, and gripped the sheet so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "Yes...oh, yes!" he shouted. The pressure swelled into a crescendo of ecstasy, every nerve singing, as the orgasm washed through his body and he released himself inside the welcoming depths of D's mouth. Panting, he fell back on the bed, trying to catch his breath.
D curled up next to Leon and looked into his eyes. "Was that enjoyable?" he asked teasingly, licking the corner of his mouth
just like with the petit four
and idly stroking Leon's hair.
"Phenomenal."
"Good." D nibbled gently at Leon's neck. "Tell me, do you like me?"
"If I didn't like you, I wouldn't have let you do that to me."
"Do you love me?"
Leon laughed in surprise. "A little too soon for that!"
"Tell me you love me."
"I can't do that."
"Tell me you do." D brought his hand around Leon's penis again. "Lie if you have to." He bent down and teasingly swirled his tongue around the tip. Leon bit his lip so hard that the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth.
"I said no." Leon grabbed D's wrist and pulled his hand away. Rising from the bed, he muttered, "This might have been a mistake. I better go now."
"You aren't going anywhere. You belong to me now."
Leon laughed increduously. "You're joking! You're worse than a woman. I've had enough of your games for now. I'm out of here." He got dressed while D watched through veiled eyes. "Listen, that was amazing,
seriously, but this is too much too soon. I need time to process this. I..." He faltered as D stood and embraced him from behind. "D...come on. Maybe we can get together another time, but I need to think this all over, what it means for me." He gently pulled D's hands away from his body and turned to face him. "I can't..." His words caught in his throat as he stared in shock at the apparition before him.
What the HELL?
"N...no!" Leon shouted. He dropped to his knees, frantically searching for his gun. "Please!" But there was a sudden rush of hot air, then only the darkness.
* * * * *
"Irrashaimase," D said warmly, beckoning his visitor into the pet shop. "What can I interest you in today?"
"I would like a bird," the plump dowager said, clutching her pocketbook to her chest. "Something easy to care for, preferably."
"I have many beautiful birds to choose from," D said, indicating a row of cages with a sweep of his hand. "Are you looking for something exotic, like a parrot, or something more...common?"
"I like this," the woman breathed. D's eyes narrowed as she went to the ornate birdcage taking up an entire corner of the room. Despite its size, the cage only held one small bird trapped between its golden bars. The bird's feathers gleamed like spun sunshine, even in the dim light of the shop.
"Hello! Hello!" the woman cooed, poking a finger between the bars. She turned to D and asked, "Does it talk?"
"No, but he bites," D coolly replied.
Hastily, she withdrew her finger. "I must say, I've never seen a more beautiful bird. Look at those eyes! They're almost human...and so sad." She finally tore her eyes away. "How much?"
"He is not for sale."
The woman snorted. "Everything is for sale at the right price. How much?"
D came over and flung a cloth over the cage, obscuring the bird from view. "I assure you, there is no right price because he is not for sale."
"Do you know who I am?" the woman squawked. "I could buy this dump and a million more like it!"
"Madame, I do not care who you are. This bird is not for sale at any price, now or ever."
"Fine, then. Keep your damn bird." The woman huffed scornfully and stalked out the door. D locked it behind her and turned the sign around to read CLOSED. He returned to the cage and pulled the cover away.
Leon crouched naked on the floor, staring up at D.
D smiled fondly at him. "Shall we play a game?"