The More Things Change (Petshop of Horrors, Count D, Negative Space)
Theme: Negative Space
Fandom: Petshop of Horrors
Title: The More Things Change
Pairings/Characters: Count D
Disclaimer: I don’t own Petshop of Horrors and I make no money from this or any other fanfic I write.
Summary: After fleeing Los Angeles and settling in Japan, Count D is reminded of what he has given up.
Warnings: Spoilers for the end of volume 10 and the first few volumes of Shin Petshop of Horrors.
The bag of groceries crackled as D shifted it to the crock of his left arm. Traffic roared along the busy intersection, mindless of the pedestrians clustered on the corner awaiting the turning of the crossing signal. The air was alive with the scents of car exhaust, honey roasted almonds from a vendor hawking his wares a few yards up away, and the far off hint of rain.
Finally, the traffic signal turned, cars stopped, and the horde of pedestrians swarmed out onto the street from each of the four corners of the road. D stepped down from the curb and walked briskly along, humming quietly to himself.
Suddenly, across the throng of people, coming from the opposite direction, he caught sight of a flash of blond hair and something inside him froze. He faltered to a stand-still, and the tune died in his throat. His heart fluttered, but with fear or longing, he couldn’t say. It was unusual to see tourists in this section of the city at this time of day but maybe… maybe…
He craned his head in order to see more clearly, but was unable to make out anything other than the fact that the person with the blond hair was tall and male due to the vast number of pedestrians crossing. But then, the crowd seemed to part as if in direct response to his curiosity and he could see a tall man, possibly American, was bearing down on him.
‘It’s not him,’ he thought dully, and was surprised by the strength of his disappointment. Unlike the police detective he had left behind in Los Angeles, this man was meticulously groomed and dressed in an expensive designer suit. And though his hair was pulled back in a stylish ponytail, the hair color wasn’t quite right and his eyes were the wrong shade of blue.
The American, if that was indeed his nationality, brushed past him without even a glance and was soon swallowed up by the bustling crowd. Heaving a sigh, D turned and continued on his way, keenly aware of the impatiently waiting traffic and the traffic signal which was on the verge of changing from yellow to red. He made it to the far corner just as the light turned and resolved to put the episode from his mind.
Unfortunately, this was easier said than done.
Once he reached his pet shop, he busied himself with putting his groceries away and preparing his afternoon tea. Memories of two near identical sets of blue eyes haunted him, though. Trivial arguments long forgotten and peels of childish laughter whispered through his mind, taunting him as he set fine china on the table. It wasn’t until he was ready to pour the tea that he realized he had already set the table for two… one for him and the other for his usual tea-time partner and-more-than-friend, but-not-quite-lover, Detective Leon Orcot.
With a soft, shuddering exhalation, D sank into one of the chairs and cradled his head in his hands. With all of his pets around him he had never wanted for company… but it just wasn’t the same as sharing his life and daily routines with the Orcot brothers. He missed them both terribly but had to live with the fact that he had chosen to let them go, each in their turn.
It had hurt him to let them both go, first relinquishing custody of dear Christopher to his aunt and uncle - ‘Mother and father,’ D’s mind amended quickly, ‘his parents… his family.’- and then having to leave Leon behind.
“Humans have not earned the right to board this ship. Not yet.” Those had been the last words he had spoken to Leon before gently pushing him from his flying ship. And as he had watched Leon falling away from him, he had smiled, always smiling, despite the tears that had washed down his cheeks.
Well, he wasn’t smiling now.
Just as D rose to clear away the second tea setting, he heard knocking at the front door or his shop. For a moment he considered ignoring it - he always closed his shop when he had his tea and he wasn’t about to change that particular habit any time soon- but then he reconsidered. With a rustle of silk he crossed to the door, and opened it, his smile, as good as new, firmly in place.
His smile became a touch warmer, a touch more mischievous when he saw who his visitor was. He beamed at the tall, Chinese man, secretly admiring his athletic build, his exquisitely tailored black suit, and the arrogant expression of his face. Before him stood a man with determination, attitude and a penchant for sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. He was, in short, the kind of man who posed a welcomed challenge.
“Ah, Taizu, what a pleasant surprise,” D exclaimed brightly. “Would you care to join me for some tea?”
THE END
Fandom: Petshop of Horrors
Title: The More Things Change
Pairings/Characters: Count D
Disclaimer: I don’t own Petshop of Horrors and I make no money from this or any other fanfic I write.
Summary: After fleeing Los Angeles and settling in Japan, Count D is reminded of what he has given up.
Warnings: Spoilers for the end of volume 10 and the first few volumes of Shin Petshop of Horrors.
The bag of groceries crackled as D shifted it to the crock of his left arm. Traffic roared along the busy intersection, mindless of the pedestrians clustered on the corner awaiting the turning of the crossing signal. The air was alive with the scents of car exhaust, honey roasted almonds from a vendor hawking his wares a few yards up away, and the far off hint of rain.
Finally, the traffic signal turned, cars stopped, and the horde of pedestrians swarmed out onto the street from each of the four corners of the road. D stepped down from the curb and walked briskly along, humming quietly to himself.
Suddenly, across the throng of people, coming from the opposite direction, he caught sight of a flash of blond hair and something inside him froze. He faltered to a stand-still, and the tune died in his throat. His heart fluttered, but with fear or longing, he couldn’t say. It was unusual to see tourists in this section of the city at this time of day but maybe… maybe…
He craned his head in order to see more clearly, but was unable to make out anything other than the fact that the person with the blond hair was tall and male due to the vast number of pedestrians crossing. But then, the crowd seemed to part as if in direct response to his curiosity and he could see a tall man, possibly American, was bearing down on him.
‘It’s not him,’ he thought dully, and was surprised by the strength of his disappointment. Unlike the police detective he had left behind in Los Angeles, this man was meticulously groomed and dressed in an expensive designer suit. And though his hair was pulled back in a stylish ponytail, the hair color wasn’t quite right and his eyes were the wrong shade of blue.
The American, if that was indeed his nationality, brushed past him without even a glance and was soon swallowed up by the bustling crowd. Heaving a sigh, D turned and continued on his way, keenly aware of the impatiently waiting traffic and the traffic signal which was on the verge of changing from yellow to red. He made it to the far corner just as the light turned and resolved to put the episode from his mind.
Unfortunately, this was easier said than done.
Once he reached his pet shop, he busied himself with putting his groceries away and preparing his afternoon tea. Memories of two near identical sets of blue eyes haunted him, though. Trivial arguments long forgotten and peels of childish laughter whispered through his mind, taunting him as he set fine china on the table. It wasn’t until he was ready to pour the tea that he realized he had already set the table for two… one for him and the other for his usual tea-time partner and-more-than-friend, but-not-quite-lover, Detective Leon Orcot.
With a soft, shuddering exhalation, D sank into one of the chairs and cradled his head in his hands. With all of his pets around him he had never wanted for company… but it just wasn’t the same as sharing his life and daily routines with the Orcot brothers. He missed them both terribly but had to live with the fact that he had chosen to let them go, each in their turn.
It had hurt him to let them both go, first relinquishing custody of dear Christopher to his aunt and uncle - ‘Mother and father,’ D’s mind amended quickly, ‘his parents… his family.’- and then having to leave Leon behind.
“Humans have not earned the right to board this ship. Not yet.” Those had been the last words he had spoken to Leon before gently pushing him from his flying ship. And as he had watched Leon falling away from him, he had smiled, always smiling, despite the tears that had washed down his cheeks.
Well, he wasn’t smiling now.
Just as D rose to clear away the second tea setting, he heard knocking at the front door or his shop. For a moment he considered ignoring it - he always closed his shop when he had his tea and he wasn’t about to change that particular habit any time soon- but then he reconsidered. With a rustle of silk he crossed to the door, and opened it, his smile, as good as new, firmly in place.
His smile became a touch warmer, a touch more mischievous when he saw who his visitor was. He beamed at the tall, Chinese man, secretly admiring his athletic build, his exquisitely tailored black suit, and the arrogant expression of his face. Before him stood a man with determination, attitude and a penchant for sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. He was, in short, the kind of man who posed a welcomed challenge.
“Ah, Taizu, what a pleasant surprise,” D exclaimed brightly. “Would you care to join me for some tea?”
THE END