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The light from the street lamps outside poured in through the gaps in the curtain, bathing Leon in a dull glow as the man slept. The moonlight would have been more romantic, but the view was still lovely enough. One arm hung off the bed, while the other was lifted to rest with the hand on the pillow over the former detective’s head. Lying on his side next to the man, Count D absentmindedly traced symbols on the man’s chest. It never ceased to amaze him out contented he could be just gazing at the human. D had been raised to hate Leon’s kind, had punished all too many of them. Yet D couldn’t bring himself to hate this one. He had never desired a lover before he’d met Leon. He’d had his pets, and he’d had his pet shop. That had been enough. And then Leon had come into his life, bursting through his pet shop door with no manners or grace, and somehow D knew that he’d never be content to be alone again. The companionable chats or even arguments over tea, the way Leon’s hair glinted gold in the sun, the way it felt when Leon was in his arms...nothing D had experienced in all of his many years could compare to this. Giving this human up had been the hardest thing the count had ever had to do. And when they had reunited, that had made D determined to never have to live without the man again.
The detective would be very angry with him when he realized what he’d done. Throughout the world, there existed certain springs of water which granted the drinker everlasting life. They were carefully guarded, of course, but as a kami, D had access to each and every one. He had never before taken from them. He himself had no need, and he’d never before met anyone who was worthy of immortality. But when Leon had entered his shop 8 years after they’d parted, a self-satisfied smirk on his face, D had known that he would never be able to part with this man again. Whether this human was worthy was irrelevant. D simply couldn’t live without him.
He hadn’t told Leon, of course. He’d been too afraid of what the detective would say. The count had merely made him some special tea. Several cups, just in case. And that was that. It was quite selfish of him, D thought. D knew all too well what immortality meant. It meant remaining the same while those around you died. For D, this had never been an issue. However, Leon had friends and family; he would need to watch as they perished. Leon would be furious with him. But Leon wouldn’t realize for quite some time that his hair wasn’t turning gray and that his skin wasn’t wrinkling with age. By that time D hoped to have thought up a convincing excuse for his deception, several years of happiness, and at least the promise that Leon wouldn’t need to let go of Chris to placate his detective. Still, the count mused, reaching up to run his hands through Leon’s hair, even if Leon didn’t forgive him easily, it would all be worth it if it meant he never had to watch his lover die.