What Can I Do
by: Shidou's Secret Admirer ([email protected])

Disclaimer: I do not own Petshop of Horrors or the delightful characters in it. Nor do I own the song 'What Can I Do.' They belong to their respective owners and I am merely borrowing them for a midnight's time or so. Please email me your comments and suggestions. Please don't send me flames.

Warnings: Maybe a bit of language and maybe minimal spoilers since...I've never read the manga least watched the OVA. (I'm serious I really haven't!)

Thanks to all who've reviewed 'Iris'! Xie Xie Ni!

---

What Can I Do
The Corrs (Talk On Corners)

---

I haven't slept at all in days
It's been so long since we've talked

It had been a long while since the detective came to him.
The young Count was beginning to worry.
It was so unlike Leon not to show up during teatime.
Or at least leave a call.
"Oh...," he sighed sadly.
He soon remembered the heated argument they had days before.
He could still remember the detective's words. It went through him like verbal daggers and ripped his heart apart. He was already crying as he held on to what Leon had broken.
Then the detective gave his ultimatum.
"FUCK YOU! I'm never stepping in this fucking shop ever! Good bye!"
There was a loud slam and the ornamental lantern shattered as D himself fell on the floor, as broken as the lantern.
He began to cup his face crying as he muttered his apologies.
"Leon... Qing yuanliang... Wo hen baoqian..."

He closed his eyes and clenched his fists breaking the cup in his hands as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Not another one...," he said as if he remembered nothing.
He began to pick up the shards of fine porcelain and threw them.

The animals watched helplessly as they watched their guardian fall apart in a week or month. Days didn't matter. All that mattered was their beloved guardian.
Count D's nose had been runny and he was beginning to have dark lines under his eyes which was concealed by heavy make-up and the fact that the Count seemed to be always waiting for someone yet...
He never came.

And I have been here many times
I just don't know what I'm doing wrong

After throwing the shards of porcelain, he stood up and cam face to face with a mirror. 
He frowned slightly as the mascara flowed down his cheeks along with the tears and other powders.
Taking a sponge, he began to wash it off.
When he wore make-up, he looked so androgynously beautiful.
He was like wearing some sort of front.
A mask.
A mask of his true self.
A D that even Sofu D has yet to see.

Tears began to flow as the Count put away the sponge.
Holding on the sink for support, the Count began to recite his mental monologue.

Leon, why? What have I done to deserve this? 
I would never do anything to displease you least hurt you.
You don't know how much I love you, Leon...
Why can't you understand?
Why won't you listen to me?
Leon... It's not just you...
How about me?!
Leon... Come to me!
I... I need...Explain... I need an explanation.
Most of all, I NEED YOU!

What can I do to make you love me
What can I do to make you care

Leon... you don't know how much I feel for you...
You don't know how much you've done for me. 
Sitting there, sipping tea I brew saying how much it taste good is enough to make me smile.
You don't need to bring all those chocolates and cakes to please me, all I want is your presence and that is enough for me to have a sugar overdrive.
You use to say we were friends but why?
Why are you doing this to me?
Friends don't hurt one another...
Ah... well... Love is out of the question yet...
Its' still not fair that you're doing this to me!
Why won't you understand?!

What can I say to make you feel this
What can I do to get you there

Leon... Please...

The young Count began to pound on the bathroom wall as he screamed.
A very alarmed Sofu D then came in and restrained the hysteric kami.
"Stop it!," he snapped as he encircled his arms around D's body, grasping his arms all the same time.
"You're destroying yourself! Look at you! You're falling apart!"
"Let me go! Leave me alone, Grandfather! I wish to be alone!"
"I can't---"
The Count suddenly shouted and vines emerged from his sides throwing the elder kami out of the bathroom. 
D shakily crouched on the tiled floor, embracing his knees and cried.

Please... Forgive me... 

Sofu D in the meanwhile was somewhat angry but when he was about to open the door, he heard D speak.
"Forgive me... I... just want to be left alone. I... Forgive me for losing respect, Grandfather."
The elder kami's heart twisted in pain as he heard his grandson's soft sobs and sniffing.
He knew it would end up this way.
Humans one way or another ended up hurting the kami.
Just as they've hurt the planet.
He bit his lip and stepped back.
"If that is your wish, child. I have no objection. Besides---"
"Please... Just leave me alone..."
The kami clenched his fists as he breathed out heavily.
There were just some things he couldn't understand.
And his grandson was one of them.

I love you...

There's only so much I can take
And I just got to let it go

Months have passed and D had gotten over his heartache.
Like all friendships and loves, Leon had left a mark on him.
No friendship or love will pass without leaving some kind of a mark on you forever...
He sighed as he sipped his cup of brewed tea.
"Q Q Q Q!'
Q-chan came flying in as he perched on the Count's shoulder.
The young Count began to sigh and turned to Q-chan.
"I suppose it is time that we go back to the shop. Isn't it, Grandfather?"
"Q Q Q Q...," answered the bunny bat.
D smiled, "Alright."

And who knows I might feel better, yeah
If I don't try and I don't hope

After cleaning up the low coffee table, Count D once more stood in the waiting room and waited for any customer to arrive.
In a while, the chimes began to rattle and a customer looked around rather uncomfortable with the environment.
"Umm... I'm looking for a certain Count D..."
"I bid you welcome, sir. What would it be? Love, hope or dreams?"
After a short transaction and contact signing, a phoenix was sold.

Late that afternoon, D began to feel hungry.
He had made quite a lot that afternoon.
He had sold five pets straight in a few hours.
A phoenix.
Then a legendary eagle.
Soon he sold a snow-white owl with a scarred eye.
A one-eyed kitten which at first nobody really wanted had found a home at last.
Last but not the least, a large boa was bought by a famous celebrity.

"I deserve a little treat. I suppose. Just this once..."
D then sneaked to the back leaving Q-chan at the front. 
Soon, Q-chan realized what his grandson was doing and flew to the exit but D closed the door immediately.

At the back of the shop, D opened a box of cakes sent by kind neighbor who had her wish fulfilled with the help of a pet that she purchased.
After consuming the box, he giggled as he licked his fingers off icing and disposed the box properly.
Moving to the sink, he began to wash hands.
He was in for big trouble with his grandfather.
He began to smile like a Cheshire daydreaming when Sofu D came in.
Then he snapped back to reality.
"What is it?," he asked.
This was strange. Very strange. The animals began to make so much noise.
Then his grandfather came to him telling him that he had a customer.
He found it rather peculiar.
Wiping his hands, he said, "Alright. I'll go and speak with the customer myself."

Grandfather can do the transaction but why must he...

D gasped when he saw who sat on the velvet couch waiting.

Leon...

What can I do to make you love me
What can I do to make you care
What can I say to make you feel this
What can I do to get you there

"Leon...," trailed off D as he looked at the detective.

It had only been months yet the detective looked as if he'd aged by years. He looked so unshaven and rugged.
"D..."

The young Count took a few steps backwards as he felt his heart burst any minute.
Leon's back...

The detective smiled at him and walked towards him.
Without warning, he took the China man in his arms.
"God... How I missed you... D..."

D allowed himself to be embraced closing his eyes and just feel safe in Leon's arms.
Slowly, he embraced him back and spoke.

"So have I. You have been missed, my friend."

"D... Please...Forgive me for being such a fucking asshole. I don't deserve you..."
The young Count smiled, "You already have. Leon, I've already forgiven you."
"D... I can't live without you. You're someone to me now... Fuck... I don't know or why..."
Count D then laid his index finger on Leon's lips, "There are just some things in this world that just happened with no explanation or reason at all. They just happen. You may laugh at what I'm about to say but these things are destined, Leon."
Leon smiled, "Who's laughing?"
D smiled and was caught by surprise when Leon kissed him.
The Count was rather shocked. He broke away and felt his lips.
Then he looked at the blonde.
"D... I love you. I can't stand living without you. D... Oh shit... I... I've lost you once and I don't want to loose you again. Please... Give me---"
Before Leon could finish, D threw his arms around the blonde's neck, smiling with tears of joy flowing down his cheeks.
"---another chance..."
It took awhile before Leon could realize what was happening and smiled.
The silence was enough to answer his question.
After the long silence, D broke away and wiped his tears.
"Yes, my Leon."
Leon smiled and lifted D's chin and looked at the Counts' mismatched eyes.
"Wo ai ni...," whispered D before Leon pressed his lips over the Count's painted ones.

No more waiting, no more, aching...
No more fighting, no more, trying...

Sofu D then emerged and was rather surprised at the scene he had seen.
D and Leon kissing like there was no tomorrow.
Honestly, he disliked the human his grandson grew fond off and was ready to kill him if ever he ended up hurting D. 
Leon was very unpredictable. Besides that, he was too emotional and too digital all at the same.
But this human, Leon had become the source of life for his grandson.
A reason to go on.
And if it were to make his grandson happy, he had no objection.
He couldn't dictate D on his preferences on mates since he himself had committed the same mistake with Alex.  The only thing the could do was advise the young pair on what to do on certain situations and be there for his grandson when he needed him.

He turned his back and smiled, I wish you all the love, little one. You've finally grown up.
He closed the door silently so as not to bother the two lovers.

The two then broke their kiss the moment Sofu D left. They were both unaware for that moment that they were being watched. 
D smiled at Leon sweetly as he took Leon's hand and kissed it.

No more masks.
No more pain.
Now that you've finally come back to me.
I can finally be happy, again.

Maybe there's nothing more to say
And in a funny way I'm calm
Because the power is not mine
I'm just going to let it fly

Soon, D began to laugh.
"What's wrong, D?"
"Nothing... It's just that... I happen to feel the same way too..."
Then he eyed the detective suspiciously, "For how long---"
Immediately, Leon took D in his arms and kissed him.
"For as long as I've known you that's for sure."
D sighed dreamily, "Leon..."

What can I do to make you love me
(What can I do to make you love me)
What can I do to make you care
(What can I do to make you care)
What can I say to make you feel this
(What can I do to make you love me)
What can I do to get you there
(What can I do to make you care)
What can I do to make you love me
(What can I do to make you love me)
What can I do to make you care
(What can I do to make you care)
What can I change to make you feel this
(What can I do to make you love me)
What can I do to get you there
(What can I do to make you care)

All this time, I've been holding on to these feelings in fear that you'd reject me not knowing you felt the same way as well.
We are so alike, my love.
So this is how is it is...
Destiny...

Oh fuck... Now how the hell did that--- Oh boy... At least... Awh, man... I don't know... I like the guy. He's... Oh enough of all that sexuality crisis bullshit. It's just bullshit. All the matters to me now is D. 
And D alone.
I like him and I know...
He likes me as well.
Like for now but I know I'll eventually say love but not now...
Awh man... I can't stand this!
D! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! 

And love me... love me...

The animals at the petshop eventually settled down and were silenced. 
Outside, stars began to appear one by one in the sky as a shooting star miraculously appeared.
May all wishes come true then...

---

Author's Notes: Wai! Second Songfic! This is just the beginning! Thank you all of those who've read and well sent their comments! That's the reason why this songfic is well... born.
Xie Xie Ni!

Translations:
1. Qing yuanliang- I'm sorry
2. Wo hen baoqian- I apologize.