>part six<
The Count had the misfortune then of emerging from behind a heavy, wine-coloured curtain. One hand clutched in its folds and bright, surprised eyes that seemed to glint through dark tresses. He wore a beautifully rich navy robe with wide flaring sleeves and gold embroidery along the cuffs and hem. It clung loosely to his form, shimmered and rippled as he moved.
Leon�s pause ended as he shot forward and grasped the smaller man�s wrist. D didn�t resist, he remained fluid as Leon shook him violently a moment, his head lolling and smooth black hair flying. As the American bit off several harsh curses, he closed his eyes and waited. But what came forced his breath from him. His eyes snapped open as he landed in a flurry of silken blue cloth on the floor. Leon glared down at him, an intense expression that whispered of inner turmoil and mild madness.
�Keiji-san?� D�s voice rose, a knotted and delicate tendril, but it appeared to have an adverse affect on Leon. Where it should have soothed and bespoke calmness . . . it seemed only to inspire an even greater degree of anger. He growled, fists tightened at his sides and knuckles turning a violent shade of white. The Count started to rise, hesitantly, but Leon grasped his shoulders and shoved him back down. And, to D�s surprise, fell with him, pinned his unthreatening hands to the floor. Leon�s hatred melted and twisted into something completely different, but it was no more pleasant. There was a struggle in his eyes to end what was beginning.
But D arced, pushed himself up, and with a kiss snatched away his words. Leon�s protest spoke in the tenseness of his back, his denial---in his gritted teeth.
The Count quickly slid his hands out from under Leon�s grip, unconcerned with the fact that the American seemed to be drowning under his own actions. He wrapped his fingers through blonde hair and pulled on it until Leon gasped from the sharp pain. With this new space the Count slipped his tongue inside and fluently sought out his unwilling lover�s. His fingers loosened and Leon sighed from the lack of pain, before he fully realized that the Count�s painted lips were moving against his in slight patterns. He drew back a mere inch and a dozen hateful words sputtered out between them, strained and disconnected and breathless. But Leon didn�t, he wouldn�t look down---he pushed away furiously, but D pulled him in closer, with amazing strength.
�Why do you fight, when this is what you want?�
�I want you dead!� Leon hissed. D shook his head quietly, and watched another, darker emotion fill the face above him. He was aware of everything---the heart that beat into his breast like a bird trying to rend its own wings, the knee that rested unwillingly between his legs. He was certain the silk was ripped and ruined, but it seemed such a small price to pay.
�Let me go, damn it!� his words came through gritted teeth, purposefully saturated to strip away some of their predatorial bite. Perhaps, in his own twisted ideas, he thought that sweeter tones would better reach the devil. But D blinked, eyes re-emerging as living jewels. He smiled.
�Admit to this, Keiji-san---�
�I�ll die first!� His voice rose and vibrated through his frame, tossing aside all binds.
�It will not hurt to admit the truth, Keiji-san,� D whispered up to him. So began Leon�s next bout of rage as he tried to push free, but D held him anchored.
�*You* can die first!!� He spat in outrage.
�Admit,� the Count said softly. But �submit� was closer to the truth his eyes spoke. *Your gaze shifts in sweet circles, I could almost drink in your desire with my lips. Give in.*
Leon calmed suspiciously, his muscles loosened and he attempted to gather a few deep breaths. D took a deep breath as well, prepared for whatever this �ease� heralded.
�Let go,� Leon�s tone came out strained, but definite. D shook his head once more.
�What are these words, Keiji-san? They are not what you mean, do you even know that?� One hand swept over Leon�s back like a sort of breeze, it slipped under cloth and over flesh. He shivered from the cold smoothness of those long, pink nails. He knew what was happening, he could feel the beast devouring his insides, could feel that desperate anticipation quivering within him and through his hands---and he didn�t want it.
He wanted to force these feelings out, but they were forcing their way to the surface. He felt as if he were standing in the centre of a jungle and he could hear it . . .some beast in the brush that could smell the blood moving through his veins. No matter where he went, how far he ran---he would hesitate, turn back, and it would always be on the brink of pouncing.
As if facing this beast, he became practically immobile, and D�s other hand followed the first one�s path, nails pressing into his back just enough to be felt, but not enough to wound.
�Will you deny me now? Shall I continue and strip away all your lies?� With his hands he started working Leon�s shirt up, running his fingers along his ribs as he did. Leon neither moved to help or stop, he had reached a point of clarity in his confusion. He was face to face with his pursuer.
�This will be the first lie,� D whispered huskily as he single-handedly maneuvered the shirt over Leon�s head. �You want me and this. You forced your desire down. So far down that you could no longer make out what it was� he spoke quietly. �But, as all secrets buried tend to do, it has clawed its way to the surface. What you once strove to control and destroy now controls you. It will destroy you if you continue to fight.� He coaxed Leon�s arms through the sleeves then simply tossed the shirt aside, his hands returning intently to trace the muscles that trembled beneathe his slight touch. His fingers slid around and then lightly down his back, came to a rest on the hem of his jeans. At that Leon shook his head lamely, but made no further movement.
D smirked, nodded. �This, the second lie, your �hate� for me that you profess at every turn. It does not exist. It is only a set of words that you chant, a mistranslated spell you weave about me. But have you not learned, I am immune to it. I see it fall around me but am not affected.� His fingers ran along the hem until they encountered the fastening. �It is time to forget those words.� Expertly slow he pushed the zipper down with his nails, arced once more to put his lips near Leon�s ear. �They no longer have meaning. They never had meaning,� he hissed, his soft breath passing over his ear and causing him to jerk slightly.
But the Count continued, began to o so slowly work the Detective�s jeans down, over his hips, his buttocks. He flattened himself beneathe the American so as not to further hinder their descent and gracefully used his own legs to push them the rest of the way down. Kicking them free he then slid his knee along the inner side of Leon�s thigh, savored the tiny gasps that began spilling from his mouth.
�Ah� the Count whispered softly, �Is this your third and final lie?� Leon shook his head quickly, sat up and grasped D�s hands before they could work anymore damage. But he realized he was far too late. The Count smiled up at him with that knowledge in his eyes, his fingers still but warm within his grasp. Warmed with his own flesh.
What a picture they must make, he thought wryly, even as his hazy thoughts were sewn only with frail bits of sanity. He, a man in a severe state of undress---straddling a smaller, more delicate boy while holding his hands captive. D�s smile seemed to shift, became more like a grin. He then eased himself up, wrapped his arms about the blonde�s neck and succeeded in pulling him even to his mouth.
�It is too late to begin thinking now, Keiji-san,� D spoke into the looseness of Leon�s mouth, his pink tongue darting out like a snake�s to taste his lower lip. Leon allowed that plum-coloured mouth to push into his; he even closed his eyes and tilted his head to give the Count more access. The fluttering in his stomach was one of arousal, but also fear . . .
And then he shoved. The movement swift and unheralded, D lay before him in a slight daze, limbs thrown out. The belt on his robe had come untied during their struggle, it fell open---exposing a pale, smooth chest, naked thighs . . . Leon stared, eyes wide.
The Count quietly watched him, took up the edges of his robe and started to cover himself. But Leon thoughtlessly grasped his wrists and the rich blue silk fell from D�s hands, fluttered and caught the pale light that was half-wrapped in shadows. Violet and gold eyes sought azure, unassuming but uncertain as well.
Leon sighed. If he *was* going to do this---he wasn�t going to be coy about it. As if he knew how to be coy . . .
He ran his fingers from D�s wrists to his shoulders, gently pressed him back and his mouth against his. They fell, but Leon�s fingers wrapped through his hair prevented the Count�s head from connecting with the floor. D made a slightly surprised sound that was swallowed as Leon pushed his tongue between his lips.
But Leon was losing his mind. He felt the brush of warm flesh and lacquered nails and what thoughts that lingered dissolved. He realized it was his own hands that were exciting such shivers and sighs as they danced over petal-soft skin. With a choked groin he rolled over, took the Count with him. The un-giving floor was such a contrast to the tender, willing body resting within the circle of his arms. He held tight to that body and felt it shift and move in answer to his.
D stopped suddenly, sat up and stared down at him with inquiring eyes framed by sparkling raven threads. The faded burgundy of his lips entranced Leon momentarily before he began to speak.
�Think clearly now, Keiji-san.�
Leon shook his head, attempted to pull him back down. But D sighed, caught his hands and lightly held them together within his own quiet grasp. �Stare at me, Leon, and realize all of this. Is this what you want---do you want me?� He paused. �You must be certain, and know that there will be consequences . . .�
�There are consequences for everything,� Leon whispered uncertainly. D closed his eyes, his expression so drawn and almost pained.
�I am telling you that you will not be able to stop this once you set it in motion. If you move of your own free will or are dragged along . . . there comes a point when it no longer matters. Leave now and things will never be the same, but within the proximity. Stay, and things will never be the same, and we will never be the same. For better or for worse . . . This will be your decision.�
To leave and know what has transpired here, to come back out of sheer masochism and see how close he can get without giving in. To watch the sweep of a hand or the pivot of a foot and feel it in his stomach like the jerk of some thread. Wake to the same dreams that trembled along his skin and gnawed at his consciousness, until he was forced to force them back and down and out of mind.
Or to �give in�? To wrap himself up in the Count�s mystique and seduction, to conjure forth one of those many dreams and coax it into breathing?
D stared down at him with sympathetic, yet saddened eyes. The bird in Leon�s breast lurched to a stop, fluttered in such a way that the pain reached the nerves of his eyes and diluted, like a poison. His hands slipped free then raised slowly. He grasped D�s face between his palms and sighed. Silky wisps of jet wrapped through his fingers.
�If that is what you want.� D whispered, it coming out choked, but quickly smoothed over with practice.
�What I want . . .� he repeated the Count�s words, his gaze falling into distance. �But if I stay . . .� he lowered his head, took a deep breath. �If I stay---I still don�t know if I can come back.�
At that he felt the Count�s jaw tighten beneathe his palms, but his fingers trailed over his wrists and he covered Leon�s hands as they rested against his face.
�Keiji-san,� he said without emotion, though myriads of them were falling through his eyes, �If you stay, you will have no choice. If you stay, running away will no longer be an option.�
�Running away is always an option,� he replied absently.
�No. Running away is never an option.�
�Then I really only have one choice.�
D�s mouth snapped shut, tightened.
�If I leave then I will run, and I will keep running.� He smiled quietly then, though its degree was one of exhaustion. �I will run to the ends of the earth but never escape this room, this space within your arms, nor that look of pain that you are trying so desperately to veil . . . Would you chase me?�
�No.�
�Even if I wanted you to?�
�No.�
�Then running would not be worth-while.�
D swallowed, becoming silent once more. �So you will stay?� It was almost as if he didn�t want to ask, as if he were afraid that the very sound of his voice would end all decisions. Leon remained unresponsive and time moved without recognition. His confusion and anxiety of only an hour ago had dissipated, scattered like the amber-gold leaves of October. Leaving his thoughts to settle into some form of sense, but little of anything still made sense. He knew what his body wanted, he knew what his eyes hungered for and what his hands would take if they could. But was that enough? Was that even all? He couldn�t interpret his heart, he had never bothered to stop and listen to it before, so the meaning of its language was lost to him. And all the thoughts he had were traitorous and diseased by what others wanted of him---voices and rules that jumbled together, though they were only variations of the same thing. Finally he sighed, turned his eyes away. D twitched unnoticeably.
�I will stay.�
The Count jerked to attention just as the hands grasping his face started to draw him in closer. �I will stay,� Leon spoke, �because running would hurt you . . .�
�This is not a decision you make in haste, Keiji-san. The greatest pain to me would be if you stayed when you did not wish to.� The hopeful glitter to his eyes muted.
�Then I will stay because I want to.�
�Are you certain of that? You may want me now, but it is easy to want someone simply because they are there. I know of your desires, Keiji-san, and they can be fleeting---�
�My desires? D, do you know why I came here tonight?�
D shook his head, then paused. �To punish me, I suppose.�
�I came here,� Leon growled, �because, of all the seductive tricks that Delmonte used, I couldn�t force you out of my mind. Because when she kissed me, all I could remember was the taste of your lips. I stormed here, imaging all the ways I could punish you, but every thought ended with that kiss!!� he sucked in a breath, his chest rising and falling as if the oxygen in the room had drained away. �No matter how I hurt you, you still smiled at me, kissed away the edges of my rage until I couldn�t think of what to do anymore. I do not want you simply because you are here, I sought you out. And I will stay because I cannot bear to leave again!�
�Then stay,� D whispered, �I will not force you to leave.� He smiled softly, but Leon continued to see remnants of pain in his eyes, and in his voice. As always when it came to D, he felt as if there was something he still was failing to grasp. It was hard to follow that thought though as D slid down the length of him, resting his hands lightly on his bare breast. Leon felt the heat of D�s mouth as his tongue ran lightly along his collarbone, small wet kisses and the sharp edge of his nails tracing already hypersensitive skin.
�I�ve never done this before,� Leon gasped, suddenly nervous. D paused long enough to cast up sparkling, amused eyes.
�You are a virgin, Keiji-san?�
Leon could feel the blood rush to his face, his skin prickling from its movement. He gagged a moment. �No . . .�
�So, then you have done this?�
�No! I mean . . .no.� He sighed. �I�ve never been with a man.�
�O, what a surprise!� D feigned disbelief, rocking forward and causing Leon to squirm uncomfortably a moment. �But, my dear, men have been doing this for centuries . . .it cannot be all that difficult to figure out.�
O god, Leon thought, when he puts it like that---But he clamped down on his hesitation. In his own perception being attracted to men made you gay, but he wasn�t attracted to men . . . only D. So, that meant he wasn�t gay, he was an exception to that rule and---
�Do not think about that now,� D whispered into his throat, his silky black hair falling over Leon�s skin like a sort of caress. �I am insulted that you could think such things in this position.� He rose up suddenly and laid his mouth against the blonde�s, forced his lips apart gently with his tongue. �Am I not being seductive enough?�
Leon�s hands spun over D�s back under the wrinkled blue silk, his skin as sensual to the touch as rose petals just at the point before they begin to wilt. �You . . .are,� he took a shaky breath as the Count hesitated, head falling to the side and the tips of his hair brushing along his breast. �Intoxicating.�
�Drink me then,� D practically purred, offering his mouth with a graceful tilt to his chin. The noise that ensued from Leon�s throat was one part helpless whimper, and one part moan. He took D�s mouth in a blind fury of passion, tasted all contours of it before finally coming back up for air. The Count�s soft, erratic breathing complemented the mist-like tints to his eyes, he smiled.
�Your third lie,� he hissed, pinkened nails dancing down to the edge of Leon�s underwear, hesitating a moment over cloth before slipping beneathe the band. �The love you have veiled . . .I will uncover. You will cease your needless dance around me and fall willingly into my arms. But you must promise me one thing, Leon.�
�Anything,� he panted. He nuzzled the hollow of the Count�s throat, his hands grasping his hips as he rocked upon him gently a moment.
�Do not say �anything�, darling.� But he paused, sighed. �After tonight---you cannot run from �this� anymore. Any path you take will only lead you back to me . . .�
�I�m not going anywhere, D,� Leon spoke as definitely as he could.
�Remember that.�
