from klaus with hate

This is one of the most important scenes in the Rome Vatican arc which is a lot because this whole case is filled with shenanigans since they step foot on that express train. And one of its most consequential.

Yet, the more I re-read this arc, the more I feel that Dorian's "love confession" here is slightly off. Yes, Dorian adores Klaus, that much is clear even this early on in the story. But to say "I love you" is certainly not his style.

Dorian has repeatedly shown that he is attracted to and cares deeply about Klaus. That time he slaps Mischa for insulting Klaus. Every time he drops by just to remind Klaus to take care of himself. Using every excuse to get close to and touch Klaus. But with words, he is implicit (albeit forthcoming) rather than the type to straight up declare his love.

So why did he announce "because I love you" to Klaus in a room full of officers, diplomats and world leaders? Knowing there would be GRAVE consequences?

Ok let's back up.

Dorian stole the Pope, we all remember that? In the immediate after that reveal, the entire room descends into chaos and for the first time, Klaus is absolutely positively TERRIFIED. Dorian, however, appears to be clueless to the consequences of such crime. Whether this is genuine or an act ... who knows with this guy.

But when Dorian says he "didn't have any bad intent," Klaus shouts at him: "You scoundrel! Your entire being is filled with bad intent. You don't understand my position at all!"

It is that last line which will be important in understanding "Because I love you 🥰"

Flash forward, Klaus is in a meeting with fellow intelligence, diplomats, and world leaders. They are questioning each other suspiciously about the mysterious disappearance and reappearance of the Pope. In comes Giuliani who claims not just that Eroica was behind this but that Klaus was his accomplice.

His reason? Because Eroica and Klaus are always buzzing around each other. Though he is spot-on, there leaves room for deniability, if only they can produce reason as to why they are together so much.

And that is exactly where Dorian comes in. Pretending not to know him, Klaus asks "Why have you been buzzing around me?" To which Dorian replies: "Because I am in love with you." That answer, though appearing inconsequential and irrelevant, ABSOLVES KLAUS OF EVERY SINGLE INVOLVEMENT WITH DORIAN, AND FRAMES DORIAN AS THE SOLE SUSPECT OF THE POPE CASE.

Here, Dorian is showing once again that he does genuinely care about Klaus, and he is mindful of Klaus' reputation. He takes the blame in a room full of officers, diplomats and world leaders. And not only is he clearing Klaus of any responsibility, he is willing to paint himself as the villain, the obsessive stalker for the sake of Klaus' name.

So I guess he was honest when he said "Because I love you" after all 🤭

Insane to start the chapter with masc swag on the right side and just jump into it in the left page.

This pose:

What if that's Klimt's objection pose now

Q. 29: Anyone you respect?

A: No one in particular.

Q. 30: By the way, do you think you're a beautiful woman?

A: No.

Q. 32: What would you be, if you hadn't become a manga author?

A: I'd become a bride, for sure!!

Q. 33: When you analyse your nature...?

A: Father complex.

Q. 43: What kind of woman do you want to become from now on?

A: A refined lady, of course!!

Q. 44: What if you were reborn?

A: I'd want to be a man, because my field of activity would be broader.

Q. 45: Which one do you like? Men or women?

A: Of course men!!

Q. 46: What do you think about gays and lesbians?

A: Gays are, well, I've made them protagonists many times so.... mumble mumble. Lesbians are gross.

Q. 48: What type of man do you want to date and marry?

what if i make a doujin where dorian and klaus are women and married and send it to her house, would she throw up on it?

eroica, suddenly standing like 2 metres away:

I feel like Aoike Yasuko's composition is so underrated and rarely talked about. Like the way she plays around with staging her illustration is so fun and sexy. It really invites you into the frame.

One of my favorites is this

Dorian with his back against the mirror is looking at Klaus. But whose point of view is this from??? Because the viewer must be sitting in direct opposition to Dorian in close proximity in a rather intimate setting since we're almost eye-line. And, all of a sudden, Klaus bursts through the door and "we" see his reflection in the mirror.

Meanwhile Dorian is actually looking directly at Klaus, not his reflection

this one also drives me crazy

And the way the smoke rises up around the top right corner but no shadow (because smoke), it shows how close Klaus actually is

The perspective here is vague enough that it can either be a fly on the wall type situation OR KLAUS POV HIMSELF

😳🫢🫣🤭

And to add to the shadow-photo overlay, the shadow of the gun is on the left side of Klaus's suit in the picture - WHERE HE KEEPS HIS GUN, and even in the portrait, he is reaching for that gun!!! 🔫🔫🔫

In a way that's the image of Klaus which Dorian holds most dearly, and it is that exact side of Klaus that comes knocking on his door (late at night, when he's not wearing his shoes)

Ok since we're gushing over Eroica's composition!!!

This one is absolutely DIVINE

Klaus doing his sexy pin-up thing pulling the glove off with his teeth 😏 against the background of the snowy mountain range of Alaska

Only wait

No

It's Dorian OVERLOOKING like the Snow Queen

Is he on the hunt for Kai's heart? Is he a benevolent guardian spirit?