"I did not fall."

"I know."

"I tripped. There is a difference." With a laugh came the reply,

"I didn't say anything." From their position, a smug grin ever so conspicuously grew. "You seem to think I am."

"Do you want me to? Because I'm happy to open my face and do so if that is the secret to your happiness, my one and only heart throb, Allen Walker," the exorcist sounded confident, heavy with doting sarcasm, nothing short of being so. An audible groan came in response from Lavi's bundle on his back.

"You're a wise-ass." Though muffled as his face was now pressed into the others back, Allen's arms securely around Lavi's neck for safe measure, the white-haired exorcist refrained from letting it show that the cold and wind was winning.

"And you said a walk. I am not walking." Lavi looked thoughtful. "I am being carried. Not that I'm ungrateful." Hoping to camouflage the growing embarrassment he felt, Allen put on a more serious front.

Lavi was kind enough to carry him on his back, still the thought of having to be carried in the first place and wandering eyes made the situation 'embarrassing' as he thought (the only word in mind).

From the corner of his eye, Lavi restrained himself from openly laughing at the others attempt. In good humor, the red head retorted:

"We are walking. And yes, you are being carried. This is because the great exorcist was trumped, hold your breath-" Lavi could feel the death glare- "Drumroll..."

"Oh for the love of-yes! I tripped over my own feet." Allen fumed. "You know me. I'm never that clumsy. I made Miranda look more graceful than Kanda in a fight. How do you sprain your ankle, tripping over your own feet?"

Had they had the free hand, along with his answer (choosing to miss the evidently sarcastic and rhetorical portion of Allen's exclamtion), Lavi would have held said hand up dramatically.

"Well you see, it's simply a matter-" He was greatly interrupted by his passengers lovely sounds of frustration.

"Look at it this way. You now have an excuse to be piggy-backed all the way home. I am a very willing chauffeur, and a rather good looking one. I have the finest rates around." His smile and one good eye shone brightly in the lacking light of the late hours. Deciding to go along, Allen asked,

"What will the trip cost me Mr. Chauffeur?"

"Oh, simple really. You Mr. Walker, must merely keep me nice and warm this evening in bed. It's rather chilly out tonight." With a face worthy of Lavi, Allen let himself play the part. Matter-of-factly, he said,

"I don't know if I can afford that." A dramatic gasp later, the red head kept his pace, still looking ahead.

"Is my price not sufficient for you?" Lavi asked, keeping himself surprisingly 'in character.'

"It's something else, I'll say that. However, my bed already belongs to another, along with my heart," following a (seemingly) growing pattern of over done and over dramatized version of everything, the other gasped again.

"Who is this fiend who has beaten me to the prize? Are they anywhere as handsome as this face?" A humorous head flip followed to showcase said 'handsome face.' Laughing shortly, the boy shook his head.

"Even better looking then you, no offense of course."

"None taken. From the sounds of things, I've been beat. I can't possibly persuade you." Gripping tighter, closer to Lavi's face now, Allen sighed in relief at the feel of his companion's additional body heat.

"Tis not meant to be, it is." Now it was the chauffeur's chance to laugh.

"Alright Shakespeare. Home is in sight. I foresee food and a warm bed in about five minutes." They both were relieved at the news. Even Lavi had begun to feel the cold.

"After a hot meal, I think I should pay this special person promptly. What do you think?" The pub was in sight now, light filtering from its windows.

A broadening grin, but even happier (if that was possible), Lavi answered Allen's pre-determined response:

"I think that's a great idea."

"I'm glad you approve." Moving around to let himself from their positioning on Lavi's back, reach around to their face more easily, Allen kissed Lavi, Lavi turning his head to meet in the middle.

"Or we could just skip dinner too." A soft scoff, and Allen insisted.

"You know nothing comes between me and my food. Not even you Lavi." He surrendered.

"A man can try." A content sigh followed. "I'd say overall, we had a productive evening."

Allen agreed.