Allen stared up at the condo hesitantly as his hand hovered over the door knocker. He felt so...nervous. Not only was he a little anti-social, a little weird looking, and very self conscious; but, he was also gay...and the people he was rooming with...well, they were all guys. And there was four of them. And they were beautiful-amazingly beautiful. The landlords, Komui Lee and Sheryl Kamelot, showed him pictures and god damn. You'd think they were a modeling group. The last time Allen roomed with a male by himself he was fifteen and the two experimented quite a bit. In the end, his friend had died and Allen had swirled down into a pit of depression for two years. Once he came to again, he was thrown into life too quickly for his own liking. The teen shook his head, clearing his random thoughts from his head. He grabbed the door knocker and was nearly dragged in when the door swung open and a man came barreling out, knocking him against the side of the house in the process.
"Nooo, Yuu~! I'm sorry! I didn't mean iiit! Come baaack!"
And here came another one.
The one who knocked him out of the way was Kanda, and he actually had quite a feminine look to him. If his eyes weren't so cold and he wasn't so lean, anyone could easily mistake him for a girl. He had long, black hair, which only complimented his feminine look, that held a bluish tint in the light. The man that had followed after him was Lavi. His hair was red. Like. Literally red. Red like a cherry red. He had an eye-patch over his right eye and his other was a brilliant green color. When Allen saw him in the picture, he had a bandanna on that hoisted his hair up. Right now it looks like he just woke up as his unruly red hair fell around his face. "It's no use, Lavi, you've gone and pissed him off. But I mean, if you're willing, you can partner with me for today." The next one that left the house was probably the most sexy. In his opinion, he'd say that Lavi and Kanda were beautiful. But Tyki, he was just downright hot. His skin was darker, but yet it was a beautiful golden tan. His luscious black hair was shoulder length. In pictures, Allen's only ever seen it slicked back, but it had a natural, beautiful curl to it. His eyes were golden and he had a beauty mark under his left eye.
"But, but, but, Yuuuu!" Lavi whined, gesturing to the man, whom was storming off.
"Stop making so much racket! You'll wake the neighbors." At last, the final member of the house exited said building. He had blond hair that was kept in a braid behind his back. His bangs were cut straight across, but it didn't really look bad on him. It actually complimented his strict behavior. His bangs were parted slightly in the middle, showing off the two spots in the middle of his forehead. His eyes were brown with a reddish tint and he was probably moreover cute than anything else. He looked over, feeling Allen's eyes on him. "See, now look what you've done." The blond scolded.
Allen blushed when all of them looked over at him, including Kanda, the one that was storming off.
"I'm very sorry if we woke you up. You must be new to the neighborhood."
"Yeah, Link would know that because he greets every damn person that lives within a fifty mile radius." Lavi drawled, earning a glare from said man.
It was actually quite interesting. It was like the entire house was a mixture of different cultures. Komui had made sure to tell him their actual descents. Link,whose actual name was Howard, was German, Kanda, whose name was actually Yuu, was Japanese, Lavi was a mixture between some form of Asian and American, and Tyki was Portuguese. To top it off, Allen was English-or as most Americans called it: British. "...so?" Link said slowly, a bit annoyed that Allen had gotten lost in his own world instead of listening to him.
"Um...what? Sorry, I was...uh..."
"Not listening, yes, I understand that." Link spiffed. Allen blushed furiously and looked away.
"I'm sorry, I just...h-have a lot on my mind." He said, his apology sincere.
"Of course you do. Now, mind introducing yourself? Where do you live?"
"O-oh, my name is A-Allen Walker...actually, starting today, I'm living with...you...guys...all of you, of course, Mr. Lee said-"
"What?" Kanda seethed and stormed over towards him. He had a feeling that he would not get along with these men so easily. It had to be hard, living with three other guys...and awkward. He didn't hesitate to grab his shirt and slam him into a wall threateningly. Allen swallowed nervously.
Yeah. This decision was definitely not a good one. He inwardly sighed. This could only mean that he'd have to look up more apartments to find. Allen cleared his throat.
"Komui...the landlord? And Sheryl, they said that they told you I was coming...I mean...if you don't want me to stay...I completely understand...if that's the case I'll only stay for a few days and look up more-"
"Komui sent you? He didn't send us anything. He's actually pretty disorganized, so I'm not very surprised." Tyki spoke, Allen was relieved to find at least one of them defending him. "But," spoke too soon... "we don't really have the room we were renting out ready and it's actually extremely messy. With all our jobs, we haven't been able to clear it out and it's been used as storage. If we knew you were coming, we would have-"
"Done nothing." Kanda finished with a growl.
This was the reason Allen was anti-social.
"No, we would have organized it a bit." Tyki corrected. It was a bit surprising that Tyki was the one being formal instead of Link. "Kanda. Put him down." Kanda narrowed his eyes and grunted, letting him go. Allen was glad that he hadn't yet took the packed boxes from his godfather's house yet. Bringing them here...that would have been a disaster. Everyone stared at him suspiciously as Tyki led him through the house, giving him a tour. The others stayed in the house, keeping an eye on him.
"I have a question." Allen said, wondering if Tyki was actually interested in him staying here or if he was just being nice.
"What is it?"
"If there's only two rooms...where do you all sleep?" He could've sworn he heard Lavi fail at stifling a laugh.
"One of the rooms are extra large. We all just stay in there together."
"Oh." Allen hummed innocently. It was kind of suspicious, but if it was spacious enough, he could understand. His suspicions only worsened when Lavi laughed at him for what could have been believing Tyki's lies.
He definitely wouldn't be staying long.
It was eleven o'clock at night and Allen still hadn't found a cheaper apartment. This place was the cheapest he could find and whereas he wondered why that was, he also found it quite inconvenient. He didn't have the money for any other one since Cross had vandalized his bank account. He ended up switching over to another with only two hundred to spare. This place was a little over a hundred. It was probably because there were so many people living here that it paid for the whole thing. Lavi, Kanda, and Tyki had left for their room to sleep and he was out here cuddled up on the couch in a blanket, squinting his eyes at his blinding laptop for new ways to live. He couldn't keep living with Cross. He was eighteen now and he refused to be so dependent.
It had been two more hours, the clock striking one o'clock and he was still looking. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. His body was drenched with cold sweat. Being in this house, he felt so nervous...no one but Tyki liked him it seemed. Allen wiped his forehead and looked around. Link was in the kitchen reading a newspaper. Allen could hear him pause at a page and wondered if maybe reading a newspaper was a lot more fun than what he was doing. Honestly, the others didn't know why he had stayed on his laptop all day, but it wasn't like they needed to know. They didn't really seem to care-actually, they seemed to think of him as a nuisance. Like he was in the way of something. Little did Allen know, Link had long since gave up on the newspaper and was now watching him, wondering what on earth he could be up doing this late. After he finished rubbing his eyes, he seemed to keep a lingering gaze on his left hand. He wasn't sure if he was just tired or not, but it seemed like Allen had glared at it for a few seconds before dropping it on his lap.
I don't want to stay an entire two weeks with these guys while I'm working. I just can't do it. They hate me and I'm just a bother. I knew I should have looked for a place to stay by myself at...but then it's just more expensive. It's like a lose-lose situation for me. I'll be around people who despise me no matter what I do. I hate being alone, but I can't stand being around people. Why is life so hard? He asked himself and Link felt a pit appear in his stomach when he saw Allen's eyes watering. The boy shut his laptop with a shaky sigh and put it under the couch before hugging his knees and sniffling. He felt really bad now...maybe they could try giving him a chance...yeah, it added another person to feed, but it also subtracted their rent.
What am I going to do?
Allen woke up smelling the most delicious breakfast. He then felt his chest twist. He didn't want to eat these peoples' food. Maybe he could just go down to Jerry's shop and eat lunch with the man. He did say that Allen could come eat with him whenever he wanted. He wouldn't feel as bad eating Jerry's food than eating these men's food. After all, they had four stomachs to feed and his stomach was probably a lot bigger than two of them combined. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked at the clock which read 6:49am. He only got five hours of sleep last night. Usually he got ten. Oh well, he supposed he was a bit stressed lately. Oh god, was he even allowed to use their shower? Use their shampoo? Their soap? He needed to find a new apartment soon. With his mind set on asking Jerry about it, he slipped on his boots and jacket.
"Going somewhere?" Allen jumped when someone touched his left shoulder and quickly turned around, taking a step back. Tyki blinked a few times.
"Yes." Allen answered and opened the door. He was a bit surprised when Tyki closed it.
"Without breakfast?"
"I'm going out to eat." He said stiffly.
"We don't suck at cooking."
"It isn't that...I just...promised someone I'd eat with them today..."
"A girlfriend?" Allen gave Tyki the strangest look by habit. He was openly gay after all...really open. Except...maybe it'd be best if he didn't tell his new roommates that.
"No...just a friend." He said slowly.
"If he wants to run like a coward, let him." Kanda grumbled, giving them a sleepy glare. Allen's eye twitched and Tyki could tell he was holding a vicious comment back.
"I'm not running, I'm meeting someone." He corrected.
"Take a rain check then." Tyki replied, locking the door. "You're living here now so you must introduce yourself over breakfast." He said, pulling Allen's wrist. Allen pulled at his wrist, but Tyki was, for some reason, persistent as he dragged Allen to the table and forcefully pushed him in a chair. Allen didn't really enjoy being manhandled so easily. Link gave him a wary glance, Kanda glared at him, and Lavi was still half asleep. Link placed big plates full of food on the table and Allen could feel his stomach growl. Luckily it was quiet. The blond man set down empty plates in front of everyone and Allen looked away. He'd rather just drink a coffee to sustain his hunger. Everyone helped themselves and Allen decided to just not eat that morning. He'd be starving for lunch, but it was worth it. Sitting at a table like this...he began to sweat. It was something he did a lot when he was nervous...his clothing didn't help all that much either.
"College?" Link questioned as he sat down at the other end of the table. Allen tilted his head confusingly. "Do you go to college?" He clarified. Allen honestly wanted to laugh considering that he didn't even finish high school.
"No."
"Do you have a job?"
"Yes."
"Where at?"
What is this, an interrogation? It seemed normal to the others.
"If I'm not staying long it shouldn't matter, should it?" Allen muttered, looking away.
"Why wouldn't you be staying long?" This time it was Tyki's turn to ask the question.
"Why would I?" Allen countered. "You obviously don't like my company."
They all blinked.
"So wait let me get this straight. You would leave if we wanted you to?" Lavi asked slowly.
"...is that weird?" Allen asked, frowning.
They all just stared at him.
"You don't have to leave..." Lavi mumbled incredulously. Allen looked at him briefly for a minute before sighing.
"No offense, but I'd rather stay at a place where people actually enjoy my company." He muttered.
"If we didn't enjoy your company, why would we offer you food?" Tyki supplied.
"You aren't. It's only polite to do so."
"Speaking of food, why aren't you eating?" Lavi asked. Allen assumed that since Kanda wasn't asking any questions he either didn't give a shit, or he was just quiet in general. Allen assumed it was the first choice. Lavi's question only made his sweating worse.
"I always eat after everyone." Allen replied.
"...why?" The redhead asked slowly.
"It's just the way I do things."
"He wants to make sure everyone gets enough to eat before eating himself. Isn't that right?" Allen narrowed his eyes at Tyki. He was pretty sharp, but maybe anyone could catch that.
"I'm not sure if any of you actually understand this but I grew up differently than most people."
"Different how?" Finally, the demon-man spoke.
"Different as in born on the streets, forced into an orphanage, that sort." Allen replied, refusing to let his voice grow bitter.
"Then wouldn't you be trying to get as much as you could?" Lavi asked.
"That would seem logical, wouldn't it?"
That's exactly how Allen used to be. He used to actually be pretty mouthy and rude as well. Then he ran away from the orphanage and was returned by a man called Mana. Allen glared at Mana and the man, for some odd reason, decided to adopt him. Through the years, Allen would learn from the kind man, who would never eat unless he, Allen, finished eating first. After he passed away, Allen was handed over to Cross, where he did illegal things to earn money. Now Allen just wanted to leave the man's side, which was why he applied to stay here. Everyone looked at each other for awhile until Tyki suddenly put his fork down. The others did too (Kanda did it, but he definitely wasn't happy about it), and Allen could only stare at them confusingly.
"Well if you won't eat, then neither will we." Tyki said, explaining their actions.
"What?" Allen asked uncertainly.
"If you're not eating, Walker, we aren't either." Link said, his eyes closed.
"I...I'm afraid I don't understand..." Allen said slowly.
"There is no reason to starve yourself for our sake." Tyki explained futher.
"I said I would eat." Allen mumbled, becoming mildly uncomfortable at their declaration.
"If you're going to eat, then eat with us, not without us." Lavi concluded.
Allen couldn't even explain how he was feeling. Never had anyone had a problem with him eating last before. He told them he was more comfortable that way and they would leave him alone about it...but these...strangers-beautiful strangers, but strangers nonetheless...they actually refused to eat if he didn't. In a way, he was upset with them, in another...he admired what they were doing for him. It was safe to say that Allen actually ate breakfast with them-granted he didn't eat as much as he usually did and he maintained a normal pace, but he still ate and it'd been a long time since he actually did this with anyone...did he ever do this with anyone? The only person he ate with was Jerry. But to be gathered around with several people that all had light conversations with each other...he felt fuzzy inside.
"Walker, there is something we would like to discuss with you. You should probably know this if you're planning on staying. If you don't want to stay with us after hearing, then that is your choice." Allen noticed that the others seemed a bit stiff as Link brought up the topic. Lavi was nervous, Tyki's expression was unreadable, he himself was a lot more formal than before and Kanda...well, like always, he didn't care. Allen tilted his head.
"What is it?"
They all looked at each other and he slowly chewed another piece of his egg.
"Let's not." Lavi suddenly said. "We'll ruin his appetite."
"Perhaps, for once, Lavi is right. We'll talk about this another time."
Allen was still confused. What they wanted to discuss was important enough that all of them wanted to discuss it together. Kanda began to speak, but of course, all that came out of his mouth was rude words. "If he doesn't fucking get it by now, he's a fucking idiot and won't figure it out. There's no fucking point bringing it up."
"I wouldn't go so far as to say he's an idiot, Kanda. But you do have a good point." Tyki agreed. Rude...I'm right in front of you stop talking like I'm not here. Whatever...I suppose I can stay for awhile until I can afford to go somewhere else...he decided, putting his fork down and pulling out his phone to text Jerry.
Me: Would it be alright if I came down and had lunch with you? I need some advice.
Jerry: Of course! I'll get everything prepared...have you eaten yet? I was a little bummed out when you didn't come in...
Me: A little.
Jerry: Alright, sweetie, I'll get everything hooked up. When do you plan on coming?
Me: I might start walking in a few minutes...
Jerry: Delightful, I'll see you in a bit!
"Who ya textin'?" Lavi asked, leaning over. Allen clicked his screen off.
"A friend of mine."
"Ouch." Lavi commented. Harsh.
"He's upset that I didn't come in today. I always do."
"Come in?" Link questioned. Allen nodded.
"I eat with him a lot. You could say he's a bit of a caretaker."
"I see. Well, you're finished now, so you can do whatever you want." He pointed out. You make it sound like I wasn't allowed...I could have left if I really wanted to. Allen thought bitterly.
"Yeah. I'm still going to talk to him about a few things, so, if you'll excuse me." Allen took his plate and walked over to the sink, rinsing it off before turning the faucet off and leaving the house. Just like that. He could have left anytime he wanted to.
That's right, the decisions were up to him now.
Okay, yes, I realize now is not the time to be publishing stories when I still have like a million others to upda- (Tyki: ...slacker-) especially with Laven week coming up and I have to put out yet another story because that is my otp and it's required, but I've actually been wanting to post this since last year because last year was my 18th birthday and yeah that never happened...so I'm doing it today! If you have not yet guessed, yes, this is my rumored (or not so rumored?) ot5 story. Which means all the yaoi~ and that means *clears throat* they will all, in the end, like each other. Meaning Tyki and Link like each other and Kanda and Lavi and Allen and everyone it's not just everyone like Allen like some kind of weird reverse harem. It's going to be awhile before Allen even acknowledges them in a relationship. In fact, no one has any freaking clue that they're together, including those who don't read this A/N. Or, well, they might have got the hint, but that's besides the point. So yeah...I'm not sure when this is actually going to be updated since most of my focus will be for Laven week and my other stories...I do have chapter two and three written, but I've been wanting to change a few things...oh yeah, and one last thing as for their ages: Allen - 18, Lavi - 21, Kanda - 21, Link - 22, Tyki - 29. I tried to keep it as real as their actual ages, just...three years older...? *shrugs* anyways, tell me whatcha think about this new idea! ^^; and yes. It is rated M. First rated M story. I might die.