Disclaimer: I don't own -Man. If I did, the series wouldn't be so on crack.
((A/N: Soo… here's the New Years fic I promised! Enjoy!))
Minutes Until Midnight
"What do you mean he's delayed?" Kanda demanded, angrily slamming his hands on Komui's desk.
"Well, after that blizzard last night, his train is stuck somewhere between Asia and here." Komui replied calmly.
"Why the hell was he in Asia?"
"Well, Luna needed some training to become an Exorcist, so he volunteered to take her to the Asia branch so she can train while we focus on the problems at hand. Incidentally, Stephen applied for a transfer to the Asia Branch… I sense some love blooming there. I can't complain, so long as it's not with my precious Lenalee!"
"Shut up, you stupid sister complex." Kanda growled before storming out of the room.
"Kanda! Where are you going?"
"To find him. Where else?"
"Kanda… are you certain you'll be alright?" Lenalee asked worriedly as Kanda packed a few blankets and his old Exorcist coat into a satchel.
"Of course. I'm not a weakling."
"Well… Why do you have to go to him? He'll be alright… And, it's New Year's Eve…. The Order normally has a party on this night."
"I know that. I've been here for awhile, remember?"
Lenalee shrank back slightly before smiling softly. "Of course I remember… But why do you have to go to him?"
"Because it's New Year's Eve."
"Huh? I don't— oh." Her eyes widened with understanding. "That's a custom of your people, too, isn't it? To be with the one you love as you bring in the New Year?"
Kanda replied with a brief nod, but remained silent.
"… I understand. Be safe."
Less than an hour later, Kanda was at the train station, preparing to locate the stuck train by following the tracks. After asking which direction it would be coming from, he embarked on his journey, ignoring the snowstorm biting at his cheeks. Kanda soon found that he was almost enjoying himself.
/Walking is so much more enjoyable when there aren't demons chasing you…/ he mused. /The weather could be less brutal, but it's nothing I can't handle…/
By this time, he was on the outskirts of the city and he could almost see the neighboring town. However, the view was blocked by a large dark shape.
/The train!/
Kanda immediately doubled his pace, breaking into a run as the train became closer. Before too long, he was standing at the ladder on the caboose.
/Komui wasn't kidding… this thing is snowed in./ he frowned as he examined the cars that were halfway buried in the snow and steadily getting buried deeper as the snow continued to rise. Sighing, he climbed the ladder and dropped into one of the compartments.
"Yu?" a familiar voice greeted him as a flurry of red and black leaped into his arms.
"Lavi." he smiled softly, squeezing the redhead before pulling away and kissing him on the forehead.
"What are you doing here?" Lavi asked excitedly. "Shouldn't you be at Headquarters? Komui's New Year's bash is tonight…"
"First off, I hate those things and I only show up for the last few minutes of the year and leave right after the new year starts. Secondly…" he shifted uncomfortably before wrapping Lavi in a warm embrace. "I'd rather be here with you."
"Yu…" the future Bookman blushed, hugging him back. "Thank you…"
As the two cuddled up on the seat in Lavi's compartment, and the clock struck midnight, neither of them could have thought of any place they'd rather be.
FIN