Well, I decided to make a string-of-one shots thread cos I have lots of one-shot story ideas, and cos it would be silly to have lots of one shots lying around by themselves.

Anyway, these one-shots I'm writing need word pompts, so any ideas you have, or any word prompts you want me to center a story around, just say it and I'll do it. Probably.

Word for this chapter: Lonely

I don't own dgm.

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It's Christmas today. The order is throwing a party down in the cafeteria, with lots of good food and stuff. They didn't bother getting each other presents though, cos they don't have the time for shopping for gifts. So, they throw a feast on Christmas, some of them attend a mass, and that's it. I was never much of a church-goer. I believe in god and all that, but I don't see the point of going to a public event just to pray when I could pray alone in my room.

I don't celebrate Christmas.

Why?

Because I hate it.

For most people, Christmas is a day of happiness, but for me it's the most depressing day of the year.

Mana found me on Christmas day. He found me, adopted me, brought me to his home and let me stay. The next morning, he came into my new room and handed me several presents, saying they were late birthday/Christmas gifts. I'd never gotten a gift before, and although I was happy, I cried.

Then, after that, Christmas was the best day of the year, like it was with most children. Before, I had hated it, because I saw families together, and I had felt deep loneliness because I knew I was missing something. But Mana changed that.

He changed it again when he died.

Then, I knew I had lost my family. I would never celebrate another Christmas or birthday with anyone.

Yes, I know, right now I'm at a Christmas feast, but for all the food and trees and decorations in the world, Christmases and birthdays aren't Christmases and birthdays without family.

There are families within the order.

The Lee's and the science team, the finders, Kanda and Tiedoll and Marie, they're all sitting together, laughing and eating. Though Kanda was skipping out on the laughing and looking just plain annoyed, he still has someone to share Christmas with. I don't think anyone noticed I was sitting by myself.

I couldn't take it anymore. I finished the food and got up to leave. I was going to my room.

However, as I was walking out of the dining hall, I heard someone call out my name. I plastered on a fake smile and turned to see Lavi running towards me.

'Hi Allen,' He grinned happily at me, 'Where're you going?'

'To my room,' I explained, 'I'm tired so I thought I'd get an early night.'

'Hm...' Lavi made a thoughtful sound and stared into the cafeteria next to us. Lavi wasn't often thoughtful unless the situation calls for it.

'It's kind of painful, isn't it?'

'What is?' I blinked in surprise.

'Looking at everyone in there. Don't tell bookman, but I feel really lonely on days like Christmas. It makes me miss my family.'

'Your... Family?' My eyes were wide. I knew Lavi didn't spontaneously pop out f the ground, but I never imagined him having a family.

'Yeah, my mum and dad and my brothers and sister... Heh, they probably think I'm dead by now, I ran away when I was eight and if haven't seen them since.'

I wasn't quite sure how to respond to this, so i kept quiet.

I had no idea Lavi felt the same.

He felt sad and missed his family too. They weren't dead, but it still rounded up to the same thing; He felt alone.

Just then, Lavi looked back at me and continued. He looked kind of embarrassed.

'Anyway, Allen... Um, it's your birthday today isn't it?'

'Officially, yes.' I nodded.

'Well,' Lavi reached into the jacket he was wearing and pulled out a box, 'We weren't supposed to get presents on Christmas, but they never said anything 'bout birthdays. Sorry if you don't like them, I wasn't sure what to get you, and I was short on money.'

He handed me the box. I stared at it in surprise, and then opened the lid.

There wasn't really anything of real value in there, just some new shirts, a jumper, and a new book by my favourite author, but still... He'd gone to the trouble of getting it for me. I hadn't received a gift in over four years. To my shock, my throat burned and tears welled in my eyes without my permission, and I hastily tried to wipe them away.

'Oh god what did I do?!' Lavi sounded distressed, 'Why are you crying?! If the gifts are that bad then-'

'No, no, they're fine,' I shook my head, smiling even though my cheeks were still wet, 'Um... Thank you Lavi... Listen, since we're both kind of alone today, how about we be each other's family? We won't feel so sad then.'

'That sounds fun.' Lavi grinned happily. He seemed to guess why I was crying, and I was glad he didn't press the subject. He knew we were the same.

Then, he gave me a tight hug. It was warm and comforting. After a moment of surprise, I hugged back. Maybe Christmas wasn't that bad.

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Oh my god this was bad. I'm so sorry for the crappiness!

Anyway, review.