Summary: Rabi's
got just the cure to make his job-focused friend loosen up.
Author's notes:
For the first prompt, "Tipsy"
After a particularly difficult mission, it wasn't unusual for the Black Order's headquarters to become as rowdy as a modern day frat house. This time, they all had more than enough of an excuse to simply get drunk for nearly a year. But there was always at least two that sat out of the festivities, both of them having their own excuses as to why. None would dare bother Kanda Yuu, but Rabi wasn't about to let Allen Walker off without a fight this time.
He'd invited the younger Exorcist to at least join him to talk. Clearly, the thought of ulterior motives never crossed the boy's mind as he eagerly joined his friend in the book-cluttered room. It wasn't exactly the first time he'd been there but he was always amazed at how much clutter could be created in such a small space. Especially now, considering how little time they had spent there in the past few weeks.
The white-haired teen sat heavily on the couch, not really paying much mind to the alcohol on the table, sitting on the opposite side and away from it. He reclined on the seat then looked over at the redhead. "It's been a while since we've gone this long without a mission."
Making a small sound of amusement, Rabi sat on the couch beside his guest. "One of these days, you'll realize there's more to life than missions and death wishes, beansprout," he said with a light chuckle, grabbing the glass of wine he'd been drinking earlier and holding it out. "Want some?"
"No, thank you," Allen declined politely but unable to hide the look of disgust as he did. "I know that there's more to life but I'm an Exorcist. I can't help but feel a little useless when I'm not out hunting."
With a smirk, Rabi drained his glass and set it aside. "What you need is a hobby. I'm sure there are other things you like to do, yeah?" But all he got in response to that was a confused look and a light head shake. "You need to get out more, Allen," Rabi muttered, getting up and going over to the desk in behind them. It was usually buried in books but seemed to have been cleared off to make way for drinks of all kinds.
"I don't have time to think about other things when people depend on me being there." He turned in his seat to face his friend, his lips curved into a strange smile. "I didn't think it was a bad thing to be focused on your job and duty."
Rabi kept quiet after hearing that, though he did sigh dramatically, pouring out another drink for himself. "It's one thing to be dedicated to your job and quite another to be sixteen and dedicated to your job, beansprout." He looked over at Allen with the smile that always seemed to win points with everyone, which then morphed into a more mischievous one as the young Exorcist turned around again.
"My age has nothing to do with it," the white-haired teen griped, folding his arms over his chest. "I don't have the time and I just can't risk it." As he finished his thought, he blinked as a glass was thrust under his nose, taking it before looking over at Rabi. "It's not like you've got a hobby or anything. I don't think drinking in off-hours counts as one, either."
Using his amusement as a cover, the redhead smirked as his friend took a sip of the drink he'd been given. Before he could comment about the taste, Rabi patted the boy's back with a joyful grin. "You also need to loosen up! It might look like I do nothing but reading is my hobby. I'm just lucky that a lot of my job is also something I like."
Frowning and looking suspiciously at his supposed glass of water, Allen looked off to the side at the Bookman-in-training. "Well, maybe it's the same for me. I like being an Exorcist." Despite not really being assured of the purity of the drink he held, he took another long draw of it. "I think this water's been out for too long."
"Oh, sorry about that," Rabi said, though his voice didn't carry any weight as an apology. Instead, he grinned and pulled a pitcher off the table beside him. "Want some more?"
Hesitating a moment, Allen held his glass out for a refill. "Besides, I have my own reasons." Not even waiting for any questions on what he'd just said, he drained his glass in one go, holding it out for yet another refill immediately after. "You like what you like and I like what I like."
Completely amused now by the fact that his young friend was already getting tipsy, he filled the glass once more then put the pitcher aside. "I guess I was wrong, then. Still a little strange to see someone so young already so focused in their work, though."
Allen let out a short, sharp laugh and emptied his glass again, jabbing it toward Rabi for yet more of the drink that had captured his fancy. But when the vessel was taken from him instead, he looked over at the redhead with an over-exaggerated scowl. "What did you do that for? I wanted more."
"That's enough for tonight, yeah? It's bad to drink too much at once," Rabi chuckled, starting to feel the effects of his own alcohol consumption. Pushing himself off the couch with considerable effort, he watched as Allen tipped over to where the redhead was once sitting, curling up on the cushions to fall asleep. "Are you planning on sleeping here, now?"
Since that seemed like he wanted to do, Rabi grabbed a spare blanket and draped it over his friend. As he looked at the youthful face which seemed more so considering the light flush on his cheeks, he couldn't help but smile, squatting down to brush a few stray locks of hair to one side. Sure, Rabi felt a bit guilty for tricking him into drinking alcohol but the boy worked too hard for his own good.
Looking around warily, he leaned forward to kiss the red pentacle on Allen's forehead. "Goodnight, beansprout," he whispered before getting up to go to his own bed.
If he had lingered a moment longer, he would have heard a muttered reply of "goodnight, Rabi" and saw the content smile on his friend's lips.