"Come oooon, just a little?" Allen heard Lavi whining at seven o'clock in the morning the next day. Once again, he was exhausted to hell. He talked with Jerry about moving somewhere else. Jerry, of course, offered for Allen to stay at his place, but Allen assured that he wanted to live on his own. If needed be, Allen could always go out and gamble for a little extra money...but he tried to stray away from that path. If he kept gambling, he'd be addicted to ripping people off for the rest of his life. Allen didn't want to turn out like Cross...no way in hell, did he. He wanted to live a rather normal life and find a person to settle down with and just live out until he died. Allen doubted that it would ever happen, but he could dream, couldn't he? Now he was getting off topic.

"Link would kill us, Lavi." That was Tyki...what are they doing? Allen wondered and walked over to his suitcase, which was later brought by Jerry from Cross' house, pulling out an outfit for the day.

"Not if he doesn't know~" Lavi replied. Why're they being so loud if they're trying to keep it a secret...unless...do they think I'm not here? Allen thought as he put on a nice, clean v-neck shirt (he didn't want to wear short-sleeved and since it was hot out he didn't want to die...). He made sure to put on a decent amount of deodorant. With how things have going lately having him stressed and nervous, he was going to need it. He pulled on some jeans that fit quite nicely, hugged his figure even, and slipped out the door. He walked down the hall and turned a corner, shouting with surprise when Lavi slammed into him. "Eh? Oh yeah...I forgot you were here..." How charming. Allen thought sarcastically as he helped himself up. Lavi was giving him a suspicious look, probably wondering if I heard his and Tyki's conversation...

"I didn't think you'd be turning a corner so suddenly...why are you running?" He questioned the redhead.

"Mmm...because."

"...okay." Allen shrugged, giving up. He wasn't going to pester. If Lavi didn't want to tell him then Lavi didn't want to tell him. Maybe he'd rather not know anyways. Maybe it was just his imagination...or maybe he was just extremely tired, but it almost felt like Lavi's eyes were watching him...and not just any kind of watching either. It felt like he was checking him out. But, alas, he was probably just dreaming...even though it felt like Tyki did the same when they greeted each other shortly in the kitchen. Maybe there's something on my pants? Allen wondered, dusting said clothing off. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary...

"How are you feeling?" Tyki asked.

"Hm? Um...fine, I guess...?" Allen answered uncertainly. I wasn't feeling unwell yesterday...he thought, taking a cup from the cupboard and filling his glass with water. He didn't really want to drink their beverages yet...not yet...maybe he could get himself something at the store later...

"That's a good sign. Are you not a lightweight?"

Okay, now Allen was extremely confused.

"...uh...?"

"Lavi spiked our drinks at dinner last night." Tyki informed. "Which is why everyone is still sleeping. It was quite strong stuff."

"Uh...I don't think I even drank anything at dinner last night..." Allen replied, inwardly backtracking his memories.

"I see...I suppose I should bring this up then, you know, future reference. Be careful eating or drinking anything here. You never know what's going to be in it."

"...eh?"

Well, that soothed his nerves.

"Anyways, I think you should stick around." Allen looked over at the adult questioningly. He acted like he actually cared for him...which is weird, because they just met and Sheryl told him that Tyki was not usually a kind person. Maybe he said that because they were siblings. Allen thought, taking one last gulp from his glass and setting it down. "It'd be a shame if you left without getting to know us better." What's that supposed to mean?

"I'm not sure what my plans are. As of now, I suppose I should just save up what I can." Allen replied easily, turning around and walking past him. He winced, feeling a squeeze on his right arm. It hurt.

"Don't be so quick to judge. We're not bad people." The way he said it...it sounded like an overprotective growl.

"I...I wasn't..." Is it all just an act? Fake kindness? Allen wondered, his chest tightening. Is it all fake? Did they really mean what they said at breakfast yesterday, or were they all lying? This situation reminded Allen of Cross' words before he left...

People are people. Whether you like it or not, they're all going to turn on you in some way. It happens to everyone. Allen never expected Cross' words to be right...but Tyki wouldn't exactly be turning on him if it was all fake to begin with. I should leave anyways, it seems...Lavi was actually watching. He didn't hear what Tyki said, but it looked like something bad considering the hurt look on Allen's face. He slowly headed towards his room and opened his laptop. There's got to be some place near my work...if not...I've always walked...just...somewhere cheap...Allen went through so many webpages. It took him hours. Komui said that he didn't have to pay for this month, which left him until next month to find a place and this month was already almost over. What am I going to do? I don't want to go back to Cross' place...Allen thought, grabbing at his hair and then rubbing his face. Then again...it would probably be easier over there than here...ugh, what should I do? I could always pay Jerry and live with him...but then I'd be depending on him too, what do I-Allen's thoughts were cut short when he heard a knock on the door. He closed his laptop and looked up as the door opened.

"How's it going?" Allen was a bit surprised to see Link there. Link seemed to be the one that disliked him second-most. First-most would of course be Kanda.

"Uh, good...is something wrong?"

"I'd hope not." Link closed the door and walked over. "Lavi said Tyki said something to you."

"What? Oh...no, it was nothing..."

"It doesn't seem like nothing." Link replied. "Lavi says you haven't left your room since."

"I was just...checking things out..." Allen mumbled, pushing his laptop under his bed. Why did Lavi even tell Link this? Allen wondered. And when did he see that...? Was he trying to eavesdrop? It's only been a day and a half and Allen felt uncomfortably sick to his stomach. If you guys don't like me, why don't you just leave me alone? He wondered, watching Link sit on the bed. He seemed to keep his distance.

"Are you going to tell me?"

"No...it's not really that important. I don't think...sorry, I...er...isolate myself a lot."

"Why?"

"I...don't know. I've just always done it..." Allen mumbled, clenching his left fist. The more contact he had with people, the more they found out.

"So where did you live before this?"

"I lived with my..." Allen paused. What did Cross say he was again? Definitely not his uncle. If they were actually related that would be horrid. Absolutely horrid. Not that they'd really be blood anyways, but still. Allen could not see Mana and Cross being related in any way. "...uh...godfather I think?"

"Godfather?" Link asked.

"Mhmm, after my father passed away, he was the only one left to take care of me. I had an uncle...but I never really even saw him, so I'm not quite sure who he is or what really happened to him..."

"Oh."

Awkward silence.

"Well, anyways. If you feel bothered by anything, just ask me about it and I'll try to help as much as I possibly can."

So formal...Allen thought, staring at him. Link shifted a bit uncomfortably at his gaze, so Allen looked away. He knew the feeling all too well. "Thanks..."

"I'll see you at dinner then?"

"Oh, yeah..." Allen nodded and bid him farewell. He felt a burning sensation to grab his laptop under his bed, but at the same time, he wanted to leave it there for now...until he was absolutely certain that he wanted to leave. He could give these guys a chance. Not everyone is perfect, and they definitely had their bad sides, but he'd give them a chance. Maybe I should try to talk to one of them today. Let's see...originally I would talk to Tyki, but it almost seems like he's upset with me...that leaves Kanda, Lavi, and Link. Kanda's definitely not the type to strike up a conversation for pure amusement...Lavi perhaps...or Link...but we kinda just spoke so wouldn't that be awkward? Hm...Allen wondered and opened the door, only to see Lavi's hand in midair. Was he getting ready to knock?

"Uh...good morning." Lavi greeted awkwardly and put his hand down. I just saw Lavi recently too...Allen remembered.

"Good morning." Allen replied.

"Right, anyways, I was thinking maybe since you're new here and all...if you're going to be staying awhile...if you want to go out somewhere or something? You know, roommates getting to know each other, yeah?" He suggested.

"I don't see why not. My schedule is free today." Allen answered with a small smile. At least Lavi was trying to make him feel welcome...even if he was doing it awkwardly.

"Awesome! So whaddaya wanna do?" He asked excitedly, walking a little faster than normal.

"I don't really have anything specific in mind..." Lavi pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at him.

"Why do you talk like that? You sound like Link." Allen blinked.

"I...uh..."

"Anyways, maybe we can get ice cream or something." Lavi offered. That sounds like...a date of some sort...Allen thought. Not that he'd been on many dates...

"Maybe..." I didn't really want to spend any money. Ice cream is usually expensive at shops...oh well...I suppose getting to know Lavi would be worth it.

"Where are you two headed off to so early in the morning?"

Oh no...Allen felt himself grow stiff when Tyki began following them. "We're going out." Lavi replied with his nose in the air. Allen looked between them uncertainly. Did they get in a fight?

"Oh? Then I'll come too." Tyki insisted, slipping on his shoes as well. This...is going to be very awkward...

"Tch...whatever..." Lavi mumbled. He definitely didn't seem like himself with Tyki around.

Lavi lead them to his favorite ice cream place (it was too nice to drive, so they walked) and they all ordered their preferred ice cream. Allen didn't know why he noted what kind of ice cream they got, but he made sure to keep it in mind for some reason. Once they got to the table, said teen took off his right glove so that he could hold the ice cream correctly. He didn't want to look like an idiot and devour it in three seconds so he licked it like a normal person.

Then it got everywhere.

It dripped down his fingers so he had to lick the now-sticky liquid off. He felt the two across him staring at him intently. God, I know I look like an idiot, you don't have to make it worse by staring. He thought darkly. In the end, he dropped it because some ice cream dripped on his chest. He proceeded to throw the milk-infested treat away and grumbled to himself as he licked his fingers. "N-not an ice cream guy, huh?" Lavi sputtered; Allen looked up to see that his face was a little red. Did I miss something while I was at the trash? Allen wondered.

"I prefer eating it out of a container, rather than a cone." He replied honestly. He stared at Lavi's face to see that there was a speck of cream on his cheek. It was bothering him. So much. Curse you OCD.

"What is it? Do I have something on my face?" Lavi asked.

"Yeah, you've got some right-" Allen began to reach over but stiffened when Tyki grabbed his left wrist roughly before it could reach Lavi's face. He gave Allen quite a menacing glare and Allen felt his heart drop to his stomach and pulled away. "There's some on your right cheek..." He mumbled, feeling his left wrist. Calm down, calm down, you're okay, Allen. You're fine. He doesn't know, okay? He just felt protective, everything's okay. He thought, insecurely pulling on his right glove. He didn't notice Lavi wiping his cheek or the redhead giving Tyki a mean glare. Be still, heart. He continued to attempt to calm himself down through soothing words in his mind. He nearly had a panic attack there...

"So...uh...wanna, like, go see a movie or something?" Lavi asked, trying to make conversation.

"No, honestly, I just want to go back...to the house."

As if I could ever call that place home.

Once they returned, Link had just pulled into the driveway and him and Lavi immediately began to converse about where he had been. Allen wasn't really all that interested and honestly just wanted a distraction so he could stop thinking about the burning feeling on his wrist, so he continued to go inside, only to bump into Kanda. He made a short 'che' sound and shouldered past him. This didn't exactly make him feel any better. Calm down, calm down, calm down...he chanted in his head as he made his way towards his temporary room. Why is it that every time I try to believe in them, I end up just wanting to leave? Allen wondered with a sigh as he laid down. He felt so stressed and exhausted and he didn't even work at all today. Note to self: ask Jerry for more hours.

Dinner, for some odd reason, was really awkward.

It seemed like Lavi was the only one trying to make conversation. Of course, the topic just had to roll over to ice cream... "I hate it. It gets everywhere and is sticky when it dries," was Link's personal opinion.

"I thought you liked sweets though." Lavi frowned.

"I like making them." Link said slowly, uncertainly. Then the blond just had to go and ask Allen how he felt about the frozen treat.

"Neutral." Was his short and quiet response. All of them noticed him rub his left wrist.

"You said you liked it if it was in a container." Lavi pointed out. Allen nodded with agreement.

"Yes. That way it wouldn't get everywhere."

"Not to pry, but when did you guys talk about this? As far as I know, Allen just got here definitely not too long ago-"

"Allen, Tyki, and I all went out for ice cream today." Lavi informed.

"What?" Link narrowed his eyes dangerously. Lovely reaction. Excuse me while I go jump off a bridge because that was obviously a bad choice. Allen thought, looking down at his gloves to avoid eye contact.

"It was a roommate to roommate thing." The redhead said with a casual shrug. Why would it be anything else? What else could it even be? The teen wondered, feeling his left wrist again. It's been hours, yet he couldn't get that image out of his head. Here he thought that maybe Tyki would be the nice one. So then...was Sheryl right, after all?

"That's rude." Link snapped, causing Allen to tune back into the conversation. He still kept his gaze to his hands though.

"His movements were pointless." Tyki scowled.

"Were they, though? He was just trying to help." Lavi defended, crossing his arms. Are they...fighting? Allen wanted to tune back out of the conversation, but now he was simply too curious.

"It was annoying."

What the devil are they talking about?

"You guys are so fucking stupid and naive he's right there." Kanda piped up, bringing their attention towards...him? Everyone was just...staring at him. Kanda what did you do? Allen blinked stupidly.

"Um...what?"

"Wow." Kanda said dryly. Allen's eyebrow twitched, but he held his tongue. He's already pissed Tyki off somehow, he didn't want to make Kanda angry with him too.

"Walker, when you, Tyki, and Lavi all went out to eat ice cream and you tried to touch Lavi, why did you do it?"

"I...uh...what?" Allen tilted his head, confused. He was just trying to get ice cream off Lavi's face...why else would he touch him? "He had ice cream on his cheek?"

"Okay...and you could've just told him." Tyki said offensively. Allen blinked and hummed.

"Huh, I guess I could've, huh?" He hummed again. "Honestly, Lavi just looked like a little kid, so I guess I kind of adapted." Allen said, chuckling awkwardly.

"I see..." Link mumbled. He glared at Tyki. "Apologize."

"Eh?" He and Allen both mumbled back.

"Why should I apologize?" Tyki narrowed his eyes. Allen wanted to ask the same thing. Wait...was that what they were fussing about?

"Little kid..." Lavi sulked as Tyki and Link bickered with each other. What is even going on? Kanda eventually got sick of the noise and got up and left. Allen just stood there, staring blankly at all of them. I wonder if this happens often.

"Well...uh...I'm going to head to bed." Allen said, getting up from his seat. Link's hand roughly shoved him down by his shoulder.

"No one is leaving until Tyki apologizes."

"But Kanda already left." Allen pointed out.

"...he's not in this." Link said; Allen sweat dropped. You just didn't notice.

"Whatever, sorry. Not really sure why I should be apologizing." Tyki mumbled. Link, you're making this worse. That just hurt even more. Allen thought to himself before getting up, rinsing off his plate, and returning to his room. He turned the light off and laid down, wondering if tomorrow was going to be more exhausting than today. I hope everyday isn't as slow as the past two days...Allen thought, rinsing his plate off and retiring for the night. He flicked his light off and laid in bed.

So what have I got so far considering these people?

Lavi: He's a pretty laid-back guy. Likes going out and doing things. Outgoing, can also be annoying I think...going off of what Tyki and Kanda have said so far. He's really nice, but he can get pretty hyped up about nothing in particular. The eye-patch kinda makes me think he's hiding something, but that also goes for myself as well. He's probably the only one who's actually trying to get me to stay...a bit troublesome...I'll definitely have to watch my food and drink around him.

Link: He seems like someone to turn to. He might not give me the best advice, but at least he'd listen. He's uptight, and likes to make sweets. Er...I don't really know much about him...he does seem a bit put-off by my staying here.

Tyki: He's...really overprotective. Or maybe territorial...so far, I conclude that Sheryl was indeed right when he said that Tyki was quite mean to new people. He'd probably be good at poker with how well he can disguise his thoughts...since he couldn't have been serious when he said they weren't eating unless I ate. Great. Now I probably just looked like a huge idiot for falling for that...moving on...

Kanda: Last but...actually, probably least, Kanda. He's rude. That's just about all I can get out of him so far. Pretty quiet...I guess since everything that comes out of his mouth is rude, he should be quiet.

So, basically, Allen knew nothing about these guys. On one hand, he wanted to leave. On another, he wanted to stay and get to know them all better.

Really...what am I going to do?

Pretty sure I actually have chapter three finished...*shrugs* whatever I'll look at it later. Hungry. Thanks goes out to banapples2018, Hanashi o suru, xDelicatehauntingx (you're not alloooowed to read thiiiiiis), i. love. baka. usagis. laven, Lead Potato, XavierForest, CaptainoftheRirenShip (omg I love you xD), and Nella Moonblood Royalle for your lovely reviews. ^^