Chapter 3: A Christmas kind of Birthday


It had been a few days since little Allen had become a member of The Order- the name of the daycare that had the staff questioning its accuracy since the children who came daily were a rambunctious bunch. They always seemed to get into some sort of mischief one way or another. There was no real semblance of 'order' to be found.

Allen fit in just fine.

He sat among Lavi and Kanda near the play corner. Kanda sat in a small beanbag chair, reclined- knees bent so he could use it as a prop for his book as he read. Lavi also had a book; his filled with colourful pictures. He lay on his stomach, feet in the air, swinging back and forth as he looked at the pages. Allen too looked at Lavi's book, eyes sparkling at all the colour and images on the page. He sat on the floor, knees to chest, with his big yellow winged stuffed toy squeezed tightly in his arms.

"And then the dragon swooped down," Lavi made an exaggerated motion with his arm making it go up then down quickly, "and grabbed the princess." Here his hands darted out and pulled Allen's legs. The boy's eyes widened in surprise before squealing in laughter. The vibrant redhead grinned at his accomplishment.

Kanda clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth, making a 'tch' sound. "Do you have to be annoying, idiot?"

"Yuu's jealous because my book has pictures."

Allen had gone back to staring at the picture book, expression unwavering. "Yuu," Kanda looked over at his name and frowned, "princess."

Lavi tried to hide his giggles and Kanda glared at him before looking to Allen wearily.

"You do look like a princess, Yuu. When Yuu's not grumpy." Lavi chuckled to himself and Kanda's frown deepened. He shut his book with a huff and barked for Lavi to 'Be quiet.' "Besides, the short stack is the real princess." Allen tilted his head innocently, not really understanding Kanda's words. Lavi shrugged, nonchalant while Allen finally smiled again as his confusion wore off; he turned his gaze and continued staring at Kanda. At the look Kanda blinked and looked away- his cheeks brightened.

The daycare staff, Tyki, chose that moment to join them. "Hey!" He spoke brightly, a smile on his lips. "Do you guys want to join in on the Arts and Crafts? We're making Christmas cards."

Allen perked up, "Curu...cru-su….kissmus?" He fumbled, not quite able to form such a complex word just yet. And the smile that lit up his little face afterward stopped anyone from trying to correct him. "My bathdee."

"Wait!" Lavi's eyes widened after a pause. "Your bathdee!?" He shook his head, "birthday? Allen, you were born on Christmas?"

The younger boy continued smiling, his head bobbing up and down proudly.

"We have to celebrate! The daycare won't be- oomph." Lavi's words were cut short by a kick to his shin. He had bolted to his feet in his surprise at Allen's news. Now he pouted at Kanda but the older boy showed no remorse as he tilted his head toward Tyki. The teen sighed exasperatedly with a look that told him to remain quiet.

Allen looked between each of the others, utterly confused.

"So Allen." Tyki interjected smoothly, "Wanna make Christmas cards?"

Allen nodded and took Tyki's offered hand. "Come along." The older boy gestured toward the other two; Kanda following albeit reluctantly as he put his book aside.

They joined the other kids in the arts and crafts corner. A bunch of colourful papers, felt, ribbons, and everything else that could be used to make cards sat before them. Allen immediately became taken by jumbo markers, uncapping them and scribbling on any available surface. Said surface unfortunately also involved the table.

Lavi quickly tutted the boy, trying to push paper to cover the table. Allen expectedly took it as a game, trying to avoid the paper instead. The redhead let out an exaggerated gasp when some of the ink ended up on his hand. Allen giggled even harder. Kanda smirked, and Lavi pouted reaching for a marker himself.

"Don't even-" but before he could say 'try it,' Lavi did. A red stripe swiped against his wrist as he tried to block the attack to his face. Before the irritated boy could lunge at the other, Reever was there to pull them apart.

The Australian man gave the two a stern look; Lavi slumped his shoulders, while Kanda folded his arms in defiance, and glared.

"Keep it up why don't you. You'll spend time in the corner while everyone enjoys what comes next." Reever drawled noncommittally, but his threat was every real. Lavi knew, as he spent lots of time there.

Kanda huffed defiantly, but his arms unfolded as his hand made tiny fists at his sides.

Reever looked at the two and sighed.

Without anything else said, the lights suddenly went out earning a gasp from most of the children. Lavi looked around quizzically, and Kanda looked ready to fight anything that dared approach him. Except for Allen who had been standing close by and latched onto his sleeve like a frightened child.

He tried to decide whether to shake little Allen off or let the child be. But before he could decide, soft singing echoed throughout the room as Tyki reappeared. One by one more people joined in and Kanda's attention was successfully captured.

He didn't notice when Allen let his sleeve go to stare at the spectacle in front of them.

Tyki held a large circular tray with a three layer circle cake set on it. Blue and yellow frosting slathered on the top and sides. Whoever did the decorations attempted to draw Allen's stuffed toy in the centre. A single candle molded into the number three stuck to the side of the giant blob with a single flame burning atop it.

"Ma-"

"Make a wish. Make a wish!" The jovial redhead cut Reever off in his excitement. Too much excitement. He riled Allen up as well, but he looked ready to blow the candle out himself. Kanda had to pull him back by the collar of his shirt.

With not much prompting, Allen blinked his eyes. Giggling at the game. And that was the closest they would get to him closing his eyes to make a wish. His rosy cheeks puffed out, eyes narrowed in determination, and he blew with all his might.

But it was more hot air than anything. The flame flickered but didn't die. Everyone watched as Allen tried once, twice, three times. A pout forming in disappointment.

Kanda stepped beside the younger child and blew at the candle, finally outing the fire. Those waiting clapped because it was over while Allen looked toward Kanda like a hero. Wide eyes filled with admiration.

Reever wasted no time cutting and plating large slices of cake with the help of Tyki handing them out.

Kanda's slice sat next to him because he didn't really like sweets. Allen looked beside himself, there wasn't a part of him that didn't have a part of the crumbly sweet treat. Icing on his button nose, pouty lips, hair, cheeks, fingers, everywhere.

When things quieted down, Lavi's curiosity was too much to bare. "What did you wish for, Allen?"

"Wish for?"

"Yeah!" Then, "What do you want?"

Allen looked at Kanda. Kanda startled at the attention. Lavi spazzed like a fangirl.

Sending a withering glare to the redhead, Kanda tried to derail the situation by offering the child his piece of the cake. Allen's eyes rounded and lit up like a Christmas tree. In fact, the tree was in the background and the lights reflected in his pale gray eyes.

Kanda didn't know it, but all Allen wanted while trying to blow out the candles, was cake. And cake was what he got.


A/N: Needless to say, this was actually supposed to be out during Christmas for Allen's birthday... :/