Author's Notes: Here's the (very late) chapter 3. Sorry again for the crappiness.
Disclaimer: If I owned D. Gray-Man, I would make Allen wear a dress just for Kanda. :3
Prompt: Night Out
Allen sighs as Jasdero and Debitto once again try, but fail, to play a prank on him. It's been the same old morning trick for the past, what, 8 years? But he still smiles fondly.
"Jasdero, Debitto, I know you're there. Please don't try and dump water on me when I walk through the door" he says good-naturedly. He hears the groans of disappointment from the other side and the door opens revealing the Jasdero sporting a frown and Debitto holding a bucket of water.
"Aaw. At least try to act surprised and play along with us, Allen-chan" Jasdero complains to him. Allen's eye twitches and Debitto laughs hysterically.
"If you quit calling me, Allen-CHAN, maybe I would" Allen frowns at them lightly.
"But it suits you well, hee" Debitto balances the bucket with two fingers. It is now Jasdero's turn to laugh.
"It does NOT suit me! I'm a guy, not a girl" Allen pouts and crosses his arms. Jasdero and Debitto look at each other then simultaneously laugh.
"You look like one though!" they say in unison and suddenly run for it when Allen glares at them and attempts to strangle them.
"Seriously! I do not look like a girl!" Allen stomps into his room.
"You look like one to us" a voice drawls from his back. He turns around to see Tyki Mikk standing on the doorway. His frown deepens.
"I'm not asking you, Tyki" he sticks his tongue out playfully, still crossing his arms. Tyki smirks and walks toward him. When the man is finally in front of him, he feels his hair being tousled about like what someone would do to a dog. He catches the arm and moves it away. "I am not a dog either."
"Of course, you aren't. You're our little cousin…although we do think of you as more of a little brother" Tyki smiles at him affectionately, like how Mana would. He smiles back.
A couple of years back, he wouldn't have smiled in response but gaze at the other blankly. But he isn't what he was back then. He has accepted what happened and is now living his life almost happily. Almost…because he still isn't allowed to go back to Kanda, Lenalee and Lavi. Since he arrived 8 years ago to the main family house of the Noah, he isn't allowed to go there, anywhere but there. They always tell him it's for the best. He doesn't understand how it's for the best. He misses them terribly. He even misses Komui-san. And of course, he misses the maids as well.
Although, he is afraid as well. He just knows that they're angry at him for leaving them without saying as much as a goodbye. He wanted to, he really did and he still does. But nothing could have stopped Cross back then. He knows that fact, for sure. Urgent meetings called forth by the Earl are to always be attended as soon as possible without delay. That time was one of those. He wonders if he could ever face Kanda again. As well as Lavi and Lenalee of course! Not just Kanda, no, not just him; definitely not just him.
"Allen?" a hands waves in front of him. He blinks and looks to who it belongs to. He sees Tyki looking at him questioningly. "What are you thinking? No, actually, who are you thinking of, making you blush like that?"
"Blush???" Allen immediately puts his hands on his cheeks only to feel them warm under his touch. "Uhh…uhm…this is…uhm…"
"Oh, don't tell me, don't tell me" Tyki chuckles. "It's that Kanda guy."
"No! Definitely not!" Allen huffs. "I am straight and will not blush because of some guy! No! Never!"
Tyki covers his ears with his hands. "Sheesh, boy. You didn't have to yell, did you?"
"Oh. Sorry, Tyki" Allen smiles apologetically, at him. "Anyway, why are you here again?"
"Right. I was supposed to tell you that the Earl is calling for you" Tyki says, realization on his face.
"Eh?! And you only say it now?" Allen punches him lightly on the shoulder and hurriedly runs through the halls to the room of the Earl. Really, Tyki can be so forgetful at times; and on the most important of things as well. Being called to talk to the Earl is not something you get a chance of every day. And it is always so important. He hopes the Earl isn't mad for him being late. He knocks on the door and waits for the reply.
"Come in~ "
Allen opens the door slowly and peeks in to see the Earl looking at him from the chair farthest from him on the long discussion table. "You-you called for me, Earl?"
"Allen-chan~ Come sit next to me~ " the Earl motions to the seat next to him. Allen grimaces a bit as the honorific is used on him again. Even the Earl calls him that now. He walks towards the Earl and sits down. "Remember how you would always ask me again and again to take you back to your favorite vacation house~? "
"I'm really sorry abou-"
"Don't apologize~" the Earl shakes his finger at Allen. Allen looks puzzled. "I am actually going to talk about it right now~ "
"You mean to say…?" Allen's eyes sparkle in delight. The Earl chuckles at this and nods.
"Yes~ I'm allowing you to go there~ "
"But…why only now Earl?" Allen queries; braving himself to ask. "Why not last year or the other years that has passed?"
"You see Allen-chan~ I didn't want you to live there without a proper school nearby~ And it took some time to be able to make all the renovations~ "
Allen's eyes grow wide. The Earl didn't have to do that. Allen is fine with whatever the village had to offer. And did the Earl just say he is going to live there now?
"Yes~ You're going to live there now~ That vacation house will now be your home~ "
Did the Earl just read his thoughts? But Allen pushes this thought behind and cannot help the squeal that escapes his lips. How long has he waited for this moment? Oh yes, 8 years. And now, he is finally going to be able to return to the place he holds dear. This mansion is also one that he holds dear but, not as much as he does that vacation house. He smiles gleefully at the Earl and bows to him.
"Thank you so much, Earl!"
"No need to thank me Allen-chan~ I just want the best for my family~ "
Allen smiles once again before dashing off to his room but as he opens the door to leave the room, the Earl once again calls out to him.
"And Allen-chan~ Pack your things~ You'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning~ "
Allen's eyes grow wide in surprise. Tomorrow? Isn't it a bit too fast? Oh, heck! Why does he care about the small things like this and that? No. He is very happy. He bows down once again to the Earl then goes off to his room. Upon entering, he immediately goes to his bed reaches out under it. There he takes out a box and opens it to reveal several things. One of them is a piece of paper with a rather not-so-good drawing of a scowling person. He smiles at it.
"Ne, Kanda, I'm going home tomorrow morning. I bet you're still mad at me for leaving you without saying goodbye. I promise I'll explain everything when I arrive there to you and Lavi and Lenalee. I wonder if you haven't changed one bit as well as Lavi and Lenalee" he traces his drawing with a finger. "I miss you guys so much…although I'm pretty sure you'll beat me and insult me once I'm within at least 10 meters from you."
Allen laughs lightly thinking of a very angry Kanda. He wonders if Kanda still has long hair; and Lenalee too. Lavi is probably still as obnoxious and funny as ever. He hugs the poor paper and leans on his bed, still sitting on the carpeted floor.
"Mana…" he whispers. "I'm finally going to be able to go home."
He sighs, smiling as if it is permanently plastered on his face. He puts the paper back in the box and lays the box down on his bed. He stands up and prepares his clothes and things that he'll bring. It takes up him the whole morning to do it just because he keeps on being distracted by thoughts of a certain raven-haired enemy-kind-of friend.
"Finally!" he plops down on his bed. "Curse you BaKanda, you and your damn prideful attitude and your cute smirk and that stupid kiss and…argh."
Allen grumbles in exasperation and proceeds to slap both of his cheeks just to "wake up". "I'm not gay. It's just that Kanda is haunting me. He's so mad at me that he's always haunting me every day. That's all there is to it."
"Oh really, Allen~?" Road's voice enters his ears. He sits up and sees Road standing in front of him, smiling as if holding her laughter back.
"Yes, Road. Please don't start again with the love-hate whatever nonsense that you always say" Allen pouts at her. Road giggles and throws her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly.
"You're so cute Allen~ And it is! It's a love-hate relationship from what I can see and from the stories you've told me" Allen pries himself off of Road's grip. "Ne, Allen, I hear you're going away tomorrow morning to the vacation house."
Allen nods at her, smiling happily. "I'm finally going back there."
"I'm happy for you, Allen. But~ You know what that means don't you~?" Road smiles sadistically, at him. The smile tells him that he isn't going to like whatever is on Road's mind.
"Uhh…no?" he nervously laughs. Road's smile widens and she drags him to her room. Oh no, he doesn't like the looks of this. Please, whoever is up there, please let me not endure the humiliation that is cross-dressing again. Please let it not be that. Please!!!
Hours later, Allen pants, leaning against the wall on the hallway. He is dressed in Gothic Lolita and he desperately wants to rip it off. I even said please FOUR times!
He frowns lightly at that thought. Good thing Kanda isn't here or he would've insulted him about his clothes. His eyes widen and he slams his head on the wall repeatedly. Why is he thinking of Kanda again? Maybe he is turning gay…oh no! He is not going to accept that he is gay over some stupid long-haired first kiss stealer who he hasn't even seen for 8 years. How can he develop feelings when he isn't even interacting with the idiot?
Lavi would tell him he's a hypocrite right at this moment if ever the red-head was here. But fortunately for him, Lavi isn't there so he wouldn't have to think that he is lying to himself or anything. Oh wait, I just thought about it! Darn it!
He sighs and walks on to his room, finally escaping Road's clutches since the girl already has enough embarrassing pictures of him in dresses. Really, he doesn't know what to think of the girl's fetishes, making a guy wear girl's clothing.
Before he can even lay a finger on his doorknob, he is pulled away by his arms looped around two other arms. He staggers a bit before finally being able to look at the perpetrators. He is greeted with the sight of the twins smiling gleefully. Oh great, what now? Even if they were only a few in the mansion right now, Earl, Lulubell, Road, Jasdero, Debitto, Tyki and himself, the activeness doesn't lower one bit. The other Noah's are lucky they have work and cannot come here for long periods of time. He, in the meantime, is doomed.
"Lunch time, Allen-sama, Jasdero-sama, Debitto-sama" a maid calls out to them. At the word lunch, Allen immediately perks up and scurries away, breaking off Jasdero and Debitto's hold.
"He got away, hee…" Debitto looks at the trail of dust left by Allen.
"You can't really think he won't escape when he hears the word lunch or breakfast or anything related to food" Tyki stands behind the twins. "Stopping him would be suicide."
The twins nod in agreement. The three of them walk to the dining room where everyone else is waiting. They took their seats at the table and the maids hand them their food. At the corner of their eyes, they see a mountain pile of plates that were relieved off the food they held. And they can see the maids continuously serve a white-haired teen who is merrily eating it all. They grimace a bit. Living with the teen for years doesn't help you get used to his eating habits.
The said teen is unaware of the thoughts of his companions. He merely eats to his content. It isn't his fault he's hungry. Road made him go through hell. And he's betting that right after this meal the twins would make go through hell again. He's only giving himself enough energy. And he is right. After finishing his meal, he is suddenly dragged by the two once again. The whole afternoon is spent doing whatever with the twins. He admits that at times it is fun but he gets tired as well although the twins wouldn't let him rest. Now that's what bothers him about them. Where do they get their infinite bounds of energy and humor? He lays there on his bed wondering about it when he hears a knock.
"Come in" he tiredly calls out.
"Allen-sama, dinner is ready" he hears a maid tell him. And once again, only a trail of dust is left when he runs to the dining room. Evening passes by unnoticed. And soon, Allen finds himself almost asleep on his bed in his pajamas, snuggling comfortably against his blanket.
I wonder if Kanda's hug would be warm like this…
His eyes open suddenly at the passing thought. Where the heck did that come from? Oh sweet mother of candy, he might actually be harboring a crush on the other. A frustrated sigh escapes his lips as he pulls his blanket over his head and lets himself just fall asleep before any more thoughts about Kanda disrupt him and make him stay awake the rest of the night thinking how he is now actually considering himself attracted to a guy he hasn't met for an incredibly long time.
Rays of morning light touch his face and he is pulled away from his sleep. He yawns, rubbing his eyes and stretching out. He sits up and looks around his room with half-lidded eyes before he realizes that today is the day he is going back. He smiles brightly; jumping off of his bed and quickly goes into the shower.
Minutes later, he is fully dressed and is going down for breakfast. He sees Lulubell and greets her a good morning. She looks up at him and nods, smiling ever so slightly.
"You're leaving today, right, Allen?"
He nods, smiling at her. "I'm so excited!"
She nods, standing up. She walks past him but he feels a soft hand pat his head lightly and quickly that he wonders if it is real. But he guesses it is Lulubell's way of saying take care. His smile widens and he eats to his heart's content. He is going to miss them but he will still visit every year. It isn't as if he isn't coming back ever. He'll still come here as often as he can.
It is a tearful farewell as he later stands at the entrance, his bags in the car, the box safe and sound. He laughs lightly as the Earl insistently tells them he is not crying even if tears were coming out of his eyes. He wonders where Tyki is but no one answers him. Maybe they don't know as well. Tyki is forgetful on important things like telling everyone where he is exactly when it is time for Allen to go. He pouts as he cannot say goodbye to Tyki who is at who knows where. But he is suddenly attacked by a Road and is in a tight hug.
"Allen~" Road whines. He smiles at her a bit sadly. Even if she is annoying at times, she is like a little sister to him and he will miss not seeing her often.
"I'm sorry, Road. I have to go now" Allen pries Road off him. He smiles one last time at all of them before entering the waiting car. He waves at them and smiles, almost laughing, seeing as Jasdero and Debitto are wailing while hugging each other. He turns to face the front again as the car leads him to the airport. This is going to be a long ride.
After hours and hours of going through the airport, riding the airplane and going through another airport, Allen finally arrives at the place he now recognizes as his hometown. He cannot help the smile blossoming on his lips. He sees one of the maids he knows from a long time ago waiting for him. The smile on his face just widens at the familiar face and he restrains himself from running to her.
"Allen-sama!" the maid hugs him tightly just as she did years ago. "It's been such a long time."
"Yes. It has" Allen returns the hug. He sees that his bags are beside the maid. Is that extra baggage his? He only remembers bringing two so…why is it three? He must have forgotten or something. Ah well.
A car is waiting outside for them. Allen excitedly looks around and smiles as they pass by familiar roads and buildings. It's as if the village has changed but not really. He doesn't understand but he doesn't care much about it as well. He's just happy he's back.
Upon arriving at the house, he has a little reunion with all the maids. He is so happy that they're all still here. After all the tears and the hugs, he goes up to his room and fixes his things. He looks at the extra bag curiously. So far, all the things he remembers packing have already been placed in the cabinets. Even his box is safely inside the drawer of his bedside table.
He opens the bag and lo-and-behold, dresses. He doesn't know whether to frown or laugh at Road's silliness. He does neither and puts the bag at the far side of his closet. He lies down on his bed, a bit tired from all the travelling. He closes his eyes but opens them once again as a knock on the door comes.
"Yes?"
The door opens slightly and he sees a maid peek in. "Allen-sama, would you like to eat dinner now? It's still a bit early but I'm sure you're hungry."
Allen smiles and sits up. "Sure. Is the food ready?"
"Hai, Allen-sama."
"Great!" he stands up and is led by the maid to the dining room. He smiles at the memories he's had here. He quickly takes a seat and the maids lay out all his food in front of him. His mouth waters and he gobbles down the food. The maids watch him silently, smiling fondly at him. Finishing up his food, he goes to the living room and sits on the sofa. He looks out the glass window, eyes staring off.
The maid who stayed by him and also the one who talked to Kanda and the others, walked towards him a few minutes later after cleaning the dishes. She places a hand on his shoulder and he looks up. She smiles down at him and sits down.
"Allen-sama, you know, Kanda-san and the others came the morning after you left. I'm sure they're worried about you" she says in an almost whispered voice but still smiling.
"Really?" Allen's eyes flash something the maid couldn't quite put a finger on. It's as if it is a mixture of sadness, worry and love. Hold up. That is it. It is exactly that. "Maybe I should go to their house and well…talk to them?"
The maid giggles at Allen's cluelessness. "I'll accompany you, Allen-sama. We'll take the car."
"Thanks!" Allen's face brightens and they head out to Lenalee's house. They ring the doorbell and Komui answers.
"Hel-" Komui stops when he sees Allen who smiles nervously at him.
"K-Komui-san…it's been a…long time" he manages to say. He is so nervous at the long silence. He wishes he persuaded the maid to come with him and not stay in the car. He is suddenly pulled into a tight hug.
"Allen-kun!" he feels the part of his clothes on his shoulder become wet. He slowly hugs back, smiling.
"Komui-san, I'm sorry for not telling you I was going to leave. It was a rather, eventful night, and I'm really sorry I completely forgot to contact you" he tries to apologize some more but Komui breaks the hug and smiles.
"It's ok, Allen-kun. I understand so you don't have to explain anything to me."
Allen cannot hold back the tears that are rolling down his cheeks. "Thank you so much, Komui-san."
He sniffles a bit before regaining his composure. He sees Komui still smiling at him. "Is Lenalee there, Komui-san?"
"Oh! I'm sorry, Allen-kun but she's not here. She's with Kanda and Lavi. She and Lavi managed to get Kanda to join them on a night out."
Allen couldn't help but laugh a bit. From what he remembers, Kanda is an antisocial jerk. He still is basing on how Komui said Lenalee and Lavi "managed to get". They probably blackmailed him or something. He smiles fondly and looks at Komui once again.
"Do you know where exactly they went, Komui-san?"
"Oh, yes. Just a nearby club" Komui says, thoughtfully. Allen looks at him incredulously. After being away for a long time, has Komui gone over his sister complex? "My precious Lenalee! She must be so scared right now. Why did she, have to persuade me, into saying yes?!"
Komui cries exaggeratedly. Now that's the Komui, Allen knows. Allen smiles, so he hasn't changed as Allen thought he must have. "I'll go to them then, Komui-san."
Komui is snapped out of his mumbo-jumbo. "Ok, Allen-kun. Be careful ok? And remember, it the club that has a concert tonight. I forgot who's performing though."
"It's ok, Komui-san. Thank you again!" Allen smiles at Komui who smiles back at him, hugs him once again before releasing him.
"Be careful, Allen-kun."
"I will be, Komui-san" Allen pats Komui's arm reassuringly. He turns to the car but looks back as Komui calls out to him once more.
"Allen-kun! Welcome home!"
Allen smiles, tears rolling down his face once again. "I'm back, Komui-san."
He faces the car once again and enters it. He then heads out to look around for a club with a concert tonight. He doesn't need to look around for so long seeing that the club is quite flashy on its special night. He gets out of the car but turns back again and looks at the maid inside worriedly.
"Allen-sama, don't turn back now. Go on" the maid shoos him away. He reluctantly goes to the entrance but he is stopped by the guard.
"Ticket please."
Oh great. He forgot that these events needed tickets. He asks, "Are there still available tickets on sale?"
"None. Please move. There are a lot of people waiting behind you" the guard sternly looks at him and he feels small under the gaze. He shies away and tries to think of something when he bumps into someone.
"Oh. I'm sorry!" he quickly apologizes, bowing his head a few times.
"Are you alright there?" he looks up to see a woman looking worried. He couldn't help but blush at the woman's beauty.
"I-I'm fine. I'm really sorry" he smiles apologetically. The woman shakes her head.
"It's ok" the woman looks at him as if studying him. He squirms just a tiny bit. "Are you Allen Walker?"
"Yes, I'm Allen Walker" he utters out. "Do I know you by any chance, Miss?"
"Oh, no. But I have heard of you from Cross-sama one time and also, how can I not know one of the Noah family's members?"
Allen blinks, trying to remember her but he really couldn't. The woman laughs lightly.
"I've already told you, Walker-san. We haven't met before. I'm Anita by the way" Anita holds out a hand to him. He then shakes it and smiles at her.
"Nice to meet you, Anita-san."
"Would you like to get in?" she offers him. He shakes his head.
"I don't have any ticket, Anita-san."
"Nonsense. I have an extra ticket so here. Enjoy yourself, Walker-san" she takes his hand and slips in a ticket. She then walks away from him.
"A-Anita-san!" she looks back at him. "Thank you."
"It is nothing" she smiles and enters the club. He too enters soon after her. And he immediately gets dizzy just by looking at how many people are in there. He wonders if he would ever find the three. And he doubts if he could really face them right now. He just got back and all so he isn't ready just yet. At least, that is what he is trying to reason out. He looks around the crowd for minutes trying to find them but to no avail. He sighs and leans against a wall. He wonders if this is a good idea. Then suddenly, he hears a familiar voice and a familiar laugh.
He turns around to see Lavi, Lenalee and…Kanda. His breath hitches as he looks at them. In a sense, they still looked like when they were kids but more mature now. He stared at Kanda and blushes. Kanda is still the scowling jerk he knows. But he really can't believe that the jerk is so…handsome and beautiful at the same time. And those clothes he's wearing really bring out his well-toned body. Allen feels himself almost drooling. He mentally slaps himself, saying that now is not the time.
He feels uneasy now. And he desperately wants to back out. But he cannot get himself to look away. He knows it will be the end of him if he doesn't stop but he's just so awestruck. And then, the worst happens. Kanda turns towards his direction and immediately catches his eyes. He swallows hard.
Run, Allen! Run! Turn away and run! Now!
But he is grounded to place by those eyes. Oh, those captivating eyes. They'll be the end of him, for sure.
Kanda scowls at the two in front of him. How the heck did he get dragged into this again? Oh right, the rabbit promised he wouldn't bother him for a week. He sighs and gazes around, bored. The rabbit is trying to talk him into getting into some kind of relationship with women or something. No, he will not do that. Fuck those bitches.
Besides, he's still waiting to finally beat the moyashi into a bloody pulp. Yes, he still hasn't forgiven the boy for leaving them without as much as a word. He vaguely wonders at the back of his mind how the moyashi is now. He hears Lavi crack a joke and Lenalee laugh at it. Che.
And then, he suddenly feels someone staring at him. He growls inwardly. If it's another woman, he is really going to fucking kill the rabbit for bringing him here. He turns around to see a pair of silver eyes staring at him. He recognizes those eyes; that face.
Moyashi.
And there you have it folks. Tomorrow, I'll be done with Chapter 4 and 5. And by the way. I'll be merging the last two themes into one huge chapter. So, no more Chapter 6. Depends on whether I could write an epilogue of some sort.
Thanks for putting up with this. :)