Sorry it took so long everyone! Don't worry, I'm not just going to drop the story. My friend who types up all my chapters has been getting ready for AX, so she's just really busy.
Chapter 4 - "Lunch Time" (昼食時間)
"Kanda?" Allen asked knocking on the bedroom door. "Did you eat yet?" The door opened and Kanda finished pulling a black tank top over his head.
"What?" Kanda asked not noticing Allen's short, black-haired attachment.
"Have you had lunch?" Allen asked.
"No," Kanda answered wondering why that mattered.
"We should all go eat then," Allen said cheerfully. Kanda was slightly confused by the "all" in the sentence until he looked down. Aiko hid behind Allen's legs, holding tightly to his finger and looked fearfully up to Kanda. Kanda knew he caused the fear; disgust welled up inside him. Disgust for himself and his actions.
"I'm not hungry," Kanda decided to avoid being with the two of them.
"You're lying," Allen said disappointed. "You've got to build your already broken relationship with him."
Kanda backed up into his bedroom inviting them in. Allen came in confidently with a hesitant Aiko hugging close.
"Talk to him Aiko, its safe," Allen said pushing Aiko forward a little.
"Hi," he squeaked.
"Hi…" Kanda said awkwardly.
"Uhm…uh…mommy?" Aiko said turning to Allen with a confused expression. Kanda's face paled, he was daddy then?
"It's okay," Allen smiled reassuringly.
"I'm sorry you hate me," Aiko said bowing his head. Kanda looked at the top of Aiko's head. That was his dark blue hair chopped short.
"He doesn't hate you Aiko," Allen said coming to stand next to a silent Kanda.
"He doesn't like looking at me, or talking to me, or playing with me," Aiko said pouting.
"He's just shy," Allen said holding Kanda's hand.
"Oh," Aiko said twisting his fingers.
"Che," Kanda said refusing to grasp Allen's hand.
"We should go out," Allen suggested pulling Kanda's hand up excitedly.
"Why?" Kanda asked seeing no need to leave the Order.
"Shopping for Aiko. He needs toys, books, clothes, and a bed," Allen said taking Aiko's hand.
"Komui didn't get him a bed?" Kanda asked shocked.
"He was sleeping in a crib," Allen said shrugging.
"Four year olds don't sleep in cribs," Kanda grew aggravated with Komui's decisions. That determined a bed was necessary and Kanda lead the way.
Outside it was a beautiful spring day, warm with a slight breeze and a town that wasn't infested by akuma. Allen held Aiko's hand and Kanda strode ahead, detached. The exorcists didn't draw attention to themselves, instead of uniforms, they wore plain white button up shirts and slacks. Kanda was so busy walking to find a bed, he ignored toys and sweets.
"Can I get it mommy? Please? Please?" Aiko asked bouncing up and down clinging to Allen's hand. Kanda stopped to see a miniature self getting excited over ice cream.
"Maybe later, you could have a lollipop now if you want," Allen said imaging the ice cream falling onto the ground and Aiko crying.
"We need a bed," Kanda said coming back.
"He wants a treat," Allen said having a hard time saying 'no'. Aiko looked up to Kanda hopefully. The ice cream vender just smiled at the group.
"Well he can't have one," Kanda said.
"Please daddy?" Aiko asked with a wide smile. Kanda kept a shudder from shaking his body; he suddenly became painfully aware the vendor knew his carnal nature.
"Let's go," Kanda said taking Aiko's hand, Aiko was fearful. Allen held to the other hand and they quickly walked down the street.
"Oh, Kanda, a toy shop," Allen said stopping the train. Kanda sighed; a bed was growing farther and farther away. They went inside, a little bell rang and Kanda let go of Aiko's hand. Allen and their son browsed the shelves while he stood in the corner, eyes closed and arms folded.
"Is that your cousin?" the shop keeper asked.
"Huh?" Kanda had zoned out.
"The white haired kid with your son, is he your cousin?" the elderly asked.
"No, he's my- just a friend," Kanda said not wanting to admit Allen was his lover.
"What are you two looking for?" the shop keeper asked.
"Aiko wants toys," Kanda said watching Aiko run around happily.
"What does he like?"
"…I don't know," Kanda contemplated. He moved away from the wall and over to the boys. He listened to them, both were bright and cheerful. Kanda felt like a dark cloud.
Aiko reached up trying to take the train from the top shelf and being too short, Allen reached above him. Allen's fingers touched the bottom of his shelf. Kanda saw the struggle and layered behind his son and his boyfriend. His strong arm surpassed the shorter pair and easily pulled down the wooden train. The muscular torso pressed lightly to Allen's back, his arms wrapped out in front and he lowered the train into Aiko's small hands.
"Thanks daddy," Aiko said wiggling out from the shelf and Allen. He proceeded to place the train on the wooden floor and roll it across with vitality. Allen turned around to face Kanda who dropped his arms to his side. Allen leaned up and kissed Kanda whose face flushed in the presence of company.
Kanda's eyes stared forward and Allen disappeared to the right. His gaze passed through the various toys on the shelves, he still wasn't comfortable with public displays of affection. He felt that was private, regardless of who was kissing who.
"Can I have it?" Aiko asked Allen hopefully.
"I think so…" Allen said turning to Kanda; Kanda gave a nod.
"Let's get it," Allen had Aiko pick up the train and they all walked to the counter. Aiko placed the train on the counter and wiggled in anticipation.
"Hold still," Kanda said placing his big hand on Aiko's fragile shoulder. Aiko stopped, Kanda scared him into submission. Allen paid for the train and took Aiko's hand. The three went back into the bright daylight and Kanda tried to pursue a bed. Allen became distracted on that task and saw a shop full of children's clothes.
"In here Kanda," Allen said walking Aiko into the store. Kanda sighed and followed. It was only two in the afternoon; they could still manage to get a bed after getting new clothes.
A friendly young lady greeted the group with a dreamy smile and directed them to the little boy's section. Allen thanked her and she offered to stick around for any other needed assistance. Kanda noticed her eyes kept flickering over to him, he grew uncomfortable.
Aiko didn't enjoy the clothes shop as much as he had the toy store. He was antsy and restless. Kanda was slowly going insane.
"Let's go dad," Aiko said appealing to Kanda's distaste. Kanda sat leaning against a wooden wall, bored out of his mind.
"You need clothes," Kanda said ignoring Aiko's plea.
"He's your son?" the girl asked. Kanda shifted uneasily. Allen was immersed in the tiny shoes he could buy.
"Yes," Kanda said glaring at a rack of clothes.
"You can really tell, with the hair and everything," she smiled.
"Che," Kanda said avoiding eye contact with her or Aiko.
"Where is his mother?" Kanda and Allen both froze.
"He doesn't have one," Kanda said instead of trying to explain the situation he was ashamed for.
"Oh, I'm sorry," She said feeling bad for her intrusion.
"Come here Aiko, do you like these?" Allen asked holding up little brown shoes. Aiko came over with no enthusiasm and left Kanda with the saleswoman. The girl, who went by Linda, sat down next to the brooding twenty two year old. She crossed her legs under her long plain skirt and smiled at Kanda.
"I've never seen you out here before, did you just recently move?" she asked trying to make conversation.
"I've lived here all my life," Kanda said slightly irritated.
"Oh? I'm only a few blocks away from this shop, where do you live?"
"On a hill," Kanda said turning his attention to Aiko who was trying to cram his feet into shoes that were entirely too small for him. Kanda stood up and came over; he moved Allen out of the way and grabbed a bigger pair of black shoes. Crouching down, he stopped Aiko and took the shoes from him.
"Try these," Kanda said handing over the new pair. Allen stood up and watched Kanda help, even if he was unaware of it. Aiko took the shoes and pulled them onto his feet.
"They fit!" he shouted both hoping to leave and excited to have new shoes.
"They aren't even tied," Kanda said crouching down again. His long fingers quickly laced up the shoes.
"Walk around in them," Allen instructed. Aiko sprinted around the store and back.
"They fit, they fit!" Aiko chanted.
"Now you just need clothes," Allen said untying the shoes and taking them off the small feet.
"And a bed," Kanda muttered. Aiko put back on the old shoes he had and while sitting on his bum, he kicked his feet out.
"Tie them daddy," Aiko said smiling. Kanda obliged and got down again to tie the shoes.
"Here's a nice white shirt like mine and daddy's," Allen said unfolding a tiny white button up shirt identical to both Kanda and Allen's.
"It's too small Moyashi. Do you want to make him look like a marshmallow squeezing out the sides?" Kanda said reaching around Allen to the bigger sizes. He pulled out a shirt and it unfolded to Aiko's approximate size.
"I didn't know you were such the clothes expert Kanda," Allen said putting back the shirt he had picked out.
"Che," Kanda said asking the sales woman for a dressing room. She pulled over a curtain and showed Kanda and Aiko inside and tied it closed. Allen searched for pants, one size bigger than what he initially grabbed.
Inside the dressing room Kanda sat on a stiff chair and Aiko stared at him.
"Try on the shirt," Kanda said exasperated.
"Mommy dresses me," Aiko said confused. Kanda remembered that Komui had said something about Aiko thinking differently because he was only four. Kanda realized then that this was just the first in a long series of years that Aiko would have to learn things for the first time. He had his whole life just waiting and didn't know anything about the real world. It was up to Allen and him to teach Aiko. Kanda had become sensei to this child. He wasn't Allen, and Kanda had to understand he couldn't push him around. With this in mind, Kanda stood up and unbuttoned Aiko's ratty vest and lifted the dirty shirt from him. Kanda then took the new shirt, slipped Aiko's arms into the sleeves, and proceeded to button it all back up. It was too big. They walked out and looked in the mirror. Allen came trotting over with an arm full of trousers.
"He's drowning," Allen said through the stack of fabric.
"He'll grow into it," Kanda insisted. He towered over Aiko and it shocked him a little bit to see a baby version of himself with Allen's grey eyes. Kanda swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat.
"It won't last that long," Allen protested.
"Then we'll buy another one later," Kanda said.
"It's choking me," Aiko said pulling at the collar.
"You're fine," Kanda said looking down at Aiko.
"He could get a different kind of shirt," Allen suggested. Aiko unbuttoned his shirt and threw it on the floor. He wandered over to a rack of shirts.
"Hey, get back here and put your clothes away," Kanda said taking Aiko's wrist and dragging him back.
"Sorrrry!" Aiko whined while picking up the shirt. Allen pawned the pile of pants to Kanda and folded the shirt up and placed it back on the shelf. He then got Aiko into his old shirt.
"Go try those on," Allen said pointing to Kanda. Aiko laughed.
"You're funny daddy."
"Just get in there," Kanda said letting Aiko jog in front of him. Back in the dressing room Kanda placed the trousers on the chair.
"Take off your shoes," Kanda said.
"I just put them on," Aiko complained.
"You can't put pants on over shoes, just take them off," Kanda said hating to explain himself.
"I don't wanna," Aiko said stomping. Kanda almost told him to stop acting like a child but refrained.
"There are a lot of things in life that no one wants to do, but they have to," Kanda said taking his own situation for example.
"I don't wanna!" Aiko protested.
"Take off your shoes or else," Kanda threatened.
"Or else?" Aiko questioned.
"Kanda, just dress him," Allen said outside.
"What's he going to learn?" Kanda asked the red curtain.
"That we'll take care of him," Allen said.
"That if he whines enough, he gets his way," Kanda said folding his arms. Allen untied the curtain, came inside, and took over. He had Aiko out of his shoes and into more pairs of pants than anyone could count.
"We'll get the two that fit," Allen said holding up a black and brown pair.
"And shirts?" Kanda asked annoyed.
"Let me pick!" Aiko shouted.
"Stop being so loud," Kanda said furrowing his eyebrows in frustration.
"Let me piiick," Aiko said almost demonically.
"Alright, let's look," Allen said taking Aiko out of the dressing room. Kanda was not about to clean up. He stepped out and told Linda about the room in disarray.
"Oh, don't worry. I'll cover it," she said cheerfully.
"How are things going with him?" she asked folding the various pairs of pants that didn't fit.
"Who?" Kanda asked watching his boys.
"Your son, how is it with no mother?"
"I don't think that's any of your business."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean any disrespect."
Aiko came barreling back towards Kanda's legs.
"Can you help him?" Allen asked picking up shirts that Aiko had dropped. Kanda ushered the little one into the dressing room.
"Can you do it by yourself this time?" Kanda asked before sitting down.
"No," Aiko said without thinking.
"You didn't even try," Kanda said aggravated.
"You do it daddy," Aiko said holding out his new collection of shirts. Kanda obliged again and took off Aiko's shirt and replaced it with a new one. They stepped outside to the mirror because Aiko wanted to see what he looked like.
"You look like a pirate," Kanda commented. Aiko just smiled and wiggled. Kanda's eyes fell with a sigh; that had been the plan. Finally they purchased shoes, pants, and shirts for Aiko to wear. And after three hours of struggling, both Allen and Aiko were starving.
"It's too early for dinner," Kanda said looking at the town clock that said five twelve.
"Only a snack," Allen said shifting the shopping bags in his hands.
"Pretzels?" Aiko asked seeing a vendor. Kanda agreed reluctantly. They came to the vendor and Kanda bought two pretzels and they found a bench to sit on. Aiko was on the end and Allen and Kanda sat next to each other. Their shopping bags sat on the ground between their legs. Before Allen devoured the thing whole, he offered some to Kanda.
"No," Kanda said looking forward.
"You're hungry. It's been hours since lunch," Allen prodded. He ripped off a piece and waved it in front of Kanda's face.
"Mmm," he said chewing on his own bite. Kanda lunged forward and bit Allen's fingers. He took the piece into his mouth and chewed letting Allen examine his throbbing fingers.
"You bit me," Allen finally said.
"It's not the first time," Kanda smirked after swallowing. Allen's face turned a light pink.
"Kanda," Allen said bumping Kanda with his shoulder smiling. They sat eating contently, Aiko even held still. Kanda had closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. He had lost himself in silence when Allen nudged him.
"We're done," Allen said taking Aiko's hand.
"He's getting a bed now," Kanda determined.
"Where are we going to put it?" Allen asked walking along.
"Your bedroom," Kanda answered not even considering another option.
"Shouldn't he get his own bedroom?" Allen asked.
"I want a bedroom!" Aiko said excitedly.
"Just talk to Komui," Kanda said looking through shop windows to find a furniture store.
"Can I have pictures?" Aiko asked.
"Of what?" Allen replied.
"Ships and pirates and swords and-"
"Yes, you can have pictures," Allen said squeezing Aiko's hand in reassurance. Kanda made a sudden turn and disappeared into a store. Allen and Aiko appeared next to him momentarily. A shopkeeper came over to Kanda who abruptly told him they needed a bed, disregarding any niceties. The shopkeeper nodded and left in which time Allen came to stand in front of Kanda.
"I'm tired," Aiko complained.
"We're getting you a bed," Kanda explained. Aiko leaned against Allen who was forced to support him.
"You can't go to sleep now Aiko," Allen said propping the boy up. Aiko whined and pushed against Allen.
"Don't do that," Allen said pushing Aiko back up.
"I want to sleep," he groaned.
"We're getting you a bed," Kanda repeated.
"Now!" Aiko shouted and dropped on the floor.
"You can't sleep there," Aiko said bending down to force Aiko up.
"That's dirty," Kanda said indifferently.
"Help me Kanda," Allen said having trouble picking up the child glued to the floor. Kanda leaned down and heaved Aiko off the ground. He held him out in front of him like something filthy, Aiko struggled.
"Hold out for a half hour more," Kanda said placing Aiko down. Aiko collapsed again and curled into a ball. The shopkeeper returned at the same time.
"We can have a custom bed ready in 3 months or a standard one in about two weeks," the shopkeeper explained to Allen while Kanda was preoccupied with the obstinate four year old.
"You aren't sleeping here," Kanda said scrapping him up again. Aiko started to cry. "We're going back to headquarters, just calm down," Kanda said holding Aiko at arm's length.
"What do you want to do Kanda?" Allen asked turning to the frustrated pair of blue haired boys.
"About what? I'm busy," Kanda said as Aiko continued crying.
"Did you hurt him?" Allen asked with worry.
"No. He just started crying because I won't let him sleep on the floor," Kanda said looking slightly confused.
"Just hold him," Allen said turning apologetically to the shopkeeper. Kanda brought Aiko close and tightly wrapped him in his arms to stop the crying. Aiko wrestled around, he would not settle.
"Go to sleep," Kanda ordered.
"We'll get the standard one," Allen said quickly. The party followed the man back to the counter and Allen filled out paper work while Kanda placed his hand on the back of Aiko's head.
"Be quiet," he whispered. Aiko sniffled. Kanda felt like he had the secret switch now, Aiko's hair. Kanda used this new found knowledge to his advantage and gently pet his hair. Aiko gradually calmed down and was clinging loosely to Kanda by the time Allen finished filling out the order forms.
"He's asleep?" Allen asked impressed.
"Don't touch him," Kanda whispered. They left the shop; Allen's arms carried all the bags while Kanda carried thirty-five pounds of a sleeping child. Kanda kept his hand on Aiko's hair, cradling his head and his left arm supported his child. Aiko's head rested on Kanda's shoulder and his thumb found its way to his mouth.
Outside the sun was still bright and all the shopping was done.
"I want to eat out," Allen said as they turned the direction of headquarters.
"He's asleep," Kanda reminded Allen.
"I know, it's easier," Allen said leading the way to a local restaurant. "I want him to have a special dinner because we're all out as a family."
"Moyashi," Kanda said shortly.
"It's what we are," Allen said opening the door ringing a little bell. Inside they were seated at a booth. Kanda held Aiko instead of setting him down.
"Thank you for taking him," Allen said after they ordered water to drink.
"Che," Kanda said not wanting to acknowledge his acceptance of Aiko. Allen understood with smiling eyes.
"Are you still going to pawn him off in my room until his bed comes?" Allen asked placing an elbow on the table.
"Where else would he go?" Kanda asked.
"Well, your bedroom is an option," Allen suggested. "He has a futon on the floor with a blanket and a pillow."
"The bed is going in your room. He might as well stay there," Kanda said. "He really needs his own room." Kanda shifted Aiko on his shoulder.
"…I have an idea," Allen said slyly. Kanda waited. "I could move into your room and Aiko can have mine." Kanda wasn't sure if he liked the idea. It would put the whole situation up on trial again. His relationship with Allen had already become a well known fact around the Order, but sharing a room with Allen just made it all very apparent. Lavi already found it revolting.
"Okay, stupid idea, I'm sure the Order has plenty of open rooms for him that are close by-"
"Does it bother you, what Lavi thinks?"
"What?" Allen asked confused.
"He thinks we're sickening," Kanda said flatly. Suddenly Aiko felt like a disease that he was carrying in his arms.
"Lavi said that?" Allen was in disbelief. Kanda's gaze made it true.
"I'll talk to him. He would never be cruel and judgmental," Allen saw the best in Lavi.
"He heard us, after everyone personally attacked me in my own room. He stood by to make sure I didn't hurt you," Kanda explained.
"Did you know?" Allen asked.
"I figured it out," Kanda said moving his hand to Aiko's back.
"Maybe…he thought you were hurting me," Allen said quietly.
"…I wasn't," Kanda said irritated.
"I know, but maybe he didn't," Allen said defending Lavi.
"It isn't any of his business what I do to you," Kanda said roughly.
"I'm just an object?"
"Don't make it sound like you're an abused girlfriend Moyashi. It's not attractive." The waitress came back over.
"Are you ready to order?" she asked politely. Allen proceeded to order the entire menu while Kanda ordered chicken for Aiko and steak for himself. She left and the boys returned to their conversation.
"Sorry. I was just trying to see from Lavi's point of view," Allen said shrugging.
"I don't want you to bring it up with him," Kanda said.
"Lavi's my best friend," Allen protested.
"Did you tell him about us four years ago?" Kanda asked angrily. Allen hesitated.
"He figured it out Kanda! It wasn't like it was hard to," Allen said trying to cover his ass.
"Lenalee knew," Kanda half confessed; he hadn't told her, she had just put two and two together.
"I think everyone did. We were just fooling ourselves," Allen said. Kanda was embarrassed; he hated being the fool.
"But no one cared," Allen said trying to be reassuring. They waited quietly for their food and when it arrived Kanda woke up Aiko.
"Hey Chibi, wake up, your food is here," Kanda said into Aiko's ear, coming up with a nickname for the smaller version of himself and Allen fused. Aiko's eyes fluttered open and he picked his head off Kanda's shoulder. Kanda placed him on the inside next to the window while the waitress served the hot food. Aiko was still waking up while Kanda and Allen began on their food. Allen suddenly started laughing under his breath. Kanda furrowed his eyebrows and Allen gestured to Aiko, who was trying to cram an entire chicken thigh into his mouth.
"What are you doing?" Kanda asked after swallowing a piece of steak.
"Eating," Aiko said with a mouthful of chicken.
"Cut your food," Kanda said almost appalled with Aiko's table manners. Aiko stabbed the chicken with his fork in the center and took the knife to it at a ninety degree angle.
"You're never going to get anywhere if you keep mutilating it," Kanda said taking another bite.
"Teach him how to cut it," Allen suggested in between feeding his face.
Quick with a knife, just as he was with a sword, he sliced up the chicken into manageable pieces. Allen rolled his eyes knowing Aiko wouldn't be able to recreate the actions again. Kanda went back to eating his own food and pretending there wasn't a runt sitting next to him. Aiko then began eating with horrible table manners. It took a matter of five minutes before Kanda found mash potatoes on his arm. His head turned slowly to the oblivious little boy.
"Did Komui not teach you any manners?" Kanda asked slowly.
"What?" Aiko asked with his mouthful.
"It's safe to say that's our job," Allen said licking his fingers of sauce.
"Look, don't eat with your fingers, stop getting food everywhere, don't talk with your mouth full, and learn your 'please' and 'thank yous'," Kanda instructed the messy eater. Aiko ignored him out of pure child attention capacity.
"You have to show him," Allen said leaning over the table and wiping off Aiko's face. Aiko squirmed and flung mashed potatoes into Kanda's eyes. Kanda wiped them out with a flick of his longer pointer finger. He grabbed Aiko's shoulders and held him still so Allen would clean his face.
"Just, hold, still," Kanda said trying to avoid kicking feet and mashed potato bombs. Allen fell on the table into plates of food and Aiko slammed a handful of chicken on Allen's head and then escaped Kanda and crawled under the table, giggling like a maniac. Kanda and Allen were on their feet in a matter of seconds. Splitting up to cover more ground, Allen and Kanda dashed off to find their wild child.
The restaurant collectively turned their heads to watch the scene unfold as two young men ran around trying to nab a hysterical child. Kanda's reflexes were less than a fraction of a second but were not proving useful in locating Aiko. Running full circle around the small restaurant, Kanda tripped on top of a body.
"Moyashi!" Kanda shouted recognizing Allen's legs. Allen was flattened under Kanda, his face smashed to the floor, Kanda had tripped clean over his shoulders and they had landed in a compromising position for the both of them, however accurate it was.
"Get off my ass!" Allen shouted turning under Kanda. Kanda fell off and then crawled angrily up to Allen's face.
"Why were you on the ground anyway?" Kanda asked, palms pressing into a dirty restaurant floor. Allen sat up and pointed under the table. Kanda looked to find a giggling little boy.
"You-" Kanda proceeded to crawl towards Aiko.
"Be gentle!" Allen urged. Kanda pulled Aiko out by his ankle, but the little kid kept laughing uncontrollably. Kanda stood next to Allen dangling Aiko upside down in front of him.
"Let's not go shopping with him again," Allen suggested.
"Che."