DGM belongs to Katsura Hoshino, and I'm just playing in the haven of her fictional world.
The Change That Was Allen Walker
Chapter 9; Introducing: Lavi Bookman
Lavi knocked on the door before opening it slowly. Allen lay on his bed, snoring softly. Dragging a chair over to the bed quietly, Lavi sat the bowl of soup he was carrying on Allen's bedside table. He reached out a hand slowly and hesitated before brushing a lock of hair out of Allen's eyes.
"Stupid Moyashi," Lavi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Making me worry so much." Allen stirred in his sleep, his eyelids slowly fluttering open. He sat up with a start as his eyes adjusted to the room.
"You okay?" Lavi asked. "We're in your room. It's slightly after dinner."
Allen rubbed the sleep from his eyes and blinked a few times.
"T-Tyki…?"
"He won't be touching you for a long time."
Allen blushed and looked down at his lap.
"Sorry I had to disturb you like this." He apologized meekly. Lavi simply smiled as he handed the bowl of soup to Allen.
"Hey, we're family."
The word seemed to light a spark in Allen's sad eyes. A smile crept up his lips.
"That Tyki… What did he want from you?" Lavi stared into Allen's eyes, expecting the truth and nothing else. Allen averted his gaze, deciding to focus on Lavi's pinky that was resting on his lap.
"Allen." Lavi urged. It was rare to not see Lavi in his usual hyperactive state. Now he was serious; his brows were furrowed too tight and his eyes seemed to be able to see through the cool and calm façade that Allen was holding up.
Allen shifted nervously, placing the half-eaten bowl of soup back on the table. He didn't have much of an appetite right now. His left hand suddenly seemed heavy and numb. He stared back at Lavi, gray orbs boring through green. After all this time at the Home, he could safely say that the one he was closest to was definitely Lavi. Lavi had looked past his once cold and untrusting demeanor and had pried his heart open. He had taught Allen that there was, in fact, such a thing as the people you could call your 'family'.
Lavi cared. Allen could see it in his eyes. And that was why he started talking, the words tumbling out from his mouth slowly and unsurely. Then they started to flow, pouring out like a waterfall. It was as if a huge load had been lifted from his soul. The tears joined the words in flow, but even as the words slowly stopped, the tears continued flowing. Arms encircled his shaking shoulders, hugging him close. They stayed like that for a long time till the wails became sobs, and the sobs became shallow breaths. There was a brief silence before Lavi spoke.
"Both my parents died when I was born. It was a freak accident. I was left in the care of my grandpa. When I was walking back home with him after dinner one day, a couple of guys ran past and grabbed his briefcase before shooting him in the head. And then they shot me." Lavi pointed to his eye patch and smiled.
"I was just like you, Allen. That day when you first came here, I looked at you and was instantly reminded of my old self. And the only way you can knock off that load you carry is to share it with someone else." He grinned that wide grin of his; so infectious that Allen felt himself smiling back.
"Now you're gonna go downstairs where everyone's tryna fix up that new tele Froi got for us, and you're gonna tell everyone that you're sorry for making them worry so much." Lavi hoisted Allen up by his elbow and dragged him along with him before he could refuse.
"The blue wire should connect there…" Daisya murmured from behind a large instruction manual.
"How hard can it be to set up a bloody television?" growled Kanda, a tangle of wires in his hand.
"Come on, Kanda. It's only been half an hour. We'll figure this out." Eva sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she reached for one of the wires.
Kanda stood up and dumped the wires on the floor. "I'm gonna go sleep. I'm not even going to be watching this damn thing anyway. Che." He slid open the door and instantly collided with Allen.
"W-what the?" Allen cried out, rubbing his sore forehead. "Out of my way, beansprout." Kanda shoved Allen aside and headed up the stairs in a huff.
"Allen!" Lenalee exclaimed, jumping up from her spot on the couch and running over. "Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you? Lavi didn't let us see you! He shoo'ed us off and insisted that you needed to rest and be alone for awhile!"
Everyone had crowded around them, and Allen was starting to feel slightly claustrophobic.
"I'm fine, I really am! Please continue whatever you were doing." Allen insisted, waving his hands in front of his face.
"Oh, we were just trying to set up the new television Froi just bought." Fou laughed, gesturing towards the huge mess of wires, plastic wraps and boxes. Lavi dragged his palm down his face.
"Man, you guys… Come on, let me help." Lavi pushed his way through the crowd of people and started untangling the wires.
Fifteen minutes later, all of them were seated on the couch, watching as Timothy fiddled with the remote.
"Geez, pass the remote will ya'?" Daisya grumbled, snatching the remote from Timothy's grip.
He jabbed the red button with his thumb, and the screen came to life. Everyone "oooh"-ed as the weather lady began to present the weather forecast.
"This is awesome. Our own television!" Fou laughed, using the coffee table as a footrest.
Allen leaned back, a smile on his face as a shampoo advertisement came on.
"Where's Allen?" Krory called over the hustle and bustle of the Home. Everyone was helping Kanda, Lavi and Komui to pack. Komui had returned home a few days ago and Lenalee had had a long talk with him.
"I'm here!" Allen yelled from the top of the stairs. Stacks of boxes lay in his arms and were threatening to spill over.
"Lemme help you with that." Lavi appeared from behind him, lifting two of the boxes off him.
The three of them were going to the college in the next town and were packing to move. Froi had organized an outing to the beach for everyone the day before, and they had all come home sporting dark tans.
"All done!" Lavi announced, slamming his luggage shut and locking it up. "I'll be bringing these to the car." He picked up his boxes and his luggage and headed out where the others were waiting. Allen followed after.
Everyone was saying their goodbyes. Komui was fussing over Lenalee, making sure that she was okay. Kanda was already inside the van, annoyed and waiting. Eva had climbed in with him and was talking to him. Lavi caught Allen in a bear hug, squeezing the air out of him.
"I'll really miss ya, roommate." He whined, his lips set in a pout.
"Haha. I'll miss you too, Lavi." Allen grinned. "See you during the holidays."
Lavi smiled back, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately. "Be safe, kay?"
"Yeah, I will. Stop worrying so much."
"Can't help it, you're always getting into trouble somehow." Lavi laughed.
"Lavi, come on! Gotta go!" Komui called from inside the van.
"Coming!" Lavi picked up his suitcase and gave Allen one last half-hug before running off towards the van.
"They grow up so fast." Froi murmured, his arms crossed. "They were such wee little things when I took them in." Allen chuckled, watching with a heavy heart as the old van drove off.
A/N: School's been tiring.
