Rating: this one is PG-13ish
Summary: Sometimes even Bookman junior loses his composure.
A/N: *groan* I have to admit, this is chapter I'm not fond of. It's because I don't feel like I managed to grasp Allen's personality. How hard can one bean-sprout be? I mean, I've handled Kanda and Cloud and other "non-emotional" characters for years now, and this one brat is the one who gives me this much trouble? And I've even cosplayed the character? No fair. -_-
Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter more than I do! Until next week ~
The 9th night: Ordinary day
"Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another."
Napoleon Hill
It's just like any other day. Lavi and Allen are sitting on some huge, random rock, for once out of field. Outside the Order walls, it's fairly quiet. Lavi likes it lively, and Allen does too, but sometimes the latter goes outside to take a breath and look at the world. To him, the vast landscape might represent the future he has hope in – Lavi doesn't share those thoughts, but it doesn't stop him enjoying the view.
The two of them sit and talk. They talk about the Millenium Earl, about their Generals, their lost comrades, recovering and absent friends. The mood of the conversation is more serious than it usually is between them, but then again, these are dark times.
But even the darkest times are not enough for Lavi to drop his character – Lavi is happy-go by nature, and soon enough, the mood brightens and topics of conversation become less and less serious, and in no time, they find themselves smiling and laughing.
That's until Allen drops a bomb. "Hey, Lavi, which one of you is the bottom, you or Kanda?"
Lavi chokes on bare air, staring at the younger boy, mouth wide and gaping, simply shocked, and it takes time before he gets his tongue working again. "Excuse me?"
Allen smiles as innocently, shrugging. "Well, you are screwing each other, right?" The brat cocks his head to side, smiling and looking adorable and innocent, which neither he apparently is. "I'm just curious."
Bookman junior rarely loses his composure, and the words always just lull from his tongue, ready to be used, even before he thinks what he's about to say. But this time, he's speechless, and can only blame General Cross' influence on the kid. Apart from Bookman, no one in the whole Order has even thought about the possibility of Kanda and Lavi having sex, but here beansprout is, acting all innocent, asking some very personal questions.
Still staring and gaping, shock starting to clear off, Lavi realizes that it's simply impossible for him to go and claim the truth as a lie. Apparently Allen is a lot sharper than he's given credit for, and even an idiot could read Lavi's previous behavior.
But there's no way he's going to get himself killed by telling that nowadays it's usually him who tops. "Now that's just too personal", he tells the kid, glaring with one eye.
Allen stares at him for a while, before asking, innocent and curious and more than a little surprised: "You're topping?"
Lavi all but squeaks, cursing both Allen and Cross and buries his face to his hands, groaning. He can't escape. "Not always", he mutters, gritting the word through his teeth, cursing himself for letting Allen know, but still knowing it's better to defend the little of what's left of Kanda's pride. There's no use crying over the spilled milk, but still… "Yuu's goin' to kill me."
Allen laughs, lifting his gaze to the clear blue sky. "I doubt that." Lavi knows better than that; if Kanda ever finds out that Allen doesn't only know about their 'relationship' – screwing each other when possible – but also that Lavi's the one usually topping, not even the entire Order could save him from Mugen's blade.
"Don't worry; I don't plan on telling anyone." Allen winks his eye, grin bright and happy.
Lavi groans back, remembering why the books are so much better company than humans. Allen is a man of his word, but it's never too good to be sure. Besides, Allen isn't the only one who can read people; Lavi can do that do.
"How about you and Lenalee?"
Now, Lavi finds himself grinning as Allen squirms, blushing and blabbering about how there's nothing between them, how they're just friends and so on. Lavi only listens with one ear, grinning all the time, satisfied to know that his secret is safe.
