Rhythm of Life
Chapter Ten
The carriage lanterns, one on each side of the garage, provided a soft warm glow of welcome as Kanda pulled into his driveway and parked. The ambience of distress filled the car and neither made an attempt to leave the cozy abode. Kanda looked over at Allen. The glow from the carriage lights had toned down the red puffiness around Allen's eyes and the trails from tears that stained his cheeks.
Kanda gently laid his hand on Allen's arm to reassure him that he wasn't alone. He wanted to give Allen the time he needed to collect himself before they walked into his house to face Tiedoll. Allen's head hung down to his chest in shame believing he was the cause of all his problems with Cross.
Allen had taken on all the burden of Cross's actions – past and present. He thought he could have done something, anything to stop Cross from hating him. He just never understood what it was Cross wanted from him in order to be accepted. By not letting go of his guilt, he held inside, it only left him overwrought.
How many times could these incidents keep happening? Having the scars inside ripped open time and time again, before they will no longer heal? The pain inside tore him apart left him raw and broken and in total disgrace. What else could Cross take from him? He had stripped him of any self-worth and had even trampled down his mind and now his soul.
Allen felt Kanda's warm hand on his arm. He turned his head slightly looking at him. Compassion showed on Kanda's face an emotion Allan had never seen before. Desperately he wanted to be held in Kanda's arms again where he had felt his warmth and strength – a place where he had felt secure.
"Are you ready to go in, Moyashi?" Kanda asked gently, searching Allen's face for an answer.
"Will you stay by my side when we go in?" Allen asked, his eyes brimming with tears again.
"Of course I will. Let's go in. You can stay in my room with me tonight," Kanda said, squeezing Moyashi's arm for reassurance. "Wait here."
Kanda got out of the car and walked over to Allen's side. The car door creaked when he opened it and helped him out. Allen stood up on his legs, shaking, and leaned against the car for support while Kanda pulled his overnight case from the backseat. The older teen placed his arm around Allen's small waist assisting him as they walked up the slate path to the front door.
Tiedoll had been sitting in his chair reading when he had seen car lights turn into the driveway. He looked out the window and saw their car parked in the driveway. He knew immediately something had happened. Though, it wasn't until he watched Kanda help Allen out of the car and Allen clutched Kanda's arms to steady his shaking body, did he realize something bad had happened. He prayed Cross had not hit Allen.
He watched as Kanda helped Allen slowly up the walkway. Headlights flashed inside the house from another car that passed by slowing down as it drove past the house.
The front door opened and closed quietly. Tiedoll turned around from the window as they walked into the living room. A rush of fear flooded through Tiedoll when he saw how distraught Allen appeared. Tiedoll looked at Kanda, his son's eyes flared both with anger and worry; he quickly walked over to the two young teens.
"What happened, Allen? Did Cross hit you? Come in and sit down. I'll get us all a cup of tea," Tiedoll said, ushering Allen to the couch to sit down. Kanda sat down next to him. Kanda wished he could put his arm around Allen's shoulders and draw him close to comfort him. Tiedoll interrupted his thoughts when he returned with a tray of hot tea.
Clearly, Allen was an emotional wreck. Kanda picked up a cup of tea and handed it to Allen. He looked at Kanda and thanked him, but when Allen had taken the cup from Kanda, his hands shook so badly the tea spilt over the edge of the tea cup. Kanda quickly grabbed some napkins and blotted the hot liquid on Moyashi's pants.
"Are you alright? It didn't burn your legs did it?" Kanda asked, with a tone of concern.
"No, I'm fine, thank you," Allen whispers, not sure of his voice.
Allen looked into Kanda's eyes, his own conveying discomfort, he whispered, "Will you please explain what happened tonight? I can't talk about it."
Tiedoll watched the two young teens interact and knew that something had changed in their relationship. He wasn't sure if either of them really understood what was happening between them but Tiedoll did. Kanda spoke up and explained the events of the evening.
"I'm so sorry, Allen. No one deserves to be treated in such a savage way. Son, you did the right thing bringing Allen over here. Let's see, we do have a guest room, but Kanda would you mind if Allen spent the night sleeping your extra bed?" Tiedoll asked, testing to see how Kanda would respond.
"Why of course not! I don't want Moyashi sleeping alone in some dark spare bedroom," Kanda said, astonished Tiedoll would even suggest Allen sleep in another room.
"Well then, with that settled I think you both should go to bed to get some rest. Kanda, you have to leave early in the morning and Allen has had enough for one night," Tiedoll said, raising from his chair and picked up the tea tray.
"Allen I'll see you in the morning. Please sleep in if you need to. I'll be here all day tomorrow," Tiedoll said and gave Allen a warm smile.
"Thank you Mr. Tiedoll for …" Allen had a lump form in his throat and choked," … letting me stay here with you both," Allen said. He suddenly felt exhausted from the night's abhorrence.
"Come on, Moyashi. I'll show you to my room." Kanda picked up Allen's overnight case and placed his hand on the small of Allen's back to guide him up the stairs leading to his bedroom.
Kanda sat Allen's overnight case on his desk chair. They silently changed for bed. While Allen was slipping into his sweatpants Kanda couldn't help but admire Allen's strong thigh muscles as well as his defined calf muscles. He quickly looked away when Allen turned around.
"Kanda, I'm …" Allen looked down at his feet, "so glad you were there tonight. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't," Allen's voice cracked and tears ran down his cheeks when he blinked his eyes.
"Come here, Moyashi," Kanda said throwing the covers back on Allen's bed. Allen's head hung to his chest as he shuffled over to where Kanda was standing by his bed and stood in front of him. Kanda placed his finger under Allen's chin and gently lifted it so Allen was looking directly into his eyes. He took his thumb and wiped away the tears.
"I'm glad I was there also," Kanda whispered, spellbound by Allen's glistening silver eyes. His head slowly lowered towards Allen's lips their eyes still locked on each others. He wanted to kiss him and hold him tight to take away all his pain.
"Kanda, is everything alright right in there? Did you two need anything?" Tiedoll said with a rap on the door. The spell was broken between them and Kanda pulled away and kept himself in check.
"Everything is fine Tiedoll," Kanda replied to keep him from coming into his room annoyed at the interruption.
"Get in bed Allen, you need your sleep," Kanda said quietly as Allen slid into the bed and Kanda covered him, tucking him in for the night and turned the light off on the night stand. Kanda walked over to the door and opened it to leave, the hallway light shone pie shape across Allen's bed.
"Kanda?" Allen asked, whispering.
"Yes Moyashi?"
"Please don't leave me alone in your room," he said, his whisper sounded anxious.
"It's okay, I'll be right back. I'll leave the door open," Kanda replied in a whisper back.
Kanda left the room and quickly returned with a box of tissues and a nightlight plugging it into the wall. He turned it on before closing the door and left the box of tissues on Allen's night stand. He looked down at Allen's young face noticing the worry frowns on his forehead and the pain that was still present in those haunting silvery eyes.
"I'm not going anywhere, Moyashi, but in the bed next to you," Kanda whispered, then returned to his own bed and slid in covering himself. He laid facing Allen, fluffing his pillow to get comfortable for the night.
Allen also was lying on his side. When they looked at each other their eyes locked. Both knew tonight had changed something in their relationship. Allen knew these feelings he had for Kanda were running deeper than what he had ever experienced with any other boy and quite frankly he was a little scared.
"Close your eyes Moyashi and sleep. Tomorrow will be a better day," Kanda whispered to Allen.
Allen closed his eyes and soon was sound asleep. Kanda kept his eyes on Allen for awhile longer. He wanted to go over there and crawl into bed with him to hold him close. It had been an emotional night and Kanda too was exhausted and had a full day ahead of him tomorrow. Finally his eyelids were so heavy he had to shut them succumbing to the darkness.
Kanda's arms were wrapped around his pillow hugging it closely as he dreamt about Allen. He had slid into bed with Allen who had rolled on his side and snuggled in close to Kanda's chest. Kanda's arm draped over Allen's waist under the covers his scent was strong in Kanda's nostrils he laid so close to him.
Warmth radiated off Allen and his naked body excited him. Kanda's hand caressed the soft smooth skin and he started to rub himself against Allen his hardness between them. Allen slid onto his back, stretching and reaching his arms over his head and turned slightly rubbing his hot skin against him. Kanda found Allen's mouth. Kissing it he pushed his tongue into the warm wet cavern. Allen was so sexy Kanda felt he would come just by Allen's erotic behavior.
The strong urge to urinate roused Kanda from his erotic dream he was having about Allen. Great, not only did he need to urinate, but he also had a hard on. Kanda carefully slipped out of bed as to not wake Allen and rushed to the bathroom. He looked at the clock and figured he might as well shower and dress now. It wouldn't be long before he would have to leave.
In the shower, the hot water felt good on his body and thoughts of Allen came back to arouse him once again. The memory of Allen playing the piano with his long, slender fingers caressing those keys brought on the familiar aching and hot throbbing down below. Then the erotic dream he had of being with Moyashi further erected him. Between the two visions it didn't take long in jerking off. He only wished someday he would share this with Moyashi.
Tiedoll came out of his room as Kanda came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. Tiedoll raised an eyebrow looking at his son in just a towel. Any other time he wouldn't have given it a second thought, but he knew something was developing between the two young teens and the sight brought to mind something different.
"It's not what you think, Tiedoll. So wipe the shocked look off you face. I merely took my shower to get dressed to leave," Kanda smirked at Tiedoll.
"Well … I … of course you didn't," Tiedoll said in passing his son – relief showed on his face that Kanda couldn't see. Kanda chuckled to himself.
He quickly dressed and sat down to write a note for Allen. He hoped Allen would do what he asked of him in his note. He laid it on the night stand next to the bed then brought the covers up around Allen's chin noticing the peaceful look on his face. 'I wonder if he dreams of me, the way I just dreamt of him."
Kanda knelt by the bed and he brushed the hair out of Allen's eyes and kissed him on the forehead. How he would love to taste those pump pink lips. 'Che, get a grip." He walked to the door and turned to look one last time at Allen before he left the room. 'He's so damn beautiful.' Quietly, he closed the door behind and headed downstairs.
Tiedoll was already downstairs and had breakfast made for Kanda. He could smell it all the way upstairs and was famished after last night. They glanced at each other when Kanda entered the kitchen. He ignored Tiedoll's look and sat down to eat mainly because he needed to get going.
"Son, how do you think Allen slept last night? Did he have any nightmares?" Tiedoll asked, not turning to look at Kanda.
"No, he didn't have any nightmares and I'm sure he slept the whole night without waking. At least I didn't hear anything," Kanda replied, now picking at his food. Tiedoll looked over at his son.
"Did you sleep alright, Kanda?" Tiedoll asked. "I was concerned when I saw you coming out of the bathroom and …"
"We didn't do anything, Tiedoll!" Kanda said firmly, a slight blush on his cheeks.
"I didn't say you did. I know you well enough, son, that you wouldn't take advantage of Allen while he is down and hurting this badly," he said quietly. "Do you care about Allen?"
"I really don't want to get into this right now, Tiedoll. We can discuss this at another time," Kanda said annoyed.
"Just remember Kanda that Alma is still a problem. I don't want to see you get hurt by him again." His foster father turned to face Kanda with that concerned look he always gave him when he was worried.
"Yes, I remember, but he can't keep ruining my life. I've moved on from him and I wished he would do the same thing," Kanda replied. Even though he too worried about what Alma might do if he knew about Allen and him becoming friends or if it became more.
"Look I have to get going. Please, try to keep Allen here for the day until I can get home," Kanda said and picked up the car keys from the table. "I'll see you later, Tiedoll."
"Drive carefully, son," Tiedoll said, giving his son a warm smile.
"Oh, Kanda, I thought I saw Alma drive by last night when you and Allen were coming up the walkway. I pray it wasn't him, but I thought I should mention it anyway," he said to his son.
"Thanks, hopefully it wasn't him," Kanda replied walking out of the kitchen.
Tiedoll started making a batter of muffins for when Allen woke up and poured himself a cup of coffee. He was actually glad to see his son take his time with Allen for he could sense that Kanda was trying to figure out what it was he felt for Allen.
The feeling developing between Allen and Kanda was nothing like he had with Alma. Alma was too forceful with Kanda and he had stalked his son because he had been so attracted to Kanda. Once Alma had set his sights on Kanda he was persistent in having him. Kanda had finally given in and started to date Alma.
Tiedoll had seen from the beginning it would be a short-lived relationship once Kanda had been around Alma long enough to know his personality. Luckily it had ended, but not without consequences.
Upstairs Allen lay in bed with thoughts of Kanda floating through his head. He could still feel Kanda's warm arms holding him from last night at his house. He inhales, smelling Kanda's scent in the bedroom, and for some reason that excited his body. No boy had aroused Allen the way Kanda did to him.
The aroma of fresh brewed coffee wafted to Allen's nose and the smell of cooked bacon. He stretched and looked over at the bed next to his – Kanda's not there. The bed was neatly made. 'I would have loved to see him first thing in the morning. I wonder what it would be like to wake up in Kanda's arms,' Allen thought then noticed the note on the night stand next to his bed. It was from Kanda.
Moyashi,
I'll be gone for the day, but will be back by two o'clock for our practice. Do not leave the house, stay with Tiedoll until I get back.
Kanda
What beautiful handwriting Kanda has. Allen smelled the paper, it was Kanda's scent and he held it to his chest for a moment before he got out of bed.
Allen made the bed and took a hot shower trying to wash away the panic and pain he had internalized from last night. The pit in his stomach came back without Kanda there to help distract him from his thoughts as he dressed and neatly packed his belongings into his overnight case – including the note from Kanda.
Last night was a close call. He was sure Cross was going to hit him and all he could do at the time was stand there – paralyzed. Allen tried to put those terrible thoughts behind him before going down to face Tiedoll.
Descending the stairs, Allen was about to step onto the bottom step when the phone rang and he heard Tiedoll answer it – Allen stopped.
"Oh, hello Cross … yes he's here, he spent the night … yes in Kanda's room … no my son would not take advantage of Allen … Allen's spending the day with me painting on his art project and then the afternoon with Kanda practicing their fencing … I'd say he'd be home by eight o'clock tonight at the latest … alright … oh Cross … don't ever treat Allen like that again … yes we do have a history … I won't stand by and watch you harm Allen ... Cross? Cross are you there?"
'The nerve of him, he hung up on me!' Tiedoll thought, put out by Cross's action and hoped he had gotten his message across loud and clear.
Allen stood on the bottom step. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop it just sort of happened. 'What history does Cross and Mr. Tiedoll have together? Cross had never mentioned anything about them knowing each other.'
He walked into the kitchen enjoying the wonderful smells of breakfast. He wondered if this might be what it felt like to have a warm family to wake up to everyday.
"Good morning Allen. I hope you slept well. I have some breakfast made for you. I hope you like bacon and eggs. Oh, and I just took muffins out of the oven," Tiedoll said warmly, smiling.
'To think, Kanda had the pleasure of getting up every morning with this wonderful man's smile who loves him dearly. I wonder if he realizes how lucky he is.'
"Yes sir, I love all foods," Allen said smiling. He was starving.
"Well then, dig in and after breakfast you can get started on Kanda's portrait. Would you like me to stay and keep you company? If not I'll head to my studio."
"Oh, go ahead to your studio, sir. I'll just eat and clean up my dishes. I'll be in soon," Allen said with a warm smile back wondering if this could be heaven.
"Alright, but you don't have to clean up. I can take care of that later," Tiedoll said over his shoulder as he left to go to his studio to work.
The food was great! So yummy! Allen ate quickly and cleaned up the dishes anyway. The thought of him leaving a mess for Tiedoll was unthinkable in Allen's mind, not after being cooked such a wonderful breakfast.
Allen walked into the studio and over to his painting. He picked it up and placed it on the easel. Standing back looking at it anew, Allen was impressed with his work so far. He looked at his watch. He had at least five to six hours to work on his project. He should have a good part of it done today because the deadline was next Friday, Parents Teachers night.
Tiedoll went over a few more pointers for Allen on blending colors for the skin and hair then Allen was ready to set to work. Once his brush touched the canvas, his natural abilities took over and the paint flowed easily for him. He was lost in his painting as he got lost in his piano playing. May be it flowed so easily because it was Kanda's portrait he was working on. Whatever the reason was, Kanda was coming to life on his canvas.
Tiedoll didn't want to interrupt Allen's passion as he worked with ease, brush strokes gliding onto the canvas. It seemed nothing would penetrate Allen's concentration until there was a growl that roared from his stomach.
Kanda had mentioned to Tiedoll to listen for Allen's stomach to growl and then he would know Allen was hungry. Tiedoll took the opportunity to go out into the kitchen and made lunch for Allen.
Allen was applying the paint to create Kanda's black outfit, when Tiedoll left the studio. The black outfit's tight fitting top sported a stand up collar in the back which came down into a deep V-neck. The top was sleeveless and tucked into his yoga pants. Kanda's hair was pulled up with lose strands that hung down both sides of his beautiful face.
Allen sighed after he had finished the portrait. He stepped back to admire his work. Kanda was incredibly radiant and his serene facial express made him even more beauteous.
"Allen, it's beautiful!" Tiedoll said, admiring his handsome son. "You've done a magnificent job. He should be very happy when he sees it. Allen, I'm very proud of you," Tiedoll said putting an arm around Allen's shoulders squeezing him. Luckily the bruises were healing and it didn't hurt as bad with Tiedoll's tight squeeze.
"Well, let's put your portrait behind this taller painting to dry. It's ready for next Friday. Allen, do you need to show your teacher before Friday night?" Tiedoll asked.
"Well, yes I should show him now that the art project is done, but I'd like to keep it here until next Friday, so the students don't damage it," Allen explained.
"Well, how about I drive you to the school the early part of this week to show him. Then I'll bring it back here to hide it," Tiedoll suggested.
"Really? That would be great. I need to go to the instructor when no one else is around, especially Kanda," Allen replied, appreciating Tiedoll's suggestion. Otherwise, he wasn't sure how he would have gotten to the school.
"Well then, why don't you call on Monday after school? Kanda needs to be over at the arena for a practice and that would give us time," Tiedoll suggested.
"Sure, I'll give you a call right after I talk to the instructor," Allen said, happy he was done with this project. Now they have both the school play and Halloween decorations to work on during class. Allen wondered what Kanda's reaction would be after he saw his portrait.
Allen didn't realize it was one o'clock and he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and he was starving. Tiedoll noticed Allen looking at his watch.
"Allen I have a couple sandwiches for you on the counter, milk is in the refrigerator and I left cookies for you on the counter too. Why don't you go into the kitchen and eat. I'll take care of your brushes and clean up in here."
Allen said thank you and hurried to the kitchen and gobbled the food down Tiedoll had left out for him. After he finished, his eyes were droopy, he was so tired. With painting non-stop and last night's events, everything seemed to had finally caught up with him physically.
"Allen you look very exhausted. Kanda won't be home for another hour or two. Why don't you go upstairs and lay down to sleep. I'll have Kanda wake you up when he arrives home," Tiedoll said as he came into the kitchen and saw Allen was ready to fall asleep.
"Thank you sir, I don't get much sleep, especially if Cross … well, er … I'll go lay down." Allen said and quickly made his exit. He was ready to get under the covers and sleep. 'I feel like I could sleep forever.'
To be continued …
A/N: I hope you all liked the chapter, it wasn't beta read. As I mentioned before I'm on vacation and was unsure when I would get another chance to submit, so I pray it meets your approval. Please let me know of any errors, it's how I learn. Thanks so much to the brave readers for your continuing reviews. But of course I thank all my readers for even taking the time to read my story!