Rhythm of Life

Chapter Eleven

Allen was so exhausted that once he had covered himself with a blanket and was comfortable in his bed it felt as if his body became one with the mattress.

Suddenly, a streak of panic flashed through him as painful memories surfaced from last night's verbal assault from Cross. The images of Cross were very vivid in his mind especially of Cross towering over him, and a shot of terror rushed through his body.

No! He wasn't going to go there. Cross was not going to rob him of his much needed rest. Allen started deep breathing to control the panic he felt. In doing so it reminded him of Kanda. Thoughts of the older teen filled his mind. He allowed his imagination to run wild as to what Kanda would do to him if he was in bed with him right now.

Allen visualized Kanda's hands caressing his body. His wet lips were on Allen's mouth kissing him deeply only releasing his hot lips to slide them down his neck nibbling on it with his teeth. Goose bumps and a thrill of excitement filled his body. These sexy images of Kanda followed him as his eyelids became heavy and closed as he floated into the darkness of sleep.

Kanda came through the front door, creaking as he shut it. A creak that he had been meaning to oil for Tiedoll but never had taken the time to do. The jingling of car keys were thrown in the tray on the entry table and then he hung up his coat. The house was very quiet and he wasn't sure if anyone was home. Looking into the living and seeing no one he quietly walked down to Tiedoll's studio to see if Allen and Tiedoll were in there painting.

"Oh, hi Kanda," Tiedoll said to his son standing in the doorway of his studio looking tired and worn out. Then a sudden concern showed in his eyes.

"Where's Moyashi, he didn't …" Kanda was interrupted by Tiedoll.

"No Kanda, he didn't go back to Cross's. He was exhausted after painting and eating, so I suggested he go lay down until you came home. Kanda, I'm not sure he should be doing any physical activity. His little body looks run down and with school tomorrow maybe he should just rest. It's just my opinion mind you, but lying in bed watching a movie with you might be better."

"Well, I hate to admit it, but you have always been a better judge about people. Anyways, I'm pretty tired with the competition yesterday and then Cross last night. I'll go up and check on him," Kanda said, then turned around and walked to the stairway.

Kanda quietly opened the door to his room. Moyashi was sleeping soundly on his side and his face looked drawn for a kid his age, twitching now and then in a restless sleep. Kanda remembered Allen's laughter and smiles from last night before Cross had crushed his lively spirit. Just thinking about it made him angry.

No, Kanda didn't want to wake him. He himself was too tired to verbally spar or bout with him today. He walked over to the bed and knelt down on the floor. 'How this white-hair kid grabs my heart. I want to hold him again like last night and have his warm, small body against mine. I was so afraid he had gone into shock. What a bastard Cross can be,' Kanda thought, looking down at this beautiful person whom he had feelings developing for.

Kanda touched Allen's soft face. His fingers slid down the soft white strands of Allen's hair and then leaned in smelling the scent of his own shampoo on him. Kanda couldn't resist and touched his lips to Allen's forehead though he would have preferred to have kissed his lips.

He sat on the floor by the bed. His body wanted Allen and knew this kid had been stealing his heart bit by bit, even day by day. 'Damn these complications with Alma. Why won't he just back off and leave me alone.' Kanda didn't want to involve Allen in this struggle with Alma and knew it wouldn't be safe for Allen even to be seen with him.

He thought about what Tiedoll had said about the possibility Alma might have drove by last night. 'If he did, I have no idea how he will react about seeing me with Moyashi,' Kanda thought, still glazing at Allen's beautiful face. 'If Alma tried to hurt Moyashi then there would be hell to pay.'

He was watching Allen when slowly he opened one eye, "Hi there," he whispered sleepily, his voice hoarse. "Are we going to bout today?" It sounded like it took all his strength just to talk.

"I thought it would be better to rest this afternoon. We can start practice Tuesday after school. How about a movie, and Baka, you have my permission to fall asleep during it," Kanda smirked at him. Damn the kid, he looked so vulnerable.

"Yeah, I sort of feel like a wet noodle, so you might have to carry me downstairs," Allen muttered sleepily.

"Well, it just so happens I have a TV and DVD player in my room, just for lazy people like you. I'll push the beds together so you won't have to walk anywhere," Kanda snickered, loving the thought of Allen being close to him again.

Allen only had strength enough to smile at Kanda, but it was a smile that touched Kanda's heart every time he saw it. He got up and moved the night stands then pushed the beds together. He picked out a movie, placed it in the DVD player and pressed the play button. Kanda climbed on top of his bed and fluffed his pillows to lean back against.

The movie started, but Allen couldn't see the screen well, so he moved his pillow and laid it across Kanda's lap. He slid his tired body over to lay his head on the pillow pulling the blanket with him. Once comfortable, Allen found he felt safe and comforted by knowing Kanda was here with him that he fell back to sleep.

Shocked at first by Allen's action, Kanda realized he loved Allen's head on his lap. He pulled the covers up over Allen's shoulders than draped his arm and hand over him. Kanda leaned back and closed his eyes taking in all the sensations around him. It didn't feel awkward in the least sitting like this with Allen.

It felt the same as when they had watched their first movie together at Allen's and Allen had fell asleep. He remembered Moyashi's warm body leaning against him. It was the first time he recognized how natural it felt to be in an intimate setting with Moyashi, like they have always been together.

Like right now, with Allen laying his head on his lap sleeping, curled up in the fetal position. They seemed to 'fit' each other, at least so far in this … what? Relationship? What would one call what they were. Friends? Or close friends that seemed to be growing faster into something else.

It was only weeks ago the two of them were fighting and bickering at each other with hatred. Now look at them. Kanda wanted nothing but to protect Allen – not fight him. Things seemed to have changed and this time Kanda had noticed it was happening – he didn't blind himself to the facts. Not like he did with Alma.

Kanda's mind wasn't on the movie playing in front of him, but as always on Allen. He took a deep breath and inhaled Moyashi and his scent mixed together creating a unique wonderful new scent. He was comfortable being close to Allen and slid down a ways until he was almost holding him in his arms then he too fell asleep.

To be continued …


A/N: Sorry this is a short chapter. I've had a hard week at work with being on the road for 6 hours, not including my work time at the places, for two days in a row. That's been two 14 hour days for me and my body really hates these long drives – they're exhausting. Somehow I managed to finish this chapter. It hasn't been beta read, but I feel pretty good about it. Please let me know if you see any major blunders. You all have been absolutely wonderful!