Hi everyone! I am so sorry but I just finished the chapter now, I was out of writing fuel, and started back up today. but here I hope it was worth the wait.
Chapter 13: The piano man
(2 hours)
Allen, Kanda, Miranda and Krory all currently sat at their regular table as they waited for the Warden to announce Christmas dinner to be served.
In fact what seemed to be that all of halls D and C sat in the cafeteria, a slight buzz of excitement mixed into the loud atmosphere because this year was Jerry's turn to make the holiday dinner. Most prisoners watched in happy anticipation as the food was set into the stem-wells, Allen in particular was drooling buckets as they set up the food, it had been forever since he could stuff his face until he was full, and stuff his face he would.
Kanda was watching him while shaking his head at Allen's horrendous table manners but he was still wearing an out of character smile that he couldn't seem to hide, the change in facial expression was found strange but relaxing by Miranda and Krory as they lightly laughed at the excited look on Allen's face.
Holidays were always looked forward to by the prisoners, it gave them an excuse to forget they were in prison, and always lifted the spirits of the inmates. Warden LenaLee stood at the center of the cafeteria. She was always proud of how well behaved the prisoners were on the holidays and for the last few years they'd been able to avoid incident much to her surprise.
The sound of metal hitting plastic echoed through the room as the LenaLee tapped the dull end of a plastic knife against a steel cup in an attempt to gather the undivided attention of the room filled with prisoners.
As the noise was heard the volume rapidly decreased until you could easily hear her feminine voice laced with authority from anywhere in the room.
"Before we get started on dinner I'd like to begin by thanking Jerry for this wonderful meal..."
She went on thanking and going over the achievements the prison had made for the past year before declaring dinner served, giving control over which tables could line up first to the guards, and then taking her leave to her office. Her dinner would be brought to her like per usual.
Kanda, Miranda, and Krory all ate calmly, taking their time to enjoy the best food that they'd had in a long while, watching as Allen finished off his sixth plate.
"Moyashi," Kanda called, "how the hell do you eat so much?"
Allen paused digging into his stuffing as he gave a few chews to what he'd already shoved into his mouth. He swallowed the lump of good loudly, Kanda sitting a little worriedly until the white haired inmate took in a large breath and spoke.
"I have a large metabolism that hasn't been satisfied since I was 12 and I can barely afford box of rice let alone a buffet. I remember Mana took be to this place called 'Mandarin' once and they had all sorts of stuff to eat there, but it think that was the last time I went out."
Allen noticed the small flash of sadness mixed anger in Kanda's eyes while Miranda and Krory gave him the sympathetic looks he was used too.
'Awww...' Allen thought as his facial features softened and his lips curved into a tiny shy smile, 'he's angry for me.'
The table was quiet after that, Allen and Kanda's eyes meeting over and over in small glances that they thought would go unnoticed, but the inmates in front of them could see clear as a bell and so could a few other inmates at tables nearby. For the few that noticed most of them merely had understanding shine in their eyes, some of them gave small frowns, but they all recognized the lustful tension that hovered between the two men.
Kanda finished his plate at the same time as Allen cleaned his fifth, he pushed it away as Allen got up for a new plate if food, his eyes shifting to the prisoners ass. Miranda waited until the Albino was out of earshot before leaning forward and talking lowly to Kanda.
"Kanda, how long has-...Kanda?" She waved her hand in front of the inmates face to gain his attention.
Blinking rapidly Kanda returned from dreamland and gave Miranda his attention.
"How long has this been going on?! And why didn't you tell us?!" She asked quietly yet excitedly, Kanda's eyebrows furrowing in confusion as he let out a intelligent 'huh?'.
"Don't play dumb with me, it's so obvious whats happening between you and Allen."
Kanda blushed and turned away from Miranda in favor of looking off at the Moyashi from over Krory's shoulder, hope in his cobalt eyes.
"Is it really that obvious?" He asked breathlessly.
"HA I KNEW IT!" Miranda yelled practically jumping onto the table, attracting angered glares from the nearby tables, and a startled Moyashi to turn and catch Kanda still looking his way. Allen's cheeks reddened and he turned swiftly back to filling his plate, he was so used to the older mans gaze that he hadn't even noticed the other was watching.
With a few sorry's Miranda was able to redirect the nearby prisoners attentions away from their table.
"So... How is it?" She asked after regaining herself.
"Is what?" Questioned a confused Kanda.
"The sex you dummy."
"First off, neither of us has yet to make a successful move, and secondly, that's personal information you don't share in prison, why would you even ask that?!"
"So you haven't even kissed?" Krory asked deciding to join the conversation.
"No," Kanda admitted, "any chances we've had were interrupted and... I didn't even really realize he had those thoughts until today..."
"You better take the chance soon before Tyki does something." Krory said finishing up his plate also.
"Yeah, you still got that bastard Tyki and whatever he's cooking up."
"What was that?" Allen joined in as he came around the table holding an over flowing plate in each hand. One plate was piled high with four of every dessert they had, the other had a mix of all the different Christmas themed dishes, and he pushed the dessert plate into the middle of the table.
"It was nothing Moyashi, just discussing how much of a bastard Tyki is."
"Oh ok...I brought dessert!" He said happily before digging into the plate that was still in front of him.
Saying their thanks they each grabbed a treat off the plate and watched as Allen polished off his plate again before eating his share of the desserts along with most of Kanda's share. Kanda didn't really like most sweets so he took the opportunity.
"You can have the rest of my desserts Moyashi." He said casually.
"What? Really?!" Allen asked excitedly.
"Yeah I don't really have much of a sweet tooth."
"Wow! Thanks Kanda!" He said as he gave the elder prisoner a quick squeeze.
Kanda smirked at the cute younger, "your like a kid in a candy shop." He teased ruffling his Moyashi's hair as he pushed the plate of sweets closer to the bottomless pit disguised as a human.
The gesture gave Allen a spark of more happiness.
After the bell signaling the end of dinner was not longer heard an announcement asking all the students for the music class to come to the activity room so that the teachers could evaluate them.
Allen was a little nervous, it'd been awhile since he'd last played, and he wasn't even sure they'd have his preferred instrument.
If they did though, he knew exactly what he'd play.
Heading there straight after dinner Allen and Kanda were the first few to arrive and they were greeted by a tall, thin, brunette woman with two guards standing behind her menacingly.
"Welcome," she said with a smile, small wrinkles appearing in her features, "I am one of the music teachers, Miss Lucille, but please, call me Miss Lucy."
Allen smiled back and extended a warm hand to shake, Kanda stood with an empty expression, going into the foul mood he seemed to develop when meeting new people.
"It's nice too meet you Miss Lucy," Allen greeted as she gladly shook his hand, "I'm Allen and this is my cell mate Kanda." He introduced the now grumpy man that stood beside him by placing a hand on his shoulder accidentally setting off a small shiver through both there body's.
"The pleasures all mine." She said not noticing the split second of tension, "I look forward to teaching you both."
"Actually it'll just be my Moyashi here."
Allen's heart skipped a beat at the word 'my', "y-yeah, Kanda's more of a visual artist, he's here for support more than anything."
Kanda kept his indifferent expression but gave the Moyashi a quick glance in question at his slight stutter, not realizing his slip up.
"Oh what a cute nickname! And what a good boyfriend coming to support you."
Kanda and Allen both turned deep red but neither corrected her assumption.
"Hehe," she gave a light laugh at their embarrassment, they were so cute, "well come inside and you can practice while we wait for the rest of the class and Mr. Ryan. What instrument do you play Allen?"
"I play piano." He answered as they entered the activity room for the second time that day.
The activity room was much different then when they'd entered it that morning. Sign up sheets no long lined the far gray cement wall, and the room had been completely void of furniture until now. A shelf along the wall on the right was lined with cases for different instruments, a clear box holding music sheet stands lay opened next to it, and plastic dark blue chairs were arranged in a large circle around the room. 3 other inmates were seated and fiddling with their instruments.
"Piano? That's wonderful! We'll finally get some use out of the one we have! It's been kept up but sadly it's rarely ever used, not many prisoners can play more than a few simple bars."
On the far left corner of the left side of the room sat a beautiful black grand piano.
Wondering how he'd missed the beautiful instrument at first glance, Allen approached the instrument, admiring how well it had been kept.
"How sad, it's so beautiful...may I?"
She nodded, "please feel free to practice, the evaluations will start once Mr. Ryan arrives, he'll not want to wait for the other students." Giving him a smile and a wave she moved to greet another inmate who stumbled into the room.
Allen sat on the piano bench and lightly ran his fingers over the smooth white keys. His hands seeming to move with a mind of their own as he played through the warm up excises that Mana had taught him so long ago, he was surprised he still remembered them, he hadn't played in almost 7 years.
As he finished playing the exercise songs he could remember all in one run, the sound of one person clapping resounded from behind him. He turned to see Kanda watching him with surprise and a tall, lean man with blonde hair clapping beside him.
"That was wonderful, you transitioned the pieces perfectly." The man said, "I'm Mr. Ryan." He held out his hand for the young pianist to shake.
"Allen," he answered taking his hand.
"ah, well Allen, its wonderful to finally have a pianist in the joint! Please take a seat we are going to begin evaluations."
Allen nodded to the music teacher and Kanda's wrist. Kanda had been deep in his memories and was contemplating sharing them when the warm hand on his wrist coaxed him from his thoughts, the Moyashi was leading him to a pair of empty blue chairs amongst the circle of chairs, only about eight inmates also joined them.
Miss Lucy stood and introduced herself, clipboard in hand, before they began starting at the top of the list and going down.
Sitting somewhat patiently Allen and Kanda waited for Allen's turn, only somewhat because Kanda was making subtle annoyed expressions when he thought Moyashi wasn't looking, especially for the not particularly talented prisoners. A few inmates were actually not that bad at playing their chosen instrument but their were still a few who needed much more practice.
Even with more prisoners arriving as they went through the list Kanda and Allen still ended up being the last two criminals in the room.
After jotting down a few things and sending the second last performer on his way Mr. Ryan told Allen it was his turn.
Moving to the piano Allen readied himself and waited for the teachers to come closer so they could watch him play, Kanda moving closer with them, eager to see his Moyashi play again.
"Ok Allen, and what piece will you be playing for us?" Miss Lucy asked, pen ready.
"Is it alright if I play Nocturne in E Flat Major Op. 9 Number 2 by Frederic Chopin?"
Kanda's inner jaw dropped at Allen's song choice, it was a slower very classical, elegant piece.
"oh my really?" Miss Lucy breathed, "What a beautiful piece to play! Please, whenever you are ready."
Allen took in a deep breath to relax himself, he was a little nervous, he hadn't played this since he was 11.
His worry was for nought though, as he hit the first few keys his hands immediately began to flow into the song, and they soon danced across the black and white in an elegance only he himself did not see. He could feel the music's flow as he began, his hands seeming to take over as he became lost in concentration, completely focusing on the speed and the notes, playing them just as he remembered Mana had showed him.
Allen glowed with a beauty and elegance that Kanda never thought a male could achieve, as the white haired mans fingers graced the keys they produced a splendid sound that to Kanda sounded as if an angel was playing. Maybe it was an angel playing, Kanda had heard this piece and many others countless times as he'd grown up, but he had never heard them played like this. The notes surrounded him with a peace that immediately touched his soul, the song itself taking all of his attention as he felt Allen's music move through him. Just hearing the music was enough, but at the same time it wasn't, he watched as Allen's hands made the instrument come to life, his slim fingers pushing the keys so fluently and yet so delicately. His body seemed to move only to accommodate his hands as he lightly swayed this way and that for easy access to the correct notes, and his features relaxed as he played with such magnificence, such grace.
The end of the song leaked from the inmates fingertips and Kanda silently let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding, he hadn't even wanted the sound of his own breathing to interrupt the Moyashi.
Miss Lucy and Mr. Ryan clapped after Allen's song had ended, both absolutely floored by the amount of talent the boy held in his grasp.
"Allen, that was beautiful!" Miss Lucy said flabbergasted.
"Really?" Allen replied a little unsure of himself.
Mr. Ryan spoke up, "Yes! Yes! I don't think I've ever heard something played so wonderfully! Were did you learn?"
"My first adoptive father taught me when I was young."
"Well that was beautiful Allen, please come and use the piano whenever you'd like to play."
Allen's face was a little shade of red from the praise, he wasn't used to being told his playing was 'beautiful'.
"Um... do you mind if I stay and play a few more minutes?" Allen asked, glancing at Kanda to see the other staring at him with a mixture of amazement and something warm and unfamiliar in his eyes.
"Yes, go write ahead, Mr. Ryan and I will be right back, we need to discuss the evaluations."
With a nod from Allen, they left the room, closing the door behind them.
They sat alone in the room.
"K- Kanda? Did you like it?" Allen asked meeting the blue eyes that were rarely filled with this much emotion.
"..."
What is this feeling?
Kanda was quiet, his heart thumped in his chest and refused to slow its pace, the feeling that over whelmed him unfamiliar.
"Kanda?"
"That... I don't think I've ever seen something so beautiful before in my life..."
Allen's cheeks gained a significant amount of color, "Really?" he asked shyly, "So you liked it?"
Without breaking away from the others eyes Kanda moved to were Allen sat on the piano bench, the younger sliding over to give him room to sit, and Kanda sat at a slight angle facing his Moyashi the best he could, staring him right in his steely gray eyes.
"Allen, my father was a popular composer when we lived in Japan, I've heard a multitude of pieces played in many different ways, but never in my life have I heard something so beautiful come from someone so breathtaking."
Allen's eyes widened slightly, and he swallowed audibly, making Kanda smirk and look down.
Scratch that, this feeling, he knew this feeling.
This feeling was falling in love.
Looking up he met the others eyes, they sat so close but he wanted to be so much closer. He leaned forward so that their faces were only inches apart, his eyes shifting to the mans light colored lips.
Allen thought his heart was going to beat right out of his chest as it slammed against his ribs, he was sure Kanda could hear it beating, after all they were only inches apart. His face felt redder than hot coal's. His heart skipping as Kanda's eyes drifted to his lips.
He let his eyes flutter shut.
And suddenly he felt Kanda connect them.
Closing his eyes Kanda threw everything he had into this kiss.
His hopes.
His heart.
Everything.
here is the link to the song Allen played if anyone wants to hear it:
youtu. be /5ZUw78FXpG4