Disclaimer: D. Gray -Man belongs to Hoshino Katsura.
Chapter Fourteen: A Christmas Cheer
White puffs of breath escaped her lips. Miranda was glad to see the headquarters ahead. A pair of arms tightened the cloak around her. "Are you cold?" Krory asked his lady kindly. Miranda smiled. "I'm fine. How are you, Allen-kun?" Allen grinned in spite of the strong winds. "I'm alright. I'm just so happy that we could celebrate Christmas together."
"You know Allen-kun; I've prepared a great gift for you. I also have gifts for everyone else," Komui added with a smile. "Look, it seems that Allen has someone waiting for him," Krory informed, pointing towards the gate. Two faint silhouettes were seen standing in the snow.
Allen's smile brightened and he ran towards the gate in excitement, knocking him down in a great hug. "Yu!!" Kanda sighed. "Are you a kid, moyashi? There was no need to run over us." Allen pouted. "But I missed you! Don't you miss me?"
Kanda didn't answer but he gruffly hugged Allen. Allen returned the hug equally firm. Lavi grinned at the mushy situation.
"How are the preparations coming along?" Miranda asked Lavi politely. "Everyone's mostly done with the decorations! Now most of the manpower is focused in the kitchen. Lenalee and Jeryy are going to come up with a banquet," Lavi informed.
Allen got that slightly dreamy look on his face. "I can't wait to sample Jeryy-san's dishes again," he sighed longingly. "Is food all you think about?" Kanda said in an aggravated tone. Allen smiled coyly at him and took a nip at Kanda's ear, startling the unguarded Japanese. Allen stood up and had to hide his large grin behind his hand at the flush that coloured Kanda's cheeks. "I think about you everyday, without fail," he answered Kanda's not-quite-a-question statement. However, his retort was most unfortunately interrupted by Komui who stated, "Shouldn't we all go in now? The gates don't stay open forever, you know."
Everyone trooped inside, glad to be sheltered from the cold winds. "It's going on rather fiercely out there. I think I'll retire to my quarters first," Allen mused thoughtfully. "I'm going to see Lenalee!" Komui sung joyfully and bounded off.
"Erm…Why don't we get something hot to drink, Arystar?" Miranda suggested. Krory smiled in answer. "That is a good idea." He held his arm out to Miranda like a gentleman. Blushing, Miranda took it and they both walked in the direction of the dining hall.
"Are you both coming?" Allen beckoned to the remaining two exorcists. "I, err...Need to finish some work, so you both go!" Lavi answered enthusiastically. They walked in relative silence, Allen humming a Christmas carol under his breath with Kanda scowling on his left. His new room was pretty big; considering the special privileges he had as a general exorcist, it didn't surprise him. Allen flopped onto bed, feeling a little tired. His task as general wasn't easy, but it was encouraging to the battle when he found new potential exorcists. He also was prone to sleeping more nowadays, but his sleep was accompanied by dreams that were sometimes sweet, and sometimes sorrowful.
Dreams of his parents, before he had been born. What they spoke of him as an unborn child, their hopes for him, discussing the family of Noah, and…the Earl.
He nearly did not notice when an arm snaked lazily over his stomach. "Yu, stop that…" he complained, trying to roll away from Kanda's grip. Kanda snorted, exacting his revenge by licking his neck teasingly. Allen growled a little and turned to face Kanda. He pouted, hoping it would send the message across. He failed. Kanda planted a kiss on his lips instead, fingers roaming within the decent boundaries...for now.
"Yu...No perverted stuff!"
"You were the one who provoked me, moyashi."
"I just teased you a bit, you didn't have to overreact!" Allen muttered, pushing Kanda as far as he could.
"Moyashi...You obviously don't know the dangers of teasing a deprived man then," Kanda spoke gravely, pinning Allen's arms down.
He'd have to take back the remark about Kanda being perverted. He is a lecherous teen on the verge of being a man. Even better! Allen mentally scolded himself for never noticing the sexual tension that arose whenever they were alone. Allen, no matter how innocent he seemed was pretty informed when it came down to what he would politely describe as 'intercourse', no thanks to Cross' constant switching of lovers and his offhanded comments on such and such during the time he spent in a woman's bed.
It was no wonder really that Black Allen had been born. There had to be an outlet for childhood traumas, right?
Thus, Allen had every bit of knowledge which led to him understanding the actions of his love. So the point was, Allen knew what to expect and he wasn't exactly going to protest but there is a disturbing memory in his mind that prevented him from accepting his boyfriend's invitation. Yet again, the problem lay with Cross. 'Damn you, Master…' Cross was a very unreliable person, but in the strangest of manners he taught Allen how to stay away from vices. Like alcohol, for an instance. One VERY severe lecture and punishment prevented Allen from consuming any.
Seeing Cross loiter with women killed off any interest in the opposite gender Allen should have. Allen only nodded and smiled when once asked if Lenalee was pretty in a miniskirt, instead wondering if she felt cold dressed like that! As for relationships…Well, the only vice he'd ever learn was cheating at cards and gambling, but that was it! Allen had no desire whatsoever for money, looking at how Cross floundered everything at a go.
"To be truthful…I've taken a chastity vow…" Allen confessed; feeling very much mortified as he did so.
"You what?!" Kanda exclaimed, looking very shocked.
"Does this mean...You're going to become a priest?!"
Allen sweatdropped. "No, I am not pursuing priesthood. Seriously, I've been under the vow ever since I've been taken in by Master. He said that he wasn't going to risk me picking up his ladies, or something of the sort," Allen explained. Now it was very understandable why Cross wanted him to do so. For once, Allen was glad for Cross' inexplicable actions. Ren was already trying to control his laughter in his mind. Rutherford sighed with relief and was making the cross sign over his body and saying Amen.
"Call off the vow, moyashi. There must be a way," the manner of vehemence Kanda spoke with startled his white-haired lover.
Allen thought for a moment. "Hmm…I think taking a legal spouse answers…" Ren's laughing made Allen realize what he had just said. 'Crap, I should not have said that!!' Kanda's brows were furrowed in deep thought. "Moyashi…Does that mean we have to marry before we can do anything further than kissing?" Kanda's barefaced question made Allen blush.
"P-P-Please, forget what I just said!" Allen scrabbled for words.
"Why should I? If that's the only answer then it will do. I will of course be responsible for my actions."
"We haven't even done anything to merit your responsibility! It's not like I can get pregnant...Oh."
Allen just remembered Tyki's warnings. Kanda smirked in a pleased manner.
"Moyashi...You always were a bit...on the petite side. But being a reasonable man, I suppose I can expect at least a son from you."
"WHAT?!"
This time Allen sat up in utter shock and nearly toppled off the bed doing so. He never expected that Kanda, of ALL people, wanted children. With him, no less! Allen still had his doubts about getting children, especially when he was so obviously male. Tyki's explanation clarified a lot of things, but it didn't really ease Allen's worries. Allen paled when he was pushed back down onto bed, Kanda pinning him down again. "Well, it wouldn't harm you if I did a little…exploring," Kanda breathed the word out, making Allen shudder.
Though as if God answered his prayers, someone knocked at the door frantically, Krory's raspy voice drifting through. "Al…len…" Allen scrambled off the bed and opened the door, thanking Krory mentally for once again rescuing him from the most awkward of moments. To his surprise, Krory was slumped on the floor in his boxers. "Krory, what happened?!" Allen exclaimed, propping the poor man up on the wall. "Run…Five…" Was all Krory managed to say before passing out. A distant rumble brought to Allen's attention to the horror of all horrors.
"Oh no…"
The number five glinted ominously on the head of the robot that towered over him. Not as big as its previous compatriots, but still large on its own, Komurin V stared down on Allen. "Capture…Allen Walker…Must perform exami…nation…" The robot buzzed. Allen 'eeped' and bolted out of the room. "Oi, moyashi!" Kanda yelled and that was when he saw the robot going after Allen. A big ribbon was around its neck with bold letters writing, "To: Allen Walker." It was obviously Komui's handiwork.
"Komui, you bastard! I thought I said I would kill every one of your Komurin if I ever saw it!"
Allen didn't care where he ran, as long as it put distance between him and the giant metal scrap. Why, why of all things Komui gave him as present, it had to be Komurin?! He turned his head in time just to see Johnny and Reever carrying armfuls of paperwork. Unable to stop in time, Allen crashed into the two scientists. "Ouch!! What the…Argh, It's Komurin!!" Johnny yelled in horror seeing the robot of Komui's creation. An extendible hand shot out from its body and dragged Allen in with incredible speed. Allen only managed a yelp before the doors sealed. "Examination…In progress…" Komurin hummed.
Many people were soon attracted by the racket caused, including Tyki and Lenalee. "Oh dear, we're too late!" Lenalee exclaimed. They could hear Allen's muffled shrieks inside.
"What're you doing to my shirt?!! Get your hands off me! Not my boots! ……"
Silence reigned for a while, and everyone was tense with suspense. Suddenly Allen's voice cried out in sheer terror.
"Nooooo, l-let go of my belt!!!!"
Sensing that his uke was in great danger of being molested, Kanda did not hesitate to draw Mugen out and slash Komurin apart. "No!! How could you do that to my Komurin?!! It's my Christmas gift to Allen-kun!" Komui wailed.
"What Christmas gift? It's a giant perverted machine," Kanda stated crossly.
"It's not perverted!! It's supposed to strip you JUST for physical examination and THEN dress you back! I made it for Allen-kun's health!!" Komui asserted loudly.
"Then why is Krory-san almost naked?" Lenalee sighed, asking for an explanation.
"He escaped before Komurin V could dress him again!" Komui pointed out.
A cough alerted them as a figure rose from the cloud of dust. "Moyashi, are you…" Kanda's sentence halted abruptly. Everyone stared. Allen looked down at himself and resisted the urge to scream. He was in a girl's uniform!!! The miniskirt reached only his mid-thighs. The white haired boy blushed for all his worth. "What happened?!" Bak demanded to know.
"Well, Komurin V redresses the exorcist with clothes from its personal closet that I filled with spare uniforms I found. By the way, that's Lenalee's old uniform! It must've got glitches and thought Allen-kun was a girl!" The bespectacled man explained.
Tyki held in his laughter. "Uh, not to be offensive or anything Allen, but I think you've got really sexy legs." Kanda growled possessively. "Not for you to ogle at!" Allen was near the edge of losing it, wondering why when the skirt was shorter than his boxers, the boxers are still not visible? Allen gasped. Unless…
Before Allen had the chance to check, the remains of Komurin V crashed to the ground causing a great gust that blew up his miniskirt. Lenalee screamed first. Lavi fainted second. Kanda nosebled third. Even Tyki's jaw went slack. Allen's mind snapped when he discovered that he was wearing black lacy female underwear, which probably belonged to Lenalee and explained the reason she screamed. Everyone went down in gushes of blood.
"Kyaaaaaa!!!!!"
Allen ran when he saw the reaction of his seme. No more perverted or lecherous, he was now a downright horny bastard for enjoying the view. Kanda staggered to his feet. "Allen, wait!! And I'll kill all you bastards for seeing that!!" Kanda threatened everyone with bodily harm before he gave chase to his very upset uke. Lenalee meanwhile was already rounding up on her brother.
"Niisan…"
While Lenalee beat the pulp out of her not-so-beloved brother now, Kanda tracked Allen back to his room, where the door was locked tight. "Moyashi...Open the door."
"Go away, Yu!"
"U-Um…Allen-kun, if I may…W-Would you like to speak to me?" Miranda stuttered. The door opened a creak, Allen balefully glaring at the Japanese before allowing Miranda entrance. "Wait, boy. Can I come in too?" Tyki asked. Allen stiffly nodded and once again locked the door.
"Kanda, while Allen-kun is getting some counselling in there, why don't you prepare his birthday present?" Lenalee whispered, "And hope he forgives you later for your utterly embarrassing conduct just now."
"I'll take your words for it," Kanda grimly answered and marched away as if he was on a mission.
"Erm…Tyki…Are you sure it's okay? After what just happened…"
"That was a fiasco, albeit a bit of a cute one…"
"Tyki!!"
"Okay, okay. The point is; that was a rather mortifying accident. This is a work of art, if I must say so myself. Thank goodness Miranda here knows how to put it on."
"I-It's not something I can be proud of! I learned it from Lenalee-chan."
"Tyki…Thank you for this present."
"It's what your mother would've wanted you to wear, eventually. Even if you were born a boy."
"I know…I know that very well."
Tyki looked at his godson, surprised. Before he had the chance to ask however, he was interrupted by cheers from the dining hall. "Happy Birthday, Allen!" Allen blinked in surprise, and his first instinct was to clutch at Tyki's shirt, seeing as he was walking behind his godfather the whole time. He peeked out from Tyki's back shyly, taking in the decorations and everyone's smiles. He was filled with happiness and was touched that everyone remembered his birthday.
"Thank you, everyone…This means a lot to me…"
"Allen-chan, don't be hiding behind T-chan now! Come on and have a look at your birthday cake! Lenalee-chan and I made it!" Jeryy exclaimed joyfully. "Go on and give them a good surprise," Tyki tapped Allen on the shoulder and gave him a little push. Allen chewed his lip in uncertainty as he presented himself to the public, dressed in Tyki's birthday and Christmas gift. It was Kanda's turn to flush first this time. The young boy was dressed in a deep red furisode decorated with the motives of violets. The black obi's surface had a sheen that was akin to pearl. Allen's fringes were clipped back with butterfly shaped clips.
"Kyaa, Allen-kun is so cute!! Just like a Japanese doll!!" Lenalee squealed with joy. Allen blushed, trying to hide his face behind the long sleeves. "U-Um…Thank you, Lenalee." "Where did you get this? A kimono at this time…" Komui asked in near amazement. Kimono makers were rare to find outside of Japan, since the Earl controlled that country. "It's his mother's belongings that were going to be his inheritance. This is what I went back to get from the house," Tyki answered.
"Allen-nii, you look very nice," Eeez came up and complimented him, Jean grinning while he stood by Eeez's side. "Thank you, Eeez," Allen replied courteously.
Jean handed him a wrapped box. "This is me and Eeez's present! Happy birthday and Merry Christmas, Allen!" Allen smiled and accepted it. "Thank you, Jean. I appreciate it, both of you." Jean then grabbed Eeez's hand and ran off, both laughing happily. "I feel so abandoned…" Tyki mumbled dejectedly. His sort-of foster child...Happy with another boy...He was too young to be giving his child away to another man!!
Kanda was fast to approach the beauty tonight that was his to appreciate. "Allen…You're very beautiful tonight," the Japanese stated as he brought Allen's hand up and kissed it. Never expecting Kanda to be such a gentleman, Allen concealed his red face behind his hand. "T…Thank you, Yu…"
"Moyashi...Now that you are wearing this...I suppose it is only right to confirm beforehand," Kanda mumbled, prompting a confused look from Allen. "Now that I'm wearing this...??"
"...Don't you know? A furisode is only worn by women, but since you are wearing it now, moyashi...A furisode is a cultural and social mark that the wearer is single and available for marriage. Of course you're not single since you belong with me, so are you prepared to have me as a spouse in the future?"
If Kanda had not been asking this with a straight face, Allen would have laughed it off as a joke. Everyone was gasping with disbelief and attentions were focused on the both. Lavi was amazed at the rapid rate the red in Allen's cheeks was increasing. He now resembled a freshly broiled lobster.
"I-It's too early to talk about marriage...And we're both guys!!"
"I don't give a damn, moyashi. Will you in the future marry me or not?" Kanda demanded.
"Yu...If we could get married in the future, then yes, I would," Allen shyly answered, believing it was the best answer he could give for now. Everyone erupted into cheers at the informal sort-of proposal.
"Saa, let's get the party started now!" Jeryy exclaimed.
* * *
"Fu…"
"Tired?"
Startled, Lavi turned to look at the Noah who stood behind him. Tyki smiled a bit, holding his glass of champagne up in a toasting sign. Randomly, the redhead noted that Tyki had let his hair grow, and it looked good on the Portuguese. Remembering how their previous encounter ended, he suddenly felt embarrassed to be around the man.
"Not really...What about you?"
"It's fun. But...I wished the guys were with me," Tyki sounded a bit wistful. Lavi realized he was talking about his human friends from the train time. As far as he heard, Eeez said that they had been killed by Akuma. The Bookman felt sorry for the Noah; he must have been genuine friends with those men. Tyki was downright freaky when he fought as his black side, but his white side somehow...was more compassionate than his dark counterpart.
"It couldn't be helped, Tyki. Life is always out of our control," Lavi mused, placing his hand on Tyki's shoulder tentatively as a sympathising sign. Tyki smiled at the shorter boy, prompting a struggle between Lavi and the non-rational side of his brain that screamed about how hot Tyki looked with a smile. "I guess...The Bookman heir must've seen a lot of things," Tyki commented lightly, but his words had jolted Lavi.
'Yeah...Only wars...Forty-nine wars...'
Lavi's bitter thoughts were not known to Tyki. For every false name Lavi used, he had seen a war. As forty-nine different 'persons', he had observed forty-nine different wars. Of course, he was still a single 'persona' with forty-nine identities. As 'Lavi', it was the first time this 'persona' actively joined the war he was supposed to observe. But how much of a co-incidence was it that both Bookman and Lavi were able to become Exorcists? Was there a secret method in which a person could be converted into an Innocence user? Suddenly, the heir felt his head hurt.
"...I guess I do feel a little tired, Tyki. Good night."
The party soon ended, and the young couple left for Allen's bedroom. Once safely inside, the younger looked for a way to change into his nightclothes. Allen looked down at the furisode, and frowned a little. "Yu, can you help me? I don't know how to take this off." Kanda shook his head and smirked. "That's moyashi for you."
"Mou, Yu!" Allen pouted as Kanda approached his back to loosen the obi.
Allen stood still and occasionally lifted his arms to help Kanda remove the outer layer of his clothing. Kanda paused for a while. Allen jumped when hot breath tickled the nape of his neck as Kanda latched his lips on his neck and suckled softly. "Yu…What did I say?" Allen nearly sighed in aggravation.
"I know; I just want to do it," Kanda answered. A hand slipped inside the loose cleave of the simple cotton layer left that covered Allen, making caressing motions on his abdomen.
Allen squirmed a little; his hand placed upon Kanda's to stop it from advancing any further. "Don't…"
"What's wrong with just a little, moyashi?" Kanda muttered.
"Well, I say no and if you continue doing that I will kick you out of this room, you hear me?" Allen threatened and obediently Kanda stepped away.
The white haired boy sighed and patted on the big bed. "You can sleep with me, but don't try anything funny, or I am liable to blow your ass to kingdom come. Am I understood?" His seme nodded fervently and climbed under the sheets with his uke. Soon, Allen was fast asleep spooned against Kanda, who held him protectively. The clock silently struck twelve.
The plump Earl perked up. Road sat up, dropped Lero in the process.
He smirked.
"Ah…I see now…Allen Walker…"