BBS BACK WITH A QUICK UPDATE ;DD This is in honor of Independence Day (in America), and you'll see why :D This chapter isn't very long like my others before this, but I hope the fluff and gratification makes up for it!

000

The night air was crisp and illuminated by warm lights from all the vendors and booths there were. There were shouts and yells for people to be entertained and attractions that were advertised.

Lavi and Allen were busying themselves at a water gun booth. Allen was certain he'd beat Lavi at THIS game. He had yet to win one yet anyhow.

Lavi didn't seem fazed at all. He simply took off his black coat and set it on a nearby stool before he took hold of his water gun.

"On your marks folks! Get set! GO!" The man at the booth shouted, and all at once, everyone at the booth began to simultaneously shoot at the targets 8 feet in front of them.

Lavi grinned as he focused on the target while Allen squinted his eyes in determination. He was going to win this one for SURE.

"Ladies and gentlemen please put down your water guns! The winner is..!"

Allen felt himself smile when the man walked towards him. He won! He won!

But the man stopped in front of Lavi, grabbed his wrist and raised it in the air while the others watching clapped. The redhead was handed a white teddy bear with brown button eyes and a red heart on its tummy.

He bowed casually at the man before he grabbed his coat and was about to put it on when he spotted Allen frowning.

"Oh come on Allen it was just a game!" Lavi teased with a smirk.

Allen pouted. He had really wanted to win. He hadn't won ONCE that whole day. He was pulled into a comforting hug. Allen tried his best to stay angry, but he couldn't help but melt into the redhead's arms.

"If it'll make you feel better, you can have the prize." Lavi whispered as if speaking to a little boy.

"Promise?" Allen grumbled into Lavi's coat after a few moments.

His cheeks were bright red.

He had paused before answering so he could stay in Lavi's warm arms for just a bit longer. The night was cold and Allen didn't have on a jacket.

Lavi laughed and held Allen closer.

"Promise."

"Alright" Allen mumbled grudgingly before he reluctantly peeled himself away from the safety of the other's arms.

Lavi handed Allen the bear and Allen simply stared suspiciously at it. He'd never owned a stuffed animal before as a kid. He was too busy selling his own body for that.

"What's this for anyways?" He asked.

Lavi was shocked for a few moments before he began to understand that perhaps Allen had never had one before.

"Well…you can hug it close when you're lonely and think of me when I'm not there."

Allen blushed wildly at the thought before he rolled his eyes and replied defensively with,

"Like that'll happen anytime soon."

Allen immediately regretted what he said when he saw hurt in Lavi's normally charming jade eyes.

He didn't think as he stepped closer to Lavi and stood on his tip toes as he wrapped his arms around the photographer's neck.

"I-I didn't mean that…" he whispered apologetically into his ear.

But Allen had already been forgiven as he felt arms encircle his waist. He sighed happily at the feeling and murmured a small,

"I'm sorry…I'm having so much fun and I'm being ungrateful…Thank you." He really meant it. He didn't remember the last time he had ever had so much fun.

He never remembered being this happy in his life.

"It was my pleasure." Lavi replied like the gentleman he was.

Allen's hair was softly stroked, Lavi admiring its consistency and silky texture.

Allen's cheeks felt like the sun. He could already tell (even though it was pretty dark) that he was as red as a ripe tomato. They'd been seeing each other for quite a while now, and Allen had been in the business of love and lust for as long as he could remember and even now he was still hopelessly flustered when he felt Lavi's touch.

His job was to attract, charm, and intrigue men, leaving them wanting more.

But Lavi was a strange case. He was so unnerving. He made Allen's heart melt and seemed to have complete control of it.

That was the key difference. Allen's heart had never been used to being captivated like this. Not like this.

Eventually after a few awkward moments following, the two shuffled away from each other, staring off into space and whatnot.

Allen shivered as a breeze tickled the back of his neck. Lavi detected it right away and hurriedly took off his coat—handing it to Allen.

"Here, put this on, it's awfully chilly tonight." He warned worriedly.

"Ah, no it's okay." Allen replied, not wanting Lavi to be cold instead.

"I have a sweater on Allen, I'm pretty warm. You're not." He scolded lightly as he draped his coat around Allen.

"Now, wanna leave?" Lavi asked before he was interrupted by the booming sound of fireworks.

Allen squeaked quietly in surprise before he looked up into the night sky and saw a burst of color slowly falling from the sky.

"Fireworks…" he gasped.

Lavi grabbed his hand before tugging it.

"Follow me."

The two dodged in and out of crowds until they reached a hill-like structure near the fireworks tent. There were dozens upon dozens of people sitting and watching the fireworks show with loved ones. The two found a relatively secluded spot before they sat down as watched the fireworks explode midair.

There were splashes of color painting the canvas of the night sky. The two watched in awe as every color imaginable penetrated their field of view.

"It's beautiful…" Allen whispered for a second time that night.

"You're beautiful…" Lavi said aloud for the first time that night.

Allen turned to Lavi and gave him a quizzical look. Was that meant to be said out loud?

And for the second time that night, their lips met.

The redhead had made the first move, leaning in and letting their lips touch just barely for a while before Allen pressed his lips down against Lavi's. It wasn't passionate, or filled with lust.

It was sweet and loving. Caring and endearing, tender as it was fond and amorous.

Allen's heart fluttered like a hummingbird's wings, still not used to Lavi's touch. His warm cheeks were grazed with the cool night air.

"Allen…I love you." Lavi whispered in Allen's ear.

Allen's breath hitched in his throat. It was the first time Lavi had ever said that to him…so it was only fair that he return the feeling.

"I love you too Lavi…" those words felt like golden water falling from his lips.

He'd finally said it.

And with the moon and splatters of color in the night sky as their witnesses, the two felt their lips touch once more.

000

"Good Night Lavi…" Allen whispered, about to shut the door to the passenger's seat.

Lavi leaned over for a quick kiss before replying with a quiet,

"Sweet dreams."

Allen smiled, "Most definitely. You too."

"Without a doubt." Lavi returned the smile.

Allen hugged the snow white bear Lavi had given him and turned to walk toward the hotel lobby. He turned at the door to the lobby and waved Lavi off.

Lavi waved from the car and drove off toward home before Allen walked over to the alley nearby the hotel.

He sat quietly down on his suitcase he dragged out from underneath the dumpster and sat down on top of it, resting his head on the brick wall behind him before he realized he was still wearing Lavi's oversized black coat. It smelled pleasantly of him too.

Allen took off the coat and used it as a blanket. He took out Lavi's scarf and wrapped it around his neck and chin, then hugged the teddy bear close to his chest.

"Well…you can hug it close when you're lonely and think of me when I'm not there."

Allen smiled weakly and fell asleep to the sound of streetcars and distantly barking dogs.

And his head and heart overflowing with thoughts of a certain redhead.

000

Awww Allennnn! WELL. THEY FINALLY TOLD EACH OTHER HOW THEY FEEL. AND KISSED. THREE TIMES IN ONE NIGHT. I'M PRETTY GIDDY. ARE YOU?

Please review and let me know what you thought! :D