Merry Christmas! Here is my gift to you: a speedy update and more Yume. I hope Christmas is great for each of you :)
"We'll keep in touch, Yu," Lavi slapped Kanda on the back. Kanda's face was clear. Lavi retracted his hand finding its way back to his side safely.
Kanda's face spoke for him. He was serious.
"You better."
"One last thing Kanda. Give this to Lenalee will you?" Allen held out a folded piece of paper. Kanda grabbed it, placing it in his pocket.
The three stood in the ally Kanda had come out of. The arc was open, awaiting it passenger.
"I should get back before Lvellie suspects anything. Komui says he's already asking questions about my 'said mission.'"
"One last thing," Kanda dug through his other pocket, opposite the note. He brought out a small pouch.
"What is it?" Lavi asked, receiving the unknown pouch.
"It's the money Komui sent me with for lodging and meals. It's not much, but it's something. Should be enough to get you by for a while." Kanda turned to leave, preparing to leave through the ark.
"Thank you Kanda," Allen said. "I know you hate the mushy stuff, but I mean it. Thank you, for everything." Lavi was silent. Kanda smirked. It was different this time. He was satisfied. He was happy.
"I'm glad you're OK Allen." Kanda turned around, ready to step back through the arc.
"You know, it's crazy. But I'm actually going to miss you stupid rabbit. It's going to be too quiet around the order. And you, your big stomach, i'm not sure how Jerry will cope with our small appetites." They listened. "If I could change things, I would. I would in a second. It's not fair. But if this is all we have, these small reunions, I can live with that. As long as it means that you're both all right. Keep moving." Kanda grinned.
"It went something like that, I think." Allen let Lavi's arm fold around him.
"It went something like that," he laughed a little, appreciating the samurai's show that he listened.
"It's probably best I leave. I swear every street in this town is as long and confusing as Lacey street." Kanda bid a simple goodbye. He couldn't find the right way for something that once seemed so insignificant.
"This isn't really goodbye. Were friends after all. And this pain in your ass isn't going anywhere soon." Allen was as hesitant to bid farewells as Kanda was, and neither were afraid to show it much.
"That's true. It's just temporary." Kanda stepped through, half his body through the glowing white panels.
"Oh yeah. Happy early birthday Allen." Kanda was gone. The destination of the arc was headquarters, and that was where Kanda was now. Lavi took Allen's hand, the money still in his other.
"So what's this about a birthday?" His curious grin returned, Allen surrendered.
"I'll tell you when we get back, out of the cold. Maybe reheat some stew even." Lavi agreed.
"Maybe even get under the covers. Body heat is the fastest way to get warm, you know," Lavi added.
"Don't push your luck, Lavi," Allen's head rested against the others shoulder, humor clear in his tone. "I'll think about it."
"Fair enough."
"You're back! Tell me all about it. Did you find the innocence?" Lenalee practically bounced up and down in anticipation. She knew she had to play the part too. Kanda had returned from reporting to Komui. The girl had found the samurai in record time considering he hadn't yet told her of his return. Sitting in the cafeteria, Kanda enjoyed a hot bowl of soba noddles.
"Nothing really happened. I didn't find anything. But here, this is for you," he said, being cautious as they were surrounded by finders and one or two other exorcists. She took the paper that Kanda grabbed from his pocket. It had seen better days having traveled in a coat pocket. The result was a wrinkled mess.
"Thank you Kanda. I'll let you eat then, and rest. You must be tired." Lenalee parted ways there with the boy. Making her way to her room, she was anxious to read the note. She could only assume it was of that nature.
Reaching her door and closing it behind her, Lenalee sat on her bed, taking care to not rip the worn paper. No longer folded in four, she could read, no mistake, Allen's messy yet still legible writing:
I know you probably have a million questions. I'll try my best to answer what I know. Me and Lavi are doing fine. Were staying at a small inn for the time being. Kanda will keep you in the loop. I wish I could talk to you both, together, but for now, written notes will have to do. I would love to hear from you, even if it's only written words. I miss you guys; Krory, Miranda, Toma, Komui, and you of course. I never told you, but I always thought you were pretty. It might be a little biased, but you were the first one who didn't greet me with an attempt on my life or a traumatizing visit to Dr. Komui.
Lenalee found herself laughing at Allen's joke. Her brother was something else. She knew Allen meant what he said, and that his words were a compliment. They were platonic as they came, yet no less sincere.
You are brave. You believe in your friends. Your unwavering loyalty is something you and your brother share. Never lose that. Thank you for being you, Lenalee.
'Somethings never change,' she thought with a satisfied smile. 'Still the same Allen we all love.'
Allen had signed his name, despite the obviousness of who wrote it. And wrote first and last.
"Ok, now about your birthday." Allen threw the covers over his head. Lavi found the boy's actions and whining childish, but he thought it even cuter.
"It's not even my birthday. It's just the day Mana took me in and he decided to call 'my birthday.'" Allen complained under the sheet. Lavi set the empty bowls and spoons on the desk to be cleaned later.
"Is it a secret?" The red head headed for the free side of the bed, what was left.
"You starfish when you sleep." Lavi observed.
"I'm not sleeping," Allen corrected.
"Alright. Correction. You starfish in bed when you sleep, and when your awake," Lavi stated, a simple fact, unfazed by the others sour mood.
"Oh come on. Don't be a Kanda," Lavi joked, relaxing into the small space still unoccupied by Allen's splayed form under the blankets. The younger scoffed quietly, condensing the space he filled.
"I am not being 'a Kanda." Lavi only laughed.
"Ok, fine. I'll let it go. You aren't being a grouch. You don't have to tell me. I won't push anymore." Lavi had his own story and could understand that certain things just weren't easily shared, even when you care about someone. Allen sat up, looking anywhere but Lavi's understanding expression.
"Christmas. That's my birthday, or whatever you want to call it." Allen found Lavi's hand, lightly holding it.
"Two days from now?" The snow haired exorcist only nodded a response. Lavi treaded slowly.
"Can I do one thing for you? I won't make a big deal out of anything, just one thing." He nodded again, still silent.
"I promise I'll keep my word." Lavi completed their hold on each other, sitting there in silence, satisfied with the simplicity of each other's company.
He woke up to a sleeping Lavi on his right.
Allen, still half asleep, heard, "Can I try something?" His partner wasn't asleep. Turning around to lay on his other side, facing each other, Allen answered:
"That depends." His morning, groggy, but awake smile said what words did not need to.
Their hands still together from the night before were under the pillows. Lavi made his move. His lips met Allen's briefly.
"Was that ok?" Allen could see in the sparse lighting coming in through the window, the curtains left open, the small tint of red in Lavi's cheeks. He was guilty of the same.
"Yeah," was his short, but confidant reply.
"Happy birthday Allen."
"Merry Christmas Lavi."