A single trunk in hand, Allen and Lavi payed for a single room. Lavi thanked the inn keeper and taking Allen's hand led him down a hallway to their door. Key in lock, he turned the door and opened. It was a little nicer than before.
The idea had been to downsize, but a bath and running water were needed. Bathing was something both were in need of.
"I wish we could have saved on room, but a little splurge here and there should be ok. Besides, were garenteded warm water at least," Lavi commented, optimistic. Allen only nodded, not saying anything in reply. They set the trunk out of the way, and closed the door.
"You can hop in first if you want," Allen offered, Lavi already was getting comfortable on the bed.
"You go ahead, I'm just going to lay here a minute."
With a simple acknowledgment Allen entered the small bathroom. Running the water, and once undressed, the exorcist sighed in relief at the feel of the warm water.
Meanwhile Lavi hadn't moved from where he lay on the bed. The last few days had been uneventful, yet mentally taxing. Allen had been the most prominent thought in his head. He had said he loved him.
It had come out, without much thought. Lavi knew it was something he meant, even if he had never let himself feel it before.
Softly from the bathroom, his name could be heard. Lavi got up and at the door, he knocked.
"Did you need me Allen?" He called back. A quiet 'yes' could be heard over running water.
Lavi opened the door, finding his companion in the bath, resembling the fetal position. Hardly taking notice of how the situation could be considered awkward, Lavi's eyes only searched his face.
Kneeling beside the tubs edge, not bothering to shut the door, his attention was focused.
"Just talk to me," Allen said. Taking his coat off and leaving it on the floor with him, Lavi leaned more into the somewhat uncomfortable wall of the bathtub, holding Allen's hand that was closest to him, in turn holding his legs to his chest.
"Tim should be back anytime now. If he found Cross, if he didn't, it will be good to see him." Stroking the back of Allen's hand using his free thumb, he appeared to be a little more coherent. Lavi had noticed the boy's fading color, but knowing no remedy for the cause it was ignored for the time being. Allen wasn't ill in bed for now, and he would take that any day.
"Do you need help washing your back?" A nod was his response. Perceiving a yes, Lavi fished the bar of soap out of the water, his hand dripping water making lathering the soap that much easier.
Silence was welcome, a mutual unspoken agreement. Presence was all that was needed.
Once deemed clean enough and a job done, Lavi quickly using his hand to cup water washed the soap suds and residue off.
"When your done, go ahead and get dressed. I'll be out here." Lavi having used his one free hand gently released his other from Allen's.
"Sure. I'll be out soon so you can still have warm water. I know it cost extra for the warm water," Allen seemed more like his old self, to Lavi anyways.
Leaving the bathroom, the first thing that he heard was a persistent knocking. It wasn't the door. Wood made a different sound when knocking than this. Glass was more like it.
'The window maybe?' Lavi thought. Moving cautiously, he chose to inspect the small window. The night had come and along with it pitch black and no light. What little moonlight was present shone off what was trying to get through the glass. A small golden bird best described it.
"Timcanpy!" Lavi quickly opened the window a crack letting the golem in.
"Back already? I guess it has been about a week. Allen will be happy to see you." Timcanpy had settled on his shoulder, producing a parchment from its mouth.
'Paper? Why does it smell like cigarettes?' Lavi took it from Timcanpy's mouth. Cigarettes meant only one person. Unrolling the parchment, the opening few words secured his assumption.
"My idiot apprentice-"