Was this the right decision? This idea crossed Link Howard's mind more than once. Walking casually and at a comfortable pace, Link found his eyes wandering over the passing rooms. Two more doors down and on the left. He had been counting.
It was cliche, he knew, but it did feel like a small eternity since first given the order to watch Walker, as he addressed the boy personally. Lvellie had issued the order, and their had been no hesitancy in following the mission out as so.
Link hadn't counted on meeting Allen. Not the Allen Walker he knew. It was easy to disconnect yourself if you don't know the real picture. When Link had first seen the exorcist's room, one particular picture caught the CROW's eye.
"What is that?" The man hadn't meant to come off as bewildered, but that was his honest reaction. The painting above the single bed was something to behold. Allen had only laughed at his escorts confusion.
"The painting? Yeah, most don't know what to make of it their first time seeing it. I see a performer. Maybe even a clown," was his response, making it seem as simple as a child perceiving an image of a novelty.
"You don't know but you choose to hang the picture still?" Now perplexed for another reason, Link questioned his charge. Allen sat on the bed, below the image in question. Still with a smile, Allen answered.
"It was already here when I arrived at the Black Order. I figured it might give the room more color, liven it up some."
Link had inspected it further for but another minute. It's face appeared distorted. It resembled best a color palate consisting of a variety of shades of black and grey. The colors blended beautifully in an oval shape in the face, easily achieved if the painter spread their colors with their hand, following the Longgated circle. It did anything but give color to the room as Allen had claimed. It's colors were bland as were the walls, and sparse furnishings.
Allen saw something that he himself did not. Perception was different from one person to the next, Link had always acknowledged such a notion.
"Link!" The mans concentration had been broke, and seeing the one responsible a ways down the hall ahead answered his question of who. She ran the distance between them, filling it quickly.
"Brother asked me to show you to your room. It's just a little more this way," Lenalee explained happily, taking him further the way he had been going already. She had a bounce in her step, her hair swaying behind her a little. The difference was great, and still surprised him after all this while the length change. Looking over her shoulder briefly, the girl said,
"I hope you like it here. Were a little different, but we make it work." She led the rest of the way without much to say. Link had spent a sufficient amount of time in the European Branch, and Lenalee knew as well. A tour wasn't necessary.
"Here we are." Pushing the door open, Link entered. It was what he expected. A good sized bed, red and clear checkered window pane that reached the floor (arching at the top), a small closet, and a desk and chair. It was perfect. Link set his single case of belongings at the foot of the closet to sort later.
"As you know already, Jerry serves breakfast at seven, dinner is at eight." Before leaving the door way, she added, "and welcome Link."
He thanked her, a small bow in the process. Alone, Link let himself sit. He had been unsure for some time if he had made the right choice in transferring. Now it was a certainty in his mind that he hadn't been wrong. It couldn't have been more right.
Letting himself think freely, something Lvellie had never encouraged, Link thought happily:
'Allen found a family here. Maybe I can do the same.'
In Komui's office, Bookman held the eccentric chief's attention.
"You plan to leave the European Branch?" Komui asked. His face remained neutral. From where Bookman stood, he responded matter-of-factly.
"Yes. I requested to be put here some time ago. With everything that's happened, I don't see much reason to stay." Komui listened. Being honest, he had expected the older man to decide something, however this outcome had genuinely surprised him.
"Will you continue your duty as a bookman?" It was the prominent question on the man's mind. Bookman found himself laughing at the evident and predictable answer to the question.
"Of course, Komui. Somebody has to keep record. I've done it this long, why stop now?" Komui was satisfied, and Bookman seemed content with his decision.
"When do you plan to leave?"
"In a day or two. Plenty of time to pack and enjoy the party this evening at dinner," Bookman's smile was a playfully smug one.
Komui returned the grin.
"You read me like a book."
He had found the bundle of letters rubber-banded together. They had been placed in the dresser drawer. Lenalee had left them on purpose Link figured. Having read them each, some more than once, he stacked them in the order they were in before and wrapped the band around them.
Allen and Lavi had received the seal, and everything seemed to be working out as best was possible. Sanctuary had been found. Link could put to rest his worries for now. A knock on the wooden door came. Setting the letters on the bed, reaching the door in a few strides, he opened to find Lenalee again.
"Dinners ready. I thought we could walk together." Link nodded.
"Thank you Lenalee." His door shut behind him, the two walked towards the mess hall.
Lenalee wasn't quite sure what he was thanking her for.
"Thank you? For walking with you?"
"The letters. You know I helped them, I assume. It's a big weight off my mind knowing their both doing well." Link smiled. Despite its small size, the girl could see it was real.
"Between Kanda and my brother I put the pieces together." This interested Link.
"Chief Komui knows? Does anyone else know besides you two and Yu Kanda?" Link asked Lenalee. She grinned assuringly.
"No, just us. We thought it better than to drag too many into our fiasco. Were already playing with fire, going behind Lvellie's back and all." While they talked, Link kept an eye for anyone who might over hear.
"You may be playing with fire, but you have good intentions." Stepping around the corner arriving in the mess hall, a loud ruckus erupted.
'Welcome Link' read a large banner, table upon table of a feast, and everybody in the European Branch welcomed them.
His face surly said it for him.
"What is this?"
"It's a party! We welcome each and every new member of our branch properly. A feast fit for a king and a gracious welcome home."
"Home, huh?" Link spoke to no one in particular.
"Yeah, home. If you'll have us. I suppose either way your stuck with us now," she joked.
"Let's join the others so we can start the party!" Letting the girl pull him along, he agreed silently. This was a family, and it was his too.
Everybody served themselves, sitting amongst each other. Everybody made a point to greet Link. Even though they knew him, the circumstance had changed. He hadn't really been apart of them before, more of a visitor. They were meeting now though.
Miranda and Krory made conversation with the guest of honor. Miranda had become much more talkative and animated since Link remembered seeing her. He enjoyed himself.
Kanda and Lenalee sat a few tables away. Taking bites of food in between, they spoke.
"Have you thought about if Lvellie finds out about, you know?" Lenalee asked, quietening her tone.
"I've thought about it," Kanda admitted. "But I've also thought about the alternative."
"Alternative?" The samurai nodded.
"Not helping our friends. Not keeping in touch. For now, were safe. That's what's important. Besides, you have me to kick his ass if the need arises." Kanda maneuvered his chop sticks, clearly enjoying his soba. Lenalee giggled like a child.
"What?" Kanda didn't understand why she laughed.
"Nothing. It's really nothing. You just really enjoy your soba noodles. And you may or may not have some on your face." She was enjoying this, he knew.
Kanda sighed. "Ok, where?" He wasn't mad, he was actually having fun for a change with everybody despite the large crowd.
Shaking her head defiantly, another sigh later, Kanda had walked around to Lenalee's side of the table.
"What are you doing? No no no. I do not like that look, Yu Kanda," she inched away, scooting further down the table.
"I have to now," the samurai didn't try to stop the smile from taking his face. Gently, but still firm enough to keep his target from getting away, Kanda hoisted the girl over his shoulder. Many heads turned to watch hearing Lenalee's laughter and Kanda's.
"Damsel in distress!" Johnny yelled, joking. Spinning a few times, Lenalee surrendered.
She held her hands up dramatically.
"You win, you win Kanda."
"Oh, do I now? Are you a damsel in distress?" She paused, and answered,
"I could be. You'd have to save me then wouldn't you?" Choosing then to release her, Kanda set Lenalee down.
"I could do that."
"Oh! I thought of something." Her face lit up. "Allen would say something like," doing a poor impression of her friend, she continued: "You're the damsel In distress with your girly face and long hair BaKanda."
"I have never heard a better impression of Moyashi. I'm impressed," Kanda looked smug.
The rest of the evening played out nicely, the festivities dying down later than expected but not altogether a bad thing.
"That was nice. It's been a while since we all really just relaxed." Lenalee and Kanda walked the halls later that night.
"About earlier. The 'damsel in distress' bit." Lenalee's interest peaked, she encouraged Kanda to finish his thought.
"I don't think you need a prince. I think you need something much more reliable, swift." He stopped in place, Lenalee stopped too, facing the other.
"I think you need a samurai. What do you think?" She knew her answer.
"I think you're right Kanda." Moving to her tip-toes, stretching to reach the males higher stature, she met his cheek. The girl continued walking, taking the samurai's hand in her own. Walking with her now, he added:
"I'm always right aren't I?" Lenalee could hear the non existent attempt to hide his cocky sarcasm. One of Kanda's qualities really.
"Sure Kanda. Your right, most of the time," she laughed, playing along. At this time, something came from Kanda's pocket.
"Timcanpy! Always glad to see you." Lenalee knew what this meant. "Do you have a letter for us?" Opening its mouth wide, taking the rolled parchment in hand, she thanked the golem. Tim folded its wings around itself, hiding in the pocket once more.
"I didn't want to take away from the party for you," Kanda explained.
"Thank you. Kanda, I think things will be ok." Kanda agreed.
"They are alright. For what it could be, I'm grateful." Leaning into his arm, Lenalee sighed contently.
'Dreams do come true I guess.'
(Epilogue)
Dreams are something we all have. Good and bad. Like the saying goes, "You can't have a rainbow without any rain," how can we expect to see our dreams come true if there is no fight or struggle somewhere along the way? Victory tastes that much sweeter at the end knowing we fought for our dream. Maybe you dream to be successful, to be happy.
And maybe that dream is a special someone. These dreams are the most unique of all. They profit the most amazing results: happiness, rich in laughter, even tears. The 'bad' is not always so bad. It opens our eyes to what is important. Their smile. Their laugh. Their thoughtfulness. Their presence.
A shared joke, a story. A walk together. You become a single book, unwritten. Write your pages as one. Embrace and cherish, but above all else, remember the small things. The way they laugh at nothing, the way they cherish others, the way they smile because the simple fact is they are happy. Time falls away, but memories last.
"I read somewhere in a story once, 'Time is precious. It is not infinite, and every clock must come to a stop. Treasure the moments you have.' I believe you can apply this here. Live the moments you have to the fullest. Whether it be ten years, or one. The simple things."
With that, I hope each of us finds our dream.
Our unique Yume.