Chapter Two

As seven o'clock rolled around, Allen shook his head for, what seemed like, the umpteenth time in disbelief. He couldn't believe he was going out to a place where his ex-boyfriend would be with his new boyfriend. And to top it off, he was pretending to be Lavi's boyfriend. Someone he barely knew! Maybe he didn't think this through, he would be seeing his old classmates under the guise of a white lie.

"What is wrong with me?" Allen sighed as he stepped onto the elevator, it wouldn't take very long for the metal cage to reach the lobby and even as it came to a stop on its way down, Allen knew he'd still be there with time to spare. What he didn't know was why the newest addition in the cage hadn't said anything to him. Lavi stood, adorning no headband, with his hair falling haphazardly in different directions, wearing an orange scarf around his neck, and a white jacket that hung slightly past his hip contrasting against the black jeans and boots he wore. For a moment, Allen wondered if maybe he should have wore something more casual, he deemed a light blue jacket over top a white button-up shirt and jeans worthy of their fake relationship. He shrugged the thought away, it wasn't like this was real so it didn't matter. Right?

Glancing over, "So where's this Christmas party taking place?" his voice was softer than he expected it to be but now that it was out, there was no way to take his question back.

No response until the elevator came to a stop at the bottom. The lobby, where he watched as Lavi stepped out and dramatically swung on the balls of his feet before greeting Allen: "Allen, what took you so long? You won't believe all the stares I was getting,"

One silver eyebrow twitched in disbelief as his mouth moved using as much sarcasm as he could muster, at the moment, in his response: "Well, would you believe me if I said I was stuck in an elevator with some quiet creep?"

Despite the slight edge in his voice, the redhead merely laughed it off before motioning for Allen to follow. Out in the cold weather, they began their trek with only small talk to keep their minds away from the inevitable: "Sucks it hasn't snowed yet, huh?" Lavi began as he stared out among the small flurries while keeping the pace with his companion.

"What are you talking about? Its snowing right now," Allen groaned, was he seriously going through with this? Surely their act was going to get seen through!

Opening his hand out in front of him, catching a few flakes, Lavi chuckled: "But its not really really snowing... only small particles of frozen water..."

Rolling his mercury eyes, "That's what snow is, idiot..."

"...idiot rabbit..." Lavi breathed out causing the other to look over in curiosity before the redhead explained: "Its what those close to me... my friends call me when they want to call me an idiot. Just to make this act go over a little smoother," He quickly added the last part in a low voice.

A hum of recognition as Allen spoke: "Idiot rabbit, huh" before glancing over and chuckling, "It fits! And since we're on the terms of nicknames I should mention one that all the guys referred to me as," pausing for a moment then finally breathing out: "...beansprout," Allen's head immediately dropped as the awful nickname escaped his lips, why was he trying again?

So Lavi could proof to his ex-boyfriend that he was over him? What about him? Could he go along with the act to say that he was over Kanda, even though he wasn't and probably will never be.

Their trek lasted ten minutes and throughout the whole journey, they talked about themselves, mostly about things the other should know so that there were no slip-ups. Or at least not as many. Allen learned that the redhead was a bit of a bookworm but was still very much loved by his peers -minus those closely affiliated with his ex. He also learned that he moved here just under a year ago (surprisingly shortly after Allen moved away) and was staying at the same hotel that Allen was because of his gramp's work. He learned that Lavi was a bit of a prankster. And most importantly -this was all the redhead's opinion, it actually made Allen roll his eyes as a small chuckle escaped his lips- his favorite color was orange. Somehow the Brit didn't seem to understand how that held so much importance, but he humored his fellow heartbroken companion in agreeing with obvious sarcasm that it was very important.

Right as they were nearing the place -a karaoke place that Allen didn't remember ever being there when he lived here- a question popped into his mind: "So when should we say we started dating?"

"Good question... I got dumped six months ago," rubbing his chin in thought, "how about three months ago? I started stating I had a boyfriend about around that time," Lavi smiled over at his companion for confirmation, who nodded briskly before opening the door.

Inside was bursting with life, mercury eyes caught sight of a few familiar faces: Kanda, Kanda's boyfriend, Lenalee, Miranda, Krory, and Johnny. Movement to his side brought his attention over to the redhead, who whispered with a small smile: "Good luck to both of us," before reaching down to squeezing his hand gently. An odd gesture considering-

A pair of arms wrapped themselves around the young Brit's body and the smell of plums attacked his nose, no doubt in the white-haired teen's mind as he immediately knew who was the culprit. Lenalee.

"Hey Lenalady~" The redhead only furthered proved how right he was.

"Ah, Allen! Its been waaay too long," She pulled arms-length away before smiling again, "and look at you, you've changed,"

Allen's features deadpanned as he spoke, "Was that a short joke?"

The Chinese girl merely giggled as she turned her attention over to the redhead, "So how do you two know one another?"

"We're dating," Mercury eyes widened in utter surprise, how had Lavi made that sound so easy and natural? Didn't he know that Lenalee was the type to see through all sorts of lies?! And if she did find out about their act, she would surely lecture them on how stupid it was and ask him about any relationships he might have had during the year since he last saw her. Both of which would end badly...

Violet eyes wandered repeatedly between the outwardly confident green gaze and a timid pair of mercury ones before glancing down to catch sight of their intertwined hands, "Since when?" her undertone asked more questions than the young Brit wanted to give answers for.

Luckily she was called away by someone across the room before either of them had to answer her question, Allen hadn't bothered to look to see who it was but when Lavi hummed, "Daisya... I owe ya," in relief, the teen matched a face to the name.

Daisya Berry had actually been the one to start calling Allen a beansprout and sadly it caught on, nearly everyone used that nickname so much so that the young Brit had opted for getting into fights with anyone who called him 'beansprout' that he didn't consider as his friend. Daisya had also been the first to stop calling him it when he had begun to lash out and even had gone so far to apologize but as Daisya commented 'the damage was done'. Kanda had even-

"Oh, no matter what... avoid being near my ex alone... he," lifting a finger, Lavi pointed across the room, "has a habit of wanting to see me suffer,"

The moment mercury eyes captured his tanned Portuguese former classmate, he muttered in disgust: "How can you still love him?" as he mentally noted that Tyki hadn't changed since the last time Allen saw him. Still holding that damn arrogant air around him. At least he had been able to knock the guy off his high horse a few times -all thanks to being a far too good at poker, the only thing he was thankful that his guardian, Cross had taught him.

"Look who's talking," Lavi playfully retorted as he glanced behind his shoulder at the sullen Japanese teen, he couldn't really understand how Alma could still be as cheerful as he was dating such a gloomy guy. And after learning a few months after he befriended Lenalee, he had admittedly been shocked to learn that Kanda already had an ex, who still managed to genuinely smile while dating him. Reading people had always been his specialty, thanks to his panda of a gramps.

"Touche" Allen laughed, amazed how things just flowed between them as they spoke more about themselves -minus the topic of their ex-boyfriends. It felt natural for them to make small playful jabs at one another and their flaws.

"Hey I'm gonna go grab something from the vending machine, do you want anything?"

His red-haired companion offered as he motioned towards the hall on the other side of the room. Allen's eyes followed before chuckling, "I guess any kind of tea they have would be nice,"

With one short nod and an even shorter 'be right back', Lavi weaved his way through the crowd of students leaving the young Brit to his thoughts. Not that that lasted long, Allen could feel a pair of eyes on him and his instincts told him they were drawing closer to him. Cautioning a glance to his left he saw a brunet teen dragging an irritated Kanda behind him, he immediately recognized the brunette as his ex's new boyfriend. Upon closer inspection, the brunet appeared to younger than him by a year, at the very least. His hair looked like he had gotten into a fight with a pair of scissors, the locks of brown stuck out in all directions. More haphazardly than Lavi's. Unlike Lavi's, it looked like it could actually accidentally poke someone in the eye if they got too close.

Once he was close enough, the brunet immediately greeted the guarded Brit: "Hi there, I'm Alma!"

"Moyashi," Kanda greeted, earning himself a well-rehearsed (if not irritated) response.

"It's Allen..."

Alma seemed unfazed by the short exchange as he went on to ask: "So do you go to our school? A senior? Or maybe a junior? I'm just a freshman so I don't really know who goes to our school yet. Oh, I know! Are Tyki's newest toy? Though considering he was with Lavi... you don't really seem like his type. Oh! Speaking of Lavi... are you the guy Lavi swears up and down that he's dating? Well-OWW!" A fist had connected with the top of the brunet's head, successfully silencing Alma.

Before he could continue on, Kanda growled: "One question at a time, dumbass"

"Buuuuut I couldn't help myself, Yuu" On instinct Allen tensed up upon hearing his ex's first name, he knew how much Kanda hated being called by his first name. Despite the dark aura that surrounded the Japanese teen, Alma didn't seem fazed. For a brief moment, the young Brit wondered if there was something mentally wrong with the other before wide brown eyes turned to him pleading for answers.

Scratching his cheek absently, he tried to recall half of the questions: "First," holding up a finger, "I used to go to your school. Second," he proceeded to count down on his fingers, "please don't ever think I'd want anything to do with that pompous asshole, Tyki... I mean what kind of idiot would date..." his mouth paused in its outburst of words as he remembered why he was here: "What kind of idiot lets go of someone like Lavi... He's such an amazing guy,"

Flashing his award-winning poker smile, he knew he had saved himself from ruining their act and Alma was proof of that: "Wow! So you are dating Lavi?"

"Y-yeah,"

Allen had hoped that the nosy underclassman would leave but sadly it seemed Alma still had a whole mountain of questions for him: "So how long have you two been dating?"

If Allen wanted to allow his honest side to take over, he would have replied with a 'not long... a couple hours ago, we were stranger' but instead replied with a chuckle, "You know how things are, one moment you're strangers on the street and the next you're dating,"

Alma again didn't seemed fazed and went on to state how happy he was that Lavi found someone new, which struck a cord inside the young Brit. Guilt ate away at him as his eyes wandered up to his silent ex-boyfriend. Would he ever be able to truly get over him? And where the hell was Lavi with his tea?!

Across the room, Lavi held two slender cans: one with tea and other containing mango juice. Scanning the place, he found a sight that turned his stomach upside down: standing less than arms-length apart was Kanda and Allen -Alma could barely been seen beyond the masses of various mobs of hair. They looked… awkward?

A familiar cocky chuckle perked pale ears to the source: Tyki, his ex-boyfriend, flirting with a short blond underclassman. Lucky bastard, his mind quickly quipped. Lavi pouted as he stood alone before finally coming to his senses, shaking his head he made his through the crowd passing Alma on the way. There was no way he was going to let his own insecurities stop him from having his ex-boyfriend believe he was finally over him. Even if it was a complete lie.

"Allen!" Two pairs of eyes drifted over towards him: one holding relief and the other obvious irritation. Allen held out his hand expectantly causing a small tug on the redhead's mouth as he handed over the can with a chuckle: "Here's your tea, sprout~"

"Tch," And with that the irritated Japanese teen was gone, likely to find his boyfriend, who had left him alone with them.

"Alright! Party's startin'!" A loud boisterous voice rang out above the entire crowd of students. The moment mercury eyes caught sight of the rowdy violet hair that could only belong to one person alone, his instincts kicked in.

And Allen hid.

Right behind Lavi, who responded with hushed confusion: "Wha-at are you do-doing?"

Burying his face into the redhead's back, it was obvious that the young Brit wasn't going to give up the answer immediately: "C'mon... Allen..." He coaxed, glancing behind him at the cowering teen.

"...don't want... whore... out..." Of the muffled sounds erupting across his back that was all Lavi caught, turning around so Allen was now in his arms, he asked trying not to let his laugh take over his words: "What was that?"

With the teen in his arms, he could see the pure dread and fear reflecting in those mercury orbs as the young Brit repeated: "I don't want her to whore me out to any guy she sees," slowly

Before the redhead could provide comfort, the girl spoke again: "Ah~ Tyki!" closer this time, but this time it was Lavi, who froze up and as quick as a bunny he hid.

Behind Allen.

With their roles reversed, the young Brit tried to switch them back but with no luck, the rabbit would not budge! Despite his best efforts, Lavi replied the same way: "Dude! No way!"

"Why not?!" Allen bit back, hoping the girl would not catch sight of him in the meantime.

Pulling Allen down so both of them were fairly well-hidden behind the students around them: "I'm her uncle's ex-boyfriend... like hell I wanna be harassed by that damn freshman kid," he held the smaller teen's shoulders, hoping his companion would understand his dilemma.

"At least being harassed is better than whore'd out to every single guy, straight or not, in this place, idiot rabbit!" Allen grabbed the cheeks in front of him and pulled hard, it wasn't long before both of them were yanking at the other's cheeks, trying to win their argument.

"Bweanspwout"

"Idiot wabbit,"

The insults (for lack of better word) flew between them until a coy cough drove their attention over to its source: Tyki Mikki stood, slightly amused, which Allen knew could only mean trouble. The Portuguese teen spoke, earning the attention of everyone: "Now don't mind us~ but don't you think your lover's spat," both hands flew away from the other's cheeks as more eyes wandered over while Tyki continued: "isn't appropriate for the public?" tanned hands stretched out gathering more of a crowd.

Lavi glanced down, avoiding eye contact with his ex-boyfriend and that's when he saw it: Allen's hand reaching over and grasping his. Relief flood his system at the contact, he wasn't alone in situation. How could he forget? They were in this together. The young Brit had gone along with his crazy scheme without any complaint so maybe the redhead could try and act a little more confidently.

It was then that the redhead realized he had actually tuned out his ex-boyfriend: "And lastly, I'm sure everyone here remembers Allen Walker" a jumbled ring of recognition, "He's back and look who he's dating..." Lavi could taste the cruelty in his ex-boyfriend's voice. Why was he so attracted to him? And why was Tyki bad-mouthing Allen, of all people? Sure he didn't know much, if anything, about this place before he moved here but his companion couldn't have left because of harassment? Green eyes glanced over and in surprise widened, Allen didn't seemed put down by Tyki's tone. In fact, he seemed almost...disappointed?

"Let's go," The redhead stood up, pulling Allen along in the process and lead him through the crowd before finally out into the cold winter air. Exhaling slowly, Lavi turned suggesting in a weak voice: "let's get away from here,"