Title: It's Complicated
Author: fotoshop-cutout // Shiro
Fandom: D. Gray-Man
Characters/Pairings: Lavi/Allen, Road, Toma, Tyki, Marian Cross, Lenalee, Kanda
Rating: PG-15 (some swears and boy kissing)
Word Count: 4,536
Disclaimer: All characters depicted in sexual situations in this post/fanfiction/fanart (including material in the comments) are fictional and are intended to be and considered to be by the author of said material of the legal age of consent in the United States state of California, regardless of what age these characters may be in the material they are derived from.
Summary: Allen and Lenalee break up. Is Lavi there to pick up the pieces? (AU)
Notes/Warnings: un-betaed; the second in a series of 104 themes. "Complicated" is today's theme. Thank you WrathofMugen and Aion Laven Walker for the reviews!
Allen has changed his relationship status from "in a relationship" to "it's complicated".
Allen rested his head in his gloved hand. Really, Lenalee and he had broken up but he wasn't about to alert the world to this change. Not long ago she had mentioned marriage. How had everything fallen apart in front of him like this? Now, since she wasn't talking to him he was bored out of his mind, depressed, and perusing Facebook like there was no tomorrow. Because according to him: there was no tomorrow. Lenalee and he had been together for three years. He had just turned eighteen two weeks ago and suddenly Lenalee was done with it. Apparently she had found someone at her college that was far better than he had ever been to her.
He ran his hand down his face, despair and misery taking him over momentarily. He refreshed his page, seeing that Lenalee had been online.
Lenalee is no longer listed as in a relationship.
And it was over, just like that. He fell apart. That night he spent on the floor, curled up with Timcanpy, his puppy, nosing him.
-----
It was a month later and February break arrived. Plopping down next to his friend Toma he put his head in his hands. Currently they were at the park, hanging out with Road (who actually attended the rival school to theirs). Since vacation had just begun they had no qualms about meeting up and seeing what they were all doing for vacation. Toma looked over at him as Timcanpy jumped into his lap.
"Eh, Tim, you're getting a little heavy." He shifted the puppy as Road descended on him.
"So Lenalee and you broke up, huh?" Her cheery tone meant there would be the typical follow up question. "Does that mean I get you all to myself?"
Toma leaned back and sighed, "Do you ever give up, Road? Nevermind; I just thought maybe you had a heart for a second and felt bad for Allen."
Road frowned at this and stuck out her tongue at the other boy. Allen remained neutral.
"I guess so. Since no one else wants me." Timcanpy whined and licked Allen's chin. He smiled slightly, "except you, Tim." Road snorted at his wallowing as Toma shook his head.
"The world isn't over, you know. It was obvious since she knew what college she was going to that she would end up leaving you. Props for keeping it up for as long as you did, though." Road might have been a bit rough around the edges, but she only meant to help. Allen blinked at her while petting the ever-growing puppy in his lap.
"I know, but for her to be mean about it…"
"Get over her, man. Besides, it was never meant to last. Was it?" Toma spoke this time. Allen frowned.
"I guess not." After that the subject closed. It was silent for a few minutes before they got to talking about the impending vacation. Road's uncle Tyki would be visiting for most of it, so she would be busy mostly. She did make the amendment that she would be available for talking at any time and she would 'escape' in order to hang out a few times. Toma said he didn't have much happening. The first few days he would do his homework, though. Allen agreed with that one and they ended up saying they would go to the library and work on it together.
-----
The next morning Allen was up before dawn, doing his workouts in the darkness of his room. At dawn's break he took his shower and marched down the stairs to prepare his guardian's breakfast. Marian Cross was grouchy in the morning, especially if Allen didn't cook his breakfast, so Allen made sure that breakfast was ready for the man when he got up. As the grumbling man sat down and started to dig into the French toast set out for him, Allen mentioned that he would be doing his homework at the library with Toma. The man nodded and spoke for the first time that morning.
"Good, I have business to take care of."
Allen had learned better than to ask about the man's "business", as the first and last time he had asked he ended up with a hammer colliding with his skull.
-----
Allen and Toma had been working steadily on a research paper for Physics for the past hour. Unfortunately, 'steady' was one of them fidgeting and asking a random question every two minutes. Finally Allen stood up.
"That's it. If we're going to get any work done we can't be right next to each other." Allen ground out the words, clearly getting frustrated at the fact that he seemed to be wasting his time. Toma frowned.
"Alright. It's probably for the best anyway."
With that, Allen gathered his stuff and walked away. He wandered that floor for a bit before he decided that heading upstairs was probably a good idea. That way he wasn't tempted to go back and talk to his friend. Besides, he could type it up there. So, he headed up the stairs to get to work. When he got up there he realized that the local colleges had also released the students for vacation. He blinked at the number of college students that were around. He almost turned on his heel and walked back down to Toma just so he wouldn't accidently run into Lenalee here, but instead he put on a brave face and waded through the crowded front of the library. Heading to the back it was more dispersed, making him feel more at ease. It was then that he remembered the table in the corner where Road always dragged him in order to talk privately. Although why they used to hang out in the library he didn't know, except that they could do what they wanted on rainy days. That was mostly during middle school, though. High school and Lenalee had changed everything. Road had gotten possessive of him, making a gap in their friendship when Allen said she had no right. He shook his head, then headed towards that table.
It was dark and musty: the smell of old books was stronger in the back of the library. No one would be back here, he reasoned. He was the only one who liked this smell, he thought. Toma stayed away from dusty places due to allergies and Road had only gone back there because no one else would. As he rounded the last bookcase he found himself staring into green eyes. He stopped promptly and dropped his gaze to the ground.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll find somewhere else." He hurriedly turned, not wanting to disrupt somebody's quiet place. A voice rose from behind him, soothing and warm.
"Nah, its fine. Besides, there aren't many other places to go. All the tables are full."
Allen looked over his shoulder at the redhead sitting with work spread out in front of him. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, its fine." The other boy was picking up his work and making room for the Allen already. Allen offered him a smile.
"Thanks." What proceeded was Allen working on his Physics quietly on one side of the table, the redhead continuing his work on the other. However, what Allen had thought was just distractions from Toma, was really just frustrating work. His gloved hand threaded through his hair, wishing he had the other boy's help again. Or Road: she had already passed the class. He ground his teeth together and tapped his pencil against the paper before flipping it around and erasing the entire last paragraph he had written. He sat back, glaring at the paper in front of him. Suddenly a chuckle rose from the boy on the other side of the table. Green eyes were peering over a history textbook.
"Sorry, I probably shouldn't be laughing at someone I don't know." The redhead set the book flat out on the table. "It's just that you look so frustrated over writing that paper of yours." Allen frowned, getting ready to grouse at the boy for his assumptions. The boy in front of him sobered. "No, really. It's cute." Allen looked confused for a moment, then decided that he would just ignore the strange guy. He hunched back over his paper, pretending to work on it while snatching glances at the other. Next thing he knew, the boy was no longer in his chair. Surprised, Allen sat up, beginning to look around for him (although he knew that he really shouldn't be worried over the stranger disappearing). A hand rested on his shoulder, causing Allen to jump slightly. A bush of red hair obscured his peripheral vision as the boy leaned over shoulder to look at his paper.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Allen's voice sounded strangled, even to him. He was wishing he had stayed with Toma and just continued to struggle with the enemy he knew.
"Helping. Is that okay?" The voice was right next to his ear, a puff of warm breath lingering on the skin of his cheek. He blushed. He nodded, not trusting his voice to not crack. He swallowed thickly. "Physics, huh?" It was quiet for a few minutes before the boy stood up again. Allen took a deep breath, thinking that he would retreat to the other side of the table. But instead, the redhead pulled a chair close to Allen and grabbed the pencil from his hand. Moving the paper over to him, he jotted down a couple of things, then turned to Allen.
"That's a pretty good essay, but you're lacking a few facts. Don't say that something was discovered by 'a man in the 17th century', give details. Have the name of the man and the year he discovered it. Heck, have the month! Trust me, if you scrounge up the facts you'll be getting a better grade." Allen stared at him wide eyed.
"Th-thanks." He reached out with his gloved hand, taking the proffered paper and pencil. It was then that everything went down the proverbial tubes.
"Lavi? Lavi? Oh, there you are, Lavi." A sweetly feminine voice called from the left. Lavi looked over at the same time Allen did. Lenalee Lee stepped towards the table, then stopped. "Oh. Allen. Hi." She gave him a delightful smile which melted him immediately.
"Lenalee…" Lavi looked over at him, but he didn't notice. He moved to stand, then Lavi spoke, halting his movements.
"Are you and Kanda leaving?"
Lenalee averted her gaze and nodded. She looked at the redhead and smiled. "He said that when he goes home he wants me to go with him!" She seemed genuinely excited and not just putting on a show to hurt Allen. But still, it did hurt him. He slumped in his chair and stared at the paper in front of him.
"That's good news." He missed the look that the other boy shot him, as well as the rest of the short conversation. Lenalee's footsteps retreating relieved him, but he still didn't take his eyes off the paper in front of him. The tension in him showed in the curled fists that were crossed on his chest. Hair covered his face as best as it could.
"Ah, so you're the ex-boyfriend." That was enough to get Allen's head to jerk up, eyes looking across the table (where Lavi had moved during the conversation).
"What?" He croaked it out, throat tight. The redhead's eyebrows rose.
"Well she used to talk about you all the time. I thought you two were a set thing… then she suddenly started snuggling up to Kanda Yuu. I figured it was over. Am I right, though?"
Allen just nodded, dropping his gaze again. After a few more minutes of silence where Lavi sifted through the papers in front of him and Allen just stared, the other boy spoke.
"I best be off." He let out a sigh, standing up and gathering his work. "Listen, I'll be around. Probably right at this table for the rest of the vacation." He looked at Allen in thought, "Come and talk if you want to, alright?" When he didn't get a response he tried to catch Allen's eye. "Alright?" Allen nodded mutely.
"Okay." Lavi shoved his books into his bag and pushed in his chair, casting one last look at the white-haired boy before leaving.
-----
Toma found Allen sitting in the exact same position two hours later. It took some threats of sending Road after him in order to get Allen moving again.
-----
Two days passed in which Allen avoided the library and everyone besides his guardian (who he only saw in the mornings anyway) and Timcanpy. After two days of keeping the puppy cooped up (and tired of being inside all the time anyway), Allen decided to cheer himself up and take Tim for a walk. His relationship status was still set to "it's complicated" on Facebook. That fact depressed him slightly, but he had yet to change it. It wasn't that he still had hope that Lenalee would change her mind, he just didn't want to deal with the problem. And so, he left his relationship status the way it was. He vaguely considered Road, but knew that it would never work out between the two of them anyway.
"Come on, Timcanpy! Time to go for a walk!" The dog zipped down the stairs and thundered outside. He laughed and closed the door, locking it behind him. It might have been chilly still (since it was February) but most of the streets were cleared and most of the snow was melted already. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his sweatshirt and took off after the hyperactive puppy. They walked all through the major parts of the city, except near the library. Toma was sure to be there, but so was Lenalee. Allen avoided the library and steered Timcanpy towards the park instead. Besides, there were vendors there: Allen could grab something to eat that he didn't have to make for himself (for once). Once he got to the park he let Tim run around a bit before calling him over to the hot dog vendor. While he stood in line he looked around, wondering if there were any benches free. It was a Saturday, and since it was sunny people were going out for walks, then sitting down and chatting away. Thus, most benches were full. As he was looking for an empty one, a shock of red hair stood out of the crowds. He furrowed his brow and stood on tip-toes to see whether it was Lavi or not. Why he did this, he really didn't know. It's not as if he really wanted to speak to the boy again.
Still, Allen couldn't see. He gave up and stepped up to the vendor, ordering what he wanted plus one for Tim. Tim wagged his tail happily, wriggling around at his feet. After paying, Allen led Tim over to an open spot, offering him a bite of his hotdog. As Tim looked up, expecting more, Allen shook his head.
"Nuh-uh, you have to earn it." He spoke around his own mouthful.
"Weren't you ever taught not to speak with your mouth full?" The warm voice scared Allen. He whirled around to face the redhead.
"L-Lavi." Allen looked back at Tim, who was eyeing the hotdog in his hand still. "Uh no, I wasn't." Tim sat up on his hind legs and attempted to look cute. "No begging, Tim." The dog sneezed at him and changed tactics.
"Cute dog." Allen looked over at Lavi again and tried to produce a small smile.
"Yeah." Allen paused, not sure what to say next. "His name's Timcanpy. 'Tim's easier though." The other boy squatted down, catching Tim's attention. The puppy bolted over and licked the boy's face, wagging his tail and making low but happy sounds. Lavi laughed and petted him.
-----
That evening Allen sat at the computer in his room, surfing Facebook lazily while chatting with Road.
Road says
I can feel you replacing me already.
Who is it?
Allen says
I'm not replacing you.
There's no one.
Cept Tim.
Road says
Bullshit. Toma said that when he was walking home he saw you talking to a red head he didn't know.
Who is it?
Allen says
Oh.
That's one of Lenalee's friends from college.
Road says
No way.
Allen says
Uhhhh…. yes?
A few minutes of silence before a he refreshes his page, looking over the new notifications.
Road says
So you're replacing her?
He ponders it for a minute, then responds.
Allen says
No, I don't think I am.
Road says
Good.
A friends request: he clicks it. Lavi Bookman? Allen blinks, looking at the grinning redhead in the picture before it dawns on him and he accepts him.
Allen says
How could I replace Lenalee with a guy anyway?
Road says
Easily.
Allen sits back and snorts, running his gloved hand through his hair. Earlier he had a long talk with Lavi. Never once did they talk about Lenalee. But Allen did learn that Lavi was majoring in history and aimed to be a historian himself. Allen was intrigued, but wasn't able to ask as many questions as he would have liked to. Lavi had been keen on getting him to talk. So Lavi knew that Allen was adopted… twice. And he knew about Allen's deformed arm and blind eye. Allen had expected him to cringe away from it, but instead Lavi just smiled and said that it could be worse: Allen could look like him. Allen had laughed and said that he wasn't that bad looking. A message popped up.
Lavi says
Hey there. What are you doing tomorrow?
Allen says
Ehh I should type up my Physics paper, but other than that I should be free. Why?
Lavi says
Wanna hang out? I could meet you at the park again.
Allen says
Sure, what time?
He was interrupted by Road talking again.
Road says
Hey, we're hanging out tomorrow at Toma's.
Allen says
Oh?
Road says
Yeah. Bring snacks. And your new friend. Toma wants to beat him at Tekken.
Then Lavi messaged him.
Lavi says
Noon?
Allen says
Where were we going?
Lavi says
It's a surprise.
Allen says
???? My friends want to meet you, so how about we do this mystery thing and then I take you over to meet them?
Lavi says
Your friends want to meet me?
Allen says
Yeah.
Lavi says
Okay, yeah sure. We'll go to your friends' around one, then.
Allen says
You have a car?
Lavi says
Of course.
Allen switched back to Road.
Allen says
Alright, we'll be there around one.
Road says
Good.
With that Allen leaned back. Road went to bed shortly afterwards, but Lavi asked him questions about his friends. Finally, Lavi broached the topic of his relationship with Lenalee, though not in the way he thought he would.
Lavi says
So why's it complicated?
I thought you were single.
Allen says
Just haven't changed it.
I am.
Lavi says
Okay.
Change it. :)
Allen says
Why?
Lavi says
Don't linger on her.
Allen says
I dated her for 3 years.
What if I want to linger?
Lavi says
Then you can't see my surprise.
Allen says
Are you bringing me to a bar?
Lavi says
LOL no.
Allen says
A strip club?
Lavi says
No.
I won't tell you, either.
Even if you guess it.
After that Allen and he just joked around. Allen got to bed at three in the morning. He woke up at four thirty and started his usual morning routine. The entire time he thought of how Lavi and he would be spending time together today, Lenalee forgotten.
-----
Allen let Tim out one last time, then zipped up his black jacket and headed for the park. When he got there he looked around, not knowing what kind of car Lavi drove. He started heading towards a bench when a car beeped and a wolf whistle was let loose behind him. He spun, ready to show the pervert that he was definitely male (and thank you very much), only to see Lavi leaning out his window.
"Hey there hottie. Want a ride?" Allen immediately blushed since Lavi had gotten the attention of most of the people in the park. He tried to glare at the other boy but failed miserably as Lavi just grinned. "Get in, would ya? We've got places to go! People to do!" The last remark got Allen blushing again. He ducked his head and walked over to the passenger side. He slumped in the seat and grumbled.
"Pervert."
Lavi just laughed.
-----
"You took me to a cliff?"
"You don't like the view?" Lavi looked over at him, frowning slightly.
"It's not that. It's just… nothing. Nevermind." Allen smiled, trying to lighten the mood again. Lavi grinned back.
"Oh, I brought lunch."
Allen brightened considerably. "You did?" Lavi chuckled and reached into the backseat, leaning closer to Allen as he did so.
"Of course. What's a romantic picnic without the food?"
Allen couldn't even find an answer to that. He couldn't even speak. For a moment he just watched Lavi as he brought food up to the front.
"What?"
"Huh?"
"You were staring at me."
"No I wasn't."
"Okay…" Lavi tossed a wrapped sub sandwich at him. He caught it, but instead looked out the windshield. "You going to eat? You seemed starving before."
Allen grunted noncommittally. He started unwrapping the sub, then turned to his new friend. "Did you mean that? Any of it? Or are you just trying to make me feel better?"
Lavi looked over, halfway through a bite of his own sub. "Why?" He spoke around the sandwich.
Allen looked down at his sandwich. "Just so I know."
Lavi chewed his bite thoughtfully and spoke. "I meant it, if you want me to mean it. But if you'd rather forget I said anything more than friendly you can ignore it."
Allen looked out the windshield at the view while Lavi continued to munch on his food. The sandwich lay forgotten in Allen's lap for a while. After staring out the window pensively, Allen wrapped the sandwich back up.
"Thank you." He looked over at Lavi.
"For what?" Lavi looked a bit lost. Allen smiled; it was endearing on the redhead.
"For everything."
Lavi shrugged. "Not a problem. What are friends for?" Allen smiled slightly, then put his sandwich on the dashboard, leaning over the center console. Unsure of himself, he considered his position for a moment and then leaned over, planting his lips on Lavi's cheek. Lavi blinked, but other than that he didn't react. He continued to chew his bite of sandwich. After that bite was done he took another. Allen watched him for a while, then sat back. The two boys sat in the car, Lavi eating while Allen stared out the windshield, thinking about what he had just done. Lavi tossed the trash in the backseat.
"Maa, we're gonna be late to your friend's house at this rate." Lavi's voice broke the silence. Allen looked down at the clock and groaned.
"Road'll kill me."
Lavi smiled, then leaned over, hand cupping Allen's cheek and urging the boy to look at him. Once they locked eyes, Lavi spoke.
"It'll be okay." And just like that he leaned in and kissed him. Had Allen known that the redhead was going to do that he still wouldn't have stopped him. It was a chaste, quick kiss, and then it was over. Allen hardly had time to respond. Lavi turned back to the steering wheel, throwing the car into reverse. Allen sat next to him, grinning.
-----
"Where were you? Road nearly killed the PS3 while you were gone!" Toma answered the door, eyes wide. As he took in the fact that there were two people on his front step, he widened the door. "Oh, hey. I'm Toma."
Lavi smiled, "Lavi. Pleased to meet you." The three proceeded to wander into the house, Allen leading the way, his hand clasped in Lavi's.
"Provisions are in the car, Toma. I'll go on the offense and guard the console." Allen had known Toma and Road for a long time; he also knew that Lavi didn't have a clue. It was his job to do damage control. He reached for the doorknob to Toma's room only for the door to fly open of its own accord. Within a matter of seconds he was tackled by a bundle of hyperactivity. However, he also had a pair of lips pressed hard against his own. The kiss broke without his reaction, the girl bouncing on the balls of her feet in front of him.
"Allen! Allen! Guess what!" He straightened himself out.
"Eh?" He couldn't articulate well after that.
"Tyki's getting married!" She seemed very happy about this. He shook his head.
"Road you can't go around kissing people. What would've happened if you had kissed him?" Allen jerked his thumb at Lavi who stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed and gazing levelly at the girl. Road's attention was then fully on the new boy.
"Oh he's cute! Not as cute as Allen, of course."
Allen rolled his eyes and stepped into Toma's messy room. Toma could be heard in the kitchen dealing with the snacks. Lavi reluctantly followed Allen into the room, Road fawning over him for the moment. Needless to say it was a disaster area. Toma was actually the most cleanly and organized guy that Allen knew, but nearly everything was on the floor.
-----
The afternoon was spent with snacks, video games, and Allen working on keeping Road off of him. Finally he'd had enough at four o'clock when Road whined about not having anywhere to sit and promptly plopped into his lap.
"Road, just stop. Please." His tone now serious, Toma fell silent choosing to focus on the video game instead of the conversation on the other side of Lavi.
"Why? You're single. Therefore, I can do whatever I like." She smiled, wriggling on his lap a bit. Lavi kept his eyes on the video game.
"Actually, he's not." Lavi spoke up, but still didn't take his eyes off the screen. Toma glanced over at him, then looked back at the screen. Road watched the redhead curiously. Then she grinned and turned to Allen.
"I told you!" She instantly hopped off his lap and sat behind him to play with his hair. He rolled his eyes.
-----
In the evening, while Lavi was lazing on his bed, Allen checked Facebook. He had updated his status and replied to a few messages when a pair of arms wrapped around his shoulders.
"You should really change your relationship status." Allen peered at the redhead.
"Why? It's still complicated."
Lavi smiled, "You're complicated." His hand sought out Allen's, twining their fingers, "And taken." Allen looked at their interlocked hands and smiled slightly.
"I guess I am."
Allen has changed his relationship status from "it's complicated" to "in a relationship".
Tomorrow's theme: "Making History"