Title: The Gateway
Author: fotoshop-cutout // Shiro
Fandom: D. Gray-Man
Characters/Pairings: Lavi/Allen, Lavi/Fourteenth, Bookman, Lenalee, Kanda, Komui
Rating: PG for implications of trauma.
Word Count: 1,884
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 turns into the 14th, Lavi hates the Ark.
Notes/Warnings: un-betaed; the eighth in a series of 104 themes. "Gateway" is today's theme. Thank you Aion Laven Walker, WrathofMugen, and Sakura-chan for the lovely reviews!
Allen had snapped. Of course, Lavi had been expecting it to happen. Lenalee was probably the only one who could stop him, but even she couldn't stop him when he threw open a gateway to the Ark.
"Well, this was fun and all, but I really must take my leave."
Lavi couldn't control his own voice. Bookman stood off to the side, watching the scene with vague interest: eyes flicking between the redhead and the boy standing illuminated. Protests rose up from many different people, Lavi's voice rose above all of the noise though.
"Allen, you can't go. This isn't right… just close down the Ark and come back."
Lenalee opened her mouth, wanting to stop him; Allen's silver eyes found her and he stopped her before she even started. "Oh don't you even start." Red dripped down from Allen's forehead. Lenalee covered her mouth with a dainty hand, tears welling up. Lavi would have comforted her had he not been inching towards the boy. Kanda watched; Bookman lingered in the background, at the ready for a battle. Allen—no, the Fourteenth—switched his eyes to the approaching young man.
With one swift move a hand shot out and grabbed hold of Lavi's shirt front. The action startled him, a slight cry leaving his lips. Words came from his captor.
"Ah, I suppose I will take this as collateral."
Lavi looked up to see the grin and bloody crosses. The others all launched forward to attack: to win him back. Lavi didn't hear a thing as he was tugged towards the boy he once knew as Allen. Arms encircled him, he wanted to struggle but the shock was too much. Lavi's one green eye looked over his shoulder, watching as everyone tried to stop the gateway from closing. It slid closed, however; and he was trapped on the other side of the gate with the Fourteenth Noah.
-----
Lavi had been caught without his Innocence, which he deeply regretted not grabbing. He was in pajamas, like he had been the previous night. He sat on the floor cross-legged now, watching as the Fourteenth took a rag and wiped the blood from his face. Timcanpy, surprisingly, was flapping about next to the head of white hair. Lavi kept silent, afraid that any movement, any sound would bring the end of his life. A gray-toned face appeared in front of his. He jerked back. That brought a grin to the face before him.
"You don't have to be afraid. I won't hurt you. After all, what good are you dead?" The Fourteenth straightened up and tossed the rag aside. Lavi licked his lips nervously. Everything had gone wrong, starting with the gateway to the Ark. The Fourteenth continued as if Lavi was a good friend to him, "You know, it would have been helpful if you had your piece of Innocence on you. I suppose I'll have to go get that."
Lavi figured it was a ploy to get him to talk. He ignored it.
-----
After four months Lavi had been under the command of the Fourteenth, who resembled Allen only slightly now. Long white hair was tied back, the gray skin tone and crosses on the forehead, plus the silver eyes held a mixture of the kind boy Lavi once knew, and the surprisingly gentle man that the Fourteenth was. Lavi still didn't have his Innocence, but the Fourteenth had said they were headed to pick it up now. He had said it would be difficult. Likely it was in Hevlaska, and only Lavi would be able to retrieve it. The Fourteenth said he would open a gateway so he would be able to.
Lavi was interested in how their relationship had grown from the first night together. They had only briefly stopped in Tahiti for a night, but otherwise had been alone together (save Timcanpy) on the Ark for the rest of the time. Lavi believed it was the night in Tahiti that changed everything.
It had been the day after Lavi had been taken from the Order Headquarters, and so he only saw escape or death in his future. He was surprised when the Fourteenth had picked him up and deposited him on his feet. Treating Lavi like a child, he had taken his hand and led him through a gateway. At once Lavi was attempting escape. Every time the Fourteenth merely said 'I don't wish you to get hurt' or 'I wish you would be calmer about this'. Finally, they had arrived at their destination. A hat shop: one that specialized in top hats. The Fourteenth, who appeared to look exactly like Allen Walker, bought a top hat then dragged the redhead back through the gateway. He had then lectured Lavi on how he felt about the Earl, Innocence, and various other topics. Lavi listened, slightly frightened by the man. In the end the Fourteenth smiled and ruffled Lavi's hair.
Perhaps that made the difference, maybe not. But now, as the Fourteenth played the enchanting song to control the Ark, Lavi hummed along, watching as Timcanpy fluttered about between them; Lavi couldn't see himself anywhere else. He knew he would come back to the Fourteenth after getting his Innocence back. Was this betrayal? Lavi thought not, after all the Fourteenth was too kind, like Allen, and too loving. Lavi couldn't help but like him—feel loyal to him. Was this the power that the Fourteenth had? The Fourteenth looked over his shoulder and nodded to him. It was time.
Lavi stood and walked towards the gateway, Timcanpy landing softly on his shoulder.
-----
When Lavi emerged from the gateway he saw a sleeping Hevlaska; the Order was dark. He strode forward, still in the pajamas from when he was taken, Timcanpy riding on his shoulder. He spoke, his voice somewhat changed somehow, by his time in the Ark.
"Hevlaska." This woke the slumbering exorcist.
"Lavi!" She seemed surprised to see him.
"I would like my Innocence." She seemed to blink and then moved to pick him up. Tim fluttered around, Lavi allowed her to do as she needed to. He wouldn't mess this up. The gateway stood open and waiting for him, Hevlaska seemed to only realize this now. Her voice filled the space.
"I cannot stop you from returning to the Ark with what is rightfully yours, but I do wish you would stay. I could protect you if you like." She thought the Fourteenth was keeping him against his will. Was that really true? No, before he left the Ark he knew he would be returning without question. He cast his eye around, looking at the Order. Now that he was out here he felt a bit different. Would it really be so bad to go back to this life? He was about to voice his thoughts when lights flickered on. Lenalee leaned over the railing and gasped.
"Lavi!" Everyone started pouring towards the banisters; the gateway was hidden in the shadows and so wasn't seen. Scientists, finders, and exorcists alike pushed onto the elevator, eager to go and greet the seemingly long-lost member. Lavi didn't say anything as Hevlaska sighed and gave him the Innocence he desired. Once he had it in his hands Lavi looked to the hidden gateway. The elevator pulled to a stop. Lenalee was the first to throw her arms around him. The quick movements startled him: he was used to the languid way that the Fourteenth moved. She mistook it immediately and backed off.
"I'm so sorry. I should have thought. You must be traumatized."
Kanda stood off a ways, surveying the place. Suddenly the icy gaze was settled on him. "Where is he?"
Lavi held his Innocence like it was fragile. Tim flapped towards the gateway. Lavi looked uncertainly around for a moment. Komui spoke up.
"Did he let you go?"
Lavi swallowed thickly and shook his head. Bookman stared at him. Lavi seemed to find his voice when their eyes met. "No. I have to go." Suddenly Tim zipped towards the gateway; the figure standing there smiled. He didn't look like the Fourteenth, he looked more like Allen. Lavi still found this startling. Timcanpy landed on the head of white hair, everyone's attention turned to him as he spoke.
"Lavi, we should go. I do not wish to overstay our welcome."
Kanda was the first to react: Mugen was swung to land a blow on the Fourteenth. Lavi yelped, but the Fourteenth just lifted his hand and stopped the blade. He didn't even look at Kanda, he looked beyond at Lavi. When their eyes met Lavi remembered his tumultuous feelings. Would he leave with the Fourteenth—traitor to both sides, or would he remain here with the people he was supposed to be with? For a moment he just stared at the man with the sword stopped in his hand. Kanda tried to lift it, but the Fourteenth held it fast. He smiled: the kind of smile Allen would have. Lavi was won over.
Lenalee moved to stand between Lavi and the gateway, but with a burst of strength Lavi rushed past her. He cradled his Innocence to his chest, slowing when he reached the man. The Fourteenth then switched his silvery eyes to Kanda. Lavi stood off a bit, the crowd behind him watching on, ready to defend Kanda, grab Lavi, or at least run away. Lavi looked towards the gateway. He looked back towards the people he once viewed as friends then turned away, remembering the smile filled with warmth and kindness. He walked to the gate, standing there with his Innocence and hand outstretched towards the Fourteenth. Lenalee gasped, Bookman stared at him with hard eyes. To them he was a traitor. Lavi closed his eye, waiting for a hand to take his own.
Kanda crashed into a wall, a whisper of cloth down his arm and the Fourteenth embraced him. Lavi opened his eye, not at all surprised to find himself returning the affection. Kanda stood, obviously angry now. They stepped back through the gateway. Both looked over their shoulders at the same time, watching the gate slide closed.
-----
After dinner the Fourteenth brushed a napkin across Lavi's lips. When Lavi turned to question him, he was stalled by a warm smile. Lavi stared for a moment, but returned the smile.
"I'm glad you returned safely, Lavi." Lavi nodded, diverting his gaze to his now empty plate. He was glad the Fourteenth had not been hurt by Kanda. To show this he just slid his hand over to the Fourteenth's, grasping it. A smile settled on the Fourteenth's features; all was quiet for a moment.
"You know, Lavi, Allen's last act was to grab you." The Fourteenth stood, still holding Lavi's hand. He moved around the table and knelt on one knee next to the redhead's chair. "I'm glad he did. Otherwise I would never have met you." Lips were pressed to the back of his hand. Lavi briefly remembered when he thought everything had been messed up by the Ark's gateway. Now that he had his Innocence back, now that the Fourteenth and he shared a bond Lavi didn't feel the same way.
He threw his arms around the Fourteenth's neck and snuggled his face into the gray-toned neck.
Tomorrow's Theme: "Death"