Disclaimer: D. Gray -Man belongs to Hoshino Katsura.

Chapter Eighteen: Homecoming

"What is that!" Lavi yelled, dodging an incoming blow from one of the wires that hung from the joints of Allen's wing-like appendages. Alma barely avoided another lash, trying to see why Allen was attacking them. The boy was standing in the centre of the courtyard, his mechanical wings outspread with those wires extending as far as they wanted, indiscriminately smashing in all directions.

"What the...Allen's not conscious!"

True to Alma's words, Allen's eyes were not in focus. The light in his eyes were dead. At this point, Lenalee could no longer conceal the truth. Something had caused Allen's Innocence to go out of control, and since it was a parasitic Innocence, it was most likely that it responded to Allen's feelings which had been ravaged by confusion and to protect its master, the Innocence took over Allen's conscience.

"That's Allen-kun's Innocence...It's going out of control from the emotional shock he's received!"

Kanda blocked another attack, but he was distracted by Lenalee's words. "Moyashi had an Innocence?"

"He's synchronised with it?" Lavi exclaimed in shock. He knew of Lvellie's purpose, but he had no idea Lvellie's main desire had been granted that easily. "We'll tell you later, Kanda, just...Kyaa!" Lenalee was interrupted when one of the wires bound around her body, holding her captive. Another yell coming from Alma confirmed the same thing; he too was ensnared by Allen's Innocence.

"Moyashi, put them down!" Kanda sternly ordered, despite the worry and utter bewilderment he had at this outcome. Allen merely stared at the Japanese. As if sensing the source of their irritation, two wires lashed out at Kanda. "Damn it...! Do I have no choice...?"

Saying so, Kanda unsheathed Mugen.

'...That is not me. I don't look like that.'

Yu's eyes never wavered.

'It is you, Allen.'

Furiously, I shook my head.

'No...No, it isn't! I didn't look like that when I met you!'

Icy realisation trickled down my spine.

'And I've never met you as a child...You are not my Yu.'

Even though the gentle smile on his lips was no lie, he was not him.

'...I thought it would be what you wanted, Allen.'

'He'd never call me by name, nor smile at me...But you would, wouldn't you? You have been with me since before I was born after all...Crown Clown.'

The child before me dissolved, and another took its place. A child me, from before I was cursed.

'Yes...So you have found out. I've only wanted to protect your heart.'

I understood all too well, the sensation of incompleteness that I have felt until now.

Bitter laugh welled up in my throat.

'...It was all an illusion conjured to deceive myself, isn't it?'

Kanda grunted when he deflected another blow with Mugen. Lavi was hiding behind some trees well out of reach, wondering how to stop Allen's rampage. Kanda couldn't approach nor go on offensive as it was Allen and the fact that the boy had Alma and Lenalee in his grip made it too dangerous to try to attack him; he might hit the captives.

"Oi, moyashi! Wake up!"

'Does my voice not reach him...?'

Kanda's thoughts were dark, and if his voice could not reach Allen, he had only himself to blame. If he had realised earlier, he wouldn't have let anything happen to Allen. But regretting what already happened was a fool's work. However, Allen paused momentarily, his eyes straining as if trying to see. He staggered back a bit, unsteady, trying to contain his rampage. Cautiously, Kanda approached.

"...Moyashi...?"

Tentatively, one of the wires from Allen's Innocence extended, reaching out to Mugen. Kanda stopped moving, watching to see what would happen next. Slowly, the wire wrapped around the katana and then, both Innocence began to shine and pulse, reverberating against each other. Lavi stepped out from his hiding place, watching the process with fascination.

"...The Innocences are resonating..."

'Do not say that, Allen. These are all properly...His feelings for you. The reason I was in the form that you saw me as was to tell you that he does feel this way for you...It was my method to make you believe,' Clown murmured softly, all while using the identity of my child self.

'How do you know that this is how he feels? I'm scared...I don't want to be pushed away again...'

Yes...This was why I ran...To hide myself from the truth.

Clown smiled. Was it possible for an Innocence to be so human-like and gentle?

'I am the Heart...What other Innocence feels, I know. These feelings...They are only residues that remain within Mugen, but Mugen has passed them on to me, as proof...That these feelings are true. And my task is only to convey them to you. Are you ready to return to him?'

If you give me such kindness, I will cry.

'...Can I believe him?'

That blood-red hand, slowly reaching to touch my birthmark, once my scar.

'Do you love him? If you do, then the answer is already within you.'

Light slowly filtered into the space, forming a path to the distant shore which cannot be seen.

'Thank you, Clown. I am ready.'

I had somewhere I must go now.

My child self waved at me.

'Do not thank me, Allen. If you must, give Mugen a good polish.'

Laughing at the jest, I head off for the path of light.

Slowly, Clown lowered his hand, watching the familiar silhouette fade. Arms came to wrap around his waist.

'He's finally moving, huh?'

Without turning back, Clown knew who it was. The one whose mask he wore until just before to console Allen.

'Yes...And I have you to thank for it, Mugen.'

He scoffed, and when he did, he was the splitting image of his master. Had Allen remained, he would have been granted the strange image of two children, himself and Kanda, looking innocent yet with the intimacy of lovers.

'They were getting frustrating. Besides...If your master didn't get out soon, I wouldn't be able to visit you.'

Finally, Clown turned to face the other. Both of them, meeting by borrowing the faces of their masters. Originally nothing more than solidified Man-made masses of emotions to fight the Earl, aside from himself as the Heart, how glad he was to finally have one companion who transcended mere instincts to gain a conscious.

That was why, when the War ended, he erased them all...Except for Mugen.

'...You know, don't you? That you are the only Innocence which has come into contact with me so often.'

Clown laughed, Mugen frowned.

Their first meeting, when Mugen cleaved into Clown. It was because of their frequent contact that they were able to establish a stronger connection than any other Innocence did with their Heart. Though they were not human, why indeed, Clown wondered, that they wanted to show and receive such human-like words and gestures. Perhaps he, being the only one with independent thoughts for so long, had already understood the meaning of loneliness.

'Be quiet, Clown. You've talked too much when you entertained your master's short stay.'

Mugen's arms tightened around him, and Clown allowed his body to lean into the other's. His faithful companion's embrace was a luxury to he who knew nothing of these human acts.

'...Mugen...She will come.'

Kanda almost dropped Mugen when he saw light returning to Allen's eyes. The boy blinked once, twice, before his Innocence dissolved and the two captives were dropped to the ground. "Kan...da..." Suddenly, Allen lurched forwards but Kanda was quick to receive the falling body. Looking closely at Allen's face, the boy seemed to be sleeping. This was happening quite a few times, much to Kanda's distaste.

"That expression just now..." Lavi didn't dare finish his sentence, but everyone knew what Lavi meant. Allen looked as if he had returned to being himself, the Allen that they knew. "Anyway, I guess we better bring him back to the dorm first and wait for him to wake up to find out. He's probably tired out from the sudden activation of his Innocence. Also...Why does Allen have an Innocence?" Alma asked, eyeing Lavi and Lenalee pointedly.

Lenalee sighed, knowing she had a lot to talk about. "I'll tell you once we reach the dorm. I had no idea Lavi knew, though."

"Aah...I had no idea you knew. I told Komui what I knew, I guess he told ya, huh?" Lavi quipped, wondering how Kanda would react once he hears the tale. Probably volunteer to hunt down Lvellie and kill the man in the most atrocious ways possible. He sneaked a glance at the couple and almost snickered at how careful Kanda was in handling Allen, all the way from the courtyard to the dorm until Kanda had the boy tucked into his own bed.

The quartet converged in the living room of Alma's dorm to begin their discussion, or as Lavi would call it, information sharing. True to expectations, Kanda was not happy when he heard of Lvellie's intentions with Allen. When they reached the part where they had to tell Kanda how Lvellie acquired the Innocence, Lavi and Alma had to hold Kanda down to his seat. It took some time for Kanda to calm down before Lenalee finally explained the current situation to the guys.

"Hn...Of course I will protect moyashi. When I see that bastard who did this to him, I'll rip him to shreds with Mugen," Kanda growled, grip on Mugen tightening. No matter what, nothing suspicious was going to approach his moyashi. "Count me in. I want to beat in that asshole's face. Argh, his disgusting expression that time!" Lavi ranted, sharing the same sentiments of hostility.

Alma stood up, stretching. "At any case, I think it's better if you stay with Allen for now. I'll pack my clothes and stay over at yours at the moment. Is it okay with you, Lavi?"

"Sure, no problem!"

The news was already spreading like wildfire. Lero and most others who were closely related, like Tyki, Road and Jasdevi were gathered in the room, paying their daily visit to the sleeping Allen. The atmosphere would have been easy if not for the tension between him and another visitor, Timcanpy. Tyki, having not seen Lavi for a while due to their different schedules, was dying to molest his dearest bunny, but even he dare not do something like that in front of an arguing couple.

That would be like adding fuel to flames!

"When will Allen wake?" Road questioned, wise enough not to aggravate the already awkward situation. Lavi shrugged to her question. No one knew after all, how long Allen would take to recuperate from his rampaging Innocence. He was seated next to his lover, but neither of them initiated any contact with the other, because the couple in front of them were radiating very dangerous auras. Lero was seated on the chair on his left, glaring holes into the ground. Timcanpy was seated to Tyki's right, casually staring into thin air. It was hard to even attempt whispering into Tyki's ear, being sandwiched in such a choking storm.

"Really...? Inform Lero when Allen wakes, okay? Lero's gonna leave first, lero."

The pumpkin boy stood up and left, being the first one unable to stand the presence of the other any longer. "I'll leave too," Timcanpy added and got off his seat. The moment both of them went out the door, a sigh of relief was heard as everyone slumped over where they sat. Lavi was crying tears of relief, hugging onto Tyki tightly.

"I thought it would never end!"

"Those two seriously need to fix their problem, whatever it is," Road declared with a scoff, leaning onto Lenalee.

"Hihihi, it must be one heck of a lover's spat!" Jasdero giggled, Devit laughing along as they imagined what sort of trouble it was.

"What about yourselves, hm? I see that neither of you have done anything yet," Road teased.

The twins looked at each other. "Done about what?"

At this answer, Lavi snickered and gestured for Road to come closer. He whispered, "Those two are clueless about Doug. And Doug is clueless about himself!" Road burst into laughter at Lavi's words, leaving the twins confused as to what Road actually meant. Lenalee suddenly stood up, heading for the door.

"Lenalee?"

"I think I should go check on Lero and Timcanpy. Since we've saved you all from the institute...I think they should work out their problems. They deserve to be happy," Lenalee mentioned.

At that moment, Lero reached the junctions of the passage, with Timcanpy trailing behind him. Slowly, Lero turned around to look, to see if Timcanpy followed as he turned right. But Timcanpy turned to the opposite corner, much to his shock. Trembling in indignant anger, Lero swivelled around and yelled, "Stand there, asshole!" Timcanpy stopped short, but he did not turn to face Lero.

"What do you think you're doing? Weren't you insistent on finding out why Lero is mad?"

Timcanpy faced him, and Lero trembled at the coldness within his gold eyes. "First you want me to leave you alone, and when I do, you get mad. You're such a child."

Lero's chest was painfully tight, hot tears gushing down his cheeks. He had gone too far. Timcanpy's expression was mercilessly calm in the face of the tears of someone he supposedly loved. The boy furiously rubbed at his eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop. "I hate you, Timcanpy...I hate you! How can you say that...? That's right, I'm a kid! I'm a brat who doesn't know any better!" His voice wavered, so serious in his speech that he dropped the third person reference.

Lero's unsteady legs stumbled, causing the boy to tumble against the wall, leaning heavily against it. "I thought you'd understand! Tyki-sama told me everything! I waited for you, Timcanpy...I know that you were only doing what you had to do, but still I...I waited for you to come save me! I was so scared, I didn't know what was going on...I just hoped and hoped that you'd come...But you didn't. Link came for Madarao, Tyki-sama came for Lavi...But no one came for me."

Lero's sobs got increasingly louder though he tried to control his own volume. He must look so pathetic to Timcanpy right now. "You said you'd protect me, liar! That time, did you know how alone I felt? The only one that I hoped would come for me...didn't. I know it's so childish to be angry over something like that...But I can't help it! I only wanted you to know how I felt...I guess you do now...Go on, leave..." The boy's small shoulders shook with his crying, when he felt himself abruptly pulled up from his slumped position against the wall.

"What are you-Mmph..!"

Lero's crying abruptly stopped when he felt something moist press hard against his lips. Frightened, he struggled but Timcanpy was quick to pin both his arms down with one hand. With his other hand, he forced Lero's mouth open and slipped his tongue in, feeling the tremors coursing through the latter's petite body as he explored his mouth slowly. Feeling scared and bewildered, Lero couldn't help but let out a muffled moan which Timcanpy swallowed eagerly. His hand slowly slid down Lero's back and pressed his body harder against his own.

"Hyaa...No...! What are you doing, lero?" Lero shrieked, finally pulling away for air, demanding an explanation for Timcanpy's actions. Timcanpy stared down at Lero, who shrank when he felt the heavy gaze on him. The blonde leant closer, until their foreheads touched.

"...You really are a child."

"E-Eh?"

Timcanpy finally smiled, gently caressing Lero's face, thumbing away the crystal droplets which stubbornly clung to his lashes. "You should have just told me straight out what you felt, silly. I really didn't know what you were thinking...I was worried that I had hurt you in ways I didn't know. After what you said...I guess I did. I'm sorry, Lero, that my actions caused you this pain, making you shed this much tears. I can't make excuses for what I did...But I can make up for it."

Lero looked hopefully at Timcanpy, wondering how the blonde planned to make up for it.

"But first..."

The orange haired teen yelped when Timcanpy nuzzled into his neck and bit his collarbone, startled by the unexpected action. Lero squirmed as he felt Timcanpy's hand glossing over his butt down to his thigh, his face turning bright red. "What are you doing, lero? Pervert!" Lero accused, trying to tug his hands out of Timcanpy's grip. Timcanpy smirked down at the boy who was shivering like a frightened rabbit.

"It's punishment, dear. For making such a big fuss and causing me to worry for many sleepless nights when you could have been a good boy and be honest."

"Punishment? Why does Lero deserve it? It should be you who gets punished, lero!"

"I already had my punishment when you ignored me for so long. It's your turn..."

"Not this kind of punishment, lero! Help!" Lero squealed, eyes shut tight.

When he didn't feel Timcanpy touching him, Lero slowly opened his eyes. A comical scene unfolded before his eyes. Timcanpy was sprawled on the ground with Lenalee mercilessly kicking him, words like 'pervert' and 'child molester' audible from time to time, while Road was rolling on the floor laughing her head off. It was clear; Lenalee had obviously kicked Timcanpy off him, literally.

"Road-tama! Lero was so scared!" Lero exclaimed, clinging onto his classmate and former user. Road patted Lero's hair as a placating gesture though she was still grinning widely at the pitiable state Timcanpy was in at Lenalee's abuse. Finally satisfied with her punishment, Lenalee receded her attacks and shouted, "I can't believe you're so low as to assault Lero like that, Timcanpy! Come on, children, we're leaving!"

Timcanpy had admitted defeat easily, still thanking heaven that Lenalee no longer had Dark Boots, or he would have been decimated without a second thought. As Lero left, clinging to Road's arm, he turned around and gave Timcanpy a sly smile. The blonde felt even more motivated to have his way with the boy seeing that victorious expression taunt him. Lero wasn't going to escape his grip!

Kanda couldn't help but feel that he had been in this situation many times before, sitting by Allen's bedside, waiting for him to wake up. This time however, he was too anxious to even leave Allen's side. The last time he did, Allen woke up a complete stranger. Now, Kanda had been staying steadfastly where he sat, on the chair beside Allen's bed. He had done nothing except to sit and watch the boy for the past three days, and finally, his efforts would be rewarded.

Kanda's back straightened when he saw Allen's fingers twitch, holding his breath in when Allen's eyes slowly fluttered open. Allen seemed rather out of focus at first, when he suddenly opened his eyes wide and sat up. Kanda's heart tightened when Allen turned away from him. Was he still that repulsive to the boy?

"...How many days did you not bath?"

"What?" Kanda nearly did not catch Allen's words.

Allen had a hand over his nose, glaring at Kanda as he did so. "You reek of sweat, you unhygienic idiot! I'm not getting close to you like that!" There was a sound of something snapping within Kanda, and the next minute, Kanda had thrown Allen over his shoulder. "Sorry for that, but I was desperate for the sleeping princess who faints just about EVERY week to wake before my eyes. If you say I stink, you do too, you idiot, since you've been sleeping for three days without bathing," Kanda sarcastically retorted.

"Aah, put me down! Where are you taking me?" Allen demanded, smacking Kanda's back as he yelled, but it did nothing to the older one.

The group of four, Alma, Lavi, Tyki and Road who had been in the living hall paying their daily visit for the day, was startled when they heard banging sounds and yelling voices. Lavi grinned widely, looking at everyone else. Alma's expression mirrored his, while Tyki and Road looked happy beyond what words could describe. Allen was awake! But before they could get up to go visit the boy, stray exclamations drifted to the living hall, rooting them to their spots.

"I'm taking you to bath, baka moyashi! How dare you say I stink!"

"Of course you do! Which idiot won't take a bath for three days?"

"You reek too, moyashi! Get in the bath!"

Judging by the slamming door, it would seem that they were in the bathroom already. Tyki let out a laugh. "Well, I guess we'll wait until they finish bathing. We'll have lots of time for conversation after that." Road smirked pointedly in the direction of the bathroom. "Aren't you afraid of...the racket they'd cause?" She slyly asked. The reactions were surprising. Tyki merely scoffed it off, Alma looked veritably confused, while Lavi simply grinned.

"Don't worry! The bathroom's soundproof, as is the bedroom!" Lavi informed cheekily.

Road picked up a delicious hint from that statement. "Oh...And how would you know that, Bookman Jr...?" She grinned evilly when Lavi began to blush and sputter nonsensical sounds that didn't even sound like words. She turned her gaze to Tyki, who reacted more sophisticatedly and merely coughed, a light flush on his tanned skin. Alma looked to and fro. "What do you mean, sounds? Are you afraid that Yu and Allen will end up arguing worse than that?"

He was startled when Road, Lavi and Tyki looked at him. "...W-What?"

"You...are surprisingly pure..." Lavi muttered.

"What does that mean?" Alma asked, surprised at the comment.

"It means we better not say anymore!" Road cackled, almost falling off the chair in amusement.

"Otherwise Kanda will kill us for defiling such rare purity," Tyki lamented, causing Lavi and Road to burst out in roaring laughter, leaving Alma more confused than ever.

Allen's protests fell onto deaf ears as Kanda began filling the bath tub with one hand, his other still firmly holding onto Allen who was hanging on his shoulder. "Kanda! Put me down! Oi BaKanda, are you listening?" Allen's fury meter was steadily on the rise, deciding to bite and pull on Kanda's hair if the guy did not set him to his feet any time soon. To his surprise, he really was put to his feet, but for a different reason.

Kanda's face was straight, even as he stripped everything off Allen before tossing the boy into the bath tub. "Gyaa, what are you doing?" Allen shook his fist at the I-could-care-less attitude Kanda had at handling him, but his voice fell silent the moment Kanda joined him in the bath tub, stark naked. As if finally realising the situation, Allen scooted away to the furtherest end of the tub. Kanda balefully glared at the way Allen created distance between themselves.

"Oi moyashi, why are you sitting so far?"

Allen didn't dare look at Kanda, embarrassment and hesitation filling his mind to the brim. "...I don't want to be so close to you, Kanda."

"Yu."

"What?" Surprised, Allen made the mistake of looking up. Kanda's gaze settled on the boy before him, daring Allen to look away. Terrified of the coming confrontation, but unable to tear his gaze away, Allen settled for curling his body up tightly. "...Didn't you use to call me Yu? You already remember, don't you?" Kanda replied, trying to gauge Allen's reaction.

"I...I can't call you that. I don't have that right..." Allen mumbled, fighting back the choking sensation of panic.

"Who says you don't?" Kanda challenged, though he knew he threatened practically anyone who dared to call him by his first name.

"...Isn't it reserved for someone special only...like Alma..."

Kanda would have said Allen was sulking if not for the hurt expression on his young face. "What are you saying, moyashi?"

"I'm saying that you don't like me the way you think you do. You prefer Alma, right? It's going to be fine. Lavi's already told me that Alma likes you that way too, so you don't need to worry about being rejected. Besides, Alma's the only one you'd never scold for using your first name, Kan...Eh?"

Kanda was already gone from the bath tub.

The quartet who had been minding their own business in the living hall were surprised to hear footsteps approaching, and were shocked when the sight of Kanda appeared, wearing nothing except a towel about his waist. He looked absolutely mad when he grabbed Lavi by the collar, drawing the terrified bunny close. "You baka usagi! What kind of shit did you tell moyashi about Alma and me?"

"Eh? What? Me?" Lavi was too scared to think straight, but Alma immediately grasped Kanda's meaning. "Yu, put him down! It was all a misunderstanding! It's partly my fault! I was too vague in my answer, so he misunderstood me and told Allen the wrong thing! Aaah, he's turning blue!"

Suddenly, someone tackled Kanda from behind, causing the Japanese to drop Lavi, who already passed out from fear. Tyki immediately caught his lover and hurriedly retreated to the far corner of the room from the rabid Kanda. Allen had his arms tightly around Kanda's waist, similarly decked in only a white towel. "Don't hurt Lavi! He only told me what he knows!"

"Allen, it's a misunderstanding! What Lavi said was wrong!" Alma hurriedly interjected, hoping to correct the problem. However, Kanda looked horrified, for an absolutely different reason. "Moyashi, what are you doing here dressed like that? Come here, I'm taking you back!"

"Eh, you were the one who first came out looking like...Uwaah? K-Kanda, put me down!" Allen yelled when he was carried off once more. Alma stared at them, speechless. Finally, when he was able to speak, he asked,

"...Will they be fine?"

"Who knows? Maybe he'll come running out wearing absolutely nothing next round," Road answered, laughing.

Allen didn't dare resist when Kanda put him back into the bath tub. Kanda glared at Allen, stating plainly, "There, you heard Alma. Whatever you've heard from that baka usagi is plain bullshit." Instead, Allen only drew himself closer into a tight ball. "...So what? It's not like you really liked me, right? That time after I told you about the Fourteenth, you hit me and ignored me...Obviously, you didn't want me anymore. The only reason you wanted to say...that...Was only because you pitied me when I was about to die, didn't you?"

No mistake, Allen was really seeing things from a completely different angle.

"You...You really think I thought like that?" Kanda's expression was furious. Allen was startled when Kanda tightly gripped his arm and pulled him close. He bit down a sound of pain, whatever he wanted to say was lost when he saw how Kanda looked at him.

"I didn't hit you because I hated you. I hit you because you didn't tell me earlier, I was angry because you didn't trust me...I ignored you because I wanted to focus on destroying the Noahs and the Earl, if it meant eliminating the Fourteenth from you. But I shouldn't have done that. You were dying, and I never once said it to you. I wanted to say it because I wanted you to know how I felt, but...you were right then. Saying that then would only cause you more pain,"

"When you died...I regretted many things. This time, I won't let that happen again. Leaving your side was the stupidest thing I did, especially when it was that moment when you needed me most..." Kanda whispered, fully understanding now how he had unintentionally pushed Allen away in his past life, leading to the early demise of their relationship. Allen whimpered when Kanda pressed a kiss to his forehead, close to tears again.

There were so many things that were made clear, but Allen still had many doubts that he needed Kanda to answer. "...This is going to sound stupid...But why don't you ever smile at me? You smile at Alma...I always see it...At the hospital, you hugged Alma. I know that your friendship with Alma is strong, but I just...I want to know."

Kanda was surprised to know that Allen saw that scene at the hospital, but he was quick to address Allen's fears. "That time, Alma was apologizing for...past mistakes. He was the one who hugged me, but I thought he needed some reassurance, so I hugged him back. He needed to know that he was forgiven..." Allen's eyes widened, understanding what Kanda meant by Alma's 'past mistakes'. He had, after all, witnessed the cruel past Kanda and Alma shared.

"No wonder...But you still haven't answered me."

Kanda suddenly flushed, much to Allen's surprise. It seemed that Kanda would never answer him, but the man finally opened his mouth to speak. "T-That is...Argh, it's because you're frustrating, moyashi!"

"Frustrating, me? How about an idiot whose actions always oppose his thoughts?" Allen yelled back, his sadness temporarily forgotten.

"I can't calm down when you're around! It's so hard to get myself together when it comes to you! Alma's a friend, so I can do whatever I want, but you...You drive me nuts! I act like I do whatever I want, but I always have to consider your reaction! I don't even smile that often, and I definitely can't smile when I'm too busy thinking about you!" Kanda snapped, huffing from his outburst.

Allen stared at him for a long while. Kanda waited in apprehension for Allen's reaction, when the boy sighed and dropped his head onto Kanda's shoulder. "Moyashi?"

"You...Are really...Hopeless."

"What do you mean, hopeless?" Kanda demanded, but stopped short as Allen shyly looked up at him, with a smile and pink dusting his cheeks. "How can I say no to you when you say it like that?" Rather than seeing Kanda smile, having Kanda confess his feelings in such a manner was much better, even though the man didn't seem to be aware that he was expressing his emotions. Didn't this only mean that Kanda was completely preoccupied with him?

It made Allen so happy when he thought so.

Kanda frowned for a while. "Then say it."

For a while, Allen was confused. "Say what?"

"...You've never said it to me, not yet in this life. I've said it already, so it's your turn moyashi."

It took Allen some time to think before he understood what Kanda meant. Smiling at his love, he slowly whispered into Kanda's ear, "I love Yu. There, I said it." Kanda smirked, pulling Allen's face closer. "Well done, moyashi."

Kanda's lips descended on Allen's, not the crude forceful ones that he had been giving, but softly pressing, as if trying to be gentle. Allen pressed closer, wanting more. He waited so long for them to finally come together, and now, his wish was granted. Kanda, sensing Allen's intent, drew the boy closer until Allen was straddling his hips, their tongues too busy warring with each other to bother with anything else.

However, Allen jumped and pulled away when he felt Kanda's hands grope his butt. "Yu! Where are you touching?"

Kanda frowned and gave another squeeze. This time Allen yelped and smacked Kanda's shoulder. "Oi moyashi, you were the one who wanted more. Don't tell me you're backing out now," Kanda muttered, looking peeved at the fact that Allen was out of his grasp. Allen blushed and shook his head. "Only kissing! Nothing further than that!"

"Hn...After coming onto me like that you want to keep it at kissing? No way."

With a particularly wolfish grin, Kanda moved to pin Allen down. Allen squeaked, feeling Kanda's weight on his wrists where he was held. There was no mistake, Kanda's eyes clearly said that he was hungry, and Allen somehow felt that he knew what made Kanda hungry. "Noo, you weren't this...this perverted before!" Allen protested, flinching when Kanda nipped at his collarbone.

"...Times change, moyashi."

"Don't try to wrap up this conversation with that sort of excuse!"

There was a way to overturn this situation, but it was risky. And the possibilities of revenge were abnormally high. Still, Allen decided to do it. Kanda was slightly taken aback when Allen dove forward and roughly smashed their lips together but it was better than having the boy resist. Allen opened his lips, tempting Kanda to come and claim it. Completely taken by Allen's invitation, Kanda released Allen's wrists and settled his hands down to Allen's waist, pulling him closer.

Playing along, Allen's fingers curled into Kanda's wet hair, not letting Kanda move away even for a second. Encouraged, Kanda shifted his weight off Allen to put him into a better position. It was at that very moment, Allen quickly flipped Kanda beneath him and pushed his head into the water before leaping out of the tub, making his escape. He managed to snag a bathrobe hanging on the back of the door before running out, knowing Kanda was sure to give chase.

To say that Kanda was shocked was an understatement.

He had been expecting an obedient moyashi, but the next moment he was breathing in water! "Moyashi!" Kanda yelled, hauling his bedraggled dripping self out of the bath tub. He stuffed himself in a bathrobe quickly before going after Allen, who as expected, was hiding behind the quartet in the living hall. "Moyashi, what was the meaning of that?" Kanda demanded, stalking forward like an angry beast as he roughly shoved the wet strands of his hair out of his face.

Allen squeaked and hid further behind Tyki, replying, "B-But I don't wanna! It's too fast a development! Let's go slowly, okay?"

An unlikely saviour came in the form of Alma. "That's right, Yu! Allen's just remembered everything, you shouldn't be a big bully and start arguing with him the first thing you do!" Everyone looked at him, jaws slack. "...What?" Alma asked quizzically, not understanding the attention.

"Yup, he's definitely pure..." Lavi snorted, choking back his laughter when Kanda glared at him, daring Lavi to say it once more at the risk of death. Even Tyki was hiding his chuckles behind his hand and coughed a little. "I say you both dry yourselves and wear something. I've had enough of a show for today." Allen blushed at the comment and smacked Tyki's back hard.

"It's not my fault I run out like this!"

But he obediently went into his bedroom to dry off and get changed as per Tyki's suggestion. As much as Kanda wanted to do the same, he was forced to wait until Allen was done, because Alma was worried they'd break out into another argument if they stayed in the same room alone. After a while, everyone was settled in the living hall, with the exception of Tyki and Alma, who decided to make dinner.

Allen was sitting on Kanda's lap as a gesture of apology, gently towelling Kanda's hair. Road was grinning broadly at the scene, Lavi too staring shamelessly at the entertaining sight. Kanda would have glared at him if he was not so smug right now, having his moyashi on his lap, towelling his hair which was completely soaked when Allen dunked him underwater. Despite having rudely aborted Kanda's attempt in 'reacquainting', Allen was happy to be near his love, happier still to handle Kanda's hair which he secretly idolised.

Kanda was only too glad to allow Allen to do what he wanted. As long as Allen remained within an arm's reach, then he was perfectly content. His younger lover was surprised, but didn't protest when Kanda hugged him closer, resting his head in the crook of Allen's neck. Allen blinked at Kanda curiously as the latter ran his fingers on his cheek, though not saying a word.

"Yu?"

Kanda rearranged Allen's limbs to have the boy lie against his chest instead. Perching his chin atop Allen's head, he whispered, "Welcome home."

His answer was Allen's fist tightening in his shirt and,

"I'm back."

SPOILERS

FUCK. Forgive my profanity, but FUCK. I KNEW IT. I KNEW IT WOULD COME TO THIS. NOW YULLEN HAS BECOME EVER MORE CANON IN MY EYES

Here I was, thinking to draw a fanart to depict what I thought would happen, but it wasn't necessary. Page 25 was exactly the scenario I painted out in my head then...

But it's actually happened. For Kanda's sake, Allen sacrificed himself...He protected Alma, for Kanda's let Kanda stab him, in order to snap him out of the madness.

And then, Kanda seemed to finally realise...But it's too late. Because it seems...That there is no returning...

「Mo...Moyashi...」 (Ch 197, pg 28)

But your voice shall never reach, Kanda.

Because Allen...

I feel like partly incorporating chapter 197 into TWS...