..

.

"So how long are we going to be here?"

She spare Lavi a glance before returning to the countless books. "I told you if you didn't wanted to come you should have stayed home."

Fō had asked Allen during the week if he wanted to come along with her to find a new book she wanted to get, but Allen kindly declined the invitation. The white haired teen had to work during the weekend. She understood Allen and simply told him not worry about it. At the exact moment Lavi entered the classroom and caught a bit of their conversation. Happily, the redhead interject himself and offered to tag along.

The girl told the emeral eyed male if he was sure, and Lavi simply said that he would be picking her up at her house. Fō didn't mind going out alone, but since Lavi offered she didn't mind. But she would have known better that after a long time in the same place, Lavi would start to get antsy. The tall male couldn't be steady for a long time before he began to get fidgety.

Blowing some strands of hair away from his face Lavi turn forward. Green eyes focused on books instated. The two stood inside a large bookstore for the past half-hour. Shelf's of endless pages standing around them. Every type of reading material could be located. Lavi had informed Fō that if she ever needed any type of book that she could ask him, but the girl never did. Fō was the person who will rather die than to ask for something of someone. Her pride was just to big to let her relay on anyone, and including her friends.

Glancing off, Lavi spot few people walking by. Everyone seemed to be having a good time as they laughed and talked. He even saw couples walking around holding hands. It's not like he wasn't having a good time, but being in Fō's presence when it's only the two made the redhead a tad bit nervous.

His feelings for his female friend are not what he should feel, Lavi already knew that Fō won't accept him. It stabbed at him, his knowledge of what will happen if one day he found the courage to tell Fō about his hidden feelings. Their friendship would most definitely become different, it might even break. Lavi doesn't want his relationship with Fō to become strain. To lose her because of his thoughtless actions always halt Lavi's feelings.

Things are difficult with Fō. The tangerine haired girl simply doesn't show any signs she's actually interested in someone. Lavi can't even tell if Fō likes guys or she's into women. What if Fō preferred girls? It would be devastating– for Lavi that is. It would cut deep if he's right about this theory of his, but if Fō is happy then who is Lavi to interfere with the girls lifestyle? No one just a friend.

Why are you getting all depress you aren't even sure of that.

Getting that ridicules thought away, Lavi moved somewhere else. He ended up in the periodicals section. He took a magazine from the rack and began to scan through. Maybe it will help him stop thinking about silly things.

Looking at every page nothing really caught his attention. Setting the story down he picked up another one. Flipping it forward Lavi frown, the girl in the cover looked familiar. Where have I seen-

"I'm Lenalee and you..."

He stare at the smiling face of the girl, her big amethyst eyes sparkling. Lavi didn't know why the girl was in the cover of the magazine, but he soon open the thin book and began to read. Once he understood, Lavi closed the book and simply stared at the cover. Lenalee was a model, a very well-known model. He slowly began to remember why he'd thought he met the girl before when they first met. Lavi must have seen her in a magazine some time back.

I'm having an Allen moment.

He realize now how his best friend felt upon learning of the well-known people he has come in contact with. Lavi couldn't blame the younger teen of the many times the boy was oblivious to the famous people he had stumble upon with.

Lenalee is a model huh? Wonder if she knows Kanda.

He kept turning pages before he felt someone stand next to him. Glancing down Lavi saw light tangerine color hair and smile softly. "Are you done?"

Fō nodded before taking the story from his grip. "She seems like your type." The girl commented.

Stun Lavi looked down at Lenalee on the open magazine. "Not really actually." He closed the thin book and set it back on the rack. "My type is different." The small girl frown her thin eyebrows before blinking a couple of times. The action made Lavi think Fō was the most adorable thing on the world. He wanted to scoop her up and hugged her tightly.

"I thought you like long hair, big eyes and big breasts." Fō told him dryly.

Lavi couldn't help but blush at her bold words. Fō has no shame of speaking about things like that, but the girl was right. Lavi used to like that, not anymore. He preferred petite girls with small chest, short hair and with an attitude. Eyes yes he still likes them big and bright, but they need to have a stubborn and fearless look. Wonder who that could be?

"How are you not uncomfortable with this?" He asked seconds later.

"Why should I?" She retorted

"Because you're a girl."

Rolling her eyes Fō turn around and began to walk away. "Are you coming or not?" She called over her shoulder.

Shaking himself awake Lavi follow. The two stopped at the front register where Fō paid before taking the small brown bag containing her perches.

"Do you want to go somewhere else?"

Fō shook her head making her short hair that frame her small face sway. Lavi couldn't help but stare at her when Fō did things that Lavi found cute.

"If so, let's get something to eat I'm starving."

She eyed him for a moment before looking away. "You're like Allen right now."

"How so?"

"He's always the one to talk about food first." Fō said.

Pouting Lavi gave her the sad hurtful eyes. "But I really am hungry. Let's go get something to eat please."

Sighing Fō accepted. "Fine as long as you stop making that face. It's creeping me out." She smiled dubiously at the redhead's reaction.

Being very careful, Lavi lift his hand before resting it on the girl's shoulder. "That's my girl." He gave her a light squeeze.

"You're an idiot." She counter and surprisingly, Fō didn't shrug the touch off.

0o0o0o0o

Fō looked irritated and Lavi knew why. He had brought her to his favorite restaurant which the girl found unbearable. Fō never liked big expensive places even for a girl who was born into wealth.

"Please don't look at me like that it pains me, but you said to choose the place remember?" Lavi smiled cheeky making the look of murderess grown on her face.

Wrinkling her nose – another cute act in Lavi's view – Fō lean forward. "I thought you would've picked Jeri's not this place. Seriously what do you even see in this restaurant?"

Giving the garden around them a thoroughly glance Lavi return to the moody girl. "Everything. What there isn't to like? Besides I thought that dragging you in was the only way to make you enter, but you surprisingly came along in peace."

"You-"

The waiter couldn't have appear at a better time. The man set everything down and left right after the two excused him. Lavi quickly dig in, his stomach growling it's self to death. The two ate in a comfortable silence. Lavi would occasionally gaze at Fō who didn't seem to notice. After a while Lavi decided to make small talk. "What we talked about earlier." He began getting Fō's attention. "About the type of people we like. We both know Allen's types and you think you know mine. I want to know, if I can that is. What type of guys do you like?" Lavi was careful not to sound offensive. Fō might just kill him on the spot if he said something way off that might tick the girl off. He just wanted to understand Fō's point of view when it came to men.

At first Fō said nothing, then. "Why the sudden interest?"

Lavi smile before getting a bite of his food. He try to play it off cool. He didn't want to look nervous, or that he was actually a bit scared. "Just curious. You don't have to answer if you don't want." His crush simply stare down at her plate. Fō was thoughtful and Lavi was sure she would answer. He waited patiently, pushing the girl wasn't wise.

"To be honest, I don't have a type." Came her response.

Thought as much.

"So you don't find a certain guy hot? Or sexy?" Lavi let his eyes drift away. He just let Fō think more about the subject.

Fō frown to herself. There really wasn't anyone that had ever caught her attention before. Men to her were just men. What was so special about them? They were annoying and always thought better about themselves. Man's ego just made Fō feel better about being a women.

"No, no one."

He was disappointed, why lie. Lavi hope deep down that Fō would have said that there was someone. Someone who had fiery red hair, deep green eyes and a killer smile, but that was asking for too much. "Oh well, maybe one day you'll find that someone." He picked up his fort and began to eat.

"Earlier you also said that you're type wasn't the same anymore. Why's that?"

It was his turn to be under the spotlight. Scratching his cheek with a free hand Lavi avoided eye contact with Fō. "Yeah." He said dumbly. "I came to realize that a person's physical is not always the most important. Sometimes we have to see beyond layers before judging. I now understand that people's personalities and feelings are far more significant."

Fō was surprise by the redhead's words. She hadn't seen the way Lavi had change. The older male to her had always been another idiot who was ignorant when it came to comprehending women and their way of thinking. Fō was wrong and she accepted that, but it still didn't change anything.

He saw Fō smile softly at him and Lavi felt his heart skip a beat. "I'm glad," she said oblivious to the sudden heat on Lavi's face.

They continue with their lunch feeling that they have learn something about each other. Even if Lavi didn't really get much out of Fō, but at least now he has a good perspective of her. His friend simply hasn't had a moment where she could realize that someone might actually be interested in her.

You have a starter. He told himself.

Once done and after paying the bill, Lavi stood. Fō right besides him as they made their way out. He tried his luck a second time and lifted an arm and carefully wrap it around Fō's shoulder. He inwardly sighed when the girl didn't rip his head off. "So anywhere you wish to go?"

The petite girl didn't respond seeming lost in her own world. In the mean time Lavi glance around and found many people look their way. He ignored it, but couldn't help and listen to their whispers.

"-such a cute couple."

"Look at how protectively he holds her."

"She's a lucky girl."

People thought they were a couple really? He couldn't help but feel happy. Well the two were technically on a date and they did look like a couple. If only the girl next to him, the one in his arm, could see that.

"Hey isn't that your type?"

Snapping out of his musing, Lavi peer down at Fō completely unsure of what he heard. He then looked up at the direction Fō was facing. Well that's unexpected.

A few feet away from them, just next to the entrance of the restaurant was Lenalee. The model was talking to a very handsome brunette man. Lavi then reacted to Fō's last statement. "Hey! I told you she isn't my type." He said somewhat irritated.

He might have said it a bit too loud because the two talking near the entrance turn their heads towards him. "Why are you yelling?" Fō added to late.

Emerald orbs landed on the girl next to him. Lavi open his mouth ready to say something back when he got interrupted.

"Lavi? Hey!" Lifting his gaze the redhead saw Lenalee walking up to him.

"Hey there." They came to a halt. Lavi still holding Fō next to him, and he had a feeling the girl was confused about the situation.

"It's really nice to see you again Lavi." The long haired girl said, her eyes showing her excitement.

The look she was giving him, Lavi knew all to well. Since the first time they saw each other Lavi knew Lenalee really like him. "Same here." He just wanted to get out of the restaurant and be on his way with Fō.

"I didn't think I would have-" Lenalee stopped. Her eyes at last taking in the girl next to Lavi. She was smaller than Lenalee. Maybe due to the high pumps the model wore. The girl was slim, short light hair, clear healthy skin and no make-up? The girl was naturally beautiful as Lenalee could see. Is this her? Lavi's girlfriend? The arm wrap around the girl answer Lenalee's question. The smaller girl looked so delicate in the redhead's hold, as if she was made of glass.

Feeling the pause in the air Lavi decided to talk. "This is Fō my-"

"Oh my god! Where are my manners? It's really nice to meet you, ." Lenalee cut in before reached out and taking one of Fō's small hand into both of hers. She smiled at Fō even when deep down Lenalee wasn't at all to happy to see the other girl.

Big mistake. Lavi's eyes widen. Rule one, never touch Fō especially if the girl didn't know you. It was asking to get hurt and Lavi felt Fō's small frame become tense on his hold.

Shit.

Without a second though, Lavi pulled Fō away from Lenalee and put his body as a wall between the two girls. He muffled Fō before she could curse as he pressed the violent girl against his chest. "Well it was nice seeing you Lenalee. Bye now." Lavi practically ran from the restaurant with Fō. He only heard Lenalee's replying by the time the two reached the exit. One out and a good distant away from the model, Lavi release Fō.

"You saved her ass you know." Fō tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while looking back at the restaurant.

Lavi finding the amusement at last he snicker. "Yeah I did didn't I?"

"You know her?" Fō curiously asked.

Sighing, Lavi explained how he met Lenalee. His friend listed as the two waiter for the valet to get his car. "It was just a coincident nothing else."

Fō understood and said nothing else about the model. The two got inside the car before Lavi drove off. "Your house then?"

His passenger shook her head. "Let's go to the movies." Fō said and Lavi couldn't have it any other way.

"Sure."


He breathe in slowly calming his sudden anxiety. The quickening beat of his heart become even. Allen felt the world settle over his shoulders. What bothered him the most was that he lied to his friends. Fō wanted to spend time with him, but Allen simply blew her off. He slowly realize how bad of a person he has become.

It couldn't be help. He kept telling himself. Allen had to pay debts and at the same time he wanted to keep his friends in the dark about it. They will worry for him, and try to help, but this wasn't their chore. Allen's very independent and he's learn to never bother others with things that he can and will have a solution for. Even if said solutions aren't always that good.

Right at the moment he stood next to Kanda in the Black Order lobby, waiting for the elevator to open its doors for them. Every few minutes Allen would look around at everyone that walked by them. Thoughtlessly, he pulled the hood of his sweater lower in his head. He was being cautious for unknown reasons. Maybe he did have a reason.

People working in the building where he stood might see him outside the Order. They may end up where he worked at the café and find it odd that he being a new model was also working as a waiter? He doesn't want to find someone from the modeling agency, and definitely not when he's with his friends. It would be a disaster if it occurs.

Buzz... Buzz... Buzz...

The vibrating of his cell phone made Allen jump. He quickly dug inside his jean pocket and took the buzzing phone out. "Hello?"

"Al. Are you still at the café?" It was Lavi.

Seeing Kanda shift closer to him, Allen gave the ravenette a look before gazing away. He was about to lie to his friend at the moment. He didn't want any witnesses. "Yes why?"

"Oh sorry if I'm bothering you. Just wanted to tell you I'll be coming over later kay'?"

"Alright, later then."

He ended the call and tucked his phone way. He sighed, that was a close one. He told both of his friends that he would be working at Jeri's from morning until evening. Of course that wasn't the truth. He was going to work, but not at the café.

"When are you telling the baka about this?"

Looking back he found Kanda right behind him. Turning fulling Allen took a step back before answering. "I told you, I can't tell them anything. I wasn't even suppose to tell you." He was force to tell the ravenette about his problem with Cross. Fear out doing bravery, and he ended up spilling more than he wanted. Kanda had strange methods of making him talk. He slightly wonder if the older male did that to everyone.

Ding.

The two enter the elevator and waited to arrive at their floor. It was quiet and it help Allen think about the many problems his Master had gotten him in before. Modeling is nothing compare to the many things Allen did to pay off debts before. The problem about posing in front of the camera was the publicity of it and the people who will see them. Any other job wouldn't have him so expose and he liked for no one to notice him.

Now there was the possibility that someone might recognize him. Allen can only pray that Komui and Bak came up with something that might help Allen be unrecognizable. If any of his friends beside Lavi and Fō see him it's over. Allen will most definitely be confronted by his two close friends. The teen might have to come clean about his current troubles. He doesn't want to, it would simply make him talk more than he might want. He most likely will tell them about Cross, and the most important that he's dating Kanda.

It will not end good. Lavi and Fō would feel betray and left behind. They'll not hesitate and interrogate him about the reasons for why Allen never spoke a word about dating the model. At the end Allen won't have a choice but to end things with the ravenette. It was simple as it sounded. Lavi being the older of them will talk to him about a lot of things and in between those things Allen might see his wrong doing. He isn't suppose to be with Kanda and vise-versa.

However, even if Allen understood his mistakes, deep down he knows braking up with Kanda doesn't sound like something he wanted to do. He has come to care very deep for the model. Throughout Kanda's few errors Allen is really starting to feel many things for the older male. Even when Allen is pretty sure he isn't homosexual. He hasn't found men appealing in the slightest before. Yet with Kanda it was different and special. With the ravenette Allen can feel a certain connection he hadn't felt before with his other relationships. So that made him what? A quarter homosexual? Maybe an eighth? He wasn't sure at all.

He sigh. Whatever he was didn't matter. What matter are his feelings. At the moment he felt comfortable with Kanda. Later he might see things clearly, but right now he had other things in his mind that worry him. More sooner than later he will have to tell his friends about his relationship with Kanda. He hoped in the names of his parents that Lavi wouldn't be mad at him, and that Fō will understand.

"You haven't told them about us."

He jumped and almost cursed at the sudden voice. Allen stare at Kanda remembering he wasn't along and let the words make sense before taking a deep breath. It seemed like Kanda could read him really good at the moment. "No I haven't, but I will... later."

"Why not now?"

Looking away Allen gaze at the metal doors before him. "It's not the right time, and don't think that I'm ashamed or something because I'm not. At the moment I have to focus in other things." From the corner of his eyes he saw the older teen come in closer. It was a habit of Kanda to invade his personal space and Allen didn't mind it anymore. The ravenette just looked at him and Allen kept his eyes on the door.

"Kanda?" He took the ravenette's silence as a sign to continue. "Please now that I will be here I want you to be more discreet about us." At last he looked up at the other male. "Don't act or say anything that might give away our relationship."

Kanda couldn't help but lower his gaze at his Moyashi. The boy was asking him to deny their relationship in the Order cutting Kanda from declaring his possession over the Moyashi to every one in the building. He won't have the right to react if someone got to touchy with his lover. Kanda already had the knowledge of the fact that many people working in the Order aren't to respectful towards personal boundaries.

"Please just promise me you won't do anything without thinking about it first." The younger teen said.

"Why?"

"I have a feeling that if you do, something will go wrong. Unless you want things to end then go ahead act irrational." Allen added as a precaution. With Kanda, he never really know what will happen.

His Moyashi was threatening him again. The younger male did sure know what buttons to push. This is the second time the white haired teen has mention of ending their relationship. Slowly doubts about the two return.

Will the boy ever love him?

Why is Moyashi dating him?

For pity?

Why is the boy hiding them?

When is the right time for them to be public?

Yes many doubts in indeed. Though even when he had second thoughts Kanda can feel the younger teen is returning his feelings. Their relationship is changing from how it was at the beginning to now. It's moving forward and that help voice down his doubts. Kanda just needed to give his lover space and time. The younger male will come around, and finally make their relationship complete and solid. Like his Moyashi said right now he had other things to think about. Kanda's selfishness will have to take a step back. A real relationship is base on two people not only one.

"I won't do anything." Kanda can already tell that it will be hard to keep his word and temper down.

The younger male smiled warmly before leaning up and softly settle a kiss on his lips. "Thank you." And that is why Kanda could never leave his Moyashi alone.

0o0o0o0o

"Alright Allen-kun." Bak said as he looked through a medium size box on top of a table.

"The last time you were here you said that you didn't want to show your face right?" Allen nodded even when Bak wasn't looking. He stood inside a large room with the blonde man and no one else. Kanda only escorted him here and took off to another floor right after.

"Komui and myself had to think a lot afterwords. Let's just say we came to a conclusion about your request." He simply stayed quiet and let Bak finish before he could say anything. The blond man stopped digging in the box before moving away. Then Allen saw the man's conclusion. "Tada! We found a solution."

Allen stare at the four wigs sitting on top of plastic foam head manikin's. One was a rich redwood color, the second a bright blonde, third wig was a chestnut shade and lastly an ebony color. All wings having a different style of cut.

"Bak-san? I don't think a wig is the best way."

The photographer shook his head and made his was to him. "None sense Allen-kun, a wig can be the best way to change someone's entire appearance." Bak took the younger man towards the table and let him take a closer look at the wigs. The blonde male already couldn't wait and see which of the four items on the table the boy would pick.

Five minutes later Allen made a decision. Ebony. Bak couldn't argue with the teen. The younger man looked good with every single wig after he made Allen try them all on. The boy's skin tone simply match with everything.

"This feels weird." Allen said as he gaze in a mirror, but the whole dying his hair black was finally solved. The wig was almost cut in the same style as his hair, with one side being longer slightly covering one of his eyes.

"You look dashing that's all you need to know."

After having his full view in the mirror Allen stepped into a set with a dark background with bright lights around. Allen began to get nervous but instead push his nerves aside.

"Alright Allen-kun since you said not full face. We will do a couple of tricks okay. Just listen to me and follow my instructions."

Allen did as Bak asked and listen to the man's directions. Maybe modeling wasn't all that hard.


"How was your day?" Fō ask as Allen sat next to her. The two were drinking tea while waiting for Lavi.

Allen sip his warm tea before replying. "You know work and you?"

"Filled with Lavi."

Silver-gray orbs looked at his friends and simply took Fō's calm behavior. It was somewhat strange the girl didn't really say more about her day with Lavi. Fō would usually comment something about Lavi acting annoyingly or that the redhead wouldn't shut up. It was normal for he girl to complaining of Lavi. Now her quiet behavior only poked at Allen's curiosity.

"When are you going to tell him that you know?" Allen said softly.

Fō immediately looked up. "What?"

Allen settle his cup down before looking at the girl right in the eye. "Fō, please tell him."

The short hair girl soon looked as serious as he did. "He's confused. I don't need to tell him anything." The tangerine haired girl said not once blinking.

"You need to, you're making him go around a circle."

Sighing Fō looked down on the cup on her lap. "Allen, I can't. He will soon realize that he's wrong."

His friend was so stubborn. For the first time Allen wanted to flick her on the forehead. Instead he stayed quiet for a minute before talking again. "The both of us know he isn't the type to be confuse about anything. He always know what he's doing, where he's going and especially what he want. He isn't wrong."

Every time Allen brought this topic up, Fō simply didn't want to talk about it. It confused her and Fō dislike being confuse. This is the fourth time they have talk about it and the fourth time Fō will simply brush it off.

"I won't say a word." That was her final answer.

Allen disagree with the girl, they had always been on different sides when it came to the subject. He just wanted Fō to accept the reality of the situation, but he couldn't force the girl to do anything she didn't want. How can he demand Fō to voice out the issue when Allen doesn't find the willingness to speak about his own feelings and his relationship with Kanda. He would be a hypocrite if he did, for now he had to keep quiet. He has yet another secret he has hidden since the moment Fō spoke to him about the matter. His first secret of many he's keeping away from the redhead. His knowledge of the fact that he knows of Lavi's feeling towards Fō.

"Wow, why the sudden depression?"

Both occupants of the living room were startled by Lavi's arrival. Allen smiled even when he didn't feel it. Fō in the other hand simply looked at Lavi as she always did before looking away.

"What took you so long?" She said with an irritated voice. Typical Fō.

"Sorry the old man held me back." Lavi sat on the other couch completely unaware of the fact that they were just talking about him.

"I'll get you some tea." Allen stood from his seat and walked towards the kitchen. Before entering he glance back at his friends. He didn't know which one was more complicated. His relationship with Kanda, or the one involving his two friends. Life was just to confusing at times.


A/N: Well there you have it chapter eighteen is done.

Thank you so much everyone I really appreciate you guys reading and reviewing the story.

I'll update soon take care everyone.

See ya!