Disclaimer: I do not own -Man or any of its characters.
Allen's POV:
I knocked on Lavi's door, Kanda beside me. There was a long moment with no response and when I was considering whether to knock again, I heard noises from within. Those noises grew louder and then the door cracked open enough to show Lavi's tired face.
He looked at each of us and asked, "Is something up?" in an equally tired voice. I had been worried he would assume there was an emergency of some sort because of the fact that he didn't know we would be visiting, but something in our stance must have told him that there was no need for him to jump to attention.
"Sorry if we woke you," I began – though I wasn't actually all that sympathetic due to it being nearly noon by now – "but we wanted to talk to you about something." Lavi had a habit of catching up on his Bookman duties late into the night.
"Sure," he said, opening the door the rest of the way and turning around. He walked into the kitchen stretching the whole way, and we followed. I could now see that he was still wearing pajamas. Lavi put on some coffee and threw a mixed bag of scones and doughnuts to the center of the small kitchen table where Kanda and I now sat. I took that as a 'help yourself' and finished a doughnut by the time Lavi sat down with a mug in his hand. After he took a few sips he said, "So what's the subject?" He was perking up already, which I was glad of.
So I dove right in – while trying not to belly-flop, "Lavi, Kanda and I would like to talk to you about the reasons behind what we were able to do in our fight against Tyki Mikk." The way that I said it implied that we would tell him because we knew, as opposed to us asking for his opinion on the matter.
That grabbed his attention forcefully, and then he put on a friendly expression before he responded. "Yea, I admit I can't figure that out," he said while rubbing the back of his head. "I mean, the four of us have improved a lot over the last couple years, but something the two of you are doing has made you break through to a whole new level. It also looks like your Innocence interacted with each other. So, you think you know why?" He looked at each of us probingly. Not being able to figure it out must have really been bothering him. Of course, that shouldn't surprise me.
"Yes. It's because we like each other." Being direct with Lavi was the best approach. I held my breath and waited for a reaction.
He looked as if I said something rather obvious. "…But…we're all friends…If…"
"We're lovers," Kanda cut him off. Lovers. I hadn't thought of that word before, but I liked the sound of it.
Lavi looked past us in thought for a long time and then, suddenly, he erupted in uncontrollable laughter. He put his head in one hand and bent forward, clutching his stomach with his other hand. I didn't know what exactly about this was funny and I told him so.
Lavi kept laughing.
Kanda growled out, "I'm going to punch you if you don't stop laughing."
Lavi put up a placating hand, and forced out his words through the laughter, "No! No! It's just, it makes perfect sense!" He calmed his breathing some and continued. "There was a huge piece of the puzzle missing until now. Not just your Innocence, but the way you've been acting, too. And now that you've said that, I know that is has to be true. Because it fits!" Lavi went thoughtful again, his face losing expression, and the longer he stayed in his own head the redder his face became.
"What are you thinking of," demanded Kanda in an embarrassed voice.
I couldn't help but think back to the hours Kanda and I spent together last night, before putting my attention back to Lavi.
Lavi looked at us and cracked up all over again, and this time it was unmistakably at our expense. Kanda and I looked at each other and nonverbally came to the conclusion to let him get it out of his system. Kanda was left with an indulgent look on his face.
"Ok!," said Lavi, "that time I was getting mental images of you going on dates, and Allen combing Kanda's hair, and saying romantic things to each other like 'I'll never leave you'!" Then he was laughing the hardest yet.
I couldn't help but smile. His words weren't meant to hurt us. They were within the realm of the normal teasing we had all gotten used to, really; I was just more sensitive in this situation over others in the past. Maybe his good humor was contagious.
Kanda, however, hammered him hard on the head with his fist, and told him to shut up. Well, despite my previous thoughts I don't blame Kanda for that.
"Alright, alright," Lavi said mildly irritated, rubbing the top of his head.
"Don't hide behind jokes," I advised.
He took a deep breath and adopted a more serious tone. "I don't think badly of either of you, if that's what you're worried about." The tightness in my chest that had been there through the conversation so far eased a bit. "I'm a Bookman, right? It's not in me to judge others for something like that. In fact, these kinds of relationships aren't as rare as popular opinion suggests. It still never occurred to me though. In retrospect, I should have thought of it sooner. If I had looked at things more objectively, I would have. But since I'm so close to the both of you, I rejected it out of hand because I assumed I knew you. But even though I know you, I should have realized that there is still so much I don't know."
So that it didn't get too introspective, I move the conversation along. "So, Lavi, you spoke as a Bookman and you had some great insights, but what about as an Exorcist?" I asked. He only offered his opinion from an emotional distance so far, but I'm glad it's been supportive. Because a good relationship among us matters so damn much, I needed more of an answer.
He answered easily. "As an Exorcist, it's your commitment to the war that matters. And that hasn't changed as far as I can see. And it's made you stronger, right? We're closer to winning as a result." So he already realized all of the repercussions that I have. "And as a generalization for all Exorcists, we're a very inclusive group to everyone who takes his responsibilities seriously. When you think about it, most cultures in the world have fear or anger towards cultures that are different. And they try to justify it in various ways. But look at our motley group of peers – they're from all over the world and we've all grown up differently from each other. But we don't let that bother us at all, most don't even think about it because there are other things to worry about. Because of all of that, I don't think you have to worry about their harsh opinions or mine."
I smiled my appreciation at his insight and then asked, "And, what about as our friend?"
He looked at both of us seriously. "As your friend, I trust your judgment. If this was something frivolous, you wouldn't be telling me about it this way. So that means it's important to you. It's normal for things to change. Our group dynamic will likely change as a result, but it's ok. As long as we understand each other."
My heart swelled. "You're right, Lavi. I guess it would be silly to try to keep things the same." I couldn't keep the relief out of my voice.
"If we all keep that attitude, we'll do just fine," Kanda told him.
"So, who else have you talked to about this?" Lavi asked.
"We talked to Lenalee earlier today," I answered.
Lavi leaned closer in interest. "What did she say?"
"She's basically in shock, but she wants to understand."
"Hey, that's great. It seems like a really honest reaction."
"Then Komui came by," added Kanda, "and pretty much told us that he already knew. He was…clinical."
Lavi laughed and said, "He was just protecting you from feeling awkward then. He doesn't just see himself as Lenalee's big brother, you know. He acts as a big brother to all four of us nowadays."
"You're probably right," I said.
"And General Tiedoll knows. I told him while he was here," said Kanda.
Lavi looked surprised at that news. I was still surprised myself. But I'm glad he can talk that openly with Tiedoll now. I see him expanding his world little by little.
"Did you intentionally tell him or did he weasel it out of you with his fatherly ways? It looks like he must have taken it well. He seemed very happy to have seen you."
"A mixture of both," Kanda answered with a thoughtful frown. "Once I was already talking to him, it seemed like a good idea to mention it."
"Who else are you planning to tell about this?" Lavi asked, implying with his tone that it would be best if the list was quite short.
"Just Johnnie, I think," I said. "Millie's an important friend to us as well, but in her case it would be forcing the subject."
Lavi looked glad to hear it. "That's good. The Finders will have varying opinions, but you don't have to worry about it yet."
I added, "Some people may figure it out on their own, but we can judge how to handle that as we go along."
"Sounds like a good attitude to me," Lavi replied jovially. He was really trying to make things easier on us by sorting these kinds of things out together. I'm reminded that I really do have really good friends.
Kanda grabbed a scone.
xxXxx
Kanda's POV:
We stood in the science lab, in a semi-circle around the central worktable. This is something that has been attempted for many years by the Order, its usefulness plain. As of today, the Accomodators of Innocence could now be found from much greater distances thanks to this amplifier. Komui made his presentation in typical fashion, with great flourish and pride. Well, they deserved recognition this time even more than most.
"Now," began Komui, "we've tested this with Millie's Innocence, hers being the only accessory type available, and the range of detection is estimated at 500 times that of its natural state. So, using the amplifier will allow us to determine whether there is an Accomodator within five hundred miles. And since we change our location so often, we'll cover the habitable world rather quickly in comparison to what we've been doing. We simply need to check each of our nine pieces of Innocence every time we stop."
"That's truly amazing," said Allen. "Can we try it out with the Innocence I'm carrying?"
"Just put a piece in the cup in the middle," replied Komui.
Enthused, Allen pulled the first piece out of his bag and placed it as instructed. Then Komui moved something that looked funnel-like over the top of it and went to his computer.
"No match," Komui said. "Try the next one."
All nine were tested in this way with no result, but spirits were still high. We would be anchoring somewhere else tomorrow, once the crew on re-supply errands return, and we could do this again. And again and again and again.
"I've accelerated our travel schedule in response to this technology," Komui added. "It won't be long before we get a match."
"We'll share the technology with the Order, right?" Asked Lavi.
"Of course" was the response. "We share the same goals in most respects, including the claiming of Innocence. They have more pieces in their possession than we do as well." I dislike the Order even more since discovering they were keeping an eye on us, but I didn't disagree.
xxXxx
There was nothing else left but to train, so all of the Exorcists and most of the Finders could be found in the outdoor training area. The four of us put our attention to Millie first, who was fiddling with the necklace that contained her Innocence.
Allen asked her, "How long did you hold on the last time?" He was referring to how long she could suppress the Noah of all three of our captives, while leaving him unaffected. Of course, the Noah didn't know what was causing this. They're currently under the impression that the science department came up with some sort of dampener that can only be used on the Ark. It wouldn't due for them to relay the truth to Road. Also, Millie hasn't gone near them physically, keeping Wisely's ability in mind.
"I got up to 18 hours yesterday," she responded proudly. Then continued more subdued, "But it left me so tired that I slept for 12 hours." She was still uncomfortable around Allen. She answered his questions and would make light conversation when the opportunity arose, but there was more reservation in her manner when she addressed him compared to the rest of us.
"That's wonderful!" said Lenalee.
"Have you been able to use your Innocence while asleep?" I asked. "Using it while the Noah are dreaming is possibly the greatest help you can give to us while on the Ark."
"No. It seems to give out the second I fall asleep. That's what the scientist team told me." She spoke the facts unapologetically, which I appreciated. Some people act like their limitations are a personal failure. It was obvious that she wasn't coddled growing up, from what she's told us and what we observed, and her upbringing would do her well here with us.
"Continue to work on it," I recommended. "How about your physical training?"
"Lenalee's been working with me every day, and I exercise on my own now too."
"Ready to spar?"
"No! Not yet. I would like to see you other Exorcists while you train though."
I nodded.
"You can work on controlling your Innocence while you watch us," Lavi suggested. "Now," he said addressing the rest of us, "it's hand-to-hand combat today, right?"
"Yea, let's get started," said Allen.
We started out with one on one matches, using light gloves and head gear. The rules being one round per match, continuing until it was apparent to the two that weren't fighting that there was a winner. Allen fought Lenalee first. She's very fast, and a solid kick from her would knock any one of us out. But he successfully avoided her legs, and landed a few good punches to her torso and head. It wasn't an easy win for Allen, but eventually, even through her determination to keep standing, Lenalee fell to her knees in exhaustion. When it was over, Allen offered his hand and pulled Lenalee up. Lavi gave Lenalee some encouraging words, and then I stepped out onto the floor.
I was certain of my victory over Lavi before we even began. He was the least competent in hand-to -hand of the four of us. I didn't go easy on him. When he attempted a punch that didn't land, and dawdled in my striking range, I attacked around his poor defenses and then threw him to the ground. He was slow to get up, so I hit him while he was down and got him into a choke hold. He tried to get out of it but wasn't able to. Allen called the fight, and I let him go.
Lavi sat on his knees and caught his breath, rubbing his throat, and I sat behind him. "Don't stay near your opponent unless you intend to attack," I told him. "Get in-attack-get out, remember?" I saw him nod. "Your arms weren't placed well, you're side was wide open when I attacked. When the first hit landed, you should have also tried to either counter attack, block, or move away." He didn't respond that time, but I knew he was considering the words.
"You're improving, though, Lavi," Allen added.
Lavi thanked him.
"Let's see you try that with me, Kanda," Allen challenged. He stepped forward as I stood up, never breaking eye contact. His facial expression told me that he wouldn't be holding back, and it made my pulse quicken in excitement. He was a worthy opponent in more ways than one.
We stood in front of each other, and I was aching for the match to begin, body poised in anticipation. At Lenalee's word for us to start, I stepped forward and stuck. He blocked me with effort, and countered before I could move back. There were many attempts between the two of us, but not hits. I like the jarring sensations that rang my body as I blocked and struck. Allen was just barely keeping up with the pace, and with a surge of adrenalin I quickly landed a hit to his chest that sent him reeling into a tree. I felt a moment of satisfaction, and then a flash of memory reminded me that he has a recent head injury, and I felt guilty for the move.
I walked over, and along the way I called out, "How's the head?"
"Alright," he yelled back, with only slight annoyance. He walked in my direction as well, so that we stood in defense just out of reach. There was a brief standoff, and then I intentionally lowered my guard some so that he would attack first - I'm very good at turning my opponent's momentum against himself. He didn't take the bait though; he only lifted an eyebrow at me, leaving me amused and proud of his patience.
I moved fist, closing the distance between us intending to kick him in the stomach. To my surprise, he grabbed my ankle and redirected me so that I went sprawling face down to the ground. This was the first time that he successfully redirected me - I really didn't think he could. The crowd of Finders that had formed to watch cheered - They tended to cheer at anything that was entertaining. But anger now mixed with the excitement I was feeling, making me focus even more sharply.
He moved to grapple me, to keep me down, but I rolled away from him and got up before he could do so. I looked him in the eye and saw an excited intensity similar to my own. I smiled wildly and he returned it instantly. More cautiously this time, I moved towards him, intending to use my reach advantage by striking within my range but out of his own.
Allen was well aware of the disadvantage and decided to peel away. But he made the poor choice of coming closer to the wall of a building in the process. I lunged in as fast as I could and grabbed the front of his shirt, and then pushed forward to drive him into the wall.
He was forced to move his legs, walking backwards as I moved forwards, but at the last moment before impact he twisted himself around so that he actually banked the wall, running up the side and pushing off so that he did a full summersault in the air. I lost my grip on him in the process.
He landed behind me and wasted no time in driving me into the wall instead. I got the wind knocked out of me at the impact, though I should have known to exhale at the right moment to prevent that from happening. I couldn't breathe and I hesitated a moment too long, because now Allen had his left arm around my neck in a choke hold, bending me slightly backwards from the height difference. I had no hope of regaining my breath now unless I knocked him away.
I dug me heel backward in an attempt to hit his shin, but he avoided it by moving back, taking me with him by the neck. I had no choice but to kneel down on the ground to alleviate the pressure on my neck, and I did manage one desperate gasp before he adjusted his hold.
"Tap out," Allen urged.
I responded by barraging his head behind me with my fists. Only one of them landed and his grip didn't loosen. As I pulled at his left arm, I started considering whether I would rather pass out while still fighting than concede defeat, but Lenalee made the decision for me.
From beside us, Lenalee said in a loud voice, "The fight is over. Allen, let Kanda go."
Allen let go immediately, and I could do nothing but take big, ragged gulps of air. I looked to the ground so I didn't see anything, but I heard the crowd murmur and exclaim, and I heard Lavi tell both Allen and me that we had a really exciting match.
I stayed where I was, catching my breath, until Allen walked around in front of me and offered his hand. I hesitated only a moment before grabbing his forearm and getting up. The bystanders dispersed until it was just me, Allen, Lavi, and Lenalee standing together. Millie was a distance away, never having moved from her spot but looking on with interest.
"Man, I thought it might be more difficult for you to spar together from now on, but it looks like the opposite is true! You two are really something!" exclaimed Lavi.
Neither Allen nor I answered. We each stared at the other, arms still locked. I had lost, but as the adrenaline left me I realized I wasn't angry. I knew, logically, for a long time that it didn't matter who won in training, because we were all collectively getting stronger, but it's the first time I truly felt like I understood the sentiment. Allen has become an excellent fighter, and I was proud of him. I was really starting to wish that the two of us were alone, because I couldn't express those things in front of anyone else.
Eventually, we let go and Allen answered, "It may sound strange, but it's actually easier."
xxXxx
The rest of the training session seemed to go agonizingly slow, but eventually I was in my house again, stepping out of the bath. I dried myself easily, all aches and pains now gone, and wrapped my towel around my waist. As I combed through my hair in the bedroom, I saw a flash of light out of the corner of my eye. I had a good guess of what that was; And yes, a moment later I heard a familiar voice call out my name.
I called out, "In here," and that was all of the invitation he needed. Allen walked into my bedroom and smiled at my state of undress. Since he was wearing nothing but a white cotton robe he said, "Good, then I'm not underdressed."
I smiled and said, "You don't even know what you're in for. In a few minutes I promise you'll be considered overdressed."
"Does that have anything to do with our match today, or this a continuation of your generally insatiable attitude towards me?" he teased.
"Both." I thought back to our frequent encounters over the past few weeks - Discreetly excusing ourselves from the midst of the larger after-dinner gatherings, not so discreetly leaving the company of our friends; really, they weren't discreet moments because of the knowledge they held, more than much change in our behavior. Doing all manner of kissing, touching, rubbing, fisting, licking, sucking, and fucking; rough, tender and everything in-between. Only yesterday I bent him over his writing desk and made him see stars, falling asleep together afterwards in a tangled mess of limbs in his bed. But fighting him today put me in an as-yet unexplored mood.
"Oh? So you don't mind losing every once in a while then?" It looked as though he had been a little worried about that.
It was difficult to explain, so I gathered my thoughts while I put my comb down and walked to him so that I stood only a few inches away. "I would get angry at myself if I was beaten by my own carelessness, or some fluke. But you bested me today and you deserved the win." I lifted my arm and slid my fingers through his hair, which made him close his eyes. "I respect you as my equal," in some ways my better, "it makes me want you even more," I finished huskily.
All at once, Allen grabbed me by the back of the neck and kissed me fervently. The fuel had been gathered and now this one spark set us ablaze. He pushed me back to my bed, and I sat down when I felt it at the backs of my legs. He straddled his legs around my waist and we pressed closely together. When I laid back on the bed, he followed me and molded against me, with one leg between my own and the other drawn up to hug my waist. His hands were on the sides of my face, as if to keep me still. I was pleasantly surrounded by him, and I put my arms around his waist to bring him closer still.
My hands traveled slowly along his back, until they reach his shoulders, and I pulled his robe down and away from his body. He kept his hands off of me just long enough to pull his arms out of the robe so that only his hips were covered. Then I felt his wonderful skin against mine, chest to chest. I moaned into his mouth and I felt his smile on my lips.
Allen lifted his hips and grabbed the towel that was still around my waist and said, "I think it's you who don't know what you're in for, Kanda," and pulled the towel away.
"Show me," I encouraged. Well, maybe challenged.
He growled in response and took my hard cock in his hand. I gasped as my head swam. A moment later, his mouth enveloped me. He used his mouth, tongue, and hands so confidently. He was learning so well what drove me insane. I was lost.
I heard him rifling through drawers, but I didn't spare a thought as to what he was looking for. All I cared about was that his full attention be put back on me as soon as possible. And when it was, his mouth was faster and deeper, and his hands were even more attentive than before. I grabbed his head and grunted my pleasure.
And then I felt something new. Something that added to the pleasure in a different way. It took me some time to identify, but I eventually realized that Allen was massaging the ring of my entrance, and that he was using the lubrication that had been in my bedside table. But there was no way that I was going to protest. It felt too good. And there's a part of me that wanted exactly this to happen – with assertive actions, and not with useless words. So I spread my legs further apart in invitation for him to do more.
I could feel him try to smile while his mouth surrounded me. His left hand, slightly rough as always, grabbed the base of my cock and surrounded what his mouth did not. His other hand continued the same teasing motions until I pushed against his fingers in my eagerness. He responded by slowly pushing one well lubricated finger inside of me, and another. His fingers were gliding, and it wasn't long before he found my prostate. I yelled out, and then stretched my arms over my head as he rubbed against it relentlessly.
Allen moved up to cover the length of my body with his and we kissed urgently. He pinned my wrists to the bed, which I still had over my head, with his left hand. It sent a surprising thrill through me. I struggled just a little against the hold and felt a satisfying resistance that made me groan into his mouth. I pushed more strongly, muscles straining, and his arm held firm against me as he smiled in understanding.
I could imagine an interesting battle between us in the midst of white sheets. But not today. Today, in this moment, I was content to be led.
Allen quickly lubricated his cock as I bent my legs at the knee. He entered me fluidly – just slow enough – and stilled. When I started breathing again, he held my cock and stroked it in time with a few experimental thrusts. Finding his lips too far away to kiss, I curled my stomach and he moved with me. I kissed him until my need for him to move inside me was too great to ignore. Our lips parted, our position shifted slightly, and then he was pumping. And when I had enough sense to do so, I pushed back against him. We stretched, shifted and moved often – exploring this experience in the same eager way we have been ever since that time at the lake.
And when it was over, we fell asleep easily in Allen's bed.