Ah...another week, another chapter... Saya is so happy that its getting warm out...

Disclaimer: Saya doesn't own the actors, just the script they're acting to.

Warnings: Rated M for sexual material en masse, and pedophilia, considering how both Cross and Tyki are much older than Allen.

5. Escort

Komui seemed to be finding himself in Cross' company more and more lately. There were two possible reasons for this, and the later was more likely. The first possibility was that Cross could be getting serious about his duties outside of science, for besides being his long-time friend, Komui was also his business consultant and accountant. If they had no strange science to work on, then they were working on bills and paperwork together. The more likely reason for his constantly being called upon was that Cross was troubled. The master didn't show such weaknesses often or easily, but one of the few ways he did show that something seemed wrong was keeping Komui around for longer than was necessary. It always seemed to set the masked man at ease to have someone who thought the way he did around.

At the moment though, they were back in the labs, working with a few more than dangerous and highly combustive chemicals that called for extreme attention.

"If something is upsetting you Cross, it would save us both a lot of work if you just told me about it now," Komui said, which actually meant something along the lines of "If you stop moping we can get back to procrastinating like we usually do because quite frankly working diligently was never very becoming of either of us." Cross agreed wholeheartedly on that matter, but still had a hard time turning his worries into words, it was one of his few shortcomings. While he considered appearing as though he was carefree a good thing, his inability to express it when he was troubled was one of his largest shortcomings, one he had yet to admit having.

Cross sighed, knowing that if there was one person on the planet who knew everything about him, and would always find out what he didn't know, it was Komui, so there was no point in trying to act as though nothing was wrong.

"Its... Allen," He admitted, looking into the tea he held in hand, made by the white-haired devil himself. Komui made a face as if to say "Why am I not surprised?"

"Well, nothing unexpected there. Do go on," Komui said, motioning with his hand for Cross to continue.

"Are you going to make me feel petty about this?" Cross asked, sensing that Komui's attitude on the situation had changed the moment he'd said the name "Allen." It wasn't that Komui didn't like Allen, on the contrary, he thought of Allen as a little brother, almost. That was exactly why he didn't particularly care for Cross' relationship with the boy, though he found it hard to remember just why he disapproved of it when he was around said child. Allen was always so shining, he smiled freely and always seemed so happy. Komui wondered how such happiness could be wrong, but then as soon as Allen's glowing presence left, Komui remembered that it was because that happiness came with a price, one Komui thought was too much for a boy of only 15-years-old to deal with.

"I'll...do my best not to," Komui said noncommittally. Cross groaned, but continued on anyway.

"Well...a little over a week ago he came home smelling like smoke that wasn't my brand..."

"A lot of people smoke in London."

"And then at that soirée last Tuesday, I found his eyes drifting after another, who it was I have no clue." Komui stopped paused in his measuring for a moment, before starting again. That was surprising; Allen Walker's eyes wandered? It was time to run for the hills and get that last confession in because surely the world would end. Or at least that was the way Cross made it seem. He did have this habit of making things out to be worse than they really were.

"Well Allen is 15 you know. Sure, he's been unwaveringly loyal until now, but you have to realize that he's still a kid and still has hormones. You remember your teen years, don't you?" Komui was trying to make his friend feel better, wondering what would happen to both Cross and Allen if the boy's feelings ever suddenly changed. He wasn't a huge fan of their relationship, no, but even Komui realized that it was almost necessary for them.

"Oh, do I remember..." Cross said, his voice indicating that he was getting lost in memories of his youth, which he'd spent womanizing. Wait, that was the same a the present, Cross didn't need to dwell on past events when the past and present were so similar.

"Exactly. Allen is at that age where his eye is likely to be caught by a pretty lady or two. Or possibly an attractive male, considering how the two of you are bent," Komui said rather bluntly. Cross scowled at Komui's uncalled for comment.

"Thanks Lee, thanks."

"Any time," Komui said sarcastically. Things were silent for a moment, as the two continued to take measurements and make observations. The silence was deafening though, because Komui had something he wanted to say and Cross knew it, but he also knew he probably wouldn't like it.

"Oh just spit it out already!" Cross finally growled out, preferring angry yelling over this awkward silence. Komui tried to decide on the best way to word his thoughts, but there seemed to be no truly tactful way of approaching the subject. It was a subject best left not tampered with, yet it was quite dangerous when left alone as well.

"Cross...Have you ever considered that maybe you're too... possessive... of Allen?" This wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation, and surely it wouldn't be the last, but it always ended in the same, bitter way. Komui wasn't all that crazy about their relationship at all, but he could tell it made the two of them happy...somehow. But that didn't mean Cross had to hold onto Allen so tightly. The boy had a right to some semblance of normality, did he not?

"Hm, this again?" Cross dismissed the topic with a wave of his hand, not wanting to go through all the motions of this particular conversation. He understood Komui's opinion and if he was anyone other that who he was he probably would've agreed. However, Cross and Cross and that was that.

"Cross, he's just a boy of 15 and you have him on a leash and running your house! Have you ever considered that he might be happier if he were allowed some space to breathe? Or if he were allowed to have friendly relations with other people without you getting jealous and pissed? He'd probably enjoy a little freedom."

"If Allen wants things to change, he can say so himself."

"And do you honestly think he would?" Komui's voice was calm but that was hardly a mask for his frustration. He hated how no matter what he said on the matter, Cross never listened. They had been friends for the better half of two decades and Cross trusted his judgement on everything but this. He understood why Cross held on so tightly, but he also realized that the master didn't realize that made it easier for things to slip through the cracks of his hand.

"Cross..Allen isn't like her, and he never will be."

"Don't bring her up!" Cross shouted, startling Komui. Usually the master was composed and aloof, acting as though he were perpetually amused by everything, and anything that didn't wasn't worth his time. However Komui knew that this was one issue that could make even Cross serious for a change.

"It's the truth Cross, and nothing can change or progress until you realize that!"

"Have you ever considered I don't want things to change?"

"Well there are other people who do!" Just then the solution they'd left unattended exploded. The bickering duo ducked under a table out of reflex.

"Wh-what exploded this time?" A breathless voice came from the door, as it was thrown open. The two surprised scientists looked over to see the albino boy himself, with a tray of tea, coffee, and scones balanced in one hand, the other braced on the open door.

"Er... nothing to worry about Allen, just a little mishap, happens all the time, right?" Komui said, trying to brush the incident off. Allen looked over to the remains of the experiment, and sighed. Placing the tray he held down on the table Cross and Komui were still under, Allen went into a cabinet to get the hazmat equipment needed to clean the dangerous chemicals up.

"How many times do I need to remind you two to be careful when dealing with highly combustive chemicals? Really, you two are the scientists here, you know the risks of leaving these things unattended for even a moment!" Allen scolded lightly, as he handed the two (who had only now chosen to stand up) the materials needed to clear the lab of harmful substances. If there was one thing that neither Cross and Komui would allow Allen to do, it was clean chemicals. Allen, being a young boy with only a primary education, had little idea of what the two older men were actually meddling in, and therefore rejoiced in the fact that he didn't have to deal with things that exploded so often.

"Yes, yes Allen... We'll be careful so why don't you leave before you breathe in something unhealthy..." Cross suggested, sounding a bit worn out. Komui and Cross usually steered clear of this conversation, but it was always rather straining to deal with when it did come up. Komui couldn't help but dwell on it though, because no matter what, he couldn't forget that no matter how real Cross and Allen's relationship was now, it started with Allen being a replacement.

000

Things sure have been strange these last couple of days...

Allen breathed in the air of the outside world for the first time in days. He'd strayed from the norm for about a week, and had stayed inside the manor walls. Now though he was back to his usual schedule of spending the mornings out in London. It wasn't his fault that things had been strange lately... well, it was only half his fault, at the most. The one problem with being with Cross was that once something happened between them, it was bound to happen again. Allen was sure he wouldn't even be able to think about sex for a week without aching all over.

Cross also tended to demand Allen stay in his presence more often afterwards. Allen had long since realized this his master's way of demanding things from him was really just a very poorly hidden way of saying that he needed Allen's presence after anything they did. Allen wasn't like all of Cross' one night stands, but sometimes Cross just needed some reassurance.

It's almost cute that way he's so insecure. He really does need me to take care of him.

Allen couldn't help but revel in the fact that he was needed and wanted.

All of that was currently of little importance at the moment though, as he was simply running errands again as usual. Which of course, meant he had to do his best to avoid dealing with all the ruffians who polluted the streets. Paranoia had this way of killing all of his good moods. Still, Allen was more determined than ever not to let anyone so much as touch him. He'd angered his master before, and though he wouldn't quite say he'd been "punished" (who in their right mind would call sleeping with Cross a punishment?), it was the principal of the matter. He simply didn't want to upset his master again. So, he would happily beat the crap out of anyone who tried anything funny. What was one little street brawl when his master's faith in him was on the line?

Sadly though, just like almost any other time he appeared alone in the big city, he was accosted. Allen didn't get it, he was perfectly male, and there were thousands of single women in London alone, plenty of them being whores who were much easier to procure than he was. So why then, was he always the one being bothered? Yes, it seemed that after a week without someone to chase, the street rats were back to cause him some more trouble, with renewed vigor. He didn't want to risk fighting more than three people one-on-one again, because it was too complicated to try and fight when three sets of arms were each restraining a limb. So he'd just run, let one catch up, knock him senseless and run some more.

Running around corners, Allen thought, was the worst by far. He never knew who would be on the other side, and it wasn't all that unusual for him to bump into someone when he did. Why oh why was he always being pursued? He'd damn his looks but he was pretty sure Cross liked them.

000

He walked down his usual road, more than a bit perplexed. A problem had been troubling him for days now, and that problem was Allen Walker.

Tyki had, as he'd hoped, seen the boy at Miss Nyne's party, and while usually he wouldn't hesitate to talk to anyone he found interesting, be they a noble or a servant, he remembered then that Allen had asked him to keep their meeting a secret. The strangeness of that request had only made itself known to Tyki at that moment. So instead, he watched from the corner of his eye with delight as he saw the boy's eyes follow him whenever he passed by. His eyes had often moved between Cross and him, which was to be expected as Marian was his master. Still, a petty part of him was somewhat jealous, though a sensible part of him was disgusted for reveling in a young boy's attention. He was starting to feel like a pervert.

But, more than any of that, he found it strange that Allen seemed to have gotten into trouble when Lavi had hugged him. He'd somehow managed to slip a question about that into a casual conversation with Lavi, who didn't seem to know much about the situation himself. "Cross is just strict I guess," was all he could say. From the way he said it though, Tyki could tell that he wasn't the only one curious about this. Maybe, though Cross was known for his womanizing ways, he was exceptionally strict about his staff entering any relationships? He could've just been homophobic to the point where two men doing anything more than shake hands was offensive, which for any normal conservative man would've been an acceptable excuse, but Cross...well, he was Cross. The possibility seemed a bit unlikely.

Tyki sighed, dwelling on such things for too long would do him no good. He was walking down a busy street, he had to pay attention or he'd bump into someone–

He felt something comparatively small and quite solid ram into him with the force of a bull. Being unprepared for this as he was, Tyki couldn't help but fall backwards, and he and the other person had a few more minor collisions on the way down. The wind was knocked out of him when he fell flat on his back, and he had no opportunity to retrieve it, as his "assailant" had fallen on top of him.

I-I am so sorry!"

Wait-I know that voice...I think.

Tyki slowly opened his eyes, which had closed on collision. He tried to take a breath, but found that there was still a weight on his chest that was preventing him from getting enough air. He looked down, only to find himself staring into two summer-storm eyes, framed by silky white tresses. Allen Walker's face was flushed, with a mix of embarrassment and exhaustion.

Allen pushed himself up with his hands, repeatedly apologizing. Tyki, on the other hand, heard none of it. His mind was completely focused on how Allen looked while he sat on top of him. He couldn't help but stare at the adorably blushing face, or those cute, wide, worried eyes. And of course it was difficult to ignore how Allen was practically straddling his waist while panting.

"So, fancy meeting you here Allen," Tyki said casually, which for some reason made Allen blush more. "I'd love to chat but you may want to get up first, people are staring." Allen, letting out a little yelp when he realized that he was still, indeed, on the ground, jumped up and off of Tyki.

"I'm sorry..."

Tyki got up, and dusted himself off. "It's quite all right. So, on the run again? One must wonder if you even try to avoid trouble."

Allen huffed, of course he tried! If those ruffians ever got their hands on him, who knew how Cross would react? He'd have them lynched for sure...Allen may not like the people he dealt with, but he wouldn't wish death on anyone. An even worse thought was, what if he got blamed? He could be thrown out, though he doubted Cross would actually do that.

"Of course I try to avoid it, it doesn't reflect well on the master if I'm always in trouble." That was Allen's official reason for wanting to stay out of trouble. Tyki thought that Cross did a good enough job of soiling his own reputation, and that nothing Allen could do would make it worse. Of course, he wouldn't ever actually say that to Allen, who seemed to be the embodiment of loyalty.

At some point or other, the two had started walking, in the exact opposite direction Tyki had been originally walking in, which was the direction Allen had been fleeing in. Allen was no longer being pursued, and if he was then his pursuers weren't making any moves to capture him. In truth, a few of them remembered Tyki, and had warned the others against attacking Allen while he walked with the armed Earl. Tyki, being the gentleman he was, offered to help Allen finish his morning errands. There conversation continued and it wasn't until later that Allen realized what he was doing.

Huh? Why am I walking with him? I should be going home, since I'm done...

Allen was sure he was being foolish. He'd gotten distracted by this man and had upset his master before, so what was he thinking, walking with him like they were old chums? What if he was seen, and word somehow got to his master? He didn't even want to think about that...

Even as he told himself this, he continued to walk with the other. They were moving out of the busier section of the city, and in the general direction of the Marian manor. Now that he was done, Allen wanted to get back to the safety of his home as soon as possible. He had plenty of time to get home today, so he could take his time and walk there. However, he absolutely couldn't allow Tyki to walk with him all the way to the front gates. There was a gatekeeper who had it out for him, and would use any excuse to get on his case. Never mind that his job all but depended on having Allen's favor.

"So, I saw you at Miss Nyne's estate the other day, I didn't realize you knew Lavi," Tyki said, breaking the silence that Allen never seemed to be able to break himself.

"Oh, yes. We're usually the only ones around out age on the wall, so I suppose it was only natural that we'd become friends." Tyki couldn't believe that he'd never noticed Allen before. The boy was one of the prettiest people he'd ever seen, and he always talked with Lavi, his own butler. How had he missed the boy at all those parties?

Then again, Allen had done the same. He'd listened to Lavi talk about his master all the time, and had probably seen him a hundred times before but he'd never really bothered to connect the dots or take an interest. How was it that after one meeting, they would find themselves meeting again and talking again, as though it were a normal occurrence? Maybe this wasn't as big a deal as they both thought? Maybe Allen was just blowing things out of proportion because for once he could see beyond Cross? Maybe Tyki was just hung up over how they met?

The two continued to talk about minor things as the walked towards Allen's destination, though their conversations were littered with awkward pauses. Tyki was starting to wonder why he hadn't just gone on with his business. He was going in the exact opposite direction of where he was originally headed, he would most definitely be late to return home, which mean Lavi would probably go into a tizzy worrying about his well-being. Of course, as soon as Tyki did arrive home, he'd have to listen to the retired Bookman, who was Lavi's predecessor and grandfather, rant and rave about how irresponsible he was being. Tyki loved the people who worked for him, and valued their loyalty and concern for him, but they sure were a handful...

He was probably being a nuisance to Allen too.

Allen turned to the gentleman beside him, feeling slightly guilty about what he was requesting. He knew it would come out rude no matter how he said it, but it needed to be said.

"Thank you for escorting me all this way, but...could you please...turn back now?"

Anyone else would've felt at least a little bit insulted, but Tyki's mind only registered how straightforward the question was. He blinked a few times, before muttering a quiet "How blunt." Allen immediately started fretting, he hadn't meant to affront the older man, but he really couldn't have anyone accompanying him to the gates of the manor.

"No, no, no! It's not like that! You've been very kind to me, and not a bother at all, but there's this one guard at the front gate that really has it out for me. If he were to see me with another person who didn't work in the manor, he'd immediately think I was slacking and he'd gladly hold it over me..." Kanda Yuu, age 18, had come to work for the master completely by chance. He and Allen most definitely did not get along. As far as Allen knew there was no reason for it, they just hated each other because they were destined to. They tended to glare at each other every time Allen came home.

"Ah, unreasonable guards. He must be a hot-headed fellow."

"Just a bit, yes... Ok, that's an understatement."

"I see, well I'll just be off them. Au revoir, Allen." Tyki gave Allen a charming grin, and bowed at the waist, tipping his hat as he did so. Allen couldn't help but notice how every move the man made was graceful and flowing, or the natural charisma that seemed to roll off of him, even as he turned and walked away. Allen shook his head when he realized he was staring.

I can't be doing this...I have to get home.

Allen turned away, and ran for the front gates on the mansion.

Saya noticed something interesting recently. In this story, the mansion Cross lives in is called the Marian manor by everyone, and while on her bus, Saya realized there is also a place in her city called the Marian manor. No, its not a mansion (that woulda been too epic though...) It was actually an old folk's home...Cross lives in a retirement home? How old is he anyway...this is where Saya's thoughts on the matter stop because Cross shoots her.