Hana: New chapter is new~
Allen: And has a few things going on it looks like...
Hana: Yeah...I can't believe we're already so far into this one...I feel like a proud parent, I think.
Allen: okay then. Well...neither Hanashi nor XavierForest own D. Gray-man.
Hana: Only the story y'all get to read, so Happy Readings~!
... ... ... ...
+ - Chapter 31 - +
Dressing up after a nice shower, Allen stretched his sore limbs. Kanda had left to return Lala and Timothy moments prior to the Orphanage before he'd head to work. Allen, on the other hand...found he didn't have anything to do. He found himself wondering when the Welcome Home Krory party was supposed to be...he'd need to message Lavi and ask.
At that moment, however, the doorbell rang. Confused as he was, Allen proceeded to roll his sleeves down, as he made his way to the door. Who could possibly be here? He wasn't expecting anyone. It wasn't long before he saw Timcanpy at the door. The Rottweiler's rear wagging in excitement. Must've been someone he knew then.
The bell rung again, a little more insistent than before, and the only one impatient enough to start ringing it the way it was, was usually Lavi.
"Alllleeeeeeeeen!" Yup. Lavi. "C'mon! We got a party to get set up for Krory-kins~" Considering what happened the other day, he honestly expected the red head to be...then again, it was Lavi. He bounced back pretty easily as it stood.
"I'm coming! Tim, back up will ya?" The barked his complaints, but otherwise moved, allowing the white-haired male to open the door. "Lavi...I was about to message you about...huh? why's Link with you?'
"Because I was on my way to the office and he dragged me here." Link growled, glaring at the red-headed male. "Thanks to him, I am now ten minutes late!"
"You can afford it." Lavi dismissed.
"I'm sorry about him, Allen." Lenalee's voice came from behind the tallest male. She leaned to the side to look around him, and smiled with embarrassment. "Honestly, I told him we should've waited...but you know him."
"Er...right...anyone else...with you that I should know about?"
"Me." A more tired voice said, it didn't take Allen too long to find the source, the male in question seeming depleted of most his energy. "I was going to meet you to discuss things...that's why he now knows where you and Kanda live."
Allen blinked once, before sighing. "Alright...Yu's not home, he already left to drop Lala and Timothy off at the orphanage." Come to think it…neither he nor Kanda did give Lavi the place of their current residence…
"See, this is why I said you should've spilled the beans sooner, Wise!" Lavi complained. "Now we're gonna hafta do this without him."
"Bookman Jr., I've told you once, I need to get to work." Link scolded the other male. "Honestly, I have no reason to even be here."
"C'mon~ it'll be fun, two-spot! Haven't you ever played hooky before?"
"No." Both Link and Allen chorused.
"Well then you haven't lived."
Link angrily crossed his arms. "Only an idiot would do what you're suggesting."
"But he is an idiot," Allen stated, moving aside to let everyone in. It was rude leave them all outside.
Taking the invitation for what it was, the group entered, Link and Wisely being dragged in by Lavi. "Yu's gonna kill me."
"Yu won't kill ya, beansprout~" Lavi sing-sung.
"Let me rephrase that. He's going to kill you, and then make certain I can't walk until next year if he has his way."
"We didn't need to know that, Walker."
"At least you don't know what I do," Wisely said, shuddering.
Allen felt sorry for the ex-NOAH. His memories of last night were still fresh in his mind, and there was no way the poor guy wanted to see that.
"I didn't go into detail...verbally."
"He's got a point." Lavi told the German male, making himself comfortable on the sofa. He was glad he actually cleaned it the other day...not that anyone needed to know that...then again, judging by Wisely's face, he probably just did.
"Want me to get you a chair?" Allen asked.
"I'll be fine, thank you." Wisely said. "I suppose we should get to the business the rabbit wishes to get to."
"Hell yeah~!"
"Maybe a little too enthusiastic..." Allen declared.
"C'mon, we're plannin' a party here! So let's get planning with enthusiasm~!"
. . - * - . .
"I don't wanna go back there..." Lala said as they were walking their way back.
"Me neither...I wanna stay with you and Allen!"
"I'm sure he'd be happy to know that." Kanda sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time that morning. "You two are taking that prior news rather well."
"About Mama Allen's old life?" Timothy asked, "It's a lot to take in, but in the end, I don't actually care. Allen is Allen."
Lala eagerly nodded her head. "He's nice. And he never wanted to do those things in the past...maybe at first I was...startled...? But I wasn't scared."
"I'll be sure to pass along that message then." Kanda said, squeezing the small hand in his larger one.
The girl smiled and squeezed it back. "Tell him that we know he's a good person."
"I will."
Timothy was silent, before deciding to speak up again, "So...what was that other guy up to before we ran off?"
"Wisely?" Lala supplied.
"I think that was his name." The youngest male mused, "Any way, what was he gonna do with that creep?"
"I would assume it was to get information we could use against him in court." The long-haired male said after careful thinking, "He can't lie to him. He'd pick up thoughts before the lie would pass his lips, I'm sure."
"So he really does read minds! That's so cool!"
"Hn." A chill raced down his back suddenly, and he stopped to turn and look behind him. "The hell?"
"Daddy?" Lala asked, having turned to see what had set the elder on edge.
"Something wrong?"
Kanda's voice was clipped as he spoke, "Let's hurry and get you to the orphanage...and quickly."
The two children shared a confused look.
Not bothering to wait for their answer, Kanda took Timothy's hand and pulled them along after him. Something felt wrong. And when something felt wrong, Kanda's instincts were more than on point. It was the feeling of bloodlust, and he knew exactly from whom he felt it from in the past.
Those bastards really are alive. He thought, rushing towards the orphanage. But then...they wouldn't be safe there...nor would anyone there...shit! I can't have them going to that place. He stopped, and checked over his shoulder. He caught a glimpse of someone hiding behind the wall. His eyes narrowed, and he mentally cursed. "We're making a change of plans." He said, before picking up the smaller of the kids, and started running. Timothy was barely able to keep up with the new pace.
"W-what's going on?" The French child asked, becoming fearful of the new situation.
"I'll explain later."
"I'm scared, Daddy..." Lala said, clutching the Japanese's shoulders.
"I can't... r-run that fast," Timothy panted, though he never tried to stop or get Kanda to let go of him.
"You're going to have to try." Kanda grunted, he was pretty sure if he tried carrying Timothy with Lala, he'd be slowed down. He stopped suddenly, as a figure in white stepped out of the alley. "Shit..."
"Good morning, Yu." They said. Kanda backed up a little, bells ringing. Crazed vengeful NOAH teens behind him...the Imposter Crowned Clown in front...
"Who the hell are you?"
"I suppose a shadow of your past." The cloaked figure shrugged. "It really isn't fair that you have so much...and I'm left with so little."
"Hehehe~ Wow, he really does have a vendetta against him, Dev~"
"That seems to be the case, Jas." Two figures emerged from behind, both grinning, both very much alive. Kanda cursed. "Y'know, when you and the old Crowned Clown did that, it hurt. We're not fond on family betraying us. Jas and I ain't happy with what you two did. You killed our family...what should stop us from doing the same to yours?" The black-haired male raised his gun, a grin on his face.
The blonde-haired one mirrored the gesture, cackling. "It'd be too easy~!"
"But we won't." The masked male stated. "It would be too easy."
Timothy gulped, and pressed himself closer to Kanda's side. These people creeped him out, especially the CC imposter. He didn't mind that Allen had once acted as Crowned Clown, but this one was doing it willingly. And he was here.
"You know~ we may not be able to kill him...but what about th kiddies?"
Lala and Timothy both paled. Kanda growled at the blonde twin. "Touch even a hair on their heads, and I'll kill you."
"I remember when you were sweet. Such a sour attitude you have now."
"And you. Stop talking like you know me." Kanda's fierce glare turned to the one in white. "You don't know shit." Damn, he should've brought Mugen with him. The imposter took another step closer, Kanda took a half step back. "Brat, we're going to be running."
"But I can barely keep up with—yah!" Timothy found himself suddenly on Kanda's back, said man running like devil at his heals. "H-Hey! I'm only slowing you down!"
"I'll deal with it." Kanda huffed, as he picked up a little speed. It was tiring trying to carry two youths. Lala was one thing, and so was Timothy, but carrying both of them at the same time? It wasn't easy carrying all that weight.
"Oi! Get back here, pretty-boy!" He could hear the dark-haired twin — Devit, he just remembered — close behind. That made the other one Jasdero.
It was difficult for the children to remain in Kanda's hold, seeing as their father-to-be only had one hand for each of them. They had to cling to the man so they wouldn't fall.
Shots were fired, and Kanda hissed as he felt a bullet imbed itself into his leg. "Kanda! Here! quickly!" Cobalt eyes turned to see a familiar face.
Well, that couldn't have been any luckier. He thought at the back of his mind. He limped over, and had just made it into the building as the duo of maniac twins ran past. "Neah."
"Unless you know another of the same name." Neah sighed. "Looks like you have a thing for guns."
"Who the hell told you?" Kanda panted. Damn his leg was killing him now. Neah rolled his eyes, before gesturing the trio to follow him. Kanda allowed the kids down, and limped following them, following Neah.
"Cross said he shot at you once. Something about trying to rape Allen at the time?"
"Cross...?" Both children asked.
"Um...Mister...who are you?" Lala decided to ask.
The oldest male paused briefly to turn and stare at the two kids. "So these are the children you're planning to adopt..." He shook his head and continued walking. "I'm Allen's uncle. My name is Neah."
"And Cross is...?" Timothy trailed off.
"A bastard who I believe is still mooching off of a friend." Neah mused. "Kanda, you're lucky I know enough to remove a bullet."
"Che."
Lala saw the blood and the hole in the back of Kanda's jeans, and her face went even whiter.
"Are you alright young miss?" Neah asked, kneeling before the young girl.
"I-I'm f-fine...but...th-the blood..."
Neah seemed to understand, and picked up the smallest in the group. "Alright, we'll hurry to my abode, you can have a glass of water, and I'll make sure to take care of Kanda's injury."
"Che."
Deciding to carry the small girl, Neah shifted her weight in his arms, and headed towards the elevator. "Luckily this is a rather fast lift. Unluckily I'm on the top floor."
"What were you doing there, anyway?" Kanda asked as he and Timothy were ushered into the compartment. "I'd like to say that was scary good timing, however...I don't think it was much a coincidence."
"You're right. A little while ago, Allen called me, completely frantic. He had friends over, if the worried voices over the phone were anything to go by."
"Why the hell are they even in my apartment? Che...baka moyashi even letting them in there..."
"You both live there. Doesn't that mean the apartment is both of yours?" Neah queried, before giving the girl in his arms an easy smile to try help calm her nerves, if even a little.
"It was mine first." Kanda grumbled. "He only recently had me allow him to pay half the damn rent."
"Well...I guess we know who's the most stubborn in the relationship." Neah mused. He eyed the digital floor counter, taking note they were about three-quarters of the way there now.
"He works even though he doesn't need to. I'm more than able to pay for everything."
"You're an FBI agent...just how much do you even have to spend?"
Timothy became thoughtful as he pondered Neah's question himself, "You know what? I question that too!"
"Inheritance that I seldom touch. It grew every year since I turned eighteen." Sighing the Japanese male, "I've been getting...$3500? I have no idea. It was based on something or other."
Neah nodded, before asking another question, "How loaded would you say you are right now?"
"Why the interest in my finances? Planning to off me?"
"Of course not. I care too much for my little Allen's happiness!" Neah exclaimed, seeming appalled by Kanda's accusation, "I'm just trying to understand how you're able to afford so much."
"I just can." Kanda wanted to roll his eyes at the man's theatrics. "Really though. 'My little Allen'?"
"I'm his uncle, so of course I can call him that!" Neah proudly proclaimed. "My dear brother's one and only child is all I have left, you know."
"You're worse than Komui."
Neah only huffed, "Please, believe me when I say you hadn't seen squat. Would you look at that, we're finally here. Step out single file if you will. Try not getting blood on anything."
"An injury like that is nothing."
"Says the bleeding man."
Timothy snorted, "Man, you really are Mama Allen's uncle...you both have a smiliar banter style with Kanda."
A few seconds pass, before Neah starts laughing hysterically, "Oh gods, 'Mama Allen', was it?"
Despite their situation, Kanda smirked. "Everyone reacts that way when they hear that."
Neah's chortling stopped as quickly as it started. "I'm sure they do."
"Woah! The elevator leads right into your place?!" Timothy exclaimed, looking all over the building. "Why's a place like this in a part of the city like this?!"
"It's not a high class place,." Neah said, rolling his eyes. "It's only a $500 rent a month. Now, you two can go watch some TV while I'll go ahead and tend to this idiot's leg." He placed Lala down, who looked from Kanda to Neah.
"I'll be fine. I had worse." Kanda told her. "He'll bring you some water in a bit."
"M'kay..."
Noah groaned, and reluctantly made for the bathroom. "I'll get the first aid kit. You sit down somewhere."
After the man left, Lala frowned. "Does he not like you?"
"He's just overprotective," Kanda replied with a shrug. "Me being engaged to his nephew is enough to land me on his shitlist." He winced. Fuck. He should really learn to filter his words around these kids. He'd get on his fiancé's shitlist if he wasn't careful.
"We won't tell Allen you were cursing." Timothy said. "Besides, that guy cursed a lot. C'mon Lala, let's go see if your favorite show is on." He led the little girl to the what Kanda assumed was the living room, while the man decided to head into the kitchen, grunting in pain as he sat on the edge of the holstered chair. What was this, the eighties? Nineties? This kitchen was old and super dated.
"Bastard doesn't actually live here." Kanda finally concluded, after taking a look at the area around him. There was absolutely nothing to really scream 'Neah Campbell lives here!' at all. Honestly.
"That's rude to say, Kanda." Neah stated as he walked into the kitchen, a box in hand. "But I suppose you're right in a sense. I'm in the middle of renovating."
"And you don't update this piece of shit kitchen?"
"Hush." Neah groaned. "You know how lucky I even am to find a penthouse in this neighborhood? Quite lucky. I don't have pants that'll fit you unfortunately, so you'll have to put up with these slacks."
"Who's were they if they're not yours?"
"My older brother's of course. I doubt he'd mind...if he were alive, of course." Neah sighed, making a small cross gesture. "Rest in peace, brother dearest."
"Che."
"Remove your pants, you can't really salvage them in the state they're in." Kanda only rolled his eyes, but carefully stood, toeing off his sneakers, before removing the destroyed denim he was wearing. He hissed when some of the fibers tugged the wound on his limb.
Damn twins... Damn NOAH...
They were a threat to everything.
If those two had just died when they were supposed to, this wouldn't be happening right now.
And that CC imposter. Who the hell does he think he is? Talking to him like he knew who he was personally. It pissed him off to no end. How in the hell would a creep like that even be able to find out his first name? Allen Walker has had his own resources to figure shit out...one of which was actually pick-pocketing him when they first officially met.
He still couldn't figure out how the runt managed that one...come to think of it... "Oi. How did the moyashi find out about the trouble I was in?"
Neah blinked, before thinking it over. "Actually, I haven't a clue...I think you may need to ask him when you see him next." The older said, "Now, stay still, the bullet is in the back of your thigh, a couple inches further down, and you'd be missing your knee right now."
"Damn."
Inspecting the wound, Neah sighed. "You're lucky it his nothing of major importance."
"Tch."
Neah's eye twitched. "Honestly, I have no idea why my nephew chose you."
"Because he likes me."
"It's a wonder how," the older male fired back.
"Because he's a glutton for punishment, and I'm more than willing to give him what he wants." Kanda said with a sly grin. "He's quite the masochist."
"Stop, stop, stop! No, just no! He is my dear nephew, and I refuse to hear such vulgar things about him! As far as I'm concerned he's as innocent as they day he was born!"
"You're definitely worse than Komui." Kanda muttered, before hissing in pain. "Dammit! You did that on purpose!"
Neah only grinned 'innocently', holding th bullet between his fingers. "I have no idea what you could possibly mean by that, Mr. Yu Kanda."
"You little—"
"Mind your elders, kid." Neah growled out. "Remember who you're dealing with. Neah D. Campbell, the original 14th Noah. I'm more dangerous than any of those petty thugs you've dealt with, and yes, that even includes Tyki Mikk, and especially Adam Millennium himself."
The threat was very much real, and Kanda could feel a chill crawling up his spine.
"Good. It seems you understand." Neah smiled, pleased with himself. "Now all there's left to do is stitch you back up."
"You're so fucking annoying."
"Deal with it. I will be your in-law in the future, so you might as well get used to it."
"You do realize that means I'll technically be part of your family too, right?"
Neah turned up his nose, cringing a bit at the Japanese male's words. "I have chosen not to think about it because when I do, I feel like vomiting."
"You're an ass."
"And you are an irritating nephew-snatcher."
"Get over yourself." Kanda muttered under his breath. His breath hitched when a cotton ball soaked full of Peroxide was dabbed against the open wound. "The fuck?"
"Oh~ I'm terribly sorry. Did I not mention I was disinfecting the wound? I could've sworn I gave you a warning in advance~"
"Go fuck yourself, asshole," Kanda spat, jaw clenched. Why did his fiancé's uncle have to be such a sonofabitch?
"Hmm, no thanks." Neah dabbed at the wound again, grin broadening when the younger man cursed. "Come now, don't be such a baby."
"I ain't a damn baby." Kanda hissed.
"I got the blood...however, it seems you'll need to be lying face down while I work, otherwise, I can't stitch the wound closed."
"Like I fucking trust you enough to lie down with you behind me."
"You're so funny." With a smile on his face, the ex-NOAH the twisted Kanda's arm behind his back and easily shoved him to the floor. "What's not to trust?"
"I fucking hate you," Kanda grumbled from the ground.
"That's nice."
Neah grinned, before twisting Kanda's arm just a bit more. "Because I despise you quite a bit. However, I'm a mature adult, unlike yourself, and as such, I will properly stitch up that leg of yours, and you get to explain to my worried nephew about all your dirty little secrets you seem to not want to tell him."
"And why would I tell him things he doesn't need to know? How the hell do you even know?"
"Because Link does keep in contact with me."
"That little piece of—" Kanda hissed again, at the added pressure.
"He's a good man, and I appreciate it that he worries about my only living family to tell me about the things I need to know. He doesn't have to, but he does." When Kanda was about to speak again, Neah interrupted him. "Be a good boy, stay down, and let me fix up that right leg of yours. My payment is you telling Allen everything you hadn't. And I'll know if you didn't."
"I refuse!"
"If you don't do as I ask, I'll make your life a living hell," Neah replied sweetly, fingers digging into the man's wrist.
"You already fucking have!" Kanda struggled against Neah, but ultimately was unable to free himself. "The Moyashi doesn't need to know anything else. I told him a bit yesterday, but that was enough, dammit! I have everything handled! He doesn't need this!"
When a finger prodded his wound, Kanda very nearly bit his tongue to keep himself quiet.
"What do you know?" Neah mumbled quietly.
"Huh?"
"What do you know about what he needs?!" Neah's eyes were blazing. He was furious. "You think he needs more lies?! Who are you to decide that? Sooner or later, this'll come around and bite you in the ass!"
"It's not like you to swear."
Neah released Kanda's arm, though his glare did not weaken. "You're the one at fault for reducing me to such vulgarities."
"So I piss you off that badly, do I?" Kanda glowered.
The older British male had removed himself from the Japanese male, seeming defeated. "A relationship built upon the foundations of lies, is not a sturdy base. It cracks, and chips, before the whole thing comes crumbling down." Neah sighed, after a while. "Listen to me, Yu Kanda. Sooner or later, your little white lie will grow, and when it does, not only will you hurt Allen, you'll hurt Lala and Timothy. And most of all, you'll hurt yourself the worst in the end."
Kanda turned over, to make his own point, "That's—"
"A truth I know only too well. Mana died because I thought I could handle things on my own. Allen was orphaned a second time, and forced into a life he didn't want." Neah looked the other male in the eye. "I lost everything because I truly believed I had everything under control. Because I joined the NOAH, I thought my family would be safe by their words. I lost my brother. I thought by dropping off the radar I would be able to keep Allen safe. But nay. They pulled him to a darkness that I could never pull him out of."
"You-"
"The point of it all is, Yu Kanda. You may think you have all under control, but look at the bigger picture. You don't."
"Che." There was nothing he could really say to that, though he still wouldn't tell the brat. He just wanted to protect him from all this. Even Kanda admitted that it was damn near impossible to change his mind once he'd made it.
"I hope you heed my words, Kanda."
To him, it didn't sound anything like a warning; this was just a tired man using his experiences in life to give him advice.
"Let me ask you one important question then." Neah softly stated. "What's more important to you? Your love? Or your pride? You can only pick one. And really think about it. What can you live without, willing to give it up?"
Kanda scowled. "That's a stupid question."
"But what's your answer?"
"You already know my answer," the Japanese male retorted.
"I'm glad. Now lie down on your stomach so I can stitch you back up," Neah ordered.
He took his time, and checked his work on Kanda's leg. Years of practice with his own injuries...that he could reach...were under his belt. So he knew exactly what he needed to do. "These sutures will come out on their in time."
"Whatever."
Neah at last finished bandaging the small wound, and said, "You're not very happy with me, are you?"
"You just piss me off."
"To be fair, I feel the exact same way about you," the older admitted.
"You know I hate promises."
"Oh?"
"They're too fragile, and breaking one fucks a lot of shit up." Neah looked to the other male, waiting for him to continue. "I can't promise I'll swallow my pride. I love the Moyashi more than anything the world has to offer. Hurting him isn't the last thing I want to do, rather it's the first thing I don't want to do. I suppose the same goes for the two eavesdroppers outside the kitchen."
Said eavesdroppers, squeaked in surprise, landing over each other in a heap of limbs.
"What were you two doing?" Neah asked, surprised he didn't even sense them nearby…
"W-well... um... we w-were..." Lala trailed off, stuttering
"You were being loud, so we came to check out why," Timothy answered instead.
"Of course you were."
"We're sorry..." Lala said, "But...maybe you should tell Mama Allen everything. I don't like be lied to either."
"Same for me." Timothy agreed full-heartedly.
Kanda internally groaned, as he grabbed the slacks Neah got for him, and pulled them on. They were a little loose, but nothing that would warrant them falling down his legs. "I'm getting told off by a couple of kids. The world must be nearing its end."
Beside Kanda, Neah was grinning. "That's not it. They just know right from wrong even better than you."
"Oh shut up."
"You know I'm right, Kanda." Neah grinned. It, however, fell as he thought back to what he saw earlier. "It's quite alarming, though..."
Kanda sighed, knowing already Neah's concern. "It is. I don't want to leave these two where those twins...or even that imposter can easily find, much less get to, Lala and Timothy."
"Won't you get in trouble with the orphanage if you don't return them?"
"I will. A woman there knows the Moyashi and I have the kids," Kanda responded, leaning his back against a wall, careful to keep most of his weight from his injured leg. Fuck. That probably meant no sex for a while.
"Then what will you do?"
"First of all, I'm going to have to alert that woman of the situation at hand."
"Alright," Neah agreed, "I have the number saved on my phone, will you call Allen?"
"After what happened...I don't think I have a choice." Kanda sighed. "I came this way without a scratch, I wouldn't be able to keep a bullet wound of all things from him."
"And you'll tell him about things you didn't tell him?" Lala asked. "You never told him why that scary guy was even talking with you...and even I can see you still have things you hadn't told him yet."
"Are you guilt tripping me?" Kanda groused.
"Yes." Timothy and Kanda both blinked, neither having heard Lala being so straightforward in an answer like that. "I love you and Mama Allen so much...but you're really hurting him by keeping these secrets. I see it in his eyes."
. . - * - . .
Allen was fidgeting. "Calm down, Walker." Link sighed as he spotted the younger fiddling with his let glove.
"I can't help it...after what I just saw..."
"Yu'll be fine...he can take care of that guy." Lavi consoled.
"But he doesn't have Mugen with him, Lavi! What if he's hurt? What if the kids are hurt?! I need to go-"
Lenalee was quick to place her finger over the youngest male's lips. "Calm down, Allen. With or without Mugen, Kanda wouldn't let anything, or anyone knock him down and out like that."
"She's quite right." Wisely stated. "I've seen that guy in action."
"If...you're sure..." Link's phone began to ring, and he answered it on the second one. "Howard Link speaking...how on earth did you get my number, Kanda?"
Silver eyes widened, as he managed to snatch his German friend's phone away. "Yu?!"
"Hello to you too, Moyashi." Kanda's voice sounded. "Calm down, will ya? The kids and I are fine—"
"HE GOT SHOT IN THE LEG!" Timothy's voice sounded.
"OI!"
"W-what?!" The group stopped, staring at Allen's outburst.
"Che. Yes, I got shot in the leg...turned out those two bastards are alive and fan-fricking-tastic."
"...did you just sensor your words?"
"Not the point, Moyashi." Kanda grumbled. "The fact of the matter is, all three of us are fine. I'm the only one that got hit. Neah took care of the wound."
"Oh thank god...m-may I speak to them?"
"Only after I ask you an important question. When you called Neah, he said you were frantic. What happened between then and the call?"
"Well, not that much happened, really..."
"Moyashi..." Kanda warned, a growl added to his voice.
"I...w-well..." Allen swallowed the lump in his throat, hanging his head. "I-I think he w-was a f-former AKUMA..."
"I see."
"H-He s-said-"
The phone was taken by Lavi, who decided he'd able to give his good buddy what he needed to hear. "Yu, y'there? Yeah, yeah, I know you hate it when I call you that...because you're my best friend, duh!" A pause, before he continued. "I have that right. Anyway. That guy that dragged Allen away? Yes, that's what happened, no, we found him before anything could happen. Hm? Right, right, from what I was able to hear the man said, 'I hope you'll enjoy your illusion of happiness while it lasts...because it will shatter in a heartbeat as your beloved fag's heart will stop.'...why would I make something like that up?"
The phone was handed back to Allen, who was glaring at Lavi, before placing the phone to his ear, "Yu? I'm sorry..."
"What did that man really say to you?"
"It was actually more like 'All you cherish will perish'. Exact words."
"Che. Obviously that didn't happen."
"Yeah..." Allen mumbled, smiling. "I'm glad it didn't."
"I figured you'd be too worried to do whatever you're doing if I didn't call you first." The elder admitted. "Just in case you were wondering."
Allen chucked. "Thank you. You should tell Emilia about what happened. I'll see you later?"
"..." A sigh. "Yeah. I love you, moyashi."
"It's Allen...I love you too."
"Che."
The boy breathed a sigh of his own and closed his eyes. "Be safe."
"Hn." Before the younger could hang up, Kanda quickly continued, "Don't hang up until after you've spoke with the two currently begging for my phone."
Allen blinked once, before blushing a little. "R-Right...sorry..."
The white-haired male heard commotion on the other end of the line, and then he caught the sound of two distinct voices arguing over who got the phone.
"Mama Allen?" Lala's voice rang through, worried.
The next voice was Timothy, "Allleeennn! You there? We're okay! Kanda made sure of that!"
The white-haired boy smiled softly, "So I've heard...I'm glad..."
"Don't cry, Allen, you'll make us cry too..." Lala said, and you could hear the crack in her voice as she said that.
"I'm sorry?" Allen tried. He received a couple of laughs from the other end, as well as a few from his end. He pointedly glared at Lavi and Lenalee, both who held their hands up in surrender
Timothy's voice said, "It's fine." There was a snort. "Your weird uncle had to hold Kanda down and fix him up, so he's fine too."
"Thank god."
"There was lots of swearing though," Lala giggled.
Allen vaguely heard 'you little brat!' in the background. "I'll have to talk to him about that," Allen mused half-heartedly.
"Maybe wash his mouth with soap!" Lala supplied, attempting to be helpful. Allen chuckled.
"I wouldn't go that far...plus I've been there before...not as funny as it is on TV."
"You had your mouth soaped?!" Timothy exclaimed.
"I was a street urchin when Mana, my adoptive father, found me...said I should clean my mouth of dirty words, or else he'd do it for me...uh...let's just say I learned the hard way he was actually serious..."
"Woah...who would've thought you of all people would actually get punished?" Lavi mused.
"That is rather strange to hear." Link mused.
Lenalee giggled, "Oh my...Allen Walker, the polite gent we all know and love today...had a super bad potty mouth?"
"Hey!" Allen pouted. "I wasn't that bad..."
"I beg to differ, nephew." Neah sighed. "You were quite a handful. At least from what I got from Mana."
"Jee...thanks."
"Always swearing and yelling and getting into fights—"
"Okay Neah, you can stop now," Allen muttered.
"And let's not forget rude."
"Neah."
"Ah...sorry?"
"No…you're not." Allen groused. "Make sure Yu calls Emilia. Then I want him home once Timothy and Lala are safe from whoever is after us."
"Of course, family is quite important. Would it make you feel better if I watched over the kiddies? I'll explain the situation to this Miss Emilia."
"That... sounds pretty good actually. Just don't tell her everything," Allen said.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Thank you, Uncle Neah." Allen sighed. He heard the other man chuckle lightly, before bidding him goodbye for the time being. Allen hung up, and handed Link his phone back. "Sorry?"
"I propose we get Walker a new phone first." Link decided, taking his phone from his friend. "We can't have him taking ours with every little thing."
"Eh...I can't argue there." Lavi admitted. "And don't worry, Al. You can pay for your plan, we'll pay for the phone."
"Ah! Y-You don't have to do that..."
"We want to." Lenalee said. "Besides, your contract was up with that company anyway, right?"
"How did you...on second thought, I don't want to know."
"You're right. You don't," Lavi agreed soberly, before his face broke out in a grin.
Allen shook his head and covered his eyes with his hand. "You're so weird."
"But you love us to pieces~" Lavi cooed. "C'mon, we still got some time before we have to get the Antique Shop. Let's get Allen a phone~"
"Fine...I think I'll change my number though...too many debt collectors still try contacting me through that old one."
"...why didn't you change you number sooner then?" Wisely asked, completely flabbergasted.
"Never came to mind until now..." Allen sighed. You know the reason why that is, Wise.
"Right..." He answered for both. He cleared his throat, before looking the rest of the group. "So...Phone store, and then Krory's?"
"That's the plan." Link sighed, as he checked the time on his phone. "...if I still keep my job after this..."
"I doubt you have much to worry about, Link." Allen tried making the blonde German male feel better."
"Let's just hurry up and get this over with already." Said man grumbled.
. . - * - . .
Grinning like a fool, Allen hugged his brand new phone against his chest. "I can't believe the deal I scored~" He cackled.
"How on earth did you even manage to get it for literally 75% off the original price?" Both Link and Lavi asked in disbelief.
"I have my ways~" The British male stated. "Oh! We need to put your numbers in there now...and vice ver-HEY!"
Link took the phone from Allen, before typing a few commands. He promptly handed it to Lenalee, who did much of the same thing, save for adding a picture for her contact ID. Wisely and Lavi followed suit, before giving the phone back to Allen. Who, in turned, grinned, and snapped a picture of Link. "Walker!"
"Don't be so camera shy." Allen chided. "The hardest part of my day will be to have Yu agree with actually letting me take a new picture for his ID...or one at all for that matter."
"Can't argue there." Lavi agreed. "He's stubborn...but I guess you can partially blame Tiedoll for that one."
"WALKER!"
"F-Fou! Y-you don't have to shout f-for him like that!" Silver eyes blinked, before looking behind him seeing a group of more familiar faces. "M-M-M-Mr W-W-Walker...I-I'm s-s-s-so sorry about that..."
"Eh...that's normal, isn't it?" Rikei's voice sounded.
"Most likely." Shifu stated as he neared the rest.
"Fou. Rikei. Shifu...and Lo Fa." Wisely named them all, freaking the last three mentioned out. "Seems you have Bak Chan coming up from the rear..."
Fou rolled her eyes and snorted. "Nice way to greet people, Wisely."
"I aim to please." The Ex-NOAH shrugged.
"Er...Lo Fa...you don't have to call me 'Mr. Walker'...that's actually kind of creepy..."
"Eep! I'm so sorry!"
It was then Bak had finally caught up with the group of four he was with, panting all the while. "You can't...keep doing that..."
"Grow a pair already, will ya?" Fou grumbled.
Bak shot his wife a tired look. "I... can't keep up... You have... too much energy..."
"You're just too lazy," she snapped, folding her arms across her chest. "That's what you get for not exercising."
"On record, I came off of a 3 hour shift at the restaurant...and let's not forget I'm a professor at the college every Monday and Wednesday and Friday...need you also forget I have to often work with that crackjob? No offense, Miss Lenalee."
"None taken. I know Komui can be...uh...unbearable...at times..." She thought a moment, "When do you work with my brother?"
"He examines the deceased in his freezer, I do what I can on scene. Most times I'm the one delivering the victims."
"Ohh...you work way too much, Professor Chan."
Bak sighed, "I have no need for that title outside the learning environment."
"I've been meaning ta ask, and all," Lavi mused, "But how come you work three different jobs? Being in the FBI and being a professor are like two careers that you would normally only go with one or the other."
"Mother was an FBI agent...father was a teacher...both hoped I would be able to pursue their respective careers...so I decided on both. I don't regret it...and the third job was a bonus on my part, I suppose."
"Still... working so much can't be healthy," Allen mused.
The Chinese man just shrugged. "I've been getting by just fine."
Then again, who was he one to talk about healthy working? He once lived off of assassination and poker. "If you're sure..."
And frankly, he never got paid a dime to kill those people. That reminded him...he'd have to apply for a new part time job...sure he still had the music store job, ah, maybe he could apply at that new café? He heard it has some of the best pastries ever...and tips are included in your final paycheck...or so he heard.
"He's been doing it longer than you've been able to speak, Walker." Fou grinned.
"St-st-still..." Lo Fa muttered, not really making eye-contact with anyone, "Uh..."
"By the way...did you ever get your fiancé to agree with getting us all sundaes?"
To this Allen grinned broadly, "This is Allen Walker you're talking to! Of course I did~!"
"Wow! Really?" Lavi exclaimed. "Awesome~ we get treated by Yu~"
"Er...not exactly...the deal was Fou and these guys..." Allen admitted.
Mocking a hurt expression, Lenalee looked to her younger friend with puppy-dog eyes. "Aren't we your friends too, Allen?"
"Ah! D-don't do this to me, Lenalee!"
"Honestly." Grumbled Link.
"I hadn't had a sundae since I was a child..." Wisely stated, "Perhaps I could make one myself, but the one in that café I pass by is said to have quite amazing treats."
"Are you guys seriously guilt tripping me?"
"I'm sure they are, but I'm not." Link bluntly said. "However. Making me skip work like that...I feel I need payment."
"Eh!?"
"Well, you may as well have Yu-chan get one for all of us," Lavi said, slipping an arm over the younger Brit's shoulders.
"But..." Allen looked up at his friend with a terrified expression on his face. "He'll kill me..."
"Nah. He loves you." The red-head winked. "Though, while he won't kill you, he might do a whole lot of unspeakable things to you."
Allen went red, and he elbowed the other male in the stomach. "You're a jerk."
"I aim to please."
He opened his mouth to make a comeback, when he suddenly realized something. Wait... if Yu was shot, then doesn't that mean no sex? Now grinning, Allen nodded. "You know what? I will ask him." If the perv couldn't have sex, then the chance of hard-core punishment went down considerably.
"You sneaky bastard," Wisely muttered, having heard the boy's thoughts.
. . - * - . .
"You really didn't have to do this." Eliade stated, as she placed the paper plates on the table, "A quiet evening at home would've been more than enough for Arystar."
"C'mon, it's the least we could do~" Lavi half flirted, half seriously explained. How he managed that, Allen had no idea. "Besides, the old Panda and I do business with ya two a lot. You're practically family at this point, y'know."
Lenalee tugged Lavi away from Eliade, a warning clearly not missed by the red head who chuckled in embarrassment. "Anyway," She began, as soon as she was certain Lavi wasn't going to be in the blonde woman's way, "You two could always have your moment alone after the party, right?"
"It's not that I'm complaining what you kids are doing." Eliade told them, placing the extra plates on the shelf. "I was only stating he'd be happy with a quiet evening. But I suppose a welcome home party is just fine too."
"You make it sound like an afterthought." Allen said, as he finished putting plastic forks and knives where plates had previously been placed. "I feel a little bad Yu won't be with us though...then again, he avoids parties like they're plagues."
"That's because there's people at them," Lavi stated with a sly grin. "Now, if it were just you there, shortstack, I feel he'd be more than hap—arg!"
Allen was glad that the red-head hadn't managed to dodge the blow in time.
Wisely was glaring at the red-head in full annoyance. "I swear to whatever holy being you could possibly think of, if you do not cease that thought, I will tear your brain clean out of your head."
"You're not even the fighting type!" Lavi complained.
"Oh, trust me, Bookman Jr. I am more than capable of making an exception."
"I'd love to see that one." Fou cackled, having been leaning against the wall up until that point.
"That reminds me..." Eliade said, looking at the extra party goers, "Why are there so many people here now?"
"Because Lavi thought it fun for us to be here." Bak muttered. "It seems 'no' is still a word missing in his vocabulary."
"I-I-I d-do h-have a shift a-at the restaurant..." Lo Fa softly uttered. "I'm g-going to be in t-trouble..."
"Why are you still studdering so badly, Lo Fa?" Rikei asked. "You're usually not that timid around new people."
"But she can be when there's a lot more than she's used to meeting at once." Shifu pointed out.
"D-Do not!"
"You just proved their point." Link sighed.
Allen gave the woman a smile and rested a hand on her forearm. "There's still pleanty of peole you do know, so if you're nervous, maybe you should stick close to them.
Lo Fa's face flushed red.
"I don't think you're helping," Wisely deadpanned.
The younger Brit stared worriedly at Lo Fa, leaning closer. "Are you alright?"
The girl gulped, and her head bobbed up and down very quickly.
"Lo Fa, you know Allen's taken, right?" Shifu asked. "You really have to let that one go."
Allen blinked, before rolling his eyes, "Seriously, I'm 'that one'?"
"That one Yu will forever cherish an-"
"Finish that, and I might pull your damn tongue out."
Lavi blinked once, before yelping in surprise as he was kicked to the floor. "What in the!? Yu?!"
"Yu?" Allen looked up and smiled brightly. "Yu! How come you came? I thought you'd at least force your way to work even after getting shot..."
"I was on my way." Kanda groused, as he limped to the nearest seat, "but then I bumped into that guy who insisted. And wouldn't stop."
"I just assumed it make Allen a little happier knowing he'd be here." Krory's voice sounded. "You honestly didn't have to do any of this for me, by the way."
"Arystar!" Eliade's own smile graced her features, as she walked to her husband, before reaching up and latching her arms around his neck. "Welcome home, my beloved."
"Ah...a genuine pleasure to be back."
"Wait, who told you about the surprise?!" Lavi whined. "That totally ruins it." He pouted.
"Che."
"Yu..." Lavi growled. "Did you seriously spill the beans on the surprise party?"
Krory was quick to diffuse the situation, quickly explaining that he already knew there would be a party. "I do appologize but you're not the quietest person...and I was a little bit awake when you mentioned it."
"...oh come on!"
Kanda snorted, "Looks like you ruined the surprise without realizing it. Baka usagi."
"Yu, Lavi did try you know." Allen told his fiancé. "Hey! Considering we're all here anyway, let's just celebrate Krory's return, okay?"
Kanda rolled his eyes, then motioned his little lover over.
Allen moved immediately, standing before man. "How's your leg?" He asked, before leaning down to peck the Japanese male's lips.
Said man just shrugged. "Could be better."
"And you say I'm the one that attracts trouble." Allen lightly joked, "I really was worried..."
"Che. I'm not going anywhere that easily."
"You'd better not," the boy mumbled, and then poked his lover in the cheek. "I don't want you overexerting yourself, you hear me?"
"I could say the same to you." Kanda pointed out, taking the younger's hand into his own, and placed the palm of the boy's hand against his cheek, holding there. "How's your shoulder?"
Allen, admittedly, had forgotten about the wound he received more or less recently. "I never noticed it, honesty..."
"Idiot."
Allen leaned forward to whisper against his lover's ear, "Says the man who had sex with me shortly after I got out of the hospital."
"Because I'm so sure you actually felt the pain of your shoulder."
"Aw! You two keep secrets? No fair!" Lavi shouted.
Fou rolled her eyes, "Will you grow up already?"
"You know, in life, growing old is totally mandatory. But growing up completely optional~!"
"What about people who seem to stay young no matter how many years pass?" Lenalee asked, crossing her arms. "Bak's a good example."
"Please don't drag me into this..." Bak sighed.
"Allen's another good example," Lavi said. "I mean, just look at how tiny he is! Are we sure he's really nineteen?"
"Lavi~ I'll give you three seconds." The whole room went quiet, and feeling his approaching doom, Lavi ran with the 'tiny' devil on his heels. "GET BACK HERE, YOU IDIOT!"
"NO WAY, SHORT STACK!" Lavi called out.
"IT'S ALLEN!"
"Ah...good to be back." Krory said, chuckling to himself.
Although he didn't voice his agreement, Kanda felt the same.
"Hey, Kanda." Lenalee said, as she walked up. "Are you okay?"
"I just got shot in the damn leg. Of course I'm puking up rainbows right now." Came the sardonic remark. "What do you want?"
"You know, we all worry." She stated.
"Che. I'm aware."
"Allen the most, I think," she continued. "Make sure you don't..."
"I won't," Kanda grumbled. "If I'm not more careful, the sprout'll cry, then I'll have all you bastards on my ass."
"Damn straight." Lenalee firmly stated.
"Don't do that."
"Don't do what?"
"Don't curse. It doesn't suit you at all."
A crash was heard from the back ground, and both Asians snapped their attention up and in time to see an annoyed Allen digging his heal into Lavi's back. "Take that, y'bloody arse hat!"
"Mercy! Ow! Ow! Uncle! Uncle! Mercy! Goddamit, I give! I give! I GIVE!"
Kanda smirked as he watched the interactions of the two, proud of the kid.
"Yuuuu! Get your midget offa me!" Lavi cried, earning himself a kick in the ass from an enraged white-haired Brit.
"I'm not a midget!"
Krory touched his wife's shoulder, concerned for Lavi's safety. "Should we.. ah... stop them?"
It was Lenalee who responded, shaking her head as she said, "They'll be fine. Besides, it's Lavi's fault for stirring Allen."
"I-If you're sure..." Krory said, wincing when Allen stomped on the older male's back.
"Pretty sure." But on the other hand, I'd prefer my boyfriend to not be snapped in half...
"Alright Moyashi, I think you've done your damage." Kanda called out, stopping the younger mid-stomp.
"But Yu!"
"Ass over here, baka moyashi." Pouting, Allen eyed Lavi once more before heading to his fiancé's side again. "I know he's annoying, but Lenalee may not want him snapped in half."
"I wasn't gonna go that far...just make it hard for him to sit right?" Kanda rolled his eyes, and patted the area next to him. "I really wasn't..."
"I know. You wouldn't willingly hurt a fly." Kanda stated, as the younger male sat beside him.
Limping, and half pouting, Lavi half-heartedly glared at Allen, before taking a seat in one of the chairs. "So, what did you learn today, Lavi?" Lenalee asked as she made her way to him.
"Mm...not to piss Allen off?"
"Very good." Lenalee cooed. "Honestly, sometimes I think I'm dating a child."
"Nah, I'm older, I just believe growing up is totally optional in life."
"So I've heard."
He nodded and looked her straight in the eye. "I mean, what sane person would even want to get older?"
"One who doesn't want to be murdered by two of his best friends," she replied with a sigh.
Lavi chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Okay maybe that would be a good reason..."
"Of course it is, idiot."
"Aw~ but I'm your idiot, Lena~"
"You're so corny, Lavi." Lenalee giggled. "I guess that's why you won me over."
"Get a room!" Fou called out, snickering when Lenalee and Lavi blushed scarlet at the comment.
"They're not the only ones one need a room," Bak said, gesturing over to where Kanda and Allen sat, currently engaging in a war of the tongues.
Kanda was quite pleased with himself. He'd thought that without the proper use of his leg, he wouldn't be able to touch his lover -because not only would the kid panic if they somehow re-opened the wound, but he'd figured that the pain might be too much, even for him. However, much to his delight, he didn't need a leg to completely dominate the boy's mouth.
Allen, on the other hand, had no real clue how the hell he was pulled into a make out session where all his friends were obviously watching. One minute he and Kanda were just talking, and the next thing he knew, he was on Kanda's good leg, said man had one hand on his lower back, and the other was cupping the back of his head. "Y-Yu..."
"Shush." Kanda growled. They're session was interrupted by someone clearing their throat, followed by a cat call. "Che."
"L-Link! F-Fou!" He was blushing heavily at the people who gave the respective calls to them. Fou was grinning from ear to ear.
"Man~ injured and you still manage something with our favorite beansprout."
"Shut up." The Japanese man grumbled. "Weren't you messing with the rabbit and Lenalee?"
"We don't molest the other while their friends are in the same room." Lenalee said, crossing her arms. "Really, have you no shame in where you do it? Not that I mind of course. Yaoi is an amazing thing."
"N-Not that again, Lenalee..." Allen groaned, deciding to hide his face in Kanda's shoulder.
To Lenalee's response, Kanda gave a pointed look "It's not like being homosexual is a forbidden thing."
"Well, that is true," Lavi spoke up, "there are those who are so against it, and it kinda still stands in some cultures."
"Fuck that," Kanda spat.
Lavi tutted and waggled his finger. "Yu-chan, I think you mean," he pointed to Allen, "…'fuck th'— "
Lenalee cut her boyfriend off with a harsh pinch to the arm.
He yelped, and pouted down to Lenalee, who shrugged, seeming to be unimpressed. "The point of the matter is, there's a time and place, but that's not now, nor is it here."
"Whatever."
"Yu Kanda, I mean it." Lenalee warned. "I know you prefer to be seme, so let's not have that important aspect of that role being torn from you, yes~?"
The room felt as though it gotten degrees colder, and Kanda tensely nodded, fearing that his masculine pride might actually be in jeopardy.
Allen snickered.
The Japanese male grabbed a fistful of soft white hair and yanked it back, before turning a glare on the kid, who froze. "Something funny?"
"N-Nothing at a-all..." The younger said, chuckling nervously. "I just had a funny memory is all...yeah! About the time Lavi—"
"Oh, no, no, no, no, you are NOT bringing that one up!" The red head glowered.
"Ohh~ I'm curious!" Fou called out. Although Bak appeared exasperated, he too was still a little curious on one of his former students.
"What Secret does the great Lavi Bookman have?" Lenalee's eyes sparked with mischief.
"Is that really okay?" A worried Krory asked.
"If Lavi tells, then yes...if heard by another source...it'll be worse." Eliade explained. "However...what did Lavi do, Allen?"
"Well~"
"Nope! No! That hatchet is buried and forgotten. FOR. GOT. TEN." Crossing his arms in a pout, he felt everyone's gaze on him. Normally loving the attention, this one...was very uncomfortable. Sighing in annoyance, he covered his eye with his hand, before grumbling under his breath.
"What was that?" Allen asked, his grin threatening to split his face in half.
"Please don't do this to me. I thought we were friends."
"Oh we are," Allen said, mirth-filled eyes on the red-head. "That's why I'm doing this."
Lavi pointed at the boy and glared. "Then you can consider yourself having lost this devilishly-handsome rabbit as your friend."
Allen blinked owlishly, then brought a finger to his chin and tapped it theatrically. "Devilishly handsome? I don't see anyone like that around here..."
The red-head brought a hand to his chest and gasped, green eye wide with shock. "Are you saying that you don't think your fiancé is good-looking? Now that's just mean."
"That's because there are no real words to truly describe the most wonderful man I know."
"Che. Baka moyashi." Kanda grumbled.
"Woah!" Fou exclaimed, "Kanda's actually blushing! Quick! Someone take a picture!"
"You little...!"
"No decapitating," Allen said, hoping to put a stop to the fight before it began. "Besides, with that leg, I doubt you'll be able to do much."
Kanda scowled, knowing his lover's words were true. "Fine. Lean in closer then."
Allen paused to consider the request, sighed, and did as asked. He wasn't even close to surprised when the Japanese man stole his lips almost immediately.
"The PDA is really starting to get to me here." Lavi stated. "Like, to the point I feel maybe a little tiny bit uncomfortable?"
"Then don't look." Kanda growled, breaking the quick kiss with his moyashi. He looked over the rabbit, the scowl never leaing his features. "Seriously, turn the other damn cheek or something."
"On that note!" Rikei shouted out, before gesturing to Krory, "We're here to ceclebrate his return, right? Let's celebrate his return!"
"Amen." Shifu stated.
"We'll party 'till we can't no more~!" Fou shouted. "What kind of party is party without drinks though?"
"But we have soda and stuff already-"
"Booze, Allen. Where's the booze?"
Feeling green, Allen visibly slouched, "I feel sick already..."
"I'm sorry, but we won't be having any today." Eliade calmly told the shorter-haired woman. "It wouldn't quite be fair to me, who is unable to do so at the moment."
"Eliade, what are you talking about?" Krory asked, confused. He knew his wife wasn't a lightweight...
"Arystar, I was going to tell you sooner...but with all that happened, I found myself unable to." Krory blinked once in confusion. "The day you were shot, was also the day I'd...found out wonderful news."
She looked to the others in the room, all seeming expectant of what she was about to say...very rarely did she ever feel awkward in some situations, but sh supposed there was a first time for everything...wasn't news like this meant to first be shared privately? "What wonderful news?"
"Go on, Eliade, you can tell him. Allen said, smiling patiently. It appeared he managed to get over whatever trauma he was having prior. "You said you would."
"Eliade?"
"Arystar, we're expecting."
It took a total of ten seconds to grasp the situation to almost everyone else in the room, it took an extra ten for it to sink into Krory's mind. "Y-Y-You're!? W-We?! I-Is it...?"
"Of course it's yours, you bumbling fool. What kind of woman do you take me for? How rude." She huffed.
Allen clapped, grinning at the couple. "Congratulations!"
Eliade shot him a rueful smile. "You already knew."
"But I never formally congratulated you," he explained.
"I'll let that one slide." Eliade decided.
Lenalee's eyes were practically sparkling as she looked to the older woman, "What is it? A boy? A girl?"
Eliade was thoughtful before she went to answer the young Chinese girl, "I can't really say I went to check...but personally I would like to find out the day of."
Krory — who'd been silently trying to process this new information until now — slowly walked over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her small voluptuous frame, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
Eliade just sighed and slid her own arms around him, rubbing his back. "You really are a baby sometimes, Arystar."
"I'm overjoyed..." He sobbed, causing a few light chuckles from the other occupants in the room.
... ... ... ...
Good news. FINALS ARE OVER! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! NOT A DRILL! :D I just had my Final Exam in History today, and I'm hoping I do well...on the other hand, that was also the FINAL final exam I had, so I can enjoy the holidays~
R&R ain't for rest and relaxation, even though I know I need it. Follow the story to keep up to date, and hey, don't forget to lave a review and let us know how we're doing! Give this thing the love it deserves, and favorite it~!
We'll see you next week on Fade to Gray!