Earning Your Love
Chapter 5: Conflicting Emotion
Late that afternoon, the gang had returned to the hotel from their shopping trip. After they got off the hotel transportation vehicle, they walked through the front automatic doors into the lobby. "That was an awesome shopping trip, wouldn't you say, Allen-kun?" Road asked the white haired male happily while latching onto his arm while holding shopping bags in her other hand.
"Yes it was, Road." Allen replied with a smile, "It's good that you had such a good time."
"It would have been better if she wasn't latched onto your arm like a lost child." Kanda said in an irritated tone.
They both turned to the Japanese male and saw that he was looking rather annoyed. Road smiled at him innocently, unaffected by the scowl he was giving her, "Now now Grumpy Samurai, there's no reason to be upset; there's plenty of Allen-kun for both of us."
The navy haired male grunted as he marched up to the pair and wrapped his arms around his lover's shoulders, "For the last time, the Moyashi belongs to me!"
"To us."
"To me!"
"To us."
"To me!"
"To us."
"To me!"
"To me."
"To us!"
Road grinned feigning innocence, "See, I told you."
Kanda stared flabbergasted at the young preteen as she continued to snuggle closer to Allen, "…What the hell just happened?"
Lavi walked up to him and said, "You just got hoodwinked by an 11 year old girl, right?"
"Shut up, baka usagi!" the navy haired male yelled in anger causing the other to flinch in fear.
Just then, the two males heard Tyki laughing at them, "I must say, it's never boring around you guys." Kanda che'ed as the red head slightly blushed as the Portuguese male continued, "I sure had a good time hanging out with you all."
"We did too," Allen began, "I'd hate for it to end."
"Well, it doesn't have to." Tyki suggested.
"What do you mean by that?" the Japanese male asked the other.
"As we were walking into the lobby, I noticed a flier on the bulletin board say that the hotel is having a luau tonight. Why don't we all go to that?"
"That sounds like fun!" The blue haired girl looked up at Allen with hopeful eyes, "Are you going, Allen-kun?"
"I'd love to go that is, if it's okay with Yuu-kun and Lavi of course."
Kanda simply shrugged, "I don't really care for crowded gatherings, but if my Moyashi wants to go then I guess I can deal with it."
"Great," Tyki turned to the redhead and smiled, "you're coming too, right Lavi?"
"Well, I did want to experience Hawaiian culture while I was here." The emerald eyed male nodded, "Sure, I'll go."
"Okay then we're in; what time is the luau, Tyki?" the white haired male asked.
"According to the flier, it begins at 8:00 pm." the indigo eyed male replied as he walked up to his niece. "Well, let's go Road so we can give them time to relax before the luau."
"Aw-w-w," the eleven year old girl whined, "I wanna stay with Allen-kun some more!"
"Don't worry Road, we'll see each other in a few hours." the silver eyed male said with a sincere smile.
"Okay, but I get to sit next to you, right?"
"No." Kanda bluntly replied in an irritated tone.
"Of course you can, Road." Allen retorted which made the young girl cheer and his lover groan heavily.
The indigo eyed girl took her uncle's hand in hers. As they were heading to the elevator, she waved at the three men, "See you guys, tonight!"
Allen and Lavi waved back to the girl while Kanda rolled his eyes. As soon as they were gone, the redhead turned to Allen and grinned, "Whoo Allen, that kid's got it bad for you. Tell me, what's your secret?"
The white haired male laughed nervously, "I dunno, maybe natural charm. It's kind of cute that she has a little crush on me; she's a sweet girl."
"Hmph, too sweet, if you ask me." the navy haired male abruptly added.
"Aw, is little Yuu jealous that a little girl is hogging his Moyashi all to herself?" Lavi asked in a cute, teasing tone with a smile to match.
Kanda glared at the redhead as he grabbed him by the shirt, "One more wise crack out of you and you won't live to see tomorrow, baka usagi!"
"Careful Kanda, you're jealousy is showing."
The Japanese male's lips formed a threatening smirk, "You're really asking me to kill you, are you?!"
"Now, now Kanda," Allen said trying to console his lover, "we do not threaten and or kill our friends."
"Che, fine!" The navy haired male released Lavi and took his Moyashi by the wrist, guiding him towards the elevators, "We're leaving, Moyashi."
"Okay Yuu-kun." Allen gave his friend a quick wave good-bye over his shoulder, "See you tonight, Lavi!"
The emerald eyed male shook his head with a grin before he ventured towards the elevators. While he was standing in the elevator waiting to get to his floor, he began replaying the day's events in his head. That outing with his friends, Road, and Tyki was rather enjoyable. It was the most fun that he had in a long time. As soon as the elevator reached his floor, it stopped moving and its doors slid open. Lavi walked out of the elevator opening and began walking down the hall. Once he arrived at his room door, he slid his card key through the slot and turned the knob. When he stepped into his room, he closed the door behind him and went over to plop down in his bed.
As he lay there, the redhead began to think about Tyki for some reason. All day long, Lavi has been acting weird around the ebony haired man. Whenever Tyki smiled at him, got close to him, or talked to him in that charming, sultry tone, he could feel his face heat up and turn red. He even acted shy around the guy as well. 'Maybe I am starting to feel something for him.' Lavi sighed heavily, 'Man, I'm starting to feel like a love sick girl.'
As soon as 8 p.m. rolled around, the hotel was in a state of hustle and bustle. The guests gathered in the hotel's courtyard for the annual luau event. There were tall and lit tiki torches made from bamboo sticks set up around the courtyard. The seats and tables were set up in the middle of the courtyard facing the decorative stage set up before them. On each side of the state, there were loud speakers made to look like Tikis. On the back of the stage, there was a backdrop with an image of Hawaii's beach during the daytime and tiki torches set up on each side of it with tropical flowers wrapped around them.
While the guests were getting seated or going to the bar to get their dinner, there was a man on stage singing Hawaiian tunes into a microphone while tropical music played in the background. There were female hula dancers dancing behind him wearing floral printed strapless tops that stopped at their navels, grass skirts that went to their mid thighs, wearing pink or purple leis in their hair, around their necks, and floral bracelets and anklets. The dancers swayed their hips and waved their arms to the pleasant rhythm of the music.
Allen, Lavi, and Kanda arrived together and stared in awe at the decorations, entertainment, and lively atmosphere. "Wow, now this is quite a turn out." Lavi said.
"It sure is; it looks like everyone is here." Allen added, "Now let's find some seats."
With that said, the three males searched and found an empty table that was placed two tables from the stage. The three sat down and took in the sights around them. "This is amazing," the redhead began with a smile, "I've always wanted to go a luau."
"And the food smells delicious." Allen added with a drip of drool falling from the side of his mouth and a hungry look in his eyes, "I can't wait to dig in!"
"Forget it Moyashi, you're not going to eat the entire bar." Kanda said immediately.
"I'm not gonna…I wasn't going to eat the entire bar."
"That's what you said this morning when you nearly devoured the entire breakfast bar."
Lavi chuckled at his friend's misfortune as the other puffed his cheeks while pouting cutely at him. "Well I'm going to take a look around; I'll be right back."
"Okay Lavi." Allen replied as his friend left the table to check out the rest of courtyard.
Just then the silver eyed teen noticed Tyki and Road entering the courtyard. "Hey Yuu-kun, there's Tyki and Road."
Kanda looked up and saw them as well and groaned, "Great, that brat is with him."
"Oh come on Kanda, she's a good girl."
"Yeah sure, when she isn't hanging all over you." Allen simply chuckled at his lover receiving an annoyed look from him, "And what exactly is so funny?"
"You're just so cute when you're jealous, Yuu-kun."
"Again I say I am not jealous!"
"Okay, okay," Allen said holding up his hands in defense, "I get it."
"Che; whatever." the Japanese male replied as he turned his head to the side."
At that moment, he felt his Moyashi kiss his cheek and say sweetly, "You know that you'll always be my number one right, Yuu-kun?"
Kanda sighed, "Yeah I know."
"So you have nothing to worry about. I'm sure that Road knows that we're dating, but she's grown to like me so you have to deal it."
The navy haired male groaned heavily, "Moyashi…"
"Please Kanda just try, for me?" the white haired male begged with his famous puppy dog face.
"Che; fine, but I won't like it."
"Thanks Yuu-kun."
At that moment, the couple heard a voice greet them, "Hello Allen, Kanda."
They both looked up and saw Tyki and Road standing before them. Allen smiled, "Hey Tyki, hey Road."
"Allen-kun!" Road said happily as she rushed to hug him making the Japanese male growl in annoyance, gritting his teeth.
Tyki chuckled at his niece as he turned to Allen, "Oh Allen, Road can't get enough of you."
"Can you blame me Tyki-pon, he's so cute!" the indigo eyed girl said as she snuggled closer to him making the silver eyed male laugh nervously.
"AHEM?!" The two turned and saw Kanda looking really pissed off and jealous at the moment.
"Now, now, Yuu-kun," Allen said trying to console his lover's jealous rage, "not in front of the children."
"No promises, Moyashi."
"So," the Portuguese male spoke up trying to change the subject, "where's Lavi?"
"Oh he went to go take a look around." Allen answered. Then a sly smile arose on the white haired male's face, "So Tyki, how's it going with Lavi?"
"Alright I guess; he seems to be quite flustered when he's around me though. I wish I knew why he doesn't want to open up to me; I really like him."
"Give it some time, Tyki; I'm sure Lavi will warm up to you soon."
"I really hope so."
"Don't you worry it will, I mean that's the reason you're here after all."
"What?!" They all turned around and saw Lavi standing behind them looking both shocked and angry.
"Oh, this can't be good." Kanda muttered to himself as Road went to her uncle's side, sensing that the atmosphere around them had changed for the worse.
Allen immediately rose from his chair frantic, "Now Lavi, I-I-I can explain!"
"So you did ask him to come here. I can't believe you went behind my back and did this!" the redhead said angrily.
"Lavi, listen to me; I only did this because…"
"I don't care why you did it. I told you that I didn't want to date anyone and you completely disregarded my feelings. I thought you were my friend, Allen."
"Lavi!" Allen said with distraught that the redhead would ever say that.
"Hey usagi, you don't need to go that far." Kanda said defending his lover.
"And you Kanda; I can understand Allen doing something this crazy, but you going along with it?!"
"Alright I'll admit that it was a crazy idea, but Moyashi had good intentions."
"But he still disregarded my feelings and did it anyway and you guys lied to my face about it too." the emerald eyed male added in a heated tone.
"You know what usagi, your stubbornness is really getting on my last nerve." the Japanese male retorted.
"I'm stubborn?!"
"Kanda, please don't."
"No Moyashi, he needs to hear this." Kanda turned to the redhead and continued, "That's exactly what I'm saying. You're so hung up over what that bastard did to you that you believe that every guy you meet will hurt you like he did. So when Allen finds someone that could treat you well, you don't even give him a chance even though it's painfully obvious that he likes you."
"So what are you saying Kanda; that I'm the one at fault here?"
"That's right, so before you come down on my Moyashi and start questioning our friendship, maybe you need to get your issues straight first."
Lavi couldn't believe what the other was saying to him. He was so upset about this situation, but he still had this nagging feeling that he knew Kanda was right. At that moment, he hears Allen trying to plead with him, "Please understand Lavi; I just want you to be happy. Don't let this ruin our friendship."
"You know what I can't deal with this right now. I have to get out of here." Lavi said as he storms back to the hotel.
"Lavi, wait!" the white haired male called out to his friend, but the other completely ignored him. He lowered his head in sadness as Kanda comforted him. "Come on Moyashi; let's head back to the room now." The navy haired male turned to Tyki and said, "We're sorry that you had to see that. We hate to leave, but we're going to head back to our room now."
"Oh no, it's alright; you guys go on ahead." the ebony haired male replied.
"Okay, we'll see you later." Kanda turned to Allen who looked like he was on the brink of tears. He placed his hand on the smaller's shoulder and guided him towards the hotel.
Once the couple left, Tyki felt his niece tug his shirt sleeve before asking in a concerned voice, "Tyki-pon, why is Lavi-kun mad at Allen-kun and the samurai?"
"I was wondering the same thing myself, Road."
"They seemed pretty upset about something; do you think we can do something to help them?"
The Portuguese male shook his head, "I think they need some time to themselves right now. Now why don't we get some food and enjoy the luau."
The blue haired girl shook her head, "All of sudden, I'm not in the luau mood."
"Okay then, let's go back to the suite and order room service."
"Alright, Tyki-pon." Road replied with a nod as she and her uncle headed towards the hotel.
"I still can't believe he did that!" Lavi said aloud to himself before taking a huge sip of his alcoholic beverage. He was currently sitting in the hotel's bar sitting at the bar table looking peeved and slightly tipsy.
"Wow you must be really upset, Hun." The redhead looked up and saw a female bartender smiling at him while cleaning a beer mug with a blue dish towel. She had long, curly brown hair with a red tropical flower in it. She was wearing a white shirt with sleeves that were elbow length, with a black formfitting vest over it while her bottom half was covered by the bar table. "I can lend an ear if you would like to talk about it."
"Um, no offense, but I'm not big on talking about my personal problems with strangers."
"Hey, just because I'm paid to make the drinks doesn't mean I'm paid to listen. You should see the amount of people who come in and talk to me about their situations."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah, Hun; I've heard every little thing under the sun so don't worry. What happens at the bar stays at the bar."
Lavi pondered on the thought and asked, "You sure?"
The bartender nodded with a reassuring smile as she made an invisible x across her chest, "Cross my heart."
The emerald eyed male nodded as he began his story, "Okay, I should start from the beginning…"
Kanda came out of the bathroom after he drew the bath. When he came out, he saw that Allen was sitting on the bed with his head resting in between his knees, looking really upset. The navy haired male when over to him and sat beside him on the bed, "Moyashi, are you okay?"
The white haired male lifted his head, with his silver eyes looking quite teary. He wiped his eyes and cheeks of stray tears. "Kanda, you were right, I never should I had done that, and now Lavi hates me."
"Moyashi that usagi made be upset with you, but he doesn't hate you."
Allen sniffed as he rested his chin on top of his knees, "Yes he does; this was a crazy idea."
"Yes it was, but you're heart was in the right place. You just wanted Lavi to finally get over that bastard and be happy with someone who really likes him. Just give the usagi some time; he'll come to understand."
"You really think so?"
Kanda nodded, "Yeah and if that doesn't work, I'll just beat some understanding into him."
The silver eyed male stared blankly at his lover for a brief second. "Um, that won't be necessary, but thanks Yuu-kun."
"No problem," the navy haired male placed a chaste kiss against his lover's forehead, "now why don't we take a bath and order some room service."
Allen's cheeks grew bright red, "Yuu-kun, you want to take a bath together; I never knew you were so kinky."
"Why not, the bathtub is big enough to fit the both of us and besides that kid hogged you all day," Kanda smirked lovingly as he leaned in close to his Moyashi's ear and whispered huskily, "now it's my turn."
The white haired male shivered with delight at his lover's words. "O-O-Okay…" he stammered cutely as his lover took his hand and guided him towards the bathroom.
(At the hotel's bar…)
"So that's why I look so depressed." Lavi concluded before lifting his glass to his lips and taking a long sip of his beverage.
"I see; well I hate to break it to you Hun, but maybe you are being a little too stubborn about the situation." the long haired barkeep said.
The redhead groaned heavily as he rested his head in the palm of his hand. "I figured you'd say that. Damn it; if that bastard had never entered my life, I wouldn't be going through all this grief!" At that moment, Lavi realized what he just said then gave a small chuckle, "Listen to myself; Kanda was right, I am using that bastard as a crutch. I am so pathetic."
"No need to be so hard on yourself, Hun." the female bartender said trying to comfort the redhead.
Lavi shook his head, "I know you're just being nice, but it's true. I'm so angry over what happened to me, that I took it out on the two people that were just looking out for me and the one person that might truly love me."
"Listen Hun, it may see bleak now, but when it comes to love and forgiveness it's never too late."
"I guess you're right, but right now," the emerald eyed male took another long sip of his drink, "I just don't know."
(At the lobby's front desk…)
"I'm sorry, Mr. Mikk, but Mr. Bookman isn't answering his phone; I'll assume that he is not in his room at the moment." the receptionist told the Portuguese male once she hung up the receiver.
"I see; thank you for trying, miss." Tyki replied.
"You're quite welcome; you have a good night sir."
"You do the same." the tanned male replied before walking away from the front desk. 'I don't understand it; if he's not answering his cell and he's not in his room, then where is he? I just hope he's okay.' Tyki sighed heavily as he ran his fingers through his ebony hair, "It's times like this that I could use a drink."
At that moment, Tyki noticed the entrance to the hotel's bar. He walks towards said entrance and stepped in. As he walks up to the bar table, he was greeted by a female voice, "Well, aren't you a hottie."
His indigo eyes looked up and saw the female bartender staring at him with an adoring look on her face. "Why thank you." Tyki replies.
"So what can I get for you, tonight?"
"Nothing at the moment, but thanks anyway. I'm actually looking for someone and I was wondering if you had seen him."
The barkeep looked over at her previous customer then back at her present one, "What does he look like, Hun?"
"Well, he's a little shorter than me, he has short red hair, and…"
"Emerald eyes and light colored skin?"
"That's exactly right; have you seen him?"
"Actually, he's sitting down there." the female bartender replied while pointing to her right.
Tyki looked down the bar and saw his crush sitting on a stool with his head down on the bar's surface. He rushed over to Lavi's side as the barkeep followed after him from behind the bar. Once he was at the redhead's side, the ebony haired male placed his hand on the smaller's shoulder, shaking him gently. "Lavi, are you alright; Lavi?" he asked with concern.
He watched as Lavi slowly raised his head from off the bar. The smaller turned his head to him and he looked really dazed and tipsy. He had a slight blush running across his face, as his lips formed a drunken smile, "Well, if it isn't the famous Tyki Mikk; waz up?!"
The Portuguese male could smell the alcohol in the redhead's breath. "Lavi what did you do, bathe in alcohol?" he asked.
"Ha-ha, I 'ever knew businessmen had a sense of humor." the drunken male replied in a slurred tone.
"The poor guy was really upset that he drank himself stupid. I tried to get him to let up on the amount of alcohol he was drinking, but you can see how that turned out." the barkeep explained.
"I see." The ebony haired male reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it and pulled out some money and placed it on the table. "This should cover his bill and keep the change as your tip." After he put his wallet back into his pocket, Tyki took Lavi's arm and wrapped it over the top of his shoulders and wrapped his free arm around the other's slim waist to help him stand. "Alright Lavi, I think you've had enough to drink for one night; it's time to go."
"I idn't even drink that much." the redhead retorted in a high yet tipsy voice looking really woozy.
The tanned male turned to the female bartender and said, "Thank you for looking after him, but I'll take it from here. Have a good night." With that being said, Tyki guided Lavi out of the bar towards the lobby.
The barkeep smiled at the two males as they left the bar. "Wow, if that's the guy that he was telling me about, then he must have some really good friends." At that moment, she took a closer look at how much money Tyki left on the bar's surface which happened to be a $100 bill. "I guess what they say it's true; it really does pay to listen." She picked up the money and headed towards the cashier, "Well, back to work."
To Be Continued…
A/N: Sorry for long wait, everyone! I've been busy with getting papers done, studying for midterms, and that stinking writer's block. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I also hope it was worth the wait. Stay tuned for next chapter and future fanfiction updates! Catcha' later, guys!