It's not that he's doing it on purpose, it's just that he's been so used to being self reliant that the idea of asking for help never really crosses his mind.

So when they finish collecting the Innocence encased in the tree rumored to be the source of the legendary "Leaf of Revival," Allen doesn't say a word, even when he still feels far too hot and cold at the same time. He just does his best to ignore it, secure in the fact that he'll be heading back to Headquarters and can at least disappear for the rest of the day, sleep it off, and be better by the morning.

Or so he hopes.

He falls asleep on the train, waking up once again to Lavi's special brand of facial graffiti and he would be more upset if he didn't know that he had no one to blame but himself. Fool him once, or so the expression goes.

Miraculously, even with the close proximity and a knack for observation, Lavi doesn't seem to notice his elevated temperature, or if he had, he hadn't bothered to point it out. So if he isn't concerned, then there's certainly no reason for Allen to be.

At least that's what he tells himself.

And keeps telling himself. Straight until the end of their trip back home, a constant mantra in the back of his mind any time he starts to feel too sick. It's not that bad, it'll be better by the morning. No reason to bug anyone with this.

But as things often do in his life, things get worse. He develops a tickle at the back of his throat, and forces himself to breathe slowly, trying to avoid the inevitable cough that's sure to follow as he leans wearily against the train window. The chill is pleasant but does little to distract him from the ache that's settling into his joints. He really just wants to go back to sleep right there and then, but the combination of his discomfort and the looming threat of Lavi's marker leave him unfortunately conscious. He settles for listlessly watching the scenery fly by on the other side of the glass, unaware of the stare of the elder Bookman from the opposite seat.

The combination of the motion of the train and mundane surroundings must lull him into a light doze, because the next thing he knows, Bookman is shaking him awake with an odd look on his face.

"It's time to disembark, young man."

Allen rubs the sleep from his eyes and nods, warily casting a glance at his reflection in the window, glad when his face appears untouched. It probably has something to do with the suspicious new welt Lavi is sporting, which he rubs at while cursing in Bookman's general direction the second he thinks the old man is out of earshot. He definitely miscalculates because in the next second Bookman is across the train car again, sending Lavi against the back door with a flying kick.

"Disrespectful upstart!" Bookman huffs and leaves him slumped on the ground as he grumbles to himself, hands folded neatly into his sleeves as he exits the car. If Allen had a little more energy he might find the whole thing amusing, but as is it, he ignores the whole fiasco and simply follows the elder's lead, spurred by the longing for his bed and maybe a hot cup of tea or cocoa.

Timcanpy decides to make an appearance once he reaches the platform, darting out of his open coat and settling on top of his head. He seems agitated, tail flicking like a cat's even as he snuggles down into his hair, and Allen smiles and gives him an affectionate pat.

Being that close for so long, he must know something is wrong, but Allen isn't one to get sick often, and most of the times he had, Tim had been with Cross and hadn't actually seen it himself. This is something new and worrying and he isn't quite sure what to do about it but stick by the boy's side.

Allen and Bookman don't wait for Lavi before grabbing their bags, knowing he'll be springing along soon as though nothing had happened, and sure enough he's right on their heels as they exit the station wrapping one arm around Allen's shoulders as soon as he's caught up.

What happens next is a quick chain reaction of un(fortunate) events.

Lavi knocks into Allen with enough force that it winds him, which sets off a coughing fit at the same time that Lavi registers just how much heat the teen is giving off through his clothes.

"Woah! Hey Allen!"

The redhead immediately pulls away, hands hovering over him in alarm as Allen doubles over with the force of his coughs, dropping his suitcase in the process. He can't seem to get a proper breath in, quickly growing dizzy and dropping to his knees as he tries to get it under control. There's a hand at his back, patting firmly between his shoulders, and it seems to help a bit as he manages to squeeze a few wheezing breaths in. He doesn't need to look to know it's Bookman.

Allen feels himself slumping to one side, dislodging Timcanpy who flies nervously overhead, and luckily Lavi is quick to catch him, holding him up by the shoulders and letting him rest against his side as the coughing subsides. Bookman walks around to stand in front of him placing one wrinkled hand against his forehead in silent appraisal. His face is neutral but there's a glint of something in his eyes when he speaks up, retracting his hand and tucking it back into his sleeves.

"And just how long has this been going on?"

"I-" Allen tries, but finds himself falling into another small coughing fit. Lavi sighs and rubs his back before taking over.

"A couple of days, but I thought he was over it. Got hit with a pretty nasty blizzard attack while we were looking for the Innocence, he was out for a bit afterwards and started getting a temperature not too long after he woke up."

Lavi pauses to cast Allen a disparaging glance,

"There's more to it than that but in the end he came out to help us and he seemed fine then."

Allen, who is leaning more heavily against Lavi at this point, manages to look sheepish, not quite making eye contact as he tries to defend himself.

"I didn't think it was that bad…" The statement ends with another cough, as if his body really wants to prove him wrong. Bookman levels him with a stern look.

"I am aware that past circumstances may have led you to believe that you can handle yourself, but even something small can become serious when left unattended. There is no weakness in asking for help, the greatest men in history did not get where they were on their own, I assure you."

"Which is the old man's way of saying that if you have a problem you can rely on us, no matter how unimportant you think it is. Now c'mon Beansprout, we've got a gondola to catch, and a bed to tuck you into!"

Lavi ruffles his hair, then threads an arm around his waist to help get him back to his feet, waiting patiently when Allen takes a little longer to rebalance himself. He really must be feeling miserable because he only mumbles "S'Allen…" before falling silent to concentrate on where he's stepping, though Lavi is taking most of his weight.

Bookman watches until Lavi gives him a cheerful thumbs up, nods and silently takes up Allen's fallen suitcase before heading out of the station. The second he looks away, his apprentice lets his grin falter, looking nervously down at Allen. It's easy to forget sometimes just how young he really is, his temperament and overall appearance lending to an air of someone far more world-wise than 15, but this close he can see the remnants of baby fat still clinging to his fever bright cheeks, and it makes his heart twist.

Lavi shifts his weight, feeling the heat of Allen's fever through his jacket, noting that he seems worse than he was just a few minutes earlier. He also notices the alarming sound of congestion in his lungs when he wheezes through another cough. Unfortunately there isn't much he can do besides getting him home, so he tightens his grip a little and pulls Allen's arm over his shoulders to keep him upright, then follows Bookman out and into the street with Timcanpy fluttering nervously behind.


A/N: My D.Gray Man hyperfixation rose from the grave after I pulled all of my manga out from storage and hit me with extreme vengeance. I am now caught up and started rewatching the anime (which really does not do the manga justice!!!!) anyways I just really needed a story where virtually everyone takes care of Allen and this is my excuse. Hopefully I'll have part two up in the next week or so.