[Fic] Unkind Consequences Chapter 1 pt.2 of 2
Nea smiled and stood, reaching out with his hand again until his fingertips rested against Allen's forehead, I think you need to sleep. But Allen didn't want to sleep. He attempted once more, but yet again his body refused to fight the chains that held him. He could only stare, helplessly as Nea stood, ruffling his hair in a similar way that Lavi had --before turning on his heels and walking away.
It only took a blink for the world to come undone, Allen realized. One blink and the Destroyer of Time --was gone. One blink for his arms to go numb, for snow to begin to fall. He stared up at the black sky and frowned. As far as the eye could see --black, black sky. No clouds. Just snow. He wasn't even cold, but he could see his breath.
He wanted to shiver, but he couldn't even do that much.
So he stared, counted the snow flakes and watched them float down around him. He couldn't even think much past a few sentences, but then he was in his own head...wasn't he? He should be able to do more, and yet he was pitifully trapped. Maybe that was Nea's way of telling him who was in control. But then maybe--maybe it wasn't. He pressed against the chains again, and groaned. They were very, very real and he was very, very stuck.
Stuck here wondering what Nea was doing. He couldn't even--feel anything that ha-ppened.
This wasn't--this couldn't be happening. He was stronger than this, wasn't he? He had to be. What if Nea--hurt them? What if he didn't keep his promise? Allen clenched his fist and pushed again--I want to wake up!--but it was futile. No one answered him, not even a faint chuckle. He was powerless and that--
That was overwhelming.
"Ugh," He tightened his fists and frowned. This outfit was still too big on him. It was Nea's--he knew it was. So why was he wearing it? Whose--whose fault was it that he--
That he...could smell smoke?
Allen's eyes widened and he stared up at the sky again. The snow was beginning to fall much more rapidly than before, piling at his feet before turning to a sickening gray ash. What....? Then he heard the thrumming, like a wire pulled tight and shaken by a pluck of a finger. It ran along his feet, surrounding him with soundless waves --until he heard the screaming. Low and shallow, then loud and violent and--he barely had time to suck in a breath before he felt it.
His left eye activated.
He keeled over, squeezing his eyes shut--trying to --
Your friends aren't very nice. He let out a gasp when he felt a hand on his head again, then on his cheek to his jaw, turning his face upward. He didn't need to guess to know who it was. He knew--
See? He wanted to smile, They want me back...not you.
"Yes but if it weren't for me stopping them then... Nea chuckled, and Allen's eyes widened even further, this time in shock.
You---You didn't--
They're still alive. Seems the Redhead knows more than he lets on.
Of course he does.
You on the other hand, are a little worse for wear. Allen tensed, gasping when the grip on his jaw became far--far too tight, I suppose I should let you go back now. Oh wait. You are back, aren't you?
Slowly, one by one the chains disappeared. First around his legs, then his arms, and finally his neck and shoulders.
You--
Hurry and wake up.
It only took a blink, Allen realized, for everything to turn. For normalcy to come back, and for him to save someone. In a blink of an eye a person can be lost--and saved. He shook the words away and blinked, blearily.
He was no longer the one sitting in the chair, with ash-like snow drifting around him. Instead he had the smell of burning wood, flesh, and a set of hacking, watery coughs in his ear.
He barely managed to lift a finger when his legs crumpled, the warm lick of flame hitting him almost instantly --he knew it was Lavi.
"Yuu wait!" And the voice, drowned out by footsteps, "Fuck, stop I think he's back!"
"How do you know?"
"Look at him will ya? He's not--"
"Not what?" Allen felt a blade pressed harsh against his shoulder coupled with the pain--the searing pain of -Innocence.
"Yuu, look at him--he's not a Noah anymore." But that blade never moved and Allen almost fancied a thought about what exactly he'd done ...when Nea was in control. What they thought he did. What--he swallowed and attempted to lift his head. Kanda looked livid. More than livid. He could feel blood coating his tongue but somehow it wasn't enough to make much of a difference. The blade never lowered.
“Prove it.”
What? Allen frowned, “How?” His voice was cracked but at least he thought he sounded like himself. The sword at his shoulder dropped, not quite all the way, but enough to see that maybe his words (word) and some affect. On second thought…why wasn’t the sword at his throat instead? Allen didn’t want to think of what that meant, only that he was glad. Kanda could have easily stabbed him -he could have easily been dead.
But he wasn’t.
“Tch I don’t know.” Kanda finally answered voice low. His eyes narrowed, traveling from his eye to the tattered uniform.
“Yuu…trust me I think it’s Allen.” Kanda shot him a look, Lavi shrugged. Allen noticed he looked a bit bloodier than usual. Lavi noticed him staring. “I was closest.” As if that explained everything, “Yuu-Yuu wasn’t.”
“Don’t- ” But the complaint fell short. Drastically short.
“Y’know I’m right.” Lavi moved forward-limping. Dried blood on his pants from cuts Allen couldn’t see, “All-en.” The sword was gone-Allen gasped and his knees gave out. The ground never felt that pleasant, really. Or at least he assumed, but-“See? You’re tired.” Lavi helped him up, one arm around his shoulder to maintain balance, “We gotta get back to the hotel.”
“It’s fucking /destroyed/ you idiot.”
“Well at least Link’s there. He said ‘e was watching the kids.”
The kids…?
“Tch, and what? We’re going to tell him what happened?”
“Naturally.” Allen stiffened, “Sorry Allen, but we gotta. This isn’t safe. If-” Allen didn’t bother to look at him when he paused, but he heard the hitch of breath well enough.
“Tch let me.” And suddenly he was being passed off, thrown up onto broad shoulders, “speaking of telling if you had a broken leg you should have fucking said so.”
“But where’s the fun in that, Yuu? I can still walk.”
“That’s not the-”
“Every time you do you should fucking say something-eh? Isn’t that a similar deal?” Allen could feel Kanda stiffen, muscles already tense with battle instinct drawn even tighter due to stress.
“That. Isn’t. The same.”
“I said it was similar, Yuu, not the same. Neh, Allen?” Allen shifted his head a little so that it was resting on Kanda’s shoulder, “Y’might wanna go ahead and sleep. Uhm…but…”
But?
“I guess…at least ask the Noah to introduce himself. That was kinda rude and all. Not to say what his name was…y’know?” Allen wanted to crack a smile, but he couldn’t. If he had his way then they would never need to see Nea again.
“D…on’t worry about..it.” He murmured, eyes drooping, “You…won’ have to…meet ‘im…again…”
“You sure?” Lavi sounded so sure.
“Tch you better hope not. I won’t go easy the next time.”
“And how many times does that make it now, Yuu? Jeez you’re a lot worse at this than I thought!”
“Because you think too fucking much!”
“Meanie.”
Kanda snorted. “Not my fault.”
“So is.” He felt Kanda trip over a loose piece of rubble and frowned. Hadn’t the whole city been destroyed? How had the inn been saved? If -Link really was still here and not somewhere safe then what would they tell him?
Allen coughed, miserably, into Kanda’s shoulder.
“Oi you better not get blood on-”
“S’not blood, Yuu.” Kanda sighed in relief, “But Allen…y’don’t look so good.” Understandably. Allen coughed again, “Maybe y’need to lie down when we get back?” Assuming there was a decent bed to take care of for both the saviors and destroyers of this village.
“Is the hotel even fucking there?” Allen wanted to laugh-always leave it to Kanda to point out the bloody obvious.
“Well we’ll just find out, won’t we?” Allen felt the distinct lurch yet again, as they set off, maneuvering around rubble -leaving Lavi behind (he only knew this because, well, Lavi was yelling at them to slow down--). He wasn’t quite sure how long they’d been walking for, but during that time-with the steady beats of Kanda’s footsteps against the ground, he felt himself doze off. No dreams, just pleasant blackness that came from fatigue. It was only when they started going uphill (up a crumbling set of stairs?) that he was jostled awake. He could hear Lavi laugh behind him, --half broken sentences of:
“…okay…?”
“…sure..?”
“…drop him…!”
“…won’t…”
Allen groaned a little, “Mngh…?” He wished he could hear more than one or two words. Unfortunately his wish wasn’t granted. He felt himself being set down to lean against something only slightly softer than the brick wall Kanda had pressed him to earlier, but it didn’t do much for his wakefulness. He could hear another voice, added with Kanda and Lavi’s. Had they been met halfway?
“…inside, okay?” Had he been more awake he could have sworn that was Link’s voice. He was being jostled again, --this time with Lavi’s yelp of--
“Yuu! …careful!” He felt a hand on his shoulder, “-sleeping, right?”
But -he wasn’t sleeping.
“…think I care? Ch,”
He felt Lavi’s voice, right by his ear, but so far away “…like him, right?”
There was silence for a moment, and Allen-was confused. What…? He struggled to keep his eyes open but they refused. Blatantly. Someone was laughing off in the distance, and he felt himself jostled a little more, this time being forced to lay down instead of lean. Not that he minded the difference, but he could feel a sticky sort of wetness as his back hit the covers. Then came another set of half sentences, this time a little less frantic:
“…wounds later…”
“Yuu, watch him.”
“Why the…should I?”
“…Because? We’ve been…Yuu…?”
“…..again…”
And again he couldn’t make sense of the words. It was frustrating in more ways than one and he--He wanted to sit up, tell them he was fine (or at the very least awake) but something was preventing that. Fear? Pain? What? But all he saw when he tried was the darkness behind his eyelids. But he didn’t want that. He tried to force his mouth open, but his lips felt glued, tongue heavy. Then Lavi spoke up, once more -in an almost teasing tone.
“Yuu’s a liar~”
“No!”
“…yelling?” Wait-was that-Lenalee? Or was that just a nurse? He couldn’t tell the difference. Because-wasn’t Lenalee supposed to be at the Order?
“Nothing!” Lavi again, louder this time.
“Che.”
And then again, Lavi’s voice-echoing somewhere above him, soft, “You’ll watch him….to be decided…?”
“….off…” Allen felt an extra blanket being added. Had he been shivering? He frowned, shifting-or trying to. His body wouldn’t move.
“…down, Yuu…not what….something, y’know?”
“…Just go.”
Allen heard the sound of a door creaking shut, and the sound of a chair being moved across the floor. He heard Kanda sigh in the next minute, muttering, “Stupid.” Before he too, went quiet.
All around him-quiet. He didn’t like it. Not one bit. If he stayed quiet-immobile-for too long then-what about Nea? He heard a distant chuckling in the back of his mind in answer, but he forced it to remain just that. Forced, but even he knew right now only a weak comparison would do. Weak and horrifying and -he wanted to gag.
Dammit. He heard the chair creak, then suddenly a cool hand on his forehead-what, what, what?
“Tch…nightmare….asleep?” Another mutter. Hold on, eh? Allen struggled-he wanted that touch to stay there-it meant-it wasn’t--
It seems someone likes you.
Allen gasped at the soft voice. No, no, no!
You can’t stop someone from liking you.
The voice was getting louder now, That’s not what-
Nea laughed again, softly, in his ear, Really now?
He heard the chair scrapping, and footsteps, What did you do?
Another laugh, if Allen concentrated enough he could see the familiar constant grin of when Nea was nothing but a shadow.
Get out of my head! But it was futile. He knew it was.
No. The answer wasn’t very helpful. Don’t worry I won’t take control. Unfortunately that one with the sword…Kanda? Kanda Yuu? He doesn’t like me much. Allen tensed and, if he could have moved his mouth (or at the very least felt it) he would have frowned.
Can’t blame him.
Nea chuckled again. Then, softly, an unthreatening murmur. The voice was receding, You can’t see me can you?
….No?
A short, bitter laugh.
Then wake up.
--Waking up wasn’t exactly painless.
In fact, Allen would have rather woken up gracefully than to be shoved, rather violently, out of whatever paralysis Nea had (unintentionally?) caused. “Allen?” He felt a hand, grip at his shoulder, “Oi All-en! Hey, hey don’t scare us like that!” It was Lavi (he’d recognize the voice anywhere, even if it was slightly garbled -like he was hearing it through water) but-what? Why was he here? Hadn’t only Kanda been here a few minutes ago…? “All-en-wake up?”
Why was it a question? Allen tried to force his eyes open.
It didn’t work.
He tried again-“’Ey-Jiji I think something’s wrong-” He felt a pair of old hands touch his face and grimaced.
“Hnn…he’s awake.”
“Yeah well he isn’t moving gramps. That t’me basically means-”
“Shut up and get me fresh water.” Immediately Lavi shut up and Allen heard a pair of footsteps leave the room. The door never shut, but then it didn’t have to. A few seconds (minutes?) later and Lavi was back-“Put it down over there.”
“Righteo.”
“Now hand me a washcloth.”
“Sure thing!”
“Hmm…you brought the ointment too, didn’t you?”
“….Yeah, but that stuff smells nasty!”
“Do you think I care?”
“Eugh…well, hopefully Allen won’t bitch at me about it later.” And immediately-Allen could smell something strong and pungent, overriding whatever other medicine-like smells had been in the room. He heard the vague sound of gagging-
“If you’re going to be sick then get out.”
“But gramps-”
“They do not need to clean up after someone who is perfectly fine.”
“I have a broken leg?”
“But you are still walking…are you not?”
“Well yeah. I’ll be bitched at when we get back though.”
“Then you will be reprimanded then. You’re turning green. Leave.”
It took two seconds for Allen to hear the footsteps, and then the door slam shut. Two seconds more for something he’d-rather forget to be forced under his nose and-holy fucking Christ-What?!-
He gagged, eyes snapping wide open.
“Ah, there we go.” He would have sat up, but he doubted he’d get his body to move that quickly, under such a short (he thought?) amount of time, “I’ll assume you know why I’m here?”
Allen wheezed, willing himself to forget the horrifyingly pungent smell of-“What…what…was that?” He doubted every word came out clear and concise. Judging from Bookman’s face, they didn’t, but he seemed to understand.
“Wasabi.” He murmured, “Along with a few other…ingredients. Lavi hates it,” Can’t blame him, Allen’s eyes moved to the door as he tried to snort again, “but it’s very effective…as you can see. Look at me.” Allen’s eyes drifted back and Bookman’s eyes narrowed, “Regular eye movement, good. Blink once to say if your left eye hurts, twice if it’s fine.”
Allen blinked twice.
“Can you move any other…body part besides your head?”
Allen attempted. Failed. It felt like his arms were weighed down by lead. His legs-the consistency of jello. Only spasms told him what his will wanted them to do.
“I see.” Bookman sighed, gripping one of his hands in a death grip, feeling for a pulse, “Sluggish movements, spasms in the legs….it’s too soon to tell, you’ll need proper rest…somewhere other than a half-caving in hotel room.” He turned his head upward, “I’m surprised this place is still intact.” Allen knew those words weren’t meant for him to comment on. Like he could (apparently).
Suddenly Bookman stood, “I’ll leave you to rest then. You’re coherent enough. Now I must go find Lavi, lest I find him…emptying his stomach somewhere less…pleasing.” And then just like that he turned, footsteps light against the dingy carpeted floor. Allen almost wondered if he should have tried to say something-but what? Bookman wasn’t the easiest to talk to, with cold comfort and watching eyes. Allen half wondered how Lavi could stand it.
But then he must have been dealing with that his whole life. Allen sighed, turning his head to the ceiling and still willing the horrendous smell to go away. It seemed pointless to sleep now that he’d been so brutally woken up, and he didn’t want to risk…what might…happen…if he did. So-he simply settled with staring at the blotched water stains in the corner, eyes narrowing to try and find shapes.
It wasn’t until his eyes opened again that he realized he’d fallen asleep. It was dark out, or maybe just early (it had been nearly sunset when the Akuma first attacked. They weren’t usually ones for broad daylight attacks, but this apparently was some sort of different. He’d have to ask Lavi if he got the Innocence-why hadn’t that been the first thing he asked? Oh wait. Because he’d nearly been stabbed again-by Kanda.) Allen shifted his gaze to his right, towards the door where he could see Lavi propped up against the wall-a thick bandage adorning his leg. So he finally got that taken care of, Allen’s lips twitched to a smile, and he was almost glad he had the feeling back in his face enough to do so.
There was a grunt, and then a shift of cloth and Allen’s eyes darted to another (darker) corner of the room. There was Kanda, too, leaning against the wall, with Lenalee leaning against his shoulder. So she is here. He shouldn’t be surprised, but he was. He’d have to ask later, why she was here, but for now she looked content to be sleeping, nestled against Kanda in a way that Allen was sure would irritate him…had he actually been awake.
The picture was still endearing, though, even though he was sure Kanda had been dragged here.
He couldn’t have been worried, after all. No. That wasn’t like Kanda at all-but bits of conversation (the only bits he’d heard) still flitted around the forefront of his mind.
He likes you. Allen frowned.
But he can’t. He told himself, fingers twitching, aching to grip at-something. The covers? He wasn’t sure, but the need was there, He’s Kanda and-He’s had far too much shit happen. Far too much. Allen took a steady breath, it can’t be in that way. Lavi was just teasing.
He didn’t know why, but he didn’t quite believe it.
That thought hurt more than it should.
Dammit.
Another shift of movement, from Lavi, had Allen sent nearly to a panic. It was only when his voice, low and sleep ridden, murmured, “….You awake, Sprout?” That he calmed, frowning at his immediate reaction and forcing it down. Lavi shifted again, Allen could see the moonlight shine oddly against his pale skin, telling him that maybe there had been more roof damage than he thought. Lavi tried to smile, “Good t’see Jiji’s…method…worked. Y’were out like a light when he finally found me.” Lavi stood, slowly, mindful of his wounded leg, and moved toward the bed, “Not that ‘e was too happy t’find me dumpin’ my innards in a rain bucket but…” He trailed off, patting his hurt leg, “They finally found me too. Wrapped this bad boy up, though s’nowhere near perfect.” He sat down at the edge, watchful of where Allen’s unmoving legs were, and being careful to not, well, sit on them.
Allen was grateful. Allen wanted to laugh. But he didn’t, because Lenalee was still sleeping, even if Kanda looked like he was fighting against whatever dream he’d been forced into.
“Took a while for ‘em t’sleep. Think it’s cuz painkiller’s dun exactly work, with Yuu.” Lavi murmured, eye trailing over to where Kanda and Lenalee were resting, “…Bet’cha you’re wonderin’ why she’s here, right?”
Allen nodded. At least he could do that much now.
“Obligation, methinks.” Lavi leaned back to stare at the ceiling, Allen stared. “Or at least-she thinks. Anyway. To you, I mean.” Lavi turned back to face him-smiling goofily, plastically-seriously-“Lotsa people like you, Allen. Even Link does. It’s why he isn’t here.” He trusts us enough to watch you.
It’s something he could easily get in trouble for. Allen’s face fell a little. Right. Because no matter the worry-no matter the good will that others had towards him and likewise, he was still being watched. His fingers twitched again. Lavi saw the movement.
“S’frustratin’ isn’t it?” Allen jolted when Lavi’s hand brushed his own, “Not much y’can do about it though. What will be, will be. Y’just gotta keep trudgin’ forward to get to the next spot. You get?”
Allen nodded. More than.
Lavi smiled again, “Good. Now go back t’sleep. If y’need t’we managed to scrounge around for some sleepin’ pills, so y’can have something t’make it easier?” Lavi motioned to the glass half full of water, and the small white tablets resting on the napkin next to it.
Allen shook his head. No thanks. He’d rather not tempt fate in any way possible. He could sleep just fine.
“Thought you’d say that.” Lavi sounded almost wistful, “Wish I’d need them once in a while too, but when y’got nothin’ t’look forward to when you close your eyes then what’s the point in the end?” He shifted to stand, giving Allen’s hand a squeeze before dropping it and hobbling back over to the chair.
Before he could reach it, though, he turned back, smiling once more -brighter, “But y’know t’morrow’s a new day. We’ll be headin’ back to the Order in the mornin’ so you’ll be up early. That meanin’-a few hours.” He cocked his head to the side, “So y’might as well use ‘em to sleep.” He situated himself back on his chair, propping his leg just so on the smaller stool and sighing, “G’night Moyashi. Sweet dreams.”
For once Allen wouldn’t complain about the nickname. For once he felt not need to.
And really? Sleep sounded good. But…he could stand to stare at that water spot a few more seconds, right? No one could blame him for that. When the only thing he could control anymore was when he would wake, and when he would sleep.
Suddenly that water spot was the best thing in the world. How silly was that?
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END PART 1
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It only took a blink for the world to come undone, Allen realized. One blink and the Destroyer of Time --was gone. One blink for his arms to go numb, for snow to begin to fall. He stared up at the black sky and frowned. As far as the eye could see --black, black sky. No clouds. Just snow. He wasn't even cold, but he could see his breath.
He wanted to shiver, but he couldn't even do that much.
So he stared, counted the snow flakes and watched them float down around him. He couldn't even think much past a few sentences, but then he was in his own head...wasn't he? He should be able to do more, and yet he was pitifully trapped. Maybe that was Nea's way of telling him who was in control. But then maybe--maybe it wasn't. He pressed against the chains again, and groaned. They were very, very real and he was very, very stuck.
Stuck here wondering what Nea was doing. He couldn't even--feel anything that ha-ppened.
This wasn't--this couldn't be happening. He was stronger than this, wasn't he? He had to be. What if Nea--hurt them? What if he didn't keep his promise? Allen clenched his fist and pushed again--I want to wake up!--but it was futile. No one answered him, not even a faint chuckle. He was powerless and that--
That was overwhelming.
"Ugh," He tightened his fists and frowned. This outfit was still too big on him. It was Nea's--he knew it was. So why was he wearing it? Whose--whose fault was it that he--
That he...could smell smoke?
Allen's eyes widened and he stared up at the sky again. The snow was beginning to fall much more rapidly than before, piling at his feet before turning to a sickening gray ash. What....? Then he heard the thrumming, like a wire pulled tight and shaken by a pluck of a finger. It ran along his feet, surrounding him with soundless waves --until he heard the screaming. Low and shallow, then loud and violent and--he barely had time to suck in a breath before he felt it.
His left eye activated.
He keeled over, squeezing his eyes shut--trying to --
Your friends aren't very nice. He let out a gasp when he felt a hand on his head again, then on his cheek to his jaw, turning his face upward. He didn't need to guess to know who it was. He knew--
See? He wanted to smile, They want me back...not you.
"Yes but if it weren't for me stopping them then... Nea chuckled, and Allen's eyes widened even further, this time in shock.
You---You didn't--
They're still alive. Seems the Redhead knows more than he lets on.
Of course he does.
You on the other hand, are a little worse for wear. Allen tensed, gasping when the grip on his jaw became far--far too tight, I suppose I should let you go back now. Oh wait. You are back, aren't you?
Slowly, one by one the chains disappeared. First around his legs, then his arms, and finally his neck and shoulders.
You--
Hurry and wake up.
It only took a blink, Allen realized, for everything to turn. For normalcy to come back, and for him to save someone. In a blink of an eye a person can be lost--and saved. He shook the words away and blinked, blearily.
He was no longer the one sitting in the chair, with ash-like snow drifting around him. Instead he had the smell of burning wood, flesh, and a set of hacking, watery coughs in his ear.
He barely managed to lift a finger when his legs crumpled, the warm lick of flame hitting him almost instantly --he knew it was Lavi.
"Yuu wait!" And the voice, drowned out by footsteps, "Fuck, stop I think he's back!"
"How do you know?"
"Look at him will ya? He's not--"
"Not what?" Allen felt a blade pressed harsh against his shoulder coupled with the pain--the searing pain of -Innocence.
"Yuu, look at him--he's not a Noah anymore." But that blade never moved and Allen almost fancied a thought about what exactly he'd done ...when Nea was in control. What they thought he did. What--he swallowed and attempted to lift his head. Kanda looked livid. More than livid. He could feel blood coating his tongue but somehow it wasn't enough to make much of a difference. The blade never lowered.
“Prove it.”
What? Allen frowned, “How?” His voice was cracked but at least he thought he sounded like himself. The sword at his shoulder dropped, not quite all the way, but enough to see that maybe his words (word) and some affect. On second thought…why wasn’t the sword at his throat instead? Allen didn’t want to think of what that meant, only that he was glad. Kanda could have easily stabbed him -he could have easily been dead.
But he wasn’t.
“Tch I don’t know.” Kanda finally answered voice low. His eyes narrowed, traveling from his eye to the tattered uniform.
“Yuu…trust me I think it’s Allen.” Kanda shot him a look, Lavi shrugged. Allen noticed he looked a bit bloodier than usual. Lavi noticed him staring. “I was closest.” As if that explained everything, “Yuu-Yuu wasn’t.”
“Don’t- ” But the complaint fell short. Drastically short.
“Y’know I’m right.” Lavi moved forward-limping. Dried blood on his pants from cuts Allen couldn’t see, “All-en.” The sword was gone-Allen gasped and his knees gave out. The ground never felt that pleasant, really. Or at least he assumed, but-“See? You’re tired.” Lavi helped him up, one arm around his shoulder to maintain balance, “We gotta get back to the hotel.”
“It’s fucking /destroyed/ you idiot.”
“Well at least Link’s there. He said ‘e was watching the kids.”
The kids…?
“Tch, and what? We’re going to tell him what happened?”
“Naturally.” Allen stiffened, “Sorry Allen, but we gotta. This isn’t safe. If-” Allen didn’t bother to look at him when he paused, but he heard the hitch of breath well enough.
“Tch let me.” And suddenly he was being passed off, thrown up onto broad shoulders, “speaking of telling if you had a broken leg you should have fucking said so.”
“But where’s the fun in that, Yuu? I can still walk.”
“That’s not the-”
“Every time you do you should fucking say something-eh? Isn’t that a similar deal?” Allen could feel Kanda stiffen, muscles already tense with battle instinct drawn even tighter due to stress.
“That. Isn’t. The same.”
“I said it was similar, Yuu, not the same. Neh, Allen?” Allen shifted his head a little so that it was resting on Kanda’s shoulder, “Y’might wanna go ahead and sleep. Uhm…but…”
But?
“I guess…at least ask the Noah to introduce himself. That was kinda rude and all. Not to say what his name was…y’know?” Allen wanted to crack a smile, but he couldn’t. If he had his way then they would never need to see Nea again.
“D…on’t worry about..it.” He murmured, eyes drooping, “You…won’ have to…meet ‘im…again…”
“You sure?” Lavi sounded so sure.
“Tch you better hope not. I won’t go easy the next time.”
“And how many times does that make it now, Yuu? Jeez you’re a lot worse at this than I thought!”
“Because you think too fucking much!”
“Meanie.”
Kanda snorted. “Not my fault.”
“So is.” He felt Kanda trip over a loose piece of rubble and frowned. Hadn’t the whole city been destroyed? How had the inn been saved? If -Link really was still here and not somewhere safe then what would they tell him?
Allen coughed, miserably, into Kanda’s shoulder.
“Oi you better not get blood on-”
“S’not blood, Yuu.” Kanda sighed in relief, “But Allen…y’don’t look so good.” Understandably. Allen coughed again, “Maybe y’need to lie down when we get back?” Assuming there was a decent bed to take care of for both the saviors and destroyers of this village.
“Is the hotel even fucking there?” Allen wanted to laugh-always leave it to Kanda to point out the bloody obvious.
“Well we’ll just find out, won’t we?” Allen felt the distinct lurch yet again, as they set off, maneuvering around rubble -leaving Lavi behind (he only knew this because, well, Lavi was yelling at them to slow down--). He wasn’t quite sure how long they’d been walking for, but during that time-with the steady beats of Kanda’s footsteps against the ground, he felt himself doze off. No dreams, just pleasant blackness that came from fatigue. It was only when they started going uphill (up a crumbling set of stairs?) that he was jostled awake. He could hear Lavi laugh behind him, --half broken sentences of:
“…okay…?”
“…sure..?”
“…drop him…!”
“…won’t…”
Allen groaned a little, “Mngh…?” He wished he could hear more than one or two words. Unfortunately his wish wasn’t granted. He felt himself being set down to lean against something only slightly softer than the brick wall Kanda had pressed him to earlier, but it didn’t do much for his wakefulness. He could hear another voice, added with Kanda and Lavi’s. Had they been met halfway?
“…inside, okay?” Had he been more awake he could have sworn that was Link’s voice. He was being jostled again, --this time with Lavi’s yelp of--
“Yuu! …careful!” He felt a hand on his shoulder, “-sleeping, right?”
But -he wasn’t sleeping.
“…think I care? Ch,”
He felt Lavi’s voice, right by his ear, but so far away “…like him, right?”
There was silence for a moment, and Allen-was confused. What…? He struggled to keep his eyes open but they refused. Blatantly. Someone was laughing off in the distance, and he felt himself jostled a little more, this time being forced to lay down instead of lean. Not that he minded the difference, but he could feel a sticky sort of wetness as his back hit the covers. Then came another set of half sentences, this time a little less frantic:
“…wounds later…”
“Yuu, watch him.”
“Why the…should I?”
“…Because? We’ve been…Yuu…?”
“…..again…”
And again he couldn’t make sense of the words. It was frustrating in more ways than one and he--He wanted to sit up, tell them he was fine (or at the very least awake) but something was preventing that. Fear? Pain? What? But all he saw when he tried was the darkness behind his eyelids. But he didn’t want that. He tried to force his mouth open, but his lips felt glued, tongue heavy. Then Lavi spoke up, once more -in an almost teasing tone.
“Yuu’s a liar~”
“No!”
“…yelling?” Wait-was that-Lenalee? Or was that just a nurse? He couldn’t tell the difference. Because-wasn’t Lenalee supposed to be at the Order?
“Nothing!” Lavi again, louder this time.
“Che.”
And then again, Lavi’s voice-echoing somewhere above him, soft, “You’ll watch him….to be decided…?”
“….off…” Allen felt an extra blanket being added. Had he been shivering? He frowned, shifting-or trying to. His body wouldn’t move.
“…down, Yuu…not what….something, y’know?”
“…Just go.”
Allen heard the sound of a door creaking shut, and the sound of a chair being moved across the floor. He heard Kanda sigh in the next minute, muttering, “Stupid.” Before he too, went quiet.
All around him-quiet. He didn’t like it. Not one bit. If he stayed quiet-immobile-for too long then-what about Nea? He heard a distant chuckling in the back of his mind in answer, but he forced it to remain just that. Forced, but even he knew right now only a weak comparison would do. Weak and horrifying and -he wanted to gag.
Dammit. He heard the chair creak, then suddenly a cool hand on his forehead-what, what, what?
“Tch…nightmare….asleep?” Another mutter. Hold on, eh? Allen struggled-he wanted that touch to stay there-it meant-it wasn’t--
It seems someone likes you.
Allen gasped at the soft voice. No, no, no!
You can’t stop someone from liking you.
The voice was getting louder now, That’s not what-
Nea laughed again, softly, in his ear, Really now?
He heard the chair scrapping, and footsteps, What did you do?
Another laugh, if Allen concentrated enough he could see the familiar constant grin of when Nea was nothing but a shadow.
Get out of my head! But it was futile. He knew it was.
No. The answer wasn’t very helpful. Don’t worry I won’t take control. Unfortunately that one with the sword…Kanda? Kanda Yuu? He doesn’t like me much. Allen tensed and, if he could have moved his mouth (or at the very least felt it) he would have frowned.
Can’t blame him.
Nea chuckled again. Then, softly, an unthreatening murmur. The voice was receding, You can’t see me can you?
….No?
A short, bitter laugh.
Then wake up.
--Waking up wasn’t exactly painless.
In fact, Allen would have rather woken up gracefully than to be shoved, rather violently, out of whatever paralysis Nea had (unintentionally?) caused. “Allen?” He felt a hand, grip at his shoulder, “Oi All-en! Hey, hey don’t scare us like that!” It was Lavi (he’d recognize the voice anywhere, even if it was slightly garbled -like he was hearing it through water) but-what? Why was he here? Hadn’t only Kanda been here a few minutes ago…? “All-en-wake up?”
Why was it a question? Allen tried to force his eyes open.
It didn’t work.
He tried again-“’Ey-Jiji I think something’s wrong-” He felt a pair of old hands touch his face and grimaced.
“Hnn…he’s awake.”
“Yeah well he isn’t moving gramps. That t’me basically means-”
“Shut up and get me fresh water.” Immediately Lavi shut up and Allen heard a pair of footsteps leave the room. The door never shut, but then it didn’t have to. A few seconds (minutes?) later and Lavi was back-“Put it down over there.”
“Righteo.”
“Now hand me a washcloth.”
“Sure thing!”
“Hmm…you brought the ointment too, didn’t you?”
“….Yeah, but that stuff smells nasty!”
“Do you think I care?”
“Eugh…well, hopefully Allen won’t bitch at me about it later.” And immediately-Allen could smell something strong and pungent, overriding whatever other medicine-like smells had been in the room. He heard the vague sound of gagging-
“If you’re going to be sick then get out.”
“But gramps-”
“They do not need to clean up after someone who is perfectly fine.”
“I have a broken leg?”
“But you are still walking…are you not?”
“Well yeah. I’ll be bitched at when we get back though.”
“Then you will be reprimanded then. You’re turning green. Leave.”
It took two seconds for Allen to hear the footsteps, and then the door slam shut. Two seconds more for something he’d-rather forget to be forced under his nose and-holy fucking Christ-What?!-
He gagged, eyes snapping wide open.
“Ah, there we go.” He would have sat up, but he doubted he’d get his body to move that quickly, under such a short (he thought?) amount of time, “I’ll assume you know why I’m here?”
Allen wheezed, willing himself to forget the horrifyingly pungent smell of-“What…what…was that?” He doubted every word came out clear and concise. Judging from Bookman’s face, they didn’t, but he seemed to understand.
“Wasabi.” He murmured, “Along with a few other…ingredients. Lavi hates it,” Can’t blame him, Allen’s eyes moved to the door as he tried to snort again, “but it’s very effective…as you can see. Look at me.” Allen’s eyes drifted back and Bookman’s eyes narrowed, “Regular eye movement, good. Blink once to say if your left eye hurts, twice if it’s fine.”
Allen blinked twice.
“Can you move any other…body part besides your head?”
Allen attempted. Failed. It felt like his arms were weighed down by lead. His legs-the consistency of jello. Only spasms told him what his will wanted them to do.
“I see.” Bookman sighed, gripping one of his hands in a death grip, feeling for a pulse, “Sluggish movements, spasms in the legs….it’s too soon to tell, you’ll need proper rest…somewhere other than a half-caving in hotel room.” He turned his head upward, “I’m surprised this place is still intact.” Allen knew those words weren’t meant for him to comment on. Like he could (apparently).
Suddenly Bookman stood, “I’ll leave you to rest then. You’re coherent enough. Now I must go find Lavi, lest I find him…emptying his stomach somewhere less…pleasing.” And then just like that he turned, footsteps light against the dingy carpeted floor. Allen almost wondered if he should have tried to say something-but what? Bookman wasn’t the easiest to talk to, with cold comfort and watching eyes. Allen half wondered how Lavi could stand it.
But then he must have been dealing with that his whole life. Allen sighed, turning his head to the ceiling and still willing the horrendous smell to go away. It seemed pointless to sleep now that he’d been so brutally woken up, and he didn’t want to risk…what might…happen…if he did. So-he simply settled with staring at the blotched water stains in the corner, eyes narrowing to try and find shapes.
It wasn’t until his eyes opened again that he realized he’d fallen asleep. It was dark out, or maybe just early (it had been nearly sunset when the Akuma first attacked. They weren’t usually ones for broad daylight attacks, but this apparently was some sort of different. He’d have to ask Lavi if he got the Innocence-why hadn’t that been the first thing he asked? Oh wait. Because he’d nearly been stabbed again-by Kanda.) Allen shifted his gaze to his right, towards the door where he could see Lavi propped up against the wall-a thick bandage adorning his leg. So he finally got that taken care of, Allen’s lips twitched to a smile, and he was almost glad he had the feeling back in his face enough to do so.
There was a grunt, and then a shift of cloth and Allen’s eyes darted to another (darker) corner of the room. There was Kanda, too, leaning against the wall, with Lenalee leaning against his shoulder. So she is here. He shouldn’t be surprised, but he was. He’d have to ask later, why she was here, but for now she looked content to be sleeping, nestled against Kanda in a way that Allen was sure would irritate him…had he actually been awake.
The picture was still endearing, though, even though he was sure Kanda had been dragged here.
He couldn’t have been worried, after all. No. That wasn’t like Kanda at all-but bits of conversation (the only bits he’d heard) still flitted around the forefront of his mind.
He likes you. Allen frowned.
But he can’t. He told himself, fingers twitching, aching to grip at-something. The covers? He wasn’t sure, but the need was there, He’s Kanda and-He’s had far too much shit happen. Far too much. Allen took a steady breath, it can’t be in that way. Lavi was just teasing.
He didn’t know why, but he didn’t quite believe it.
That thought hurt more than it should.
Dammit.
Another shift of movement, from Lavi, had Allen sent nearly to a panic. It was only when his voice, low and sleep ridden, murmured, “….You awake, Sprout?” That he calmed, frowning at his immediate reaction and forcing it down. Lavi shifted again, Allen could see the moonlight shine oddly against his pale skin, telling him that maybe there had been more roof damage than he thought. Lavi tried to smile, “Good t’see Jiji’s…method…worked. Y’were out like a light when he finally found me.” Lavi stood, slowly, mindful of his wounded leg, and moved toward the bed, “Not that ‘e was too happy t’find me dumpin’ my innards in a rain bucket but…” He trailed off, patting his hurt leg, “They finally found me too. Wrapped this bad boy up, though s’nowhere near perfect.” He sat down at the edge, watchful of where Allen’s unmoving legs were, and being careful to not, well, sit on them.
Allen was grateful. Allen wanted to laugh. But he didn’t, because Lenalee was still sleeping, even if Kanda looked like he was fighting against whatever dream he’d been forced into.
“Took a while for ‘em t’sleep. Think it’s cuz painkiller’s dun exactly work, with Yuu.” Lavi murmured, eye trailing over to where Kanda and Lenalee were resting, “…Bet’cha you’re wonderin’ why she’s here, right?”
Allen nodded. At least he could do that much now.
“Obligation, methinks.” Lavi leaned back to stare at the ceiling, Allen stared. “Or at least-she thinks. Anyway. To you, I mean.” Lavi turned back to face him-smiling goofily, plastically-seriously-“Lotsa people like you, Allen. Even Link does. It’s why he isn’t here.” He trusts us enough to watch you.
It’s something he could easily get in trouble for. Allen’s face fell a little. Right. Because no matter the worry-no matter the good will that others had towards him and likewise, he was still being watched. His fingers twitched again. Lavi saw the movement.
“S’frustratin’ isn’t it?” Allen jolted when Lavi’s hand brushed his own, “Not much y’can do about it though. What will be, will be. Y’just gotta keep trudgin’ forward to get to the next spot. You get?”
Allen nodded. More than.
Lavi smiled again, “Good. Now go back t’sleep. If y’need t’we managed to scrounge around for some sleepin’ pills, so y’can have something t’make it easier?” Lavi motioned to the glass half full of water, and the small white tablets resting on the napkin next to it.
Allen shook his head. No thanks. He’d rather not tempt fate in any way possible. He could sleep just fine.
“Thought you’d say that.” Lavi sounded almost wistful, “Wish I’d need them once in a while too, but when y’got nothin’ t’look forward to when you close your eyes then what’s the point in the end?” He shifted to stand, giving Allen’s hand a squeeze before dropping it and hobbling back over to the chair.
Before he could reach it, though, he turned back, smiling once more -brighter, “But y’know t’morrow’s a new day. We’ll be headin’ back to the Order in the mornin’ so you’ll be up early. That meanin’-a few hours.” He cocked his head to the side, “So y’might as well use ‘em to sleep.” He situated himself back on his chair, propping his leg just so on the smaller stool and sighing, “G’night Moyashi. Sweet dreams.”
For once Allen wouldn’t complain about the nickname. For once he felt not need to.
And really? Sleep sounded good. But…he could stand to stare at that water spot a few more seconds, right? No one could blame him for that. When the only thing he could control anymore was when he would wake, and when he would sleep.
Suddenly that water spot was the best thing in the world. How silly was that?
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END PART 1
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