Warming up for winter

Allen laid flat on his back, looking up at the ceiling with a glazed stare. He let out a
sigh as he scratched his nose. He looked down at his stomach to see Timcampy
sleeping quietly, his small body inflating and deflating. His bored gaze returned to
the ceiling.

It was about 12:34 at night in the Pairs, the city quietly sleeping after a long, cold
winter day. Allen, Kanda, and Marie were still looking for the original Mysterious
thief G, who was doing very good at evading them. Even when Marie thought he
had found him through his cries, it turned out just to be another imposter with
good acting skills. The police arrested him anyway and the Exorcist (and Link)
turned in for the day. Kanda and Marie were given one room and Allen and Link
were given the next room over. The team was supposed to rest up and be
prepared for a full day of searching tomorrow. After Allen explained completely
why he had stabbed Link right in the stomach, the team went to their rooms for
some well-deserved rest.

Allen, unfortunately, was having a bit of a dilemma: He could not sleep
whatsoever.

He had been having this problem for a few days now. Ever since Master…
Disappeared, He had been having insomnia; he wasn’t ever tired or sleepy. He
just stayed up all night and waited for the day to start, usually wondering around
wherever he was to pass the time.

And this was not going to be an exception.

Allen got bored of being bored and got up from his lying position. Timcampy
immediately sprung to life and flew into the air in front of Allen. Allen smiled and
put a finger in front of his mouth.

“Quiet now, Tim,” Allen whispered, “We don’t want to wake up Link,” Allen glanced
at the floor, where Link was snug in his sleeping bag, sleeping like a log. Tim made
a gesture that seemed like a nod and plopped on his master’s head.

Allen slowly and quietly placed his feet on the floor. He looked back at Link to
check his state; he was still knocked out. Allen continued his procedure and put
more weight on his feet, His bed making a slight creaking noise as he lifted himself
from it. Once he was fully standing, he looked at Link once more to see him still
sleeping. He went on his tip-toes and quietly went to the coat rack in the middle of
the room, grabbing a white coat that he had brought with him, just in case. He
slipped on his coat and headed for the door. Luckily, the front door was in their
room, so he didn’t have to go through Kanda and Marie’s room to get outside.
When he reached the door, he placed a single hand on the knob and slowly
turned it until he heard it click. Allen slowly pushed the door and-

“And just where do you think you’re going, Walker?” Link said, already out of bed
and facing Allen’s Back. Allen head drooped as he closed the door.

“I was just going to go out for a while,” Allen said, “Get some fresh air.”

“Its 12:36 A.M.,” Link said, “You should be sleeping.”

“I finding it hard to sleep tonight, Link,” Allen said, a hint of annoyance lingering in
his voice, “Therefore, I thought it would be good for me to go out and get some
air.”

“And where exactly where you going?” Link asked.

“I’m not sure,” Allen said, “I’m pretty sure it was going to be somewhere outside.”

“There’s no need to be a smart-alic, Walker,” Link said, “I don’t plant on stopping
you.”

“Thank you,” Allen said, quickly opening the door.

“However, I am required to come with you.” Link said, grabbing his jacket.

“…Great.” Allen said sarcastically.

----

Allen and Link walked through the white layered streets of Paris, each block
holding buildings and trees covered in gentle white snow. Allen walked a few
paces ahead of Link as he looked with awe at the winter wonderland that
stretched out before him. Everything looked so peaceful, so calm, so beautiful, so-

“I really think that you should slow down, Walker.”

Good feeling over.

“Maybe you should speed up, Link,” Allen said, looking back at Link who was now
some way behind him.

“I do not wish to speed up because I do not wish to be out here right now,” Link
said, “I’d rather be back in our warm hotel, sleeping. So, if you do not mind, slow
down! Or at least give me a chance to catch up!”

“If you don’t wish to be here, then you can go back,” Allen said, “the hotels not
that far away.”

“It is my assignment to be with you at all times,” Link said, “You’re stuck with me.”

“I know,” Allen said, “I just really wish I-“

With His attention diverted to Link Allen didn’t notice the cart that was rolling right
for him and, as a consequence, slammed into it. He let out a gasp in surprise as he
turned his attention to the object in front of him. It was a small, roller cart being
pushed by a small, middle aged man.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Allen said, “I guess I should pay more attention.”

“No no, I should have said something,” The Man said in a very think Frence
accent, “please accept my apology.”

“Of course,” Allen said with a smile. He took some seconds to examine the cart
fully.

“…Are those crepes?” Allen said, looking at the round, thin pancakes stacked in
the middle of the cart. There was a tiny sparkle in his eyes

“Why yes they are,” The man said, “I make crepes for a living. I’m trying out a new
mobile system today. Unfortunately, I haven’t had any customers all day.”

“Are they warm?”

“Yes sir!”

“Well i'll be your first, then.” Allen said, reaching into his coat pocket and fishing
out his wallet, which had a huge budge in it. He opened it and looked for any
money. The only thing he found was Timcampy, sleeping peacefully in one of the
pockets. A small bell went off in Allen’s head.

Oh yeah, Allen thought bleakly, I spent the rest of my money on those packs of
donuts today…

“What is it?” Link asked, right beside Allen.

“This man is selling food,” Allen said, “But I don’t have any money to buy it…” You
could see the tears starting to form in Allen’s eyes.

“See, this is what happens when you don’t manage your money properly.”” Link
said and, with a sigh, went into his coat pocket and brought out his wallet.

“Link?” Allen said, hope resounding in his voice.

“Unlike you, I actually manage my money,” Link said, “But do not think I’m going to
do this for you every time.”

“Thank you, Link-Kun!” Allen said, Giving Link a quick hug. Link quickly blushed.

“d-don’t do stupid things, Walker,” Link said, trying to hide his slight red
face, “Now, how many do you want.”

Allen gave an Innocent smile. “Well~”

------

Allen sat on the park bench beside link, finishing his fourteenth chocolate-filled
crepe. Link looked at his empty wallet with a grimace.

“I think half of Cross’s debt was for your food bills, Walker.” Link said, putting
away his wallet.

“I’m a growing boy, I need my nourishment.” Allen said, picking up his next crepe.

“Eating 30 crepes in the middle of the night is not nourishment!” Link said.

“Quiet,” Allen said before stuffing the crepe in his mouth.

The two were currently sitting on a bench in the middle of a very large and lit up
park, Timcampy flying off to somewhere deep into the park to explore. In the
summer, the park would be bursting with all kinds of life, from tall, green trees and
bright, fragrant flowers, to musical birds and other small animals. But in the winter,
all life went into hibernation and welcomed a thick sheet of pure white snow that
practically glistened in the right light. Snow continued to fall as the small winter
wonderland shined beautifully at every corner. Allen looked out into the park as If
he was looking at a piece of art.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Link?” Allen said, still looking with awe at the scenery.

“I guess,” Link said, reading a small book he had brought with him. Allen pouted.

“What can possibly be wrong now?”

“I just don’t like to be out in the cold,” Link said, “Is that a problem?”

“I guess not,” Allen said, “But you should at least be enjoying the scenery.”

“I’m not very interested with snow,” Link said, “All it is is just frozen rain and
nothing else.”

Allen just stared at Link. “…Link.”

“What?” Link said, looking up from his book.

“…Why do you always act so isolated?” Allen asked, “I mean Kanda hates the
world, Bookman is…Bookman, but you seem like a much nicer person then you are.
Why are you always so serious all the time?”

It took a few seconds for Link to respond. “…I wasn’t raised to be kind and
friendly,” Link said, “I was taken by the Crow when I was still little, and they
taught me how to be a warrior, not a friend. Socializing, Caring, being
compassionate, I never was taught any of that, neither do I care. people don’t
bother me and I don’t bother them; it’s a simple as that.”

Allen was still staring at Link, secretly getting closer. “So you really don’t have
anybody to care about?”

“I guess not,” Link said, “Its not like anybody cares about-“

Allen brushed back Links hair and kissed him slightly on the forehead. Link
immediately froze as his face turned completely red. Allen brushed one of Link’s
cheeks, smiled, and leaned on his shoulder, closing his eyes.

“I Hope I can change that,” Allen said softly.

Link Look at the young exorcist asleep on his shoulder and smiled.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Link said, leaning on Allen’s head and falling asleep.