Inbok for @sticksandbones

[missinglink]

ppppbtbtbtbt

Comments

[godsfavourite]

I... I am a little sad you last trust in me briefly, but I understand why it happened. [ Tokusa and the other Thirds... they're important to Link. More than that, he feels responsible for how they turned out. And Allen is well aware of this much, which is why he doesn't press it more than that. ] But I think we've ended up patching any valleys we've had with spectacular peaks, personally.

[missinglink]

[Hah...Link huffs on a soft laugh under his breath at that, his expression managing to soften, if only a little.]

You really are something else, Allen Walker. Not many are as easy or quick to forgive as you are.

[godsfavourite]

It's not my ability to forgive here that has made me believe in you, Link. I'm really not as forgiving as you think. [ You are, but go off, Allen. ] It's just... you care a lot. And I admire that about you.

So of course I'm going to forgive someone with a heart like yours.

[missinglink]

[Allen you really are giving him WAY too much credit here...even though he appreciates it, genuinely.

Of course, now he's a little flustered due to all of the praise...]

You should be speaking for yourself. You have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known.

[godsfavourite]

Don't "no, you" me, Li!!! [ He playfully punches his shoulder. ]

You should give yourself more credit.

[missinglink]

[No it's too late he already did it-

He's smiling, though. And look! It's actually reaching his eyes, which is a rare as hell feat for someone as stoic as Link is.]

You're not just saying that because I cook your food, are you? You know you have no reason to butter me up.

[godsfavourite]

Shoulda said so sooner~ I would've stopped ages ago if you promised me more food.

[ He kicks his legs as he laughs. ]

I jest, of course. Would make anyone proper blind if the only good thing they saw about you was your food. Especially when you smile like that! That might be your real number one trait.

[missinglink]

[Link has to pause for a moment, because his chest feels. Weird. Like a tight weird?

Oh god is he having a heart attack. Take a breath, you're fine. It's probably stress or something.]

You're...too nice to me.

[He huffs, crossing his legs at the ankles.]

...but. Thank you. I do appreciate the compliment.

And...your trust in me.

[godsfavourite]

[ The worst part is that Allen isn't even trying to flirt here. If he was, it'd be so much thicker. He'd probably try to sit on the arm of his chair and everything. But... he wants to respect Link's boundaries. Specifically, he... would feel right awful if Link started calling him homophobic slurs all because he has feelings for the guy. He just... wants to keep this closeness. Even if it's never romantic, he's happy to have Link's friendship.

And he's so scared of losing that. ]

Who's the one looking out for me all this time? Yet you're calling me "too nice"? Jeez...

Anyway, don't thank me for something like that. Comes free bein' friends with me~. But... more than that... I just wanna make sure you know I appreciate you. I worry sometimes I don't tell my friends that enough. And... ah... it always feels like it's not enough, if I'm being honest.

[missinglink]

[Well, he certainly has it in spades right now. Honestly, it's strange, but...Link feels like he and Allen have only gotten closer since coming here. They haven't had the war to deal with, or the Akuma...or even Nea's influence gumming up the works.

They can just. Be. Get to know one another on a deeper level at a slower pace, in a way that never really felt possible before.]

I understand what you mean. It never feels like there's enough time or opportunity for that sort of thing. Not like we have here.

[It's like he said before. They've been afforded time.]

[godsfavourite]

Yeah it's... kind of dangerous, haha... I could see myself easily growing complacent here.

...

You'll help me, right? Keep that from happening to me? I've always had very hard time focusing, I could use the help.

[missinglink]

I have my ways of keeping you vigilant. But...you did say you didn't want to talk about homework, so I'll keep them to myself.

[He WINKS.]

[godsfavourite]

[ Allen rubs his thumbs together around in circles as he stares off to the books on the wall. ] Even... that, though... It's all very... [ He pauses, trying to find the right word. Mundane? Domestic? Normal??? He doesn't know what word to use here that best fits. He doesn't think there truly is a word that encapsulates Allen's feelings of something seemingly dull, but homey and normal and not... Hellish.

He just let's that sentence die there, then. ] I think I have to do some patrolling more regularly. Fight those beasts that wander into the Grove sometimes. That might set my head straight.

[missinglink]

That isn't a bad idea. I'm sure the rest of the Grove would thank you for it, as well.

[Too bad ya'll missed the Woodcrawlers. You would have had an ABUNDANCE of things to fight.]

I've been patrolling as well. And once our abilities are under control, we can do an actual excursion into the Forest proper.

[godsfavourite]

Fortunately, I’m not looking for thanks. Their safety is enough, and I’m sure they’re used to the guardians’ protection.

Until then, I’ll have to adjust my work out routine. You and Kanda could join me for that, too! Though, I’m trying to adjust mine to not use my Innocence’d arm. The less I can rely on that, the better.

[missinglink]

If you think it might help, I can show you how I do my own training routine. Without Innocence, I've had to adapt to my own style of fighting between spells and hand-to-hand, so I think you might find some differences in the way I handle training as well.

[And, you know. You gotta be regular with it if you want tits like his-]

[godsfavourite]

I’d be willing to try! CROW training must be intense, right? I’ll absolutely give it a go, then. How hard do you think it is to do one armed?

[ Because when Allen said without his Innocence… he meant it— ]

[missinglink]

Challenging, but far from impossible. You already have the experience to back it up, and we typically don’t wield weapons as large as your sword.

[Link brings a hand to his chin, thinking.]

Would you want to fight with something else that large? Or smaller? Or just your fists?

[godsfavourite]

…I’m still not really good with my claymore. Evident by how often Kanda kicks my ass. But… I think… that’s because those are supposed to be two handed weapons, normally? I tend to rely on controlling it more than wielding it.

So… something smaller could be good. I am generally better with my claws, anyway??

[missinglink]

Then I would recommend a switchblade.

[Link shifts his arm, and he must tap some sort of hidden release faster than Allen can see, because the knife in his sleeve on his right hand suddenly pops out.]

I dual wield, but they’re just as effective one-handed. Lightweight and portable, and easily hidden.

[godsfavourite]

[ Allen is aware of his knives. He’s seen them. And yet, he’s still surprised to see a blade come out, blinking dumbly at it. ]

Do you…

…

Do you ever take those off?

[missinglink]

When I’m sleeping. Otherwise I wear them.

[So if this man is dressed and is wearing sleeves you can assume they’re under there.

He retracts the blade, rubbing over his wrist from the outside of his jacket.]

The situation here has been mild so far, but given what we know, that could change in an instant. I don’t want to be caught unaware.

[godsfavourite]

Well, you wouldn’t have to right bother with that. I’d protect you if anything happened!! [ Who’s… supposed to be the bodyguard here, Allen? ] So you’re allowed to relax a little.

But if you’re willing to let me borrow one to train with occasionally, I’d like that~! Wrist-blade-thingy isn’t too far off from claws.

[missinglink]

[Joke’s on you Allen he’ll relax when he’s dead.]

Of course. Just let me know when you’d like to borrow it, and it’s yours. We’ll have to make sure it fits you.

[Allen’s wrists…are tiny.]

Normally you would train without the blade to begin with, but you’re hardly new at fighting. I think it would be fine.

[godsfavourite]

I should hope not! It’d make the last few years real botched, innit??

I have padding to wear from my wrists if they have to be adjusted. Y’know. For my clown gloves?