missinglink | Inbok for @sticksandbones

[Link's lips part to respond- to retort, maybe- but what Allen says to him catches him off guard in a way he's not expecting. Or, perhaps more accurately...his own reaction to it surprises him.

Allen wants him to live, this desperately. He would easily believe him to say this to anyone, even someone he just met, but still. Something about the declaration causes his heart to feel tight in his chest, as if he were trying to summon Atuuda despite his magic not working as it should.

He takes a slow breath, pulling on his shirt finally.]

I have no intention of letting anything like that happen again.

[But...he can't promise Allen that he wouldn't try to save him, if he were in dire straights. He used Atuuda to keep him alive once before...he knows without even thinking about it that he'd do it again.]

You will see me tomorrow. I promise you that.

And all the tomorrows after that!!! [ Allen reiterates, as if Link not saying that will curse him, or something similar.

He is taking Link's hands, after he is done putting his shirt on and squeezing them. ]

[Oh...

Allen takes his hands, and after a moment of being surprised by the sudden contact, his expression relaxes as he gives his hands a gentle squeeze back.]

You trust me, don't you Allen?

[ "Allen". It's... strange. How light he feels suddenly, whenever Link calls him that instead of "Walker". "Walker" was never corrected, because he didn't mind it (Looking at you, "Beansprout"). But it felt... purposeful.

Allen's pause is not because he's hesitating, but rather because he's trying to scan Link's face for answers he cannot see. He is not Kanda, and he is not Link. He isn't good at picking up on intentions like they are. Perhaps this is why they both think him gullible? ]

Of course I do.

Then believe me when I say I will do what I can to make sure it never happens again. Just as much as I trust you to try to do the same. You might get yourself into more trouble than any person I have ever met, but your will is incredibly strong.

[And...he still has confidence in Allen that he will overcome Nea's influence, somehow.

He will keep living as Allen, no matter what has been foretold. He...won't be erased.

He wants to...no. Has to keep believing that.]

... [ Allen reaches up and pinches Link's nose, huffing as he does. ] Since when did you try sounding so bloody wise, huh?

[ He. He might be pouting, just a little, but he lets go of Link soon after to flop his head against Link's chest with a sigh. (Why are these boys so tall?) (When does Allens get talls....) ]

Alright! Then I'm holding you to it! And if you do anything like that ever again, I'm never forgiving you, understood??

[Boy why have you done this-

Allen pinches his nose, and Link flusters over it the same way he did the last time Allen did this, yet it's happened and over within seconds, leaving him reeling as he lays his head against his chest instead.

Wah. Bwuh. Hello-]

I...I understand.

[Then, just as Allen's head touches his chest, Link's body suddenly glows ever so slightly, and in a swirl of energy around him, Atuuda floats through the air manifesting somewhere from Link's body, "swimming" around both of them before he stops to lay his head on top of Allen's head.

Hi, Link didn't summon you-]

[ From the nightstand, Timcanpy suddenly hops from it, spreading his wings and landing right on top of Atuuda. Creature pile. ]

...Sorry, I won't keep you here much longer. I just...

...woke up. I don't wanna move, you're very warm. [ Allen- ]

[Creature pile :)

Link is at a bit of a loss, with Allen leaning on him like this. It's a bit...unprofessional. Uncouth, perhaps. But this is also Allen Walker. He Does these things.

He's not inclined to make him move.]

It's alright. It's still early enough. You can...stay a moment, if you would like.

[With. Your head on his chest.

Straight men do this.]

[ Sorry to say but if Link doesn't move him, Allen is absolutely falling back asleep standing up like this.

Snzzz.......... ]

[Oh. Oh no.

Allen…]

Oh…Walker…?

[Atuuda rumbles. Shhh. You will wake the baby. Meanwhile, Link is kindof stuck for a moment, unsure what to do.

…

In the end, he remains standing like this for a good five minutes, just letting him nap. Maybe it’s even ten. Only then will he gently shake him, trying to help him stand upright.]

We- ahem. We should get ready for the day. Don’t you want breakfast?

[ Ah yes. The sweet siren song of (checks notes) food. The way Allen jolts upright instantly— ]

Yes! Of course!!! What are you making~? Do you need help?

[Thank God. Link lives to preserve his straight identity for another day.]

I was thinking I would make French toast. It’s simple- I can show you how it’s done, if you’d like.

Yes please~~~~!!

[ That has like, eggs in it, right? That’s probably fine, then. Maybe he can convince Link to make some sausage with it, though. He really just wants meat always— ]

[Breakfast time. :) Link rolls up his sleeves and gestures for Tim and Atuuda to follow them to the kitchen, thankful that Allen seems to be in higher spirits from something so simple.

He just has to hope that nothing happens to jeopardize it. Surely they won’t die here.

Surely.]

[ Bold words for someone within stove explosion range— ]

Cross never taught me how to cook, so I hope you know I don’t really know what I’m doing. I only really know how to boil water.

[Pausing...]

Did General Cross teach you anything...? No life skills?

Uh, well, obviously he taught me how to fight! And, I guess by proxy, I also learned how to play poker from him? I'm also really good at budgeting now. And how to balance a checkbook! Oh, and how to find a good mark!! Oh and - wait, you're not like a cop anymore so it's okay if I'm honest, right? I know how to cheat with taxes.

Don't tell anyone, though! I promise it's not by a lot!

Edited 2026-03-13 01:58 (UTC)

[...Allen...]

I'm not a cop...

[Also Cross he's fucking disappointed in you. What have you done to this boy. Link is frog-marching Allen into the kitchen now he is Teaching you.]

That's why I said "like" a cop! I know you're not proper the fuzz.

So how do we do this? Do we start with the toasting part? I can do that alright. It usually comes out a little crispy, though, and I don't think the French would like that.

[Allen, babe-

Link shakes his head, putting on his apron before going to the fridge to grab the eggs, milk, and butter.]

You don't toast it in a traditional sense. French toast is made by taking thick pieces of bread and dredging them in a milk and egg mixture, then frying them in a pan. Sometimes I like to add a bit of cinnamon to the mixture as well, but usually I'll leave it off so people can add it to their own taste.

Oh! Wait, are you going to teach me how to crack and egg without getting bits of shell in it?! [ He looks.... so excited about this, actually. ]

Even better. I'm going to teach you how to crack an egg-

[Link picks up an egg with one hand, then just

squeezes it with his fingers and somehow breaks it open with just the one hand, letting it slide into the waiting bowl he was holding underneath it.]

-with one hand. And see? No shells.

[ Allen practically sparkles at him with that realization. If he's being honest, part of the reason he struggles so much with breaking eggs is it's hard to be gentle with his Innocence hand. Especially with something as so finicky as an egg can be. If he could just use his human hand, that would make it easier.

It's bold of Link to teach him something like that without covering the egg-cracking basics, though. Allen doesn't seem to mind. ]

Brilliant!!!! Yes, I want to do that, too!!!!

Alright then. We need to crack quite a few eggs to make enough toast for everyone, so let's get started, shall we? We'll start out with learning to crack an egg normally without getting the shells in, and go from there.

[He'll offer Allen the carton.]

Now, how do you try to do it normally? Show me.

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