[Link isn't prepared for the sudden hug. As such, he lets out a soft oof as Allen practically collides with his chest, arms wrapped around him tightly in a much different way than before. This kind of embrace reads as clearly afraid...afraid that Link might disappear if he were to let go.
For a moment, Link is silent. He just breathes slowly as Allen clutches him like a lifeline, face buried into his chest. He feels a wave of guilt wash over him ever so briefly, knowing that what he just told Allen was a very hard truth to have to swallow. It's not like he wants to randomly teleport back home either...all he knows is that's what he'd learned.
He can't promise Allen he'll stay, because he'd be lying if one day he happened to wake up elsewhere. But...
After a beat of silence, Link decides to carefully return Allen's embrace, hugging him gently to his chest.]
I have no intention of going anywhere. I can't leave if I'm to guard and protect you with my life, can I?
I don't want that, either!!! [ Link! Listen with those ears of yours! He knows you're good at that, so why is this one thing not sticking?! ] I want you here! I want to do this alongside you! I don't need you to risk your life for me, why can't we just work to survive together??
[ Probably because you do reckless shit all the time, Allen. Granted, at least when it came to Apocryphos, that was not Allen's fault. Still... ]
I don't... I don't need to be protected. I just need to not be alone, that's it. And- and you...
[ He knows that it's unfair to make Link promise such things. It's outside of their control, after all. And that lack of agency over their life... it's... grating on Allen. Just for once, they should be able to choose something. For fucking once. If Allen gets to choose one thing, would it not be to have those he cares about at his side? He wishes Johnny and Lavi were here as well, but... as it is... at least he isn't alone. But if Kanda, Tim and Link do leave?
Oh, he thinks what little he has left of his sanity may leave him.
It's hard to even think about what happened earlier today. That stupid kiss with Kanda, that dumb fight - all just lost to Allen's desperate need to keep these boys at his side. He does really have to talk to Kanda after this. If for no other reason to make sure he knows that Kanda is important to him, and he does want Kanda to do this with him. Ugh. He doesn't even know how he's going to bring this news up to him...
He shivers a bit, trying to hold back tears as he keeps his head buried. ]
I'm sorry. [ That his this fragile. That he's been reckless enough that Link feels the need to protect him with his life. That he's making him promise things he can't. The list goes on. ] Thank you.
[He just wishes he had better answers for Allen. He wishes not everything had to be bad news. This boy deserves to catch a fucking break for once in his life.
He gives Allen another squeeze, especially as he can tell that he's struggling not to cry.]
We are going to figure this out, one way or another. Together.
[ He feels like he does have to apologize, though! Please accept his apology because he doesn't know how else to go about this. Link and Kanda both might be the death of him, actually.
Today has been... maybe "emotionally draining" doesn't even begin to cover it. Today has been a fucking siphon for emotions. He's tired and upset and it's not even sundown yet. He has to stay up, and he has to go talk to Kanda and he has to somehow let Link know that he'll be okay and that he's just Going Through It right now and ?????
He is comforted by the embrace, at the very least. And maybe he could take a very small nap before he goes to talk to Kanda? Oh, but first, thanking Link. Right. Together. They can do this together. They'll figure things out and get home and save Lavi and be with Johnny again and things will work out. They'll do it together!
He picks up his head a moment, and then very gently presses a little peck to Link's cheek, giving a little sniff after as his head drops again into his shoulder. ]
[While they were sitting in silence, Link had been wracking his brain, trying to think of some way to cheer Allen up. Maybe he could cook him something? Like a pie...or a casserole? Something just for Allen and nobody else. Maybe-
...
He freezes, his breath hitching when Allen suddenly lifts his head and kisses Link on the cheek, an action that causes him to completely forget everything he was just thinking. He effectively bluescreens, staring into space as his heart leaps into his throat. It pounds deafeningly between his ears, leaving him utterly unable to do...really anything but sit there and process what just happened.
Wh. Wuh.
Did Allen just...?]
I- ...
[Link clears his throat and looks at Timcanpy, eyes wide like saucers as if the Golem might be able to tell him what's happening.]
Er. Would...would you like me to make you something...?
[ Timcanpy does not know. Timcanpy is just Timcanpy. He does float to Link's shoulder instead of Allen's when Allen pulls away from him so he can flop on the bed again and hug his pillow as he now has new information to process. His brain has been going about 400 miles a minute with chatter that's so hard to keep up with. He doesn't notice the shift in Link's tone, or the way his heartbeat picks up.
He just curls in bed bed and speaks muffled into his pillow now. ] If you don't mind. I could really use some food... Something warm and... home-y, I guess. Can you do that? I know that's a weird request.
[As Tim floats onto his shoulder, Link carefully gets up to his feet as Allen lays down with the pillow in his arms instead. Something warm and home-y...he can do that.
He hesitates at the bedside for just a moment, watching Allen where he's got his face hidden into the pillow. He can't see him as he approaches, so...
It's easier for Link to reach out and ever-so-briefly brush Allen's bangs off his forehead.]
It isn't weird at all. I'll be back in a half hour, okay?
[From there the sound of his footsteps leaving the room can be heard, and he and Tim will be absent for a while. When he returns, it's to the tune of something savory in a bowl on a tray.]
This is Kartoffelklöße.
[He explains as he sets the tray in reach.]
Potato dumplings with sausage and cabbage, with sauteed onions and a mushroom sauce.
[ Allen may or may not have fallen asleep briefly in Link's absence. Perhaps unsurprisingly. He does wake up incredibly easily to the smell of food. He practically sits up right immediately, sparkles in his eyes. ]
Smells bloody amazing~! I don't think I can repeat that word, though... [ Oh, you Germans... He is immediately grabbing for at least two of the dumplings, though. One for each hand. He takes a bite out of one and immediately looks like he'd been told literally all of his problems went away. The boy just... really loves food. ]
Your cooking, Link... it's so good I could cry, you know.
[He's sitting on the edge of the bed again while Allen eats, glad to see that he's hit the mark for something home-y. It was the first thing he thought of, given that it's one of his favorites from childhood.]
I appreciate the compliment. No crying though, you won't be able to eat properly if you're crying.
[He says this as he grunts and lifts up a pot with a ladle inside onto the end table next to the bed.
Oops, looks like he brought the entire pot up so Allen can just have seconds or thirds if he'd like.]
[ Fantastic news about how much Allen puts away! It helps that Allen works out first thing when he wakes up. The boys have to put up with Allen doing his routine in the living room - but it isn't like they all don't have their own. Staying in shape is important, after all. (Couldn't be me---)
Anyway, Allen has turned into a black hole that only potato dumplings can satisfy. Thank you for your service, Link. ]
I awm weernin ho' wo way are ow o' ar'en so we'ww hawe suswanawle veggies, woo. (Translation: I am learning how to take care of the garden, so we'll have sustainable veggies, too.)
[ Allen, stop trying to talk with your mouth full. ]
[It takes Link a minute to translate, but he manages. He's lived with Allen long enough that it's not hard for him to do, though he does wish he wouldn't talk with his mouth full...]
I'm glad to hear that. I also had the thought that I might want to see if acquiring two chickens would possibly be an option...if we could have our own eggs, we wouldn't have to worry about purchasing them anymore.
It's not your fault. The next time I go to pick up groceries, I'll ask what they suggest.
[He'll pick up a dumpling carefully now that they're cooled off enough to easily touch and offer it to Tim, flat in his palm like he's feeding a horse.]
Well, no...it's probably a bit uncomfortable, but laying eggs is perfectly normal for chickens. They often lay multiple every day, so if you had even just a half dozen chickens, you'd have more eggs daily than you could eat.
[Spoons more dumplings into Allen's bowl as he explains.]
Well, yes and no. It's only like birth in the sense that the chicken is laying an egg, as opposed to having a bowel movement. But for chickens, the two may as well be one and the same. They do both from the same place, so while it's briefly more uncomfortable for them, it's about as natural of a process as going to the bathroom.
[I'm. So sorry Link is like this, you're trying to eat-]
[ Bold of you to assume this deters Allen from eating. Absolutely not, he's putting another dumpling in his mouth and with his mouth full goes: ] Wow.
[ He ponders the chickens for a moment before he looks over at Link, swallowing. ] Did you own chickens at one point, Link? I can't picture you as a farm boy...!
...Did you teach yourself to read, Link? [ Because, well, he does recall Link saying he was orphaned. He can't imagine there's very good schooling for kids who live on the streets. Allen didn't go to school, either, so it isn't like he has a lot of room to speak. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2026-03-15 06:31 pm (UTC)For a moment, Link is silent. He just breathes slowly as Allen clutches him like a lifeline, face buried into his chest. He feels a wave of guilt wash over him ever so briefly, knowing that what he just told Allen was a very hard truth to have to swallow. It's not like he wants to randomly teleport back home either...all he knows is that's what he'd learned.
He can't promise Allen he'll stay, because he'd be lying if one day he happened to wake up elsewhere. But...
After a beat of silence, Link decides to carefully return Allen's embrace, hugging him gently to his chest.]
I have no intention of going anywhere. I can't leave if I'm to guard and protect you with my life, can I?
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Date: 2026-03-15 06:46 pm (UTC)[ Probably because you do reckless shit all the time, Allen. Granted, at least when it came to Apocryphos, that was not Allen's fault. Still... ]
I don't... I don't need to be protected. I just need to not be alone, that's it. And- and you...
...
[ Allen's voice cracks. ] Please just stay.
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Date: 2026-03-15 06:50 pm (UTC)Okay...okay.
[He tightens his grip, just slightly, and smooths his hand gently across the back of Allen's shoulderblades.]
I'll stay. I promise.
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Date: 2026-03-15 07:18 pm (UTC)Oh, he thinks what little he has left of his sanity may leave him.
It's hard to even think about what happened earlier today. That stupid kiss with Kanda, that dumb fight - all just lost to Allen's desperate need to keep these boys at his side. He does really have to talk to Kanda after this. If for no other reason to make sure he knows that Kanda is important to him, and he does want Kanda to do this with him. Ugh. He doesn't even know how he's going to bring this news up to him...
He shivers a bit, trying to hold back tears as he keeps his head buried. ]
I'm sorry. [ That his this fragile. That he's been reckless enough that Link feels the need to protect him with his life. That he's making him promise things he can't. The list goes on. ] Thank you.
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Date: 2026-03-15 07:26 pm (UTC)[He just wishes he had better answers for Allen. He wishes not everything had to be bad news. This boy deserves to catch a fucking break for once in his life.
He gives Allen another squeeze, especially as he can tell that he's struggling not to cry.]
We are going to figure this out, one way or another. Together.
Zahliya has decided Link gets a kiss too so
Date: 2026-03-15 08:01 pm (UTC)Today has been... maybe "emotionally draining" doesn't even begin to cover it. Today has been a fucking siphon for emotions. He's tired and upset and it's not even sundown yet. He has to stay up, and he has to go talk to Kanda and he has to somehow let Link know that he'll be okay and that he's just Going Through It right now and ?????
He is comforted by the embrace, at the very least. And maybe he could take a very small nap before he goes to talk to Kanda? Oh, but first, thanking Link. Right. Together. They can do this together. They'll figure things out and get home and save Lavi and be with Johnny again and things will work out. They'll do it together!
He picks up his head a moment, and then very gently presses a little peck to Link's cheek, giving a little sniff after as his head drops again into his shoulder. ]
We will.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-15 08:08 pm (UTC)...
He freezes, his breath hitching when Allen suddenly lifts his head and kisses Link on the cheek, an action that causes him to completely forget everything he was just thinking. He effectively bluescreens, staring into space as his heart leaps into his throat. It pounds deafeningly between his ears, leaving him utterly unable to do...really anything but sit there and process what just happened.
Wh. Wuh.
Did Allen just...?]
I- ...
[Link clears his throat and looks at Timcanpy, eyes wide like saucers as if the Golem might be able to tell him what's happening.]
Er. Would...would you like me to make you something...?
no subject
Date: 2026-03-15 08:16 pm (UTC)He just curls in bed bed and speaks muffled into his pillow now. ] If you don't mind. I could really use some food... Something warm and... home-y, I guess. Can you do that? I know that's a weird request.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-15 08:26 pm (UTC)He hesitates at the bedside for just a moment, watching Allen where he's got his face hidden into the pillow. He can't see him as he approaches, so...
It's easier for Link to reach out and ever-so-briefly brush Allen's bangs off his forehead.]
It isn't weird at all. I'll be back in a half hour, okay?
[From there the sound of his footsteps leaving the room can be heard, and he and Tim will be absent for a while. When he returns, it's to the tune of something savory in a bowl on a tray.]
This is Kartoffelklöße.
[He explains as he sets the tray in reach.]
Potato dumplings with sausage and cabbage, with sauteed onions and a mushroom sauce.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-15 09:01 pm (UTC)Smells bloody amazing~! I don't think I can repeat that word, though... [ Oh, you Germans... He is immediately grabbing for at least two of the dumplings, though. One for each hand. He takes a bite out of one and immediately looks like he'd been told literally all of his problems went away. The boy just... really loves food. ]
Your cooking, Link... it's so good I could cry, you know.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-15 09:05 pm (UTC)I appreciate the compliment. No crying though, you won't be able to eat properly if you're crying.
[He says this as he grunts and lifts up a pot with a ladle inside onto the end table next to the bed.
Oops, looks like he brought the entire pot up so Allen can just have seconds or thirds if he'd like.]
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Date: 2026-03-15 09:29 pm (UTC)Anyway, Allen has turned into a black hole that only potato dumplings can satisfy. Thank you for your service, Link. ]
I awm weernin ho' wo way are ow o' ar'en so we'ww hawe suswanawle veggies, woo.
(Translation: I am learning how to take care of the garden, so we'll have sustainable veggies, too.)
[ Allen, stop trying to talk with your mouth full. ]
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Date: 2026-03-15 09:34 pm (UTC)I'm glad to hear that. I also had the thought that I might want to see if acquiring two chickens would possibly be an option...if we could have our own eggs, we wouldn't have to worry about purchasing them anymore.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-15 09:45 pm (UTC)Wouldn’t have to worry… if I didn’t break so many…
Though, having our own eggs would be nice. I can ask Heimr about a hutch? Or maybe we can see about leaving them at the barn??
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Date: 2026-03-15 09:58 pm (UTC)[He'll pick up a dumpling carefully now that they're cooled off enough to easily touch and offer it to Tim, flat in his palm like he's feeding a horse.]
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Date: 2026-03-15 10:31 pm (UTC)Anyway, Tim spreads his fucking maw of a face and eats the dumpling, thank you- ]
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Date: 2026-03-15 11:10 pm (UTC)Also yeah Allen you got the ENTIRE HOUSE]
Well the chickens will need to have the eggs collected daily, so I do expect you and Kanda to help out with that.
[Sorry Kanda you're being voluntold for future chicken duty]
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Date: 2026-03-15 11:23 pm (UTC)Poor chickens...
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Date: 2026-03-15 11:27 pm (UTC)[Spoons more dumplings into Allen's bowl as he explains.]
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Date: 2026-03-15 11:32 pm (UTC)... [ He picks up a dumpling and stares ahead at the wall for a moment as he thinks Very Deep Thoughts about chickens. ]
I'm suddenly so stressed for chickens.
[ He eats the dumpling- ]
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Date: 2026-03-15 11:44 pm (UTC)[I'm. So sorry Link is like this, you're trying to eat-]
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Date: 2026-03-15 11:56 pm (UTC)[ He ponders the chickens for a moment before he looks over at Link, swallowing. ] Did you own chickens at one point, Link? I can't picture you as a farm boy...!
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Date: 2026-03-15 11:59 pm (UTC)[And these days it's not often you don't see Link with his nose buried in a book of some sort.]
And if I find there is something I don't know, then I like to see what I can learn about it.
[There's a reason he makes such a good teacher, tbh.]
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Date: 2026-03-16 12:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-03-16 12:08 am (UTC)[Said simply. Matter-of-factly.]
It was a matter of necessity, if we were going to be useful. I spent a lot of my childhood catching up, so I tried to learn everything I could.
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