Inbok for @sticksandbones

[missinglink]

ppppbtbtbtbt

Comments

[godsfavourite]

[ Allen eats another dumpling contemplatively. That makes more sense, actually. He was also taught... some... but because he was sent off on missions, he didn't really get to do a ton of learning. He wonders what it was like to actually grow up under them. Especially at Central, where things seemed a lot more strict, and far less cozy.

...

He reaches over and sets a hand on top of Link's head. ] ...I was going to go to the beach tomorrow to set up an Ark gateway there. You should come with me! We can explore that together! [ And maybe. Maybe Link can have a little bit of fun and relaxation. ]

[missinglink]

[Oh...hand on his head. He doesn't know how to react, so he just sits there politely.]

I can accompany you. [He replies, as if Allen didn't literally just invite him.] Is there a particular reason you're taking it to the beach?

[godsfavourite]

Ah, apparently the beach is really the only other place that’s safely explorable? But it’s a few days out, so… I thought if I could make that travel time shorter for the residents here, that might be useful?

[missinglink]

Hm...that isn't a bad idea actually, if it works.

[Maybe Allen just can't make gates to other places, but gates that lead around the Grove area are fine? Hm...]

Whenever you're ready then, I'll head out with you.

[godsfavourite]

It’s a three day trip, so I figure… I would pack and leave in the morning? We’ll have to get some food for the road…

[ Munching his dumpling… ]

I have to talk to Kanda and let him know. He might want to come with.

[missinglink]

I'll make sure we have enough.

[Smash cut to Link meal prepping for the next couple of days.]

Should we let the others in the Grove know we'll be leaving?

[godsfavourite]

Likely not necessary. We could let one of the guardians know, I think. Perhaps Moder?

[missinglink]

That works. I will let Miss Moder know while you inform Kanda of our plans.

[godsfavourite]

Ah, you don’t need to be so formal with her, Link. I don’t think formalities mean much to her.

[missinglink]

[?]

It's nice to be polite, isn't it?

[godsfavourite]

Innit? You can be polite without formalities!!! It's fine, 'course, but it's a bit distancing!

[missinglink]

Oh...I didn't realize.

[His autism...]

I will just call her Moder from now on, then.

[godsfavourite]

[ Allen laughs, bright and light like - that usual laugh of his that he forgot he even had. It's been a while, hasn't it? ]

Is that all it takes with you? Geez, had I known, I would've pestered you for it ages ago. Oi, so you'll call me by my first name from now on, too, right?

[missinglink]

I- ...er. Well. That would be terribly improper of me, considering...

[Considering the. Gestures. Situation.]

Would you really prefer that...?

[godsfavourite]

Well, I did just say being too formal feels distancing, right? So, yeah! I would! 'Cause we're closer than that, aren't we?

[missinglink]

...yes. We are.

[Mmmm that's kindof gay!]

Alright then. Allen it is.

...ah, though. Do keep calling me Link, please...no one calls me Howard.

[godsfavourite]

Boo! Ugh, you and Kanda both, huh?? Whatever, I'll just have to annoy you with a nickname someday. I'm sure some of Lavi's nicknaming skills might've rubbed off on me.

[missinglink]

I mean...would you actually prefer calling me Howard...?

[godsfavourite]

I mean... I don't really mind? It's your name. I like it because it's yours.

...Do you not?

[missinglink]

[I like it because it's yours

What do you MEAAAAAAAN you've never called him Howard! Not even once!!

Link sort of stares past Allen for a moment.]

I...

[...]

I guess I've never thought about it. Even the others always called me Li.

[godsfavourite]

[ Because you asked him to call you Link!!!! He hasn't called Kanda "Yu" even once! But he likes his name, too! Allen is just a Very Good Boy and respects people's boundaries!!!!!!!! ]

Li? Li is cute, too. Oh, but if it's too weird, I can keep calling you Link! Sorry, I don't want you to feel like you have to grant me special name permissions or something - I was mostly teasing you about that.

You're still you to me, no matter what I call you!

[missinglink]

[…

Link lifts a hand and kindof smudges it over his mouth, glancing away for just a moment.

He can feel his face and neck getting hot, but it’s a feeling that passes pretty quickly.

Strange.]

It isn’t weird. Link…or Li. You can call me both.

[godsfavourite]

[ Allen hums a moment, popping another dumpling into his mouth and using his other hand to pat Tim, who is still hanging out on Link. A happy golem :)

After his swallows, he smiles at Link again, warmly. ]

Brilliant, then, Li! You'll remember to call me Allen, won't you?

[missinglink]

[Its like Allen reaches right into his chest and squeezes his heart, hearing that. Oh, Lord, help him.]

I might slip up, so you’ll just have to remind me…Allen.

[godsfavourite]

[ 🏳️‍🌈❓ ]

You're alright! So long as I can see you're trying, that's good enough for me. Besides, I have full faith in you! You're always so diligent with the things you do!

[ And, for what it's worth, Allen's heart also has the flutters when Link says his name like that. He knows it's silly to be so embarrassed by such a small thing, but... ]

But I will if you do. And you'll have plenty of time to adjust! It seems, no matter where we end up, our paths keep tangling together. I am glad we get to walk it together.