Inbok for @sticksandbones

[missinglink]

ppppbtbtbtbt

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[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.

[missinglink]

[Link feels...lucky, that he met Allen the way he did, even if the circumstances have been less than ideal. Most people would detest him, hate him even, for being positioned to guard him when Allen is very much smart enough to know that Link's job has been to keep an eye on him as much as protect him. Too watch for signs of the Fourteenth on Central's command. But now...

Well. They're friends. And Link doesn't have very many of those.]

Even if I assign you homework to do?