Inbok for @sticksandbones

[missinglink]

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[missinglink]

[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-]

[godsfavourite]

[ 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- ]

[missinglink]

[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.]

[godsfavourite]

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

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

[missinglink]

[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?

[godsfavourite]

[ 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?

[missinglink]

[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.

[godsfavourite]

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— ]

[missinglink]

[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.]

[godsfavourite]

[ 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.

[missinglink]

[Pausing...]

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

[godsfavourite]

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!

[missinglink]

[...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.]

[godsfavourite]

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.

[missinglink]

[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.

[godsfavourite]

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. ]

[missinglink]

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.

[godsfavourite]

[ 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!!!!

[missinglink]

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.

[godsfavourite]

[ Allen nods, taking an egg, and then he starts to tap his red hand's nails against the shell. He does this a few times until they inevitably make a dent, to which Allen just... shoves a finger in. He holds the egg over the bowl and just attempts to rip the shell open with his thumb, using the hole as a point of contact.

It... works. Sort of. There's some shell in the egg from where he pushed his finger in to make the hole, but ultimately the separating of the shell went off without a hitch. ]

[missinglink]

[Hm. Not bad…but also not good, either. Link sees the problem immediately though, as this is a mistake he used to make.]

You don’t want to use your nail or the edge of a bowl or table to crack the egg. That pushes the shell inside and makes it more likely to come out with the egg.

[He picks up another egg and demonstrates by giving it a careful tap on the flat part of the counter until it cracks, then using both hands to carefully pull the shell halves apart.]

You can also use one of your egg shells to scoop any dropped shell. It’s easier than using a fork or a spoon since the shell wants to stick to the membrane.

[godsfavourite]

[ Allen is taking notes. He is nodding. He takes a second egg and does as Link instructs, and while making sure his touch stays featherlight with his red hand, he's able to crack the egg basically perfectly. No shells, and although this doesn't matter for French toast, even the yolk is intact.

There's a moment where Allen stares into the bowl, astonished. He leans over it a moment to double check it for shells, and upon confirming that all the shells in the bowl are from his prior attempt, he looks at Link and just... beams.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ] I've never done that before!!!!!!

[missinglink]

[Oh my God hello?

Even Link huffs and cracks the slightest smile at that, equal parts shocked and impressed.]

Impressive. Are you sure your calling wasn’t to be a chef? You love food just as much as one.

[He picks up another egg and passes it to Allen.]

Do you want to try it one handed?

[godsfavourite]

[ He’s the best at cracking eggs. He is so confident because he can totally do this how much harder is cracking it in one hand, really, and besides doing it without his Innocence will surely make it easier and—

Anyway, the egg basically crunches in his hand. After his initial dent in the egg, he tries to force it open there, but he somehow manages to open the ends of the egg before the crack he made and his fingers slip into the egg in the process. His hand is covered in slimy egg goo now. There is no salvaging this. ]

— Ah?

[missinglink]

[Ah…Link sighs through his nose and picks up a nearby towel to wipe Allen’s hand, grabbing another bowl to toss the egg shells in.]

It’s difficult. Requires a lot of careful pressure so you don’t break the egg before you’re ready. Would you say you have better control over your right or left hand?