Until the End

Prologue

~Martel~

The cold night was still as Allen sat on the steps of the ampitheater, his knees drawn up to his chest. Tears ran down his face as he listened to Lala's song and then: silence. The tears came harder now.

A few minutes later he heard Kanda approch.

'Oh God. I can't let him see me cry. Got to get in control.'

Kanda sat down beside him and Allen felt the familiar current running between them. It had always been there... ever since Kanda had first pointed mugen in his face and their eyes met. That was when he had first felt the current and he was sure Kanda felt it too. Ever since that first meeting it had stayed; thoughout every fight and silent train ride. Allen knew what this current was, but he had more important things to worry about right now.

As Allen thought about all this the silence was broken by Kanda.

"Che. Why are you crying, Moyashi?," he asked.

Allen glared through teary eyes. "Because it's so sad BaKanda! And my name is Allen, A-L-L-E-N!," he angrily retorted.

Kanda sighed. 'This kid is gonna be impossible.'

"Listen Moyashi," he said, "Did Lala and Gouzol look sad?"

"No," Allen answered petulantly, "But that's because they loved each other."

'Wow the Moyashi's a genius.'

"Exactly, so why are you ruining their moment with tears and a runny nose? It's not manly," Kanda said.

'Unmanly?!'

Allen exploded. "Why do you care so much? What does it matter to you wheather my crying is manly or not!," he yelled.

'... Moyashi's snapped. sigh. alright Kanda gird your loins, because this could go badly.'

Kanda took a deep breath and said quietly, "Because it hurts to see you sad."

'Shit. I sound like a fucking woman. Dammit. Maybe he'll take it the wrong way. Che. The Moyashi's certainly dense enough.'

"Kanda?" The softly spoken word broke his train of thought as he locked eyes with Allen's.

To Allen, Kanda's eyes told everything and the current that ran between them intensified, bringing a fresh wave of tears to his eyes.

"Do you mean it?," he asked quietly.

"Che. Come here." And he pulled Allen's head to his chest. Kanda weaved his hand through the young exorcist's soft hair and laid his cheek against it. Allen wrapped his small arms around Kanda's back, clutching his jacket, and sobbed harder.

"Why are you crying now?," Kanda asked, exassperated.

Allen studdered, "B-But you said..."

"I know what I said!," Kanda cut in, a tinge of pink on his cheeks. "Just... just calm down, alright? I'm here. I'll always be here beside you."

"Promise?," Allen whispered, looking up at him.

"Promise," Kanda answered, kissing the teen's forehead and looking at the stars.