Hello, and welcome to my first two-shot story! I've corrected a few mistakes in hopes of making this a little easier to understand.

Well, this is a father-son story between Allen and Mana! Just because there's never enough of this two!

Now, to read this, I would ask from you to take this in mind, just in case:

Pairings: None

Warning: look out for bad grammar and bad vocabulary usage (ténganme paciencia, toy aprendiendo xD)

Remember: When someone says I love you, it doesn't in a romantic way (this is for the people who search for yaoi) Anyone can live without the romantic kind of love, but no one can live without love. I put this note so no one misunderstands.

Note: Read with an open mind please. Any questions on reviews will be answered.

--

"thoughts"

"Speak"

"Voice inside the head"

For the time we lost

Part I

He thought he didn't have any tears left. He was used to it for he believed that he had dried them all long ago. But as he held the unmoving body of the child in his arms he couldn't help but to be surprised at the warm sensation of the salty water falling down his face. He rubbed the boy's chest in a desperate attempt to wake him up. He didn't know what else to do.

"Come on" he begged "You have to wake up, please" the tears became sobs; he was quickly losing hope. The young body didn't react; the chest had already stopped moving. "HELP!" he screamed as loud as he could. "SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!" he screamed as he stood up. "Please…" his whole body was shaking, this must be a nightmare. "Please…" nobody would come. Nobody would help a man and a child that were completely soaked at the river bank, less with the fog that surrounded them. Nobody would help a simple clown to save the orphan child that had become his only family. "SOMEBODY, ANYBODY!" he screamed. "Please help me…" he fell to his knees."I don't want this to happen," he turned to look at the little boy whose face was losing its color by the second. "I didn't want this to happen," he crawled to the child's side and with a bitter smile he shook his little reddish left hand. "Please… God, even if I'm not worthy of it, I beg you… please, don't take him… don't take him away from me," the man took the hand in his and rubbed softly over the little cross like scar. "It's my fault… please, I'll take his place if needed, please, let him live… he hadn't had the opportunity to live yet…he deserves to have a chance, please," The man rested his forehead on the small hand. He couldn't believe he will never see him grow as he became old… the child will never be a man, and it was his fault. "I BEG YOU! PLEASE SAVE MY SON!"

(flash back)

Mana Walker loved children. He always had. That was why he was such a good clown, but when he decided to bring the small foundling child with him, he didn't expect it to be so difficult. Even now as they walked through the streets of this small city, Mana was a little wary of his new 'son's' actions. The boy walked by his side looking at the ground. From time to time he would kick a pebble, but he wouldn't try to go after it. Nothing seemed interesting for the boy, nothing except when someone got too close to him aside from Mana. The boy was always alert and even when his head was bent down, his eyes kept darting from side to side.

Mana sighed. He loved children, he really did. But he had never encountered one as Allen and the thought made him upset. Allen was by far, the most un-child like child he had ever met. The boy was so used to fighting for survival that he actually never learned what it meant to be a kid. He didn't know the fun of a simple joke, he didn't know what it was like to be tucked in bed; he didn't even know the meaning of the word 'play'. Mana would have to admit that when he met the child, he never thought it would be that serious… he hoped it would be an interesting experience to have a young companion. Now he doubted it had been such a good idea.

Walking by Allen's side was like walking with a short sized adult; more than that, it was like walking with a little criminal afraid to be detected by the law. Mana sighed again.

"Allen," he called the child that was slowly falling behind. "Allen," but he didn't receive an answer. He stopped walking and turned completely to face the boy. "Allen!" the child flinched almost imperceptibly and looked up to face the adult with a frown on his face.

"Yeah?" he asked annoyed by who knows what reason now.

"Are you tired? If you are I could carry you," offered the man with a big smile as he righted his top hat. The boy just looked at him with a face that obviously said 'forget it!' "Only if you are tired of course," The child was always on a sour mood. Ha! The beauty of being predictable. At least, Mana didn't have to wonder about the child's mood, he only had to guess why he felt like that. But this led the clown to believe that Allen may actually dislike him… after all, he said he hated clowns, didn't he?

"I am not tired… Just got distracted, that's all," to prove his point he hurried the pace and passed Mana quickly. "Now hurry, I can't carry you if you are tired!" Mana chuckled. Was that supposed to be an insult or a joke?

His smile disappeared shortly being replaced by a sad expression. It was already three months since he took the child out of that hell hole of a circus, but the boy still wasn't able to react properly when he called him by his name. Well, it wasn't like he could blame the child for it. Till three months ago Allen hadn't had a real name.

That was one of the first things that shocked him about the boy. He had lived for the last nine years –take or give a year- of his live without a way to call himself. Mana still remembered that when he asked the boy for the way people called him he received a list as answer: Brat, idiot, scum, monster, devil, thief, urchin, freak, bastard, and the list went on and on. It was so normal for Allen to be called by so many names that he learned to refer to himself with those same words. Mana felt sick. Calling yourself a monster or a bastard wasn't something that could be healthy. That's why the grown up clown decided to do something for the boy and gave him a name.

'Allen' was a name that meant much for Mana, he wasn't sure why, but he had given it to his dog in hopes of not forgetting it and now he was giving it to the person he hoped would become his son. The child didn't mind at all. Now that he thought of it, maybe the weirdest thing about that moment was that Mana used to know… he was sure. He used to know why it was so important… but as soon as the boy took over the name, he simply forgot why … crazy isn't it? Then again, at that time, Mana used to worry about whether he was still sane.

But even though Mana had done it to help the child, the result wasn't as good as he had expected. Even when the boy had a name now, he still answer when people call him names. And the poor orphan boy became very confused. It reached a point where Mana came to believe that the boy thought 'Allen' was just another way to call himself; maybe he even thought it was an insult or a way to call him bad.

It was much more difficult than what he had hoped and he had to admit it, Mana had been, at least for the latest years, a person that would give up easily. But he wanted to help the boy. He really wanted Allen to drop the protective shell that covered his heart and maybe, someday, allow Mana inside. The man would be honored if he ever got to be called 'dad'. But as he saw the boy walk annoyed in front of him he knew he was only dreaming. Mana wondered what would the kid's reaction be if he ever called him 'son'? He shook his head. It was far too soon, the answer would surely be negative.… Allen didn't even appreciate the name he was given, he didn't even appreciate his company… maybe he should allow the kid to go back to the circus… or at least go wherever he wished…

The clown sighed and decided not to dwell on it for the mean time.

He looked at the sky with curiosity and then with a gloved hand searched within his coat. He fished out a silver object. It was round clock that had a weird crest carved on the cover lid. He looked at it with tenderness.

Mana Walker wasn't one to allow himself many luxuries. He was happy with clean clothes and enough money to feed his person and the glutton of a 'son' he had taken in. But this was the only thing he wouldn't be able to deny himself of. He wasn't really sure why, but it was very important to him. It brought a nostalgic feeling, something he had forgotten on his mind but that his heart knew very well. One thing he was sure of, it was a present from someone… who? He might never remember, but it was his most precious possession. The irony laid in the fact that while a part of his mind rejoiced on its figure, another also trembled in fear… as if he actually didn't want to remember.

He opened the lid and saw the hour. It was about time to go back to the inn to have a nice warm meal. The sky was a little clouded so the normal blue had a hue of grey. Mana smiled, it was the color of Allen's eyes. He closed the clock and put it back in his pocket. Talking about Allen, he would get hungry soon and that made him even grumpier.

"Hurry!" called the boy.

"Hmm… maybe he is already hungry," he thought and would have laughed if it wasn't because in that precise moment someone came running from behind and crashed against him. Mana lost the balance and fell quickly to the floor. The person that had collided with him stood up quickly and ran away. A crowd started to form around the fallen man.

"Are you ok?" asked a man, as others surrounded him.

"Yes, don't worry," he said slowly using his arms to get up.

"Mana!" he heard the scared voice of the small child. The clown looked at the boy who had a hint of worry on his normally annoyed features. "Mana, your head is bleeding," he said as he took off the clothe he used as tie and put it against the elder's forehead. Mana winced at the pressure but was quite comforted –and startled- by the kid's concerned reaction.

"I'm fine, Allen," he assured sitting up but the child still applied pressure to his wound.

"Now, now, people, moving around, please don't stop in the middle of the street," called a police officer "Hey, you! You alright?" he asked, Mana nodded. "Ok, whatever, just move to the side and get treated," the officer left them after that.

"I'm alright Allen," reassured Mana this time applying pressure to his wound himself so he could stand and move. "I must have scratched my head with something when I fell, but it's nothing serious."

When they got to a less crowded area, Mana took a few supplies from his bag and patched his wound. It had already stopped bleeding. Unfortunately, Allen's tie was now dirty with red stains. "Sorry," said Mana.

"No problem. I don't need it," was the answer as the little child sat at his side. "You sure you alright?" Mana nodded again; somehow happy that Allen was caring for him… maybe the boy would actually come to like him. "I'm hungry…" added the child, making the adult laugh at his inability of tolerating the said state.

Mana searched his coat deciding to give the boy a few coins to buy some candy on a nearby store when he noticed the lack of something.

His clock… his beloved pocket clock…it wasn't there! Mana stood up so fast he startled the boy at his side. The man searched every pocket, every gap, even within his bag. He felt panic welling within him. His precious clock was gone!

Then he had an epiphany. He had it before he fell, and it was gone after. He had been robbed!

"Damn!" he mumbled as he hit the closest wall.

The little boy looked at the grown up confused. "Mana?"

"Not now, Allen." said the man as he fought to control his rage, that clock was his only connection to all he had forgotten and someone that used to be important… but now, simply because he hadn't been careful, it was gone!

"Your head hurts?" asked the boy trying to understand the man's reaction. That punch to the wall surely pained him very much, he didn't get the point.

"No!" his voice came out louder than he intended and it made the boy flinch away.

"Sorry," said Allen softly. "Did I do something… wrong?"

Mana was dealing with more wrath than he had for a long time…he couldn't remember the last time he felt so mad, and that made him even angrier! And Allen wasn't helping that much with his inquiry!

"Just keep quiet"

"I…"

"I SAID SHUT UP!" the boy looked at him with fear making him realize he made a mistake, trying to apologize he said. "I… I just feel bad, that's all… I didn't noticed they stole it from me."

"W-w-what?" stuttered the boy.

"When I fell… my silver clock was gone... it was the only thing of value I had left… And now it's gone," Mana punched the wall again.

"Was it really that important?" asked Allen trying to reason with the elder. "It was just a trinket … it was old and weird…" the boy didn't know that he was making Mana's rage grow with every word he uttered. The ears of the man were getting red from irritation.

"Just shut up!" Mana bit his lip in fury, that clock was his life, it was more important than anything! He had tolerated the kid's every whim, but he would not let this insult pass.

"But-"

"Leave me."

"ah?"

"You heard me, I want to be alone!" he knew he would regret his words, but he couldn't help it, if the boy stayed he might end up hurting him more, besides, Allen needed time to think of what he said!

"but I-"

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" he yelled facing Allen with rage filled eyes. The boy shook under his gaze, panic consuming his mind like lit up match. The child started to cry silently as he stood up trembling and without any words he ran away.

Mana stayed there, alone, barely noticing the few people that had watched the scene.

He needed time; Allen would come later when he couldn't with his stomach. Meanwhile, Mana needed to cope with this terrible loss. The clown sat down on an old box and tried to calm himself as much as he could. It would take time. Just a little more of time.

(end flashback)

What could he do? He was so confused… no one will come to help him. He had to do something. But Allen didn't wake up, no matter how many times he called his name. "I'm not mad at you…" sobbed the adult. "Please… It was my bad… don't go away from me…"

(flashback)

Allen didn't come back. Not after an hour, not after the sundown, not in the middle of the night. Mana had gone back to the inn they were staying at and had hoped Allen would find his way back, but then remembered that the boy had a knack for getting lost.

What had he done?

That night as he lay on his bed, he couldn't fall asleep, not while his little 'son' was out there, in who knows what place, sleeping in the cold all alone and scared. Mana cursed, he had really screwed up this time. "I'm such an imbecile."

"Allen!... ALLEN! WHERE ARE YOU!?" he called. He had been searching for the boy since early in the morning, but there was no sign of him. Mana was very tired, but he was far more scared than anything. What if Allen had decided not to come back? What if the child preferred to stay away from him? What if he had already left the town? "AH! Don't think nonsense!" grumbled the man messing his black hair. He had left in such a hurry he had forgotten his top hat and his gloves, but he couldn't care less.

"Where the heck is that boy?"

He tried to ask at the police station, but no one there could care less for a lost orphan child, less if he was the pseudo-son of a traveling clown. If only he had money and power, if he was a 'Sir' or something, they would have heard him immediately, but Mana was not. At least not that he remembered.

He closed his eyes and tried to think of where Allen could be…

Where could the child be? Where would he be if he was Allen?…

Suddenly, a weird feeling spread all over his head. Like a bucket of cold water. He saw a picture in his mind's eye. The image of a young boy near a river scowling at him with an angry visage as he muttered a "go away." At first he thought that it was Allen, but when the image (memory or whatever it was) became clearer he saw that the boy in question had black messy hair… hair as black as his own and was a few years older than the orphan boy. Mana felt the need to dive into the memory, he wanted to know who that boy was, but before he could try to grasp it, he woke up. "Allen!" The grown up stood up and started to run, he got an idea where to go.

(End flashback)

"Allen, please tell me what to do," he touched the boy's head, he had a nasty cut on it. "Allen, what should I do?" who was he asking to? To the child he had named 'Allen'? Or to the person he couldn't remember but used to hold the name of 'Allen'? Why did everything had to be so complicated, why did he have to be a coward and not act when he had the chance to? Why did he wait so long? Why? Why was his boy dying while he had to watch?

(Flashback)

The weather had no mercy that day. The wind was harsh and the waters of the river were turbulent. He looked all around the river bank. The sky was becoming grayish, a soft fog was forming and Mana was getting more and more anxious by the minute. Where was his boy?

That's when a sudden gust of wind made him turn to the side while holding strongly to his coat. Mana shuddered and opened his eyes with some difficulty. The first thing he noticed was an old bridge. It was much eroded and was obviously dangerous to transit through. There was a warning sign on the side, advising people to stay away. But what called his attention was the little figure that was almost crawling over it. Mana struggled to get a better look at it as his feet took him closer to the structure. The clown gasped when he was finally close enough to recognize the little human being.

It was Allen and was leaning hard against one of the unstable railings of the bridge. The boy was holding his stomach with one hand and had a trail of blood running down his face.

Mana was shocked at first, but soon his recently acquired paternal instincts kicked in. "Allen!" he called, making the little boy turned his head slowly. From the distance, Mana could barely see his eyes, but they seemed lost. "Allen, can you hear me?" Why was the boy there? Didn't he see the sign? At his own question Mana slapped himself "Damn… note to self… teach the boy to read…"

The boy opened his mouth but no sound came from it. Mana repeated his question and as answer Allen stood up with great effort.

"Allen, stay there, I'm going," he said, but the child reacted by taking a few steps back, as if afraid. Mana cursed himself. He had to go and break the child's confidence by yelling at him. "Yeah! Way to go Mana!" he scolded himself. "Allen, it's all right. I'm not angry at you… I was upset, that's all, it's not your fault," Mana reached the end of the bridge and analyzed whether it was a good idea to go after the boy…maybe the structure wouldn't tolerate it, he couldn't take such a risk.

"Allen! I'm going to search for help, ok? I'll come back, just stay where you are!" "I can't help him myself… I might end up hurting both of us in the process" he concluded and was about to turn around to search for help when he heard a soft whimper.

When he turned around he saw the child crying, one hand stretched out towards him, asking to be hold, obviously afraid of being alone. One night outside had really done a number on the boy. How many awful memories might be clouding those eyes right now? Mana felt responsible, but he really didn't trust himself to protect the child anymore. He wasn't a good protector, he wasn't qualified to be a good father… he wasn't good at anything; he didn't even know who he was. And he even lost his precious clock… Damn it! He couldn't even stop thinking about that stupid clock when his child was in danger!

"I'll come back… I will…I…" But the child shook his head urgently as he tried to reach the other side of the bridge. His feet were barely able to keep him up, he was so exhausted. "Don't move! Allen, please, listen to what I say!" but the child didn't comply. "Please, for once, hear me out!" the boy stood still, holding to the wooden railing for support as his tears fell down silently. Mana knew the child didn't believe him. How many times had people promised this broken human being to come and save him just to be abandoned somewhere to cry alone?

"I'll get help, just don't move," Mana was surprised when the boy nodded. He wasn't sure if Allen had trust in him or if he only gave up, but certainly he didn't care. The adult turned and looked around thinking of where to go. He was glad it wasn't dark yet, at least that made the fog less intimidating.

Mana decided to go to the police station again; maybe they would help him now that he knew where the child was. But just as he thought that, he heard a voice telling him: "Must you always run away?" Mana stopped and turned startled. That sounded just like Allen, only a little deeper. The grown up looked at the child and saw how the little one leaned heavily against the old wooden railing; he looked almost about to faint. Mana had to hurry, but -without warning- he heard again that voice, slightly louder, this time clearly inside his head. "I'm a little disappointed, considering I'm younger." Mana grasped his head feeling dizzy. Was he going crazy? "Not now!"

What was going on? "Mana… someday you are going to regret these things…" through his confusion Mana heard a cracking sound that made him spin around faster than his head could handle. "Grgh…" He fell to his knees but fought to raise his head as he heard a blaring sound, this time very clear. Splintering wood. Mana's eyes widened in horror as he saw how the security rail broke making the small body fall through it. "Because sometimes…" Mana yelled for the boy, but he had lost consciousness seconds before falling. "You can't really afford to waste time…" Mana couldn't even move as he saw the body of the wounded child crashing into the raging waters below. "Keep moving… or you'll lose the time you have left…" the image of the black haired boy smiling at him entered his mind as he ran after the body of his unconscious 'son'. "And Mana, the things you lose you can't get back." As fast as he could, he took off his coat and jumped into the cold waters… "Not again… please, not again."

(end flashback)

And that took him to the point he was in. Crying over the unmoving body of his young child. All because of a stupid clock that was his most important possession. Mana shook his head. No, that wasn't true. That useless trinket wasn't the most valuable thing in his life. The most important, the only valuable thing he had left was this little broken child. This child, who's past needed to be healed. Mana wanted to be the one to heal it, for he had lost his own past in order to take him in. Allen was his life, his most important person, the reason he didn't hang himself after the old dog 'Allen' died. If only he could… if there was only one way to save him… but he couldn't…

"Mana… someday you are going to regret these things…"

Mana froze on the spot. He felt as if he was being sucked inside a memory again.

A child, the black haired boy… he fell into a river too… Mana got scared. The boy called for him. Mana jumped after. Mana got him out… but the boy didn't move… Allen?... no… or was it?... the boy didn't move. Mana kissed his lips… Mana pressed his chest with both hands… … Mana begged him to wake up…

"What took you so long?" questioned the child as both dropped exhausted over the grass, laughing as if nothing had happened.

Mana blinked, once, twice and then, he was back.

"Because sometimes…"

Mana's eyes filled with a determination that didn't seemed his and laid little Allen's body on the ground. "You can't really afford to waste time."

He tilted the boy's head back. Using two fingers he lifted his small chin up. Mana didn't really have an idea of what he was doing, but somehow, his body knew what to do.

The clown took a deep breath and delicately covered the child's mouth with his own. He blew air till he saw the small chest rise. Then he moved and using both hands, he pushed hard and fast over the center of the boy's chest. He was scared. His hands were bigger than in his memory, and the chest he was pressing was way smaller, he could easily wound him more by doing this. But his mind kept telling him this was his only chance, if this didn't worked… then…He fought to stop his tears, he needed to concentrate.

One, two, three….

Ten, eleven, twelve…

Twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three…

After several times, Mana started to lose his recently acquired determination. It wasn't working… was he too late? The clown blew once more… but the body didn't react at all.

Mana cried out loud in despair. Was this some kind of joke? After all he had done… after even getting a glimpse of hope from that weird memory, why was destiny taking his boy away? Why?! Before he could even become the father he needed to be, it was separating them! The least it could have done was to let him drown on the river too. He fisted his hands on the ground, his bare fingers scraping against little rocks.

Mana closed his eyes tightly as a tear rolled down. It landed on the boy's left hand. The man looked at that hand, and possessed by some unknown force he took it again in his. He brought the little limb to his forehead, and felt some weird dislike to it. He bit his lower lip… somehow, Mana blamed the hand… he couldn't help it, it was illogical, but he blamed it… yet at the same time, he respected it… now he knew he was crazy. A simple idea formed on his mind. So simple, yet so insanely beautiful. If his child would die, then he would die with him.

An almost crazy smile painted itself on his face. He wouldn't let Allen go alone. The boy had been lonely for far too long. If he was going to have to cross to the other side, Mana would be with him. If he wasn't a good father in life, at least, maybe, a merciful entity would allow him to be one on the other side. Mana smiled satisfied. But he wouldn't allow this weird feeling to go with him.

"I'm trying… isn't it enough?" he asked, ironically, to the red limb. "All I wanted was to love him… I wanted him to have the chance… the same opportunity other children have," he sobbed sadly. "If you loved him as much as I do… If you did… you would save him… for even a coward like I tried to," Mana tightened his grip on the little fingers. "You made his live miserable," he declared looking at the hand as his expression softened. "But you were part of him… and even thought I hated you… I also loved you."

"show this child what love is" the man smiled as he gently gave a soft kiss to the black scar on the hand. How ironic, it was like that song, how did it go? Oh yeah… "give a kiss to his hands you hold"… Mana let a last tear fall. "All I really wanted… was to love all of him, so that he could learn to love himself, no matter how different or how difficult… I wanted to teach him what it felt to be loved."

The clown laid the little hand over the unmoving chest. Now with his last life line gone, there was no reason for Mana to stay in that world. "I'll be there soon, just wait for me please," with a tender smile, the man leaned towards the child's face and gently placed a kiss on his cold lips. Mana mumbled a 'forgive me' as he stood up. His intention? End his life the same way his son ended his.

Mana's feet took him almost in trance to the border of the riverbank. Taking a deep breath he thought. "What an unworthy world… that would never hear a stupid clown… and that didn't have a place, for a child with no name."

He looked at the harsh waters and closed his eyes dreaming of what it could have been, to make the boy smile, to teach him to read and write, to teach him the ways of a gentleman and the life of a clown. He could almost dream of playing together, and maybe to see him fall in love with a beautiful lady when he was a man. See him form his own family, making him a grandfather, and talking about old memories while sharing a glass of good wine. But reality cut his dreams short, and his sad thoughts pulled him to the pit of desolation he had found himself right before he met the last 'Allen' in his life.

But just when he was about to take the step…

Just when he was about to end it all…

He heard a sound. His heart gave a sudden leap of joy. A warm light brought him out of the darkness as he opened his eyes. For an instant he actually thought he was hallucinating, but the constant of it made him believe it. It was a coughing sound, a little desperate coughing sound.

Mana turned around, and in a second he was already at the side of the coughing child, helping him sit and giving soft pats on his back to help him get the water out of his airways. The man's heart was beating so fast and hard that he could have had a heart attack… but more than probably, he wouldn't have minded at all. There were no words to describe how he felt. As soon as the boy stopped coughing he slumped tiredly against the elder's arms, his eyes barely open. Mana couldn't feel happier as he helped the small boy. He cradled him against his chest. Suddenly only one thought on his mind, a thought that held great contrast with the ones before. "Thank you," he whispered as he rocked the child softly. "Thank you."

"Ma… na…?" mumbled the child. Mana looked at him with a wide smile on his face. "You… cryin'…" Mana chuckled at the boy.

"Hush, you are very tired, there is no need to talk."

The boy turned his head a little looking around.

"Thought… you… couldn't cry…"

Mana laughed, feeling blessed to be alive just to hold this living child in his arms.

"I think I just remembered how. Yet, I'm not crying from being sad. I cry because I'm so happy, I can't keep all that feeling inside," the boy looked at him confused, obviously not understanding that feeling. Then shivered slightly making the grown up concerned. "You cold?" that was something stupid to ask, he was in better shape than the boy and he was freezing!

"Silly…" was all the child said, knowing that the clown knew he had made an unnecessary question. "What… happened?" Mana felt nervous but still told him.

"You fell. The bridge broke and you were unconscious," Mana looked at him noticing the wounds on his little form. There was some blood on his face and he had a purple mark on his right cheek. "What happened to you? Why were you there?"

At his question, the child hid his face on the man's shirt as he shook slightly, maybe crying.

"I'm… sorry," he said making Mana worried. "I… got confused… got lost… I… I shouldn't have… fallen into water…" the clown saw little Allen moving his right hand to search on the inside of his wet shirt. "I'm sorry… I think… it might… be broken…" Mana gasped as he saw the object on the boy's little hand.

"My… m-m-my-my Clock?" Mana took it from his little hand. It was his clock, same silver lid, same crest as always. But it had been stolen. "Why?" he asked as he felt the little body leaning harder against him.

"Because…" the child's voice was weaker with every word. "It is… Mana's… most precious… possessi..."he never finished the word because he fell unconscious from the exhaustion. Mana shook as his fist tightened around the clock. He let it fall to the floor on the side not caring if it got scraped. And with both hands he brought Allen closer into a tight embrace.

"Idiot…" he mumbled. "You are the most important person in my life… no clock, no memory, nothing, is more important than your life."

The clown kept rocking the child, unable to find the strength to stand up, but fortunately for him, someone from the inn appeared after a while and helped him back. Surprisingly, they called a doctor and gave him a nice bowl of hot stew. Allen would be alright… all he needed now, was a little more… of time…

That's the first chapter of this two-shot. This was originally a one-shot, but a got a little carried away and it turned to be too long for just one chapter, so two it is.

In the next chapter a few things will be explained. But if anyone has a question, you can leave it on a review and I'll answer it on the next chapter. (y las personas que se sientan cómodas escribiendo en español pueden dejar reviews así, siempre es agradable leerlos)

I'll try to hurry on the second part and on my other story.

Well, I hope you liked it. See you in the next chapter