It had been about a week, and Allen still wasn't sure of the reality of it all. It was like old times, he and his master on the run.

Only it wasn't like old times; his master rarely left him alone, and in the meantime, if Cross wasn't working on what Allen assumed was the extremely delicate and time consuming process of trying to revive Timcanpy, he took to a spot nearby the window of their current boarding to smoke and look down upon the masses bustling about their business and their day in the little British port town. Better to hide in plain sight, his master had said.

There was something to be said about Cross' face in these times; it was worried, a kind of paranoid worried that made Allen sense he expected some threat at any moment. It put Allen on edge.

He'd yet to ask about whatever that threat may be, or anything else about this past week for that matter. Cross had been brutally honest with him about everything but the issues Allen had in mind, and he wasn't sure Cross would answer should he ask.

As far as Allen was concerned, Apocryphos, The Order, and The Noah Family were really the only ones they had to avoid, and they'd done that well enough before...It wasn't like his master to worry over them...

Then again, all three potential threats were actively searching for them, at least one with the intent of wiping them off the face of the Earth...

Allen sighed and allowed himself to collapse backwards onto what was currently his bed, head landing squarely in his pillow. It was boring, being shut up in this room, no matter how interesting being on the run might seem to anyone else, and it didn't help that his thoughts went to dark places...

And thinking of dark places, Allen sighed again as he thought of Neah; he'd been quiet since Cross showed up. It was suspicious... Allen vaguely recollected Neah lamenting Cross' death; Neah laying dormant now was very suspicious...

Well, there wasn't much else to do, and for fear of waking Neah at an inopportune time, Allen tried clearing his mind and counted the cracks between the ceiling boards. For the hundredth time...

Allen had fallen asleep, and, when he awoke, he found himself... Alone?

No master to be found anywhere...

Glancing out the window, Allen noticed the sun beginning to set behind the little patch of town visible, and, still behind that, on the sea.

...And, it was getting dark. Great. He couldn't have decided to abandon him now, could he?

As if in answer, the door to the small room opened, and in walked Cross in a huff, somewhat disheveled and carrying a few packages. Allen barely had a moment to think before catching the full loaf of bread being tossed at his face.

'You haven't eaten since this morning. We're leaving tomorrow.'

Cross turned his back on Allen to set the packages, assumably of provisions, down on a small table by the door, keeping himself busy by checking they were packed fair enough for their departure.

Instead of ravenously tearing into the loaf, Allen placed it on the bed beside him, his hair shadowing his face.

Cross paused for a contemplating moment.

'So, finally decided to show, eh?' Cross didn't have to turn around to know this presence.

The voice was mockly offended, but still sweet and friendly. 'Now, Cross, is that any way to greet an old friend?'

Cross turned around and leaned against the table, an only half amused smirk on his face.

'Oh, I'm sorry, how dreadfully rude of me. Hello, Neah, what brings you here? Come to take my son away?'

He looked up at the ginger, a feral glare from glowing gold eyes. 'Hah. Going soft already, Cross? Funny, I didn't think you even had a heart underneath it all.'

'Oh, shut up.' Cross turned back to the packages, more to make himself look busy than to actually deal with them. 'I know it's just so hard for you Noah to understand, but humans actually start liking people they're forced to take care of. Maybe I didn't give a fuck when you first asked...'

The ex-general braced himself on the table as if he'd suddenly gained a huge burden; perhaps he had, if he really wanted to think that way.

'Allen was just a brat I suddenly had to babysit, and worse, actually nurse back to health... But even while I had to work my ass off, it was hard not to start worrying for him. I was tough on him, but he always knew he could trust me when he really needed it... And he finally stood up to me instead of just taking vague, bullshit answers from me. I've never been that proud of something other than my fucking self, and like Hell I'm gonna stand around while this happens.

I wanted him to just fade away without fighting it, but that's not how Allen is.

I might as well help him; I don't want to lose him.'

Author Note Start

Holy asdkfhlfklsgj. Over a year. I'm terrible. And it's such a short chapter... -bows-

But, I have been adjusting to mental illnesses and help for that, and adulting...

Well, as much adulting as my sheltering parents allow TTvTT

And, good news, I actually have the next chapter -planned- instead of winging it... :3

So, I'm gonna confess, I was totally gonna sneak some onesided Neah/Cross into this, where Neah is a smooth motherfucking babe.

Manga Neah has incurred a wrath in me, though.

I still love his character, though. TT-TT

Anyways, Thank You, my lovelies~! For the reads, the Favs, the Follows, the reviews, and all of you just being beaYOUtiful 3 See y'all next chapter~!