Hana: -crying-

Allen: U-uh, H-Hanashi?

Lavi: She's just upset 'cos this is the final chapter.

Hana: NUUUUUU!

Lavi/Allen: -sweat drops-

Allen: Uh...but you knew this was coming, why would you cry?

Hana: Good point. Neither Xavier Forest nor myself own DGM! Enjoy the last chapter of BoW~!

... ... ... ...

+ - Chapter 45 - +

The sun broke through the barriers upon the sleeping male, groaning, he snuggled closer to his warm pillow, hoping for an extra few minutes of sleep. After what happened, he was more than certain he deserved it.

Wait...when were pillows warm? And moreover, when did they smell like jasmine tea and lotus? Cracking over a silver eye, Allen was met with a sight that was as rare as him not being hungry. Kanda sleeping.

Allen stayed as still as he possibly could, which was pretty still considering his old profession, hoping to preserve this sight as long as he possibly could.

Now that he thought about it, with all that had happened yesterday, he'd never been able to give his lover the Christmas present he'd managed to smuggle into the front pocket of his skinny jeans. He'd know straight away to not put it in his back pocket because when the elder groped him, he'd be sure to feel it.

It had actually been pretty difficult to get, seeing as the man had practically never let him out of sight, and if he did, a distance of more than fifty metres between the two was a rarity. And that was why when he had remembered something he'd seen on one of the shelves in Anita's store, he'd called up the women in one of his moments of alone time and made a deal. Then when they'd met up at the party two days ago, he paid using money that he'd found amongst the stuff Komui had brought over for him. Kanda never suspected a thing.

Eyeing his jeans, which were still neatly folded on the nightstand, the boy slowly reached out for them, trying not to wake his sleeping lover. Unfortunately, the man just had to go and pull Allen closer, making his job all the harder. Gritting his teeth, the Brit wriggled up, left hand reaching out for his pants. God this was hard... he thought as his boyfriend fuckin' NUZZLED into his stomach, which was now where his face was after the younger had tried to slip out of the man's vice-like grip. His ass still hurt, too.

Finally managing to snag his jeans, the youth silently cheered, tugging them towards himself. Slipping his hand into the pocket, Allen sighed. FINALLY. He pulled out the bracelet, admiring the way that the white stone beads shone in the sunlight, contrasting the darker navy ones which only seemed to darken. Carefully lifting one of the man's own hand, the boy slipped it on the other's wrist, before slowly lowering the elder's hand, thankful that the man still had yet to wake.

Pleased with his work, Allen yawned. It didn't seem Kanda would be up anytime soon, so perhaps an hour or two more of sleep would be nice...that last thought in mind, Allen yawned again, and this time, managed to get into a position where he could snuggle against the elder, falling back asleep. Instantly back in his blissful dreams.

Kanda cracked open an eye, having felt Allen move earlier. He chose to remain asleep, curious as to what the younger male was doing. When he felt the beads touch his skin, he was pretty sure he knew what it was. Lifting his arm, he admired the bracelet the younger bestowed upon him. the nerve of his lover taking his idea...he couldn't be mad at him for it. Kanda rolled his eyes, a small smile on his face. He reached for his jacket, getting that easier than Allen was able to get to his pants. He found the small box, and popped the lid open. A silver band glinted in the morning's light, so simple, with an elegant script engraved on the surface. "Eternal Love".

He took Allen's left hand, the one resting on his chest, and placed the ring on the boy's ring finger, kissing the knuckle, before letting it fall back to its original positon. "I love you, my moyashi...my Allen." Kanda whispered.

Allen stirred, only to give out a contented sigh and nestle back into the elder's side, the slightest of smiles sitting on his lips.

He really was lucky. Kanda noted. Knowing he himself wouldn't be able to get out of bed any time soon, he decided to watch his little beansprout sleep, for once content with how they were at the moment.

. . . - * - . . .

It was around noon when Allen woke up once again. Bleary eyes opened to see a new addition on his hand. Confused, he examined the band, and then looked up to Kanda. "What's this?"

The elder ruffled the boy's hair with a roll of the eyes. "What does it look like, baka?"

Allen pouted, swatting the offending appendage away. "That's now what I meant and you know it."

"Che. Then be more specific next time."

Sticking out his tongue in a childish manner, the younger tried to get up, only to wince as the pain in his backside made itself known to him.

"Take it easy." Kanda muttered. "You did have a rather rough night."

"Whose fault is that?"

"Yours." Oh how Allen wished he had something to throw at the elder..."But I suppose I could also be at fault." He'd spare him. For now.

"Really though, SEVEN TIMES?" It hurt to even THINK about. His ass was probably raw by now.

The Japanese male simply shrugged. "You liked it, though."

Honestly, how was he supposed to deny that at this point? Allen pouted, and decided to hide his face against his lover's chest. "You...were kidding about the whip...right?"

"Why?"

"Because Lulu Bell used to use the whip to train me. It wasn't pleasant."

Kanda's arms wrapped around the boy's waist protectively. "Then I'll only use a paddle or my bare hand," he informed the younger, tone turning teasing to hide his anger.

The youth chuckled. "You know, it's not really a punishment if I enjoy it." And then he froze as he realized what he'd just admitted. "Wait! I-I don't enjoy it!"

The elder smirked, glad to have the topic changed so easily. "Is my little masochist embarrassed?"

"N-No! Mou! Yu don't do this to me!"

"You did this to yourself," Kanda pointed out with a grin.

"You're mean."

"And you're mine." Kanda smirked, using his hand to tilt the boy's head up so he could kiss him.

Allen responded instantaneously, parting his lips to allow the elder to slip in the probing slick muscle that sought to enter his mouth.

If his face wasn't red already, he was sure it was now. Kanda was just that good at making him that way. He whined when Kanda pulled away. "I was under the impression you wanted to regain your legs sooner rather later." There was a teasing undertone in the man's voice. But he was right. Allen did want to walk again. Whenever that would be. "I only paid for one night, if you're up to it, we can continue this at home."

Both parties blinked the moment Allen's stomach roared to life. "Um..."

"There's a diner nearby. Eat first, then home." Kanda removed himself from the bed.

"Can we...actually shower first?" Honestly, Allen was feeling sticky from dried sweat, and equally dry other bodily fluids.

The boy felt eyes roam over his exposed form, and his blush only darkened as the silence continued. He really didn't want to know what was going through the man's mind at that moment. Thank god he didn't have Wisely's abilities. If he was forced to know half the things his lover thought, he'd never be getting any sleep. Those fantasies would probably have him wide-eyed holding a baseball bat all night.

"Alright. We'll shower." Good bye abilities to walk...I will miss you so...Allen thought, as he was picked up bridal-style from the bed, gasping when a curious hand grasped his bare butt.

. . . - * - . . .

The trip back home was uneventful. Kanda glared at anyone who looked at his boyfriend in a wrong way, but other than that, there wasn't anything that would otherwise set alarm bells. And by alarm bells, Allen meant Kanda strangling any of staring third parties.

Of course, the two of them did get quite a few stares, considering the elder had taken in upon himself to carry his boyfriend home bridal style, as the boy could hardly even move without feeling the pain in his ass worsen. And yes, the youth hated the stares, the worst one being from the receptionist of that love hotel, who'd just smirked at him knowingly. God was that embarrassing.

"Say, mister?" A little girl had broken the younger at his thoughts, "How come you're carrying him like that?"

"Because I feel like it." Kanda stated, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"But why?"

"Why not?"

"Yu!" Gods, this was even more embarrassing!

"Because everyone is staring at you. Isn't it weird?"

"Kid, where are your parents?"

The little girl didn't speak, guilty eyes finding another point to look at. "You got separated?" Allen guessed, and felt his heart crumble when he saw the little girl flinch, and nod. "Can you tell us your name, little miss?"

"Emma."

"Well, Emma, why don't you tell us where you saw them last, and we'll help you find them, okay?" The white-haired male said, lightly smacking his lover on the shoulder when he felt the man sigh.

Smiling up at him with the innocence of a child, the little girl nodded.

. . . - * - . . .

"We're really doing this?" Kanda grumbled, his lover now walking beside him, though not without difficulty. Emma was holding Kanda's other hand, getting distracted by the sights around her. No wonder her parents lost her like they did, already they had to tell her to keep to the task at hand four times already because something would catch her attention.

"Yes, we're really doing this." Allen chided. "Honestly, one of the victims was a child...no older than she is now...call me crazy, but I feel as though this could be someone saying that I can redeem myself with this little girl."

"Alright then. You're crazy. Brat, stop pulling my arm off!"

"Misters! This way! This way! I lost them over this way!" She said that the last four times too, Kanda noted. Honesty, he was getting a little suspicious. "Mister, how come you look mad?"

"He always looks like that."

"I know this area." Kanda pointed out, looking at some of the buildings, older, worn, but still as well kept as they could be. Middle Class. "There's an orphanage near here."

"Orphanage?"

"Che."

"Yu," the younger male chided, "don't just start saying something then try and drop the subject."

"Yes, Orphanage." The elder finally said. "We're heading that direction." The elder had stopped walking, the little girl pouting, and trying to get the taller male to move again. "Kid, do you have parents?"

"YU!"

"I...did...but then I lost them..."

Kanda frowned. "'Lost them' as in you can't find them, or 'lost them' as in they died?"

After elbowing the Japanese male in the ribs, Allen knelt down to the girl's eye-level. "Sorry about him; you don't have to answer that if you don't want to."

"Mister, your husband is a meanie." Allen nearly choked on his own saliva at the comment. "Mommy would wash his mouth with soap!"

"Y-yes...I suppose that would be a good idea...ah, Emma...this guy isn't-"

"EMMA!" The trio heard two female voices call out to the little girl.

Emma turned and smiled brightly, "Mommy! Momma!" Allen blinked. 'Mommy'? 'Momma'? She has two mothers...so...oh, so that's why they were led here! She must've been recently adopted! That thought brought a smile to the British male's face.

Allen watched the little girl run towards the women, silently thankful that his lover hadn't managed to upset her any more than he already had. They'd probably have to talk about that later. For now, he was just glad to have Emma safe.

Tugging on the elder's sleeve, Allen motioned back in the direction they'd come. "Let's go."

Kanda quirked a brow. "Don't you want to say goodbye? I figure you for that type."

The boy shook his head. "It's fine."

"If you're sure. Then fine. Your dog better have not torn up the couch while we were away." Allen glowered at his lover, unimpressed with the statement.

"I'll have you know, Timcanpy is better trained than that. He only goes after threats. He was a police dog at one point..." The younger trailed off as he thought a little more, "well originally training to be one I should say. A story for another time."

When the boy moved, Kanda noticed it was with a wince, and, remembering their earlier activities, wordlessly swept his young lover's feet out from under himself and caught the youth before he hit the ground. Allen, obviously, wasn't too pleased by his boyfriend actions. Stony-faced, he contemplated biting the man, but then realized that the pervert would enjoy it. "Jerk."

"MISTER!"

The Japanese male turned, allowing both to see Emma waving at them, along with her mothers, both of whom had their gazes solely on Allen, mainly on how he was being carried.

Allen flushed, with their gazes on him. Why did Kanda find it so amusing to embarrass him like this? "Thank you for helping me find my mommies, misters!"

"You're lucky to have a caring husband." One of the women said, a smile on her face.

"E-Eh? H-husband? N-no, w-we're not-"

"We're not yet married." Kanda finished, catching the younger completely off guard. "But now that you've reminded me..."

"Y-Yu?"

"I hope you don't mind, but the little ring I got for you was supposed to be a little more meaningful." He told the younger, quickly placing him back on his feet, and got down on one knee, holding his lover's left hand, where the silver band still rested on his ring finger.

"O-oh my god..."

Emma and her mothers watched with interest, Emma giggling the moment the Japanese man had gotten down on one knee.

The elder looked up at his lover and smiled. For once, it wasn't some cocky grin or perverted smirk sitting on the man's face. It was an actual smile.

Allen's heart very nearly stopped in his chest. "B-but I d-don't de-deserve this!" His eyes were wide, and he quickly worked to wipe away the tears that threatened to fall using his free hand.

Kanda's grip tightened on the boy's hand. "It wasn't you fault."

The Brit couldn't convey exactly how much of a relief it was to hear those words. Of course, relief didn't make everything alright. "Bu-"

"No buts. I'm asking you, Allen Walker, if you'll marry me. Yes or no; it's a simple question." Cobalt eyes were firmly locked on to a mercury set, neither urging him to make a decision, nor probing too deep for an answer. They wanted the answer to be spoken. They calmed him, made him feel safe. As they always had.

For the man to actually say it out loud... Allen nodded frantically, this time not bothering to rub away at the tears that ran down his face. "Y-you realize th-that this is going to mean y-you're stuck with me now, right?"

"Baka moyashi." Kanda sighed, kissing the boy's engagement ring, and then the knuckle where it rested near. "I've been stuck with you since day one. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Allen giggled, much to his embarrassment, and his face flushed harder when a high pitched squeal broke him out of his trance. "Now Emma, calm down." One of the mothers gently chided. "We wish you all the best, gentlemen." She smiled at the newly engaged couple.

"Thank you again for returning Emma to us." the other said. "You better take good care of each other."

"We will, thank you." Allen said, still flustered from earlier. "Take good care of Emma, and try not losing her again."

Emma pouted. "They didn't lose me, I lost them."

"Then try not to lose them anymore, alright?" The Brit told the girl, glad to have the topic of his engagement forgotten.

"I'll try," Emma promised with a bright smile.

From the look he could feel his boyfr- fiancé giving him from behind, Allen knew it wasn't completely forgotten. What came first, though? Would he announce it to his close friends and family, or would the man whisk him away to the bedroom so they could celebrate the event?

The latter was the most likely scenario. He knew the Japanese male all too well to expect anything else. Well... then again... he hadn't been expecting this...

. . . - * - . . .

Once again back on the subway, Allen was staring at his ring. His engagement ring. Allen never really thought of a wedding ever happening, and yet...here was, engaged. Thinking about it sent butterflies loose in his stomach. He wondered what kind of wedding it be...big? Small? Would they just elope? Thinking it over...Lavi seemed like he knew something the other da-

"Yu...did Lavi know you were gonna propose to me?"

Kanda just shrugged, secretly watching the boy from the corner of his eye.

"Yu..." the youth probed, already having sensed the man watching him, but choosing to stay silent on the matter. As if he would be so oblivious. It was almost laughable.

"That idiot knows everything," the elder muttered.

Well, that was true. Lavi Bookman was practically a fountain of knowledge. It was almost scary.

On second thought, there was no "almost" about it. Lavi's ability to find things out was completely scary! "So he basically saw you, put two and two together, and came up to that conclusion?"

"In a fucking nutshell."

Allen thought on that for a second, before looking his fiancé straight in the eye. "He scares me."

The elder nodded once, agreeing with the boy. Not that he would admit it out loud.

"There are far scarier." Kanda pointed out. Allen didn't want to think of what was scarier than Lavi's vast unlimited knowledge...was Bookman the same way? Oh, wouldn't that be doubly frightening...

Instead of speaking, the boy simply sighed, leaning against his fiancé. That never got old. Fiancé... to think that he actually had someone like that... he hadn't thought it possible. Everything around him had become so... normal.

It was nice. Really, to be normal, to no longer be wanted by the government, to be free to be who he wants to be. Corny as it sounded, he was grateful to have what so many would've otherwise taken for granted. You don't really know what it is you have, until it's taken. He'd learned that lesson more times than he could really count.

And now he could live a normal-ish life, with normal-ish people, doing normal-ish things. It actually sounded pretty good.

The future, once seeming to be dim and dreary, had seemed to have taken a drastic change. Sure, he still didn't know what was to come, but now he didn't have to go at it alone anymore. "Hey, Yu?"

"Hm?"

"I don't want to elope...I want a ceremony...with our friends and family being there..."

If the man was surprised, he didn't show it. Kanda nodded once, express softening. "Whatever you want."'

Surprised, Allen's eyes went wide. "You mean you're not opposed to the idea?"

The elder clicked his tongue. "I expected this the moment I asked you, dimwit." Two arms circled the boy's body, drawing him closer. "Since you're such a girl and all."

"I'm not a girl." The younger muttered, "It was just how I was brought up."

"I'm sure it was."

"I bet Lena would want to be the maid of honor." Allen commented offhandedly.

"I can imagine her wanting that role. That idiot rabbit would self-proclaim himself best man."

"That's something Lavi would do." Allen chuckled. "Am I the one walking up the isle?"

"Sure as hell ain't gonna be me. I proposed to you."

"...meet me halfway there?"

"Maybe."

"... But who's going to walk me down the isle?" Cross was... but Neah was... urg.

"Cross raised you longer. But Neah is your blood uncle. Have them both walk you down." Allen blinked. He never thought of that.

"I can do that?"

"I've seen it before." Kanda confirmed. "Listen, we have time to get this hell over with. We can wait until after you've graduated college."

"You're willing to wait that long?"

"Only for you." The alarm sounded, alerting the occupants of their approaching stop. "Looks like we're finally here."

"I guess so." Allen said. "There's a lot for us to, and I guess we'll have to plan it out as we go?"

"Che." the elder muttered, standing. "Isn't that the only way to do it?"

The boy smiled. "I guess it is." Who would have thought he'd fall for the pervert who'd molested him at their first meeting? Maybe he really was a masochist...

A lot could happen in a few years.

But neither could've guessed just how much will happen in such a short amount of time.

-The End?-

... ... ... ...

Thank you everyone who's followed along, and had been here for the journey. Yes, this is the final chapter, and no, there aren't any more chapters after this.

I hate it when a story ends, but when one door closes, another one opens! Why? Well...we're working on a sequel! I won't go into too much detail, but I can tell ya now, it'll be a while before we (I) start posting the story to FF and AO3.

We want enough chapters where we can continue writing and still post the fic like we've been doing for BoW :)

Look forward to whenever we start posting this new story!

In the mean time! Spread the love for this fic~! R&R and show how much y'all care~