Siiiince twitter's going down the drain and fandom's kinda *crickets*... approximately how many of you would even be alive for a December Yullentide (Weeks)?
turn 1 (will reboot poll possibly a few times so ppl see it. vote /once/ or reply me, I'll add the answers together)
.
Would participate
Wants to but time is difficult to manage
Will try best to participate
Maybe??? (~50%)
Maaaybe (less than 25% chance)
will participate+depends how quickly I can get the themes out
Can't participate
Can't participate + wants a reschedule (suggest month/dates)
18-19th: Amelioration
» The act of relieving ills and changing for the better
AO3
The words that he had left never told to others, he wonders how, of all people, Kanda Yuu managed to spill forth from him.
He kept persisting, kept chasing, no matter how much Allen pushed him away, and when the words started to come out, they just kept pouring out like water out of a fissure from an already fragile and cracked vase.
He supposed he just never really had the opportunity. Nobody really sat down and really took the time to ask him; he’d never had the time to explain. His entire life, he spent running forward in one long, breathless sprint, never really having a moment to rest.
So naturally, he had been shocked beyond belief that Kanda Yuu, again, of all people, found the patience to do this with him.
Why?
And how?
He had a million questions. There was no way this had been the same Kanda Yuu he knew, right?
The way he had opened himself up to listen. It took Allen a second to realize he had still been holding in his breath. Even the way the man sat at his side was unbelievably elegant, giving him a look of inquisitiveness he had never seen on the other’s face.
When had he changed like this?
What made him change?
He opened his mouth to speak.
––—∞—––
The pain in his voice was audible in the pauses between memories and in the silence left behind, but this wasn’t something Kanda wasn’t already familiar with.
Past wounds and scars. Allen’s past was riddled with uncertainties, and he had to live with the dissatisfaction of not having many answers.
Allen thought it had been a miracle that Kanda didn’t simply say “Okay, enough,” or stomp off, or act like he stopped listening. He had reacted, and he had scowled and sometimes said “Idiot,” while scoffing while they bickered very briefly, but they stayed on topic until Allen was finished.
After it all, he heard a breath of exasperation. Allen almost chuckled and laughed, just a tiny breath out his nose, as he combed his hair out of his eyes with his hand, and looked upon Kanda with a fondness he didn’t even notice he had shown.
“Shit doesn’t add up,” Kanda said.
And from there, the idiots talked it over as much as the idiots could and knew how.
But at least they knew in which direction to go from there.
Towards this mysterious manor in Allen’s memories, Kanda stepped towards, and Allen smiled and followed behind in step.
“Thank you, Kanda.”
“Don’t mention it. I mean it.”
Allen laughed.
“…Ah.” Kanda remembered.
“Hm?”
“I just… remembered what I told Tiedoll.”
––—∞—––
“I mean, it’s not really all that unbelievable,” Johnny said at the bar.
“But you were listening! He just sat there! And talked to me! Properly! He hated me, remember? I mean, I think he still really dislikes me, but…” Allen trailed off as he took another sip of his drink, milk seeping onto his tongue with the pleasant mixed bitter taste of coffee.
“You should have seen him as we were looking for you. One time when he was drunk, he had been ranting off about all the things he would do to you when he found you.” Johnny propped up his coke bottle glasses. “Oh, like how he would pin you down and make you explain yourself, or how dare you do all that for him and then be such a pain to track down. Or how…” Johnny continued to explain how Kanda would do this and that.
It was super embarrassing, and Allen couldn’t help but blush a little at the wording, as he thought ‘It’s nothing,’ and didn’t read into it.
“And then the next morning, he said, ‘How dare that beansprout give me this hangover.’”
Allen lightly slammed the counter and exclaimed with reddish cheeks, “How is that my fault!”
“My point is, I think he cares a lot,” Johnny claimed making a sign like ‘Eureka!’ with his hand.
“Since… when…” Allen asked, covering his face with one hand.
Johnny shrugged, deciding not to bring up moments in the past where he and others in the Science Department decided not to say anything.
“But I’m glad you guys had a proper talk with each other. Maybe the General said something, but after that… I feel like he had grown up a bit.” Johnny took another swig of his beer and took another bite of his burger. Swallowing, he said, the look in his eyes calmer and more serious, “Ever since he came back, he also surprised me with how much he changed! It’s like he’s walking around now free of the burden of what happened back in the East Asia branch.”
“…”
“In fact, let me tell you what he said when I asked him why he came back…”
––—∞—––
“Yuu-kun, I know you’re anxious to meet up again with the Walker boy, but he will be okay on his own,” Tiedoll consoled.
“For the last time, I’m not sad I couldn’t go with him!” Kanda yelled.
About ten metres away, Marie looked up at the shout and answered it with a silent look. Even he didn’t believe Kanda.
“I’m fucking serious!” Kanda exclaimed. Then he let out a loud breath of complaint. “I’m going to seek different answers on my own. We’ll meet up on the same path. It’s just more fucking efficient this way.”
“Mhmm.”
“Stop looking at me like that,” Kanda demanded irritably.
Tiedoll simply smiled.
“You two spoke, didn’t you?” Tiedoll asked fondly.
“So what?”
“I’m proud.”
Kanda was confused at that response.
“You two are learning how to communicate with each other instead of simply arguing, my boy. That’s a step in the right direction. You’re growing into an adult.”
Kanda let out a ‘tch—’ sound through gritted teeth. “I’m already an adult!” eventually retorted, to which Tiedoll only patted him on the shoulders as if he were still fourteen.
After all, none of them had the chance to live normal lives between all the battles and missions they were assigned. While it was true they had handled horrors beyond those of adults, it had only been natural some skills would have been more stunted than others.
Tiedoll had been unable to levy such heavy chains and burdens from the young man’s back. Such chains he had locked up on his past, Kanda stubbornly refusing to budge, reflect, or remember.
The anger tore at the edges of his mind, and hatred made his soul heavy.
The reunion with Alma…
In the end, Tiedoll was simply immensely glad Kanda was finally freed from those chains.
He was thankful to Allen Walker.
Hearing his dear disciple’s continued mutters, he grinned again as he wondered what there was here between these two boys. Much had changed, from the impression he had, and he had never seen his disciple act this way with another.
“What is it, General?” Marie had asked.
“Nothing. Just mulling over our dear Yuu-kun’s spring of youth.”
Marie had a question on his face. “Is this about Allen?”
“Ah, so it’s not just me.”
––—∞—––
Sometimes, Allen would feel Kanda’s absence. It was pronounced.
More pronounced than he anticipated.
Something was building. He wasn’t sure what. He huffed the cold into his hands, looking up at the sky.
It would be okay, they were all heading towards the same goal and direction.
It was difficult for Allen to not settle into what he had accepted would be his natural state of being alone. He feels it, consciously. He can tell himself that he isn’t, but it’s difficult making himself believe it.
He grew up in solitude for much of his childhood when he wasn’t by Mana’s side, after all. And General Cross was certainly family in a way to him, but he certainly didn’t know how to raise a child. In that respect, he can’t say Cross made him feel less lonely.
And now even Cross was gone.
But his family in the Order, Lenalee, Komui, Reever and the others in the Science Department… Miranda, Marie, all of them, would be on the other side.
Sometimes when he has time to breathe, he would worry about Lavi, too. He had no idea where he was or if he was okay, he can only pray the Bookman foresaw such a situation and they were simply secretly and safely tucked away.
He heard a step, and Link was walking up to him along with Johnny. Kanda had already revealed to Allen that Link was alive. He ignored Link with an exaggerated snub, still pissed at him for letting him think he was dead. Link sighed, but smiled as Allen looked away as he remembered how Allen had initially reacted.
Johnny tapped his shoulder with a bright smile, and a gentle warmth welled up within him with his companions at his side and his comrades connected to him by the sky.
Johnny was his constant reminder of “You’re not alone, you’re not alone.” He wouldn’t dare let Allen forget it.
To say that things were difficult were an understatement.
Allen was determined not to disappear. Even so… Even so, fear crept in his shadow. It was simply natural. Tragedy pervaded his life and he didn’t want to lose anyone else. But he never wanted to stop caring, either.
At least he was glad that Link was alive, but his worries were endless.
And he wasn’t at his side. He wasn’t sure if he felt less or more safe without Kanda. On one hand, he wouldn’t hurt Kanda. On the other, Kanda was reliable and…
‘Huh?’ Allen caught himself thinking that, shaking his had and trying to stop wanting for it, wondering why he did.
Link raised his eyebrows as he observed Walker looking into the distance again, and then shaking it off, and then doing it again later throughout the day.
––—∞—––
“Are you stupid?” Lavi asked.
Surprisingly, on their journey, Lavi had turned up out of nowhere with memories missing and he had no idea how he had turned up there. Link had been heavily suspicious to the point where even Lavi didn’t trust himself.
Allen saw Link’s point, but at the very least, at least Lavi was safe. Allen’s first instinct was to run, but he couldn’t make the same mistake again. Kanda would march right back and flay him if he did after the scolding he gave him.
(Or maybe it would be fine if he did.)
(Maybe they would let Kanda come back now.)
“What?” Allen asked indignantly.
“You explained all that, and you still can’t figure out why he changed?” Lavi asked with his arms folded behind his head.
“I mean. I can understand that I helped him back during the incident with Alma, but…” Allen said as he had his hands on his nose.
“I think you know, you just want someone to reaffirm it to you.”
“…” Allen couldn’t deny it.
“It’s because of you. There, I said it.”
Allen muttered a quiet thanks.
“Wow, I still can’t believe you’re talking about the same guy. Yuu? Really? You actually managed to pull the stick out of his ass? That is so impressive! I mean. Wow, I don’t even know where to begin. He sounds like… well.”
“Hn?”
“Well, this is going to sound ridiculous, but if it really was like as you say it was, he sounds like he likes you.”
“What???” Allen asked in utter disbelief.
“Hey, listen. Don’t shoot the messenger.” Lavi put up his hands.
Allen only sputtered. He chose to believe that what Lavi meant was what he thought was more likely. “I don’t know. I don’t know if we can become friends now.”
“You know what I mean.”
Allen opened his mouth, and then blushed. “It’s definitely not like that.”
“Uhuh. Also, you told him everything, but not the rest of us?”
“I… He just asked.”
“He influenced you too. He got you to open up,” Lavi pointed out. “Tell us later too.”
Allen nodded after a moment. “Of course.”
Lavi then chattered and then continued to ask for more gossip with the Order, and asking for more information about the others, and if anyone else would know anything about where the old man was.
––—∞—––
The sky continued to change.
As Kanda looked up above, remembers the same sky he saw back then, when he first broke through to the surface.
He wondered what Allen’s side is doing. His hands grasped the first key, and he made his way back to find him again.
Under those changing clouds from far away, the light flickered in silver eyes to and back from gold.
by friendlyneighborhoodfairy | on Archive of Our Own
The final chapter of my Yullentide piece ended up as long as the entire rest of the fic (thus I’m a day late). I split it in two to make reading easier. Enjoy!
"Do you really care about nothing?" Allen whispered.
The words rang through Kanda like a bell.
Not caring? This was the farthest thing from Kanda not caring.
"I care about things worth caring about," he growled. "What do you care about? Appeasing your own sense of guilt by deciding what salvation looks like for other people and executing it without their consent? Getting hurt to compete in some stupid game about who can be the biggest martyr? Those things aren't worth shit."
"You know nothing," Allen said with a shrug. His lack of anger made the frustration in Kanda's chest burn hotter. "You don't know me. You don't know what I think."
"So maybe tell me, if you're so desperate to be understood."
Allen looked over with a blank expression.
"Whoever said I wanted to be understood by you?"
Maybe some part of Kanda had expected the pain: had known this was still the ground they were on when it came to each other. Enemies first, and friends never. But it still lanced like fire through his gut...
Read more.
-~-
Thank you to @yullen-week for a great and fun event, and good prompts. Lots of new things to read now ^-^
The main overall theme brings together the 7 basic themes, and is based on the events in more recent chapters of the manga.
Submissions for basic themes do not necessarily have to be based on the overall theme; they only have to relate to the basic theme itself.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⊱ ❖ ⊰┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
basic themes:
Each basic theme lasts for two days, and you may publish your work any time during that period of time respective to each theme.
Collect all 7 for a personalized banner and the clean promo graphic~!
Dec. || Theme
18-19th: Amelioration
» The act of relieving ills and changing for the better
20-21st: Nepenthe
» Something that can make you forget grief or suffering
22-23rd: Understanding
24-25th: Mend / Broken
26-27th: Cicatrize
» Heal by forming a scar
28-29th: Abreaction
» Reliving an experience in order to purge it of its emotional excesses;
a type of catharsis
30-31st: Closure
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈⊱ ❖ ⊰┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
alternate themes:
These can be posted on any day during the two weeks and are optional.
Abscondment
» Running away secretly (as to avoid arrest); often taking something/somebody along
Cope
Purification
Paired Hearts / Hearts Aligned
» From the 「双ぶ心」 on the cover of c230, followed by
「曲げない決意、譲らない覚悟。」 or "Unyielding determination, unrelenting resolve."
Cafuné
» Portugese; running your fingers through the hair of someone you love
Redemption
Or the Joker ♠ Card: Any past theme can be used. (1 use)
Please submit entries to the main tag on any/all social media: #Yullentide
Alternate Tags: #Yullen Week, #Yullen
Please send any missed entries to admin for Instagram or other site entries!
In the wake of their surprise kiss, things between Allen and Kanda start going downhill. Fast.
-~-
When Allen appeared in the cafeteria the next morning, he got his first post-kiss glimpse of Kanda. Back straight, Kanda ate his soba with the usual calm expression he wore every morning.
Allen smiled.
"Hey," he said, plopping beside Lenalee at the pair's table. He kept his eyes on Kanda as he asked, "How is everyone this morning?"
"Excellent," Lenalee beamed. "Did you hear? With Reever's help I was actually able to surprise Komui with a birthday gift for the first time ever. He's so disgustingly perceptive usually."
Allen, still watching Kanda, gave Lenalee's comment a chuckle and a polite noise of interest. But his gaze never wavered. On the bench, Kanda pushed his empty bowl away and finished his tea in slow, ritual movements.
He still didn't speak. He didn't even look at Allen.
"What's so special about keeping secrets from Komui?" he asked Lenalee, trying to act natural, keep the conversation going. Waiting for Kanda to at least look up.
"Did I mention the annoying perspicacity?" Lenalee said. "But Reever's a good distraction. And always amenable to pulling one over on my brother."
"How's—" Allen's voice dropped out when Kanda stood.
Allen and Lenalee both watched him gather his dishes and head away.
He hadn't even insulted Allen.
A terrible lurch sent Allen's stomach tumbling down, down.
Yullentide (Yullen Week) starts today (18th) and will last until New Year’s~ Please post all entries tagged with #Yullentide or #YullenWeek on all socials~
See here for the finalized themes (please boost!) ;o
Lenalee has to break up another Kanda-Allen fight. This time it's about Allen trying to die.
Chapters: 3/7
Fandom: D.Gray-man
Relationships: Kanda Yuu/Allen Walker
Kanda is learning to pull himself out of the darkness, while Allen is falling deeper into it. And deeper in love with Kanda, a feeling which is mutual--not that either of them can see it.
Lavi and Lenalee decide their two friends need a push of the romantic kind. A very strong push. Trauma cannot be an excuse to avoid love forever.
-~-
Lenalee just stepped out to pee. She didn't expect to return to their train compartment and hear muffled shouting. Pausing, she watched through the cracked door, not wanting to catch a punch.
"People are worth saving," Allen said. He was seated, with what looked like a bloody lip, while Kanda stood across from him with hands balled into fists. "It's part of what we do, as Exorcists, Kanda. Keep people from dying."
"Everyone dies!" Kanda yelled. "Everyone! Except you."
Kanda's voice dropped down, defeated, or emotional, or something.
