#Yeager is the hall monitor apparently

[howardlinkedin]

Shelter - Part 13

Running title: Shelter Part 13 Summary: The real bad guys are revealed while we get a good look at the moments that lead to Allen Walker getting his family. This is a love story seven and a half years in the making. And it hasn’t ended yet.  Part 12: Here Part 14: Here (End)

Song: This Isn’t the End, by Colton Dixon. 

In retrospect, this story did not begin the moment Allen Walker first met Howard Link. It actually began the moment Mana D. Campbell became Mana Walker, and irrevocably made Marian Cross fall head over heels in love with him.

Regardless, it may have not started with Allen Walker, but this story still very much revolves around him. For you see, without all parties having been aware, a red haired baby was born the moment Mana Walker grabbed Cross by his ears and kissed him right in front of all their coworkers (and Lvellie just about turned blue in the face). As we know, it will take time and circumstance; but regardless, all their paths will cross.

This is a love story seven and a half years in the making. And it hasn’t ended yet.

---

Marian squinted critically at the other man, who only smiled innocently from across the table. He was so certain that the cards in his hand would guarantee him a win. But, by some twist of fucked up fate (or cheating. He was really 400% convinced that the other was a cheating cheater) he had lost the poker match.

Again.

“You’re cheating I know you are.” He scowled. Mana gave a ‘who me?’ expression, which only convinced the redhead more of his guilt. “Now Mary, don’t be a sore loser.”

Cross grunted at the nick name. He had long given up trying to dissuade the other man from saying it. It seems no one could make Mana Walker do anything he didn’t want to do. Or beat him at poker.

Stacking his cards neatly in a pile, the detective inspector elegantly removed himself from his seat - which, how in the fuck does someone even make standing up look elegant? Cross felt he was doomed from the moment Mana challenged him to the damned game in the first place. Mana patted the side of Cross’ face and stated. “I’ll be ready at seven Colonel. Don’t be late.” He winked and sauntered off.

Cross watched the other man’s hips as he walked, and well shit. He was almost grateful he lost the bet now. The bet being, that if Mana won, Marian would have to take him on a date. The Colonel didn’t do dates, for fucks sake.

---

At one of their sparse and coveted meetings at a cafe down town, Neah looked at his brother, incredulous. “Did you seriously leave the Family for some guy?”

Mana hummed. “No, he’s just a bonus with really nice legs.”

The other twin sighed.

---

On Allen’s sixteenth birthday, he was practically vibrating his unabashed joy. Link, 20, was valiant to ignore the other.

The white haired teen stood toe-to-toe with the blonde, grinning. “I’m an inch taller than you!”

“So you’ve been saying for the past ten minutes.” Link said blandly.

“I could poke my nose at your forehead now.” “Don’t.”

Allen did it anyway with a giggle. Link sighed again, but found himself fighting back a smile.

---

Cross knew he was fucked when he found himself actually enjoying the dates with the other man. Ten dinners, six movies, and eight nights out at a bar sipping away at expensive alcohol and laughing with one another, Cross found that really liked the feel of Mana’s hand in his.

He banged his head on his desk. Colonel Nyne poked her head in and raised an eyebrow at him. “Romance woes, Marian?” “What the fuck do you know Nyne?” He grouched.

“Considering the entire investigation department is taking bets on when you’ll have a meltdown about being in a committed relationship, everyone knows.”

Cross bolted up right at that, as though shocked in his spine. “What relationship?!”

The female officer only stared at him, unimpressed, before walking away.

He did not get any work done that day. Which, he hardly ever did get work done while at the office. He preferred his time spent napping and pestering the geeks down in forensics. Cross didn’t get that done. Instead he mulled and agonized over the fact that he had become damnably attached to someone.

Christ.

---

Allen liked to wear Link’s sweaters. Even though the teen had grown taller (but only an inch! An inch he enjoyed lording over Link’s head, but regardless Walker, an inch wasn’t that much to boast about.) his frame was still more slight. Link’s shoulders were broader, which meant no matter how many inches Allen would gain on the blonde, the teen will always look like he was swimming in the sweaters.

He especially loved to hijack the ones with elbow patches. Link would often come home for long weekends from college or holidays to find Allen already on his couch, eating a large bowl of pudding with Atuuda around his shoulders purring up a storm, while wearing one of said sweaters.

Timcampy would be there dancing at Link’s feet, wheezing while Allen piped up, “Welcome home honey bunches!”

Link supposed that yes, he was home.

---

That evening, the Commissioner called for a meeting about a series of murders in the city, and what evidence had been scrounged up. Where it was a very serious matter at hand, Marian was instead very distracted.

He was the last one to arrive, and point blank, before he could control his damn mouth, looked Detective Inspector Mana Walker in the eye and blurted it all out. “I’m in love with you you fucking prick, what the fuck did you do to me?”

Off to the right of the table, Yeager, who was about to take his seat, missed and fell onto his rump in surprise. Socalo started laughing obnoxiously at both Yeager and Cross. Nyne only texted Reever down in Forensics that he owed her $40.

“Excuse me Colonel Cross, but could you leave your melodrama outside of the meeting room?” Sneered Lvellie, tapping his foot impatiently at the front of the room. “No.”

Ignoring his boss’ scathing look, Mana stood from his seat (doing the elegant thing again, goddamnit! Thought Cross) and yanked the redhead by his ears to shove his tongue down the man’s throat. And.

Oh. Well this was a nice meeting indeed.

Lvellie blew his top. “Excuse me the both of you! Leave now!”

---

Despite the nonsense, Detective Inspector Walker was good at his job. Before leaving, now retired Detective Inspector Tiedoll trained him well. Also, naturally, growing up as he had, Mana was more aware of the ins and outs of the crime underworld.

The news of the murders was not new. It was an ongoing case that was prominent before Mana had decided to leave his family name behind and start something for himself.

Many have begun calling them the “Guilty Murders,” due to the long list left on the bodies by the killer, as to their reasoning why their victims had to die. The list was usually handwritten- making it personal, but yet to be identified. They would write out a full dossier about their victim’s “sin” and “crimes,” which damned them enough for the murderer to target them.

After investigations, many of the victims turned up to either be criminals themselves or having done crimes in the past, but were never discovered. One prominent name Mana discovered was “Lee.” Upon discovering this, Komui - their youngest forensics head, looked almost shamefaced.

“Embezzlement.” He said, answering Mana’s unspoken question. “They’d been doing it for years, apparently.” Komui was unaware of his parent’s activities until they were found dead in their own home, and his sister locked away upstairs, crying.

The killer themselves never had a single method in which he killed. Sometimes they used poison. Others gunshots to the head, or arson, or strangulation. Mana pieced together that their killer didn’t really care how they killed, only that their targets get killed, in any way possible, as to accomplish their goal.

---

Allen had eventually asked Cross why Mana had to go into hiding.

After a pause, his guardian answered. “Mana was too good at his job. While investigating a stream of murders, he found out the killer’s identity, which made him a target.”

---

Mana did not mean for Marian to ever meet his family, much less become aware of them.

It was an accident, he swore.

Actually it was Tryde’s fault, and Mana vowed to never get his cousin anything for Christmas ever again.

His cousin had decided the best course for action in contacting him, was to break into his own apartment in the middle of the night. Mana threw his slippers at him, because wow rude! “Tryde, get out!”

Said slippers bounced harmlessly off Tryde’s chest as he stared at them passively. “Is this how you welcome family now? Accost them with bunny shoes?” His cousin always had the most dry and sarcastic sense of humor, but at the moment Mana did not want to appreciate the banter.

“I have a guest!” He hissed.

“Yes, I’m aware and you could do better cousin. I’ve been judging you ever since.”

“Tryde I swear to god-”

“Oh, so you swear now?” Mana was about to make incoherent noises of rage when Cross stepped from the hall, gun drawn and trained on the intruder. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t put a bullet into that head of yours Noah.”

Tryde looked uncaring while Mana honest to God shrieked. “He’s my cousin!”

“What the FUCK.” The Colonel bellowed, looking down right hoodwinked.

---

“In my defense I’m just here to warn Mana that he’s getting too close to danger.” Tryde stated.

Marian ignored them in favor of giving Mana a very disbelieving look. “Cousin?!”

Letting out an ‘eep,’ Mana waved his hands at his sides trying to diffuse the situation. “I can explain.”

“I just sucked your dick, you better damn well explain Detective Inspector!”

Tryde decided to leave, because ew. He did not need to know the sexual activities of his cousin.

---

When Neah D. Campbell first met Howard Link, an obstinate young man, barely into adulthood, he felt a tick develop above his left eye. The kid was sneaky, mouthy, and worst of all, Neah couldn’t ever get a proper read on whatever the blonde was thinking of next.

He had tried to offer the kid a job. To which Link flung a pen at the man’s forehead with so much force, he jolted back and felt it sting. “No.”

“I swear to Jesus kid I am a dangerous man, and if you pull that nonsense again I will-”

“Tell me about the Cardinal.”

---

Crazy family or not, Marian woke up the next morning with his arms full of Mana Walker, and breathed him in. “Don’t you dare ever leave.” He murmured into the man’s dark curls.

---

After studying the Guilty Murders for as long as he did, Mana had memorised every stroke and curve of the killer’s handwriting.

So imagine his surprised to see the handwriting on his desk six years into the case, but not in the form of a list, but a signature.

“Oh good, you got one too.” Mana, startled, jerked his head up to see Marian leaning in his doorway, holding a similar piece of paper. “What?” He tried to control the tenseness of his voice.

It obviously didn’t work, seeing as his lover raised a red eyebrow at him and inquired. “You alright there?”

Clearing his throat, Mana regained more control and put on his smile. “Yes, sorry. I was lost in thought.” He picked up the paper and forced his hands not to quake. “What’s this all about then?”

Cross huffed and waved his own paper around, “It’s an invitation to an assembly. The Cardinal loves to throw these things and invites everyone from here all the way to Central. It’s to boost moral or some shit.”

“Huh.” Mana blinked. “I don’t think I’ve ever met the Cardinal.”

“Lucky you. But you’ll suffer his presence when you get there. He’s only one stwo below Madam General though.”

Mana remembers meeting the Head General, Hevlaska Karma, at his interview. Only Marian ever addressed her as such, much to his amusement. “Isn’t Lvellie petitioning for the spot of Head General himself?”

“Yeah, the fucker’s been salivating after it ever since he became Commissioner. Don’t know how he think’s he’s ever gonna get it.” Cross crumpled the invite into a ball and tossed it over his shoulder. “Now let’s stop talking about this and talk about something more interesting.”

Mana tiled his head and squinted sagely. “Oh? And what’s that Officer?”

“Me.”

The detective sat and leaned back in his chair, pretending to look disinterested. “Really now? You’re interesting?”

Cross strode in and leaned over the other man, with his hands bracketing the arm rests. “The most interesting.”

“Mister Cross, it’s against policy to leave your litter in the walk ways!” Barked Colonel Yeager, surreptitiously interrupting them both. Cross scowled. “Fuck off Yeager!”

Mana laughed and laughed.

---

The first two songs Allen recorded had been a hit. The first was the one he sang for Link at his graduation. He felt a well of pride that there were so many who understood the depth of the song.

The second was, actually, the first song he ever wrote, but never actually mentioned. It was a song that began to grow when he began to learn just how deep his guardian felt for Mana. He surmised that Mana, his father, would not have left him in the care of someone who he didn’t trust. Marian Cross was not what one would take a look at and say, yes, that man is God-father material.

But. Alen could hear in the words Cross didn’t say. The way his sound echoed with resolve, but a loneliness. It wasn’t a forlorn sound brought on by never having a family. Allen knew that sound.

It was a loneliness brought about by loss. The cello was missing the grand piano, and it would often strum in the middle of the night when Cross assumed Allen was sound asleep.

As the sales of both songs went through the proverbial roof, Allen also learned that there were many like Marian Cross in the world.

He caught the man listening to it unawares. Allen felt his heart swell when he heard the cello smooth its melody just a little bit more.

---

I know it hit you without warning/ You weren't ready for letting go/ Only left with questions out of hope.

---

Mana Walker took the invitation, and cut out just the signature, and brought it down to the Analysis Team, and smiled sweetly while asking, “Could you compare this to the Guilty Letters? Please?”

No one ever seemed to be able to deny Mana Walker anything.

---

Sixteen hours later, and Maria Cross found himself with a lapful of Mana. “What?” Not that he minded. He quite liked Mana in his lap.

“I’m so sorry.” gasped the other man. Cross realized his lover was crying. Worried he asked, “What’s going on Mana?” He cupped the man’s face in his hands. “I’m so sorry Mary. I have to go.”

---

“Can’t your family do something?” Cross demanded.

Mana pulled him into a fierce kiss. It lasted for an agonizing minute before he broke it off. “They’re trying Mary. But it’s too dangerous even for them. I have to go.”

The redhead made a move to grab his gun. “I’m going also-”

“No.” Mana stopped him and tugged the man back. “You can’t.”

Cross cursed, furious. “If you think I’m going to let you do this alone then you’re a fucking idiot Walker!”

“I’m so sorry Mary.”

And Cross only saw darkness.

---

An indefinite amount of time later, and Colonel Marian Cross awoke on his living room floor with his cell phone ringing.

---

“Where is Walker!” Demanded the Commissioner, the next day after Cross blatantly ignored all calls and attempted to search for the man himself.

Cross, the master of bullshit, despite the turmoil rolling deep in his gut, shrugged. “What am I? His keeper?”

Lvellie kicked over his chair and threw a file he had been clenching in his fist. “Mana Walker instigated a handwriting analysis on the Cardinal for christ's sakes!”

Picking up the file with faux distaste, the Colonel opened it. “Huh. Well look at that. It’s a match.”

“Is that all you can say?!”

Marian Cross stared hard at the Commissioner for a long minute before tossing the file back flippantly. “How about: let’s go arrest the sonovabitch?”

“We can’t.” Hissed his boss, and well that’s an interesting shade of red . “The Cardinal's ran off too!”

---

Howard Link stared long and hard at the picture of the Cardinal Neah had given him. The man looked plain enough. Middle aged, non threatening smile, glasses. If he were in a crown, no one would take much notice of him, Link pondered.

In the photo was also his uncle.

Malcolm C. Lvellie in the picture was shaking hands with the Cardinal. It looked like they were at a ceremony, or party of some sort. Link could also make out the faces of the Head General and the other Colonels.

He pressed his lips together and felt something inside of his build heavily.

From what he remembered, his uncle had been very interested in all details about the Guilty Murders. Lvellie would often boast about catching them, and using the moment to give himself more leeway in gaining approval for the position of Head General. As a child, Link only half listened.

But now.

Something about this had put a fowl taste in his mouth.

“Where is the Cardinal now?” He asks.

The man leans back in the chair, and looked like the most justified man in the world. “I killed him, of course. They found the body a good few years ago where I left him.”  He said it as one would if they were discussing what they had for breakfast that morning. Link very pointedly did not ask where the Cardinal was found.

Inside, Neah was seething with the reminder of the Cardinal. That man had hurt his family. He killed his brother, and almost took his nephew with him. But his revenger still wasn’t over. This would was still open, and it won’t heal completely for him until everyone who allowed this to happen was struck down.

Link looked at Neah, who had quited. “I would like to help. I think I can get you what you need.”

The heir to the Noah looked doubtful, but intrigued. “Oh? And how’s that?”

---

Mana Walker ran away and joined a circus. Marian Cross would not know of this until two and a half years later.

In the moment, Cross was hating every bit at how empty his house has become to feel.

---

Managing to convince the Ringmaster to give him a chance, Mana Walker becomes a clown for a traveling circus and finds a very lonely boy.

Seeming to notice his attention, the boy whips his red head around, scowling. “What the hell?” His voice is young and scratchy, and his scowl! Mana couldn’t help but want to pinch the sides of his face for it.

“No, no, never mind me! Your hair just reminded me of someone, that’s all! Though I have to say, it seems you two have more in common than just hair color!” Mana laughed.

The boy scrunched up his little nose, and for the second time in his life, Mana falls in love.

---

So don't fall back, keep fighting/ Out of your ashes rising/ I'm right here/ I want you to know.

---

Two and a half years later, Cross gets a call from some no name hospital, and Allen Walker is thrust into his care.

Mana’s son. Mana, who had just died, leaving him more alone now than before. Cross remembers punching a hole into the wall of his house upon getting the news.

He didn’t go see the kid until a good two days later. Marian still doubted he could actually look at this boy in the face and trust himself to not flip the fuck out. What had Mana been thinking? Adopting a child while on the damn run from a murder?

“God damnit Mana.”

---

Allen remembers when he first registers Cross’ presence in the room, those days after Mana’s death. Everything was so quiet that his head felt blank. But it was a blankness that felt too heavy to be nothing. It felt like someone had shoved cotton in his ears and tapped them there.

It made him feel sick.

“Oh good.” Allen looked over to see a man - no a cello, sitting next to the hospital bed. “You’re awake.”

In the silence and cotton-feeling of his head, Allen could hear the string of the cello muffle through. It made the hurt lesson, in a way.

---

Marian Cross looked at the kid and decided that if Mana loved him, then that was enough for the Colonel.

Allen Walker looked at the red haired man and...

---

The Clown says, “How about being part of my family?”

In which the boy answers, “Okay.”

---

...thought the very same.

---

This isn't the end/ It's a chance to start again/ When the smoke clears, you'll be home.

---

Madarao looked up from his criminal justice textbook when there was a knock on his door. “Come in.”

Link walked in, files under his arm, and looking more serious than usual. Which wasn’t necessarily saying much, as Madarao and his brother had just set up house and home in their new dorm for the semester with the college freshman. Though, Madarao expected that Link was always the serious type. “Pardon the intrusion.” Link imparted. “I know we have just made acquaintances, but I have a favor to ask of you. And, if all goes well, I believe it will benefit your career in the future.”

Madarao closed his book. “I’m listening.”

The blonde held out the files to his roommate. “I understand that you are studying criminal justice, and wish to eventually study under Head General Karma.” “...That’s right.” Madarao had yet to take what was being offered. He never did until he had gotten all the facts. Link respect this of him.

“I believe what I have gathered, and what you could get far more than me, will insure your spot in her internship.”

After a beat of silence, Madarao accepted the files. “And here I thought you wanted to follow in your uncle’s footsteps. Wouldn’t this benefit you more than me?”

Link looked mildly insulted. “I assure you Madarao, I am nothing like my uncle.”

---

It's a war you're gonna win/ Out of the fire, a new life begins/ This isn't the end.

At the song’s end, Cross finally noticed his kid watching. Allen stare looked intense as it usually did whenever he was nervous. Huffing, the man walked over and past the teen, ruffling his white hair in passing. “It’s a damn good song twerp.”

Allen had to clear the lump away from his throat. “I think I’ll let the quarter slide, just this once.”

And Marian laughed and laughed.