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Chapter 12: Shunned

Allen's POV

Did I do the right thing? Did I protect the right person? He watched as the noah in front of him clenched his hands into fists and was surrounded by a black aura of anger and hatred. But how was this any different from before? Why would Tyki be mad at him now if they had always fought, like this? Did he think that we were... allies...?

Tyki's POV

The noah hastily walked down the ark's golden street, aiming directly for his room. He was walking several feet in front of the boy and was purposefully doing so, since he was mad at him for ruining his plans. I was right there. I could have easily killed him if it weren't for this... this...

He clenched his hands into tight fists and grit his teeth. If he was lucky, the Earl would brush it off and understand exactly why he failed. However, he also understood that he had a clear shot and had several chances to kill the Inspector. If he hadn't been goofing off so much, maybe it wouldn't have backfired, but he hadn't expected Allen to follow him. He only goofed off because he thought the boy was out of the equation. And just as importantly: has he really not sided with us, yet? How could he possibly still see them as his allies?

He felt a hand on his arm and looked back, catching sight of the ex-exorcist's big, confused, and worried eyes. "Tyki..."

The noah jerked his arm away and continued walking forward, a little more quickly, than before. "I do not wish to speak with you, at present." From behind him, he heard no voice or footsteps and he was glad. Right now, he just wanted to be alone.

As soon as he reached his room, he slammed the door shut, slumped against it, and tangled his fingers in his hair. I am such an idiot...

Tyki's POV

The noah and their newest family member sat around the dining table, eating in absolute silence, giving Tyki time to think about his situation.

The boy's hand moved to his neck and Tyki's eyes followed without moving the rest of his head. Allen pressed the tips of his fingers to his necklace and frowned down at his food with glassy eyes. Is he about to... cry...? I should be the one crying, here! I'm the one whose plan was sabotaged and I'm the one who's in deep for failing to kill the Inspector, yet he's crying because I'm mad at him for doing the sabotaging?! Tyki closed his eyes and took a deep breath in an attempt to breathe out his anger and frustration.

"That's it", Devitto shouted angrily before turning to the Earl. "Why aren't you doing anything about this... this exorcist?!"

"Exorcist~", Jasdero echoed.

"I agree", Sheryl commented, coolly. After placing his silverware on the table, though, he stood from his chair and frantically joined the twins in pointing at the boy and shouting. "He should be killed! He's proven with this that he is not on our side! He is not a noah and will only continue to be-"

"Sheryl", Tyki boomed monotonously, yet frightening enough that everyone froze and looked at the noah of pleasure. Even Allen went stiff.

The man glared at his brother as though he were daring him to speak another word. "This is none of your business. Stay out of it."

He went back to eating but his short-tempered brother only grew angry, stood from his chair, excused himself, and just about stomped out.

Once he felt the rest of the room take their eyes off of him, Tyki sneaked another peek at Allen and was surprised to see the corners of his lips just barely curl upward and a slight blush resting on his cheeks.

Allen's POV

Road and Allen walked around a busy market. While Road picked out dresses to wear, Allen looked persistently for something to give to Tyki, as an apology. Besides, I kind of owe him for the necklace, he thought, as he touched the ruby necklace with his fingertips, enjoying the way it hugged his neck.

"Allen~", Road squealed, basically dancing toward him with a hot-pink dress in her hands. "Do you like it?"

"Uh, it's pretty, yeah", he said, rubbing the back of his head and laughing nervously.

She giggled and squealed before running back to the cashier to pay for it. Allen walked up to a stand that had dozens of pretty ribbons and one dark purple one caught his eyes. It really was just a simple ribbon but the boy felt as though simple is exactly what Tyki liked. How could he like me, then? I'm anything but simple...

He shrugged and bought the ribbon before putting it in his pocket, to keep safe, and continuing to look for something else. He had to find the best option, in the market.

"Allen~", Road squealed, again. This time, she had a blue dress. A powder blue one.

She didn't look like she'd look good in a hot-pink dress and she definitely wouldn't, in powder blue. He could never tell her that, though... "It's beautiful", he smiled.

She paused for a second with a blush on her face and stared at the boy, making him fear that he had somehow let his true feelings show. "D-did I say something", he asked, panicking.

In response, she smiled, giggled slightly, and grabbed his shirt roughly, pulling him down into a kiss. Allen pushed her back by the shoulders and stuttered, "Road?! What are you doing?!"

"You... don't like me", she asked.

"No-no, I do! But I like you as a friend or a sister... I thought you knew that."

"Yeah", she lied, with a sad smile. "I've got what I need and I'm going back, are you coming?"

"No, I want to see if I can find something better, for Tyki. I'll catch up, though."

"Right..." She ran off into an ally, where he assumed she would be summoning an ark.

Now, back to searching... He huffed out a relieved sigh and turned on his heel, only to bump into someone and fall on his butt, immediately. The someone, he noted, was also cracking his knuckles menacingly. "Uh", the boy stammered. "S-sorry..."

"That's a beautiful necklace you got there", the man behind the knuckle cracking man said, confidently. Let's also say he has an Italian accent. Spaghetti. "Why don't we talk about it, say, in that ally over there." He pointed a thumb to an ally and smirked.

The ex-exorcist smirked but complied. He couldn't defend himself with everyone else watching him. As he made his way into the ally, he could feel his anger taking over and an aura of hatred growing around him.