Hello dears!

I happy to see this has been well received, thank you for the comments, likes and follows I have gotten already!

Today's chapter is Denial, it is shorter than Disbelief but it felt better, because otherwise it was already starting to go toward tomorrow's chapter (Bargaining). In a sense, the first chapter was longer to introduce the story, and because the disbelief part was stronger. The denial, however, isn't as strong because Allen would not stay in denial for long (even if he is still unsure and confused, he knows this was Mana, or Mana's face as he has yet to fully accept it is Mana).

I hope you enjoy!


Denial

Allen sat in front of the fire as Tyki finished making the breakfast, and while the young man sensed his partner's gaze on him, he couldn't quite snap out of his staring contest with the dancing flames. Even when Tyki made the fire stop, all Allen did was glance with a faint, weak smile as he was given his plate.

Tyki's presence beside him did comfort him, though. It helped making him feel real.

But then, the man that had been there minutes ago had to be real, too.

A warm hand gently, carefully brushed down Allen's back; and the white haired looked at Tyki. Concern and confusion were in those golden eyes, but the Noah only smiled before starting to eat. He wouldn't try to make Allen speak, but he was here.

Allen felt grateful. Now if only his thoughts could organize…

Because surely, the simple truth of Mana is the Millenium Earl could not be fact?

Tyki noticed how Allen's hands clenched on his plate, and the man felt his worry strenghten, alongside the sensation of helplessness. Should he try to push Allen to speak now? Should he ask why Allen mentionned Mana?

A part of him understood what exactly Allen had implied. A part of him made sense of the sentence, why was he Mana.

The sentence made sense, but not what it meant. Mana had been Allen's father, hadn't he? The same father that had died, that Allen had called back. The same Mana that planted this vivid red curse on Allen's face.

So how could the first apostle, the Millenium Earl, be Mana? He had never even seemed to recall Allen as anyone else but the Exorcist that he called a torn in his side.

Surely, the fact that the Earl was Mana, could not be true?

Allen let out a sigh, and leaned against Tyki. The man placed his plate down, and let an arm wrap around Allen's shoulders, turning his head so he could nuzzle Allen's hairs.

"This can't be true..." Allen murmured. "He can't be..."

Tyki pressed a kiss to Allen's temple, lingering. "I do not have an answer… But I promise you, we will figure it out."

Allen did not reply, but Tyki knew his words meant something to his boy.

He knew Allen needed Tyki more than ever, whether it was false or true.

Especially if it turned out to be true.

To be continued...