The boat headed for England was larger than Lavi had expected, but still full to the brim with passengers. Allen had managed to procure tickets and they were on board by the next night. The only boat they could afford was headed to London, and they wouldn't arrive until the next morning. They would have to travel to Liverpool by foot, but they could figure that out later.
One step at a time.
Even if quarters were cramped, the main deck was near deserted aside from the occasional crew member at the later hour. Skies were clear and the sea was calm. They couldn't ask for better traveling weather.
Regardless of their luck and good fortune, Lavi still felt ill. Ever since the night the 14th attacked him, he had been withdrawn. Allen apologized to him the morning after, in tears from the guilt. Lavi accepted, but that didn't keep the unease from creeping into his guts every time Allen was too close.
He could still remember his face as he touched him, dark and sinister. The feeling of a cold blade against his throat haunted him, and even though the scrapes and cuts had scabbed over, he still pulled a hand to his neck from time to time, worrying over the flesh and recalling the ooze of blood down his skin.
He knew Allen didn't do those things to him, that he wasn't in control of his body or mind. But Lavi didn't know when the 14th would decide to show his face again, and that alone kept Lavi on edge.
The confined lower decks were too much to deal with, between cramped quarters, the heat of too many bodies packed together like sardines, and the constant motion of the boat against the waves. Lavi slipped up to the main deck, taking in the fresh air and cool breeze. The tang of salt hung on the wind, and he relaxed, leaning against the railing as he watched the waves lap against the hull. Stars twinkled above, and the moon shone brightly high in the sky.
"So, this is where you ran off to?"
Lavi sighed, glancing over his shoulder and watching Tyki join him at the railing. "I didn't think you'd notice."
There was a pause, long enough for Lavi to grow uncomfortable before Tyki replied. "It's getting harder to sleep without you next to me."
The honesty took Lavi aback. "Sorry," he mumbled in return, sliding closer to him. "I didn't know." He drummed his fingers on the railing, looking off into the water.
"Well, now you do." Tyki wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him closer. Lavi was flush against his side now, his warmth radiating even through his shirt. Lavi sunk into the embrace with ease. When did he start relaxing at the smell of cheap cigarettes? He didn't recall finding it so comforting before…
Tyki's next words shook Lavi out of his silent musings. "You're scared to be around him, aren't you?"
Lavi looked up, watching Tyki's features against the soft moonlight. His breath caught in his throat, and he hesitated before answering. "…I don't know what you mean."
"Allen," Tyki said, his name rolling off his tongue as if it tasted like sour fruit. "You're still upset about what happened. You're avoiding him."
"I am not."
"Liar. You haven't said two words to him since that night. You're afraid."
"I—" Lavi wanted to deny it, but it was already too obvious. He folded his arms against the railing and leaned forward, unable to finish his sentence.
"If you're afraid of him, are you afraid of me, too?"
"No. No, I'm not," Lavi mumbled.
"You should be. We're no different. His Noah simply fights for control more than mine."
Lavi swallowed, throat tight. He still couldn't return Tyki's gaze, couldn't speak.
When he didn't respond, Tyki sighed. "You know… He told me that if it ever happens again, I should kill him."
That grabbed Lavi's attention. He stared wide-eyed at Tyki, body stiff and muscles tense. "What?! But it wasn't his fault! It was the 14th's! Tell me you told him you wouldn't."
Tyki shrugged. "Who am I to tell him no? If he wants to go out as a pathetic failure, I'm not gonna stop him."
"No, absolutely not!" Lavi tugged himself from Tyki's arms and headed back down to the lower cabin. Tyki didn't bother following him as he disappeared back down into the hull, storming past the sleeping travelers until he reached Allen's cot. Allen, only half-asleep, jumped when Lavi grabbed his arm.
"Lavi? What—?"
"C'mon. We need to talk." He dragged Allen from his cot, leaving him to trip over bags as they weaved their way back into the hallway. Once they were out, he found an unoccupied corner, far enough away that no one would hear their conversation. Lavi pushed him back against the wall, glaring down at him.
"You told Tyki to kill you?" The words came out as an accusation, and Lavi's dark glare demanded an answer.
Allen stared up at him, jaw hung open and eyes like saucers. "I… He wasn't supposed to tell you."
"Are you fucking kidding me, Allen?! Like that makes it better?!" Lavi ran a hand through his hair, fingers shaking. "You can't—You can't do that."
The shock wore off from Allen's face, and he sighed. "Lavi, I don't have much of a choice. The 14th hurt you. He could've killed you, and I refuse to let that happen. My deal with Tyki is a precaution."
Lavi felt the frustration burning in his face. He couldn't believe the words he was hearing. "Your deal with Tyki is giving up! Since when does Allen Walker give up on anything?!"
"Since I almost raped you!" After Allen spoke those words, the air around them sucked from the hallway, leaving a dead, ear-ringing silence. He looked away, face strained as he tried to hold in his emotions. "I can't… I can't live with myself if I hurt you—especially like that."
"Al, it wasn't you who did it—it was the 14th." Lavi lost the edge to his voice, and each word grew softer as he spoke. "I don't blame you."
"It doesn't matter if you blame me or not. I blame myself. And if I weren't around, you wouldn't have been…" Allen trailed off, tears brimming in his eyes. "Lavi, I'm so sorry."
"Allen, I'm not letting you do this. I don't care if you think it's the only option. I won't allow it—not even as a last resort." He grabbed Allen's shoulders, pulling him into a tight hug. His earlier trepidations melted away after seeing Allen so distraught. If Allen was willing to make that sacrifice just to protect him, Lavi had no reason to hold back.
"You're staying with me, Al. Until we see this through to the end."
"Lavi…" Allen wiped at his eyes, hugging him harder. Lavi felt him tremble in their embrace.
"Promise me you won't resort to that," Lavi said, pressing his face into Allen's shoulder. "Please."
Allen nodded, still trying to wipe away tears. "I promise."
"Thank you." Lavi took a few moments to collect himself before pulling back and giving Allen a soft smile. "Let's go back and get some rest. We've still got a long trip before we reach Liverpool."
"Yes. Let's go."
They made their way back to the main cabin, and just as they reached their destination, Lavi caught sight of Tyki standing and waiting by the entrance. When he noticed the two of them, he grinned.
Lavi frowned back at him and slowed his pace. "Al, you go on ahead. I need to talk to Tyki."
"Okay." Allen passed by the Noah, not meeting his gaze as he crossed the threshold and went back to his cot.
Lavi grabbed Tyki's wrist and pulled him back up to the main deck, the cool, salty air greeting him once more.
"Oh, out for a late night rendezvous?" Tyki teased, letting Lavi pull him to a quiet area of the deck. "What? Did you need me so badly that you couldn't wait until we got back to land? I mean, I don't blame you, but—"
"You told me Allen's plan on purpose, didn't you?" Lavi stared up at him, eyebrows narrowed.
Tyki's cocky grin faltered for a second before he laughed and leaned back against the wall of the upper cabins. "Well, I didn't do it on accident."
"No—I mean, you told me because you wanted me to know. You wanted us to clear the air." Lavi held his gaze, unwavering.
With a shrug of his shoulders, Tyki shifted his weight and avoided Lavi's stare. "Why would I do that? I don't care what happens between you two."
Lavi regarded Tyki for a long moment, knowing full well that he was lying his ass off. Honestly, he didn't think Tyki would care enough to even bother. It struck him hard, knowing that he went out of his way to help him, to make him feel better. Having that rift between Allen and himself was painful. Even with Tyki and Allen on less than stellar terms, Tyki still tried to mend their relationship—for Lavi. If he were even half as selfish and uncaring as he pretended to be, he wouldn't have given it a second thought.
Lavi didn't reply, and he watched Tyki grow uncomfortable under his intense scrutiny. Tyki shoved his hands in his pockets, looking away. He chewed at the inside of his lip. "If you want an apology, I'm not gonna give you one."
"You know what?" Lavi asked, his voice catching in his throat as he continued to stare at Tyki. "You talk too much." Reaching up, he grabbed the collar of Tyki's shirt and pulled him down for a hard, deep kiss.
Tyki let out a soft grunt of surprise, but as soon as he felt Lavi's lips on his own, he wrapped his arms around him, pulling closer. One hand slipped up behind Lavi's head, fingers threaded in his red hair, while the other curled over his hip. He let out a soft moan, the sound reverberating on Lavi's tongue as they kissed.
Maybe he was delusional; maybe it was all just lies he made up in his head. But Lavi felt as if Tyki cared for him, actually cared. In that moment, he didn't give a shit if he was wrong. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that he felt loved, and he wanted to reciprocate that feeling.
They kissed for another minute before Lavi smoothed his hand over Tyki's crotch, feeling him up through his clothes. Tyki sucked in a breath, the hand in Lavi's hair tightening and pulling at the strands. He pulled away, with a gasp, grinning down at Lavi.
"You're awfully forward tonight. Was I right about the late night rendezvous?"
Lavi pushed Tyki's hand out of his hair, then went to work unbuttoning his pants. "You really don't know when to shut up, do you?"
"Why would I do that whe—Nnnn!"
Lavi grinned as his fingers wrapped around Tyki's half-hard cock, watching as he lost his composure from the sudden stimulation. Tyki gripped Lavi's hip harder, nails digging into his skin even through the fabric of his pants. "That's one way to shut you up, I guess," he said, working his hand at a gentle pace.
"You're such a little shit," Tyki groaned out, hitting his head back against the wall. He smirked down at Lavi, watching him with hungry eyes.
Lavi didn't reply; he didn't need to. Instead, he slowly dropped to his knees, gaze fixed on Tyki's. Once he was settled, he pulled Tyki's cock free from his pants. Without breaking eye-contact, Lavi parted his lips and took him all the way in.
Tyki sucked in a sweet gasp, legs losing their steadiness as Lavi worked his mouth over him. It took only a few moments for him to grow completely erect, even in the chill of the cool night air. His hand settled into Lavi's hair once more, gently tugging while still giving him all the control.
He barely fit all of Tyki's dick into his mouth, though a little uncomfortably. The weight of it on his tongue stirred up hot tension in Lavi's guts, and he sighed softly through his nose as he began to bob his head. In and out, in and out—Lavi dragged his lips and tongue over Tyki, his nose tickled by the dark hairs at the base of his dick.
"Ah, fuck," Tyki mumbled, his hips thrusting into Lavi's mouth, desperate for more friction. Lavi pulled back, nearly choking, and settled a hand on Tyki's hip to hold him still before continuing to suck him off.
Tyki moaned, settling back against the wall as he took a few breaths to calm his blood. He watched Lavi work over him. "Goddamn, Red. You look so good right now."
Lavi moaned at the compliment, taking Tyki deeper in that pass. He was getting worked up as well, straining in his own pants as he pleasured his partner. With his free hand, he undid his pants, fumbling with the button and zipper, until he had his own dick loose. He pumped it at the same pace he worked Tyki's cock over, moaning louder than before.
A choked gasp escaped Tyki's throat, and he bit his lip to keep from groaning too loudly. He pulled at Lavi's hair again, watching his lips slide over slick, hard flesh. "Your mouth is so pretty," he mumbled, "I want to fuck it."
Humming, Lavi pulled all the way off Tyki, looking up at him as he continued to pump his fist over himself. He panted, lips red from the fiction of sucking Tyki. "I'll let you, if you want."
Tyki stared at him for a quick moment until the surprise wore off. With a grin, he grabbed Lavi's hair and tugged him close, forcing his length into his mouth once again. Lavi let out a muffled cry at the intrusion, but let Tyki continue to do as he pleased. He relaxed his jaw and throat, and let him plunge in and out. He grasped at Tyki's pantleg with one hand while he jerked himself off with the other, barely containing the moans that begged to burst free.
Tyki thrust his hips forward, breathing heavier with each movement. He kept a firm hold on Lavi's hair as he fucked his mouth, watching the way his lips curved around his stiffness with heavy lidded eyes. "Fuckin' beautiful," he mumbled, biting back a deep moan.
It grew harder to breathe the faster Tyki moved in him, but he could hear the catches in his moans and the broken, muttered words as he came closer to completion. He whispered sweet words to Lavi, praising him and his mouth and his lips and leaving him nearly melted in a puddle on the deck.
Lavi was still working away at his own stiff cock when Tyki gasped louder, pulling hard on his hair until he pressed so deeply in his mouth that Lavi couldn't breathe. He came then, spilling down Lavi's throat with a guttural groan. When Tyki pulled Lavi's head back, he choked on the last of the cum clinging to his throat and sucked down a lungful of air.
Letting go of his hair, Tyki ran his fingers down Lavi's jawline, cupping his cheek with a surprisingly gentle touch. When Lavi finally caught his breath, he looked up at Tyki. The satisfied grin on his face sent a shiver down Lavi's back, and he remembered then that he still hadn't found his own completion, hand still loosely grasping his hard dick.
"Don't stop, Red. I wanna see you cum." He held Lavi's chin tight in his hand. "Keep your eye on me."
Lavi pumped his hand harder, working himself over with excited strokes as he stared up at Tyki with an unwavering gaze. His mouth hung open as he panted, his stomach twisting up in warm, delightful knots. He was so close, and the look on Tyki's face struck him so hard, he was surprised he hadn't cum already. Soft and lewd at the same time, Tyki watched him as a grin curled over his lips.
One of Tyki's fingers stroked his jaw, tender and slow. "So pretty and wrecked. Won't you cum for me?"
Swallowing down another moan, Lavi chewed on his lip and spread his legs a touch wider as he worked himself over. Precum oozed from his flushed tip, sliding over his skin with each pass of his fingers.
Tyki ran his thumb over Lavi's bruised lips, sweet and gentle, before slipping it into his mouth and pressing it down on his tongue. "Do it, Lavi."
He came with a groan, hard and messy as he spilled between his legs. The mess splattered against the wall behind Tyki. Lavi whined as he milked himself dry, leaning against Tyki's legs to keep himself steady. Tyki slowly withdrew his thumb from Lavi's mouth, then pulled him to his feet. Lavi swayed for a moment before stuffing himself back into his pants. When Tyki had fixed himself as well, he held Lavi against his chest and kissed him, lips hard, yet gentle.
Sighing through his nose, Lavi whined again, hands tight in Tyki's shirt. They stayed like that for a long moment, just kissing and clinging to each other in the cool night air. Tyki's hands traveled up his back, smoothing over his shirt as they kissed, and when he finally pulled back, he grinned down at the redhead, their noses barely touching.
"What brought that on?" he asked, hands still tight on Lavi's body.
Lavi shook his head, swallowing down the lump in his throat. He could still taste the salt in his mouth, the bitterness of Tyki's essence invading his senses. Three little words sat on the end of his tongue, heavy with meaning and too hard to spit out. He couldn't take them back once they were said, and fear kept him biting them down until he swallowed them once more. "Nothing. Just wanted to, I guess."
Tyki quietly watched him for a moment, eyes sharp and contemplative, before he grabbed Lavi's arm and tugged him back towards the lower decks. "C'mon. Let's get some sleep."
Lavi could only nod and follow after, his brain and body numb.
He wanted to say those three words…
xXxXxXx
The old, abandoned barn wasn't much to look at, but the walls were solid and kept the cool night wind out. They were a day's travel from Liverpool, but after two full days of walking, they needed the break. They'd run out of money days ago, and were low on supplies, so the unoccupied barn was the perfect place to spend the night.
Allen dropped his pack next to the others in the hayloft, his shoulders slumped and weary. "There's a town a few miles up the road. I think I can find some supplies and get us some cash to make the rest of the trip."
Lavi crashed in the old hay, not bothering to lay out a blanket. He groaned loudly. "Al, you've gotta be kidding. Aren't you exhausted?"
Brushing back a lock of white hair from his forehead, he sighed. "Yes, but it has to be done." He waved away some of the stirred up dust motes from his face. "You two can stay here. I won't be more than a few hours."
Tyki regarded Allen with a raised eyebrow. "You sure you don't want backup? I can help you lighten a few wallets."
Already back on his way down the creaking, old ladder, Allen shook his head. "No, I'll be fine. Besides, we don't need much, and when we reach Liverpool, there will be more opportunities to stock up our supplies. These smaller towns aren't nearly as lucrative."
"Wait," Lavi said reaching over to grab his pack. He fished out a sandwich, the last one they had left, and handed it down to Allen. "For the road."
Smiling back up, Allen took the offered food. "Thank you."
Once Allen left the barn, Tyki pulled out their bedrolls and stretched them over some of the more sturdy piles of hay. "It's just you and me, Red." He chuckled, flopping back onto the bedding. "Whatever shall we do."
Lavi rolled his eye, but settled in next to Tyki anyway. "Do you only think about sex? Honestly."
"If it's with you, then yes," Tyki replied, tugging the front of Lavi's shirt until he was close enough to kiss. It was soft, nothing like their normal kisses. He didn't pull away from Lavi, but he didn't drag him in either.
Lavi expected more, expected to be grabbed and pinched and bit without hesitation. This sweetness took him off guard, made his heart flutter in his chest. Crawling on top of Tyki, he straddled his hips, their lips still locked.
Tyki's hands smoothed up Lavi's thighs, curling around his waist and pulling him closer until their bodies were flush and Lavi could feel each taut muscle against his own. Heat simmered low in his belly, burning hotter when Tyki slipped his tongue into his mouth. Lavi moaned, low and steady as his hips hitched up against Tyki's.
Everything was slow and gentle, and as much as Lavi liked it, it struck him odd. This wasn't how Tyki acted. A thought came to his mind, invading the pleasant chill that ran through him as they touched. He tried to push it back, but it stuck in his brain like a thorn. With a sigh, he pulled away from the kiss and sat up on Tyki's hips.
Tyki watched him with confusion, hands still clinging to his waist. "Why'd you stop?"
Pursing his lips, Lavi paused for a brief moment before speaking. "Why are you doing this?"
"This?" Tyki asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I was hoping to have sex, but—"
"No, not this. This!" He gestured around them. "Why did you come with me and Allen? I mean… Do you even want to find this lady in Liverpool?"
They hadn't talked about it, not once since they had left. The question had buzzed in the back of Lavi's mind like a fly, but there were always more important things to deal with. He never had the chance to ask, to understand why. Tyki had never once mentioned if he didn't want to be a Noah, or if he had any desire to remove the Noah memories from his consciousness.
With a sigh, Tyki rested a hand over his forehead and looked up at the roof. The setting sun glowed golden as it filtered in through the holes and uneven slats. "I came with. What does it matter why I did it?"
"It matters to me," Lavi said, his voice softening. Tyki wouldn't meet his gaze, yellow eyes fixated above him. "You know… You don't have to do it, if you don't want to."
"What?" Tyki asked, letting out a half-laugh as he pressed his hand over his eyes to avoid Lavi's gaze less subtly. "Are you trying to tell me you'd rather I left? That you didn't want me to come with?"
"No! Of course not! I just—" Lavi sighed and ran a hand through his hair, thinking over his words. "I just don't want to be the only reason you did it. If the information Allen got was right, this lady knows how to remove the Noah memories. It's not like… like you can get them back if you go through with it. And if you're only doing it because of me…"
"Lavi," Tyki said, finally meeting his gaze. The look on his face grew stern, almost angry, and it gave the redhead pause. "Do you think I wanted to stay with them? With my family?"
"I… I don't know." Lavi swallowed, his throat tight. "Would you have?"
Tyki watched him for a long moment, eyes sharp and strong. Slowly, he sat up until they were face to face, noses nearly touching. "Maybe I don't like the idea of losing myself any more than Allen does." He reached up and cupped Lavi's jaw, running his thumb over his cheek. "But I wouldn't have left if it weren't for you."
Lavi's breath caught in his throat at the admission, his heart hammering against his chest. "Tyki…"
"Shh." Tyki hushed him, the hand on Lavi's jaw slipping around to grab the back of his neck. He pulled him closer with gentle insistence. "C'mere."
Their lips met, that same softness from before leaving Lavi's heart in his throat and his hands clenched in Tyki's shirt. He felt the tenderness in his touch, mirroring the confession. Lavi knew it wasn't much, it wasn't a declaration of love and devotion, but he'd never have that with Tyki. And this—for him to admit that he left his Noah family to be with him… Well, it meant more than Tyki was willing to divulge.
A whine crawled up Lavi's throat as they kissed, and he moved in closer. His arms curled around Tyki's neck and shoulders, hands tugging at his shirt as he pressed Tyki back down against the blankets. Lavi's legs straddled Tyki's hips as he chased him down, still kissing. A desperate heat burned in his stomach, deep and hot as he worked off Tyki's shirt and tossed it into the hay surrounding them. He needed Tyki to know, to feel the heat turning his insides to molten lava.
He needed to show Tyki just how he burned for him.
Tyki's hands slid up Lavi's hips, under his shirt and tickling over skin. Lavi had to bite back a gasp as their hips rocked together with a muted urgency. He felt Tyki's hardness digging into his stomach, just as stiff and uncomfortable as his own. Separating for a quick moment, Tyki ripped Lavi's shirt off in much the same fashion as his had been disposed of, and when they leaned back in to continue where they'd left off, Tyki's lips found Lavi's neck with ease. He sucked bruises into his skin as he always did, and the wet sensation on his neck left him shivering. Lavi rolled his hips with a simmering want.
"Tyki, please. Please—"
"Mmm," he mumbled, sitting up and settling Lavi into his lap. He kissed him once more, lips wet and hot before he rolled them over and pinned Lavi down on the blankets.
Lavi sighed as his back hit the hay, dust particles wafting up into the air and tickling his nose. Tyki shifted his weight, leaning down to press open-mouthed kisses over his chest. Lavi's breath hitched with each touch, and he closed his eye against the sensation. He knew he sounded desperate with the low whines and mewls rumbling in his throat, and how he let his hips cant against Tyki's with each touch and kiss, but he didn't care. He'd been beyond caring for too long now.
Reaching out, he tangled his hands in Tyki's long, messy hair, gripping the strands tight with each brush of lips on his skin. Tyki moved lower, until he reached the edge of Lavi's pants. He undid them without pause, slipping them down Lavi's legs until they settled around his ankles. Lavi kicked his shoes off and shook free of his pants until he was buck naked.
Tyki smirked down at him, palming his erection as Lavi's legs curled around his hips. "Lavi, what do you want me to do?"
The knot in Lavi's throat tightened at the sound of his name—his name, God had it always been his name and he'd only now realized it?—and it took a moment for him to get the words around it. He propped himself up on an elbow, reaching out to touch Tyki's face, smoothing fingers over his cheek and jaw. "I want you in me."
A soft chuckle escaped Tyki's throat, and he pulled Lavi's hand to his lips, giving him a quick kiss on his palm. Without a word, he reached for his pack, not more than a few feet away, and rummaged through it until he found the tub of ointment. Lavi's heart sped up as he watched Tyki unscrew the cap and dip two of his fingers into the opaque salve. His eye never left Tyki's form, focusing on his movements as he settled back in between his legs before slipping his fingers behind him with a cool, gentle touch.
A gasp slipped from Lavi's lips as Tyki pressed into him, slick fingers knuckle-deep. The full feeling sent a shiver up his spine, but it wasn't enough. He craved more, his hips already grinding down on Tyki's hand. He sat back on his feet, just out of Lavi's reach. Lavi wanted to grab onto him, but had to settle for the blankets underneath instead, gripping the fabric as Tyki fingered his ass with slow, methodical movements.
A grin curled up on Tyki's lips as he watched Lavi's reactions, his piercing yellow eyes fixated on the redhead. A deep craving simmered beneath the surface, and all Lavi wanted to do was yank it free, let Tyki ravage his body like he'd done time and time again until he couldn't see straight. But his lover seemed to have a different course in mind for the night, one that would drag out this encounter for as long as possible.
Lavi cinched his legs around Tyki's hips, pulling him closer. "Why are you going so slow?"
Tyki chuckled, smoothing his free hand over Lavi's strained length. He teased the drops of pre-cum dribbling over the head with his thumb. "Maybe I want to take my time with you. Is that a crime?"
"No," Lavi said, the word hitching on his breath as Tyki hit a particularly sensitive spot inside him. "But it's frustrating."
"Good. You look exquisite when you're frustrated." Tyki added a third finger into Lavi, stretching him wider. Lavi flushed hotly at the admission, turning his head to the side to avoid Tyki's provocative stare. The smell of goldenrod and distant rain wafted in on the breeze slipping through the holes in the walls and roof. The sunbeams weakened as Tyki continued to tease Lavi, and he knew night would be on them quickly. They hadn't eaten, hadn't set any supplies up—they didn't have time for these games, but Lavi couldn't find the strength to stop him, no matter how sensible it seemed.
"Ahh," Lavi keened, his back arching as Tyki hit that same tantalizingly sensitive spot. It didn't help that he was still fondling Lavi's dick, each brush of skin on skin leaving him weak with desire. "Please, Tyki. Please…"
Humming, Tyki paused his hand on Lavi's length before leaning over him, fingers still inside. He hovered close, lips barely brushing against the redhead's. "Lucky for you, I'm in a generous mood." Tyki kissed him, tongue sliding into his mouth, sensual and hot enough to make Lavi moan against it. He removed his fingers, slow and slick, dragging it out as long as he could. When they finally slipped free, Lavi groaned at the empty feeling.
Pulling away from the kiss, Tyki stripped off his pants and shoes until he was completely free of clothes, then leaned back into Lavi's lanky form, capturing his lips once more, heated and demanding. Lavi rolled his hips up into him, hands grasping at Tyki's back and long, messy hair. Tyki stifled a chuckle, then slowly pressed himself into Lavi.
The stretch left Lavi crooning, and as Tyki's heat entered him, he cried out softly. His eye screwed shut, back arched against the intrusion. That full feeling ached inside him, sweet and tender, and as Tyki settled over him, everything felt right. He reached out, hands curling around the back of Tyki's neck, and pulled him in for a forceful, longing kiss.
Tyki returned the enthusiasm in kind, running his tongue over Lavi's lower lip before slipping it into mouth. His hips rutted gently into Lavi, savoring each and every movement. Lavi wrapped his legs around Tyki's hips, crossing them at the ankles and easing him close until their bodies were flush. Tyki moaned into his mouth, his hips jerking forward with a needy thrust.
Turning his head to the side, Lavi gasped, his body rigid against the feeling. "Tyki…" His fingers dug into Tyki's hair, tugging at the long curls.
With a breathy laugh, Tyki licked the redhead's neck before biting it. Lavi twitched under the rough touch. "You're sensitive tonight," he mumbled against his flesh, sucking and biting the skin on his neck and shoulders. The bruises blossomed over his pale, freckled skin like red and purple flowers, each one uniquely shaped and delicate and tender to the touch.
"I just—aah!" Lavi cried out, hips jerking upward as Tyki nipped at a particularly sensitive spot on his neck. He clung tighter to Tyki, pressing his face into his shoulder. He felt his heart beat against his chest like a caged bird, desperate to be released. He mumbled his next words, fingers digging into Tyki's shoulders. "I just need you right now."
Tyki's lips paused on Lavi's flesh, the stillness just long enough for Lavi to notice. Insecurity squirmed in his heart, begging him to retract his words. They had been too needy, too real. But before he could utter another word, Tyki captured his lips in a breathtaking kiss, insatiable in his insistence. His hips thrust into Lavi with renewed vigor—faster, deeper, demanding, greedy for more friction and heat.
"Tyki. Tyki," Lavi moaned, eye clenched shut as he let Tyki drive into him with abandon. He'd never felt so connected, so bound and drawn to someone. In that instance, as they writhed together amongst the loose bales of hay and blankets, fighting for mutual completion, Lavi surrendered his heart.
It had never been his to begin with, anyway.
A hand slipped between their stomachs, and Lavi felt Tyki's fingers wrap around his hardened length. He gasped at the touch, and Tyki began to smooth his hand over him as he continued to work his hips. The friction and fullness was almost too much to bear, and he'd already been teased enough to cum twice over. "Nnn, fuck—" he huffed out, turning back to stare up at Tyki. Those golden eyes pierced into his, a light sheen of sweat clinging to his temples as he watched Lavi with unhindered desire.
A needy shiver rolled down Lavi's back, and he felt his stomach twist up in delightfully tight knots. Tyki's searing gaze only intensified, unwavering. A ravenous smile touched his lips. "C'mon, Lavi. Let me see you cum. I wanna watch you," he said, out of breath and still fucking Lavi at that steady, fevered pace.
Lavi groaned at the words, Tyki's name falling from his lips again and again as his hips bucked up into his hand. He was too hot, too aroused, energy coiled up like a snake ready to strike. And finally, with a few well placed thrusts and a gentle caress over his slick, red tip, Lavi came like a fountain, spraying cum over them both.
Buzzing from the orgasm, Lavi whined as Tyki continued to split him in two with his cock, still staring at him with dark, lustful eyes. He raised his soiled hand to his mouth, licking Lavi's cum off the skin as his hips pumped into the redhead harder. The sight left Lavi shivering, wishing he could cum again in that moment.
Then, Tyki closed his eyes tight, cum slicked hand curling up into a fist. His hips lost their rhythm, erratic and fumbling, and Lavi felt the heat rush into him as Tyki came. He shuddered with pleasure at the warmth.
Tyki waited until the spasms ceased, and when he was ready, he pulled free of Lavi's backside and joined him against the disheveled blankets. They were both filthy, sticky with cum and sweat, but the satiated aura that radiated around them made Lavi not care how dirty they were. This was what he wanted. This was perfect.
Lavi stared up at the roof, the sky already dark. He hadn't noticed until right then that a soft summer rain had begun to fall, a few drops creeping through the broken boards and wide gaps between the slats. A smile crept up on his face, his chest still rising and falling with deep breaths.
"That was good," he said, still staring up and unable to move his sore, tired limbs.
"It's always good, Red," Tyki replied, reaching for his pants and pulling out a pack of crumpled cigarettes and matches.
"No, I mean…" Lavi trailed off, not sure how to articulate all the feelings swirling in his chest right then. "I really liked it, Tyki. It's never been like that before."
Tyki gave up on his nicotine fix at Lavi's words, turning back to watch him as he sat cross-legged on the blanket. Something flashed in his gaze then, soft and vulnerable, but it disappeared in a flash, replaced by a lecherous grin. "Even better than the time I had you on that table in the study? You were a pretty little buffet for me."
Catching the distracting topic, Lavi shook his head and sighed, even with the smile still on his face. They were still playing games, still not saying the words in their hearts. He was just as guilty, so he let it slide, and changed the subject as well. "…After we remove your Noah memories, what do you want to do?"
Tyki stared at him like he'd just grown wings and flew off to the sun. "I dunno."
"You never thought about it?"
With a shrug, he stretched out on the blanket again. "I didn't really have much of a chance, now did I? We've been a little busy."
Lavi hesitated, a lump suddenly sticking in his throat. He swallowed around it, not looking back at Tyki. "Did you… want to stay with me?"
Tyki snorted and rubbed at the tip of his nose with two fingers. "Stay with you and watch you dump me for that damned boy? No thanks. I've got my dignity."
The accusation stung, and Lavi knew it wasn't an unfounded judgment. He was silent for a short moment, picking his words carefully before speaking. "…I'm not staying with Allen." He caught Tyki turning his head, watching him intensely, but Lavi kept his gaze on the roof of the barn. "I can't fight in this war anymore, and I can't go back to being a Bookman after everything that's happened. Allen will go back to the Order eventually, I know he will. But there's… There is no place for me in that world anymore."
Tyki said nothing, still staring at him. Lavi tried to not let the unwavering gaze get to him as he continued. "I… I was hoping you wanted to stay with me. I'm not sure where we'd go or what we could do, but… I would like if you came with me."
The silence between them drew out, and Lavi's chest pinched in worry again. Had he said too much? Overstepped some invisible boundary? Just as he was about to backpedal, Tyki turned to his side and wrapped an arm around Lavi's waist. He pulled him close, burying his face in Lavi's bitten and bruised neck.
"I'll stay, if you want." The words were whispered in Lavi's ear so softly that he almost thought he'd imagined them. Lavi shifted on the blankets, curling his naked form closer to Tyki and resting his hand on his hip.
"I want you to."
Tyki hummed, one hand smoothing over Lavi's cheek, then down along his sweaty chest. "Then I will."
xXxXxXx
Liverpool stank of smog and fish as they ambled down the streets, travel weary and exhausted. They had arrived late that night, nearly midnight by the time the train rolled into the station, and Lavi was dead on his feet as he tried to keep himself steady. The main streets were well lit compared to most of the country roads they had traversed in these past months, but shadows crept along the edges of buildings and down alleyways. They met few people as they walked, and the quiet unnerved Lavi.
"Are you sure you don't want to find a room for the night and start fresh in the morning?" he asked Allen, tugging at the collar of his shirt. The oppressive heat surrounded them like a warm embrace, humid and hot. Sweat soaked through sections of his clothes, unable to dry properly in the damp air.
Allen nodded, wiping at his face with the back of his hand to clean the sweat off his brow. "We're here, aren't we? I don't want to wait."
"I second that," Tyki said, cracking his neck and letting out a long sigh. "Let's get this over with."
Lavi couldn't argue with the sentiment. They'd been on the run for months now, trying to make their way to Liverpool, dodging the Noah and the Order alike. It had been hard going most days, dangerous and rough, but seeing the light at the end of the tunnel was like a breath of fresh air. A traitorous streak of hope surged in Lavi's heart. He wanted it done.
He wanted to rest.
"How much farther is this place?" Tyki asked, wrinkling his nose as a breeze blew in from the port. They weren't far from the docks and the stench of fish hung heavy in the air.
Allen scratched at the back of his neck. "Not far…"
Lavi checked the street names as they crossed an intersection. He never forgot how easily Allen could lose his way, especially in the city. "I think it's just on the next block."
With a nod, Allen brushed back the sweat slicked hair from his face. "The letter from Cross said that she lived in a tenement."
Tyki scanned the empty streets, an apprehensive aura surrounding him. "And you're sure this isn't a complete waste of our time?"
"We can't afford to ignore the lead," Allen said, chewing at his lower lip. "It's not like we have a lot to go on in the first place."
"It just seems… Too easy." Tyki adjusted the strap on his pack as they continued down the darkened streets.
"If this is what you call easy, I'm scared to see what's hard." Allen wiped a few drops of sweat off his nose and gave Tyki a wry grin. "Trust me when I tell you that I know this letter is from Cross. And he wouldn't send me out here if it wasn't important."
Tyki snickered, "You put that much faith in him, do you?"
"When it comes to this, I do," Allen replied, falling in step with Lavi as they walked a few paces ahead of Tyki.
Lavi took a breath, trying to shove the nervous feeling in his chest down deep. Tyki's negative attitude clashed against Allen's optimism and left him stuck in the middle, not sure what to believe or think for himself. He trusted Allen to not lead him on a wild goose chase, but he still couldn't banish that nagging little voice in the back of his head. Something was going to go wrong tonight—he felt it in his bones.
"There it is."
Looking up, Lavi saw the tenement—old, cracked brick set in even older, stained mortar. The uneasy feeling in his stomach doubled.
"Let's go," Allen said, heading into the main entrance.
The front door was unlocked, and as they entered, Lavi saw a long, dark hallway. Doors lined the walls on either side and dim lights did little to chase away the shadows as they headed through the corridor. The air in the building was stale and hot with no windows to bring in a fresh breeze, and Lavi felt like he couldn't breathe as they made their way up the first set of stairs to the second floor. He read each of the numbers on the doors off in his head, trying to calm his racing heart. They were so close.
Finally, Allen stopped in front of room 204. He raised his hand and knocked three times, the sound echoing in the vacant hallway. They waited a moment, but no one answered.
"They're probably asleep," Tyki said, leaning against the wall and heaving a sigh.
"Al, maybe we should come back tomorr—"
"No," he said, cutting off Lavi. "We're here now. I want answers." He knocked harder this time, knuckles rapping on the warped wood over and over again. Lavi took a step back, running a hand through his hair nervously and looking down the hall to see if they'd woken up any of the other tenants.
"Fucking hell—knock it off before we wake the whole building, boy," Tyki grumbled, grabbing Allen and pushing him out of the way.
"What was that for?" Allen snapped, giving him a foul look.
Tyki said nothing, then walked forward and disappeared through the door as if it were nothing more than air. The sound of chains rattling and locks clicking open could be heard on the other side, and in a few seconds, the door opened to reveal Tyki with a smug look on his face.
"Ta-fucking-da," he said, gesturing for them to enter.
Allen leveled an unimpressed glare his way. "No need to be so smug."
"I prefer to think of it as ingenious." Tyki smirked down at Allen, even after he closed the door.
Lavi sighed. "Maybe we can save the arguing for later. We did just break into someone's home."
Tyki glanced around the small living quarters and scoffed. "You call this a home?"
"Quiet," Allen said, taking a few tentative steps into the room. There was a small living area in one corner, and a tiny stove in the other. The room was sparsely furnished, but neat and organized. However, there was a heavy presence in the room, as if something was off kilter—askew.
"Excuse me?" Allen said, loud enough for anyone in the apartment to hear. "I'm looking for Elizabeth? Cross Marian sent me." Still there was no answer.
"What if she's not here?" Lavi asked, checking around the room for any signs of life.
Allen shook his head, irritation plain on his face. "Maybe, but—"
"We're not alone," Tyki said, suddenly. His eyes narrowed, pushing Lavi back behind him as he stared at the doorway to the only partitioned room in the home.
Lavi went to complain at the rough treatment, but when he heard the light, airy laugh echoing from the bedroom, the blood froze solid in his veins. He watched as Road clapped her hands together, entering the main room, a sadistic smile on her face. Lavi flinched as he caught sight of her hands—covered in dark red blood. As she clapped, crimson sprayed over her white dress.
"Bravo, Tyki. So, you haven't completely lost your head if you can still sense your family close by."
Tyki swallowed nervously, but said nothing in return.
Allen's breath caught in his throat, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. "What did you do, Road?"
She lifted her blood soaked hand and wiggled her fingers at him playfully. "Don't ask silly questions, Allen. You know what I did." She wiped her hands on her dress, smearing the blood over more of the fabric without a care. "I can't have you breaking up my family any more than you already have." Her cold eyes narrowed in on Tyki, and Lavi saw him visibly flinch.
"Tyki," she started, not waiting for them to speak. "We're all very disappointed."
Chuckling, Tyki shoved his hands in his pockets, watching Road with an unwavering gaze. "I figured."
"Come back, Tyki, and we'll forget this whole thing. I've already spoken with the Earl, and he hopes you'll return of your own volition. Don't make me force you like I will with Allen."
Lavi stared up at Tyki, fear gripping his heart like a vice. His throat closed up tight, the words on his tongue dying before they could be heard. He waited to hear Tyki's answer with baited breath.
The shock was plain on Tyki's face, and he faltered after her response. "He… wants me to return?"
"Of course," Road said, her creepy smile softening as she met his gaze. "We're family. We can forgive a few slip ups. You had your fun with the little Bookman, and now it's time to come home. We've got work to do."
Tyki scoffed, rubbing his hand across his mouth and averting his eyes. "I'm not coming back."
"Tyki," she began with a placating voice as she took a few steps forward. Blood trailed behind her, staining the floor in her wake. "He's not worth it. He's only human."
There was a beat, heavy silence between them as the stench of blood wafted in from the bedroom. Tyki narrowed his eyes and grinned. "So are we."
With a sigh, Road tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, more blood smearing over her skin. Her smile never wavered "So be it."
Before Road could even raise a hand, Allen activated Crown Clown and threw his cloak up to protect them from her first attack. "Run!" he shouted, looking back on Lavi and Tyki.
Tyki grabbed Lavi's arm, yanking him out the door as they beat a hasty retreat down the hall. Neither stopped to look back as they stumbled through the tenement and back onto the empty street.
They turned to look back at the building, but couldn't see or hear Road and Allen's fight. Lavi took heavy breaths as he stared at the door, taking a few more steps back. "Tyki, what about Allen? He—"
"I know, Red!" Tyki snapped back, clearly frustrated and upset. "We'll figure it ou—Shit!"
Lavi didn't have a chance to see what drew Tyki's attention before he was dragged to the ground, the wind knocking out of his lungs in the process. An explosion rocked the block, debris skittering across the cobblestone streets as Tyki huddled over Lavi's body.
"Look, Jasdero. The traitor and his little whore. They made this too easy for us!" Devit cackled as he pointed his gun at Tyki and Lavi, almost doubled over from laughter.
Jasdero snickered, his aim matching his brother's. "Too easy, hehehe!"
Tyki got up off his feet, glaring at the twins as they haphazardly brandished their weapons at him. "She brought you two idiots, did she? What a pain."
Lavi stumbled to his feet, disoriented and still reeling from the explosion. When he focused on Tyki's line of sight, he saw the twin Noahs, both looking smug. With no weapon to defend himself, Lavi hung back just behind Tyki, his muscles tense as he prepared to bolt at a moment's notice.
Devit grit his teeth at Tyki's comment and adjusted his stance. "Shut up, traitor. You're no better than that 14th!"
Tyki laughed, glaring at the two siblings as they continued to point their weapons at him. "You think you can fight me?"
"We know we can," Devit snapped, his heavily charcoal-lined eyes narrowing.
"Yeah!" Jasdero added in, laughing.
With a smirk, Tyki attacked.
Lavi took a step back as he watched the Noah jump into action. Tyki was fast, almost faster than Lavi could keep up with. He'd fought Tyki before, back in Edo, and had felt those powerful blows wielded against him more than once. But to be on the other end, to see Tyki fighting against someone else, fighting on his side—it was breathtaking. Jasdero and Devit didn't stand a chance, not when Tyki didn't hold back. Lavi watched as he outmaneuvered them, knocking them to the ground together and pinning them with his foot.
"Still too slow," Tyki taunted, a smug smirk spreading over his face. After kicking them once more for good measure, he ran back to Lavi, grabbing his hand and dragging him down the street. Lavi stumbled to find his footing, but followed after.
"Hurry up! We need to get out of here," Tyki commanded, nearly yanking Lavi's arm out of its socket. "They won't be down for long."
Lavi winced, struggling to keep up. "But what about—?!"
Before Lavi could finish his question, an explosion rocked the buildings and ground around them, causing them both to stumble. The side of the outer facing wall of the tenement broke open as Allen and Road fell out amidst the rubble. Lavi couldn't see who had caused the break, but both Road and Allen seemed no worse for wear. Relief flooded Lavi's body as he saw his friend back on the street and still with the living.
"Allen!"
Not waiting for Road to catch her bearings, Allen turned tail and joined Tyki and Lavi halfway down the street. "C'mon! We'll make a break for the port. I'm sure we can find a boat to escape on there."
Unable to argue, Lavi followed after, the three of them darting through the hot, dark streets in hopes of escaping their pursuers. They nearly reached the harbor, the smell of salt water and fish unmistakable, but as they rounded the corner, they skidded to a halt.
Road blocked their path, her sharp yellow eyes narrowed as she stared at them.
Tyki cursed under his breath, yanking Lavi behind him and Allen once again. That pang of guilt at being useless without his hammer burned in Lavi's head once more, but he stuffed it down as he stared past his two companions at the one Noah that had brought him to his knees. Of all the Noah, Road scared him the most. No one else had seen what she had, or knew every crevice of his mind like her. He shivered against the memories.
"You should've brought more than Devit and Jasdero as back up," Tyki chided, shifting his stance and readying to attack. Allen was in the same stiff stance, the Innocence in his left arm activated and Crown Clown's cloak flowing behind him.
Road's lips twitched up into a nearly imperceivable smirk. "I don't need them to take you both back." She raised a hand, rows of sharp, still-burning candles floating just behind her.
Allen gritted his teeth, fingers on his clawed hand twitching. "Let us pass, Road. We don't want to fight you."
Her eyes focused in on him, still as unforgiving as before. "You're taking away my family, Allen. And as much as I like you, I won't forgive it." Road turned her gaze to Lavi then, and a shiver rolled down his spine at the coldness of her stare. "Though, maybe it's the Bookman I should blame?"
"Leave him out of this," Allen said, taking a step forward as he glared back at her.
"Allen, so touchy…" Road replied with a coy smile. "Looks like Tyki isn't the only one with eyes for our little homewrecker."
"Enough already," Tyki growled out, hands clenched into fists as he stared down his niece.
She looked back at him, still cool and collected as she stood against the darkness. "You can end this, you know. Come with me. I'll give you one more chance. There's no one else to aid you in your foolish venture—nowhere left for you to run. Just end it and come back to us."
"How did you know to find us here, anyway?" Tyki asked, still standing his ground.
Road grinned, only having to speak one name to answer his question. "Wisely."
Another curse flew from Tyki's mouth. "Of course."
"What will it be?" she asked again, patience growing thin.
Unable to do more than laugh at their situation, Tyki shook his head. "My answer is the same as the boy's."
Allen managed a tired grin at his response. "And you already know my answer, Road."
She sighed, eyelids lowering slightly as she took on a bored look. "Pity."
Then, she attacked.
The candles flew at them like knives, slicing through the air with precision and speed. Allen threw up Crown Clown's cloak, blocking them with the Innocence laden weapon before turning to Lavi. "Get to the harbor and find a boat for us to take. We'll meet you there as soon as we can."
Lavi's eye darted from Allen to Tyki, then back again. "But—"
"Don't argue, Red," Tyki added, grinning maniacally as he stared back at Road. He let her attacks phase right through his body, as if he were made of air. "We'll clear a path. Just get yourself to safety."
Lavi looked back to Tyki, swallowing hard at the lump in his throat. That feeling was back in his guts, the same one from earlier just before their whole night went to shit. He locked eyes with Tyki, then nodded. "Okay," he replied, voice weak as another volley of candles shot past them.
With a grin, Tyki jumped into the fray, attacking Road directly and drawing her fire towards him. Once the coast was clear, Allen dropped Crown Clown and hurried after Tyki, joining in. "Run, Lavi!" he called behind him before taking his first swipe at Road. She dodged easily, but with both Tyki and Allen working against her, she had her back to the wall.
Lavi took his chance, running past them in the narrow street and heading towards the port.
With a laugh, Road eyed the redhead like a hungry wolf. "Nice plan, but it won't work." She slipped away from her opponents without breaking a sweat, and darted towards Lavi.
"Shit!" Tyki spat, chasing after her, Allen on his heels.
By the time Lavi realized he was being tailed, it was too late. One of her candles clipped his knee, and he fell to the cobblestone streets with a cry. Twisting around, he faced Road as she hovered above him, deadly sharp candle poised and ready to fly. "Sorry, Lavi," she said with a smile, and shot the candle at him.
Closing his eye, Lavi winced, readying himself for the death blow. He couldn't run, couldn't defend himself, and all that he could do was let it come—let it end everything. All the running, the pain, the suffering; it coalesced into an amalgam of self-loathing and bitter relief. He didn't want to die, but the burden of living had worn on him for too long. So, he lay still and waited for it to end—
But it didn't.
The sound of a choked gasp forced Lavi to open his eye and come face to face with Tyki, stretched out over him, arms shaking from the effort to hold himself upright. Lavi opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, Tyki groaned and collapsed against him. He felt something warm and wet on his chest, and when he finally pushed Tyki off of him and onto the street, the sight before him stole the breath from his lungs. The candle meant for him protruded through Tyki's chest, blood soaking through his clothing and spilling onto the ground below.
"No… No, no, no…" Lavi whispered, his hands shaking as he touched Tyki's chest and face. There was no way to fix this—the candle went right through his lungs, no doubt hitting his heart as well. Tears poured down Lavi's cheek, lips trembling.
A sudden burst of anger shot through him. "You selfish asshole," Lavi growled out, hands gripping Tyki's shirt uselessly.
Tyki coughed and grinned, blood oozing from the corners of his mouth. "Sorry, Red. Couldn't let her hit you."
"You… You…" Lavi couldn't get the words out. Blood pounded in his ears, his pulse racing and his breath coming in faster and faster, panic seizing him up. He heard Allen in the background, yelling something, but it was all washed and faded as it hit his ears.
Tyki was dying. Tyki was dying.
Reaching up, Tyki tried to press his hand to Lavi's face, but he couldn't quite muster the strength for it. Lavi grasped it quickly, pressing his palm to his cheek. Blood smeared over his skin, mingling with tears. "Hey, don't get all soft on me now," he choked out, hands shaking and his yellow eyes glassing over.
Lavi sniffled, sucking in a shuddered breath. "I'm never forgiving you for this. You should've let me die instead."
"A-And let you get the glory?" Tyki asked, his voice getting softer as the seconds ticked by. The blood grew blacker, thicker, and nearly covered the whole street. "No fucking way."
A laugh made its way out of Lavi's raw throat. "Stubborn jackass," he whispered, squeezing his hand tighter. He waited for a reply, some quick remark, but the silence ate at Lavi's chest. "Tyki?" He waited, squeezed his hand harder, shook him against the dying light in his eyes.
There was no answer.
"You."
The words were spoken with such hate and grief that it left a painful shudder running up Lavi's spine as he turned and saw Road. Her body was shaking, weak with anger and grief as she stood with a tear streaked face. She stared at Lavi, contempt in her eyes. "You," she repeated, shivering against the pain of losing her family. "This is all your fault."
Before Lavi could move or even answer, a rough hand grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to his feet. Allen pulled Lavi along and towards the port, feet beating against the stone streets.
"Allen, we can't leave him! We have to go back!" Lavi insisted, still looking back. He could see Road collapsing to her knees next to Tyki's body, and a fresh wave of tears rolled down his cheek.
"No time. If Road catches up, she'll kill you."
When Lavi turned back to Allen, his face was streaked with tears as well, the Noah inside him crying at Tyki's demise the same as Road had. The lump in Lavi's throat grew tight and hard, and he didn't know how much longer he could swallow down his grief.
They rushed through the port and down the pier, looking for an unoccupied craft to hop on. When Allen found one of significant size that fit their needs, he hurried Lavi on board with him, as they scurried down into the seating area. It was a ferry that had just finished boarding. Allen deactivated his Innocence and once they'd slipped aboard without notice, they found a quiet corner to sit alone.
Lavi wiped at his cheek, trying to clear away the tears, but when his hand came back stained red, that tightness in his chest doubled. Blood—Tyki's blood… Lavi felt the weight of his death hitting his heart, crushing him under the heavy sorrow. It wasn't supposed to end like this. He never got to say goodbye—he never got to tell Tyki how he really felt. Grief and guilt ran through his body like acid, burning him, leaving him numb and dying inside. He bit his lip and curled closer to Allen, not caring how needy and desperate he seemed in that moment. Allen didn't bother to hide his tears, and he wrapped a comforting arm around Lavi's shoulder.
Still, he felt dead inside.
As the ferry began moving out into the bay, Lavi closed his eye and leaned heavier against Allen. "…What are we supposed to do now?" he asked, voice weak and scratchy as he struggled to keep himself from falling apart at the seams.
Allen was quiet for a long moment, fingers tightening on Lavi's shoulder. When he spoke, finally uttering an answer, Lavi couldn't help but let his tears flow one more time.
"Just keep walking."
