Author's Note: Just recovered from my week long cold on top of early work shifts. Hopefully, I'll have a bit more free time after Thanksgiving to update more. I have not forgotten about our main lovable pairings! Expect plenty of Tyki x Allen goodness in the next few chapters! I promise!

Wow. I didn't expect this much love for this fic. Thank you all for the faves, follows, and reviews. You are all the best in the world!

"Cross, please look after Neah and Allen. Be their guide and guardian."

"Are you sure that there's no other choice, Mana?"

Mana shook his head. "Not right now, but 10 years later, there will be."

"Mana..."

"Timcanpy will know when the time comes. Until then, please don't let anyone know about this."

"I promise, Mana."

Lavi laughed out loud as he watched Allen sulking in his seating while Timcanpy was sitting on his desk and tugging on his shirt. Allen was stuck in the Royal Library with Lavi as punishment from his inability to knock out his Knight.

"It's not funny, Lavi." as Allen mumbled.

He wiped his tears away while holding onto his stomach. "I'm sorry, Prince Allen, but Yuu saw this coming so I didn't believe him until now."

Allen grumbled as he laid and buried his head down on his crossed arms. Lavi stopped laughing and ruffled his soft, white hair with a huge smile on his face.

"You can't fool Yuu that easily with that stunt even if Tyki is the master of deceiving."

Allen looked up with puppy eyes. "I tried, Lavi. I have never seen anyone that mad at me before. It was like the devil has appeared! It was scary!"

Lavi patted his head. "He can be really scary, indeed, but he doesn't sugarcoat anything for your own good, prince."

"When it's the two of us, just call me Allen." he sighed and laid on his arms. "You seem to know more about them. Can you tell me more since I'll be here all week?"

Lavi chuckled as he pulled a chair near Allen's desk and sat down. "I can't really say I knew them long, but I've been observing them for awhile. Cross Marian and Froi Tiedoll would know them better since it was them who taken those two in with our former King."

Allen pondered for a moment. I could ask him next time when he's not drunk or out catching women in the castle. Nah. It's better to ask Tiedoll instead.

"What do you want to know, Allen?" as Lavi rest his face on his hand, elbow on the desk.

"How did both Tyki and Kanda got chosen as Holy Knights? There wasn't much information about how to become one except being chosen by the King." as Allen's eyes glanced up at Lavi.

"From what I heard from Grandpa, there are some particular criteria that a King will look into such as strength, intelligence, and etc. After reviewing, he will have meetings with the Royal Knights and listen for their insights and recommendations."

"Oh! So it's based on the King's own criteria which can be anything?"

Lavi nodded. "Yes. As you can see now, both Tyki and Kanda has either met or excel their expectations."

"How about you, Lavi? Did you have a say in the meeting too?"

"I do. I was their tutor despite those two being older than I am." as Lavi happily chuckled.

Allen blinked. "Eh? I thought you were same age as them?"

Lavi wiggled his index finger. "I am a year younger than Yuu who just turned 20 a few months ago."

"How about Tyki? He must be 30 right?"

Lavi laughed. "If he heard that, he would have a heart attack. I believe he's only 25 from what I heard."

"Kanda must be stronger than Tyki that he was chosen to protect Neah."

"Probably."

"What do you mean by that, Lavi?" as Allen poked Timcanpy's cheek.

"My assumption." as he shrugged. You'll probably find out later.

"Umm..."

Lavi raised a suspicious brow.

"I'm curious about their relationship..."

"Ah. It's platonic." Lavi blatantly answered.

"Oh..."

I knew he would asked about this too. Oh these two silly royalties. Lavi chuckled and crossed his legs. "If it makes you feel better, the King asked me the same thing about them not too long ago."

Allen perked up with his eyes open wide. "Neah did? He hardly asked about anyone who's not part of the family."

You're not the only one who's shocked about this too.

"I was surprised too, but that's the answer I gave. Not sure what you and the King are thinking, but from my own observation, they're like friends who has been through hardships together." as Lavi's eyes glanced over Allen's silent presence. "Yuu will hate me for this, but I can tell you this so you can keep in mind of your training."

Allen cocked his head and blinked. Huh?

"There's a reason why Tyki was chosen as your Holy Knight. Remember what I said about him earlier in the conversation. If you can figure that out, then you can move on to your next training."

"Lavi..."

A huge thud surprised both Allen and Timcanpy when two stacks of ten books sat in front of them with a smiling scholar with his glinting eyes.

"Anyways, it's about time you study about the history of your kingdom and there will be a test by the end of this week." as Lavi chuckling evilly. "I will make sure you remember them all even in your sleep."

Mana, please save me from this study torture!

"Come on, Yuu. Don't be too harsh on Shounen. At least, he tried to learn the art of deception!" as Tyki chuckled while walking behind Kanda.

Kanda clicked his tongue. "Just because I told YOU not to make him feel uncomfortable doesn't mean HE has to be one being uncomfortable in his pathetic weak state."

Tyki shrugged. "But the prince did looked cute blushing and fumbling. If only we had a bit more time~" A chuckled. "Maybe you can train his body to be flexible as yours next time so I can put him in many positions~"

"Tyki." as Kanda stopped in his tracks.

Tyki stopped behind as he combed his hair back with his eyes glancing around their familiar surrounding. It was their secluded, secret room, carefully hidden behind a decorative wall which is connected to Kanda's room as it was easy for Tyki when he has to carry his friend whenever they had to do this. He sighed as his arms wrapped around Kanda's collar and sniffing on his neck. Tea and lotus scent. He hasn't gotten tired of his friend's unique scent.

"If I had given you more time with the prince, then he won't be able to survive. You're at your limit."

"Yuu~" as his tongue licked along his neckline. "But I want to see Shounen in a different way, in a different shade."

"Stupid. He's unaware of himself." as he elbowed him in the rib area. "He's not fit to see this side of you yet, idiot."

"I can tell." as Tyki winced at his rib pain as he stepped a few inches back.

"Do what you're supposed to do quick within six months, idiot." as he turned himself around while taking off his navy jacket as he let it fall on the ground and unbuttoning his white dress shirt, exposing his chest and a dark tattoo over his heart. "Time limit is near, but yours has gotten shorter."

Tyki chuckled with a slight menace. "You believe Shounen is the one?"

"To you, yes. Are you doubting on Road's dream?"

"Sometimes."

His golden eyes slit narrow and changed to black as he walked towards his friend who stood waiting and his slightly long tongue glided along his exposed collar as Kanda's body shivered from the warm, moist touch. Both of Tyki's hands gripped hard on Kanda's shoulders, his nails grew an inch long and piercing into his dress shirt and into his pale skin. Kanda bit his lower lip hard and winced.

"I'm sorry, Yuu."

"Stupid. Just hurry up and do it. Tomorrow is an unproductive day anyway." as his voice became hoarse.

A grin appeared. "You have a limit too. Your body has slow down a bit lately."

He clicked his tongue in irritation. "Whatever."

"Are you doing something reckless behind my back as of late, Yuu?" as his voice whispered close to his right ear with warm breathing tracing along his neckline and stopping on his right shoulder. "Your beautiful fingers felt like the cool water stream in the forest and your skin seems pale like the moon."

"What the hell did that stupid rabbit make you read to be this sappy poet? Save it for that beansprout."

Tyki chuckled softly as he licked long and slow on his soft flesh. "This will take a bit more than usual, Yuu."

"I've already informed that sister-complex doctor and that womanizer guardian."

"Then I will partake this now." as Tyki's enlarged canines pierce hard and rough on Kanda's shoulder as warm taste of his partner's blood flowed through his mouth.

"There were about five failed assassination attempts on the Prince Allen's life on top of ten more missing children in the kingdom over the last week, my King."

Neah rubbed his nasal bridge as he exhaled.

"Neah, are you okay? You seemed more tired than usual." as Cross placed his right hand over Neah's forehead.

"I'm fine, Cross. I already went and saw Komui before coming here. Please continue with your report, Froi Tiedoll."

"From our collective sources, it seems someone has been kidnapping children and experimenting on them for unknown purpose. Plus, there has been a growing number of monsters coming from the outskirts of that Akuma forest."

"Someone is playing God. Any idea who it is?"

"No, my King. Every attempt we made to capture those culprits alive were killed or committed suicide before we're able to interrogate them."

"Continue to monitor and report immediately for any solid leads."

"Yes, my King." as Tiedoll bowed and looked up straight at Neah.

"Do you have anymore to say, Froi? Speak up."

"My King, I am speaking behalf as a doting father of Yuu, when was the last time you have seen him?"

Neah's left eye twitched which Cross noticed and raised his brow.

"Three days ago."

Tiedoll looked at Cross which he looked back and both gave a slight frown on their faces. Cross scratched the back of his head while Tiedoll cleaned his glasses.

I really don't like it when these two are hiding something from me. "Spill it you two."

Cross exhaled. "I don't know how the brat know, but there was actually one assassination attempt that almost succeed and it was for you, Neah."

Neah looked at Cross immediately as he stood up quick, but his sudden rise made his body trembled with his legs losing strength to hold his body weight as he almost fell if it wasn't for Cross's quick reflex. He placed his forehead on Cross's broad chest and his breathing became shallow.

"I should have known the moment I saw Komui instead of Kanda Yuu when I woke up."

"Where is he currently if I may ask?" Tiedoll asked.

"I don't know. I've assigned him to train Allen and Tyki Mikk and report their status by this month's end. Any punishment will be through Lavi Bookman."

"I will go see Lavi as I saw him with the prince in the Royal Library this morning."

"I will come along-" as Neah was interrupted abruptly when he felt his body being lifted up in the air. He glared at Cross.

"Sorry King, but Komui kindly informed me to keep you in bed after this meeting and take your medicine. Doctor's orders." as he grinned. Sorry Neah, but you can't see your Knight just yet. Not after he recovers.

"I am not a kid!" as he puffed his cheeks.

"Right, puffer king fish." as Cross carried his yelling, childish King in his arms with Tiedoll watching as they walked past him while he was scratching his scruffy hair.

"ARGH. I am not a fish!"

"My head hurts." as he lazily rolled around on the plush, white rug.

"You didn't have to smash their brains."

He stopped and laid on his back with arms and legs stretching out. "It's better if they died while they still have some of their sanity intact."

She laid on her stomach with her elbows resting on the rug while resting her cheeks on her palms and her legs up and kicking randomly. "How are they doing now?"

He frowned as he sat up with his legs crossed and rubbing his temples. "Not the best week for the pretty guy. At most, he'll be out for three days."

"Lulubell is on it. It will give him a chance to recover before punishment week is over." as she rolled over on her back. "It's about time that I meet the cute prince~"

"Oh~ But we're supposed to stay hidden though~" as he poked the top of her head.

She chuckled happily. "Not in person, silly! In his dreams."

He smirked. "Just make sure you come back before Daddy comes home~"

She smiled. "Always."

[10 years ago]

"Who are you, old man?"

Mana gaped and immediately cried on the nearest person to his right which was Cross who gave him a deadpan look. Tiedoll made a fake laugh loud enough to muffle over their King's sobbing noise.

The raven kid cocked his head. Weird old men.

"Yuu! Who are you talking to?" as another kid, who was the same height as the raven except he had curly hair and his skin color was tan, walked up beside him.

Yuu pointed at the three men. "These old guys. They were looking for Sheril."

Mana was still sobbing. Cross can feel his blood pressure rising as he was slightly irritated. Tiedoll just laughed as he crouched down to the boys' level.

"They're not that old as me, young one." as he pointed Mana and Cross. "Is he here?"

"My big brother is here." as Tyki turned half way and inhaled big as he exhaled, "SHERIL, THERE ARE THREE OLD MEN LOOKING FOR YOU!"

"These little brats..." as Cross was clenching his fist hard while trying to keep part of his jacket dried from Mana's sobbing.

"You don't have to yell, Tyki." as Sheril walked up from behind and stopped dead in his tracks with his eyes wide.

Both Yuu and Tyki blinked in confusion as they watched Sheril kneel down in front of the three men, more so towards the crying man who was standing next to the red-headed one.

"My King, forgive my brother's and his friend's rudeness as they were not well-informed." as Sheril kept his head down.

Cross blinked as Mana stood tall and was already standing in front of the two boys who just looked at him with curiosity. "So it was your kin."

Tyki stood in front of Yuu with both of arms stretched out. "We're not going back. I won't let you take Yuu's freedom away either."

"Child, may I have your name?"

"It's Tyki Mikk."

Why does he have a different surname as his brother? as Mana thought.

"Pleased to meet you, Tyki. And that's must be Yuu whom you are protecting. Why would we want to take his freedom away?"

"Tyki, it's okay." as he placed both of his small hands on Tyki's arm. "I finally got to see how vast the blue sky is, thanks to you."

Tyki shook his head as he embraced Yuu into a bear hug. It made the three men blinked and looking at each other with slight confusion shown on their faces. Sheril got up from his place and walked to the boys as he pulled them close while looking at the gentlemen.

"My dear brother, Tyki, was taken away from me when I was away to get medicine in town five years ago. I thought I lost him forever until two months ago when he came back with this child with him." as he held them closer. "This child was born in that forest so he has never seen the outside world."

Mana stood up as he looked at both Tiedoll and Cross. He looked straight at Sheril's eyes. "Your father was a great ambassador and I came to pay respect by visiting his grave, but it seems that I can properly repay his utmost loyalty by taking care of his bloodline."

"You won't take Yuu away from us?" as Tyki stared at the King.

Mana smiled and shook his head. "That depends if you two are willing to learn and train by these two gentlemen here."

Tyki's eyes widen. "I want to be strong to protect Yuu!"

Yuu glared at him as he punched him in the gut. "What? I'm not that weak, stupid!"

"Yuu~" as his eyes became watery while his arms folded around his pain.

"I will adopt Yuu as my son if I may, my King?" as both Yuu and Tyki blinked at the old man with glasses.

"I have no objection. It's better to ask the young man if he's okay."

Tiedoll crouched down in front of Yuu with his hands on his small shoulders. "Would you like that, Yuu? No one will take you away under my wing."

Yuu glanced back at Tyki and back at Tiedoll. A silent response as he nodded. He lifted the boy up high in the air which made Yuu frozen stiff like a scared cat.

"I'll give you a different surname from my own." as he pondered and smiled. "Kanda. You'll be Kanda Yuu."

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