College is killing me and I have no idea what I'm doing with my life ;-;. Sorry.

But like always, don't hesitate to point out any mistakes or if something doesn't make sense! Here are some random Tyki and Allen bonding time before we move on to the main plot. Thanks for reading!


Tyki heard his contractor shuffle around the apartment frantically back and forth from the bathroom to the bedroom. While, he was busy trying to get all the food on the table before school time and it was no easy feat. Know that saying: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse?" Well, the boy could eat two and just maybe, maybe it wouldn't even be enough. Okay… he was exaggerating, but still. He's hasn't met anyone with such a large appetite.

Who would ever suspect that this small and skinny boy could eat so much? He didn't. Now he was scrambling eggs for his life- get it? Scrambled eggs? Scrambling for his life?

….

Right. Tyki finished cooking the last batch of eggs when Allen finally settled down onto the table to eat. He watched mildly amused at the odd eating habits.

"What?"

"Nothing."

The boy shakes his head, but doesn't interrupt the flow of the food entering his mouth. Usually when humans stuffed themselves, it was disgusting. However, the way the food is shoved into the boy's mouth, reminded him of a squirrel stuffing his mouth. Where does all the food even go? A wonder of life that he'll have to add to his list.

"Tyki." Allen called out, pulling Tyki away from his thoughts. "Are you absolutely positive, you can get to the supermarket by yourself?"

"What am I child?" Tyki pouted as he poured two glass of milk for himself and his contractor. The calcium would do some good for the boy's height.

"I think you know the answer to that."

"To which, I will choose to ignore."

"Honestly, I'm just a bit worried. I mean there's a demon on the loose out to go grocery shopping."

"I assure you, nothing is going to happen." Famous last words.

Allen scowled. "Of course, this wouldn't be the first time you've lied to me."

Tyki held up his hands apologetically. "Shounen, a word of advice from an adult." Allen raised an eyebrow questionably at his statement. Sure, he wasn't the most responsible adult, but he was still an adult! So he purposely paused as the boy raised the glass of milk towards his lips. "There's no use crying over spilled milk."

Allen couldn't help, but choke on the milk. After coughing, he shot a glare at the demon and curtly spat. "Get out."

"I'm sensing some hostility here." Tyki laughed, it was hard to take the boy seriously with that milk moustache. He grabbed a napkin to wipe the milk moustache off.

Allen flushed and swatted the hands away. "I-I'm not a kid!" The napkin violently taken out of his hands and mumbled of what seemed to be a thanks.

"It's just a trip to the supermarket, not like I'm out to kill anyone." Tyki fails to mention the sights and stops he'll visit. "I'm not going to get lost because I have this map and directions you gave me."

Allen was skeptical, but he had no choice since he couldn't afford to babysit a demon.

"Bye Shounen!" Tyki could practically feel the awkwardness radiating from the boy's reply.

"...Bye... Tyki."

Seemed Allen wasn't used to his presence, but to be fair he did just pop out nowhere into his life. There was a slight pause when he greeted him back home and when he said goodbye. Allen always left by seven-thirty in the morning to catch a bus during his school days and wouldn't be back late around late to work.

Which meant he had almost the whole day to figure out what to make for dinner. He knew he would be flashing his signature smug smile at the boy because today he would show Allen that he could totally cook.

He took out the piece of paper with a map drawn and so begins his journey.

Well that was short lived and his optimistic attitude from earlier deflated.

Because he was officially lost. Lost as in "he's got a feeling he's not in Kansas anymore lost"

He stared at the map bewildered. Why do the directions and streets not match with what's on the map that the boy gave him?

People passed by him, but he refused to stop and ask for directions. So hours passed and he learned the hard way at how directionally impaired his contractor was.

Nonetheless, Allen will never find out this happened to him. How embarrassing would it be to know that a demon got lost trying to find the supermarket?! Especially, after he had so adamantly declared "I'm not going to get lost!" Oh Allen would never let him live this down! He could just hear the mocking and patronizing tone.

Even if it was the boy's fault for giving him inaccurate directions.

Though, on the bright side he was pretty impressed with the innovations developed by the humans over the years. The homes, the architecture, landscape, transportation, an organization system and wait- this was no time to be distracted!

He couldn't afford to mess up, especially when his pride was at stake!

He sighed, defeated and sucked in the typical man pride of not asking for directions. He asked he first human he saw near him. "Excuse me, miss?"

She was a small and modest looking woman, the wear and tear of her lifetime were apparent on her face. Yet it seemed time didn't bother her, those olive colored eyes filled with energy. The brown hair beginning to dull was tied back in a bun bounced when she turned towards him. She appeared startled upon noticing him, but nonetheless answered to him in a friendly and soft spoken voice. "Yes?"

"I'm a bit lost and I was hoping if you could point me in the right direction towards the supermarket."

"Of course! I was about to head there myself. Shall we walk there together?" He followed her, matching her slow footsteps and neither of them talked for awhile until she asked. "Are you new to the area?"

"Yep, just moved in with my girlfriend." He decided to lie a bit, see where that topic will lead him. He doubt that he'll see this human again and she won't remember a thing about him.

"Oh, how nice." She sighs nostalgically. "I remembered the first time, ah before I married my husband, when we first moved in together at the beginning of college. We had been together since middle school and yet, it wasn't until I started to live him that I realized, I knew nothing about him." Suddenly, she slapped her cheeks lightly and gasped embarrassed. "Forgive me, look at me rambling on. It seems I've reached that age."

He shook his head at her to object. "No worries, I don't mind." Oddly, he rather enjoyed her short narrative.

They arrived at the market with no problem and separated after he thanked her. He searched for the meat section because his contractor was all sticks and bones. However, he stood there for a long, wondering what to do. He didn't realize how many cuts of meat there were and what he was actually going to make. He was going to make something that's for sure, but what would be the best choice? Perhaps, he should have consulted a book about cooking. He knew a thing or two about cooking, but that sense of doubt caused him to hesitate.

"Are you planning to make something special for someone tonight?"

The voice belonged to the woman he met earlier. "Actually every night, see he's pretty hopeless around the kitchen." This time he doesn't tell her girlfriend.

"Who?" She asks in the same manner when they had first met.

It wasn't news to him that she already forgot about him. He was a demon. He figured out quickly that the humans in this era believed demons couldn't be seen. Wrong, they weren't invisible and humans could see them. However, a demon's existence wasn't easily perceived by humans. If they are seen, then they are quickly forgotten. If a demon wanted to make his presence known and noticed by other, then they would. However exorcist were a special, more like troublesome, case. "My cousin. I volunteered to cook for him every night, but I guess I know nothing about cooking."

"How nice, perhaps I can lend a hand? What recipe did you have in mind?"

"Well he's lived on a diet of instant food, so something healthy."

The woman flashed him a horrid expression and shook her head. "That's terrible! He's very lucky to have you around!"

He didn't want to brag, but he agreed with the woman.

Her gentle face turned stern. "However, you shouldn't make it a habit to cook for him all the time, he should learn how to on his own!" Then there was that wistful expression on her face just like from earlier and she chuckled softly, her eyes lit with amusement. "I say that, but my son is the same too and I still go visit him to make his meal sometimes." She sighed wearily. "I just can't help myself. No matter how old he is, where he is, or what he does, he's still my son. I always worry about him."

Tyki glowered down, feeling, dare he admit it? Homesick. Her parental love for her child reminds him of the Earl's affection towards them. They all loved each other and cared for each other… to the point it drove them all mad. Still... it was nice feeling to know that there was a place and people that he could go back to.

He couldn't help, but think that there was an odd sense of loyalty rooted in them that compelled them to obey the Earl. Betrayal and disobedience were out of the question. The Earl's affections and kindness were one-sided at time. There was so many things wrong with pretending to be a family. Probably, companionship might fit them better than the family label.

Even by some offset chance in some alternative universe they were a family. They'd be one hella of a crazy family.

The woman gasped horrified and pressed the palm of her hand against her cheeks. "Oh no! I didn't mean to turn the discussion into something so dreary! Forgive this old lady for rambling on!"

He smiles warmly at her. "No, I don't mind." It seems he's reached that age of admiring these short lived humans.

...

"Sooooo?" He grins like some chesire cat, staring eagerly at the boy as the dinner lay in front of the boy and ready to eat. It was a simple, healthy pesto pasta dish with grape tomatoes and broccoli. Pasta was inexpensive, easy to make, and in large amounts.

More importantly... thank goodness it was a simple dish that he didn't mess up on.

Allen put the fork down when it had been halfway to his mouth and cocked an eyebrow at him. "Truthfully, a little disturbed at how you're watching me eat."

"Aw come one Shounen, stop being a tease and tell me!" Tyki was practically begging to the human. He's learned how hard it was to please the boy. Allen could be seriously sarcastic and hurtful at times. Another little tidbit that most people would not expect from the boy as a first impression.

"Aren't you a little obsessed for my input?"

"Shounen. Let's be clear on this, you're first human to try my cooking."

Allen paused to frown, putting down the fork. " Wait, so you don't know how to cook?"

Tyki groaned at how the fork was put down. "First of all, I never said that I didn't know how to cook. Second of all, I did cook before I became a demon and no because that is a story for another time." He added right when Allen had opened his mouth. However, he lied because there wasn't going to be another time. He wasn't going to tell him. "Third of all, I haven't cooked since I became a demon, therefore you are the first human I have ever made a meal for since I became a demon. Now that we've reached an understanding..." He picked up the fork and rolled the pasta around, finally lifting the utensil with the food towards the boy's mouth.

An unhappy frown formed on Allen's mouth as he snatched the fork out Tyki's hand. Finally, he took a bite of the pasta.

Tyki swore Allen was purposefully chewing at a leisure pace to build up the suspense. In fact, the boy didn't make a sound at all and showed no emotions. The worse part was the boy continued to eat without making a sound and again no expressions. Who eats without hinting, whether it's delicious or not?! It was driving him nuts! He wants to fire up a cigarette to soothe his agitation, but he was certain that Allen would prolong the answer. In the end, it was pure torture for him to watch Allen eat. When he tried to prod the boy for answers, he was rewarded with the sounds of teeth munching or a finger lifted in the air to silence him. This continued on until he saw the white ceramic plate.

Empty plate meant it was delicious right…? Or the boy was just famished and any food was better than nothing?

Allen placed the fork down and dabbed at his lips with a napkin. No answer, but he pushes the plate towards him and softly whispered. "A second helping would be lovely."

Finally, the release he needed had been given to him.

Tyki was sure that was code for: loved it. Allen didn't admit enjoying his dish, but he'll take what he could get. A smug smirk forms on his lips. Not all hinting the pink that dusted on the boy's cheek as a huge give away. One day he'll win this game and have him say it because hell, he can't win at poker.

XXXXXXX

Allen's eyebrows furrowed together in absolute frustration, the top of the pencil riddled with teeth marks. For the life of him, he couldn't solve this math equation. He wasn't horrible at math, after all he could crunch numbers to pay his bills (and Cross) and pay his taxes (unlike Cross). He let out an exasperated sigh and his forehead met the table with a thump. The force of that might have caused him to lose some brain cells; which he needed to solve this awful nightmare.

Abruptly, he finds the pencil out of his hands and replaced with a sandwich.

"I know your eating habits were bad, but this..." Tyki flashed him a disgusted look at the mangled pencil and threw it into the trash can. "If you were hungry, all you needed to do was say so."

Allen took a bite into the sandwich and mumbled out a thank you.

"Swallow before you talk, jeez Shounen." Tyki scolded like an adult, for once Allen thinks, and wiped the crumbs off the table. When the demon was done cleaning, the sandwich had been completely devoured.

The sandwich was delicious, but then again Allen thought every food he's eaten was tasty. After that small break and he begrudgingly went back to drive himself up the wall with this problem. The last one too. From his years in an education system, he can safely deduce the authors of the textbook purposely make the last problem unsolvable. There's a difference between sadism and a challenge.

"What are you working on that's so agonizing?"

"It's just this bloody math problem." Allen's gaze never left the equation as if the problem would magically solve itself the longer he stared at it. "I plug it all into the pi formula, but I don't understand why I'm not getting the right answer."

"Pie? The food you can eat?"

Allen scowled at the demon, not appreciating the over used joke. Though the genuine perplexed look from Tyki caused him to reconsider his initial assumption. "No. I mean pi as in 3.14. Not the actual food." He envied the demon in moments like these because Tyki sure didn't need to learn about pi or any other horrifying monsters in the math curriculum.

"Ah, well that's a shame." Tyki loomed over his shoulder, his cheek close to the other, but they weren't touching. Hmm, did the boy ever smell this nice? They both used the same soap, but for some reason it smelled much more pleasant on Allen. Allen didn't notice, too busy agonizing over his work. Anyways, he read the book to find out what it is and after (not so much) deliberation, he snapped his finger together. "You know something... I know the answer."

In his desperation, Allen believed Tyki and who could blame him? "Really?!" His eyes practically glimmered with hope because he's already spent an ungodly three hours on this assignment.

"Yep." Tyki assured with a passive expression.

Allen watched Tyki pick up his workbook and paper, then proceeded to walk over to the trash can and dumped them into the trash…the trash?! It had took him a minute to process, but eventually it all sank in. Instantly, he leapt into the air in full panic mode and fished for his homework out. "Tyki! You can't just throw away my homework!" That was three hours worth of work right there and easily gone like that! Just like his hope for some help.

"I just did." Tyki remarked and quite cheekily.

"Fine, let me reiterate that." Allen seethed with a mixture of shock and annoyance at the demon, who was now sitting down to watch mindless cartoon of some bird and raccoon. "Tyki, you can't just throw away problems!" He examined his assignment and the textbook for any stains. Nothing and he breathed easily. They didn't even smell either.

Tyki glanced away from the screen momentarily to retorted and quite vaguely. "Sometimes it's alright to."

As much as he wanted to throw away all his problems, they wouldn't go away now would they? It wouldn't change the fact that they still existed. "Education may not hold value for you, but it has important value for everywhere else!"

"Education isn't the be all and end all."

That moment when Allen felt Tyki offered a valid point and that person happened to be a demon. Honestly, it just made the statement a tad bit more vexing and he reluctantly admitted. "You're... right."

Tyki raised an eyebrow in alarmed, but that quickly passed when Allen retorted with. But, it's important to me."

Because Cross Marian was the true demon Allen's his life. The man had stated very clearly that he was to get an education and to do something with his life. He didn't plan to find out what hell truly was if he didn't get himself an education.

"Honestly…" Allen huffed indignantly. "I always seeing you reading. Isn't reading educational?" Whenever Tyki had spare time, he'd always see the demon buried in books. Though, that was before he introduced Tyki to the television and whatnot. Books were a long forgotten past time for the demon.

"To be fair, I learned to read to keep my sanity intact."

"Because you've lived for about thousand and thousand of years?"

"No." Tyki scoffed at the cliche story of "a nonhuman or human who loses their mind from living too long". "From my family. When you've have to live with them for hundreds of year, you have to learn how to survive. It's a matter of life or death."

"Aren't you being melodramatic?" After all, who doesn't complain about their family members?

However Tyki turned from the television and repeated, his face devoid of humor. "No Shounen, you don't understand. If you had to live a day of my life with my family, you'd understand."

"Please." Allen snorted with much sass. "Yours can't be worse than my guardian."

It sounded like a bet to Tyki and if he had been human or even seen the boy's guardian; he'd definitely take that bet. Little did Tyki know, it would be a bet that Allen would easily win.

XXXXXXX

Money, it always came down to that piece of paper. The whole idea of how a piece of thing could dictated the lives of others was laughable. How many "honorable", "righteous" people have been convinced to abandon their morals for riches beyond their imaginations?

Here stands a mere fifteen year old boy with a face of an innocent child, yet those eyes told a deeper and darker story. He's learned what a living contradiction the boy was and - "OW!" Tyki's thoughts were interrupted by a smack to his head.

"Are you even listening?!"

Tyki's mouth said yes, but truthfully his mind and heart said no. He had been lost in his own mini-dramatic monologue to drown out the lecture. He forgot that he was currently sitting on his knees on the carpet floor and getting reprimanded by this said fifteen year old boy. He swore that golem was smirking at him in a mocking way with those pearly white fangs, flashing from cheek to cheek. Quite frankly, he didn't like to be at the receiving end of mocking smirks. He enjoyed giving them.

Allen narrowed his eyes suspiciously and raised the rolled up newspaper in the air threateningly. There was a bruise already formed at the side of his head and just from a newspaper?! How hard was the boy hitting him with that paper?! He brought his hands up in the air and pleaded pitifully under the wrath of someone much weaker than him. "Ah mercy, Shounen!"

"Honestly Tyki, where did you get the money?!"

On one hand, yes Tyki was a demon over hundreds and hundreds of years old and he he could recover quickly. However, this was abusement right here for him and he wasn't immune to pain! "I told you. I got a job and worked for it." He was currently getting yelled at, whether the check he brought home was honestly worked for or dishonestly gotten.

Allen glanced the paycheck in his hand, then back to Tyki, back to the paycheck, then back to the demon. Totally perplexed and somewhat still skeptical.

"I am hurt by the lack of faith you have in me." Tyki pouted and seriously wounded by everything.

"Tyki, you're a demon." Allen remarked flatly.

The boy was right in regards a demon couldn't be trusted. Count on a demon to take the faith of others away. "Point taken." Still it stung to see how they were treated and viewed at times. They were only doing what they needed to survive similar to the humans. It was humans who were calling them and selfishly wishing for things that cannot be.

The lines of who was more virtuous was a bit blurry.

"Shounen, let's think here." Oh how the boy wanted to snap at Tyki for that comment. "If I was to literally use my power for dishonest purpose, why would I come back? And why would I do it for minimum wage?" He's learned that Allen could be a sore loser at times and had quite a bit of a competitive streak when riled up.

Allen let the words sink in and asked. "Why would you get a job?"

Question for the millennium. He didn't have to get job, now did he? But yes, he, Tyki Mikk, the great demon, the 13th Apostle of the Noah clan, the Pleasure of Noah, went out and actually got himself a job! And no, not the kind of employment that involved anything sexual or illegal. An actual god-honest-to-hard-work and labor intensive kind of job. He bet his older brother would pitch a fit at him working at some menial and filthy job. He was tempted to send him a picture or something so that his brother would freak out. Though, the downside was he might get caught and have his location revealed.

"Money makes the world go round." Tyki shrugged nonchalantly. "And I thought if we had extra, we'd could go out and have some fun." He was here on vacation, sort of, from his demon life and he wasn't going to spend his time doing nothing! He wasn't planning to do it alone either because where's the excitement in that? Besides, the boy's life was awfully mundane and full of work. Who could say no to some sun and some stress free outing?

Allen blinked dumbstruck.

Tyki waved his hand in front of the boy's face, looking as if he just sucked his soul away. "Hey Shounen, come back to earth here!" Suddenly, Allen's cheek becomes a shade red and it was his turn to be surprise. What was odd about his explanation?

The boy looked away and coughed awkwardly, trying to regain his composure. "Ahem, you got a job just to…"

Tyki couldn't hear the rest as Allen trailed off, but he had idea due to the reaction from earlier. "Shounen, you're human and you have such a feeble, short lived life. You have to spend your life doing something remotely fun." He saw those lips pursued together in a thin line and the weight of guilt spread across the other's face. He thought there wasn't any reason for Allen to feel that way.

"I'm sorry Tyki, I didn't mean to doubt you and offend you."

"There's nothing for you to be so upset about. We don't exactly give ourselves a good reputation." It was understandable to him and astonished him how far Allen's sympathy reached. The boy was so generous that it was painful sometimes. Tyki maneuvered his way behind the boy to touch the sides of his waist and literally had him jump startled from the contact.

"TYKI!"

"I mean look at you!" Tyki continued to cop feels around the boy's body as he watch as Allen squirmed and protest in his grip. The futile struggles and how beet red the boy's face from the exertion was entertaining. "All skin and bones and your skin could use some vitamin-!" It didn't become funny when he felt a extremely white-hot knife stab to his family jewels. The sharp stinging at his knee went ignored for the more overwhelming sensation. He collapsed onto the carpet on all fours and left to wither in pain. He ignored the urge to vomit all over the place because guess who'd have to clean that up.

Did he mention that even though he was a demon, he wasn't immune to pain?

"Stupid demon!" The bedroom door slammed shut.

A strained grunt escaped his lips and he eyed the golem in front of him. "He...ngh.. doesn't hold back, does he?"

Sometimes he seriously considered Allen Walker to be a demon, more so than himself.

Timcanpy flies towards him and pats his forehead with those ridiculously small hands that he never knew the thing had...

XXXXXXX

He gritted his teeth in frustration at his helplessness in this situation. They were all so important and that just added to the weight of how careful he had to be. It was a decision that could mean life or death for him and he only had one shot at this. He stared intently at the choices, weighing the cons and pros. How could these evil fiends do this to him?!

He wouldn't get another chance like this for awhile.

"Shounen! Can you please just pick one, so we can go?! We've been here longer than necessary!"

"No Tyki!" Allen screeched in dismay with wide eyes. "This is serious here!" He's always wanted to try one of these super food drinks, but they were just always so expensive. However, he had calculated that he would have extra funds this month to splurge on buying one of these fancy drinks. There was nothing wrong with water or the generic brand juices that were on sale and whatnot. They didn't taste bad or anything, not that he was knowledgeable about the nutritional value and facts. It was just that, these drinks looked intriguing that he had to taste them to know what the hype was about these specialty beverages.

Allen's gaze flicked back and forth from all the juice and vegetable bottles on display. There were so many different brands from Pom, Kombucha, Bai, Naked, Bolthouse, and etc. Ah, decisions

Tyki slammed his head against the handle of the shopping cart, the sound frightened the teenage boy near them.

Allen scoffed at demon as he scanned the two bottle in his hands. "If I recall when we went to the mall. Who was the one that made a big fuss over which shoes to get?"

"To be fair that's different. That's shoes."

"They were both the bloody same! Same brand, same color, same style, and price!"

"No, they weren't!" Tyki denied adamantly. "The first shoes was sleek and was flatter at the top, while the second one was sharper and classy! Shoes are important for appearances."

Those words caused Allen to stop from what he was doing and delaying his decision making process because he had to flash the demon a "really" look. "You're going to preach about appearances? Mr. I look like a hobo." Which was Tyki most favorite style to go out as, but not today. He had forced the demon to look somewhat presentable and not a hobo.

"But food is just going to all process and go down the same."

"Yes, but you want to enjoy what gets processed and goes down. Now if you'll excuse me, I will google what makes Bai so good."

Tyki again slammed his head down against the handle of the cart, but this time a painful groan slipped from his lips. There was such a serious expression on the boy's face as if the fate of the world depended on one of these drinks. He wasn't sure if he wanted Allen to be his comrade in times of war. All the enemy needed to do was say "Allen, dinner time!" or "Allen, food!" and the boy would probably falter.

This wasn't even the first time this happened. They were in a Japanese market and Allen debated heavily which instant noodles to get. He was having none of that, after all why eat unhealthy food when he was making fresh and healthy ones? In the end, he pried all the junk out the boy's hand and dragged him outside.

At first, it was a real embarrassing situation… that is until the situation changed to become downright evil, like Road evil.

The bystanders and workers thought Allen was a child and he was abusing the said child. Usually, the boy would have immediately corrected them, but under that circumstances, Allen decided to use that to his advantage. The boy had crocodile tears streaming down his face and had been spewing lies! Lies that they all believed! Honestly, it hurt his demon pride because he was suppose to be the one doing the evil stuff and instead, evil stuff was being done unto him!

All for some packs of instant noodles!

Right now, he couldn't couldn't even separate from the boy because he was afraid he might lost the boy in the supermarket. How does that even happen? Don't ask because it did... once. Well then, if Allen was going to him suffer here, then he'll use this time to plan his revenge on the boy. Maybe he'll make something really spicy for dinner one day and- his schemes were cut short when he spotted someone familiar from the corner of his eyes.

Hastily, Tyki grabbed a hold of the boy's arms and ignored the sputtering protest. In fact, he clamped a hand over the mouth and whispered low into Allen's ears. "Don't make a sound or movement. Just trust me, please."

The seriousness in Tyki's tone caused Allen to falter, but he agreed nonetheless. Slowly, they moved to hide in the magazine aisle, where they weren't usually any people there. They moved without their shopping cart, but he still held onto a bottle of juice because he didn't have time to put it away. Once it was safe, Tyki let go and peeked from the aisle, looking left to right. Meanwhile, he was very confused and miffed. "Tyki." One word. One word to convey everything he was feeling and wanted to know.

Tyki coughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "Well… it's just I saw her."

"Who's her?" Because for Allen that was the greatest explanation ever to interrupt his food shopping time. Tyki motioned for him to come over to see as they continued to hide and pointed out the cause for all this.

All he saw a sweet, old middle aged woman.

"Tyki. It's just an old lady."

"Oh no, you don't understand! Because of her I've had to change my grocery and laundry schedule to avoid her!"

Allen rolled his eyes. "You are being ridiculous." If he hasn't met one of his neighbor, then all the more reason to greet her. He probably hasn't met her because their schedule conflicted somehow.

"You haven't met her yet. She just moved to the first floor and once she sees you, she'll never let you go!" Tyki's warning went ignored and he attempted to grab the boy's arm, but failed. They were both wide open for the lady to see them.

"Oh Tyki!" The woman greeted excitedly.

"Shounen, n- oh! Margaret, fancy meeting you here." Tyki quickly recovered from full panic mode to faking politeness. He did not share the same excitement.

"Who is this young man?"

"He's my cousin, Allen Walker."

Allen extended his hand for a handshake. "Pleasure, to make your acquaintance."

There was clear hesitation to take the boy's hand, which didn't surprise Allen. However, she ended up taking his hand because of not wanting to seem entirely too rude.

It was after that handshake that Allen learned why Tyki wanted to avoid the old woman.

She. Wouldn't. Stop. Talking. At. All.

"Did you know using Palmolive is unhealthy because…"

"You shouldn't got to that bakery because…"

"I say good riddance to our president and welcome the new man!"

"Tyki, didn't you say you were Mexican? I have some friends that are also Mexican."

Allen knew Tyki was keeping himself in check when he corrected the woman.

"You two look very different for cousins."

"You're British?! Some of my friends are British!"

Allen wasn't sure how long had passed, but they had arrived in the afternoon while it was clear and blue. By the time, he was able to catch sight of the sky outside, it was well dark. The topics went from trivial topics, current events, serious topics, and gossips. Some of her statements and opinions did make him uncomfortable and some, he thought might have been directed at him. She was quite rude at times and very oblivious about it too.

Despite, what was going on, he couldn't bring himself to stop herfrom talking. When he noticed Tyki would try to end the conversation or escape. He pulled the demon back in or interrupted and he was sure Tyki didn't appreciate it. He just let her talk until her heart was content and the whole time with a polite smile on his face.

"Look how late it! I have to get home and cook dinner. Thank you boys for the wonderful talk!" She headed to the checkout counter.

As soon as she was gone, Tyki turned to give him an evil eye. "You did that on purpose."

Allen shrugged and replied simply. "Have a heart Tyki, she was lonely."

Tyki didn't pursue the topic any further because he knew how this conversations would play out and end. Especially, when he noticed the slight tone and mood change from the boy. "Fine, but I expect compensation and especially, for keeping me there."

The pomegranate juice in his hand was lukewarm in Allen's hand. "What kind of compensation did you have in mind?"

"Hmm, I want to go to the mall again."

Allen groaned at the repeat of spending ungodly hours debating which shoes was better. "We don't even have that much money for you to spend."

"It's my money and budget just adds to the decision making, now doesn't it?" Tyki flashed him a smirk screaming payback.

Allen thought about putting the juice away, but it was late and he wanted something for his trouble today. "I think I'll just buy this drink."

...

"We are not going to same check out station as her."

XXXXXXX

Allen was typing up an essay for one of classes at the dining table when Tyki takes a seat next to him and asked. "Hey Shounen, what are those small, rectangle telephone that you talk into?"

"A cell phone?" He clarified absentmindedly for the demon, while still typing up a storm.

"Yea!"

"What about them?"

"Can I see yours?"

Naturally he would be hesitant, but over the course of the days he's spent with the demon. The demon was curious about things he hasn't seen, in particular technology. He suppose it was natural. He also suppose demons didn't have technology like they did over here.

Tyki was glued to the television and in fact, the demon used the television far more than he did. He used the t.v a couple of times and that had been the worst decisions of his life. Especially, when he decided to go and binge watch shows on Netflix. God, that was probably the worst thing anyone had invented. It's a mystery how time escaped him as he sat on the couch and his work left undone. One of his neighbors had moved out and asked if he wanted their run-me-down television. Of course they didn't give him a perfectly working one, but it was a shame to throw something away that could still be used and he didn't have a t.v. So it was a win-win sort of situation. He managed to repair the t.v with lots of googling.

Though he was even more grateful to have the television because the internet absolutely fascinated the demon. The internet had an abundant net of information, but at the same time, the internet was a horrible source of distraction. He would never see his laptop again if the internet didn't frustrated the demon so much and if he didn't have the television as a distraction.

However, he will say this….he's noticed an increase in his electricity bill. He'll have to figure out how to give Tyki a talk about using the television less.

He hands the demon his cellphone because he couldn't bring himself to deny Tyki. It was as if watching a curious and bright child face crush into a million pieces the moment an adult says no. In case it wasn't clear, but he was the adult and the demon was the child. Rather frightening thought, a child had all the powers in the world to kill him. Well, he should be glad it doesn't take much to entertain this said child here.

Tyki flips the phone over and touching the black screen So he reached over to touch the button on the side and a flicker of surprise appeared on Tyki's face at the sudden transition to a bright picture of Timcanpy smiling widely. "How do you make calls?"

He takes the phone and shows him very quickly.

Tyki stares at the phone, eyes wide at the simple action and suddenly sighed. "Oh boy, this seems like a lot of work."

"It's not nearly as hard as you make it out to be. I'm sure you'll be able to properly use one if you take the time." He offered reassuringly, after all he was certain the demon did have the time to learn. "Why the sudden interest? You still haven't solved "the sorcery" behind the internet and television quite yet."

"Don't remind me Shounen, but I was at work and my buddies asked for my number."

He glanced up slightly surprised at that statement.

"What's with that look? I can make friends too, ya know." Tyki huffed offended.

Instinctively, he shook his head and readied an apology because his reaction had been rude. He should know better than to slip like that and it's been happening more often around the demon.

However, Tyki let out a light hearted chuckle that signalled no offense was taken. "It was only a joke." Then he rolled his eyes with a scoff. "I mean really, you think I'd judge?"

As a matter of fact, it wasn't so much that it was Tyki judging, but that he's always being judge. Allen should also be used to the fact, Tyki was difficult to offend and he's never seen him angry. Though... not that he wanted to see an angry demon because he couldn't imagine how devastating it would be. Tyki always took things in stride and lightly. However, he doesn't know why it came at such a surprise at him because obviously, Tyki can have friends and make them. It's just that underlying tone that Tyki was a demon and his preconceived notions didn't paint a picture at how normal the demon could be. "I'll keep that in mind Tyki, but it's just a tad bit hard when you know, my uninvited guest isn't human."

"Who, by the way is doing a fantastic job!" Tyki beamed.

"In not getting caught." Allen muttered.

"I cook for you and clean. I have a job and friends. More importantly, I haven't killed anyone since I got here!"

Allen might have pressed the f key on his keyboard harder than intended. "Thank goodness for small miracles."

Tyki clicked his tongue together and dangled the cellphone in front of him. "Speaking of miracles, how much does it cost to get this phone?"

"It depends. You have to look at cost of provider, cost of the phone, what kind of phone are you looking for, do you want texting or just calling, how much data do you wan-!"

"Whoa, whoa slow down!" Tyki exclaimed, clearly not expecting his long winded explanation and didn't even half the things that were being said. "I asked one question. Aren't you the one making it more difficult than it needs to be?"

"It's never simple getting what you want Tyki, especially when people are out there to rip you off."

"Let's be clear on that. You rip people off."

Why was there an emphasized on the "you"so strongly? "I do not! Where on earth did you get an idea like that?!"

"Poker."

Allen paused, but had nothing to counter that and suddenly his phone vibrates, reminding him it was time to go to work. Saved by the bell, well not a bell, but close enough. He wasn't taking their money if they consented... right? He scowled and closed his laptop. "I am not, as you call it, "ripping" anyone off."

Tyki had that grin on his face and waved him goodbye. "Uh-huh, bye Shounen. We're having a stew tonight!"

"Bye… Tyki." Allen muttered slowly, his gaze averted away from the figure waving him a farewell.

He walked down the road on his way to work, while kicking a small pebble absentmindedly. Honestly, he wasn't sure if he could get used to this… this warmth. The sudden change of someone bidding him goodbye and welcome home. Now don't get him wrong that Timcanpy couldn't do the same gestures and that he loved Tim to bits and pieces. However, it's just wasn't the same thing.

He was used to the silence and used to not living with someone… human? Was that even the right term for Tyki? Tyki, the demon, was human-like-ish-sort of...

He stopped in front of a glass window of a store and saw reflections of the slight curve at the corner of his mouth. Ever since Tyki's arrival, every day without fail he would hear the greetings and the farewells. After so long, he never realized that he missed it.

But how long would that go on? He wasn't sure if he wanted to get used to this.

His job went along smoothly through the rest of the day, nothing out of the ordinary. He clenched tightly at the bag in his hand and when he opened the door. He was greeted by the pleasant warmth and a enthusiastic demon concentrated on the stew for dinner. The demon was so busy that the bag in his hand went unnoticed and he sneaked it into his room.

He quickly hide the bag in his closet, feeling nervous and he had no idea why. He jumped as soon as he heard a light knock and Tyki's voice calling him for dinner. He groaned at the panic welling in him and at hiding the bag like he committed a crime. He figured he would give the gift after dinner, no problem.

No problem...

So why did he wait so long contemplating about this? Here he was pacing in his room like an idiot, not that he was one, with the bag in his hand. Then again, what was there to contemplate about?! All he had to do was give it to Tyki and there was nothing to it, yet here he was feeling nervous.

Why was this so hard?

It was nothing special. Throw- politely, give the bag to Tyki.

What was that nonsensical phrase these young people throw out YOLO? Wait a minute. Did he just insinuated that he was old? Was he agreeing that Kanda was right?! Oh bloody hell, forget it! He opened the door and hastily threw the thing at Tyki, who was on the couch watching television. He didn't even bother looking at the demon or waiting to stick around as he made a beeline back to bed.

Smooth Walker.

He could practically feel the confusion from the living room without having to see it and he covered his face with the blanket to "sleep".

However, there was a sudden impact to the bed and he swore caused him to fly up in the air. The covers were taken off and he sat up, knowing what's to come next. Tyki was going to embarrass or make fun of him or something for giving a gift. He didn't even know why he bothered climbing back to bed. Unexpectedly, an arm wrap around his shoulder and he was brought close to the demon's chest.

Did Tyki always smell this... comforting? They were using the same soap?

"Shounen! I can't believe you got me a phone!" Tyki grinned enthusiastically and began shooting questions out. "How do you work this? I mean add numbers, make calls, and oh! I hear this can produce pictures and-"

A smile played on his lips and he chuckled at how much of a kid the demon was acting. "Slow down, Tyki." It seems Tyki was enthralled with the phone, better than teasing him.

"Well Shounen, you can't just get me this and not teach me!"

"On the contrary…" He began jokingly and let out a fake yawn, while moving to pretend to fall asleep. The demon's face fell immediately. "It's late and I should really sleep."

"Shounen!" Tyki pleaded and frantically shook him. "Now you're being plain cruel. Have I, a demon ever been this cruel to you?"

No answer.

"Shounen!"

Allen only pretended to be annoyed, but in the end he stayed up the whole night to teach Tyki. Even though, he really and actually needed to sleep for school tomorrow.