I meant to post this on Christmas and I sort of did... just a tad bit late. But oh well, Merry Christmas to all of you and have a Happy New Year! Also Happy Birthday to Tyki and Allen!
Hey there! Thank you all for reading, favoriting, reviewing, following, bookmark and whatever is on Ao3/fanfiction! I know there have been questions about Neah and Allen, but I don't want to give anything away. All will be revealed... eventually. I hope that when I do, it won't be a disappointment to you readers :)
Still don't hesitate to shoot me questions. Seriously, shoot away at me XD
As always, I'm sorry if I made any grammatical errors!
Allen doesn't know when his apartment became a gathering place for demons, but it did and he's serving them tea.
There's so many things wrong with that statement that he doesn't even know where to begin.
"I said to not come back!" Tyki grumbles, half exasperated.
Wisely cheekily responds. "Ahem, you said quote, "You two better be gone by the time I come back." To which we did, but you never said anything about not returning another day."
Tyki looked half ready to choke the boy. "Did you two ever think what Allen might say about you two coming?!"
Allen stopped caring a while ago about the demons and was running a to-do list through his head for the week; until he feels all three demon staring at him. "What?"
"See! He doesn't mind." Road flashes Tyki a smug expression.
"Mind what?
"Shounen." Tyki nearly face palms at the boy's lack of awareness. "You're in a room with three demons, you should care a little more."
Allen taps his chin with his finger and nods his head in understanding."You make a point Tyki. Am I going to be living with more demons?"
"Well… no."
"Then, I don't mind as long as they don't cause me trouble unlike someone."
"Shounen, there is no use crying over spilled milk."
"On the contrary, I will if that milk is still edible. Food is food."
Tyki bangs his head on the table. How can the boy being thinking about food when there's potentially dangerous nonhuman beings here? "You're missing the point."
"I didn't realize I had a say, considering I've been living with you for months now."
"Yes, but that's me and you love every minute of it. Meanwhile them, they're different."
"But really, we're not here to drag you back." Wisely clarifies. "Or kill Allen."
"Um... thank you?" Allen is thrilled that no one is going to kill him, but what point is Wisely trying to make?
Tyki breathes out in defeat. " I know that! What I meant is, what are you doing here today?"
Unexpectedly, Road flashes them a feral and excited grin as she pulls something out from her bra.
"Please, don't pull… ahem, things from your chest." Allen covers his eyes with his hand, flushing slightly.
"She doesn't really have anything there so-!" Tyki ducks down in time to miss those incredibly sharp candles aiming towards him.
Allen isn't sure which to react to first. Where did those candles come from? Why do they have a pointed bottoms? How can this little girl sitting across from him emit such a murderous aura? Though, he knew for sure... he now has two candles stuck in his wall and he's glad he's not her target. At least, his white walls don't look too bland now with those candles. "Please, if you want to maim Tyki, do it outside."
"Wow." Tyki replies, dumbfounded. "I don't know how to respond to your touching concern."
"I apologize, but cleaning bloodstains is notoriously hard. I hate to explain to my landlord why there's blood." Allen explains, merely shrugging.
"You really are a strange human." Wisely notes.
"Is that a compliment?"
"Don't think too hard about it."
"What is that, Road?" Tyki asks, changing the subject from the boy to what Road has in her hands.
Road beams, while waving the tickets in her hand eagerly. "This! This is the, the, best place in the world to be! The happiest place on earth!"
Allen raises an eyebrow because this all sounds awfully familiar. It's as if he's heard those words before like some catchy slogan- wait a minute. "You don't mean…"
Wisely nods enthusiastically and joins Road's pitch with same enthusiasm. "Disneyland! Dubbed by you, humans, as the "Happiest Place on Earth!" As if on cue, Road pulls a Disneyland map from her dress and Allen, the gentleman that he is, looks away.
Meanwhile, Tyki eyes widen in surprise and with interest. "I've heard of that place too!"
It's sort of surreal to see these giddy demons in his living room, huddling around the map of an amusement park for children. After all the odd and dangerous events he's been through, how could they be so excited for Disneyland? If he recalls, Tyki said he's a hundred or something or more years old. So that means these two other demons are just as old. Yet, here are these demons completely enchanted with the whole idea of a fairytale. They almost remind him of… children. The shimmer of awe in their eyes and the innocent excitement.
He had always been skeptical as a child, of course given his life experiences. So he was never as enthusiastic as most children were about Disneyland, but he won't deny that there hadn't been a tiny bit of curiosity inside of him. Whether, he wanted to go or not, it didn't matter. They couldn't afford it. He never said a word, but Mana always knew and at the same time, knew how to make up for the lack of everything they had.
"Is it really the Happiest Place on Earth?"
Abruptly, the demons shift their attention towards Allen and interrupts his train of thought. "I'm sorry?"
"Is Disneyland really The Happiest Place on Earth?"
He wants to tell them "no of course it's not", but he didn't want to be the one to break their hearts… their demonic hearts? "Honestly, I don't think I'm the best person to answer that question. I've never been there."
Silence fills the room. Wisely and Road's expressions couldn't be seen by him. This worries him because did he say something wrong?
Road and Wisely explode together incredulous at him causing him to shrink away. "WHAT?!"
"What do you mean "you've never been there"?!"
"How could you not go there?!"
"Don't all you humans go to the Happiest Place on Earth?!"
"There's so many of you there when we first saw it!"
"I know! Crowds and crowds!"
"Well…" Allen raises his hand in defense to calm them down. "I don't have the time with work or school and money to go…"
Road cuts him off with a declaration. "Alright, it's decided! You're going with us!"
"Now wait-!"
"We're going tomorrow." Tyki notes, ignoring the complaints as he reads the dates on the tickets.
"I can't just drop everything and go! I have school tomorrow and work and-!"
"Sure you can, you just drop it and go." Road scoffs.
"That's what I've been telling him!" Tyki exclaims, relieved that someone agrees with him.
Allen groans. Where has he heard this topic about disregarding responsibility? "But-"
"Not buts!" Road huffs, silencing him with a finger to his lips. "We'll be here eight am sharp!"
"But I don't want to go! If you three want to then why drag me along?!"
Without missing a beat, they all chorus together with a determined attitude. "NO,YOU'RE GOING!"
Allen hangs his head helplessly and wonders why they insist on him going? Why won't they listen to him? "I guess I can ask for a vacation from work, but then we won't have enough to pay for the bills next month."
"If we cut the grocery-" Tyki didn't have the chance to finish his sentence when Allen calls his name in a sickly sweet and dangerous tone.
"Tyki."
Sirens went off in Tyki's head and he retracts his sentence. "I'm sure we can figure something out …" All he did was just suggest that they could reduce their grocery shopping. There's no need for the boy to sound so… frightening. He's the one that does all the cooking and food shopping anyways. "You can spare one day of not going to school and work?"
"I suppose I could call in sick for work… but what about school? I have a test and a report due that day."
Road sighs in exasperation. "That's it! I'm going to blow the school up, then they'll definitely have to cancel classes!"
"I didn't realize you were going to to take a leaf out Jasdevi book." Wisely raises an eyebrow.
Tyki shakes his head and scolds the girl. "Do that and you'll have exorcists and the Earl swarming here!"
As Road sulks away like a child, Wisely suddenly has an idea. "I think I can get your teachers to cancel their class."
Allen hesitates, almost afraid to know what they're going to do. "How?"
"I know a way." Wisely simply explained. "And stop worrying, no one is going to get hurt."
"Much."
Now Allen is definitely sure he doesn't want Wisely to do whatever he's planning.
"Road, do you want him to go or not?!"
Road presses her lips together and refrains from talking, until they've come up for a plan where Allen can go. "Fine."
"We're just going to gather enough demons to make your teacher's sick or miserable enough that they don't want to have class on Monday."
"You can't just make them sick-!" Allen pauses midway when he feels a menacing aura emit from the little girl.
This said little girl had the most angelic smile plastered on her face and he's never heard anyone threaten him in such a pleasant tone. "Oh Allen, you're such a nice boy. But listen, either you go of your free will or I can force you. I promise you that I won't go easy on you."
Tyki leans over to the boy and whispers. "I would go with the free will."
Allen shoots a glare at Tyki for his "helpful" advice. Seems plans have been made for him. "I only have one request, please do not over do it."
XXXXXXX
"Road, you overdid it." Wisely accuses her as they watch the school frenzy into a panic from their interference. "
"Oops?"
"No "oops," you're the last person I want to hear that from!"
Road crosses her arms together and huffs. "Go big or go home!"
"With what you did at the school, I'm amazed we aren't going home." Wisely scoffs.
Sure enough, class is conveniently cancelled today, but not just class, the entire school is closed today. This is not exactly subtle and the news worries Tyki and Allen. However, there was nothing they could since the deed's been done. As long as no one finds out that demons shut school down because they wanted a human boy to go with them to Disneyland…
Allen deletes the email from the school from his phone and carefully read over the group chat messages. Hopefully his friends don't suspect anything. It's quite odd knowing they are exorcist. They fight demons at the night and go to school, it's as if this came straight out of a fantasy book.
Except this isn't a fantasy and they're all really endangering their lives.
Lavi, Lenalee, Kanda, Allen (4)
Today
Lavi- TIL there is an organism cal Xenophyophore
4:12am
Lavi- Its 1 giant cell, wit multiple nuclei
4:12am
Lavi- They cn grow up to 20cm in width
4:13am
Lavi- How copl is thstv
4:14am
Kanda- Go fuk tp sleep
4:16am
Lavi- WOW :DDDDDD
7:30am
Lavi- NO SCHOOL!
7:31am
Allen glances at Tyki, who's reading by his shoulder in order to make sure their covers weren't blown. The demon urges him to respond.
Allen- Really? Why all of suddenly?
7:31am
Lenalee- I hve no idea I tried asking my brother bt he hasnt said anything.
7:31am
Lavi- Who cares NO CLASS!
7:32am
Lavi- GUYz WANT 2 DO SMETHING
7:32am
Kanda- Stay the fck away fron me
7:33am
Lavi- PARTY AT YUU'S PLACE XD!
7:33am
Kanda- Go die
7:34am
Lenalee- Sorry Lavi I have 2 help my brother in case he needs it
7:36am
Allen- I apologize too Lavi, my cousin already invited me to go somewhere.
7:37am
Lavi- WHAT T^T
7:37am
Lavi- Wht abtYuu?
7:38am
Kanda has left the group chat
Reinvite Kanda
Lenalee- Ill invite him back later
7:38am
Lenalee- Lavi dont you have something to do for ur grandfather?
7:38am
Lavi- ;-; dobt remnd me
7:39am
Lavi- ;-; dobt wanna do it
7:39am
Lenalee- Youre going to have to do it eventualy. Gtg talk 2 u boys later :)
7:40am
Lavi- LENALDAY!
7:40am
Lavi- *lENALADy
7:40am
Lavi- **LENLADY
7:40am
Lavi- DAMMN IT AL, MY FNGER R 2 FAT
7:41am
Allen- I wish you luck, Lavi. I have to go also. I hope you have a lovely day with your grandfather.
7:41am
Lavi- DDDD: leabing me 2?! U guys suk
7:42am
Allen closes the app and turns off the notifications. If he doesn't then his phone just buzzes nonstop. He's learned that Lavi is quite the texter… it's no wonder Kanda always leaves the chat.
"Are you ready?" Tyki asks, double checking he has everything and that they turned off everything in the house. When he started leaving the house, the boy never stopped to constantly remind him to make sure that nothing was left on in the house. If there was even a increase in the electricity or gas bill, he received an earful.
Allen began to walk out of his room and into the living as he absentmindedly searched through his backpack. "Keys, wallet, a jacket, phon- argh!" Tyki grabs ahold of his hoodie and pulls him back in time where a large heart shaped door appears… right where he had planned to walk. THERE'S A DOOR IN HIS ROOM? HOW HE IS GOING TO EX-
The door opens, flooding the room with a bright light and he shields his face. When he can see, in front of him are Road and Wisely. The door completely gone.
Tyki sighs and releases his grip on the hoodie. "That's Road's way of travelling."
Allen nods in a trance as he stands up, the door was here and then it wasn't. He doesn't question Tyki because it's way too early to make sense of anything magical or whatever it is.
"Allen!" Road greets happily and crushes-hugs around his neck causing the boy to almost lost his balance. "I'm so glad you could make it!"
Allen pats her arm lightly, half in greeting and half wanting her to let go so he could breathe a little easier. "Yes, I'm glad I could make it." Truth be told, he didn't have much of a choice with three demons hounding him to go.
Road eagerly jumps up and down. "Hurry up and let's go!" A door appears, again, in the living room.
Allen pauses and points at the door. Does this door come with instructions? "Do we-" But Road forcefully pushes him into that very suspicious door without a chance to understand how ti works. He closes his eyes at the whiteness. He hates this color, the sheer brightness and gentleness of it. It's as if the color is lulling a person to a false sense of security.
Was he just suppose to walk? But walk on what? He can't even feel anything, let alone himself.
How is this a way of travelling?!
Suddenly, a comforting warmth in his right hand dissipates the uneasiness of the unknown and guides him. His legs start to move forward and there's an opening.
Now he's outside of Disneyland. And not in his living room anymore. At a location where there's no one and they would have to walk to get to the gate. There's nothing in his palm, but the only person standing behind to touch his hand... is Tyki.
Allen wasn't able to linger to long on the thought as they make a beeline to the entrance. Perhaps it was good that they got here early, there weren't as many people as he thought there would be. He's heard stories of the ungodly waiting time here and he's sure the girl is anything, but patient.
Thankfully, they got in without any troubles and he notices a large sign: DISNEYLAND! LET THE MEMORIES BEGIN.
It wasn't just Road that couldn't stop commenting in awe at the fantasy and historical design of the park; but all of them were filled with awe at the elaborate designs and structures. Anything that's remotely intriguing, which is hard because that's just about everything at the park, they all wanted to take pictures.
Allen didn't mind taking the photos as long as he was in a group or with someone else. He wasn't too keen on being by himself.
He feels they spend every minute taking pictures and posing; rather than actually going on the rides. He scans through thousands of images from buildings to mascots to the walkways to the gardens and them. Oh, here's a few taken by Wisely, who splendidly captured every moment of Tyki and him trying to stop Road from choking Mickey Mouse to death.
"Oh! There he is! I want a picture with him! Come on boys!"
Without giving any them a chance to react, the girl with her eyes glistening with joy runs after the person in the Goofy costume.
Road's aggressive excitement practically scares whoever is Goody… in fact… she's literally scaring him. It becomes a chasing game between the two, where a little (demon) girl is chasing after a large (human) adult.
"I think you should go get her or we might have another incident." Allen can't believe that the demon girl is chasing after a man in a costume. He felt horrible for the person underneath the suit. Speaking of suit… do they know that there's an actual person inside?
"Road, you're scaring him! Stop chasing after him!" Tyki cries, exasperated and he drags a protesting Wisely to catch up with their sister.
"Why me?!"
Suddenly, a loud splash is heard and two demons halt their footsteps, turning their attention towards the noise. Sure enough, there's Road in front of the fountain and Goofy in the water.
Wisely looks at Tyki and Tyki looks at Wisely.
"Is it too late to say that we don't know her?"
"Too late." Their first time at Disneyland, they already have problem with the authorities.
"I said I was sorry and didn't I get us out of that mess?" Road huffs as she munches on her cotton candy.
"We wouldn't have a mess if you didn't start one." Wisely retorts.
"Now, now, all's well that ends well." Allen remarks, trying to soothe them both in order to not start a squabble. Road effectively played the innocent child role and the crocodile tears card. So the authorities couldn't really charge them or kick them out. They were let off with a slap to the wrist.
"I don't get why he was running from me! All I wanted was a picture with him!" Road whines.
"Road, here's a crazy idea." Tyki starts, sarcastically. " Have you ever thought about how scary you are?"
"Yea, but I wasn't even trying!"
"You don't have to try. You are scary."
Allen doesn't even know why he bothered to hope that this Monday would be another normal day. However, he watches amused at the three demon battling out what to next. They have such a serious expression on their face. They do look like normal siblings arguing.
"Look at that castle! I want to live in castle."
"Road… you have lived in a castle."
"Yea, but not one as cute as that! Think we can change our house to pink?"
"In your dreams."
What he was surprised at was that they waited in line to get in normally, but he found out that they didn't get the tickets like a normal person would. Apparently, Road wanted the tickets as souvenirs and wanted to experience entering Disneyland.
He didn't know much about demons and even though, he's met three, he knows even less than before.
Suddenly a child's voice echoes in the air. "Why is his hair white?"
Allen freezes and for some reason, he starts to feel the stares and the whispers. It's odd, he usually isn't bothered by this sort of thing. In fact, he's learned to accept the reactions he receives from people when they see his out of the ordinary appearance.
So why does the weight of the stares and whispers feel so heavy on him today? Okay, perhaps he's overreacting a tad bit. Ignore it. Now that he thought about it, he probably should have brought a hat or put on a wig, but he didn't really want to say anything to Tyki's siblings and- there's a map in his face.
"I want to go here and ride a tea cup!"
He glances away from the map to Road who smiles at him and he nods. "I'm fine with that, how about you two?"
Tyki shrugs. "I don't think we have a choice when it comes to Road."
Wisely frowns perplexed. "Riding tea cups? Sound intriguing."
Oh, how they knew nothing.
"Please, secure your phones somewhere safe and keep seated in the vehicle at all times."
"So, your friends suspect anything yet?" Tyki asks next to the boy.
Road eyes the wheel in the center with her eyes shining in delight. All they need to do to is spin the center, how much force should she put in?
Allen shakes his head. "They suspect nothing and the school hasn't revealed why they cancelled today."
Their conversation ends there as the ride begins and so does the spin of doom. They had all begun to take part in turning the wheel, but gradually the three boys couldn't keep up with Road. She alone rotates the wheel for three people. They hoped for the teacup to turn slower if they didn't touch the wheel at all, but that didn't work out.
Allen wonders what kind of monstrous strength does Tyki's little sister have?! Then he remembers, she isn't human!
"Stop spinning so hard!" Tyki manages to yell.
While Wisely's face becomes a shade green, mumbling to himself. "I'm in my happy place, I'm in my happy place, I'm in my happy place!"
"What?! Spin harder?!" Road cackles as she spins the center wheel like a madman. All three boys cling to each other in terror, hoping to survive the ride.
Low guttural moans of regret echoes in the air and the bypasser sending them pitying looks or snickering at them.
Road's hands are on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently. "Boys."
If Wisely and Tyki aren't busy hugging the trash can, they would have told Road to shut it.
Allen isn't emptying the content in his stomach, instead he's sitting on the bench so the world stops shaking. He's got a good control on his stomach and speaking of stomach, he is a tad bit peckish. He probably shouldn't mention about getting food though, the giant turkey leg he saw when they first came in sounds good right now.
Wisely groans and grips the trashcan like it's his lifeline. "No food. Stop thinking… please."
"Or you could not read my mind?" He imagines eating that turkey leg and the only reply Wisely could give is a low groan.
"Hmm." Road muses innocently as she taps her chin. "What should we ride next?" In other news, what should she do next to make her brothers suffer.
"How about… a trip to the restroom?" Tyki mutters and Wisely agrees, following after him.
"Boring!" Road proclaims, but her brothers are going regardless and she shouts after them. "We'll be in that store!" Tyki flings a half-haphazard wave that he heard her and she drags Allen up from the bench like an eager child. "Come on!"
As soon as they enter, there were stuffed plush animals and figures lined along the shelves. Road couldn't fathom where to begin as the girl squeals in joy. "This is my kind of place!"
Allen watches her dive right into an aisle, momentarily forgetting about him in her excitement. He has to admit, her reaction is kind of adorable. He scans the merchandises, there are just so many dolls and all in different variations.
A golden and round stuff lion cub catches his eyes, reminding him of Timcanpy. If he gets this, would Tim appreciate the similarities between them?
He's not a person who collects these sort of things or even wanted one as a child. Carrying a doll was not practical if he had always been on the go. He had thought it to be childish and a waste of money. Now that he's older? He does find them rather charming, but old habits die hard.
Knowing Tim, he'd just mangle the poor thing and now that he's thought about it, he hasn't seen Tim since Road and Wisely came. It's normal for Tim to fly off every now and then, he always reappears back home to him. He just hopes that Tim hasn't gotten himself eaten by a cat.
When he places the lion cub back on the shelf, he notices there's a large black stain on another stuffed animal. How could anyone not notice that this doll is filthy?
"What is that?" He mutters to himself and curious, he reaches towards it.
Before he even touches the dark blemish, an eye and a smile unexpectedly appears. "AH!" He recoils back in shock with a scream, knocking a stand behind him. The dolls scatter all over the floor and him, blocking his vision momentarily.
"Sir? Are you alright?" A sales clerk rushes towards him, her voice registers in his ear, but he doesn't comprehend what she means.
He simply nods, staring at the spot where he saw that strange thing… but it was gone.
"Sir? Sir?! Are you alright?!" Her voice becomes panic when he doesn't reply and continues staring.
What did he just saw?
"Sir?!"
There's a woman and a crowd around him, he immediately stands up. "Uh, yes...yes! I'm alright. I apologize for the fright." He catches the mess around him and instantly, bends down to pick them up. "Oh! I am terribly sorry for the mess. I don't know what I tripped on, forgive my clumsiness!"
"It's alright, sir. We will clean this up." The young woman smiles politely at him.
He turns to smile back, but when he sees her face, he lets out a cry of alarm and jerks away from the sales clerk.
Bystanders are beginning to look at him, murmuring to each other. "I think we need to call someone." By then, her co-worker was besides her and nodding in agreement.
"Wait!" He manages to cry out to stop her, but the words die on his tongue as he watches in horror at the green, transparent eight legged demon crawling around her head.
A familiar sensation runs down his spine, one that he remembers just a few days ago when he had been at that park. A demon?!
"Allen!"
He's not sure what to make of the thing on the woman's head. Can she not feel it? It's the size of her head and it's just on her head! The bundles of eye in the center of that creature staring at him. It looks absolutely revolting.
"Allen!"
He feels Road pulling him up and the pressure in her hands is surprisingly painful, but the pain is what he needs to snap awake. "I-sorry, I'm sorry."
"Miss, are you sure he's-"
Road cuts her off with crocodile tears. "My brother is okay, he sometimes has panic attacks, but please… he'll be okay."
The hush tones became sympathetic, rather than wondering and judging what was wrong.
"He just needs some fresh air. Come on, Allen." She quickly drags him out of the store, ignoring any comments from the sale clerk.
Allen sits down on the bench and sputters strings of apologies. "I-I- sorry. I don't what overcame me… I just…."
Road emits a sigh like a parent would to a child, who thinks they've done something wrong. "There's nothing to apologize about."
"But I- gah!" There's a blue frog sitting right besides him with menacing, glowing eyes. In fact, he sees small blobs and weird creatures all around the park. Where did all those demons come from?! They weren't there before?! There's a ringing in his ears and unknowingly, the panic rises in him.
Why does his world look so different?
He's about to fall off his seat in shock when Road captures his cheeks, forcefully turning him towards her.
"Allen. Look at me."
He's attempts to look back at the demon next to him, but Road restrains him, their eyes locked.
"No. Don't look at it. It doesn't exist."
Doesn't exist?! But it's sitting right there! The feeling of fear starts rise in him as his mind replays the night he had been almost killed by one. "But-!"
"Allen." Her voice is firm. "Breath and repeat after me, it doesn't exist."
He licks his dry lips. "I-i-it doesn't exist."
"Close your eyes and say it. It doesn't exist."
He listens to her and repeats it over and over… like a chant until his body remembers how to steady its pulse and breathing. Gradually, his mind ebbs away the discomfort and finally, she releases her hands on his cheeks. He slowly opening his eyes.
…
…
He stares at his surroundings, taking in everything and he realizes that there's nothing. No more demons floating, crawling, or lurking around the park or on people. It's a picture perfect of families, friends, couples, children playing at Disneyland. He can hear the sounds of life echoing.
He looks up at Road in a daze. "Ho-how did you-mmph!" Her hands reach to stretch his cheeks, interrupting his question. She mercilessly pulls his cheeks and he's begging incoherently for her to stop. When she's satisfied with a job well done, his cheeks are burning and he bet they're red like tomatoes.
"Geez, better?" She smiles at him.
Allen rubs his sore cheeks and chuckles. "Thank you, Road."
Road takes a seat next to him and she gently hums. "Don't notice them. If you see them, remember what it's like not to see them."
"Road…" That's what Tyki had told him.
Suddenly, the girl hops off the bench and cheerfully waves her hand. "Tyki! Wisely! Over here!"
"No dolls, Road? I'm surprised that you didn't buy the entire store." Tyki remarks as he sits down next to Allen.
"I could have." Road hums. "But they would get in the way of our rides. What's in the bag, Wisely?"
Wisely's doesn't respond, but fishes inside the bag with a smirk. "This!" He pulls out a pink hat with white ears attached on top and a veil at the back. A tiara design is embroidered in the front, along with the word "princess" written on the top.
Road is practically bursting with energy and places it on her head. "I love it!"
"I know." Wisely preens and grabs a top hat with mouse ears linked to the sides. "This is Tyki's."
"Aw, Tyki! That's no fun!" Road whines, examining his choice.
Tyki reluctantly slips it on. "The deal was if I could pick it, then I would wear it."
Allen covers his mouth from laughing.
"Laugh it up, Shounen."
"What?! I'm not laughing." The smile on his lips betrays him and he clears his throat. "Honestly, it's perfect." And ridiculous. "On you"
"I can't believe you have to wear these when you come here."
"No, you don't have to wear it."
Road protests. "No, we have to have the ears! It's like, a tradition when you come here, right?!"
Wisely places his own hat on himself, a light green frog face with mouse ears behind the eyes. "Cool, huh? Remind me of Gamako."
"Gama- who? " Allen questions.
"His annoying pet frog." Tyki replies and knowing what they boy will ask next, he adds. "And yes, it's a demon frog." How could anything from the demon world be normal in the human world? The two worlds don't operate the same way.
"He's not annoying! He much cooler than your butterflies!"
"Butterflies?" Allen eyes widen in interest and he turns to Tyki for answers, but the man looks away. He didn't expect the demon to like something as fragile and fleeting as the butterfly.
"Yes butterflies." Instead of explaining more about the topic, Tyki roughly puts a hat on top of Allen's head to shut him up causing the boy to cry out a string of protest.
Allen adjusts the hat- no, it's too hard to be similar to theirs, but there's still the signature mouse ears. It's soft and flexible with a long knitting of red, white, black, and yellow hanging off to the side. The ends have tiny white gloves.
"A mickey mouse beanie." Wisely reveals for him.
"I've decided! We're going to "It's a Small World!" Road declares and she makes a break for it without waiting for any of the boys to debate on her decision.
"Road! Don't go running off!" Tyki cries after her like some parent.
"She'll be fine." Wisely reassures him and begins going after her.
Allen stands to go after them, but Tyki reaches for his arm.
"Hey Shounen."
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
"Of course." Allen is a bit surprise at how perceptive he is right now. "Come on, I'm sure you don't want Road to find a way to get us kicked out?"
Soon they found out how much they did want to get kicked out of the next ride they're going to.
It's a small world, it's a small world
It's a small world, it's a small world
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hope and a world of fears
There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
"How is this fun?" Tyki asks. "This is torture."
"I don't know, but I rather like it." Allen shrugs, humming along to the cheerful and catchy tone.
"It sounds demonic and coming from me, that means something."
"Not just sound, but the dolls look demonic." Wisely adds. "It reminds me of Road's dolls."
"Aw, thanks!" Road giggles.
"That wasn't a compliment."
"Are you humming too, Tyki?"
Tyki merely groans in exasperation and slides his hand down his face. "This is an evil song."
"If you don't like it Tyki then get off!" Road huffs, shaking the boat causing them to grab the sides. "You're ruining the mood!"
"I'd love to, but there's a bit of problem. We're on a boat surrounded by water."
"So? You're a demon." She rocks the boat bit with a hum. "This ride is a lot boring than I thought."
"ROAD!"
"Geez, it's just a little water."
"It's never just a little with you, Road."
Before they knew it, time flew right by them as if they hadn't even explored the vast theme park or played enough games. However, the darkening of the sky, the bags in their hands, belly full of food, and the weariness setting in indicated otherwise. To end their trip, they plan to watch the fireworks display.
"Come on! They're about to start soon and we need to find the best spot!"
Allen yawns, tiredly and covers his mouth, mumbling an apology. "Pardon me."
"I know, Road can be a handful. Sorry about it." Tyki sighs as she bolts into the crowd.
"It's not that." Allen chuckles and slightly surprise at the apology, so he lightly elbows Tyki. "Your sister isn't that terrible."
"Oh sweet human child, you know nothing."
Allen frowns scanning his surrounding, not really listening to Tyki complain about Road. "Um, Tyki. I think we lost Road and Wisely."
"Oh no. What a shame." Tyki replies sarcastically and he stands by a railing to wait for the parade at the river accompanied by the fireworks.
"You should be concerned. We do need them to take us home." Allen scolds, but joins him. He doesn't need to get lost and not because he has bad sense of directions. He doesn't want Tyki to get lost.
"Then we'll walk home and sight see. I'll even carry you again."
Allen rolls his eyes at the grin on the demon's face. "I think I'll go find her."
"Whoa, Shounen!" Tyki steps in front of Allen with an alarmed gasp. "I'm not losing you in this amusement park!" God forbid he loses Allen in a place large enough to be its own country.
"I am not a child!" He's fifteen for god sake. A hard working adult in society.
"I didn't say that. Just, we should stick together, so instead of more people being lost, we'll only have two."
"In other words, you don't want to search for your siblings?"
"It's not that I don't want to." Okay, Tyki maybe bending the truth a bit here. A whole day with those two, especially Road, dragging him around is a nightmare. "It's more of that... they have a better chance of finding us then we do of them." Allen opens his mouth to retort, but closes it when Tyki adds. "Unless, Wisely and Road's demon power weren't enough to show you how capable they are."
"You have a… point. They are much more capable than you."
"Exactly-did you just insult me?"
"If that's how you want to see it." Without another word Allen places his elbows on the railing and gazes at the castle reflecting in the waters. Next to him, there's a man and a woman with their hands clasped together, their golden bands shining in the night. This reminds him… Tyki is running away from them or more specifically the marriage between him and the woman, Lulu Bell.
A strong desire builds in him to know why Tyki is getting married in the first place. From what he saw, his fiance seems to be too horrible and maybe Tyki is being melodramatic about it all.
Still... is that enough reason to run away?
The question rolls off his tongue as his mind persuades him that he has the right to know. The right to know why Tyki ran away and changed his days from normal to paranormal. It has nothing to do with the idea that Tyki is engaged and eventually, the demon must go back to her.
"If I may ask…
"No you can't. Not with that that polite tone."
Allen rolls his eyes at the teasing tone. "Here I try to be nice and you don't even want it. Are you by any chance a masochist?"
Tyki winks at him. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"No. No, I don't." Maybe. Allen mentally slaps himself for that unconscious slip in his mind and he clears his throat. "Why go through all this?"
"All of what?"
"This!" Allen repeats, oh so specifically as if Tyki could read his mind. "Is getting married that terrifying for you?"
"Me? Terrified? Is it hard to believe if I say, I just don't want to get married and especially, not to Lulu Bell."
Why did he feel so relieved to hear Tyki declare he doesn't want the marriage? It isn't his business to pry, so why is his mouth running off?
"You don't like her?" Allen hopes Tyki won't answer and instead, change the topic or say outright that it isn't his place to know. After all, it's none of concern about why Tyki doesn't want the marriage.
Tyki doesn't do what Allen hopes, in fact, the demon doesn't seem to mind. He think that's just as worse because he doesn't know what Tyki is thinking when he's asking such things. "It's not that I don't. She's more of a sister to me."
"Why can't someone else just marrying her?"
"I don't know. I sort of tuned them out after hearing, I have the best potential. You know Lust and Pleasure, that whole spiel."
"Potential for what?"
"You know."
"I know what?"
Tyki flashes him an odd look. "You know what happens after marriage."
"You know wha- oh. Having children?"
"Bingo."
"You never mentioned demons could make other demons."
Tyki shrugs his shoulder. "I forgot. The last demon that was actually born between demon parents was thousands and thousands of years ago."
"That long?!"
"Demons have very low fertility rates. So it's not a reliable method to add demons to your clan."
"So why bother to try?"
"Because if you do, your offspring will be powerful. So it's worth trying to have two powerful demon to try to produce an even more powerful offspring. But it has to be someone from the same clan as you."
"I see." Allen can't help, but feel sentimental as he thinks about how he'll face the eventual departure. Tyki has drastically changed his life and he tried to not get attached.
"What are you planning to do? You can't hide forever."
Tyki pulls out a cigarette, hoping no security comes to tell him to put it out, but he is getting some disapproving glances. Not that he cares. "I know." A wisp of smoke disappears into the night air.
The somber tone doesn't fit him, Allen thinks. It shows just how powerless the demon is; despite the overwhelming force and fear he's seen from him.
Tyki will return to his engagement and leave him. He really hopes this isn't some cheesy drama show like he had joked.
"Thanks for amusing us and coming."
Allen is taken back at the sudden turn of topic, but did he expect any less from the demon? Tyki may not be a master at poker, but the demon did know when to play his cards. Turning over one card for another. It's frustrating and sneaky at how Tyki can change topics.
Though, he's one to talk, after all he's not any better, always playing life with a poker face.
"You don't have to thank me..." Why is he starting to feel disappointed? "How about you? Did you find Disneyland as magical as you expected?"
"It's fun, but the waiting and all the kids and parents. It sort of dampened my expectations."
Speaking of expectations…
"But I don't plan on going back and I'm not accepting the engagement".
However, Allen didn't finish his thoughts when Tyki's words suddenly ring in the air causing him to turn to the demon with a shock expression.
"What? You think I'm going to give up like that?"
Just one glance at the confident smirk on Tyki's face, Allen can feel his cheeks heat up and he tries to keep his attention on the water, but he couldn't seem to lift his eyes off of the curves of his jaw and- is he really gawking at the demon?!
"Don't tell me you've fallen for my charms?"
No, Tyki can't be right. He didn't… did he? In order to hide his uncertainty, he vehemently denies it all in front of him. "Don't be a blimey idiot. If I didn't when we first met, then certainly not now!" He does his best tries to not sound embarrassed, but angry. He swerves his head towards the river with his arms against his chest.
"..."
"..."
Tyki sighs. "Don't be mad, Shounen. I was joking, come on, the show is about to start."
There's a hint of regret in Tyki's voice and he wonders if he went overboard. After all, he wasn't truly mad.
Allen releases the tension in his posture and shakes his head. "I'm not mad… I'm sorry. I may be a bit tired for your jokes."
"We did force you to come and do a lot of things. We can go home now if you're tired."
"You didn't force me to do anything." It's not a lie. He did enjoy himself today and just like that sign said, he did make a lot of memories with them. God, he hopes that his cheeks aren't red as he blurts. "I had a lot of fun today!"
"Are you sure? I don't want to force you anymore than we did today. I'm sure Road will understand-"
"No!" Allen shouts after him and without thinking, he grabs ahold of Tyki's hand into his own. There's a startled expression on the demon's face from his action that fades to concern. "I want to see the fireworks!"
With you.
In the background, dazzling colors of light splashes the air along with the whistles and explosions reverberating in the air.
Suddenly, they're bewitched by the show and leave behind reality for this one moment between just Allen Walker and Tyki Mikk.
Tyki ruffles his hair and an automatic protest with a slap of the hand follows. It's not that he hates Tyki touching his hair, but he's just stubborn to admit that he does find strange semblance of comfort when the demon does that. He really doesn't prefer to compliment the demon and feed that ego.
"I'm glad."
They didn't let go of each other hands through the whole show.
XXXXXXX
The fireworks is definitely a sight to behold, so why is he so fixated on Allen during the event?
There's that rare moment where the boy's lips stretches naturally from ear to ear and the childish glimmer in those usual jaded eyes. There's the warmth seeping through his hand from the boy.
Allen must be focused on the show because if the boy was aware, he would have shook him off by now.
The question becomes: Why hasn't he let go?
Simple. He doesn't want to.
This is where the conflict appears.
Tyki can't pinpoint when or what warped his attitudes of amusement and indifference? When he started being concerned for the boy's health? He had explained that was for his own benefit, he can't have his host die while he's on earth. When he pushed away all the troublesome issues? He told himself that it was to make his situation easier. When he spent more time with other humans? That was to kill time and because he appreciated human company. When he conversed with Allen? He convinced himself that he was bored and curious of this human. When he saved Allen from another demon? He debated that it would be troublesome to find another person to form a contract.
When he apologize that day? He wants to say…he wants to say…
In the end, they all sound like excuses to him.
A demon and a human? The ending won't be a happy one that's for sure. So he should spend an eternity refusing to acknowledge the familiar feelings bubbling inside him, but he won't.
Because he can't. It's not in his personality. He's selfish like that.
Even if this relationship is doomed from the start.
There's an odd joy that he feels being near certain humans, especially this boy. He cares for someone other than his family members; which is a change from his long life. He admires the strength and perseverance in the boy; despite being so broken. The contradictory personality of Allen Walker from innocent to being so devilish in single moment.
"Don't tell me you've fallen for my charms?" Rather than the human boy falling for his charms, he's the one that seems to be captivated by the human boy.
That when Tyki realized something. 'Ah. Maybe the Earl was right, being in the human world is bad for them.'
XXXXXXX
It's a warm and peaceful afternoon for Tyki. In fact, it couldn't have been any better as he sits in the apartment alone, watching television and sipping his coffee.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
'That must be the sound of the birds. Ignore it.' Tyki thinks to himself as he turns the volume up.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
...
"I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR US TYKI!"
Aaaaannnnd he wished it would have stayed that way.
Tyki grimaces as he walks over to the window. Load and behold, there's the familiar face of his two most beloved family members, Road and Wisely.
"Well? Aren't you going to let us in?" Road huffs, muffled behind the glass.
Tyki rubs his chin, contemplating and weighing his options out. "I could…"
"Haha, very funny Tyki."
On one side, if he let them then he can kiss his alone time good bye. On the other hand, they'll make more of a fuss and break something. Allen would be blaming him, despite that he wasn't the one breaking anything.
He emits a sigh and reluctantly opens the window. "We have a door, next time try to use it."
"I told you so." Wisely grumbles.
"Door? You barely used the door back home, Tyki!" Road grumbles and searches the apartment. "Where's Allen?!"
"Grocery shopping."
"Will he be back soon?"
"Depends. What do you want." Tyki eyes her suspiciously.
"Didn't we say that we aren't here to kill him or anything?!" Road rolls her eyes.
"We came to show you the pictures we developed from our trip!" Wisely grins as he empties the envelope filled with photos onto the coffee table. One couldn't even see the surface of the table due to the sheer amount of pictures they took.
"Here's the one where Wisely fell off the boat!"
"Fell off?! You were the one that pushed me off!" Wisely objects, reaching for the photo.
"I did not push you!"
As the two bickers, Tyki looks through every photo he picks up from the table and he recalls every good and bad memories from their day at the amusement park.
However, the smile on his doesn't last long when he sees a particular picture and his eyes widen with shock. "Road!"
"What?"
"Don't 'what' me! Did you purposely take this one?!" Tyki shoves the photo in front of her face and his other hand pushing a curious Wisely away.
"Which picture?! I want to know!" Wisely complains as he tries to see.
Road flashes him a delightful smile. "On purpose? Of course, not! I just happened to be there and snapped the camera!"
"I'm keeping this." Tyki murmurs, trying his best not to sound flustered.
"Tyki, are you embarrassed?!" Road gasps, feigning shock.
"NO!" Tyki practically shouts at her in denial, suddenly Wisely snatches the photo. "HEY!"
Wisely catches only a glimpse before Tyki grabs it away, but the glimpse is enough for Wisely to see it all. "I guess you can keep that copy."
"Copy?!"
"We have the camera. So we can see that image whenever we want!"
"Road. Tell me where the camera is?!"
"Never!" Road giggles like a maniac as she manages to swiftly take the copy from his pocket. This time she decides to use the door in order to run out of the apartment.
"ROAD!" Tyki yells, exasperated and chases after her.
As if on cue, Allen is walking up the stairs of his apartment and he sees Road, cheerful as alway. "Hi Allen!" Road greets, while she dashes past him with Tyki hot on her heels.
Allen is so very confused as the two shoot down the stairs, but nonetheless he greets her back. "I hope they don't get hurt or worse, cause any trouble." He'd go stop them, but he has his hands full of groceries. What can he say? Priorities.
"Hey!" Wisely waves him over, excitedly. "Here are all the pictures we took at Disneyland!"
Allen places the bag down and walks over to the mountain of photos. "Did we really take this much pictures?" He asks, half frightened and half amazed at their enthusiasm that day with the camera.
Wisely nods.
"We did have a lot of fun, didn't we?" Allen smiles as he stares fondly at an image of them together with their Disney hats. Then he realizes something. "Hey, Wisely."
"Yea?"
"What happened with Tyki and Road?"
Wisely shrugs, nonchalantly. "Just Road took an embarrassing picture of Tyki, while at Disneyland."
"Embarrassing? Now I want to see it."
Little did Allen know, that photo was him and Tyki with their hands clasped together while the fireworks showered in the air.
Forgive me if my details about Disneyland isn't up to date because the last I went was a long time ago. I really wanted to put in Disneyland. I always imagined Disneyland being one of those confusing human places.