A/N: Here is the next chapter! A little bonding time between Tyki and Allen for this one! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed with such sweet comments! You guys are amazing! Please enjoy this next chapter!
The Earl snickered as waves of throbbing darkness rolled over him and sung in his ears. The pulsing crescendoed, then slowed, repeated, then stopped.
"Oh, Tyki," the Earl giggled, "how foolish you have become." The dark pulse returned, followed by a much steadier, thicker gloom. The Earl spun childishly in his chair and cackled. "Lulubell, keep an eye on our dear Tyki-pon for me, won't you?" The black feline ghosting around the edges of the room meowed softly, amber eyes glowing maliciously.
Tyki sighed in frustration, his head throbbing painfully.
"Shounen, you need to keep your power in control," Tyki instructed, exasperated.
"I'm trying," Allen snapped, "It's difficult." Tyki glared at the ex-exorcist. Allen straightened his back and squeezed his eyes shut in concentration. An aura of lavender light washed over Allen slim form, shining darkly. Allen held the light steady, brow furrowed as he focused. The Dark Matter's essence wavered, beginning to pulse in a steady rhythm. He watched as Allen struggled for control, eyes swiveling behind closed lids.
"Stop," Tyki ordered. The aura dissolved instantaneously as Allen gave up the fight. Gold flecked silver eyes fluttered open and Tyki took note of the fatigue that danced at their edges. He also took note of the determination that made those tired eyes glow. A smile threatened to turn his lips, but Tyki pushed it away. "Let's take a break. Exhaustion won't help your control." Allen nodded, moving to perch on the edge of the love-seat beside Tyki.
"Tyki?"
"What?"
"Is Dark Matter supposed to lash out when you try to gather it?" Tyki turned his gaze from the chipped wall to Allen. He considered the answer for a second before responding, "In the beginning, yes. Dark Matter isn't like Innocence, it's vicious, and if you let it, it will take advantage of you. That's why I'm having you do these exercises. To learn to control it even when it lashes out." Allen thought over his answer and looked up at Tyki, who fought back another smile as a cute, thoughtful look crossed Allen's features.
"Does your's fight you?"
"You forget that I have had years to tame my Dark Matter, Shounen. Even if it fights back, which it occasionally does, I have become strong enough to force its cooperation," Tyki responded. Allen smiled, but that smile was tainted with uncertainty.
"Dark Matter really is different from Innocence, then." Tyki felt curiosity poke at his consciousness.
"What is Innocence, like then?" Hunting Innocence didn't mean he knew what it was like to bonded with it.
"Amazing," Allen answered simply, and chuckled as Tyki rolled his eyes at his response, "It's...hard to explain. I feel like Crown Clown is...another person. We are bonded in a way that can't happen with anyone else. He always knows how I feel and trusts me with his power. It's a partnership. Neither of us has complete control over the other, and neither commands the other. We work together as one." Tyki could feel jealousy stab at him. He wondered what it was like to have such a bond with something (or someone) else. A memory, of Allen lying broken and lifeless on the ground below him plagued his mind. Anger replaced the jealousy. Anger with himself. He had broken that bond between Allen and that piece of Innocence once. He had taken pleasure in it once. Anger made way for self loathing.
"Tyki?" Allen called, confusion lacing his words. Tyki shook himself and focused on the teen beside him. Allen offered him a gentle smile, only his eyes giving way to the worry he felt. Tyki grinned at him, trying to soothe the worry (and ignore the warm wave that swept over his chest as he saw that Allen was worried about him.)
"How long have you been an accommodator?" Tyki asked, changing the subject.
"All my life," Allen responded, right hand ghosting over the holy parasite that made his left. "How long have you been a Noah?"
"It's hard to say. I can't remember, really. It's been so long." That was a lie. He remembered clearly the feeling of being human. Of being able to touch something without the fear of breaking it or passing straight through it. A moment of silence passed over them, though it was not awkward. "We should get started on your training again," Tyki finally stated. Allen murmured his agreement and stood, stretching stiff limbs. As they turned to face each other on the other side of the room, neither noticed the lithe, black figure that slipped into the room and beneath the love-seat, glowing eyes never leaving the duo.
Crown Clown could feel danger on the horizon. He turned to Neah, who rested on the soft couch they had summoned into this corner of Allen's mind. He did not voice his concerns to the sleepy Noah, though. He turned toward the piano Neah had demanded they bring into the room and sat on the bench in front of it, gloved fingers ghosting silently over the keys. Not for the first time since he returned to his exorcist, Crown Clown thought of Leverrier. The man must have noticed his absence by now, and was guaranteed to have taken action. Then there was this horrible feeling of being watched. It sent shivers up his spine that settled in his chest.
"What's wrong," Neah murmured, his voice soaked with the need to sleep.
"It is nothing. Sleep. Allen's practice has taken its toll on you, Neah," Crown Clown replied, pressing down on a polished key. Neah nodded, already half asleep. As his fingers danced across the keys of the piano, Crown Clown's mouth folded into a frown. I promise to protect you, Allen. An image of Allen's friends pushed itself to the front of his mind. Even from the people you believe you can trust.
A/N: Woah, Crown Clown is getting serious! I hope you enjoyed the sort of bonding moment between Tyki and Allen. I tried to explain the way I saw how Dark Matter worked and how the bond between Allen and Crown Clown worked. And finally, the Earl makes his move!
Reviews are appreciated and smothered with love! I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter of Of Light and Darkness! I will see you all in the next chapter! BYE :D