….

After a while Road had dragged him into another room with bookshelves lining two opposing walls. Towards the back was a rectangular window with a side table and chairs set underneath. The young Noah had gestured for him to seat down and stay put before hurrying off to God-knows-where. Probably to find out what the Earl and the other Noah were up to but that only made him worry about his friends.

Shaking his head, Allen braced himself against the door when the room shook slightly. The traumas still continued, lasting no more than a few seconds at a time. But Allen knew they were getting longer and more violent after each earthquake.

Sighing, Allen glanced about the room one more time before making his way over to the table and chairs. Sitting down he gazed out the window at the whitewashed buildings lining the winding cobblestone streets.

Somehow, he couldn't help but wonder how the Millennium Earl could possibly come to own such a peaceful little town and be depicted as the equivalent to the Devil. It still bothered him but he hadn't the courage to ask anyone. Allen knew Road would laugh at him and even Tyki was out of the question. Also there was no way in Hell that he would ask the Earl himself about it!

He leaned on his right hand and heaved another heavy sigh. Allen hated waiting but that was all he could do until one of the Noahs graced him with their presence. He could only hope that the individual wouldn't be Tyki anytime soon. Honestly, the Noah of Pleasure sure seemed to find it amusing to tease Allen and that was something Allen couldn't stand.

But why… even now, his heart was beating rapidly as another quake shook the building and a book fell off the shelves, landing with a heavy thud on the carpeted floor. Allen quickly put off the feeling as simply anxiety for his friends, yes that just had to be the reason and nothing more.

Suddenly the door swung open and in strolled the man himself. The Noah of Pleasure looked a little roughed up but there was not a single scratch or bruise blemishing his grey-toned skin. Allen, for the most part was a little disappointed but somehow relieved at the same time….

He scowled when he realized that he was actually happy that the Noah wasn't badly hurt.

'Something wrong shounen?' Allen glanced at the fallen book on the ground, his frown creasing even more. He wasn't even going to talk to the bastard, it was the least he could do as revenge for the early teasing.

'Whatever…' Tyki muttered in the end and slumped into the chair on the other side of the table. The door opened again and Road bounded into the room with a twirl before throwing her arms around Allen unexpectedly.

'I hope you didn't wait too long Allen~' she giggled into his neck and Allen couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable at the intimate closeness.

'Not really,' he decided to reply since this was Road and he hadn't fancied another instant where he would be put in the most unbearable of situations. The young Noah continued to chuckle before glancing at Tyki as he lifted a cigarette to his mouth and ignited a match.

'Tyki, you do know smoking is bad for you,' she grumbled as the Noah of Pleasure snorted.

'Tell someone who cares,' Allen swallowed when he got the feeling that the pair had briefly forgot about him being in the room until Road's golden eyes flickered back to him. The devious quiver of her orbs once again left Allen nervous as she stood up and placed a key into his only hand. His fingers wrapped around its warm surface, no doubt heated by Road's hand.

'Well, since this Ark no longer has any exits to the outside, it should be safe for you to wonder around,' Road said in a singsong voice. Allen's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the key in disbelief but somehow Allen knew there had to be a catch somewhere in this.

'But you only have three hours before it disappears forever, so use the key to get to my door at the topmost tower. Though I wouldn't worry too much~ if you get lost, I'll just find you and take you to the new Ark myself~' yep, there it was.

Road stood back before casting another look at Tyki but the Noah of Pleasure continued to ignore her. Allen wasn't too sure about the exchange between the two Noah but he took his chance and hurried out of the room.

He was hoping that by some miracle that the Noah had left one exit open but he was counting too much on it.

….

Tyki watched the white-haired boy leave the room and inhaled deeply on his cigarette. He pulled it away from his lips and tapped the ash into the tray on the side table.

'You do know that his friends will be arriving soon,' he murmured softly as the Eldest Child chuckled darkly. She had that all-knowing look in her gold eyes and that was something Tyki had come to absolutely hate.

'That's the point, since you obviously don't want Allen, I'll give him a chance to return home,' his jaws clenched at the thought. Tyki didn't want the boy to leave; being so close was something he had come to cherish even if the feeling was one-sided. Road groaned while rolling her eyes and sat in the chair Allen had once occupied.

'But you're not going to let him… Road you adore shounen too much as well,' he retorted, trying to distance himself from the thought of losing the ex-exorcist forever. Road huffed in annoyance.

'Allen has always been fun to play with, he cooperates with me unlike a certain someone,' Road bickered. Tyki found himself smirking at the Ninth Disciple.

'Only because he fears what would happen if he doesn't, I'm not exactly tied down like he is,' Tyki paused and took the butt from his lips, squishing it into the ashtray. As much as he wanted to look the other way and let things be, Tyki just couldn't do that.

Maybe this was the appropriate decision, his love for Allen would never be returned but Tyki could only ever hope. Though his teasing might not have been the best thing to do. Perhaps it was the idea of rejection that deterred him from doing anything besides taunting.

He was still human after all and for the most part he was allowed to feel and God-be-damn, he wasn't going to let the boy go that easily.

Off to his right, he heard Road hum softly to herself but thought it best to ignore her, his thoughts being more important than whatever Road was concocting.

Tyki certainly wasn't going to let Allen leave with his friends without a fight. So what if Allen would hate afterwards him if he ended up killing them, Tyki only wanted to keep that beautiful angel as his and his alone.

….

Sorry about yet another long delay before posting another chapter, honestly, there is no excuse! Anyway, I decided that it was about time to reignite Tyki's desire for Allen so hope you enjoyed this chapter and please leave a REVIEW!