Disclaimer: I don't own DGM.

"He made us kill for him, Cyril. I don't know about you, but I still see their dead eyes when I go to sleep every night. He made us break the law for him."

"Shut up," Cyril said, his face now pale with rage.

"It's a fact, Cyril. You've gotta accept it. The Noahs... we're a fake family. We're just the Earl's playthings. Can you continue doing what you're doing, knowing what you do?"

Cyril reddened, and his left hand released Tyki's collar, swinging backward and then forward in an arc. There was a sickening sound of crushed bone as his fist made contact with Tyki's face.

"Tyki!" Allen shouted.

Lavi shoved Cyril off Tyki. "Kanda!"

Kanda ran over from the nearest van and grabbed hold of the other side of Tyki. "Move, Beansprout! To the van!"

:::

Allen ran for the van. Lavi pushed Tyki into the van behind Allen and slammed the door behind all of them. Daisya immediately drove off, the whole caravan of vehicles following after on the road to Komui's house.

"You okay?" Allen asked, fishing a packet of tissues from her bag.

Tyki took one and pressed it against his face. "Painful."

"Idiot," Kanda said.

"Kanda," Allen said. "That wasn't necessary, was it?"

"We'll get you fixed up once we reach Komui's," Lavi said. "He saw what happened from one of the other vans, he'll have called a nurse by now."

"Just bear with it for a while longer," Allen said, patting Tyki on the back.

"I'm fine, I can take it," Tyki said. "I've had to endure more while working under the Earl."

:::

"How's it?" Allen asked, putting her head into Tyki's room.

"I'm okay," Tyki said. "You want to come in?"

Allen nodded. "I've got some coffee for you. Though maybe you shouldn't take it... the doctor said you need rest, after all."

"I'll have a cup," Tyki said.

"How are you feeling?" Allen asked, pouring coffee into one of the two mugs on her tray.

Tyki accepted the mug. "I'm okay. It'll heal soon."

"That's not what I meant," Allen said. She took a seat at the edge of Tyki's bed. "I meant feeling as in feeling."

"I don't get you, amiga."

"Cyril hit you. He's your brother, after all... you must be feeling terrible about it."

"Oh," Tyki said. "Well, it does suck to be misunderstood."

"Mmm."

"But what I said to Cyril earlier... it's the truth. He has to face up to it. I want him to face reality. Him and Rhode. Because I care about them."

"How about Lulu Bell?"

Tyki looked away. "Let's not go there."

"I'm sorry," Allen said. "I shouldn't have asked that last question."

"Not your fault," Tyki said. "I just... don't feel like talking about her. Or thinking about her."

"I'm sorry you have to go through all these." Allen said.

"I chose this path, amiga," Tyki said. "I think I can live with it."

"I'm not doubting your courage or perseverance –"

"Courage? Perseverance? Psh," Tyki said, an impatient gesture accompany his words. "No, I'm not interested in those! The only thing I care about now is finding the right path, the path which will reduce the number of regretful moments in my life."

Allen took a step toward Tyki.

"I need this as much as you, amiga," Tyki said. He too stood up.

Allen put her arms around Tyki. "I know how you feel. It will get better, trust me."

"I know it will," Tyki said. "I know it will."

"About Cyril..."

"Don't worry about him. My brother will come round once we have Rhode's support."

Allen released Tyki from her embrace. "How will you convince Rhode that the Earl is evil? I hate to say this about her, but you know she has sadistic tendencies, don't you?"

"Of course I know... but there'll be a way. I'll sleep on it."

"I'll try to find a way, too," Allen said. "You need all the help you can get."

"Are you talking about yourself?" Tyki said, smiling.

"Myself?"

"Rhode's evidence will help with the balance in the trial," Tyki said.

"That wasn't what I was thinking about."

"Of course it wasn't," Tyki said. 'I forgot how unselfish you are."

"I'm not unselfish!" Allen said. "I'm as selfish as the next person, perhaps more. You all seem to place me on a pedestal, sometimes."

"We don't," Tyki said. "It's the truth."

"It's not the truth at all."

"It is," Tyki said. "Now go to bed, amiga."

:::

Rhode leaned on Cyril's desk. "Was Tyki speaking the truth today?"

Cyril looked down at his daughter's face. Her large eyes were fixed on him as her fingers tap-danced across the far edge of the desk. "Of course not, darling."

"Are you lying to me, Daddy?"

"No, sweetheart, why would I lie to you? Tyki must have lost his mind, saying such things... You know he has a penchant for lying."

"Then why is Lulubell so affected?"

"So affected? What do you mean?" Cyril asked, anxiety rising in him. Exactly what was Lulubell up to now?

"She's crying. Has been crying ever since we came back from court."

"Crying!" Cyril repeated. Lulubell, crying? He'd sooner believe that it could snow in summer.

"Yeah, she's been crying. That's why I find your answer rather suspicious, Daddy."

"Oh, sweetheart, I need some peace now. Can I – do you mind leaving me alone for a while?" Cyril asked, managing a half-smile.

"Okay," Rhode said. She stopped leaning on the desk. "But I want an answer from you soon, Daddy. About what Tyki said."

"Uncle Tyki," Cyril said absently.

"Whatever."

Cyril watched Rhode leave before taking off to Lulubell's room. He entered her room without knocking.

"Lulu," he said.

Lulubell looked up from the dresser, her eyes red and puffy. She threw a hairbrush at him. "How dare you enter my room without knocking!"

"We're siblings," Cyril said. "Does it matter?"

"Does privacy mean nothing to you, Cyril?"

Cyril regarded Lulubell with surprise. "Why are you crying, Lulu?"

"That's none of your business!"

"It is my business. I need to know if you're up to your antics again."

"Antics? What do you take me for?" Lulubell flung the tissue in her hand onto the dresser. "I'm not some idiotic teenager. Stop insulting me!"

"Why are you so emotional today, then?"

"I'm not."

"Oh yes, you are. I've seen you cry all of three times in the many years we've known each other."

"Can't I cry when I feel like it?" Lulubell asked, turning away. "A woman's entitled to her tears."

"You don't cry. Do I need to repeat myself?"

"Shut the fuck up, Cyril. You don't understand. You never will."

"Lulu –"

"Go away. Please. Now. Before I start screaming at you."

Cyril shook his head. "I'll let you off for now. Take some time to think about our situation and don't do anything silly, sister."

:::

Lavi nodded at the man who took the seat opposite him. "Thanks for coming on such short notice. I appreciate it."

"Not a problem," the prosecutor said. "You said there's something I should know?"

"Cyril Kamelot punched Tyki Mikk today while we were outside the courthouse."

"Hmm," the prosecutor said, leaning forward and lacing his fingers together. "That's a good development. Any photographic evidence?"

"No, but we have witnesses."

"I see. I'll see what I can do with this. Thank you for sharing this information with me, Mr Bookman."

"My pleasure. Do you suppose it would swing the balance in our favour?"

"Swing the balance? I would venture to say that it would. It would."

Lavi nodded. "That's the best piece of news I've had from you in a very long time."

:::

The newspapers had many field days following the punch dealt by Cyril Kamelot to Tyki Mikk.

One read: Brothers Punching Over Earl.

The next day, another read "Judge Finds New Evidence of Guilt: Boycott Millennium Enterprises!

The most important turning point, however, came three weeks later when the judges stood up in court and announced the verdict.

Lenalee and Lavi held each other tightly as one of the Justices started talking. "It is our view, based on the facts presented to this honourable court, that the Prosecution's case has been proven beyond reasonable doubt."

As Allen leaned forward to hear better, she felt an arm curl against her back. A quick glance to her right exposed the surprising truth: the arm belonged to Kanda. Another surprising truth (because was she hallucinating?): Kanda was smiling at her. Allen gaped for a good while before her brain whirled back to life and she snuggled into his warm embrace.

"We will hear counsel on sentencing and mitigation separately," the Justice continued.

"What happened?" Allen asked, leaning towards Lavi. "What did I miss?"

"They're guilty," Lavi said. "Sentences will be passed later. Congratulations, Allen! We've made it!"

"Thank you, Lavi," Allen said. "Thank you."

Kanda said nothing; he only held her tighter and they bowed their heads together in silent prayer as the Justices shuffled out of the Courtroom.

:::

"Where's the bubbly?" Tyki asked. "Don't tell me there's no bubbly!"

"Bubbly?" Lavi repeated. "Where's the bubbly supposed to come from?"

"You're supposed to wave your wand and say 'accio bubbly', didn't you know?"

"Are you mad, Mikk?" Lavi asked.

"He is," Kanda said. "The idiot's trying to kill himself with smoke and alcohol."

"All nasty things," Tyki agreed, "but so very pleasant, too."

"Shut up," Kanda said.

"It's a day for celebration!" Komui said, toasting the group. "This calls for a party!"

"A party!" Daisya shouted. "Let's get the music on, come on!"

Marie laughed. "I've got some good music tracks in my tablet."

"Bring it on!" Daisya said, starting to gyrate in the middle of the sitting room. "The rain is over and the sun is out! It's time to party!"

"Is that a song?" Tyki asked. "Because, if it is, it's the most hideous song I've ever heard."

"Shut up, you asshole," Daisya said, flashing his middle finger.

"What a nasty piece of shit you are," Tyki said. "I don't know you very well, and there you are, giving me the finger? There are ladies here, if you haven't already noticed."

Daisya blew a raspberry at Tyki before turning back to Marie.

In the midst of the chaos, Allen stood up and slipped out to the porch. She leaned against the railing and looked up at the dark sky where the stars winked from their thrones in the sky.

She sighed. All was well now – one would think all was well, judging by the conversation in the room and the raucous indications of great merriment. They had a right to be happy, of course; the verdict heralded the beginning of the end of a long and exhausting fight. As relieved as she was, Allen could not quite quash the anxiety that collected in her heart, weighing down her steps and stirring dark fears in the night.

"Why did you sigh?" Kanda asked from behind her.

"Why are you out here?"

"I saw you leave," Kanda said, a bemused expression on his face. "You haven't answered my question, Beansprout."

"Don't call me that," Allen said, turning back to face the yard.

Kanda moved forward to lean against the railings too. "Depressed?"

"Do you think prison will be a terrible place? A frightening place?"

"So that's what it's about?" Kanda moved slightly closer. Allen could feel the scratchy wool of his sweater against her hand.

"I'm frightened."

"I... I don't know. I've never been in one. But – but –"

"But?"

"Nothing."

"Really? But you were going to say something –"

Kanda cut off Allen's flow of words by pulling her into his arms. He stroked her hair lightly. "It will be fine. In the end."

They stood there for a while, arms entangled, wind dancing through their hair. The warmth of an embrace, the beating of two hearts in unison and the silence in the darkness said more than they could ever have put into words.

:::

"The Earl killed himself last night," Lavi said, coming in with the day's papers.

"Let me see that," Tyki said.

"I can't believe he went down without putting up a better fight," Komui said as he stirred his coffee.

"Is he really dead?" Kanda asked.

"Are you thinking up a conspiracy theory now?" Lavi asked. "Kanda, Kanda. You never fail to surprise me."

"Shut up, idiot."

"What does it say?" Allen asked Tyki.

"He's dead. It's true. I guess he decided to cut his losses instead of being further humiliated," Tyki said. "I wonder if that means my brothers and sisters will follow his lead."

'Will Rhode –"

"She won't," Tyki said. "Not her. Not if Cyril still loves her."

:::

Four years later

"Why isn't she coming out yet?" Lavi asked, hopping from one foot to the other.

"Stop moving," Kanda said. "You're making me dizzy, you asshat."

"Boys," Lenalee scolded. "Have you got the flowers, Kanda?"

"It's here."

"You bought flowers? Why didn't I know?"

"Go away, you idiot," Kanda said, pushing Lavi away.

"But I want to know what flowers they are!"

"Roses."

"Roses! Oh my, Yu is all grown up!" Lavi said, pretending to wipe tears away.

"Shut up and stay away," Kanda said, giving Lavi another shove.

"Guys," Lenalee said, "stop fighting! The gates are opening."

Indeed, the gates were opening, and two ex-inmates walked into the gentle autumn afternoon.

"Allen! Mikk!" Lavi shouted, waving his arms furiously as he started to speedwalk towards them.

But Kanda got there first – in a rare show of emotion, he put his arms around Allen.

"Welcome back," he said, his arms tight against her back.

"I've missed you," Allen said, returning the hug. She could feel Kanda's heartbeat, furious and strong, against her chest. How she had missed them all...

"Look at them lovebirds," Lavi said.

"What am I, invisible?" Tyki asked.

"You're right, Mikk," Lavi said. "Get off Allen, Yu! Lena and I want to hug her too!"

:::

Kanda took Allen and Tyki home with him – he was the one with spare rooms, after all, and Tyki no longer had a place to return to.

"Take him in, please, Kanda?" Allen had pleaded, and Kanda relented (though not before shooting Tyki a venomous glare).

That was how Allen and Tyki found themselves alone in Kanda's house one week after their release from prison.

"It's been a beautiful long week," Tyki said. "Beautiful. Absolutely fucking beautiful."

"Yes," Allen said.

"Something troubling you, amiga? You don't seem too happy."

"No."

"Really."

Allen nodded.

"Is Kanda not paying enough attention to you?" Tyki asked. He walked to the window. "He has a nice house, I'll grant him that."

"It's not about Kanda... I – I've been thinking about the Earl."

"Why are you thinking about the Earl?" Tyki asked. "He's dead and buried and can't harm us anymore."

"I don't miss him... It's just that – with his death," Allen said, looking at Tyki. "I will never know what happened between Neah and the Earl."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, me too. I would have liked to know the truth."

"Lulu might know, you know. Cyril too."

"I don't think they'd take kindly to my questions..."

"I'd ask them for you if we were still on speaking terms," Tyki said.

"Don't trouble yourself, Tyki. Let's just close this chapter, shall we?"

"You're right," Tyki said, but his eyes were still clouded with concern.

:::

"Where's Mikk?" Kanda asked during a quiet dinner.

"He went out to visit some friends," Allen said.

"Probably went gambing," Kanda grumbled.

"Maybe."

"Do you want to get your shop space back?" Kanda asked.

"Hmm? Why the sudden question?"

"I was just curious about your livelihood."

"Oh, that," Allen said. She set down her chopsticks and pushed her empty bowl away. "I don't think I will want to open Judgement again. That was always Cross' idea."

"So what are you going to do from now on?" Kanda asked as he rose to wash the dishes.

"Bum around?"

"Why do you want to be an unemployed member of society for?" Kanda asked, piling the dishes into the dishwasher.

"Do you want green tea?" Allen asked. "I'll make us a pot."

"Fine," Kanda said. "Not too sweet though."

"I know you hate sweet stuff," Allen said.

Kanda watched as Allen washed the tea leaves. "You haven't answered my question. About your future."

"What's there to say, Kanda? I'll figure it out as I go along."

Kanda simply stared at Allen. At first, Allen did not notice the stare as she was concerned with steeping the tea leaves in hot water for the correct length of time. Then she turned – and Kanda's eyes were still on her.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Kanda nodded. 'I – what if –"

"Yes?" Allen said.

"I could –"

Allen blinked. "You were saying? Are you feeling sick?"

Kanda pushed Allen's hand away. 'I'm not having a fever, you idiot. I was just – I just wanted to say that I could support you – I could – if you decide not to look for a job."

"Oh," Allen said, trying to process Kanda's words. "That ... that works too, I guess?"

"You guess?" Kanda repeated.

"I don't know, Kanda. I'm sorry, I really don't know. I need time to think about what I want to do with my life. Recently – there's been little space for anything but thinking about my mistakes and about the past. I have so little time to think about matters of the heart."

"I can wait."

"I – I don't want to burden you, Kanda. I mean what I said. I'm still trying to deal with adapting to normal life... and with never ever being able to find out what happened to Neah."

Kanda walked over to Allen. "I know."

"Then why –"

"I just wanted to let you know my thoughts," Kanda said, taking Allen's small hands into his own big ones. "I'll wait. I know you're trying your best to deal with the situation."

"Thank you , Kanda. I mean it," Allen said. She laid her head on his chest and the two of them stayed in that position for a long, long time.

:::

"Guess what – or rather, who – I've brought for you?" Tyki asked, popping his head around Allen's door.

"You always fail to remember to knock," Allen said, half-amused.

"My bad," Tyki said, "but you'll want to see this."

Tyki shoved someone – a short someone in gothic dress – into the room. "Happy talking!" he said, and disappeared.

"Rhode!" Allen exclaimed, bounding out of her chair and across the room. "How have you been?"

"I've been... fine," Rhode said. "You, Allen?"

"I'm good," Allen said. "Please, take a seat."

"Look," Rhode said, "I'm sorry for the suffering us Noahs put you through –"

"It's okay, Rhode –"

"It's not okay! I'm really sorry –"

"And I'm sorry for giving evidence against them. Please forgive me."

"Will you forgive me too, Allen?"

"You never knew till the trial; what's there to forgive?"

"I think I did know... I always chose not to question, though. I should have questioned."

"I'm glad you didn't, or else you'd have ended up in jail too."

"How are you, Allen? Is it difficult to adapt?"

"Quite, but everyone has been so kind. I'm sure I'll adapt soon enough."

"We – we'll still be friends?"

"Of course, Rhode, of course. I have never blamed you."

"I know you blamed Master Millennium."

"I did."

"You did? You don't, anymore?"

"There's no point in blaming a man dead and gone, or in further sullying his memory. He must have had his reasons, though I find it hard to believe that he had reasons at all."

"I don't know about that..."

"Rhode, I told Tyki we should close this chapter of our lives. Can we do this too? Move on?"

"I – yeah. We should. I guess we can never reconcile our views on this. Better to move on."

Allen nodded and threw her arms around Rhode. For the first time since her release, she truly laughed, glad to reclaim this friendship.

:::

One month later

"Kanda?" Allen asked, entering Kanda's room without knocking.

"Beansprout?" Kanda said. "What are you doing here?"

"I have something I want to tell you."

Kanda nodded, gesturing for Allen to take a seat.

"I – I want to go."

Kanda leaned forward. "You want to what?"

"Go away," Allen said, her hands moving away from her body in a wide arc.

"Where?"

"Maybe Italy. I want to start afresh."

"What about – what about –" Kanda wanted to ask her what about us, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. Instead, he asked, "will you ever come back?"

"Yes. When I'm ready. I'm not leaving forever."

"Why – why?" Kanda asked.

"Why what?"

"Why are you leaving?"

"I'm lost," Allen said. "Very lost. I think being away will help me find some direction."

"Being away from me?"

"Yes, you. You and the others."

"But –"

"I think of the dead people all the time, Kanda. Especially when I'm here. Being around me makes me so happy – this house reminds me of our happy times – before – but I can't sleep at night sometimes. I think of them, the dead mothers, dead babies, dead lovers – and they walk everywhere."

"In that case, Beansprout, it wouldn't make a difference if you went to Italy."

"It would. I see their dead eyes when I look at you, Kanda."

Kanda blinked. And blinked. And blinked a third time. He didn't know what to say, how to respond.

"That's why I'm going," Allen said. "I need some closure."

"You could – can't you simply move?"

"I don't think your house is the problem, Kanda. I need to be away from you. I will come back, don't worry."

"How can you say it so fucking casually?"

"I care about you," Allen said. She leaned towards Kanda and rested her hands on his knees. "I love you. I want to make myself whole before I come back to you."

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning," Allen said.

"You planned this long ago."

"Yes."

"You didn't tell me."

"I was afraid you'd stop me or decide to follow me."

Kanda shook his head. "I – Beansprout, before you go, can we – can we promise each other? Marry me, Allen."

"No, Kanda, I won't tie you to me."

"I'll feel better if we were engaged before you leave."

"No, I don't want to tie you to me. You might meet a better partner while I'm gone."

"I won't."

"You might. Or I might. One never knows."

"Please, marry me, Allen."

Allen was struck by Kanda's earnest tone and his use of her real name. She wanted to say yes – to throw her arms around him and kiss him – but it would not be right. She could not tie him to her when she was still a shell of her former self, drenched in sweat every night as she trod through nightmares, lost as she was in a storm of her own making.

"No, Kanda. I love you."

"Marry me."

"You'll have to ask me when I come back, whenever that is," Allen said, standing up. She walked toward the door. "So long, Kanda. I will miss you."

Kanda sat numb on his bed. He did not understand – maybe she would change her mind the next morning. It was thus with great sadness that he found an empty room the next day. The curtains were billowing, and there was no sign that anyone had ever lived in the room that once belonged to Allen Walker.

A/N: Well, looks like this is the penultimate chapter! I can't believe it has been nearly three years since I started this fic. How time flies!

Anyway, please do excuse any stylistic errors in this chapter; I'm very tired of it and can't be bothered to proofread. I know laziness is no excuse, but... Also, please please please ignore all the mistakes I've made regarding the law. I should have planned better in this respect, but I didn't and I apologise.

As always, thanks for reading; constructive reviews/suggestions/criticism would be appreciated.