Author's notes: I'm so sorry for taking so long! I have just finished from my mid semester and I haven't finished the latest chapter yet, so I'm very sorry to you all that you'll have to wait longer for an update. So for an apologize, I had a special drabbles for you. Originally, it was a series of drabbles or short stories or side stories or whatever you can call it and it's mainly focused at Ellen and Noctis relationship. By the way, as for the polling, I have made a mind that there will be a scene where Ellen and Noctis are holding hands. Originally it was for the next chapter but again due to my current condition, I have no choice but to wrote it now. And here they are. I'm planned to make 45 of them an update it as another story which has connection with this one. However seeing my current condition, looks like I had to reconsider and thinking it all over again. Meh…T_T;;;

Meanwhile while you're all waiting for a next chapter, please enjoy this little drabbles I made this 1 month lately. Please tell me if you're like it or not since I want to make more of them. Reviews and building critics are very welcome in here.

For The Black Guard: Oh my, thank you very much for the review. I'm happy that you're read the previous chapter. I'll try to keep up as much as I can, so be patience, okay? Here's the newest chapter, enjoy! And Good Day/ Night for you too. ;D

For evelvet: Many thanks to you too. ^W^ Glad you like it and you're welcome. PS: There's drabble in there which contain Ellen and Noctis are holding hands, hope you're like it. Enjoy the fluffiness, my friend! ;D

Disclaimer: …It's very obvious. If I do own DGM, I will put Allen as a girl and have her trapped in triangle love ship between Kanda and Tyki and perhaps some fan services in here and there. XD LOL (Just kidding)

Warning: This fic have gender bender, some SPOILERS (I mean really SPOILERS) for both in manga and in this story as well, possibility of AU, few swearings, and bad grammars. I wish it was…sigh TTXTT

Alert: Still same with the previous chapter, I need someone's help who can write a fight scene. I can imagine some scene of fights but like I said before, I'm clueless in martial arts and some advanced sword fights. Please send me a message if you want it! I'll wait in here.

Edit: By the way, I've added 2 more drabbles to length this special chapter. Hope you're like it. :D

2. Glue

It was a public secret already to all of Black Order's members that wherever Ellen Walker was, Noctis Caelo surely would be by her side, aside from the blonde Inspector who had a certain duty to watch the silver eyed young woman. Many rumors then started to appear about them. While the others felt wary toward the young man and suspected him as the Noah's accomplice, the rest of them, included women found the two of them to be a hot gossip and nonstop talking about it.

The reason? They thought both Ellen and Noctis was being close at each other, always if not almost every day they stick together like a glue, not to mention they looked too close for having a friendship relation. They even gossip them as being a lover. This rumor kept continues, until it reached to Johnny's ears. Feeling curious, one day he asked this straightly to Ellen and Noctis once they were at the cafeteria.

"Ellen, may I ask you something?" Johnny asked as he stared at the white haired Exorcist, mountain of foods were on her table.

"Hm? What is it?" Ellen tilted her head a bit, still chewed a piece of dango she just ate.

"Is that true that you and Noctis are a pair of lover…?" Johnny asked innocently.

Ellen stopped chewing as Noctis who sat before her, was choking violently with his milk coffee. His innocent question had brought Lenalee, Lavi, Timothy, Jiji, Marie, and Miranda's attention quickly that sat around them with deep interest. Aside from them, Kanda huffed loudly and continued to eat while Link hadn't given any meaningful reaction.

"What had making you thinking like that...!?" Ellen's cheeks were blushed in deep red.

"There this rumor about you two being lovers. Every time we're spotting you, Noctis is always with you like glue or something similar..."

A second later in immediately, the blushed Ellen and Noctis shouted with all their mighty.

"WE'RE NOT LOVERS, JOHNNY…..!"

Yep.

Johnny thought at the time he saw their simultaneously reaction.

Definitely a couple and stick like a glue. What kind of friend that even sat across each other and blushed and shouted at the same time? The funny thing was, he couldn't help but to think that the rumor was right after all.

They indeed a congenial couple none less.

6. Flower

Ellen silver eyes widened disbelievingly when she found herself stared at the beautiful small bouquet of flowers from Noctis.

Ellen was speechless to say.

She was waiting for Noctis to be appeared. 3 months had passed since their runaway from the Black Order. Winter had almost over as spring finally come and yet the air was still cold for a spring. They were walking through the stores when Noctis seemed to notice something and told her that he would go for a moment. Before she could stop him, he already gone from her sight and disappeared in the crowd. Ellen had no choice but to wait for him.

Time passed and slowly it made Ellen felt uneasy for being alone, she felt vulnerable and unprotected. It was an understanding since she never walked alone with Noctis beside her, while hiding from Apocryphos. It was when Ellen started to feeling anxious, the short black haired young man called her from the corner of street and asking the beautiful young woman to come with him for a moment. Ellen had been puzzled at the sudden request of him, but the euclase eyed young man shifted awkwardly and simply added more to her that he wants to give her something.

Grew more puzzled yet curious, she did approach Noctis. Now that she walked toward him, she noticed Noctis' right hand was hidden onto his back. He also looked nervous a bit. Ellen's concern grew rapidly at this and she wondering if something happened while she was waiting. The moment Ellen asked him what had happened; he brought his previously hidden hand to in front of her.

It was a bouquet.

The bouquet was consisted of pink roses, pink tulips, blue and light purple hyacinths, and a bit of greenery, small yet stunningly beautiful bouquet and certainly had a great scent. She couldn't help but wondering how he got all of those flowers while it was still cold.

Ellen looked away from the bouquet to Noctis who had his gaze to the stone road. He had these red tomato blushes both his cheeks.

"…For you."

He knew it was a stupid idea but he thought that Ellen needed a cheer up since she had become more easily being stressed at these days. So when he spotted a flower shop and notice those pink and soft colored flowers, he wasted no time to buy it for the snow white haired young woman. Now that he had showed the bouquet, he couldn't help but thinking that he was just like a man that asked his lover to marry him. Thinking it had successfully made him blushed furiously.

A few moments later, Ellen's blank face was exchanged by pretty pink blushes and a soft smile of happiness. She accepted the bouquet carefully and tried not to ruin the flowers. She sent him a very wide stare, kept wondering whether this was a dream or not.

"You bought it for me…?"

He grunted as a reply, still looking at the road beneath them. Almost immediately after, the smile on her face bloomed; she felt so happy yet nervous at the same time right now. This was the first time she got a flower from a boy after all. She took a chance to inhale the sweet fragrance of the bouquet.

"Thank you, Noctis." She said softly. "It's a very beautiful bouquet."

Noctis glanced at her, no longer blushed and had that small smile of acknowledgement, relieved that the young woman adored the bouquet.

"Glad you're like it."

7. Sick

Ellen coughed few times before she took inhale a deep breath and tried to relaxed herself on the bed, cocooned by thick blanket of hers. Her face was burning with red, evidence that she had a fever and must stay on her bed, like it or not.

Today, she must rest fully due to the fever which attacked her. Because she was sick, she couldn't do her activity as an Exorcist today. At first she didn't notice it to, only thinking it as a form as extreme tiredness.

Surprisingly, Link was notice her sickness thus lead him to half forced Ellen, who already at her uniform to take a rest and that he would tell the others. Ellen chuckled at the memory. Although the blonde looked emotionless, actually he can became a nice person despise the flat face of his which he always wore.

Her amusement cut through when she coughed again. Timcanpy was curled beside her and looking at her with deep concern. He nuzzled at Ellen's face, made the silver haired young woman smiled weakly yet happy toward the beloved golem. She had ate few medicines from Link had gave to her to she should be alright by tomorrow.

Evening already came and from the window near her bed, Ellen could saw the color of the sky beginning to tint with yellow and orange colors. Suddenly knock came from the door. Ellen a bit frowned. Link had gone for a good 5 minutes for taking more paperwork, so he shouldn't be in here in next 10 minutes. She wondered who it was. She couldn't get up from her bed; she began to felt sleepy because of the medicine effect started to work on her, so she had to ask the yellow golem beside her. Timcanpy had straightened its body, staring at the young woman Exorcist. Ellen slowly asked the golem with weak voice.

"Timcanpy, can you open to door for me, please?"

Timcanpy nodded twice and flapped its wings to fly to the other side of room.

Ellen smiled softly. "Thank you." She murmured.

There was a sound of door opening, followed by boots sounds. They were a lot of them so it must more than a guest came to her room. Then a voice.

"Eh? Timcanpy? So it's you who opened the door."

The sleepiness was gone abruptly from Ellen's eyes as soon as she heard that familiar voice. She turned her body around to saw who her guests were and the first face she saw was Noctis. Noctis noticed the young woman, gave her a friendly and sheepishly smile before greeted her.

"Good evening, I see you're awake. How's your fever? Has it gone better?"

Ellen continued to stare, unable to answer it.

"Is she really that sick?" Timothy came from behind him, face filled with curiosity and concern.

"I guess so. I mean, so looked really tired yesterday. I'm not surprised if she's sick today." Lenalee strolled to inside the room, smiling warmly and had her hands a basket full of foods.

"We're not disturbing her, right?" Crowley also strolled yet he seemed slightly hesitate.

"No, I've asked Link and he said fine." Noctis replied quickly.

"Ellen, how are you? Do you feeling any better by a chance?" Miranda came, she looked very worry. "Do you have any nausea? Difficulties with eat and drink? Vomit? Or things that similar with it?"

At Ellen's dumfounded shake head, Miranda quickly brought a small bag and took out what Ellen assumed as medicines.

"Here, take these. I've bring some medicines but I don't know what medicine will cure you effectively. I'm so sorry; I promise I'll look to them thoroughly. Is it alright for you?"

"Err…" Ellen looked unsure. "Sure. I'm appreciating for your attention but I don't think I can get all of these medicines, there are so many of them but thank you very much…"

"Why we're here, again?" Kanda, as snappish as ever, grumbled.

"Why, we're looking in Ellen, Yuu-chan!" Lavi replied cheerfully.

"…Do you want to die?" Dark aura began to wrap around the holder of Mugen. Lavi waved both his hands immediately; sweat drops came from his head and Lavi was chuckling nervously.

Ellen blinked few times, making sure she wasn't seeing things but no they very much real. She straightened her body carefully in which Noctis and Lenalee after put the basket on the table, coming to help her. Muttering thanks, Ellen wasted no time to let out the first question which crossed at her mind.

"Why's everyone come here…?"

"Why? Ellen, we're worry about you! Of course we will come here, right Lavi?" Lenalee was looking at Lavi.

"Yup." Lavi smiled very wide.

Ellen could understand that but for they to come this many?

"So how…"

"Originally, it was only just me, Lavi, and Lenalee intended to visit you." Noctis explained with apologizing tone. "But as soon as I told Lenalee about me wanting to visit you, the others are around and wanting to come as well, so…" Noctis gestured at them.

"Here we are."

Ellen had this blank look before she realized her mouth gaped a little and closed it. The others saw it and Lavi grinned like an idiot at her.

"Surprise…?" Lavi asked.

Ellen was opening her mouth but she then closed it. She didn't sure how she was suppose to be reacting by they visited her to her room. She wouldn't going to denied that she felt lonely a lot not to mention she also feeling left out with her being sick and had to stay in bed. And she didn't like those feelings. The snow haired Exorcist was being overwhelmed by their visit.

She felt so…so…happy with their presence; there was no other way to describe her current feeling.

Ellen Walker was feeling a great happiness. So she nodded her head with warm and wide smile.

"Very." Ellen said mutedly and then added more jokingly. "You don't know how tortured I am being sick and alone in here."

"Hey, your guess was right. She indeed felt tortured in here." Lavi stated at Noctis.

"It's just a wild guess." Noctis retorted politely. "Besides, who wants to be alone in here while they're in the middle of sick? It's boring anyway."

Lavi's one green eye narrowed mischievously as he grinned. "Speaking about your own experience?"

Noctis rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up."

"Awww, aren't you a shy one?"

Noctis stared at the red head. "…Kanda?"

"What?" Kanda responded lazily.

"How come you're being best friend with him?"

Kanda scoffed. "I'm not his best friend, Niwatori Denbu."

"Yuu, why you're acting that cold toward me!" The red head whined at the long haired samurai as the black short haired young man showed dislike.

"Can you stop calling me that nickname…?"

Ellen chuckled quietly their interaction when Lenalle take a seat in the chair of her desk.

"I've bring some apples for you. I heard it's good for your healthy. Want to try it?"

Ellen smiled warmly. "Okay."

"Can I sit in here?" Crowley gestured at the Link's chair while Timothy took a seat at the end of her bed.

"Go ahead."

"Noctis, you bring the chicken soup, right? Why don't you give her now?" Lenalee suddenly said.

Ellen blinked at this. Then from the corner of her eyes, she saw Noctis unwrapped (since when he brought it, anyway?) a bowl of soup and gave it carefully to her.

"Careful, the soup is pretty hot." Noctis reminded her.

"I will." Ellen replied. When she accepted it she was taking a look at her friends. She smiled gratefully at them.

"Thank you very much for visiting me. I'm grateful to you."

Everyone were replying her smile, even Kanda had his usual scowled lips slightly turned into a ghost smile.

And that day at the evening, Ellen was not feeling lonely anymore as her friends cheered up her room. The next day she was completely heal from her fever.

Unfortunately, at the very same day, Noctis was the one who was being sick.

And Ellen visited him none less.

9. Sweets

"Noctis?" Ellen stared curiously at the desert Noctis currently ate.

"Hmm?" Noctis fixed his questioning look at the white haired young woman.

"Are you like sorbet that much?"

Noctis stopped chewed.

"…Huh?"

Ellen quickly waved her right hand. "No, I mean- no offense to you but every time I see you ordered a desert, it's always a sorbet, so I think it's your favorite desert. I'm just wondering why you're like it…"

"Ah…" Understanding came down to him. "You realized it?"

"It's not hard since you're rarely eating sweets." Ellen pointed out the fact.

Noctis shrugged nonchalantly. "You can say that it's one of my few favorite sweets. I'm not really like sweets but green apple sorbet was the best sweets to me. It's fresh and I can taste the apple flavor's pretty well."

"Hm…" Ellen pondered at the reply he gave.

"...Ellen?"

"Yes, wha…?" Ellen's widened as Noctis shoved a spoonful of sorbet into her opening mouth.

HAUP. GLEK.

…

…

Noctis was waiting for a reaction from Ellen with mild curious and a second later much to his amusement, her blank face exchanged into an embarrassment one as her cheeks flushed bright red.

KATS.

"N-N-Noctis…!?" Ellen stuttered, not expected the young man would make her chewed his sorbet.

"I think Jerry had the sorbet too much for me…" Noctis glanced in wry amusement as he glanced at the sorbet. It was indeed too much when you take a look. "Why don't you help me finish eating it? I'll be more than being helped if you do."

"Err, but that's…"

"Just this once. I'll tell Jerry next time." Noctis convinced her.

Ellen sighed, realized he would insist to her no matter how hard she refused. "…Fine, but it's after I'm finishing my food. Do you happen to have any spare spoon?"

"Actually, the one I used to you was the spare." Noctis explained helpfully. "Jerry gave me two spoons instead of one."

A frown marred on Ellen face.

"That's…" Before she could say further, Ellen noticed the grin Jerry was wearing from the corner of her eyes. She also noticed the certain red haired young man and green haired young woman wore the same grin beside the chef. Lavi had that stupid yet meaningful grin while Lenalee chuckled. Ellen's mouth twitched at this.

So this was indeed Lavi and Lenalee's plan with Jerry as a conspirator...

"Ellen?" Noctis' voice snapped her attention back to him. Sky blue eyes blinked few times.

"You're dazed. Are you feeling fine?" Noctis tilted his head.

Ellen blinked back at him before she finally shook her white locks head.

"It's nothing..." The silver eyed young woman muttered thoughtfully.

Noctis wasn't sure what to say but he just gave her a hesitate nod back to her.

"Uhm...okay."

"…Oh, and Noctis? Can I have one more?" Ellen tried to made herself as polite as possible as she was flushed in embarrassment. "You're right. This sorbet is good. I like it."

The young man gaze softened at her request. A ghost smile was in his face. He then motioned his head at the empty place beside him.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Thank you."

And they ate the sorbet together as they were chatting and laughed until the said sorbet gone from the glass bowl.

15. Lullaby

Today was a break day for Ellen and Noctis since the whole accident with the Third Exorcist at training ground. Komui decided to let them took a break because he notice how tense they were, especially Noctis, after Ellen got slammed by one of the said Exorcists. Ellen and Noctis didn't want it at first but since Lenalee very insisting, they finally willing to take a day for rest. Now they were sat in the inner garden, Link was going to fetch his paperwork and promised would be back soon while Timcanpy rolled above the green grass happily.

"I can't believe I take a break day just for stupid accident..." Ellen frowned as she was watching her golem.

"We have no choice at all...This is Komui's order, we have to follow it. Besides..." Noctis looked down, eyes narrowed sharply. "There's something wrong with them...And I don't like it..."

A Pause. Noctis then exhaled tiredly.

"So what we do now? We have a day to rest and clear our mind. Have any activity you'd like to work at?" He asked.

"...I don't know to be honest..." Ellen muttered hesitantly.

Silence came down onto them and the time passed as they spending it in peaceful silence. Getting bored, Ellen unconsciously began to hum a certain tune. After a while though, Noctis turned his head at her curiously.

"It's a beautiful tune, I never heard it before. What song is that...?" Noctis asked.

Ellen stopped her humming and had blinked at him.

"Hm? You the tune I just hummed? It's a lullaby."

Now Noctis became more interested than before. He tilted his black bluish head. "A lullaby, you said...?"

"Yes." Ellen answered softly as her eyes gazing faraway as if she was looking into the past. "When I used to be a little girl, Mana taught me that lullaby. Both of us then created the lullaby's codes. Later, I acknowledged that it was turning out to be more than just a normal lullaby. It can control the Ark and opening its Gate as long as we're playing the tune."

Noctis frowned. "...The place where you found me?"

"Yup. That one." Ellen smiled.

"...Dear Etro, how is it working that way?" Noctis looked incredulous.

The young woman Exorcist shook her head. "I don't know. It's still become a mystery even to me even though I can also control The Ark itself."

"Oh..." Noctis digested the information carefully, unsurely what to say next. Besides it was kind of reminding him with his mother...

Ellen noticed his change of expression. Curious, she asked the question and snapped the young man from his thoughts.

"You're seems intrigued about the lullaby. May I know why?"

Noctis face was blank before realization came back to him. He quickly shook his head. "Nothing. I just remembered the times when my mother sang me a lullaby."

"Your mother? She sung a lullaby to you?" Ellen interest perked.

"She used to sing it for me. It's soothing and brings me a peace, that's why I remember it until now." Noctis smiled fondly at the memory.

"Really? It must be beautiful..." Ellen pondered. She then had an idea struck into her head. "What is the lullaby like?"

At Noctis' questioning look, Ellen was adding more. "I want to know how the lullaby is sounding like."

The euclase eyed young man suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"Errr...Forget it. The song is pretty much silly. More like a children song rather than a lullaby."

A secons later, Ellen got another idea and this one a bit more mischief. She gave him a puppy look and pleaded innocently.

"Then, can you sing it for me?"

...

...

"...Ellen, you can't be serious, I can't sing well..." Noctis face was pale completely. It wasn't without reason, when he still at the school (the prestigious one of course), his score for art and music didn't going well. If anything for the better terms, average was the exact word.

"It's okay, I wouldn't mind. Please, Noctis? You can give me some examples and I'll learning quick, promise." Ellen pleaded once more.

Noctis slightly taken aback by that innocent look, his uneasiness grew rapidly. "Are you sure you really want to learn it?"

Ellen gave him a quick nod of determination. "It can't the harm of learning song, I like it so why not? Moreover we have nothing to do today." She reasoned.

Noctis couldn't deny the fact that they indeed had nothing to working at and yet the idea he sang was...odd.

"But..."

"Pretty please?" Ellen asked pleadingly. "Besides, there is no one aside us who will hear you, except me. How's that?"

At that very moment, Noctis was completely defeated by her puppy facade. "...Fine." Noctis shoulders slumped defeatedly. "But please stop me should I sing badly."

Ellen couldn't help but beamed. "Okay."

Few moments after Noctis went to lending a guitar to Reever (And Reever gladly gave it to him), both of them sat at the inner garden. Ellen, sat not far from him and listening carefully as Noctis began to play the lullaby. He played the guitar first, playing the tune before he started to singing with quiet voice.

"...Long time ago, I read about a garden in the sky from picture book."

"The children of Constantinople are searching for the sky as well today..."

19. Comb

Noctis was in not so good mood.

He.

Was.

Pissed.

The afternoon's event had made him almost lost control, instantly had Johnny scared at him. It wasn't without reason. Today, Ellen, him, and other Exorcists were just back from their latest mission. They were giving their report and went back for bath and dinner. He happened to went through scientist section when poor, poor Johnny, came across with some bottles in his arms and the young scientist tripped his feet and nearly fell, caused Noctis to teleport and help him so Johnny never fell.

Unfortunately, it also caused a bottle with suspicious color liquid from most above heap; fell due to the sudden move. Noctis couldn't avoided it since he still held the- about- to fall- Johnny so he braced himself and the bottle fell straight to his head to be shattered into million pieces and caused the liquid inside it poured over his chocobo style's hair. Turns out the bottle were filled with glue like liquid and in minutes the glue stuck at his hair and God, it was sticky and it had an odd scent.

And he was not happy about it. After scared Johnny ( in which he saw Noctis' dark look and Reever who came after) apologized over and over again to him ( in which the black short haired Caelum dismissed it and kept saying it was entirely accident), Noctis was running toward his room and took a quite long bath in order to remove the glue. Even after he took a bath nearly an hour, the glue was not completely gone yet. Not to mention his hair is still sticky as ever, adding more annoyance to him. He had dressed back while he stared in dagger at the mirror, or to his own hair to be exactly. Gone the usual hair style he used to, now his hair style was like an angry porcupine. And you can say the hair style was not looking good at him for it made him like a crazy rock star.

Noctis grumbled as he attempted to comb his black bluish hair with his fingers.

"Stupid hair and stupid glue..." He muttered under his breath. What should he do with his hair now?

KNOCK! KNOCK!

A heartbeat later, a series of knocks were coming from the door, startled Noctis enough to snap his head at his door's direction. Then a voice that he came to familiar at, coming from the other side of the door in questioning and curious tone.

"Noctis, are you in there…?"

"Ellen? What are you doing in here!?" Noctis blanched, clearly not ready for a guest, a young woman on top of that!

"It's almost dinner time but you haven't showed up yet so I came in here with Link and checking if you're alright." Ellen replied. "Are you fine in there?"

"I'm fine but…uh, I have a little problem in here?"

"What problem?" Her voice was sounding baffled.

"Uh…There's a lot of glue stuck on my hair?"

A pause.

"May I come in?" The question itself had startled the young man.

Ellen never entered man's room before; he remembered Ellen told to him that she was taught like that by her deceased foster father, it kind of disrespectful if she entering man's private room, aside if you had to talk or having business with the said man. And now she wants to meet him inside his room?

"Uh…" Noctis slightly hesitated. "Sure. Come in."

"I'll wait in here." Link's voice stated from behind the door.

"Okay." Ellen replied.

Then the door was opening and revealed Ellen's figure, Timcanpy flying near her. She approached Noctis with quick and steady steps. Her face showed a curious look.

"Okay, what's this little problem you have until you're not coming for a…"

Ellen frowned once her eyes fixed at his hair. Most of the glue had gone but there were few in here and there. The silver haired young woman raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. She stepped closer, this time in slower phase.

"Noctis? What happened with your hair?" Ellen scrutinized her nose when she smelled something else. "And why it's smelling…odd?"

"Err, that's..." Noctis was scratching his cheek awkwardly. "I'm kinda have an accident with Johnny when I came across him. I managed to help him but he brought some of vials, one vial fell and..."

"Let me guess. You got hit by the bottle and now the glue is stuck on your hair?"

"Yes. I have to take a long wash to clean it but…"

"It's not coming off, isn't it?" Ellen sighed heavily, remembering the memory. "Komui really needs to reconsider to throw all of his creations. None of them were right at all. I once got one of those on me and it grew my hair frantically into my waist. Kanda and Lavi even worse, they had their bodies shrunk into children and many Exorcists had fallen into victims by his potions…"

"Ah…" Noctis sweat dropped. "But isn't he's a Chief?"

"Yes, but he's also a scientist and he had made many weird creations such like Komulin, his robot and suspicious potions like."

More sweat drops were coming.

"That's sounds…troubling."

"I know." Ellen said drily. "I'll ask to Lenalee how to get rid all of those glue and the smell. Meanwhile, why don't we taking care of your hair style first? You're like a porcupine with that hair style."

"Like it wasn't an obvious thing, I've tried to comb it but it took times…" Noctis replied drily. "Never mind. I'll take care of it later."

"And have both Lavi and Kanda mocking your 'new' hair style?" Ellen narrowed her eyes in doubtful. "Really?"

Noctis left eye twitched violently at the mention of the red head and the samurai.

"Ugh…"

"Do you have the comb?" Ellen asked once more.

"No, I don't."

Ellen was incredulous. "Seriously?"

"Do I look like joking to you?"

"I suppose no." Ellen shrugged, still incredulous. "How do you manage to keep that kind of hair style when you didn't use comb or let's just say, gel?"

"It's natural hair style; I didn't do anything with it."

Ellen felt curious. "That's intriguing…"

"On how I manage my usual hair style in naturally?" Noctis asked to her. "I got it from my father. He used to have hair style like this when he was younger."

"Hmmm…" Ellen nodded.

"I think I'll take the comb from my room." Ellen said in finality. "Wait for while in here, I'll be right back."

OXOXOXOXO

"Sorry for troubling you with this."

"It's okay. Besides, it's kind of fun for me to comb your hair." Ellen stated cheerfully as she combed his hair.

Noctis sighed in frustrate but decided to stay quiet. Actually he had told her that he would comb it by himself but for some reason, Ellen insisting on combs his hair. He refused at first but the beautiful silver eyed Exorcist was keeping insisted. After 10 minutes of debating more or less, Noctis finally gave up and let her comb his hair while he had his chin resting on his hand in resignation. Ellen ignored it and combing his hair as she hummed a soft yet cheerful tune. Well, there was a reason why the beautiful young woman so insisted on combing his hair and believes or not, actually it had something to do with her curiosity; Ellen wanted to see if Noctis hair was as fluffy and soft as its looks. Because of the glue, the hair was giving her a slight sticky feels but for most of part, surprisingly his hair softer than she had thought. The funny thing was the softness and the silkiness successfully reminding her of bird's feather. Not to mention that his hairstyle…

"Your hair is weird, you know."

"Weird?" Noctis raised an eyebrow. "How come is that?"

"It's so soft and silky. And the style." Ellen pointed again.

He wore a blank face at this. "…..What about it?"

Ellen's eyes suddenly gleamed mischievously, she was having an idea to tease him.

"You know what?" She grinned very wide. "Kanda was right about your hair. It's indeed keeping remind me of bird's tail, a chicken's tail to be exactly! And you hair! Did I mention that your hair is soft like bird's feather?"

Noctis spluttered in shock. He lifted his head to meet her gaze.

"Wha...!?" A series of laughing came from Ellen and Noctis quickly protested it. "Hey, that's not funny, Ellen!"

"Sorry! But your face is just so priceless." Ellen continued to laugh and motioned him to look at the front again.

The last Caelum was rolling his eyes, annoyed.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh as much as you want. My hair is indeed weird..."

"No. It's not like. Your hair style is fine, but..." The beautiful Exorcist had shook her head but the laugh didn't stop.

"Keep laughing, Ellen. Keep laughing." Noctis muttered cynically as Ellen continued to laugh for the rest of the comb session that evening.

29. Morning

Ellen had her gorgeous grey eyes opened.

Exhaled a hot breath due to the cold weather, the silver haired young woman lifted her head at the barricade of mountain, where the sun was going to rise in few minutes.

She had woke up ever since the first light came into the view.

At afar in there, in the horizon, sunlight began to shone over the dark sky, changing its color slowly from dark velvet blue into gradation colors of purple, pink, a bit red and light orange. The spectacular show of colors signaled that the morning was coming into this land, signaled that the new day about to begin and it signaled a fresh start to every creature in the earth, especially humans.

She was staying under the bridge all night with thick blanket wrapped around her body. Her already thick coat supposed to be more than enough to keeping her body warm. However, the low and extreme temperature had forced her to buy a cheap yet good condition blanket for both of him and certain young man. They had the money which Baba and Mother gave to them but they couldn't spend it too much. Even with Ellen was being a performed clown; the money they got wasn't enough for the two of them. Ellen of course had to keep the money in urgent case. At first the young woman wasn't really want to buy a travel blanket. Noctis then suggested her if she didn't want to catch a cold. Ellen had to agree none less, it was to risk for their healthy anyway.

Ellen shifted her head to gaze at the still sleeping Noctis beside her. His face was peaceful and innocent; it made him appear younger and carefree than his usual expression. To be honest, he appeared like a child when he was sleeping like this. Ellen smiled softly at his sleeping expression then brushed his fallen pony slightly. Noctis grunted softly then unconsciously leaned his body to hers. The still watching silver eyes softened, her heart warmed and amused by the simply childish gesture. She liked that innocent face a lot but she liked his smiled face the most. The young woman ex-Exorcist loved the moments they spent together with only the two of them. Ellen really hoped that it would go continue like this for a little longer for she wanted to treasure those precious moments being with him and with him accompanied her and Timcanpy to everywhere. She wanted to be with Noctis as long as possible.

Just like now. Ellen hoped that the two of them can be together like this for now. A slow movement from the young man beside her had her attention as she looked at the stirred Noctis. His eyelids started to open and Ellen found herself staring at the lovely sky blue eyes of him which she adore as like his red one. He blinked a few times before he fixed a sleepy look at the smiled young woman.

"Good morning, Noctis." She greeted him.

"Hngh. Morning, Ellen…" Noctis stilled for a moment at the moment he realized his current position.

A moment later he glanced at Ellen who continued to smile widely.

"Ellen? Did I just…?"

Ellen didn't reply but the grin she kept showing to him had already given him the answer. Noctis's ears became red.

"Oh no, not again…" He groaned miserably at his bad habit.

"It's not like it was a bad thing, you know." Ellen commented. In fact she found the gesture as a cute thing.

"Do you sleep well?"

"With this temperature? I'm surprised I'm managed to sleep well."

"You're slept like a rock." Ellen giggled.

"…Speaking about slept like a rock, where's Tim?" Noctis search any signs of the young woman's golem.

Ellen had to resist the urge to chuckle as she gave a look at the yellow golem which slept like a rock near her legs. Noctis had to blink before he set his eyes from the golem to Ellen in curious. Ellen put her forefinger at her mouth, motioned him to keep quiet and left the still sleeping golem.

"Tim is still sleeping; let's don't disturb him, okay?" She whispered at him.

Noctis chuckled slightly. "If you say so…"

Then both of them were gazing at the sun that started to make its appearance, changing the sky into more bright orange and yellow colors.

"It's morning already…" Ellen whispered. Noctis nodded in agree.

"It's beautiful. The sunrise I mean." Noctis added more.

Ellen tilted her head at him, eyeing the young man in wonder. "Do you like it?"

"I do. It bring me a peaceful and calm feeling whenever I see it." Noctis nodded once. "What about you? Do you also like sunrise?"

"…I loved it." Ellen gazed at the morning sky. "It feels like it want to remind me of a new beginning, a new start,…a future that I have to choose by my own."

"That's sounds deep…"

"It is?" Ellen stared at him, a bit startled.

"It is." Noctis commented as he smiled. "But I like it how you're describing it."

Ellen returned the smile. "Thank you."

Noctis chuckled once more and put his forehead at hers. "Let's just watch the sunrise, alright?"

Ellen cheeks went dusted with deep pink color in second at the closeness between her and his face. She still feeling embarrassed and a bit of uncomfortable at the affection he showing to her for they finally became a pair of lover unofficially after the confession he made back there at the Baba and Mother's home and church. She accepted it, despise the fact there were things related with their new relationship which Ellen still uncomfortable with. But in overall, she was more than happy about her relationship with him now having a great progress. Of course the silver eyed ex-Exorcist wouldn't want to admit it openly; she was too shy to do it saved her pride. So she avoided his gaze and found the dirt covered with snow to be the most interesting thing.

"…Alright." She replied quietly.

"Still uncomfortable about our relationship, Ellen?" Noctis asked playfully.

Ellen glared at the amused young man, gone the shyness she had earlier but when she saw his laugh, she couldn't help but also started to laugh in this. They kept laughing like that for few seconds.

When their laughter died, none of them were saying more as they watched the magnificent sunrise quietly, enjoyed the morning facade as they holding each other's hand inside the blanket they shared together.

36. Scent

"I can't believe the winter had long passed and it's beginning of spring already..." Noctis commented thoughtfully.

"Time is surely goes fast for those who didn't notice it." Ellen commented sagely.

They were in the middle of alley, looking for an inn to stay at tonight. Already more than 3 months since they got out from the Black Order, running away from the Earl's and Apocryphos' chase. It wasn't an easy journey for them, they had no money and spare clothes at that time, not to mention when they traveled, her left arm suddenly started to sprout feathers and Noctis had to casting Shield so their aura wouldn't be detected by the said right arm of the Heart and quickly hide at the place where people rarely used. Sun began to set and they had to find a place to stay, they tired for slept at the outside too often.

"Hn-nh." Noctis mused when he suddenly smelling a familiar scent and stopped at his track. He was a bit frowning as he recognized the scent. "This scent..."

"Hm?" A moment later, Ellen also smelled the same scent. Understanding came down to her face. "Oh, it's magnolia's scent. The tree must be at the nearby place somewhere in this place. Do you have it in your world?"

"Yes, but it's a very rare kind of tree. It's only growing at mountains in Tenebrae Kingdom when at the same time, it's the place where most of the monster also inhabitants. Its perfume is so expensive."

"Is that so?" Ellen blinked in surprise.

"Hu-uh."

"That's too bad. In here, they're pretty much common so even a commoner can has it in their garden. They're usually bloom at the spring time just like now. Their scent was amazing at the time like this. Do you know that magnolia's tree can growing until 30 meters and it genus had been existed since at least 20 million years ago?" Ellen explained eagerly.

"...Wow..." Noctis face was blank. "You do know a lot about flowers, don't you?"

Ellen then blushed furiously on how eager she was just now. "It's not a big thing to be proud of. Moreover, I only read it from the book at the library."

Noctis chuckled quietly. "Still, that's a lot of knowledge you're have in there."

Ellen pouted. "Stop it, Noctis. You're praising me too much."

"I just say the truth."

"Noctis, come on. It's not even worth for praise."

"To me, it is."

"You're teasing me." Ellen accused.

"No, I'm not." Noctis retorted.

"Uh~...Whatever." Ellen waved in dismissal. "Let's go walking again. We have to find a place to stay for tonight."

"Alright." At the moment she passed him however, Noctis smelled a sweet scent came from her. He couldn't help but raised one eyebrow in puzzlement. He wasn't really care until now but now thinking about it, she always smelling sweet like the flower he knew in his world. In fact, it was his favorite flower to be precisely. He wondered why the young woman before him smelled the same...

"Ellen?" Noctis called her as they walked.

"Hm?" Ellen tilted her head.

"Do you wearing a perfume?"

Ellen stopped at her track and staring at him with that odd look, confused because out of nothing he asked about perfume...from all things.

"No. I'm not using perfume; I'm not really like it. Why?"

"Nothing. It's just...do you notice that you're always having this sweet scent even though you don't wearing any perfume?" Noctis pointed out.

Ellen blinked owlishly. "Really?"

"Yeah. You smell like a flower which I knew. It's called as sweet pea."

"Eh...!?" Ellen blushed at the bold statement. "I smell like that?"

"Yup. It's really suited you if you're asking me; I like it to be honest." Noctis smiled warmly. "A simple flower yet beautiful and sweet, it's my favorite flower and only."

Ellen's color of cheeks went from dust pink into deep red. She never knew she smelled like that! Moreover, she smelled like the flower which Noctis like, served her more embarrassment at the moment.

"Oh..." Ellen whispered. By the way, speaking about scent... "Which reminds me, have you ever notice that your own scent is just like mint?"

This time it was Noctis who blinked furiously. "...Huh?"

"Your scent is similar with mint. You never notice at all?"

"...Am I?"

Gone the blushes from her face. She rolled her grayish silver eyes.

"You are. And I'm sure you're not wearing any perfume either."

Noctis' right eye twitched. "Of course I'm not. I rarely use it aside for several occasions and I don't like it at all."

"I thought a royal member like you will use it in every occasion if they can and even buy a lot of expensive perfumes for themselves." Ellen voiced her thought.

"I'm not a narcissistic that crazed for perfume, Ellen. I'm pretty much a normal guy, thank you." Noctis answered cynically.

"Su~re..." Ellen replied rather playfully.

Noctis huffed in annoyance. He snatched Ellen's right hand and starting to drag her away.

"Oh, come on. Let's just find a place for sleep." He half grumbled.

Ellen began to giggling at his reaction but for his sake, she resisted the giggles those coming from her lips.

"Okay. I think it's at that way..."

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