Parting Gift - Goodbye

Allen awoke on his back with a dry mouth and hurting head - likely due to dehydration - but still lightyears more satisfied than in months. Years even.

He moaned, relishing the source of warmth he laid on, eyebrows knitting feeling arms curled around him. His eyes fluttered, groggily blinking open feeling soft kisses on his cheek greet him.

"Welcome back among the living, Sleeping Beauty," a husky voice whispered.

Recognising the voice Allen bolted away, ready to fight or flight before the dull pain in his behind and in his skin along with the memories of the previous night slammed into him. His eyes cleared in a few seconds instantly turning apologetic.

"Uh, sorry about that."

Tyki, who laid beside him, propped on his elbow, thankfully didn't seem to take it on himself, he smirked somewhat amused. It probably had to do with all those scratches, bites and hickeys marking his skin that he wore proudly like medals of honour. "Oh no, you are very correct to assume the worst. Stick to it for now, it can save your life."

Allen raised his hand to stifle a yawn. "Uh, how long was I out?"

Tyki leisurely caressed the boy's own decorated collarbone, thoroughly enjoying the sight of his nudity. "Seventeen solid hours."

"Se-" the boy started heatedly but halted, raising his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily. "First, I need water. Afterwards, I need to hurry the fuck up and make it to the train."

Tyki extended a glass to him. "Got you." As Allen reached over the covers were nearly all stripped away from him, leaving him completely exposed with love marks scattered all over his alabaster skin. The sight left him feeling smug. "I'll go and check out then… Unless you're in for a sweet parting gift?"

The smirk on his face spread to a grin when Allen playfully slapped on his chest as he brushed by as he headed to the bathroom.

"You sure?" he taunted with a grin. "Bathsex is really hot you know."

Allen slamming the door closed with a bit more force than necessary made him snicker.

The murmurs of the crowd blended together into loud background noise, filling the railway station with it. Heels clicked on stone, old trains wheezed on their tracks. Even at such late hours, the station was as busy as ever.

Even though he would have loved to hold the boy's hand escorting him to the station, they would have stood out too much. To decrease suspicion and dreamy looks, Tyki opted to wear middle-class typical clothes along with his glasses that covered his face. Beside him Allen was in his new clothes, Timcanpy hiding in his breast pocket as currently Allen had no need for navigation.

At the right compartment the two stopped, letting other passengers board.

Allen turned to face Tyki. "Thank you for yesterday."

Tyki snorted, adjusting his glasses. It was an oddly pleasing sight. "No need to, I loved my birthday present."

Allen withheld a laugh, feeling glad and relieved that it came so naturally.

"I'd love to repeat that next time," Tyki continued. "But perhaps even sooner. Are you free on New Year's Eve?"

This time Allen allowed a small laugh to stumble past his lips. Some turned their heads over to investigate the source of angelic chimes but failed to see someone covered almost head to toe with small hairs of white peeking out. This time, the boy was being smarter and decided to apply make-up and cover up with the old top hat he gathered his money now that his hair seemed almost ethereally white properly washed. His outfit gave him the air of being a lot older than he really was, helping him stay under the radar even better.

His eyes lowered and his smile turned less wide but a lot more fond. Gratitude that Tyki trusted he could win. "We'll see." I won't let you down.

The trained wheezed loudly and the sound of whistle cutting through it signalled departure. Allen quickly got on the train, finding a window where he could peek out just in time to catch Tyki's gaze as the train's doors closed. His eyebrows knitted together in surprise and concern seeing Tyki gone from the spot where he had last seen him. Despite chastising himself for being so selfish he felt a pang in his heart that he couldn't wave him off.

His eyes closed, sighing with melancholy knowing that it was time to return to being a wandering hermit.

It was for the best. He needed to make sure everyone else was safe. He was already selfish enough to take up Tyki's time-

His train of thought was cut off feeling the phantom feeling of a warm, familiar palm cup his cheek. For a second he was left flabbergasted, utterly shocked to feel the touch of a human when he was almost a metre above the platform, but its gentleness and the warm, nicotine tasting breath of air tickling his lips gave the person's identity away. His lips quirked upwards and lowered his eyelids, allowing Tyki to kiss him goodbye until next time.

To anyone looking, they only saw a man with white hair stand by the window with eyes closed and a content expression on his face, hair drifting in the wind and pale pink lips glisten like pearl in the winter sunlight. It was only twice brightest, behind that beautiful expression of being thoroughly in love.

~THE END~