Hello! So this is Day four, and it was the last chapter I've written during the actual Poker Pair week. This means the chapters after haven't been written yet, and I don't know when I'll do them. I'm planning to work on these first (alongside Meet me Halfway) so with hope, in the next week or two I'll write Day 5, or maybe even Day 6 and 7!

Note that this chapter has a little difference, to keep the flow, I wrote a scene with the first prompt (Comfort) and then the rest of the chapter based on the three other prompts. But of course, it's still all happening one after another!


Day Four

Comfort

Barely any sounds escaped the white haired male even as his body started to twist in the sheets. It looked as if he couldn't find a proper place at first, but Timcanpy knew better. The golden golem started to hover above his master's head, and as he expected, distress showed even in Allen's sleep. He looked scared, head going from one side to another every few moments, breath growing irregular. The golem came closer, pressing small paws to the slightly flushed cheeks, and a worried graa left Timcanpy.

It wasn't the heat that he felt that worried him, even if it was concerning. It was the way Allen had flinched, whimpering as if expecting harm. Timcanpy knew there and then that it must be a really bad nightmare, if his master couldn't feel comforted by the small touch of the golem. So all he could was to go nestle in the white hairs, cuddling the top of Allen's head and making cooing sounds in hope that it would slowly bring him to wake.

Then someone passed through the window. Literally. Timcanpy knew only one person that could, and he took off, almost smashing into Tyki's chest but sliding to a stop. The man's eyebrows shot up in surprised amusement, but then he turned concerned as the golem circled his head fast before going back to Allen.

The Noah took fast steps toward the bed, and even faster when he heard Allen whine. "Shonen?" Tyki called as he set up a knee on the matress, leaning over the sleeping form.

Something in his heart crumbled when Allen's body flinched back, almost curling on himself. The hand that had reached out to cup the younger man's cheek had stopped mid air, hesitation in the golden eyes. But then he watched as tears started to fall, body shuddering, and a frightened, broken sound left Allen.

Before Tyki knew it, his hands had skipped under Allen's body, forcing him up and pushing him against his chest. Hands clenched into the fabric of his shirt, pushing at his stomach, but Tyki only wrapped his arms more securely around Allen's frame. One hand rubbed up and down the younger's back, while the other slipped into the white hairs, fingers brushing the back of Allen's head and thumb brushing Allen's neck.

"Shonen, wake up." Tyki called while he pressed Allen's face into his neck, lips close to Allen's ear. "Come on, Allen."

Calling his name did the trick, and silver eyes snapped open. His breath hitched, but then he was shushed, and the first thing Allen registered was the familiar scent that he associated with Tyki. Then he registered the warmth of the man, all around him, and finally he realized that Tyki was hugging him.

He wanted to ask how had Tyki found him, if he had known Allen was close to his weakest, but there were still tears down his face, and lips pressing to his temples.

"It's okay. You're safe Allen." The warm, soothing voice of Tyki whispered into his hairs.

Weeks ago, Allen would have pulled himself back together. But here and now, with Tyki, his breath itched again, his hands slipped to grip the back of Tyki's shirt under the man's coat, and he pressed his face closer as he allowed himself to break for a bit.

Because Allen knew, that Tyki wouldn't let go until he could pull Allen back together.

Outdoors; Suitcase; Weary

One gloved hand lifted to cover his eyes as the morning sun hit Allen's face. He gazed up with left eye closed, then shifted his eyes to look to the side as a taller frame got beside him, the only reaction to the hand that rested at the small of his back being a lifted eyebrow.

Tyki grinned at him, glad to see the familiar expression after how broken he had witnessed Allen be this night. The younger man had ended up falling back asleep against Tyki, and of course the Noah had favoured laying beside the white haired. Allen had looked better waking up, however Tyki still noticed the faintness of Allen's smile, the vulnerability. Even more so as he sought to stay close to Tyki, sitting beside him for breakfast.

But a faint smile also meant a genuine one. Allen had not hidden himself from Tyki, had even showed that he wanted the man's presence. For Tyki, that was important, one could call it a victory, yet it also… humbled Tyki. It brought happiness and warmth he wasn't quite sure how to deal with, to know that Allen was allowing him to see the younger man at his vulnerable state, and even that he took comfort in Tyki's presence.

"It seems like it's going to be a nice day, Shonen. Shall we spend it outside?" Tyki offered, patting down Allen's back before letting his hand drop.

Allen gave a wider smile, liking the idea. Then he turned thoughtful, which made Tyki watch him with a curious expression. "It might be a nice occasion to perform, if only to thank the mayor."

Tyki blinked. "Perform?" He repeated, a bit confused, before he realized what Allen meant. "You're going to do your clown acrobatics today?"

The white haired nodded, though his eyes were sharp as he asked, "And how do you know I do that?" Oh, how he loved Tyki's expression whenever he caught the man's slips.

"Your suitcase. You have props and a costume." Tyki grinned, knowing full well Allen knew by now Tyki had been watching most of his movements; but he loved this little game of theirs.

Allen breathed out a laugh, seeming to accept the excuse. "Come on, let's first see where I could set myself up."

"There's a fountain close to the centre. That could work, right?" And while his voice didn't betray it, the speed of his reply hinted at the eagerness Tyki felt. The idea of watching Allen perform, as if he was just a travelling performer, felt so pleasant to Tyki-and he wasn't sure why.

The white haired seemed to ponder for a few seconds, then he grinned. "Yes, I think it will." He paused, glancing at Tyki, who raised a brow in question. Allen cleared his throat. "I don't have to perform right now though. Maybe later, in the early afternoon. So… We can just, chill out around town?"

"Really, Shonen, this sounds like a date offer." Tyki teased, though his smile was… fond.

"And if it is?" Allen turned toward Tyki, crossing his arms and cocking his head to the side with a sly grin. "What if I'm asking you for a date?"

Well, Allen Walker really knew how to throw off people. Tyki blinked at the younger man, and realized that while his countenance was confident, the other was not bothering to hide the slight hope in his silver eyes. He's serious, Tyki knew instantly. And so, his own lips stretched into a smile, golden eyes sharp with contentment. "I would be very mad that you beat me to the punch. Not enough to refuse, though."

Allen hummed in reply, grin widening. "You seem to know the town better than me, so I hope you have an idea of where we can go?"

"Oh, just trust me, Shonen." Tyki did have, in fact, a few nice spots and places he could think of. It was a small village yes, but not without entertainment. He also noticed a little thing about Allen that he wanted to test: he was certain the boy loved animals. So he had a farm in mind, especially for the horses. Did he even know how to mount one? Surely Allen did…

Tyki was snapped out of his thought when he felt a hand slip into his, fingers curling around his palm. He blinked down, then gazed up. Allen was looking forward, seemingly unaffected but Tyki knew that he was fighting off pink from dusting his cheeks.

"Then show me, Tyki." Allen told him, tilting his head so he could glance at Tyki.

And it was then that Tyki realized Allen was, indeed, trusting him. He grinned. "Let's go, Shonen~"

Tyki didn't comment, either, on knowing Allen was holding his hand because, through all his smile and cheerful mood, he still needed to feel Tyki. Like a good luck charm against the night terrors that might still haunt his mind.

It occurred to Tyki, that maybe, Allen's desire to perform, to cover himself and act, it was all to force away whatever his nightmares were about. And Tyki would made sure that, by the end of the day, Allen would feel better.

It felt way too soon when the time came to perform, and then to decide the performance was finished. But it had been a good day, a nice morning out and a lunch that was definitely a date meal, and then Allen had entertained townsfolk in the afternoon. It had stricken Tyki, as he watched Allen, that the white haired seemed natural, and more than anything, that he felt happy. Performing brought something from within his heart, likely memories, good enough to brighten his mood.

It had stricken Tyki, there and then, that if Allen could travel and perform all his life, the younger man would be happy.

"I didn't realize you were that good, Shonen. Where did you learn? Surely not the Order?" Tyki questioned, truly curious, as he approached, and soon started to help Allen sort props in the suitcase.

Allen blinked, then a smile formed, a fond one full of love. "It was Mana that taught me." He was distracted for a second as his hands brushed Tyki's, specifically as Tyki's little finger not so discreetly brushed the side of his palm.

Tyki pretended he didn't notice the lifted eyebrow, though he did grin. "Mana?" The man asked, confused, furrowing his brows.

Allen didn't reply right away, instead putting another prop in, and also wrapping his hand around Tyki's, lifting it as he moved to the proper place what the man had been placing. "My adoptive father." The white haired finally replied in a quiet voice. He was also unable to stop himself from brushing the part of the scar over his cheeks as he rubbed off the make-up.

Tyki watched Allen, finishing to put what needed to be put in the suitcase, his mind connecting the dots. Hadn't the Earl called Allen the boy that turned his father in an Akuma? That didn't surprise him, with the fondness he had seen just from thinking of the man, and from how happy Allen looked performing. "He taught you well."

Allen stared at Tyki in surprise, caught off guard enough that a contented blush spread over his cheeks. "T-Thank you."

Tyki had a rather pleased grin on his face, even more so when the blush stayed as he took Allen's hand in his, pushing it to the side so he could close the suitcase, and not letting go even as he stood up, making Allen do so too, and taking the suitcase with his free hand. "You're welcome, Shonen~"

And so they finally found themselves back to the mayor's house, a dinner waiting for them. Tyki noticed though, during the meal, that weariness showed in Allen's features, and that he would wince a little bit, even cracking his neck once. He had no doubt the boy knew how to prepare before performing, he saw him do it, but it had been a long day.

It gave an idea to Tyki, and for the rest of the meal, he earned suspicious glances because of his smug smirk. Then he offered they go rest, Allen knew something was up, but he seemed more curious than anything. That was good, and Tyki tried to not pay attention too much to how warm he felt, that Allen showed signs of trust.

"Sit on the bed, Shonen." Tyki ordered with a grin, eager enough that it made Allen do it after only a few seconds of searching Tyki's eyes.

"And what are you planning, Tyki?" The younger man asked, watching the Noah come and sit behind him.

The answer came when he felt hands on his shoulders, thumbs pressing a line up his neck. He immediately closed his eyes without meaning to, a contented hum leaving him, even as he felt Timcanpy nestle into his hairs. He would wonder at how he was allowing the touch, the gesture, but Tyki's hands felt warm over his shoulder and neck; and then down his back. They also knew what they were doing, and Allen felt himself relax, the tenseness unwinding and his frame melting.

However, he could not avoid tensing again when Tyki's hands started to go down his arms. Both of his arms.

"Relax, Allen." Tyki's voice breathed into his ear, making him shiver. "I'm not going to hurt you."

The white haired was more hesitant to relax even as he let Tyki's hands start their rubbing up and down his arms. But eventually, when the first rub came, and then the second, when his mind accepted that Tyki wouldn't harm his Innocence, the soothing feeling returned, and stronger too. Crown felt confused, but Allen realized now that it had not reacted to the touch, as if it had not sensed danger. No, not as if, it was because there had been no danger.

Then his left arm was sending warmth into his body, the sign Crown was growing to enjoy the touch, and before he knew it, his back ended up against Tyki's chest. He vaguely registered that, but no sooner that he was opening his eyes, Tyki covered both hands with his own, rubbing the back of them with his thumbs.

Allen found himself closing his eyes. Some part of him felt when Tyki turned the hands, rubbing the palms. But mostly, Allen felt asleep like this, resting against Tyki's chest, head propped into the space between neck and shoulder, and missing the way arms wrapped carefully around his body, the one behind him sliding back to rest against pillows, to let Allen's body rest against Tyki's.

Missing the kiss pressed to his temple, lingering.