A/N: Written for yountilla for a drabble challenge on my LiveJournal. Intentionally this short, complete, and will not be updated. Ever.

Prompt: Tyki + Allen, 'a moment before seeing the Earl'

Enjoy!

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Mirage

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If he tells the truth, Allen is far more frightened of those midnight razor butterflies than he has ever been of the Earl.

He hates the Earl, completely and faithfully. It is easy to not be afraid of someone one hates-- the anger is stronger than the impulse towards fear. His conviction that the Earl may not be forgiven for what he has done overrides what little fear there is, and so when he thinks of the Earl, all he feels is eagerness to bring him to justice.

Tyki is different.

Allen finds it much harder to hate him. He has seen the other side, the gentle and self-effacing soul that exists alongside his blackened Noah heart. There is something there worth redeeming, or so he thinks.

That is why it's possible for Allen to be afraid of him. Tyki can hurt him by proving him wrong.

Without the Earl at his side, he looks more human that Allen can stand. His cursed eye can tell him nothing, only that a human soul stands before him. There is no protection from this danger.

Oh yes, he fears Tyki, more than he can admit even to himself.

In a moment, the Earl will arrive and Allen will be able to see Tyki for the monster that he is and bring him down without regrets. In a moment everything will be clear and easy to understand. The right path will be obvious.

This moment, though, is painful. Allen is afraid because Tyki is too easy to underestimate when he smiles.

A second... two... three, and the moment is gone.

Allen sees the monster, and lets himself forget the man.

If there is time later, he will regret it then.

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