Fading Away From The Past

Chapter 5

Lamb young and pure

Murmur white lies that hide in fur

For the truth is all but forgotten

And his heart is all but rotten

Brown eyes gazed over the boy's back, eyes wandering back to the flickering fire as he rummaged through his pockets for something to entertain himself, this thing being a packet of cards. Tyki shuffled the worn deck, leaning forward as he tapped the boy's shoulder, his voice soothing as Allen tensed then slowly turned around, "Ya wanna play a card game that is if you know any?"

Allen's mercury eye stared at him, a quizzical expression on his face as he hummed softly, lost in thought as he quietly murmured, "I sorta know how to play Poker... I'm not very good at it."

Tyki's hazelnut eyes flashed in amusement as he mused to himself, adjusting the circular glasses on his nose as he moved to sit in front of the boy, crossing his legs. Who knew the boy in front of him, knew of his favourite card game, a game based on luck and cheating. Tyki shuffled the deck in his hand, dealing the cards as he saw Allen look at them, face not revealing anything as Tyki chuckled softly, he'd go easy on the boy.

After all, how good could he possibly be?

This was getting ridiculous, he hadn't won a single round, and they've been playing for an hour and a half. How is he doing this?! Tyki sat his cards face down on the ground, brows scrunched together as he pointed towards Allen, voice low as he accused the other, "How are you cheating? I know you are, but I don't know how..."

Allen just stared at the older male, head tilted to the side as he blinked owlishly at him, mouth slightly agape as he quietly spoke, "I don't know what you're talking about? I simply play to get money and stripe people of all valuables and dignity."

Allen grinned, as he looked at Tyki smugly, giggling innocently as he set his cards down on the floor. It'd been a while since he had this much fun, though he wishes it'd be like this every day and not working long hours just to pay off the devils debt. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought, his singular eye half-lidded as he fiddled with his fingers, "Thank you, Tyki. I don't get to have games like these or relaxation like this. So, thanks."

Tyki rose a brow, shrugging his shoulders as he gathers his scattered cards, glasses falling forward on his nose as he chuckled, "I'm glad to have helped, again."

Allen opened his mouth to speak again but halted as his bandaging over his left eye began to become undone. He quickly placed his hand over his eye, trying to keep the bandaging in its place as his breath hitched in his throat, he couldn't let anyone see this.

He didn't want to be dubbed a monster again, a freak.

Tyki lifted his head to look at Allen, having heard the gasp as he watched the bandaging loosen around his head and bunch around the hand pressed to his face. He placed the deck of cards on the ground as he reached towards the boy, only for it to be slapped away when he got near. Allen's eye was wide as he shifted away, voice timid and uneven, "S-stay away... D-d-don't get n-near me..."

Tyki was taken back by the sudden change, brows creasing together as he frowned slightly, voice soft as he tried to ease the panicked boy, "Hey Allen, it's alright… I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to help… Is that alright?"

Allen's entire body trembled like a leaf in the wind, his eyes burned as tears gathered on his eyelashes, his white hair casting a shadow over the upper part of his face. His right hand slowly lowering as the bandages draped off his hand, left eye closed as he shakily lifted his head, voice trembling, "…Don't hate me…I know I'm a monster…"

"Allen…" He felt something wrap their arms around him, but he knew they weren't actually physically touching him, but mentally, "Calm down, butterflies are gentle creatures."

The low lulling tone of Neah's voice calmed him, tears still slowly rolling down his cheeks as his gaze met the concerned man's in front of him. Sniffling as Tyki's gaze was half-lidded as he removed his glasses, placing them in his messy hair as he smiled softly, "Hey, did you want me to redo the bandaging, although, I don't see anything wrong…"

Allen sniffled a little as the other's hand gently brushed the tears away, fingers gently tracing the unique scarring as he grabbed the bandaging from his hand. Using the back of his gloved left hand he wiped away remains tears, looking away from the other as he bit his lip, "I-I'm sorry for slapping your hand away…I-I was scared."

Tyki shuffled forward a little as he slowly began to reapply the bandaging, smiling softly as his deep voice sent a shiver down the boy's spine, "It's fine, everyone is scared of something and you, boy, are no monster. I've seen monsters and you are not one."

Allen stared at Tyki with a wide mercury eye, looking at the man in astonishment as he waited for him to finish tightening and tying off the bandaging. His cheeks warmed up as he bowed slightly, his voice soft as his fisted hands rested on his knees, "Th-thank you Tyki..."

Tyki ruffled his white locks, chuckling softly as shook his head slightly, "It's nothing kid, but I do believe it's time I go. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow if you haven't left yet."

Allen smiled warmly as his silver eye turned in a crescent shape as his eye sparked with fondness, gently reaching over to take the larger hand, softly squeezing it as he released a soft giggle, "Yes, I'd like to see you again, my new friend."

However, they did not see each other the next day or several days after that, for Cross had moved on until they stopped at a small town near the shore. The blinding snow having melted and the biting winds had lost their teeth and turned to the vibrant colours of spring. And as the weather slowly changed, the seasons going by until the intense summer heat smothered everything that the burning rays touched. Even the small figure buried to his elbows in dirt, sweat covering and soaking into the thin amount of material covering the thin body.

A hazy mercury eye stared at the dirt beneath him, breathing heavily as he attempted to finish the laboured work that his master made him do in order to pay off his debt. Though he was reaching his limit, his crimson cheeks burning as he struggled to stay standing, swaying as he collapsed to his knees. His head spinning as he heard approaching footsteps, the crunch of dirt under their feet and the smell of smoke entered his noses as a hand rest on his back, a voice snapping him back to a disoriented reality, "Hey kid, you right? You don't look too good."

Allen shook his head as he tried to get his vision to focus, but shaking his head just made the world spin. His dry throat burned as he licked his chapped lips, slowly lifting his head as he used his weak arms to push him to his feet, voice hoarse from the dryness, "I'm fine, mister."

"Hey, I've told you before, call me Tyki." Allen's head snapped up to meet familiar round glasses, messy purple tinted hair and a charming smile. He smiled gently at the man, his singular eye falling half-lidded as he relaxed, his sicken state showing more as he let his legs give out as he fell onto his behind. Dust swirling as he impacted with the ground, his bare hands clenching into the loose soil as he breathed heavily.

"We met again…" Allen struggled to form words when his throat felt as if he eaten handfuls of sand and glass, his red scaly hand lifting above his head to block the sun's harsh rays. The late teen before him smiled softly as he squat down to be at the boy's level, resting his arms on his knees as the mounds of dirt hid them and offered a small amount of shade.

"Hey drink this." He held out a small canteen as his brown eyes were soft crescents, his tan skin glowing in the sun rays as Allen's pale skin had gained a faint pink from being in the sun. He let his small hand take the canteen as he took in a greedy mouthful of the water, letting it chip away the broken glass in his throat.

"Th-thank you, Tyki..." Said man, chuckled as he shook his head, holding out a hand to take the canteen back.

"No problem, but I dare say we get you out of the heat." Tyki shuffled closer to the boy, hooking his hands underneath Allen's armpits as he hoisted the boy onto his feet. The boy released a whine of disagreement as he tried to wiggle out of Tyki's grip.

"I can't… I have to work for off the money Master spent. He says I'm not allowed back until it's paid." Allen stomped his foot slightly, a small dust cloud rising from the dirt as he narrowed his singular eye. Tyki rolled his eyes as his glasses fell from his nose a little, a smile adorning his lips it glowed in the summer sun.

"How 'bout a better idea," Tyki knelt down to be level with the smaller boy in front of him, Allen tilting his head to the side as his brows knitted together in confusion, "What if you come with me? We can travel and do side jobs here and there. So what about it?"

A singular grey eye stared at the person in front of him, a wide grin spreading on the other's face as Allen continued to stare at him in disbelief, "Y-you want me to go with you?"

"Yeah… I mean, why not~" Tyki gave a lazy grin as his hands rest on Allen's small ones, gently squeezing them in a comforting manner.

'Go. Butterflies are both beautiful and gentle. They'll treat you well, little lamb~'

Allen clenched his little fists as he slowly nodded his head, a small smile forming on his pale lips as he leaned forward to wrap his arms around Tyki's shoulders. His voice soft as he let his exhausted body be lifted from the ground, eye drooping as he slipped into unconsciousness, "Thank you… Thank you…"

Hello my lovely Readers~

I know it's been a while since I've last update and I've been very, very, VERY slowly getting there. Also, I've had a majority of this chapter done for a while but I wanted to add more and go in a little more depth with how I've improved with writing.

Also, I would like to thank you guys for all the Favourites, Follows and Reviews~!

I'll see you in the next chapter but don't forget to,

Follow! Favourite! Or Review~!

KillerAkuma Destroying Her Way Outer Here~!