[RL with Zechs] [Crossplot]

[tyki_tock]

Tyki parked in front of the building and scanned the skyline. Fuck, there were Akuma here, too. he could see their irregular, bulbous shapes hanging here and there between the buildings.

As he stepped out of Hakuba's world-hopping car, one of the second-levels drifted towards him.

"Noah-sama...Noah-sama~ We kill for the Duke."Yes, yes, good for

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[thricedeadwind]

Zechs took just a couple more steps, and was able to draw Tyki into his arms. He knew he wasn't much fit for a comforting embrace now; his arm was equipped with the bracer, his back had the rifle, and even beneath his jacket was his service holster, all which would poke and prod into his lover uncomfortably. Though he was armed to the teeth to fight against things he'd die in a moment facing, it was just as necessary to offer the Noah comfort now

[tyki_tock]

Tyki reached out almost immediately as Zechs gathered him into his arms, and wrapped his arms around Zechs. He didn't care about the metal poking into him, though it did add to his discomfort.

"He'll kill me," he whispered, and then stiffened. Was that his only concern? Was that the only reason left to him, why he didn't want to betray his Duke?

He thought back - it was less than six months ago to him, though even less time to Zechs - to that horrible day when Allen had cut Noah out of him. He remembered little, but he knew that his Duke had risked his own safety to rescue him, a pathetic, injured, mad thing.

But Tyki had watched the video, and heard his other words as well. How he had hoped this would make Tyki more useful to him, because he would no longer love humans. Well, that prediction had been completely wrong.

Tyki had grown more human still.

[thricedeadwind]

Tightening his grip, Zechs responded fiercely, firmly, "We won't allow that to happen

[tyki_tock]

Tyki felt a swell of shame at Zechs' words. Why should Zechs have to promise such things? If he truly wanted to share in his Duke's - no, the Earl of Millennium's vision of the future, why would that be the first and only protest he could raise.

He wasn't a child. He was powerful in his own right, though he knew how powerful the Earl was.

But beyond that, wasn't it him who should be assuring Zechs that he would protect him? Why was Zechs donning all of this useless gear, and reassuring him that he would be protected, when Tyki could destroy those monsters out there?

"I've truly fallen, haven't I?" he murmured, his lips twisting self-deprecatingly. "There's no going back for me, now."

He lifted his head and pressed his lips gently to Zechs'. "And it's all your fault. Yours and Saguru's," he whispered.

[thricedeadwind]

If it were possible and allowed, Zechs turned the gentle kiss into something deeper, fiercer. Because he did not feel any shame on Tyki's behalf. It was tremendously hard to change allegiances within the war, especially if it meant admitting you were wrong, and your path was false. It wasn't a matter of pride alone. For Tyki especially, it was a matter of identity. When one was as invested in a fight as they were, if they were to switch sides, it meant they were switching around how they viewed their own selves.

Releasing Tyki's lips, Zechs whispered, "You are not falling now, my love. We will lift you up."

While his lover hadn't explicitly said it, Zechs knew he was now making what he felt was the right decision. Relief flooded him, and he allowed it to show. Added to it, however, was his affection and regard for Tyki. "I will gladly shoulder any blame you place on me for your humanity."