Hello dears!

Here we are, this is the final chapter for Journey of our Hearts! Makes me feel emotional, especially as it has been so long since I finished a story (that was not a one shot). This chapter actually takes place days later from where chapter 6 ended, and it is very purposeful I left out details. You can picture what you want, how far they went or how or what they did, anything can be true~

Now a little good new, is that while Journey is ending, I fully plan to make something connected to it for this year's poker pair week (which starts of the 24th of June)! I put some more infos at the end of this chapter!

I hope you enjoy~ Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you all around!

Day Seven

Routine; Meals; Getaway; Train

A lingering kiss at his shoulder was the first sensation Allen registered as sleep started to lift. A small, grumpy sound left his lips, clearly indicating that he wanted nothing more than to stay in the blissful rest, surrounded by warmth. A chuckle sounded, the breath of it tickling his neck, making Allen grumble again, even as his body shivered.

The arm under his head shifter as if to slip off, and his left hand came up, clinging at the wrist. A second chuckle sounded, and the arm that had been around his waist lifted, a warm hand rubbing down his left arm. Allen felt like he could sense the pleased grin from the man, as his own frame relaxed and a contented little sigh left his lips.

Lips pressed at his cheek, and then Tyki's voice whispered, almost like a seduction, "If you let me get up, I can make us breakfast."

A beat, and then Allen's hand loosened around Tyki's wrist. "Not fair," he mumbled.

Tyki laughed, kissing his cheek again. "What, Shonen? That I know your weakness? Or that I make you choose every morning?"

One silver eyes opened halfway, head tilting lightly so he could give a small glate. Or squint. That was one thing that Tyki still hadn't figured out. The sudden, sweet smile, however…. Tyki gulped. Allen replied innocently, "Choose? I am merely delaying my favored meal. Saving the best for last, right?"

Tyki felt his cheeks heat up lightly and his eyes half close, gaze sliding down to Allen's lips that still showed a too innocent smile. He leaned down, kissing at the corner of Allen's lips, smirking as he heard the little intake of breath, and followed by nipping lightly at Allen's lower lip, delighted in the way Allen closed his eyes with his expression shifting to something close to anticipation.

"Oh, I agree. I always keep the best for last." The man replied, the hand that had been at Allen's shoulder drifting to the chest, and then down, oh so slowly down to Allen's stomach.

And then Tyki's presence lifted, making Allen blink his eyes open. He shifted to lay on his back, sending a pout toward the now standing Noah, who only winked at Allen before moving to, indeed, prepare breakfast.

Timcanpy landed on his chest, and Allen smiled down softly, one hand petting the body of his golem. His other hand rubbed at his eyes, it only made him yawn and feel the temptation to just close his eyes again and fall back asleep. A little touch at his forehead made him open his gaze again, and vaguely he could see one Tease resting on his forehead.

If once the sight would have startled him, now it only made him smile fondly. Discovering that he had a slight fear of the butterfly golems had been a shock to both of them, Tyki had only meant to tease, pun not intended, Allen by having one land on his nose, the morning after the first time they allowed themselves to indulge in each other, a week ago.

Neeedless to say, neither had quite expected the frightened cry that had left Allen, but Tyki had been quick to hug Allen to his chest, stroking his hairs with soft, comforting words, promises of protection and safety. Allen had been embarrassed, but not as much as Tyki; soon to be forgotten as Allen took comfort in kissing Tyki.

The white haired had only needed to willingly let a Tease on his body, the quiet assurance from Tyki that they would not hurt Allen again, for most of the fear to pass. Taking the habit to have a Tease rest somewhere on his body almost all the time had finished the job. In a sense, Allen was glad it wasn't a phobia, and Allen knew well enough how much more frightened and how harder it would have been, if his fear of the Tease had been a true phobia.

Allen still couldn't handle well the sights of large animals, especially felines, after all.

His nose twitched as the scent of breakfast tickled it. Allen's lips pulled into a smile, and finally he sat up, gaze landing on Tyki, who was too focused to notice Allen had finally moved. Every morning, it was the same. Allen never wanted to get up right away, especially not with Tyki's soothing warmth so close, but a promise of breakfast would win him over. Sometimes, with a little bit of kissing.

And every morning, despite knowing Allen would move once food woke his mind fully, the younger male always managed to surprise Tyki. Like right now, the man had not heard any movement, but when a body pressed against his back and a head rested on top of his own, Tyki only briefly tensed in surprise before he relaxed, letting out a small laugh.

"Are you dressed, Shonen?" Tyki questionned, amused. The pause was a reply of its own, and when the man tilted his head to catch a glance at Allen, he grinned at the redness on the pale cheeks. "Forgot again?"

Allen just made a whine, standing back up fully while ruffling Tyki's hairs, before going to their suitcases and his clothes piled on his own baggage. He didn't need to look back to know Tyki had taken a few seconds to watch before going back to the breakfast.

Only once did Tyki burn breakfast from staring at Allen. Never again he would make that mistake.

Allen plopped besides Tyki, and the man's gaze flickered to the younger man, a smile twitching at his lips because Allen had only put some pants. Then again, Tyki himself only had those. But it pleased the Noah, because he knew it meant a lot, that Allen felt free to leave his scars and arm for Tyki to see.

Sometimes, Tyki wished they never passed towns, where Allen would cover himself more. The white haired could pretend it was just to not risk being discovered by the Order, but Tyki knew better. But towns also meant various kind of food, nice rooms to sleep in, and of course, many places to find poker players. And then, Tyki had grown to encourage Allen to perform at least once every town they passed by, which brought a happier aura to Allen.

It had been more than a week, since the Fourteenth had showed himself. Allen had told Tyki though, that he still felt his presence. He's there, but… calmer. He seems to feel more peaceful now that I'm happier, Allen had said, absent-mindedly, never realizing what exactly he admitted.

Tyki never forgot.

"Breakfast ready, Shonen." Tyki declared, and chuckled at how Allen's eyes lit up. When he went to give Allen his first plate, Tyki first leaned down, kissing Allen's lips. "Thank you for your patience," he rumbles softly.

He knew well that a hungry Allen was not necessarily willing to wait. His ear still recalled that one morning Allen bite said ear, because Tyki thought it clever to purposefully take time.

Allen showed a little contented smile, and even as he took his plate with one hand, his free hand cupped Tyki's cheek, thumb brushing the beauty mark before Allen pressed a kiss to Tyki's lips. "Couldn't wait the end to get a little taste."

Tyki breathed out a laugh, allowed to pull back and sit besides Allen. "Am I your dessert, then?" He joked.

Except he noticed the way Allen gazed at him, warm and purposeful in how it slowly dragged over his body, and Tyki's heart thumped a bit harder. Allen smiled sweetly, knowing eyes looking for a second longer before he hummed and dug into his breakfast.

That boy is a menace. Tyki felt the smile at the corner of his lips. My little menace.

Tyki watched with what felt quite like pride as the men at the table all groaned from Allen's winning hand. And satisfaction. Lots of satisfaction. He enjoyed playing with Allen, but sometimes, simply watching as the white haired obliterated anyone who thought themsleves smarter was such a pleasure.

That, and being able to observe Allen without having to focus on anything else. He sometimes wondered if it broke Allen's concentration, but if it ever did, Allen never showed it. Only heated kisses, afterwards, told Tyki that Allen did notice those looks.

Speaking of looks…

"Shonen, I think our train will leave soon." Tyki commented, a hand at the small of Allen's back.

Allen's smile had not lost his innocent look, but the tenseness of Allen's back told Tyki he had noticed too. "Ah yes, you are right. Gentlemen, if you will excuse us."

The two of them had barely made some steps before they heard someone loudly coming behind them. They shared a glance and in the same moment, they both took a step to one side. The man that had wanted to hit Allen passed between them and barelled forward in his momentum, and loudly smacked his head into the door.

Allen winced, and stated, "Such a loud man."

Tyki snickered, but then, he gazed behind and his smile turned nervous. "And it's time we make ourself silent."

Allen turned, and plastared a smile on his face at the approaching men, stepping backward in synchronization with Tyki. "Oh, please, gentlemen, must we-?"

Men lunged at him. One arm wrapped around his waist from behind, pressing him into a chest, and Allen could not stop the small, victory smile that showed. And then he felt himself phase through the wall of the bar, Tyki's breath of laughter brushing his ear as they heard someone hit said wall.

"Such abuse of power, Tyki Mikk." Allen mused, even as they started to walk off at a brisk pace, Tyki's arm still around his waist, now keeping Allen to the man's side.

"Because you wouldn't do the same, Shonen?" Tyki's amusement was reflected by Allen, as both recalled how exactly they made their gateway in the previous town.

Then they heard the sound that indicated their train would leave very soon, and Allen grabbed Tyki's hand, making a dash for it, Timcanpy leading the way.

Allen watched the landscapes roll by, elbow on the windowsill and chin resting on his palm. Or so he meant to, but half the time, his gaze would find Tyki's reflection. Half of those times, Tyki's eyes would meet his, the man giving a little smile that warmed Allen's core, just like Tyki's body sitting beside his did.

Who would have thought that one day, Allen would so willingly travel with Tyki? Though that would not have been such a weird thought, he had never quite forgotten their first encounter, how Tyki seemed to cling to his human life still. How each time they met, Allen was only so tense and hostile because the ease he felt around the man confused him.

What he never expected, wouldn't have believed, was for the attraction that formed. The feelings that wormed their ways in his heart, but also, in Tyki's heart.

It worried Allen, but at the same time, he felt… lighter. Not a day passed in which a touch, a look, or words, would give a quiet promise of protection and safety.

Like now, with Tyki slipping an arm around Allen's shoulders, bringing him to lay against the man's side, hand gently stroking the white hairs. Silver eyes gazed up, taking into the softness and silent comfort of the golden gaze, before Allen smiled lightly, closed his eyes, and resting his head on Tyki's chest.

His smile widened slightly as he felt the chest rumble with chuckles, and lips pressing to his forehead. He didn't need to look to know that the reflection had a third person watching them, one that had started to lose this ominous shadow look, slowly defining as a young man as days passed.

Allen felt certain, deep down, that he had found the path to walk now. "We'll walk together..."

Tyki glanced down at the soft mumble, aware that Allen was falling asleep. His golden eyes held surprise, arm tightening his grip. "Keep walking, eh?" Tyki whispered, but it seemed Allen wasn't yet all gone because he opened his eyes again, looking up at Tyki.

"Isn't it what we do best? Walking, never stopping." Allen let a little grin form.

Tyki saw the vulnerability-and trust-hidden behind. He leaned down, kissing Allen's lips. He loved how easily, without hesitation, Allen returned the kiss. His free hand came up to brush Allen's cheek, finding delight in the little shivers in produced in the smaller frame.

They didn't need words when they parted, and Allen rested back comfortably against Tyki, Timcanpy nuzzling into his laps. This time, sleep really claimed him, leaving Tyki to watch out the window, and sometimes at the sleeping young man.

This is only the start of our journey, Allen. I promise you.

The end.

(Stay tuned for a sequel!)

Note for sequel: I plan to make this sequel based on theme/prompts from Poker Pair Week 2018; at this stage I'm still undecided on the exact nature of the sequel (or if there will be one sequel and one collection of scenes happening during and/or after Journey), if I'll use only one set of prompts or two (or maybe all three).
All I know is that I want to make a sequel, and I'll start it for PPweek2018!
So just expect a new story (or stories) from me that will be tied to Journey of our Hearts. And oh, PP week will start on the 24th of June!