HowtoLaughOutLoud

My Damsel Breathes Fire
By Misster Cackles

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'"I dislike it because it's beautiful. Because it's a bug, nobody would think of catching it. I hate how it let's itself get caught easily. Having its body pierced with pins, becoming a specimen... I dislike this too."

"...Is that the butterfly's fault?"'
- Soubi and Kio, Loveless; Toys Master Chapter 1; page 5-6

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"You're helping me out," Tyki observed, staring at his cloaked rabbit in amazement. He stood slowly from the cell's worn bed, not removing his eyes from the last Bookman, and steadily went to him as though he was about to change his mind any second. Even though months back the Noah would have jumped at the chance for his escape while killing Lavi, the precious Exorcist he tricked into loving him, he wanted to be certain the red-head was in his right mind.

"They will execute you once they find out," Tyki went on, searching for the reaction he was waiting for. The ashen skinned man stood before him, bending his knees to look at the face underneath the hood; his emerald eye was closed, teeth at his bottom lip. So he was unsure. Tyki sighed quietly and straightened up.

"Rhode and I killed the rest of the Bookmen, and I stayed back and watched your teacher die at your own organization’s hands. I killed members of the Order. I've tried to kill your friends, and I almost succeeded," the Noah said, raising his hand and resting it on Lavi's shoulder until he chose not to touch it, and it sank through the clothes and skin, muscle and bone. His other hand came up to sweep the hood off the rabbit's head so he could clearly see any reactions. Only Lavi's eye squinted tighter and he bit harder on his lip, making it irritated red. Tyki guessed his fist were clenched inside those long sleeves. Tyki tried once more, the hand inside the Bookman's chest coming to rest right beside Lavi's rapidly beating heart, and leaned forward to the other's ear.

"I've tried to kill you, Lovely."

To Tyki's surprise, Lavi's heart started to calm down. In fact Tyki saw he was relaxing all over; his green eye was opening and his pained lips were forming a light smile. His shoulders didn't seem so stiff any more, and Lavi shuffled closer to the Noah to where his head easily rested on the elder’s collar bone. While he held his hand very still, curious and confused as to why the last Bookman chose to lay on him of all people, Tyki's other arm came around the waist of the usually hyperactive bunny and pulled him closer. As much as his Noah side protested against the Exorcist on him, he couldn't bring himself to push him away; Lavi was so warm after being in the cold holding cell alone, and he wasn't so sure he could push him away. Tyki sided that thought as he heard the younger exhale before speaking.

"Cen-central won't find out, because I... I think I will have died by then," Lavi began, finally speaking to the man he hated yet loved at the same for the first time that night. Tyki stared at the Bookman Exorcist, bewildered. Lavi swallowed and continued, "I also thank you, Tyki, for telling me about the other side of the war, or else I probably wouldn't have been able to do this..."

The Noah opened his mouth to speak but no words formed, so he closed it, and tried again, "Do you know...?" He trailed thoughtfully. Lavi nodded into his chest slowly, and took in another suddering breath.

"D-Didn't you say that before things turned nasty, you'd turn my heart to dust? W-would you still do it?" He spoke softly, referring to the conversation they had on the night he had fallen in love with this Noah of Pleasure, but gave a frustrated sigh when he felt Tyki's hand swiftly pull out of his chest. He could feel the other's shocked and amazed stare, but couldn't bring himself to look at him in the eye. Lavi lifted his arms and clutched the front of Tyki's white dress shirt.

It was silent for a few minutes and none of them moved the air thick with tension until Tyki's free arm came around Lavi's shoulders and embraced him tightly. Lavi let out a sigh of relief that he hadn't know he was holding.

"Why would you want me to, my dear?" Tyki asked, his tone no longer taunting and reminding his love of the horrid things that had happened, but soothing and gentle. Lavi let out a lighter smile than before, bittersweet.

"Because, Tyki, it would be able to end the war."

He felt the Noah of Pleasure stiffen slightly, a soft in take of breath, "You...?" As if to answer his own unasked question, Tyki pushed the other away enough so his hand could go back into Lavi and straight to his heart, but he didn't stop there. He inched forward little by little and gave a small gasp as there was a small, familiar electrical charge on his fingers inside the middle of Lavi's heart. The feeling of Innocence. Lavi had the Heart.

Lavi gathered his courage to meet the Noah he cared for in the eye and wasn't surprised to find bright eyes transfixed on him with mixed emotions. Mixed thoughts on what he should do now that he had found the Heart. Tyki's elegant brows furrowed together in inner turmoil and Lavi smiled lightly at him, lips thin and the lone eyebrow rose as though saying "whatever happens happens." Lavi understood their situation. So, he pushed himself on his tip toes to give Tyki a soft kiss on his lips, then, unable to stop himself by overwhelming emotion, muttered against the darker lips.

"Before you take the Innocence... For what it's worth, I... I think I've fallen in love with you..."

Tyki pressed back and whispered, "And I as well..."