midnightstar | A SURPRISE LENALEE APPROACHES; Command?

Despite all of everything the Black Order has been through, it was business as usual for the various teams. Lenalee and Allen were in one team with Miranda and a few Finders. Lucky them, their mission took them to the mountains - beautiful scenery, but cold weather. Fortunately they managed to find a small inn with vacancies, so they could stay indoors. Amazingly, Miranda was actually sleeping more peacefully than Lenalee at the moment.

Although after all of the scenarios and seeing all of the deaths in the war with the Earl and fighting the akuma, (...not to mention what she personally has been through), it really should come as no surprise that Lenalee's sleep was less than restful. While she managed to snatch an hour or two here and there of sleep, worries about her friends, her brother, and one exorcist in particular all contributed to making her nightmare particularly bloody and gruesome. When she jerked awake for the second time that night (or was it third, she wasn't sure), she knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep right away, so she silently slipped out of her room, padding down the hall. Maybe a glass of water would settle her nerves.

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After all the recent happenings, Lenalee wasn't the only one getting chased out of sleep. However if he had known he played such a big role in Lenalee's own insomnia, he would have apologized profusely several times over. As it stood, Allen had snuck into the kitchen ahead of Lenalee. This wasn't the first time he'd opted for a late night snack and Jerry had learned his lesson after last time, leaving a platter of dangos to be heated by Allen when he came sniffing for food. better that than the kitchen being completely stripped of food the following morning. So she would hear a bit of noise coming from the kitchen as soon as she stepped through the grand doors to the mess-hall.

A late night snack, eh? That was not the least bit surprising. Carrying a candle to light her way, she kept her gaze determinedly fixed straight ahead, rather than look at the shadows around her. It felt like she'd be swallowed up by those shadows. Still, once she stepped into the mess hall, she came to a stop in surprise when she saw a familiar person sniffing about for munchies, "Allen...!" Nuts, she didn't want to worry her friends with her insomnia; apparently life had other plans!

Allen sharply looked up at the sound of the familiar voice, surprise painted over his features for her to see clear as day while a small wooden skewer peeked out from between his lips having already started to remove the luscious dango that had been impaled with it.

"L-Lenalee!?"

Lenalee stared at him for a moment, before her expression quickly melted into a warm grin, partly out of amusement in seeing him tucking into the snacks already, and partly..just happy to see him. "A midnight snack?" Not that it was midnight - probably past that, really. But she leaves that soft, sweetly amused smile on her face as she stepped into the room further, her voice quiet as if she worried she'd wake the others. "Mind if I join you?"

And he stared back because it was so easy to just look at Lenalee most of the time. The look on her face thought brought a smile of his own to his lips. He quickly swallowed down the dango in his mouth and shook his head.

"I don't mind at all. Pleas go ahead." Allen smiled before resuming his eating a just barely slightly more organized fashion while making room for Lenalee to slip into the kitchen with him. That being said his eyes did stay on Lenalee for the most part, wondering for the most part why she had been awake and walking around at this time of night. From there it would be one small skip towards full blown concern.

Her smile widened a little, genuinely pleased by the acceptance, as she stepped into the kitchen. But she was fully aware of his attention, and it strangely made her happier. Although it wasn't enough to shoo the shadows from her thoughts, she kept her smile on her face. He was the last person, after Komui, she wanted to worry. Though..he would probably be able to see past the smile, the way the corners of her lips twitched slightly, as if she had to remind herself to keep smiling.

No need to worry though; honest! "I thought I'd get a small drink before I go back to bed, but I didn't expect to run into you this late." If he hadn't been here, she'd have retrieved her drink and sat up at one of the tables, trying to push the darker memories out of her head enough so that she wouldn't be afraid to go back to sleep, where nightmares might lie in wait.

Unfortunately for her Allen had quite the skill at reading poker faces and Lenalee not really having that kind of experience could hardly keep her troubles hidden completely. Even so he wouldn't ask right from the start instead letting Lenalee settle in and relax a bit in his company. Not really fair of him but when something was so clearly troubling her, he couldn't help himself.

"Hahaha well if you asked Jerry you'd know I do this sort of thing more often than you'd expect. Can't really fight my appetite I am afraid." Allen laughed softly

He was more perceptive than most of them by far, even without that eye of his. Even if he didn't notice or ask, she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep her smile on her face the entire time. "Parasitic type innocences can be really inconvenient sometimes, huh? It's a good thing you get plenty of exercise."

Of course, she means their usual training and travel and the fact that he likely burns off everything he eats (and then some) fighting Akuma. Not that she's ever caught him doing exercises in his room ~~Though she really must sometime. :3~~.

He had to be. After all Cross had been his master and the trial and ordeals that man put him through. If you didn't grow from each one you wouldn't last long. Not that he'd ever say that to the demon's face. Wherever he was right now.

"Hahaha yeah it's something you have to learn to live with." Allen bashfully scratched his cheek before wolfing down another dango in one bite.

"Mmm yeah. Though I still do my morning work out every day as well. It's kind of become a start of the day routine for me after all." And now she knew he did that. ~~whatever she did with that information was entirely up to her~~

Well now knowing that he wasn't snug in bed and sleeping in after a busy day, Lenalee would have to check in on him and make sure he's not pushing himself too much.

~~If she happens to see him without his shirt while he was doing that would purely be by accident.~~

"It helps that Jerry's food is the best, too." Still, Lenalee was glad that her innocence didn't make her wolf down food in quantities like Allen. OH RIGHT, she came here for a drink. She turned away for a second to rummage about, deciding on getting some water. Though she let out a soft sigh as she did so.

~~Hopefully her brother would believe that. Oh who are they kidding no he won't.~~

"I know right! I don't know how he does it but Jerry's cooking always has such an amazing taste and warmth to it! Even something as simple as these Dango's feels like a DELICACY!" Allen nodded eagerly. He was undeniably a fanboy of the flamboyant cook and his delicious creations. But could he really be blamed?

He paused for a moment when she remembered why she had come prowling around the kitchen in the first place and narrowed his eyes silver eyes a little when he heard that sigh.

"Feeling better?" he asked casually.

~~It's okay! Just keep Timcampy from seeing them together like that!~~

"Heheee, yeah, I know what you mean. I really want him to teach me some of his recipes sometime." Her smile touched her eyes this time. It was easy to relax and chat with him.

She stiffened for a second at the casual question, and then quickly turned around again with a smile. "..." He totally got her number didn't he. Her smile faded a touch, and she glanced down at her glass for a moment, gathering her thoughts.

~~Sure he'll just have to bribe his partner in crime with some steak to keep him busy and distracted.~~

"really? That's a great Idea. If you want I could even be your taste tester if I'm available." He wasn't even thinking of any ulterior motive. He quite literally meant what he said. It just so happened that the offer meant he would be the first to sample Lenalee's cooking.

He saw the smile fall away after he asked her that question. He hated that look. Lenalee was at her most lovely when smiling and happy. Not like this, with some unknown specter hovering over her heart and mind.

"If you don't want to tell me I'll respect that. Just remember I'm here if you need any help with whatever is troubling you."

~~They can get it from Jerry. Steaks for Allen was no surprise!~~

"Really?" Lenalee grinned. Of course, she'd want to perfect her cooking before treating her brother with snacks, but with Allen as her taste tester.. it was even better. She wanted him to taste - and like - her food too. It was as important as Komui liking her food.

She let herself lean back a little against the counter, shaking her head. "It's all right." She confided in him once before, after all. And he was at the heart of her worries then too, "I don't mind...telling you."

Truthfully, he's the only one she didn't mind talking to about things like this. It was selfish of her, but he was a wonderful listener, and he didn't seem to mind either. Even though he had more than enough on his plate, he and Komui both. Adding more worries made her feel a little guilty. "I haven't been sleeping well, lately...ever since we came back from the last mission." And so much happened. His 'death', weighed the heaviest on her.

"Of course. You have my word!" Allen reiterated without hesitation yet again. In retrospect he would realize just how quick to volunteer he'd been. ANd not even for the free food. But for the one cooking it. But that was for another time as Lenalee decided to open up her heart to him a bit more.

"You haven't? Is it nightmares?" Allen asked softly, not rushing Lenalee for details but still asking for some regardless. He didn't even think that his 'death' had played a part in her inability to sleep.

Allen promising to be her first official taste tester really made her happy. She was always lightfooted, but the idea of making something for him to eat would make her even more so. Once..the shadows over her heart passed that is. "Yes." She answered, after a small pause, searching the contents of her glass of water for answers.

"It was... like the other ones. Dark.. desolate. The world in ruins. Like before. I ... I didn't want to see it anymore. So I started walking.. but no matter how far I walked, nothing changed. It was more of the same and...then I saw the bodies.

Everyone in the Black Order - Komui... Miranda, Kanda.. Lavi... Reever," her voice shook slightly as she named friends she had identified. Curiously, Allen's name was left off the list.

"Suman..." She regretted that incident. Every step of the way, she regretted it. If she had been with Allen at the time, she would have been able to escape with him when he was found by that Noah, surely. That bad feeling she'd had back then..

ALlen listened quietly to Lenalee's account, noticing for the briefest of moments that his name didn't come up. Not knowing what to make of it he decided to put that aspect aside and focus on what she had told him. Unfortunately Lenalee's nightmares were far too deeply ingrained for normal advice to even apply.

And then the name Suman popped up and his expression darkened noticeably. That whole incident. It was a scar that was still somewhat fresh and the guilt associated with it was still in his mind to some degree.

"Lenalee..."

It was the same with her - and she hadn't even been through what he had. "It isn't fair... it wasn't right for him to..." She knew it had to weigh on Allen too.

"I thought... that was the worst it had to offer..my nightmare. Seeing my friends, ..my family all... gone. But..." Her voice broke slightly as the memory came back to her.

"Then I saw the forest. I saw you." She turned to place her glass down on the counter for multiple reasons. Not wanting him to see her cry was one. Not wanting to drop the glass and wake anyone near enough to hear it breaking was another. "It was just.. like back then..." Only actually seeing the body - her imagination was more than helpful in creating the image for her.

"I should.. never have left your side.."

But if she hadn't, that little girl would have died. Maybe if she had searched longer, harder, she could have found where they fell. IF she'd been a little faster, she could have covered more ground and found them. There were so many things she thought she could have done differently...

It did weigh on him but right now he couldn't care less about that. Lenalee was being tormented by that past and the things it all lead to. His body felt a chill course through his veins when his part her nightmares was finally revealed. So he'd been there as well. He could only imagine the guilt Lenalee had felt when she'd found nothing but his blood on that forest floor. It hurt to know that what happened to him had caused her so much pain. If anyone ever told him how Lenalee had pretty much just shut down after that...

She could try to hide her tears as much as she liked. Allen wouldn't be fooled. After all he knew what others felt more than even they would sometimes. So he put his plate down and pulled up closer to Lenalee.

She raised her hand to wipe away the tears. She didn't want to worry him, but judging the way he moved closer...well it was too late for that. "I know...everyone said it was a war, that there would be casualties, but... but I don't want to lose -anyone-." Selfish Lenalee! Wanting to hold on to her family and friends with both hands, to protect everyone everywhere. "I don't ..want to lose you.. Not again." She was devastated when they told her he died. "I can't..."

He hated seeing her like this. But what hit him hardest was hearing the way her voice grew sadder and quieter. The way desperation and fear started to creep into it to the point that she couldn't even finish her last thought. He naturally felt responsible but that didn't matter. He wanted to do something. So in a show of remarkable boldness or lack of selfpreservation instinct, he pulled Lenalee into his arms. Just like that one night when his eye had been bothering him. But this time he was doing it of his own will rather than Lenalee running to his chest.

"Lenalee. You won't lose me. I promise. I won't let you lose anyone else again either."

It's one of her deepest fears, and one of her greatest regrets. She always feared losing friends and family, but it was all so strange that she had grown so attached to Allen so quickly, that the thought of him being killed was so devastating. As devastating as losing Komui, though..in a different way.

And then she felt arms around her - it was a bit surprising, since she hadn't expected it. Surprising, but welcomed and appreciated. Once the surprise wore off, she leaned into him, slipping her arms around him as she let her head rest against his body. He's promising something like that.. that she wouldn't lose him or anyone else, and even if it was something that couldn't be kept.. the fact that he was making such a promise made her happy. "Allen.."

Funny how something as simple as his presence did wonders in banishing her worries. If she could bottle this feeling - it wouldn't be the same, but despite the dangers of staying close to him like this, she didn't care. Bring on the Komurins~!

He naturally remembered that confession she made. About what her world was and how it would lose a part every time someone dear to her died. It was a sad world view but to know he was part of it added a certain responsibility. He didn't want to be the reason she shed tears, the reason she would ache in her heart from grief. Because after everything Lenalee had been through, the world itself had a huge debt for her harsh life.

Allen didn't answer the girl's soft murmur, content to just hold her to his chest and reaffirm that things would be better. That her world was safe from harm. Little did he know that he was using up all of his good luck in this instance so that Komui wouldn't burst onto the scene.

Well, it wasn't like she had anything outside the Black Order for her. Everything that was important to her was in the Black Order - despite what a hellish prison it was to her in the beginning. But it was a sad world view, and an unsurprising one, given her past.

In his arms like this, it felt like everything he said was absolute truth. A prophecy even - that everything would be better, that she wouldn't lose anyone - not her friends, not Komui, not him. After a moment, she sighed again, though it was a different kind of sigh from before. One that was more content and not willing to pull away from the warmth of his presence right away. "I ...always feel better when I'm with you, like this -" not specifically this, but it might as well be.

Allen certainly didn't hold her world view against Lenalee. She had every right to find that kind of way, of purpose to keep on living. But just becuse that was so it didn't mean Allen felt it should stay that way for good. It would certainly work while they were in the war with the Earl and the Noah but after that...Huh. Funny. He never really gave that much thought about what the future would hold beyond the war.

"R-Really? I'm happy to hear that! Happy that I can be of some comfort to you." Allen said and softened his embrace a bit but tucked Lenalee in a bit closer as well. Not just for her sake but just a little bit of his own selfishness as well.