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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Though the interruption did leave them both rather wound up most likely. Still that was nothing they could do about in the first place.

"Mm. Yeah I guess we have been gone for a while now." Though why did he sound oh so very reluctant to have to part from her? Truly a mystery.

Lenalee tried not to sigh too obviously. She also barely kept herself from reaching out to him, fearing if she touched him in that moment, they would end up right back where they started. Which would be nice, but in this area it was..risky.

"Come on... Komui's going to send out a search party if we're too much longer," she joked, almost half heartedly. She really wanted his arms around her again - she wanted to feel his body against hers - she... agh, she really had to stop thinking things like that and focus on getting home and perhaps having a COLD COLD shower.

The magic of the moment was broken so Allen could do nothing but accept this outcome and resign himself.

"Mmmgh first there's one last thing before we go back." And then without warning he pulled Lenalee in close for one last lingering kiss. Maybe he had a bit of an advantage with Clown Belt but hey surely she would not complain

She almost wished he hadn't done that - it made pulling away SO much harder. If anything she wanted to pull him closer- after that initial surprise, she started to place her hands on his sides, ready to pull him close.

Fortunately she remembered herself this time, but when they separated, she had a dreamy smile on her face, looking like she wanted him to kiss her again. Oh wait, right, back home. She shook her head a little, snapping herself out of that dreamy state, before flashing a grin at him. "That was..sneaky of you." She teased, stepping back to head towards the Order with him.

He flashed her a completely unrepentant smile in return.

"Of course~ I couldn't let you be the only one to surprise me with how bold or daring you could be~" With that he quickly hopped down with her and they made their way back to the Order. Not in too much of a hurry though. Just walking with arms locked was safer than what they'd been doing. So it was easy to just take their time getting there.

Lenalee laughed at that retort, snaking her arm around his to start the walk back. It wasn't anywhere near as far away or as long as she wanted it be, but the entire way she would lean a little against his arm.

They spent the rest of the walk just chatting and laughing, enjoying the moment of sheer bliss while also earning a few puzzled looks from the finders that were just returning from a mission. Those who did not hear the latest news that was sure to have spread like wildfire by now.

Lenalee chuckled a little at the looks they got, leaning up to Allen, "Everyone's staring.." not that she can blame them. Heck, if a certain someone from a certain other science division showed up, Lenalee would make damn sure she knew Allen was -off the market-. "Since it's so late, do you want to stop by the kitchen and see if Jerry put some food aside for you?" Maybe the dinner rush will be over. . . .and maybe there will still be a bunch of people to give jealous looks to Allen, or congratulate the pair.

"They're probably wondering how I am still alive." Allen chuckled softly before leaning in closer to nuzzle against her cheek briefly. He certainly didn't see Rou Fa as anything more than a friend since she did help out during his stay at the China Branch. Alas hearts would be broken one way or another.

"huh? Oh it's that late already? Yeah I think that's worth a try!"

Lenalee laughed softly, squeezing his arm when he nuzzled against her cheek. "Hopefully Brother hasn't put any more KOmurin's in the way-" though he in all likelihood would only put them in the hallway or on alert when Allen didn't have Lenalee around, so Lenalee didn't get too angry with him.

"Time really passed quickly while we were...um...busy.." ahem. Though they've definite learned a great deal in their outing.

Like when they were kissing, time went by superfast. And it was hard ...very hard... to stop. And .. well, unless she misread the placement of the sun in the sky, dinner would have been served already.

"Sorry I didn't think to bring food with us," but if that had happened, who knows when they would have gone back.

"Ahhh well if he did we'll just have to clean them up as well." though really he rather that wasn't the case but that was the risk of daring to fall for Lenalee. HE would argue it was well worth it though. Especially after they...got carried away just now.

"Y-Yes so it seems." Busy was definitely one way to put it.

"Oh it's fine. We can just make it a picnic next time to be sure. That spot would be perfect for that."

"That sounds wonderful," she smiled. As she drew near the mess hall, she squeezed his hand again, giggling, "Here we go!" And open the doors and almost -immediately- the chatter from the ones still present comes to a dead stop. It's .. pretty obvious they heard the rumors or saw Lenalee and Allen leaving together and they were the hot topic of the day. And possibly week. Or year.

Jerry was the first to break the silence, grinning widely, "Heyyy you two! Welcome back!" He's not going to ask if they had fun because the grin and blush on Lenalee's face said as much. "You made it back just in time, I was just about to finish making a few dishes if you two are hungry." And then he glanced at the rest of the room, "Quit staring, and eat your food, it's going to get cold!"

"Here we go indeed." Allen said nodding to her words before hte doors swung open revealing them both. Ohhh wow those many eyes just looking at the two of them with contrasting feelings. Some were pity, some were envy. Some were happy for the two even. Mostly those who had worked with either Allen or Lenalee in the past.

"As if we'd ever say no to your cooking." Allen said quickly tugging Lenalee up to the cook doing his best to ignore the looks they were getting because wow this had to be quite overwhelming for Lenalee. Allen was mostly fine since he had performed in front of a bigger crowd than this since he was a child.

Yyyyeah, she almost reconsidered going into the mess hall and eating with him. When she saw those eyes on them, she coughed nervously, "Maybe.. I should go and see Komui -" But eep, nope, Allen's tugging her up past the eeeeeeeeyes on them.

Fortunately Jerry snapping at them made them quickly glance away - the ones that were eyeing Allen jealously anyway. Others cast a few glances at them like they were three headed blue deer or something. For the most part - the ones that were supportive of them at least - they did all go back to their food naturally. Lenalee even started to relax again, able to focus her attention back on Jerry and Allen.

"Don't mind those guys - they're just jealous. You two have been a pretty hot topic the last few hours you were gone." he added, putting plates of food on a tray as he waved them to take a seat. "Lenalee, your brother came in here laughing about a mad dream he had where you two came into his office and told him you were in love." He chuckled. "I guess it's his way of coping too."

Lenalee chuckled as she took her own plate, "Ahaha, well, Allen and I had a feeling it would turn out that way.."

Did she really believe he would just let her walk off like that just because of a small crowd? Oh no no no he had nothing to be ashamed of and neither did Lenalee. As for jealousy. Well he would love to see teh fools who would be more foolish than him to go up against Komui's future deathtraps and hidden ambushes.

"How did the news leak so quickly anyway?" Wait could it be Jerry who was gushing about it to anyone who asked why he looks so happy? Or maybe one of the science division.

"Ahahaha yes that was about what I expected. Though I am surprised that illusion actually stuck given I destroyed the two Komurin's outside his office before Lenalee put him to sleep."

Silly her! Although she wasn't ashamed of being with him - far from it! It was just all of that attention was embarrassing.

Jerry glanced at Allen, laughing aloud, "Ahaha, I wonder!" It was him. He did it. "Well you know, everyone is so close at the Order, someone must have seen you and they mentioned it to someone, and so on and so forth.." Cough. MOVING ON. "Well, I suppose that's the power of denial for the Chief when it comes to Lenalee, right?"

Lenalee chuckled. Even if Jerry was responsible for blabbing, she didn't mind. And they would have been found out anyway, when they came back. Considering Lenalee -still- hadn't let go of Allen's arm.

Allen narrowed his eyes a little bit. That reaction was very suspicious not that he intended to punish the cook. One he held the food of the gods hostage when Lenalee wasn't cooking. And two well it was bound to get out anyway.

"So what's on the menu tonight?" Of course he would dive right into the core of the reason why they had come to his counter in the first place.

"Well, I thought I'd make use of those vegetables and fish you and Lenalee brought me the other day. Not that that's all I have - we've got stewed fish, some teriyaki beef, chicken curry - take your pick! There's plenty to go around." Even with Allen eating. "Don't worry about taking too much, I made a plate up for Lenalee separate from yours."

"That's sweet of you Jerry, thank you!" Lenalee beamed, "Do you need help with the dishes afterwards?" He had quite a stack to get to.

"I wouldn't dream of asking either of you for help - don't worry, Komui lent me a Komurin of his which does the job nicely." Obviously, he didn't bring it out when he saw Allen and Lenalee come in, since it would start throwing plates at Allen like a discus.

"As expected of Jerry. You thought ahead of everything." Allen praised the cook. Truly that had been one source of concern. THe last thing he wanted was to take food from Lenalee's plate. Though if she decided to feed it to him herself he would not say no. But that was getting ahead of himself just a bit.

"Oh did he? I guess I should be careful from now on when I come see you." Allen chuckled dryly. The intent behind placing a Komurin in the kitchen was not lost on Allen one bit.

Jerry flashed a proud grin at Allen for the praise, "I wouldn't be head chef if I didn't make sure everyone had their fill, and you're my best eater." He was always thrilled to see Allen enjoying his meals so much. Lenalee, for her part, chuckled softly - her own plate was a mix of the different dishes that Allen got in fuller portions.

"Oh no, I'm sure you'll be fine - Komui wouldn't let one of his creations run rampant in my kitchen." So he hopes. Buuuuut....

Always happy to be of service~" Allen retorted with a big smile before he retrieved the veritable mountain of food Jerry had set aside for him. Oh everything looks so good his mouth was already watering.

"Ah yes of course." He would still be cautious around the kitchen and eating area.

Probably for the best - Komurins sometimes have a mind of their own. She plucks up her own plate, smiling at the sight of Allen looking so eager to dig in to his meal. "It looks fantastic as always, Jerry~!" She smiled sweetly, making a surprised and delighted hum when she dug into the food. So fresh and tender~!

Allen was certainly aware of the risks. underestimating them was the last thing he wanted to do. He had so much more to look forward to in his future now with Lenalee.

Allen quickly set to work devouring the mountain of food, happily humming and exclaiming from time to time.

Lenalee would be feeling quite giddy if she were able to read minds. She ate more sedately, and more relaxed now that the lookie-loos in the mess hall weren't paying any mind to them. Though she woudl bet Allen would get grilled later by his friends, and she knew she owed Miranda a chat. She chuckled at the thought, making short work of her meal. One never insulted the chef by not finishing what was on their plate!

Oh Allen had no doubt the moment Lavi heard he would be draping himself over Allen's shoulders asking for juicy details about him and Lenalee. NOt that he'd give any. Lavi would have to use his overactive imagination to paint the picture.

"So good. This spicy dish and the slightly sour one. They're just so amazing I can't get enough~" Allen declared in between swallowing bite after bite of heavenly tier food.