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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Allen immediately turned around when Jerry pointed Lenalee out as having arrived at teh cafeteria. Immediately the smile on his face turned dazzling yet earnest as he fought the urge to reach out and take her hand in his own again. It had only been a few minutes and yet he had already missed the touch of her hand so much.

"Hahaha guess there's no need for cake for desert then." Allen laughed politely before turning his attention back to Jerry. "So yes we'll have those dishes then~"

Lenalee almost pouted at the thought of no cake - but then again, too much cake and sweets WILL make her fat. So it was probably better this way. She padded up beside Allen, to take her spot at his side, her hands resting primly in her lap.

"It's just as well, I shouldn't have too many sugary dishes," she sighed playfully.

"I'm sure you'd be able to work it off if you really want cake afterwards," Jerry grinned at the pair, "I'll get started on your breakfast. Double the amount, Allen?" Per usual, he suspected. And totally unaware of Lenalee's hand slowly creeping towards Allen's out of sight beneath the table; only hearing the content little sigh when she did manage to brush her hand against his.

Funny how it was only a few minutes and she wanted to feel him close to her as much as he wanted to feel her close to him. She didn't know that was going through his mind though, but she did give him a soft smile, adoring every bit of him.

Well there were the missions and training and now...other nightly activities. So Lenalee had ample methods to lose those extra bits of weight. Allen's metabolism was a bit of an envy spurning element. After all he ate so much and didn't put on a single extra pound of weight.

"You know me so well, Jerry~" Allen nodded happily before he risked one glance at his hand before he turned it palm up and gently wrapped around Lenalee's fighting the new urge to juse have her pressing up against his side. Their hands would have to settle them both for now.

Oh yes, that was certainly true. She'd definitely be getting a good workout from all of those things. Especially the last one.

In any case, despite her minor envy of Allen's ability to eat whatever he wants - well she would just be careful about what she ate and not overdo it. Or get plenty of exercise to burn it off.

Feeling his hand wrap around hers, she felt her heart skip a beat, her smile warming as she squeezed his hand tightly. She -really- didn't want to go on this mission, and be without him for who knows how long. But with luck, they would both wrap up their tasks quickly.

Jerry chuckled at Allen's comment, "Haha, but of course! I make it part of my job to know the tastes of everyone who comes here to be fed are - so I can give them exactly what they want and need most. At least as far as nutrition goes." He'd be chuckling if he knew the urges that the two were fighting right now. Heck, he wouldn't mind if they indulged a little - but uh... with Komui's 'helpers' in the kitchen with him, he knew that was a risk they probably shouldn't take quite yet.

Allen felt very much the same. He would be spending every free moment of time on the mission thinking of her and what she would be doing beneath the same sky at that time. Oh he had it bad. So very bad.

"And that's why you are the best Jerry!" Allen chuckled happily.

Jerry flashed a broad grin at Allen, chuckling, "And that's why you'll always get extra servings, Allen~!" He joked back. "You'd better come back from your mission in one piece, and with a huge appetite. The same goes for you Lenalee."

Lenalee chuckles, "I won't let you down, Jerry." She squeezed Allen's hand under the table. She had even more reason to come back safe, and she would certainly have a big appetite - she'd have to make up for all the nights she spent without him. ... wait that sounded a little suggestive.

"Of course we will. There's no way we wouldn't come back home. Both of us." Oh that was quite the blunt confession on his part but he didn't seem to find anything wrong with speaking so strongly about his thoughts on the matter.

He would be repeating it to himself quite a bit especially when being nagged by his ball and chain Inspector. Still suggestive things....might not be all that unlikely even in his own mind.

"Right," Lenalee grinned at her friend, partner and now lover. There was definitely nothing wrong with such a blunt response - they'd have answered the same way before too right?

Jerry chuckled, "So should I place bets on which of you will be coming home first? Do you know where you're going yet?" Jerry asked, turning away from the counter to place a platter of ..several servings of food in front of Allen.

Somehow Lenalee had a feeling that wouldn't be the only gambling going on, but they all had to have their fun soehow. "Not yet, but I do know it'll be a few days before we're back. We'll need to speak with brother before we leave, so he can give us our missions."

She wouldn't mention how hard it was to get out of bed and not just stay curled up on top of him. Oh it wasn't going to be easy sleeping alone. She sneaked a quick glance at Allen when Jerry turned to get her food. She wanted to remember his face as good as she could - it'd be a comfort to her when she wouldn't be able to see it in person.

"Lenalee pretty much summed it up. We'll be getting our briefing after we finish up here. Hopefully it won't be too long." Allen said with a small sigh. He really wanted some more time with Lenalee but the war didn't care about such things.

As he pondered on that, he felt Lenalee's hand over his and turned it with the palm facing upwards so his finger laced with his beloved's. Beloved. That was a very fitting word for it even if he felt bashful just imagining saying that out loud.

Once her plate was placed in front of her, Lenalee --was left with a puzzle. How to eat when she didn't want to let go of Allen's hand. She could, however, sip her drink a little just to delay that inevitability. "It really does look fantastic, Jerry." She praised the chef with a grin, idly wondering what it would be like to feed Allen ...using a fork or something of course, and not..by hand... ah...

She felt her face grow pink when she remembered when he was sucking on her finger last night. God the look on his fa-ACK, stop that Lenalee! She shook her head quickly and drew her hand away from his with an embarrased smile. Dear lord it was dangerous to just -think- about him.

Fortunately Jerry missed that little moment of embarrassment from the both of them, his back turned to put away some things. "Well for your sakes I hope it will be wrapped up quickly. It seems a shame that you have to go out so soon after finding each other like you have." He noted.

Allen was unbelievably just as torn. But with Lenalee taking the first step to pull away he managed to follow suit in the end. Even so while he devoured his delicious morning feast he would constantly sneak glances over to Lenalee, thinking of the way she ate so cutely. Yes now that he was at this stage he could see so many more cute things about the way she acted usually. It only made the love in his heart grow all that more.

Another consequence of these proceedings was that anyone going near the two would feel something akin to an invisible imperceptible bubble encasing the two and the table they were at.

It was even more obvious to Jerry, since he was closest in proximity to the pair, watching out of the corner of his eye the way they diligently tucked into their food, but still sneaked glances over to each other. With Lenalee's cheeks tinging pink everytime Allen glanced at her, and though she sat separately from him, she still managed somehow, to lean in his direction unconsciously.

Jerry had considered breaking into that little bubble between them - well, trying anyway - but even he could see that he wouldn't be able to get their attention. Nothing short of Komui waltzing into the room or Allen being attacked by a Komurin, or their new base being attacked would get their attention right now. He quietly prayed none of those things would happen. Well maybe the Komui one, but the two would see their delusional friend soon anwyay.

Ahh, young love really was the most beautiful thing he'd seen in ..ever actually. He only wished he could something to help them with their relationship obstacles. One of said obstacles named Komui.

So just like that the two lovebirds had their filling breakfast under the gaze of jealousy and adoration of everyone still in the cafeteria. Allen didn't spare them so much as a single glance while the food in his plate gradually lost shape and quantity. Still it was a bit just a bit slower than usual due to his frequent peeking over to Lenalee's side.

The two of them had more determination than they had any right to have at their age. So Komui was fighting a losing battle in terms of breaking through that resolve.

They also deserved that happiness, more than anyone else, after the suffering they've had. Finding love in each other surely was a good start to balancing out all the suckiness they'd been through. Maybe.

Either way, not even Komui would be able to get Lenalee to change her mind about Allen. Once he understood how determined they were to be together, and that things wouldn't change between him and Lenalee, he ought to settle down. She hoped.

Lenalee on the other hand, kept her eyes on her plate, though she could feel Allen's glances which made her warm and tingly all over. Frankly she feared if she looked at him, she'd try to feed him some of her own breakfast- or his. Though there wasn't much left, regrettably, which meant they'd have to go on to see Komui soon.

They surely did. The payoff would only truly come after the war was over but until then they had found something else to tide them by, to give them purpose in a life filled with loss and conflict.

One good consequence of his slower eating and distracted glances was the fact that Allen wound up finishing his meal shortly.

"mmmmm that was a feast and a half, Jerry!"

"From you two, that's the highest praise I can get," Jerry grinned, glancing between the pair. Lenalee was already getting to her feet to help offer the plates, but he shooed her away. "Come on now, no trying to steal my job here." He teased. "I'll take care of the things in the kitchen, you two do what you do best."

Lenalee smiled slightly, nodding agreement. "Well.. then I guess we should get going." She'd ..kind of wanted to linger a little and help with the plates since it'd give her a few minutes more with Allen. But Jerry was right - separating from him would be like taking a bandaid off of an injure. Better to just..yank it off quickly, right? You only suffer more if you let it linger. Or..something.

"What we do best?" Allen repeated quietly before he followed Lenalee's lead in the end. For once he didn't feel all that bad about leaving the cleanup to Jerry. A bit of selfishness on his part but Jerry did allow it with tacit approval.

So just like that the two exorcists left the cafeteria and headed towards the den of the metaphorical dragon. Along the way though, Allen's hand did find its way brushing against Lenalee's as they walked.

And they're off! Though like Allen, she didn't push too hard to help Jerry with the dishes, like she normally did. "Maybe he means... dealing with Akuma?" Lenalee ventured, walking as closely to him as she could without bumping into him, her hand moving to brush against his as well. It was the closest she could come to affection with him in public without triggering any of the Komurin sentry bots patrolling the halls.

"Mmmm maybe" Allen shrugged in the end and just discarded that topic entirely, focusing on small chatter and the occasional contact of his hand with Lenalee until they would have to go into the den of the dragon himself.

She had to resist the urge to slow her steps on the way to her brother's office, raising her hand to knock when they arrived. "Here goes," she whispered to Allen when she heard her brother's groggy response. He must not have had his coffee. That was her fault, she usually brought it to him. Well, he was a big boy who could get his coffee too, but he neglected his own needs often.

"Good morning, Komui," Lenalee chirped, quickly drawing away from Allen to move to her brother's side.

Komui responded with a massive, sleepy yawn, rubbing his eyes as he smiled at the pair, "Oh, good morning you two. Sorry about that. I just can't quite wake up."

"I'll make some coffee for you," Lenalee offered, padding over to the coffee machine.

"Ah, thank you Lenalee," he smiled widely at his little sister, then -glanced- at Allen with a more polite, hesitantly suspicious look. "And how did you sleep, Allen?"

Allen felt a bit responsible for Komui's state since Lenalee's coffee was the lifeblood of the science division. But he couldn't bring himself to feel too much regret either. He might have acted like a gentleman most of the time but he still had a fairly selfish side deep deep down.

Thankfully his pokerface was all back in place so when Komui threw that question his way, he flashed his perfect trademark smile.

"Same as always. A perfectly restful sleep."

"Hmm, at least someone here was able to get some rest," Komui grumped, until Lenalee approached with the coffee.

One sip and he was revitalized, almost like a new man even! "HAHA! Is there nothing like the recuperative properties of a hot drink from someone who loves you~! Thank you Lenalee, you're such a good sister~!" He chugged two more gulps of coffee as Lenalee gave Allen an amused glance, taking her place near him, but not so near as to make Komui worry.

"Ah, that's better," Komui sighed, smacking his lips and glancing at them again as if just remembering they were there. "Oh! That's right, of course, you're here about the missions, correct?"

Lenalee nodded, inwardly bracing herself for the shoe that was sure to drop. Komui took a moment, unintentionally buildling suspense as he searched for their mission papers, "Here we go - Lenalee, you're to go to Spain to investigate rumors of an Innocence being found. Allen, you're to go..." He paused, tempted to suggest somewhere as far from his sweet Lenalee as possible. But there was no need for that! "Scotland; there's been suggestion of activity from a large swarm of Akuma, and it could be just a distraction from the Earl, but we don't think it'd be a good idea to completely ignore it. I doubt it's anything particularly dire, but the Akuma swarm is disturbingly close to the human villages - so evacuation and extermination of the Akuma should be your priority."

Allen didn't break character at all even though on the inside he was already dreading his potential destination. Luckily enough the mission wouldn't take him that far from HQ. Scotland was part of the British isles after all. Compared to Lenalee who had to go all the way to spain, odds were he would make it back first.

He took the papers from Komui and gave them a quick lookover after passing Lenalee her papers as well.

"Understood! I won't fail." Allen nodded firmly. As if he'd let that horde of Akuma anywhere near a settlement once he was deployed.

Lenalee accepted her mission papers with ease, keeping her focus on her brother, and certainly keeping her disappointment that she was going to be further away than she expected.

In a way this was better, at least for her - she'd have been going out of her mind waiting for him to come back to her, if their missions were reversed. Allen surely would be able to handle the wait better than her..

...Unless...something happened and he wasn't able to get back before her. Agh, no, don't even think about that happening. "You can count on me, Komui." She assured him, even though she knew he would be perfectly happy if she didn't have her Innocence, when she wouldn't put herself in harms way.

In fact, if it game down keeping Allen or the INnocence, she'd bet he'd pick Allen. "So then I'll-"

"Ah, one moment," Komui held up a hand, "I wanted ot talk to you before you leave. You can go ahead though, Allen." He was totally not tring to be sneaky and keep them from leaving at the same time.

It wouldn't be that much easier for him but he would be able to hide it from most that much better. He would still miss Lenalee terribly while counting down the days until they were reunited while also hoping he wouldn't get another mission while she was still out on her spain one.

That being said while he didn't show his suspicion openly, he felt something was off about Komui asking Lenalee to stay. That being said if he did anything to show his suspicion things would get...complicated. So he had no other choice but to nod and give Lenalee one brief meaningful look goodbye before he left through the door albeit not in a hurry.