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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Well she wouldn't have to resist that temptation for long as Allen made that decision for her and reached out and took her hand into his own in plain sight.

"You honor me~" he retorted with a chuckle as he pulled up closer still, almost tempted to nuzzle against Lenalee's cheek but resisted it in the end.

"Not at all? I'm only saying the truth." Lenalee laughed. "Didn't you miss me?" Most of all, she almost adds, but she didn't want to put him on the spot. Instead she curled her fingers around his hand, swinging their hands lightly

"You know very well I missed you more than anything in this world." Allen retorted with a chuckle. Teasing each other once again in the hallway as they made their way over to the cafeteria, not really caring about a thing in the world, Komurin or envious people alike.

"I know," Lenalee grinned, "Call me selfish but... I just wanted to hear it again." Knowing how much he missed her. She wanted very much to move closer as they crossed the way to the mess hall, but that would be inviting trouble from the Komurin's - and there would be plenty of time for closeness later.

Pushing open the door, she smiled, waving a hand to familiar faces, though she looked a bit surprised when she saw her own brother there, of all people, "Komui? Reever actually got him to leave the office," she remarked in faint amusement. "Shall we go sit with him?"

... nevermind the fact that even if Allen said no, Komui would no doubt come and join them anyway. And he'd probably try to squeeze between them if that were the case.

"Then I will say it as many times as you wish~" Allen answered with a chuckle of his own before they finally entered the cafeteria. Right in time to...see Komui and Reever there?! Oh dear. This was risky to say the least. However they were already hiding plenty from Komui and avoiding him would only make the man convinced Allen was stealing Lenalee away from him.

"Yes I think that would be for the best." Allen nodded. "Do you want to go to the table first to say hello and let him know? I can even bring our food over if you'd prefer."

Lenalee smiled, squeezing his hand tightly for a second. "Yes, I was just thinking that same thing." Going over to see her brother, that is. She was relieved that Allen wouldn't suggest something as awful as not sitting with her brother. She might want to sit close with him, even lean on him, but her brother needed to have priority sometimes too. "Okay, I'll go and save a spot for you." She let go of his hand, gently brushing it against his arm as she parted from him to head over to her brother and Reever.

Allen watched her off with a fond smile before he went over to Jerry's counter to fetch his and Lenalee's meals. No doubt the cook would have some more teasing in store for him. Still that was only natural in the end.

Indeed, but Jerry also had to be careful since the little Komurin /and/ their creator were present in the kitchen. "Welcome back Allen, I didn't expect to see you so soon - especially with the Princess finally home." Jerry grinned, "A bit late aren't you two?" HRRRMMM?

"Ahahah yes well we wanted to catch up a bit after we've been away for so long." Allen said putting his words as vaguely as possible. Even if a part of Komui knew of their relationship he didn't know how far him and Lenalee had gone.

"I presume you have our food already arranged and waiting?" Allen asked with a dashing smile.

Jerry nodded, "All caught up then?" He asked, turning to get a pair of plates he had set aside, "Haha, you know me pretty well there Allen. When I didn't see you and Lenalee, I set aside a plate for you both so it'd stay warm when you came for your food." He glanced over to where Komui was currently fawning over an increasingly embarrassed Lenalee, and he chuckled softly, "Sometimes that man surprises me." He's such a good he one wouldn't immediately suspect him for being Chief - or that he was behind numerous crazy shenanigans.

"For now yes." That was the closest to an outright no, Jerry was going to get. "I knew you'd have our backs Jerry." On the other hand he had been using plural words for himself and Lenalee a lot more often but that was something he hadn't quite picked up on yet.

He turned back to look at the table he was going to be joining shortly and just shook his head with a smile.

"There's no denying how much he loves her. Just wish he could understand he's not the only one in that regard." He said with a soft if a little somber smile.

Jerry chuckles, "My two favorite Exorcists? Naturally," he handed over the plates, "Careful, don't spill that now," he warned. THere was probably three times the amount of food Lenalee had, on Allen's plate, of course. But there was chicken with what looked like sesame seeds this time, instead of steak, stew or fish - sprinklings of some herbs, and roasted ribs -dripping- in sauce. Nummy num!

"On some level I'm sure he does. For the longest time it was just the two of them, after all. It may take a while for him to accept that you love her as much as he does (maybe more) and accept your relationship in a state that isn't delusion."

"No need to worry. I've performed in a circus after all. Balancing things is my forte." Allen said easily taking the plates each in one hand but pausing for a moment as Jerry went on.

"Yeah I guess you're right. It's a good thing I am patient enough to wait. And that what's at the end of that wait is worth any hurdle that might come."

"Atta boy Allen, just keep that in mind." Jerry grinned, "Here, I'll bring over the drinks. Komui and Reever probably need a refill on their cups about now. Besides, if you stay over here much longer, I think Lenalee may be driven mad." He laughed, nodding over to the small group.

Where Komui was completely glomped onto his little sister, who was scolding an amused and unhelpful Reever as she half-heartedly tried to pry her brother off. "KOmui you're embarrassing me..!" She huffs loudly enough that the two could hear her.

"But I've missed you soooooooo~!" Komui not letting go NOPE.

Reever was far too amused on the other hand, "Well it -has- been about a week since you two saw each other.."

"Reever!" NO HELP AT ALL. "Jerry, help!"

The chef hid a grin, but balked, giving Allen a quick look. "On second thought -" Jerry wasn't sure he wanted to get pulled into those shenanigans!

"I know." Allen said with a nod before he took one step in that direction. Lenalee's cry quickly cut through the noise of hte cafeteria and he turned his head around to look at the cook.

"She did call for you though. Besides it's less suspicious if you do it~" Allen said, putting on his more charming demeanor. Jerry was safe around Komui when it came to maters with his sister. He wasn't a potential suitor but a mentor figure in the art of cooking after all. Allen knew that and had already made the calculated plan to exploit that.

Awww, Allen not you too. Jerry made a face, though he wasn't really going to abandon Lenalee to the horrible twisted fate of brotherly love. "All right, all right," he mock-sighed, "I suppose you have a point. Come on then, lad." he started over to the table again, smiling when Lenalee's distressed pout turned into a brilliant smile. Even though 95% of that smile was directed towards Allen.

"Come come, you can't have your coffee if you're clinging to your sister," Jerry tutted at the group, chuckling.

With a grumble, Komui finally did let go of his sister, sitting back in his chair, "I suppose, for now - but ah, I'm just so ecstatic my Lenalee's back after so long. I hate sending you all so far away." To Allen's approach, he was still polite, though there was a little tension in the air as he subtle inched a little closer to his sister.

Not that that mattered - there was a spot opposite Lenalee, after all. She wouldn't mind being between the two of them.

Nope he was going to bring Jerry with him no matter the dirty trick he would have to employ. Allen was going to have to deal with plenty on his own once he sat at the table wiht Lenalee. Then again he also had an excuse seeing as he was carrying both meals for himself and Lenalee.

"Here is your order." Allen said pretending to be a waiter for a moment before he happily sat on Lenalee's opposite side after setting down his own mountain of food. Oh yes. All of that sustenance would vanish soon so hopefully everyone got a good clear look at it.

Lenalee giggled as the food was delivered, "Thanks, Allen..." It was a good thing she had been friends with Allen, and even close with him before they became much much more, or the way she kept watching him would be suspicious.

Granted the way the others in the room were shooting dirty looks at the pair was kind of telling too, but Komui wasn't noticing them, thankfully. "Good evening..Allen. You must have been keeping yourself busy today - I haven't seen you all afternoon," Komui remarked cheerfully. Too much so. Okay he had been stuffed in his own office for most of that time, but he's trying to see if Allen will let something slip! Sneakiesneaks.

Komui apparently had forgotten just who he was handling. The lord of poker himself. So naturally Allen could lie right through his teeth while looking completely honest. So that was exactly what he did as he answered his superior's question.

"I was actually working out in my room. I like to do a thousand one armed pushups when I have the free time for it. After that I am ashamed to admit I actually took a bit of a nap~" Only Lenalee knew the truth and he didn't think she'd give away he was lying to her brother of all people.

Curse his ability to pokerface fib. Lenalee was far more interested with the treat in front of her, looking delighted at the chicken and rib dish, and she certainly knew better than to blow Allen's cover.

Jerry exchanged a look with Reever that all but said, '1000? holy crap' in silence expressions. Reever only grinned, because he could afford to be proud of their exorcists too - what of them were left anyway.

"Ohoh, I see, of course! That explains it." He breathed a little easier, picking up his coffee that Jerry had refilled, "You know, if you're ever inclined I could set my Komurin's off to the training room to spar with you. I've been working on a few new ones."

"Komui -really-?" Lenalee gave her brother an exasperatd look. This will only end in tears. His tears.

Allen had inflated teh number just a little bit but with his inhuman arm that was more than possible. The truth was he used those pushups to train his human arm so that it wouldn't lose out too much to his innocence one. Balance was key to him after all.

"Ahaha I appreciate the thought but I would rather stick to my tried and true routine for now." Otherwise Allen would be scrapping those precious creations at every turn and then he would be crying all the more.

Good idea, Lenalee let out a soft breath of relief at Allen's diplomatic refusal. "As generous at the offer was, Brother, sometimes your Komurin more trouble than they're worth." She pointed out.

"GASP! Lenalee! My own flesh and blood, how could you say that!" He glanced over at the kitchen Komurin, "It's okay, she doesn't mean it." He assured the ..not quiete sentient little thing.

Lenalee chuckled, spearing some of the chicken, "Nevermind that, here, try this chicken-" she said, getting her brother's attention again. Even going so far as to feed him a forkful - oh Komui was in heaven.

Reever, who had been talking quietly with Jerry at this time, finally glanced over at Allen over his cup of coffee, "So, Lenalee told you that we're giving a few of you exorcists a few days off to recuperate from the last mission, yet?"

Well odds were that Komui would still try to offer again at a later time. But right now that was over and done with. With that Allen started tucking into his own mountain of food, making steady and also startling progress before Reever turned a question over to him.

"Oh yes she did on our way here. That's great news." Allen said with a bright relieved smile. Not overly bright though. Wouldn't want to set off Komui's radar too openly.

Oh most definitely. He cold pretty much guarantee it. Reever grinned at the careful response from the Exorcist, "Of course. We can't have you guys working yourselves too hard. Jerry would never let us hear the end of it."

"That's right! I may not be able to do anything about you Researchers overworking yourselves, but I'll not have you abusing my little Princess, or Allen!" Jerry piped up jokingly. "isn't that right, Chief?"

"I'm in heaven~." Komui may be exaggerating his happiness in Lenalee feeding him a bit of chicken though.

Allen paused in his eating briefly to laugh politely at the silly scene unfolding. He'd always admired this sort of family atmosphere and Komui's overall silliness was just as great as his love for his dear sister. He couldn't fault him that at all.