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 watched her dart off through his door and kept looking at the door where Lenalee had been before he finally slumped back onto his bed looking up at the ceiling and only naturally, thinking of Lenalee once again. Tomorrow was going to be...probably his hardest battle yet.

Hardest battle and greatest reward, most likely. Lenalee practically flew down the hall to her quarters, probably drawing a few curious glances. Fortunately said curious people didn't see from what room she dashed out of.

She didn't know what was going to come about tomorrow - and not knowing made her nervous, frankly. So naturally, she didn't sleep as well as she could have. She got her full six hours of sleep, sure, but it was a restless sleep and she couldn't help but think that she'd have slept a lot better with Allen in the bed.

... let's...let's just not think about Allen and Beds...

Allen was little better off than Lenalee. Luckily though after his own six hours of sleep he had the one hour of morning exercise to ground himself and steel his nerves. After that was done, he washed up and dressed up in his casual attire before looking in the mirror and nodding at the reflection. It was time. Time to do something most would call walking into the lion's den willingly in a suit of armor made of steak while the lions were hungry.

But first he had to go get Lenalee so within a few minutes after that he was knocking on Lenalee's door.

Lenalee had plenty of nervous energy when she woke up. Though she passed on her morning exercise to trot to the kitchen and get some early brib--err, snacks for her brother's breakfast. Hopefully he wouldn't wake up cranky or wary when he saw them arrive together. She was pouring tea into cups when she heard the knock, and almost spilled the drink. "Ah! ..Come in...?"

"It's me, Allen." He announced before opening the door slooowly in case she wasn't ready to greet him. After all her voice sounded a little off so maybe she had forgotten that detail. Thankfully he just saw her getting some tea into cups so that sped his entrance up a bit since the last thin they wanted was someone snitching on him entering Lenalee's room before they went to confront Komui.

"Allen!" she was both delighted and nervous at his arrival - though she was mostly worried about how Komui would take the news. Hopefully without sic'ing his golems on Allen. "Come in~!"

Once he'd joined her inside, she smiled at him, though her hands were twitching a little as she poured the tea. From nerves, obviously. "Did you sleep well..?"

Allen quickly nodded and entered Lenalee's room taking a moment to get used to the surroundings. This was a room everyone other than him and Komui could only dream of entering.

"I did for the most part. And you?"

Lenalee nodded with a smile. "I did. For the most part." Unconsciously echoing his same response - that 'for the most part' all but implying that she would have rested better with him.

"So..." She picked up the tray with the cups of tea- enough for her, Allen, Reever and Komui, with a pot for refills. "... are you ready?"

He was so antsy that he missed that detail as well. But all the same he was committed to this course of action. It took every ounce bravery he had though.

"As ready as I will ever be. Lets go then."

Lenalee took a deep breath and let it out again. "Right!" Allen had more reason to be nervous than she did, honestly - and she had to remember that. She smiled in any event, stepping out of the room and bearing the teatray and its bounty.

And yeah, there were definitely golems along the way. Oh, they weren't obvious about watching Allen or anything, but they were. OH THEY WERE. There was one washing a spot on the wall, several puttering up and down the hall sweeping, another mopping behind them -- harmless, right?

The Golems were not being subtle at all at this point but Allen pretended not to notice. AFter all doing so would probably make him appear as if he was feeling guilty of something. It was best just to escort Lenalee up to the office ignoring every suspicious mechanized stare following the two of them.

Lenalee tries to ignore the golems herself - particularly the hovering ones that look similar to Timcanpy, only without the cuteness. "... I think Komui's going a little overboard..." Or maybe he was so bored and paranoid about Lenalee's relationship with Allen that... that train of thought didn't bode well. She puts it aside, balancing the tray with one arm as she knocked on Komui's door.

"Komui? Are you awake? I brought some tea!~"

"Come iiiiiiiin~!" Komui sounds a little too happy - but then again, it is Lenalee.

Reever was present also apparently, as a few seconds after Komui sang out to his sister, the door swings inward to let the pair in. "Good morning Lenalee, Allen~!" Yay tea -- or, well, coffee for the researchers.

"ahahaha I'm sure there's nothing to worry about." Boy did his laughter sound forced even to him. But there was nothing he could really do about this situation. Komui for once was more or less in the right to suspect something was going on. Even so he wasn't going to back down now.

"Good morning, Komui. I um hope you slept well." Allen answered back before he let Lenalee quickly deliver her elder brother's breakfast and tea.

"I did, thank you Allen!" Ah, bliss, steaming hot tea poured from his lovely little sister's lovely little hands. "We've located several potential Innocence locations - of course since we're so shortstaffed right now we'll have to send everyone out on solo missions. But it should be safe! Probably."

Wait a second. "Hold on, you don't usually visit this early in the morning. Is there something I can do for you?" Squinting suspiciously at the silver haired Exorcist, as Lenalee served up his drink with a nervous smile.

Solo missions huh? That actually didn't make him all that happy on the inside. Still his feelings were secondary to his duties as an exorcist. But his feelings were what had him bracing for the storm that was about to hit. Sooner rather than later too as Komui picked up on his unnatural visit.

"Ah well actually there's...a good reason for that." That answer was probably vaguer than he ought to have made it.

Komui raised an eyebrow at Allen, glancing at Lenalee briefly. ... Oh. Wait. Was it .. THAT? "Allen, I'm flattered that you came to me for that sort of thing. Ah, well, with Cross being unavailable I'm not surprised, actually, but all the same, I'm touched. We shouldn't have that kind of conversation with Lenalee around though - I won't have her hearing about lewd things like that, so Lenalee-"

Reever, buried under multiple books reading, suddenly snorted at that misconception, "I don't think..that's the kind of talk he wants.."

Lenalee took a step or two backwards, blushing, "That's right. Actually ...." She glanced at Allen. Deep breath now, we can do it!

Thank you so much Reever for clearing that up. It saved him from freaking out though the concept of him ever having THAT talk with Komui gave him chills. It almost felt like he'd use that to brainwash Allen into never even considering doing that kind of thing with Lenalee. Wait why did his imagination immediately go to that scenario!?

Allen met Lenalee's glance and only nodded before pulling up closer ever so slightly. he would have loved to hold her hand for support but they were already in the middle of the lion's den. Or more accurately he was.

Lenalee would have reached over to hold his hand, partly for support, and partly because she wanted to, but - not a good idea right now. Komui was in a pretty good mood, and she didn't want to change that.

Komui glanced between the two, but his suspicion only heightened, "Well then... what's going on Lenalee? Tell your darling brother!~"

"Well.. you see..." Lenalee hesitated, glancing at Allen.

Komui was immediately on his feet, a drill in his hands, "Did he do something to upset you-!?"

Lenalee shook her head, holding her hands up, "No! NO NO! It's nothing like that!" She hastily said, relaxing when he sat back down. "The thing is, Allen-"

"I KNEW IT!" Komui leapt to his feet again, but this time Reever scrambled off of the couch to interpose himself between Allen and Komui.

"Chief! Let them -finish-!" Thinking the worst of poor Allen!

Allen had been prepared to defend himself, aiming to activate his Innocence just in time to try and grab the drill before it could even reach him. Luckily Reever was on hand to intervene even if he Allen didn't expect him to be able to hold Komui back once they actually gave the older overprotective brother the big news.

Still dragging this out wasn't going to help anyone so putting on his best pokerface yet he stepped up next to Lenalee.

"I have truly...fallen in love with your sister. For long time even." The order would probably resonate from top floor to the basement as reality bended and buckled in the face of someone willingly facing this potential apocalypse.

Yep, there it goes. Lenalee actually was stunned that he came right out and said it like that, her face turning red.

Reever and Komui stopped their struggles to stare incredulously at him. "You're... ... with Lenalee?" Komui repeated, very slowly. He glanced at Lenalee. "Lenalee, you-"

"..." Lenalee nodded tensely, her face getting even more red, "I.. yes. I'm ...I'm in love with Allen.." she answered, holding her breath for the potential explosion.

Silence came, and was broken by an awkward chuckle from Reever, "Yo... YOu're serious? You two ---? Ha! Congratulations!!"

Komui was strangely silent, and just when Lenalee was about to say his name, he let out a very calm sigh. "Ha...hahaha, is that so!" He eased back into his seat. "What a relief, I was worried for a second there..." He grinned, "HA..HAH!"

Huh. He's...taking it awfully well..

The more dragged out this would get, the harder the words would come out. Allen had taken a more straight to the point tactic. He still braced himself for the explosion that was to come. To his credit he didn't look away from Komui either, looking him straight in the eye in case he wanted confirmation of how serious Allen was about this.

The first to react though was Reever and he couldn't help the bashful smile that took over his lips. He expected Reever to be happy for them. The man was the second most caring of the science division when it came to exorcists.

Komui on the other hand was definitely throwing him off. Where were the drills, the shrieking, the wailing. The world shattering FURY?!

"Uhm...really?"

Komui smiled widely, "Of course! The most important thing in the world to me is my sister's happiness." For all the kind and understanding words he was saying, Reever and Lenalee both were staring in disbelief at the other man.

In fact, ther ewasn't even any hypodermic needles in his hand when he stepped around the desk to give Allen a hug! "Welcome to the family, Allen!" Twitch. "I hope you and my sister," Twitch... twitch... "Will be very..." Twitch... "Ha.. ha.. HAHAHAHAHA I CAN'T DO IT!!!" He bellowed, "You think I'll let you just take my little sister away? NEVER; I won't let you or anyone else take her!"

Reever facepalmed, "I had a feeling it would end up like this."
Lenalee also facepalmed, "... ahaha...aha.." Wait, "Komui! Leave Allen alone-!"

"Stay out of this Lenalee! This is between MEN(tm)! KOMURINS!"

BAM! Two golems muscled their way into the office...through the wall of all things. What was that he was saying about this being between men?

Allen on the other hand wasn't getting any closer, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Three was no way he would...then the first twitch happened and then more before he finally snapped. Once again his poker skills saved his life it seemed.

Allen looked over his shoulders with a determined look on his face before activating his Innocence. "I'm sorry Komui. But I can't afford to let you harm me so I will be defending myself"

Why Komui, Just. Just Why. Okay she knew why, but still, "Komui!" SOMEONE needs a boot to the head!

Komui slams a hand down on his desk again, "I expected as much Allen! Hohoho, but I've planned for just such a contingency with people who think they're worthy of MY Lenalee."

Who is currently facepalming forever. Oh my god Komui. Well this is actually exactly what they were expecting, and Lenalee didn't think it really would be seriously dangerous - for all of his crazy overprotectiveness, he wouldn't REALLY want to hurt Allen. Just scare him off!

After all, who would want to date someone with a lunatic brother right? ..wait...

The two Komurin's that muscled their way into the office were armed with a hammer and a mop respectively - don't ask. Although as the first one started to reel back with its ... uh...weapon, Komui suddenly had a moment of clarify, "WAIT!"

Both Komurin's stopped dead and looked at him. Lenalee almost relaxed because he must have realized how ridiculous this all was.

"We can't battle in here," Komui said. "We have important papers. Lets' move this to a different venue."

Like the training room. Plenty of space in there! Of course Lenalee would like him to just stop being silly, and Reever would have liked him to come to that realization BEFORE the Komurins busted a hole in the wall, buuuuuuut..

Allen was 0.001 seconds away from just unleashing Clown Belt on the two Komurins and reducing them both to scrap metal when Komuis seemed to have a sudden epiphany. Unfortunately it wasn't one that put an end to hostilities.

"Really?" He asked with a deadpan. On second thought maybe he should destroy the Komurins now while they were stopped by their creator's order.