midnightstar

Since graduating from the Academy, life has been..interesting for Alisa, to say the least. She's been kept very busy, since she was upholding her promise to her mother on showing her the proper way to run the company, and it wasn't easy to put in those changes. Though it would have been a lot harder if she didn't have the support of those around her. But because of that, she hadn't been able to get time to get to visit Rean as much as she liked.

Translation: As much as she liked = every day. She did get to visit - or vice versa - at least on the weekend, and she talked to him almost every night thanks to the range on the ARCUS. Just as finished up for the night, she made her way up to the penthouse, glancing around to make sure she was alone (And you never know with Sharon) in order to take out her ARCUS once more and see if she could get a hold of Rean before bed. She was planning on seeing if he was in the area - alternatively, she was sure she could get away for a visit, if he wasn't busy.

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Since Sharon hadn't left yet, and she certainly wouldn't want to leave without seeing to the guest first. Alisa smiled, motioning over to the couch, "All right, just... make yourself comfortable and I'll go -"

"Not to worry~!" Sharon interrupted, already emerging from the kitchen with a tray in which there was tea, coffee and some snacks. "Please help yourselves to this for now. I'll prepare a proper dinner for you both - I'm certain you're quite hungry, Master Rean."

"Hold on Sharon, wait -" Alisa protested, even as Sharon pressed the tray into Alisa's hands.

"It's no trouble at all my lady - you two have quite a bit of catching up to do." Sharon beamed, "I won't be long! You two just enjoy each other- oops, I mean, the snacks. ♥"

Sharon's eficiency was still bordering on the super natural even now. THen again that was to be expected of a Enforcer from Ouroboros. Honestly the fact that such an elite agent had willingly chosen to serve anyone other than her employer so faithfully and eagerly was one of the most baffling mysteries in the entire continent. He really wished he knew how all that came along but previous attempts to figure that out had ended in diversions or outright teasing about his relationship with Alisa or potential interest in older women.

"Ahaha...Still the same." he chuckled awkwardly before reaching over to take his cup and plate up, leaning in to take deep whiff of the aroma seeping up from the cup itself before turning his eyes over to Alisa.

"So um how have you been?"

Alisa sat down on the couch, setting the tray down in front of her on the table. "I've been.... good. Sorting out things within Reinford has been taking up a lot of my attention. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I kind of wonder if I haven't bitten off more than I could chew, soemtimes."

She laughed a little awkwardly, "But I'm still going to prove Mother wrong about the company." She glanced over at Rean, cupping her tea with her hands. "Ah.. how about you? How are things in Trista?"

"I have every bit of faith that you will succeed." He answered with a warm smile. Alisa was strong after all and few people had a heart as big as hers to power through all of the potential obstacles in her way. It was just one of the many reaons that Rean had fallen for her as hard as he did.

When the topic of Trista came up there was a brief flicker of something a little darker before he quickly covered it up with a chuckle.

"It's pretty much just as you last saw it. Everyone busy with courses and Towa alway buried under work every time I actually get the chance to run into her." He totally was not going to mention how Sara had resigned shortly after everything had ended thus leaving him even more alone than anyone might have expected. But that was the role he had landed himself in life and until he could regain a bit of freedom to negotiate, there was nothing he could really do about it.

If she knew he was alone, she would have wanted to be there with him even more. It tore her up knowing he would have to go back to Trista in a few days. If things were more stable in Roer she would be free to take visits more often.

"Hehee, I'm not surprised. Towa msut be even more in demand now than before." She crossed her legs, leaning back to take her tea, relaxed. Sharon was here and they were both responsible adults! She didn't want to give Sharon any more ammo to troll them with. Although she did want to move closer to Rean very much.

"And.... how have things been for you...?"

And that was exactly why he suppressed those feelings to the maximum extent possible. Because the last thing he wanted was to let his troubles drag Alisa off of her path and cause her to fail that goal she set for herself. He would never ever forgive himself if that were to happen.

"Hahaha yeah it seems everyone heard of how she handled her duties as captain aboard the courageous to say nothing about her name spreading even further beyond the empire making all sorts of NGO's and government organization to look into her track record and go all starry eyed about her potential if she were to accept their offer." Rean laughed politely taking another sip of his coffee. But then there was a moment of pause as Alisa asked more about how he'd been personally. His smile lost some of that luster from before.

"I've been well. Very busy on my own end between getting ready to graduate and any last minute missions I get called out on. Still it's not so bad..."

She frowns at mention of the graduation. "It's not fair," Alisa frowned into her cup of tea, taking a sip. "After everything you've done in the last year, during the war, liberating towns and saving Princess Alfin and Prince Cedric... after all of that, you still .. you should have been able to graduate with the rest of us. We wouldn't have been able to do any of that without you!" Bunch of ingrates!

Though she might be a little angrier about that than she means to, taking it so personally. But by him not graduating with the rest of them, it split them up - if he had graduated, he would have been more free than he was. Well. She could blame his blood-related father for that too.

He smiles ruefully hearing that outrage on his behalf. It warmed his heart really to see her that upset about it. But then Rean had already realized he would never be truly completely free. Not as long as he was Valimar's Awakener. It's not like he could do something so selfish as just give up on his partner either. The two had grown close after all and he had no blame for his fiend of a father roping him into his plans in such a way that Rean would have no way out if he didn't want to be confined to the Imperial army full time.

"Alisa..." He murmured softly before his hand found hers and gave it a brief grateful squeeze.

"It's true! You put so much of yourself on the line to protect what's important to you, and this is how they repay it. You should have graduated with m... with the rest of us too..." How could he not feel even a LITTLE big angry over being drawn into a conflict that threw his life into turmoil?

"None of our friends are even in Trista anymore, except Instructor Sara -" because she didn't know Sara resigned. "And you're always taking everything onto your shoulders. You don't have to, I.." she trailed off feeling his hand find hers with that little squeeze.

She glanced up, looking over towards Rean, a blush covering her cheeks again - a hand squeeze must translate to an 'off' button for Alisa's outrage though, because she lets it drop there, turning her hand a little to curl through his. "...Rean..."

Rean smiled that heartbreaking smile of his as he leaned forward, putting his cup away as he moved a little closer so that his side would press up against Alisa's, his hand never once letting go of hers.

"Thank you, Alisa." He said softly leaning even closer. He still remembered that soft kiss they first shared. Rean often retreated to that moment whenever things became too much to bear. But doing so was a double edge sword as it picked at the yearning deep in his heart.

"Hearing you say all of that, getting so upset for me is more than enough." Even though he would love nothing more than to be able to stay by her side forever and ever. But his tyrant of a birth father would never truly let him. Not even because he hated Alisa or anything like that. At least then he would find it in him to be absolutely defiant. No. Rean and Valimar were priceless tools for his ambitions and goals. That was all which made fighting against him the same as trying to fight an ocean. A futile endeavor since the man would always have means to manipulate things behind the scene to have Rean end up exactly where he wanted him. He was completely trapped.

There it is - that side of Rean that could make her swoon so easily; that heart melting smile she missed seeing so much. He was more smooth than he even realized - without even trying. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks when he leaned close to her.

Being this close to Rean, like this, it made her remember that kiss too -she's had dreams of it, wished to be in Rean's arms whenever they spoke on the Arcus. If she knew just the extent of how manipulative Rean's father was, she would wonder if the Academy was forced to hold Rean back because of his father as well. But that would dip into paranoia. Possibly legit paranoia, but still paranoia.

She slowly set her cup down before she dropped it, making a soft little swooned whimper. Rean was far too kind, too _GOOD_ for the likes of Osborne, "..it's not fair..."

Part of that was her own selfishness - she knew that. But with her hands unburdened, she can give him the proper greeting she wanted to at the beginning, her arms coming up to slip around his waist with an angry sigh that lets the tension melt out of her frame as she presses into him in a tight hug, her voice quiet. "You deserve so much, more than anyone I know.."

He was trapped in a bad situation - all she could do for him was keep him in her arms for a little while so he could decompress from everything he's had to do.

He didn't want her to be burdened by those dark thoughts even if they were most likely very real. After all the man held the empire in the palm of his hand even more so now that the Nobles had lost almost complete public support through their actions during the civil war. Frankly the only way it could have been worse for him was if he would be forced to take action against the remaining nobles as well since a lot of them were connected to people he knew after all. Thankfully Osborne had not done that and just used him to settle external problems while internally he had The IronBloods take care of things.

For now though he felt as if he was submerged in a dream. Right there with Alisa close enough to feel her warmth and just soak in her presence and even her scent. Every little thing about her was so soothing to his worn down heart.

"I already have more than I deserve right now." After all he was someone who robbed Crossbell of its freedom. Even if his actions had limited potential casualties it didn't change the fact that all those people had been put into the equivalent of a gilded cage under Rufus' rule. A rule he actively helped instate.

Rean squeezed Alisa's body a little tighter, the hunger for such kindness peeking through while he almost felt his body trembling. After all this was such kindness and happiness after a drought of it which was instead filled with internal self loathing and guilt.

Alisa knew of some of the things he's had to do - but he never wanted to take away Crossbell's freedom, or even half the other things his father made him do. He's only wanted to protect people - and while yes, a lot of his involvement did minimize casualties, she did know that some people wouldn't see it that way.

"Rean... even though we're not together the way we used to be," meaning Class VII of course -... though she could just as easily be talking about a more personal level, from that small blush that was never going to go away as long as she was holding him, "You don't have to shoulder the burden alone. Any of us ... you know... you can lean on us too. You can..." She held him a little tighter, the blush rising in her face, so she buries it against his chest. Augh. "You can lean on me.." She said, almost in a whisper.

But they all knew Rean well enough to know that he still wouldn't want to 'burden' them with his problems. Even though it wouldn't be a burden. If they all worked together, maybe they'd find a way to get Rean out - surely...

Okay maybe that was just wishful thinking, but... still.

If Rean ever had to face some of those people he...really wouldn't know what to do other than to accept their justified grudge and keep walking forward. That was all he could do really. Sometimes he laughed at his childish naivety when he first enrolled into Thors intending to become a soldier in the army to try and release his adoptive family from his burden. Now he was a soldier and one of the highest profile ones at least on the easter front with Crossbell and Calvard.

He knows the words Alisa says are true but just as she would expect, he did not want to drag all of his wonderful friends down with him. That being said being shown genuine kindness like this was both healing him and hurting him a bit as well.

"I know..." And really maybe just sharing this intimate moment of bliss and comfort would count as leaning on her a bit more. It was obvious he was starved for such a treatment considering he really did not want to let go of Alisa any time soon. Odds were he would keep holding her even if Sharon were to walk into the room as long as she didn't say a word. Even if he did see her.

He says 'I know' but she knows he won't do it. He'd feel the slight sigh more than hear it, but it was as much out of frustration as contentment. If this kind of leaning is what he needed, she was more than happy to provide him all the peace and comfort he could ever want. As much as she could see him anyway. So with that one little gentle sigh, she relaxed her body against his, her hands soothingly brushing against his back. She'll drop the subject .. FOR NOW.

"At least.... at least you have a little time off between..." Well. "I'll bet you haven't rested in days."

And as if sensing the mood in the room shifting a little to one that was more peaceful and affectionate, Sharon quietly poked her head out of the kitchen, to check on the couple. But she didn't interrupt -- yet. She instead smiled fondly, even adoringly at the oblivious heiress, then at Rean before she silently slipped back into the kitchen.

The troll timer is ticking.

He knows that at the very least Alisa should suspect what he's thinking despite teh words he spoke. So he would endlessly appreciate the way she let it slide instead and just relax against him a bit more. The mood lightened imperceptibly after that but Rean felt eyes on him and he peered up just in time to catch the flutter of skirts disappearing behind the door.

"Mmm I guess you ccould say that. Between the tents and the train I can't say either one is particularly comfortable." He admitted with a wry chuckle.

Alisa of course, doesn't notice her family maid spying on them. She tilted her head up to look at him at the sound of the chuckle, a relieved smile playing across her face. It worried her, that he might forget how to smile or laugh with what he's been forced to do. "I thought as much. I feel like I should apologize, since our furniture has to be a lot more comfortable than the train and tents." And yet he'll have to go back to them still!

Though as she looks at him, her gaze lingers a moment, then lets go with one arm to hesitantly reach up and touch his face. There were slight changes from simply growing and maturing, and his eyes were.. different, but it was still Rean. "Your hair's gotten longer too." A little bit longer at least - she reached up to lightly smooth her fingers over his hair.

He has no reason to chuckle or laugh most of the time. So Alisa was likely very needed for him to not forget such a human reaction. "Why apologize for something like that?" Rean asked with a genuinely puzzled look. After all she did offer to let him stay here so really there was hardly any need for an apology.

His confusion only grows more as Alisa focuses on something else all of a sudden. Her hand is now so close he can feel the warmth of if against his cheek before she slides it over to one of his bangs.

"Ah. Well I hadn't really noticed. He usually did cut his hair before it got too long and he was likely to do that again some time soon but there was no denying that this particular length had started to feel most comfortable for him.

Alisa chuckles, "Because the tents and trains are so uncomfortable, but you'd be sleeping on more comfortable furniture here," Like the bed. She glanced awayfrom him briefly, clearing her throat a little, then back to him when it occurs to her that she was absently toying with his hair. That's ... not weird at all right?

"It's nice like this.." She remarked absently. Now SHE can give the head pets! See how HE likes it. She reached up a little more in order to do just that too, gently smoothing her hand over his hair, a dreamy little smile on her face. Someone pinch her, she might actually -BE- dreaming. At least that's how it feels, now that she was with Rean again.

"You...really like it?" Rean asked as he turned his eyes up to Alisa's hand before he held her gaze once more. Funny how he felt he could look in those eyes for hours. Just retreat in the warmth of that gaze if it was allowed of him. But then she just had to give him a taste of his own medicine only it's not really a patting on the head as much as a slow affectionate rubbing that makes his breathing catch in his throat.

"I...guess I can keep it this long then if you like it that much..."

Alisa caught his gaze and her hand went still, a small blush dusting her cheeks. "Really?" Funny how he was thinking he could look into her eyes forever because she was pretty sure she could do the same and just stare at him for an eternity. She smiled faintly, "As long as it doesn't get in your way.." she would easily find it enjoyable to run her fingers through his hair for hours at a time, gazing into his eyes and his face is much closer now ..

Probably because Alisa was starting to lean up to him, and it's pretty obvious what her goal is from the almost shy, though adoring look on her face. A little closer, a little nervous and -- well Rean should know his luck is rarely this good. Especially with a troll in the house.

"It won't." After all he was not exactly in a rush to cut it even before he learned this new little bit of information. Rean could see her blush and the temptation to just brush his hand against that part of her cheeks or perhaps even kiss her there, was quickly gaining ground in his tired timnd.

So he leaned along with Alisa at the same time, his lips growing closer and closer until he could already feel the warmth of her body along with that definite scent of perfume.

Her blush only grew when he leaned in at the same time, anticipating that moment of bliss like the first time they kissed. Just a little closer and -

- a delicate throat clearing.

- Alisa froze.

"Oh my, I came out to let you know dinner was served, but perhaps my timing was off. Should I come back later?" Sharon asked, smiling sweetly, her hands folded before her like a proper maid.

Alisa... practically TELEPORTED to the other side of the couch, her face beet read, "Sh.. Sharon..!" Protest and.. maybe a little irked that the perfect maid picked the "perfect" time to interrupt.

Sharon knew exactly what she was doing - that grin said it all.

And just like the strike of midnight for cinderella, the spell was shattered by the cheshire cat like maid. Wait that was mixing up the fairy tales wasn't it? Oh to hell with it. Bottom line was Alisa had detached herself from his proximity so fast he almost had to wonder if she hadn't instinctively used an art to pull it off.

Rean cleared his throat with a cough in his fist before he stood up and rolled his shoulder a bit. Anything to distract him from that faint frustration in his heart at being interrupted at the best moment.

Another thing to ponder - how the heck did Sharon set the table and put the food out WITHOUT THEM NOTICING. They must have really been caught up in the vortex of their conversation and feelings.

"Please have a seat Master Rean, my lady." Sharon didn't even miss a beat, pulling out a chair for the latter, who still hadn't regained her normal coloration. "I made plenty for the both of you. It's been quite since time since you've had my cooking, Master Rean. I'm sure you're starving."

Starving for attention maybe, and that was definitely an unsubtle glance at Alisa for Rean to see too. Being that Sharon was behind Alisa at the time, the blonde missed it completely. "Allow me to fetch the drinks."