WAAAAA! Thank you XxBlue-ButterflyxX, Leahcar-Soutaichou and especially Ronnie-Sugar54618 for your wonderful reviews! I was so happy to read them, I just couldn't wait to post a new chapter -not that I usually do, but whatever.
Loads of sass in this chapter, you have been warned.
Answer: NO ONE! Ah ah, sucker!
Enjoy!
Stay calm, Hime.
I am calm.
You're about to murder the guy. This is not what I call being calm.
But he's not dead yet, so I am what I call being calm.
For the last hour or so, I had been listening to the inquest requested by Leverrier. The main topic was, of course, the grand return of Cross Marshall, who's mission I had discovered apparently had been to destroy the Akuma factory.
It wasn't that I cared that much about the stupid womanizer's fate. I knew he'd get out of it somehow. However, I wanted more information on what was going on too. And, I hated how the stupid advisor talked about everything that was going on as if he wasn't concern. He told the numerous loss the Order suffered as if it was yesterday's weather, used the Exorcists as if they were living weapons and treated everyone around like pawns that didn't deserve to have a life.
Also, knowing Leverrier, he would bring up Allen's case one way or another.
I was damn straight right, of course.
"We are uncertain as to whether Allen Waller is an ally or an enemy" he announced. "This is a grave matter, and must be resolved by any means necessary"
"Bitch" I growled under my breath.
"W-wait a second! Inspector!" Komui tried to intervene.
"Central Administration has decided that Allen Walker will be tried for heresy" pursued Leverrier, unperturbed.
I managed to bite back the angry scream that threatened to burst.
Ary, breath!
They're basically condemning him to his death! This is fucking ridiculous!
I know, okay? I know! But it's not over, there might be another way. Just listen.
Knowing he was right despite all, I obeyed, and brought back my attention on the current debate ongoing at my feet.
The Head of the American Branch asked for the right to speak.
"What is the reasoning behind the claims that Exorcist Allen Walker is a heretic?" she asked plainly.
"It's just as Head Bak said" replied Leverrier, not even hiding his smug smirk. "We must discern whether something is dangerous to us, much more so than the Ark. That is Allen Walker, Cross's pupil"
He's completely twisting his words!
In and out, Hime. In and out.
"Head Bak, as you said sooner, the Ark has been used by the Millennium Earl for over 7000 years, and has been a great bane to us. That being the case, how could Allen Walker manipulate it? What do you think, Cross Marian Marshall?"
He kind of as a point, though.
Not helping, Trickster.
However, my dark mood turned lighter for a moment when I realized along with all the others that the stupid womanizer was asleep.
"Uh?" he 'woke up'. "Oh. Well, it was a desperate time for us. When a human's in danger, he can do anything"
I wanted to facepalm at that. Even I wasn't convinced.
"Ah, I see" sweatdropped Leverrier. "You consider me a fool"
"More like a bastard" I mumbled.
"Marshall, you made Allen Walker your pupil directly after receiving the mission of destroying the factory right? You raised him as an Exorcist, then sent him to the Black Order and disappeared from the face of the Earth"
"Actually, I contacted once via a certain Aryane Darkelston, before the missions of retrieving the Marshalls were set" he pointed out.
"Sure, bring me into this" I grunted.
"It is irrelevant for now. The point is, this is the same Allen Walker that controlled the Ark! In other words, you snuck him into the Black Order while knowing his true identity as the one who inherited the Fourteenth's will!"
I straightened at that. He couldn't know. How could he know?
Shit's going down.
Still not helping!
"Allen Walker is the successor the Fourteenth left behind, is he not?" pursued Leverrier, some sort of sick victory etching on his features.
My fists clenched. That was bad.
The rest of the occupants in the room were even more confused, not knowing what the hell was actually going on.
"Did you believe we gave you the factory's destruction mission in ignorance?" insisted the Inspector.
"You sent me here on purpose?" smirked Cross, in appearances unaffected.
But I could feel his aura getting more agitated.
"Since you aren't denying it, are you then admitting your own involvement with the Fourteenth? Now, you will answer me!"
"It's interesting to hear you talk like that about the Fourteenth" deflected the Marshall. "Who told you so much about him?"
"I'm the one asking the questions here" replied Leverrier. "What we want to know is whether Allen Walker fights for our side or theirs"
That's it.
Ary, don't-
"This is utter bullshit!" I exclaimed angrily.
My voice earned startled cries from a few of the scientists and Heads around, a lot of mouths gaping and wide eyes, an heavy sigh from Komui, a snort from Cross and a scathing glare from Leverrier as he gazed up at me.
I jumped down from my spot on the ceiling, and landed next to Komui.
"Ary, this is not-"
"Allen Walker is an Exorcist!" I cut. "I don't care what you think, but he's one of us, an ally, a comrade, and a friend! He never betrayed us, and never will!"
"Aryane Darkelston, Exorcist" drawled Leverrier. "You are not allowed to attend this meeting"
"Does it looks like I give a fuck?" I spat. "I won't stand aside as you spout these shenanigans about those who actually do something for this damn Order!"
"Whether he's an Exorcist or not, if he's helping the enemy, he's a threat to us and a heretic" he answered with assurance.
I gritted my teeth.
"If he actually was a heretic, then that would mean he betrayed God, wouldn't it?" I remarked. "But everyone here knows what happens to the Hosts that betray God's will. Summan Dark's situation was only one of the many that fell throughout the years and your stupid experiments. If Allen Walker really was a traitor, then we'd have a gigantic, headless, white, monster destroying everything around on our back, which is obviously not the case"
"We must remain an absolutely pure army of God that never mixes with evil" he tried again, but I could see some annoyance in his eyes.
"Then why don't you walk out of here this instant? That'd be a good start, don't you think?" I snapped.
The other Inspector, who's aura was a weird mass of orange and sparks, jumped on his feet with an outraged expression.
"How dare you address your superior of the sort?" he intervened.
"I dare because ever since I came here six years ago, and way before that, all he's ever done was sit on his rear with that damn stick up his ass and watch the corpses fall around him as if he didn't have a single fuck to give!" I retorted, even more angry now. "We Exorcists have the power to defeat Akumas, yes, but we are not weapons! We are human beings, like everyone else, and real humans actually have feelings, if you ever wondered! We won't just die because why-the-hell-not and we sure ain't about to jump just because you fucking ordered us too! And, as long as this ego-complexed-Vatican's-bitch doesn't understand this, he'll deserve my respect as much as the dirt under my boots!"
He actually took a step back at my outburst, mouth gaping and apparently unable to come up with something to answer back.
Using this momentum, I turned my attention back to Leverrier.
"You ain't no God, Leverrier. Get that into your thick skull" I concluded.
He wasn't glaring, simply staring at me with cold, calculating eyes. There was a clapping behind us, and we all turned to Cross, who was applauding with an amused smile gracing his lips.
"Nice little speech, Ary" he nodded. "Very nice. Completely agree too, by the way. However, Inspector Leverrier… investigate. Go on, investigate Allen Walker and I all you want. Then you can decide what to do"
I gritted my teeth, but said no more, knowing I had already pushed my luck too much to be comfortable.
Leverrier smirked.
"Very well. I will take your advice, then. Cross Marian Marshall, you are to remain here at Headquarters for the time being and will be assigned an observer from Central Administration. Allen Walker's investigation will be monitored by Howard Link"
At that, the blond seemed to wake up from the stupor my words had plunged him into and bowed.
"Hai!"
"Your mission is to watch Allen Walker's every move, 24 hours a day" he announced.
"As you command, Inspector Leverrier" he saluted.
"Good. As for you, Miss Aryane…"
I kept my chin high. If I was in it, at least go all way through.
"If you are ready to give Allen a real, actual chance, to prove himself, then I will agree to whatever investigation you deem necessary" I assured.
He eyed me for a moment, before nodding his agreement to the deal. We may hate each other, but I knew he'd keep his end of the deal as much as I'd keep mine.
And I always kept my deals.
"We will start tomorrow at eight pm sharp" he ordered. "We will meet at Hevlaska's room to first check onto your Innocence"
"Understood"
He then got up, and gazed around.
"Then, this meeting is adjourned" he declared.
And with that, he walked out with the blond- Link, right?
Instantly, I let myself fall onto one of the chairs, sighing heavily.
"Ary, what the hell was that?" exclaimed Komui. "You weren't even supposed to know there was a meeting!"
"I've got my ways" I shrugged it off. "And I can't stand by and watch him act all high and mighty when he's nothing more than an ant crawling for a goal too high"
"That is not the point, and you know it!" he snapped. "I try to protect you and the others all I can, Ary, I really do, but you're not making it easy by constantly provoking Leverrier and with what happened just now…"
"I said what I thought, big deal" I huffed.
"You-"
"She actually had a good point on Allen Walker's case" remarked the American lady. "If he really was a traitor, he wouldn't be here anymore"
"She accused him-"
"She pointed out the obvious" pointed out the other lady present, who I recognized as Klaud Nine, the only female Marshall.
"She called him an ego-complexed-Vatican's-bitch!" yelled Komui, apparently done with all of my crap.
This earned a snort from another Marshall, who I actually never met before. Sokaro something, right?
"It was a good one, kid" he called.
"Thanks, Zombie-dude" I beamed at him.
There was a moment of silence, before he banged his head on the table and started laughing, and Lenalee's brother finally gave up.
"I just hope you know what you're doing, Ary" he rubbed his temples.
"I do" I assured. "And I'll be going now. I'm hungry"
You don't actually know what you're doing, right?
They don't have to know that.
I can't believe you actually jumped in. Now, we'll be even more suspicious!
The worst that could happen is them discovering about you, and I could easily divert them by talking about my GPS abilities.
It'll be a good trump card, but you'll have to use it wisely.
It's my joker, I ain't about to give it that easily.
He hummed, and I grinned.
Well, you've got to admit, it went better then we'd expected.
You're still a fucking idiot.
"Hey, Hev!" I waved at the gigantic snake-like female.
"Aryane" she replied in her soothing voice. "Have you come to check up on your Innocence?"
"Protocols" I shrugged.
"Good, you're here"
"And there goes my good mood" I sighed. "Leverrier. Shall we get started?"
"Miss Aryane" he replied. "Please do"
Sighing, I turned to Hevlaska, who lifted me from the platform. I still felt some sort of discomfort from her tentacles, but there was a slight buzzing, most probably coming from all the Innocence fragments stored into her body.
"Synch rate" she announced. "14… 25… 45… 77… 82… 87… Innocence of a parasitic type. Synch level: 87%. However, it would seem that… it keeps getting stronger… she will become a Point Breaker in around two months if it keeps up…"
She placed me back down, apparently puzzled by this unusual occurrence, and Leverrier tightened his lips a little.
"Let's go, Miss Aryane"
"Right. Later, Hev!"
But she didn't answer, apparently troubled by my situation.
I followed the Inspector in the hallways, careful to keep some distance between us. I didn't want to catch his tight-ass germs.
You're hopeless.
Damn straight.
"You are going to answer each and every question that I ask. Any of your answer can, and will, be held against you if it ever comes to it" he informed.
"Got it"
Lying?
Depends.
"Head Komui Lee has however asked to be present" he added, and I could easily imagine the scowl he tried to hide. "Seeing as you are under his jurisdiction, he had a right to ask. The Bookman Jr also asked to be present for recording"
More like he wants to see how I'll get out of that one.
I like him more and more, Hime. If you're not careful, I might steal him.
Back off, asstard.
Ooh, possessive 'lil thing, ain't ya?
We entered Komui's office, and I greeted everyone just as usual, before taking place on the couch. The supervisor crossed his arms on his desk, Lavi sent me a discreet wink –which I returned with a glare- and Leverrier took place in the seat in front of me as a girl I've never saw before stood behind him, a notepad and a pencil in her hands.
Trickster, her aura's weird, like this Link dude.
Magician, or something like that. We'll check it out later.
Leverrier cleared his throat.
"What is your name?"
"Aryane Darkelston"
"Age?"
"Seventeen, soon eighteen"
"When did you joined the Black Order?"
"Six years ago, soon to be seven"
He nodded as the girl scribbled my answers down.
And that's when the real buggers start.
They want the truth, don't they? We'll, I'll give it to them.
Going under the radar really isn't one of your favorite, is it?
If I can keep their attention away from the others, then I'll gladly take the spotlight.
Of course you'd do, you're a fucking drama queen.
Am not.
"Miss Aryane, what is the nature of your relationship with Exorcist Allen Walker?" he asked.
Straight to the point, eh?
"He's my friend" I answered easily. "And I'd trust him with my life, just like any other of my fellow Exorcists"
I sent a glance at Lavi, but he smiled a little. We both knew that I couldn't include him and his grandfather without looking even more suspicious.
"What if he betrays the Black Order?" Leverrier raised an eyebrow. "What will you do?"
"He won't betray us" I assured with confidence. "We're his family, and he considers us as much"
I could see the annoyed twitch to his mouth at the word 'family'. Apparently, my outburst a day later hadn't hammered the lesson in his head. Which is weird, seeing as there's most probably enough space with the obvious lack of brain and social skills.
You're one to talk, Hime.
Shush.
"I… see. What do you know about the Fourteenth?"
Lie!
Don't even have too.
The Supervisor clapped his hands on the desk, not really hard but loud enough to be heard.
"Inspector Leverrier, I thought we agreed to keep all subjects clear" warned Komui.
"My apologies, but Miss Aryane agreed to any investigation I deem necessary and that, Head Komui Lee, is more than necessary" replied smoothly the bastard. "I will explain once the interrogation is done"
"It's fine, Boss" I drawled. "I've got nothing to hide. As for your question, I know what is the Fourteenth and what is the link with Allen –no pun intended. Boss, the Fourteenth is actually the Fourteenth Noah. Kiddo's his new vessel or whatever that means"
"And how, pray tell, have you come across these informations?" Leverrier narrowed his eyes.
"I bullied the stupid womanizer into telling me" I answered with a smirk.
There was a glint of confusion on his face as Lavi coughed to cover a laugh and Komui shook his head in despair.
"Who?"
"I punched Cross in the face before kneeing him where the sun doesn't shine and threatened to rip out his fucking balls if he didn't talk" I clarified.
This time, there truly was a snort from Lavi, but it went unnoticed as much as the girl biting her lower lip to bite back a laugh, because Leverrier's expression was the most precious. His whole posture actually showed some nervousness. All the guys can feel sympathy for one of their peers in these sorts of situations, even him.
On the other side, though, he seemed extremely satisfied for Cross's treatment.
Anyone would be, even him.
He then cleared hi throat.
"I… see. Onto the next topic... What exactly happened when your Innocence came back to full strength?"
"You probably won't believe it, but my Innocence actually came back to full strength" I deadpanned.
At that, the good mood that had settled in his snake-like eyes disappeared.
"Answer the question"
"Geez" I rolled my eyes. "I remember how it hurt, before falling into my second coma, as you called it. Then, when I woke up again, the Asian Branch was under attack from the Level Three. Allen was nowhere to be found, Bak Chang and his guardian deity were about to be killed, and I was the only Exorcist in the place. After that, all I say are my own theories: just like Allen and his Crown Clown, I came to terms with my true purpose as an Exorcist and it allowed me to reach my full potential via Archangel"
"True purpose?"
At that, I smirked.
"Protector and Savior of the Innocence" I simply answered. "That's my job, and I'd say I'm pretty good at it, if all the Exorcists that came back from the Ark mean anything"
"Your synch rate keeps going up" he remarked. "Hevlaska's announced that you'd become a Point Breaker in around two months"
Komui and Lavi stiffened, the first because he knew nothing of the sort, and the second because he didn't thought it would happen so soon.
Me neither, to be honest.
That makes three of us, then.
"I don't know any more than you" I assured. "But if it keeps going up as you're saying, shouldn't we be glad? I can't control it, and I don't know how it happened. Let's just be glad because it'll only strengthened the Black Order"
The girl wrote down some more, and Leverrier nodded stifly.
"This will concluded our meeting. Exorcist Aryane Darkelston, you are to remain to Headquarters until further notice and get your Innocence checked every three days. Also, Inspector Tewaku here will supervise your every move from now on, and will report anything suspicious" he informed.
"Hai!" she bowed.
"Got it" I sighed. "Can I-"
"Nii-san! What is this about Allen being watch by-"
I cringed a little when Lenalee froze in spot at the sight of exactly who was here. Fear and anxiety crept into her wide eyes.
"Jumper-"
"Good afternoon, Miss Lenalee" greeted Leverrier. "How are your legs?"
"Inspector… Leverrier…" she whispered.
"It appears we'll be imposing on you for some time" pursued the man, taking some sick pleasure into the sheer fear he inspired to my friend. "I'll also be examining your Innocence, by the way"
"Oi, Reese!" I called the scientist, deciding to intervene before it got out of hand. "Mind leading her out? I still have some points to clear with my new… err, roommate"
"Oh, and also" added Leverrier, ignoring the growing discomfort.
We turned to him, and I refrained the need to facepalm when he took out a plate filled with cupcakes and pastries.
"These are some of my freshly baked cakes. Care to try one?"
"Now, Reese" I insisted, sensing that Lenalee was about to faint. "Isn't it time for her medical tests anyway?"
"R-right! I'll escort her" he nodded quickly, before waking her out.
She sent me one last look, and I felt my anger grow. She was plainly terrified of the man, and that didn't sit well with me.
However, now was not the time.
"I'll be going, then" I announced. "Err… Tewaku, right? Come on"
She handed her notepad to Leverrier, bowed, then followed. I sent a peace sign at Komui as Lavi went after us.
As soon as the door closed, he placed an hand on my shoulder.
"Have you found your flute, by the way?" he asked instantly. "I heard you lost it before leaving for your mission"
"Oh yeah, I left it on the roof" I scratched the back of my head, grinning sheepishly. "I've got to repair the first pipe, though. The half is broken"
"That's too bad" he frowned. "But I've gotta go now, report everything to Ji-ji. Breakfast tomorrow?"
"Sure. Later, Bookboy!"
He waved in a lazy gesture, before walking away. I then turned to Tewaku, who had been watching the whole conversation with some sort of disinterested confusion.
That was kind of bright, Hime.
Trickster, I'm a genius. Of course it was.
No, Lavi initiated it. You just went with the flow. But still, I say bravo for catching up so easily.
Thank you, thank you.
I smiled at her, but she simply stared back at me, before bowing. I narrowed my eyes a little at her warm orange aura, some sorts of sparks emanating from it.
"I am Inspector Tewaku. I will supervise your daily life from now on" she announced.
"Yeah, I kind of realized it" I sweatdropped. "The name is Aryane, even if you already know. Just call me Ary, though. Everyone does. Except Leverrier, of course, but I don't want him too, 'cause he's an asshole"
She grew a little colder at that.
"Please refrain from insulting our superior so casually" she commanded. "Anything you say can, and will, be-"
"Held against me, I know, I know" I rolled my eyes. "But he already knows about my utter lack of respect for him, and the feelings are reciprocated, you can be sure of it. So really, I don't exactly care about that. How old are you, by the way?"
If she was surprised by the sudden change of direction in the conversation, she didn't show it, and we started walking.
"Fifteen" she informed curtly.
"Really? You seemed older" I admitted. "But as we say with the other Exorcists, there's no age for the worth, so I'm not all that surprised, in a way"
At my words, though, she seemed a little taken aback, probably waiting for an onslaught of disbelief.
"So, what do you like to do when you have free time?" I pursued.
"I… must admit, that I don't see how this is relevant" she answered, confusion lacing her bored tone. "Why would you want to know?"
"Why wouldn't I?" I replied with a smile. "You're my new friend, of course I want to learn about you!"
Instantly, she sent me a deadly gaze and straightened her spine.
"I am afraid you misunderstood our positions, Miss Aryane" she remarked. "I am merely here to report anything suspicious about you, and you are merely here to act as you always do. There is nothing more to our relationship than professional interest"
"But you see, if you want me acting like I always do, you'll have to deal with it" I retorted. "I make friends with everyone, sue me. You're not getting out of this one"
"We are not friends"
"Aw, I love you too, Doll!"
If glares could kill, I'd be dead by now.
Kanda would have killed you first, though.
Good point.
"My name is Tewaku"
"I always give nicknames to my friends"
"I am not your friend!" she insisted.
"The day will come when you'll change your mind" I shrugged. "I just have to wait"
"This day is not today" she seethed.
I grinned.
Hime… I seriously wonder about your sanity.
Denial is the first phase of acceptance, isn't it?
I… don't think it really works that way…
Well, Jerkface has yet to overcome it, but something tells me it'll all work out in the end. And she's funny too! And pretty. I want to braid her hair.
Well, why don't you ask her?
My eyes brightened a little at that.
"Ne ne, Doll, can I braid your hair?"
Fucking hell, that was just a joke!
Live with it.
Her glare turned to something between confusion, anger, and some sort of longing that however disapeared as fast as it came.
That made me smile.
"Come on!"
Without letting her time to answer, I took her hand and pulled her behind me.
Things were getting interesting.
"Tenshi!"
"Bookboy" I grinned.
He got off of his hammer and walked to me. Cupping my face in his callused hands, he kissed me for a moment, and I answered happily.
"I wanted to do that since this morning" he admitted, placing his forehead against mine.
"Same" I nodded with a slight smile. "Nice going with the code, by the way"
"You too. But 1:30 pm? Really?"
"It's the only moment I could think of when Doll wouldn't tail me" I shrugged, pulling away. "You wanted to talk about something or just make out?"
"Can't I have both?" he asked with a toothy grin.
"Depends. What do you want to talk about?" I asked curiously.
He distanced himself somewhat at that, and took a deep breath.
"It's not exactly talking… it's more like… well, I wanted to apologize" he admitted.
I frowned at the shame painting his features.
"What-"
"When we were in Road's world" he precised, shaking a little at the memory. "I tried to kill you, and I literally stabbed you, and… I'm sorry…"
"So?" I lifted an eyebrow, not really getting it. "You stabbed me, big deal. I stabbed myself too, if you don't remember"
"I didn't believe you when-"
"I would have skinned you if you did" I cut seriously. "You couldn't just believe me when I just appeared out of the blue like that. Hell, I wouldn't have believed myself either! Road played with your mind, our minds, and none of us are to blame for that, okay?"
"You really are too kind sometimes, Tenshi" he sighed.
Smiling, I hugged him tightly against me, and he instantly returned the embrace, clearly more shaken up by the whole situation then he let on.
"What happened?" I asked softly.
He nuzzled my hair.
"… I killed them" he finally said, so low it was hard to hear it. "My position as a Bookman was put in question, and I had to keep killing everyone. I kept my eye closed, just slashing around, but it wasn't enough! I heard them scream but I kept killing them because I knew that it wasn't real, but it felt like it and it was just horrible… then, a fake Allen stabbed me, and if it wasn't for the fact that I stabbed myself at the same time, I would have lost myself. But when I woke up, you were there, and I couldn't stand her using you like that…"
"You don't have to explain" I assured. "Bookboy…"
I tried to pull away, but he kept hugging me, hiding his face in my hair. Frowning, I grabbed his face.
"Bookboy… Lavi, look at me, damn it!"
He finally did, and my breath caught in my throat when I saw the utter agony and confusion swirling in his single eye. I gently pressed my hand against his cheek, and he leaned into the touch.
"No matter what happens, you'll always be our friend, and I'll always love you" I hammered. "What happened wasn't real. It'll never happen either. And you know how I know that? Because if I say it won't happen, then it won't"
He chuckled, somehow dryly.
"I was remembered of my place as a mere spectator in this nth war" he added. "That no matter what happened, I wasn't allowed to interfere. And we can say whatever we want, I know that now, with everything that happened… with you… I can't tell anymore, if I'd be able to just sit back and watch…"
"When the time comes, you'll make the good choice" I insisted. "I know you will, because I love you and I trust you, and it shouldn't take anything else to convince you"
He chuckled again, more at ease, and pecked my forehead.
"Love you too" he admitted.
I beamed at him, and squeezed his hand.
"Before finding you, I had to search for you" I remembered in a casual tone. "Road thought it fun to see me struggling against my very nature and kept killing all of you around me. You pleaded for my help, then died before I could save you. At first, I almost lost myself. Gab wasn't there at the time, so he couldn't snap me out of it, and if it hadn't been for Kiddo becoming a Point Breaker, then I would've have failed right then. After that, I just kept walking, never looking away from the path ahead of me despite the cries of our friends. Being alone, unable to do anything… I never knew it was so scary. But now I do, and it only made me stronger"
"You really amaze me sometimes, Tenshi" his smile was back.
"Oh, praises?" I batted my eyelashes in exaggerate gesture. "Please, I'm all ears"
That finally earned a laugh, and he kissed me again. After that, though, I pushed him gently away.
"I've got to go back now, I don't want to be caught" I pointed out. "I'll see you at breakfast"
His smile turned predatory and he leaned closer to me, his breath hitting my face and his lips hovering over mine without touching them.
"Are you sure you want to leave now?" he asked, his voice hoarse and…
Oh, that's getting hot.
Trickster!
"Pervert!" I whacked the redhead's head.
He simply laughed and raised his hands in a surrendering gesture.
"Fine, go away and leave me to the agony left by your denial!" he cried dramatically.
"Drama queen" I scoffed, spreading my wings.
"What, no good night kiss?" he joked.
I rolled my eyes, but turned to him anyway to peck him on the cheek. He turned at the last second and caught my lips with his. We made out for a few seconds, before the lack of air forced us to break apart.
Instantly, he grabbed his hammer and made it grow, before climbing on the hilt and blowing another kiss my way.
"'Night!"
And with that, the damn boy disappeared.
Just when it was getting good too.
I'm going to kill you.
You love me too much for that.
… fine. But nothing's stopping me from torturing you. It'll be slow. And painful. Very painful.
He simply gulped.
Yeah, a new chapter! I really liked this one, because it gave some more Ary/Lavi fluff and because having her snapping at Leverrier like that is always fun to write -and read, I would believe.
Question: What's your favorite nickname from our oh-so-dear Aryane yet? Jerkface? Kiddo? Bookboy? Jumper? Ego-complexed-Vatican's-bitch? Other?
Reviews are love!