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A/N: Thank you for the reviews! I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Courtship for Dummies

Chapter Four

At first Allen thought that looking for Lavi wouldn't be so hard, the red head was so loud that he just had to ask someone when they last saw him and then follow the trail. However Lavi appeared to move so quickly that Allen had already walked around headquarters twice and he still hadn't caught up with him.

Allen also came to the sudden realisation that he never sought out Lavi; Lavi just always tended to be there, floating in the background like a bad smell.

It didn't really bother Allen, having to hunt all over to find the exorcist and would have continued all day until he did find him. Except for a slight change in the past ten minutes, when he happened to pass by Marie; who had spotted Allen and decided to walk with him, in a manner of speaking.

So now the rather intimidating exorcist was following just behind him, which was why he could sense the other man was there but couldn't see him. The man didn't even speak to him; just loomed down from behind and after ten minutes of the man's looming Allen was ready to crack. He wasn't afraid to admit it, he was scared, which was why he thought it was time for a rest, in his room, where he could lock the door and hide under a blanket.

Emerging from his room sometime later, with no Marie in sight, Allen considered two options for finding Lavi, either he could wonder around aimlessly and hope that he'd pass the other exorcist at some point or stand in a well used hallway until Lavi passed by. He could have gone to wait in the dining hall, everyone needed to eat at some point, but he didn't want to face the stares or the slight chance he'd get into more trouble.

Apparently standing still was Allen's best option. It had only taken a few minutes before Lavi had ambled up to him.

"Why didn't you just go to the library?"

"There's a library?!"

"Sure there is, just past the courtyard."

"There's a courtyard?!"

Allen was confused; he had lived in the Order for quite a few months and had never even heard of these parts of the building before. On the other hand at least Lavi wasn't laughing at him. Although the smile on his face looked rather suspect. Allen took a deep breath.

"'ttheywillkickmeoutandi''!"

Lavi was impressed that the little Moyashi could go so long without breathing, a talent like that could come in handy someday. Though he could do without the scary, pushed to the end of his tether and about to kill someone look.

"Cool, let's go to the library then."

*****

"But you fall in love all the time!"

"Oh young, naïve Allen. Just because I can appreciate beauty, doesn't mean that they appreciate me." Lavi said ruefully.

"Shit, does anyone in this place know how to court someone?" Allen might have been a little bit exasperated.

"Of course not, that's why they all live here. Relax, we'll figure something out, it can't be that hard, people court people all the time, if you worry too much you'll get grey hairs.

Grey hairs! Get it, get it."

"Shut up."

"Jeez, maybe you and Kanda would make a good couple, you can compare grumpy faces.

This would be the part where you threaten me with your weapon of choice. However I will warn you that threatening me with bodily harm will severely lower your chances of getting any help."

Reluctantly Allen lowered his arm.

"That's a good boy, now give me a smile."

Still not amused Allen tried to keep his hands from reaching up and strangling Lavi, he didn't need to use his innocence to kill him.

However he was unable to control a snarl due to Lavi's last comment. He just knew Lavi would be unbearable.

"Oh my, what sharp teeth you have grandfather."

"The better to rip out your throat with."

"Oh Allen, such a way with words, if Kanda doesn't want you there will always be an open spot in my bed."

Lavi moved closer to Allen rubbing his upper arm, Allen tried to back away when suddenly Lavi reared back a serious expression across his face.

"Right, now stop messing around Allen; we've got work to do.

So, Tiedoll specifically said to prove your worth and show respect? Therefore obviously your aim through this courtship is to make a good impression on daddy dearest, you've got to be a man, a manly man, be nice to Kanda, make him feel loved and probably make him like you. The last being the biggest problem.

We'll ignore making a good impression; it's too late for that, so you're going to have to hope that if you win Kanda over, Tiedoll will be happy."

Allen was listening attentively, although his face did falter at the mention of first impressions. Taking a good look at the white haired exorcist Lavi continued his analysis.

"We'll ignore the manly man part for now as well. So you've got to be nice, loving and likeable. That's not too bad, you're like that to most people, basically this means you've got to imagine Kanda is someone else and you'll be fine.

With most courtships you would be trying to spend more time with the person of your affection, give them gifts; flowers and chocolate normally and compliments to show how much you like them.

So why are you still looking at me? You've got work to do, now shoo, shoo. Come back with a status update later."

Thus Lavi feeling as if he had imparted great knowledge onto the younger man, kicked Allen out of the library.

Allen wasn't too bothered by this, he had a lot to think about, Lavi had managed to give a pretty good break down of what he needed to aim to accomplish and maybe how to get the ball rolling. He tried not to be too hurt by the manly man comment. He was still young, he could grow some more, he hoped.

Anyway he needed to concentrate. Nice, loving and likeable, he could do that; really he could…if it was anyone but Kanda…

--TBC--