A/N: Heyyy! It's been so long now (like around 7 months?), so I've decided to make up for the lost time with a longer chapter! Please note, that this is a Laven fanfic, with a dash of Poker Pair, but no worries Allen's heart will not be easily swayed.
Warning: Some mild LavixLena action.
Disclaimer: I do not own -Man.
Are We Playing Chess Now?
Allen waited nervously for the photo shoot to end. Earlier when he had walked up to the man to introduce himself, Allen's heart was beating wildly in his chest. Never before, in his twenty-four years of life, had he been this nervous. Even though he wasn't sure if he could secure a contract with the Portuguese, chances are, he wouldn't have to seduce him. There were other options to approaching this… right?
Allen watched the physiognomy of the European male. The shadows created from his curly locks framed the edges of the camera and every now and then, he would look up from his camera with a pensive look, before issuing a set of new poses. He was a demanding man, one who knew beauty, and possessed the knowledge and skills of a viewfinder.
When the photo shoot was over, Lavi's arm was still swung around Lenalee's shoulders. While the Chinese girl clamored on about something, Allen didn't miss Lavi's discreet glances down the low neck line of her dress. He saw the red head lean in to the girl's ear and whisper something. Her eyes narrowed seductively and said something in response to which Allen couldn't hear, but the grin on Lavi's face was all Allen needed to understand the transaction that will take place in the red head's apartment tonight.
That horny asshole.
Ignoring the tightening of his heart, Allen steeled his composure and walked towards the Portuguese man. The methods to acquire the contract should not concern Lavi. With that thought in mind, Allen felt the courage to bring forth the subject. The photographer turned from his assistant as he noticed the albino approaching. He smirked.
"Mr. Mikk," Allen started. It's now or never. "There's something I would like to discuss with you. If you have some time to spare, there is a café down on the first floor."
The smirked on Tyki's face morphed into a formal smile. "Lead the way, shounen."
They chose a seat near the windows of Komui's café. The Asian man was ecstatic when Allen walked in and complained for not seeing the Britfor so long. After settling down at the table with their cups of coffee in front of them, Allen's pulse began to quicken again and his hands got clammy. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Images of past situations similar to that of the one he was currently in flashed through his mind.
A subtle glance, a sensual smile, and a seductive pout won the affirmative from the director of Noah Productions to allow one of Allen's models to act in one of their upcoming movies. Getting the assent from Noah wasn't hard, but getting the wife of the CEO of a big chain cosmetics company to have Miranda be their spokesperson over Lenalee was harder. There was a rumor going around that the CEO and his wife were going through a rough patch, but since it was her father's money that funded his company when it was on the brink of bankruptcy, her input was highly regarded. Knowing this rumor, and being the great father that he is, Cross Marian immediately ordered Allen to get to work.
Allen shivered at the memories of "getting to work." The woman's cougar aura was practically oozing out like animals give off pheromones. Her hand that accidentally trailed near his crotch was NOT subtle at all, and neither was the way she inched close to him so that her breast was pressed against his arm. Now, being the perfectly healthy young man Allen was, it would be a sin not to take a glance at her racks. What probably scarred Allen more was when she deftly guided his hand to her breast, and it took Allen an immense amount of self control to not pull his hand back. After all, it's not like he's the one with a disadvantage. When Allen walked out of her office with the contract tucked in his briefcase, the only thought running through his mind was, So that's how it feels as opposed to a real one.
Thinking back to the topic at hand, his past memories failed to aid him in his current predicament. None of his past obstacles bore an attractive face like that of Tyki's, and they certainly did not advance far enough where he had to compromise his own chastity. Though…he already had given it to Lavi.
Amid Allen's mental preparations, Tyki was sitting across from him, observing the tensing of the Englishman'sbrows. His eyes roamed the younger male's physique, faintly nodding in approval. On closer inspection, Tyki noticed the shadows casted by the long dark eyelashes of the male opposite him, and every time Allen blinked, Tyki's mind perceived the action in slow motion. He took a sip of his coffee to aid his dry throat, and felt his heartbeat quicken when a noticeable blush swept across the cheeks of the young man across from him.
Faintly noticing the rain pouring down in the background, Tyki's thoughts once again resumed on the albino. It's been so long, he thought. It's been so long, since the death of his former lover, that he felt any form of interest in another person.
"It's raining," Tyki said in an attempt to stop his thoughts from straying towards her.
The soft baritone brought Allen out of his own thoughts and he realized that he had neglected the purpose of this meeting. He mentally chastised himself.
"It's a lovely rain," he replied with a smile.
"Too bad I didn't bring my umbrella, this is such a great time to take pictures. A flower petal clinging to the afternoon rain with the rays of the sun casting a gleam across the raindrop, or perhaps a single sunflower among a field of green," Tyki spoke with passion.
"I'm sure your pictures would produce a breathtaking view." Steeling his nerves, Allen took a sip of his coffee before addressing the man in front of him. "Your talent in this field is surely sought after by many, no doubt." Allen took a deep breath. "I would like to propose an idea."
A pause.
Tyki raised his eyebrows to encourage the younger man to speak.
"I'm aware of your abilities as a photographer, and I praise you for such talent. Would you not consider working as a photographer under the Black Order Entertainment?"
There, he said it. He ignored his rapid heartbeat and instead focused on keeping his mask in place. When the man in front of him did not respond immediately, Allen's smile fell and he asked, "Was I too forward?"
Tyki couldn't help but let loose a set of soft chuckles at the forward question. The boy was too cute for his own good. "I don't like to be tied down to a company."
The gears in Allen's mind worked to come up with the next few steps to persuade the man. "I'm aware of that, but to limit yourself to just photographing nature, don't you find that restricting as well?"
Tyki's playful nature quirked at Allen's questioning remark. He got me there, he thought. It's no puzzle what Allen Walker seeks, it's a matter of denying the man or accepting his offer, but to accept willingly without a fight is just simply not in the Portuguese's nature.
"Remember now, Tyki-pon," Tyki vaguely remembered his uncle, or the Earl, as everyone calls him, said one day. "In the business world, opportunities aren't given to you free of charge; you must work hard to pave your path and hone your skills. Only then will you have the opportunity to manipulate situations to your favor."
"Manipulating the situation?" A young, innocent Tyki asked.
"It's something like, how should I call this, business warfare, perhaps? Mentally, of course. Raising your fist will get you nowhere in negotiations." The Earl wagged his fingers as if to reinforce that idea to the young Tyki. "Instead, you must always understand the situation and identify your gains."
"What will I be gaining from this? I'm going to be sacrificing my sense of freedom if I'm tied down to a company."
"You are expanding your expertise, broadening your horizons into the field of fashion photography, and not only will your name be known throughout the photography world, but the modeling world as well."
"Black Order Entertainment is one of the grand enterprises among the entertainment industry. Surely without me, it won't really make that much of a difference," Tyki trailed off, allowing room for argument.
"Your skills are needed," was the firm reply.
"Once you do that, you need to find your value as an asset to the company. Only then can you prepare your plan for negotiation. No matter how good you are at your job, do not overestimate your value, because that, my Tyki-pon, can lead to your downfall."
"Truth be told, I am quite flattered by your praise, and like you mentioned earlier, you're not the first to approach me with this subject." Tyki saw a flash of alarm flit across the albino's eyes. "As you can see, this is the first time I even photographed people for that matter. I'm not sure I'm ready to part ways with the nature yet…" he trailed off.
"We at Black Order Entertainment value our models and photographers and we pay them handsomely. If it's-"
"Money isn't my main concern," Tyki cut in.
"We can assure you that you will be one of our top photographers. If it is status that you seek, you can be rest assured that you won't have to cater to anyone."
"I'm not worried about that either," Tyki replied in a nonchalant manner. He grinned inwardly. This was starting to intrigue him; if he could play his cards right, perhaps he could even acquire something fun out of this.
Allen's eyes furrowed. "What is it that you seek? If it's within my power, I would gladly cater to your needs."
Allen saw Tyki's eyebrows raise. "Now tell me shounen, why is it that you seek me as your photographer? Surely with your company, you can find just about anyone. Perhaps even someone as good as me." The tone was obvious; Tyki wanted to hear Allen say it, to make clarifications before relaying his set of terms.
"Because you are the best in this field, and I need results. I seek the fame and popularity you can give Lavi through the lens of your viewfinder. As his manager, his success is my top priority," Allen responded with growing confidence.
"And you have such confidence that Lavi will be able to reach such standards?"
Again, Tyki pried, but the conviction in Allen's eyes remains the same. "Yes."
"I don't get it, Earl. All this business warfare… it's so complicated."
"Hm do not worry, Tyki-pon. All this will come to you when you get older. Now how should I explain it…" The Earl's voice trailed off as his brilliant mind worked around one analogy after another to find the perfect example. He leaned back into his grand leather chair in his personal library in the mansion. His eyes lit up in delight when he found the perfect example, and he got up, motioning for the innocent youth to follow.
"Tyki-pon, how familiar are you with the rules of chess?"
"I love chess!" The young Portuguese boy gave a toothy grin. "Brother Sheril taught me last time," he stopped to giggle, "and I beat him many times!"
"Great. The whole objective is to capture your opponent's king, or rather you check mate it. In order to do so, you need to manipulate your pieces wisely. Business warfare is like chess; you need to skillfully maneuver your way around the obstructions, use it to your advantage if you can, to reach your objective."
Tyki's mind worked around the different approaches towards his goal, calculating each move like he had done many times in chess. The chess pieces lying on the board in Tyki's mind were stuck on a stalemate. He frowned and distantly recalled a time when he first started learning chess from Sheril. "The queen is the trickiest of the pieces. While she covers a wide range on the board, she can prove beneficial to you, but at the same time, she can be the toughest piece to take down, but with a good strategy, nothing is impossible."
"Then why would it matter if I were to be the photographer or not? Surely, Lavi can 'reach such standards,' no?" The grin on Tyki's face didn't cease to diminish, and Allen knew that he was being tested by every response he gave, so he must be careful. "An old friend of mine is starting his own entertainment company in the States. He asked for my assistance as a photographer there. Surely you don't think I'd turn down my friend after all he's done for me?"
Allen seemed to have lost his argument for a second, but he recovered his footingand took a breath before he responded. "I understand that friendship is important and I'm sure your friend needs you just as much as we do, but-"
"I'm sure you've heard that I do things for my personal entertainment," Tyki inquired. "Now tell me, is it not entertaining seeing the rise of a company, reveling in the triumph, and basking in the glory knowing that I played a part in it? How can you provide me with entertainment more fascinating than that?"
"I..," Allen faltered. "Surely if you have something in mind and if it's within my power, I will personally see to it that you will be dually entertained." Allen's tone was borderline desperate and he had no idea how he was going to pull that off, but if it would win Tyki's signature for the contract, then he would be willing to try anything.
Tyki's smirk grew wider. Time to make my move. "Tell me, shounen. Just what is that red head to you?"
Caught unaware by the sudden question, Allen's body tensed. "I… um… he's-"
"I mean, would a manager go so far for the benefit of their clients? Why are you doing more than you have to for him? Surely with time and experience, he'll gradually "get famous"."
"He's-"
"Your lover?" Tyki inquired with feint innocence. The panicked look on the albino's face dropped and a blush bloomed across the paleness of his cheeks. To Tyki's delight, the younger man shook his head furiously. It was a cute sight, but he couldn't fully rejoice in the availability of the man in front of him, for the impact of the question could invoke such reactions from him that implied none other than the painfulness of unrequited love. But he could take advantage of that, and if he thought about it, his plan had just been made just that much more easier because of the boy's affections for the red head.
Before Allen had a chance to defend himself under Tyki's interrogation, Tyki's husky voice permeated the air."I can help you."
Allen's embarrassment was discarded as he straightened his back and regained his composure.
"I can help him climb the ladder of fame and become number one, but…" the Portuguese man trailed off.
"Tyki, anything you seek, I will provide it to the best of my abilities," Allen said a bit too hastily. Tyki was playing hard-to-get, and this was the crucial moment of the negotiations; manners be damned, Allen just wanted this to be over and done with.
"Well, to say I have nothing in mind would be a lie…" Tyki trailed off again for dramatic effect. He can see it now, the path towards his victory was as clear as day. All he had to do was wait it out and watch his victory unfold. Then he came upon a problem. How will he lure the boy in?
"Sometimes, Tyki," his brother Sheril said, "you must make some sacrifices. Whether it be your pawns, your rook, your knight, and sometimes, even your queen."
"The queen, too? But I like the queen!" The youth whined.
"At times, it is all necessary for the grand scheme of things."
And he had it; the solution to his victory, the ultimate sacrifice, the lure, the bait. Was it worth it? It most definitely was. Will he regret it? He won't allow the events to take such a turn. But, how will he employ his tactics? He grinned. He had a plan.
In the most charming smile he had reserved for this special moment, he said in a husky tone, "Be mine."
A soft feminine giggle escaped the mouth of the Chinese girl. "Lavi, you pervert."
The red head couldn't help but grin and pull the girl into his lap. His hands roamed up the small of her back and he fingered the band of her bra. Within moments, he unhooked the lacy pink undergarment and ran his palm across Lenalee's endowment, teasing and pinching. Lenalee jerked her pelvis across the span of Lavi's crotch, making the man gasp beneath her.
Without turning the lights on, Lavi maneuvered their way across his apartment and into his bedroom. Too distracted with the feeling of the red head's lips latched on her neck, Lenalee was too far gone to notice her friend guiding her towards the room. His hands left a trail of heat down her back and a soft moan escaped her mouth as Lavi bit into her skin. She was jolted out of her euphoria when she felt the edge of the bed against the back of her leg.
Lowering her onto the bed, the Asian's hand slowly popped the buttons of Lavi's shirt open and during the brief moment of having the beauty lying naked underneath him, he couldn't help but let his mind wander towards his friend. He would be lying if he didn't want to run after his friend, grab his hand, and tell him to stay away from the photographer, but the girl in his arms refused to be ignored. Running her fingers through his hair and whispering into his ear, Lavi would be damned if he didn't take her to his apartment right away.
Feeling the loss of attention from her companion, the Asian girl pouted and kissed the red head passionately. Her tongue slipped in and roamed his mouth while her hands wandered his body. She gripped Lavi's length in her hand and he stifled a moan.
"Enter me," she whispered.
In that split second, all thoughts of Allen flew out his mind. In front of him, lying breathless was the most desired model in the industry with heaps of celebrities dying to be in his place. Many knew her to be the kind hearted girl, but very few knew the carnal side of the woman lying beneath him at this very moment, and Lavi would be damned if he didn't proceed with his actions.
Allen Walker could not have been more than happy that the cup of coffee had yet to reach his lips, for he was definitely sure that he would have choked and spit the drink out. He set his cup on the table, mustering the will to speak.
"What?!"
"It's really simple. I'm not asking you to chain yourself to me for the rest of your life. That would be cruel, should you not enjoy being in my presence, but I want one month of your time."
"But one month is- surely we can settle this in another manner now, Mr- Tyki," Allen's tone faltered towards the end.
"I thought you said you were going to "entertain" me, shounen." Tyki grinned at the appalled look on the younger male's face. "And if I were to say, this is the form of entertainment I require?"
Allen was too confused to even utter any form of speech, so the Portuguese continued.
"Of course we don't have to go all the way in our relationship, though I would be more than happy to. I wouldn't want to force you to do something you would not want; that would be rape, and frankly speaking, I do not wish to end up in jail."
"And how would I benefit from this?" Allen questioned.
"I'll form a contract with you to become an employee of Black Order Entertainment." Tyki couldn't help but flinch when he said, "employee," and Allen couldn't help but notice. "After a month, whether you see fit to end our budding relationship or continue it, it would not affect the terms of my employment to your company.
Allen's eyebrows furrowed. If he got the contract, he had to date Tyki, but the outcome did not interfere with Tyki being a part of the company. Allen didn't fail to notice that the photographer didn't mention much about the process of their "dating" period. Should it go smooth or perhaps, not so smooth really depended on their… chemistry, and who else is there to develop their chemistry but them both? And should I not feel like developing anything with the photographer then... I guess… our relationship wouldn't have to go as smooth as he'd want it to be. The albino couldn't help but smile at his thoughts, but this seemed too good to be true.
"You are aware," Allen began, "that quitting before the contracted terms result in a penalty."
One minute the tanned man stared at the albino like he was crazy and the next, he was laughing with mirth. He laid his Queen bare for the albino to take and it's so like him to analyze it over and over again before making a claim. That would not do.
"I'm well aware of such circumstances," he replied coolly.
"And you're willing to go along?"
"If I'm not mistaken, I was the one who set the terms, shounen," Tyki stopped to revel in the flush across the cheeks of the albino. "So what will it be?"
Allen's eyes widened. His countenance fit the description of a deer caught in headlights, and his brows slowly furrowed again. Surely he's at a disadvantage in this situation, so why was he working so hard? His father needs Tyki; Lavi needs Tyki, but he didn't. Allen Walker did not need Tyki at ALL, and besides…
"But Lavi… I… him…"
"I beg your pardon, and correct me if I'm wrong," Tyki began. He knew it was a cheap move, but if it will knock down Allen's Queen, then it was worth a shot. Besides, there's a quote that goes, "all is fair in love and war," is there not? If some genius philosopher came up with that quote, then there must be some form of truth within it. "But, isn't he with… hm what's her name again? Oh yeah, Ms. Lee right about now?"
Allen's eyes widened at the blow of Tyki's words and the truth beneath them and he sank once more into deep thought.
Seeing the Englishman in deep concentration, the Portuguese couldn't risk the chances of Allen talking himself out of the deal, so he did what he always did best: reverse psychology.
"Ah I guess I was being too forward," Tyki started off meekly. "It was not my place to say this, and I was definitely out of line to suggest the deal. I'm sorry, it's getting late, and I think I should go, I have to call my friend back in the States."
"Wait! No- I mean, please give me a minute to sort out my thoughts."
Tyki was about to get up from his seat when the desperation in Allen's voice stopped him. He looked at the frantic man and sat back down, satisfy with Allen's reaction. Queen, captured. He sat back down in contentment as he waited for the albino's answer.
Allen was sitting here, negotiating a contract deal in which he must make a great personal sacrifice in order to see it through. The photographer had set very few terms and Allen already felt so pressured, so claustrophobic. He needed the contract for his father and Lavi, and there were no other methods of attaining the contract, no other paths he could choose.
Allen's turbulent thoughts came to an abrupt stop. Wait. Here he was, working his butt off for the sake of the company and for the sake of his charge, and what was he rewarded with? A month of "Tyki time" with the renowned photographer? Allen's vision flashed white; he was angry; enraged beyond his wildest dreams. If they want a goddamned contract, they will have one! If there is no other path, then I'll go through and make the best out of it to my advantage! Tyki Mikk be damned, there will be no chemistry.
"Tyki," Allen said to get the photographer's attention. "Can I hold you to your words regarding the deal?"
Tyki flashed a handsome smile. "I'm a man of my words, shounen."
"Then we have a deal." Allen extended his arm out and Tyki grasped it in a firm handshake.
Tyki couldn't help but grin. Check mate.
A/N: It's been so long since I've last posted and I know I kept telling myself to not slack off, but... there were so many distractions! Before I know it... seven long months had flew pass. To start off, this style and form of writing is new to me with all those mental warfare and stuff, but I was inspired by Code Geass (All Hail Lelouch!). Frankly speaking, before I picked up the second season of Code Geass, chapter 5 was... really bland, but after all those epic scenes and mental maneuvers, I'm sitting here and thinking, "why not have Tyki claim his prize through a mental game of chess?" Hence, chapter 5 was recreated and now, finally posted!
Don't forget to leave a review! They are a great source of encouragement especially during my phase of procrastination xD