Exception
By: Aviantei
32. TRIangular: Nonsensical Meeting
Lavi was the first to arrive at Ivy's apartment. This wasn't saying much as he had picked up Allen, and the Brit had chosen to take a more rational approach to climbing the stairs. Actually, it was the white-haired boy's first time to his friend's apartment, since she didn't tend to offer it as a hangout space, but he was certain that he'd be able to find it based on the noise level.
"What the heck's Yu-pon doing here?!"
See that? Turns out he was right. Not that Allen liked the implications. What the heck was Kanda doing at such a nonsensical meeting?
This day could only end in tears. Place your bets now.
"Oh, I get it," the redhead rambled, still in the doorway, "this is the new thing for you two. First Ivy-chan stays at Yu-pon's house, now it's the other way around. I can't believe you two are trying to steal Allen's limelight with your own secret relations. I won't allow it, you know. Lavi-nii—"
"Shut up and get inside before I change my mind," Ivy hissed across the threshold. Maybe it had been a bad idea using her place. At least with Allen and Lavi's places, the usual volume spikes could be ignored. Here, shouting was bound to cause some hassle. At least Kanda was around to (please let this be effective) keep things down. If he didn't add to the commotion. Fuck this. "Hey, Allen."
"Good morning," the Brit responded, his voice lacking the usual energy. Cross had been home for about twenty-four hours, and he had managed to grind down Allen's nerves in record time. Getting out of the house had been essential. Even having Kanda present while Lavi dissected the Brit's love life seemed preferable to another hour in Cross Marian's presence. "Thanks for having us over."
You had to hand it to him. Even all that pressure couldn't stop Allen from being polite.
Everyone was allowed inside (Lavi after a pair of glares from the resident Japanese couple which just signaled potential bodily harm), and Ivy dragged over chairs from her small kitchen table to complete the seating arrangement. It was a small apartment, and sparsely furnished. Allen couldn't tell if Ivy's practicality or cheapness played the bigger factor.
Once he was satisfied with the gathered parties, Lavi stood. He would have preferred to use the chair as a perch, but playing on Ivy's home territory stilled that particular impulse. His platform would get knocked out beneath him faster than he could even get a word out. Settling because he was a good sport like that, Lavi cleared his throat.
"Well, today starts the newest meeting of TRIangular, which has had his super clever name busted by the fact that Yu-pon has brought our member count to four." At this rate they would have to change their name to QUADrilateral, which just didn't work in the provided context! "And so I bring us to our first point, which I stated beforehand: Why the heck are you here Yu-pon?!"
The flung out form of Lavi's arm as he pointed at his best friend set the stage for a perfect disaster. Allen braced himself and wondered if his chair could serve as a proper shield or if he should dive for better cover. This afternoon had gone from ending in tears to ending in bloodshed in a matter of seconds.
Despite all expectations, Kanda remained seated on the couch with his arms crossed. "I'm tired of you stealing my girlfriend," he said, voice not even spiking in irritation. Allen and Lavi exchanged surprised glances. Maybe it was Ivy's presence next to him that was keeping things calm. "Don't mind me. Just get your stupid planning over with so everyone can get some peace."
"Alright…" Lavi drawled, even though he wasn't convinced. If the redhead wasn't still trying to calm himself down how things were developing inside his own heart, he'd have done a better job at trying to put the presented pieces together. As it was, he locked onto a more long-standing (not really) issue to keep his sanity (what even). "So is that the same reason you had Ivy-chan stay over at your place the other day? 'Cause you're tired of us 'stealing' her?"
Allen was glad Ivy hadn't offered refreshments. Because he most certainly would have been eating at the moment, and he most certainly would have choked on it with Lavi's words.
"Lavi, your SSGTIK nonsense ended months ago," Ivy interrupted. She kept her hands folded in her lap and a smile on her face, but she was still wearing her jacket. Remembering her retrieval of a screwdriver the other day, Lavi felt a deep sense of dread for his personal safety. "We're here to help Allen. Move on, will you?"
Even as she said it, she knew no one would really move on from the remark, but discussing it was nobody's business but hers and Kanda's. Allen's face was red enough as it was.
Realizing the conversation was about to turn on him, the Brit sat up straight and prepared himself. Ivy and Lavi had watched over his incident-free date, so there wouldn't be much questions on that front. Instead the war council (Lavi's words, not his) would be focusing on the future.
Namely that weekend.
Namely the Valentine's dance.
To say that all parties involved were nervous would be a bit of an understatement, even if their reasons differed.
"So how are you feeling, Allen?" Ivy asked, trying a more productive approach to the conversation. She still had her doubts about her own outfit choices, but Kanda had done well to assure her. Besides, she could worry about that when the collective of all her male friends were out of her apartment. At this point, she needed just as much room to breathe as Allen did. "I mean, you've had one date a piece. Not to say that's enough to sort out your feelings, but have you made any steps forward?"
Lavi plopped back into his seat and scooted his chair forward in curiosity. "Yeah, you know who you're gonna ask to go with you?" If Allen could pick someone out, then the redhead could stop being such an idiot with his own feelings and focus on something else. Plus, he was just a sucker for a good love story, all the drama and frustration bits included.
Allen gave a wary glance to Kanda, but the Japanese boy had closed his eyes and seemed to be asleep. Not that he was, but it was easier to just listen than participate. It's not like he cared about the Bean Sprout's love life or anything. "Well," Allen said, adjusting his gloves, "I don't think I'm going to ask either of them."
You couldn't have had a more profound silence in the middle of a desert.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Brit!" Lavi exclaimed, leaping up from his seat. Act overdramatic and no one would catch on to the tiny bit of hope in his heart. Bookman would have called it useless. Kanda resisted the urge to trip the rabbit as he passed. "You can't just leave them hanging like that. You're gonna seriously hurt a girl's feelings if you leave them alone on the holiday of love."
Ivy rolled her eyes. "Sexist remarks aside, I think it's fine," she defended. Sure, it made a bigger headache in the long wrong, but you couldn't force feelings. "Remember, Lavi, Allen has the final say in how we approach things. You can't expect him to sort out every feeling he has after two dates."
At least Allen had an ally somewhere. Kanda thought Ivy was trying too hard for the Beansprout's sake, but kept his mouth shut. She was just a concerned friend. Lavi remained scandalized.
"Okay, but like, this is Valentine's Day," the redhead pressed. He really couldn't take much more of this. "I'm all for you being responsible with your feelings, Brit, but wouldn't it be anticlimactic if you didn't date someone at the end of this? I just don't want you to pass up on such great timing, you get me?"
"I get you, Lavi," Allen said with a sigh. "I don't want to disappoint either of them, but I'm sure they'll understand. Ari's your sister, so she'll take it with stride. And Lenalee figured out what's going on, so she's okay with me making a proper decision."
"Wait, Lenalee knows?" Ivy asked. When Lavi failed to give a similar reaction, she eyed the redhead. "Thanks for the update, Lavi. Goddamn, does everyone know what's going on? Why don't we stop sneaking around and have a big giant pow-wow to get it over with?" Preferably without her. That would be nice.
Kanda reached out an arm to drape around Ivy's shoulders. It was as good of a show of moral support as he could give with that stubborn attitude of his.
Hoping to keep up the momentum without creating a disaster, Allen said, "A-alright, so for the dance I'll go, but I'm not going to take a partner. I'd like it if you guys would come, so we can try to make it a group date." That was stretching it and he knew it, and Kanda's presence didn't help. The dark-haired boy wouldn't react well to puppy dog eyes, not that Allen would try to use them on a bastard like that. "And who knows, Lavi, maybe something climatic will happen after all."
Lavi scratched his chin, running through scenarios. It could work, so long as thing played out in the right fashion. Which with their group wasn't a likely scenario, but hey, he was a miracle maker. Anything could happen! "Hm, okay," he allowed. "We'll just focus on having a good time all around, and if things start heating up, we can back up. Sounds good to me. You, Ivy-chan?"
The Japanese girl nodded, her hair swaying with the motion. "I'm down, but Yu-kun and I are going to be a couple," she said. Aforementioned boyfriend smirked a bit at his inclusion. "We'll help out if things get super crazy, but I'd rather be backup support." This was their first Valentine's Day as a couple, after all. Spoiling the memory with another out of control evening just wouldn't do.
"And I'd rather not be involved at all," Kanda spoke up. "Both me and Ivy, you get it?" Oh, Lavi could read that glare loud and clear, thank you very much. He had years of practice. Then against all odds, Kanda looked to Allen. The white-haired boy prepared himself for a fight. "And if you get second thoughts, Beansprout, give it up for a while. Watching you be so wishy washy about this is pissing me off, so get a move on."
And with that, Kanda dismissed himself to the kitchen for a drink. He had tried, but there really was only so much rabbit-induced stupidity he could manage.
Ivy clapped her hands together. "And with that said, are there any closing remarks? We're letting things develop on their own, it seems, so I don't think we need a big plan or anything." Kanda could use a breather, and Ivy herself felt that an evening reading something was in order. Maybe it would take the edge off the approaching Monday.
"Yeah, I think we're good," Lavi said, for once doing more than just reading a hint and acting on it. He nodded a few times and adjusted his bandana. "As long as the Brit's happy with the course of action, then I can't complain." It wouldn't do him any good, after all. Allen gave a thumbs up as his approval. "Then meeting dismissed. What do you say we stop being cramped up all winter and go get some pizza?"
How adorable, Allen's eyes lit up at the mention of food. And at the mention of a reason to stay the heck out of the house. He was the only one looking forward to having classes the next few days. Still better than dealing with Cross. "I'm in."
"I'll pass," Ivy said, surprising no one. "I'll need my rest if I'm going out this weekend." Plus Kanda wouldn't take the offer in his mood. This was a weekend to break out the hot cocoa if there ever was one.
"Fine, you and Yu-pon will miss out on the hot, cheesy deliciousness," Lavi lamented, but didn't press the issue. Okay, this was just getting suspicious. Ivy would have to keep an eye on him; something was beyond up. The redhead gave his best effort at a blink. "That leaves me and the Brit, unless you wanted to invite the girls. I'll leave that up to you."
Allen's face paled, and he wasn't proud of the fact. He trusted both Ari and Lenalee, but they had declared their intentions loud and clear. That pizzeria was one of the few places in town that didn't mind Allen's stomach. Causing an incident or just feeling awkward could wait until the dance. "No point in driving around all over the place. Plus I don't think Komui would be happy with me being around Lenalee right now."
"Fair point." Lavi nodded with a grin. Were his feelings of excitement stupid? Yes. But even if it was bro time, hanging out with Allen sounded like just what the doctor had ordered. "So pizza for two then." He gathered up his jacket and keys and headed for the door. "Thanks for letting us use your place, Ivy-chan. Much appreciated!"
And with a two fingered salute from Lavi and an echoed thanks from Allen, the two were gone. Ivy breathed, ran a hand over her face, then locked the door behind them before heading into the kitchen. Kanda sat at the table, hunched over a cup of tea. Ivy stepped up to give him a short hug from behind.
"I hate everything," Kanda grumbled.
"Not everything," Ivy corrected. The boy grunted in affirmation. "And you did good out there. Five points, at least."
Kanda snorted. "Feh. Make it ten and then we'll get somewhere."
Lavi's current scarf was one of his coziest, so the winter chill didn't bother him much. Allen, for being so slight, had spent more than his fair share of time in unfavorable conditions when he was young, and this town wasn't the farthest north he had ever lived, either. That didn't stop both boys from acclimating to the heat inside the pizzeria with joy.
The staff members caught onto the white-haired boy's presence and went to report to the kitchen. Lavi tried to estimate just how many pizzas they would go through, but got distracted by his line of thought.
Allen hadn't chosen either girl to take to the dance. Not because he didn't like them, but because he wasn't sure. Whoever Allen would date in the end would have one of the most genuine and caring people as their partner. And, even if it was only a tiny sprout in the back of his mind, Lavi could acknowledge that he wanted that, just a little.
I'm sure that when Lenalee told me it wouldn't be weird if I liked dudes, too, this wasn't what she had in mind.
Yes, it had been the guy at Millennial that had started the mess, but Lavi wasn't going back there anytime soon. And if he were to be honest (as he always strove to be, for shame to think otherwise!), Allen could fit into the equation. In fact, Allen very much did fit into the occasion, sitting in the booth opposite of Lavi, drooling over the scent of fresh cooked dough filling up the building.
"So was there anything else you wanted to say at the meeting?" Lavi asked. Most people were scared off by the weather and lunchtime had passed so it wasn't like anyone could overhear, but Allen jumped nonetheless. The topic had been settled, hadn't it? "I figured you wouldn't want to talk about things all the way with Yu-pon there. So did we miss anything?"
Allen considered it. He hadn't noticed in the moment, but maybe Kanda did have an impact on the discussion, beyond his grumpy dismissal. And what had been up with the last remark? Who cared if stupid Kanda got pissed off by watching him? Allen would do whatever he wanted! Screw that guy!
"Easy there, Brit, your scary face is coming through," Lavi warned. Come to think of it, all his friends could be pretty damn terrifying in their own rights. What the heck was up with that? "I just figured I could provide some confidence if you need it."
The Brit poked at the straw of his drink as their server placed it on the table. "Well, I'm still nervous about the whole deal. I mean, I don't feel qualified enough to do this whole love triangle thing." Oh, sweetie, who really was? "And not to be rude, but both Ari and Lenalee can be stubborn. I can see them trying to corner me in my free time or something…" In the end, he was more worried about infighting than anything else, but the concern still held.
"I got ya, I got ya." Lavi loved Ari, but he knew firsthand just how her stubborn episodes could go. In Lavi's case, that was pain, but Allen should at least be safe from that fate. He couldn't say the same about Lenalee, but Komui's wrath was on the line, and even Ari wouldn't go that far. "Well, how about I give you an out? If things get tough, you can say you have plans with me this week, and we'll go do something fun. Oh, I have one condition, though."
Allen gave a tentative nod. "Thanks, but you're gonna have to tell me that condition first." Friend as Lavi may be, he could drag Allen into any number of haphazard situations, and if Allen agreed, he'd be obligated to follow through.
Lavi, on the other hand, was following through with something he had never expected to do. But, hey, go big or go home had been his life motto for a while, now, and he might as well live up to it.
"If you do go out with me, I want it to be as a date."
"Whot?"
That had not been the answer Allen had been expecting.
QUADrilateral, indeed.
[Avi's "Hey this Arc is Getting Somewhere" Notes]
And you thought there wasn't anything else I could add to this arc! Well, the joke's on me, it seems.
Thanks to everyone who checked out this story in the past week. I appreciate it lots, and would love to hear your thoughts!
Funnily enough, QUADrilateral wasn't part of my original plan for this story. But it is a fun little addition of drama to this tale, so I'm rolling with it. And with one week til Valentine's Day, who knows what other developments will be coming next. There's some fun sequences in the future, so I hope you'll enjoy them when they come to life.
As to what I'm updating next, there's a nice sized chunk of 50 chapters starting to release next week. Any other relevant news can be found on my Twitter Plot_K_Bunny. Until next time, please look forward to it!
-Avi
[08.21.2017]