[Event] Relighting The Flame [ Jacob X Lenn ]

Until they were in the car and Lenn was chatting away with him, Jacob was still a little unsure about how the evening would go. While he was dressed to the nines and ready to go with a beautiful woman at his side, he was still on edge about whether it would all simply work out. They could get all dressed up and chuckle all they wanted at home, but once they left the house all of that would be put the test. Hell, Jacob was fearful that his comment about her gun would dredge up something, or actually cause her to run and get it.

But once they were in the car, and Lenn kept up a fun little conversation with him as he drove, Jacob finally thought that everything really would be okay. It was a little thing to be talking in the car on the way to their date, but little things made all the difference. There was life in her eyes and her smile seemed real. Everything seemed to be going well.

At the Academy, they were greeted by twinkling lights and decorations strung artfully along and among the trees of the grounds, leading all attendees to the ballroom. They were not alone, as many a student and denizen of Manta Carlos had also arrived for a good time and a nice date.

"You ready to make an impression, hon? We gotta aim to be the best-looking couple here."

With his chipper tone and his playful wink, it was obvious that he was in as good of a mood as he looked. And why wouldn't he be? Everything was beautiful, especially Lenn.

"And don't look now, but I think you got a few admirers."

He whispered to her as he flicked his eyes over to some young men they were passing, whom were excitedly talking among themselves and consulting their phones to see if the woman with Mr. Cunningham really WAS that model from the magazine. Jacob was not about to call them out on it, his ego prevented it.

The looks that interested Jacob the most were not the ones he--or rather, Lenn--was getting from the excited young men and curious boys, called to the scene because Mr. Cunningham had brought a certified "hottie" to the Snow Ball. No. Jacob had a better appreciation for the looks from the people who had seen Lenn before the Snow Ball, back when she was sweetly bringing him lunches during work or way back when she first appeared during one of his swim team practices. While much fewer in number, and more subdued, they were more congratulatory and happy than ogling. Those looks came from mostly more mature people who seemed happy that Jacob had finally found someone to be at his side.

Of course there were also the gently searing looks from the jealous schoolgirls, but Jacob chose to ignore them, lest he literally burst into flames from their glares. Whether it was jealousy at Lenn for being Mr. Cunningham's girlfriend or, perhaps, disgust at dating such a younger woman, Jacob had plenty of reasons to ignore them.

Besides, the night was for having fun and relaxing, and Lenn was quickly getting into that mood. She teased the boys and cuddled closer to Jacob, making his heart flutter and his lips curl into a big smile. Lenn was having fun. It was all he could ask for and more.

"I think the first thing on the agenda is a little champagne. Y'know, to warm us up and keep the cold away."

With Lenn on his arm, Jacob approached the drink table and retrieved two delicate flutes of champagne, two of only a wide selection it seemed. Though the table was heavily watched and monitored, it seemed the Academy was not restricting itself to just serving the students. There was a wide selection of (expensive!) wines and champagnes for the evening, along with a few harder liquors for those who wanted some old-style classy drinks.

"For you, m'lady~"

He offered a flute to Lenn and gently tinked his against her's.

"To a wonderful evening. A safe evening too, courtesy of our vary own chaperone..."

Jacob nodded to a man standing near the adult beverages table. A large, shark man in a custom-tailored suit with his hands clasped behind his back in an intimidating yet dignified post. Lelei noticed Jacob looking at him and nodded a greeting with a toothy smile.

"See what I mean? Lelei will keep an eye on everything."

For all the gossip and rumors that a few students spread about Jacob and Lenn, everyone did treat them nicely. The other teachers were mature adults and respected their relationship, and only threw a few friendly barbs at Jacob for dating such a young woman. The students were themselves, a hormonal mix of admiration, jokes, and occasionally jealousy. In the end, Lenn was treated with hospitality and respect. Whenever Jacob had caught someone talking to Lenn at the Academy, he felt good knowing that they treated her like any other woman.

Jacob loved Lenn's reaction to Lelei. He really hoped that seeing the intimidating beast of a man would put to rest any lingering doubts or paranoia about their date. Lelei may have been the most prominent show of security and force, but there were many others around to make sure everything was safe and smooth.

"Everyone always thinks I'm kidding when I mention giant shark man. But then... There he is."

From there the night ambled on nicely and elegantly, allowing ample time for them to enjoy themselves and relax in the company of others and good food. For awhile, he felt like they were really a couple again, laughing and talking and conversing. But this time they were in fancy outfits and at a fancier ball. He felt like a real blue blood then.

Lenn did not go out on the balcony alone. Jacob was at her side the entire time. He understood her need for a smoke and said nothing more about it. Getting away from the ballroom was a nice lull in pacing anyway, and they were allowed to be alone together. He stood closely at her side and looked over the grounds with her.

"Of course I remember. It seemed like such a small chance meeting back then..."

The first time he approached her was such a random event for him. He had not planned it, and he did not even have any intent to flirt with her initially. When he saw her in the club, he thought she just looked like a person who could use some friendly company, and that they both were strangers in a place meant for young people. Then... One thing lead to another... He sighed nostalgically at the memory, and he sensed a change in the mood.

He inched closer to her and gently put and arm around her waist, getting them close side to side.

"I don't think your assumption was all that wrong. But I'm also glad you didn't tell me piss off, as you say. I'm just glad you said anything to me at all."

Then she mentioned New York, and they shared a moment of silence. Things were heavy again. His hand on her waist gently hugged her.

"Yeah... Me too... I remember when we met, when you came to meet me at the school for the first time... When... your apartment happened..."

A part of his shoulder and chest throbbed sympathetically.

"Lenn, I remembered everything we had been through. Everything. I didn't want to lose any of that... When you went missing, I thought that we would never have the chance to make more memories like those... It's what drove me to continue..."

Jacob was somewhat fortunate in that he had found someone to talk to about the New York incident. Wong had been an... understanding enough man to hear Jacob's story, and to not immediately jump on him with the usual expected platitudes or accusations. There was no way to miss how awkward and uncomfortable it had made Wong, yet he had remained reasonable about the whole thing and seemed to have upheld the unspoken request to keep it between the two of them. Just letting himself unload his feelings and fears on Wong made Jacob feel a little better, even if it did not bring him all that much closer to a "solution" to his problem.

The reality remained that the only true answer to their dilemma was both time and a mutual willingness to persevere. Jacob was most definitely willing to go on, and try and salvage their relationship. But Lenn...

"... I'll always come back for you..."

They a shared a hug. It was a really good hug too. Jacob leaned his head down to kiss the top of her head as she pressed into his chest, and his arms tightened around her for a moment, hoping to convey to her how much he cared about her without words.

The kiss that followed was one he had been starved for over the last couple of weeks. His answer to her question came when he returned the kiss, pressing into Lenn. He would keep going. They would keep going. Everything they had been through had been a test of their love and their resolve, and Jacob liked to think that they were passing. They did not have a perfect grade, at least he knew he did not, but they were trying and succeeding. That's what mattered.

He broke the kiss only to take a breath.

"I love you, Lenn. And I don't intend on ever stopping."

Then Jacob was right back with another kiss, this one a little deeper and more passionate than the previous one. He wanted to emphasize the moment to Lenn. What they were sharing was what Jacob truly wanted. Her. Lenn. He would do anything to not lose her, and he would do anything to have her back. She would have him, his heart and body, always. Much to the delight of some gawping students with camera phones.

Jacob could feel the heart-to-heart the two of them shared after the second kiss. Lenn finally understood Jacob's intention to stay faithful to her, to always stay faithful to her, and that everything they had been through would not change that. Her life as an assassin had not driven him away, nor did the violence they faced in New York. His own mistakes and misgivings were not enough to convince him that Lenn was not worth it. Bruised, bleeding, and guilty of his own crimes, Jacob had crawled back to Lenn, not knowing if she would even take him back.

But she did, and it was enough to almost make him shed tears too.

Their moment was cut short by a surprise audience, however. It might have continued further had one of the students remembered to take their flash off while filming their teacher passionately kissing his model girlfriend. Not that their discovery immediately stopped their filming when Jacob and Lenn looked over. Most snapped a few more pics and then scampered off, giggling and gossiping, while a brave few remained to continue filming and ogle Mr. Cunningham's hot girlfriend or Mr. Cunningham himself.

"Heh. Right. Fans. This is going to be all over my students' social media tomorrow."

Jacob could already see it. "You won't BELIEVE who my teacher is dating!!!" It was going to be embarrassing and ego-boosting at the same time, but funny in the end. Hopefully his students wouldn't go too far with it.

With a contented sigh, he looked down at Lenn's beautiful eyes and nodded. Just then, the music of the ballroom returned to his ears. He heard the sensual strums of an acoustic guitar and the snappy percussion of the flamenco. Immediately, he knew what he wanted to do.

"Lenn, did you know that I actually know how to dance~?"