Chapter Text
“Lavi? Hey Lavi wake up.” Lenalee’s gentle tone made him lightly stir in his sleep as she along with her friends continued to stare down at the still sleeping boy sprawled on his bed.
It was already well after the time they were to meet up downstairs in preparation for them to head towards one of the gates to make it back to headquarters and debrief Komui. But as always Lavi was the last to wake up.
“Hey Lavi? Buddy, you awake yet?” Allen curiously asked as he began to lightly stir in his sleep again. “Lavi?”
“Five more minutes.” He murmured before he tiredly rolled to his good side, not entirely sure when he managed to finally fall asleep this morning.
“By this rate we’ll miss out on breakfast.” Krory gave a slight pout at the thought since he was really looking forward to it, until a dark shadow quickly loomed next to them. “Um…Allen?”
“Oh there is no way I’m missing breakfast again!” Raising his fists, Allen had been thinking about tasting some of Jerry’s cooking and he was dead set on following through with it. “Hey Lavi, do you hear me?! Lavi wake up!”
“Allen, perhaps we should come back-” Krory quickly suggested until he felt Lenalee step up next to him. “Lenalee?”
Quietly grabbing the ends of the bed sheets, Lenalee quickly turned it over successfully sending the red head off the bed and flat onto the floor in a heap of confusion. “That’s better.”
“HEY!” Peeking his head up from underneath the blanket that was casually thrown over his head, Lavi quickly scowled at all three of his friends who were now looming over him. “What’s the big idea?!”
“Well that seemed to do the trick. Now let’s go.” Lenalee proudly said as she calmly walked away, a triumphant smile grazing her lips as she went.
“Well I suppose that’s one way to get him up.” Allen surprisingly blinked back at the door she had just left out of along with the others. “Hey Lavi, what did you do to get her so mad?” Allen suddenly asked as they watched him scramble to his feet.
“You mean, what didn’t he do to set off sweet Lenalee.” Krory answered.
“Nothing!” Lavi protested, confusingly rubbing the back of his head. “Or at least I don’t think I did anything.”
‘He’s done for.’ Allen and Krory inwardly thought.
-D-
After stepping into the Ark and back to the new headquarters for the European Branch of the Black Order, it came as no surprise that upon arriving they were immediately overwhelmed with questions from the science division as per usual right before being split up to check over injuries or give their debriefing to Komui Lee. Komui has been the Chief Officer of the Black Order and Head of the European Branch and just as always eager to hear all about the results of their last assignment. But not as happy then to see his little sister Lenalee back save and sound.
“Komui…!” She practically had to pry herself from his overbearing embrace and convince him that she wouldn’t be gone long like she always had to after coming back from any mission she was assigned to in order to ease her big brothers’ protective issues somewhat.
Although she doubted that would ever really change.
“But Lenalee!” He embarrassingly wailed. “You can’t leave again; you just got back…”
She let out a deep sigh looking at the mountain of paperwork on her brother’s desk that still needed his attention. The man was a genius, a hard worker and her rock…but sometimes the over-the-top little sister complex could be a bit exhausting. Not to mention dangerous whenever one of his inventions blew up in the lab due to making more of his robots to protect his ‘baby sister’.
“I promise I’ll be back Komui. I’m just going to check on Allen, Lavi and the others to make sure they’re ok.”
“Then you’ll come back?” he dramatically blew his nose but smiled nonetheless when he saw her reluctantly nod. “Great! Then I’ll see you back here shortly.” He happily pulled away and walked back over to his desk as if his pleads and cries never happened.
Using this opportunity to flee she quickly closed the door behind her and began the short walk to the infirmary. Sometimes she just wanted to throttle her brother, but more than anything she wanted to protect him.
A small smile formed on her lips despite her frustration with him. She knew he meant well. Always has, and ever since their parents died, he’s done nothing but try and keep her safe. Even going as far as to joining the Black Order himself just to be near her and to ensure that she would never be alone in this place again.
At first, she considered this place awful. A nightmare she could never wake up from or run away from…until Komui came for her. Made this place her home. And now, with the many people she came to care about…wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
‘I just wish he could understand that I can handle myself. I wish he’d worry a little less and let me worry about him for a change.’
Komui always carries the weight of the whole Order on his shoulders, and yet…considers his biggest problem to be who she is talking to or whether or not her skirt is too short.
Her smile slowly faded as she thought about the danger the world was still in while they were still recovering from their last battle. The risks they always faced…and the thought of losing Komui and the family’s she’s made here was the one thing that truly scared her.
She waved at a few of the Black Order members who walked past her on her way to the medical wing of headquarters. From what she had overheard by one of the members was that Allen was already long gone and in the cafeteria no doubt catching up on his much-needed food from Jerry. Being a parasite type did really take a toll on his appetite. While Krory was already resting back in his own room as per usual, which only left her with one other person that she had yet to see again since they’ve came back.
Life in the Black Order was always so busy that it was always hard to find time to hang out with each other, but that didn’t mean that they didn’t try any chance they had. But luckily as of late they’ve had more spare time then usual—if you didn’t count the moving, but she could tell that a few of them began to grow a little restless upon waiting for any new orders to come around. Especially someone like Kanda.
With so many lives lost as of late, they were also pretty spars when it came to Exorcists as well as finders, scientists and even healers. So she took any free time she had to see if she could help in any way she could until she was needed elsewhere. Or at least until she was assigned another mission.
Stopping right outside one of the many rooms where they usually kept some of the wounded, Lanelee could already hear the ongoing bickering going on inside before stepping inside as the scent of antiseptic and cleaning solutions invaded her nostrils.
“How many times do I have to tell you Lavi? Keep…your…head…where…it…should…be.”
“Ow! Knock it off old man!” Wincing the junior bookman could be seen angrily rubbing his head as the older man continued pounding his hand against the top of his head.
“If you could please reframe from hitting my patient. At least until after he’s completely healed…” The head nurser amusingly shook her head at the two. “Then he’ll be out of my hands.”
“What?!” Lavi took this moment to peer up at the smiling nurse. “That’s harsh head nurse!”
“Quiet or you’ll wake up my other patients!”
“How is he?” Lenalee worriedly asks as she carefully entered the room, stopping next to Bookman.
“Nothing to worry about.” Bookman answered, keeping his gaze on his young apprentice.
“See Lenalee, I told you it’s just a scratch.” The overly confident grin on Lavis face was enough to make her shoulders somewhat relax, knowing that he was ok. “Although I can’t say the same for the old geezer and the head-”
“Chose your words very carefully Exorcist…” The head nurse warningly stared down at the patient now quivering on the bed.
“I’m sorry…?”
“Well, I for one am glad.” Fondly smiling, Lenalee’s eyes continued to follow the red head who continued to get scolded now by the nurse.
“As am I.” Tilting his head to the side Bookman briefly regarded the girl for another minute. His deep-set eyes accentuated by the dark markings took in the way the girl continued to worriedly look at his young pupil before he slowly joined his hands, which he then concealed entirely within his large sleeves. “But I do believe your presence is needed elsewhere. Your brother is expecting you in his office again or so I’m told.” Upon watching the girl’s hesitation, Bookman only raised a questioning brow.
“Oh yes, of course.” Apologetically bowing, she swiftly turned on her heels, giving one last look over her shoulder to see her comrade already silently looking off to the side deep in thought. “I’ll see you later then Lavi.”
“See ya.”
After watching Lenalee leaving the room, Bookman slowly turned to see Lavi had already averted his gaze to the window. “You’re not getting soft on me, are you boy?” When he didn’t immediately get a response, he tiredly sat himself down on the chair next to the bed. “You shouldn’t allow yourself to get distracted with things that do not pertain to us.”
Gripping the bed sheets, Lavi kept his head down. Letting his bangs obscure his vision. He knew that was true. Although the knowledge that she came all this way to check on him was enough to send a warm feeling shooting through his chest that shouldn’t be. Like a sunrise filling his very soul with light and warmth in this otherwise troubling and cold world.
He just wished to hold onto it for just a little bit longer before it was to fade away.
“Lavi?”
-D-
“Man, this feels good.” Blissfully rubbing his stomach, Allen continued to casually walk down one of the many corridors that filtered their new headquarters right alongside Lavi who continued to look around as he observed the many people walking around with boxes that still needed to be unpacked.
“I don’t suppose we’ll be done unpacking anytime soon.”
“Probably not. Especially not after moving all that stuff from the science department.” Allen slightly trembled along with Lavi as they recalled the awful task of helping the science department move from their last headquarters.
“That was awful….”
“Horrible…”
“Let’s never talk about it again…”
“I only wish…”
“But on the plus side, we’ll be getting a lot more help from other branches!” Allen suddenly piped up.
“Hey that reminds me, where’s Link? I haven’t seen that dude around today.” Lavi quizzically looked around. After taking control of the Ark and restoring it Central has still been a constant watch over the European Headquarters in more ways than one. And with Allen still supposedly being the supposedly player—whatever that meant, they were still suspicious about his current abilities to control the Ark.
Lavi could understand it to some degree as just being cautious about the whole thing since he himself found it a bit unsettling too when it came down to this revelation. But he still trusted Allen after everything but knew to still be careful since they were still at war with the Millennium Earl.
“Oh him? I gave Link the day off.” Allen dismissively waved off, recalling the way he managed to sneak past him when the guy was busy ordering his own food.
“Um I don’t think you can do that.”
“Oh it’s fine. Really, I’m sure Link doesn’t mind.” Allen casually brushed off.
‘Now why don’t I believe that…?’ Lavi rubbed the side of his head right as someone turned the corner and smacked right into the white-haired boy. “Hey-”
“I-I’m sorr-Allen!”
“Huh?” Lavis’ eyes skimmed the girl who sat flat on her butt, now dreamily staring up at his friend like he was her savior. Her dark hair was braided and her brown eyes shone bright with admiration that gleamed off her glasses. “Hey I know you; you’re the girl who’s in love with Allen aren’t’ you?” he asked staring strangely at the girl as they helped her to her feet. Remembering her from when they first came upon the Asian branch.
“W-what?” the deep blush on her cheeks only deepened as she shrunk back.
“Lavi!”
“Oh I get it.” He acknowledged, leaning down to get a better look at her face, and completely ignoring Allen behind him.
“You don’t get anything Lavi because there’s nothing to tell!” Allen shouted over his shoulder.
Smirking Lavi outstretched his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve properly met, I’m Lavi by the way and you are…?” When he saw the girl still gawking at Allen, Lavi understood that he wasn’t going to get much out of her. “So, Girlfriend, is it?” Lavi raised a curious brow over at Allen who was struck speechless. “Fine, that’s fine. I know how to keep a secret.” Lavi indifferently said with a wave of his hand and a hint of a smile on his lips.
“What-”
“I better get going!” Just as quickly the girl sprinted past the two boys while clutching her cheeks with a growing smile. ‘Girlfriend?! He called me Allen’s girlfriend too!’
“Hmm.” Casually turning back around, Lavi was suddenly met with Allen dangerous glare. “What?”
“You really are the worse Lavi!”
Chuckling Lavi quickened his footsteps to keep up with his friend who was now angrily stomping away. “What I’m just playing. Although she is kind of cute so if you two decide to sneak off at least give me a heads up, so I don’t just walk in on-”
“There’s nothing going on!” Allen snapped around which just made the red heads grin widen.
“Hey now that’s no way to talk about your girlfriend you know.” Lavi playfully teased, barely managing to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit by Allen until they saw a familiar figure continue to walk aimlessly down one of the corridors, almost as if they were lost. “Hey Miranda!”
“Huh?” tilting her head, the very woman’s brown eyes suddenly widened with tears of plea. “Allen! Lavi! Thank goodness I found you guys! I got turned around in this big place and now I can’t seem to find my own room!”
“Woah there, slow down Miranda.” Lavi sympathetically grinned while patting her on the shoulder. “We’re all a little new here, so how about we just help find it together yeah?” Looking at Allen he found his friend agreeably nodding.
“Lavis right, we were just about to head to our own rooms anyway so we might as well help you with yours.”
“Y-you guys would do that? For me?” She whimpered before pools of water filled her eyes as she clutched Lavi for dear life. “Thank youuuuu!”
“Ok ok just don’t do that?!” Lavi frantically shouted as a few passersby began giving them dirty looks for possibly making the woman cry.
‘They must think we’re horrible…’ They both thought. ‘Not good.’
-D-
“Maybe it’s around here…?” Miranda thoughtfully tapped her chin as she walked around another hall.
“Any chance we might be getting closer?” Allen’s shoulders slouched as he and Lavi continued to walk behind her.
“Maybe.” She admitted.
‘At this rate we’ve been walking through all of headquarters.’ Lavi tiredly thought since they had yet to find her room and all he really wanted to do was rest. “Hey by the way Miranda, have you seen Lenalee anywhere?” Lavi suddenly asked after they’d already been walking around for at least an hour. “I’ve been meaning to thank her for stopping by earlier to check on me.”
“Oh, well if I’m not mistaken, I believe she’s giving someone a tour of the place.”
“Oh, well that’s nice.” Allen thoughtfully hummed.
“Really? Who?”
“Not sure.” She nervously admitted. “I suppose perhaps one of the new transfers from the Central Branch? He seemed very adamant that she shows him around, so she agreed.”
“Really?” Lavi furrowed his brows, feeling like his stomach was tying itself in painful knots.
“Yup that sounds like-hey Lavi, you ok?!” Allen as well as Miranda watched in horror as the taller boy began to keel over in pain.
“Yeah man, I’m alright.” Lavi quizzically frowned as he continued clutching his stomach. “Just got this nauseating feeling in the pit of my stomach that’s all. No big deal.”
“No big deal?!” Allen worriedly stared down at him.
“I’m fine guys, really.” Lavi tried to muster up a small smile but knew the others didn’t seem as convinced.
“Hmm?” Sharing questioning looks with Miranda, Allens own smirk came back deciding that this was as best time as any to get payback for Lavi from earlier.
“You don’t look so good Lavi. You know what I think…?” Allen playfully teased. “I think it’s because you know Lenalee’s off on a date.”
“Don’t be ridiculous Allen, that’s not what this is!” Lavi defensively shouted. “I’m sure it’ll go away soon, watch. And she’s not on a date!”
“I’m afraid Allen may be right.”
“WHAT?!” they both gawked at Miranda.
Was she serious?!
“Not about the date thing, but about the fact that you don’t look so good.”
“Always what a guy loves to hear Miranda.” Lavi grumbled as the pain only intensified. ‘What the hell is that?’
“Perhaps we should take you to go see the head nurse.” Allen began to help him up by grabbing his arm. “Maybe this has to do with your wound that’s still healing?”
“It’s literally just a scratch you guys!” Lavi protested.
“Really? You don’t say…” Komuis glasses gleamed with a familiar hint of mischief as he looked down at the red head from behind the three of them.
“GAH! Komui?!”
“Why hello there. Did someone say something about not feeling well?”
“I…” Fearfully stiffening, Lavi very slowly turned to see the wicked grin hidden behind Komui’s otherwise intrigued smile. “What…?”
“Perhaps with some more digging I can find the source of this illness.”
“Since when do you have experience in the medical field?!” Both Miranda and Allen frighteningly screamed.
“That’s a good question…” Komui thoughtfully hummed.
“Um you know something. I feel much better now.” Lavi uneasily grinned as he removed both Miranda and Allens hands from his arm while Komui loomed closer. But he really couldn’t stop himself from painfully clutching his stomach even more.
The grin that Komui held only widened as he pulled out a large knife. “So just try not to move and everything will be fine.”
“Komui?!”
“I fail to see how this will make me feel any better…” Whimpering, Lavi’s eyes remained glued to the tip of the sharp knife as he asked his next statement. “You know you seem a lot more eager to cut into me lately instead of wondering where your sister is.”
‘Really? Those were his last words?’ Allen surprisingly thought.
“Huh? What do you mean?!” That seemed to do the trick after he watched the man abruptly pause, at least buying him some time. “She’s not doing anything but being friendly with Peck, nothing else!”
‘Denial…’ They all sadly thought.
‘Wait…who the hell is Peck?!’ Lavi quizzically peeked an eye open, but the pain quickly shoved that question aside.
“But be that as it may, Lenalee sure is taking her sweet time showing this guy around….” Komui thoughtfully frowned as he looked around.
Using this moment to distract the man, Lavi and the others quickly rushed in the opposite direction.
“Ok we made it in one piece for now.” Allen let out a relieved breath. “That was a close call for you Lavi huh?” he happily clapped Lavi on the back as the boy pulled himself together enough to glare at Allen before they began jogging away from where Komui no doubt was still standing.
“There she is!” Miranda was the first to spot the girl inside the library as the two boys crashed into each other in hopes of still outrunning Komui.
“…and here will be our library where we usually keep all our prized books. Feel free to stop by any time after we get it all settled.” She gestured around the big room that was still littered with boxes on top of boxes, full of various books that had yet to be organized.
“Lenalee!” Both boys panted as they ran inside followed by a timid Miranda.
“Speaking of which…” Lenalee curiously looked at both boys with only Allen raising to his full height. “What’s going on?”
“Oh we were just looking for you.” Miranda answered since both boys still seemed out of breath after escaping Komui.
“Oh, what for?” Lenalee tilted her head, studying the way Lavi held his stomach. “Shouldn’t you still be in bed Lavi?”
“Nah, the head nurse gave me the all clear.” He tried to smile but it didn’t quite reach his eyes as he straightened himself out. “I’m all better…see.” He painfully wheezed out, thankful when the pain suddenly lessened. ‘Maybe it was something I ate?’
“Is it just me or does this library seem a bit bigger than the last?”
“Mirandas right.” Lavi couldn’t have agreed more as he took another step inside. This one looked a lot bigger, which only brought a big smile to his face. Eager to help unpack all of these boxes he and Bookman offered to help out with. All this knowledge just waiting for him to get his hands on them was too good to pass off.
“You seem awfully happy about that.” The man next to Lenalee acknowledged, with a hint of disdain in his tone.
“How can I not be?” Lavi proudly admitted. “Nothing beats reading a good book after all.”
Warmly smiling, Lenalee quickly remembers to introduce them. “Oh I’m sorry this is Allen, Miranda and Lavi, next to Bookman Lavi’s just as knowledgeable around here.”
“Oh yes Bookman junior, is it?” The man’s eyes flickered with something Lavi couldn’t place. “I’ve heard about you.”
‘Why does this guy strike me as odd?’ Lavi through, unable to help but frown. “Oh yeah?”
Nodding the man only readjusted his glasses. “I do believe you’re quite familiar with Inspector Lvellie if I’m not mistaken?”
“Oh yeah that guy.” He mumbled as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, recalling the last time he came face to face with that man.
“He sends his regards…for now.” Peck regarded the young man in front of him.
“Meaning?” As if by instinct Lavi moved to stand next to Lenalee, still understanding the tremendous effects and harm that single name still instilled upon her. Based on the records as well as from all his own research after joining the order, Lavi had made it his mission to learn as much as he could from anyone working here at headquarters as well as all the other connected branches the moment he arrived. So from what he read he knew some of the history that that man had with Lenalee but not everything, just simple the things that he managed to get his hands on.
He could only imagine the pain and torture she had to go through before her brother arrived. Which was all the more reason why he decided to step in during their little confrontation during the attack on headquarters when Komui couldn’t.
And what he will continue to do.
“Lavi…?” Tilting her head back Lenalee could feel the heated anger already radiating off of him as he stared at Peck. She knew that one look from Lavi and he could immediately sense her unease without even wording it.
‘She’s fine. She’s here and she’s fine.’ Lavi tried to reassure himself and the pleading look in her eyes made him unclench his hands that he didn’t know were balled into a tight fist.
“And you must be the infamous Allen Walker rising from the dead. In more ways than one I hear.”
Clearing her throat Lenalee thought it was best to cut in now. “This is Mr. Legory Peck, Leader of the Science Division Section Two. I’ve been asked to see to it that he is given a proper tour of our new headquarters as well as anything else he might require.” Her eyes squinted shut as she smiled at her friends.
“Precisely.” Peck slowly grinned at her. “And doing quite an excellent job at that may I add.”
“Thank you.” She politely smiled.
“Um you do realize that we’re all still pretty new to this headquarters too, right?” Lavi pointedly raised an eyebrow at the man.
“Never hurts to be thorough.” Peck kept a stern gaze at Lavi before turning back to Lenalee. “And if I’m not mistaken, I do believe you were just about to show me where the new cafeteria is?”
“Of course. Right this way.” She gestured for the both of them to head towards the door.
“Oh and make sure you tidy up this room while you’re in here Bookman junior, yes?” Peck spoke over his shoulder. “Wouldn’t want to catch something with all these dusty books around.”
“Yeah. Right.” Grabbing both a startled Allen and Miranda by the arm, Lavi quickly dragged them to catch up with the pair, forgetting all about his previous stomachache. “You know, we were actually just heading over there ourselves.”
“We were?” They both questioned him.
“Definitely.” Lavi cheerfully grinned, making sure to stick right behind the two as they exited the library together. “So how about it? Allen you still hungry?”
“Well…”
“Come on Allen I’m sure you still have some room left for some barbecue steak, curry with rice and mitarashi dango!”
Thinking it over once it didn’t take long for Allen’s stomach to growl in response. “I do suppose I wouldn’t say no to one of Jerry little snacks…”
‘Little snacks??! Where the heck does he put all that food?’ His friends all thought.
“Miranda how about you?” Lavi asked.
“I guess I’m a little hungry myself, getting turned around in this place I think can work up quite an appetite.”
“Great so we can all just go together!” Lenalee’s smiled at everyone although some didn’t seem quite as thrilled about the idea—well except for Allen who was already mentally making a list of all the different foods he’ll eat.
“Great.” Lavi and Peck simultaneously said through clenched teeth.
-D-
By the time they finished getting their food and found someplace to sit, Lavi made sure not to grab so much food since his stomach still felt a little off compared to Allen who had a whole barrel of food parked at the edge of their table.
Just the thought of eating was overly nauseating right now, and the way Allen continued to stuff his face before they even made it to their table was comical.
“Aren’t you going to eat that?” Allen asked as he pointed at Lavis bowl.
“We haven’t even sat down yet!” Lavi shouted. “And you’ve got your own food!”
“Yeah but you barely even touched yours!” Alen pointed out.
“You know after all this time it still amazes me how much food you can still consume.” Lavi confessed with a light chuckle as he made to place his plate next to Lenalee’s the way he normally would, but instead found his spot already taken.
“Apologies, I hope you don’t mind.” Peck indifferently asked as he began digging into his food.
“Not at all.” Lavi mumbled as he instead sat directly across from them. “Help yourself I guess.”
“S-so how are you enjoying your time here so far Mr. Peck?” Miranda awkwardly attempted her hand at a friendly conversation, since it seemed plainly obvious no one else was about to start one other than Lenalee of course.
“It’s decent if I dare say so myself.” Taking a gulp of his drink, Peck patted his mouth dry with his napkin. “And regardless of how much work this place clearly needs, it does have its upside to all this.”
Lavi curiously eyed the man in front of him, noticing the leering way he continued to stare at Lenalee.
“Well I don’t know about all that since Section leader Reever is quite capable.” Miranda politely disagreed.
“I concur.” Allen nodded. “Without someone like Reever and Komui around this whole place wouldn’t be what it is now.”
“And that’s exactly what worries me.” Peck boredly answered back but knew better than to call out someone like Komui Lee if he was to continue to gain Lenalees attention. Her and her brother did seem close after all. “Perhaps now things might be a little different.”
“Well sure, I don’t blame you for thinking that.” Lavi absently began picking at his food. “Things have changed a lot since you were probably away from Central.”
“Pardon?”
“Well yeah you’re like fifty, aren’t you?”
Spitting his water out, Allen could feel Miranda frantically trying to pat him on the back after hearing Lavis comment.
“Allen are you alright?” Both Lenalee and Mirandas concern for him had Allen failing to suppress a small laugh after his friend’s brazen question.
“Sure, just give me a second…”
“I am not fifty.” Peck offendedly stared at the unfazed redhead. “I happen to be twenty-nine for your information, and you would mind your manners.”
“Sure.”
Awkwardly clearing her throat Lenalee forced herself not to laugh, so instead decided to join in on the conversation before things got out of hand. She did promise Komui after all to make sure everything would run smoothly, and so that’s what she would do. “Despite what you may think about this place, it is still our home Mr. Peck. And now that you’re here I could only hope that with time, you’d come to think of this place as such as well.”
“I’m sure I will Lenalee.”
Seriously?
Slowly narrowing his eyes, the pain in Lavis stomach was the least of his concern at the moment when he’d see the very girl smiling at something this guy said. Sure, he knew Lenalee to be friendly with pretty much anybody unless otherwise provoked, but did she really need to be that friendly with someone like him?
“I don’t know about all that…” he heard her politely giggle next, which simply made him roll his eyes in frustration before dropping his spoon and folding his arms over his chest.
“Hey Lavi, aren’t you going to eat?” Miranda gave him a small smile.
“Lost my appetite.” He muttered as he glanced away to scan the rest of the cafeteria. Finding that to be a lot more appealing at the moment.
“Are you sure you’re feeling alright?” The concern in Lenalee’s voice had him quickly turning to face her. “You look a bit…I don’t know…different…?”
“If that’s your way of telling me that I look like I’ve been through hell and back then you’re the second person to tell me that in less than two hours.” Lavi flatly answered back, and that couldn’t be any less true considering he was stuck here starring at this asshole.
“Hey I didn’t exactly say it in those words…” Miranda guilty hung her head.
“You do look horrible.” Allen pointed his fork at Lavi’s blank expression.
“Thanks Allen.”
“Don’t mind him. I’ve seen his type before, and they can be…a bit of a challenge.” Peck responded.
“My type huh?” Bitterly smiling Lavi leaned back in his seat.
“Mr. Peck-” Lenalee began but was quickly cut off by the other man’s wave of his hand.
“No need to apologize on his behave Lenalee.”
“I wasn’t going to.” She disapprovingly frowned. “In fact, I don’t believe Lavi’s the one-”
“You know something, it’s fine.” Rolling his eyes Lavi quickly stood from his seat and walked off, suddenly feeling a bitter taste in his mouth.
“I wonder what’s gotten into him?” Allen’s spoon stopped midway as they all watched their friend walk away to dump what remained of his untouched food. “No!”
After returning his tray, Lavi took a moment to wipe his hand unaware that he’d been absently staring at the trashcan in front of him as he did.
“Lavi?”
“Hmm?” Snapping out of it he was startled to see Lenalee already standing in front of him with her hands behind her back. “Oh hey Lenalee, tell the others I’m going to lay down for a bit yeah? Kinda got a headache now too.” Without waiting for an answer, he quickly sidestepped her, fully expecting her to go back to their table.
“Hey Lavi, are you sure you’re ok?” she worried asked again.
“This from the girl who just this morning knocked me out of bed?” he chuckled until he realized how that may have came off. So as soon as he saw the sudden blush on her cheeks, he knew she noticed that too. “S-sorry that’s not what I meant.” He flusteredly added, running a hand down his face. “Look shouldn’t you be off with that guy?”
“Who? Peck?” She tried to keep up with his fast walking while looking back to see Allen and Miranda still talking to Peck much to his annoyance. “He insisted I show him around.”
“Yeah, I bet he did.”
“It’s alright, really. I don’t mind.”
“You know for someone so friendly you should really watch who you talk to.” He suddenly snapped, his voice coming off harsher than he intended.
“What?” Stopping in her attempt to walk with him, she furrowed her brows not at all liking the way he made it out to be. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing Lenalee.” With an indifferent shrug of his shoulders, Lavi slowly began walking away with his arms above his head. Whatever this was, he had to shove it deep down and out of his mind the way he normally would to a point where he wouldn’t allow something like this to bother him. “I’ll catch you later ok.”
Life is not fair and never was. He already knew that…and between the detached observer that he was raised to be and the person he might be now, he knew that attachments were still a liability no matter how much he viewed things and no matter how much he cared.
Because in the end…it will always be him alone standing in the shadows, only a mere witness to their lives and nothing more.