A/N: Hello and welcome to the first chapter of Eidolon's Rebirth. Seeing it must have peaked your curiosity, I'm glad you stopped by! Surprisingly it's a lot shorter than I thought it would be. Be warned it might have revisions. As my professor once said, "If you feel accomplished with what you wrote, you've done something wrong." That and he likes to mention my love of anime often. If I had a nickel for everytime I heard "Yo dawg, I heard you like anime." I'd have at least a dollar. If that.
I don't own these people. In my dreams I do but this is real life sadly.
Warning: Potential OOC with the characters. That is all.
On the one night he wished for a moon, the sky refused his silent prayer. Perhaps it's best this way; not even a silhouette should be seen after all. Still, a part of him was deeply saddened not to be given the opportunity to explain or to see familiar faces for a final time despite the sorrowful expressions he knew those faces would bare. A sole eye scanned the dimly lit room, taking up it's character for a last time. Though the stars didn't illuminate the room, much to his chagrin, there were still a few things that could be made out. A chair that lost much of its mahogany paint job on the top rail from the boots always rested on top of it. The door with splinters poking from the right corner abused from hammer training. The general dysfunctional appearance of the room itself but still smelled clean.
Then there was the occupant in the bed whose face remained unseen due to it being surrounded by pillows and a single black comforter that held a random brown stain. Of which, was insisted that was coffee.
But time was not gracious. The morning would arrive and he knew it. However a conversation from earlier and that occupant slowed his movements.
X.X.X
An eye twitched as it stared into the small scrap of paper in his hand. It contained a small note, a single phrase, but that's all was needed to fill up an entire body with foreboding dread.
'Lavi, it is time.'
Months of training prepared him for this, but it seemed so soon. Hell, he could remember the first day he joined The Order. Then again, he could remember multiple things so memory might not be the best example in this case.
That note continued to haunt him the more he stared at it, leaning against the wall for small support. Lavi read the note multiple times as if the sentence would turn into "Lavi, quit being dramatic" or "Lavi, I see you~". Anything but this. Being so transfixed on the note, he failed to notice a short, elderly man or hear the first three attempts to get his attention.
"Lavi."
Tearing his visible eye from the paper, he glanced up at the old man, conjuring up a grin he's famous for.
"Hey Old Panda! I was just coming to see you!"
The laugh that came afterward did nothing to appease the mood of this mentor. The man eyed him curtly before facing his back towards the youth, speaking from over his shoulder.
"I send that note exactly thirty-two minutes ago. Your reluctance speaks volumes. Follow me to the library. I will discuss the rest there." Without a further word spoken, the elder Bookman made his way down the long corridor, feet briskly touching the tile in quick steps. Pushing off the wall, Lavi slowed his stride so he could remain behind the shorter male.
Arriving at the library was a shorter walk than anticipated for Lavi. Upon further inspection, the usual vacant place was void of all life, excluding themselves it seems. 'He must have planned this..' The dread increased with each step until Bookman gestured to a small, wooden round table near the window. Taking a seat, he stared directly to the empty seat across from him, expecting Lavi to do the same. As the youth did what was silently told, he was eyed critically before a sigh broke the silence.
"I warned you countless times about personal attachments. We are here strictly on business. Not only did you compromise your positioning of remaining unbiased, you seemed to have mixed business with pleasure as well." The dark blush that stained Lavi's face did nothing but gain a glare from the elder. Lavi shied away from the gaze before mustering the courage to look at him directly.
"Bookman it's not like that. I can assure you that it's only temporary and recen-"
"It's been over a year Lavi. That hardly qualifies as 'recent'. I have known since the beginning."
"Yeah..but that hardly qualifies as being biased! I still only interfere when needed! I won't-"
"Do you love him?"
Silence entered the library as the hung itself in the air. When the youth pursed his lips and stared out the window, it was all the Bookman needed. Lavi missed the momentarily disappointed expressed that hit the old man's face. Bookman sighed before clearing his throat, pulling a document from his engorged sleeves. He slid it over to Lavi's end of the table, watching him stare at the paper with feigned interested. A dossier. What was surprising was the name in the dossier: Bookman. An emerald eye widened as they stared at their, now former, mentor. The old man continued to watch his movements before continuing.
"You have had forty-nine alias. This is the final one. I have nothing more to teach you. You have a location to start your next mission. There is no reason to have two Bookmans and there's no purpose for you here. Not anymore."
The dossier was regarded with a hint of disdain before the youth sighed and rested his gaze on the elder.
"When do I leave?"
"Tonight."
His eye widened for the second time that day. "Why tonight? Can't it be tomorrow morning or the afternoon? Tonight...tonight's not enough time." The old man ignored the plea that was apparent in the youth's voice. Hearing the library door open, he stood locking his eyes with Lavi's singular one.
"Precisely why my decision stands. Do what you will with it. But remember: You are a Bookman. First and Foremost."
X.X.X
Despite his stomach growling, Lavi couldn't muster up the desire to eat the yakisoba in front of him. Even while his 'friends' were carrying on about something, he was too engulfed into his dossier to notice the context of the conversation.
'I have to leave tonight..no specific location just until I "enter a clearing surrounded by the forest. Damn it that could be anywhere..The least he could do is be specific.'
If it wasn't for the hand that waved in his face, he would've failed to notice the harsh grip on the document or the varied levels of concern that held in the faces of those around him. Lenalee's eyebrows were proof enough, Allen held that sympathy smile he often did when those around him were troubled. As for Kanda, his scowl was a tad deeper than usual.
"Lavi what's wrong? You've been staring at that document since we've entered the cafeteria. What's that thing for anyway?"
Registering that situation, Lavi cursed inwardly for being distracting for so long. Slipping it into his breast pocket, he looked at them smiling as he huffed dramatically.
"I have to go and get some innocence from Greenland! I have to leave my precious Yu behind. I have no one to keep me warm on those cold, winter nights!" He faked a few sobs as he head rested on Kanda's shoulder, promptly putting the samurai's arm around him. Said samurai rolled his eyes but did nothing to remove his arm.
"Firstly, I told you not to call me that. Secondly, it's called a blanket and could you be any gayer?"
"Hello? Red hair? I'm flaming~"
The added wink caused the other two at the table to laugh quietly while Kanda scoffed and started on his second bowl of soba. Lavi chuckled with the group, pausing to lean over and press his lips to the corner of the samurai's mouth. Kanda turned his head slightly and gave the Bookman a chaste kiss of his own. Lavi inwardly reveled in gesture before pulling away as quick as the kiss started, smirking as he heard the other male mutter "idiot" under his breath. Lavi laid his head on Kanda's shoulder once more, staring into the contents of his yakisoba bowl. The only girl smiled warmly at the scene before sighing.
"As long as that's the only thing bothering you. You must be fine if you're harassing Kanda..just don't scare me like that okay?"
"Lenalee, I'm sure Lavi didn't mean it. He pulls stunts everyday. I mean look at Kanda. There's a reason he scowls all the time." Immediately saying that Allen stuffed a corndog in his mouth, as Kanda shot daggers in his direction and Lenalee giggled to herself. Lavi could only smile with an increasing sadness as he watched the scene before him.
Listening vaguely to their idle pratter, he could only hope Kanda wouldn't notice his change in demeanour. He also hoped that male failed to notice the increased grip Lavi had when their fingers became laced either.
X.X.X
Seeing as everything worth having was packed, Lavi sat on the bed. Glancing at his attire, he knew that he was wearing a loose-fitting black sweater and dark green pants that were slim-fit. Though it wouldn't do him much to wear his Exorcist uniform, he packed it all the same. As he began to lace his boots, a hand touched his shoulder. Looking back, he saw Yu sitting up, moving his blackened tresses out of the way in an attempt to removing the sleep that resided in his eyes.
'Damn, didn't mean to wake him.' He thought solemnly as he continued to stare at the male in front of him, refusing to make a sound. The once sleeping male took his took his turn in surveying the surroundings. The once messy environment he grew accustomed to was bare to the point of being vacant. When he eyed the owner of the room, he noticed his aura was as off putting now as it was this afternoon. Kanda chose to ignore it earlier but he knew the redhead was troubled. Sighing inwardly, the male wrapped his arms around Lavi's waist pulling him to rest against his chest. His chin rested on top of the red mane, calloused hands resting against equally calloused hands.
Lavi instantly became still as he tried to conceal the inkling of a shaken breath that exited his body. Judging from the hum that he heard against Kanda's throat, it was heard anyway.
"This isn't about the trip to Greenland is it?" Kanda inquired after a few more moments of silence, sleep evident in his voice.
"Of course it is. You know I hate the cold. Besides, I have to go with that finder Delco Dudley."
"Brudley Lavi."
"Well, he's a dud."
"Lavi, what did that document really say?"
A pause.
"I have to go to Greenland to retrieve innocence believed to be found in a cave encased in ice."
"Why are you leaving so early? It's barely past midnight from the looks of it."
"The entrance to the cave is only visible three times a day: at 3:52 in the morning, 13:17 in the afternoon and 23:14 at night. Given the account I missed the one at night and the amount of time to look for the location as well as travel durations. I'd have to leave no more than twenty minutes from now."
"Just let me see the damn paper Lavi." Kanda sat the Bookman in front of him and turned him to roughly look him in the eye as best he could. The lack of light made it difficult to see Kanda clearly. Luckily, the same could be said for him.
Seeing as the conversation was slowly turning into something he didn't want it to, Lavi just willed his body to leave the warmth that was Kanda and finished lacing his boots with a new urgency. Grabbing his suitcase and strapping Iron Hammer to his leg, he stood and leaned over to kiss Kanda in an attempt to ease the older boy's mind. However, the plan backfired. The kissed oozed desperation and need. Sadness and urgency. Lavi was slipping. His facade nearly broke as he pulled away. He knew he needed to go, but walking through that door meant losing Yu.
His warmth.
His subtle displays of affection.
His support.
His Love..
A hand reached out for Lavi once more but he retracted the moment it came close. The same hand stilled for a moment before the sound of covers shuffling entered the room.
'Please..stay in bed.'
Feet landed on the cool tiles as the bed waned.
'No Yu..stay.'
With each padded step, Lavi took one closer to the door. It is time. Staying any longer is dangerous. For the third time, a hand reached out to Lavi as comfort but for a third time, it was rejected.
"At least let me walk you-"
"No. Please just go back to bed Yu. Please."
While the other knew something was wrong, he lost the desire to push any further. He stared at the back of Lavi's head, mentally willing him to turn around. He'd be strong for the boy as he cried out any frustration he might of had. He'd know what was in that document. He'd even kiss the boy's forehead and wait for the male to sleep. He knew he didn't do it often, but if it got Lavi to stay..
Alas, Kanda retreated from the boy, crawling back into bed while ''don't die'' was uttered under his breath. Lavi threw a forced smile as he demanded his feet to leave the room, shutting it behind him. The small click that followed resonated within but he urged his feet to move forward. There's no stopping. Boot pounded the tiles as quietly as possible but with a much needed haste. They didn't falter even as they left the building or descended down the mountain. Not as the terrain turned from harsh tile to cold grass and the air nipped at his neck. No, he kept walking. He couldn't stop to look back. Not now. Not ever.
X.X.X
The sky was a shade lighter, by the time his feet urged him to stop. Lavi slid against a tree, staring to the open field in front of him. 'I actually did it.' He thought watching the wind dance against the grass. He almost wanted to stay, to crawl back in bed with Yu and pretend he was never given such a stupid note. But he knew he couldn't. Not to Bookman, not the man he gave his life to. He was the elder's only apprentice; the man lost one previously and was too old to send get another. He vowed to become indebted to the clan.
You are a Bookman. First and foremost.
But that didn't stop the sorrow brooding or the choked sob that was lodged in his throat. He could cry but he wouldn't. The pain was there, but it won't surface. He won't allow it too. Instead, he leaned back, head tilted to the sky. The wind picked up but he didn't do much against the harsher nips he felt against his skin.
"Pretty chilly, isn't it?"
Alarmed, the youth looked over only to be face to face with a face larger than any normal means with a grin to match. The tailored creature tipped his top hat in Lavi's general direction with the edge if his pumpkin-tipped umbrella. A fattened hand was held out in mock civility.
"You've been expected. Glad you could finally make it, Bookman."
A/N: Look at you getting through chapter 1! I knew you could do it! Now I bet you're wondering? "Yo panda! Why is just Lavi selected?" Good question, baby bear! The answer is, I know who I'll be shipping in the story but do you? While you're reviewing my shiz, tell me how you felt about it! Please? I mean, might as well since you're down here right? It'll be fun! Do you think Lavi and Kanda will make it? Did you ignore the pairing at the bottom? Will Lavi be raped in the forest? What exactly did the dossier say? Will I keep making up questions for you each chapter? Tune in next time on E.R.B! *pets you and feeds you bamboo*