Chapter 1: Innocent Start

A/N: Since I have some free time I decided to start on another project that is inspired partially by an rp I have with my friend Sora. Please keep in mind that it is a Laven fic, and that its rating has been set for future chapters. I do not own anyone they belong to Katsura Hoshino.

Allen sighed as he waited for Lenalee at his apartment, she was finally back in town after a long term at college. When he had last heard from her she was on the other side of town catching up with another friend of hers. She had also mentioned that she would probably be bringing him along, if Allen didn't mind. The white haired youth had thought about objecting, but if they were a friend of Lenalee's they probably weren't so bad. His mind started to drift though.

Was this person her boyfriend?

What were they like?

Why hadn't he met them before?

"Allen are you here?" Lenalee knocked on the door smiling.

Allen opened the door and was instantly knocked over by Lenalee hugging him, "I'm here, why wouldn't I be?"

His attention then went to the man standing behind Lenalee and he could have sworn he felt his heart skip a beat. He was rather tall and despite his lithe appearance well built. He wore a soft smile that seemed to reflect in his emerald eyes, but the most striking thing to Allen was the red hair. Normally the white haired youth wasn't drawn to anyone, but this stranger had certainly caught his attention.

Lenalee smiled, "Also Allen, this is my friend Lavi."

"It's nice to meet you Allen" Lavi smiled offering his hand for the boy to shake.

Allen nodded shaking his hand almost blushing at how strong the redheads hand was, "It's nice to meet you too, Lavi."

A grin made its way onto Lenalee's face as she stared at the boys. After a few brief minutes everyone gathered inside Allen's small apartment and just started to make small talk. Lenalee told Allen about how college was going well, and that her roommate Miranda was actually a really nice person. Allen nodded really only half listening since his attention was still focused on the silent redhead, he was curious to know more about him.

Lavi took notice and faintly smiled at Allen, "This part of town is certainly a lot more different then what I'm used to. Probably a lot of good job aspects too."

"You'd be surprised" Allen looked down sadly, "Despite appearances the only jobs around here are usually temporary ones, I should know. The only reason I haven't lost this place is because my jerk of an uncle left it for me before he decided to go missing."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to dredge anything up" Lavi apologized.

Lenalee looked like she was about to say something but Allen just shook his head, "It's fine, I'm hopeful that I'll be able to find a meaningful job soon enough. I guess it's a little more difficult when everyone expects you to do something you hate."

"Something you hate?" Lavi asked curiously.

Allen looked away a little, "Though we're not related by blood…. Have you heard of the famous pianist Neah Walker?"

"I've heard of him, met the guy once can't stand him to be honest" Lavi muttered which lead to him being jabbed in the stomach by Lenalee, "What was that for!?"

Lenalee looked upset, "Lavi that was just rude to say!"

"It's alright" Allen smiled rubbing the back of his head, "I'm with Lavi I can't stand him either, he's a total arrogant jerk! Though still not as bad as my Uncle Cross…."

"But-" Lenalee started.

Lavi smiled, "If he said it's fine let it be, right? When I met him he came off that way big time, kinda ruined the rest of the night at work."

"Oh?" Allen asked interested, "Where do you work Lavi?"

"I work at the library across town as an archivist and librarian, you should come by sometime" Lavi responded.

Allen blushed faintly, but hoped that neither of his guests had noticed. He wasn't sure why he was losing his composure so easily around them. Lenalee was like a big sister to him, but this Lavi character. The redhead could just shoot him a glance and he'd probably turn beat red and make a fool of himself. What he didn't know was the redhead was having the same problem as well. Lavi wasn't sure what had happened to him, but looking at Allen could have made him blush. There was just something about the soft gray eyes, and the unusual white hair that attracted him.

Or was it because deep down he looked as damaged as he was?

Lenalee looked between the two boys and giggled slightly, "Why are you two staring at one another?"

"Huh?" both of the boys responded in unison.

The smile on Lenalee's face broadened, "I think it's cute, and that maybe you two are sizing one another up. Wonder what for though."

"Lenalee!" Lavi almost seemed flustered.

Allen looked down almost depressed, "Even if it is, who could ever care for someone as damaged as me? My adoptive father died on me, my adoptive uncle left me to my own devices, and the one that did take care of me never really wanted to! So how could I possibly be loved!?"

Lenalee and Lavi both looked shocked at Allen's admission. Allen realizing everything he just blurted out felt tears start to fall and rushed towards his bedroom slamming the door behind him. It was just his luck he found someone who caught his interest, and he had to blow it. Curling up on the bed he tried to stifle his tears and looked down at his left hand. Ages ago when despair had caught to him he had engraved a cross into his left hand, since then people had called him a freak for it.

"Allen, please open the door." Lavi called from the other side.

Allen turned and faced the door, "I-It's not locked"

Hearing the door knob turn and the door groan as it opened he turned away trying to hide his tears. Feeling the mattress sink some he noticed that Lavi was sitting next to him, and when his eyes met the redheads he could see a vast well of sympathy. Perhaps, somehow Lavi had understood what he was going through to an extent.

"I'm not going to say that I have had a worst past, because to be honest Allen your story is tragic, more so than mine. My parents died when I was young too on my birthday in a fatal car crash. Since then my grandfather who quite frankly hated children took care of me, at the best of his ability. I don't have a lot of good memories due to the slight neglect though. I guess what I'm trying to get at is, if you ever feel like you're alone…You're not. If you need someone to talk to about stuff like that, I'd be more than happy to listen." Lavi smiled weakly.

Allen could have burst into tears once more, "Lavi, t-thank you…I d-don't know what to say."

The redhead smiled and then noticed Allen's left hand. With a gentle motion he took the scared hand in his own and kissed the scared over flesh, "It's always a shame to see someone driven to that extent, but it shows just how strong you really are."

"I-It doesn't bother you?" Allen asked softly.

Lavi shook his head, "Nah, if anything it just adds to the mystery that's you."

Lenalee watched quietly from the doorway, she would have never expected things to turn out like this at all. Smiling softly she was thankful that Allen and Lavi had already hit it off, and that it looked like they could become close friends fast. Perhaps they could be something even more though, she could see how they could help one another heal from their pasts.

'Perhaps they can help one another pick up the pieces' Lenalee thought and watched as Lavi continued to console Allen.

-End of Chapter 1-