I don't own -man. Aside from the obvious, I highly doubt I could have invented a pink floating umbrella with a pumpkin head XD

Just a little LaviLena AU oneshot, inspired by the song by Sonata Arctica.

Shy

The bell hanged above the door rang softly as he pushed the door open for the forty-ninth consecutive morning, and the smell of fresh coffee reached Lavi's nose. A young waitress he couldn't quite recall the name of waved at him with a wide grin he was happy to return.

The diner was pretty much empty except for the few employees who had the bad luck of working an early shift on Sundays and about fifteen customers scattered in the large room but he only recognized a blind man and his brown haired (girl?)friend he had seen before. Most of them seemed half asleep or were reading the newspaper… Nothing interesting, really. He scanned the room and frowned slightly, disappointed when he couldn't see the person he had been looking for. A glance at his watch confirmed that he was a bit early but, fortunately, his favourite table was still empty and he slid into a seat.

One could have wondered exactly why the young man liked that table in particular. It wasn't close to a window where he could have watched the city slowly awakening, nor was it near the heater or in a particularly quiet place. However, it was situated in a way that gave him a near complete view of the room, and was perfect if someone wanted to follow what was going on. Which was exactly what he wanted.

He ordered a coffee (one sugar, as usual) and searched his old backpack for a book. There was always one he carried with him wherever he went, and this time was no exception. With a triumphal exclamation, he grabbed the thick volume and opened it.

Time passed quicker than he had expected and he was glad to realize she would be there any time now.

Sipping his now cold beverage, he watched the entrance closely, waiting, recalling the first time he had seen her. It had been a few months ago, by a warm summer evening, that he had noticed the diner while searching for a quiet place to study. If someone had told him it would change his life, and himself, that much, he'd probably have thought they were mad. Yet, there wasn't a day that passed without him wondering what would have happened if he had chosen another place, or if she hadn't been working at that time. Would it have been better, worse? He sighed.

But it didn't matter now. That day, he had seen her, and… Well, as far as he knew, it had been love at first sight, or another horribly cliché event of that kind. Probably. He wasn't quite sure about his feelings. But then again, he had never been. At eighteen years old, he had flirted with more girls than he could remember (quite an impressive feat, for someone with a memory like his) but had never been in a real relationship. How could he, since pretty much as far as he could remember, he had moved around with the old man, never staying in one place more than a few months? He was almost sure he had visited more countries and spoke more languages than all the other persons within the room put together. But it was different now, he hoped. The old Panda had somehow ended up inheriting an ancient bookshop from some distant relative… Or had he bought it from a friend? He wasn't quite sure. And well… He wasn't as young as he used to be. So maybe, just maybe, there was a chance they'd stay. It was almost a year now, since they had moved into that small apartment and, he had to admit, he was getting attached to the place.

…Yeah, right. To the place. Who was he kidding?

The door chimed again, and she was there. As beautiful as the last time he had seen her… which had been the day before. He sneered at himself mentally, and wondered what she would have thought of him if she had known he came every morning in hope to see her. Would she have thought it romantic… or just stalker-ish? Not that he was the only one though… He had noticed that blond man who took pictures of her, hidden behind his newspaper, and wondered briefly if he would be willing to sell him a few of them. Very briefly. He wasn't that desperate yet.

She walked gracefully to the kitchen and disappeared inside for a moment, unaware of his eye following her every movement. He would have sworn she could feel his gaze sometimes, because she'd stop doing whatever she was doing to glance up at him with her pretty violet eyes. Then, inevitably, he'd turn his head away, hating himself for it. He could tell his life story to perfect strangers, had absolutely no concept whatsoever of shame… But he couldn't stand to look in her eyes. Just how pathetic was that?

He'd leave ridiculously high tips when it was her who served him, hold the door open for her when they left at the same time, watch over her from afar when she got home late at night, but he had never dared to tell her more than his order. Sometimes, he'd see reflections of himself in her eyes, and feel like not existing.

He wasn't sure whether he wanted her to talk to him or not. There were days when he hoped, prayed to whichever god that might exist, that she'd stop at his table and ask his name, start a conversation, anything! And others, when he felt more like who he truly was, he half hated her for keeping him in chains despite not knowing it.

How could she have such a strong hold on him, just by being there? It scared him. He was shy, and always had been uneasy with feelings and emotions he'd rather hide behind a cheerful but empty smile. He was used to being "frivolous and friendly" without really creating links with people he met. And then, suddenly, there was this girl he couldn't get away from! What the hell was happening to him?! The old man had noticed it, he knew, and had warned him to stay free of any attachment. There was nothing he could do but be thankful the Panda didn't know exactly how much he had gotten attached.

To someone he had never even talked to, nonetheless! He had learned her name and the few things he knew about her from a friendly waiter he quite liked. He was too naïve, but then again, maybe his young age had something to do about it. He shouldn't even be working, but had to, to pay his drunkard of a tutor's debts. Lenalee… It was such a beautiful name. Just like her.

Ugh. He was getting cheesy again.

He searched a moment and his eye settled on her moving form, observing as she went back and forth between the tables, serving meals, taking orders and bringing bills. He cracked a smile when she stopped by her blonde stalker who suddenly seemed flustered.

A voice called him and he turned to see Allen. He blinked. When had the teen appeared?

"Hi, Lavi! Can I serve you anything?"

He declined politely, unwilling to start a conversation, preferring to keep brooding silently. The younger boy seemed to understand and left with a smile. Or maybe he was just busy. Returning to his watch, he grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, scribbling mindlessly, pretending to do something.

How had he gotten so obsessed by her? Or by her looks, anyways. She seemed kind enough from what he had seen and heard, but what did he know? This was crazy. A glance at his paper made him frown and he crumpled it. I would any day die for you was written in his regular handwriting. He had started fifty-one letters, but none of them had seemed good enough. What could he say, anyway? Hi, I think I'm in love with you because I can't stop myself from coming here ever since I've seen you. Just great…

Oh well, looked like his time was up. He had promised to help his "grandfather" (not that they were actually related… The mere thought of the old man with a wife and kids made him laugh) at the bookshop. He liked the place, where he could quench his insatiable thirst for information and meet new people. He headed toward the counter to pay his half drunk coffee and headed outside

He could still see her through the large glass façade, welcoming a customer while piling empty plates. He stood there a moment, hands in his coat pockets, ignoring the cold wind that played with his bright orange scarf. After a while, he turned and left, knowing he'd be back the next morning, not noticing the pair of amethyst eyes that followed him until he disappeared.

Finished it! Fiiinaly!

(It wasn't that long, but I couldn't find time to write… Either that or I didn't feel like it.)

Um… Lately I've been wondering… Should this fic stay the oneshot it was meant to be, become a twoshots or a chapter fic?

Was Lavi in character?

Please, please, please review, and let me know what you think?

Oh, and thanks for reading.