Lavi-

Being an exorcist was no walk in the park. But being a bookman at the same time was even more taxing than anything else. You had to be extremely knowledgeable, smart and quick at your feet at every beck and call. That's why Lavi had looked forward to this trip so badly.

Yeah sure, he had to travel half the globe to get to America, but hey, it was worth every bit of the butt ache he's feeling right now. After defeating a bunch of random levels of Akuma, he was ready for any break that Komui suggested, even if it meant a coupon to the local zoo.

But this was way better. Kanda decided to stay back for his self-taught 'meditation' lesson, as he liked to call it and Krory wasn't a fan of UV rays and the sand, thus leaving him, his best-friend and his other best friend alone. Allen and LenaLee.

No, it wasn't torture to be with them. It was actually pretty cool to get away a bit from his annoying grandfather once in a while and stay away from the duties. And he did want to spend time with his best friends obviously. This trip will do him some good, more or less.

Lavi lagged behind Allen and Lenalee a bit, checking out all the tall Americans and looking out for pretty girls and almost crashed right into Lenalee without knowing. Some quick-at-his-feet exorcist he turned out to be. "What are you doing? Spacing out?" Lenalee laughed and turned right back to her conversation with Allen. Lavi's eyes stayed on her, even if she didn't know it. Man, she was pretty. He didn't realize since when but she looked every bit like a girl he would go for. He was glad she grew back her long hair again, because he couldn't keep his eyes off of it.

But what the heck was he thinking? He wanted to kick himself, if he could. It was so obvious Allen likes Lenalee to the max. Yeah, sure, there was this few months age gap between them but he would never go for a girl his best friend liked. Allen needed this. Not him. He was fine the way things were, even if he really wanted to run his fingers through her hair.

Lenalee-

Throwing my arms in the air, I was really glad to be out of the stuffy Californian airport. The air smelled good, the people looked friendly and everything seemed just about perfect. I turned around with a laugh, smiling at my two best friends in the world. Komui had be hesistant when I said I really needed this trip, all because I knew he was dead protective of me. But hey, his not that bad a guy if he allowed. Even if it took a lot of begging and plenty more coffee trips.

"Come quick! I want to see the resort now!" I beamed, while Allen suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me along towards the free shuttle bus service that would take us to the resort. It took me by surprise. He usually wasn't this…upfront, but I guess maybe the Californian air got to his head a bit.

While Allen dragged me along happily, I turned around for a glance at Lavi. He had let down his hair since the plane ride and didn't look like he was ready to pull it up anytime soon. He caught my stare and smirked back. "I'll catch up. I want some pictures first," he said, holding up his camera.

"Of a airport? What is there to take?" I questioned.

"Oh I dunno," he shrugged casually, dangling his knapsack behind him lazily, "maybe of you and Allen hand holding?" And the moment he said that, he looked away quickly, like maybe he regretted that even came from him. It was strange. He was normally so easy about everything and anything.

I bit my lower lip as I felt Allen usher me up the bus hurriedly. I watched him yell at Lavi to hurry up as well, before pushing him up the bus, laughing. He did have an infectious laugh. But the next thing I knew, he popped Lavi down next to me. "I'll be kind and help you guys watch the stuff. Hey Lavi, what's with the small knapsack? It'd be a few weeks before we head back to headquarters you know," Allen said.

Lavi said he liked to pack light. Anything he doesn't have, he could get at the resort or the shopping areas. Allen sighed before digging into his own backpack for goodies. I, however, felt odd sitting so closely next to Lavi.

Along the bus ride, Lavi's arm or leg would touch mine by accident and he'd jerk it back quickly. In the past, neither of us had ever bothered to mind ourselves with the other, but this time, it somehow felt different. Like he wanted to respect my space.

The sun outside was beautiful every time I looked out. But it also made me feel sleepy at the same time, since I barely slept on the plane, with Allen entertaining me with his jokes and stories all the way. My eyes closed, while I was thinking halfway about running up the beach with Lavi trying to catch me from behind. No wait. Maybe it was Allen. Or whichever.

Lavi-

I felt the weight or Lenalee's head fall on my shoulder. I wasn't exactly surprised actually. While Allen kept his energy up by stuffing himself with food, Lenalee wasn't like him. She loved her beauty sleep a lot.

Still, her head felt light as it rubbed against my jacket due to the bus moving. I could smell the shampoo from her hair. I could see how beautiful her eyes looked, even though they were closed. And it was good seeing how she leaned against me while she slept quietly, breathing slowly. I rubbed my cheek against her hair, feeling how silky and soft her hair was again.

Crap. I sounded like a lunatic. I turned my head around slowly to see if Allen saw any of this. I would die if he had but it looks like he was done eating and fast asleep as well, his head bobbing back and front. I switched my gaze back to Lenalee.

She was mumbling something that I just couldn't make out. And then I realized. She was saying my name. Twice in fact. Baffled I was, but just then, the bus hit some kind of pothole and Lenalee was awoken by it.

"Wha…? Are we there yet?" Lenalee asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Ah, no, sorry," I mumbled. Lenalee looked about for awhile before settling her eyes on me. Then I saw them widen and she asked, "Did I actually fall asleep on you?"

"Yeah, kind of."

"Oh man. I'm so sorry. I was just so tired suddenly, you know."

"I get it," I nodded. I wondered if I should ask her. But curiosity always killed me whenever I'm near it. "Uh, listen. Did you…I heared you say my name while you were asleep just now. Yeah."

Lenalee looked stunned for a second before she shrugged and said, "I do that sometimes. Must've been an accident, because you were seating next to me, I guess."

I did understand. Lenalee was prone to talking in her sleep once in a while. It didn't matter, not even the fact that my name escaped from her lips while she was asleep. No big deal.

Lenalee-

We were reaching. But all the while, I could only think about her embarrassing it was. Speaking Lavi's name out while sleeping? Which idiot would pull that off but me?

But I was dreaming. Even if it was short and kind of weird, it kind of…picked my mood up further.

Lavi had caught me by the waist as I knew he would. He never lost if it meant a good game of catch. I felt my feet lift off from the ground as Lavi twirled me around, his strong arms never leaving my waist. I felt good, kind of giddy, but good.

And that was when we landed in the water. It felt so good as the cool water splashed itself against my face and skin and my hair got all soaked. I stood up in the water, pushing my long hair off my face as I saw Lavi do the same thing, the water running down his longish red hair and down the curves of his muscles.

It was so different seeing him like this. And kind of nice too. He smiled at me while pushing off the stray locks of hair that stuck to my face. And that was when he looked like he couldn't resist before drawing me into a soft kiss. His lips felt so perfect and warm, as they touched mine and led me along in that lazy way of his. He didn't hurry. He just wanted to take it nice and slow.

I kind of felt we could stand like this forever, our feet in the water. I really wanted him to kiss me more. More than anything I'd ever wanted in my life.

That was when I snapped back to reality.

He was looking at me with a raised eyebrow. His hair wasn't wet and he didn't look like he was about to kiss me anytime soon. "Are you, uh, okay?"

I nodded, "Sure. Just woke up and quite embarrassed you know."

"Sure," he grinned suddenly, "but hey, it happens to everyone. It's okay."

I just felt so reassured when he said that. And warm all over too. I knew it was hot in California but this was insane. Stealing a sideways glance, I really really wanted to kiss him now. Even though I knew it was wrong.

The poor guy probably didn't feel one bit like this for me.