A/N: So apologies for the short length of this one— originally, this was one 2400+ word monster of a chapter that wasn't even done, so I broke it up where it made the most sense. I'll be giving you chapter 3 right away to make up for it. ^_^;

Lavi was in a bind. No biggie, though.

Just kind of… pure existential turmoil.

Of course, neither turmoil nor existential doubt becomes a budding young Bookman.

What am I doing? 'Lavi' isn't real. One day, I'll have to discard him. I must forget all these feelings. Keep them light and shallow, like layers of snakeskin.

No name. No personal history. No unattainable desires…

Bookman only. Only Bookman. Because there is no—

"Lavi, you better be thankful you weren't there. It was so awful! And I mean really awful. At first I thought I'd get some small souvenirs for everyone, but really, I just couldn't. I mean I felt bad, but there's no way I could smile and hand over little treats or curios to my friends with such horrible memories on my mind!"

"Wow, Lenalee, that's pretty harsh." Lavi displayed his practised carefree smile.

"It wasn't that bad."

"Oh sure, Allen, you can say that since you weren't the one that got sick for six out of the ten days we were there."

She sounds indignant, but she's smiling at him… as usual…

"No, you're right, I didn't. But at least your entire travel wardrobe wasn't either heavily speckled or completely drenched with mud."

That sunny smile. He's egging her on… Gotta admit it's kind of funny actually—

"See now how can you say it wasn't so bad, then, Allen?" Lavi watched the spirited young woman turn the boy a paradoxically bemused and withering glare.

"Because, Lenalee, there are no launderers in the entire wide world that are better than the ones here at the Order. It's like magic, the work those ladies do. One day later, all my clothes are like new!"

"Oh, well that figures," she rolled her eyes in faux exasperation. "You know sometimes, Allen, you can be surprisingly self-centered."

"I am only human," he grinned. "By the way, how are you feeling now?"

"Fine. Why?"

"Good. Then the illness you had is all in the past. Next time you probably won't get sick as easily, either. That's what Master used to tell me, anyway," he smiled for a split second but then suddenly grimaced and shuddered at his next invading thought; "Of course, next thing I knew I'd be stuck— still sick, mind you— working off his gambling debts in a sweatshop with no toilet—"

And there IT is. Why does that dazed and dreamy smile of hers have to make me so jealous? But even that weird new guy of hers doesn't get those special smiles as much as Allen. And he's so oblivious! I mean I'm glad, but I don't see how he can overlook the way she looks at him when—

"Lavi, are you alright?"

Uh oh. She sounds concerned.

"Yeah Lavi, you were miles away. You okay?"

"Guess I could use a little more fuel to run on," Lavi effected a suitably insouciant yawn, and got up to refill his tray. From a farther distance away than they thought, even across other food hall tables and with his back turned, he could hear the two murmuring in concerned tones for a minute before falling silent. Allen reassuring Lenalee.

xox

"Allen, I have to go take care of some things for my brother, so keep an eye on Lavi for me, 'kay? I don't know what it is, but something's definitely bothering him."

"Sure thing. I'll do whatever I can."

Lenalee stood, offered a quick nod of thanks, shot another quick look at Lavi, then rushed away.

Allen looked over his shoulder to Lavi, whose profile was visible where he stood at the cafeteria order window. He certainly did look preoccupied with something. But what? Soon he witnessed the young Bookman's expression brightening considerably as Lenalee approached on the way to return her tray… and then worsen after her brief greeting and departure.

Allen was polishing off the last few courses of his meal by the time Lavi returned. Placing a tray loaded with copious desserts in front of him, the redhead sighed and slid back into his place at the table.

Whoa! He in training to be the next Skinn Bolic or something?

"Um… Quite a sweet tooth you've got today, Lavi. Not enough coffee this morning?" Allen gently teased, mouth watering ferociously all the while.

"Guess you could say my energy level's lower than usual." He glanced away a moment and without looking, dropped a tiny dessert spoon into his strawberry mousse in the most dejected manner Allen could have imagined possible for someone about to eat something so sure to be delicious. Lavi looked up and smiled a fraction of his usual careless, gleeful simper. "But I can't eat all this by myself. Would you like—"

Before Lavi could even finish speaking, Allen had two chocolate and one caramel éclair in his hands and was munching away happily; "Fank you, 'avi."

"Anytime," the redhead laughed, but Allen noticed he was also absently dragging his spoon around his dish. He was so absorbed with carving up the fluffy, deep pink confection that one might think some fantastic treasure could be located beneath it.

"Hey Lavi," Allen casually began as he went about the dainty selection of one custard-filled donut and a slice of carrot cake to double-fist. "If there's something wrong, you know I'm always happy to listen."

Lavi blushed a little. "Ridiculous amount of dishes I've brought over, huh? Thought I'd grab some desserts for the three of us but I wasn't sure what each of you would like— well except for dango of course. They're putting together a great big platter for you now, you know. Anyways, Lenalee's gone now, so I'm glad you've got your famous appetite."

"I am a growing boy. But if you're worried about your figure, we can always go do some training after this," Allen winked. "It's a great way to let off some steam, too."

OMG, chapter 214! T_T (*sings* But I have my theories on what'll happen ne-ext...) ;)
(Thanks for the tip, spinninground... ^_^;)