Lavi leaned against the railings, taking in the chilly night air. He lightly touched a finger to his lips as he remembered the traumatic events of the day before last.

"Lavi-san?" Lenalee appeared at the door, garbed in a long flowing black gown and simple black shoes. "Are you sure that you're not coming to check up on Allen with us?"

Lavi nodded, not trusting his voice on this particular topic and glad that she couldn't see the blush creeping across his cheeks.

Lenalee frowned, she knew something was wrong. Lavi had been acting withdrawn ever since she returned to the camp site with clean water. She thought it was out of worry for Allen, but even after they had admitted him into a hospital and stabilised, the red head continued to stare out into the night, vague and distant for long periods of time.

With a final glance out onto the balcony, Lenalee disappeared into the hallway.

Back outside, Lavi was growing colder. However, questions plagued him and kept him from sleeping and the hotel room seemed to close in on him when he paced within its walls.

He rested his chin on his arms as his single green eye reflected the serene ocean view, the light wind touslingd his unruly hair.

What were you thinking Allen?


Lenalee sat at Allen's bedside, carefully brushing the stray hairs from his peaceful face. She smiled gently as she listened to the silly things he murmured under his breath.

Kanda was waiting just outside the room, talking to the medical staff about Allen. When they had first arrived to visit their friend, the doctors and nurses had been inviting and helpful, showing them to his room and briefing them on his recovery.

So far, Allen hadn't woken up yet, but the nurses assured Lenalee that this was normal after such extreme blood loss. They were allowed only 20 minutes visiting time after dinner initially, which was to be increased gradually as the younger boy recovered.

"Nn. . ." Allen stirred slightly, shaking his head a bit with a frustrated look on his face. Lenalee shot a concerned look in his direction, worrying briefly about his condition despite the doctor's positive attitude.

Behind her, the door clicked shut softly as Kanda entered the room.

"They've said he won't be able to leave for another week and the stitches won't come out for a month after that." He said, opting to hang around the doorway rather then sit at the bedside. "We have to leave in 5 minutes though, the doctors are going to run some tests or something."

"That's okay. . ." Lenalee was glad for the time they had been given, brief as it had been. But there was still something bothering her.

"Kanda, has Lavi been acting . . . weird?" She hated describing her friend in such a way but that was the only word she could think of to adequately portray his actions over the past few days.

Kanda's confused expression was enough of an indication that he hadn't noticed any changes.

"Weird?"

"Yeah. Like, he hasn't smiled since we got back. And he looks away if you talk about Allen."

Kanda's face changed from confused to thoughtful as he recalled the last couple of days. Finally, he looked up, meeting Lenalee's calm lavender eyes with his own steely blacks.

"No." he said in a matter-o-fact kind of way.

Lenalee sighed and turned back to Allen. "Watch closely next time he's around. You'll pick it up."

Kanda raised an eyebrow, but didn't argue, instead choosing to sit against the wall and observe.


A few minutes walk away, the subject of their conversation leaned dejectedly on the railings, staring out into the dark with thousands of questions swirling around inside his head. But there was one major query that stood out from the rest

What do I do Allen?


okay, so kind of a short chapter in which nothing significant happened, but i promise that the next chapter ('white') will have juicey drama and crap like that so hold fast for me.

I've already written it, but it has to get checked for grammar and spelling by my friend, so bear with me!

on the side, thanks to all the people who reviewed. 9 in less than 24 hours! special thanks to sharinganJ and sazuka-chan as Lavi's hair is indeed perdy. :D i want it for my birthday!

Disclaimer: don't own dgm. but if i did, i'd have lavi's hair in a heartbeat.