Last Exile – If I turn you away

Disclaimer: I think I made myself clear the last time, not mine.

A/N: Hello again everyone, this is the 2nd chappy and it's called 'Departure.' I would like to thank the folks who put in their time to review my fic. Khanaris, Matthew, iceygaze, and Sora, arigato!

Departure

The rain clouds in Norkia had all but dissipated, leaving the sun to beam down nicely on the wet lands; the rains had left behind. It was a bright sunny afternoon; the locals had begun to wander about in the city again. Claus looked out from his second floor window, pondering on what's in stored for him next. He had just finished packing and was about ready to leave for Silvana. The thing that bothered him the most about this trip, was what it is Tatiana wanted to ask of him.

Claus was somewhat uncomfortable and a little nervous about it, he'd only wish he had Lavie and Al accompanying him. After making an inwardly sigh, he hoisted the travel bag onto his shoulder and exited his room. Claus made a soundless yawn, as he made his way where Lavie and Al were.

"Claus!" Al ran up to him, holding her sheep doll tightly with both arms.

He smiled and hugs her, and looked to where Lavie was standing, "Well, I'm leaving for Silvana now." Then he looked back at Al, "I wish you two would come along too." Lavie put her hands on her hips, "Oh, c'mon, Claus. I'm sure you can handle this all by yourself, can't you?"

Claus put on a weakly smile, and scratched the back of his head unsure, "You think so."

Lavie nodded affirmatively, "I know so, and don't do anything that I wouldn't do." She chided and puts up a pretended icily glare. Claus gulped, and shakes he's head, being slightly intimidated by her, "I won't, I promise." Lavie couldn't help, but laugh at him for taking her quite seriously.

"Claus, I'm only kidding." She said succinctly, "But do be careful, all right?" Lavie hugs him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. She let go him and backed away, her face gleaming red. Claus stood there frozen, unsure what to think. Lavie never kissed him before, and this was the first.

It was quiet; it seemed like an eternity, until Al was able to break the silence. "Don't go, Claus, please?" she looked at him, hinting concern in her eyes.

He softly sighed, "I have to Al, it's important and she needs my help." He than continued, "Al, its not like I'm going off to war or something. I'll be fine, don't worry ok?"

Al nodded unwillingly and hugs him once more. Lavie look down at the floor, still embarrassed about her unexpected kissing act. She finally was able to muster all of her strength and looked up at Claus, who in return looked back.

Lavie cleared her throat, then picked up the food she packed for him, "Here you go, sleepy head."

Claus paused, he never had gotten use to being called that, he found it somewhat embarrassing when she called him 'Sleepy head.' He remembered the time, when he was having a group conversation with Sophia, Tatiana, Alister, Dio and Lucciola. He couldn't quite recall what they were discussing, but clearly remembered Lavie yelling out 'Sleepy head', while she searched for him.

The term 'Sleepy head', caught everyone's attention, and in return they gave him a quizzical stare. Claus could see smiles creep up on their faces, it was an uneasy feeling for him. Something he probably wouldn't want to experience again, ever.

But the bright side of it was, they never referred to him as 'Sleepy head.' They just knew that, it was a nickname Lavie had given him. There's also 'Immelmann', a nickname Dio had dubbed him with. But that's another story, and it wasn't as embarrassing as 'Sleepy head.'

He took the wrapped food and placed it in the bag, "See you in a few days, I guess." Claus went to the door and looked back once again, then exited the house. He walked some distance, until he heard Al calling him. Claus waited, as Al caught up with him, slightly panting.

"Here, Lavie forgot to give you this." She gave him a canteen with water in it.

Claus took the canteen from Al and lashed the strap on to his arm. Al stood there, looking at him, still sporting a worried look. "Yes, Al?" Claus said calmly, wanting to know what's bugging her.

"Lavie." She answered, meeting he's eyes.

He rubbed his temples, looking a bit puzzled on what she meant. "What about Lavie, Al?" Claus broke her stare and looked away. He heard her make a soft grunt, "Claus, stop being so dense." Claus glanced back at Al; "I'm not sure what you mean."

Al hugs her sheep doll some more, "You do know how she feels about you and Tatiana, right?" He glances away again, "No, I don't." Claus replied, while he looked up at the sky.

"You're lying." She replied quickly, in a quite knowingly tone.

"How do you know, that I'm lying?" He inquired, curious to hear what she'd say next. Al stared at him again, making him feel unpleasant. "That's easy, you look away. And you're face is easy to read." She replied, as if she's quite an expert at reading his face features.

Claus finally gave in, and Al had he's full attention, "All right, Al. What's on you're mind and please make this brief. I got to get going ok?" Al's face lit up and jumped, she was happy to see Claus willing to listen.

Al thought for a sec, thinking how she'd say this, "Claus, do you remember when you and Tatiana, were stranded in the desert together?" Claus nodded, and Al went on. "Umm... during that time, Lavie was really worried and thought you died. She was all depressed and cried a lot. After you did return, she saw Tatiana wearing your clothes, she felt worst than before. She had an idea that you and Tatiana..."

She stopped herself there, not wanting to complete her sentence. Claus caught on to what she was trying to say, "Al, I gave her my clothes because she was covered in Claudia liquid, when we crashed. Yes, it's true that Tatiana and I have been alone for a couple days, but nothing happen ok."

Claus could tell, Al was relieved by the news, "Is there anything else?" he asked.

Al nodded again, "Yes, have you kiss anyone before? I mean like in- directly kind of way." Claus suddenly felt unable to breathe, the question was so right out of the blue. The image of him kissing Sophia outside the deck of Silvana, came back to him in a flash. The kiss Sophia had given him seemed to have happened so fast that, it was impossible to stop it from happening. When he thought about it, he tried to keep a calmed face, asking himself over and over not to look away, not to look away. If he did, she would know that he would be lying. She knew him too well, so Claus did all that he could not to look away. It was hard, extremely hard but he was very determined not to fail.

Claus made a meekly smile, and tried his best not to show any sign of it. "No, what make's you say that?" He said to her. Al seemed to have bought his bewildered pity act, "Oh, no reason. I was just wondering that's all."

Relieved that it was over, he decided to leave before, she came out with some more of her outlandish questions and made he's quick exit. "Al, I have to go now. Please look after Lavie ok? I'll be back as soon as you know it."

Al was jumping up and down, happily waving good-bye. She watched him walked away, until he disappeared in the distance. She felt sad to see him go, leaving Lavie and her behind. But he'd told her to keep Lavie company, and happy while he was gone. Lavie gets dispirited once he leaves or is not with him.

Claus knew this very well, more than anyone could imagine. Although, Al had gotten really close to Lavie and him, not even her could've came close. He and Lavie were inseparable, like peas and carrots, peanut butter and jam sandwich, spaghetti and meatball and etc. But it seemed more like, if you buy this, the other one had to go with it kind of way.

He smiled at these thoughts, as he continued walking. He was almost there; it wasn't that far away now. The transportation ports was where he was heading too, the heavy cargo ship from Silvana was there waiting for him.

Well, that concludes the 2nd chappy. I hope you liked it or not. Either way is fine, so don't forget to put in your reviews please! It really makes my day, honest! So, until next time, laters. enIIgma-chan :3