the3leonine- Same here! That literally JUST happened to me! I was planning on doing my math homework last night then BOOM! I fell asleep and ended up having to do it in my first period class e.e
PRINCESSteesha- I'm sorry...I didn't mean to just 'get lazy' it just happens ya know...? Don't tell me you do NOT get lazy at random points in time? XD Really? Wow I'm really trying to stay humble here but when people say stuff like they were happy I updated I get really excited. Thank you! ^^
GothicLace- Thanks so much :D
MaxAngelOfDeath- Ehhhh?! i'm mean? T.T I'm sorry it took so long to update...
xXlovinlavenXx- Yep, finally huh? Took me a while this time too~
Nonumaru- You probably figured it out xD J'adore ce histoire? Care to translate? -v-"
Wolvena- You're welcome my dear~ I know it's been a while...XD *sweatdrop* Oooooh more cookies and fudge! Soooo right...AP tests are the worst T.T I'm assuming you've had them before? O.o
Will of the Abyss - AllenxRoad- I don't remember what we were talking about either... and i'm too lazy to go back and check XD Don't be TOO concerned okie~ Though I also have a special place for Cross in my heart because...*sniff* I- *sniff* Wiki'ed him and found out that HE DIES IN THE MANGAAA TAT
VeridianSoul- Heheh orly? I thought a drunk Allen would put people on edge or something XD
Shirubagure- Indeed my dear~ Heheheh...sarcasm is very fitting for you Shiru XD
Usagi-Twins- YOU NEED TO UPDATE THEN! *hiss* GIMME MAH SKITTLES DAMMIT.
Snipperita- I know that feel bro XD Thanks for the review!
NoName-chan- Ah! Details, details! Facts. I've been waiting for you, Pina, and Vira to update for a while now -.-
A/N- Hello again! This is to make it up to you guys for being so lazy last week! I present to you~ A sappy flashback filler chapter! Well basically...that's what it is and i'm not gonna hide that fact XD *sweatdrop* It has SOME plot relevance OKAY?! I promise! Dx
"Truth is... Tyki and I used to go to school at Black Order High, same as you Allen."
The silvery haired boy seemed to frown at this tidbit of information. To be frankly honest, he wasn't all that surprised. Somehow, the way the two men walked around the school with confidence, as if they had been there all their lives...they almost looked nostalgic, and it made figuring out their previous association with the place pretty obvious. Allen nodded as he seemed to just remember something,"so that's how he knew where the library was!" He explained as he put two and two together.
Lavi gave a wry smile and nodded in response, before placing his head down to rest in his folded arms. "My time in high school was...probably a lot different than you are imagining." At this Allen turned back to the red head curiously, eager to hear more about the English teacher's past.
~Flash back~
"Parent teacher conference?" Asked Tyki as the chocolate brown haired teen rested his cheek in the palm of his hand. The question resounded off the walls in the empty room and vaguely echoed into the open hallways. Lavi raised an eyebrow at this sudden question from his spot across the barren classroom. It seemed so out of the blue, I mean the guy had literally said about four words to him this whole school year, yet out of no where he decides to strike up a conversation? Lavi's expression shifted to one of confusion as he continued to move the equipment from the classroom that they were in. Y'see the two of them were currently the talk of the school, the so called "popular" guys that everyone could rely on. This was a thrilling experience for the red head who had previously been an anti-social shut in the past two years. Despite his and Tyki's sour relationship, Lavi Bookman had turned over a new leaf and gained a brand new positive attitude since his darker years in ninth and tenth grade. He hadn't even told off Tyki for just sitting there grinning while he continued to do all of the work.
Lavi dusted his hands off from lifting the box of instruments he had been holding and moved on to another one. An assembly was going on and all of the students had already accumulated into the many seats of the auditorium. However, there was also the matter of the sound equipment that had to be carried. With Tyki and Lavi being so popular, they often volunteered for jobs like this along with special tasks from teachers.
Hey, a few extra brownie points in exchange for a little manual labor couldn't quite hurt either of the two teens social standings, right?
Overall, Lavi and Tyki were in the same boat and they each were loved by the student body and faculty alike. The only difference in the two males was the fact that Lavi had only recently ascended to popularity his junior year, after his "transformation." Because of that spontaneous event Tyki had been shocked at first, he then just ignored and avoided the red head altogether. However, Lavi didn't say anything outside of a polite greeting which was promptly rejected day by day. Soon after, out of nowhere Lavi became popular and people were starting to see the tension between the two boys.
Most likely noticing this, and not wanting to harm his image of being "perfect," Tyki all of a sudden started returning Lavi's greetings and everyone just automatically took them for friends. Although, he still remained distant besides the standard issue "hellos" and "goodbyes." Lavi seemed to mull over the question for a long time before actually replying.
"What about it?" He finally asked, evoking a particularly scintillating smile from Tyki.
"Gonna get the old man to come?"
Lavi stopped to pick up another speaker box and a few microphones before answering in a slow dragged out way."Who Gramps? Yeeeah." Not knowing what Tyki was playing at, he just focused on moving the equipment. He didn't want to compromise his new found popularity by getting into a fight with an old enemy that he already forgave. Besides, Lavi knew well that at times he did have a short temper, despite the fact that usually he was a relatively laid back person.
"Why not your parents?" Tyki added slyly a second later, his previous dazzling smile shifting into a smug smirk. Lavi, in response frowned and contemplated Tyki's sudden interest in his home life when they had barely spoken to each other in the past. By now he had realized that the other teen was up to something, maybe trying to eliminate him as competition in this little popularity contest they had going?
"...Ah... You know I live with the old panda right~ So of course not." Lavi smiled as he turned away, though the smile didn't reach his eye which was hazy and expressed his annoyance. Tyki knew all too well that Lavi's parents were out of the picture so it was a bit frustrating for him to feign innocence and act like he didn't know a thing about it. In order to cool his nerves, and at the same time maintain his fake smile and calm attitude, he exhaled heavily and placed the last box of equipment in the pile with the others.
"Oh that's right...you're all alone aren't you Bookman jr.~ Parents left ya didn't they?" Tyki prodded, emphasizing each hurtful word and shooting them in Lavi's direction. Okay. So it was now blatantly obvious that Tyki was spewing complete nonsense and trying to push his buttons. He felt his eyebrow twitch in irritation before bringing his molten green eye up to level with Tyki who also looked fairly ticked off. I tried to play nice, but this is one of those times when my temper is short, Lavi thought furiously.
His family and friends are his weakness.
The words escaped his mouth before he could hold them back. "Shut it, Tyki. I don't-"
"Need to hear the truth? Get over yourself. You act like Mr. Popular now, yet you never get too close to one person while always having that idiotic phony smile."
"You do the same thing, pot's calling the kettle black ain't it? What's it got to do with you in the first place?" The red head spoke through gritted teeth. Tyki's teasing smirk melted off his face and his golden eyes turned cold and sinister like hardened bronze or amber. "Oh nothing, just the fact that you suddenly show up to school with your hair in a bandanna instead of hanging down in your face and shielding that freakish eye patch. Plus a brand spankin' new personality that COMPLETELY contrasts your old one and suddenly, you're popular? You don't know how angry I was when some shallow ginger haired boy suddenly upstaged me in popularity. Not only that, but afterwards I was forced to act like I was your friend. I remember when you were still a sniveling little brat during your freshman year and all of a sudden you're the greatest thing since sliced bread?! Even your grandpa hates this new "fake" personality you've come to have."
It was a low blow even for Tyki, though he got his point across. Lavi could say nothing, do nothing, think nothing, he just stayed silent and took the full force of the other's abrasive words.
"Thought I didn't notice, huh?" Tyki continued, "I've seen the way he indirectly shoos you from his face when you flash that fake smile and act all nice to everyone. That pained look he gets when he comes here to pick you up and you're surrounded by people who aren't really your friends, but mindless followers. He won't come to the conference cause he hates you and your new personality."
"Shut up."
Tyki's eyes widened and he laughed, before resuming his attack on Lavi. Why did some new kid from humble beginnings become popular when he had to struggle and claw his way to the top? It was beyond unfair. He was gonna let Lavi know, that he was nothing in comparison to him. He was somehow enjoying this now, somehow able to laugh at the miserable situation that Lavi was in. Though still he continued, "Why are you upset, weren't you adopted? He's not your real grandfather anyway."
"SHUT UP. Tyki." Lavi's responses were getting more aggressive, even clenching his fists till his knuckles turned white wasn't helping him contain his anger. He could have just tuned him out, he could have just LEFT the room. But no, he couldn't think at the moment. He just needed one more push, one more scathing word from the elder teen would do it, and there was no way he was holding back when he did snap.
"He doesn't give a shit about you."
Tyki's hands flew up effortlessly to catch the blow from the redhead that was aimed for his face. A second later, another punch was thrown which just barely grazed Tyki's side, yet still did nothing. Lavi couldn't win. His movements were slow because he was blinded by fury. If he could just think straight, he could have at least landed a punch right in that smug, spoiled, rich boy's throat.
The two held their own against each other, Lavi using just his brute force and Tyki using skill. As they clashed, a flurry of blows were exchanged which resulted in Lavi taking more than a few hits. Finally, as it was clear that Lavi would probably be the loser of this fight, Tyki got a bit to cocky and left his head unguarded. With both his hands blocking the two punches Lavi aimed for his chest and stomach, it was the perfect opportunity for the Lavi to headbutt the taller male despite the difference in height. Tyki let out a startled gasp as he staggered back, but Lavi held him in place by tightly gripping the front of his white collared shirt. He had knocked their foreheads together so hard that both of them began to bleed, Tyki having received the brunt of the attack, felt dizzy and could hardly see straight. With Tyki half blind from the thin line of blood streaming down his face and onto his white button down, and Lavi holding steadfast to that shirt, they remained in place. Lavi had been panting, his ribs were probably broken and he had a few lumps on the head but he was fine overall. His dark green eye was intense and determined, it had been his first fist fight ever and he would NEVER forget it. It was also the first time he had actually fought back. Gripping tighter Tyki's now blood stained shirt, the air laden with the nauseatingly metallic smell, Lavi leaned forward and although the older teen's head was still spinning from the earlier attack, he could hear every word loud and clear.
"You don't know anything about me. Now shut up and leave me alone."
That being said, Lavi stormed out of the classroom and sought refuge at the school nurse's office. The nurse, Ms. Eliade knew him very well from his constant advances to flirt with her, and when she was in a good mood she would let him sleep there. Though, due to the assembly for all faculty she was not present. The bed in the office was hard and uncomfortable but that's better than nothing, I mean he probably wouldn't make it to the assembly today. After that the only thing Lavi could remember was bandaging himself up and actually thinking about what Tyki said to him. Those words actually still haunt him to this very day, even though he had just one simple reason for why he changed himself.
I just thought that if I stopped being the way I was... if no one liked who I was before, then I would just become someone new.
~end flashback~
After recalling the story, Lavi's glazed emerald eye slowly blinked up at the ceiling. He never really liked recounting the past to people, even though that sometimes was a job that Bookman made him do. He watched the circular motion of the ceiling fan which he admittedly found calming. He noticed Allen had remained silent, a wide eyed innocent look on his face like a deer caught in headlights. Seeing that cute face made his blank expression steadily melt into an ironclad glare.
Tyki just wants Allen to be his next play thing. Like hell I'll let that happen. It's bad enough that he bullied me for two years.
Allen was shocked to say the least. Lavi Bookman was bullied? Lavi. Bookman. Loveable red head? Blinking twice in disbelief, Allen stared at his troubled English teacher in a new light.
"But... You were so out going and popular, unlike me. How were you bullied at all?" Allen inquired.
Lavi sighed and ran a hand through his unruly scarlet hair, "I wasn't always that way, freshman and sophomore year, I was...sort of a bookworm" This was the truth. He was always staying indoors with Bookman, making observations and brushing up on his history. His classmates barely even know he existed.
"It was junior year in high school that Tyki started... well...being Tyki, and chose to annoy the shit out of me...so... I became really outgoing in college to live that down." At this Allen shot Lavi an incredulous stare, making the red head laugh nervously and claim that it was the truth.
"I didn't want to go to college and have my first impression be a nerdy, book-loving nobody...so I changed my image. I went to parties, shrugged off my studies, drank alcohol, had girlfriends, the works~" Allen tried his best not to feel perturbed by the whole thing and chose to really think about what Lavi's past was like. He just couldn't imagine it! Crossing his legs and staring at the red head, Allen assessed the information he learned once more.
So Lavi used to be a total bookworm before he turned into what he is today? Hmm. That makes sense. I mean being a Bookman and all ultimately requires you to read now doesn't it? But being bullied? No way! And by Tyki Mikk no less. They're just like Kanda and I... so maybe they'll grow to be friends as well? However, Kanda bullied me because he had a reason, I guess. He didn't know how else to express his feelings AND he was sexually frustrated! Heh.
Allen smirked at himself for that last comment, imagining the horrified expression on Kanda's face if he ever actually said that out loud to him. Before he knew it he was laughing. He had the most entertaining set of friends ever! After the laughter got out of his system, he suddenly got the urge to look at Lavi, who was reclining in the couch with his eyes closed. He looked really calm and at peace, so Allen decided the best course of action was to just stare at him until he looked his way. A second later, Allen's silvery grey eyes were trained on Lavi's relaxed form. It wasn't too long before Lavi sweatdropped and cracked his eye open.
"What?" He finally asked the over excited teen. Allen had a pleased smile spread across his face, "nothing...just that you finally trust me enough to share your past secrets~" He exclaimed jovially. He really was very happy, being that he never had anyone else open up to him in his life. Cross would never do something like that, and he had only recently met Lenalee so he didn't expect her to tell him her life story or anything. Allen's smile never wavered as he pondered this, although Lavi seemed to realize something and began to pout. Allen noticed this and brought his attention back to the petulant red head beside him.
"What's wrong?" He asked, "Are you worried i'll tell someone? Because I definitely won't!" Allen reassured with a determined look. Lavi's pout deepened as he explained, "No I trust you with that... but now that you know one of my secrets, I think it's fair that you tell me one of yours." The color drained from Allen's face along with his smile and the young teen stiffened.
"W-what do you want to know...?" He asked with a nervous smile. Though to be honest Lavi didn't have the slightest clue what he wanted to know about Allen. Would he once again try to find out who Mana was? That didn't seem like such a good idea based on his reaction the last time. Should he ask how Cross became his guardian? Though that didn't seem like it would give him much information. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and he wanted to find out something about Allen that he would probably never forget. Lavi leaned over in the couch and rested his elbows on his knees. This is pretty hard! The red head thought in frustration, then out of the corner of his eye he saw movement.
He wasn't aware of it, but Allen had unconsciously wrapped his hands around his arms as if he was comforting himself with a hug. This brought Lavi's attention to his left arm which the boy always had covered, even now it was concealed by the long sleeved sweater that he had on. Yes! That was perfect.
"Your arm!" Lavi exclaimed and pointed, making Allen flinch in his direction. "Why do you hide it?" There was no reply. Lavi grinned cause he knew that he had hit the jackpot, because of his silence this probably had to be Allen's number one secret. Lavi continued relaying the facts that he had gathered, "I've had a sneaking suspicion for a while now, you always wear long sleeves and cover your hands with gloves." He explained calmly.
After another long silence, Allen fumbled for an answer and finally spoke."I-I'm a bit insecure about my arm..." He said nervously and bit his bottom lip.
"Yeah I got that, but why? Elaborate Allen...please?" Not wanting to sound too pushy, the red head fidgeted and acted a bit nervously himself. He wanted to emphasize his desire to know the truth, without sounding like he was threatening the poor boy.
"I... just like wearing long sleeves, okay?!" As soon as it tumbled out of his mouth, Allen knew it was a feeble excuse and Lavi's dull stare that came afterwards told him that the red head thought the exact same thing.
"Bullshit." Lavi stated unflinchingly as he continued to examine Allen with his eyes.
With a sigh Allen tentatively removed his gloves and rolled up his sweater sleeve, almost going bald on the spot from the stress and anxiety. When his arm was at long last revealed, Lavi stared long and hard. However, not with any negative emotion, in fact the red head displayed no emotion at all.
"Oh, that's why... well that's no reason to feel insecure, it's still a part of your body right? Don't hide it, be proud Beansprout!" Lavi consoled. With another frustrated sigh, Allen replied. "Now it's my turn to call bullshit, Lavi. Who would be proud of this ugly thing? Don't go spewing lies." He stated dryly, a wry and bitter expression crossing his face.
Lavi seemed to consider this before grinning wildly."Well, you've got me there. I've been called a 'pirate' hundreds of times yet you don't see me embracing it and running around in the streets with a parrot and peg leg...I guess the best I can say is... at least don't feel ashamed of it. I'm happy you trust me enough to show me." He said softly as he touched Allen's left arm. The contact immediately made Allen shudder and pull back, but Lavi had the most sincere smile he could muster and so Allen found himself leaning into the red head's touch. The silverette blushed a bit before he smiled back. He knew that what he just heard was the truth, because Lavi had said it from the heart.
"Thank you... Lavi."
"No problem!" The red head stated as he stood up and performed a cat-like stretch. After stretching, his signature grin returned and he placed his hands on his hips. "Welp, that was a lot of psychological stress for one day! What do you say we go to a pizza place and pig out?" He suggested excitedly.
"Are you paying?" Allen asked nonchalantly.
Lavi's grin faltered and he heaved a defeated sigh. "...Yes." Suddenly Allen's expression brightened and he tugged on his coat. "Yaaay! I'm gonna order sausage, pineapple, and pepperoni! Oh and we can't forget bread sticks, buffalo wings, and cheesy bread!" He exclaimed. Lavi just stared at him in a bittersweet way. On the bright side, they've grown to trust each other more, but on the bad side he could practically hear his wallet crying out.
A/N YAAAAAY FOR PIZZA WHICH I HAD AGAIN FOR DINNER XD DAMN MY PARENTS NEED TO COOK MORE OFTEN. I'M TIRED OF TAKE OUTTTT! ANYWAY, I'M ACTUALLY NOT TIRED FOR ONCEEE WOO HOOO! HUZZAH FOR ENERGY AND STUFF! W-Wait...I have school tomorrow -x-" *system crash*
