AN/

A kinda fluffy chapter… I don't know why… I just felt like some fluff… Maybe it's because my other story – Interesting – had a fluffy chapter… Or maybe as an apology for not updating in a while… Oh well! In any case, please enjoy chapter ten.

[YAY! DOUBLE DIGITS! FINALLY!]

Chapter Ten –

Lavi lay in his bed at the hotel, unable to sleep. It wasn't because of Allen's loud snores from the only other bed in the room, but because he had too many thoughts and was simply too restless to just sleep.

The red head sighed quietly as he rolled onto his back, staring up at the blank white ceiling of the hotel room, arms behind his head, as if he would find all the answers to his questions there.

In all of his eighteen years of life, Lavi had never witnessed something so… He couldn't find a word to describe it. What had happened was strange, yes, but that simple word didn't seem to be enough to fully account for the previous happenings – it was also amazing, in a sense. Only one equipment-type Exorcist was able to withstand an Akuma's blood virus that Lavi knew of, and that was Yu Kanda. His body had a rapid recovery rate, and was able to counteract the virus before it could do any harm. So it was quite a surprise to learn that Nadeshiko – another equipment-type Exorcist – could also live after being wounded by an Akuma.

Sighing quietly to himself yet again, Lavi ran a hand through his red locks, which were free from his usual bandana. He sat up slowly, so that the bed-springs wouldn't creak and wake up his gray-eyed companion, then set his bare feet on the hardwood floor. The cold oak sent a shiver throughout his body as he grabbed his Innocence and its holster, strapping the weapon to his right leg before briskly walked over to the balcony door across the door, and slid it open before quickly closing it again after he was outside.

The frigid November air stung his exposed forearms, so he pulled down the previously pushed-up sleeves of his forest green shirt, that didn't stand out as much as his usual white pants did, in the dark.

"What're you doing up so early?"

The new voice shocked the red-head, as he hadn't had enough time to evaluate his new surroundings to see if anyone else was out there. He glanced to his left, where the voice had sounded from.

"What about you, Nade-chan?"

Indeed, the brunette Exorcist was standing on the next balcony over, that connected to the room she shared with Lenalee and now Vera. Nadeshiko was standing on the left side of the balcony, as far away from Lavi as she could be in their current surroundings. Her elbows were resting on the balcony railing, left arm hanging over the black piece of metal, while her right was propped up, and held her chin in its palm. She was dressed in a pair of dark gray jogging pants, and a white tank top that hugged her body closely.

"I asked you first."

Lavi chuckled lightly. "That you did." He turned his gaze to the village view that Nadeshiko was looking down at. "In any case, I couldn't sleep."

"Same here."

Silence lapsed between the two, but it wasn't of the uncomfortable variety.

The emerald-eyed male stole a sideways glance at the brunette, noticing her choice of attire. He drew his Innocence from its holster, and murmured a few words to make it extend to the balcony on his left, before putting the – now small – hammer away again.

"Aren't you cold, Nade?"

Noticing the dropped honorific, Nadeshiko looked over to the red-head, who now stood directly to her right, hazel eyes staring inquisitively at him.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"Well, it is a little bit too cold to be wearing a tank top outside."

"This is merely sleep attire, I wasn't planning on leaving my room." The female Exorcist explained, turning back to look at the village. "I just thought some fresh air would be able to help me feel more tired."

"Ah, I guess I should leave you be then, so you can get back to bed."

The brunette did not respond, so Lavi took that as a queue to leave. He turned on his heel while drawing out Ozuchi Kozuchi, preparing to extended it back to his room's balcony, when a hand wrapped itself around his left wrist.

The red-head looked back over his shoulder, and saw Nadeshiko was looking away from him, her right hand no longer supporting her chin, but instead, encircling his wrist.

"I never said 'yes' or 'no'. You can stay… if you want." She let go of his wrist and let her arm fall back to her side.

Lavi smiled to himself. "Whatever you say, Nade-chan!"

Nadeshiko gave a small chuckle as she turned to look at him, her mouth upturned in a faint smile. Her smile faded quickly though, as she shivered. The brunette quickly turned away again, standing straight to try and hide the movement.

But Lavi, being the ever-observant Bookman-In-Training he was, noticed.

'I wonder how she'd react if I were to just…' The red-head thought distantly as he slowly wrapped his arms around his hazel-eyed companion, whose eyes widened at the action.

"L-Lavi…?"

"I hope that's not the cold you're stuttering from." Said male replied, resting his chin on Nadeshiko's shoulder. "You liar… You're freezing…" He said quietly, feeling just how cold the skin of her arms was.

"Lavi I'm f-" The brunette was cut off as her friend tightened his hold on her.

"Don't say your fine, because I can feel how cold you are."

The red-head had to admit, it felt …good… to hold the Nadeshiko in his arms. Part of the reason why he was so restless earlier was because he was thinking of the brunette – not just because of her abilities, but because of her. When he had carried her, it had made him feel something he hadn't truly felt in a while… Happiness.

He couldn't accurately explain the feelings Nadeshiko made him feel.

Lavi lifted his head from his comrade's shoulder almost reluctantly, and shifted his grip a little bit as he felt Nadeshiko's body relax as she got used to the sudden embrace. She rested her head against the area where the base of the red-head's neck met his shoulder, and turned her head slightly so that her mouth was close to his ear.

"Why are you doing this?" She whispered.

He replied just as softly, "What do you mean?"

"I know the rules of The Bookman Clan, Lavi. No attachments."

"…I know." The emerald-eyed Exorcist returned to resting his chin on Nadeshiko's shoulder as she turned her head to look out at the village again, so that their heads were right next to each other.

The sun was just peaking over the horizon – a new day of war was just beginning.

Lenalee, Allen, and Vera gaped at the pair on the balcony. The two girls had been watching for a while, and had gotten Allen as soon as they saw Lavi appear next to their brunette friend.

"Oh my God…" Vera whispered as Lenalee let the curtain fall back over the glass door, giving their friends some privacy. "They're so cute together!"

Allen nodded in agreement. "Lavi's got guts, I'll give him that." He added. "Especially after how Nadeshiko reacted to him picking her up last night."

Lenalee smiled. "Do you two trust me?" She asked, gaining nods from the other two in the room with her. "Good, then you'll help me get them together."

AN/

Ahahaha, matchmaker Lenalee! :D

And, okay, I'll admit it, this chapter was more than 'kinda' fluffy. Too bad, so sad! :P

Review please~!