Lavi stood outside the campus, his breath visible in the cool air as he waited. He could feel the weight of his unease as he waited for Lenalee and Komui, his bag slung over his shoulder. It had been a whirlwind couple of weeks, with midterms finally behind him, and now the break loomed ahead. The relief of being done with exams was dulled by the uncertainty of what he would do during the break.
Everyone around him seemed to have their plans set—friends and classmates talking excitedly about heading home, reuniting with family, and enjoying the comforts of the holidays. Lavi, on the other hand, had no home to return to. The old vampire castle, where he had been before all of this, was nothing but cold stone and ancient history. It wasn't a place he could think of as home.
Allen had tried to extend an olive branch of sorts, offering for Lavi to come with him during the break. But the idea of spending an extended period of time with Allen, especially now, made Lavi uneasy. Allen was acting strange—there was no denying that. Ever since Lavi had found that tome of vampire clans, Allen's behavior had shifted. There was something behind his smiles, something too calculated, too careful. Lavi didn't trust him, not fully. Not anymore.
So, when Lenalee had invited him to spend the break at her home, it had been a welcome reprieve. She had insisted that her brother Komui would love to have him there, despite the overprotective theatrics he often displayed whenever it came to Lenalee's safety or her personal life.
As the wind picked up, ruffling his hair, Lavi spotted Lenalee and Komui approaching. Lenalee was bundled up in a thick scarf, her smile warm as always, while Komui wore an oversized coat, looking every bit the doting older brother. They waved when they saw him.
"Lavi!" Lenalee's voice was bright, and Lavi felt his tension ease a little.
"Ready for some holiday fun?" she asked as she stopped in front of him.
"More than ready," Lavi said with a grin, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He was still unsure how to fully relax, how to let go of everything that had been weighing him down.
Komui gave him a long, assessing look, but said nothing. Lavi wasn't sure if Komui could sense the unease between him and Lenalee or if he was just being his usual protective self, but either way, Lavi was grateful for the invitation.
They headed off together, leaving the campus behind and making their way to the station. It wasn't long before they were on the train, the rhythmic clatter of the tracks providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Lenalee chatted about plans for the holidays—how they'd decorate the house, cook a big family meal, and spend time just relaxing. It sounded… peaceful. Something Lavi hadn't really experienced in a long time.
When they arrived at Lenalee and Komui's home, Lavi was struck by how warm and inviting it felt. The house was cozy, filled with little personal touches that spoke of years of memories. There were family photos on the walls, soft blankets draped over the couches, and the faint scent of cinnamon lingered in the air.
Lenalee immediately set to work, leading Lavi toward the boxes of holiday decorations that were stacked in a corner of the living room. Komui, predictably, was already fussing over Lenalee, asking if she needed anything, if Lavi was going to be alright with helping out, and if they should start with the tree or the lights first.
Lavi found himself smiling at the interaction, even if part of him felt like an outsider looking in. It was clear that Lenalee and Komui had a deep bond, one that wasn't easily shaken. And for the first time in what felt like ages, Lavi was being included in something normal, something human.
"Well," Lenalee said, pulling him out of his thoughts. "What do you think? Should we start with the tree?"
Lavi blinked and glanced at the bare tree in the corner. "Sure. Let's get to it."
They spent the next couple of hours untangling strings of lights, hanging ornaments, and draping tinsel over the branches. Lavi wasn't sure how much help he was, but Lenalee seemed happy to have him there, and Komui—well, Komui hovered nervously, but at least he wasn't objecting.
At one point, Lenalee handed him a particularly delicate ornament—a small glass star that shimmered in the light. Lavi held it carefully, the fragility of it reminding him of the precariousness of his own situation. He had been living with a secret, one that only Kanda and Allen truly knew. He had learned that he was the forgotten prince of vampires, the one who had been thought lost to time. It was a burden he didn't want, but there was no escaping it.
He shook the thought from his mind as he placed the ornament on the tree.
"So, how's it look?" Lenalee asked, stepping back to admire their work.
"Pretty good, if I do say so myself," Lavi replied with a grin.
Komui stepped forward, examining the tree as if it were some kind of intricate puzzle. "It'll do," he said, though his tone was playful. "But no one touch the presents under the tree until the right time."
Lavi chuckled. It was nice to be surrounded by such light-heartedness. It was a sharp contrast to the heaviness that had been following him lately. The secrets, the lies, the weight of his past—it all felt so distant here.
As the evening wore on, they lit the fireplace, and the house took on an even cozier atmosphere. Lenalee and Komui bickered playfully over dinner, and Lavi found himself laughing more than he had in weeks. It felt good. He felt like he could breathe here, even if it was just for a little while.
After dinner, they sat together in the living room, the fire crackling softly in the background. Komui had fallen asleep on the couch, his glasses askew, and Lenalee was curled up in a chair, a blanket draped over her shoulders.
Lavi stared into the fire, his thoughts drifting. He hadn't realized how much he had needed this—a break from the darkness that had been looming over him. But even as he sat there, surrounded by warmth and light, he knew it couldn't last forever.
But for now, he allowed himself to relax. Just for a little while.