Author's Note: I've decided to post my Lavi/Rinali drabbles again, due to the newest episodes & some Lavi/Rinali moments from the manga (not to mention I love Lavi to death). I'm going to try to do 30 drabbles, like my Surreptitious Sentiment series for Kanda/Rinali, but I've been attempting to compile a list of themes, and I came up some short, so wish me luck, and I hope you enjoy these!

Dedicated to: HPBabe91, Epiff Annie, Renalin, & irrationalism.

Pertaining to this chapter -- You'll have to read the manga to understand the flashback, and if you haven't gotten to Vol. 8 in the manga series, I have to slap a SPOILER ALERT on you!

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00: Musing

As a future Bookman, Lavi is expected to observe and remember. Most details lie in his subconscious, dormant until a certain word or phrase puts them to use. Other important facts circle his mind constantly; things like knowledge of survival, of avoiding Kanda in the morning if the Mugen-wielder hasn't had his soba, of Bookman's irritation with the nickname 'Ancient Panda', but his most rampant information is that of love, of Rinali's undivided affection.

Sometimes, he wishes that he wasn't so perceptive by nature or trade; he can always see the male populace ogling Rinali whenever they go out on the town. Lavi isn't rich. He isn't particularly good with fashion, or well associated with the demands of society. He sees plenty of good-looking men giving Rinali approving grins as she passes by, oblivious to all the attention she's causing. Lavi went through a period of self-consciousness with the loss of his eye, and this is the same sort of experience, magnified a thousand times.

He may have only one eye, but he can see what they all see. He's familiar with the gentle sway of her hips and the short hair wisps dancing in the breeze. Her clothes hover around her body like obscured mists; she doesn't need to activate her Dark Boots to float. Her eyes, splendidly purple and set in ivory skin, sparkle at everyone and everything, he thinks. Everything, down to her nails, calls for admiration. And she gets it.

"Lavi?"

She smiles at him, waiting for him. The sun shines behind her and when she turns her head, she looks, if only for a moment, like an angel. Her hand is outstretched, palm upturned. Bright eyes bring back a surge of memories.

"Lavi…Am…Am I…still in the world…?"

A hoarse whisper lingers in his ears, their tears mingling together as he leans over to embrace her tightly. She's so warm, too warm, but he doesn't mind; warmth means life and life means he doesn't have to say goodbye.

"Idiot."

"Lavi?" she calls again, looking a bit more worried, although her expectant smile still reigns.

She has never looked at any other man in a desirable way, he remembers then in typical Bookman style with a hint of normal teenage pride. No admiring glance has ever been returned, and when she looks at him, even he can detect the adoration shining in her eyes.

I'm worrying over nothing,

Her hand is still there, and he takes it appreciatively. Fingers clasp around each other instinctively, and suddenly those doubts melt away.

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A/N: I wrote this a while back, but the one-shot I promised in my KanLina series is being written as you read this, so don't worry, and thanks for stopping by!