twenty-four

The next day, levi was pacing in his office. erwins words had gotten to him. he was being weak. he had pushed you away all because he didn't want to get hurt. he hurt you to save himself.. and now he had to fix it... but how?

Levi's pacing stopped abruptly as he came to a halt in front of his desk, his eyes fixed on the floor. He let out a low, frustrated growl, his fists clenched at his sides. "Idiot," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.

"You're a fool, Levi." He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but his mind was still racing. "Fix it," he repeated, his voice a little louder. "How do I fix it?" He looked up, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for an answer, but his gaze fell on nothing but empty space.

Levi's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with thoughts. He knew he had to act fast, but he wasn't sure what to do.

He wasn't good with words, and he knew that trying to talk to you would only lead to more trouble. He needed to do something that would show you how he felt, something that would make you understand.

But what else could he do but talk? Nothing, really. Fucking you wouldnt really be a good way to get his message across that he was feeling the same way you were but was scared shitless do actually do anything about it.

Talking was pretty much the only way to do it. Getting you to listen was another challenge in itself.

You weren't one to shut your mouth for long enough. If he were to talk and say the wrong thing, it was game over.

You'd take it one way, and levi was too petty to correct you if it meant being way too open about his feelings.

So what? Just go fully in and deal with the issues if they happen? Didnt seem like the best plan but it was all he really had.

Fuck erwin, honestly. Levi hated being weak. And being called it made it hit him at full force in the fucking face.

He wasnt weak.

It wasnt weak to be scared to lose someone.. what was weak was taking it out on the person, to save your own ass.

.

Levi stood outside your room, his hand hesitating for a moment before he knocked on the door.

He didn't wait for an answer, instead pushing the door open and stepping inside. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of your packed bags and the empty space that was once filled with your presence.

He felt a pang in his chest, and his jaw clenched in response. He spotted you, and his eyes locked onto yours, his gaze intense and unwavering.

Your head turned, a confused look on your face hearing someone come in. when you seen levi, your heart sank. you looked away, back to your bags, you were in the middle of finishing packing.

"What do you want.."

Levi's eyes narrowed, his gaze still fixed on you, even as you turned away. He took a step forward, his movements quiet and deliberate. "Don't," he said, his voice low and rough.

Wow. Great start.

God, he could feel his palms sweating. He didnt know what to say. Convince her. He had to convince you.

Yeah.. not gonna happen-

He stopped behind you, his eyes boring into the back of your head. "Don't pack. Don't leave." His words were simple, yet to you, they made your heart feel light.. like every simple thing levi did.

So light that it was simple for him to throw away. You couldn't deal with him anymore. You were dumb. You let yourself get attached to a man not meant to date.

a small scoff left your lips at his words. what, was he feeling guilty?

"Why not. you said yourself im not strong enough," you muttered, your voice slightly shaky, yet you kept a harsh tone.

Levi's eyes flashed with a mix of pain and frustration, but he didn't say a word. Like usual, he didnt know how to express his shit.

Instead, he reached out and gently, but firmly, took hold of your arm, his fingers wrapping around it in a gentle but unyielding grip.

He pulled you around to face him, his eyes locked onto yours, and for a moment, he just looked at you, his gaze searching and intense.

Then, without a word, he pulled you close, his arms wrapping around you in a tight, protective hold, his head burying itself in the crook of your neck.

Your breathing hitched, your body tensing and your lips parted.. what? why was he hugging you? "..levi, what are you doing-?" you mumbled, staying still.

Levi's grip tightened, his voice barely above a whisper, "Just...don't." His breath tickled your ear, sending shivers down your spine as he held you close, his body radiating a warmth and vulnerability that was uncharacteristic of him.

You stayed quiet. you weren't really sure what was happening, levi was showing his soft side again.. but you were done. he had done this before.. and then pulled so far back. what was different this time?

"levi stop-"

His body shifted closer to you, his arms fully wrapping around your waist as his warm breath hit your neck. You could hear the shakyness in his breathing. Guilt?

You fucking hated this man. Why was he making your life so difficult for?

Your eyes prickled with tears. you couldn't fall for this again.. couldnt fill yourself with stupid lies that you could have him. "l-let go." You choked out, moving your hands to push at his shoulders.

Levi's arms didn't budge, his grip still tight as he held you close. He buried his face deeper into the crook of your neck, his voice muffled as he whispered, "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. I was wrong... I was so wrong to push you away." His body trembled, his breathing ragged as he held you, his words pouring out in a desperate, heartfelt apology.

Bullshit.

It was. It had to be. You choked back another sob, biting the inside of your cheek as you pushed at his shoulders, your eyes shut tight.

"Fucking hell- let go- fucking let go!-"

Levi's arms finally relaxed, his grip loosening as he slowly pulled back, his eyes red-rimmed and his face twisted in a mixture of pain and anguish.

He looked at you, his gaze searching and pleading, as if begging you to understand, to forgive him. For a moment, he just stared, his chest heaving with ragged breaths.

"Listen- i was wrong, im sorry.. you're not weak, and-"

You stared at him with tear eyes, a small frown on your face before you looked to the side, biting the inside of your cheek. ".. this is cruel.. even for you" i mumbled out..

Levi stared, his hands slipping into his pockets as he let out a small sigh and let his head fall down slightly. "Im not- i was just in a bad mood okay? I didnt mean for you to take it so seriously and go off and quit-"

A scoff left your lips, glaring through teary eyes. "Take it seriously? Come on, me, take what you say seriously?" You threw out with sarcasm so strong it made you wince. "Fucking own up to it at least if your gonna treat me like trash-"

"I was trying to protect-"

"Dont you fucking dare- protect me from fucking what? Titans?! Im doing that now by quitting so hurray you did!-"

Levi glared, grabbing you by the collar of your shirt and pulled you close, your words getting caught.

"Me. I was trying to protect myself you fucking loud mouth." He shot, letting out a breath.

"..get out"

Levi's glare slightly faded, staring down at you with a look of irritation. "What?-"

"I said get out. I need to pack"

The silence between you two made levi bit the inside of his cheek. Did he fail?

He let go and slipped his hands into his pockets. He wasnt good at this fucking shit. He wasnt about to push more, he'd rather deal with erwin.

His face twisted in frustration as he let out a sigh and turned and walked away, the sound of his boots echoing as he left the room, the door slamming shut behind him.

He was faced with erwin, who stood, arms crossed on the other side of the hallway, staring at levi with a blank expression.

As if two steps ahead as always, he gave levi a look. a warning look, as if to say, 'You better not be letting her leave'.

Fucking erwin..

He didn't need to say a word, Erwin's expression was clear: levi was being held accountable for his actions, and the consequences of failure were not an option.

Levi's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he nodded slightly, a silent acknowledgement of the unspoken warning.

He took a deep breath, his shoulders squaring as he turned and walked back towards your room, his determination clear: he would not let you leave, no matter what it took.

You let out a small huff, somewhat thankful levi had actually listened.. you couldn't do this again, not over some man.

You heard your door open again and turned your head, you seen levi close the door behind himself and let his fingers fall through his hair smoothly.

The look of him, tensed and his glare staring you down, made your legs dip slightly as you turned to look back to your bags.

Fucking hell you hated how easily he could make you wanna crawl to him like some love sick puppy who had a bad day- the bad day that was his damn fault.

"thought i told you to get out-"

Levi walked over, letting out a hum. His demeanour had changed.

So much for begging for forgiveness, guess he was taking a different approach?

Your clothes were pulled out of your hands, levi grabbing your wrists and pulled you to face him, his eyes boring into yours.

"You did. But then again, when have i ever listened?" He muttered, his hands sliding losely from your wrists to your hands.

"Heres whats gonna happen.."

Your skin tingled as his eyes trailed over you. What- why was he changing his... approach.

"You're gonna stay, and ill.. stop pulling away."

Levis hands gripped yours. Was he- was he bribing you? Seriously?

"Are you fucking kiddin-"

He let out a sigh, grabbing your jaw and pulled your face, inched from his. "Runt," he mumbled, his lips finding a spot near your neck, his hand now on your lower back.

Your whole body was frozen.. he wouldnt be this cruel.. lying like this-.. was he being serious?

His hand pulled you flush with him as he let out a small sigh. "Ill fucking risk it alright? So dont leave."

Risk.. it? Risk what?

Your mouth felt dry. What was he on about? Why was this suddenly his choice of action to try and get you to stay in the scouts?

A small shaky breath left your lips as your feet shifted under your weight closer to him by the push of his hand. "Levi, what are you.."

"Erwin will eat the head off me if you fucking leave because of me.. because- because i cant man up and deal with consequences or ifs and maybes- "

Okay, seriously what was this man going on about?

Levis lips that hovered your neck finally made contact, a soft kiss being placed on the crook where your shoulder began.

"Risk it... hm?"

His breath tickled you as your head unconsciously tilted to the side, his lips barely touching the skin as he left small kisses along the curve of your neck.

"Risk what," you breathed out. Your racing mind now stilled. The effect of him - being something you could no longer fight back on.

He let out a low hum, his fingers gliding up the seam on the back of your shirt that went along your spine.

"..My sanity..." he hissed out, his lips now below your ear as his gruff voice vibrated through you.

Sanity?.. like before?.. but that was sex.. was he still talking about sex?

That made a bit of sense.. if you left, he wouldnt be able to fuck - but he had called it off when you said you liked him...

So was it more? More than sex?

your eyes were shut tight as you tried to make sense of what the hell was happening, what he has saying.

But those damn lips of his - they nulled.. everything.

"Your quiet" he hummed, his power fulled lips saunted down your throat, his teeth grazing you.

"Levi.. i-"

He let out a low chuckle, his other hand grasping your hip now while the other gripped the back of your neck. "Yeah, yeah.. bet your minds racing, huh?"

That fucking tone..

God your body was on fire, his hands.. his lips, everything was making your body burn with sensations that felt somewhat more frantic and needing than your usual sexual desires... which were always hot.

"Im telling you runt. Ill give you want you want, all of it... ill fucking risk myself for it.. stay and ill..- i want.." He pulled back, staring down at you. "I want you to stay.. so we can.. risk it..."

Your whole body had slightly went limp. Sort of like in a trance as you stared back at him with a daze in your eyes.

"...are you asking me out levi?"

***

- Teur <3