43: Rectification For Both

Watching the back of Levi's dark head as he ascends the staircase to his office, you have to wonder what exactly you're meant to do with this adult-sized toddler you're in charge of. His black locks have a sheen of oil, the result of a refusal to use your shower. His shirt is the same from yesterday's, already deteriorating in its freshness. The bags under his eyes—whenever you are able to catch a glimpse of them—are heavy with weariness, but he still insists on taking care of himself and denying your assistance.

"Intern." At the top of the staircase, he finally starts the third of the whopping three conversations you've had this morning.

One of which was a bleak "good morning" and a dismissal of your complaints about his sleeping arrangements on the couch. The next involved warning you about the lengthy day ahead: another faculty meeting requires both of you to stay late, especially if you're going to be stubborn about having him come to your place afterwards.

And now, again, he's gracing you with speech after he spent the morning wallowing in avoidance and diffidence.

"Um—yes?" You walk abreast with him, sneaking glances at his stony face.

"The semester is wrapping up soon. There's a lot to start considering." He fixes the button on his sleeve, though there is nothing noticeably wrong with it. "Finals, of course, and the submission of your thesis. You need to finish up your master's program strong."

"Right. I am working on it, so you don't need to worry."

"Not only that," he continues, harshly claiming the conversation, "but if you really want to work here, then you need to start preparing for a job application."

"Oh." Despite your wishes, it seems like Levi is not planning on simply offering you a position. You want to check one last time before the moment slips away. "So, no favors then?"

He comes to his door and unlocks it with a sigh. "Don't get coy like that."

"I'm not coy." This isn't a situation to take lightly, but you trust your ability to navigate negotiations with Levi. If anyone can, it's you. "I just wondered. You happened to mention it before."

"I did mention it," he acknowledges, striding to his desk. "I also mentioned that even if I did offer you a position, it still has to be approved by Dhalis—by Erwin, really. It's not a free pass into professor status."

You already know that, but whining about how redundant he's being won't get you anywhere. Instead, you choose the tactic that often gets under his skin—complete dismissal of his taunts. "Well, I'll contact the hiring department soon and submit an application. I'll do it the proper way, so no need to worry about me."

"Tch." He rearranges stray papers on his desktop, his back to you. "Coward. You're not even going to put up a fight?"

"A fight?" Dropping into your special chair behind your special desk, you elect to begin your work day with little regard for the pouting child you're looking after. "You mean, you want me to beg for a job offer?"

"You ought to," he grumbles. "It'd be a hell of a lot more convenient than trudging through the application process."

"Ah, well, I don't mind." Undoubtedly coy, you flick open your laptop and pull up a search engine. To be convincing, you must actually begin the application process that he finds ridiculous. "I have the patience for it. This is my dream school, so I'll gladly do what it takes to work here."

"The application process doesn't involve just me, you know. You have to address a board of hiring personnel and undergo a teaching demo. They'll nitpick everything."

"That makes sense. They only want to hire the best. I'll make sure to try my hardest."

"They're ruthless, idiot. You'll be chewed up before you can even present your resume."

"Well, it's a good thing I practiced under a very strict professor. I should be braced to handle them."

"Intern."

His tone is harsh, rooted in irritation. You grin. "Yes, Professor Levi?"

With a furrowed brow, he glares at you like you're a buzzing mosquito that just won't die. Within a second he's in front of your desk, shoving your laptop closed and insisting on taking your attention.

"Snarky little devil," he rasps, drawing close to your face. "You think teasing me like that will get you a position here?"

You toss your shoulders up carelessly. "Fortunately, the application process will examine much more than my attitude—"

"Enough." He nudges your chin with a fingertip to shut your jaw, tilting your head up a centimeter. "You already know I want you here and you're using that to your damn advantage. Your arrogance is so fucking annoying."

Comfortable with your head perched on his digit, you cross your arms on your desk and lighten the look in your eyes. "Is it annoying, Levi?"

He pauses, then scoffs. "I can't stand you," he mumbles, his voice losing its edge. "That feisty spark you have—it's unbearable."

"Hmm. You once had more positive words about it in the past. Change of heart?"

"...No." His hand drifts to your head, resting on your scalp. "Not at all. Damn you."

He yanks himself away and marches back to his desk, dropping into his seat. "What's your email address?"

"Why?" You thumb your laptop, reconsidering your strategy.

"Just give it." He boots up his computer with a grumpy finger stabbing the start button, then draws his temper back and glances at you with a heavy gaze. "So I can send you a damn job offer."

You provide it gently, fighting to contain the gratitude bursting out of your heart. Truly, an offer will be substantially easier than an application process, and his gift of expedited employment cannot be received with indifference. "I appreciate it, Levi. I'm glad you consider me worthy enough to work here."

"Don't get comfortable. There are still more steps to take."

"I know. Nevertheless, I'm grateful."

After attending Levi's classes and planning coursework for your own, you take a walk through campus alone while trying to ignore the new email from him showing up on your phone. The moment you look at it, you'll get excited. You'll laugh, maybe burst into a celebratory dance, perhaps shout with joy like an idiot. It'd be best to save that celebration for somewhere private.

On your way back from the coffee shop on campus, you adjust the lid on the small tea you bought for your mentor, hoping he'll be okay with something a little different than his usual order. Your stride is brisk, quick to escape the nippy March weather, but it's not fast enough to bring you past Erwin Smith without noticing him.

He's in the doorway of an academic building, holding it open for a colleague while thanking them for providing a guest lecture for his class. He separates from them, waves at a passing group of students, and only after that does he notice you.

Now's a good chance to talk to him. He's the main obstacle between you and your dream job and you need to turn the balances in your favor.

"Dr. Smith!" With more jubilance than usual, you pace towards him bearing an amiable smile. "Did you just finish class?"

"I did." He looks you over, evaluating the once-missing intern. "And you—back from lunch?"

"Yeah. I'm headed to Levi's office now."

"Perfect. I'll walk with you."

Perfect. Stars are aligning right now—the moment is ripe. It's time to persuade the puppetmaster.

"Oh, good! I actually wanted to talk to you; I need some advice. Levi's offered me a job position here and I'd like to get an idea of what's next in the process."

"I had no doubt he would provide you with an offer. Frankly, I'm amazed it took him so long to do so."

"Well, he is a little stubborn." Your palms hug the paper cup, staying warm. "Do you think it was wrong of him to extend an offer?"

"Wrong? No. Just incredibly predictable." Erwin sounds disappointed, as if he's just finished a movie he already knew the plot of. "He's been...rather sycophantic for your sake. It was clear an outcome like this would happen."

Remembering something, Erwin withdraws his phone while giving a, "Look at this," then finds a downloaded document before handing the device to you. "This is a proposal submitted by Levi—the first proposal he's ever submitted since his employment. It truly took the department heads by surprise."

You read over the typed proposal as you walk, wondering what on earth Levi decided to demand of the university faculty.

His proposal puts forth a plan to repurpose the collection of department head offices for use as study rooms, recording booths, or computer rooms. The department heads would maintain their offices in the building that most closely pertains to the degree field they oversee, essentially splitting up the leaders across campus and placing them alongside their subordinates. Instead of a cluster of royalty grouped in one building, the heads would be physically closer to where they are needed and no longer aggrandized with their own professional space and elitist privacy.

That is the reason Levi eloquently provided, but there is a quiet subtext in his proposal. Closer to their subordinates means closer to the professors that work under them—which will include you, if you receive a position. Levi's actually fighting to change the structure of personnel placement to exist nearby you.

"Wow." You let Erwin take his phone back, a ripple of heat crawling under the skin of your cheeks.

"You understand what Levi is insinuating, right?"

"Yeah, I do." With a weak chuckle, you drop your eyes to the sidewalk you traverse. "It's a little embarrassing, to be honest."

"That's understandable." Erwin peels open the door of the mighty academic castle for you to enter. "It must be quite pressuring to see the lengths he goes to for you. Granted," he continues as he follows you inside, "it is a reasonable proposal, despite its true intentions. There's little reason for the board to reject it, unless we want to seem like pompous aristocrats."

"Maybe so."

"Count on it getting approved. Levi's clever about turning things to his advantage." With a soft chuckle, Erwin shakes his head. "Remarkable, really. I almost envy you."

"Envy?" That's not an emotion you expected to witness from the almighty Erwin. "Why is that?"

"I imagine a great number of people dream of having somebody care about them as much as Levi does for you." Whether or not he says it, you can sense him admit that he's amongst those people. "Many would call you lucky. I'm inclined to agree."

Though your history with Levi falls incredibly short of lucky, you can understand how Erwin concludes that from what he's seen. The greatest professor at Paradis is moving mountains for you—even if it's obsession rather than devotion, it's still an amazing boon to receive.

At the top of the staircase you're about to ascend, Levi appears like a phantom. "You missed your chance, Erwin."

"Oh, Levi!" you exclaim.

"If you wanted to have her, you shouldn't have given her to me." He hurries down the steps to meet you, insistent on walking you the rest of the way to his office.

"A chance passed up," Erwin says evenly. "Cherish your fortune, Levi."

"I do, of course." Levi nods to the cup you carry. "Did you get yourself something nice? You certainly deserve it."

"Oh, this." Hugging the paper cup, you lift it a few inches in a gesture of offering. "No, it's for you. Not your regular old black tea, but I still think you'll like it. I've had their chai dozens of times."

"Well, aren't you thoughtful?" His tone is awfully saccharine as he gladly pinches the drink. "I couldn't ask for a better intern. I don't know who in their right mind would give you away."

"You're cruel, Levi," Erwin hums, stripping his demeanor of any real disappointment. You'd think he doesn't care, but it's clear that his eyes follow the hand Levi puts on the small of your back.

Stuck between two snarling dogs, you decide to stoke neither side of the battle and simply ascend the stairs wordlessly.

At Erwin's office, you realize that you not once addressed your concerns about receiving a position at the academy. Dr. Smith is the last obstacle in place and, even though it's a little embarrassing to beg for his opinion, you have to know what your chances are.

"Dr. Smith," you start. "I meant to ask—um, about the job offer—"

"Yes, about that." He turns the knob on his office door. "Are you worried about earning employment here?"

You staunchly avoid Levi's eyes as you respond with a delicate, "Yeah, a little."

"Hm." For a moment, he seems to take pleasure in your forlorn expression and finds some form of wicked fascination in what his answer means to you.

Nevertheless, he knows your accolades and would be remiss to ignore them. He gives a soft chuckle. "No need to be. Our reputation would plummet if we rejected the conference speaker that wowed thousands. After Marley, your acceptance became more than guaranteed." As he steps inside, he tosses a knowing glance to Levi. "Intentional or not, that was a good strategy, Levi."

"Her talent would've shone one way or another. I'm glad it was boasted at the conference."

Erwin disappears. You turn mechanically to follow Levi, gnawing into your lip to hide a smile. Thank heavens. Though nearly all signs have already pointed to a successful career at Paradis, the final and most prominent sign of your victory has been presented. You will work here—no doubt about it. Everything from here on is merely procedural.

"That about seals it," Levi confirms as he pushes into his office.

You make sure you're completely inside with the closed door against your back before you say anything. "Yeah, it does."

"Please. You sound like you don't give a shit." He continues his path to the desk, gently setting down the drink you brought him.

"No, I do." You can't celebrate much, though. Levi probably already thinks you're childish enough. "I'm really excited."

"That's the most unconvincing sentence I've ever heard." He rests against the edge of his desk. "You got your dream job at your dream university. Don't you want to show some enthusiasm?"

"It's—I mean, I don't want to be cocky—"

"Be cocky. You have every right." A glimmer of pride zaps across his eyes. "There's nothing I love more than seeing you at your strongest."

"I—" You drop a small laugh, a sheepish one. It's a good excuse for the smile that's taking over your lips. "Come on, Levi. I don't know what you expect—"

"You know you own Paradis. Act like it. You know you're allowed to celebrate your success with me, right?"

"I..."

"Come on," he sings, the words sultry and teasing in his voice.

"I-I mean, of course, Levi." You sigh out all the restraint you've put on your ego. "Of course I'm excited! Fuck—it only took years of serious bullshit, but I finally got the goddamn job!"

"That's more like it," he praises, a grin threatening to take his expression. "Nobody is more deserving of it than you."

"Thank you so much." You're close to him before you know it, gripping his shoulders with an aggressive level of delight. "Levi, it's thanks to you. I wouldn't have made it this far without your help."

"You know that's not true." He mirrors you, latching your bodies together. "You could've done all of this without me. You would've made huge strides no matter what."

"No—I am fortunate to have you. Dr. Smith was right—your support is...is so incredible. I—" You give in and drop into an embrace, squeezing your mentor, ex-enemy, and protector. "Fuck, Levi...fuck..."

He welcomes your hug, gingerly placing hands along your spine. "You talk me up too much—I haven't done anything—"

"Shut up. You've done so much." Putting your temple against his, you decide that the storm has long since passed. "So much. I—fuck, I feel stupid, but I can't help myself."

"What do you—mm—"

It's too late: you've pressed your lips against his, moving with some motivation beyond your rationality. He pushes a startled grunt into you, his whole body locking up, and heat seems to radiate from his face almost instantly. It only spurs you to give more.

You clutch him tighter, begging for his feeling, and he responds by grappling at your back and deepening the kiss. It's intense, filled with fiery desperation as if literal flames are consuming you. Hearts begin racing in a synchronized sprint, each fighting to be faster than the other. He can't withhold a low moan as he takes your nape and waist, and you respond with a thin, needy whine.

"Fuck," he rasps out when he tears himself back. "That—ah..."

Your eyes widen as you bear witness to his remarkable expression: tinted with cherry red, sporting parted lips that quiver with need and a soft brow showing nothing but innocent pleasure. He's absolutely transformed, his mask of stoicism stolen away and his pure timidness left behind.

"Levi," you beam, astounded by the image.

"Shut—shut up." He almost instantly recognizes what you're looking at and swiftly deflects, his face remembering its usual position. "Don't mock me."

"I wouldn't!" you promise, already yearning for the masterpiece to return. "Never, Levi. Please—please give me more—"

No sooner have the words come out than he's already kissing you roughly again, claiming the consent given to him. He envelops himself in you, chasing urge after urge within the connection that he's needed for months. He's pushed against the desk and spilling onto the desktop, but he doesn't mind. Your essence is all he cares about.

When you eventually pull back, he drops his head to avoid the mistake of allowing you to see his embarrassment. "This is...stupid," he mutters.

"Wh-why?" you ask, your tone pathetically desperate.

"Not—not this. Just...me. I don't know what I'm doing—fuck, never mind—"

"No, no. It's okay." You're huffing your words out between deep breaths, lost in a whirlpool of feeling. "It's...a lot. Um..."

He clutches your shirt as his head drops, his shoulders shrugging up and down as he pants. "One—one second."

"Take your time."

"Quiet," he bites, snapping his head up. After a flash of guilt zaps his mind, he cups your jaw guiltily. "Sorry—I didn't mean that. I didn't. I'm just—"

"Overwhelmed. I know. Me too."

He swallows. "...Fuck."

"Yeah," you say, but you have nothing more to give.

When he flicks his gaze to the door, he woefully remembers that he cannot fully succumb to his urges. The day is not over yet. "Intern—the faculty meeting."

"Oh. Yeah." You drop your forehead to his shoulder, struggling to stuff your excitement back inside your heart. "Guess we should get ready for that, shouldn't we?"

"It shouldn't take long," he tries to reassure, sensing the disappointment in both of you. "Hopefully."

You feel a part of your soul leave when he slips away from you, even though he does move with a similar dissatisfaction. Mechanically, he comes behind his desk and searches through his drawers, picking out papers and checking the time like he's being evaluated on how normal he can act. As he reads the report he's found, you can tell he's practicing smooth breathing to lower his heart rate. The dusting on his cheeks, though, refuses to be swept away.

"That blush on your face will be mighty suspicious, Professor," you tease.

"You're to blame," he hisses back. "For your sake, you'd better hope I calm down before we go to that meeting. Otherwise, the staff will think you seduced me into offering you a job."

"I don't even want to begin imagining what the staff thinks of us."

"Nor I." He tucks papers into a folder and takes his drink. "Alright, intern. Let's get this shitty meeting over with—we both have significantly more important matters to address afterward."