Chapter 3: Well, This isn't Awkward at All

I rose out of bed and went to the window. The streets were completely dark, but I could see search lights. Was there some sort of criminal organization on the loose?

"I got a message," came a voice from the dark.

"Ahhh!" I jumped.

"Caria. Relax," Levi's voice sounded.

"Sorry... you just came out of nowhere. What was the message about?" I panted, my racing heartbeat returning to normal.

"According to the head of the Covert Police Force, my unit, there's been an incident in the bio genetic engineering sector of the capital. Some dumb shit got careless or something. It should be resolved in the morning," Levi explained. He came by my side at the window, peering through the shades. "Those guys out there on the streets are the Military Police Unit. Honestly, they don't use their guns for anything but black market sales. They should have sent us out there," Levi said.

I stared at him in the dark, an anxious feeling coming over me. Maybe Levi was right about my avid imagination. Admittedly, my thoughts could get pretty wild sometimes, but the scream I'd heard before covering the manhole to the metro tunnel was still haunting me.

"Hey. Can you come down from your room and sleep in here... or I could go up there and sleep on the floor?" I suggested swallowing a lump in my throat.

"Why, what's wrong?" he asked, turning away from the window.

"I'd just feel better if I knew someone was near by," I explained sheepishly.

"I'm right up the stairs, what could possibly go wr-"

"Please don't finish that sentence." I quickly covered his lips with my hand. I felt him sigh, and he grabbed my arm, uncovering his mouth.

"Hmph, didn't peg a girl like you for being superstitious." He paused for a few moments, searching the alarm in my topaz irises.

"Alright... You can lie on the floor... but I'd like to get to sleep, so no bed time stories okay?" he teased. I frowned and nodded, gathering my things to take up the stairs. Plopping myself a few feet from his king-sized bed, I laid the bedding down. I yelped as a heavy piece of cloth landed on my head, covering me in darkness.

"Another blanket," he stated carelessly. I made a sound of annoyance, receiving a chuckle from the dark-haired man in return.

It was silent save for the humming of the house, and the muffled sound of movement outside. I wanted to ask Levi more questions about himself. He was so precise at giving non-informative answers, and I got the sense that it wasn't because he was ashamed of anything, but rather he was simply disinclined to share. I could respect that, but I just felt so damn curious about him for some reason. But then again, I was a stranger, so expecting him to open to me was unrealistic.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhwwwwwwoooooowwwwwww!

My body bolted upright, and my eyes widened. That sound... it was from earlier. Gunshots rang out. I looked to my right at the window, eyes widened in terror. What the hell was going on?! I listened as the commotion carried on for a good five minutes before dying down... and then I heard another screech.

"Levi," I turned to the man whose dark silhouette appeared to be sitting upright on the bed. He checked his phone, his expression relaying nothing to me as his eyes scanned the illuminated screen. He closed his phone and sighed, looking to the window, then glanced over at my "scared puppy" face, and patted the bed signaling that it was okay if I hopped in.

"This is pretty damn ridiculous, you know," he commented.

"I don't care. I can admit that I'm scared right now and need someone close to me," I confessed.

"What would you do if I weren't here?" He prompted.

"Snuggle with my roommate or with my stuffed animal," I replied.

"Didn't you say something about being a 'grown woman'?" he mentioned.

"Is there some sort of law saying that stuffed animals are only for kids?" I asked stubbornly.

"An unspoken rule, yes," he stated.

"Well I missed that memo so I don't care," I huffed.

"Tsk, well are you fine now?" He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah I feel better. I can sense that you're actually a good police officer, and not a creepy stalker asshole now," I smiled.

"Good, everyone's happy," he droned.

Ahhhhhhhhwwwwwwwowwwwwwww!

I gasped and scooted closer to Levi, burying myself in his chest.

"Alright... I can't do this with you, it's not appropriate. I-" He said putting his hands out to push me away.

"Please." I pleaded. "Look, I know it's stupid, but I just... I have a bad feeling. I'll repay you for putting up with me, but right now with the situation...please. Let me stay like this. My cat-hazel eyes looked up at him, more serious than they had ever been. I'd never been so close to a man in my life, but right now, it felt...right. I didn't break my gaze, and when I saw him breath in and out, I knew I had won. And so he held me to him and I gratefully welcomed sleep.

"Get up."

I groaned as my body was shaken from its slumber. My hand went to my tousled hair that had escaped its bun sometime during the night. I pulled the tangled scrunchy out of my black tresses, letting my wavy locks hit my mid back.

"We have to leave. Pack your things," Levi's voice ordered urgently. I glanced over at the dresser in the corner of Levi's room to see the officer sporting a dark blue uniform. I slowly arched up, stretching and yawing simultaneously. I didn't want to leave the warmth of the large bed, but no doubt the grey-eyed police dog would be barking my ass up a tree if I didn't move.

Hopping out of bed, I went straight to my gym bag to make sure that I had my phone and everything else gathered. I walked into the bathroom and stared at my disheveled appearance. The gym clothes weren't very flattering, but I didn't have any suitable alternatives so I'd have to make due with what I was wearing. My honey brown skin could've also used a good moisturizer. Sighing, I washed my face with lukewarm water, and did my best to comb my hair with my fingers.

"Yes...?" I raised a brow at Levi who'd randomly entered the bathroom without any forewarning. Not that I'd closed the door...

"A toothbrush for after you eat, there's food downstairs..." Levi said staring at the reflection of me in the mirror. He set the toothbrush down on the counter and ran the faucet for a moment. He took a bit of water, and brushed it through his hair. I tried not to pay attention as I continued raking my hair, but I couldn't help but notice how good he looked in uniform, and how the undercut he sported was actually kind of attractive...

"Hey, are you gonna tell me what's really going on?" I said, parting my hair slightly down the middle with one finger.

"...This area has been compromised. Apparently whatever went wrong has gotten worse. There's a rendezvous point at the gate of Stohess. The Chief of the Covert Police Unit is Erwin Smith. He's been feeding me information and it looks like there's an emergency vehicle evacuating citizens to the gate about a mile from here so we have to hurry. They're making 3 round trips. One is at 8 am, one's at 9am and then another one's at 10 am and that's it. It's nearly 8:30 and it should take us less than fifteen minutes to get there. I'd rather leave earlier than later, so don't take too long," Levi reminded me once more before leaving the bathroom.

"Right..." I said quietly, an uneasy feeling welling in my stomach. Not wasting any more time, I flew down the stairs. My nose was greeted with the wonderful smell of pancakes. I squealed in delight upon seeing the fluffy mass set on a plate with syrup and fruit on the side. The warm syrup poured over the pancakes, spreading like a wave on the sand. My mother would scold me if she saw the way I wolfed down my food. Naturally sweet strawberries coupled with a syrup covered slice of pancake did wonders for the stomach, especially when washed down with a cool glass of orange juice.

"You really know how to treat a guest Levi. I certainly wouldn't mind being your roommate," I sighed in delight to the man leaning on the counter, having watched me finish the remainder of my food. "You know. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but I think the same could be said for us girls as well. I mean, who turns up a good plate of food? Are you sure there's no one else you're cooking for? I mean, it's pretty surprising you're actually..."

I trailed off realizing where my speech was headed. Levi was already watching me carefully, dissecting every word no doubt.

"... anyways. I'll clean this stuff up and we can leave," I mentioned nervously, changing the subject.

"You still have your 'pajamas' on," he noted.

"Yea well I'm not going back to wearing that other getup. I hate skirts. I was only wearing one because I had to give a presentation," I explained scrubbing the dish clean of syrup residue.

"On what?" he asked.

"The history of Semitic influence in Ethiopia, I especially liked the part where I got to speak Arabic," I answered gleefully.

"Hmm, I don't hear much Arabic, how does it sound?" he pondered.

"Levi you're a wonderful cook, thank you," I told him in Arabic.

"Ah so it's a bit guttural sounding language... but interesting. What did you say?"

"You're a wonderful cook, thank you," I repeated in German.

"I see... we should leave in three minutes. Was there anything you needed? I don't have any lady clothes so I can't help you there," he stated.

"No...I'll brush my teeth and then we can leave immediately."

Levi gathered his belongings, double checked everything to make sure he had what he needed, and left the house with me in tow. We trekked northeast to a bus stop that would take us to the gate. I took note of the splotches on the ground that resembled dried blood as we walked. Last night's commotion outside came to mind. Someone had bled out on the ground, and then their body was moved.

A small crowd was huddled together at the bus point when Levi and I turned the corner. I looked at my phone. 8:50. Ten more minutes, and we'd be out of here. As soon as I got to the gate I could probably transfer buses to Ehrmich. I guess after this I wouldn't be seeing the police officer anymore...

"Hey. Levi?" I called as he walked in front of me.

"What?" He answered turning around.

"After this bus ride I guess we'll be going our separate ways so thank you, for everything," I said bowing my head a bit.

"My plan was to escort you to your home," He said simply.

"Oh. Well that's okay. You've gone out of your way for me already, it's really not necessary," I smiled, blushing a bit. He really was a sweet guy, albeit rough around the edges. And admittedly, that stupid prediction that Mikasa kept bringing up was playing itself in the back of my head. I kinda liked him...

"Hey well, we can exchange numbers and I'll give you a call when I'm home safely. Maybe once this craziness is over..." I paused, overcome with embarrassment. My face must be totally flushed. "I-I-I c-can repay you b-by treating you to dinner or s-something." I face-palmed inwardly at my stuttering mess of a sentence. On top of that I couldn't even look at him as I said it.

Levi took his hand under my chin and lifted it so that my hazel eyes bore dumbstruck into his smoke colored ones, and he uttered one word.

"Deal."

/

/

/

***end chapter

/

/

/

Thanks for reading, I hoped you like the chapter!