"You look great!" you assure Levi as you pull on a knee-length black coat over your maroon woolen dress. "You look very autumnal." You quickly smooth down your hair and pull out your crimson lipstick from your coat pocket.
Your boyfriend answers with a grunt as he lingers by the island counter, eyes fixed on the teapot that he's probably imagining brewing right about now. You don't say it out loud (otherwise he will probably back out of going with you) but he looks so adorably handsome in his dark orange jumper, paired well with rich brown slacks and a similarly long coat to yours. He's given his hair a comb - not that it really needs it unlike yours which requires a load of hairspray to get it to behave.
"You don't need that crap, you know?" he quips upon seeing your lipstick. Your chest warms with delight but you cover it with a gentle laugh.
"This is confidence in a tube," you tell him after applying the lipstick. You use a napkin to soften the effect and toss it in the nearby trash.
"You're gorgeous," Levi grumbles as he approaches you. His arm slides around your waist, pulling you against his chest. You lean your forehead against the side of his face, nose poking his round cheek. "You should believe that." His fingers rub at your side, his signature move for trying to comfort you. You nuzzle his cheek, knowing that he won't thank you for getting lipstick on him.
"Yeah, I know. I try," you smile. You gaze over your apartment with a speculative smile. "Hopefully we'll get lots of good decorations," you enthuse.
The space is a little more expansive than most of the other one bedroom places and studios that you spent the summer visiting. White walls, grey furnishings and black marble counters boast an apartment that should probably cost more than the pair of you are currently paying now. The half-wall windows fill the open plan lounge, dining area and kitchen with light and the view of the rolling hills of Southern Rose created an impression of more space. The decor is extremely minimalist in both colour and decorative items. For now, anyway.
You and Levi have worked hard over your sophomore year of college; both of you living in dorms and working part time to repay your student loans and meet your living costs while also saving to get a decent flat together for your junior year. (Many of them were either too expensive, were in troublesome neighbourhoods or had hygiene standards so poor that even you felt uncomfortable whereas a fuming Levi, between gags, ranted about people's lack of basic health decency.)
Enter Hange whose previous tenants had ditched the place. Hange offered the place at a reduced rent in exchange for asking no questions and making no complaints about any odd sounds coming from the laboratory below them. Although you suspect that their friendship with Levi may have played a part. It also explains why the apartment met Levi's high standards on their first viewing.
"Nothing tacky," Levi reminds you, his lips touching your forehead briefly.
"Spoil sport," you giggle against his cheek.
"Come on." His hand finds yours and gives it a squeeze. "Let's get this over with."
"Way to sell your enthusiasm there, Levi," you tease with a giggle.
You can't help yourself. You know that attending places like this autumnal crafts market isn't really to Levi's taste especially with his cleanliness obsession. But the pair of you did strike a deal last night. You stepped in for his co-worker and co-founder of his start up cleaning business, Farlan, when he fell ill so that Levi could complete the job. In return, you got to choose the next date location even though it was Levi's turn to pick. You'd had your eye on attending the market all week and so Farlan's unexpected bout of flu had proved to be an opportunity.
As you exit the apartment, Levi locks up after you,as always. It's not as if he doesn't trust you but the need to confirm the security of your home himself is as ingrained as his cleaning tendencies. Leaving him to it seems to give him reassurance in its own way - that you trust him to keep you safe.
"A deal's a deal," he grumbles. "Enthusiasm costs extra."
You're halfway down the first flight of stairs when he says that. You glance over at his grumpy expression and your heart sinks. A deal is a deal but you don't want him to be miserable all evening. You stop part way down the stairs, your fingers wrapped tightly on the railing.
"If you really don't want to go then don't," you tell him in a quiet voice. "I really don't want to force you into something you don't want to do."
Your boyfriend's brow furrows. "You're not forcing me. We made a deal."
"The deal doesn't really matter," you say, turning to lean back against the railing. "I can go to the market and get some decorations on my own. It's fine." It's not really but you don't say that. You're not going to guilt trip him - well, at least nothing beyond being honest with him. "I don't want this to feel like a chore for you. It's supposed to be a date. You can go back. I'll pick something else." You pull your hand out of his, sadness seeping deeper into you. "Or you can. I don't mind."
His expression falls somewhat, the knot in his brow loosening as guilt widens his eyes. It only invites another stab of it within your stomach. "Hey-" he begins to say and reaches for you but you move away and continue down the stairs.
"I'll see you at home," you tell him, eyes downcast as you head for the double doors leading out of the building.
You are pushing the doors open when you feel Levi's hand on your back, his other helping to open the door. "What?" you ask as the pair of you step outside.
"I'm sorry," he says as you both step free of the doors. He takes your waist and pulls you against him. "I don't want to ruin your day," he admits quietly.
"And I don't want you to feel pressured into going to the market when you obviously don't want to." You slowly inch your hands up his arms until you're cupping his neck. "You don't owe me anything."
"Pretty sure your help last night stopped me having to cancel on a client so that's not true."
"So cook me dinner or something. At least I'd know you weren't unhappy."
His arms slip tighter around your waist, bringing your face closer to his. "Yeah but now you're unhappy."
"Not as unhappy as I'd be if you were miserable all day," you point out, rubbing your nose against his.
His hands roam over your back, making you sigh. He peers over your shoulder and you follow his gaze to where the festival is being set up at the bottom of the hill that Hange's lab and their apartment sits on, just a ten minute walk from the rest of Ehrmich and the university. He kisses the top of your head and you watch various emotions play out across his face: uncertainty, guilt, thoughtfulness and just a spark of curiosity. "I could give it a chance for an hour or two," he muses.
You look back into his face. "You really don't-"
Your boyfriend pecks your lips to shut you up and the distraction works as you giggle at the red that's painted across his lips. You reach into your pocket and bring out a tissue, wiping away your make up off his mouth.
"Now, I want to," Levi insists once you've pocketed the tissue. He takes one of your hands and wraps his other arm around you. "If it's really not for me, I'll leave you to it and you can pick something else," he suggests, "and I'll cook you dinner either way."
You begin to smile, leaning into him as you begin your walk down the hill. "Pasta and chicken?" you suggest.
It's his turn to smile since you've just named his favourite. "Why not?"
—
The market is a mesmerizing display of all the colours of fall. Chestnut wooden stands line up with paper chains shaped and painted like gold, red and brown fallen leaves connecting them all. Fairy lights are strung around the perimeter, atop golden brown banners with pictures of pumpkins, pies, black cats, bats and leaves. Dangling from wires criss-crossed over the area are luminous plastic pumpkins.
Popping up at intervals around the area are scarecrows: one dressed in a t-shirt, red flannel shirt and loose tan slacks, one wearing a black cat costume, another dressed up as a devil, one wearing a farm girl dress and one fitted out in a tux with a top hat on its head.
A dozen smells rush at your nostrils at once: spiced pumpkin, hot chocolate, sugar cookies, brownies, apple cider, donuts, baked bread, pies and beer. Your stomach rumbles quietly.
There must be a few hundred people her already, you note, as your eyes take it all in. Outside of the stalls, a massive play area has been set up for children; you see sizeble bales of hay with some temporary play equipment set up. Adjacent to that is the picnic area with over a dozen tables set up. Beyond that are more tables but each one is filled with a different set art supplies and occupied by children and adults alike.
You marvel at it all with a massive smile. Your flats crunch on a bed of multi-coloured leaves that layer the ground. "It's perfect," you breathe, happily.
Levi tugs you closer to him, touching his lips to your temple where you can swear you feel him smile. However you choose not to push your luck by teasing him. Instead your eyes roam over the nearest stalls, looking for one with something you both might like to look at.
There's no grouping of stall types. The first stall laden with bowls of caramel corn, pumpkin snack mix, donuts and pear chips stands next to a stall selling pumpkins along with pots of paint and decorations. You make a mental note to return to that one later. Further along, a young man at another stand is selling ready-made Halloween paper decorations. His stall stands next to one with several book stands and a familiar, adorable blond stands behind the counter waiting.
You tug Levi along with you. "Armin!" you greet with an enthusiastic wave.
He jerks to attention with a relieved smile as the two of you approach his stall. "Hey!" he greets, leaning forward, arms folded. You note the flicker of surprise in his eyes seeing Levi here with you. Is it really so surprising? "It's good to see you," he continues. "You just got here?"
"Yep." You say as you cast your eyes over the selection of books that Armin's brought along. Some of them are recipe books with autumnal or spooky themes. Others are short stories including ghost ones. There are various other books as well and Levi picks them up, one at a time, examining them.
You think it's quite bold of Armin to set up a book stall in an age which has been dominated by kindles and reading apps. Though, there are plenty who still read books. You prefer both. Kindles are great for saving luggage space on a trip away but you love having a paper book in your hands when relaxing in the bath.
"How's it going?" you ask as you eye an autumnal recipe book focused on baking.
"It's been pretty good, actually," Armin enthuses. So he also had his concerns apparently. "Sasha and Ymir said the stall might be a bit outdated and irrelevant in an arts and crafts fair but I've got instruction books for a lot of the activities here today." Some doubt creeps into his expression. "I mean everyone needs instructions for these things, right?"
"Absolutely," you assure him.
"Unless you're an idiot," Levi murmurs, currently flicking through a book on flavoured tea. You and Armin exchange smiles as you watch him eyeing the contents page. "How much?" he asks, raising his head and ignoring your teasing grin.
"Six dollars," Armin answers.
Levi raises one eyebrow and pulls out a ten dollar note from his wallet. "Don't bother with the change," he adds, to Armin's astonishment. When Armin opens his mouth to argue, Levi nods to a pile of brown recyclable bags next to him and adds quickly. "I'll take a bag too."
"Of course." Armin puts the book in the bag and hands it over. "Thanks."
Levi simply nods at him.
"Is anyone coming to help you out today?" you ask with a little concern.
"Oh yeah," Armin nods. "Marco'll be here in about an hour."
"Good," you smile. You don't like the thought of Armin working the stall alone.
You run your hand over a few more books before one of the titles jumps out at you. "Wait, is this…?" You pluck the book labelled Titanic Halloween Horror stories off the stand. It's a weighty volume - navy with a orange spidery font and pale gold edges on the binding. "I thought these were all sold out?"
"It was donated to this stall," Armin grinned. "I've got a copy at home. Hange's a great storyteller."
"Yeah they are," you agree. "I guess their heart lay with science though. Still, it's awesome that they got these published. I've only ever been able to borrow this from the library before." You bring out your own purse immediately. "How much?"
"Ten dollars,"
Once the money has been exchanged, Levi takes your new book and adds it to his bag. He returns his arm around you and sniffs the air for a moment. You sniff as well and detect the distant aroma of freshly brewed tea.
"They have a stall exclusively for tea this year," Armin notes your behaviour and points to a stall several down from here. Next to you, Levi is focused on where Armin is pointing, his expression neutral but eyes shining with curiosity. You smile up at him. If anything was going to pull Levi into being more interested in this market, it was tea.
"They've got some really unusual flavours as well." Armin continued. "The peach and mango one is really nice."
"We'll go take a look," Levi said with a squeeze of your waist.
You are about to chide him for his impatience when a few girls arrive at the stand, one of them smiling and twirling their hair at Armin. You and Levi step side so Armin can focus on his new "customers". You wave and tell Armin that you'll pop by later.
Levi guides you through the crowds of people weaving between stalls until you reach the one that Armin gestured to.
It has a cute set up, you think. A beautiful ivory teapot (decorated with an autumnal pattern of alternating golden-brown and red leave) around which are tiny cups and saucers. Just behind the stall, more tiny cups and saucers soak in a bowl of soapy water. You see Levi's eyes flicker approvingly before he directs his attention onto the ginger haired girl smiling at him behind the counter.
"Hey Petra," he greets his classmate with a brief smile. "Didn't know you'd be running one of these."
"I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to so I had someone ready to cover me. Fortunately our theatre trip got postponed," Petra smiled. "I like Hamlet a lot but I really wanted to come to this," she gestured with both of her hands.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" You agree, sharing her energetic smile. "I've been looking forward to it all week." You briefly catch Levi side-eyeing you.
"I know, right? They did a great job. I love the pumpkins." Petra enthused. She looked toward Levi again. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you're here."
Levi huffs a little and bestows one of his well-known eye rolls upon her. "So, what kinds of tea have you got today?" he asked, examining the various coloured boxes of tea that surround the tea set.
"We've been told you've got some interesting flavours," you add.
"Tch. Interesting means any flavour other than the traditional shit that everyone gets," Levi scoffs.
It's Petra's turn to roll her eyes. "Actually we've got a lot of flavours today. There's pumpkin spice, honeysuckle, white peony, jasmine, lavender, mint and a couple of blends. We've got peach and mango, raspberry and blueberry, apple and pear as well as chamomile and honey."
Levi's lips twitch upward. "An impressive choice."
Petra rests her hands on the stand and leans forwards. "Eating your words already, huh?"
"We're talking about tea, actually, so if we're being technical, I'd be drinking them."
"You're lucky that I'm not making your pores drink in any tea by throwing it any in your face," Petra retorts. She shifts her weight between her feet as she eyes you both, fingers moving up to play with an artsy, pumpkin-shaped beaded necklace.
"That's a really cute necklace," you say, leaning in to get a closer look at the painted faces.
Petra takes hold of one of the beads. "It is! I got it from the stand next to the play area," she explains with a brief point. "There's about three people working on it. Give them about an hour to do it and let it dry and you can get a custom design."
"Oh I'll have to check it out." You beam and mentally add it to the list of places to go.
Levi is occupying himself by examining the packets of tea and their listed flavours. "How much to try a sample?" he asked once you and Petra had gushed about the cute necklace for a couple of minutes.
Petra smiles back at Levi. "I'm giving each customer two free samples then it's a dollar a sample and seven dollars a box."
"Not a shitty deal," Levi mused.
"High praise as usual, Levi," Petra giggles.
He pointed to the peach and mango blend. "I'll try that one first."
"Okay," Petra agreed and began to prepare it. She glanced over at you as she spooned some of the tea into the tiny espresso-sized cup. "What about you?"
You're already eyeing the pumpkin spice box. "I'll go with the mood," you tell her.
"Good choice. I love the pumpkin spice tea," Petra enthuses.
Before too long, you and Levi are sampling the tea. Your senses are lifted into divinity as soon as the tea touches your tongue. You sway on the spot happily.
"This is gorgeous," you declare. "Feels like I'm drinking liquid autumn."
Petra sips from her own takeaway cup and then raises it in a toast gesture. "It's my go-to drink of the season," she agrees. "That and tequila." Levi wrinkles his nose in distaste and Petra's expression instantly droops. "Oh you don't like the peach and mango? I know it's very sweet. If you prefer something bitter-"
Levi raises a hand to cut off her babble. "It's not the tea. The tequila. You really drink that shit?"
"Yeah! I like a kick in my drink at a party."
"More like a kick in the head in the morning."
"You're not exactly wrong," Petra admits. "But I prefer it to vodka. That stuff is just so harsh especially on its own."
"Wine is more forgiving." Levi mused. "As is tea," he adds before downing the rest of the tea, ignoring the heat. You and Petra flinch simultaneously which makes him smirk. "Speaking of which, that is a sweet one but it's not bad."
Petra brightens. "That surprises me."
It surprises you too. Levi has little patience for sweet things.
Levi turns his attention towards the box of pumpkin spice near you. "I'll see what all the fuss is about," he says, handing his cup back to Petra.
As she brews him a cup, his arm wraps around you again, holding you slightly against him. You lean your cheek on his shoulder with a smile. Levi might not be as into public displays of affection to the extent that others are but you love the way he'll hold you like this in public. It's a silent reminder of his feelings, being pressed against him. You sip your tea and watch Petra work. She leaves the tea to stew for about four or five minutes before handing it to him. By which time you've finished yours and so you choose the white peony tea.
Levi sips the pumpkin one and a small frown gathers on his face for a moment or two. "Unusual," he remarks.
"Good or bad?" you prompt, sliding your arm around his waist.
He has to take another sip before he answers. "It's not unpleasant."
"There he goes again, so overboard with his compliments," Petra titters. Levi shoots her a mocking scowl but resumes sipping his tea.
You find the white peony tea to be an enjoyable flavour although, like Levi found with the pumpkin flavour, the first sips took some getting used to.
After your samples, you decide to buy two boxes of the pumpkin tea while Levi purchases a box of mint and a box of lavender. You say your goodbyes to Petra (well you do, Levi sort of grunts and lifts his hand slightly but it still makes her laugh) and then move away to other stalls.
—
There's so much to look at; so many decorating stalls, some snack stalls and some stalls with little gifts and gimmicks.
You giggle as Levi walks past a row of little toy scarecrows which start wriggling and dancing thanks to motion detectors, surprising him. You love them and Levi argues against buying one because "that cute quirk "will turn annoying real fast." You can't say you entirely disagree with him. So you move on, but not before teasing him about how sweet he looks when he's startled. He continues to hold you close but his fingers pinch your side playfully which only fuels your argument.
One stall has some pretty crepe paper decorations that even Levi seems to admire. You both decide to come back to it later as you need to agree on a specific colour scheme for decorations otherwise your apartment will, as Levi puts it, "look like a rainbow upchucked in it".
It's nice to just wander around between the stalls too, admiring everything and taking in the happy vibe of the even. You notice that some of the uncertainty has left Levi as he continues to hold you. His hold feels looser and he's actually taking more of an interest in the stalls, sometimes moving towards them first. You relax more into his embrace too, some of your earlier guilt and worry melting away from you.
He complains instantly when you spot the face painting stall. You pick out a full facial pumpkin design for yourself while Levi grumbles about you wasting your make up and asking why you'd want to cover up your face. You make a serious effort at convincing him to get his face painted too. He adamantly refuses and simply watches as yours is applied. It's hard not to giggle when he demands that the artist, Eld, sanitises his hands before he gets to work. Levi also turns out to be something of a backseat commentator as well, quipping when Eld's work is even slightly out of line.
"For god's sake, Levi!" you exclaim once Eld pulls back to reach for a wipe, once again. "Leave the man alone."
You apologize for what feels like the sixteenth time since the blond man began. However, he's pretty laid back and just quips about how at least he can be sure he did an ace job. Also clearly Levi wants his girlfriend to look like the best pumpkin. You laugh as you watch Levi's cheeks turn pink.
Once Eld is finally allowed to complete his work in moderate peace, you admire the pumpkin with a smile as wide as the subject. You thank Eld profusely and pay him. You lament that Levi wouldn't even get one little painting on his cheek but resign yourself to the losing battle. You quip that the pair of you would have matched, even without him getting a full face job.
However, after about ten minutes of wandering around and no less than three compliments from guys on your face paint, Levi surprises you by returning to Eld. To your delight, he emerges with a tiny pumpkin painted on each cheek because he may as well be symmetrical.
It's been over two hours by this point and even with Levi's occasional grumping, you catch him with small smiles and a distinct lack of scowls.
"Thinking of ditching?" you ask as you walk around the outskirts of the market, having escaped for a breather. The air is chillier now you're not surrounded by so many people.
Levi tugs you closer and fastens up the buttons on your coat as he mulls over his answer. "No," he decides. "It's not too bad," he concedes as he finishes buttoning you up. "I don't mind staying longer."
You wrap your arms around your chest and smile as he hugs you to him. "We've probably seen most of the stalls. Maybe we could check out a few more. We still need to decide our colour scheme for decorations."
He rests his head on yours, stroking your back as he hums in contemplation. "All the decorations seem to be autumn themed and we'll be changing decorations for Christmas soon enough anyway."
"True. I guess this kind of decor is only going to be seasonal anyway."
"This colour scheme is not so bad," Levi murmurs. "The brown and golds are a decent colour match."
"Yeah, they go nice together," you agree, welcoming the added warmth of Levi's hold on you.
"Let's go with that then. That crepe stuff wasn't too pricey. If we hate it, we can get rid of it."
"And all the profits from this market go towards various charities anyway so whatever we buy today, we've helped someone."
Levi makes a small low noise of acknowledgment. "Good. Let's go and pick out some crap then."
You giggle as he begins to lead you back towards the crowd.
—
You place an order at the pumpkin stall you saw earlier, ignoring Levi's eye-rolling as you move on to other arts stalls while your pumpkin is being decorated.
It takes a full fifteen minutes to convince Levi that decorating plain lanterns with leaves will be an amazing aesthetic. However he refuses to take any dirty leaves back home with you and you can't fault his arguments about dog shit and piss and other disgusting things being stuck to the leaves. A compromise is reached thanks to a nearby stall which sells paper and paints so you can make your own leaves. You also stop by a stall selling pinecones that have been cleaned (you learn this thoroughly thanks to Levi's borderline brutal interrogation of the stall owner, Oluo, over his method of doing so).
You and Levi then spend an hour at one of the arts tables. You're putting together the pinecones in a wreath while Levi meticulously draws and cuts out leaves. As it turns out, he's got a touch of flair for artwork and he continually reminds you to focus on your own project when you stop and stare at his.
You're both carrying several bags of your purchases and decorations after visiting the crepe paper decorations stall. Afterward, you make a stop off at the pumpkin stall you saw earlier and pick up your pumpkin which has been decorated in gold paint with plastic fangs in the mouth and paper flowers coming out of the eyes. Levi complains about it but you see him fighting back a smile.
—
It's nearly 9pm when you visit your last stalls of the night. You purchase a range of snacks including an extra large bag of pear chips for Levi despite him refusing to admit that they are his favourite autumn treat. Your own bag is bulging with an impressively sized bag of candy corn.
The very last stall is a completely unplanned visit as you can't help yourself when you see what it sells.
"Oh my god, look at them! They're so cute!" You practically squeal as you point to the collection of giant tea cups, in various spooky designs. You admire the white ghostly ones, the black cats with the tails as the handles, the grey cauldrons with green "overspill" painted over the tops, the blood-red devil face ones with the forked tail as the handle and finally pumpkin cups.
You cradle the pumpkin one in your hand with reverence, gazing up at Levi who had scoffed and snorted at all of the other ones. However, his pursed lips twitch as he stares at your pumpkin face then the cup and back to you.
"At least they'll go with the decor," he murmurs. As you reach for your purse to make the purchases, he hands over his own card instead.
—
Levi carries the pumpkin under one arm along with the bags with the heavier items in while you carry the lighter decorations, the tea and your new mugs.
The walk back up to your apartment complex is a slow one and you stop at the top to catch your breath since the climb taxed you. (Unlike Levi who, as usual, is remarkably unaffected). Even so, he waits with you as you gaze back down at the lights of the much quieter market. You watch the stalls being packed up and the rest of the customers retreating towards Ehrmich in the distance.
"I'm glad we went," Levi's voice is low yet there's a quiet contentment in it. You lift your eyes to meet his, slowly smiling.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." He rubs his arm against yours. "I liked seeing you so happy." Despite the wholesomeness of his statement, his lips curve into a smirk. "You're adorable."
You poke your tongue out at him. "Damn right, I am." You then lean up to bump your nose with his. "The world's not watching now. Can I kiss you?"
His smirk deepens. "I suppose you'll have to. How else will you turn back into Cinderella?"
You press your lips to his in a lingering kiss. "You're mixing fairy tales there," you murmur against his mouth.
"Don't give a shit." He gives you a peck.
"Anyway you're Cinderella, you clean freak," you huff with amusement as you turn away from the view of the market.
"Except I don't sing or allow vermin in my clean house."
"Oi, don't diss the singing mice," you scowl as the pair of you begin to make your way indoors. You hold the door open for Levi to pass through.
"Tch. They're pests."
"You're so harsh."
"Let's see how cute you think they are when Cinderella dies from having contracted a disgusting and probably devastating illness." Levi declares while he begins to climb the stairs.
"Stop trying to ruin my childhood!" you protest as you follow him.
"Some might say your childhood was already ruined by watching fucking singing mice."
"And is this "some" also known as Levi "pain-in-the-ass" Ackerman?"
"I couldn't say. I don't know my middle name."
"Ha. Ha. Ha."
—
It's a mutual decision to forgo dinner once you've decorated the apartment and washed the face paint off. You opt for Netflix and movie snacks instead.
Levi has already given your new tea cups their first wash and filled two bowls full of pear chips and candy corn by the time you emerge from the shower in your satin red pyjamas. While he's taking his own shower, you brew you both some pumpkin spice tea in said new cups and lay everything out on the coffee table.
Your boyfriend's "pyjamas" consist of a black t-shirt and matching loose pants. He smells like citrus as he sinks down onto the couch next to you. His arm curls around your shoulders and his lips press into your temple. You snuggle into him, bringing your feet up beneath you as you make yourself cozy on him.
"This was a pretty good date," you declare as you lift your pumpkin mug into your lap. "Thanks for sticking it out with me."
Levi nuzzles your hair. "It wasn't that hard," he murmurs against your forehead. You raise your face so you can kiss him again. His hand reaches up to your cheek, holding you into the kiss as his mouth moves gently against yours. "I love you," he murmurs against your mouth.
"I love you too," you murmur back after another kiss.
The rest of the evening passes in a blissful haze of tea, treats along with snuggles and kisses. You may watch maybe a third of the movie too.
Autumn really is your favourite season, you think to yourself as you and Levi slowly fall asleep on the couch, draped in the late addition of a blanket.