Ok so I promised a longer chapter, it is, not that much longer though... I thought I won't be able to update on time but since I was expelled I had the opportunity to write lol. Ok nobody cares, anyway, I present, chapter 22!
Warning; mildly ooc. You know what that means right? ^^
The purple glow at the horizon illuminates the curtains as they dance above the wooden floor. Dawn blossoms on the horizon, yet another beginning of a new day. Sunbeams stretch across the room, now reaching the bed as the sun arises above the hills, climbing further into the light clouded sky.
When the burning light blinds my vision, I groan at the intrusion and snuggle closer against the warm body next to mine, my hand across his stomach and head against his chest. A feeling of peace and serenity nestles inside me as I listen to the chirping of the birds on this early morning.
But it's short lived, because life, unfortunately, doesn't take a break. I don't have the luxury of time. I'm in my own house, in my own bed but still a prisoner- to a certain extend. This new day will once again rob me from my peace and throw me into an never ending abyss of questions and doubts, worries and stress. Thoughts about what next and what if.
But I can't let that stop me now, can I? All of this pain I'm dealing with are mostly just thoughts, toxic thoughts that cause me to shatter a mirror at night, cry like I've never done before. I open my eyes again and stare at the blankets that holds our heat, watching it rise and fall in rhythm with Levi's breaths. I've come this far, I've got people who got my back and will protect me, support me endlessly like they've shown time and time again. I can't let them get to me, so if I'll just think positive thoughts...
I glance up to Levi, watching his relaxed face and closed eyes, appearing deceptively younger than usual. His breaths are steady and soft, in and exhaling through his nose. I sit up straight and lean against the wall as the cold air in the room immediately causes goosebumps across my arms, but I hum in pleasure as the breath of fresh air cools my hot cheeks.
The room now glows from the morning sun, and the tiny broken mirror pieces that still lie scattered around the floor glisten brightly in the room. I look over to the top of the drawer where the mirror used to stand, now I'm greeted by a dull white wall. Once again I look over to Levi as he meets my gaze.
"What is it?" He asks before I even registered that I was staring right into his eyes and he is looking back.
"You're awake?" I asked surprised. I almost want to face palm myself, because obviously he's awake.
Luckily he doesn't comment on it, I'm sure the early hour is to blame. "Quite a while." He says, his voice much clearer than mine, confirming that in fact he was. He sits up straight and lifts his brow, probably waiting for an answer to his question. "You've been staring out the window for a while."
I shake my head as I faintly smile. "The storm has passed." I say softly. The thought suddenly occurs. "I haven't seen the blue sky in days." I think out loud, not necessarily directing it to Levi nor answering his question with it. Can't even remember what it was about as I stare out the small window, the clouds rolling by as the sun climbs. "Slept well?" I look back at him again to see that he now sits at the edge of the bed.
"Surprisingly well." He says smug, meeting my eyes as a grin marks his face. I squint my eyes at him but his grin only increases as he stands up and heads towards the door.
"Me too." I yawn as I let myself fall back on the bed, watching him walk out of the room as he peers over his shoulder to me a last time.
"And you're not bored out of your mind?" I whine as I lie with my face flat against the kitchen table, watching Levi dust op the house.
"If you're that bored, you could help clean up your own house." He stops to look at me and then glances around with a broom in his hand. "It's dirty."
"It's not a priority right now." I sigh as I lean my head against the palm of my hand. "Besides." I begin before I let myself fall back to the table again. "It would bore me even more."
He doesn't comment but simply gets back to work. I'm not allowed to go anywhere without him. My own house became my own prison and I don't know how I feel about that. What did I do before to kill time? This house used to be noisy and busy, filled with chattering and laughter. April was a handful on her own, but one that surely entertained me. "Walking." I murmur to myself. I used to wander outside, discovering new places as I would stroll through the forest and alongside the lake. Something as boring as walking is my hobby, I realize. Maybe it's because I've been denied access to walk on the earths soil for so long and had to stare up at it instead, that now when able to walk freely, I find so much gratification and happiness in it.
Abruptly, my new record of staring at nothing is interrupted as something is thrown into my face. I pull it away and lean my elbows on the table top. "My vest?" I ask confused as I look up to Levi.
"You want to go outside, right?" He questions as he already stands by the door. "What are you waiting for?"
With the vest in my hands I stand up, eying him doubtfully. "Are you sure that's okay? What if-"
"If something happens we'll deal with it then." He interrupts me. "Hurry before I change my mind." He opens the door and is the first to leave.
But what if Zack comes? I want to ask. Someone is supposed to stay here, for he surely wants to contact me. And since I can't go anywhere without him, means that I'm not allowed to leave at all.
I unfold the vest and put it on, running after Levi as I reach his side. Not today, I decide. I won't let the what now and what ifs ruin this day. Positive thoughts, I think to myself as I look over to Levi and offer him a smile of gratitude. "Thank you." I say and hook my arm around his. He looks at me clinging to him but let's me do a I please.
We walk in absolute peace among the trees on the pristine path. Time passed slowly with nothing to do, but walking in the woods makes me forget about all the events for a while. The grass dances in the wind as the amber leaves decorate the soil before us, twigs snapping under the weight of our feet. I inhale deeply as the earthy scent reaches my nostrils.
"You seem to enjoy this more than I thought you would." He comments.
"Does it surprise you?"
"I think I understand better than most people." He shrugs.
"Then..." I run a few steps so I stand before him and walk backwards, tilting my head slightly. "That means you enjoy our little stroll too?" I ask teasingly. He doesn't answer, but the way he averts his eyes and how the faintest of smiles appears, tells me that in fact he does. "You could do a better job at lying than that." I say as I come to a halt.
"Who says I was trying to." He does a step forward and suddenly stands close to me.
"Oh?" I grin. "Then properly answer my questions for once." I remark and turn around, walking the route I know that leads to the lake.
We walk side by side but I lead the way, obviously knowing this area better than him. I leave the flat surface behind and turn to the dense vegetation of the forests as we now walk upwards, climbing the hill. I swiftly peer over my shoulder to see that Levi, without complaint, follows me. "It'll be worth it." I encourage him, just in case for if he might have doubts about taking me outside in the first place. I want him to enjoy it too.
When we reach the top slightly out of breath, I nudge his shoulder. "Not bad." He comments as we stare at the gorgeous lake, surrounded by mountains and fire red trees. The still water becoming like a glistening mirror of the sun. Not bad... I've heard him say it before, to him it's probably an equivalent to 'beautiful' though he never seems to directly admit even these simple things.
He takes a seat on a rock near the lake, watching me absent-mindedly of our surroundings throwing stones in them. "Is five times the best you can do?" He refers to the bouncing of the rocks onto the water.
"What? You can do better?" I challenge him as I hold out a flat rock.
"I can't."
"So after all there is something I'm better at." I cheer sarcastically and roll my eyes, going for another attempt but the stone sinks after the fifth time once again as I groan at my failure. "I still want to beat you in a fight though." I crouch down and search for more, collecting a small amount of rocks.
"Then fight me." He now challenges me and even though he says it lightly as if it's a joke, I can detect the provoking tone.
"I don't feel like f-" I let the little collection I gathered fall as I lean back to avoid his fist, I gasp as I lose my balance and hold onto his arm. Relief lasts only a second because the next thing I know is Levi tumbling after me onto the ground. Slowly I open one eye to peek through, seeing that Levi hovers above me as he supports my neck, holding it from touching the ground. "You did that on purpose didn't you?"
"Brings back memories doesn't it." He smirks, slowly letting my head rest onto the ground. "What was it that you said back then?"
I blink in confusion but quickly come to realize what he means, hinting to our first 'fight' quite some time ago. "Wasn't it something like; I'm here to take away your oh so famous title, captain humanity's strongest?" I recall the memory before I burst out laughing. "I genuinely thought I was going to win our first fight." I admit.
"I greatly underestimated you back then." He says.
"So did I." I breath out as I stare into his nearly black orbs, losing myself in them for a moment. His hands caress my cheek and I look to the side as I lean into his touch and plant a soft kiss onto the palm of his hand.
"You never failed to amaze me from that moment on." He slowly leans closer, never breaking eye contact as his lips hoover over mine.
I feel the heat rush to my cheeks and my heart picking up speed at his words and the closeness right now. I don't trust my own voice, instead I intertwine my fingers behind his neck and push him down further so our lips fully meet.
Like I remembered from that night, his lips are surprisingly soft and warm, but unlike that time, this kiss isn't rushed or rough, coated in want and need.
His glide over mine as he captures my bottom lip between his, a hot tongue tracing over them. We look at each other with half-lidded eyes but I close them when he softly bites my lip. For a split second I let myself go as a soft moan escapes my lips and into his mouth. My hands that were locked behind his head loosen and I run my fingers through his undercut and into his hair as I slightly pull at it involuntary as a response to him exploring the insides of my mouth. It almost feels as if I'm going to melt in his burning touch, his hand still softly caressing my cheek. I try to suppress it with all my might, but I can't help but smile against his lips. As he pulls away, an earnest smile graces his lips as well. I gasp when he open mouthed kisses my neck, gently sucking the skin as I whimper from his sudden newfound affection.
This new day will once again rob me from my peace.
That's what I had thought this morning, but this day spent with Levi couldn't have been spent better. Today fills me with new hope for the future, I must not forget what happiness feels like among the darkness that has been surrounding me. Better times are coming, I just need to hold on and overcome them.
I throw my leg over him and turn our positions around. I'd better stop now before we take this any further. "You let your guard down." I say as I sit on top of him, my hands resting on his chest and pressing him down to the ground.
"No need for that." He smiles and stares up the sky that is now beautifully coloured in orange as the clouds take in the hue from the sun setting at the horizon. I let go of my hold and instead blindly search the floor until I find his hand and tightly grab it, squeezing it a single time as we intertwine our fingers.
I'm sure I can't say it enough times, and I won't stop saying it. "Thank You." I whisper, resting my face onto his chest as we're surrounded by nothing but nature.
Days pass slowly, but I have to admit being with Levi alone even day after day isn't that bad. I do enjoy this time of tranquillity. Our days are spent talking, even though he does the questioning and I do the speaking most of the time, he seems to enjoy himself as well. Of course, still not openly admitting that yet.
After the first night he slept beside me, I didn't have to ask twice. He would crawl next to me and let me snuggle into his comforting embrace. Things aren't awkward or tense between us in the slightest which was something I feared. He made it clear, he doesn't hold anything against me for which I am beyond grateful.
It has been a week since I'm stuck inside my own home. I'm not permitted to leave but I don't complain. Right now, my live is in danger, Zack might come to snatch me away from the Survey Corps or perhaps he will go straight after Levi.
A soft knock on the door wakes me up from a nap I didn't know I took at the dinner table. I lay with my arms on it, face pressed against the wood. I groan and sleepily sit straight up as I turn my stiff neck and roll my shoulders. I glance over to the clock, seeing its just after four. Levi said he would be back at three, he must've been busy I guess. When I hear another knock, this time louder I get to my feet. "Yes yes I'm coming." I mumble as I shuffle over to the front door, seeing the drizzle that has been going on all day hasn't stopped yet. Quickly I open the door to let him in. I blink a few times dumbfounded when I see a familiar face, but its not Levi's to my surprise. Instantly I recognize him as the man from the night at the 'party', the one Levi beat up for me.
After a few seconds of silence I regain my composure and look at him full of resentment, remembering his actions, his hands exploring my body. "What do you want?" I spit hatefully. I'm tense since I do not know the reason he's here for. If he wanted to capture or kill me he could've surprised me just now but he looks more relaxed than should be, considering he's at my door and I can't help but stare with a murderous intent.
"You're not letting me in?" He smiles and I try my best not to roll my eyes, or rather punch him in the face.
"No. What business do you have here?" I demand an answer as I glance over his shoulder, seeing two more men standing further away next to a carriage with horses.
"Well then, here you go." He hands over an envelope that is sealed with a stamp. "It's a message from Ross, don't worry too much about it." He laughs devilish and starts to walk away.
"I won't." I murmur and tear it open, I step back inside when the raindrops reach the letter in my hand. I read every word closely but so far dismiss everything as unimportant, or rather expected. I'm about to sigh of relief as I near the end of the letter, but then my eyes widen with shock, followed by anger.
Disobey and Kay Andreasen is done for.
I crumble the paper as I bawl my fist but I'm stopped as someone gently unfolds them. "Mind letting me read that?" Levi stands in front of me as he eyes me apologetically. I nod and hand it over to him as we both walk inside, closing the door behind us and making sure to lock it.
Levi reads the letter within minutes as he huffs and let's it fall onto the table. "You're not worrying about the last sentence are you?" He ask confused. "He's safe with Hanji." He reassures me.
"I know." I answer shortly, standing up and walking towards the kitchen where I put on the kettle to boil water.
"So..." He suddenly stands next to me. "Then what is it?" He turns and lowers his head a bit to look at me directly.
I look at him, contemplating whether I should tell or not. "The person who came to bring this." I start reluctant and sigh, shaking my head before I look up to him again. "Not only will he be killed, he will make sure you'll see it." I repeat the man's words he spoke before he left. "He was referring to you." I let my head hang down again. "They know there's something more."
Levi cups my face and pulls me into a hug, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. "I'll be fine, you should be more worried about yourself." He faintly smiles.
"You're not invincible." I say softly, letting my head rest onto his shoulder.
"You think you can do it?" He asks after a few moments of silence.
"Meet Zack?" I look up to him and glance back at the letter lying on the table. "Seems like he still wants to me do it, he probably needs me, even now." I pull away and look directly into Levi's eyes as its now my turn to detect worry in his. "I'll be fine. I can do it."
The next update will most likely be in two weeks or so. (-｡-; (I know this chapter not much happened but from here we're moving on again!)
Also, I have a question for you guys. I was, but now I'm not planning to write any 'explicit content' or you may call it smut or whatever you like, anymore. I've been so focused on the plot I kinda left it out. I did write something out but won't post it if it isn't necessarily wanted. So, tell me!
Please review, it is very much appreciated! See you in two weeks (⌒-⌒; )