~Chapter 7 - Sky full of stars~
"It's beautiful isn't it?" I asked amazed.
Levi and I were on the roof of the HQ. We sat on the edge glancing up at the stars. Levi hummed as response. Judging by his tone, something was troubling him.
"Spill it." I said simply.
He turned his head and faced me.
"Do you think of me as a father figure?" He asked.
What?
Honestly, I never thought of Levi as a father since I had one already. He was more like a best friend who was about twice my age who protected me when I was weak and fed me when I was hungry. Basically, he took care of me when no one else could.
"I don't know, Levi. I never thought about it." I lied.
As the matter of fact, yes, I have thought about it. I knew the answer to his question. But I was afraid he might get mad at me or feel disappointed.
And as if he could read my mind, he said.
"(f/n), you have to tell me. I won't be disappointed at you."
I sighed deeply.
"Promise." I said.
His face became uneasy. Sorrow was filling his eyes, but before I could confirm it was sorrow, he blinked it away and put on the usual calm, collected face.
"Fine, promise"
I looked up at the sky, not being able to look at him straight into his eyes.
"No, I don't see you as a father." I said after a few moments of silence.
I could hear a tiny sigh, maybe of relief? I don't know. I was too embarrassed to think.
"Ok." He said.
I sat up as a thought came into my mind.
"I've got a present for you." I said as I smiled. He got up as well with a confused look; I have never given him a present before, it's because I didn't have anything to give, not because I didn't want to.
I reached to my pocket, pulled out an oblong black box and handed it to Levi. He gently accepted the box and opened it. Lying on a hot pink coaster laid a pearl white handkerchief made out of smooth silk.
"Where did you get this?" He asked shockingly.
"I went to town when we were on break this afternoon to buy you a present. I never actually fully thanked you before and I thought now was a perfect chance." I smiled.
"Thank me for what? And how did you get the money to buy this? This most have cost a fortune!"
"It did. I used the money I've saved for 6 years to buy you this present. I hope you like it."
"I…I…thank you, (f/n)."
"Thank YOU, Levi. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have been where I am now, today. You took care of me when no one else could. You took me in and trained me like I was worth something though I was just one among hundreds of starving children. Even though you knew it would mean a lot of trouble, you took responsibility for me. And I wanted to show you my appreciation to you, thank you for everything." I poured my heart out and tears slowly rolled down my cheeks.
I had wanted to say those words for a really long time, but never really had the chance. And finally, under a sky full of stars, I finally said it.
Levi pulled me towards him into a warm hug. He rubbed my back and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I couldn't stop myself from smiling.
After a while, when I've calmed myself, we moved away from each other. I took the black box and gently pulled out the handkerchief. I inched closer to Levi and tied the handkerchief around his neck.
I moved back to have a better look and was pleased with what I saw. The handkerchief suited him.
Before any of us could say anything, footsteps echoing from behind kept us quiet. Thankfully, it was just Isabel and Farlan.
"You guys are going to keep this all to yourselves? That so unfair." Farlan said.
"Yea and you guys sneaked off all on your own too…" Isabel said
Levi didn't answer. He fell down onto his back and looked back up to the sky. Isabel and Farlan sat down beside us.
The four of us looked up at the sky admiring the shiny stars.
Just as we were about to call it a night, Levi turned to Farlan and said.
"Farlan, I've decided not to kill blondie. I'll trust you."
With a smile Farlan's face, we went back to our barracks.