Chapter 5:

Your (e/c) orbs widen in absolute shock as the realization pours over you. You slid your phone back into your pocket, standing and quickly rushing out to find a nurse.

'No. There's no way...'

A petite woman with orangeish hair comes into sight, and you recognize her as the nurse that had been tending to Levi all the time he'd been asleep. Staring into your desperate eyes, the woman knew something was wrong instantly.

"(f/n)...what's wrong?!" she signed, sensing the urgency. Without even responding, you grasp her arm, practically dragging her after you. You led her to Levi's room, waving your quivering hand in front of his emotionless eyes and receiving no reaction besides a slight flinch. Your phone was in your hand again, frantically typing away on the screen before holding it up to her, trying your best to keep your hand steady.

[Miss Petra, something's wrong! He isn't responding to me! Please tell me it's temporary!]

The nurse looked concerned, testing his responsiveness herself. When he gave no physical reaction, she poked his arm lightly, testing his sense of touch.

"Tch. What the hell was that?!" the man spoke, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.

"Can you hear me, Levi?" Petra asked.

"Of course I can hear you. Now can you just tell me where the hell I am?!" he retorted, an mixed tone of frustration and worry in his voice, "And where's (f/n)?"

You sat beside him, watching the two converse in front of you. Your hand reached out and tugged lightly on the nurse's sleeve.

"What is going on? Is he okay?" you signed nervously, only half-wanting to know the answer.

An expression of remorse washed over her pale face as she took a small breath, preparing herself to pass the news.

"I'm afraid he's been blinded..."

A sharp intake of breath caused your head to hurt slightly, your eyes widening upon learning such news. You couldn't even sign a response; your hands were shaking in shock. Your gaze fell on the man lying next to you, tears welling up, soon to overflow with emotion. With a hand resting on your lap, you hesitantly reach for his cold hand.

"...L-Levi...?"

The nurse that you'd come to know well whipped her head in your direction, her short hair swinging behind her.

"C-Can...you...s-see...me...?" you choked out, your unused voice raspy and quiet.

At the touch of your hand, the ebony-haired man jerked his hand away. "Who the hell are you? Don't touch me!"

Petra could see the frightened expression on your face as you pulled your hand back in shock that he'd rejected your affection. "That's (f/n), Levi. She is trying to speak to you."

"That's not (f/n). No way in hell. She doesn't talk," he spat angrily, turning his head away from you both.

"Levi, you hit your head. If you just-"

"No! Shut the fuck up! Just tell me what the hell is wrong with me and get out!" he snapped, cutting her off, his voice rising to a low shout.

You kept quiet, already convinced by his fit to never open your mouth again. By this time, you were sobbing uncontrollably, trying to keep your sniffles to a minimum.

'H-He... didn't recognize me...'

"You're blind," the woman began. "I won't know anything else until we run some tests, but that's it for now," the woman said, standing. After a brief silence, she continued. "But please, (f/n) is here. Don't be so brash."

She signed for you to stay beside him before exiting the room, leaving you alone with your blinded lover.

The steel-eyed man didn't respond, turned on his side. Once again, you reached out your hand hesitantly, placing your palm gently on his. This time, he flinched, but didn't pull back, giving you a chance to prove that you were his beloved (f/n). At the soft touch, he knew you were who you said and gripped your hand tightly. You could've sworn you saw the sparkle of a tear glistening down his cheek as he sat up, pulling you tightly against his chest. Your hands moved around him, hugging him close.

Levi pulled back slightly, his hand grazing your shoulders and neck, trying to find your face, memorizing every curve and feature he could. When he reached your cheek, his fingertips brushed against the soft skin before cupping your cheek in his palm.

"(f/n)..." he muttered, his thumb caressing your lips softly. "I...can't see you...Please speak to me..."

You cried, not being able to hear him. Your lips parted to say something, but found that no words were able to escape.

'I can't...speak...I'm sorry, Levi...'

The man felt your lip quiver against his fingertips. Leaning closer, he brought you to his lips, kissing your cheek softly in reassurance. He trailed kisses across your jawline before connecting your lips to his. Your arms draped over his shoulders, closing the gap between your bodies.

After about a minute or so, you pulled away, needing air. Levi held you close still, gesturing for you to join him on the hospital bed. A warm smile graced your features as you obliged, laying beside him, his arms embracing you as if his life depended on it.

There was complete silence as the situation settled into both of your minds.

You could no longer stare into each other's eyes and know what the other was feeling. You could no longer send dorky messages over text. You could no longer feel his eyes on you as he quickly looked away when you caught him.

The only way of professing your love to one another was through physical contact. His hugs were warm and enveloping. His kisses were passionate, his eyes, dull and desperate.

The shorter man was released from the hospital about a month later after he showed rapid signs of recovery. You stayed with him everywhere he went.

You were his eyes and he was your ears. You two now live together in your home, keeping within arm's reach at almost all times. And every day was spent in silence between the two of you.

While you were cooking dinner one Sunday evening, you felt a pair of strong arms holding your waist tightly. You felt the vibration of Levi mumbling against your back, something you couldn't understand.

"I may be blind, but that doesnt matter.

All I need is you, to know that life is worthwhile."

~FIN~