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"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 072: Levi Ackerman

~Alternate Universe~

Anime: Attack on Titan

Prompt: Barrier

Chapter Warning(s):

Author's Note: Inspired by "Scream 3" – You really can find inspiration anywhere, even in the most unlikely places. This prompt is AU.

KH*LA*KH*LA

Levi inhaled a drag from his cigarette, his dark olive eyes glued on his charge. No one, he thought, no one should be so beautiful or so charmingly perfect. He had been the personal bodyguard of famous actress Kagome Higurashi for nearly three years. At first, they had gotten along like cats and dogs, both hardheaded and independent. But slowly, slowly they got to know each other and become something like friends.

Their relationship was strictly professional. Most nights, he silently wished for more. Most days, he could see the same emotion, the same desire, in her eyes. But they couldn't cross that line. He wouldn't be as efficient in his job if he let those types of emotions cloud his judgment. Or so he told himself.

He took a deeper drag from his cigarette, exhaling the toxic substance a few seconds later. Filming would wrap up soon. When that happened, he could get back to doing what he did best: Guard Kagome with his life. He never hesitated when it came to forming a human barrier between her and the rabid fans and obnoxious paparazzi.

Opening his heart up to something wonderful, something that had the potential of being magnificent, however, was a different story. Focus, he reminded himself, don't cross that line.

"Levi," Kagome's sweetly warm voice called out, catching his attention away from his inner thoughts. His eyes focused on the raven haired beauty approaching him, a beaming smile on her near-angelic features. Without realizing it, his gaze softened. "Are you okay? You looked really deep in thought." Laughing, she added, "Not like that's not your usual expression."

"You done filming for the day?" he asked instead of answering. Dropping the cigarette on the ground, he crushed out the glowing ember with a quick twist of his foot.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, we're done for today," she answered. "Do I have anything else planned?"

Levi arched a mocking brow. "Do I look like your personal assistant?" he retorted without any real heat.

"No, but you look like my personal bodyguard – who, by the way, should know my schedule better than myself," she popped back, grinning like a mischievous child. "Well, if you actually knew how to do your job, anyway."

He scowled. Her comebacks were getting better and better. He felt a reluctant surge of pride. Now if she only didn't use that sharp wit to one-up him. "You don't have anything else planned," he said. "Why? Do you wish to go somewhere?" If she said she wanted to go shopping… He inwardly shuddered in horror. Perhaps he should lie and say she did have plans. Like being under strict house arrest. In this day and age, she could shop online and that would be safer for his mental health.

In response, Kagome playfully grabbed his hands within her own. She swung the appendages between them as she released a hum. "Let's just go home and relax. When was the last time we did something like that?"

Levi allowed her the childish action. If anyone else attempted such a thing, he would've taken out his gun and shot them, point blank. He wouldn't have even flinched.

"Whatever you want, brat." Relaxing at home did sound nice. Since she was always working that meant Levi was constantly on guard. Home was the one place they could both breathe and just be themselves. Just be together.

Kagome pouted. "I'm not a brat," she protested.

He rolled his eyes. "Let's go," was all he said in response. "The faster we leave, the better."

She took in a deep breath, physically bracing herself for what she knew would be inevitable. "And the faster we can go through the crowd waiting to see me," she softly said. Her hands started to tremble with nerves. It caused a strained giggle to escape her. "After all this time, you would think I would be used to the attention…"

Frowning, Levi grabbed her hand within his own. "It would be different if the paparazzi would stop shouting their fucking invasive questions at you," he darkly growled. "And don't get me started about the time some crazed fans tried to pull you into the crowd." She would've been swallowed up by the sea of people. He wouldn't have been able to reach her in time before something disastrous happened, intentional or not.

Kagome squeezed her eyes closed. As much as she loved and adored her fans, she was more than aware that some would and could harm her. It made her glad Levi was always by her side.

In a rare show of affection, he leaned down until their foreheads touched. "I won't let anything happen to you, Kagome. You know that."

She nodded, a small smile curving her lips upward. "Yes. I do," she replied.

He smirked. "Good. Now let's get out of here."

KH*LA*KH*LA

Kagome sighed as she gazed longingly at the stoic male currently sitting in the living room. He was smoking one of his cigarettes again, his black dress shirt unbuttoned at the top, and his seated position relaxed as he lazily read the newspaper. She couldn't help the pout that appeared on her facial features. A man shouldn't be so attractive without even trying, she petulantly thought. It just wasn't fair.

"What are you staring at, brat?" Levi's deep, cold voice asked.

She answered without a hint of bashfulness, "You're a very handsome man, Levi."

The look he gave her clearly stated he was exasperated. "Is that all?" he sarcastically replied. Snapping the newspaper to straighten it, he went back to reading. "Go do something productive if all you're going to do is gawk."

Mischief shined within her amethyst eyes. Practically hopping over to his seated form, she pounced before he had a chance to react to her sudden attack. She knew he wouldn't suspect her of doing such a thing – and that was his fatal mistake.

Levi grunted from the abrupt assault upon his person. He distinctly felt his brow twitch as he gazed up into the playful expression painted across the raven haired beauty's face. "Brat," he growled in warning.

"Clean freak," she popped back, grinning.

His brow twitched again. "What do you think you are doing?" And what, exactly, did she have against having a clean home? It wasn't against the law for one to have a clean living space. If he happened to hate even one speck of dust on any surface, it didn't make him a freak. He just liked living in a sterile environment.

"I'm doing something productive like you asked." The smile that appeared on her face was a little too predatory for his liking.

"This is considered productive?"

Kagome nodded, like she was about to bestow upon him a great wealth of wisdom. "Yes," she answered, "because I'm about to completely shatter all of those barriers you keep around your heart."

His brows furrowed, confused. "What are you–"

She pressed her lips against his, cutting him off. As if a dam had broken, he was suddenly surging up and kissing her back just as feverishly. His hand rose to cup her cheek as his other snaked around her waist to pull her tighter against his leanly muscled frame.

When they pulled apart to breathe, she panted, "We're crossing the line, Levi."

He chuckled, the sound sending pleasurable shivers down her spine. He nipped her bottom lip. "We're more than crossing the line, woman – we're leaving it so far behind, we won't be able to see it anymore."

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I really liked writing this chapter because it was based in an alternate universe :D It was definitely different, but I think it came out okay!

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XOXO,

Celestial Law