Levi Schmitt stood in the bustling halls of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, adjusting his glasses nervously as he peeked around the corner. His heart pounded in his chest as he caught sight of Nico Kim, effortlessly charming as always, talking with another surgeon. Even from a distance, Nico's easy smile and confident posture sent a flutter through Levi's stomach. It had been months since they had gotten back together, and yet Levi still felt that familiar surge of excitement every time he saw Nico—like they were in the early days of their relationship all over again.

The lyrics from Taylor Swift's "Lover" echoed in Levi's head: "Can I go where you go? Can we always be this close, forever and ever?" He had always admired how cool and self-assured Nico was, and despite the ups and downs they'd been through, Levi couldn't help but feel like the luckiest person in the world to be with him.

Levi took a deep breath, straightened his scrubs, and started walking toward Nico. As he approached, Nico glanced over, his eyes lighting up when he saw Levi.

"Hey, you," Nico greeted, his voice warm. "I was wondering where you disappeared to."

Levi's cheeks flushed as he smiled sheepishly. "I was just finishing up with a patient. I didn't want to interrupt you."

Nico chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're not interrupting anything important." He glanced at the other surgeon he had been talking to, giving a quick nod before turning his full attention to Levi. "So, what's on your mind?"

Levi shifted from foot to foot, feeling a little awkward under Nico's gaze. "I was just thinking... Maybe we could, uh, grab dinner tonight? You know, something casual? If you're not too busy."

Nico raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Levi's nervousness. "You're asking me out? Haven't we already established that we're dating?"

Levi's face flushed even more. "I know! I just—I mean, we've both been so busy with work lately, and I thought it might be nice to have a night just for us."

Nico's expression softened, and he stepped closer, placing a hand on Levi's arm. "That sounds perfect. How about we try that new Thai place you've been talking about?"

Levi's heart swelled, and he nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! That sounds great."

Nico smiled, giving Levi a quick, affectionate kiss on the cheek before glancing at the clock. "I've got a few more surgeries lined up, but I'll meet you after my shift. How's that?"

Levi beamed. "I'll be waiting."

As Nico walked away, Levi couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth spread through his chest. He had always felt a bit out of place in the world of surgery, but with Nico by his side, he felt like he could take on anything.


Later that evening, Levi sat at a small table in the cozy Thai restaurant, fiddling with the edge of his napkin as he waited for Nico to arrive. The restaurant was intimate, with soft lighting and the faint hum of conversations around him. Levi glanced around nervously, hoping that everything would go smoothly. Despite the fact that they had been dating for a while, he still felt a little nervous on their "official" dates—like he was trying to impress Nico all over again.

The bell above the door chimed, and Levi's heart skipped a beat as he saw Nico walk in, looking effortlessly stylish even in his scrubs. Nico spotted Levi and flashed him a smile, making his way over to the table.

"Hey, sorry I'm late," Nico said, leaning down to give Levi a quick kiss on the lips before sitting down across from him. "Long day in the OR."

Levi smiled, feeling a rush of affection. "No problem. I'm just glad you could make it."

Nico raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Of course I'd make it. I wouldn't miss a chance to have dinner with my favorite person."

Levi blushed, feeling the familiar warmth in his cheeks. "I'm your favorite person?"

Nico chuckled softly, his gaze softening. "Obviously."

As they looked over the menu, the easy banter between them returned, the kind that made Levi feel like he was exactly where he was supposed to be. They ordered their food, and as they waited, they fell into a comfortable rhythm of conversation.

"So, how was your day?" Nico asked, reaching across the table to take Levi's hand in his.

Levi smiled, enjoying the feel of Nico's fingers intertwined with his. "Pretty good. I had a few interesting cases in the clinic. Nothing too crazy, but it kept me busy."

Nico nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I've noticed you've been a lot more confident lately. It's nice to see you settling into your own as a surgeon."

Levi's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You think I'm more confident?"

Nico's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Yeah, I do. You've come a long way, Levi. I'm proud of you."

Levi felt his heart swell at Nico's words. He had always struggled with self-doubt, especially in such a high-stakes field like surgery, but hearing Nico's praise meant the world to him.

"Thanks," Levi said, his voice soft. "That means a lot coming from you."

Nico shrugged, his tone playful. "It's true. I wouldn't lie to you."

Their food arrived, and they dug in, the conversation flowing easily between them. They laughed, joked, and shared stories from their day, and for a moment, Levi forgot all the worries and pressures of the hospital. It was just him and Nico, in their little bubble of happiness.

After dinner, they took a leisurely stroll through the streets of Seattle, the cool evening air wrapping around them as they walked side by side. The city lights twinkled above them, and Levi felt a sense of contentment settle over him.

"You know," Nico said after a while, glancing over at Levi with a smile, "this is nice. Just you and me, no distractions."

Levi nodded, his heart fluttering at the simple intimacy of the moment. "It is. I feel like we haven't had a night like this in a while."

Nico's smile softened, and he reached out to pull Levi closer, wrapping an arm around his waist as they walked. "We'll have more. I promise."

Levi leaned into Nico, his head resting against Nico's shoulder. "I like that promise."

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the distant hum of the city. As they reached the edge of the park, Nico stopped, turning to face Levi with a serious expression.

"Levi," Nico began, his voice soft but steady, "I know things haven't always been easy between us. And I know I've made mistakes—big ones. But I want you to know how much I care about you. I don't say it often enough, but... you mean everything to me."

Levi's breath hitched in his throat, his heart racing as he looked up at Nico. He had always known that Nico cared, but hearing him say it out loud like this—it was everything Levi had ever wanted.

"Nico," Levi whispered, his voice thick with emotion, "you mean everything to me too."

Nico smiled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Levi's lips. When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against Levi's, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.

"Let's keep this going, okay?" Nico said, his voice low but filled with affection. "Let's keep choosing each other."

Levi nodded, his eyes brimming with tears of happiness. "Always."


As they made their way back to Levi's apartment, hand in hand, Levi couldn't help but feel like the luckiest person in the world. He had spent so much of his life doubting himself, wondering if he would ever find someone who loved him for exactly who he was. And now, with Nico by his side, he finally felt like he had found that.

As they walked through the door and into Levi's cozy apartment, Nico glanced around, a playful smile on his lips.

"So," Nico said, pulling Levi close and wrapping his arms around his waist, "what's next for us? A movie? Or something a little more... exciting?"

Levi laughed, feeling his nerves melt away in the warmth of Nico's embrace. "How about both? We can start with a movie, and... see where the night takes us."

Nico smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I like the sound of that."

They settled onto the couch, the glow of the TV casting soft shadows across the room as they started a movie. But before long, Levi found himself leaning into Nico, their hands intertwined, their bodies pressed close together. The movie faded into the background as they shared soft kisses and whispered words of affection, their connection growing stronger with every moment.

As the night stretched on, Levi couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude—for Nico, for their relationship, for the life they were building together. He had never imagined that he would find someone who made him feel this way—loved, cherished, and completely at ease in his own skin.

And as he lay there, his head resting on Nico's chest, the lyrics of "Lover" floated through his mind once again: "Can I go where you go? Can we always be this close, forever and ever?"

In that moment, with Nico by his side, Levi knew the answer.

Yes.

Forever and ever.