Chapter 19: Breaking The Walls
Aria couldn't help herself. As much as the moment had been soft, real, and full of
vulnerability, she was still Aria—the siren who never let a good opportunity for teasing
pass her by. Her smug smile returned as she watched Levi's face, still close to hers, his
expression caught between irritation and something he wouldn't dare name.
She tilted her head, her lavender eyes gleaming with that familiar playfulness as she bit
her lower lip, barely holding back her laughter. "I knew it," she whispered, her voice full
of mischief.
Levi raised an eyebrow, clearly already regretting whatever was about to come out of
her mouth. "Knew what?"
Aria's grin widened, and she leaned in just a little closer, her lips brushing his ear as she
whispered, "I knew you couldn't resist me forever."
Levi immediately pulled back slightly, narrowing his eyes as he looked down at her. His
scowl was back in full force, but there was a faint hint of color rising in his
cheeks—barely noticeable, but there. "You're insufferable," he muttered, though his
tone lacked its usual sharpness.
Aria couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from her chest, her voice light and teasing.
"Oh, come on, Captain. You're not that mad." She winked, pulling back just enough to
give him a playful, knowing smile. "You enjoyed it."
Levi's glare deepened, but she could see the way his eyes flicked briefly to her lips,
betraying him. "You talk too much," he growled, though there was no real heat behind
his words.
Aria shrugged, clearly enjoying herself. "Well, someone has to point out the obvious."
She leaned in again, this time pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth, her lips
brushing against his skin. "You like me, Levi. Admit it."
Levi's entire posture stiffened at her words, but she could tell he was struggling to
maintain his usual stoic demeanor. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he
could, Aria cut him off, a wicked grin spreading across her face.
"You're already thinking about when you're going to kiss me again," she teased, her
voice low and sultry. "Aren't you, Captain?"
Levi exhaled sharply, his patience clearly fraying, but Aria could see that he wasn't
pulling away. He wasn't telling her to stop, wasn't pushing her back like he normally
would. Instead, he was just standing there, glaring at her with that same mix of irritation
and—if she was being honest—amusement.
"You're impossible," Levi muttered, his eyes narrowing as he shook his head.
Aria beamed, her confidence fully restored now. "I know. And you love it."
For a moment, Levi didn't say anything, just stared at her with that familiar, unimpressed
expression. But there was something softer in his gaze now, something that told her she
wasn't wrong. He might never admit it out loud, but she had him. And they both knew it.
"You're going to drive me crazy," Levi finally said, though his tone was quieter now,
almost resigned.
Aria grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "Good. Then I'm doing my job."
Levi shook his head again, but this time, there was a faint smirk tugging at the corner of
his lips—just for a second, just long enough for Aria to catch it. And that was all the
confirmation she needed.
Without another word, she leaned in and kissed him again, soft but insistent, her lips
pressing against his with all the confidence of someone who knew they had already
won. Levi didn't hesitate this time. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her
closer as he deepened the kiss, the tension between them melting away as the fire
crackled behind them.
When they finally pulled apart, Aria was still grinning, her eyes gleaming with triumph.
"Told you," she whispered, her voice full of that same teasing edge.
Levi just rolled his eyes, though there was a faint smirk on his lips now. "You're lucky
you're cute," he muttered, his voice softer than usual.
Aria's grin widened even further. "I know. And you're lucky you finally gave in."
Levi huffed, his arms still wrapped around her. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get used to it."
But Aria wasn't listening. She just pressed her forehead against his, her smile softening
as she whispered, "You'll give in again. I promise."
Levi didn't argue.
For now, the moment was theirs.
But Aria's grin was practically glowing under the moonlight, her lavender eyes sparkling
with triumph. She had done the impossible—she had gotten Captain Levi Ackerman,
Humanity's Strongest Soldier, to fall for her . Her heart fluttered with excitement, and the
realization of her victory sent her already massive ego soaring sky high.
The kiss, the way Levi had finally let down his walls, the way he had held her close—it
was all the confirmation she needed. She had cracked the stoic, stone-faced Captain,
and now there was no going back. Aria felt a surge of pride, the kind that came from
achieving something no one else had been able to do.
With a playful glint in her eyes, Aria stepped back slightly, still close enough to keep her
arms wrapped loosely around his neck. "Well, Captain," she said, her voice dripping
with smug satisfaction, "I have to say, I didn't think it'd take you this long to fall for me.
But I knew it would happen eventually."
Levi's eyes narrowed slightly, though the corners of his lips twitched in the faintest hint
of a smile. "I didn't fall for you.," he muttered, though his tone was softer than usual.
Aria leaned in, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "And yet, here you are, kissing
me," she said, her lips brushing against his as she spoke.
Levi huffed, clearly trying to keep his composure, but Aria could feel the way his hands
still rested on her waist, not pulling away. "You never let up, do you?"
"Not when I'm winning," Aria quipped, flashing him that same confident, cocky smile.
She knew she had him, and there was no hiding it now. She could feel the warmth of his
body pressed against hers, the way his guard had finally dropped, and she wasn't about
to waste this opportunity.
Levi's eyes narrowed. She was getting back to her usual arrogant self.
"Don't get too cocky," Levi deadpanned. "I'm still not yours."
"Not yet," Aria grinned up at him undeterred.
Suddenly, just as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the beach, another
group of men—local fishermen, from the looks of them—appeared over the dunes. They
had likely come to check their boats or gather supplies from the nearby docks. But the
moment they laid eyes on Aria, all other thoughts seemed to leave their minds.
The fishermen stopped dead in their tracks, eyes wide and mouths slightly agape. Aria,
still lounging on her rock with the glowing ocean behind her, was impossible to ignore.
Her lavender hair shimmered in the fading light, her skin radiant, and her eyes gleaming
with the kind of beauty that was impossible for anyone to overlook. It was as if she was
a goddess emerging from the sea, her presence intoxicating and magnetic.
The men, utterly captivated, began murmuring among themselves, their awe apparent.
They had never seen anything like Aria before—her hair, her eyes, her entire
appearance was beyond anything they could comprehend. They hesitated, clearly
wanting to approach her but unsure if they should.
One of the bolder men finally stepped forward, his voice shaky with reverence. "Are
you… real?" he asked, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You're the most beautiful thing I've
ever seen."
Aria's lips curled into a playful smile, her lavender eyes gleaming as she tilted her head
slightly, clearly amused by the attention. "Real enough," she replied, her voice smooth
and teasing, as if she were enjoying every second of their adoration.
The men fell deeper under her spell with every word she spoke, their eyes never leaving
her. Another one stepped forward, nervously wringing his hands. "Where… where do
you come from?" he stammered, clearly enthralled.
Levi, who had been watching from a distance, felt a surge of irritation flare up inside
him. Not again with this foolishness. He thought annoyed. His fingers twitched slightly,
the muscles in his jaw tightening as he tried to push down the annoyance that was
building in his chest. He wasn't sure what bothered him more—the fact that these men
were gawking at Aria like she was some kind of mythical creature, or the fact that he
was actually a little jealous.
He scowled, turning his gaze away from the scene in front of him, trying to focus on
something else—anything else. But he couldn't escape the fact that, seeing those men
fawn over Aria was making his blood boil.
Aria, sensing Levi's frustration, glanced over at him, her eyes gleaming with mischief as
she turned her attention back to the men. "I come from the sea," she said softly, her
voice low and seductive. "And I'm just here to enjoy the view."
The men practically tripped over themselves, their awe turning into a desperate need to
be closer to her, to speak with her, to bask in her presence. One of them even reached
out, as if he could touch her, though he stopped short, clearly unsure if he should.
Levi's fists clenched at his sides, his patience wearing thin as he watched the scene
unfold. He wasn't sure what annoyed him more—Aria's obvious enjoyment of the
attention or the fact that she seemed to be ignoring him entirely, focusing only on the
group of fishermen who were too stupid to know what they were dealing with.
He hated the feeling bubbling up inside him. Jealousy. It gnawed at him, a bitter,
uncomfortable emotion that he didn't know how to handle. Levi Ackerman was not the
kind of man who got jealous. He wasn't the kind of man who let emotions get the better
of him. But seeing those men look at Aria like she was some kind of treasure they could
claim—seeing the way she entertained them with that teasing smile—it was enough to
make him want to snap.
Why should he care? Why should it matter? She was just a siren, and he wasn't like he
officially agreed to become her mate.
And yet, here he was. Irritated. Jealous. Irritated that he was even jealous in the first
place.
Aria glanced at him again, this time with a knowing smile, her eyes flicking back to the
men as she spoke in that low, melodic voice. "I appreciate your attention, truly," she
said, her tone dripping with amusement. "But I belong to the sea."
The men were undeterred, still staring at her with wide eyes, their awe deepening. "Can
we… can we see you again?" one of them asked, his voice hopeful, like he was
speaking to a deity.
Levi had enough. His irritation finally spilled over, and he stood up abruptly, his voice
cutting through the moment like a blade. "That's enough," he snapped, his tone sharp
and commanding.
The fishermen flinched, startled by Levi's sudden outburst. They turned to look at him,
their awe shifting into nervousness as they recognized who he was. "C-Captain Levi,"
one of them stammered, clearly taken aback. "We didn't mean any harm, we were
just—"
"I said that's enough," Levi repeated, his eyes hard as he glared at them. "Get out of
here. Now."
The men hesitated for only a moment before they quickly backed away, casting one last
glance at Aria before scurrying off down the beach, murmuring to themselves in
confusion.
Aria watched them go, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she slowly turned her gaze
back to Levi, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. She could sense the jealousy
radiating off him, and she clearly enjoyed it.
"Well, well," Aria said softly, her voice dripping with amusement as she stood up and
sauntered toward him, her movements fluid and graceful. "Are you jealous, Captain?"
Levi's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "No," he muttered, though the word sounded
unconvincing even to him.
Aria let out a soft, teasing laugh, stopping just a few feet away from him, her lavender
eyes never leaving his. "Liar," she whispered, her voice low and seductive. "You can
pretend all you want, but I can see it. You didn't like them looking at me, did you?"
Levi's fists tightened, his frustration mounting. "I don't care what you do," he said, his
voice clipped. "But they don't know what you are. They don't know you're dangerous."
Aria raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by his response. "Dangerous? Is that what
this is about?" she teased, stepping even closer. "Or are you just mad that you're not
the one I'm giving my attention to?"
Levi's patience snapped. "I'm not like those idiots," he said, his voice low and
dangerous. "I'm not falling for your games."
Aria's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of challenge and satisfaction.
"Oh, Levi," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with confidence. "You're already
playing."
Levi's jaw clenched, but he didn't respond. He hated how she got under his skin, how
she could make him feel things he didn't want to feel. But as much as he tried to deny it,
Aria had him wrapped up in her spell.
And that, more than anything, pissed him off.
Aria stood there, her lavender eyes shimmering with amusement as she took in Levi's
clenched jaw and stiff posture. The flicker of frustration in his eyes didn't go unnoticed,
and it only encouraged her further. She tilted her head, the teasing smile never leaving
her lips, her confidence radiating with every word she spoke.
"Come on, Levi," Aria purred, her voice a mix of playfulness and taunting, "just admit it.
You didn't like seeing all those men falling over themselves for me. You're jealous. I can
feel it."
Levi's glare darkened, his fists tightening at his sides as he tried to keep his cool. His
voice was low, strained with controlled anger. "I told you, I'm not jealous."
Aria let out a soft, melodic laugh, stepping even closer, her bare feet sinking slightly into
the sand as she crossed the space between them. She wasn't intimidated by him in the
slightest. In fact, his resistance only seemed to amuse her more. "Oh, but you are," she
whispered, her voice dripping with confidence. "You can pretend all you want, but it's
obvious."
She gave him a knowing smirk, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You hate that I can
get under your skin. You hate that I make you feel something."
Levi's patience was wearing thin, and he could feel the tension in his muscles building.
He wasn't the type to let people get to him, but Aria… Aria was relentless, and worse,
she was right. She was getting under his skin. The way she moved, the way she spoke,
the constant teasing—it was driving him insane.
Aria seemed to sense his growing frustration, and instead of backing off, she pushed
further, her smirk widening. "It must be so frustrating for you, Captain," she continued,
her tone laced with mock sympathy. "Being so disciplined, so in control, and then here I
am… making you feel all these things you don't want to feel."
Levi's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch your mouth, Aria."
But Aria only chuckled, her confidence unwavering as she crossed her arms, clearly
enjoying every second of this. "Or what?" she teased, her voice dropping to a lower,
sultrier tone. "What are you going to do, Captain? You can't get rid of me. You can't
ignore me. I'm always going to be here, making you feel… everything."
That was it. Levi had reached his limit.
In a swift movement, Levi grabbed Aria by the wrist, pulling her closer to him in a way
that left little room between them. His grip was firm, but not painful, and the look in his
eyes was pure fire. Aria's eyes widened slightly, surprised by the sudden contact, but
she didn't pull away. Instead, her smirk deepened, clearly thrilled by the reaction she
had provoked.
"You think this is a game?" Levi growled, his voice low and dangerous as he leaned in,
his face just inches from hers. "You think you can keep pushing me like this?"
Aria's heart raced, but she held her ground, her smile never faltering. If anything, she
seemed even more emboldened by his proximity, by the intensity in his eyes. "Maybe it
is a game," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with challenge. "And maybe you're
finally ready to play."
Levi's grip on her wrist tightened for just a moment, his frustration clear. He was sick
and tired of this—sick of the constant teasing, the smirking, the way she always
managed to crawl under his skin no matter how hard he tried to shut her out.
"Enough," he snarled, his voice rough with irritation.
Aria tilted her head, her lavender eyes locking onto his as she leaned in slightly, her
voice barely above a whisper. "Make me stop, then."
The challenge in her words was the last straw.
Levi's other hand shot up, grabbing her by the chin, forcing her to look directly into his
eyes. "You want to test me, Aria?" he muttered, his voice dark and filled with a barely
contained edge. "You're pushing your luck."
Aria's breath hitched, but her smirk remained. She was thrilled by this new side of
him—the intensity, the anger, the way he wasn't holding back anymore. She loved it.
She loved him like this. "Maybe I like pushing my luck," she whispered, her voice soft
but defiant.
Levi's grip tightened just enough to show he wasn't playing around, his eyes burning
with frustration and something else, something darker. He hated how she made him
feel—this raw, uncontrolled desire, this need to break through the walls he'd carefully
built. But she wasn't backing down, and something inside him snapped.
"You're a real pain, you know that?" Levi muttered, his voice low but filled with an edge
that made Aria's heart race.
Aria's smile widened, her breath warm against his skin as she leaned in just a little
closer. "And yet, here you are," she whispered, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Still
holding on to me."
Levi's jaw clenched, the tension between them palpable. He was done pretending, done
letting her walk all over him with that cocky attitude and teasing smile. If she wanted a
reaction, she had it. And from the look in her eyes, she was loving every second of it.
But for Levi, this was far from a game.
"You're not winning this," he muttered through gritted teeth, his grip still firm as he held
her close. But even as he said the words, he knew they weren't entirely true. Aria was
already under his skin. And no matter how much he fought it, she was winning.
And that realization only pissed him off more.
Aria, sensing his inner struggle, gave him one last teasing smile, her voice a soft,
almost mocking whisper. "We'll see about that, Captain."
Her lavender eyes sparkled with mischief as she felt Levi's grip tighten around her wrist.
She knew she had him right where she wanted him, right on the edge of his self-control.
The frustration in his eyes, the tension in his posture—it was everything she had been
working toward. Levi Ackerman, always so composed, so in control, was now just a step
away from breaking.
And she wasn't going to stop now.
Aria leaned in slowly, the distance between them shrinking until her lips were just a
breath away from his. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the intensity in his
gaze locked onto hers. Her heart raced, but it wasn't fear—it was excitement. She was
toying with fire, and it thrilled her.
"You're so close, Levi," she whispered, her voice soft and teasing, her lips barely
brushing his as she spoke. "I can feel it."
Levi's jaw tightened, his breath coming in short, controlled bursts. His grip on her wrist
remained firm, his other hand still holding her chin, forcing her to stay in place. He was
caught between wanting to push her away and pull her closer, and it was driving him
mad. The flicker of desire in his eyes clashed with the frustration that burned just
beneath the surface.
Aria, sensing that tension, leaned in a little closer, her lips grazing his in the barest of
touches before she pulled back slightly, just enough to keep the tension thick between
them. It was a tease—a cruel, deliberate tease. She could feel his breath hitch, the
barely restrained energy between them crackling like a live wire.
Levi's eyes darkened, his patience wearing dangerously thin. "You think this is funny?"
he growled, his voice rough and low, edged with something deeper, something primal.
Aria smirked, her lips curling up as she kept her face close to his, her voice a low,
seductive whisper. "Maybe it is," she breathed, her lips brushing against his again, just
enough to send a jolt through him.
Levi's grip on her wrist tightened, and for a brief moment, it felt like he might finally
snap. His breath was shallow, and the frustration that had been simmering inside him
was now reaching its boiling point. Aria had pushed him to his limit, and she knew it.
But she wasn't finished yet.
Aria leaned in once more, her lips hovering just over his, close enough that he could
feel her breath on his skin. This time, she let her lips linger for just a moment longer, the
softness of the touch sending a spark of electricity through the air between them. But
before he could respond, before he could close the gap, she pulled back again, her
eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"See?" Aria whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with triumph. "You're already
mine, Levi. You just won't admit it."
Levi's grip tightened further, his frustration now bubbling over into something more
heated, something he didn't want to acknowledge but couldn't deny. She had him
cornered, and the worst part? She knew it.
"You're playing a dangerous game," Levi muttered, his voice rough as his eyes burned
with a mixture of anger and something else, something he didn't want to name.
Aria didn't flinch. Instead, she leaned in again, her lips brushing against his one more
time, just enough to send a shockwave through him, and then she pulled back with a
smug, teasing grin. "Maybe I like dangerous games," she whispered, her voice dripping
with confidence.
Levi's restraint was unraveling, thread by thread. His breath was heavier, his eyes dark
and intense as he stared her down, trying to regain control over his body, over the
situation. But Aria wasn't letting him off easy. She was right—he was close to breaking,
and she was pushing him right to the edge.
Levi's hand, still on her wrist, pulled her closer again, his grip firm but careful. His voice
was low, strained, as he finally responded. "You've made your point," he muttered
through gritted teeth.
But Aria only smiled, leaning in so that their foreheads nearly touched. "Oh, Levi," she
whispered, her voice soft and taunting, "I'm just getting started."
With that, she closed the distance once more, her lips brushing his in the lightest, most
tantalizing kiss again before pulling back just as quickly, leaving Levi's head spinning,
the frustration and desire warring within him.
Aria pulled back slightly, her smirk wider than ever, clearly pleased with herself. Levi's
eyes followed her, dark and dangerous, but he was holding on—just barely.
And Aria knew it. She had him right where she wanted him.
Levi's grip tightened, his knuckles white as he held Aria's wrist. Her teasing, that
constant, smug smile—it was all too much. She had been pushing him, prodding at
every wall he had put up, and now, with her lips brushing against his one too many
times, he was done holding back.
His breath hitched, the heat rising in his chest as he stared her down. Aria's lavender
eyes sparkled with triumph, knowing she had him cornered, knowing exactly how close
he was to losing control.
And then, Levi snapped.
Without another word, without any warning, Levi pulled her in with one sharp
movement, his hand slipping from her wrist to her waist as he crushed his lips against
hers. The tension that had been building between them for days, weeks, seemed to
explode all at once in that moment. This kiss wasn't like their first kiss that was soft,
slow and gentle. Not this kiss was charged, fierce, intense, and filled with every bit of
frustration and desire that he had been trying to keep bottled up.
Aria's eyes widened in surprise for a split second before they fluttered closed, a soft,
satisfied hum escaping her lips as she melted into the kiss. She had won, and she knew
it. But this—this was even better than she had imagined. Levi's kiss was rough,
demanding, filled with a raw energy that sent shivers through her entire body.
Levi didn't hold back anymore. His hand tangled in her lavender hair, pulling her closer,
deeper into the kiss. Every ounce of self-control he had prided himself on was gone,
replaced by the overwhelming need to claim her, to make her stop pushing and teasing
and just give in. The constant tension between them had ignited into something far
more intense, and Levi was done pretending it wasn't there.
Aria responded eagerly, her hands gripping the fabric of his shirt as she pressed herself
against him, matching his intensity with her own. She had been waiting for this—for him
to finally let go, to finally let himself feel the way she knew he wanted to. And now that
he had, she wasn't about to stop.
Levi broke the kiss only long enough to catch his breath, his forehead pressed against
hers as he stared into her eyes, his voice low and rough. "You're a real pain in my ass,"
he muttered, his breath warm against her lips.
Aria smirked, her voice a teasing whisper. "You didn't seem to mind just now."
Levi's grip on her waist tightened as he kissed her again, this time slower, but no less
intense. His hands roamed her back, pulling her even closer, as if he couldn't get
enough of her. The frustration that had built between them had now transformed into
something far more dangerous—desire, raw and undeniable.
Aria's heart raced, her entire body buzzing with the energy between them. She had
pushed Levi to the edge, and now he was showing her exactly what happened when he
broke. It was exhilarating, overwhelming, and exactly what she had wanted.
Levi pulled back again, just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes dark and serious. "You're
mine now," he growled, his voice low and possessive, the words spilling out before he
could stop them.
Aria's smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Oh, Levi," she whispered,
her tone dripping with confidence. "I've been yours from the start."
Her words only fueled the fire burning inside him. Without thinking, Levi swept her up,
his arms strong and sure as he carried her back toward the tent, away from the prying
eyes of anyone who might stumble upon them. His steps were quick, filled with a
determination that matched the hunger in his eyes.
Aria wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips grazing his ear as she whispered,
"Finally letting yourself feel something, Captain?"
Levi didn't respond, but the way his jaw tightened and the dark look in his eyes said
enough. He didn't want to talk anymore. He had spent too long thinking, too long
resisting what he clearly wanted. And now, with Aria wrapped around him, her lips
teasing his skin, he wasn't holding back.
Once inside the tent, Levi set her down, his hands still gripping her waist as he looked
down at her, his expression unreadable but intense. Aria's smirk remained, though her
breath was heavier now, her own desire matching his.
Levi leaned in again, his lips hovering over hers, his voice a low growl. "You're not going
to win this."
Aria's eyes sparkled with mischief as she reached up, her fingers brushing along his
jawline. "I already have."
And with that, Levi kissed her again, his hands roaming her body as he gave in
completely, the tension between them finally finding its release.
They had both lost. And won.
Levi's lips moved feverishly against Aria's, his hands gripping her hips with an intensity
that neither of them could deny anymore. The air between them crackled with heat, the
tent suddenly feeling too small, too suffocating, for the fire building between them. Aria's
hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, their bodies pressed together as if the
space between them wasn't nearly enough.
But just as things were moving faster—Levi's lips trailing down her neck, his breath hot
against her skin—Aria let out a soft gasp, her fingers tightening in his hair as she pulled
back, though it was clear she didn't want to.
"Levi," she whispered, her voice breathless, her lavender eyes wide and glowing with
desire. "Wait, we… we have to stop."
Levi froze, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. His grip on her waist
loosened slightly, though the frustration was evident in the way his jaw clenched. "What
are you talking about?" he muttered, his voice rough and strained.
Aria swallowed hard, her heart still racing as she looked up at him. She could feel every
inch of her body screaming to continue, to give in to the desire coursing between them,
but she knew what it would mean if they didn't stop now. "If we keep going… if we have
sex…" She paused, biting her lip as she tried to steady her breath. "We'll officially bond.
The mating process will start."
Levi's brow furrowed, confusion mingling with the desire still burning in his eyes. "And?"
Aria sighed, her hand resting on his chest as if to hold him back, though her touch only
seemed to make things more intense. "Once we start, Levi… we won't be able to stop.
It's… the siren honeymoon. We'll be insatiable for each other, constantly needing to be
together. It won't just be one night—it'll be days, two weeks."
Levi's grip on her waist tightened again, his eyes darkening at the thought. His voice
was low, rough with desire and frustration. "And that's a bad thing?"
Aria laughed softly, though it was tinged with her own frustration. "Not bad… just
intense." She met his gaze, her eyes softening slightly as she explained. "We need
privacy for that. We need my moonpool. Because once we start, we won't be able to
stop until the bond is fully formed, until all my power is transferred to you."
Levi stared at her for a long moment, his breath still heavy as he processed her words.
His mind raced, torn between the burning desire he felt for her in that moment and the
weight of what she was saying. The idea of being locked in something so deep, so
consuming, with her—it was overwhelming, and yet…
He didn't want to stop.
His fingers brushed against her skin, his voice rough as he finally spoke. "Why wait,
then?"
Aria's breath hitched, and for a moment, she was tempted to give in completely. She
wanted him—God, she wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anything. But she
knew they couldn't do this here, not like this.
She shook her head slightly, her hand sliding up to cup his cheek. "Because," she
whispered, her voice soft but firm, "when we do this… I want it to be right. I want it to be
somewhere we can let go, where we don't have to hold back."
Levi's eyes searched hers, the frustration evident in the tightness of his jaw, but he
didn't argue. He could feel it too—the intensity of what was between them. He wasn't
one to lose control, but with Aria, everything felt different. Everything felt like it was
teetering on the edge of something he couldn't quite name.
Finally, he let out a low sigh, his grip on her loosening slightly, though he still didn't let
her go. "So, your moonpool, huh?" he muttered, his voice gruff but laced with a hint of
amusement.
Aria smiled, her thumb brushing gently across his cheek. "Yeah," she whispered. "That's
where we'll go. But we need time, privacy. Because once we start… there's no going
back."
Levi stared at her for another long moment, the weight of her words sinking in. He had
never been one to back down from a challenge, and this—what was between them—felt
like something more than just desire. It felt like a bond, a connection that went far
deeper than either of them had anticipated.
He leaned down, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to her lips, his voice low and rough as
he pulled back just enough to whisper, "Then take me there. When you're ready."
Aria's heart raced, her breath catching in her throat at his words. She nodded slowly,
her fingers tangling in his hair again as she whispered back, "We'll go soon."
Levi nodded as he leaned down to capture her lips into another passionate kiss. For
now, they would have to wait. But the fire between them hadn't dimmed—it had only just
begun to burn. Even though they knew they should leave to the moonpool.
They sat there, both breathless as they kissed, neither of them moving. The fire
between them hadn't cooled; it was still burning hot, consuming them in every glance,
every touch. They kept saying they would stop, that they would head to Aria's moonpool
where they could finally give in to the full intensity of their bond, but neither of them
made a move.
Aria's lips were still swollen from Levi's kisses, her lavender hair tangled in his fingers.
She was perched in his lap, her hands resting on his chest, fingers absently trailing the
fabric of his shirt as she leaned into him, her forehead resting against his. Levi's breath
was uneven, his heart still racing from the closeness they had shared, his hands
gripping her waist as if he couldn't bring himself to let go.
"We should go," Levi muttered, his voice low and strained, though his hands tightened
around her hips instead of moving away.
Aria chuckled softly, her breath warm against his skin. "Yeah… we really should."
But neither of them moved. The tension between them was thick, the weight of
everything they wanted to do lingering in the air. Aria's fingers brushed along his jaw,
her eyes gleaming with the same desire she had shown him since the beginning. She
was trying to stay composed, trying to remember that they couldn't start here, not now.
But it was so hard to pull away, especially when Levi was right there, his dark eyes
locked onto hers, his grip on her firm and unyielding.
"Any second now," Aria whispered, her lips curling into a teasing smile as she brushed a
soft kiss against his neck.
Levi's breath hitched, his grip tightening involuntarily. "Aria, stop playing games," he
growled, though there was no real force behind the words. He wanted her to stop, but at
the same time… he didn't.
Aria laughed again, the sound soft and playful as she leaned in, her lips hovering just
over his. "I'm not playing games, Levi. I'm just… savoring the moment."
Levi groaned softly, his fingers digging into her waist as he tried to steady his breath.
"We're supposed to be going."
"I know," Aria whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But why rush?"
Levi was about to respond, but before he could say anything, the sound of footsteps
approaching the tent made them both freeze.
"Levi? Aria?" Hange's voice called out, her tone filled with her usual mix of curiosity and
amusement.
Aria and Levi's eyes widened in unison as the tent flap was suddenly pulled back,
revealing Hange standing in the doorway with Sasha right behind her. The two women
stopped dead in their tracks, staring at the scene before them—Aria perched on Levi's
lap, her hands still resting on his chest, his gripping her waist tightly,
their faces inches
apart, clearly in the middle of something… intimate.
Hange's eyes gleamed with a mixture of surprise and delight, while Sasha's face
immediately turned bright red.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Hange teased, her voice filled with barely contained
glee as she leaned against the tent frame, crossing her arms. "Looks like I interrupted
something very interesting."
Levi tensed, his hands still on Aria's hips as he shot Hange a deadly glare. "Get out," he
muttered through gritted teeth, his voice sharp.
Hange, however, was having none of it. She grinned wider, clearly enjoying the situation
far too much. "Oh, come on, Levi! No need to be shy. It's perfectly normal, you know.
Siren mating rituals, bonding… all very natural!"
Aria, meanwhile, was stifling a laugh, though her cheeks were flushed with
embarrassment. She hadn't expected to get caught so easily, but seeing Levi's
frustration only made the situation more amusing.
Sasha, still standing awkwardly behind Hange, cleared her throat, trying to break the
tension. "Uh, I didn't… I mean, I didn't know you two were… uh…"
Levi's frustration boiled over as he carefully pushed Aria off his lap, standing up quickly.
"I said get out," he snapped, his voice low and dangerous, though the redness creeping
up his neck betrayed just how flustered he really was.
Hange raised her hands in mock surrender, though her grin never faltered. "Alright,
alright! I'll leave you two lovebirds to it. But don't think this is the end of this
conversation, Levi. I'll want details later. For research purposes, of course."
Sasha quickly grabbed Hange by the arm, pulling her back toward the exit. "We should
really go, Hange! Leave them alone!"
As the two of them left the tent, their laughter echoing in the distance, Levi stood there,
his hands clenched into fists as he stared at the tent flap, his frustration evident. He
could feel Aria's gaze on him, her amusement clear in the way she was biting back a
grin.
"You okay, Captain?" Aria teased, her voice soft but filled with humor as she stood up
and crossed her arms, watching him closely.
Levi let out a low growl, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "That was… a
disaster."
Aria chuckled softly, stepping closer to him and placing a hand on his chest. "It could've
been worse," she said, her voice teasing. "They could have caught us five minutes
later."
Levi shot her a glare, though there was no real anger behind it. "Let's go before anyone
else shows up."
Aria smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned in and kissed him softly on
the cheek. "After you, Captain."
And this time, they actually moved.