"Levi?" You called out, trusting your voice to sound warm but it sounded clipped to your ears. He craned his neck down, to your direction, waiting with patience to be out with it, whatever it was you felt compelled to say.
"I just… I wanna say thank you for believing in me. For trusting me, protecting me and always looking out for me." And that was what came out. Not bad. It was honest and sincere, you do feel grateful.
And he grew very, very still.
His jaw tightened, as if suppressing something he shouldn't do, but did it anyway.
His lips felt dry and chapped, yet you eased to accept him at the warmth and innate softness that came from his gentle, yet earnest press.
Impulsive. That was the first word that came to best described this kiss and you couldn't think of anything else. In fact, you were thinking very little, moving a lot less, while his lips— his entire length curved towards you and yearned to never let you go.
And you'd like to imagine how it felt for him. That his tensed body pressing against yours expressed how much he wanted you with such intensity it buckled his knees.
His hand was calloused and cold and firm against the soft curve of your cheek, and you found yourself wanting to hold that hand, hooking your fingers in the spaces. He unceremoniously raked the tendrils of hair that used to frame your face, feeling its bristly texture against your jaw while he used his thumb to gently pull the bottom corner of your mouth to part it a little.
This gentle press against your lips may have started from the spur of the moment— of passion and desire, and yet his growing insistence as he nipped the corners of your mouth; the way he angled his bottom lip between yours to taste more of your sweet-bitter essence... The longer this continued, the clearer it got. It was Levi losing control. He was supposed to be a man of discipline— it was what got him this far and then you happened to choose the right words to crumble his walls brick by brick; the very walls he prided himself to be strong enough to contain the dam of emotions budding and growing at every glance, at every moment together.
And all it took was a single drop of your rain.
You found yourself leaning towards him, eager to give him more, raking your fingers at the pleasantly rough texture of his undercut, thrilled that you caused his arousal, basking at the comfort of his body heat. Then Levi abruptly pulled back, his eyelashes fluttered as if… as if he himself was confused that he did what he just did and the answer could be found on the steel toes of your boots.
Silence called his name with the way you peered at him under your lashes, and you were glad to find his gray eyes— turning green-ish when reflected in the orange sunlight, staring back at you.
You've seen him up close, but it was the first time you've seen the amber flecks in the center of his eyes.
"We should…" He whispered, though sounding strangled. His hand slowly uncupped your face but swiftly set it on his side, as if touching you was a mistake. "We should keep going, I think..." He gulped, "I think they'll…"
"O-Of course," You replied rather quickly, feeling your gut sink at the slight hesitation in his voice. Was he regretful he kissed you? Dismayed? Was it not what he was expecting?
You were now aware that he was close— so close that you could see the highs and lows of his chest as he struggled to manage to keep his breathing even and stable, and that he radiated heat on his ears while his hand felt the opposite. He felt it too, you were sure of it. The same, electrifying feeling that settled in your belly and rippled to your fingertips. Otherwise Levi wouldn't look this shaken, consumed, frustrated that that was all there was.
"Yes…" That like you, he wanted more.
His knuckles brushed against yours one last time before Levi let you go, leaving you rooted, intoxicated and for the first time, confused enough to ponder if it ever happened at all.
You found your fingers lightly brushing your swollen lips, relishing the lingering weight of his kisses and at once, you were sure it did. It happened, and you craved to dignify the feeling with a name.
You love… Levi. You didn't know when it came to be, or how many decisions it took to get where you are— just that, you have undoubtedly, faithfully, unconditionally and wholeheartedly fallen in love with him.
And just when the feelings started to dance in your chest, they died when your mind began to work. You wanted to leave this place, didn't you?
"How about the terrain," Levi asked Dimo Reeves as your captain leaned his weight on his hands by the table. The group huddled together, circling all spaces and edges, a map splayed on the table. "Lots of trees?"
"Pine trees." Reeves responded, lighting a cigarette and sucking a ball of poison. "Tall, but not branchy. It might not be able to support your weight when you ride one of those." He nodded to gesture on Levi's gear.
Levi clicked his tongue and sighed. "Don't worry about that." He rejoined. He knew all of you were skilled at using the gear and Levi would retire if the Survey corps members couldn't master a basic requirement of the Legion.
Dimo Reeves stood upright to huff the first smoke. "And then, the road going to the mine is steep. Only one carriage could fit. There's an old mining tunnel there. We're supposed to leave these brats at the mouth and wait for them."
"We'll use the other route."
Soon, Levi walked everyone through the intended plan. Your chest swelled with fire as his plan began to sink in. With everyone on board it was only a matter of execution before Kenny's squad will be ambushed at the trade-off site, instead of them ambushing you in Trost. After all, who could anticipate such? Kenny, maybe, but the question was, will he? Considering he planned his ambush in Trost? And even if he did, will they be able to withstand Ymir's titan when the weapon of the Anti-personnel Control squad was built for killing people instead of titans?
You could pull this off, you knew you all could.
Now, there were two things Levi wanted from this operation. One, he wanted to know where the Reiss's cave might be, in case Miche's squad couldn't deliver the location as quickly and; two, he wanted to make sure the Reeves family would be safe.
If Reeves would be safe, then the Corps wouldn't need to be in hiding. You don't know how Erwin will be summoned in Mitras but if he's determined to set fire on the current regime, then one way or another, the genius commander will make his way.
"That awkward yet kind man. Being true to his word when he said he'll protect us when he doesn't really have to." This was Reeve's impression on Levi in the books. Yes, Levi came from nothing. Yes, he's scary at times, annoying at most. Rarely endearing, Frequently on edge and always hardworking.
And yet, Dimo's thoughts about him clapped in your head.
"But he's not a bad guy."
You almost slipped a smirk but pursed your lips instead, forcing yourself to focus on the task at hand. This won't do. You'll die if you don't pay attention to the plan.
Ymir and Levi were on the offense. Eld, Gunther and Olou on the defense.
"Phoebe, Petra." You flickered your eyes in Levi's direction, kinda disappointed that his tone was firm and strict when he's on captain mode. "You take the hostages and Reeves out. Use the same cart Reeves' put them in." He tapped at spot on the map, "If Nifa's right, there should be a river in this part of the mountains."
"Yes sir." Petra said. You nodded.
Levi stood upright, tightening his leather harness, clasping the last untangled buckle of his gear. The cracks of the windows let the warm glow of the sun outside, indicating the height of its reign. Particles of dust floated where light shone and yet, as quiet as the scene should've been, the sound of metal clashing against metal consumed the room, highlighting the restlessness of the moment as the group prepared for departure.
You inhaled the remainder of the food; chewing so unlady-like that your cheeks resembled a squirrel storing nuts on its mouth. Your hands remained busy checking the buckles of your gear. You needed to focus. Focus that you lightly slapped your cheeks to get there. Rifle was loaded, buckles were set, harness was tight and gas was full so your mind should be ready by now as well.
"I'm in your care missy," Dimo Reeves said as he approached you, stomping his cigarette butt on the floor. "If it comes it goes south…"
"It won't." You responded with a sheepish smile. "Sir Levi knows what he's doing."
"I hope." Reeves pocketed his hands. "But really, what more do I have to do if that means I can do business again in wall Maria?"
"Trusting us." You shrugged. "Nothing more."
"You seem to trust him so much." He said, his expression slowly turning sly. "You guys fucking?"
"Excuse me?" Your eyebrow shot on the roof. "Just so you know, I can leave you there to die."
"But that wasn't a bad idea, was it?" He continued to tease. Reeves snorted when you seemed to look like you were considering it— well you were considering it. Sometimes, or sometimes, for days. "I'm good at reading people. It's a merchant thing, you see." But you hummed dismissively to discourage him from delving deeper into the topic—
"Or that I saw something on the roof." You swore you broke your neck snapping him a glare.
"The horses are ready, sir." Eld greeted by the door. The scabbards and tanks pressed in your thighs clunked as you walked out. And one by one, you stepped into the daylight, the rhythmic trot of horses permeated the morning air.
MF fell in love after first kiss. Who the fck does that? Just kidding, hope you enjoyed this chapter. FF is having issues so I couldn't post anything. See yaa.