Karma didn't know how long she'd been sprawled on her bed, staining the fancy goosefeather pillows with black mascara and gold eyeshadow. She imagined Levi was still at the after party: Light conversation over pleasant refreshment, quiet murmurs about the girl who had sprinted through the exit doors in tears.

This was sure to stain her public image—it might even compromise the whole fake romance—unless Wickham was kind enough to tamper the rumors, which she imagined he was. Had the roles been reversed and she had been professing her love to Wickham, he surely would have chased after her. Would've kissed her on the spot. There would have been applause and champagne bubbles.

But not Levi.

She'd loved Wickham before, maybe she could do it again. Her music program was just two weeks away, and there would be ample time to forget about Levi while being taught by the most beautiful piano teacher to exist. She could forget the almost-kiss. Forget the hug and conversations over tea. Forget it all.

Perhaps this is what happened between him and the Scouts. One look at that photo and she knew they shared everything together. Their meals and laughter. Their fears and desires. Did he mock their laughter? Dismiss those fears?

As if summoned, his knuckle rapped on her door. It was gentle, as if it hoped not to be heard. Karma wanted to tell him to go away and leave her to stew in her hurt and anger, but her tongue wouldn't move.

Taking her silence as an invitation, Levi rolled into the room. He was still in his nice concert attire. He moved closer, into the light of her nightstand lamp. His sudden presence made the dress feel tight around her chest.

"You mind?" He pointed to the bed.

Wordlessly, Karma scooted over and watched him sit on the edge, his back to her. She could just make out his profile and tried unsuccessfully to read his expression, though it felt like he was building up to an apology. She was eager to spike it down.

"I would've come sooner, but I had to rectify the scene we caused." He drew a deep sigh, gathering his words. "I'm not good at expressing my emotions."

"No shit."

"Your song was beautiful. Music has never touched me like that before. That's what I should've said."

"It's alright. I'm used to your hostility by now." Karma studied the grooves of her knuckles. His profile was still visible in her peripheral. She watched him shake his head.

"Don't waste your love on me. You don't know the full story."

Karma's eyes darted up, mouth snapping shut. He had her full attention.

Levi paused, gnawing the inside of his cheek. "You're gonna fucking hate me." He cradled his face in both palms. Karma waited. Eventually, he raised his head. "Ever wonder why I don't drink wine?"

Karma didn't answer, not wanting to disrupt his momentum.

"During the war, we got a shipment of wine from Marley. Like the idiot that I am, I let my men drink it. There were thirty of us."

Karma choked down her questions. She could tell Levi was about to reveal something deeply personal. Maybe even sacred. The reason he believed himself undeserving of love. She wondered if this was the first time he'd recounted it.

Levi's knuckles paled. "Just our shit luck, the wine was tainted. They turned when Zeke screamed, but…"

Karma had heard about what happened when Eldians ingested Titan spinal fluid, but it seemed like a legend. Spinal fluid was mostly water.

"I killed them—I didn't even hesitate. They were my own men, and I killed them."

She kept her lips tight.

"I didn't drink the wine, but I still became a monster. Bullshit, huh?" He raked both hands through his gelled hair. "I caught Zeke and tied him up with a thunderspear. Didn't think shit-beard would be dumb enough to blow himself, but here we are." He gestured to his scar.

Karma had always craved to hear the story behind his iconic scar. She'd imagined a knife fight gone wrong or a Titan's claw. But this?

Karma's voice was small. "Why would that make me hate you?"

"Because I sliced the napes of thirty friends."

"Zeke killed them the second he poisoned that wine."

"I knew better than to trust Marley. I could've stopped them from drinking it."

"They don't blame you."

"You can't know that."

Karma closed her mouth. He was right. "Fine. You killed your friends. But that doesn't make you a monster, and I can prove it."

Levi angled his shoulders to face her, intrigued.

This would be the first time she'd ever told anyone. Not even Sage knew. Not even Granny Angie.

"It was during The Rumbling. You know how hellish that was." Tears leaked from her eyes, but her voice was steady. "I lost all of my family that day. One after another they fell. I kept running for that train, but it started leaving. It was overflowing with refugees. Some were clinging to the metal rods or dangling off the roof. Once I was close enough"—Karma paused and met Levi's eye. He was listening with intensity—"I climbed over a lady with red hair and kicked her off to make room for myself." The tears were rolling between her lips, making the words taste salty. "She looked like a ghost, sitting in the dirt staring at me. I think she had a son, too. I see her eyes every night."

Levi nodded, eyes softening to understanding. "Good," he said. "I'm glad you killed her."

Karma's jaw fell. "What?"

"If you needed to shove someone off a train to save yourself, then I'm glad you did it."

"Then I'm glad you killed your friends." She could tell from his scoff that he didn't believe her. But she had to try. "Is that why the Scouts hate you? Because you had to kill their comrades?"

"It didn't help my case, but no."

"Will you ever tell me what happened between all of you?"

"You'll have to ask them."

The way he said it gave Karma the impression that asking the Scouts was a dead end as well. She scrunched her lips. "Well, I think you should give wine a chance."

"That's your takeaway?"

"Wine is good. Don't punish yourself by abstaining." Karma held his gaze. "And your story doesn't change the way I feel."

Levi rubbed his neck. "I don't know how I feel," he said. "But I like it when you're around." He slid back into his wheelchair. "Goodnight, Karma."

The Riveting Romance Continues!

August 9th, Adalia May

Ackerman and Adornato are still going strong! Take a look at these two love birds enjoying sparkling conversation over glasses of wine…

My offer still stands.

Karma paused in her tracks and stared at the text. Her heart thudded in her chest like an allegro metronome. Why was he being so forward?

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. No, thank you, she tried to type the words but she couldn't. It was like her fingers disconnected from her brain. Why was she still holding on to Wickham? She knew she loved Levi, and yet, in the midst of his uncertainty, she couldn't help but keep this option open.

Groaning, she shut off her phone.

Just one week into music school and she was way in over her head. Classical Composition especially was tough. She looked forward to returning to the penthouse and sharing a cup of tea with Levi, watching Jean play on his cat tower.

But as she opened the penthouse door, she was greeted by an unexpected sight.

"Yelena?" Karma kicked off her flats and entered the living room. Levi was sitting on the couch and it took her a baffled moment to realize that his right leg was wrapped in a black boot instead of the white cast. With all the hecticness of music school, she had forgotten that today was the day his cast came off.

"It's about time," Yelena said.

"Sorry, my last class got out late." It was true, but she'd also spent a couple extra minutes talking with her favorite professor. The professor she used to daydream about, writing his name in big hearts with her own. The professor who very much wanted to take her out to dinner. Her phone was a stone in her pocket.

Yelena barely waited for Karma to cross the room before she delved in. "Mr. Ackerman is officially weight bearing, and you, Miss Karma, must get him back on his feet. ASAP. We want the tabloids to see the 'healing power of love,' or something to that effect."

"Um, okay—"

"Also, I've taken the liberty of packing your things, so you are free to return home."

"Oh." Right. The doctor's orders keeping her here were no longer in effect. She was so used to her routine at Marble Estates that she couldn't picture herself back home in Old Marley. And since Sage had moved in with Connie, she would be returning to an empty, crummy apartment. Assuming the lease hadn't expired.

"That'll be all. Don't forget, you're expected to make an appearance tomorrow…"

Karma stopped listening. There was no reason to make a fuss. Her feelings for Levi were the only things keeping her attached to this place. And she would still see him regularly to satiate the tabloids. Besides, he was probably itching to have silence and solitude once again. To be free of furballs and floating cat hair. This would be a good change.

Yelena left. Karma finally allowed herself to look at Levi. He was dressed with a cravat and waistcoat. His hair was slightly tousled. Properly handsome as always.

"Have you tried crutches before?" Karma asked him. Levi nodded.

"Once."

"Then why have I only ever seen you in a wheelchair?"

"The wheelchair is easier."

Karma squinted. "You'll be a lot more mobile on crutches."

"I've never needed mobility until recently."

Karma held the crutches out for him. He hoisted himself on his right leg with a wince and positioned the crutches under his armpits. He made quick progress, walking with minimal effort.

"You want to try the cane?" Karma asked.

"No, I don't want to fall like an idiot. I need support on both sides."

"Then I'll be your support."

Karma held his left arm while his right hand held the cane. Together, they made a slow circle around the living room. Then another. During the third circle, it struck her how close they were. His forearm grazed her chest. She could interlock their fingers. His hip was pressed against hers. Swallowing, she dared to look up at his face without him noticing. She caught sight of his infamous scar—which she now knew was from a thunderspear explosion.

The scar was one of his most striking features. It sliced his cupid's bow, subtly warping the shape of his upper lip. It cut through his right iris, discoloring it to a breathtaking hue of white and blue, like the surface of a frozen lake.

"What are you staring at?" Levi looked at her shrewdly, like he already knew the answer. Karma realized they'd stopped moving. Had she been so entranced that she forgot to walk?

"Sorry," she said. "It's just…you told me the story about your scar."

"It's an ugly wound."

"I don't think it's ugly." Her hand crept toward his face. "Could I touch it?"

Levi staggered back, nearly losing his balance. "No. Absolutely not."

"Sorry." She slipped her arm from the crook of his elbow and stepped back. "Well you seem to have the hang of walking. The tram will stop running soon so I should go."

"Wait."

Karma scooped up the bag Yelena had packed. "We can have joint custody of the cat, if that's what you're worried about."

"Come here."

Karma's heart sparkled at the words that she'd heard once before. When he'd invited her into his arms. The bag slipped off her shoulder and she took a hesitant step toward him. He was taller than she was, so it was strange to have to look up at him. She stopped within arm's reach. "What?"

"I get it. You're curious—same reason kids eat dirt." He closed the distance between them. "No one's touched my face since Hange stitched me up." Karma wasn't sure who Hange was, but now wasn't the time to ask because Levi took her wrist, guiding it toward him. She felt her heart kick, fingertips nearing the white gash cutting through his eye and cheek and lips.

Levi winced, preparing for the impact of her touch. But the tips of her dainty fingers were as light as pollen on his cheek. Those same fingers he had watched flit about the grayscale keys.

He had closed his eyes without meaning to.

"Thank you," Karma said, pulling away.

Levi pretended to study the carved handle of the cane, willing his skin to stop tingling along the path of her fingers. "Don't get used to it."

That candor shield of his was familiar to Karma. Rather than scaring her off, it made her smile. "Thank you, really."

"Didn't do it for your praise."

"Well you're getting it anyway."

"Tch." Levi extended his elbow. "Come on. One more loop."

"Actually, there's something else I want to try." Karma didn't wait for permission as she faced Levi and guided his free arm to her waist.

"What is this?" Levi said, stumbling to follow her swaying steps.

"Dancing." She broke away for a twirl then landed back in his grip. She secured her arms around his neck. "Don't tell me you've never danced before."

"Isn't there usually music?"

Karma fished out her phone to play a song.

How about tonight?

She swiped the text aside before Levi could see and fumbled through her apps to find music. She'd forgotten all about Wickham. But now wasn't the time to think about keeping her romantic options open. She was dancing with Levi.

Karma slipped her arms back around his neck and swayed to the slow melody, realizing too late that it was a ballad by Wickham Moriano. She shook off the thought and enjoyed the dance. Two more instrumental songs played when Karma noticed the clock. It was nearing 8pm.

"I do need to leave soon. The trams are gonna stop running," she said, though there was no urgency in her tone.

Levi's left hand tightened on her waist, compelling her to stay and finish the song. She was nearly pressed against his chest. The buttons of his waistcoat brushed her shirt. His cologne was sweet with notes of grapefruit and sage. It would be so easy to kiss him from here—just a slight tiptoe and their lips would connect.

He must have been thinking the same thing because their dancing slowed to a stop. There was an intense silence between them. The hand on her waist moved up to her neck, just like it had at the movie theater and when she knelt in front of his wheelchair. All of the almost kisses.

"Karma." He said her name like a content exhale. Like the release of those syllables off his tongue filled him with pleasure. His lips were almost touching hers. She could count his eyelashes. "Stay." The word kissed her lips.

"Okay," she whispered, eyes fluttering shut. "I'll stay tonight."

"Not just tonight." His thumb rolled in small, slow circles against her cheek. "I like when you're around—I like you."

"I like you." Karma felt her heart gaining momentum. Soon, it would crash through her ribcage. "I love you."

Levi inched back, letting his hand slide from her neck.

"You should unpack," he said, stepping away. "I'll see you around midnight."

Karma laid wide awake in her bed. Stay. It was the most beautiful word ever spoken to her. It almost felt like a confession. Like Levi was conveying his true feelings the only way he could: indirectly. And if Karma had interpreted correctly, they mirrored her own.

He had thought about kissing her too. She couldn't have been the only one. But in her estimations, Levi wasn't ready to accept and reciprocate love. That was okay—she knew he felt something. She could wait.

Pulling out her phone, she typed her response.

Thanks for the offer, but no thank you.

Send.