By the time this chapter is uploaded, I have already revised Chapter 1 and made minor yet considerable changes so please do reread it if you like.
It's only natural for the heart to pump faster than normal when running on a treadmill with a speed of 8.5, but when it is accompanied by butterflies fluttering around the stomach and the heart too? Well, it's anything but normal. Mikasa was well aware of that too. Especially when she's almost done with her routine and her adversary-turned-interest is still nowhere to be found. She knew Levi wouldn't be coming around today but it still didn't stop her from stealing glances at the equipment he usually uses and hope that he'd suddenly walk in through those doors. He texted her that he'll be helping his siblings move in to their apartment. It was also quite amusing when he said that he'll be going on an uphill battle cleaning the 3-bedroom apartment. She could practically feel his excitement in a strange Levi-esque unique way even through text.
Her breathing evened when she jammed her finger down at the panel to 6.0 to begin her cooldown. They separated on better terms since that night and hadn't seen much of each other since. Both of them had taken the opportunity to look into their renting apartments while their respective childhood siblings were still tying up loose ends on their requirements. But that didn't dabble the strange giddiness she felt whenever she remembered what happened. It was a surprising, yet welcome change. It had been a long time since someone asked her out on a date. Whether it was the breath of something new or that she was still surprised and amused at the sudden turn of events of their relationship, she wasn't sure- but she couldn't deny that the excitement was there. That, and the fact that she's been listening to her playlist of SoMo's songs lately.
The ravenette brought the speed down to a 4.0 when Annie stood in front of her. Her arms were crossed over her chest with a brow arched in full suspicion. Whatever the blonde was thinking- and going to say in the next five seconds, she knew it's going to be troublesome.
"Okay, spill it, Ackerman," With a hand on her hip, she stared down at her with that inquisitive look of hers.
"Spill what?" Mikasa panted, her movements slowing down.
"Something happened, didn't it?" she supplied in a heartbeat, "Is it Levi?"
To the normal eye, the majority would answer that the question did not faze the ravenette a single bit. However, to the trained eye like Annie's- especially to someone who knew what they're trying to look for, the slight falter in her steps was more than enough to affirm her suspicions.
"I knew it," She smirked, utterly amused.
"I don't know what you're talking about," It was amazing how the words slipped out of her mouth so naturally but the reflexive answer only added fuel to the fire.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she mocked, eyes rolling at her futile attempt. Mikasa should know by now that something like that wouldn't work on her.
Blatantly sighing, Mikasa turned down the speed to a 1.0 till she was practically walking. She grabbed her towel to wipe the sweat off of her neck, face, and fringes, before taking a swig out of her electric blue energy drink from the treadmill's cup holder. "What brought this on?"
"Well, if you haven't been looking at a mirror lately, you've been looking like a sad puppy missing her master while they went out to work."
A part of her felt offended at the comparison- (though she preferred cats, puppies are just as adorable) more to the term- master, another part of her felt embarrassed. Was she really that obvious or Annie's just being her observant self? With only the two of them at the gym (because the possibilities of hauling the other girls in their favorite establishment is an absolute zero), she doesn't have anyone else to compare her demise with.
"And what does Levi have to do with it?" she used to cringe just by thinking about him but now his name rolled off her tongue like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Annie started, bringing her hands up and lifting each finger each time she stated her evidences, "Well one- there's that incident back at the bar by yours truly who, might I add, acted more like a jealous boyfriend; second- you've been looking at his usual spot since we entered the gym; third- I saw you send him a text earlier before we left; and lastly- you've been listening to SoMo at the car."
"His songs are very sexy."
"I know, someone with a voice that can turn any music into a sex song shouldn't exist," Annie swooned along momentarily before cocking her hands onto her hips, "So what's the deal with your little love story? Pun intended by the way."
"Gold," She drawled, stopping the machine but stayed at her place as she kept herself hydrated. There's barely anyone at this time in the gym anyway. "Still little, but I wouldn't call it a love story… yet."
"Yet?" blonde eyebrows shot up at that, "So something did happen. But how come you aren't limping and I don't see any hickey?"
"Get your mind out of the gutter, princess," Mikasa shot back, knowing that the nickname could easily rile up the blonde, "You're spending too much time with Ymir."
Annie rolled her eyes, "I was just kidding. Besides, I may not be close to Levi but I know enough that he isn't really affectionate. At least, to his ex-girlfriends."
Black pearls flicked at sapphire ones, a silent question was released in the air when she cocked a brow at her.
"Ha! So she is interested," Annie lifted her head up in triumph, "So, mind wanting to tell your dear old friend about it?"
An amused expression remained on Mikasa's face as she hopped down the mill and performed her cooldown stretches, "Dear friend- yes, but old friend? I've only known you for half a semester."
"And an entire lifetime more in our previous life. Besides, based from your expressions, you've been dying to tell someone about it, haven't you? Well, let me volunteer myself for once since you won't be relying on Sasha for a while. Remind me again why you aren't busy with the archer club with them?"
"Well aren't you a charity ball today," She tilted her head as she rolled her shoulders to the back and then to the front, "Something about only officers and old club members. There's gonna be a college tournament around February, I think. No offense if we beat the Titans though."
"And you're awfully chatty today," The blonde snorted, "None taken. The only ones I'm rooting for in the Titans are the women's volleyball team."
"Why haven't you tried to enter Trinity's team? Sasha told me that you have a spike that could blow someone's head off. I'd like to see that."
"Love the exaggeration. It's not that I don't want to, but daddy said I should focus 'ironing out' my permanent records," She said, following the ravenette back to the locker rooms to shower and change, "but that's not important and don't think you successfully strayed the subject cause I still wanna know what's going on with you two."
Mikasa let out an exasperated sigh. She was so sure she had diverged the topic already, "He asked me out."
"He asked you out?" Annie parroted with incredulous eyes, "As in asked- asked you out? Like on an actual date? Not one of those 'no-its-not-a-date-but-it-really-is' rendezvous like last time?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well, good for you then."
"You sound surprisingly disappointed."
"I wanted to see you guys kill each other," The blonde answered in a heartbeat before shrugging, "But they did say that there's a fine line between love and hate."
The ravenette rolled her eyes, opting to ignore the love remark despite the flutter in her stomach- or maybe she was just hungry? Yep, definitely hungry.
"So where is he taking you this time?"
"I don't know. He said he wanted to get to know me better."
"Better? Wow, he must be really serious. I'd love to see what happens next after this."
With her back turned, Mikasa took off her sports bra, letting her full breasts bounce freely. Stuffing the sweaty fabric in her bag, she did the same for her shorts and panties before grabbing a towel and wrap herself around it. Just as she was about to close the locker and head for the showers, her cellphone buzzed with that it vibrated her locker. It buzzed twice before she took it and read that she just received a reply from Levi.
'Just because I care for my siblings doesn't mean I can let them slack off. They should be thankful I didn't let them clean the kitchen and bathrooms.'
Mikasa snorted, grabbing her phone to send a quick reply.
'Go easy on them, warden. I'll be checking on my inmates later after I do some shopping for our stuff. Hopefully, they've done their job while I'm gone.'
'You're a horrible governor, leaving your prisoners alone. I bet that's the reason Jaeger's cleaning capabilities is only second rate. Can't say about your other friend though.'
After clicking send, Levi pocketed his phone back in his pants before putting his gloves on and resume scrubbing the kitchen sink. He'll never rest until he can see a perfect reflection of himself in the white granite countertops.
Meanwhile Farlan nudged at his foster sister with his elbow. A mop was still in his hands as he pointed with his chin at their older brother's direction through the bar that separated the kitchen from the living room. Isabel, who had also been suspicious of the raven's actions since yesterday when they had dinner, looked back at her brother with lips slightly pouted in question.
The buzz from Levi's vibrated phone was heard again and for the fifth time since this morning and the twentieth time since last night- yes, they counted, Levi ultimately stopped whatever he was doing, pulled out his gloves, and fished out his phone.
"I bet he's gonna scrunch his nose again," Isabel whispered, comfortably speaking in their native language when around each other, while Farlan shook his head, both their eyes never left the ravenette as he entered the passcode.
"Nah, he's definitely gonna smirk this time."
The suspense became thicker by the second as they watched him read whatever message was displayed on his lit screen. Levi rolled his eyes.
"Aww!" They threw their arms up in exasperation.
"If you two have a lot of free time to spare watching me, haven't you considered that it would be better to waste it on cleaning your rooms?" Levi commented to his siblings, eyes and fingers not leaving his phone.
"Well yeah, but we've already finished since five minutes ago," Farlan argued, arms crossing over his chest with the mop wedged in one armpit.
The raven's fingers stopped typing at that. Years of living together and growing up in his strict rules of hygiene and cleanliness (much to their foster mother's delight) successfully trained Farlan and Isabel's meticulousness only second to his, so he trusted the two hadn't rusted even when they were separated.
"We'll see," He answered testily.
The blonde rolled his eyes at that. He left the mop to lean on the bathroom to be cleaned before going over to one of the bar stools at the living room's side and rest his arms over the newly scrubbed granite, "If I don't know any better, I'd say you're distracted, big bro."
Levi casted a glare at his brother but that only made his cheeky smirk wider, "And what if I am?"
"Ooh! Let me guess! Let me guess!" Isabel piped in cheerily, taking the bar stool next to Farlan after depositing her own equipment in the cleaning closet and the dirty rags in the bathroom, "No! I bet big bro's texting with his girlfriend, Mikasa!"
"She's not my girlfriend."
"Suuure," she drawled, "and that wasn't your picture together in your wallet."
He flinched at the remembrance. Not because he was caught red-handed, but because the photo still makes him cringe- what with all those mascot stickers and sparkly designs bordering the frame. It really didn't suit them but what else would they expect from a purikura photo booth? However his flinch didn't go unnoticed by his siblings and they seemed to have misunderstood his reaction as they bumped fists together and waved their fingers as they separated.
"Seriously, you gotta stop lying to your family, big bro," Farlan tutted.
Heaving a sigh, Levi pocketed his phone for the nth time before turning to his siblings and looked at their smirking faces with a pointed stare, "I never lied to you guys."
That caught the two off-guard. The mirth on their faces slipped like washed-off paint when they realized the tone of Levi's voice. They knew their older brother would never lie to them, especially when their mother's present. But at that time, his tone was so adamant that it could easily be mistaken as a flustering denial- they love him, but who wouldn't want to jump into the opportunity to tease the usually unresponsive and blunt raven?
"Wait, so you're saying…" Farlan wondered aloud, the rest of the sentence was left in the air but clearly understood.
Another sigh left Levi's lips as he wiped off the suds on the countertops with another towel, "As I've told you many times already."
"But I saw you two on a date!" Isabel tried to argue, palms smacking the bar with wide eyes in disbelief.
"I did her a favor back then and she wanted to thank me. She said that she hasn't been in an amusement park for a while so we went there to just waste away the day. It wasn't a date," Well, that wasn't the whole truth but it wasn't exactly a lie either. Of course, he didn't have to mention that he conned her into going to the seaside park with him. Even if he hadn't realized his real intentions back then.
"But that's… that's…" Isabel's words hung unfinished. A childish pout graced her lips at his silent confirmation whereas Farlan kept his disappointment quiet.
And here they thought their big brother finally found someone he's interested in. Aside from the fact that the possibility only comes once in a million chances, they wanted to see him happy too. He's always focused his attention on them- their family- that he barely paid any attention with his own interests (aside from cleaning). Of course, they've heard about his occasional flings and dates (but good lord, one of his exes didn't even last a week!) and even though they knew they made him happy as a family, having a partner still brings a different sort of happiness. She doesn't have to be The One right off the bat but at least…
"So who're you texting with?" she asked finally, slumping down the bar in defeat- both in tone and posture.
"Mikasa," He answered and Farlan and Isabel nearly fell from their seats.
"But you just said-!"
"I said that she's not my girlfriend."
The brunette's mouth fell open, no words leaving like a gaping fish, "I'm… I'm confused."
Levi left his siblings hanging as he finished up his work, and then nodding in satisfaction when his requirement was met. He moved swiftly and silently. With the living room and bathroom finished, and soon the kitchen, he'll have to unpack and ask Mikasa if she'll be available tomorrow-
"Ohhh," came Farlan's sing-song voice that made the corner of his eye twitch, "I think, dear sister, that what big bro's trying to say, is that Mikasa is not his girlfriend… yet."
His glare was unfortunately outshined by Isabel's lit up expression as if she had just won the lottery.
"So what, you asked her out yet?" his blonde brows wiggled suggestively.
"If she's available tomorrow, I'm taking her to Keseling."
Farlan's head bobbed slowly, eyes and mouth parting widely at his bold move, "Oh wow, you must really like her."
Levi stopped wiping the stainless steel spoon momentarily. Silence permeated in the air as his sibling's attentive gazes focused on him while he stared at nothing in particular. Until an amused snort passed him and a small smile tugged at his lips.
"I think I have for a long time now."
The wistful look in his eyes sealed the deal and for the second time that morning, he left his siblings dumbfounded.
"I knew I could count on you with the furniture, Armin," Mikasa congratulated, setting down the bag of groceries on the kitchen island while overlooking her childhood friends in the living room. It's nice to be able to practice her German language again.
"You know that organizing has always been my forte," Armin raised his chin up in pride, "And did you know that by placing the biggest chair against a wall makes you have a better sense of security than leaving it out in the middle of the room?"
"No kidding," she humored, letting him indulge in his Feng Shui that he's been hooked into since he started at the university.
Eren rolled his eyes, placing the other bags Mikasa left at the doorway that contained their toiletries at the bar counter, "It's just furniture. You're lucky he didn't made you move these things 'three centimeters to the right' or hear him complain 'No Eren! No direct facing doors!'."
"That's because it's going to create a tunnel effect for all energy! And the rest of the space will fail to benefit from any flowing qi or restful energy!" Arming argued, flushing.
"Don't antagonize him, Eren. At least he's applying what he learned," The ravenette reprimanded, grabbing a can of Coca-Cola and tossing it to the brunette, "Here, for your hard work, you big baby."
Eren gave her a pointed look as he caught the can easily with one hand. Ever since they discovered his irrational fear of clowns, there had been a time that he was so overcome with paranoia that a white-and-red painted man wearing a brightly colored jester's costume would suddenly pop out of nowhere at eat his soul- thank you pennywise- to the point that he would literally wake up Mikasa just so he could go to the bathroom 'safely' at night. She had never let him live that down, "I thought you said you'll always be on my side."
"I said I'll always be on both your sides," she pointed at him and Armin, this time holding up a can of Dr. Pepper in one hand and a Sprite with the other, "but between you two, it depends on who's the victim and most of the time, the bully is you, Eren. Heads up, Armin."
She tossed the Dr. Pepper to him and the blonde fumbled with the can until he gripped it securely in his hands. Simultaneously, they popped opened the tabs and took a swig of their soda before letting out a generous breath. Except for Eren who followed it with an uncensored burp.
"You're so gross, Eren," Armin laughed and the brunette grinned back.
"Thanks. So, what's the rest of the plan today?" he asked, staring up at Mikasa as he lazily draped his arm on the headrest of the chair he sat on.
Without looking up from her work, Mikasa busied herself with storing the contents of her grocery bags as well as taking out the necessary kitchenware from the cupboards and drawers, "You guys are just gonna lay back and relax, watch some TV or set up the PS4 or Xbox One or whatever console you brought this time after taking a bath, and not bother me while I prepare dinner."
She announced, deeming it only fair since she made a deal with her boys that she'll just sort out her own room and leave the rest to them while she goes out and handle all of their shopping necessities.
"Cool!" Eren cheered, jumping from his seat and gulping down the rest of his soda can. He let out another healthy burp that could make a Viking proud before making a beeline to his room and wash off.
Armin laughed and shook his head as he grabbed Eren's empty can and threw it properly in the bin, "Actually he brought a Nintendo Switch this time, we're gonna go try out Mario Kart. You sure you don't need any help?"
"Don't insult me, Armin," she jested, making him chortle.
"I guess I'll be out of your territory then. Is this one ours?" he pointed at one plastic bag, peeking inside to see the bottle of Eren's particular brand of men's shampoo.
"Yeah. Oh and make sure Eren doesn't hog all the soap. I bought it in threes this time."
.
"I'm stuffed!" Eren patted his slightly bulging stomach underneath his shirt in content, "Thanks Mika."
"Yes, dinner's amazing Mika. I really missed your cooking," Armin added.
The ravenette nodded sagely, relishing their thanks and giving them a silent 'you're welcome' as she took another spoonful of her favorite pudding. It's been so long since she heard them call her with that nickname again. Eren was never really comfortable with saying it whenever the three of them aren't present. Her eyes went back to the news on the TV- much to Eren's displeasure. She had never been successful in convincing him how important it is to be aware of current events.
"Hey! Why don't we go to that eatery we've always wanna try at downtown?" Eren suggested excitedly, green eyes wide at his clever idea.
She heard Armin agree beside her but when the question turned to her, it was then she realized that she had been biting her lip the entire time.
"Mika?" Eren called.
"I'm sorry but I can't make it tomorrow," she started, biting her buccals this time, "I have to be somewhere."
"Why? Where are you going?"
"I don't know, I'm meeting with someone."
Eren huffed a laugh, "What, like a date?"
To his horror, however, she answered him in silence. A pang of guilt shot up her spine when she saw the mirth peel off of his face and be replaced with a suspicious, accusing one.
"Who's the bastard?"
Okay, that was out of context. Mikasa shot him a glare, "Does it matter?"
"Of course not unless it's you!"
"Oh boy, here we go," Armin sunk back in his chair as his brain sifted through the many catalogues on how to break apart the adoptive siblings.
It's gonna be a long night.
Levi donned on his favorite duffle coat before hooking a blue key ring on his finger.
"I'll be going now," he announced, the keys clang against each other as he swirled them around his index finger.
Still pouting a bit at him for refusing them to meet Mikasa yet, Isabel turned her head to wish him luck, only to be interrupted by Farlan choking on the soda he was drinking. Levi's eyes narrowed at the messy spittle that coated the coffee table before sending a silent warning glare at his brother to clean it up.
"So you were serious when you said you were borrowing my car?!" he bellowed, eyes wide in horror at his unperturbed expression.
"Yes," the ravenette quipped, rolling his eyes, "it's not like I don't have a license to drive it anyway."
Farlan jutted his lower lip at that. He always forgot to work on getting a motorcycle license since he's so used to driving his car. Whereas Levi was gifted a Black Ducati upon his initiation at the fraternity, Farlan was given a dark blue Audi for making it in the top tier of freshmen at his university for his semester. Isabel, however, traded her chance of getting her own private vehicle for the more expensive materials for her art classes. He always wanted to try out the cool jet-black motorcycle that always looked brand new (thanks to Levi's prowess in taking care of things).
"Fine," he huffed, crossing his arms before his eyes widened in realization and his hands clasped together. Farlan pleaded, "Please don't have sex in my car."
Levi's face twisted wryly in offense before snorting and turning on his heel, "I won't be back till later."
"Have fun, big bro!" Isabel waved giddily.
"Later- and I mean it big bro! You guys better not have sex in my car or I swear I will mess up your bike!"
.
Mikasa had just buttoned her black superstretch trousers when a knock came to her bedroom.
"Mika, can I come in?" came Armin's voice and she felt a wave of uneasiness roll off her shoulders.
"Sure," She answered before dropping down on her bed to pull up her black suede ankle booties.
The door swung open gently and Armin smiled at her outfit before teasingly lifting a brow, "Since when did you get such stylish clothes?"
"Since the last time I went shopping with my friends and they snuck these things in my bags while giving me a basic 101 lecture on what goes better with what in Uniqlo," she sighed exasperatedly. Good thing she didn't have to pay for them herself.
The blonde let out a pleasant laugh, "I'm glad you found yourself some good friends, Mika."
"Me too," she returned with a small smile of her own, "Is there something you need?"
He took a deep breath, "Well, I just want to say be careful and have fun. Don't worry about Eren, I'll keep an eye on him. He's much harder to care of than Salem."
Though he added the humor, it wasn't very effective to quell the twinge of irritation at the corner of her eye, "I leave him in your hands then."
"I'll also try to sort him out," he offered, "You have any idea why he's acting like that?"
"I have an idea, but he's not telling me anything. Even Uncle Grisha wasn't this bad. It's not like I ever banned dating, Eren went out with that girl in high school and you didn't hear me bitching to him about it."
"Well you did questioned her…"
"I was doing a background check," she defended, crossing her arms over her chest, "Either way, I didn't tell him to not date her but now Eren's just- he's being unreasonable."
Armin nodded solemnly, "True, and I think I know why he's acting the way he is."
Mikasa turned to him, her pointed look spoke in waves for him to tell her more but Armin knew better and just smiled. As if on cue, they heard the doorbell buzz outside the room and knew for sure that it was her date. Taking her gray Anna Field Hat hanging at the edge of the bed, he offered it to her with a smile, "But now's not the time for that. Your date's here and you shouldn't keep him waiting. No make-up?"
"No make-up," she stressed, nose scrunching in disgust at the idea.
The blonde held his hands up in defense, "Come on, at least put on some foundation or some lipstick- or er, lip gloss. Just a bit wouldn't kill you. You're going on a date, you should doll yourself up even just for a bit."
The ravenette found herself chewing on her bottom lip in an attempt to suppress the heat welling up her cheeks. The idea of dressing up for someone still felt surreal to her, "It's just Levi."
"Who happens to be your date," he pointed out with a hint triumph and before she could stand, he wound his way in front of her and crouched a bit. Mikasa stared back in horror at the coated retractable brush coming towards her, "Come on Mika, you might as well use Aunt Carla's makeup set she gave you on your birthday."
.
Mikasa felt a little self-conscious when she stepped outside of her room and made herself show at the entryway. All eyes were on her and she felt a little unnerved at the familiar, shameless gaze of Levi racking his eyes over her form.
"Ready to go?" he asked, ignoring the pointed look Eren sent his way.
Nodding, Mikasa set down Salem by the counter and touched noses with him before making her way towards them. She sent Eren a look to which the brunette returned with a look of his own before stepping aside to let her through.
"Nice talking to you, Eren, and-?" Levi tilted his head at Armin and the blonde smiled politely at him.
"Armin. Hope we could talk some time. Have fun you two!" Armin waved at the retreating couple. They nodded in return before closing the door behind them. Once the door clicked, he walked up to the silent brunette and patted him on the shoulder. Eren gave him an inquisitive look as the blonde nodded towards the living room, "Let's talk, Eren."
.
"You have a car?" she gawked. When they stepped out of the apartment complex, her eyes roved over the street in search of his familiar black motorcycle only to find none. Her feet froze on the spot when Levi set off the alarm on his key ring and the blue Audi in front of them blinked.
"It's my brother's," he supplied. Mikasa secured her coat around her to protect herself more from the bitter cold only to find herself stopping in her tracks once again when Levi opened the passenger door for her. She blinked several times, wondering if by the next second, the door will suddenly close again and Levi's already at the driver's side of the car. It didn't. A black brow cocked at him as she felt a tug of amusement at the corner of her lips, "Well aren't you a gentleman?"
Levi rolled his eyes, "Just get in before you let the cold in."
Wasting no time to escape the winter cold, Mikasa slid in the car and nearly moaned when she felt the immediate heat waft around her that ultimately freed her from the chill. She felt herself sink into the comfortable leather-covered chair as Levi went around and took his spot behind the wheel.
"Why aren't you using your bike today?" she wondered.
"In this weather? I doubt the both of us would want to stay out in the open and catch ourselves some frost bites. Besides, this car has good heating, my bike doesn't."
"Point taken. So does your brother have a name?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Farlan Church," he answered. They fastened their seatbelts and Levi had just started the ignition of the car when the stereo automatically blared to life with the soft rumble of the engine.
[…Take off those heels, lay on my bed, whisper dirty secrets while I'm pulling on your hair. Poison in our veins but we don't even care, candle's dripping on your body baby this ain't truth or dare…]
The heavy bass of the song boomed out of the speakers and made her ears feel as if it had a heartbeat of their own. Mikasa bit her lip, trying to not sing along the tune because the sane part of her told her that it was highly inappropriate to sing a sex song while alone in a car with a guy who literally made love to her neck a few days ago (Annie's right. It's a wonder he didn't leave any hickey).
"I forgot about that," she heard him growl as his fingers came up to pinch the bridge of his nose, "A sex song of all things… what a stupid cliché."
She cocked a brow at him, "Well at least I know your brother's got good taste."
"You listen to this crap?" he stared back at her as if he just smelt something bad.
Mikasa brought a hand up to her chest in mock hurt, "Don't you dare sully SoMo's songs. I listen to them from time to time. I really like the beat of his music. Besides, if you knew it was going to play something automatically, you should've just turned off the stereo when you borrowed the car."
Levi scrunched his face up at her accusation, turning off the stereo much to Mikasa's displeasure before shifting into gear and drove them into the main road. "How do I know a sex song was next on the playlist? I was listening to Mon Ange earlier."
Her face whipped away from the window and onto him, "Mon Ange?"
"It's a song by Jana Lee. I doubt you've heard of it, it's in French."
Heart pounding in her chest, a secret smug smile graced her lips as she took a deep breath.
"Donne moi moins d'attention, fais moi mal sans raison, trompe toi de prénom, mon ange soit mon demon-!" her body suddenly jerked when Levi stomped on the car's breaks, making it skid almost dangerously on the cold pavement that it left black tire tracks behind them. Miraculously, they didn't hit anything or anyone and the car stopped just before the front bumper could cross the pedestrian lane under the red stoplight. Heart pounding heavily on her chest, she loosened her hands on the sides of the chair she had unknowingly gripped earlier in reflex.
Swallowing, Mikasa felt herself sink back on her chair and finish the last lines of the chorus, "Ne m'aime pas pour toujours, mon ange joue moi un tour, sois ma belle deception, oublie l'ange deviens mon demon."
There was an unreadable expression on Levi's face when she finally looked at him. Maybe she shouldn't have showed off?
"I tend to study extensively the things I find interesting. It's not like I'm an expert in French now, I just really like the song when I first heard it and I went out of my way to learn how to properly pronounce the words and learn the translation," she answered his silent question, heart thumping as she tucked a hair behind her ear in self-conscious.
The silence was unnerving and it didn't help that she could feel as if Levi was boring holes onto her with that stare of his. The uneasy moment only broke when the car behind them honked and they realized that the light turned green, and they were holding up the lane.
Levi raked a hand up over his hair and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed before shifting into gear.
"Mikasa, I think you just stole my heart."
His sudden confession left her dumbfounded, but Levi chose to ignore her shocked gaze as they drove them to their destination. Her heart hammered even wildly in her chest with such giddiness she had never felt while her brain warred against it that it probably meant nothing- an act of denial on her part. Either way, it still didn't stop the heat from within her come up to the tips of her ears.
The rest of the car ride had been silent and both of them agreed on the comforting silence amidst the awkwardness that Levi's confession brought. Or was it just her? She wouldn't know. Mikasa couldn't bring herself to look at him without risking another awkward situation or embarrassing herself. Ergo she remained as she were, head leaned on the window and watch absentmindedly with tumultuous feelings people, buildings, and cars passing by.
She didn't know how long they were on the road exactly until Levi was backing up on an empty space between two cars. Never had she imagined that she would take more than five minutes sitting on her chair while the driver ensured that he was exactly within the middle of the lines. Levi looked ahead, at the back, on the rearview mirror on his side and hers, before finally nodding in satisfaction and unbuckling his seatbelt. Releasing an exaggerated sigh of relief she made sure he heard, Mikasa followed suit and they exited the car. Once out in the cold air again, Mikasa circled around to join him on the sidewalk. She wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or impressed at the perfect, symmetrical parking he made.
"I would've loved to be in the backseat while you did your driver's test," she mused aloud.
Levi looked at her with an unimpressed stare before double checking the lock and alarm, "I'm sure you would."
The ravenette cocked a brow at him before stuffing her cold hands in the pockets of her coat and follow him towards their destination. Mikasa marveled at her surroundings as they walked, for surely she hasn't been in this side of the city before. It had a well mix of towering buildings and residential areas- apartment buildings and condominiums- in a way that it doesn't feel suffocating, and the sidewalk was lined with fenced trees with some already decorated with Christmas lights- Mikasa suspected that they were near a park. Thin sheets of snow now covered the cold pavement as people around them wore thicker clothes, scarves, and coats of their own.
They crossed the street and Mikasa looked pass the dark green awning and read the sign and logo of 'Keseling café'.
'How original.' She thought to herself but she supposed that this setting would be preferable.
A waiter by the entrance opened the door for them and welcomed them in and instantly, Mikasa's nose was overwhelmed- not by the scent of coffee beans as she expected- but by the familiar scent of freshly brewed tea leaves and honey. The place looked like any typical café, with a mix of singular chairs, sofas, coffee tables with magazines free to be read below, and a few booths by the walls. A ceiling fan rotated lazily as the heater did a surmountable job in keeping the place heated from the winter cold outside. The long, black counter at the back was manned by two baristas- there was still a coffee machine behind it but she felt a sort of giddiness at the rows of tea boxes on display and the familiar tea pots and china served on silver trays.
Her body followed automatically as they were led to a small booth situated at one corner of the café, giving them a nice view of the street through the barely frosted glass on one side and a view of the whole café on the other while also giving them additional privacy.
She took off her coat and folded it onto her side on the couch while Levi did the same. Too awed at the unfamiliar surroundings, she didn't notice the waiter turn and leave nor did he left them any menu.
"This is a nice place," she couldn't help but comment, the dim lighting and piano instrumental playing at a low volume only added to the atmosphere's relaxing effect.
"Yeah, too bad it's far from the campus, or else I would come to this place all the time," Levi answered before dropping his chin on the arm he propped his elbow on.
Mikasa's brow arched at him as she mimicked his posture, crossing her legs under the table before cupping her cheek, "Is that a hint of betrayal I hear? Nathan may be graduating but he's still my boss."
"Nice try," he snorted, meeting her teasing eyes with his unamused ones, "but he already knows about this place. Besides, his goal is to make a restaurant in the first place. Opening up a temporary café in the campus was only for experience purposes."
She already knew all that as she pursed her lips together, but determined to not let him have this round, Mikasa tilted her head a bit, "I apologize if we failed to meet your requirements, dear patron, would you like me to add more chocolate syrup on your Heaven's Delight next time?"
A teasing glint flashed in his eyes as he countered, "If you serve it to me while wearing a polar bear costume, I might leave you a tip."
Levi knew he won the small round when Mikasa's dark eyes flashed dangerously at him and her brows furrowed in disgust. She did not want to remember that embarrassing moment in her life no matter how big of a bonus her boss gave her after that advertisement stunt. The air of smug victory practically leaked around him and the brief tug at the corner of his lips only sealed the deal.
Silently huffing, Mikasa crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned back on the couch. Levi dropped his arm and instead folded them on the table as he sat up a bit straighter.
"Hey," he started, "I wanted to apologize, by the way."
"Apology not accepted."
"A win is a win and I'm still relishing that your ability to tease is as worse as a five-year-old's," he jabbed without a hint of mercy, "But that's not what I'm apologizing for."
Sensing the mirth disappear in his eyes, the ravenette turned her head at him and stared to silently prod him to continue.
"I'm sorry for what I did to you, when I… you know, after I picked you up at the bar… at the hallway," his stare didn't break from hers even though he was clearly uncomfortable.
The feeling of her gut clenching was instantaneous as well as the pounding beat of her heart. Her back shot straight up like a bowstring, her shoulders tensed, and her warm body felt even hotter. She didn't have the mind to care if he saw her face flush red because her mind completely fogged out, nor did she even notice how hard she bit her lower lip and her fingers clenched the long sleeves of her gray slouch sweater as every nerve ending in her skin made her remember the butterfly kisses running up the side of her neck.
Levi made a sound in his throat, effectively snapping from her trance and earning her attention. She blinked, casting her eyes to one side but not moving her head.
"Do you have to bring that up?" she whispered as she chewed on her bottom lip.
"Yes," came his immediate reply, "I wasn't thinking straight at that time, but I won't make excuses. It doesn't change the fact that I disrespected you, no matter how sexy you were that night, I still shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."
Her mind reeled back at that, teeth letting go of her lip to part slightly and her eyes widening a bit more than usual. Was it because the Levi- just called her sexy? Was it the realization that he was actually capable of apologizing? She had heard him apologize before but not so sincere like… this. Whatever it was, her mind was taking its damn time trying to wrap around the thought that Levi actually has a gentlemanly side.
"Are you really Levi Ackerman?" her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
He rolled his eyes, "I know it's easier to think that I've been abducted by aliens and I'm actually a lizardman in one of those bullshit conspiracy theories, but as shitty as I am, I know and can admit if I've done something wrong. And I'm not ashamed to apologize for it."
She bit the insides of her cheek, feeling exceptionally uneasy, "You didn't apologize when I tried to return your jacket to you."
"Why would I apologize for that?" he crossed her arms, leaning back on the backrest of his couch, "You really didn't washed it properly. I still need it back though, I'll give you time until the frat's homecoming."
"Oh halleluiah, how considerate of you," she glared, voice dripping with sarcasm, "What about when you embarrassed me in front of my class? Why were you even there anyway?"
He hummed at the recollection, "My class got canceled during that time and I always sit in that professor's class whenever I can. I merely pointed what you missed in the equation. It's not my fault you couldn't accept your fault."
Mikasa's mouth parted at his audacity. Thinking back on it, he was right. But during that time, just the mere sight of him pisses her off, "And what about when you… when you treated me to dinner the other night?"
Levi blinked, folding his arms at the table again, "I won't apologize for that either."
"Why not?"
"Because unlike at the hallway, I was thinking straight at that time," he leaned in, beady electric blue eyes glinting more in his intense gaze, "But there wasn't really any cheese on your lips, so… sorry."
"But that wasn't mutual."
"Wasn't mutual?" he parroted, one eyebrow arching, "Then why did you kiss me back?"
That sentence was so open to many interpretations and scenarios and it didn't help her case when the waiter returned to them and sent her a look before setting up their table. Her baffled mind was only momentarily interrupted when her gaze fell on the three-layered cake stand- cut sandwiches littered the bottom, mini-cupcakes and tarts at the middle, and oh god- does her eyes deceive her? Is that really a custard pudding at the top? All of which are divided evenly facing each other's side, guided evenly by the stand's two flat colors- Levi's side was colored white while hers was black.
"Your request is complete, sir?" the waiter asked, setting the glass tea set on both their sides and leaving the teapot at the center. Black leaves suspended atop the honey-colored water that could be clearly seen through the transparent glass, complete with an infuser and candle-powered heater.
"Yes, thank you," Levi nodded and the waiter took his leave. He then turned to Mikasa who has been eyeing the pudding lustfully, "Let's play a game."
She snapped from her stupor, swallowing an invisible lump to somewhat calm her uneasiness, "A game?"
"Seeing our penchant for creating awkward moments, I doubt the normal exchange of what, when, where, who, and how's are going to be effective for the purpose of this date. You mentioned earlier that you tend to study extensively the things you find interesting. Well, so do I."
"You think I'm interested in you?"
"Then riddle me why you agreed to go on this date when you have every right to refuse?"
Pressing her lips together, she mulled over the right words, "It was… curiosity."
"Which borderlines interest."
"Fine," she heaved out a sigh and reached out for one of the strawberry tarts, "What kind of game do you have in mind?"
Levi, however, swatted her incoming hand away from the treat with the back of his teaspoon like a mother would to a begging child at a toy store. Mikasa pulled her hand back in surprise, mouth twisting into a pout. He then proceeded to grab a packet of wet wipes and offered some to her to which she begrudgingly accepted.
He let out a snort in amusement, as he wiped his hands, "It's a guessing game. We knew each other for months but we haven't really known each other. Based on our impressions and interactions I'll try and guess something about you, I trust that you'll be honest, and for every misconception we make, we earn a right to take a bite off the treats from the other's share. We can ask questions for further details along the way."
Mikasa hummed thoughtfully. She's not really a fan of games but she does have a knack of puzzle solving. She gotta admit this is quite an unusual way of getting to know someone. Head tilting a bit to the side, she said, "I think I get the gist of it. It's evil, I kind of like it. But what about the tea? And what if I get to say an entire impression without making any mistake?"
"I doubt that, but if that ever happens, the other can give their treat to the other. Fair enough? As for the tea, it's free. Oh and we'll start from the bottom plate up."
"Alright then, I accept your terms," she sat up, and with a practiced hand, lifted the glass teapot from the heater and poured her own transparent cup with the honey-colored liquid and his.
"Très bien," he nodded. The inquisitive expression on her face didn't go unmissed with the way he held the cup by the rim, inhaling the sweet scent before taking a sip, "Let's start with the basics then, you're what? Twenty-three this year?"
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she claimed her first victory, taking a bite out of a tuna sandwich on his side of the stand, "I'll be turning twenty-one next year."
"Ahh."
"And you are… the same age I am?" she blinked when he reached for one of her sandwiches.
"I'm actually turning twenty-five this year."
"That's… unexpected," she commented slowly before cupping her hands over her tea. But it does make a bit of sense. Levi does act older than what he seems, and colleges don't really care how old their students are as long as they have a High School diploma. "I thought you'd be older, say… thirty?"
"That'd be Erwin, he's actually taking his second course this time," he snorted, "Sorry to disappoint."
"Why is that?" she implied his late age.
Levi takes another sip of his tea before leaning back, "I wasn't exactly given the luxury to start school at a proper time, if not at all. When I did, I had to plough my way through to grant a few accelerations during elementary just to get me in the standard age level. I'm still a year ahead of my siblings even though we're born in the same year."
"That explains it," she nodded sagely, "I guess it's my turn then. Can I go for an attack?"
"Please do."
She crossed her arms, "You're five foot three, your blood type is… I'm guessing B? Your name is in Hebrew which means 'attached' or 'joining', you lived with your foster family in Paris for at least ten to eleven years and from what I could deduct from what you said earlier, your birthday is happening later this December- you're a Capricorn."
"Why am I not surprised you got my height right?" Beady blue eyes rolled as he took two more bites from her sandwich, "You obviously did your research, my blood type is actually A, but I didn't think you would get the meaning of my name though."
"I have three bloodlines running through my veins, might as well learn a bit from the others," she shrugged her shoulders, "So when's your birthday exactly?"
His face twisted that resembled a disgusted snarl before blithely answering her question. They did agree to be honest after all. "They say it's the most magical time of the year."
Mikasa blinked, once- twice- until her mouth slightly parted and then suddenly clamping shut. Her hands shot up to her mouth to help stifle her laughter but not before coughing out a, "Jesus Christ."
As amusing as it was to watch her face become red and her shoulders shake with barely controlled laughter, Levi's brows scrunched up with a glare that could kill even though he knew that it wouldn't work on someone like her, his silent message that dared her to laugh was delivered very clearly.
"Typical," he spat.
She moved her hand away a bit, showing him how her lips were making great effort to not let out a Cheshire grin, "Should I start calling you messiah now?"
She couldn't help but blurt out before biting hard on her bottom lip. It's just pure gold! Oh how the irony!
"Go on, laugh, I know you want to," his scowl deepened as he leaned in.
"As much as I want to, I'd save you the embarrassment, rabbi," her jaws tensed as she breathed down her calmness but the smirk on her face didn't let up.
"Thank you, my child."
"Oh stop it," she couldn't help let out a short chortle as she kicked him playfully underneath the table, "I could barely hold myself."
Her hands reached for the teapot, refilling her cup as a distraction. A pleased smile still remained on her face as she inhaled the sweet scent of her tea and letting the warm steam heat her face and relax her nerves. The time elapsed brought about a comforting silence as Levi drank from his own tea with that weird way he handled his cup while he watched people pass by through the glass outside the café. Even though the mirth was still gracing her lips, the atmosphere felt more pleasant than anything.
"Okay, I'm done," she exhaled relaxedly, "Your turn."
His eyes flicked at her direction, taking his casual time before coming off an attack of his own, "You're five foot seven, your blood type is O, I'm taking a wild guess here but I think you're born in March- an Aries, your name means 'three bamboo hats', I don't know anything about your real family but you mentioned that you were adopted by the Jaeger family- Eren is like a brother to you and you probably see Armin the same way. I take it that you've been with them for as long as I have with my own family."
He didn't miss the way her jaws tightened at the mention of her true family but Levi decided to not comment on it, remembering that time when she was sick and she mentioned that both her parents died when she was young. He didn't need to learn everything about her right off the bat, especially on a subject that's obviously sensitive. Even he has a few skeletons in his closet.
Mikasa reached finished off his sandwich in three healthy bites, "My blood type's actually AB, my birthday is on February 10- I'm an Aquarius, you got the translation of my name right but I'm actually named after a pre-dreadnought battleship from the Imperial Japanese Navy- don't ask, it was my dad's idea. You were right about the Jaeger's though."
"Well aren't you a royalty. I'd like to know how you got into the Jaeger's though. A Japanese and German family isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to family relatives," when he spotted her reluctance he supplied, "You already know how I got into a foster home after all."
She pursed her lips together before answering, "Point taken. My dad and Eren's dad were actually war brothers. They met in the army. My dad was in the frontlines while Uncle Grisha was a medic. Our families became close since after their service, so you could say I've known Eren long before they adopted me. After my parents… passed away, they took me in."
"Don't you have any closer relatives for that?"
She didn't answer, and he couldn't quite tell if her silence was a bitter yes or no. Levi opted to make a sharp turn for a change of subject but for propriety's sake, he asked carefully, "Is it too sensitive?"
"Very sensitive."
"Let's kick it up a notch then," he pointed at the tarts and mini-cupcakes on the middle layer. Fortunately it took her mind off of the sensitive subject before they could succumb to more awkwardness. "I don't think you're the type that clings to your phone as if your life depends on it like millennials nowadays, but if I have to guess what's in your photo gallery, I would find a third of them composed of your family and friends- some might even be just stolen shots or forced selfies with others but never a selfie of your own. The rest would be pictures of Salem dating back since he was a kitten."
Her mouth flapped like a gaping fish, "How- you said you never looked into my phone."
"I told you I don't know your passcode. Honestly that was just a wild guess, but then again you aren't like most of the girls I met," he propped his chin on his palm. A hint of smugness glinted on his eyes, "Tell me how accurate I am."
Begrudgingly, Mikasa reached for a tart from her side and then balanced it on top of his pile.
"Whoopie," he said dryly but the brief tug on his lips said otherwise, "So you seriously only have your cat's pictures on your phone?"
"If you don't remember, Salem's the most photogenic out of the three of us when we took that purikura photo."
Levi winced, "Don't remind me. I guess there is a reason why cats are more viral than humans in the internet."
"Very true, my turn," she quipped, eager for her revenge, "I'm guessing that your phone's not attached to your hip either but I can't really guess what's in there. So I'm thinking that you're the type of guy who likes classical music- instrumentals more like, I'd shave my head if you actually like pop and RnB songs, much less love songs. But I think you don't discriminate what language the music is as long as it suits your taste, even though you don't understand it."
Her brows raised when he reached a hand towards the stand, only to reach for a mini-cupcake on her side and take a bite. She would've groaned if not for the streak of white frosting left on his upper lip, making him look like he had a white mustache. Her stomach fluttered again when the tip of his tongue peeked out and tasted the frosting from the corner of his lips before he wiped it off with a tissue.
"Close," he started, "I do enjoy instrumentals, mostly the violin and piano. We have a vintage piano at home and my foster mother play it all the time. But I beg to differ on the love songs though, because Jazz is my love song as well as my sex song."
Mikasa couldn't quite explain it but the way Levi said sex made her rub her thighs reflexively.
"Well I can't argue with that. The saxophone is the sexiest instrument that ever existed."
"And here I thought you actually like your songs to have lyrics on them."
She shot him a look, "I actually like orchestral music. I just tend to indulge on modern music from time to time. I'm a big fan of both the EXILE Tribe and Yiruma so I guess I'm right in the middle. No offense to metal though, I could never understand the appeal in someone shouting no matter how many times Eren made me listen to it."
"Agreed. What's EXILE Tribe?" he inquired.
"It's a Japanese supergroup. They have really great songs and I went to their concert during the summer when I went back home."
"I shouldn't have asked. Please don't start getting all fangirl-y on me now. I might not be able to save you from the stigma."
Her mouth quirked up in amusement, "Relax, I doubt I would get that corrupted."
"See that you don't."
"You know, I never really pegged you as someone with a sweet tooth. I thought you'd prefer your food spicy or sour and then leave off the dessert."
"A common misconception," he nodded sagely, "I actually have a low tolerance in spicy food which is ironic since I never get drunk. Sweets are a delicacy of the gods for me since when I was a kid in the slums, I only have enough to feed myself to last the next three days. So when I finally have the chance to grant my longtime wish, I bought a Cadbury in the nearest store. It was one of the happiest moments of my life."
Mikasa couldn't hold back her grin as she imagined a young Levi looking so heavenly while he ate a bar of chocolate. She tried to ignore the uneasiness she felt on how easy Levi could share his past. She knew he grew up in the slums for the first few years of his life- he told her that himself- and no doubt there are still some things he's not willing to share but the fact that he could share bits of his dark past while she couldn't even bring herself to utter her parents' names made her feel-
Envious.
Nonetheless, she looked up to lock gazes with his as her fingers played idly at her warm cup of tea, "I never thought we would actually have a lot of things in common. I'm glad we had this talk."
Something in his gaze softened that made her feel as if she was pulled into his eyes. she didn't even see his lips move when he said, "Me too."
.
They could've stayed longer in the café- maybe until it closed. Their game eventually dissipated into casual conversations, with bouts of banter and trivia thrown into the mix along with a few teasing and dare she say it- flirting? She wouldn't know, she hadn't actually flirted with anyone before and it didn't seem like the time she often watched on movies.
As Levi promised, he paid for their food and requested to bring home the left-over cakes. When she asked how much it cost him, he just shrugged her off and led them back to his brother's car. However instead of taking her back to her apartment, Levi drove them through the highway where the buildings thinned out and replaced with trees and nothing but open road. When she asked where he's taking them, he just answered "You'll see." and Mikasa was too high in bliss at how satisfying their date had been going to be suspicious.
Eventually, he strayed off the main road and into a smaller road that led into a forest. When they passed by an empty drive-in theater and she spotted the open space near a cliff, her heart thumped wildly at the realization.
"Levi?" her query came off more as a question than a warning as she swallowed.
"Relax, Mikasa," she nearly jumped when he reached down between them and felt his warmer hand over hers, his thumb caressed her knuckles soothingly, "Trust me."
Giving him a meek nod, she nearly missed when he pulled away and they both exited the car. He led her at a spot by the metal barrier.
"Just watch," he pointed at the view below.
It was as expected from a view atop a cliff. Given, it was scenic, but she supposed that the backdrop sunset city view was as beautiful as it came. She had to suppress a chuckle at the thought of Levi actually being romantic.
"It's beautiful," she said, tucking her hands under her armpits to protect her from the gust of cold wind that blew her hair.
"It is, but don't comment on it now," she glanced at him and saw him check his watch before nodding his head back at the view, "It's almost time."
When she whipped her head back and her breath hitched.
"Oh wow," Mikasa gaped.
It was as if the night sky swallowed the orange sunset, and then replace it with its thick, dark blanket of celestial bodies that twinkled brightly in the sky. The city below didn't held back either. As soon as the sun disappeared it was like the entire city burst into lights that complemented the endless stars above.
"I thought that I'd only see a transition like this on my grandfather's estate," she slipped unknowingly, too awed and enraptured at the scene before her. However her slip earned her a look from Levi but he decided not to comment on it.
He didn't look back on the view either.
As majestic as it has been when he and his siblings found this place during one of their road trips, he was looking at something far more magical.
"The news said that it would be a cloudless sky tonight," he started, phone tucked back in his pocket and nodded at the view, "We won't be seeing it like this again since the snow will start falling soon. I thought it would be a good way to end our first date. Hopefully it would leave a good impression."
She blinked at him, "Are you following your own dating advice?"
"Did it work?"
Arms tucked below her breasts, she took a step forward and lightly bumped her shoulder with his as the corner of her lips twerked up, "I guess it wasn't as shitty as I thought it'd be."
He snorted, recognizing her same words and gesture during that time at the seaside park.
"And here I thought you actually took me here to makeout with you," she said testily.
Levi raised a brow at her and took a bold step closer, "Did you now?"
She shrugged, "Don't blame me for getting that impression."
"Fun fact, aside from my sister, I never took any other girl here besides you."
"Not even your ex-girlfriends?" she wondered. Honesty has been the main policy between them since she agreed to this date. She doubts he's sugarcoating his words now.
He shook his head, "They were never really worth a salt. As offensive as it sounds, I never took my past relationships seriously. Besides, I doubt I could give you a mind-blowing makeout. It's been a while for me."
Mikasa swallowed, tucking a hair behind her ear as she stared at her feet sheepishly, "You're not the only one. Well, I doubt I could give a kiss 'worth your salt' anyway."
She felt his eyes on her and knew that he understood her implication.
"No kidding." He said incredulously.
She shook her head, "I knocked out a tooth out of the last guy who tried, and threatened to skin his face off."
His feet came into view in front of her and she could feel his warm puffs of breath by the bare skin of her cheek. "So you've never?"
Mikasa shook her head no and looked up to meet his gaze, "Never."
She had time to protest- but actually she didn't found the heart to, as Levi's fingers combed up her head, to the back of her head, and pulled her in and let her lips lightly meet with his.
It wasn't like an explosion of fireworks or an instant jolt of electricity like what was described in romantic novels. But she did feel lightheaded, and her heart did pound wildly in her chest like beating drums. She hadn't even realized she had closed her eyes until she pulled away and her gaze fell to the side, not wanting to see the look on his face at the brief moment they touched each other's lips.
"That wasn't consensual," she whispered, fingers trailing her bottom lip lightly and tingling at the feel of small sparks at the briefest contact. His hand was still in her hair and her ears felt as if they were burning.
"Should I apologize?" he whispered back, voice deeper and huskier than before.
She swallowed and she answered him by grasping his coat by his shoulder and dove her head back down to his to which he received without a moment's hesitation. This one… this kiss… felt very different than the first. Their lips were pressed harder, deeper, but not enough that it hurt. Her other hand found its way up his chest, over his shoulder, and around his neck where her fingers laced at his nape, unsure whether to pull him closer or not. His other hand however, did not remain idle, and she felt her breath hitch when he snaked his way into her coat, palm pressing on her flat stomach, around her waist, at the small of her back, until his arm eventually wrapped around her lithe waist.
It was obvious who was the more experienced between the two of them as Levi tilted his head, coaxing her to do the same until they met at an angle that perfectly molded their lips together. He rewarded her with a caress of his fingers onto her scalp and she made a sound at the back of her throat in return. One of her hands parted from his nape, and she felt her breath hitch again when Levi released a groan that she felt from their connected lips; as she trailed her fingertips at the prickly hairs of his undercut, until her own fingers tangled with his black locks.
They parted only briefly, feeling each other's hot breaths against the other's oddly cold yet heated cheeks. Mikasa only had a second whether to wonder if the piney, winter smell was from the forest around them or from the person holding her so intimately, before they kissed again. Was it because it was her first kiss? Was it because it was consensual? Was it because she finally felt those soft lips that graced her neck a few days ago on her own? Whatever the case, it felt-
Exhilarating.
It felt like she was breathing in something new, something undeniably pleasant. This time her toes actually curled in her boots, and she didn't know whether to be grateful or annoyed that she couldn't do so properly. Her mind ultimately fogged out when she felt a careful suction on her bottom lip, letting out a mixture of a moan and sigh. She didn't know if what she was doing was right, too absentminded and high on the euphoria as she instinctively captured his upper lip. He let out another breath that she felt over her cheeks, feeling his shoulders sag until he did the same with her lower lip.
Levi didn't rush her, and at the back of her fogged mind she appreciated that. He didn't push her, didn't coax her mouth to open with his tongue- in fact she didn't even feel the muscle- only his soft, oh so soft lips. The moment would've been ruined and she would've really punched his lights out if he did. So she relished her first kiss with the man she never expected to be. Out at the edge of town, surrounded by trees, in total darkness except for the beautiful city light view below the cliff, with the moon and stars as their only witness; and doing nothing but breathe in and share each other's warmth in the cold winter air.
Whether he planned for this to happen or not didn't matter, in the end a makeout point still upholds its name.
They parted with an exhale of breath when they heard the faint sound of a police car in the distance despite their absent minds. Mikasa panted slowly and so did Levi, and as if they heard each other's thoughts, they neared their heads together. Not to kiss, but only to touch each other's foreheads.
.
The car ride home was spent in comfortable silence. In their minds, whatever happened from that point on, they knew that nothing would ever be the same. Was it too soon? She has yet to know more about him despite their sharing earlier. It didn't involve tongue so was it considered a makeout? Is it common for couples to kiss during the first date? Mikasa wouldn't know, nor was she at the right state of mind to care. She was still too high with her bliss and the spine-tingling sensation whenever her thoughts wandered back to their kiss. It also didn't help that Levi would reach out and hold her hand whenever he's not shifting the gear lever. She couldn't find it in herself to fully toss the blame on her heated chair at how it made her feel as if she was melting.
"This is me," She announced, stopping in front of the door of her shared apartment with her childhood friends. She fiddled with the sleeve of her coat, "I- uh- thanks for today. I had a great time."
"Me too," he answered. Another awkward moment passed them as Mikasa shifted her weight on one foot to another. Levi cleared his throat, "Would you… like go out with me again sometime?"
She whipped her head at him, almost excitedly, "What do you have in mind?"
"Nothing special," he shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe a movie? I doubt you would like those shitty Christmas movies they're playing at the theater at this time of year. Have you ever watched The Godfather?"
"I never actually got the chance to finish it. Eren and Armin aren't exactly a fan of those types of movies."
"Good. I'll just call you on a date then."
Mikasa let out a small smile, "Now that's an offer I can't refuse."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips and she didn't miss it.
"Goodnight, Mikasa."
She made a bold move by taking a step closer and press a chaste kiss on his cheek.
"Goodnight, Levi."
When Mikasa entered the apartment, she felt the giddiness she had been deprived of come rushing towards her in waves. Too high on her euphoria, she didn't even bother to check on Eren and Armin, nor did she remember changing into her bed clothes and snuggle under the comforter of her bed before falling into the most blissful sleep she ever had in ages.
SOAR (ṦO∆R)
Saker Omikron Delta Rho
DONE AND DONE! JUST LIKE THAT!
Anybody here also a fan of SoMo?
It turns out this chapter became longer than expected and I had half-a-heart to actually divide their date into two chapters again. But then I thought I shouldn't be that cruel. Though I guess I'll have to apologize for not lengthening their conversations more and only threw in some facts you may have already known. If I tossed everything in that pile then there won't be no more room for them to learn from one another except for their dark pasts.
I don't know about you guys but that's pretty much how my first kiss went (EXCLUDING the not/makeout part of course).
SHOUTOUTS TO:
'zweiq': Thank you for noticing and here I left a tidbit of information about Mikasa's Japanese contacts.
'RoxeKun': Wait… are you the SAME roxe-kun, the one on tumblr?! If you are, someone actually recommended me to check in your page for LeviMikaX9S2B fanart and I've been checking it out from time to time. You're awesome! Sorry I don't have a tumblr account. You guys would probably think I live in a cave because I don't actually know what's going on with that website… ;^;
I mentioned many references in this chapter so for propriety's sake (even though we all know this already), these references belong to their respective artists and I have no claim among any of them.
Also, I'd like to recommend where I got the 'Keseling café' name, it's actually from a movie called 'Lust, Caution'. A Chinese thriller movie that I saw on 'elvendashears' post on tumblr and I've been HOOOKED. Upon watching it twice, I could see how much the movie could be like a LeviMika story. Either way it's a good movie so do check it out but please be warned that it's a NC-17 movie so expect some graphic smut.
Anyway, I purposely made this chapter long because by the time I posted this chapter, my first day of another semester in college is literally tomorrow so you won't be hearing from me for a good few weeks… or months… again for now.
LASTLY, PLEASE LEAVE A SUGGESTION OR OPINION ON WHEN, WHERE, (and sure why not?) HOW LEVIMIKA WOULD HAVE THEIR FIRST TIME TOGETHER. I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS AND I WILL CONSIDER ALL YOUR SUGGESTIONS SO DON'T BE SHY!
I'll hear from you guys again next time so stay safe and remember that you're all awesome!
Ciao~!