The Butterfly Effect | Levi x Reader

Chapter 3

"I hope you like bacon and eggs!" you called over your shoulder at the strange man still nose-deep in your biology text book. His only remark was to hum in your direction a soft sound of approval, but you noticed the skepticism in his eyes at the mention of bacon and hoped he wasn't a vegetarian. You smiled in satisfaction when the smell of the breakfast food from the sizzling pan wafted up to your nose, inhaling deeply and taking in the comforting scent. "It's ready," you announced, hastily scraping the fried eggs off the pan and shimmying the bacon from the pan to the two plates on the counter. Levi had made no indication of moving from his spot, so you kindly brought a plate to him, setting it down awkwardly on the edge of the table beside the still open book in front of him. You noticed his mug was already dry, so you went to replenish the hot water for his tea.

"Thank you," he mumbled through his hand, still resting his head in it.

"My goodness, he does have manners!" you slapped your open palm to your chest in mock surprise. He looked up at your display and simply rolled his eyes, but not without flashing a half crooked smile in your direction. You were still astounded at the fact that this man could be so ungrateful and rude to you even after all your help; you almost felt sorry for him. "Oooh, you're reading the section on cellular division and diseases, that's a good one," you joked in between bites of your breakfast, lazily waving your fork at the book. He remained silent, but gave you a quizzical look from under his brows, almost as if you were crazy for talking about the subject so casually.

All awkwardness aside, you were relieved he seemed to be enjoying his breakfast. The way he wolfed down the bacon made you wonder when the last time he ate anything of substance was. Turning your gaze from your new companion to the glass sliding door behind him, you felt the sun beat through the glass and onto your face, prompting you to close your eyes and smile, enjoying something as simple as the warmth on your cheeks.

"You're certainly more cheery than last night," Levi huffed in your direction, interrupting your brief moment of peace.

"Yeah, I guess a hard day of work and a strange night can make a girl grumpy" you chuckled a little, recalling your frustrating night. You cracked an eye open, peeking at your guest to catch him gazing at you. You were quite surprised to see an almost remorseful expression flash across his chiseled features. "Anyways. . .I need to head to the store and grab some groceries," you cleared your throat. The silence had gone from comfortable to awkward and tension-filled in a matter of seconds. Your actions felt rushed as you cleared the plates from the table and rinsed them before throwing them into the dishwasher, the clanging of the ceramic being knocked around felt painfully loud in the silence. A knock at the door just then made you jump.

"Kat it's me! You ready to go?" in your eventful night you had forgotten Natalie was going shopping with you. You shot a glance at the raven-haired man, who was half-standing out of his chair looking like he was on high alert. The sight almost made you laugh.

"What's so funny?" he glared at you with venom in his voice.

"Sorry, you just look like one of those military trained guys ready to leap into action. As if Natalie is a threat!" you chortled, shaking your head. What puzzled you was the fact that Levi seemed to grow even more solemn and quiet at your last remark. Had you offended him somehow? You shook it off, deciding to write it off as just another strange Levi quirk. "I'll be back in a few hours, okay? Don't do anything crazy until you get your full memory back, and whatever you do, do not try to use the oven or any kitchen appliances . . . okay?" you instructed him, while hurriedly grabbing your coat, purse and keys while shoving your feet into your worn sneakers.

"Kat, what's taking so long?" Natalie asked, letting herself in and immediately laying eyes on Levi. She glanced at you in confusion before resuming staring down the stranger sitting at your kitchen table in your sweats, who glared back with a dark expression.

"Okay ready to go!" you answered in a forcedly excited tone, eager to escape your apartment, which was starting to feel a little too crowded at the moment. You grabbed Natalie by her coat sleeve and pulled her out the door, an incredulous look on her face.

"Who is that? When did you meet him? Why are you leaving him in your apartment?" she bombarded you with question after question regarding your new guest as soon as the door had swung shut. You mentally face-palmed, absolutely positive that Levi had heard it all from inside the apartment. You said a small mental prayer, hoping you could trust to leave him alone in your home.

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"Shhhh!" you forcefully shushed her, the bright hue appearing on your cheeks revealing your embarrassment.

"Why are you shushing me? Those are perfectly normal questions to be asking someone that is letting a complete rando shack up with her!" Natalie practically shouted her response at you, her genuine concern for you written all over her face. "Like seriously Kat, what's going on here? You would've told me if you started seeing someone else after Ethan . . . right? I mean do you know anything about this guy? He could be a complete psycho! Do you have a fucking death wish?"

You paused, bringing Nat's fast paced steps to an abrupt halt as well. You pressed your knuckles to your lips and inhaled sharply, thinking of how to explain your delicate situation to your best friend as she spun around to face you.

"You don't understand Nat . . . I'm just trying to help out someone in need. I found him passed out in the parking lot and he was in rough shape. At first I thought he was drunk and was going to call him a cab but he didn't even know what a cab or my phone even was. He was wearing some weird uniform with a cape and told me he had amnesia. I was concerned for him, and since he obviously had no place to stay the night I am letting him crash with me just until he gets his memory back and can get back on his feet, okay?" your speech had become faster and faster the longer you explained, words tumbling frantically from your lips in an attempt at being granted validation from Natalie.

After a minute of contemplation, Nat smirked, "And this stranger in need just happens to be 'brooding sexy danger guy'?"

"I guess so. What luck, right?" you chuckled, letting out a harsh breath you didn't realize you were holding. Nat eyed you suspiciously but said nothing; you were off the hook. For now.

The silence between the two of you continued as you made your way into the grocery store, warm air from the vents blasted your face and made your hair lash about angrily as you entered the automatic doors. You and Nat methodically made your way up and down each isle of the store, occasionally pausing to inspect an apple or carton of eggs before adding it to your growing collection. After reluctantly paying the zombie-like cashier and awkwardly juggling your many bags, you departed the store with your friend in tow.

"I'll see you at work tonight then?" Natalie asked you as you headed your separate ways at an intersection; her apartment was a few blocks south of yours.

"Of course – that is if I don't get murdered first," you jokingly tossed over your shoulder at her, the chilly October wind carrying your voice to her with ease.

"You're just hilarious," she retorted. You could easily imagine the scowl on her face as she walked away from you.

On the brief solitary walk to your apartment you took the time to reflect on Natalie's warning to you. As much as you hated to admit it, she was right to be concerned. The more you thought about it, the more it irked you that Levi had not once attempted to tell you anything about himself or even be friendly in the slightest. The further your steps took you, the more this newfound anger filled your mind and heart.

So I don't know anything about him, huh? You thought to yourself, well that is certainly about to change.