Levi x Reader: The Girl Beyond the Walls

Chapter 18: Grim and the Reaper

(f/n)'s POV: 

That evening, we gathered in the mess hall for dinner. Percy had asked me to join him and I obliged, subjugated to Levi's heated glares from across the room throughout. 

"You really know how to handle yourself in combat," Percy said, bringing my attention back on him. 

"You really know how to land ungracefully in the dirt." 

He widened his eyes at me, before laughing at his own expense. "Touché, (f/n), touché- as unwarranted as that was."

Percy prodded his oats with his fork in distaste. "You know, my father was a hunter. Can't remember the last time I went this long without a hearty steak." 

I felt twinges of amusement seep into my gaze. "I was worried that I was surrounded by a bunch of vegetarians." 

He turned to me, his green eyes rimmed in excitement. "Did you learn how to hunt? He was supposed to teach me but passed away when I was younger." 

I placed my hand on his arm sympathetically. "I'm good with a bow and more than happy to show you a few things." 

His face grew a shade redder at my touch. He looked away, his wavy blonde hair falling over his brow, hiding most of his features. "I'd love that, (f/n)." 

We finished our food quickly, him talking absent-mindedly about his hometown, his sister, his future ambitions, while I sat by listening to it all. He was unlike myself or Levi, but I began to grow a soft spot for him. His eyes were bright as he spoke passionately, and his aspirations were humbling. As I quietly listened to him telling me his story, I began to realize that my previous conceptions about the walls and the people within them were entirely unwarranted. We all held our own right to survive in the ways we deem fit. For them, it was to live unburdened by fear, and for us, it was to live fearlessly, but we strove to live all the same. 

"Hey, while everyone is still eating, could we go back out onto the field?" Percy asked hopefully. "I still can't wrap my mind around how you executed that one move and would like to practice it more." 

"Well," I started hesitantly, looking around the hall. Everyone was still occupied with their meals, chatting mindlessly among themselves, and there, in the corner of the room, Levi sullenly sat. As his gleaming eyes glared out from the darkness, it was as if his sour mood conjured blankets of shadow to engulf him in his misery. 

I turned to Percy. "Why the hell not?" 

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Levi's POV: 

I felt myself begin to seethe as I watched (f/n) leave the hall with Percy. Where could they possibly be running off to at this time? 

Excusing myself curtly, I exited the side doors to loop around the outside of headquarters, headed in the direction they assumedly went. As I came to side of the building, I saw the two of them practicing some more in the field and leaned against the wall, concealed by the darkness. I didn't like this Percy kid, but he was damn persistent on mimicking (f/n)'s techniques, only to fall on his ass continuously. 

After a while, I found myself entranced in the fluidity of (f/n)'s motions. She managed herself in combat exceptionally well, and I could tell she was going easy on Percy, not that it ever changed the outcomes of the match. 

"Come on, Percy," she said, annoyance trickling into the edges of her voice. "I can always tell what you're about to do as soon as you step forward. Surprise me this time." 

Invigorated, Percy lunged forward frantically, only to dive and trip (f/n) with his outstretched leg. She landed on her back. 

"Woo!" Percy jumped ecstatically, and (f/n) sat up, patting the dust off her shoulders with a laugh.