Don't Die - Levi x Reader {Book 1}

Chapter 49

"Relax, (Y/N). You're not going to hurt me."

Levi stared at the hard lines and creases of her face. She was trying to hide the fact that she was worried but she wasn't doing a very good job.

(Y/N) sighed.

What had seemed like a good idea just a few minutes ago now seemed dangerous and rushed.

(Y/N) met Levi's gaze. He was determined, sure. He already had his hands raised and his feet spread for balance. Were she not still considering how unsafe this was in her head, she would have admired the way his muscles were flexing as he prepared for their fight.

It was true that this had been her idea... or maybe Hange's idea... but she'd still agreed to it. But now, she was having second thoughts. She hadn't fought like this in a long time. All of her time in the military had been spent suppressing her father's teachings. She was afraid that if she let them out now, she wouldn't be as controlled, as practiced. If she wasn't careful, she knew she could hurt Levi... seriously. Every move was designed to damage, to break. If she lost focus, if she went too far... things could turn bad. Fast.

"I don't know, Levi. I haven't practiced in so long and I-"

"I'm not that breakable, (Y/N)."

Her eyes flicked to meet his gaze. His hands were still raised. He was ready to start at any moment.

She contemplated. She'd already told Hange that she'd do this, that she'd show her fighting style. But the cons were starting to outweigh the pros. In fact, there was one con that would outweigh any pro. If she hurt Levi, she'd never forgive herself.

She was just about to shake her head, to back out, when Levi spoke again.

"I trust you, (Y/N). Now, you trust me."

She stared at him, eyes wide as she realized what he was asking of her. He was saying that he knew she was strong, that her fighting style was deadly and horrifying and yet he still trusted her not to hurt him. But he was also saying that he was deadly and horrifying. He was strong, with or without a special technique. No matter what she threw at him, he'd be able to handle it. She wouldn't take him down easily.

Her brows furrowed as she came to a decision. She would trust him. He was strong in every way and she suddenly felt sure that he could take anything.
Levi must have seen the decision in her eyes because his gaze hardened and his position got tighter. He was ready when she was.

(Y/N) lifted her hands, a bit surprised by how easy it was to fall back into old habits. Her feet shifted in the dirt until she found the stability she was looking for and then she looked to Levi one last time.

"Ready?"

He stared at her for a few seconds and then finally... he nodded.

(Y/N) moved quickly and went straight for his leg, sweeping at his ankle. He dodged her easily, sliding to the side before she could make contact.

That was fine. She'd been expecting him to move.

Even as she'd been sweeping at Levi's leg, she'd been balancing herself, preparing for what he might do next. She'd taken a gamble. Would he slide left, right, back? He'd chosen right. Unfortunately for him, that was what she'd expected him to do.

Having already balanced herself, (Y/N) stood more quickly than Levi had been expecting and she swung her leg at his side.

Levi's eyes widened as he realized he was going to get hit. There was no avoiding it... but maybe he could lessen the blow. He shifted so she'd hit more of his back than his front. It still hurt but not as badly as if she'd hit his ribs.