{LeviHan} Beyond

Chapter 9: Evening Away

"Another promise made with this merman. He captured her heart- but now how can she live? Two worlds cannot merge together, or can they? She doesn't know anything else about this young man- she didn't know he was a thief on the run. He truly was a criminal- stealing gold and now, her heart."

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Hanji's POV

Walking into work, it feels like there was this veil circling around me. Whenever I walked, I could just smile unexpectedly. Levi's charm has captured me... and I can't think- no, I can't focus on anything else. I wanted to be with him...

"Hey- Hanji!"

"Eh?" I turned around to see Nanaba walking with two cups of coffee in her hands. Both from the café shop we always went to in the morning and afternoons during breaks. Ah, I remember- I was told to go meet up with her... I forgot... "Oh... coffee..."

"Yeah, did you space out and forget? Oh well- here you go- coffee with cream and 1 sugar cube."

"Thank you," I say softly, taking the coffee from her hands. The warm, sweet taste of it filling my mouth. Knowing I was close to shivering last night next to Levi, this warm coffee made my day. "Sorry I forgot... I just... wanted to get a head start on my CEO job. Erwin's leaving by the end of this week, so I want to help get myself into that role."

Nanaba chuckled, drinking her own coffee. "Ah yes... but now- you know what that means?"

"No, I don't...?"

She chuckles once more, smiling softly. "Erwin is no longer a part of this company. You know that the word between you and him are spreading... you can start to date him. After all, it was against policy for high ups to date one another. Now he's no longer working here... you'll be safe to date him."

"Date him?" I chuckled softly. I would've thought to accept that and be with Erwin. But those times last night with the merman Levi... I had to deny Erwin for the one creature in the sea. "I know the rumors are there," I began, "but I don't think I'll date Erwin just yet."

"Think of it before it's too late. Okay?"

"I will." Honestly... I wanted to be with Levi. But my life up here has been decided already.

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Creeping on the shore, I can hear the waves crashing. My eyes continued to scan over the waters. Aside from the mini waves, I thought I saw a black tail peaking through the dark waters. I smiled, knowing who it was.

"Levi!" I called out, running towards him.

His head poked out- his pale face being out of the sea. A soft smile on his face. How much longer must we be separate? He swam closer to shore, resuming his usual place. "Hey, Hanji... have you slept since we last seen you here?"

"No, I haven't."

"You have to sleep. I won't catch you and lay you back down to sleep again." Levi says softly, sighing. He lifts himself above the shallow waters. Looking up with those silver eyes. "But... I wouldn't mind it if you can sleep with me..."

"Gah, I can't, Levi... too much on the human realm for me to join you..." Then, there's that idea. "Levi, is it possible for you to join me on land?"

"I... I can't..." He says softly, shaking his head. "The magic to do so... it costs a lot. My friends and I... we're struggling in the caves down below. I can't leave them. I'm... I'm too loyal for them..."

Leaning down to him, I smiled softly. "Then... we can remain like this, can't I? I mean, it's far too soon for me to say these words... but I must say them, Levi... because, you truly did capture me. I wonder if it was that kiss that both saved me and made myself fall for you? That's what legends say about mermaids. A kiss shall make them fall into the depths of ocean- sometimes falling in love with them or drowning them into the icy ocean."

"It's not my kiss that did that..." He chuckles softly, smiling towards me. "I think we just have something between us..."

"Is that so?"

Levi responded with, "Of course..."