Bargain (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 6: The Demon's Story

When he opened his eyes, he was lying on his soft bed, staring up at the night sky.

"Levi?" came Wrath's tentative voice from beside him.

He turned his head slightly, searching for the source of that welcome sound. Wrath was perched on the edge of the mattress, staring at him with a poorly concealed mixture of worry and relief. She was just far enough away that he wouldn't be able to touch her if he reached out.

Remembering that he had been on death's door when he arrived here, Levi did a quick evaluation of his body. Aside from feeling a bit groggy, he thought he was okay. Everything seemed to be intact, and he wasn't experiencing any pain. So, either he was healed, or...

"Am I dead?" he whispered.

Wrath shook her head. "No, you're alive. I was able to heal you before your heart stopped beating."

Levi's half-lidded eyes softened in gratitude. "And what's it going to cost me this time?" he asked, his fingers absently moving to touch the collar of ink around his throat. Yet, there was no malice in his voice. He didn't mind if he had to make another deal with Wrath. By now, he trusted that she wouldn't ask for anything he was unwilling to give.

Wrath looked stricken. In the next instant, she turned her face away so that he wouldn't see. "No..." she murmured quietly. "No more deals, Levi."

He should have noticed that something was wrong with her, but he didn't. He was still caught in the fuzzy space between sleeping and waking, and so he merely assumed that her dour mood was left over from the worry she had felt when he had nearly died in her foyer. Nonetheless, he didn't want Wrath to be upset, and especially not on his account.

He had never been great at cheering people up, but for Wrath, he was willing to try. "That's too bad," he muttered, lips quirking slightly. "I wouldn't have said no to another kiss."

Wrath's head snapped around to face him, and with a jolt, Levi finally realized how distraught she was. Her brow was furrowed tightly as she stared at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. The sight jerked him wide awake.

"Why?" Wrath asked hoarsely. "Why would you ever want to touch me? I forced you into marriage. Don't you hate me?"

Levi pushed himself into a seated position, unsure of where all of this was coming from. Although she had been concerned with his wellbeing on several occasions, in the weeks he had known her, Wrath had never shown regret or remorse for the bargain she had made with him.

"Wrath, I..." he stammered, reaching out a hand to her. But he stopped himself, afraid of doing the wrong thing, afraid of pushing her away when he only wanted to help. "No," he murmured, looking into her gleaming eyes with complete sincerity. "I don't hate you. I mean, I think I did, at first. But not anymore."

"Well, you should," Wrath snapped, the tears in her eyes threatening to spill over. "I'm a monster."

Levi's brow furrowed in concern. "You're not a monster," he assured her gently. "I've met a lot of monsters in my time, and you aren't one of them. It doesn't matter if you're a demon. You've saved me four times now, and you're one of the kindest people I've ever known."

"You don't know me," she hissed, her ruby eyes narrowing. "You don't understand."

Levi sighed. "Then explain it to me," he murmured, holding her gaze beseechingly. "Tell me who you are. Tell me why you did all of this. Tell me why I'm here, if not because you wanted to help me."

The demon bit her lip. She averted her eyes, but Levi could still see the dilemma in them. Finally, those eyes closed as Wrath released a defeated sigh. Then she looked up, but still not at him.