Detective Levi x Reader - Vintage fic

Chapter Four - The way you look tonight (part 1)

[Author-chan: if Levi supposed to be ugly in AoT universe why he so damn fine?]

I accompany Hange to the factory before I make my way to the tram. I have classes soon. But before I can leave, Armin runs to me in the reception, a huge smile on his face.

"Y/N! Please, take this home" He delivers me an envelope. "It's the first overdue payment for your father. And I'm getting mine too".

I grab it for dear life. "This is a miracle! Did I say something right?"

"I don't know, but mr. Smith solved it somehow".

"Oh, Y/N! We should celebrate!" Hange says, shaking my arm. "It's Friday! Let's go out".

"I'm sorry, Hange, I still can't spend any unnecessary cent until we're truly stable".

"It's on me, then. Think you can get your lovely friend at the Hotel's bar?"

I look at Armin, hopefully. Mikasa doesn't care for anybody, except her brother and Armin.

"Armin, we have the biggest favor to ask you!"

— — —

"Hange, are we here to work or for tourism? There's no way I'm going to do some celebration sort of thing".

"Come on, Levi, Y/N's family got their payment and she won't have to marry the old man".

"Good". I simply say.

I thought I kept my expression serene enough, but Hange knows me too well. She sees my satisfaction even though no smile escapes from me.

"Why do I feel you have something to do with this?"

"I may have threatened to leave the case if Erwin didn't shove his hands on his shitty pockets to pay people. It irritated me".

"Oh, Levi! You're a sweetheart!"

"Shut it".

"So you have to come with us! Or else I'm gonna straight torture you with some singing for the whole day".

"Fine. You're buying me drinks. Just don't tell anyone what I did. Don't want them thinking I care".

— — —

I don't own any extravagant dresses. Nothing with velvet or silk like I dream of. So I pick one of my favorite dresses, even if it's not as formal as expected. But it fits for a warm night.

I wait at the reception for Hange, talking to Historia and Ymir, Sasha and Connie. I told Sasha about the night out and Connie agreed to take her.

We've known Connie Springer forever, like Armin Arlert and the Jaeger brothers. Before the factory got to town, only a few people would move in or out from Maria. That's why it could be hard to meet new people.

From the stairs I see Hange coming down, followed by mr. Ackerman. I didn't expect him to come as well. Not that he seemed excited or anything close to that.

"Good night, detectives" we all say to them.

There's still two people missing, but I don't know if they're even coming.

"Would you look at Y/N? You look like the last blossom surviving the coldest winter in a far away place".

"That's really specific" I smile. "Thank you for inviting me, Hange. These are my best friends, Sasha Braus and Connie Springer. Hope it's okay for them to join us tonight".

"The more the merrier".

Hange still wears pants, but her blouse is much fancier than before, a dark red, and she's without her glasses. Mr. Ackerman is well-dressed as usual. Never saw him using a regular bowtie. He seems to like this frilly one.

"Can we go?" Mr. Ackerman says.

He waits for me to go into the restaurant first. He moves his hand to my back to guide me, but never really touches me. I look back at him taking in his bored glaze. He smells good, like wood. Nothing strong like men's cologne that smells like they need people to acknowledge them. It's a simple perfume. Just clean.

Maybe it's in my head, but I could swear I hear him sniffing me too.

— — —

I take in her smell to find out it's the same as the tissue she returned. It's for sure lavender, but with something else, something citric. I could ask her. But it's not like me to do so.

We sit at a round big table, Hange and miss L/N on my sides. Everyone asks for fancy drinks but I feel like taking beer straight from the bottle. The room is dark. There's the bar with green velvet stools on the right and a piano at the other side of the room.

I turn to miss L/N, before they can start some boring conversation.

"You said you wanted to help? I've something you could do to save us time, if you're still interested. Heard your family is safe for now, though".

"I'm still up to it. Anything you and Hange may need".

Her eyes glow, determined.

"You'd have to go investigate in Rose. I've heard it takes about half an hour by train. I'll explain to you later and will cover for the trip".

"Don't worry about it, this is on me. My friend travels to nearby towns to sell groceries on weekends. I can ask for a ride so I won't waste your money on train tickets".

Practical and smart. Maybe she can get things done.

— — —

As the night goes on and we eat, I realize Mikasa isn't coming. I'm not surprised and Hange doesn't ask about her. She's a tough one. I need to think of another strategy, but later. A pianist comes into the restaurant and starts playing some cheerful ballad.

I can't help my feet to stomp on the ground in rhythm. I like dancing, but looking at the table, I know there any chances of getting a pair.

"Connie, go dance with Y/N" Sasha commands.

"Me? No way, do you want her to lose her toes?!"

"It's okay, Sasha..." I try to say.

"Just go! I know she wants to dance!"

As he likes to be bossed around by Sasha, Connie gets up and grabs my hand, pulling me close to where the piano is. He has no idea what to do, but I hold his hands and start moving around, hoping he can catch up.

Connie and I spin through the room, kinda clumsy. I laugh but we go on, Sasha clapping for us in encouragement. I try to teach him some steps and find myself impressed as he gets it right fast.

"Sasha, I think your fiancé can dance!" I scream at her.

I think it's in my head again, but I see mr. Ackerman cracking the tiniest smile.

— — —

I notice myself smiling, but do nothing to stop it. She's young. Slightly charming. She could find someone more suitable for her than an old man, indeed.

[Song from title - The way you look tonight, Tony Bennett]

[Author-chan: the dress we're wearing tonight <3]