Falling For You

Dare

As Levi went to the kitchen to get you both some tea, you dressed yourself and started looking around the room. Everything was neat and orderly, not like you expected it to be any other way. You ran your finger over the spines of the smooth books on his shelf until you felt something rough. One small, ratty book was kept between the large, newer volumes. You pulled it off the shelf and felt your heart jump when you saw the cover. You knew this small, forest green leather book. It was a book of short stories that your father would read to you often when he was home. You cherished those special moments, the memories that made his absence slightly bearable. You even had you own copy (albeit a much less tattered one) tucked safely under your pillow to keep your father close by. You carefully turned the pages, smiling to yourself.

"I can't believe you made me put this shit in your tea." Levi scoffed from the door, carrying two cups of tea: his cup of black earl grey tea, yours with one milk and one sugar. He saw you standing by the bookshelf and approached curiously. When he saw which book you were holding, he tensed up a little.

"Careful with that please." he said, trying not to sound overly nervous.

"I am, don't worry. I have the same book. I actually grew up on those stories."

Levi sat the teacups down on his desk and smiled to himself. He walked over to you and placed his chin on your shoulder, looking down at the book with you.

"Me too. I don't read it much anymore because I don't want the book to fall apart." he said gently.

"Oh sorry. I'll put it back then." you apologized and slid the book back on the shelf.

"That's ok. Which story is your favourite?" he asked, wrapping his arms around your waist. You blushed; you were taken aback by his gentle sweetness.

"The Wind in the Willows. You?" you asked, leaning back into his embrace.

"That's my favourite too." he released you and you both walked over to his desk where the tea was waiting. He handed you your cup and you took a sip of the warm, light brown liquid.

"My mother would read them to me as a kid and that's the one that just stuck with me." he said, swishing the tea around his cup.

"Yeah, my father would read them to me. It's all I really have left of him." you said, taking a sip of your tea.

"I'm sorry. I've read about your father. It mentions him in your file." he said, averting his glance from you.

"You read my file?" you smirk.

"I was...making sure of a few things." he mumbled.

"Like what?" you laughed. "You were making sure I wasn't a minor weren't you!" you shoved him.

"What like that's a bad thing? I will have you know; I was also making sure you haven't been convicted of any crimes, brat." he shoved you back. You continued to drink your tea in a comfortable silence. Levi couldn't help himself from sneaking quick glances at you while you sipped your tea. He loved how the tea moistened your lips, making them look even more delicious. He had half a mind to kiss you right there, but it didn't feel like the right moment. He internally scolded himself: You had no issue letting her suck your dick, but you can't kiss her? You idiot. He was nervous about the level of intimacy that came along with actually feeling your lips on his. He still didn't really understand his intentions or his feelings towards you. He figured there was no way you were interested in a relationship with him. Not when there's a high chance one or both of you wouldn't return from any given expedition. He also didn't think you would want to tie yourself down to him. Sullen and bad-tempered, humanity's strongest soldier. He knew that title came with very little freedom, he was a weapon. He could at least offer you a distraction while tending to his need for intimacy and connection.