Stay Beneath Him (INCOMPLETE) (Levi x Reader Fanfiction)

20: A Shift In Power

  You awoke with dull pain the next morning, a grim reminder of last night's events. Levi's screams and insults rang in your head, worsening the emotions riddling you. Your only motivation to get ready for the day was a drive to prove that whatever you suffered last night wasn't enough to knock you down. You could keep going, and you weren't going to let Levi think he had demolished you.

  Ready for the day, you slipped out of your hotel room and kept an eye on Levi's door as you quickly darted past it, hurrying to the elevator. 

  At breakfast, you joined the literature department at their table, finding Levi absent. 

  "You see Levi?" Rico asked.

  "No," you said quietly. You weren't sure if you wanted to see him. 

  "Wanna place bets? I'm thinking he'll show up after five minutes," Flagon laughed.

  "Knock it off, Flagon." Lynne sat with her plate of food. 

  You ate silently, disregarding the conversations of the professors. You were braced for his appearance at any moment, antagonizing you with the fear that he would unleash another round of terror in response to your assertiveness last night. 

  I don't know what to do anymore. You cursed yourself for surviving this long, blinded by the belief that you could tolerate him. Whether or not that tolerance truly was an indulgence felt pointless by now. Last night was a nightmare, one that snapped you back to the reality of your situation. It's my fault for not leaving sooner. I should've been smarter. 

  That phrase was one you didn't think often. You had remarkable intelligence and self-awareness, equipped with a prowess that could be utilized in almost any situation. Levi threw a wrench in the system, confusing your rationality and seducing you into a sensual state of intense dynamics, dancing with you in a limbo between hate and admiration. 

  I need to find a solution. I've let it get too far. You mused to yourself, formulating an answer to your struggle. 

  "Alright, we're off. (Y/n), you wanna come?" Nanaba stood up. 

  "Um, I'm going to sit back for a bit. I have to talk to...uh, Erwin."

  "No problem. If we don't run into you, I'll see you at the banquet tonight."

  "Okay." You kept your eyes on the table. 

  The literature department left, several minutes passed, and Levi still made no appearance. The number of professors dwindled, with just a few stragglers finishing up their food. 

  I don't know what to do. Your mind was blank, failing to come up with any next step. Should I go talk to Levi? Should I leave? You stood up, trying to reach an answer as you left the diner. 

  I can't stand to see him right now, you decided. I'm just going to go to the university. 

  The conference was barely able to keep your attention. You weren't giving much thought to the lectures you chose to attend, your mind busy with scattered emotions about Levi. Despite your best efforts, last night never left your head and you could only focus on the matter at hand. Levi never texted you, nor did you come across him on campus. You pondered what he was doing; how he was handling himself after what he'd done. 

  At midday, you gave up on trying to engage in the summit and returned to the hotel, already regretting the decision to see Levi. I can't avoid him forever. I'm just going to get frustrated if I never talk to him. 

  At Levi's door, you took a few deep breaths before ringing the doorbell. 

  There was silence for a long, long, time. You were about to consider searching for him elsewhere when the door slowly swung open, revealing the messy professor.