The Elite: Wings of Freedom (Levi x OC)

Chapter 35: Back Then

Present - Elena

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I stirred against the warmth of Levi next to me. His arm was a heavy weight on top of me, almost pinning me down. I didn't mind though, opening my eyes slowly to see his sleeping face above me. He must not have been fully asleep, this small action awakening him. Levi's eyes met mine as he raised an eyebrow.

"Were you watching me sleep?" he grumbled, rolling his eyes at the cheeky smile I flashed him.

Bringing my hand up to his back, I snuggled into his chest. "And if I was?" I questioned against his skin, not even sure if he could even hear me.

Feeling him shift, I pulled back slightly, and his hand snaked into the opening I had created. Levi gently caught my chin, brining my face upwards towards him.

Instead of responding to me, he studied my face. His hand slid down from my chin to my neck, his eyebrows pulling together as he gently caressed the healing bruises. They had now turned into a yellow mixed with a faded green, some parts of it were almost completely gone. They weren't as sore now, only a bit tender.

"If that piece of shit comes within even 10 feet of you, I'm going to make his life a living hell," he grumbled, allowing his anger to freely show in his voice.

I grabbed onto his hand, squeezing gently as to comfort him. I had the feeling that there was more to his reaction to the bruises than what he had let on, but I didn't want to push him too much to tell me.

After debating whether or not to say something, I took in a deep breath, which drew Levi's attention back to my face. "Levi, is there something else that's bothering you?"

A sigh sounded from him, and he broke eye contact, looking back down at my neck. I swallowed; I hope I didn't upset him. He didn't say anything, but his face settled into a scowl as he examined me. I watched him in silence, waiting to see if he was going to say something, or if he was done talking about it.

"It's just that," he paused, looking back up at me. "These remind me of the ones I left on you a few years ago. Do you remember that?"

I nodded, "Yes I remember. That was back when we didn't get along." Those bruises that he left on me back then weren't as bad as these ones. They didn't hurt anymore after a few days and were mostly gone at the end of the week.

He rolled his eyes, "Some people would still say that we don't get along."

I laughed lightly, "Yeah, well, those people don't know what happens behind closed doors."

His face softened as a smirk formed on his lips. "I'm fairly certain that we're the only ones who know what happens," he raised an eyebrow at me, giving me a suggestive look.

"Well, Hange might know," I shrugged my shoulders, returning his look.

He scoffed, "She may have suspicions but there's no way she'd know for sure unless she caught us in the act."

My eyes widened and I opened my mouth in surprise at his comment. "Levi!" I pushed his shoulder lightly to show my disapproval.

"What? It's true," he responded, giving me a sly smile.

I rolled my eyes at him, but laughed lightly. I was about to say something but was cut off by Levi placing another kiss on my lips.

"I don't want to think about anyone else right now," he said, his voice deepening as we stared at each other.

A small smile drew out my lips, and I nodded to him. We fell silent, my head resting against his chest.

"Levi," I started, looking back up at him.

"Hmm?" he responded, not opening his eyes.

I hesitated, nervous about what I was going to say next. "You never really told me why that happened... you know, that time when you left the bruises."

His body tensed up against me, I could tell he wasn't happy I had said that. He opened his eyes and looked down at me, I saw a hint of hurt flash across his face.

"I didn't?" he asked, his voice softer now.

I shook my head, "If you don't want to tell me you don't have to, but I would like to know."

He sighed, "That was years ago..."

I thought for a moment, "Yeah. I was still a cadet; it was maybe a few weeks into me being a scout."

"Right," he mused, staringat the wall behind me in thought. "Oh, I remember what happened now," he saidafter a moment of silence, looking down at me.