Guiding Light

Chapter 4: Life Always Begins Again

Chapter 4: Life Always Begins Again

Levi is woken up by a ray of sunlight making its way into his eyes from where Nico's bedroom curtains had been left slightly open. He groans, instinctively moving his hand in front of his face to block the light from hitting his eyes. He turns away from the direction of the window, and comes face to face with the sleeping Nico next to him.

The sun ray was now hitting Nico's collarbone and chin. Levi eyes the room around them without moving, noticing how it is painted an earthy orange tone from the early morning sunlight.

A new day.

Levi keeps watching Nico breathing calmly, in and out, his eyelids flickering slightly every now and then as he dreams. Levi can't help the deep feeling of love that fills each corner of his mind as the minutes go by.

What happened yesterday seems like years ago. Levi doesn't know how long he had slept, but it was the first proper sleep he has had in weeks. He can feel the difference in both his body and his mind, feeling rested and his thoughts clearer than in a long time.

He lifts his hand and traces his fingers gently along Nico's arm, going all the way from his shoulder to the start of his elbow, continuing to his forearm and then all the way back again. Nico moves softly and Levi moves his hand back, allowing it to rest next to his chest.

"Hey," Nico says groggily, his eyes still half-closed from having just woken up.

"Hi."

Nico reaches his hand out and places it on top of Levi's.

"How did you sleep?" Nico asks.

"Good," Levi smiles.

"I'm glad."

They look into each other's eyes for a bit longer. Levi loves this part. He loves that he doesn't have to go into detail about everything with Nico, the look he is giving him says what is needed at this moment. Levi moves closer to Nico, brushing his nose against his. He places a feather soft kiss on his lips and gently runs his fingers through his black hair.

Then his stomach grumbles way too loud.

Nico can't help but laugh.

"When's the last time you ate?" he asks, smiling.

"I have no idea," Levi says and can't help but laugh with Nico. The smile feels odd on his face, using muscles he has not used for so many weeks. He realises he probably has not smiled since before Christmas, before Devon.

-

After breakfast, the two sit on the couch watching television. Levi appreciates Nico not bringing up yesterday, or the surgery, or anything too heavy; but instead, just letting him sit here with him watching a silly reality show.

An hour or so passes before Levi's phone rings. The phone lays on the side table next to Nico. Nico reaches for it, glancing at the caller ID before handing the phone to Levi.

"It's Jo," Nico says.

Levi hesitates for a second, not really feeling up for a conversation with anyone except Nico. He still ends up pressing the green icon.

"Hi Jo."

After exchanging pleasantries, Jo tells Levi that Dr. Webber has requested for him to come to the hospital in order to speak with him.

"I'm not coming back there and I'm not interested in talking with Webber about anything," Levi spits out before even thinking his sentence through or realising how rude he just sounded, "sorry, Jo, I just-, I was there yesterday and it-, it was a lot," he says and glances at Nico's direction.