Blue and White - Levi Fanfiction

Ch. 05 - Change of Pace

Months Later:

I awoke with a yawn. When I opened my eyes, I nearly shrieked and was hit with a wave of panic, for this - the ceiling I was looking at - was a ceiling that I did not recognize. Where the hell am I?!

I sat up and looked around at my surroundings. I took a good look, and then another. Recognition flowed through my veins, replacing the adrenaline, and I no longer felt the urge to take my knife in hand.

As my mind cleared, one thought rang forth clearly: Oh. 

Yes. Oh, indeed.

I flopped back to the mattress with a sigh. I was so close to panicking. Very close. And all for what? I just hadn't quite gotten used to living here yet. I allowed myself to relax and my eyes fluttered closed again. What a way to start my day, huh...?

At any rate, the pillows beneath my head were soft, and warm, full of what might have been downy feathers for how comfortable they were, not like I'd go ripping into them to find out. All I knew was that they were more comfortable than my old ones. Hell, it was all a far shot from what I had in my own apartment. I felt like I was being spoiled, truly. Despite the unfamiliarity of where I was, I couldn't think of a time I had gotten a better night of sleep.

When a relaxed, content sigh passed through my lips and my heart rate started to slow, I allowed myself to recount all that had happened over the past few weeks to lead me here.

—

Weeks Ago:

"Here, Amaya," Mason said. 

When I turned, I was surprised to see him holding his hat towards me. That was fine, he would often leave my share in the hat and I'd pour it into my coin purse. Only, tonight... he hadn't taken any of the money out. He was offering me all of it. The entire thing. It was full, nearly to the brim, with coins and ripped old bills. 

A worried pinch in my brow and a frown were the only changes to my expression, but something about that made him laugh. "What's that look for?"

"You didn't take your share," I said.

"This is your share."

"This is the whole thing," I said uselessly. 

Obviously he knew that, and he responded as such. "Yes."

"Mason."

"Mm-hm?"

"You're ridiculous. Take your damn money. I refuse to accept all of it."

"That's rough," he mused. "Hm. Fine, guess I'll have to just buy you something nice with the money."

"I don't care what you do with it, so long as you take it," I said, embarrassed at the prospect of him buying me anything, much less something extravagant. The man was as earnest as he was talented, but he was an enormous flirt all the same. I couldn't really be sure where the line was. Would he actually buy me something? I didn't know. I wasn't sure if I wanted to find out.

"Listen," Mason said, "the people only gave us so much money because of your voice."

"That's not true," I started to argue.

"Doesn't matter if it's me or someone else on guitar," Mason said. "So long as you play the right notes at the right time, it'll sound the same."

"Unless you take into account that solo you threw in," I added.

"Well," Mason said with a laugh, "sure, personal flair and stuff is different, but you know what I mean! They weren't tipping because of me. I never made this much money, ever. Even my best day didn't make half as much. Clearly, it's because of you. So take it."