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

67: Cold Exterior

  The sun had left, the night sky hidden behind a cloudy veil. You and Levi agreed to stay at the lodge for the remainder of the evening; it was too late to take a trip to town. Levi was able to make a dinner with the ingredients in the stocked fridge, having been given plenty of food for the weekend. After eating, you sat at the kitchen's bar while he washed dishes, flipping through a magazine you had found on the coffee table.

  "Oh, Levi!" You caught sight of a pretty attraction the town boasted in its local pamphlet.

  "Yes?" Levi had his attention on the sink, only slightly turning his head to listen to you.

  "They have a lake near the edge of town. Apparently it's already frozen solid this time of year. Have you ever been ice skating?"

  "Hm? No, I haven't."

  "Perfect. That's it." You nodded, satisfied with your plan. "We're going ice skating tomorrow, then. Finally something you're not good at."

  "Yes, maybe." Levi wasn't afraid of the thought. "Have you skated before?"

  "Yeah, several times when I was younger. I'm not an expert or anything, but I do pretty well."

  "I see."

  "I'm excited. I can't wait to see you all flustered." You were already fantasizing about a struggling Levi, one that would be forced to rely on you.

  "Right. We'll see about that." Levi shut off the sink. "Have you found anything else?"

  "A few cute cafes, there's a theater nearby..." You kept flipping through the pages, skimming the available activities. "Oh, since it's the first weekend of December, they have a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Apparently there's a big evergreen near the town center."

  "Hm." Levi didn't sound interested.

  "Do you celebrate Christmas, Levi?" You looked up.

  "No." He finished wiping his hands on a dishcloth before heading to you.

  "Are you religious?"

  "Not really." He stayed on the other side of the bar counter, slouching forward and resting his arms on the surface. "What about you? Do you celebrate the holidays?"

  "I don't care either way. I can get behind the festivities, but I don't bother going home to my family or planning anything huge. It's just a holiday."

  "I see. Are you on bad terms with your family?"

  You shook your head. "Not bad terms or anything. I just have a life to live, I guess. I don't have the time or interest to visit them when I have my own obligations."

  "Hm."

  You remembered Levi's own familial history. "Sorry, I should probably be more appreciative of them. I must sound spoiled, dismissing a good family like that."

  "No. Do what you want. I don't envy you or resent you for it."

  You set the open magazine on the counter. "Well, anyways, we can spend the holidays together if you don't have plans."

  "Not at all. I usually spend them alone anyways."

  You saddened at his frank confession of isolation. Reaching across the countertop, you rested a hand on his arm. "Not anymore. I'm here."

  "Yes." He layered his hand atop yours. "Yes, you are."

  Levi was already indulging in the comfort of his private time with you, his sharp exterior nearly ready to entirely dissipate and make way for the self he was comfortable showing only to you. You felt this progression, this slow ascension to his deeper personality that stayed locked up behind cold impassivity. You'd never force it; instead, you knew it would be a journey that would only be guaranteed if Levi was secure and relaxed. You could wait as long as necessary to witness more of his emotions.