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

69: Chipping Away

  When your order arrived, you refused to eat until Levi did so first. He accepted the brioche, reluctantly nibbling on the toast. Satisfied, you began cutting up your crepes. 

  "You didn't need to get me food," he finally protested despite accepting your gesture.

  "You should eat, just like you tell me I should eat." His hypocrisy was immense, an issue you were determined to fix.

  "I can take care of myself," he mumbled, anxious to refute you but unwilling to do so aggressively. 

  "That's what I used to say, too, but you'd still make sure I would eat properly."

  "Yes. It's my job to take care of you."

  "Sure, as it is mine. A relationship is a two-way street. There are things I want to help you with as well."

  "I don't need help."

  "Yes, you do. Everybody does." 

  "I don't want help."

  "Why not?" you asked desperately. "Why are you so resistant?"

  He chewed on the bite he had taken, thinking. "Being looked after is weak." 

  "It isn't, Levi!" You took a moment, holding back your rising anxiety. "I...I think it's your insecurity." 

  "What? I'm not insecure." Levi set down his food, losing his appetite.

  "You are, and it's okay." You had to tread lightly to avoid triggering him to shut down. "There's nothing wrong with it, but I'd rather you admit as such than pretend like everything is fine."

  He couldn't keep hiding behind his lie, but he wasn't ready to openly discuss it. "I'm not insecure. I'm strong."

  You sighed, realizing a change in tactics was necessary. "Levi, do you know how happy I was last night? When you fell asleep with me, on me, it was really special. It meant a lot to me that you were willing to be that comfortable." 

  "That was-"

  "No, listen. Just listen for a second." You made sure he was quiet and focused. "Look, I love those moments. I really do. I feel so honored to witness that side of you, that side that hardly anyone else gets to see."

  He wasn't going to interrupt.

  "So, it would mean so much to me if you let me see that more. If you just let yourself be comfortable around me, it would make me really happy." You paused. "Don't you want me to be happy?"

  "I do."

  "Then, will you allow yourself to open up to me?"

  He took quite a while to respond, arguing with himself and festering over the right answer. "I will," he said barely audibly. "As long as I'm not mocked for it."

  "Not at all," you promised. "Nor will I think you're weak. Believe me, you'll make me nothing but overjoyed if you let me see that part of you."

  "Good grief, alright." He adjusted his position and picked up his teacup, unable to linger in mawkishness. "You've been doing more talking than eating. Your food will get cold." 

  "Sure thing." 

  When the check came around, you waited until the waiter left it alone with Levi before extending a hand. "I want to pay." 

  "No, I have it covered."

  "Levi, I insist. Let me pay." You were already withdrawing your wallet, adamant in your decision.