Wild Card || Levi x Reader

sixteen - [when] I'll catch you up

You and Levi sit in the grass for a long time, doing nothing more than enjoying each other's presence. You talk a bit more about your friends, and he tells you a bit more about his past- it's good for both of you.

And by the time you stand up, ready to start the trek back, you feel better. You really do. You wonder if Levi knows how much this meant to you. You think he does.

On the way back, the two of you come across some wild turkeys, and you shoot a few to take back to the bunker. At least it makes your trip out here fruitful- maybe they'll let you come out again. Or maybe you don't have to wait for them to 'let you' do anything. Maybe you'll just leave and watch them try to stop you.

When you get back, Levi hits a button on the wall, and after a short wait, the doors open up. You march inside and drop the dead turkeys to the ground, and Levi adds his to your pile- five in total. "Damn," one of the guards says, impressed. "Successful hunting trip?"

"Hunting trip?" you ask with a frown.

He gestures to the dead turkeys. "Was that not what you were out there for? You came back with a decent haul."

You shrug. "We found these on the way back. Killed them maybe ten minutes ago."

He pauses. "Maybe you should join our hunting crews then."

You perk up. "Really?"

"She's got other responsibilities, Marshall," the other guard says, rolling his eyes. "Mockingjay's got better things to do than hunt."

"I absolutely do not," you say firmly. "When's the next hunting party?"

You can hear Levi muttering "why am I not surprised" behind you, and it makes your lips twitch. The two guards look at each other, then back to you. "Are you serious?" one of them asks.

You shrug. "This took ten minutes. Just wait and see what I can get done in a few hours."

They look at each other again. Behind you, Levi snaps, "for fuck's sake, if you don't let her go, she'll sneak out anyways."

"He's right," you agree, pointing at him. "I will."

One of the guards shrugs- you think his name was Marshall. "Next hunt is in two days at 6 am," he says. "If you want to join."

"Great," you say eagerly. "I'll be here."

You and Levi leave your turkeys and weapons in the capable hands of the guards and head back into the bunker. You're feeling better, significantly so: spending the whole day outside, staying away from your responsibilities for a bit, and talking with Levi was just so nice. And the promise of a hunt tomorrow certainly helps.

But you should see Petra. You don't want to face it, face all of the consequences of the mission yesterday, but you need to.

"You'll be okay?" Levi asks when you tell him where you're going.

You nod. "Yeah. I've got Petra, I'll be okay."

He stares at you for a moment, like he's trying to decide if you're serious or just caught up in your pride. "You're sure?" he asks, eyebrows knitting together. After a moment, he adds, "you're actually fine, real or not real?"

"Real," you tell him with a grin, even if you're not completely sure. "Yeah. Real." Your voice softens. "And thank you," you murmur. "For checking. And for- for telling me everything you did."

Levi reaches for you, and he squeezes your hand. "Yeah," he echoes. "Well, you listened."

"Don't applaud me for basic human decency," you scold lightly, squeezing his hand. "Okay. I'll see you later?"