The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

Just Like Old Times

Levi's POV:

When I saw Flagon kiss Tessa's cheek, I snapped that my grip on the back of the chair was so powerful it made the wood crack. Surprisingly I didn't get any splinters in my hand, not that I gave a damn about it anyway. Though I realize we had never established what our first kiss meant, it would have to wait because I couldn't let Flagon get away with disrespecting Tessa. When I see Tessa jump out of her chair, I swiftly grab her hand and pull her behind me as my storm-colored eyes enraged with chaos. I hear Furlan and Isabel stand beside Tessa to ensure she doesn't move while Kip joins my side as he continues growling at Flagon. I cut my eyes to him while holding onto Tessa's wrist, "I think you've overstepped your boundaries, Captain," I state, "I believe you should apologize to Tessa." I advise, only for Flagon to scoff, "Who are you to tell me what I should do, you little punk?" He asks as he crosses his arms, "I'm your superior here." He reminds me, which angers Tessa because she tries to fight past me, only for me to stop her by tapping her knuckles, signaling her to trust me, just like I used to do when we were kids.

It works because Tessa relaxes her stance beside me but not her fists, which makes me smirk as I look at Flagon, "Your title doesn't bother me as much as you disrespecting Tessa when she told you to back off," I remind him, "Being a leader means respecting everyone around you and not try to harass them because you think you can. That's not being a leader. That's being an insufferable jackass." I remark, only for Isabel to snort a laugh. I knew I had pissed Flagon off because I watched him narrow his eyes at me before looking at the others. However, before he can say anything, he stops when he sees Kip standing before me, baring his teeth at him. Fear quickly appears on Flagon's face, realizing it's not me he needs to worry about now. It's Kip. Flagon throws his hands up while slowly backing away, not breaking his attention on the black hound, "Alright, I'm sorry," He apologizes before looking at Tessa, "I'm sorry, Tessa." He repeats, but Tessa doesn't say anything as she smirks before whistling for Kip to come to her side.

After Flagon scurries off, Tessa laughs while petting Kip's head, "Well, that went better than I expected. Thanks, guys." She chuckles, and Isabel and Furlan join in her laughter, but I don't. I was enraged by Flagon's actions because they reminded me of the times I protected Tessa in the Underground. The memory, in particular, was when I shielded her for the first time against the two thugs who looked at Tessa like she was a piece of meat, which caused her to scrape her knees outside Kenny's home. I couldn't protect Tessa when the MPs killed her mom, which further infuriated me even more because of my guilt of not being there to protect her, causing me to clench my fists so hard, making me think I feel blood dripping from between my fingers. Before I can look to see, I feel a gentle touch on my side and know who it is, allowing me to relax my fists when I look at Tessa's blue eyes, "Let's go to the wing so I can take the splinters out," She whispers, which I nod to Tessa's request, and we start to leave. While walking away, Tessa turns back to the others, "Go ahead to the training yard. We'll meet you guys there," She insists, "Kip, go with Furlan and Isabel." She orders, and Kip barks before joining Furlan's and Isabel's sides, allowing us to leave the mess hall peacefully.

After walking back inside the wing, I lean against Tessa's desk while she goes to the medical cabinet. I let out a frustrated sigh because jealousy and anger had painted my actions, resulting in my promise to Furlan about keeping my cool wavering. We've been on the surface for two days now, and I've almost lost it on both days with the same person. Even with my back to them, I didn't have to look over my shoulder to see Isabel's or Furlan's concerned faces for them to understand how much I was willing to risk everything if Tessa's involved. I am so wrapped up in my thoughts that I don't realize Tessa is in front of me until I hear her sigh, "Levi," She whispers, and I look at her, "Will you let me see your hands, please?" She asks as she holds her hand out. After I place one of my hands on Tessa's, I watch her jaws drop because I don't have splinters on my palms but crescent rings, making her sigh again, "Are you okay?" She asks as she cleans the markings, and I smirk while watching her, "I have a high pain tolerance, Tess." I chuckle before I see her glaring at me, "You know that's not what I meant, Levi." She clarifies when she finishes cleaning my hand to work on the other. After Tessa cleans the blood off my palms, I pull Tessa close and wrap my arms around her frame before resting my head on her shoulder, "I'm fine. I promise." I whisper. The last thing I want to do is talk about the past again because I know how much Tessa has endured.