Laverna [ Levi Ackerman x Reader ]

↳ 𝟏.𝟗𝐚 - 𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟'𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦

WEEKS LATER, YOU finally got your hands on ODM gear.

Leading up to then, you pickpocketed quite a few people— but whatever you didn't keep would go toward Yan's recovery.

Yan seemed to be healing well but didn't seem himself. Though his eyes lit up when he saw the ODM gear, it died out moments later, and he said he'd prefer to rest. You, Levi, and Furlan shared the same concerns but respected Yan's wishes.

The three of you gathered outside the house, fiddling with your respective harness. The leather seemed well-loved with slight creases from whoever used it last. However, seeing as ODM gear was a delicacy for any criminal, you weren't complaining.

"How the hell do you use this?" asked Furlan. He had tangled himself in the harness like an insect trapped in a web, and you wondered how he managed to get both arms strapped to his side.

"Not like that," Levi mused.

"No shit," Furlan mumbled. Though the leather was squeezing him, clearly making him uncomfortable, you caught his entertained smile.

"It's okay, Furlan— I don't know if I'm putting it on correctly, either," you chuckled. You let out a breath, releasing the slight frustration you held before you commented. You fiddled with the harness. "I think... I think this is how you do it?"

Levi walked over to Furlan, helping him as he could. Unsurprisingly, Levi had his equipment on within minutes, and you'd be the first to admit that he wore it well.

"I'll help you soon, Laverna" Levi murmured, his eyebrows furrowed with concentration as he assisted Furlan. "How the hell did you even do this?"

"I don't know," said Furlan, one of his arms finally freeing. You didn't miss how his skin turned pink, slightly indented from how tight the leather was against it. "You think I wanted to get myself tangled like this?"

After a few moments, Levi freed Furlan from the harness, and he glanced over to check on you. You were still struggling. He let out a soft sigh before heading over, his eyes meeting yours when you glanced at him.

"Allow me," he said.

However, Levi waited, silently asking for your permission. You nodded.

His hands were gentle and fingers chaste. His touch didn't wander as he fixed your harness, buckling the loose ends— but you didn't miss when his eyes would occasionally flit up to you before looking down again.

"This goes around your leg," he said, tugging at a loop dangling by your thigh.

"Oh— that makes sense," you said. You placed a hand on Levi's shoulder to balance while you adjusted, pulling that part of the harness up your leg. You fought back a warmness that began to hover over your face. "There are so many damn straps."

"No shit," Levi murmured. However, his tone was light, making it difficult to wipe away your smile.

"Fair," you chuckled, watching Levi tighten some things before backing away. He looked you over, his eyes eventually meeting yours.

"How does that feel?" he asked.

"It feels good," you nodded. Granted, since you'd never word ODM gear, you weren't sure exactly how it should feel— but it felt secure. That, and if Levi helped you, it was probably right.

He seemed like an expert, after all.

Levi helped explain the functions of every button. Furlan was itching to get started, and once Levi finished the run-down, he was already making his attempts.

"So— like this?" Furlan asked. He aimed for the top of a nearby ceiling— and, though he hurled himself forward, he slammed straight into the wall.

"I don't think that's right," you sarcastically observed, unable to help your smile. You couldn't help but glance at Levi and wonder if he was just as entertained.