Ymir's Necklace: The Secret You Hold | Levi x Reader

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YOU

The auburn-haired girl fixed her gaze on you, her eyes holding a mix of disbelief and a hint of quiet resentment. It was subtle, but you knew Gabi enough to tell.while Levi appeared surprised, as though your presence was unexpected beyond the previous night. His expression was also subtle, but his widened gaze gave him away.

You felt oddly proud of yourself in that moment. Proud of causing a reaction in him. Knowing he wasn't indifferent to your presence provided you with a renewed sense of calm. It was quite pleasant.

'I haven't seen you in ages! Where have you been?' Gabi demanded, her tone insistent. And you reckoned that any flicker of resentment had disipated rapidly. It seemed like she was truly happy to see you.

But your eyes were fixed on something else: Levi's scrutiny intensified, as if he sought to unravel your intentions with his steel gaze. You felt his eyes probing, his brow furrowed as if searching for something you weren't sure you wanted to reveal.

Why did you feel this exposed under his silent inspection? And yet, you sensed Levi knew there was more to your approach than met the eye, and you braced yourself for his reaction.

You needed to bring up the wooden leg. Would this be the right time? Would there ever be a right time to do so? God, you felt stupid then. Stupid and naive for even considering he would hear what you, a stranger, had to say.

You quickly met Gabi's gaze, summoning a smile despite the tension hanging in the air.

'I've been busy helping out Doctor Keith at the Hospital,' you replied, the lie slipping easily from your lips, though it left a bitter taste in your mouth.

The ease with which deceit came to you troubled you, a reminder of the compromises you'd made to survive during your childhood. Gabi's expression softened, her eyes reflecting genuine warmth.

'I understand, (Y/n). You've always been really selfless. I appreciate everything you do for the camp. How...how have you been?', her tone was sweet as she looked into your eyes expectantly.

You returned her smile, though it felt strained.

'I've been fine, thank you. It's nice seeing you again,'

As you let out those last words, your eyes locked with Levi's again. The contact was so magnetic it almost startled you.

Get your shit together, for fuck's sake.

Gabi's attention shifted to Levi, detecting your not so subtle staring contest. She quickly put two and two together.

'Oh, good! Good. I'm glad you met (Y/n). She's wonderful to be around, lovely company really! Did you know she paints?', she was nervously blabbing. You knew Gabi enough to know whenever she felt uneasy.

Levi's response was terse.

'Mhm. Lanscapes.'

Your mind raced, wondering how he knew about your painting activities. Had he been watching you closely? The thought unnerved you, stirring a sense of vulnerability you weren't prepared to confront.

You struggled to maintain composure under his scrutinous, intense gaze, your bravado faltering in the face of his unyielding stare. Still, you did not grant him a reaction. Not even a raise of your brow or a surprised expression.

You reckoned the best you could so as to not expose yourself to Levi, was to completely hide behind nonchalantness - something you knew he was typically an expert at. Not many things seemed to move him, from what you had observed from afar.

But your presence did. And even though you did not know what that meant, you felt as if it gave you the quiet upperhand in this ridiculous game or sizing each other up.

Still, a shiver ran down your spine, and you fought to steady yourself.

'Yes... sunsets, mostly,' you replied, attempting to redirect the conversation. You took a small breath, then continued.

'I just really like certain views in this camp. But... it's been getting colder,  I'm afraid the weather is gonna stop me from spending hours by the river', you gave them an awkward tight lipped smile.

Levi's gaze remained fixed on you, his expression inscrutable. You avoided meeting his eyes directly then, feeling a flush of discomfort rise in your cheeks. You could feel your façade begin to crumble.

You were certain you had an effect on him. You had noticed, you had seen it. But it was subtle, fleeting. Levi Ackerman was absolutely impossible to read. He was like a book written in a foreign language: you could identify the letters, the punctuation marks. But you could not understand a single word, no matter how hard you tried.

And so your fantasy of having the upper hand dissolved quickly as you realized that it was interily possible for all of this to solely exist inside your head. That the effect you believed you had on Levi was just a desperate attent at self validation on your end.

Pathetic.

Gabi's curiosity turned to your art, suddenly saving you from your ruminations.

'So...you'll have to paint other things then. Mhm...have you ever painted people? Like, portraits?', there was genuine curiosity laced in her voice.

You hesitated, the memory of your mother's passing casting a shadow over the conversation.

'I haven't in a long time, no. Not since mom died', you momentarily turned your head down and looked at your hands. Your fingers laced together lazily.

The air grew heavy with unspoken sorrow, and Gabi reached out to grasp your hand in a gesture of comfort. Despite her efforts to lift the mood, a palpable tension lingered, underscored by Levi's silent observation.

For some seconds, you muted your ears as all sound became muffled. You could feel Gabi's hand was still on yours, her warmth feeling slightly invasive to your touch.

Ane suddenly, a suggestion about a portrait caught your attention as you came back to your senses. Had you heard that right? You looked at Levi and instantly confirmed your fears: he looked uncomfortable and annoyed at Gabi. Did she really just propposed you paint Levi's portrait?

You held your breath, awaiting his response. The thought of being alone with him in his tent sent a wave of apprehension through you, yet you couldn't bring yourself to protest. Your body would certainly run out or air if you were to spend long times in proximity to Levi - focusing on his features. On his body.

On those eyes.

He met your eyes again, devoid of emotion.

'Why would anyone want to see me in a painting?, Levi sighed. His eyes did not leave yours.

'Because you're Levi Ackerman! Who wouldn't?' Gabi interjected eagerly.

Levi sighed softly again, his gaze still fixed on you. You found yourself captivated by the intricate details of his face, the faded scar that marked his skin, the softness in his features that belied the hardness within.

You noticed the paradox that were all the details that made him who he was - the armony behind his features, the stark contrast between his dark, raven hair and his fair complexion. The formal nature of his white button up that hugged his arms and chest.

Fuck. You were doing it again, losing yourself in every single corner of his frame, in every single strand of hair. In the lines of his face scar. In the color of his lips.

When he finally relented, a weight lifted from your shoulders.

'Fine.'