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

Bite

LEVI

For the next two nights, Levi Ackerman found himself meeting you in his tent at the same hour, his heart fluttering with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness he loathed to recognize.

Despite your repeated offers to show him the progress on his portrait, he politely declined everytime, preferring to await the final result without influencing your artistic process.

There was something about unfiltered and unbiased truthfulness that mattered to Levi, and just like he had expressed to you nights before, he anticipated your portrait to be as true as possible.

There was a delicate grace to your movements as you held the paintbrush in your hand, your fingers stained with colorful pigments. Levi observed you with a keen eye, noting the meticulousness with which you worked and the faint scent of cinnamon and lavender that enveloped the tent.

On the last night, Levi found himself holding the book you had shown him again, his gaze alternating between its pages and your focused expression.

'Are you accustomed to thievery, stranger?' he quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice.

You chuckled softly - he identified a self-deprecating smile playing on your lips as you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.

'Old habits die hard. Didn't have much to eat growing up, and things only got worse after my mother passed.' Levi furrowed his brow, a quiet trace of sympathy in his eyes as he listened to your story.

Despite the gravity of the conversation, you maintained your composure, deftly balancing the discussion with your painting.

'I heard you come from the Underground in Paradis,' you remarked, your tone softening slightly. Levi nodded, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features.

'I forget people still gossip.'

'How was it, living there?' you inquired, your voice tinged with curiosity as you looked into his silver eyes.

'Filthy,' he replied tersely, memories of the squalor flooding his mind. Levi's expression darkened, a shadow of his own past crossing his features. He then continued.

'Sleeping there was close to impossible. Not a relaxing environment by any means.'

'Do you sleep well now?' you asked, your gaze seemed to be searching his face for any hint of vulnerability.

In that moment, he could feel your intent of connection strangely well. It was odd for him, but he was beginning to feel better at reading you. Levi's eye bore into yours, his silence speaking volumes as he grappled with his answer.

'No', he let out in a deep sigh.

______

An hour passed in comfortable silence, broken only by the sound of brushstrokes against paper. As you stepped back to admire your work, Levi's curiosity got the better of him. He could tell you were done.

You stood up from where you were sitting, bringing the canvas along with you. You slowly sat by a chair next to Levi and revealed your work to him.

'A... cat?' he questioned, his confusion evident.
You chuckled nervously, a blush creeping onto your cheeks.

'Yes, I... include cats in all my portraits. It's just a personal quirk.'

Levi's gruff exterior softened slightly, his brows furrowed as the ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He silently looked at the tiny, black cat that stood by his legs.

The painting was incredibly realistic - he had to admit you had captured his stoic expression quite well. When he looked at it, he didn't see a cripple, or a captain. He simply saw a person.

'Thank you,' he murmured, his hand grazing his jawline as he studied the painting.

Your smile in response seemed genuine, and suddenly Levi felt a warmth blossoming in his chest, decorated with quiet gratitude.

As you began to pack up your supplies, Levi surprised you with an offer of tea. Slowly but surely, the awkwardness between you had dissipated as you shared a quiet moment over steaming cups, the fragrant scent of lavender filling the air.

'Late nights?' you ventured, breaking the silence. He hesitated, his gaze dropping to your hands. You were now sitting across him, a small coffee table between the both of you.

'I... don't sleep much,' he admitted softly. You nodded in understanding, your eyes never leaving his face.

'Surprising, considering the power of lavender,' you remarked. He lightly scoffed, an anxious energy crackling inside him. Why was he feeling nervous?

'I drink it for the taste.' A lull settled between you, punctuated only by the occasional sip of tea.

"I won't judge your sleeping habits. I sleepwalk sometimes," you confessed suddenly, your fingers twisting around the pendant at your neck. Levi's interest was piqued, his eyebrow arching inquisitively.

'Do you?', You nodded, a sheepish, tight smile gracing your lips.

'For years. It's rather inconvenient—I tend to wake up in odd places. But oddly enough, last night I woke up on the floor of my tent.' Levi huffed as he teased.

'Sleepwalking and a fascination with cats. You're a peculiar one, stranger' Your playful glare met his raised eyebrow, and you found yourself biting your lip.

'Well, you'd think me insane if I told you I tend to sing when I sleepwalk sometimes,' you quipped casually.

And in that moment, the playfulness faded from his expression, replaced by a sudden seriousness that invaded his whole body and attitude, and caught Levi completely off guard.