Subordinates to Mates, Mates to Lovers (Levi Ackerman x Reader)

Chapter Two

Muffled groans echoed on the ground level of the house, Levi restlessly writhed in agony over his knee. Evidently, overexerting the joint's capabilities, the pain had caught up with him. He slammed his fist into the bedside table, the pitcher of water absorbing some of the shock. He should've fucking argued, but the emotions that swam behind her eyes was something he knew shouldn't be pushed. He was tired, resentful, broken down. The last thing he wanted was to bicker about pills, as they already did so before.

He stared into the darkness, shadows climbing up the walls, towering over him like disgusting creatures. Apparitions slithering over his belongings, swallowing them whole into a void. Levi's one good eye followed the enigma, loitering in one spot. His eyes narrowed, listening to the drops of liquid hit the floor. Sending himself into a cold sweat, regurgitating an infamous expression.

"Shit."

He laid there defenseless, for he couldn't do a damn thing about the delusions.

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(Y/n) sleepily sat up from her slumber, she was no stranger to hearing that noise during the night. Like clockwork, slipping on her Marleyan robe, to match the nightgown of course, she quietly tiptoed towards her Captain's room. She pushed open the door knob without knocking, something in the past she never would have done. Levi looked miserable, his hand clenched the knee joint, a twisted look adorned his scrunched up face. He watched her pull a chair next to his bedside and seated herself.

"This is why I wanted to take four..."

She stayed silent for a brief moment, before nodding "I know..."

She rummaged into her robe pocket, pulling out the same glass vial that was usually tucked away. Popping the cork off, she dashed out four pills into her palm. Levi accepted them, instantly chucking them into his mouth. Handing him the glass of water, he obliged.

"I thought I wasn't allowed to have four."

"I must've changed my mind..."

He finished off the rest of his glass, setting it back on the bedside table. They sat in silence for what it seemed like an eternity, but in reality only minutes had passed.

"Do you take that many because..." her voice trailed.

Levi stiffened, but his attentive ears listened to every word of her demure voice. The whispers they always shared in the small hours allowed him deep solace, but it was challenging his abilities to requite.

"...Because you no longer want me to visit at night?"

True to his ineptness, Levi averted his gaze. "that's not true... I never had such thoughts."

Her hands crumpled themselves into the cotton fabric, she did not hear him jest like that quite often. But when she did, her body radiated with warmth, it was uncontrollable. The air around them turned aromatically sweet, a soothing persona filled his room. Her essence placed his weary soul at ease.

"You shouldn't say things like that," she murmured.

"It's the truth..."

Levi's eyes began to lower themselves, the intoxicating fragrance was beginning to take its effect, mixing itself with the chemical reaction of the pills. He was entering limbo, the sweet spot between his nightmares and consciousness.

"I'm going to do it now..."

Levi nodded his head, his weak eyes followed her figure leaning over, placing her bare knees on top of his linens.

"Close your eyes," her voice almost non-audible, self-conscious to his gaze.

Levi's eyes fluttered shut, her proximity was the only presence he felt dancing across his skin.

(Y/n) cupped his cheek, brushing her thumb over the many scars lining his face and swiping across his bottom lip. She pressed a chaste kiss onto his painfully scarred face, letting herself linger to scent him. Nuzzling her cheek bones into his, Levi felt the way her hand trembled to touch him. Moving to the other side, she repeated the same ritual. To his forehead, the corner of his lips, on the scent glands of his neck and the tips of his ears. Lastly, on his lips.

Levi exhaled a content sign, every spot emanated the sweet scent of serenity. She guided his head down, as she pushed his body back to meet the mattress. His room now reeked of her pheromones, he reeked of her pheromones. But it didn't matter, the calming sedation effect of her pheromones always held true. No matter how horrific their night had been on the battlefield, she would put him to sleep without fail. She pressed one last peck into his forehead, smoothing away a few strands of hair. She sat there holding what was left of his hand for another hour, ensuring the sedation was complete. Just as she tiptoed in, she tiptoed back out, carefully closing the door. Nights like this Levi would sleep a few more hours than what he was used to, but eventually he would awake to his never ending battle with insomnia.

She curled herself back into her own nest, burying herself under the duvet. Trying to calm herself of the intimacy, otherwise she'd never fall asleep. She held her arm close to her bosom, practically cuddling the appendage. She smelled like Levi, the Alpha.

Levi, her mate.