The New Guy [Modern LevixReader]

25. Breaking Point

[This is a shorter chapter. It just popped into my mind, and I didn't want my thoughts to slip away. Plus, I thought it would be a cute continuation to the chapter before it. I hope you guys don't mind the quick shorter update 🥹]

It was now very early Tuesday morning, and Levi and [Y/N] were returning from their interesting, eventful, red flag of a hospital trip. Nothing made any sense to [Y/N] anymore. The words of her father and Dr. Jaeger's conversation was still on repeat in her brain. She still really had no idea about what could possibly be going on, but she figured eventually she would get to the bottom of all this mess. The fact that Levi agreed to get involved really excited her as well.

Right now, she was in no rush to solve any mysteries, though. She was more concerned with Levi and his mental and physical health. Especially now with the condition his uncle is in, she was sure it would take a toll on him. He hadn't said anything to her on their way back from the hospital. They stopped back at the bar to grab Hange, and since she was still a bit wasted, Levi demanded it was best she crashed at his apartment for the night. The three friends made their way to his place, walking the quiet, empty sidewalks of the town.

When they arrived back at Levi's apartment, he could barely open the door. His hands were shaking so terribly that Hange had to fight him to the ground for the keys and hand them to [Y/N] to open the door, considering she was still to drunk to open the door herself.

Levi forcefully pushed himself past the girls to enter, went directly to the bathroom, and scrubbed his hands and face multiple times. Levi has had more trips to the hospital these past couple of weeks than he has his whole damn life. Everything going on was really burning him out. He knew he needed a break, but he also knew he wouldn't take one. He would probably just end up pushing himself until he crashed.

Ever since Levi was young, he's never been one to give up or slow down. He couldn't let Kenny down. He needed to keep moving forward. He needed to continue with school. He needed to graduate, and he needed to keep everything at the bar in check. Most of all, he needed to make his mother proud. Taking a break was not an option, no matter the condition he ended up in.

After his trip to the bathroom, Levi made his way to the leather sofa, kicked his shoes off, and sat with his feet up. He slightly unbuttoned his shirt down past his chest and completely undid his tie. He also undid his belt but was too lazy to remove it. He needed this moment to try to get his thoughts together. As usual, the worst possible scenarios began consuming his mind.

He threw his head back and tried his hardest to fight the rush of emotions attacking him all at once. He grabbed his usual throw pillow and pushed it to his chest, hugging it as tightly as he possibly could. His knuckles started to turn white from the force of his grip on the dark fabric. He gritted his teeth as he fought back the tears threatening to spill. Levi hated to cry. He promised himself he'd never cry again after his mother passed away. He hated feeling weak and vulnerable, but with everything going on recently, he's reached his limit.

[Y/N] made her way out into the short hallway connecting Levi's room to the rest of the apartment. Levi, of course, told the girls they could share his bedroom.. telling them he wouldn't take no for an answer.

She approached the main living area, and she started to hear the sound of sniffling in the distance. The sniffling turned into what almost sounded like a low muffled growl of frustration. She slowed her steps, and as she made it to the archway connecting the hallway to the main room, the source of the sounds became clear. Her eyes softened, and a small frown formed at the sight in front of her. Nothing could have prepared her for the pain she would feel watching Levi trying his hardest to hold back his own tears.

"Hey [Y/N]. Where is my water? You're taking too long." Hange said as she made her way down the small hallway.

"Shhh.." [Y/N] put a finger up to her own lips to silence Hange but used her hand to signal her to come closer. "Look.." She pointed in Levi's direction, and the girls both quietly peeked over at him on the sofa. A look of sadness instantly washed over Hange's features.

"Oh dear.. my poor little man." Hange whispered. "He doesn't deserve.. WAIT WAIT WAIT."

Hange grabbed [Y/N] by the hem of her night shirt and pulled her back. Clearly, she was attempting to go approach Levi, but Hange knew better than anyone how to handle this particular type of situation.

Hange continued to quietly pull her backward into Levi's room and gently closed the door over.

"Why did you do that? I want to be there for him, bitch." [Y/N] expressed in a serious tone and she put her hands on her hips.

"I know, darling, but.." Hange paused as if she was trying to find the right words. "Levi is.. different. Trust me. Give him some time alone, and let him get it all out. If he still seems upset when he wakes up.." She grinned. "..then just go up to him and hug him. Don't let go! Even if he pushes you away with all of his stupendous strength. Just hug and hold on for dear life!"

"That.. will help?" [Y/N] titled her head. "Are you sure about that? Because that seems like something that would piss him the fuck off."

"Quite opposite really! Trust me!" Hange said happily. "Levi is really a sensitive creature. He just needs to be handled differently than most!"

"How do you even know all of this? You guys have gotten that close already? You've seen him have that type of breakdown before?"

"AH.. UMM.." Hange's eyes shifted. "You can just call it.. motherly intuition, I suppose!" Hange exclaimed.

"You aren't a mother, Hange."

"Oh, but I am! The kittens! They still make me a mother!"

"Whatever you say crazy lady.." [Y/N] giggled as she made her way to Levi's bed and got under the covers. Oh.. so soft. That smell.. it's so comforting. She instantly recognized Levi's warm, unique scent, radiating off of the blanket.

"Hey! What about my water?"
Hange questioned.

"Go get your own glass of water. I don't want to disturb him." [Y/N] said as she snuggled further into a pillow, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

Hange shook her head, smiled, and let out a sigh. She opened the door quietly and made her way back down the small hallway. She stopped at the archway and smiled softly as she saw Levi fast asleep on the sofa. The throw pillow was still clutched tightly over his chest. His eyes and cheeks still damp from his tears.

She grabbed a clean glass from the counter, poured some water, and started to tiptoe her way back to the room. Just as she reached a couple of feet from the sofa, she heard a soft exhale from Levi. She turned her head and glanced over at his peaceful slumbering form.

"It's okay, shorty.." Hange whispered. "One day, you'll remember what I always used to tell you.."

Even the strongest, sometimes break.