Levi x Reader

Chapter 3

The room feels both foreign and familiar, like a dream you've half forgotten. The air carries a mix of old incense and dried lavender, scents that used to cling to your clothes like a protective charm. The dim light filters through the heavy curtains, casting long, soft shadows that flicker as Amulet bustles around, humming a tune that tugs at something deep in your memory—a bittersweet pull, like the taste of childhood nostalgia laced with a hint of sorrow.

"You've got that look on your face," Amulet says, glancing back with a smirk. Her voice is light, but her eyes hold a depth you can't quite place. "Like you're seeing a ghost."

You force a laugh, the sound dry and thin in the thick air. "Maybe I am," you murmur, stepping further inside. The wooden floor creaks under your weight, a sound that feels like an old friend's greeting. "Everything feels... different."

Amulet moves with a practiced grace, sliding a mug of tea into your hands. The porcelain is chipped at the rim, a familiar flaw you hadn't realized you missed. Steam curls up from the tea, carrying the sharp, sweet scent of bergamot. You take a sip, the warmth spreading through your chest like a gentle embrace, pushing back the chill you hadn't noticed seeping into your bones.

"It's been a while," Amulet says, her voice softer now, almost reverent. She leans against the counter, studying you like she's trying to solve a puzzle. "I thought you might never come back."

You swallow, feeling the heat of the tea sting your throat as it goes down. "Yeah," you whisper, her voice thick with unspoken emotions. "Me too."

Before you can find the words you're searching for, there's a soft meow—low and inquisitive, like a question you can't answer. Your eyes snap to the corner of the room, where the shadows seem to part like a veil. The cat is there, perched on the windowsill, its bright eyes glinting in the half-light like polished amber. For a moment, everything else fades away—the room, Amulet's watchful gaze, the weight of the world on your shoulders.

"Is that—?" Your voice catches, barely more than a breath.

Amulet chuckles, the sound light but tinged with something sadder. "(Cat/name)? Yeah, she decided I was good enough company when you... changed." Her tone is casual, but there's a flicker of something deeper in her eyes, a fleeting glimpse of the loss she felt.

The cat leaps down with a fluid grace, padding across the floor with her tail held high. She pauses in front of you, tilting her head as if to say, Where have you been? Then she presses her head into your hand, her fur soft and warm. The sensation is overwhelming—a flood of memories and emotions you've been holding back since you returned.

Your breath hitches, a sharp inhale as a lump forms in your throat. It's like the cat knows you—truly knows you in a way no one else has since you came back. The room seems to blur around the edges, tears welling up despite your best efforts to hold them back.

"She missed you," Amulet says quietly. Her voice is so gentle, it's almost like she's speaking to a wounded animal. Her eyes study your face with an intensity that feels like a safety net you hadn't realized you needed.

You blink back tears, running your fingers through the cat's fur. The texture is familiar—silky but with a few rough patches. "I missed her too," you admit, your voice breaking on the last word.

In this moment, with the cat's steady purring vibrating against your chest and Amulet's presence like a calm tide at your back, you feel a flicker of something you haven't felt in what seems like a lifetime—belonging. 

You take a deep breath, the decision solidifying in your mind. "I want to take her back," you say, your voice more confident now, even if your hands are still trembling slightly. You glance up at Amulet, searching her face for any sign of hesitation. "Are you okay with that? She's been with you for three years now."

Amulet's lips curl into a wry smile, and she snorts softly. "Well, I'm not any less allergic."

You raise an eyebrow, surprised. "I'm honestly surprised you took her in, despite your allergies."

Amulet laughs, the sound light and easy, like the ringing of wind chimes. "Well, you were her human, and when you left, she chose me to serve her. It's not like I could've said no."

You chuckle, feeling the tension in your chest loosen just a bit. "Yeah, that sounds like her," you say, scratching behind the cat's ears, where she leans in and purrs louder. It's a small thing, but it feels like a bridge—a step towards reclaiming a piece of the life you once had.

Then, almost as an afterthought, you hesitate and glance back at Amulet. "Do you know if Levi is allergic?"

Amulet's smirk widens, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You mean the great Captain Levi might be defeated by a little cat dander?" She tilts her head thoughtfully. "As far as I know, he's not allergic. But if he is... well, I'd love to see that."

You roll your eyes but can't help the smile tugging at your lips. "Right. Let's hope for everyone's sake he's not. I'd hate to have to choose between my cat and him."

"Would you, though?" Amulet teases, raising an eyebrow.

You shrug, feigning nonchalance. "Depends on the day."

The two of you share a laugh, the kind that feels like sunlight breaking through the clouds. It's easy, comfortable, and for a moment, it's like nothing has changed.

Just as you're about to make the motion to leave, the mechanical voice of the system cuts through the room: {I think you've forgotten something.}

"Shoot, I forgot," you mumble, rubbing the back of your neck awkwardly. "Amulet, this is 711—the system that's been, well, guiding me. It saved my life... and caused me to be gone for the past three years."

Amulet's eyes go wide, and she leans forward, looking like a child seeing magic for the first time. "A system? Like some kind of AI? Oh, this is incredible! Tell me everything—what kind of tasks does it give you? How does it communicate? Is it integrated with your neural pathways? Can you access it at will, or does it have its own agenda?"

You laugh, holding up a hand. "Whoa, slow down, Amulet. It's... a lot. And I'm still figuring most of it out."

Amulet's excitement is palpable, her eyes alight with curiosity. "I've got to study this—just a little! You know I can't resist something like this."

You shake your head fondly. "I figured you'd say that."

But then she glances at the clock, her expression shifting. "It's getting late, though. You should get going—Levi's probably wondering where you are." Her smile turns softer. "And you've got a reunion to finish."

You nod, pulling the cat closer. "Yeah. Thanks, Amulet. For everything."

"Anytime," she says, her voice warm and genuine. 

You turn, heading for the door with the cat snug in your arms, feeling lighter than you have in years.

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Word Count: 1170