Levi Ackerman x Reader

Flufftober: Favorite Scent (fluff)

Fluff
Prompt from @ flufftober on Tumblr
Levi Ackerman x gn!reader
Warnings: none

When you were told you were being sent to the royal capital for a few days' worth of important meetings, you were completely annoyed at the news. You hated having to deal with the lazy MPs and snarky higher ups. What was worse was that you were going by yourself so you had no one to entertain you during the downtime. What was even worse than that was the fact that you were going to miss your favorite autumn market that was happening while you were gone.

"It's so unfair," you groaned, your forehead hitting against the dining hall table. You were eating breakfast with Hange and Levi before being sent off. "I can guarantee these meetings won't be productive. I really love that market, too."

"It won't be the same without you this year, Y/n," replied Hange sympathetically. "Maybe I can convince this guy to take your place so I won't have to go alone."

"Never gonna happen, shitty glasses," responded Levi, crossing his arms. "I don't need any of those overpriced items being peddled there."

"Wanna go to the capital in my place instead?" you asked, a hopeful gleam in your eye.

"No." As expected, a curt response from the man.

"I figured as much," you sighed, checking your pocket watch. "Time to go. Don't have too much fun without me, okay, Hange?"

"No promises!" they called out in a sing song voice. You waved goodbye to your friends and headed out to start your journey.

A week had passed and you had just arrived back at the base, mentally exhausted from all the nonsense you had to deal with while trying to be the best representative for the Survey Corps. It was extremely late by the time you got your horse settled in the stables and you trudged up to your room, ready to sleep. You lit a lantern so you could see as you put away the contents of your traveling trunk and dressed in your sleep clothes. The small flame bathed your walls in a soft light and you appreciated the cozy atmosphere. Right as you were about to blow out the candle, you heard a gentle knock at your door. Furrowing your brow in confusion, you guessed it to be about 3 in the morning; most people should be fast asleep by now. You quietly cracked open the door and were greeted by Levi, whose face was illuminated by your lantern in a way that was nothing less than angelic.

"I hope I didn't wake you," he said, taking note of your attire.

You glanced down and let out a sheepish laugh, remembering you were in your pajamas. "Not yet, I was just unpacking. Please, come in."

He entered your room, his boots tapping against the floor in the familiar way you had missed while you were away. You noticed how he kept his hands behind his back but you didn't question it for now, too tired to worry about it. You sat on your bed and motioned for him to do the same, to which he obliged. It was then that you saw what it was he had been hiding from your view—a small package wrapped in newspaper and adorned with ribbon.

"Hange convinced me to go to the autumn market," he explained as you stared at the box in his hands dumbly. "I saw this and thought of you."

Levi meekly pushed the box towards you and you gratefully took it, placing it in your lap and inspecting it.

"Levi... I love it. Thank you."

"Tch. You haven't even opened it yet, brat," he reprimanded lightly, focusing his eyes on the far corner of your room.

"It's the fact that you thought of me at all that makes this so special," you told him, rubbing the smooth ribbon between your fingers.

"I always think of you," came his reply in a volume so hushed the words almost flew underneath the gap of your bedroom door without you catching them at all. Your heart pounded faster at his brazen confession and you busied yourself with opening the gift so you didn't turn into a total flustered mess. You neatly undid the wrapping and gasped at what you saw. It was a set of body care items: shampoo, conditioner, and soap, all of which smelled like your favorite scent.

"I know it's not much, but I-"

"It's perfect," you breathed out, looking deeply into his steel colored eyes that had finally found their way back to meeting your own. "It's all perfect. Thank you."

You didn't know if it was the way he was gazing at you with such sincerity or the lack of sleep taking over your mind but you felt a surge of confidence wash over you as you reached for his hand. You expected him to pull away at the sudden contact but to your surprise, he didn't move, allowing you to touch him. You gave his calloused fingers a subtle squeeze, your own sign of affection and appreciation. After a few seconds of being unable to read his expression, you felt Levi return the gesture as he treated you to a rare glimpse of his smile.