Rivals (OC X Levi Ackerman)

Chapter 14

I open the door to my house, quietly, and take my shoes off in the hallway. Levi does the same, and my mom pokes her head round from the kitchen to see who it is.

Hee eyes light up.
"Freyja!" She practically squeals, and throws herself at me.

I hug her tightly, and breathe a big sigh.
We soon have an audience. My dad, and my younger sister, Annika.

I give them each a hug, and they finally notice Levi.

"And thank the gods, you've brought a man home." My mom says.

Levi reaches out to shake her hand, but she hugs him, much to his shock, but he places his hand on her back.
My dad firmly shakes his hand, and I sigh.

"It's not like that - he's my boss."

"Whatever you say, darling. Woud you and your 'boss' like some dinner?"

"Please."

I sit at the dining table with Levi, and my dad begins to question him.

"You're her boss?"

"Of sorts. Not for long, Freyja recently earned a promotion to squad captain."

"But she was already a captain." My dad says, and Levi nods.

"That's right, but she switched regiment."

My dad's face falls.
"....I know you."

"Is that right?"

"You're Levi Ackerman. Of the scouts."

"That's correct, sir."

My mom pours us tea, but stays quiet, until she sees the side of my head.

"Gods, Freyja! What's that?!" She says, gently touching the stitches on my head.

"I'm not sure how it happened. I don't remember much since."

My mom and dad look to Levi for answers, and Levi looks down for a moment.
"Freyja was hit by flying debris. She'll receive an honour from the queen herself soon for her heroicism." Levi states, and my dad smiles faintly.

"That's amazing, Freyja. And your memory will return in time."

Levi sips his tea, and my mom serves each of us a bowl of stew.

"Thank you, Mrs. Meyer." Levi says.

Annika sits beside Levi, and tugs his sleeve.

"Hm?" He mumbles, and she grins.

"When are you marrying my sister?"

Levi's eyes widen and I bite my lip, trying not to laugh. Levi looks at me with pleading eyes for help.

"No, you're doing great." I encourage him, and he looks back at Annika.

"I'm not sure Freyja will marry. She'd get into a fight at her wedding." Levi responds, and my parents laugh.

I smile to myself, and eat my stew.

"What about Sigyn?" My dad asks, and I beam from ear to ear.

"She's doing great. She's been through hell and back with me, recently. Tough as nails."

"Such a fantastic horse. You should think of breeding her."

I dismiss him with a wave of my hand.
"Nah. I need her. She's my good luck charm. Can't have her off on maternity leave."

"So you think Freyja makes a good scout?" My mom asks Levi, trying to make conversation.

He thinks for a moment.
"Well. Her first titan encounter was embarrassingly bad. But after that it was like it all clicked for her. I think she has 7 titan kills under her belt already. She leads our squad well. Just needs work on following orders." He replies, very matter of fact.

"Tell me about it." My dad groans.

Annika giggles.
"You're in trouuuuble."

I grin at her, and finish my bowl of stew. Levi does too, and places the spoon in the bowl. He sips tea, quietly.

"Impressive table manners, for someone raised in the underground district." My dad says.

Levi freezes, and I turn to look at him.

His eyes dart towards my dad. My dad didn't appear to be confronting him, though. There was friendliness there.

"Well. You've done your homework." Levi replies, putting the mug of tea down.

"10 years ago, was it?" My dad recalls, appearing in thought. "I remember being a few years from retirement. And these merchants kept bothering me to chase this young thief. And no matter what, I could never catch him. He got me good one day, too." He says, showing a scar on his arm.

There's a few moments silence.
"I'm sorry for that, Mr Meyer."

"Don't be. You have to do what you have to do down there."

Levi nods, gratefully.
"That's not who I am anymore."

"I don't care what you are, where you're from, or what you've done. Just look after my little girl." My dad replies, and Levi nods once more.

I pray for something. Anything. To break this atmosphere.

"I don't need looking after!" Annika insists. The whole room, even Levi, errupt into laughter.

Once we leave, I get ready to mount Sigyn.

"Levi, I'm so sorry."

"For what?"

"You didn't deserve to be interrogated like you were my boyfriend."

"It's fine. Nice to see a family all together like that."

I smile back at him, and we return to the scout HQ.

I head to my room, and Levi watches me to make sure I get in safe.

"Goodnight. Thank you for keeping me company."

He nods.
"Goodnight, Freyja."