A little death [Levi Ackerman x OFC]

Chapter 16: The slip

The room was quiet, save for the soft clink of a cup against the table. Kaia sat across from Levi, the warm steam of tea rising between them.

Levi took a sip of tea before speaking. "We're heading out in half an hour," he said without looking up. "I know someone who might have the information we need."

Kaia paused mid-bite, eyes shifting toward him. "Someone you trust?" she asked, keeping her voice even, though curiosity flickered underneath her words. It wasn't often Levi mentioned trust, let alone when it involved someone from his past.

"Enough," he replied, placing the cup down. He reached for a piece of bread, still focused on the task at hand. "She's reliable."

A she? Kaia bit her lip slightly, wondering. "Do you need me there?"

Levi glanced at her, just for a second. There was a subtle shift in his expression, almost imperceptible to anyone who hadn't spent time around him. His eyes narrowed. "You'll come," he said. His tone didn't change, but she noticed the hint of something beneath it. "We'll need clothes for you anyway. She can help with that."

Kaia nodded, not pushing further, though the idea of Levi trusting someone enough to help with more than just information gnawed at her. She finished her tea in silence, thoughts turning over as they prepared to leave.

The streets of the underground were both fascinating and unsettling. Kaia kept pace with Levi as they moved through narrow alleyways, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and old wood. Shadows clung to the corners, but the occasional glint of light from a shop window or the reflection of lanterns on water caught her eye.

"This place is... different," she muttered, glancing around as they passed a vendor selling goods from a cart. He looked at them briefly before going back to counting coins, uninterested in their presence. There was a peculiar kind of liveliness here, one that didn't exist above ground.

Levi gave a small grunt of acknowledgment, but his focus stayed forward. Kaia couldn't help but let her curiosity wander, the underground showing her a world both strange and oddly alive. There was something almost humorous in how, despite its hidden nature, this place seemed to thrive in its own way—just like its people.

She caught sight of a man running after a small child who had grabbed an apple from a nearby stand. They weaved through the crowd, disappearing into an alley before the vendor could protest. Kaia smirked at the scene, amused despite the seriousness of their mission.

"Funny?" Levi asked, his voice low but carrying a slight edge of amusement.

Kaia shrugged. "Just reminds me of home."

When they arrived at the woman's place, the contrast from the streets outside was stark. As the door creaked open, it revealed a space that was both modest and carefully maintained. A faint scent of perfume lingered in the air, and soft fabrics draped over the furniture gave it a warmth Kaia hadn't expected. There was a tall woman with dark, wavy hair that fell effortlessly over her shoulders. Her sharp green eyes took them both in, lingering a moment longer on Levi before a slow smile spread across her lips.

"Well, well, Levi," she said, her voice a blend of amusement and something more knowing. "And you've brought company this time. That's new."

Kaia stood quietly beside Levi, feeling the weight of the woman's gaze on her. There was something playful, almost probing in the way she sized her up, but Kaia remained unfazed, returning the look with polite indifference.

Levi stepped inside with a casual air, not responding to her initial comment. "Seraphina. It's been a while," he said evenly, his tone neutral but with an underlying current of control. His eyes scanned the room briefly before settling on Seraphina again.