A Second Chance (Levi x Reader)

chapter 41

The streets are painted white as you and Levi walk side by side, tall buildings and urban life still thriving despite the cold. The drive off campus wasn't long, nor was it painfully quiet. It was the comfortable kind of silence where your mind could drift, wondering what exactly Levi had planned for the afternoon.

When Levi parked, you quickly realized he had taken you to the other end of the city. It had been a while since you'd been this far out, with new buildings and statues you hadn't seen before. Snow continues to crunch under your shoes, and every so often, Levi's arm brushed against yours, a quiet reminder that he was there.

After crossing a couple of streets, Levi eventually stops, hands in his pockets, and gestures to a two-story building to your right.

Looking up, you see a worn, antique-looking building, with dark brown wood and high, fancy doors. There were large, curved windows, with the edges of the glass frosted over. The outlines of the glass had a soft glow, with warm lighting spilling out from the inside.

Looking through the windows, you see several rows of bookshelves stretching along the walls, decorated with various colors of book spines. The second floor was not much different, except the rows of tables and sofas peeking through the glass. You couldn't help but stand there, staring up in awe.

When you turn to Levi, you realize he is already watching you with that steady, thoughtful gaze of his.

"A bookstore?" you ask, a smile playing on your lips.

Slowly, he nods, looking away briefly and staring down at his snow-covered feet. "I thought you might like it." There's a slight shift in his expression—something almost shy. "They have everything. It has a lot of quiet spots. You can even sit down to read, too."

"You know me so well," you say, your voice soft with sincere appreciation.

He shrugs, but you catch the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "I try." Then, with a slight nod toward the door, he adds, "Shall we?"

When you step through the door, you are instantly embraced by the warmth of the building. Golden lighting pools over rows of neatly arranged shelves, casting soft shadows that give the place a timeless, rustic feel. The air is rich with the scent of aged paper and the faint sweetness of leather bindings, blending with the aroma of coffee brewing somewhere in the back.

There's a soft murmur from other patrons scattered throughout the aisles, each engrossed in their own worlds. The two of you wander through the aisles, taking in the vast selection. Fiction and fantasy sections eventually blend with historical volumes and poetry shelves. Every few steps, Levi pauses to inspect the signs labeling each wall, mapping out the store in his mind before glancing back at you to see where your attention falls.

When you reach the second floor, you find it even cozier, with small, worn armchairs placed between the shelves. It's quieter here, and the world outside is barely noticeable despite the wide glass. The two of you eventually drift toward a section marked "collectibles" where shelves and counters display many different trinkets and toys.

Your eyes land on one figurine in particular; a small black cat, perfectly sized to fit in the palm of a hand. Its expression is flat, with tiny, furrowed brows giving it a look of disapproval. Amused, you lean in closer, examining the fine details.

Eventually, Levi appears beside you, glancing down at the shelf you paused at. "What are you looking at?"

You begin to grin, motioning to the figurine before standing up straight. "This little guy—it looks a lot like you."