Retrieving Footsteps [Levi x Reader]

Bloomed Feelings

As the days turned into weeks, I found myself increasingly drawn to Levi. Each moment spent with him, whether in the lab or those stolen breaks on the roof, deepened the connection I felt. It was hard not to admire his dedication, his unwavering strength, and the way he looked out for those he cared about—even if he rarely showed it.

My feelings for him were complicated, though. Part of me admired him as a leader and mentor, but the other part was undeniably infatuated. I caught myself stealing glances at him, watching the way he focused on his work, his brow furrowed in concentration, or how he'd let out a rare, almost imperceptible smile when something pleased him. Each time I witnessed that side of him, my heart would race, and I found myself blushing when he'd catch me looking.

One afternoon, while we were reviewing the latest prototypes, I couldn't help but notice how close we were. Our shoulders brushed as we leaned over the table, and the warmth of his presence sent butterflies swirling in my stomach. I tried to shake off the feeling, focusing on the task at hand, but it was nearly impossible.

"Are you even paying attention?" Levi asked suddenly, his sharp gaze pinning me in place.

"Uh, yes! I mean... mostly," I stammered, mentally kicking myself. "I'm just... thinking about the adjustments we need to make for the next test."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You seem distracted. If something's bothering you, just say it."

I hesitated, wanting to be honest but also terrified of how he might react. "It's nothing, really. I just—" I stopped, the words caught in my throat. I couldn't bring myself to reveal my feelings. What if he didn't feel the same?

"Just what?" he pressed, his voice firm but not unkind.

"Just... thinking about how much we've accomplished together," I said, managing a small smile to mask my inner turmoil. "I appreciate your guidance, Levi. I really do."

He studied me for a moment, his expression inscrutable. "You've done most of the work yourself. Don't downplay your contributions."

I felt my cheeks flush at his praise, but it only made my feelings for him stronger. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling my heart race.

As the days continued to pass, my admiration for Levi only deepened. I found myself looking forward to our time together, anticipating his subtle smirks and the rare moments of warmth that broke through his stoic exterior. Yet, the weight of my feelings was heavy. I couldn't shake the fear that expressing them would change everything between us.

One evening, after another long day in the lab, I stayed late to finish up some calculations. I was so absorbed in my work that I didn't notice Levi had returned until I heard his voice.

"Still here?" he asked, leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed.

I jumped slightly, surprised by his sudden appearance. "Oh! I thought everyone had left."

"Almost everyone. I came back for a few things," he said, stepping inside. "You should have gone home."

"I wanted to make sure everything was perfect for tomorrow's test," I replied, trying to sound casual, but the truth was that I just wanted to be near him.

He approached the table, glancing over my notes. "You're going to burn yourself out again. I don't want to have to deal with another episode of you collapsing in my arms."

I met his gaze, my heart pounding. "I won't let that happen again, I promise."

He paused, studying me closely. "You're not just saying that, are you?"

"No," I admitted, my voice softening. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me, Levi. You've been more than just a boss. You've been... supportive."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but it quickly vanished. "That's what you should expect from someone in my position. You need to learn to take care of yourself."

"I know, but it's hard when you're constantly under pressure," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Especially when you care so much about the project and everyone involved."

He stepped closer, his expression serious. "Caring is important, but you need to prioritize yourself, too. I don't want you to be a casualty of this war."

I felt a rush of emotion at his words, a mix of gratitude and something deeper—something I was starting to recognize as love. "Thank you, Levi. It means a lot that you're looking out for me."

For a moment, we stood in silence, the air between us thick with unspoken words. I wanted to reach out, to bridge the distance that still lay between us, but fear held me back.

Just then, he broke the tension, his voice low and firm. "You know, if you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here."

His offer hung in the air, and I felt a surge of hope. "I will," I promised, my heart swelling with affection.

As the evening wore on, I realized that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I wanted to face them with Levi by my side. Our bond had grown beyond mere colleagues; it was something deeper, and with each passing day, I found myself falling for him a little more.