𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 || 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐀

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟔 : 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐲?

The days went by, Blake and I made repeated attempts to reach out to Toji, but our efforts were met with silence. It was as if he had vanished into thin air, leaving us with only our worries and concerns. Blake's brow would furrow with frustration each time he tried to call or text Toji, only to be greeted by an eerie silence.

But then, one day, Blake's phone rang, and Toji's name flashed on the screen. Blake's eyes lit up with hope as he answered the call, and I could sense his eagerness to finally get through to our friend. As he listened to Toji's voice on the other end, his expression gradually changed from anticipation to understanding.

"Toji will pay us a visit soon," Blake explained, after he had ended the call. "Apparently, he's really busy with work right now and can't spare the time to discuss things over the phone."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. On one hand, it was good to know that Toji was willing to talk things through with us. On the other hand, it was frustrating to have to wait even longer to clear the air and resolve the issues that had been plaguing us.

The darkness of the late night hour seemed to press in around me as I stood outside Levi's office, my hand hesitating on the doorknob. The soft glow of the desk lamp spilled out into the hallway, casting a warm, golden light on the floor. I could see Levi's silhouette, hunched over his desk, his eyes fixed intently on the papers scattered before him.

A sense of nervousness settled in the pit of my stomach as I pushed open the door and stepped inside. Levi's office was a sanctuary, a place where he retreated to escape the world. The air was thick with the scent of old books and leather, a comforting, familiar smell that usually made me feel at ease. But tonight, it seemed oppressive, weighing heavily on my shoulders.

I approached the desk, Levi's head remained bent, his eyes fixed on the papers in front of him. His shoulders were tense, his jaw clenched, and his fingers drummed a staccato beat on the desk. The tension deriving from him was noticeable, a living, breathing thing that seemed to pulse with its own rhythm.

I felt a pang of concern, my heart aching with a sense of unease. Something was wrong, and I couldn't shake the feeling that it was more than just work-related stress. Levi had been distant lately, avoiding me with a subtlety that was both hurtful and confusing.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation that was to come. "Levi?" I said, my voice soft, tentative. "What's wrong?"

The words hung in the air, suspended in the silence that followed. Levi's fingers stilled, his head remaining bent, his eyes fixed on the papers in front of him. For a moment, I wondered if he'd even heard me, if he was so lost in his own thoughts that he'd tuned me out entirely.

But then, slowly, he raised his head, his eyes meeting mine with a gaze that was both piercing and guarded. The tension between us seemed to vibrate, a live wire that hummed with unspoken emotions. I felt my heart skip a beat, my pulse racing with anticipation. What was wrong? And why was he avoiding me?

"Nothing's wrong," Levi said finally, his voice low, gravelly. But the words rang hollow, a blatant lie that made my heart ache.

I took a step closer, my eyes locked on his. "Don't lie to me, Levi," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "I know something's bothering you. You've been distant, avoiding me...what's going on?"