Capable of Loving You

Chapter 13: Us

The snow hadn't let up since last night and soon there was a good couple inches on the ground. Everyone was enthralled by the white blanketing the grounds and spent the entire day playing outside, except Sophia. As much as she enjoyed the snow, she was afraid of running into the Captain. Ever since last night, Sophia was unsure about everything concerning Levi. Why did his attitude towards her change so suddenly? She should be delighted, but she was nervous and scared. If this was some sick game he was playing, her heart could not take it.

Even so late at night, she was wide awake thanks to her mind streaming endless insecurities. She decided to expel the excess energy by going for a walk outside and sitting by the small lake. Grabbing her cloak, Sophia realized how much this was like the night after she'd fought the Commander. God, it felt like ages ago!

She inhaled the crisp, cold air and wrapped the cloak tighter against her shuddering body. Her breath came out in white, foggy tendrils as she walked leisurely, observing the delicate crescent moon. It provided hardly any light, yet she navigated the forest with the ease of an inhabitant. The edges of the lake were frozen yet the center rippled in the strong wind. Sophia admired the silent beauty around her.

"So this is where you escape to?" Levi's calm voice rang out abnormally loudly.

Sophia spun around and almost slipped in the snow, "Captain! What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that question."

She fidgeted with her cloak, "I—uh—couldn't sleep." Levi walked closer to her. "How did you find me?"

He shrugged, "I couldn't sleep either. I saw you and followed you since there was no way of seeing you otherwise. You've been avoiding me and I want to know why."

Sophia inspected his determined visage. His gray eyes looked almost black in the dark and were narrowed, not in anger but curiosity. She knew he would not let her escape without an answer. Sophia gulped, "I—I needed..."

Levi took her cold hand in his equally freezing one, hoping to calm her down enough so she could speak, but it had the opposite effect he intended for. She snatched it away as if burned by hot coals and Levi sensed the internal battle in her dark gold eyes.

"Why are you doing this?" Sophia asked in a little voice. Right then and there she seemed so vulnerable and lost. Levi just wanted to embrace her but kept his distance, knowing the gesture would be unwelcomed.

"Doing what, Sophia?" he asked slowly.

Sophia's eyes flashed and she ran a hand through her hair in frustration, "You know what I mean! This—your sudden change in behavior towards me. I need to know what this means...about us." She looked down in embarrassment and missed the small smile that graced Levi's features.

"Well, I'm just doing what you said and letting you 'melt my icy façade'," Levi quoted cheekily. Sophia stared at him in utter amazement and Levi continued, completely serious, "I may have been harsh towards you before but you have to understand that this had never happened to me before. And I don't want to admit it but I panicked." He chuckled awkwardly and Sophia's eyes widened further. "I thought I was doing what was best for the both of us but now I'm not so sure."

Levi hoped the dark night would hide his pink face, "And...if your feelings are the same as they were a few months ago, then I would like to this—us a try."

He waited patiently for Sophia to respond but when she didn't he snapped in worry, "Say something, brat."

Sophia smiled shyly, "I don't even think it's possible to change my feelings towards you."