Return to sender

Fading dreams

Music played quietly in the background, accompanied by the melody of cooking, an array of pots sizzling away whilst chopping noises laid down an imperfect beat, knives working swiftly. A high stool from the breakfast bar had been pulled over before commencing but you'd opted not to use it, choosing instead to lean and let your upper body take the strain. Levi kept glancing over from his work, pauses in the dicing process taken as he observed your most upright position to date, one elbow used on the counter however he believed you'd be fine without it, keeping the prop as a comfort blanket or out of uncertainty.

In a bold move, your lover decided to put you to the test once more, catch you unawares because that was when the best results often came and he lifted a tomato, round item perfectly formed for use as a missile.

As your recipe came together, you hummed along to the track playing with contentment, warmth from the hob making it feel like a summer's day despite the threatening snow outside. Your tee was nowhere near baggy enough, intense heat begging for a more loose fitting garment but there was no stopping now - you were in the culinary zone. Recalling the microwave meal incident from one of your video chats, you smiled to yourself and concentrated on the task at hand, dead set on proving your ability in the kitchen in front of Levi.

"(F/N), heads up."

A quick look to one side confirmed the human instinct and you squeaked, palms up to defend against the incoming red bomb, large salad ingredient caught deftly and you scowled, waving the offending weapon in the attacker's general direction whilst pointing in accusation with the other hand.

"What the fuck? You could have hit me in the face, Levi!"

"You caught it though."

"Yea, but you didn't have to launch it like a baseball!" Nothing came in reply apart from a raised brow and a small nod downwards as Levi stepped to one side, fist on hip, smugness personified and you questioned his posture. "What? What is it?"

"I think we reached phase three."

"Phase three?"

"Believing you can do it, (F/N)."

You were silent for a moment, bubbling water boiling to your left and you frowned, eyes travelling to where silver ones were still trained and it dawned on you.

"I...I'm standing on my own..."

Your voice came out in a whisper, almost as if to say it louder may weaken your muscles and you huffed, a single incredulous laugh signalling the first time you'd been able to do such a thing in weeks. Levi practically swelled with pride, his unorthodox methods producing results again but the sense of achievement was wholly projected onto you, his admiration growing every single second.

"Yes. Yes you are." Connecting gazes, you forgot all about the tomato and let it carelessly fall to the floor with a small plop, feet moving in what felt like automatic steps, each pace shaky but firm as you closed the gap, stumbling at the end to fall into Levi's open arms, face in his neck as his mumbled words came from behind your hair. "I knew you could."

"I did it Levi...I actually did it."

"Hey." He drew back, holding you out and fixing a serious stare into (e/c) pools. "Don't sound so fucking shocked. The minute you start to doubt, that's when the shit hits the fan. So (F/N), never doubt yourself again. Ok?"

"Ok." You grinned, sniffing away a tear of achievement and still standing independently, flushed features turning playful. "Bit of a gamble though. What if I'd ended up with a face full of tomato? Or on the floor?"

"Like I said, I knew you could. You were leaning on the side but you didn't need it. I could tell."

"How?"