Return to sender

A different journey

Levi was filled with a variety of emotions all at once - confusion and surprise mostly, along with the added bonuses of amusement and relief. He stood unmoving, door handle still in his loose grasp as wide eyes and an even wider grin stared back at him, wholly unexpected visitor on his plain welcome mat.

You were dripping wet from the rain, hair stuck to your head and clothing saturated, luggage on wheels plastered with leaves and mud. The most inexplicable thing was the large yellow plastic item you held under one arm, writing too big to make out on the cylindrical object and all he could do was gape, overjoyed at your return yet totally baffled as to the reasoning and your physical appearance.

"(F/N)?" His voice came out in a whisper, hoarse croak the only thing Levi was able to muster. "What...? What's going on?"

"I think I've solved our problem."

"How? I mean...fuck it."

Your lover stepped out to embrace you, fierce hug transferring moisture to his shirt but he couldn't give a shit, was simply ecstatic to have you back. You laughed into his messy hair, guessing Levi had spent a good amount of time in bed judging by the fuzzy quality to him and you held on tight, tube dropped with a hollow thud. This was where you belonged, pressed against the man's warm body and not hundreds of miles away. Heads nudged gently together, turning slightly until lips could find their counterparts as an emotional and impassioned kiss began, slow movements sending each of you into what seemed like an eternal bliss.

After a few minutes Levi snapped out of it, put you at arm's length as if in disbelief, silver stare scanning every visible part of you as his inimitable personality broke through.

"Why are you fucking drenched and covered in half a forest?"

"I walked."

"You...you walked? From where?"

"Levi, can I come in please?"

"Shit."

He hurried you inside and away from the storm, need for answers having overtaken common sense and you peeled the sodden coat off, suitcase and new found possession placed carefully on the mat along with your shoes, figure shivering and shaking yet smile still broad. You spoke rapidly, teeth chattering whilst Levi led you upstairs to fetch a towel and some of his clothes, your story spilling out in frozen stutters.

"So I got to that t-t-town an hour away and...and...then-n-n we had to s-s-stop and-d-d..."

"(F/N)? I can wait. Let's get you sorted first."

"Th-thanks."

He carefully helped you get dried down, large tee and pyjama shorts offered as a better alternative to your soggy garments and in no time at all, you were snuggled up on the couch with mugs of cocoa kisses, blanket wrapped around you both whilst the full tale unfolded.

You'd seen the yellow sign hanging on one particular building, a beacon of light which read 'Now Hiring', smaller print stating available positions and contact details - your interest had been piqued by the vacancies within a mailing centre, the new company obviously starting up from scratch and requiring all of the basic staff to begin trading. As much as Eren and you griped about it, the honest truth was that if a mail room didn't exist, a business wouldn't function so to have the support areas set up first made sense. As you chatted with animation, Levi smirked from behind the china mug and listened to your narrative.

"I could take the bus, an hour there and an hour back isn't too bad. People do much more." You took a sip before continuing, rich tasting tea helping to return you to a warmer place and thaw you out. "That is if they want me. But I have experience, practically managed those guys because no one gave a shit about us down there. I could run it with my eyes closed." The perhaps rash decision to leave the coach was one built on a foundation of love, all of the ins and outs considered just briefly so you were sure there would be pitfalls, holes in your plans...however it had been the right move. You knew it.