Addictive ~Levi x Reader AU~

Chapter 23: Stale

"Make sure you take your shoes off as soon as we're in and don't make a mess," Levi ordered as he led me to his apartment's front door.

He shot me a quick glance and I nodded in agreement. He then released his grip on my hand and fished his keys out from his pocket to unlock the door. He swung open the door and we made our way into his apartment. Apartment...hell, it might as well been a house. The front door opened into his living room, which was almost the size of my entire apartment alone. All his walls were a pristine white that almost appeared to sparkle in the artificial gleams of all his sleek lamps. Modern pieces of art hung on the clean walls while small sculptures rested on smooth surfaces of end tables and shelves.

Beyond the living room flowed the rest of his apartment's open floor plan to the conjoint kitchen and dining area. Both rooms were just as white and clean as the living room, with the kitchen's stainless steel appliances glistening and the dark wood of the dining suit contrasting against the brilliant wall paint. More artwork hung in clusters on one of the dining room walls while shimmering silver pots and pans hung from a pot rack above the kitchen island. Dark hardwood floors made of mahogany stretched through the entire first level of his apartment. A single staircase sat snug near the living room and front entrance, each step covered by luscious chiffon carpet. It was all so beautiful.

"Remember, lose the shoes," he commanded as he kicked his off and set them neatly onto a mat huddled in the corner. "Put them next to mine."

I nodded and did as he instructed, kicking my Vans off and then gingerly placing them next to his boots. I hadn't even realized he was wearing biker boots when we were outside, but sure enough, there they were. A hefty black pair of biker boots just shimmering in the gleam. They were practically spotless, almost as if they were brand new. No scuff marks or dirt anywhere to be seen. Not the slightest trace.

"Ya coming or are you going to stand there all day?" he asked, his steel orbs locked on me.

"Coming," I hurried and rose up to straighten my posture.

"Tch," he breathed and turned away. He shuffled into his kitchen and reached up into one of his cabinets. He grabbed two porcelain mugs and asked, "Want anything to drink? Tea, orange juice, coffee, water?"

"Coffee sounds lovely right now," I answered as I slowly wandered into his living room. Though I wasn't tired at the moment, it was only a matter of time until my body would feel the effects of me rising so early. I moseyed over to a shelve filled with beautiful little sculptures of stunning women and birds and asked, "Are you an art collector?"

"Sort of," he replied in his silky voice as he came over to me. He handed me one of the mugs.

I took it from him and knitted my brows in confusion as I pressed on, "Sort of?"

He shrugged and took a sip of his steaming beverage before continuing, "I just collect things I find...beautiful." His eyes darted to me as a sliver of darkness crossed them, nearly causing my heart to leap from my chest. He must have noticed my nervous reaction as he added, "I've always had an eye for things of beauty."

"Is...is that so?" I nervously stuttered as I took a swig of my coffee.

I avoided eye contact as the bitter brew made its way down my throat and to my stomach, warming me from the inside. It had been awhile since I last had coffee...over a year. I used to drink it religiously, but after awhile, the blend grew...stale. It became too tart and dissatisfying for my liking. It became too...repetitive. But, for some strange reason, when it came from him, it was rich in flavor and blend. It both smelled and tasted delicious. It was baffling to me.

"I've been wondering something," he abruptly said, making his way to his leather sofa. My gaze followed him as he plopped onto one of the cushions and continued, "How did a girl from h/p mange her way all the way to Trost? That's a very long way to go."

I furrowed my brows in confusion and asked, "How did you know I was from h/p?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "High school transcripts. Those tell us more than just grades ya know."

I nodded, "I see."

I shuffled over to his recliner close to the couch and took a seat. The cushion was more comfortable than my old lumpy mattress and was cool against the flesh of my arms. I settled myself in a comfy position, tucking one of my legs under the other and took another swig of my coffee. His metallic orbs gazed me, searing me like hot iron as he observed me. His expression was blank but relaxed and showed no signs of any negative emotions...at least, not by what I could tell. He just stared at me.

Finally, he spoke, his deep voice penetrating my ears as he coached, "Well? Aren't you going to answer my question?"

I anxiously bit my bottom lip and glanced at the mug I was clutching onto for dear life before answering, "I...I really liked the high graduation statistics at MRU and-"

"Cut the bullshit," he interrupted. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, adding, "I'm sure they had schools in h/p that were just as elite as MRU." He narrowed his eyes. "So, I'll ask again, how did a girl from h/p end up in Trost?"

I chewed my lips nervously, thinking of what to possibly say. I didn't want to tell him the truth...to admit what it was that drove me to Trost. To me, that was insane. I couldn't just casually inform my lit instructor of what hells I faced back home. I couldn't just let him in on that dark part of my life...of my old life. I just couldn't do that. He didn't need to know. Hell, I didn't even want to know and I lived it.

"Y/N," he whispered, suddenly tilting my head to face him. I had been so caught up in my scattered thoughts that I hadn't even heard him migrate to me. His icy steel eyes collided into mine, taking my breath away when he breathed, "Stop doing that."

I frowned, "Stop doing what?"

"First, stop avoiding the question," he ordered, his husky tone dark. "And secondly, stop biting your lips. You're driving me insane."

I almost bit my lip again out of habit but stopped myself, apologizing, "O-oh. Sorry. My bad Professor Ackerman."

His grasp on my chin tightened just then as the muscles in his arms tensed. It didn't hurt, but he was now pinching the fleshed of my face, forcing my lips to part. A sliver of annoyance crossed his gape as his features darkened. I couldn't tell what I had done wrong, but I knew I had messed up just then. Something was irking him to no end and I was the blame of it.

"For God's sake, Y/N," he growled, lowering himself so that his lips almost touched my ear. His hot breath tickled me as he snarled, "My name is not Professor Ackerman when we are outside of the classroom. It sure as hell isn't my name when I'm in my own home; it's Levi, damn it. Levi."

He gingerly took the mug from my now numb fingers and placed it on the coffee table before us. My face was flushing red and my limbs were limp. That familiar wave of exhilaration dashed through me, causing the small hairs on the back of my neck to rise. He gently pushed me so that my back was pressed against the cushion of the recliner and hovered over me, his body almost against mine. His thumb sweetly stroked my lower lip, his eyes narrowing at me, sending my heart racing. I couldn't remember the last time I felt that alive. Had I ever felt that sort of exhilaration before? If so, when? Was it even real? It was as if the clouds which had draped over me all my life were evaporating, dispersing right before me. Or so I thought. As I gazed into those cold steel eyes, reality came crashing down again.

He snarled deep from his chest, "Am I clear, Mooi?"

I nodded quickly, my eyes wide.

"Then say it. What's my name?" he demanded, his hand still clutching my chin.

I quietly whispered, "Levi."

**Hello lovelies! Whoa! Long chapter this time. Dang. Sorry for any mistakes or if it feels forced/rushed. Working my hardest for you all! <3 Thank you so super, super much! You're all awesome! Feel free to leave a comment and/or vote or to follow me! More fanfic and original works in the future! :)**

-Noel Ross