Faults ~Levi x Reader AU~

Chapter 24: The Longing

"I need to talk to you," Levi said as we made our way to my apartment.

We had just walked my mother to her hotel where she would meet up with my father for dinner. So, it was just the two of us. To be honest, it all had me on cloud nine. I had spent almost the entire day with the man I had grown so fond of. Though I still couldn't describe how it was I was feeling, I knew it was good. Too good.

"Actually, are you hungry?" Levi asked, his eyes landing on me. "We can grab a bite to eat and talk. That should help prevent another episode."

I blushed, shrugging, "Sounds good to me."

"Good," he replied, his tone unwavering.

We walked in silence, the breeze whisking around us, blowing the strains of my h/c hair in a multitude of different directions. But, I didn't mind it. It was a decently warm evening -almost like a preview of spring. So, I walked happily alongside Levi, breathing in the calm zephyr.

We continued in the stilled quiet until we reached The Rogue...the same diner we had gone to...together. It was also the same place where Andy had shown up unannounced. But, I brushed those thoughts away and followed Levi to the entrance. He made it to the door first and held it open, motioning for me to go in ahead of him. Blushing, I made my way in, keeping my eyes averted to the floor. He still had that same effect on me.

We were greeted by a hostess who then seated us at a booth tucked away in the corner at Levi's request. I didn't mind. I was just elated to be spending one-on-one time with him. I'd take whatever I could get at that point.

"So," I said, bringing my eyes to him, "you wanted to talk?"

He kept his eyes locked on his menu and nodded, "Yes."

I opened my mouth, ready to reply when our waitress appeared. We gave her our orders and waited until she was out of earshot. I really didn't want some stranger to hear our conversation. Not that she would have actually paid any mind, but still. I was a private person, after all.

"Anyway," I chirped, "what was it you wanted to talk about?"

H laced his fingers together and rested his hands on the table, clearing his throat, "Right. I feel like we need to discuss...some sort of arrangement."

I knitted my brows in confusion. "Arrangement? Arrangement for what?"

He brought those sharp eyes to me, those metallic orbs meeting my own, nearly taking my breath away. I could feel him peering not just into me, but through me. Almost as if he was using those piercing eyes to dig and search for something. He was always searching for something, but I never knew what. I could never read him -never understand what went through his head. And I so desperately wanted to know him...to truly understand him. But that cold gaze and stoic expression of his was what kept me at arm's length. That was what kept me at a distance.

He drew in a keen breath and sighed, "About...all this." His eyes dropped to my lower abdomen. "We need to figure this out like adults." He sat back, crossing his toned arms over his chest, continuing, "I think we've both brushed this aside long enough."

"O-oh," I stuttered, dropping my gape to my lap. "R-right. About...about that."

"Yes, about that," he repeated, taking another haggard breath. "I know that this may seem rash. No, this is rash, but understand that what I'm about to offer is just that; an offer." He locked eyes with mine, his tone low. "You can think about this offer and even reject it if you see fit but do at least consider it."

I swallowed, "O-okay. What's it you're trying to suggest here?"

I watched as he observed me, his stare calculated and precise, almost as if he was waiting. But, waiting for what? We were practically isolated in the corner of the diner, no one there to interrupt our conversation. So, what could he have possibly been waiting for?