Faults ~Levi x Reader AU~

Chapter 26: Stormy Seas

"Woah!" Hanji gushed. "Shorty asked you to move in?"

"Shh!" I panicked, holding my index finger to my lips. "Quiet down. There might be people from MRU here."

"How can I be quiet? This is huge," she whispered, her tone harsh with enthusiasm. "Where do we even begin with this? What went through your mind? How did you react? Your answer?"

I was suddenly regretting my decision to tell Hanji part of what transpired between Levi and myself. The part in which a very sleepy Levi asked me to move in...with him...in his apartment. To be frank, I almost thought I had misheard him, but the way he held me close as he lulled away told me that those words most likely slipped through those beautiful lips of his. In our past sexual encounters there were no cuddles or snuggles. We fucked and that was it. But in that last endeavor, something was...different. What it was was beyond me.

I breathed in a sharp breath and sighed, "I'm still...still digesting it all, really." I gazed down at my steaming beverage. "He kinda took me off guard."

"So you were surprised," she hurried, leaning closer, "but what were you thinking? C'mon, I need details!"

"Shh!" I spat, holding my index finger to my lips, whispering harshly, "People!"

She rolled her eyes and sat back, crossing her arms over her chest, puffing out her cheeks. I was definitely regretting my decision to tell her. I had failed to consider her enthusiasm. If Levi and I were in some story or manga, I'm almost convinced Hanji would have shipped us. That just seemed like something she would've done.

"Okay. Fine, fine. I'll ease up," she huffed. "But, for real, shorty really asked you that?"

I nodded, "Yup, he really did."

"And...your answer was?" she pressed, her eyes locked on me.

I bit my bottom lip, shifting uncomfortably in my seat, answering, "I, uh...I didn't...I didn't answer."

Hanji's eyes grew wild. I knew what she had been expecting me to say in response to Levi. She expected me to give an overly excited and confident 'yes', but no such reply buzzed through my lips. Instead, all that I did was lay there in denial. I truly didn't believe what I heard had been the truth, but the more I replayed it through in my brain, the more I believed it. Levi did in fact ask me to move in...and I didn't know how to reply.

Any other girl would have jumped on the opportunity, but not me. I couldn't explain it. I couldn't explain the way my heart raced vigorously against my ribs at the very thought of what he asked or how my skin tingled. I never imagine that he would purpose such an offer, but he had. He had and I still had no answer for him. Baby mama of the year.

"That honestly shocks me," Hanji laughed halfheartedly, playing with her food. "I thought you would've said yes for sure."

"Mmmhmm," I hummed, crossing my arms over my own chest. "I'm sure you did. Ya know, since you're the one who told him about Peiper and all."

"Hey! It was an honest accident," she defended. "You were upset, I was upset, we were all upset and blinded by skewed judgement. I said I was sorry."

"Only one of us was blinded by skewed judgement," I teased, trying to ease up the conversation. I took a bite of my food, continuing, "Besides, I'm just messin' with ya."

"Ha ha ha, I forgot to laugh," she grumbled.

We continued on eating, the quiet hum of people chattering around us filling the air. I could hear a few nearby conversations -he had an appointment for ten tomorrow, she was fed up with her roommate's constant messes, and blah, blah, blah. It was all just random rubbish that didn't mean anything to me. Well, that wasn't entirely true. Though their conversations didn't mean anything to me in particular, they were at least decent distractions. Just something to keep my mind focused on something else. Something besides Levi and his offer.

I stabbed my food with my fork and shoveled it into my mouth, chewing quickly. 'Why don't you move in here?' Levi's words repeated in my head. Move in...with him? With my professor? With the man who fathered my daughter? I kept eating, my heart racing. With the man who I think I'm...who I think I'm falling for. That was when it hit me; I was starting to fall head over heels for Levi Ackerman. For my professor.

"Oh my God," I gasped, finding my limbs going numb as realization came crashing down. "Oh m-my God."

Hanji perked up, kitting her brows in confusion. "What? What is it, Y/N?" Panic sprawled across her face as she jumped in her seat. "Is something wrong? Is it Peiper?"

I brought my eyes to her, my lips trembling as I breathed, "N-no. It's just...I just...I'm -"

Just as I was about to confess my cell rang. Hanji and I both jumped at the abrupt interruption before exchanging glances. I wasn't expecting any calls, but I dug my phone out of my pocket and glimpsed at it, frowning. I didn't recognize the number, but it had a Trost area code. Who the fuck could this be? I swallowed, thinking back to all of the Andy drama and how he'd call me. My blood ran cold at the very thought of him.

So, I mustered up all my courage and answered it, "Hello?"

"Hello, Ms. L/N," a stern male voice rang from over the line. "My name is Neil Northwood and I'm calling today about a pending case you were involved in."

"A pending case?" I repeated, my tone filled with utter confusion. "What case?"

Hanji furrowed her brows in curiosity at my words, tilting her head. I was just as lost as she was and unclear of what this Neil Northwood was talking about.

Mr. Northwood cleared his throat, "I apologize. The case involving Mr. Andrew Adler."

My eyes widened as my breath hitched in my throat. Andy.

**Ello my sweet lovelies! Bet ya didn't expect Andy to reappear. Or maybe ya did. Either way, he'll be here. I know it's choppy, but remember he was arrested in book one (later chapters will explain how he was caught and why charges were filed). And, heads up, I'm thinking this book MIGHT be a few chapters or so longer than the other two. So, just be prepared for that. Anyways, I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter. Feel free to comment/vote/follow! Thank you so much for all the love and support! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross

P.S. SF9's latest comeback ("Mamma Mia")!! I fangirled a little when I first saw it lol. And my bias, Hwiyoung looks amazing (they all do). <3 Has nothing to do with the story, but love it too much not to share. :)