Riverbank {LeviHan} [Manga Spoilers!]

Chapter 7: Under the Moonlight

Hanji's POV

"L-Levi..." The view was just breathless from where I stood. There was nothing more I could expect from Levi... even just knowing him since yesterday. 

The moon was half, yet it gleamed ever-so brightly on the calm waters below. It was practically still- like time has been frozen for this one night. No clouds were ever spotted in the sky, granting us the beautiful glinting stars high above the sky- twinkling as everyone wished upon them. The crickets continued chirping, and no wind was there to carry them afar. It was a bit chilly, bringing some chills down my arms. But with Levi's warm coat, I was able to stay warm. With a snap of a finger, time began to start back up as the wind quietly howled behind us in the trees- and the slow-moving river slowly passed by. 

A sharp sting attacked my head, yet I tried to classify it as a slight headache. I turned around to see Levi, having this smug smile on his face. A cabin was not far from here... but I knew we wouldn't be attending there any time soon. 

"It's a beautiful night out, Hanji," Levi says to me gently as his warm arm reached around my waist, "and it's just like you."

I began to blush with his comment, chuckling nervously. "For a man with a stern heart, it's surprising to see you acting so warmly to me. Feels like... I don't know, you were colder before. Such as... erm, if I were to put it into... objects... your tone of your voice may seem like frost before the storm."

"Using that analogy, what would the storm be?"

Once more, I chuckled softly to hear him speak so... smart. It felt... unnatural. "Your words."

"But when I speak to you, what's your analogy for that?"

"To me... it sounds like the warmth from a hot cup of coffee. Warm to the touch, and you may seem completely dark, you have the light in your words."

He chuckles softly, nuzzling his head into my shoulder. "I'm guessing you drink coffee then? Sugar- no... cream perhaps?"

I smiled down, looking into his beautiful silver eyes. Those were truly stars... not like the ones above us. Those stars are for children and other people- but Levi's eyes were my stars. If I could make a wish, it would be to be with him. "Why do you ask that?"

"Just in case if you need a... 'wake-me-up' kind of a thing. Answer my question: do you like to drink coffee with cream and sugar?"

"Yes. Now answer my question: do you like coffee?"

He pulled me down as he made his way to sit down on the grassy floor. His eyes weren't focused on me- but on the river below our feet. "No. Too bitter and honestly, expensive. How could you drink something so dreadful like that?"

"Cream and sugar makes the bitter taste go away." I chuckled, leaning forward and touching his cold cheek. "If you don't like coffee, what do you like to drink then?" Levi was silent for a bit, almost like he was embarrassed about his answer. "C'mon, Levi... it's okay. I won't humiliate you or anything. We're on a date, right? Let's know one another..."

Levi sighed with defeat, and looked back to me- our eyes met and a connection was being formed right in front of us. We were too busy loving each other to know that. "Black tea."

"Tea... that's interesting."

"More like ironic." He scoffs heavily and a scowl appeared on his face. "I said I hate coffee because it's better... black tea is bitter too. But I like it because I can actually afford black tea. It's weird, is it not?"

"No."

"Excuse me?"

I shook my head to clarify my message. "It's not weird. Everyone has their own tastes. If you don't like coffee- fine. If you like black tea- fine. Nothing's there to judge you for. It's how we are, of course."

He smiles more, and it felt like... joy. "Good to know that from you, Hanji."

My cheeks began to fluster as he continued to nuzzle his head into my arm. I wanted time to stop forevermore... because this night- this one beautiful night together was breath-taking. It felt like this should've happened years ago... how we were always meant to be together. A prophecy that was finally coming true...

"Levi, I-".

He then cuts me off with a kiss on my lips. His hand dug deep into my hand, pushing against me. My heart fluttered every second of the kiss. When I pulled away for air, he just went back at me. He kissed heavily... and we stayed until our stomachs grumbled for dinner.

*   *   *

"Levi..."

He chuckles softly as he kissed me again at the east entrance. "Don't worry about expressing our... relationship in public. You're safe."

"But-".

"There are no buts." He chuckles and held my hand tightly. He didn't want to release me back to the clutches of something else. "You're safe... and I love you to that extent. Just... promise me something... okay?"

I nodded my head, smiling gently. "I'll promise anything to what you say... just tell me the promise, and I'll always keep it."

His promise echoed in my head as it brought up my nightmares. Except... it was all in reverse. "Don't ever leave me."