Unspoken Norms | Levi Ackerman ✔️

Chp 35 ~ Shortie's Birthday Part 2

Your POV

Levi knew something was going on. Of course he wasn't dumb. In fact, he was very much the opposite.

I had to keep my excitement in check as we headed down the road. The shopping centre near our school loomed before us majestically.

We had booked one of the most elegant restaurants in the plaza, having a view of the main street and the trees lined along its border. Across from it was a large grassy field, where the sky could be marvelled without any disruption.

Levi had his hands in his pockets, dark unreadable eyes roaming over the structure. The teal flannel jacket fitting him glamorously. If he wanted to, he would be an excellent model.

He caught my gaze and I immediately whipped back to the front. Sometimes he could be too distracting.

As soon as we trudged up the main street's pathway, cars rushing past in succession, I spotted Hange peeking her head over the restaurant's front door. I jerked my head at her, pupils moving to the right as if to say; go back in!

She obliged, and I glanced at Levi who came up beside me. "Just there," I said, gesturing to the restaurant. He quirked a graceful eyebrow, face etched with either curiosity or disgust. I hoped it was the former.

It was a simple signal. An announcement of "We're here, Levi" and instantly ten people shot up from their hiding spots under the table, an array of colours sprouting all over.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEVIIII!"

I didn't know what was more entertaining; Levi's reaction or everyone's decent attempt of a surprise. The black-haired boy actually seemed surprised—no, amused. Or was he annoyed? I couldn't tell by the inconspicuous twitch of his mouth or the slight widening of his eyes, the only two signs he gave away.

Everyone clapped and whooped and blasted streamers across the table, spraying us with iridescent fireworks.

"Welcome, our birthday boy!" Hange declared, yanking him by the sleeve and shoving him into the seat at the head of the table. Ordinary diners were shooting glances at our vibrant spectacle, faces drawn in either fascination or disdain.

I took the seat beside Levi with Sasha on my right, followed by Connie and Jean. Hange sat opposite of me, flanked by Mikasa who sat along Eren, Armin and Furlan. I noticed discreetly that Mikasa wore the rosy silk fabric Eren had ripped off at the school hall's entrance, replicating a shawl. Isabel and Erwin rounded the other end of the table, all dazzling in smart casual attire.

"Have we ordered anything?" I inquired, and immediately Sasha perked up.

"OF COURSE!" she exclaimed, staring at nothing as she counted off her fingers. "I've—we've—ordered three large pizzas; Hawaiian, vegetarian, meat-lovers. I think five different pastas, but I forgot what types, and we also have seafood and STEAK!!!"

The corners of my mouth tugged upward at the sparkling delight in her eyes. Farther down the table, Eren and Jean were at it again—this time arguing over who would cut the pizzas once they arrived. To my surprise, Armin and Furlan were conversing animatedly, while Isabel was shouting over them at Connie. The loudmouth was shouting too, somehow maintaining their rather long-distance conversation.

Out of instinct, my eyes went back to Levi. He was trying his best to keep his cool as Hange bombarded him with a range of gifts. All differing in size. Some the size of his head, others small enough to fit inside his palm.

He tsked at every hand-over of a present, displaying the faintest amount of irritation. But I knew that his annoyance was merely a mask. I bet beneath the façade, he was just grateful and delighted for it all.

Those hooded eyes locked with mine, flashing a look. A look I didn't understand.

Before I could open my mouth, he dumped the gifts onto the table, making plates and cutlery rattle against each other. It caught everyone's attention, and silence fed the air beside the chatter of nearby diners.

"I have an announcement to make." Levi's deep, monotonous voice resonated along the table, sending shivers up my spine. Ever since he confessed, anything he uttered made my skin crawl. Why that was the case, I had no idea—or rather a subject I knew but didn't want to delve into.

Not yet at least.

My thoughts were cut off the moment a hand slid over my own, callous fingers interlacing with mine. I kept my head down, feeling a blush inch its way up my cheeks. Don't turn pink, don't turn pink—

"(Y/N) and I are dating." I fought the urge to shut my eyes. I might as well die from sheer embarrassment.

It was a gradual reaction, a few suggestive coos and whistles, even 'aws'. Levi had to make an announcement now. It couldn't have been a message or an email, or a simple declaration without me there. And because of it... I was forced to react.

To think that he would be the one caught off guard with our surprise party... in the end I was the victim. Mentally cursing the boy beside me, his hand still clasped around my own, I made myself look up. Made myself glance at each person in the eye, with neither shame nor worry.

This relationship I had with Levi... it was something to be proud of. Something to admit wholeheartedly. And so, I smiled somewhat sheepishly. I didn't plan on telling them after another two weeks.

"Yes," I breathed softly, lifting up our entwined fingers. "We're dating."

At my affirmation, cheers erupted from every person, their faces beaming with smiles and laughter. I felt my own grin widen, joy bubbling inside of me.

Levi pulled my hand towards him, caressing his lips against my knuckles. A compensation for his actions two days ago at the formal—when he rudely poked my cheek.

Another tide of flushing rippled over my face, and I knew without checking how red I was.

Damn this male for making me blush nonstop.