Unspoken Norms | Levi Ackerman ✔️

Chp 36 ~ A Starlit Romance

Your POV

Under the blanket of stars, where the twinkling constellation seemed to be flung out like scattered moon dust, I strolled along the path beside the grassy field. 

A few streetlamps lined its perimeter, shedding light over the vast stretch of land. Two boys were chucking a football to and fro; but save for them and the occasional passer-by, it was only us.

We walked in silence as street activities came to an end. Across the road on my right, the plaza's restaurants began to pack up for the night, cars speeding past in a rush to get home. In my periphery, a teal-covered arm brushed my side.

"Let's sit by the knoll," Levi suggested, jerking his chin at the grassy mound sloping down the field. I nodded and together, we verged off the pathway and settled ourselves on the hill.

The memories of the surprise party became a distant call in my mind, fading with the night's soothing atmosphere. It wasn't too late yet, so I could afford a little more time. I just hoped my parents wouldn't be worried.

Levi picked at the grass in front of him, the collar of the flannel jacket sliding to the side. It revealed his white shirt beneath and a sweep of that distracting chest. But I was too lost in bliss to feel stimulated.

"Have you ever felt... lonely?" It took me a moment to realise Levi was speaking. I glanced up at the glittering night sky, watching pin-pricks of light dance about.

"Sometimes, yes," I replied, darting a glimpse at Levi. "Why ask?"

The young man leaned back on his elbows, face tipped heavenward. A gentle breeze stirred the dark wisps across his forehead, and under the moon's glow, he looked almost ethereal. "Well, I've always felt alone. Whether it be at home or at school. 

"I don't know why, but... it's been a feeling I've experienced very often. So often that it has become part of my daily life. That I've learnt to embrace it. And this loneliness... it separated me from everyone. Not really Furlan or Isabel, but the rest of the grade.

"That was, until I met you." Levi's dark eyes glistened with starlight as he faced me. I felt myself slacken at the softness in his gaze. "That feeling I felt... it's no longer there. Ever since you were with me, I never once felt alone."

I gnawed the inside of my cheek, trying to reign in tears. But they were already stinging the corners of my eyes. "You know..." I gulped around the thickness in my throat, more tears threatening to appear, "you need to stop your habit of making me blush and smile and cry... Please... stop."

It was my turn to tilt my head up, hoping the tears would seep back in. During my feeble attempts, I caught Levi smiling at me. Wait—

I snapped my head violently to the side, tear-stained eyes stretching beyond its limits as I stared at him. "Did... you... just... SMILE?!"

Levi scowled with annoyance. "Since when do I smile, brat?"

Rubbing my lids, I peered at him again, still sniffing miserably. "I swear you did!"

The black-haired boy scoffed, irises searing with an imminent glare. He lurched forth from his position, setting elbows on knees. "You better stop hallucinating—or I'll make sure you do for the rest of your life."

I blinked at the threat in his voice, so at odds with his previous sincerity. "Why are you so mean all of a sudden? Also that makes no sense... stop hallucinating only to end up hallucinating for life? What sort of threat is that?"

He reached over and flicked my nose with his finger, a tad bit brutal on the touch. I knew he was capable of a featherlight kiss, but the way he flicked my nose... it was as if he intended some of that force to be felt. 

How rude.

I crossed my arms, mouth pressed into a thin line. "If I'm being honest, you're actually a terrible boyfriend. Very terrible. A boyfriend who threatens his girlfriend, a boyfriend who hits—"

My sentence was never finished. Levi surged forward, lips meeting mine in a flurry of sprawling limbs and hair. We fell back onto the grass, his mouth tracing my own with delicate, hungry kisses. His hands slid around my waist, and soon, he consumed my entire world. All I tasted, felt and scented was him—and him only.

Those seconds stretched out into minutes, into imaginary hours. Levi withdrew first, ever the one with self-control, and pulled me onto his lap. Our breaths mingled, foreheads leaning against each other.

Levi parted his lips in a provocative manner, tightening his grip on me. "If I'm being honest, I would never, ever hit you. That was just a flick on the nose. A poke on the cheek. It's what I call showing affection."

I wrenched away, eyes narrowing to slits. "What about the time when you slapped me on the head for sleeping in class? That's not considered hitting, is it?"

He rolled his eyes, releasing me. I settled down beside him, arms wrapped around my legs. "That was before we started dating, idiot. I didn't even know you that well. In fact," he said, pursing his lips, "I didn't particularly like you in the first place."

"You didn't like me?" I cried, utterly offended. "Wait, then when did you start liking me?"

"When you accepted to help me."

"Oh," I responded, nodding. "When I tutored you."

"When you helped me."

"Which is tutoring," I objected, fully knowing what strings I was playing at.

"Stop using that word. It was helping."

"Tutoring."

"Helping."

"Tutoring."

Levi finally let out a sigh. "Do I seriously have to argue with you?"

I smiled pertly, tapping his cheek in return. "I love you. A lot. Perhaps way too much."

The male grew a bit pink, the colour assuring me that I was still able to make him blush. He planted a firm kiss on my lips.

"I love you more."