Carousel of Affection [Attack on Titan/Black Lagoon Crossover] [Complete]

Armin

Armin's Perspective

It's a little past twelve. I talked to Mr. Ack-... I talked to Levi a few minutes ago and am waiting for him to bring me a couple things from my desk. I included my fax number in the text but he was determined he'd bring them in person instead. To be honest, I'd love more of that magic hot chocolate from earlier, as well as to spend just a little time with him. The huskiness in his voice doesn't strike me the same way over the phone as in person.

I was in the living room, on the couch, reading an old article I saved from a few weeks ago when I heard a knock on the front door. "Who is it?" I called on my way to the door.

"Little shit, little shit, let me in." Levi said sarcastically from the other side.

I chuckled, unlocking it and opening it to him, "Well, that's quite the greeting." He stepped inside, removing his coat.

"You were supposed to reply with the next part, but I'll ignore you not doing so." He set the folder I asked for and a bag on the coffee table, beginning to remove his shoes.

I smiled, taking the folder and fingering through it, "I'm not Mother Goose; nursery rhymes aren't my forte." He hasn't responded while I was looking through the folder. When I glanced at him, he was staring at his phone but appearing unfocused on whatever he was staring at. "Levi?" I bothered, grabbing his attention, "You seemed dazed."

He looked back down at his phone, continuing to stare at the screen, "Aren't you quite the psychiatrist..." He said sarcastically with a low sigh.

I sat next to him with the folder on my lap, "What's wrong?" I asked.

Levi sighed a little heavier, putting his phone on the coffee table in front of us and crossing his leg over the other at the knee. "How do you..." He started, seemingly trying to figure out how to ask something.

"How do you?" I urged confusedly.

He looked at me, with a face that sort of scared me; any face other than an angry or stern (or unreadable) one always scared me. He looked utterly perplexed. His grey eyes shimmered with a hint of innocence that rarely appeared on this specific person and it was unnerving. "How do you convey a message without saying the message?"

I tilted my head, attempting to understand what he's asking. "What kind of message?"

"Well, any kind, really." He propped his hands on the back of the couch.

Was he trying to tell me something? I know I miss some things but how could I let this slip under my nose? I had to look away from him, namely his eyes; it made me feel uncomfortable, as if he was soul-searching for something. Even when I didn't look at him, I could feel him staring at me and it made me tremble a little; I was sure he could feel my trembling vibrate on the couch. "Subtleness." I finally said.

"Subtleness, eh?" He echoed.

I nodded, "Little, small actions to hint the message on. When it's finally or well expected, come out with it as if you weren't trying to show it before."

He hummed, thinking for a second then uncrossing his legs, and grabbing the bag from the coffee table. "Want some hot chocolate?" He asked, going to the kitchen.

"Yes!" I responded eagerly, happy for the subject change (and hot chocolate from Heaven).

He smirked, grabbing a mug from the cabinet, "How're you feeling?"

"If you've taken notice to my attire, my temperature is indecisive. I'm both hot and cold. That awful cough's gone though." I said, putting the folder on the table and standing to stretch.

"Come here." He said, putting a pot of water on the stove to boil. My chest tightened as I walked over, and I was battling my body in my head: calm down, I told myself. He walked over and touched the back of his hand to my forehead, my cheeks, and my throat. I'm sure he felt my heartbeat then.

He rummaged in the bag and took out a thermometer. "Tongue." I didn't move; I just stared blankly at him, wide-eyed and frozen. His face grew stern, "Open your mouth, Armin. Or should I do it?" He demanded. I hesitantly opened my mouth, lifting my tongue. He set the thermometer under my tongue and told me to close my mouth. I stood there, watching him pour some sugar, hot chocolate mix, and spurts of honey in the mug.

The thermometer began to beep in my mouth but I didn't move. Instead, Levi came back over and took it out of my mouth, looking at the numbers on it. "You're running a temperature. 103." I sat on the bar stool at the counter, looking through the bag myself. "Take some of the medicine in the bag."

I pulled a bottle of Benedryl* out, reading the serving sizes and taking the amount advised; it was a very bitter taste. Levi must have caught sight of the face I made when he chuckled, setting the cup of fresh hot chocolate in front of me. "You've gone a little quiet, Armin."

Come to think of it, in hadn't said anything since answering his question. "Sorry..."

"Don't be," he said, glancing at his watch, "It's okay if you don't want to admit that I intimidate you." He said, staring at me as I drank the hot chocolate.

I yanked the mug away from my mouth, griping at the stinging heat. "Ouch!"

"Maybe hot chocolate should come with a warning label: 'Hot chocolate. Warning - Chocolate is hot'"

I rolled my eyes, inwardly amused but outwardly suddenly annoyed with his presence. "Don't you have a job to go to?" I asked a little harshly.

He chuckled, going to slip his shoes back on, "Is there anything else you need before I leave?" I probably won't come back later today; I plan on staying late at the office."

"No, I'm fine, thanks," my words were skewed by my burned tongue, "I'll be fine with this hot chocolate."

"Alright. If Mikasa and her dipshit brother appear, tell them I stopped by, okay?" He said from the corner, slipping his coat on.

"Alright," I assured, "Don't catch frostbite!" I said as he left through the door and I heard it shut.

I sighed to myself, looking at the marshmallows floating around my drink. "A question for you as well," I spoke to the illusion of Levi standing in front of me, "How do you tell someone... You like them?"

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Author's Note: Sorry for the rather large delay. Hope you had a merry Christmas. Still looking for covers. Feel free to submit some to me.