Promise me [Levi Ackerman x OC]

✦ VII: Repressed ✦

After dinner, Furlan dismissed himself earlier and went to bed. The two remainings drank tea in the living room.

She was reading a book while Levi was cleaning his shoes. He noticed a bruise over her knuckles and left his task, taking her hand and inspecting it. "You punched him hard. That should teach the asshole not to mess with you." He lightly smiled, still looking at her hand, tracing the curves of the knucklebones with his fingertips.

"Is that a smile of pride?" She teased him, feeling flattered.

"Shut up." He switched to his usual monotone face, trying to hide the blush and whispering. "Tch. I can't stand to see you with anyone else."

"Yeah, I can tell." He rose his head looking hopeful into her eyes. "Levi, I..." Hazel couldn't finish by feeling her heart beating faster and the rush of blood through her body. Hazel dropped her face, looking at the hand that Levi was holding.

"What?" His free hand made her look at him again, cupping her chin carefully.

The young girl was lost in his intent eyes, subtly telling her he already knew it but wanted to hear it from her. "I... I have feelings for you, okay?"

"Haze, I think I do too." His hand went to caress her cheek, cleaning the tears that fell when she smiled in relief. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm happy I told you."

✦

After several days of gathering ingredients to make the special dinner, Hazel returned home earlier. When she was about to finish, the boys went in.

"Oh my goodness... It can be smelled from blocks away, Hazel." Furlan made his way to the kitchen after leaving his gear. "What are we celebrating, if I may ask?"

"Declan's birthday!" With a cheerful yelp and a grin, she tried to conceal the longing feeling for her brother.

The ashy-blonde gulped. He was expecting something more romantic like a one-month of having shared their feelings anniversary. "Shame he's not here to taste it. I hope he's having a good day anyway."

"Thanks, Haze." Levi offered a ghost of a smile but a soft gaze to comfort her while she gave him his plate.

"I heard some gossip from the customers. Apparently, the Military Police are pissed off because some thugs are doing their job. You're getting pretty famous."

"Thanks to their lazy asses, we have work."

"You're right, Levi. They don't even have the right to be pissed. The guys get paid for doing nothing. They are the most benefited." Furlan was voraciously eating, sharing his thoughts.

"I'm glad people recognize your hard and efficient work."

"I hate those pigs," Levi stated after a silence, being the last to finish his meal. "It was delicious." He noticed the girl was off and quieter. Under the table, he reached for her hand and squeezed it taking her attention. "I'll clean the mess. You take a shower."

Without a word she stood, accepting his offer and leaving the room.

Picking up the dishes, the male was deep in thought until Furlan spoke as he helped, sweeping the kitchen. "Is my imagination, or that was odd?"

"Maybe it's related to Declan's absence. A few days ago, she was crying in her sleep."

"She's pretending to be strong. And what did you do?"

"What I was supposed to do?" Levi was confused, making the other roll his eyes at the naiveness.

"Obviously, try to comfort her. Talk to her, say reassuring words as he will come back, or I'm here for you. You're hopeless, man."