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The smooth background music droned as Levi surveyed the choice of restaurant they had agreed to convene at - more upscale than the usual monthly meets seeing as it was Nanaba’s birthday. The soft lighting leant a calming atmosphere as people sat chatting at tables and the light clinking of glasses could be heard as the bartender prepared drinks across the room.
Pretty swanky.
He turned his attention back to the table where Hange was gesticulating wildly whilst recounting an incident at work.
‘“ -and then it turned around and just straight up bit her!”
Erwin chuckled, “I’m sure Ilse will be nothing but professional when writing up the notes for her journal”
Miche and Nanaba smiled and shared a knowing look.
Before the eccentric researcher could continue, Farlan returned to the table with the next round of drinks, “Oh God, why do I get the feeling I dodged an anecdotal bullet?”. He passed over the drinks, some light beers and an excessively fruity cocktail for Hange, and they raised a toast to the birthday girl.
“Cheers!”
“Here’s to the big three-oh Nana!”
As the table descended once again into conversation, Levi turned his head to the door as a large group came in and waited to be seated. A young woman made her way in behind them and squeezed her way through, making a beeline for the bar. Pretty, in a simple, fitted skirt and polo neck, she shrugged off her coat as she hopped up onto the bar stool and waited for the barman. Her short, red hair contrasted against her fair features and highlighted the slight blush of her cheeks from the cold outside.
Cute.
Levi moved his attention back to the table.
_____________________
Half an hour later and the glasses were considerably emptier. Levi once again looked up towards the bar and frowned upon seeing the red head from earlier still sitting there alone. Her boot tapped the stool’s leg as she bit her lip and looked at her phone.
He was broken out of his thoughts as Farlan nudged his arm, smirking, “Something catch your eye grumps?”
Levi frowned.
Farlan continued, “She’s been sat there a while - you think she’s been stood up?”
Levi looked once again at the woman, now idly stirring her drink with a straw as her amber eyes looked hopefully towards the door, “Who’d stand up someone as cute as her?”
Farlan’s face lit up like a Christmas tree, “Oh so she’s cute now is she?”
Shit.
“Tch, calm down shithead, It was just an observation”
“Hey just saying, don’t think I’ve ever heard you comment on a woman right off the bat like that, now here you are sneaking glances at one and trying to hide it - it’s the red hair isn’t it?” Farlan leaned in, characteristic grin plastered firmly on his face.
Levi rolled his eyes and knocked back the last of his beer, “Shuttup…for the last time, I don’t have a thing for redheads”
Farlan continued to smirk, “If you say so” he swirled the dregs of his beer, “Hey who’s up next for a bar run?”
Hange piped up, “Your round Levi!”
“Tch, like you need more shitty cocktails four eyes”
Hange pouted and threw a cocktail umbrella in his direction as Levi took in the group’s requests. He walked over to the busy bar and sat waiting to be served.
He looked across the bar.
He saw her looking down into her glass.
He looked back up at the menu.
He gave the bartender the lengthy order and paid for the round.
Back to her. She was now resting her chin on one hand absently stirring the ice in her glass as she stared at the fish tank on the wall.
….
…..Fuck it.
Levi stood up and walked to the end of the bar, taking the stool next to her.
She looked up, wide amber eyes blinking at him in surprise. For the first time that evening, Levi was able to really take in the woman’s appearance. Her petite frame was accentuated by the form fitting outfit, her delicate hands continuing to hold the long since empty glass. Silver earrings reflected the soft lights as she tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. Dark lipstick stained her lips as her mouth opened slightly. Levi realised he was staring.
He blurted out, “Shit. Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. I…um”
He was pretty sure he looked like a constipated duck.
Her wary gaze faltered as he stumbled over his words. When she spoke, her voice was light.
“No no, it’s fine honest”
They both stared awkwardly at the fish tank opposite the bar. An Angelfish floated gracefully across the front as another fish clumsily bumped up against the fake wooden treasure chest.
Levi cleared his throat, “soo, friend of yours running late?”
Wow he was bad at this.
Petra smiled sadly, looking down and picking at the edge of a coaster, “you don’t have to pity me, I’m sure the whole restaurant’s figured out why I’m sat up here alone”
Levi looked her up and down once more. The subtle but carefully applied make up. The simple yet flattering outfit. The way her nose wrinkled as she frowned slightly into her glass. He nudged her stool with his foot, “Hey, his loss”.
Petra gave a half smile up at him and her eyes seemed to light up the tiniest bit, “Thanks”
Levi held his hand out, “I’m Levi by the way”
“Petra”, she said, giving him a small handshake. Her hand was as soft as he thought it was.
Why was his brain like this.
The barman deposited a tray of drinks in front of Levi then set about making Hange’s overly complex cocktail.
Petra eyed the tray with another one of her half smiles.
“They’re not all for me”, Levi stated dumbly, “I’m here for my friend’s birthday” he gestured over to the table he had vacated with the group immersed in conversation.
Petra let out an airy chuckle, “I guessed”
Levi picked up his own drink and tried not to think how her laugh made his heart flutter a little. He glanced at her once again, then down to the empty glass in her hands.
“Hey, wanna refill?”
Petra looked down at her empty glass quickly as if snapped back into the room, “Oh no thanks, I was actually thinking of leaving soon” Levi’s heart sank a little. “I’m pretty sure my cat won’t mind if I’m home early”
“Oh you have a cat?”
Petra turned her phone screen to Levi where the background showed a rather grumpy looking black cat with a green bow tie. The slanted yellow eyes offered an expression that could be described as - well, pissed off if Levi was honest.
“Meet Nigel, my grumpy little guy”. She smiled at the picture affectionately.
The corner of Levi’s lip turned up, “Maybe he thinks green just isn’t his colour”
Petra put her hand over her chest feigning outrage, “Well I think he looks absolutely dashing”
Levi put his hand up in mock surrender, “Just saying, never met a cat who actually liked being dressed up”.
A challenging smirk appeared on her face, nose wrinkling adorably again, “I’m not dressing him up, it’s a collar accessory” she gave him a sideways glance as she crushed an ice cube with her straw, “I take it you’re not a cat person?”
Levi swirled his beer, “It’s not that, my apartment just doesn’t allow pets”. He took a quick swig before adding, “Does a Roomba count?”
His head snapped up at Petra’s sudden snort of laughter. She covered her mouth in an attempt to contain her amusement, “That depends, have you stuck on googly eyes and named it?”.
Levi answered, “I would never be so childish as to glue googly eyes to Spencer Bartholomew Sweepton, First of his name, buster of dust and defender of the realm of clean floors”. Levi realised what he’d just said. Shit. Where did that come from? He hadn’t had a lot of experience with flirting but even he knew how stupid that sounded. He looked nervously back at Petra who was now in a small fit of giggles. Her eyes scrunched up and auburn hair fell into her face. The smile on her lips transcended onto his own and he decided he didn’t mind. Anything to keep that radiant smile on her.
Petra leant a cheeky smile, “I suppose it’s not that different from owning a cat, we both have to empty their trays at the end of the day”
“Yeah, but mine has less shit in it”
That laughter again.
With the initial awkwardness fading quickly, the pair slipped into comfortable conversation. He learnt she was an educational psychologist in the city, loved baking and of course, was given more details on the obviously doted on Nigel, interjected by the occasional cat pic.
The room melted into the background, replaced easily with their own bubble. He must be tipsy, Levi couldn’t remember feeling this at ease with what was essentially a complete stranger. Warmth oozed from her honey gaze as she chatted lightly, her feet swinging beneath her on the tall bar stool. Deep plum manicure making small circles delicately on the bar, her other hand resting on her cheek as she smiled and spoke. He felt like she could read a phone book and he not get tired of listening to her bright voice.
It was like watching a sunset come to life.
Since when did he get so Goddamn poetic?
She was a stark contrast to his…well, him in general.
Watching her animated face as they continued chatting, Levi came to the conclusion that he didn’t mind all that much.
After a while Petra looked pointedly to the tray of drinks next to Levi. Hange’s concoction had appeared at some point, the paper straw drooping as it slowly disintegrated amongst the sugary liquid.
“Don’t your friends want their drinks?”
Levi looked over to the table where Hange and Farlan appeared to be competing to see who could balance more spoons on their face.
“Nah, they can wait”
Petra giggled, “They do seem like they’re having fun”
“Buncha weirdos”
The seconds ticked by, the soft glow of the fish tank illuminating them both as the moment stretched out. Her pinky finger ghosted the side of his as she pushed her glass away. They stared down at their hands barely touching before looking up, amber eyes meeting steely grey. He was suddenly aware of his heartbeat, the air feeling like it needed to be filled with something bigger than he could give. Levi opened his mouth to speak before a loud buzz interrupted the moment.
“Oh, my taxi’s here”, the light from the phone much more harsh than the ambient lighting of the restaurant. She looked up apologetically, “Guess it’s time to go defend my status of crazy cat lady”.
Levi let go of his breath, “Wouldn’t want to keep Nigel waiting”
Petra gave a playful hit to his arm, “At least my pet greets me when I get in”
“Oh yeah, does he push a mop round while you’re out too?”
Petra bit her lip, trying and failing to hold back a smile, “I’ll see you around Levi”. She hopped down off the bar stool and turned to leave then stopped. Spinning back round, she scooped Levi into a one armed hug, her perfume enveloping him. “Thanks by the way”, she whispered. Levi squeezed her back. Then she was out the door and gone.
______________________
Levi watched the door close behind her and scooped up the tray with a sigh. Upon finally returning to the table with everyone’s drinks, Hange looked up, “Hey shorty, too ya long enough!”
Erwin glanced at his friend, a sly smile appearing, “Looked like you were enjoying some pleasant company Levi - a nice exchange was had I hope?”
Levi sat down with a scowl, “Shuttup and drink your beer eyebrows”
He internally facepalmed. Of course he hadn’t got her number.
As the table once again descended into chatter, Levi reached into his pocket for his phone. His hand closed around the device, but felt another object. He pulled it out to discover a small scrap of paper.
Levi took the carefully folded note and opened it. On it, eleven digits greeted him, along with a quickly scribbled cat doodle ‘call me if you want to talk about more than just my pussy ;)’ **
Levi blushed furiously.
When did she? He shook his head and stuffed the note back into his pocket
Farlan leaned in with a smug grin, “Thought you weren’t into redheads”.
END