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Levi Ackerman was a lover of simple things.
It was often he wound himself relishing the ways of this new life of his, one where he was no longer bathed in the stench of crimson despair, but in gentle perfumes birthed from the growths blossoming under the golden sun. Far behind him were the days of fighting, and he nearly scoffed at the turn his life had taken. To think that a soldier would someday trade his dull blades for flowers and tea bags was an idea that he would’ve called a fool’s dream. Only if he’d known then that he was only destined to become the greatest fool of all.
Indeed, Levi was a fool in love.
He usually found himself wondering what he did to end up where he was today, safe under a roof he shared with a love of his own, laughing long after the sun had bid its farewell and when there were enough stars in the sky to be reflected in that pale gaze of his. And despite having been a fighter all his life, he cherished these peaceful moments when he was no longer Humanity’s Strongest. He was no longer a soldier, a mere vessel molded into a weapon from a boy who’d been robbed of the joy of youth. No, he was now, wholly and forevermore, Levi Ackerman. And Levi had fallen in love with the simplicities of his new reality.
The crack of dawn was no longer a promise of bloodshed and demise, but a single, fleeting moment when he could slowly fill his lungs with fresh air, feel the warmth of being truly alive wrap around him in the form of a jewel he calls lover.
What a beautiful thing.
Meeting you turned out to be the most lovely experience of his life. Who would’ve thought that he’d find himself tripping over his two feet, stuttering and stammering, fully disarmed before the mere presence of you? He still chuckled at the memory, at how he’d quite literally fallen into your arms after his faltering leg had betrayed him for the better, dropping him straight into your steady embrace. Looking at you now, Levi still couldn’t fully thank whatever lucky stars he had in the heavens for crossing your paths together.
He kissed the top of your head gently, allowing for his lips to linger before pulling back and carefully setting a hot cup of tea on your bedside table. A breath of wonder filled his lungs as you smiled up at him, and he swore he saw new constellations twinkling in your loving eyes. A scarred hand tugged at the sheets that lay strewn across the bed, making sure to put your subtle shivering to a stop.
“How did it go at the shop today?” you signed, tilting your head in curiosity. Usually, you’d help him get ready and lend a helping hand in tending to customers, but after waking with a fever and sore throat, Levi insisted he could handle things on his own for the day. Still, you worried that he’d overwork himself in your absence.
Levi spared you a knowing smile as he sat on his side of the bed, setting his cup down before answering. He didn’t reply immediately, taking a moment to articulate his words with care. When he did speak, his words came clumsily, his missing fingers presenting a challenge, but he learned from you that mouthing his words helped. “Wasn’t too bad,” He paused, rehearsing the gestures in his mind before continuing, “It was a slow day today. I missed you.”
You giggled softly. He was always so soft-spoken when signing with you, still too fresh to the language to form longer sentences. It was quite endearing. You still remembered the days when he’d stay up late practicing what you’d taught him, his ears burning red whenever you laughed at his mistakes and guided his hands to form the correct gestures. You had to admit, he’s gotten better at communicating through signs with you, no longer depending on a pen and notepad or the awfully rare lip reading successes you had with him.
A glance out the window told you that the sun had only just begun to set, the sky a gentle painting full of warm, golden hues as the sun teased meeting the horizon in a kiss. You smiled. He closed the shop early just to come home to you. “I should be able to help out tomorrow,” you said slowly, giving Levi the chance to follow your gestures and piece the words together.
Levi frowned, placing the back of his hand over your forehead. He pulled his brows together before shaking his head. “Rest.” He said through sharp signing, though his expression remained one of care and concern.
You merely huffed in defeat, relenting when he tilted his head at your untouched tea. Both of you sipped at your drinks quietly, smiling as he locked one hand around yours, offering a gentle squeeze. Sneaking quick looks at your lover, you caught the tender way he peered down at your intertwined fingers, your chest fluttering in an achingly beautiful way.
The flicker of candlelight danced around your room, bathing your lover in its glow, his eyes twinkling with specks of gold. Carefully, your fingers feathered along his forehead, brushing aside the cascading strands of hair that lingered just above his eyes. With a soft clatter, you set your cup aside, using your other hand to caress the sharp curve of his jaw.
He could only watch attentively as your fingers gently traced over the contours of his face. Across his cheekbones, down the bridge of his nose, and over the corners of his lips. Instinctively, he leaned into your touch, turning his face to feather the palm of your hand with a kiss. As your fingers ran over his softening features, he gave way for his eyes to flutter closed. Bliss.
“I love you,” he sighed suddenly, only sinking further into your warmth. When your touch halted, his breath hitched and, immediately, his eyes opened to meet your gaze. Heat bloomed in his cheeks, rising to the tips of his ears as he marveled at the twinkle in your eyes; a lovely thing spilling over with curiosity and wonder. Curiosity. It then hit him that he’d forgotten to sign for you, and he immediately brought up his hands to articulate his words.
But you knew. Of course, you knew— you'd memorized the shape of his lips long ago; how they curled and stretched with each sweet syllable was art you were fascinated by. You knew what it looked like when he breathed into existence those three sweet words. If anything, his love was the one thing you could recognize without the need for signs.
Instead of letting him sign, you carefully placed one hand over his neck, feeling the faint beating of his heart drumming beneath your skin. As if by instinct, Levi abandoned his cup of tea and covered your hand with his own; his touch, sweet and gentle, brought a smile to your lips.
This little habit of yours, so soft and intimate, was one of his favorites. There was always something so enrapturing about the way you waited with anticipation for him to use his voice, to feel the deep rumbling of his words thrum up his chest and through his throat.
You gave a short nod, gaze settled on his lips.
Levi huffed a sharp breath of amusement, scooting closer to you. He always seemed to get shy in moments like these, moments when his boldness became meek. Being close to you helped. A beat passed and he steeled his will, taking a deep breath.
“I love you,” he repeated, sealing his declaration with the whisper of your name. Butterflies fluttered within his stomach, tickling his insides as he watched your eyes light up. Your fingers tapped over his neck excitedly and he couldn’t help but respond with a chuckle.
What he didn’t expect, however, was for you to take his other hand and press it against your own neck. Hesitation fleeted across your face, though it was gone as soon as it came. Levi tilted his head in a silent question, his heart stuttering for a beat or two.
The sun had long disappeared, in its place now standing the elegance of the moon. In this newfound darkness, where only the faint silver glow of the moon and the flickering of a small flame gave way for light to seep into the room, your courage bubbled hot within your veins.
Your hand slid down to his wrist as if keeping him tethered to you by your touch alone. A part of you thanked the shadows of the night for hiding the rising blush that crawled over your cheeks.
Sharp silver eyes widened in realization, and the Captain couldn't help but let his mouth hang slightly in sudden surprise. This had never happened before. No, he'd never heard your voice before— never even brought up the subject for the fear of making you uncomfortable. He'd simply reasoned that you'd do it, if ever when you were ready.
Your hand on his neck, his on yours; a gesture so innocent as it was intimate.
He offered you a moment, a chance to pull away, but when determination sharpened your features, he felt a stream of pride pulse through his heart. Maybe there was some excitement there, too.
Swallowing, he gave your neck a tap and you responded with a tap of your own. "I. Love. You." He emphasized each word, noticing the concentrated pull of your brow as his voice rippled under your skin. Then again, he said, "I love you."
You opened your mouth, then clamped it shut, your heart crashing against your ribcage. Shaking your head, you tapped his neck twice. Repeat.
"I love you." He repeated an oath he kept close to his heart.
A deep breath breezed past your lips, expelling your nerves. "I…"
"Love," Levi continued, offering a reassuring nod.
"Love," you smiled sheepishly. "you."
Levi broke into a smile, one of the rare ones that genuinely showed the puff of his cheeks, and squeezed his eyes with joy. A laugh of wonder rumbled through his chest, a beautiful thing thrumming under your fingers. Pressing his lips into a thin line in a futile attempt at suppressing his smile, he tapped your neck twice. Repeat.
At his reaction, excitement bubbled within your stomach. Your words, though clumsy and slightly mushed together, came with much more confidence, "I love you."
Levi ran a hand through his hair, then let it clasp over his mouth. Unable to contain his excitement, he was quick to sign, "That was good," He nodded, smiling. "You did so good."
After a beat, you surprised him once more. Softly, almost inaudibly, with a single word, you managed to pull at his heat in the most achingly beautiful way. You breathed, "Levi."
He froze. His breath ceased for a mere second as his mind processed what you'd just said. Wide, gunmetal and milky eyes stared back at you, full of wonder and something you couldn't quite place.
Two taps to your neck. Repeat.
Again, a hushed breath carried his name, "Levi."
Your heart hammered against your chest as you waited for a reaction from your lover. Had you pronounced it correctly? Had you fully messed up his name?
With a frown, you signed, "Was that wrong?"
Heat tinted Levi's cheeks red, his eyes widening in panic before he shook his head. "Not bad," he signed quickly. Instinctively, he rubbed the two scarred stumps on his hand— a nervous mannerism he'd picked up. "Not wrong." He reassured, scooting closer to you.
Your brows pulled together, not quite understanding his reaction. "Then what?" Your signs were loose; downhearted. Defeat heavy on your shoulders, you let yourself fall back onto the bed and blew a sigh.
Levi didn't turn around to meet your gaze, not immediately. Instead, he blinked rapidly, hoping to keep back the stinging tears that threatened to well in his eyes. His heart was tight, constricting painfully in his chest with emotions that remained foreign to him. The butterflies that merely danced in his stomach fluttered up to his chest, tickling his heart so lovingly. Warmth trickled through his veins, down to his fingers and toes. Everything felt so soft, so unreal to him.
When he looked over his soldier, he felt the air get knocked out of his chest. In a second, he'd forgotten how to breathe. Pools of wonders unknown stared back at him, wide and brimming with questions unspoken. He clicked his tongue, dropping his shoulders with a sigh. He laid down by your side, turning to face you.
You gaped at him, rushing to wipe the tears that had fallen onto his cheeks. Silently, you watched as he tucked his bottom lip between his teeth, trying to keep it from quivering.
Before you could say anything, he signed, "I love the way you say my name," He blinked; more tears dropped. "It sounds nice when you say it."
A watery laugh rushed past your lips, and Levi didn't resist when you tugged him into your embrace. He quickly melted into your hold, keeping you close as his emotions got the better of him. You pressed a kiss to his cheek, letting your love seep through his skin.
How beautiful it was for Humanity's Strongest to be a man; no longer a killer, but a boy new to the kindness of the world. Levi Ackerman was once the name of a soldier— of a man carved from stone, chiseled with blood-stained blades. Now? Now, Levi Ackerman was simply Levi. Your Levi. Sweet, loved, and beautiful in an almost poetic manner.
And Levi could get drunk on the way his name rolled off your tongue. His favorite simplicity of all.