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You were just trying to be helpful.
That was your first mistake.
Levi had told you to grab his spare towel from his room and leave it by the washroom. Simple enough. You didn’t hear anything—no footsteps, no voice—so you pushed the door open without thinking.
And then—
Steam. Warm, curling steam.
The sound of running water.
And Levi Ackerman.
Your brain short-circuited. Completely.
He stood beneath the shower, water cascading over him, head tilted slightly down, eyes closed—until he sensed you. Gray eyes snapped open instantly, locking onto yours through the fogged air.
Time stopped.
You… didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
Didn’t breathe.
You just… stared.
“…Tch.”
That single sound broke reality.
You finally realized what you were doing and let out the most horrified gasp of your life, hands flying to your face. “I—! I’M SORRY—!”
You spun around so fast you nearly smacked your forehead into the doorframe. “I DIDN’T KNOW— I MEAN— I THOUGHT— I’LL LEAVE— I’M LEAVING—!”
Behind you, the water shut off abruptly. There was a frantic rustle, followed by Levi’s unmistakably flustered voice—low, sharp, and very un-Levi-like.
“…Don’t just stand there gawking!”
“I WASN’T GAWKING—!” you cried, cheeks burning so badly you thought you might combust. “…I mean—I was—but NOT ON PURPOSE—!”
Silence.
Then, quieter: “…Idiot.”
You stood frozen, facing the door, heart pounding out of your chest. A moment later, the door cracked open just enough for Levi to peer out, hair damp, towel securely wrapped around his waist. His expression was stone-cold as usual—except for the unmistakable red creeping up his ears.
“…Did you need something?” he asked flatly.
You very deliberately stared at the wall. “…Towel,” you squeaked, holding it out blindly like a peace offering.
He took it, fingers brushing yours for half a second too long. “…You didn’t see anything,” he muttered.
You nodded aggressively. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. My eyes are innocent. Pure. Never seen a thing in my life.”
Another pause.
“…You stared,” he deadpanned.
“…I PANICKED.”
That earned a quiet huff from him—almost a laugh, though he’d never admit it. He gently nudged you toward the hallway. “…Get out before you embarrass yourself further.”
You stumbled away, face still burning, heart racing.
And behind the door, Levi leaned against the wall, hand covering his face, muttering to himself:
“…Unbelievable.”
But despite his grumbling, his lips twitched.
And for the rest of the day, neither of you could look at each other for too long—
because every time you did, you both remembered the steam, the silence…
…and the way your heart had skipped a beat. 💗