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levisolace · 3 months ago

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[5] Expendable Hearts (Levi x F!Reader)

Chapter 5: Paradis City

WC: 7117 Chapter Warnings: no warnings for this chapter. unedited, as always. Summary: Everyone in Levi's life knows he only ever dated one girl and that she left him wrecked, bitter, and heartbroken. Many years later, she's back in his life and he doesn't know what to do. Note: Unfortunately, there's not much Levi in this chapter so I updated this fast so you don't have to wait a long time just for Levi not to come up lol. This chapter holds more of reader's life now and subtle clues on why she left.

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The campus was quiet, save for the occasional murmur of passing students and the rustle of leaves as a soft breeze swept through the courtyard. You and Levi were sitting on a low stone wall near one of the older buildings, the sun setting just beyond the skyline, casting long shadows over the worn paths crisscrossing the quad. The end of the semester of your second year was approaching, and with it, the inevitable questions about the future.

Levi, sitting next to you with his usual calm demeanor, was more quiet than usual, like he had something on his mind. After a few moments, he finally broke the silence, his voice steady but carrying a weight behind it.

“You ever think about leaving the city?” he asked, his gaze fixed on the horizon, watching as the last streaks of daylight began to fade.

The question caught you off guard. You glanced at him, seeing the faintest crease in his brow, like he was trying to keep the question casual but couldn’t quite manage it. You shifted on the wall, pulling your knees up to your chest, and thought about it for a moment.

“After we graduate?” you asked, already knowing that’s what he meant.

Levi gave a slight nod, still looking out at the skyline. “Yeah. You ever think about what’s next? Where you’d go?”

You looked down at your hands, fiddling with the fraying edge of your sleeve, thinking about the question. It wasn’t like you hadn’t thought about it—what comes after graduation, where you’d go, what you’d do. You know what you want to happen. But leaving the city? That hadn’t crossed your mind, not really. You and your grandmother had lived all your lives in Paradis. Her house is comfortable and the thought of leaving your grandmother at her old age is terrifying. Taking her with you is also out of the question because of that. Besides, your grandmother owned that house for decades. It’s the only thing she has to her name.

“I don’t know,” you said honestly, your voice quiet but thoughtful. “I guess a lot of people are thinking about moving away, starting fresh somewhere else. But… I’ve never really wanted that.”

Levi glanced at you, waiting for you to continue. You took a deep breath, trying to articulate what had always felt so clear to you but difficult to put into words.

“I’ve always liked it here,” you began, your eyes wandering over the campus—the familiar buildings, the cracked pathways, the way everything felt worn in, like it had its own stories to tell. “It’s not perfect. It’s far from it, actually.”

Levi’s gaze stayed steady on you, his expression unreadable but curious. You looked back at him, feeling the need to explain.

“This city…” you paused, gesturing vaguely around you, “it’s a mess. We know it’s also shitty, you know? It’s pretending to be perfect while the other side is The Underground. I know there’s kind of a stigma about them. And to be honest, living near The Underground scares me. But it’s not all black and white.”

You looked down at the worn stone beneath your feet, tracing the uneven texture with your eyes. “Not that I’m romanticizing it but I’ve grown comfortable with this city. I don’t really want to leave my home.”

It’s also where the people that matter to you are.

Levi was quiet, his expression softening in that subtle way he had when he was really thinking. You continued, feeling the words come more easily now.

“Everyone’s in such a rush to leave, to go somewhere new, somewhere shiny and perfect. It would be nice, yes, but Paradis is my home. Even if I one day leave, I know I’ll always come back.”

You paused, feeling a little self-conscious now that you’d said all of that out loud. But Levi didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he was looking at you with a kind of quiet understanding.

Levi nodded slightly, his eyes drifting back to the horizon, where the sun had finally dipped below the skyline, leaving the campus bathed in a soft twilight.

“I get that,” he said quietly. “More than you know.”

The two of you sat there in silence for a while, the weight of the conversation lingering between you but not in a bad way. It felt like something had settled, like an unspoken understanding had passed between you both.

Levi didn’t press further, didn’t ask if you wanted to leave or what your exact plans were. He didn’t need to. You both knew that the city—the imperfect, messy city—was more than just a backdrop to your lives. It was part of who you were. And even though Levi didn’t say much, you had a feeling he understood that better than most.

You leaned back in your chair, rubbing your temples to fend off the headache that had been building all afternoon. It had been a particularly difficult week—multiple depositions, court hearings, and client meetings, all bleeding into one another. But that was the life you had chosen. You thrived on the chaos, on the adrenaline of standing before a judge and making your case, on the satisfaction of winning for your clients.

Your phone buzzed on the desk, pulling you out of your thoughts. It was a notification from your calendar, reminding you of a meeting you had tomorrow with a potential new client. You sighed, glancing at the clock. There was always something more to do. But this work has always been like this. In these times, you even crave it, wanting to distract your mind off of a raven-haired man.

You glanced over at the window, where the skyline of the city stretched out before you, the tall buildings glinting in the setting sun. Paradis City. It’s a place you used to call home. Now, you feel like an outsider trying to fit yourself in.

As you returned your attention to the case file in front of you, your mind drifted for a moment to the version of yourself who had once walked these same streets as a student, full of ambition and dreams, before you had any idea what the reality of this life would look like.

A sharp knock on your office door jolted you out of your thoughts. You looked up to see Pixis, your boss, standing in the doorway with his usual relaxed demeanor, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

“Still buried in paperwork, I see,” he said with a chuckle, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation. He was dressed in his usual dark suit and you even swear he had the faint smell of whiskey on him—though that was nothing new for Pixis. It was something that concerned you for a while but for the past two months you’ve known him, you realize easily that it doesn’t take away that he’s a great lawyer and person.

You straightened up in your chair, giving him a polite smile. “Just wrapping up a few things before calling it a night.”

Pixis raised an eyebrow, glancing at the pile of papers on your desk. “You always say that, but I’m beginning to think you never leave this place.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here,” Pixis said, settling into the chair across from you. “I’m calling for a ceasefire on work tonight.”

You blinked, surprised. “A ceasefire?”

Pixis grinned, leaning back in the chair as if he had all the time in the world. “You heard me. We’re going out. The team’s having dinner tonight, and I won’t take no for an answer. I’ve already told the others. You’ve been here for two months and you haven’t gone to a single get-together. Didn’t they teach you in Trost to socialize?”

You felt a pang of hesitation. Going out with the team was something you didn’t do often—not because you didn’t enjoy their company, but because your mind was always so focused on getting home and isolating yourself. Socializing wasn’t something that came easily to you these days.

“I appreciate the offer, but—” you started, but Pixis cut you off with a wave of his hand.

“No buts. You’ve been working too hard, and I can’t have Vanessa’s best burning out on me or she’ll have my poor old head,” he said with a grin. “Besides, it’ll be good for morale. And I don’t care how dedicated you are to your work—you’ve got to eat.”

You couldn’t help but smile at that. Pixis was always one to look out for his team, even if his methods were unconventional. And, truth be told, you hadn’t had a proper meal all day. The idea of sitting down to a nice dinner, surrounded by familiar faces, wasn’t entirely unappealing. And God, do you miss Vanessa and the others.

“Where’s everyone meeting?” you asked, finally giving in.

“We’re setting it up at some new place in Stohess,” Pixis replied, standing up from the chair with a satisfied look. “Good food, good drinks. Nothing too fancy. It’ll be sent on the group chat later.”

You nodded, appreciating his words more than you expected. Pixis, as Vanessa told you, had always been more of a mentor than just a boss, and moments like this reminded you why he commanded so much respect around the firm.

“I’ll be there,” you said, feeling a little lighter now that the decision was made.

Pixis gave you a final nod and a wink. “That’s the spirit. See you tonight, then.”

As the door closed behind him, you glanced at the clock. You had a little over an hour before the dinner, which gave you just enough time to finish the last few bits of work and maybe freshen up before heading out.

The idea of stepping away from the office, even for one night, suddenly didn’t seem so bad. You leaned back in your chair, closing your laptop with a sense of finality. At least now, you’ll be able to see Paradis in all its glory and see what Levi has been saying about its change.

The cool evening air brushed against your skin as you stepped out of your coworker’s car into Stohess Street, you couldn’t believe your eyes. This was the very same street where you used to spend your time after class, this was where Kuchel’s was located.

It was night time, and the street is filled with bright lights. What used to be a quiet, nearly forgotten corner of the city had transformed into a lively district, filled with bustling restaurants, trendy cafes, and stylish boutiques. The hum of conversations and the clinking of glasses filled the air, mingling with the scents of grilled meats and fresh-baked bread wafting from nearby eateries.

You paused for a moment, taking it all in. Stohess had been one of those streets you’d walk down during your university days, back when the sidewalks were cracked, and most of the storefronts were either closed or run down. It had been quiet back then—dull, even. Now, it was anything but. Strings of lights hung across the street, casting a soft glow on the crowds below, and every corner seemed to offer a new place to explore.

You spotted your other coworkers gathered inside one of the newer restaurants at the end of the block, already deep in conversation. You felt a brief flicker of nerves as you approached. It had been a while since you joined the team for anything social, and though you were close with your coworkers, you still found yourself feeling like an outsider in moments like this. You had always preferred the quiet of your office, the comfort of routine, but tonight, something about the vibrant energy of Stohess felt inviting.

You wonder if Kuchel’s is still standing? If it survived the enhancement of the street? Before, it was the only restaurant here. Despite that, she had quite a number of regulars.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” Pixis called out when he saw you, his grin wide as ever. “We were about to send a search party.”

You smiled, feeling the tension ease as you and the others joined the group. “Had to finish up some work,” you said, slipping into the circle.

“Finally, we’ve been wanting to hangout with Pixis’ new hire,” someone from the group chimed in. You gave them a smile.

“Thank you for inviting me here,” I replied as we sat down.

Everyone introduced themselves and their department. When the conversation began to drift away from you, you take the time to admire the establishment while eating.

The restaurant had an open, welcoming feel—high ceilings, rustic wooden tables, and an open kitchen where you could see the chefs at work. It was a far cry from the quiet, almost forgotten street it used to be. As you settled in, you couldn’t help but glance out the window at the street beyond, watching as people hurried by, heading in and out of the various shops and restaurants. It was hard to believe this was the same Stohess, the same place where you, Levi, Erwin, and Hange used to hangout in. It’s where Kuchel fed you meals that filled your stomach with love and motherly care.

The food came out in waves—plates of grilled meats, fresh salads, and dishes you didn’t even recognize but were eager to try. The noise of the restaurant faded into the background as you ate and talked, losing yourself in the warmth of the moment.

As the dinner continued, the lively hum of conversation filled the air, along with the clatter of silverware and the occasional burst of laughter from your team. You were halfway through a plate of roasted vegetables when the door of the restaurant rang open. A tall man in a neatly pressed suit stepped inside, his expression calm and composed despite the boisterous atmosphere.

Pieck, one of the paralegals that’s seated across from you, looked up and cheered. “Nanami!”

The tall blonde man—Nanami Kento, you presumed—acknowledged her with a polite nod in return before his gaze shifted toward the rest of the table. His eyes briefly met yours before he approached Pixis, shaking his hand with the same understated professionalism that marked his entire demeanor.

“Sorry I’m late,” Nanami said, his voice low and steady. “Got caught up with a client.”

“No worries, Nanami,” Pixis replied, patting him on the back as he gestured to an empty chair beside you. “We saved you a spot. Have a seat.”

Nanami moved with quiet efficiency, his presence almost subdued compared to the lively energy of your coworkers. He took the seat next to you with a nod in your direction, and you noticed how his movements were deliberate, precise—like someone who didn’t waste time or energy on unnecessary actions. There was something about him that reminded you of Levi, though with a bit more restraint and formality.

“You must be from the corporate law department,” you ventured, breaking the ice as he adjusted his tie.

He turned to you, his expression as composed as ever. “That’s correct. And you’re the new one from the family department, I assume?”

He turned to you, his expression as composed as ever. “That’s correct. And you’re from litigation, I assume?”

You nodded. “Yes, I’m working on the class-action lawsuit involving the stock manipulation case.”

Nanami’s brow lifted ever so slightly in recognition. “Ah, I’ve heard about that one. High stakes. I imagine it’s been keeping you busy.”

You chuckled softly, swirling the wine in your glass. “Busy might be an understatement.”

He gave a small nod of understanding. “Corporate’s been hectic as well. Mergers, acquisitions—there’s always something.”

The conversation between the two of you flowed naturally, despite Nanami’s reserved demeanor. You found that, while he wasn’t particularly talkative, he had a quiet intellect and a sharp wit that revealed itself in subtle ways. There was a calmness to him that was almost soothing amidst the more boisterous energy of the team dinner. You can already tell that you’ll be getting along well.

The conversation around the table continued, light and full of anecdotes about the latest cases, legal dramas, and a few well-timed jokes courtesy of Porco. But you found yourself intrigued by Nanami. Unlike many of the other senior lawyers, he had a quiet presence that demanded respect without saying much.

Eventually, you turned to him again. “Do you make it to these dinners often?”

Nanami shook his head slightly, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Not really. Usually, I’m tied up with clients. But Pixis can be… persuasive.”

You laughed softly, nodding in agreement. “I think that’s his talent. He has a way of getting us to take a break, even when we don’t want to.”

Nanami gave a slight chuckle, a rare sound from someone as composed as him. “It’s necessary, I suppose. Especially in this line of work.”

As the night began to settle, the conversation around the table started to thin out, with most of your coworkers drifting into smaller groups. You found yourself once again next to Nanami, who was calmly finishing his drink as the ambient noise of the restaurant hummed in the background. The light above the table cast a warm glow, making the lively street outside feel distant for a moment.

You tilted your head slightly, curious. “How long have you been in Paradis, Nanami?”

“I’ve been here for four years,” he replied simply. “I moved here for the job.”

“Do you like it here? The city? What do you think of it?”

Nanami glanced at you, his expression thoughtful as he set down his glass. For a moment, you weren’t sure if he was going to answer, but then he let out a quiet sigh, more out of reflection than fatigue.

“It’s… complicated,” he said, his eyes drifting to the window, watching the flickering lights of Stohess Street and the stream of people passing by. “When I first moved here, I thought it was overwhelming. The noise, the people, the constant movement. It felt… impersonal, in a way.”

You sigh, nodding in an understanding manner. “It didn’t used to be like this, you know?”

That intrigued Nanami and he raised a brow. “Oh? You were from here?”

“Lived here all my life until I moved out seven years ago,” you admitted, leaning forward slightly. “It’s crazy how the city’s changed. I remember when this street was basically dead. Now it’s the place to be.”

Pixis, having heard of the conversation, chuckled while taking a sip of his drink. “That’s the city for you. Always changing, whether you like it or not.”

“I didn’t know the city can change so much in seven years.” The tiny amount of alcohol must be getting to you, making you pout a little, something a bit out of character.

His words, simple as they were, hit you in a way that made you pause. The city had changed, yes, just as Levi said. And in many ways, the chaos of your life mirrored the transformation of Stohess—a once quiet, predictable space, now filled with complexity and vibrancy. But why was this information being fed to you lately? What is it to you that the city is no longer it used to be? This city that pushed you away?

“I used to work on this same street. On the only known restaurant here before,” I shared, feeling nostalgic and missing that time of my life again.

“Hold up,” Porco raised a hand with wide eyes. “You’re telling me you worked at Kuchel’s before?”

“Yeah, I worked part-time there during my college years,” I replied, confused as to why it’s a big deal.

“Wow, that’s kinda iconic,” Gabi, one of the interns, reacts.

You don’t hide your confusion, chuckling a little with furrowed brows. “What exactly am I missing here?”

Pieck, who had been mid-sip of her drink, nearly choked in surprise. “Kuchel’s? The same place that practically owns the entire block now?”

“So you probably know the Ackermans?” Pixis asked, his cheeks reddened and eyes fazed from the excessive drinking. It doesn’t look like he’s out of it though.

You blinked, even more confused now. “The whole block? What do you mean? And what of the Ackermans?”

Pixis nodded, equally astonished. “Yeah, Kuchel’s isn’t some small restaurant anymore. They’ve taken over Stohess Street. You’ve been away from the city, right? I guess you haven’t seen it but the Ackermans practically revamped the whole street, if not the whole city.”

You stared at him, genuinely taken aback. “No, I didn’t realize. I’ve been away for the past seven years. I didn’t know it had grown that much.”

It was just a small, cozy place. Kuchel ran it herself and had no intentions of making it as they were describing the business now. It had to be Levi. That would explain all the wealth he had. But it didn’t occur to you that he would be able to accomplish much in the past seven years. Not that you think he’s incapable of it. It’s just… surprising. It even makes you feel a little proud—a feeling that you quickly buried. You don’t really have a reason to feel that way.

Porco chuckled. “Well, times have definitely changed. Kuchel’s is the restaurant now. They’ve expanded, got two more locations across the city, and they’re practically a landmark here on Stohess Street. People come in from different cities to taste their food.”

“Tell me about it. I interned once from a company and they had me reserve a table. The waiting is for at least four months! It’s ridiculous,” Falco shared.

You couldn’t hide your surprise. In your mind, Kuchel’s was still that quiet, modest restaurant where you spent long nights waiting tables between exams. You remembered Kuchel herself—humble and hardworking, always talking about keeping the restaurant personal and authentic. The idea of her running an empire now felt surreal.

“I had no idea,” you said softly, glancing out the window at the bustling street. It now occured to you that this is what Levi meant when he said this city has changed more than you know.

Nanami, who had been silently listening from his seat next to you, finally spoke up, his calm voice cutting through your thoughts. “Seven years is a long time to be away. The city can change fast, especially a place like this.”

You nodded slowly, still processing the idea. “Yeah… I guess I wasn’t expecting it to change so much. I knew some things would be different, but Kuchel’s… it was like a second home back then. It’s strange to think of it as something so big now.”

Pieck gave you a sympathetic smile. “I bet it feels weird, coming back to a place that’s so different from what you remember.”

Pixis leaned forward, grinning. “Well, you should check it out. Who knows, maybe Kuchel remembers you. You might get the VIP treatment.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “I doubt it. I haven’t spoken to her in years.”

That and if Levi hates you now, she probably does too. You fear that even if it wasn’t you that reserved a table, she might even kick you the moment you stepped out of the restaurant. Even though you know that Kuchel wouldn’t have it in her heart to do that, your shame and anxiety gets the better of your thoughts as always.

“I actually have a reserved dinner table for the next weekend there given to me by a client after I won a case for them,” Nanami said suddenly, and you silently thank him in your mind for changing the topic. “Corporate people are wealthy people with connections,” he says with a face that doesn’t look arrogant but more of exhaustion. Although he carries himself with poise and professionalism, Nanami genuinely looks like he’s in dire need of a vacation. It seems like you found yourself another workaholic like you.

“No way! Are you going with someone?” Pieck asked, eyes wide with excitement.

Nanami thinks for a moment, tilting his head. “Well… the table is for two. But I plan on going alone.”

“You should definitely bring someone,” Pixis chimed in. “Go get yourself a date and relax, Nanami. Life shouldn’t be all about work at your age.”

The blonde stayed silent in deep thought but he did smile politely for Pixis. “Or if you don’t want to, why don’t you bring our new girl over here? You workaholics both need a breather.”

And just like that, it’s once again your turn to be put on the spot. Everyone at the table looks at you and Nanami in excitement. With widened eyes, you immediately refuse. “Oh, please, you don’t have to do that, Nanami. Pixis…” You almost plea with your boss using your eyes to take back his words.

Pixis opens his mouth again but Nanami interrupts him, shocking you. “That’s actually a good idea. Would you want to come with me?”

“I couldn’t possibly impose.” You start thinking about how to get out of this while wondering why Nanami actually agreed. You hoped he didn’t.

“Oh, yes, you could. Maybe you could even see one of the Ackermans and get your own reservation! Maybe get the team a table?”

The atmosphere at the table grew lighter, but you couldn’t ignore the weight of everyone’s eyes on you. Nanami had just thrown you into an unexpected spotlight, and you found yourself struggling to figure out how to respond. You blinked, your mind racing for a way to politely decline without making the situation awkward.

Nanami, sitting calmly beside you, didn’t seem fazed by the suggestion. His composed demeanor didn’t reveal whether he was truly interested in the idea or just going along with Pixis’ suggestion out of politeness. Still, there was a gentleness in his expression—no pressure, just a simple offer hanging in the air between you.

“I don’t think I could manage a reservation with the Ackermans,” you said, trying to shift the focus away from yourself and back to the others. “Besides, Nanami’s the one with the connections here, not me.”

Porco grinned, raising his glass. “Come on, don’t be shy. It’s not every day you get an invite to dinner at Kuchel’s.”

“You two would be the envy of everyone,” Pieck added with a playful wink. “I mean, imagine us mere mortals trying to get in there without waiting months.”

Pixis laughed. “You should definitely take the chance. Plus, it’ll give you both a break from work.”

You let out a small laugh, hoping to diffuse the attention. “It sounds tempting, but I’m sure Nanami has someone else in mind he’d rather take. I mean, who goes to dinner with their coworker when they can invite anyone?”

Nanami, who had been quiet during the back-and-forth, turned to you with a soft smile, his voice low and considerate. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it. But there’s no pressure, of course. It’s just dinner.”

There was something so simple and straightforward in the way he said it that your initial hesitation began to wane. The offer wasn’t loaded with expectation; it was just an opportunity to share a meal in a place that held memories for you, and perhaps, as Pixis had suggested, to relax. You glanced back at Nanami, noticing the subtle tiredness beneath his composed exterior. In that moment, you realized you were both in need of a break—from work, from the pressures of the city, from everything.

“Alright,” you said slowly, almost surprising yourself as the words left your mouth. “I’ll go.”

The table erupted into cheers and light applause, with Pieck and Porco exchanging triumphant high-fives while Pixis gave you an approving nod. Nanami simply nodded, as calm and composed as ever, though there was a flicker of something warmer in his eyes.

“Great,” he said, his tone measured but sincere. “I’ll text you the time this weekend.”

Pieck leaned in, her voice teasing. “Well, now we’re all jealous. You two better enjoy it.”

As the conversation moved on to other topics, you sat back in your chair, still processing what had just happened. You hadn’t expected the evening to take this turn, nor had you thought about spending time with Nanami outside of work. He was a bit of an enigma—calm, collected, and quietly competent—but beneath that exterior, you sensed there was more to him. Maybe this dinner would reveal a side of him you hadn’t yet seen.

Either way, you found yourself oddly curious about how the evening at Kuchel’s would unfold. Maybe, for the first time in a long while, you’d allow yourself to enjoy the city again. Even if it was just for one night.

The following weekend arrived more quickly than you had anticipated, and before you knew it, you were standing outside Kuchel’s, the restaurant that now dominated Stohess Street. It had been years since you last stepped foot in the area, and the sight before you was almost unrecognizable.

Nanami stood beside you, looking as composed as always. His suit was tailored perfectly, and despite his usual calm demeanor, there was a subtle shift in him tonight. Maybe it was the change of pace, stepping out of the office, or the significance of the restaurant itself. He caught your glance and offered a small smile, as if sensing your quiet apprehension.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice steady but soft.

You nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yeah. It’s strange seeing it like this.”

As you walked into Kuchel’s, you were hit with a wave of nostalgia. Though the restaurant had expanded, its essence remained the same. The decor was more refined now, with soft lighting and elegant wooden furniture, but there was still a warmth to it. The scent of fresh herbs and cooking meats wafted through the air, a familiar comfort that made your shoulders relax despite the high-end surroundings.

The hostess greeted Nanami with a nod of recognition, leading you both to a private table near the back. It was quiet, away from the main bustle of the restaurant, giving the two of you some much-needed reprieve from the noise of the city outside.

“Thank you,” Nanami said to the hostess, who left you both with menus. He glanced at you once you were seated. “I hope this isn’t too overwhelming. I didn’t realize you hadn’t been back here in so long.”

You offered him a small smile, feeling more at ease now that you were inside. “It’s a bit surreal, but in a good way. I’m glad I came.” You paused, your eyes scanning the menu, then added, “And I appreciate the invitation.”

Nanami nodded, his gaze flickering across the restaurant before returning to you. “It’s nothing. I thought it would be nice to get out of the usual routine, and… I’ve heard a lot about this place from my clients. Seems like it holds some memories for you.”

You chuckled softly, placing the menu down. “More than I realized, actually. Back then, this was just a small family-owned spot. It’s kind of hard to believe it’s grown into something like this.”

Nanami’s eyes softened. “It must be strange to see it change so much.”

You nodded, leaning back in your chair, watching the patrons around you. “Yeah… I always felt like this place represented something simple. Quiet. Now it’s this buzzing, high-end place, and I’m not sure what to think.”

Nanami remained silent for a moment, giving you space to process. Then, he leaned forward slightly, his expression more thoughtful. “Places change. People do too. But sometimes, it’s not as different as it seems on the surface. There’s always something familiar, something worth remembering.”

You blinked at his words, surprised by the depth in them. He had a way of cutting through to the heart of things without much effort. “I guess you’re right. I didn’t expect to feel this way coming back here.”

You glanced at him, wondering how someone who always seemed so in control, so composed, could also carry a quiet sense of longing and understanding beneath that exterior. Maybe Pixis had been right. You and Nanami were alike in more ways than you had thought—both of you workaholics, both of you wrestling with the weight of your own expectations.

The waiter appeared, breaking the silence as he took your orders. You opted for something simple—something that reminded you of your college days here—while Nanami chose one of the house specialties. After the waiter left, the conversation picked up again, a little lighter this time.

“So,” Nanami said, leaning back in his chair with a rare, relaxed posture. “What was it like working here? I imagine it was a lot different than the law office.”

You laughed softly, shaking your head. “Very different. I mostly waited tables, cleaned up after shifts. It was exhausting but rewarding in its own way. I liked the people I met—the college friends I made here. They really helped me out during those years.”

Nanami nodded, his expression thoughtful. “That’s admirable. I’m glad you had people who were there for you. Being a working student isn’t an easy task.”

You smiled, appreciating the shared sentiment. “Exactly. I think they were what kept me going–what made the experience memorable.”

Nanami’s gaze softened, and for a moment, the two of you sat in a comfortable silence, simply taking in the atmosphere. It felt… peaceful. Different from the rushed, stressful energy of the office. Here, in this familiar but transformed place, there was space to breathe, to reflect.

When the food arrived, the conversation continued, flowing easily between work anecdotes and personal reflections. Nanami, despite his composed exterior, revealed snippets of himself—a man dedicated to his craft but aware of the toll it took on him. And as the night went on, you found yourself relaxing in his company, grateful for the unexpected invitation and the quiet camaraderie it had brought.

By the time dessert was served, you were no longer thinking about the changes that had happened to Kuchel’s or the city. Instead, you were just enjoying the present moment—something you hadn’t done in a long time. Besides, if the restaurant had grown into what they said it had, you probably won’t see any Ackerman in here.

As you finished the last bite of your meal, Nanami leaned back, his gaze steady on you. “I think Pixis was right. We both needed this.”

You nodded, a small smile playing on your lips. “Yeah, I think so too.”

As you and Nanami lingered over the last sips of your drinks, the warm ambiance of Kuchel’s seemed to envelope you. The clinking of silverware and the soft murmur of conversation filled the air, but your conversation had quieted into a companionable silence. It had been a surprisingly pleasant evening, one that neither of you seemed in a rush to end. Suddenly, the people around you turned more quiet, looking in one direction.

You looked up sharply, your heart skipping a beat. There, near the entrance, stood Levi Ackerman. His posture was relaxed but firm as he made his way into the place. You dropped your fork in shock, the utensil making a loud sound as it hit the porcelain plate. You curse yourself in your mind.

But before you can even hide yourself somehow, Levi turned, and his eyes fell on you. For a second, his gaze lingered before it shifted to Nanami beside you. A brief flicker of surprise crossed his face, but it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual neutral expression.

He made his way toward your table, his steps quiet and deliberate as always. Unlike since you last saw him, this Levi looked different as you remembered—sharp, composed, with that ever-present air of authority that somehow fit him so well.

“Well, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Levi said, his tone even but laced with the barest hint of curiosity. His eyes flicked to Nanami again, sizing him up before returning to you. “Small world.”

Nanami, ever composed, offered a polite nod. “You must be the owner.”

Levi gave a faint nod in return. “Levi Ackerman. This place belonged to my mother.” His attention shifted back to you, and for the briefest moment, something softened in his gaze.

You blinked, still trying to process the fact that Levi was standing right in front of you. Memories from your time together—at university, at Kuchel’s, before everything had changed—rushed back, but you kept your voice steady. “Yeah, it has. I didn’t even know Kuchel’s had grown so much.”

Nanami’s eyes shifted between the two of you, picking up on the subtle history that lingered beneath the surface. “It’s a beautiful place,” he said, his tone respectful but distant, sensing the dynamic. “Thank you for the hospitality.”

Levi nodded once. “I’ll let you finish your meal.” He turned to leave but hesitated for a second, looking at you again.

With that, he walked back toward the kitchen, leaving you and Nanami in a silence that felt heavier than before. You could feel Nanami’s gaze on you, quiet but probing.

“Old friend?” he asked softly, though the question carried a weight of understanding.

You exhaled, glancing down at your empty plate before meeting Nanami’s eyes. “Yeah… something like that.”

Nanami didn’t press further, and you were grateful for his quiet understanding. The rest of the evening passed in a peaceful silence, the weight of nostalgia sitting comfortably between you both, until it was time to leave.

As you and Nanami stood up to leave, the night air of Stohess Street filtered through the open doors of Kuchel's, cool and refreshing against the warmth of the restaurant. You grabbed your coat, glancing at Nanami, who had already slipped into his usual calm composure. The evening had been unexpectedly pleasant, and the subtle connection you’d shared made you feel more at ease.

Just as you step out, you heard the faint chime of the entrance door swinging open. A familiar figure appeared in the doorway—Kuchel Ackerman herself.

She looked exactly as you remembered: graceful, yet with an air of quiet authority. Her hair was loosely tied back, a few silver strands woven through the dark, giving her a look of timeless elegance.

Kuchel stopped when she saw you, her eyes widening with recognition and surprise. For a moment, she stood there, taking you in, as if trying to place you in the timeline of the restaurant’s long history.

"You," she murmured, her voice soft with disbelief but soon warming with familiarity. "It can't be."

Your heart raced and your nerves are all over the place. It’s one thing to be seen by Levi but another thing to also see the other Ackerman that holds much of your heart.

Her face broke into a smile walking up to you with the same gentle but firm presence she had when you were younger. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said, her voice filled with both surprise and delight. “It’s been… what? Seven years?”

You smiled, taking a step toward her. "Kuchel. It’s been too long." You nodded, feeling the years stretch between you. “Yeah, seven years. I only just came back.”

Kuchel looked you over, her expression warm, though touched with nostalgia. “You haven’t changed much, except… you look more like you belong in one of those big offices now.”

You chuckled, shaking your head. “I guess a lot has changed. But this place…” You gestured around Kuchel’s.

She tilted her head, her eyes softening. “I’m glad you feel that way. It’s grown so much, hasn’t it? Levi’s been working hard to expand.”

“Yeah, I noticed,” you replied, thinking back to your earlier conversation with Levi. “It’s amazing what you’ve done here.”

Kuchel’s gaze flickered toward Nanami, who stood quietly beside you, ever the composed observer. “And who’s this?”

You introduced him, and Nanami gave a small, respectful nod. Kuchel returned his greeting with a knowing smile, her eyes flicking between the two of you.

“Another lawyer, huh? You sure know how to pick your friends,” she teased lightly, and you couldn’t help but laugh at the irony.

Nanami, ever polite, added, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your restaurant is exceptional.”

Kuchel smiled, clearly pleased. “Thank you. That means a lot.” She glanced back at you. “I should have guessed you’d find your way back here eventually. This place has a way of pulling people in.”

You smiled softly. “It really does. I’m glad I came.”

Kuchel reached out, placing a gentle hand on your arm. “Don’t be a stranger now that you’re back. This place is always open for you.”

You nodded, feeling a warmth in your chest that had been missing for a while. “I won’t.”

Her expression is softer now, with a smile that carried the warmth of an old friend. “Actually, Before you go… how about you join me for dinner sometime next week? Just us,” she added with a glance at Nanami, as if sensing this had been more of a business dinner. “I’d love to catch up properly. It’s been too long, and I’m sure there’s plenty to talk about.”

For a moment, you hesitated, feeling the weight of time between the last time you sat down with Kuchel and now. The thought of stepping back into that part of your life, of Levi’s life, even for a night, stirred something inside you—nostalgia, perhaps, or a little trepidation. But Kuchel’s invitation felt genuine, and you knew, deep down, that reconnecting with her might be exactly what you needed.

You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. “I’d love that, Kuchel.”

Kuchel’s face lit up, and she nodded in satisfaction. “Good. I’ll even be the one to cook something special,” she teased, though you could tell she wasn’t entirely joking.

Nanami, who had been standing quietly by your side, gave a subtle nod of approval. “It sounds like a perfect opportunity to reconnect.”

You glanced at him, grateful for his understanding, before turning back to Kuchel. “I won’t forget,” you promised.

“Good.” Kuchel smiled once more before retreating back into the restaurant, leaving you standing at the threshold of the bustling street, feeling strangely at peace.

As you and Nanami finally walked away from Kuchel’s, the cool night air wrapping around you, the quiet between you was no longer awkward or heavy. Instead, it felt comfortable—a shared understanding of the complexities of the past and the people who shaped it.

Nanami glanced at you, his tone measured but kind. “You’ve got a lot of history here.”

“Yeah,” you said softly, looking back at the restaurant, now glowing behind you in the night. “I do.”

#levi x reader #attack on titan fanfic #attack on titan x reader #levi ackerman #levi ackerman angst #levi ackerman x reader #levi ackerman x you #levi imagine #levi fluff #levi x you #shingeki no kyoujin x reader #snk x reader #levi angst

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aurora567 · 8 months ago

Text

Little Mouse Ch. 24

Warnings this fic will contain mature themes. Such as but not limited to teasing, kidnapping, Stockholm syndrome, very unhealthy relationships, some elements of non-con/rape, threesomes, drug use, breath play, voyeurism, branding, sex.

Summery: The battle with Machia starts but of course the LOV is unable to finish it when Giran ends up kidnapped and they find themselves in an all out war with the Meta Liberation Army.

Word Count: 7117

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Rin really wasn’t paying a lot of attention when the radio that the monster had carried with it started to talk. Apparently the Doctor was the one on the other end of the radio. It seemed he did take a little initiative to seek them out. Though this seemed a little extreme as the monster seemed to start crying, it seemed Shigaraki was not what he expected as All for One’s prodigy. He even lashed out destroying the ground and causing everyone to jump back. Dabi even tried to burn him but it did no good. Damn thing was built like a mountain. Rin still wasn't even sure if she was actually looking at a human, sure she had seen quirks do some odd things to the body but this was something else. He could not be normal. She could only suspect this thing was just another form of a nomu or whatever genetic mess this so-called Doctor had created.

There was not a lot of time though for her to ponder over it before she suddenly felt like she was suffocating. Her hands reached up to grab at her throat as she opened her mouth to try and gasp for air only to watch a glob of dark grey goop explode from her mouth and nose. Had she looked around she would have seen it happening to everyone else. But she did not need to look around. The gargled noises from those around her told her she was not the only one who was suffocating in this weird goop. It was just like that time in Kamino.

Landing on her hands and knees Rin was still hacking up slime as she tried to refill her lungs with air at the same time. Damn that was a disgusting taste that now lingered on her tongue. Quickly jumping to her feet she is wiping the back of her right hand across her lips as her green eyes look around. The place is clearly large, dark aside from an eerie purple glow coming from what look like some weird containers. Said containers also seemed to house some odd non-human looking entities. Honestly Rin wanted to pretend she did not see them. Curiosity killed the cat, and in this insistence she did not wish to be the cat. Maybe they were better off being left to fight that mountain of a monster back at their makeshift hideout than in this place, wherever this place even was. But it seemed she was not the only one who was eyeing up the nomu in the odd containers. She could hear Dabi voice his thoughts about how odd these ones looked.

Rin slowly inched towards him feeling oddly a little more safe as she stood closer to the dark haired villain as she too risked a look at the poor things in the containers as the Doctor praised Dabi for his sharp eye when he said these things looked different. Apparently the Doctor was going off about these nomu being different, being high end.

She really was not paying the man a lot of attention as he went off on his little rant about working with All for One and how he was giving them his scraps. Whatever Shigaraki and this man had to talk about did not matter to her. Rin only cared about Dabi, if he followed Shigaraki then she would too, if he went a different way then she would follow him. She was a puppet and she knew it, but that did not matter. Even as she heard Shigaraki talk about how he was feeling. This was a little interesting and she did listen as he spoke about wanting to see the new horizon after he crumpled this world.

Toga was the first to question Shigaraki a little. But she was not really going to do anything. It was easy to see that Shigaraki just told her what he knew she wanted to hear. Everyone was a puppet for the pale haired man. But it seemed everyone in the group had their reason to follow Shigaraki as well. Even if they may not want exactly the same thing. Should this bother her? Knowing that the people in this room wanted to watch the world burn? A sane person would probably say yes. But Rin felt numb to it. The world did need a change. The hero society was incredibly flawed. It needed to be overhauled and maybe, just maybe this was the only way to do it.

And the doctor would help, but the group needed to prove it. Shigaraki seemed to have no issue with that request. And it was a reasonable one to make to some extent. Everyone had their motives for agreeing to work together. She may have been the odd one out who did not have such motivations or strong enough feelings as the rest of the people in the room. But she did not care. At the end of the day, she still had her own reasons to be willing and compliant to help. Even if the reason was as fucked up as it would please Dabi.

Hearing the man that she had been thinking of speak up she glanced over at him and arched an eyebrow as she listened to him say he was not going to help them take on the walking mountain that was once a man. She was a little surprised to hear him say he was busy dealing with someone who could be a potentially important ally. Was this the same one he had mentioned to her a while ago? Or was this a new one. She had never thought to ask about the ally before. Honestly she wanted to agree with Toga, she had a feeling Dabi just did not want to fight with someone who obviously was immune to his flames. Was it fear? Or maybe Dabi just knew when he would be useless and better off doing something else? At the end of the day a smart person knew when they would be unable to be of any help. He just wanted to help in a different way. Or that was what Rin chose to think.

Rin frowned softly though as Dabi asked Shigaraki if he objected to him doing something different. And he did not. She looked back at Dabi about to open her mouth to ask to join him but he shot her a glare and that had her close her mouth and pout. It was almost as if he knew she was about to ask to go with him. No fair. He had been away from the gang a lot lately. And she was not liking it.

The woman wanted nothing more than to stomp her foot like a child and complain to the man. But she knew now was not the time to do such things. She was unhappy, but her own selfish needs were not important at the time. She will bitch to someone about it later. Maybe she should just ask Twice to make her a copy of Dabi for those days she is missing the man? Hmm maybe that was a possibility? Would it be completely physically accurate? Or would Twice need that information? Would the double also have a piercing? If Twice didn’t have the exact measurements maybe she could tell him a little different and get the perfect dick she could ever want? Then again she wasn’t sure she wanted Dabi’s dick changed.

Was she drooling? Oops. Huh she heard something odd and looked up only in time to see the odd creature in the docs lap spewing that horrible grey goop at them again. Before she even realized what was happening the damn crap was shooting out of her mouth again. She really hated this damn shit. And she had been so busy day dreaming that she had not heard a damn thing about what was said or what was happening now.

Blinking her eyes opened she realized the group had been returned to the abandoned work sight they had been at earlier. The monster is still there cradling and talking to the radio. And Shigaraki the bold, or maybe stupid was a better word, was egging on the beast for a battle. Asking it if it was ready to bow down to its new king. Damn that man child.

“Shigaraki hold on. We should plan something out before just jumping into battle,” she argued but it did not matter. She was too late. The beast was angry and it had no issues turning to attack Shigaraki in what was the first for many long attacks. Rin’s main priority became not being killed by the beast as it attacked. Though it seemed that the things primary attention was only on Shigaraki. But that did not mean the rest were safe.

Compress was the first she tried to get to. If anyone would listen to her the best it would be him. But even then it was hard to plan an attack while being attacked and struggling to just survive. But that did not seem to bother Shigaraki as he started the dangerous dance that they never expected to last as long as it did. After all, had someone told her that she would find herself fighting with this dang thing for over a month she would never have believed them. But that’s what happened.

It became obvious rather fast that the inhuman beast did not need much sleep or food. He would be awake for a straight forty eight hours and forty four minutes exactly. It was almost like he had an exact timer in his head. Somehow he always knew exactly when that time was up. And the beast would crash for only three hours. That time line was not a great one for a normal human. Three hours of sleep every second day was insane. And Shigaraki was not sleeping the entire time. At first they had tried to put some distance between the beast and themselves. But somehow it could always find him. Did not matter where Shigaraki tried to hide or how much distance was between them. The monster may as well have its own personal tracking device attached to the man. And so Rin pushed for him to try and sleep for those short amounts of time. But she knew three hours was not enough time.

The body needed time to get into a deep sleep. Deep sleep allowed the body a chance to heal. But with three hours at best to sleep there was no way Shigaraki was able to get into a good deep sleep. Sure he would live off just over two hours of sleep. But the lack of proper sleep was eventually going to wear him down. How he even lasted a month and a half she would never know. Rin tried to stay with him as much as possible. She would heal him as best she could when she could. Along with the others. More than once had she been forced to weld Compresses metal arm back together to just keep him still going.

Still the group tried to rest in shifts. Everyone needed their strength in order to aid Shigaraki as best as they could. Rin is the only one who refused to rest as much as the others. She was always needed. Even if Compress's hand was now beyond repair. The entire thing is missing from the wrist down. Twices mask was a little frayed around the edges which she tried to keep together so he wouldn’t have a meltdown on them. It’s almost mid day when she sees Spinner and Toga returning from their night of rest. They look refreshed at least. Good, someone with more energy and rest was needed. She smiled softly and waved at the duo as they approached.

Yet even with the exhaustion of all the fighting Shiggy was still smiling through the entire thing. He had deemed this a saga. And still felt he was going to win. It was easy to tell some were a little unsure if winning would ever be possible. And it was a fair concern. It truly felt like they were getting nowhere. This fight was nothing more than a stand still. If anything there were slightly on the losing end truly, they could not keep this pace up forever. Hell the fact they had lasted as long as they had was a surprise.

Rin sat on the ground leaning her back against the rock that Shigaraki was sitting on. Her eyes had drifted closed till she had heard the footsteps of their comrades returning. That had her opening her eyes slowly to blink over at the refreshed looking Toga and Spinner who had come to relieve at least Twice and Mr. Compress. She had a feeling she may have to step back for a few hours as well to sleep and eat some food. Her own body running on what felt like fumes after the month and a half of this war.

“Hey Tomura are you still alive over there?” Toga did not hesitate to call out to their leader. Which had the young man picking his head up to look over at his pawns that had rejoined him as he commented that he was and that he felt the mountain beast was starting to slow down. Before Rin could even open her mouth to say anything to Shiggy she was silenced by a cell phone going off.

Honestly she was not paying a lot of attention when Twice and Compress started talking about Giran. Rin did not care about the man who the league used to get them items or information. Her tired eyes had drifted closed again as she leaned her head against the rock barely paying any attention to what was going on.

Twice answering the phone was of no interest but the sound of the voice that spoke up from the phone's speaker on the other hand was interesting. Mr. Compress voiced what everyone was thinking as he commented about the person using a voice modulator. Someone did not want their identity to be known. Now that was interesting and had Rin sitting up and turning her attention towards Twice who was holding the phone in his hand as it spoke to them. Now why would someone be contacting them on Giran’s phone? The voice told them to turn on the news. That had Compress pulling his phone from his own pocket and quickly starting streaming a local news site video. It started off talking about fingers being left in a number of area’s. From the home of the former Shie Hassaikai head, to ground zero in Kamino ward. To any normal person the areas may have seemed off, from a home of a former yakuza boss, to a highway, and then a middle of a ward. But those sights were far from random. They were all places the league had been when they did something. The fingers were aimed at them, it was a message for the league. But from who and what did they want?

Compress had no issues voicing the same realization Rin had as she moved to push herself to her feet and walk towards the group who had started to huddle around Twice and Compress. This had caught her attention, who was it this time going after the league of villains and what did they want?

The red head did not have to ponder that question for long as the voice on the other end of the phone started to go off telling them that they were talking to someone by the name of Re-Destro. And that he was the head of the current Meta Liberation Army. Ah another crazy cultist group that used their beliefs to bully people. Then again it's not like this group was much different but at least Shigaraki was not preaching his beliefs to people like it was some new coming of God. Rin already had enough of the cults as of lately. But he had Giran and that seemed to upset Twice. Apparently the man was important to the suit wearing psycho. Rin did not care as the man held no emotional attachment to her. Hell she only met Giran once when he had delivered Mr. Compress’s arm and she had asked him for a quick rundown on how to install the dang thing. Which he had not actually been a lot of help and shrugged his shoulders at her question and said he just acquired the item he did not know how it operated or installed. That was as much as she knew about the man who was called Giran.

Should she have felt bad knowing the man had lost a bunch of fingers and had most likely been tortured for his loyalty to not giving them up? Yes. But did she? No. Should she be worried about that? Probably but oddly enough she could just not seem to force herself to feel anything other than basic irritation that the person on the phone was taking up her valuable rest time.

Rin was listening to the voice closely. It seemed whoever was on the phone had done their homework. They knew that the group was taking a breather, or it was simply a coincidence that those were the words they chose. Or the person on the other end of the line was aware that Shigaraki and the group had been busy fighting with Gigantomachia and had made sure to pick this time to call as they knew the beast was asleep and the team would also all be together when doing a shift change. Rin had a feeling there was no way this was a coincidence. Someone has been watching them, and watching them closely and she did not like that.

Her suspicion was proven correct when the voice asked them how the weather in the mountains of Niigata was. That seemed to piss off Twice who gave his phone a toss. Luckily it was still on the call. Though it seemed it would not have mattered as the voice told the group they were being watched thanks to a satellite. Whoever this person was, they seemed to truly have connections. Their comment of having over a hundred thousand secret warriors may not have been a bluff at all. And the threat that followed was probably also not a bluff. If someone was truly watching them that closely then running would become a real pain. And Rin knew first hand a single phone call to the right people would have hero's up their asses in a heartbeat.

Finally Shigaraki asked what the person wanted, and the group got the answer they wanted. This person wanted a war. Though it sounded more like they did not want competition. Should they be flattered that a small ragtag team of seven people was such a big threat that this person who had an army of over a hundred thousand people wanted to crush them? Actually yeah Rin would enjoy that thought for a second or two as she listened to the person make their demands for what was to happen if they did not want the broker to be harmed any more. Their options were limited. Go to war and fight in Aichi within the hour? Or take their luck with hero’s and hope to escape?

The group was quick to start talking once the call ended. Twice was adamant that they go save Giran. The man was important to him. Mr. Compress had felt that their opponent had won, that they had a checkmate. Rin wanted to agree with Compress to an extent, their options were incredibly limited and none had sounded good to her. But she refused to see this as some idiot having won. She would not bow down so easily. Instead she had turned her gaze to Shigaraki. He was their leader. She would do whatever it was he decided. Meanwhile she could hear the others arguing. Toga sounded like she thought the broker was already dead. Compress was reminding Twice to calm down and think things through a little. After all, even if they did go fight, they needed an idea of how to plan their battle. Rin was watching Shigaraki who glanced up at her. Rin simply gave a small nod of her head as she watched the pale haired man climb to his feet and silently walked towards Twice before pulling off the blonde's mask, immobilizing him instantly. Rin simply stood back and watched as it seemed Shigaraki may have had an idea after all. It seemed the man child may actually have been maturing some as of late. Or the lack of sleep was making them all crazy. She hoped it was the former.

They had two hours and thirty five minutes till the beast, or the big baby as Shigaraki liked to call him, woke up and would continue his rampage once again for another forty eight hours and forty four minutes. That did not leave them a lot of time. If they wished to be in Aichi within an hour, well that was an hour they would lose. They would need the time to travel even if they got there in under an hour it would take time to get there. They were tired after all and in the mountains with no way to travel fast or easily and they should ensure Dabi joined them as well. Then the fighting itself. How long could that take? If this Re-Destro person was smart they would end the fighting fast.

But if the group could somehow drag the fighting out for an hour and at least thirty five minutes, backup could come to their aid. Was that the thought that Shigaraki had? To go fight and hope that they could survive long enough that the beast would awake and come for Shigaraki and end up a part of the brawl? Who was to say the beast would even help them? But Shigaraki was quick to tell the group they were going to fight and he did indeed plan to use Gigantomachia once he awoke, as a tool for the battle. Rin was not sure if she should call the plan stupid, reckless or brilliant. Guess it would depend on how well it would play out. But for now they needed to get ready, and get off this damn mountain.

Rejoining with Dabi was a rather bitter sweet moment. Rin tried to remain as close to Dabi as she could. Was she maybe growing a little clingy? Yes but she did not care. Dabi never pushed her away or even said anything about it. He simply glanced at her when she had first slid up to stand beside him when the group had been reunited. Shigaraki informed Dabi of the plan. They were all just on the outskirts of the city. Standing along the top of a small cliff the group was looking out over the area that would become their next battle ground. It was hard to believe such a quiet area was about to become ground zero for an all out war. Rin could feel herself shift closer to Dabi. He must have noticed the action and reached out to drop a lanky arm over the top of her shoulders and pull her in close to him. It was probably meant in a possession motion, but she didn’t care.

"Welcome to the suburbs. Completely unremarkable," Spinner said as he looked out over the city.

"I like the atmosphere. This place sucks," had been Twice's opinion.

"There's a force of one hundred and ten thousand strong below?" Mr Compress sounded a little skeptical at the idea of there being so many enemies in one area. But Rin wasn't sure, they had no idea who exactly this enemy was. But it was clear they were smart, and had planned out this attack on the league well in advance. Even if the number was lied about. There was still an army waiting for them to walk onto the battlefield and start this fight.

"Once Machia wakes up in an hour and forty minutes, he'll chase Shigaraki to this stage. When he makes his entrance, he'll run into the so-called Liberation Army. Hopefully we last until the curtain call," Rin had to agree with that last part as Compressed checked his pocket watch for the time. That was going to be the hard part. The group needed to fight for almost two hours. That was going to be tough. Would they actually be able to do it? Against an incredibly large number of enemies? Probably not. But they were backed into a corner and there was no other option than to fight. And hope they could survive long enough for that beast of a man to wake up and come for Shigaraki and for it to enter the fight as well. Dabi was bitching about being dragged into the fight. It's not like he was really upset about it. If anything Rin was sure the man was more than happy to go down there and light a bunch of people on fire.

Twice was quick to remind Dabi that Giran was also the one who introduced Dabi to the league as well and as such Dabi owed the man at least something in return. That was new information for Rin, then again she had never exactly asked anyone how they had all ended up working alongside Shigaraki. Before the two men could start to bicker more about Dabi's piss poor attitude Toga was the first to notice someone was approaching the group. Dirt was being kicked up into the air. The weirdo proclaimed himself their friend and guide. Rin didn't believe either one. Surely he was there to make sure the group no longer turned tail and ran. The enemy already knew about them arriving, this may be someone who was going to prove to be a real difficulty to beat. Oddly enough the man was clearly a hero, it seemed someone had influence in all sorts of areas if they could turn a hero's perspective. Then again a corrupt hero was not rare, and those who were on the bottom, self entitled and felt like they were owed more than the world gave them would most likely be easy people to manipulate. Still nothing about this was sitting well with the woman as the group started to follow this nobody of a hero into the city limits.

The walk to the city was a little tense, after all they were most likely walking into a trap. They all knew it. The group may be made up of a bunch of crazy people but the group was not dumb either. Streets were bare, the area of town they were walking through seemed deserted. No civilians walking the streets, vehicles seemed scares, buildings empty and abandoned. It was almost like walking through an abandoned ghost town. And seemed she was not the only one to notice either as Mr. Compressed voiced the same thoughts she had as the group looked around carefully. Though the place looked abandoned it was clear some people were still around as the odd person could be caught out of the corner of her eye. Either on roofs or standing behind corners. Yep this was a trap, the question was how far into the lion's den were they going to go before the trap would be triggered. Seems Shigaraki realized the trap as well as he spoke up as they walked.

"I get it. It's the whole city,"

"Right you are!" was the chipper reply from the third rate hero who was leading the way. Seems Rin did not need to ponder her questions any more as they came to a stop in front of a man and woman as the man started to speak up about the city.

"This is a liberated district. Ninety percent of the Dika City's population is hidden liberation warriors. We appreciate you traveling so far to meet us face to face. We celebrate your arrival. You are the guests of honor," This man was just spewing shit from his mouth. A smooth talking idiot is what Rin saw as she watched the man as if she had encountered a snake on the street.

"Isn't that Hanabata from the hearts and Minds party?" Oh so he was a politician. No wonder he could talk out his ass so well. Though it seemed some of those hiding away from Society were unaware of who the man was. Rin didn't recognize his face but she had heard the name of him and his party before she had been kidnapped by the league. Or should she call it recruited? Okay waiting for a battle to break out is not the time to argue with herself she needed to remain focused.

"He's a slimy politician," Rin spit out even as the man started talking again. Her words were barely out of her mouth before all hell broke loose.

A snap of his fingers was all it took and people came out of nowhere. The battle was on.

"Stay together if we get separated we are done for," Rin had yelled out when she realized the group was all jumping back and away to dodge the incoming attacks. But space was quickly growing between the members. But it seemed her warning had been washed away with the sound of battle. And before they knew it the group's numbers were dwindling. Oh well Rin would just have to have faith everyone would be strong enough to survive this new hell. Rin wasted no time in reaching down for a slab of metal she found happily shaping it into a long staff like weapon. Wasn't as sturdy as she would have liked, but it would have had to do for now. Twirling it around effortlessly she did not even hesitate to swing up and collide with someone's jaw who was running towards her.

She could feel Dabi's flames licking at the air around her. But the blue flames never touched her as someone behind her was incinerated. She glanced over her shoulder at Dabi but he wasn't even looking at her. Oh well she would thank him after the battle was done. She watched Toga break off from the group and take off down the street. Only seconds later did she hear the first explosion go off. Rin could only desperately hope that Toga had not been caught in that first blast. When another blast sounded it was both a relief and more worrisome, it meant Toga survived the first attack but did she survive the second? The panic that was gripping at her was getting to be too much. Dodging quirks and people alike it took a few moments for her to get closer to Twice as she listened to Dabi and Spinner complaining.

"Toga's gone. Where is she?" Twice was asking as he looked around before Rin got closer to him

"Twice, go give Toga a hand. I am worried about her," She said once she was well within range of being heard over the roar of battle.

"I'm worried about her too. She will be fine," was the response Twice had given her.

"I'll clear a little bit of space for you. Run for it once the path is clear," She said as she proceeded to drop to the ground. Her hands touched the cement as she forced it to change shape and erected two walls up between the crowd of enemies. Twice was smart, he took off even before the walls were all the way up. The man was fast and he was able to slip past the crowd without an incident. But after that he was on his own. She was panting already. Changing the shape of the cement had taken more out of her than she expected. Just meant she now had to rely on her hand to hand combat skills now, she hoped her training with Toga paid off. She was looking for Dabi, her safety net was being close to him. She couldn't give two shits about the others being with them.

She watched as Shigaraki seemed to be paying the group almost no attention and was just walking around like a mindless zombie. Should she go to Shigaraki? He had to be exhausted, and running on fumes. There was no way he had the energy to be fighting right this moment. As if on cue she watched him use his quirk on a good number of enemies before suddenly bending over to empty out his stomach. Ew. But not surprising at the least. How much more abuse could his body take?

Before she could think more over her decision she watched as Dabi jumped away from a large slab of ice that fell onto the spot he had just been standing at. An ice quirk user, Dabi should have the upper hand in that sort of battle. But there were too many variables in this battle for her to feel confident in even him winning every battle on his own. She tried to run towards him before a large body stepped in the way. This guy was clearly bigger than her with some miss shaped arms she assumed was his quirk. He was trying to keep her from rushing to Dabi's aid even as the smell of things around the street burning filled her nose. Though the only smell she was worried about was the smell of burning flesh. Was it Dabi's own body burning she was smelling or the people he had burnt up already? She didn't know the answer and that had her worrying, She had to get to Dabi and no one would stand in her way.

She wasn't even paying attention to what word vomit the man was spitting out at her. He was nothing more than an obstacle that she needed to move out of the way. It sounded sexist when she toned back into the man in front of her as he was apparently going off about why a pretty thing like her was fighting. What a pig.

"I don't have time for this shit," She said, swinging her makeshift weapon towards his head. For a big fella he was nimble on his toes and was quick to step away form the attack. She cursed under her breath when she realized this was not going to be an easy battle. At least he was also a close range combat fighter like herself. She would have been done for, had he been a range fighter with something dangerous like the ice wielder who was taking on Dabi.

Alright then if she needed to be faster, Rin could do that, She swung again this time with each swing she stepped closer trying her best to close the gap between her and the large man as he dodged or parried her attacks. They were entangled in a dance of attacks. She would use the staff to strike out at him. She aimed for soft spots, or vulnerable areas. Ribs, knees, the head or better even the neck if she could. He would dodge or block what attacks he could. But she clearly could move faster than him if she pushed herself.

The first time she aimed for his kneecaps he didn't seem to expect the attack. Her staff collided with its target so hard the weakened metal bent. Well fuck she liked that thing, even if it was a little heavy compared to a true combat staff. Oh well it served its purpose. The man went down hard. He was screaming a plural of curse words at her.

"Oh shut up," She hissed as she proceeded to take the bent staff and hold it like it was a golf club and she had just taken a swing at a ball as she watched the metal collide with the man's face. He went silent and his large body slowly fell over.

"About time that asshole went down," She hissed to herself as she wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand and tried to catch her breath before looking down at her broken weapon. Oh well it had served its purpose. She tossed it aside before looking around for Dabi. Seemed the number of enemies seemed a little less now than before. But then again she had lost sight of more of the league's members. Spinner and Shigaraki were gone, Twice had gone after Toga, Dabi was locked in battle with the ice user. Mr. Compress was trying hard not to become collateral thanks to the blue flames that were quickly spreading out across the street they were fighting on. Even Rin was having to be careful and not be burnt herself as she tried to move among the war zone.

Dabi! She needed to get to Dabi and help him. The smell of burnt flesh was filling the air. And she could only fear that it was his own flesh she was smelling. Trying to get to him though was hard. If it wasn't the flames themselves getting in her way it was people. Dodging flames and people alike was hard. She truly could not do both. She could feel her clothes and skin being singed by the flames. Punches and kicks being tossed at people who found themselves in her way. Finally Dabi laid off the flames a little as him and Mr. Compress started to bicker a bit after Mr. Compress asked for help. She had to bite her tongue as she watched Dabi standing there smoldering. It was clear he was already past his own limit and was now burning his own body with every use of his quirk. Climbing up to join him on the small roof he was on was a pain but she had been able to do it.

"Dabi," She called out, not even caring if a sudden swarm of Twice's was suddenly running towards them. Well that was a sight Rin would never have expected. But now was not the time to ponder over what all the Twice's meant. Dabi had glanced over at her as she ran towards him. Her breaths heavy from the effort to get to him.

"You're burning yourself," She hissed softly at the man who was scoffing at her.

"I can help with that," Now that had the dark haired man looking at her skeptically. He did not seem to believe her words. He had no idea of how she could help him. She watched him click his tongue off his teeth.

"You can't do shit for me," he said simply as he looked down at her. Fuck she did not have time to explain the science to him.

And before she could do anything, ice erupted from the ground forcing the street beneath them to break away and taking out a bunch of the Twice's. She could hear Dabi asking if this was an ice factory while his flames engulfed both of them. The hot flames forced her to step closer to Dabi, but the heat coming off of his own body felt like it was burning her as she stepped closer. So much heat how could he endure it himself? Did he not feel it? No more than likely either his nerves were shot and he could not feel anything at all or all he felt was pain. Once again not the time or place to allow her mind to wander as she listened to the ice quirk user explaining his quirk. Almost sounded similar to Rin's quirk but she was not limited to ice. As long as she could touch it and she understood its chemical make up she could control anything.

This guy was strong as she felt the ground shake once again as ice shot up into the sky once again taking out probably hundreds of Twice's, and who knows how many of his own comrades. This man was strong but he was also smart as he started to talk about how Dabi's flesh was burning.

"Because your flames are consuming your own body," he was saying. And it was true, one look at Dabi and anyone could tell by now his body was being hurt by his own quirk.

"But that's something I can help with," Rin said before she reached up and proceeded to ever so carefully cup Dabi's burning cheek and jaw. His flesh burned hers. And she could not helped the wince.

"The fuck are you doing," he barked at her.

"Shut up for once," she growled back as she raised her left hand up and away from her and Dabi as she proceeded to then release the built up heat from inside his body. The heat wave leaving her hand was visible as it seemed to blow out from her hand. The heat was too high, she could feel her other hand burning as she tried to expel as much of the heat as fast as she could. The look of shock on Dabi's face though was completely with it.

"It won't last long. But this should keep you from burning up so badly. But you will quickly start to overheat again," she said softly breathless as she let her right hand drop from his face. Her body was aching. She had used her quirk a lot in the last twenty minutes, have they even been fighting that long? She wasn't sure.

"Fuck you're hot," he said which almost made her laugh. Actually she would have laughed had he not wrapped an arm around her, pulled her into his chest and crashed his lips against hers. Not waiting for them to finish the kiss, ice shards were flying towards them but one wave of his other arm had a large wave of blue flames engulf the ice.

"Now go make yourself useful elsewhere," Dabi said as he broke the kiss and pulled away from her. Her legs shook under her weight, but she could understand why he would want some distance. She was not immune to his flames and could be hurt.

"Okay," she said simply like an obedient little puppy before she smiled and jumped off the roof to make her way towards Mr. Compress as she helped him out of the brown goop that was the leftovers from all the dead Twice's.

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#boku no hero #mha #bnha smut #no beta read #bnha dabi #dabi #dabi smut #dabi x oc

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