#brb flying into the sun

[spicerackofblorbos]

Chapter 8: June - Part Five [Final]

☾ Pairings ➼ Levi Ackerman x fem!mute!Reader (she/her pronouns), set in a modern semi-fictional world

☾ Summary ➼ Due to childhood trauma, you find yourself an adult without the ability to speak. After years of working on it, you have found ways to live without a voice. Now here in your late 20s, you are 5 months in getting used to a new town. On a fateful day in late November, you and your adopted sister visit a local bookstore-café, unaware of the friendships about to blossom. Throughout the months, one friendship in particular develops into something more.

☾ Content/Warnings ➼ fluff, slowburn, oblivious feelings, romance, angst, mention of minor character deaths, trauma, illness, adoption, mentions of fire, disabilities, alcohol use, very light nsfw mentions, references to child abuse, smoking and alcohol abuse mentions, domestic violence, light assault, eventual smut

☾ Author's note ➼ brb I'm sobbing. Mainly because look at my little characters and my story... I DID THAT. But also, because I actually finished something. Can y'all believe that?? Anyways. I hope you all like this chapter and I hope y'all enjoyed my story as a whole. I had a lot of fun thinking up this little world. I'm sure I have places where I can improve but considering this was my first fanfic in like, 10 years?? I'm taking it as win. Thank you to anyone who has spent their actual time to read my delusions, I appreciate y'all so much. I couldn't have finished without the support of my friends, moots, and you, my readers. Okay that's enough being mushy. I'm gonna go watch One Piece now. See y'all around hehe :3

☾ Word Count ➼ ~8.5k

The first thing you’re greeted with the moment you stir awake is the smell of clean laundry laced with traces of pine. The sound of seagulls squawking away in the distance comes muffled through Levi’s bedroom windows and you can feel the gentle morning sun that filters through caressing your skin. You keep your eyes closed, reveling in the moment of peace you find yourself in.

As each of your senses wake up with you, you can’t help but smile softly into the raven hair tickling your face from underneath. Levi is fully tangled with you and the sheets, legs sprawled all over the bed. His strong arms wrap around your waist and hold you close as he breathes deeply into your chest, the warmth of his body begging you to fall back asleep. You lift your hand and delicately rake your fingers through his soft hair, but he doesn’t rouse. He’s dead to the world in your arms.

The memories of the night before pop into your mind slowly like bubbles rising in the ocean – none of them unpleasant. Levi made sure to clean you up before dressing you in one of his shirts and pulling you into the bed with him for the night. Not much was said during this but as always, there never was any need for words between the two of you. His intentions all night were clear.

The phantom pressure of Levi’s lips on yours sends warmth up into your cheeks. You were not expecting an outcome like this, yet you were not disappointed in the slightest. Flashbacks to the things he did to you fly through your mind and you can’t help as your legs shift under the sheets at the thoughts.

“Mm?” You hear from your sleepy companion.

You allow your eyes to flutter open, having to squint initially at the pale light pouring in through the glass – the sun just broke through the horizon. You can tell it will be another beautiful day out just from the sight of the fluffy white clouds that drift lazily in the orange sky.

You attempt to pull away to sign something but it’s of no use as Levi only tightens his arms around you and pushes his face more into your plush chest. Your face was already warm enough, but this ensured it would not go away any time soon. A small, amused huff escapes your lips, nevertheless.

“No.” Levi mumbles against you. His voice is thick with sleep.

You nuzzle into his hair with a smile as you’re not sure what else to do at the moment. You needed to get up before Hange or Erwin did, but you weren’t ready to say goodbye to this haven you both created – and neither was Levi.

“Don’t leave… want you to stay.”

You like this sleepy and clingy Levi, another version of him that you feel must be reserved just for you. You place small kisses on the top of his head in response, holding him closer into your chest as you do. There’s a heavy sigh from him, a telling one that sounds content. His warm hands slide under your shirt and up your back as he continues to hold on to you for dear life. Your blinks start to slow and suddenly you’re drifting off again.

You’re not certain how long you were out, but the next time your eyes open, the light trickling through the windows is brighter. Your arms still wrap around Levi, this time around his chest as you rested on your side and he on his back. An arm circles your waist, holding you close, with his hand sitting gently on your hip. You don’t know how you both moved so drastically, but you still appreciate it because now you can see Levi’s sleepy face.

His porcelain skin contrasts greatly with his tousled hair, miles away from his usual style and yet one of your favorites on him by far. Dark, long lashes sit on his soft cheeks and his pale-pink lips form into a small pout. He’s so at peace when he sleeps, leaving you wondering what he might be dreaming about. You hope it’s full of nothing but good things.

Slowly, you pull your hand up and trail your fingers down the side of Levi’s face, feeling the slight roughness of his stubble poking into your skin as they pass. His eyes don’t open but you can tell with the shift in his breathing, he’s waking up again.

You hook a finger around his chin and tug it down gently so that you can see his sleepy face better. Dark gray eyes open in slow blinks, staring into yours. Pulling his chin down more, you press your lips onto his, your movements slow and lazy and with little urgency. It sends tingles down your spine and into your toes – something you believe you won’t ever get used to.

When you pull away, Levi’s quick to place his hand on the side of your face to hold you still so that he can steal one more kiss. His fingers then tuck away rogue strands of your hair behind your ear before running his thumb across your bottom lip which is now pulled into a smile.

“How do you get more beautiful every time I see you?” He whispers down to you, voice husky from sleep.

You respond back with an eye roll and a shrug, but his words echo in your mind. You stare as his soft skin glows in the warm, morning sun. He’s one to talk, you think. Levi trills his lips as he exhales heavily, pulling you more into him with his arm.  

You take this opportunity to place your free arm around his stomach and rest your head against his warm chest, the steady rhythm of his heart reverberating through your skull. Leaning down, he places a gentle kiss on the top of your head. His lips linger against your scalp as he talks, coming muffled through your hair. It tickles.

“I suspect the idiots will be up soon if they aren’t already.”

As if on cue, you hear the faint clinking of metal out in the kitchen. Someone was up and working on getting breakfast ready. A sinking feeling comes with the realization that you would have to face your sister and Erwin about last night. You pull away slowly, sitting up so that both hands are free to sign then turning towards Levi. He shoots you a subtle pout at the absence of your body, and you don’t stop the soft laugh that escapes you.

‘What do we tell them?’

“We don’t have to tell them anything.” He sits up on his elbows and furrows his brows, a steely resolve deep seated in his gaze.

‘They’re going to ask questions.’

“You don’t have to answer anything.” He reiterates. “We can just go out there and ignore them.”

‘You know Hange, that won’t-‘ Levi reaches over with one hand and closes it over your moving fingers, making you stop. His hand then trails up your forearm before wrapping his fingers around it and pulling you down – making you collapse onto his bare chest. He then wraps his arms around you and holds you in a vice grip, despite your silent giggles and squirming.

“I’ll handle it. But let’s get you some pants, first.”

.

The moment you step out of the bedroom, the smell of cooked bacon hits you full force. Hange and Erwin are in the middle of talking as they stand by the stove, turning to look at your already flustered face at the sound of the door opening. You take a few steps out of Levi’s room and sheepishly wave at them. Erwin raises an eyebrow but Hange, on the other hand, drops the spatula they were loosely gripping. It falls into the pan of cooking meat, splattering oil everywhere.

“Whaaaaaat??!” Hange runs over to you with bugged eyes, leaving Erwin to clean up the oil splatter before it starts a fire. Their hands reach up and cup your cheeks, squishing your face in the process as they squeal more.

“I was wondering where you’ve been! Canoodling with Levi was not my first thought, I admit.” Your face begins to heat up more in embarrassment. You knew this was inevitable, but you were still not prepared in the slightest. Levi brushes past you and Hange towards the kitchen but Hange shoots a hand out and grabs him by the arm, their other hand still against your face.

“Oh no you don’t, we’re talking about this!”

“Let go of me, four-eyes.” Levi demands.  

“Hange, they just got up. Give them a moment.” You hear Erwin muse from behind your sister. You flash him a look of gratitude as Hange drops both hands and sets you and Levi free with a huff.

Erwin had outdone himself with the feast he prepared for everyone. Crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, and bouncy pancakes. But despite the delicious food, the palpable awkward silence and dense tension that followed was stronger. You ignore the burning stare aimed directly at the top of your head as you dug into your plate, knowing full well it was from Hange. The only noises that filled the space were the clattering of utensils and soft chewing of food.

It doesn’t go unnoticed how Levi chose to sit next to you this time, something he hadn’t done prior to this morning. You dare to look up for a second in his direction, catching his eye as he sips his morning tea. There’s a small smirk pulling up the corners of his mouth as he looks away and back to his breakfast.

“I can’t believe the festival is tonight. This trip has gone by so quickly, don’t you think?” Erwin pipes up after wiping his mouth carefully with a napkin.

“Did you both make up?” Hange blurts out.

“Hange, come on.” Erwin gives them an exasperated glare.

“I deserve to know. She was so upset yesterday and now she’s not and I need to make sure they’re okay!”

When you look back up to your sister, you can tell right away they are bursting at the seams. Eyes wide, face almost purple, and their fingers clenching their fork so tightly the knuckles turn white. Not much has been eaten off their plate, which shakes gently from their knee bouncing under the table. With a heavy sigh, you lean back in your chair and glance over to Levi. There’s a brief pause as he considers it, but then he nods ever so slightly.

“What do you want to know?” He grumbles, arms folded over his chest as he also leans back.

“Are you both on good terms now? Did you sleep together? How was it? Were you safe? You know, I have a whole bag of condoms in my bag if you need more!” Hange’s eyes bulge out of their face with every question, and you feel your face heat up more than it already was. You sink down in your seat further and hide your face behind both hands. Of course, Hange would go straight to those questions.

“Yes. Pass. None of your business. I do not need to know that and why do you even have that many?”

“Just in case! You never know.” Hange picks up their fork and shoves a bite of pancakes in their mouth before talking again, voice muffled. “You can’t answer the questions like that, Levi! Be serious.”

“I have nothing else to give you. It’s none of your business.” Levi shrugs as he goes for another sip of his tea.

“Fine, I’ll ask my sister. She can’t say no to me.” You feel something hit your shin under the table and you jump up with a squeak. Peeking through your fingers, you see them staring hard at you.

“Spill.”

Hange was right. You were bad at hiding things from your sister. Eventually you always relent. Like the time at the spa, or the day after the ball so many months ago. But this time, you find yourself not wanting to share. It was your memory to keep, and you didn’t want anyone else to know. Your fingers clenched into fists as you think about what you want to say, Hange’s stare burning holes in your face the whole time.

“Oi, would you leave my girlfriend alone and let her finish her breakfast first?” Levi sighs as he pokes his fork into the last of his eggs. Hange chokes on their water.

Your head whips in his direction at his words, but he’s staring out towards the ocean with his mouth moving slowly as he chews. Girlfriend. You and Levi didn’t discuss what last night meant for the relationship. After everything, you were sure there was more to you and him than just friends. But to say that term so brazenly… it gives you goosebumps.

“Gir-?!” Hange starts out but is then cut off by Erwin, thankfully.

“The weather looks like it will be nice all day, so we need to make sure we dress appropriately. Look at all of these activities. According to this article, the fireworks display is the best show on this side of the coast.”

Your eyes shift over to his blue gaze, which peeks above his phone that he was scrolling on. You mouth a thank you and he winks back before going back to the webpage he was reading off. You feel Levi’s hand reach over from under the table and squeeze your thigh gently, his attention still on the ocean.

Girlfriend.

You liked that.

.

After that morning, you had all gotten dressed and ready to celebrate what the town had been preparing for all week – the summer festival. It was like if you had taken the energy from the past few days and then combined them all into one night and multiplied that by ten. The streets were crowded all day and straight into the evening, only getting more intense as the night went on. Sometimes Hange and Erwin would break off from you two and you don’t know if it was intentional or not, but you were grateful for it regardless.

With everything so new, you weren’t sure how Levi felt about PDA outside of leading each other where to go, but as always, he answered that for you. He wasn’t shy about taking your hand and lacing his fingers in with yours. Nor did he hesitate to grab your waist and pull you into him while walking or waiting in line for something. It felt as if he wasn’t letting anything get in the way of what he wanted anymore.

As sunset approaches, you and Levi meet up with the rest of the group at the beach where people were preparing paper lanterns. According to Erwin, Liberio’s lantern release is one of the main attractions for their summer festival, right next to the fireworks show which took place about an hour after. You’ve never taken part in anything like this before, so you were very excited.

When you and Levi step up to the table that your sister and Erwin were standing around, you notice that they’re writing something on the sides of their lantern in black marker. You can’t make out what it says, so you tap your hyper focused sister on the shoulder to get their attention. They turn to you with bright eyes and an even brighter smile.

“There you are, my little strawberry! You better hurry up and get your lantern, it’s almost time.” They jerk their head backward towards the shoreline and you look over to see people standing with their lanterns lit as they chat away in wait.

‘What are you writing?’

“The locals say to write your wishes and dreams for the future. They say that once you release them, they fly into the sky and the gods above pluck them up and grant them when the time is right. Isn’t that fascinating?? And get this! I had to ask around but they’re biodegradable! A lot of people were a little offended that I asked, and I think it has to do with them really believing they got plucked out of the skies! How silly of them, but who am I to tell them otherwise.” Hange looks like they’re having one of the best days of their life and you just smile back. They reach over to ruffle your hair before going back to the paragraph they were writing on their lantern.

Looking over to Erwin, you notice he had written a singular line, but of course you can’t make it out. He stands tall, lantern in hands, as he stares out to the setting sun. His blue eyes trail over to you before smiling at you softly, the sea breeze blowing through his fine hair.

“This place is quite lovely, don’t you agree?” He asks.

Nodding back, you hum in agreement. Despite the intense moments, you can’t help but feel grateful for this trip and everything that accumulated to get you to where you are now. If it meant going through the anxieties of the unknowns to get here, you would do it all over again.

Levi says your name and when you turn in his direction, you notice he’s holding out a blank lantern. Golden hour is in full swing as it casts soft shadows on him, highlighting the sharp angles on face. There's a glint of something in his eyes as he watches you, though the rest of his expression gives nonchalance.

‘Thank you.’ You sign before taking the lantern and marker from his hands, your fingers lightly brushing against his as you do.

“Hm.” He picks up his own lantern from the table and scrawls something on it as he uses his hand to block you from seeing it. You force yourself not to pry though it killed you to not know what was on his mind. You figure he might tell you what he asked for later down the road. As for yours though, you write what you hoped wouldn’t be a one-time thing.

More days like this one, forever and ever. With the ones I love so dearly.

When you look up in satisfaction at your wish, you notice your friends staring back at you with what you can only assume is love in their own way. A sense of warmth lights through your veins like the sunshine on your face and you find yourself smiling so brightly that it scrunches your eyes and hurts your cheeks.

As Levi steps away from the table, he holds his hand out to you – his own version of a smile tugging on his lips as he waits for you. Fingers clasping over his as you secure your wishes in the other hand, you’re led down to the shoreline with everyone else.

You never saw it even as he released it above him, but if you did you would have seen that Levi’s lantern had one simple sentence. Something so full of conviction and confidence, written in neat letters so that if there were gods, they would be able to see it so easily and hopefully grant it without hesitation.

To spend the rest of my life with her.

That night, you didn’t fully intend to return to Levi’s room but as you passed by it on the way to your own, his arm had shot out and latched around your wrist to hold you there. He didn’t offer much in terms of words, but it was there in his metallic eyes. Unspoken.

Stay.

So, you did. And that night after, when you were all spent from your last day at the beach and Liberio as a whole, Levi didn’t even have to ask, nor did you have to look at him to know. You followed him like you always would as long as he wanted you to, right to his bed and straight into his arms.

.

Before you know it, you’re on the long flight back home with soft music flowing through your earbuds. You watch as the early morning clouds float by from down below, casting various shadows on the dark blue water of the ocean underneath. Your head sinks into the stuffed strawberry that sits sandwiched between you and the wall of the plane. Your hands, however, find themselves preoccupied in Levi’s fingers. Levi is half-asleep with his head resting against your shoulder, his warm breath tickling the skin that is exposed from your tank top.

You always assumed he didn’t sleep much, so to see him pass out so easily as he held onto you was a welcome surprise. In the past few days, Levi’s energy had shifted. It was different and you couldn’t explain how, but it was there albeit subtle. Those prominent dark circles under his eyes were still there, but they didn’t cut into his skin like they used to. And his ever-present scowl rarely made an appearance, at least from what you saw.

Erwin and Hange saw it too. They didn’t say anything, but you could tell Hange was just begging to say something to Levi.

“When are you two getting married?” Your sister had joked to you while you were both waiting in the security line at the airport.

At that time, you rolled your eyes at it. It’s not like it wasn’t on your mind, since they were the ones that brought it up in the first place. But now, it felt so real. There was an actual chance for it.

To be honest, you never gave much thought to settling down with someone. The language barrier proved difficult for the very few suitors you’ve had in your life, and they were always gone before you knew what happened. So, the prospect of marriage wasn’t something you thought to worry about.

Then Levi came back into your life.

Levi cared for you in ways that no one else did. Levi was patient and put in the work for you instead of adapting to what was. You never had to ask with him – he just knew. And as always, he made everything easy.

Without looking over, you gently squeeze his hand a few times. A few seconds pass and you think he might be in a deeper sleep than you thought, but eventually his fingers reciprocate with the same pressure and your smile reflects back at you from the window.

Even though Levi had promised he wouldn’t leave, you still hope that whatever life had in store for you that he would indeed be a part of it for as long as you lived.

.

About a week had gone by since the small plane touched back down into Jinae’s local airport. Hange hit the ground running, staying at the lab late at night to catch up on what they missed. Erwin and Levi were quick to get the café back up and it was surprisingly busy – a lot of regulars equally worried and interested to hear about where they’d been for the last week. And whenever Levi wasn’t at work, he was with you.

 While making dinner together at your apartment one night, Levi threw out the suggestion of going to see his mom with him sometime over the weekend. You hadn’t seen her since before you both had left for Liberio, so you were eager to accept the offer. Whether it was your quick response to going or the genuine smile that graced your soft lips as you were signing away about how excited you were to see her again, Levi found himself pulling you away from the lettuce you were chopping and into his arms before kissing you so deeply that you saw stars.  

You never knew, but Levi’s brain clicked, and a decision was made right then and there.

When Saturday comes around, Levi swings by the apartment to pick you up that afternoon. You had offered to drive but he was quick to decline and that was that. You won’t complain though, you liked watching him from the passenger seat. The way his bottom lip would jut out in focus, how his eyes would flicker between each mirror every once in a while. His hand resting against your thigh and squeezing it gently.

After pulling into a space at the front of Riverside, Levi puts the car in park and glances over to you. In both hands, you hold a large bouquet of flowers that you had picked out specifically for Kuchel. Giving them a big sniff, you gaze over to Levi with a smile.

“She’s going to love them.” He says as he reaches over to touch your face softly. You don’t hesitate to lean into his warmth. “Ready?”

You nod before unbuckling yourself and sliding out of the passenger seat. Levi does the same and makes his way to your side, his fingers finding your hand as he locks the car with a few clicks of the key fob. His thumb rubs against the side of your palm while he leads you through the wide doors and into the facility.

According to the staff, it was a really good day for Kuchel. A fleeting thought of what a bad day might look like flashes through your mind, but you’re quick to shake it aside. Levi guides you down a couple of different cozy hallways that lead to the side of the building that held the patient’s living suites.

Like the hallways that led to the outside courtyard, the ones you walk down are just the same. Various acrylic paintings pass by in colorful blurs as your hands fidget with the plastic that holds the bouquet together. Even before Levi had warned you that his mom might have trouble remembering you, anxiety gnawed at you. The need to be liked by someone so important to Levi was ever present. He glances over to you at the crinkling of plastic and squeezes your hand a few times in reassurance.

Eventually, Levi stops in front of a white door with a hanging sign decorated with various colorful flowers and a cursive letter A in the middle. He knocks gently and through the heavy wood, you hear a muffled ‘Come in!’

When he opens the door, your mouth opens slightly in surprise.

Kuchel’s room looked as if it was taken out of a Victorian cottage catalog. For a moment, you forget that you’re in a medical facility as you take a few steps into the room – Levi closing the door behind the two of you once past the door frame.

First, you notice the soft bed on the right side of the room, fitted with tan sheets adorned with floral patterns. There are a few decorative pillows propped up against the backboard. Along the walls are sketches of people that are too small to make out, but from what you can see they are drawn beautifully well. The window in the far back is wide open, letting in the afternoon summer breeze that makes the sage green curtains dance on each side. A dresser sits under the sill that houses a couple bottles of what you think might be perfume and a few glass trinkets.

Then your eyes drift over a pale woman in the corner of the room.

Kuchel is sitting in a plush lounge chair with her feet up on an ottoman, a charcoal pencil between fingers and she’s sketching away on a pad. Her dark eyes snap up from her paper as you walk in, greeting you both with a big smile. Carefully, she places her things on the table next to her and pushes herself up from the chair, the leather squeaking at the shift in weight.  

“My little Levi.” She sighs happily.

“You don’t need to get up.” Levi scolds as he walks over to help her. She’s frailer than you remember her being, but her eyes and smile remain the same – bright and full of life. She wraps her arms around Levi and holds him close as she mumbles how it’s been a while since he last came to visit. He pulls away and gives her a smile, but there’s sadness in his eyes. You know that she was the first stop for him when he got home about a week ago.

“I’ve heard you’ve been drawing again.” He says, craning his neck to the sketch she was working on. An eyebrow raises at it and then his gaze flickers over to you.

“Mom, I don’t know if you remember…” He holds his hand out for you to take as he calls your name.

Kuchel turns her attention to you now, and at first, you’re wondering if you would need to reintroduce yourself but there’s a small flash of recognition in the same eyes she shared with Levi. She studies your face as well as your hand that holds onto her son’s. After a moment of thinking, your name finally comes tumbling out of her mouth in a question as she makes her way over to you. She wraps her arms around you in a tight hug, squishing the bouquet you had brought in the process.  

“Oh wow, look how much you’ve grown. I haven’t seen you since you were just a little thing.” She says softly. You hug her back carefully, aware of how much smaller her frame is to yours. Her hugs are so good you want to cry again, but you hold them back and instead relish in her warm embrace before pulling away with your own beaming smile. Levi reaches over to take the flowers from you, a handful of petals falling to the vinyl flooring as he does and sets it on Kuchel’s nightstand.

‘It’s nice to see you again.’ You sign, Levi interpreting for you as you go.

“Oh, are you deaf honey?” She watches you with intrigue. You shake your head no.

“She’s mute, but she can hear you just fine.” Levi pipes up softly. He looks to you as if to apologize but you smile back in reassurance. There was nothing to apologize for.

“Oh dear me. What happened?” She places a soft hand over yours before leading you to one of the chairs next to the one she got out of just moments before. Her eyebrows furrow at you in concern, the same way Levi’s does – it makes you laugh.

“I don’t think we should take up this whole visit with such a long story.” Levi suggests, shooting you a nervous glance again. You wouldn’t mind explaining the situation at some point but truthfully, you didn’t have the energy to dive into it right now. Especially when there’s only so much time to be with Kuchel and you would rather shift the attention something more pleasant. Levi picks up on this.

“What have you been working on lately?” He points to the piece of paper that Kuchel was currently sketching on, and she starts talking animatedly about her newest project.

The visit with Kuchel goes well into the early evening. The time was spent talking about Levi when he was younger, which surprised you a lot, but you remembered him mentioning how people with dementia can have a harder time recalling recent memories compared to older ones. Levi, of course, was not thrilled to be the topic of conversation but he didn’t fight it.

From her anecdotes, you learned that the moment they moved to Jinae, Levi had done everything he could to help supplement their income so that his mom didn’t have to work as much as she used to. That meant doing odd jobs here and there – working late into the night sometimes and at such a young age. It makes you sad to think of such a young Levi losing parts of his childhood to survive. But you get the sense that Levi would do it all over again if it meant being where they are today. Despite the struggles, they did what they could - together.

You were having such a wonderful time getting to know more of Levi’s past as well as Kuchel’s life that you barely register him squeezing your hand to get your attention.

“We need to get going soon. It’s almost time for mom’s dinner and we have one more stop to make.” Levi says gently, pursing his lips. He wasn’t ready to leave either. Squeezing back, you nod to Levi and stand up slowly from your chair. You offer Kuchel a small smile and lean down to hug her again so that she doesn’t have to get up.

“Go ahead, I’ll be right behind you. There’s something I need to talk to my mom about.” Levi says, nudging his head to the door behind him. Nodding in understanding, you then reach up to touch his face gently before turning on your heel and starting for the door.

“Wait, dear. Take this with you.” Kuchel calls out to you. She goes over to the wall closest to her and pulls down a sketch. She considers it for a moment then stretches it out for you to take.

When you grab it from her fingers, your eyes widen at the different sketches that filled out the paper. There are a few drawings of flowers growing out of empty space, some with little bees or butterflies hovering from above. There’s one of what you assume is a teenage Levi as he straddles a motorcycle, a scowl shooting straight through you. Finally, there’s a smaller sketch of three kids sitting on a porch step as they eat ice pops together. Levi, you, and your brother.

How wonderful of an artist Kuchel is, you think. The lines are crisp and so full of detail, you can easily feel yourself transported back to when these memories were made. You don’t remember much about your brother, but you feel like that day was a good one. A feeling of warmth travels through your body as a blast of blind nostalgia hits you. You told yourself you weren’t going to cry but you already feel the heat in your eyes as they threatened to make an appearance.

Instead of saying anything, you throw your arms around Kuchel, almost knocking her over in the process. She laughs softly as she holds onto you as tight as she can, her hand rubbing circles on your back affectionately.

“I’m so glad you found us again.” She whispers as she pulls away from you. Her eyes sparkle as she looks up at you, smiling so much so that her eyes crinkle in the corners. “Don’t be a stranger.”

With that, you squeeze her in one more hug. Pulling away, you mouth an ‘okay’ with a toothy grin before turning on your heels and out the door, closing it with a click behind you.

“Something on your mind, Levi?” Kuchel turns her focus on her son who hasn’t moved an inch from his seat. Levi props his elbows on his knees and folds his fingers together to rest his chin on it.

“Mom, what do you think about her?”

“Well, I’m not the best person to ask about that.” She chuckles as she leans back into her soft recliner.

“I know, but-“ Levi’s leg starts to shake with anxiety.

“I think she’s lovely. She’s grown into quite the woman, reminds me a lot of her mom. From what I can remember, you know.” Kuchel teases. “Why do you ask?”

Levi’s fingers unlink from each other, and he starts to fidget with the fabric of his jeans as he looks away shyly.

“Mom. I’m going to marry her.” Levi whispers quietly.

“Oh honey, I know.”

“You know?” Levi glances back up to his mom incredulously.

“Yes. I’ve known since you were both kids. I’m pretty sure she even exclaimed at one point that she was going to marry you when she was old enough, to which you scoffed. It was very adorable.”

“Mom, I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or surprised that you remember something like that. It’s just something kids say.”

“The way you look at each other now is the same way you did before. Stars in your eyes, like nothing else mattered.” Sitting up, she reaches over and places her palm over Levi’s busy fingers. “Do me a favor. Go to my nightstand and grab that blue box inside the drawer.”

As always, Levi does what he’s told and makes his way to the wooden nightstand by her bed. He expects something decently sized but instead, he is met with a small pale blue box. A ring box. He picks it up carefully and turns it around to his mom with it pinched between two fingers, leaning back so that the drawer closes behind him.

“What’s this, Ma?” Levi asks as he brings it over to his mom’s awaiting hand.

Kuchel pops it open and turns it to Levi. It’s something he’s seen once, many years ago; A bridal set, one that was passed down from her mom. In the middle of a gold band sits a dainty oval ruby surrounded in “vines” that are beset by smaller diamonds in the shape of leaves. An engagement ring and wedding band – fitting together perfectly. Kuchel had shown Levi the set when he was really young, but she never wore them – which he suspects was to keep it safe from his father’s clutches. The gemstones sparkle brightly off the sunset that floods through her window.

“Mom…”

“Now listen here. I won’t be around forever – don’t look at me like that. I want you to have this now. I’m not saying to get married right away or even propose, but it would make me feel better if I knew you had this for when the time comes. And I trust you way more than I do Kenny.” With a snap, she closes the lid and shoves it in Levi’s direction.

He takes it reluctantly, not really sure what else to say. The thought dawns on him that his mom might not be around for his wedding day whether it be mentally or physically, and an ache shoots through his chest. But just like him, his mom’s decision was made. And there was no going back.

“Okay, mom.” He says back finally, closing his fingers around it tightly before standing up to slide it in his jean pockets.

“Don’t disappear on her again.” Kuchel stands up as well and places both of her cold, delicate hands on each side of Levi’s face as she stares hard at her son. “Promise me.”

Cupping his own hands over hers, he nods back as he says, “I promise.”

“Ms. Ackerman? It’s time for dinner.” A voice rings out from a staff member that stands in the open doorway of her room. It seems they have come to collect Kuchel to take her to the dining hall. 

“Yes, one moment.” Kuchel wraps her arms around Levi once more and holds him close for a moment before letting go. “I’ll see you soon?”

“Of course Ma, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He says quietly then leans over to kiss her warm cheek.

“Can you get her a vase for those flowers, please?” Levi asks as he steps towards the staff member currently blocking his path.

“I’ll see to it, Mr. Ackerman.” They bow slightly and move aside.

As he brushes past, he sees you leaning against the wall as you scroll through your phone with his mother’s drawing pinched between tight fingers in the other hand. The golden rays from the sunset reflect off the white building and through the windows, sheathing you in a shower of sunlight like a spotlight. You are blissfully unaware of how breathtaking you are to him.

“Are you ready to go?” Levi asks, startling you from the video you were silently laughing at. You lock your phone and slide it into your back pocket before stretching a hand out to him to take. Your smile never fades as he laces his fingers through yours without hesitation and leads you out of Riverside Assisted Living, mumbling about where he would like to go for the evening.

.

That night, Levi surprises you with a picnic date.

By the time Levi pulls into his apartment, the sun is all but gone – leaving indigo and navy blues behind it. He told you that he wouldn’t be long and to stay in the running car. A few minutes go by until you see him again, bounding down the steps with a large blanket roll in one arm and a picnic basket in the other. As the overhead lights pop on while he opens the back door to unload what was in his arms, he shoots you a small smile. Then he holds something small out to you.

“Will you hold this for me?”

You hold your palm out for him, and he places a small box in the middle of it. It’s black with mesh wire on each side and a few little buttons on the top. It’s a bluetooth speaker, you surmise. When Levi hops back into the driver’s side, you raise an eyebrow at him.

 “I figured you wouldn’t want to eat dinner in silence.” He says as he reverses out of the parking spot then heads for the main road.

It doesn’t take very long to get to Jinae’s downtown – just minutes away from their café. But instead of turning down the street that would lead to it, he keeps driving until he gets to the park that once held the Sakura Festival so many months ago. The trees are all but green now, not even a small trace of pink hanging from the branches.

After parking in a small lot provided for park goers, Levi takes your hand and leads you down the subtle hill towards the bank of the river. It’s a lovely evening where the air is just warm enough with a light breeze. Fireflies start to flicker in and out of the whole park, illuminating whatever happened to be near it in a warm, yellow glow. And the only noises you hear are distant crickets and frogs coming from the river – which flows so gently that it doesn’t even look like it’s moving. The city lights reflect off the water like its glass.

There aren’t that many people out tonight as well, which is surprising given the time of year. But what surprises you even more is the one single tree lit up with a string of lights that encircle the trunk and up into the branches above. There’s nothing else next to it but you know it was meant for you.

This was the same tree you and Levi sat under while you waited for your friends at the festival back in April. Where the urge to kiss him was burning through your whole body. Where you felt your feelings for him concrete themselves into your mind.

Levi hands you the basket before letting go of your hand to roll the blanket out under the tree. In mere moments, his shoes are removed and placed neatly in the grass. He beckons you to join him as he stands in the middle of the blanket, the soft glow of the tree lighting up his face.

Kicking off your own shoes, you then step over to Levi with the basket dangling in your fingers. As he reaches over to take it back from you, he takes a step forward to plant a gentle kiss on your lips – one that lingers even when he pulls away.

“Is this okay?” he asks. At first, you think he’s referring to the kiss, but you realize his eyes are bouncing around you. There’s a subtle hint of anxiety in his gaze that wouldn’t be detectable by most people.

‘This is perfect.’ You reassure.

Despite how small the basket looked from the outside, you find out quickly that it held more than you thought. Once you and Levi settle down, he starts to unpack a myriad of items, mostly all food related. A plate with what looks like chicken salad sandwiches comes out first, all cut into small triangles. Then comes a small bowl of chopped up melon, a bag of chips, and a tall bottle of amber liquid – apple juice, Levi assured you. Finally comes out a small pillow that you recognize from Erwin’s couch. You can’t help but laugh as you sit up straight to get a better look at everything.

“What?” Levi asks with a frown.

‘It’s nothing. When did you prepare all of this?’ You inquire before picking up the chips to inspect what kind they were.

“Earlier this morning.”

You look up to see Levi eyeing you warily. Behind that façade of nonchalance, you see a very anxious man waiting for what you thought about all of this. You never took Levi to be the type to care about what other people thought, which means he really cared about what you had to say.

‘This is fantastic. Thank you for putting in all the effort.’ You lean over to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek. With a light blush, he hums back in response as he looks away to fiddle with something on his phone – at a glance, it looks like a music app. That reminds you about the speaker you had shoved into your bag before leaving the car, so you reach in and pluck it out. Levi takes it from your hand and a moment later, soft rock plays through each side of the box. Despite the small build, it sure is mighty in sound.

“There. Hungry?”

‘Starving.’

As Levi watches you nibble on your last piece of melon, he can’t help but think how perfect you are to him. Vulnerability wasn’t something that came easy to him but when you walked into his café and back into his life, it was like a scab that had been reopened. As uncomfortable as it was, he found the rawness that came with it very refreshing. What would it mean to stay by your side forever, he wonders. To wake up next to you for the rest of his life.

These thoughts raced through his mind earlier as he packed the basket and you waited in the car. The ring box burnt a hole in his pocket as he stood by his desk contemplating his choices. Tonight would be a perfect time to propose to you but still, something held him back. This was new to not only him, but you as well. Were you ready for something so life-altering? Was this even something you wanted? These were not topics that are generally brought up in casual conversation after only a week of officially dating.

No, he would know when it was time. For now, he was content with what he had, and he would wait for as long as you needed him to.

“Are you happy?” Levi leans back on a hand as he looks over to you.

You glance over to him in surprise at the question. Just as quickly, it dissolves into a big smile that lights up your eyes. Popping the rest of the fruit in your mouth, you sit up so you can sign easily.

‘I am. Are you?’

“I guess. It’s nice here.” He smirks at you, remembering that this is what he said to that same question months ago. “With you.” But he never got to say that to you then.

“You told me a while ago that words were not always needed to convey intent.”

‘I did, yes.’ Your face scrunches in confusion at the sudden statement.

Levi sits up before reaching into the basket with his left hand. For a moment you think he’s about to bring out dessert of some kind but instead he takes out a small paper bag, no bigger than three inches in width. He turns it upside down above his palm and out comes a gold chain necklace. A small cherry blossom pendant dangles off the side of his hand, glinting in the lights next to you. You scramble up on all fours as you inch closer to get a good look at it, knowing full well what it was.

“At first, this was bought as an apology. But now, I think this was also my way of saying that I love you, without me realizing it.” Levi mutters softly. Your wide eyes flicker from the pendant over to Levi’s face, lips parted in amazement. The necklace looks as if it was never broken, much less worn with the fresh polish it had received.

Before leaving Liberio, Levi had snuck away to a jeweler in town to see what they could do to fix it. In terms of damage, fortunately it was minimal. ‘For something so delicate, it sure is hardy.’ the jeweler had told Levi as they inspected it. He knew the jeweler was talking about the chain, but his mind drifted to you instead.

‘You fixed it for me.’

“It was important to you. I couldn’t leave it behind.” Levi gets up on his knees and scoots so that he’s behind you. Gingerly, he loops the chain around your neck and a few seconds later, it’s locked tight. You pinch the small metal pendant in between two fingers as you sigh in relief at the familiar weight hanging on your neck once again.

‘Thank you, Levi.’

You turn to face Levi and throw your arms around his neck as you lean in to kiss him. He startles at the abrupt movement but is quick to reciprocate as he places both hands on your waist and pulls you closer into him. He can feel you smiling into the kiss as it deepens.

As you both break apart, breathing heavily from the lack of air, you don’t lose your smile. Your hands raise to cup Levi’s face, your thumbs stroking his cheeks as you stare into those slate gray eyes of his that you loved so much.

“I don’t really have much else planned for tonight, so I can take you home-” You’re quick to cut him off with a shake of your head, much to Levi’s relief. He wasn’t ready to let you go either.

“Okay.” Levi muses. “We can stay here until you’re ready.”

The night carries on as you both lie on your backs, Levi holding you close in one arm. At some point, he started humming along to some of the songs that flowed through the speakers. The fireflies had gone to bed soon after. With your head resting on Levi’s chest, the gentle beating of his heart threatens to lull you into sleep.

As sure as the twinkling stars drift above, Levi Ackerman loves you.

And oh, how you love Levi Ackerman back.

☾ Previous Chapter: June - Part 4 ☾ Next Chapter: Epilogue

[chaotic-on-main]

Chapter 8 June - Part 5 [Final]

☾ Pairings ➼ Levi Ackerman x fem!mute!Reader (she/her pronouns), set in a modern semi-fictional world

☾ Summary ➼ Due to childhood trauma, you find yourself an adult without the ability to speak. After years of working on it, you have found ways to live without a voice. Now here in your late 20s, you are 5 months in getting used to a new town. On a fateful day in late November, you and your adopted sister visit a local bookstore-café, unaware of the friendships about to blossom. Throughout the months, one friendship in particular develops into something more.

☾ Content/Warnings ➼ fluff, slowburn, oblivious feelings, romance, angst, mention of minor character deaths, trauma, illness, adoption, mentions of fire, disabilities, alcohol use, very light nsfw mentions, references to child abuse, smoking and alcohol abuse mentions, domestic violence, light assault, eventual smut

☾ Author's note ➼ brb I'm sobbing. Mainly because look at my little characters and my story... I DID THAT. But also, because I actually finished something. Can y'all believe that?? Anyways. I hope you all like this chapter and I hope y'all enjoyed my story as a whole. I had a lot of fun thinking up this little world. I'm sure I have places where I can improve but considering this was my first fanfic in like, 10 years?? I'm taking it as win. Thank you to anyone who has spent their actual time to read my delusions, I appreciate y'all so much. I couldn't have finished without the support of my friends, moots, and you, my readers. Okay that's enough being mushy. I'm gonna go watch One Piece now. See y'all around hehe :3

☾ Word Count ➼ ~8.5k

The first thing you’re greeted with the moment you stir awake is the smell of clean laundry laced with traces of pine. The sound of seagulls squawking away in the distance comes muffled through Levi’s bedroom windows and you can feel the gentle morning sun that filters through caressing your skin. You keep your eyes closed, reveling in the moment of peace you find yourself in.

As each of your senses wake up with you, you can’t help but smile softly into the raven hair tickling your face from underneath. Levi is fully tangled with you and the sheets, legs sprawled all over the bed. His strong arms wrap around your waist and hold you close as he breathes deeply into your chest, the warmth of his body begging you to fall back asleep. You lift your hand and delicately rake your fingers through his soft hair, but he doesn’t rouse. He’s dead to the world in your arms.

The memories of the night before pop into your mind slowly like bubbles rising in the ocean – none of them unpleasant. Levi made sure to clean you up before dressing you in one of his shirts and pulling you into the bed with him for the night. Not much was said during this but as always, there never was any need for words between the two of you. His intentions all night were clear.

The phantom pressure of Levi’s lips on yours sends warmth up into your cheeks. You were not expecting an outcome like this, yet you were not disappointed in the slightest. Flashbacks to the things he did to you fly through your mind and you can’t help as your legs shift under the sheets at the thoughts.

“Mm?” You hear from your sleepy companion.

You allow your eyes to flutter open, having to squint initially at the pale light pouring in through the glass – the sun just broke through the horizon. You can tell it will be another beautiful day out just from the sight of the fluffy white clouds that drift lazily in the orange sky.

You attempt to pull away to sign something but it’s of no use as Levi only tightens his arms around you and pushes his face more into your plush chest. Your face was already warm enough, but this ensured it would not go away any time soon. A small, amused huff escapes your lips, nevertheless.

“No.” Levi mumbles against you. His voice is thick with sleep.

You nuzzle into his hair with a smile as you’re not sure what else to do at the moment. You needed to get up before Hange or Erwin did, but you weren’t ready to say goodbye to this haven you both created – and neither was Levi.

“Don’t leave… want you to stay.”

You like this sleepy and clingy Levi, another version of him that you feel must be reserved just for you. You place small kisses on the top of his head in response, holding him closer into your chest as you do. There’s a heavy sigh from him, a telling one that sounds content. His warm hands slide under your shirt and up your back as he continues to hold on to you for dear life. Your blinks start to slow and suddenly you’re drifting off again.

You’re not certain how long you were out, but the next time your eyes open, the light trickling through the windows is brighter. Your arms still wrap around Levi, this time around his chest as you rested on your side and he on his back. An arm circles your waist, holding you close, with his hand sitting gently on your hip. You don’t know how you both moved so drastically, but you still appreciate it because now you can see Levi’s sleepy face.

His porcelain skin contrasts greatly with his tousled hair, miles away from his usual style and yet one of your favorites on him by far. Dark, long lashes sit on his soft cheeks and his pale-pink lips form into a small pout. He’s so at peace when he sleeps, leaving you wondering what he might be dreaming about. You hope it’s full of nothing but good things.

Slowly, you pull your hand up and trail your fingers down the side of Levi’s face, feeling the slight roughness of his stubble poking into your skin as they pass. His eyes don’t open but you can tell with the shift in his breathing, he’s waking up again.

You hook a finger around his chin and tug it down gently so that you can see his sleepy face better. Dark gray eyes open in slow blinks, staring into yours. Pulling his chin down more, you press your lips onto his, your movements slow and lazy and with little urgency. It sends tingles down your spine and into your toes – something you believe you won’t ever get used to.

When you pull away, Levi’s quick to place his hand on the side of your face to hold you still so that he can steal one more kiss. His fingers then tuck away rogue strands of your hair behind your ear before running his thumb across your bottom lip which is now pulled into a smile.

“How do you get more beautiful every time I see you?” He whispers down to you, voice husky from sleep.

You respond back with an eye roll and a shrug, but his words echo in your mind. You stare as his soft skin glows in the warm, morning sun. He’s one to talk, you think. Levi trills his lips as he exhales heavily, pulling you more into him with his arm.  

You take this opportunity to place your free arm around his stomach and rest your head against his warm chest, the steady rhythm of his heart reverberating through your skull. Leaning down, he places a gentle kiss on the top of your head. His lips linger against your scalp as he talks, coming muffled through your hair. It tickles.

“I suspect the idiots will be up soon if they aren’t already.”

As if on cue, you hear the faint clinking of metal out in the kitchen. Someone was up and working on getting breakfast ready. A sinking feeling comes with the realization that you would have to face your sister and Erwin about last night. You pull away slowly, sitting up so that both hands are free to sign then turning towards Levi. He shoots you a subtle pout at the absence of your body, and you don’t stop the soft laugh that escapes you.

‘What do we tell them?’

“We don’t have to tell them anything.” He sits up on his elbows and furrows his brows, a steely resolve deep seated in his gaze.

‘They’re going to ask questions.’

“You don’t have to answer anything.” He reiterates. “We can just go out there and ignore them.”

‘You know Hange, that won’t-‘ Levi reaches over with one hand and closes it over your moving fingers, making you stop. His hand then trails up your forearm before wrapping his fingers around it and pulling you down – making you collapse onto his bare chest. He then wraps his arms around you and holds you in a vice grip, despite your silent giggles and squirming.

“I’ll handle it. But let’s get you some pants, first.”

.

The moment you step out of the bedroom, the smell of cooked bacon hits you full force. Hange and Erwin are in the middle of talking as they stand by the stove, turning to look at your already flustered face at the sound of the door opening. You take a few steps out of Levi’s room and sheepishly wave at them. Erwin raises an eyebrow but Hange, on the other hand, drops the spatula they were loosely gripping. It falls into the pan of cooking meat, splattering oil everywhere.

“Whaaaaaat??!” Hange runs over to you with bugged eyes, leaving Erwin to clean up the oil splatter before it starts a fire. Their hands reach up and cup your cheeks, squishing your face in the process as they squeal more.

“I was wondering where you’ve been! Canoodling with Levi was not my first thought, I admit.” Your face begins to heat up more in embarrassment. You knew this was inevitable, but you were still not prepared in the slightest. Levi brushes past you and Hange towards the kitchen but Hange shoots a hand out and grabs him by the arm, their other hand still against your face.

“Oh no you don’t, we’re talking about this!”

“Let go of me, four-eyes.” Levi demands.  

“Hange, they just got up. Give them a moment.” You hear Erwin muse from behind your sister. You flash him a look of gratitude as Hange drops both hands and sets you and Levi free with a huff.

Erwin had outdone himself with the feast he prepared for everyone. Crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, and bouncy pancakes. But despite the delicious food, the palpable awkward silence and dense tension that followed was stronger. You ignore the burning stare aimed directly at the top of your head as you dug into your plate, knowing full well it was from Hange. The only noises that filled the space were the clattering of utensils and soft chewing of food.

It doesn’t go unnoticed how Levi chose to sit next to you this time, something he hadn’t done prior to this morning. You dare to look up for a second in his direction, catching his eye as he sips his morning tea. There’s a small smirk pulling up the corners of his mouth as he looks away and back to his breakfast.

“I can’t believe the festival is tonight. This trip has gone by so quickly, don’t you think?” Erwin pipes up after wiping his mouth carefully with a napkin.

“Did you both make up?” Hange blurts out.

“Hange, come on.” Erwin gives them an exasperated glare.

“I deserve to know. She was so upset yesterday and now she’s not and I need to make sure they’re okay!”

When you look back up to your sister, you can tell right away they are bursting at the seams. Eyes wide, face almost purple, and their fingers clenching their fork so tightly the knuckles turn white. Not much has been eaten off their plate, which shakes gently from their knee bouncing under the table. With a heavy sigh, you lean back in your chair and glance over to Levi. There’s a brief pause as he considers it, but then he nods ever so slightly.

“What do you want to know?” He grumbles, arms folded over his chest as he also leans back.

“Are you both on good terms now? Did you sleep together? How was it? Were you safe? You know, I have a whole bag of condoms in my bag if you need more!” Hange’s eyes bulge out of their face with every question, and you feel your face heat up more than it already was. You sink down in your seat further and hide your face behind both hands. Of course, Hange would go straight to those questions.

“Yes. Pass. None of your business. I do not need to know that and why do you even have that many?”

“Just in case! You never know.” Hange picks up their fork and shoves a bite of pancakes in their mouth before talking again, voice muffled. “You can’t answer the questions like that, Levi! Be serious.”

“I have nothing else to give you. It’s none of your business.” Levi shrugs as he goes for another sip of his tea.

“Fine, I’ll ask my sister. She can’t say no to me.” You feel something hit your shin under the table and you jump up with a squeak. Peeking through your fingers, you see them staring hard at you.

“Spill.”

Hange was right. You were bad at hiding things from your sister. Eventually you always relent. Like the time at the spa, or the day after the ball so many months ago. But this time, you find yourself not wanting to share. It was your memory to keep, and you didn’t want anyone else to know. Your fingers clenched into fists as you think about what you want to say, Hange’s stare burning holes in your face the whole time.

“Oi, would you leave my girlfriend alone and let her finish her breakfast first?” Levi sighs as he pokes his fork into the last of his eggs. Hange chokes on their water.

Your head whips in his direction at his words, but he’s staring out towards the ocean with his mouth moving slowly as he chews. Girlfriend. You and Levi didn’t discuss what last night meant for the relationship. After everything, you were sure there was more to you and him than just friends. But to say that term so brazenly… it gives you goosebumps.

“Gir-?!” Hange starts out but is then cut off by Erwin, thankfully.

“The weather looks like it will be nice all day, so we need to make sure we dress appropriately. Look at all of these activities. According to this article, the fireworks display is the best show on this side of the coast.”

Your eyes shift over to his blue gaze, which peeks above his phone that he was scrolling on. You mouth a thank you and he winks back before going back to the webpage he was reading off. You feel Levi’s hand reach over from under the table and squeeze your thigh gently, his attention still on the ocean.

Girlfriend.

You liked that.

.

After that morning, you had all gotten dressed and ready to celebrate what the town had been preparing for all week – the summer festival. It was like if you had taken the energy from the past few days and then combined them all into one night and multiplied that by ten. The streets were crowded all day and straight into the evening, only getting more intense as the night went on. Sometimes Hange and Erwin would break off from you two and you don’t know if it was intentional or not, but you were grateful for it regardless.

With everything so new, you weren’t sure how Levi felt about PDA outside of leading each other where to go, but as always, he answered that for you. He wasn’t shy about taking your hand and lacing his fingers in with yours. Nor did he hesitate to grab your waist and pull you into him while walking or waiting in line for something. It felt as if he wasn’t letting anything get in the way of what he wanted anymore.

As sunset approaches, you and Levi meet up with the rest of the group at the beach where people were preparing paper lanterns. According to Erwin, Liberio’s lantern release is one of the main attractions for their summer festival, right next to the fireworks show which took place about an hour after. You’ve never taken part in anything like this before, so you were very excited.

When you and Levi step up to the table that your sister and Erwin were standing around, you notice that they’re writing something on the sides of their lantern in black marker. You can’t make out what it says, so you tap your hyper focused sister on the shoulder to get their attention. They turn to you with bright eyes and an even brighter smile.

“There you are, my little strawberry! You better hurry up and get your lantern, it’s almost time.” They jerk their head backward towards the shoreline and you look over to see people standing with their lanterns lit as they chat away in wait.

‘What are you writing?’

“The locals say to write your wishes and dreams for the future. They say that once you release them, they fly into the sky and the gods above pluck them up and grant them when the time is right. Isn’t that fascinating?? And get this! I had to ask around but they’re biodegradable! A lot of people were a little offended that I asked, and I think it has to do with them really believing they got plucked out of the skies! How silly of them, but who am I to tell them otherwise.” Hange looks like they’re having one of the best days of their life and you just smile back. They reach over to ruffle your hair before going back to the paragraph they were writing on their lantern.

Looking over to Erwin, you notice he had written a singular line, but of course you can’t make it out. He stands tall, lantern in hands, as he stares out to the setting sun. His blue eyes trail over to you before smiling at you softly, the sea breeze blowing through his fine hair.

“This place is quite lovely, don’t you agree?” He asks.

Nodding back, you hum in agreement. Despite the intense moments, you can’t help but feel grateful for this trip and everything that accumulated to get you to where you are now. If it meant going through the anxieties of the unknowns to get here, you would do it all over again.

Levi says your name and when you turn in his direction, you notice he’s holding out a blank lantern. Golden hour is in full swing as it casts soft shadows on him, highlighting the sharp angles on face. There's a glint of something in his eyes as he watches you, though the rest of his expression gives nonchalance.

‘Thank you.’ You sign before taking the lantern and marker from his hands, your fingers lightly brushing against his as you do.

“Hm.” He picks up his own lantern from the table and scrawls something on it as he uses his hand to block you from seeing it. You force yourself not to pry though it killed you to not know what was on his mind. You figure he might tell you what he asked for later down the road. As for yours though, you write what you hoped wouldn’t be a one-time thing.

More days like this one, forever and ever. With the ones I love so dearly.

When you look up in satisfaction at your wish, you notice your friends staring back at you with what you can only assume is love in their own way. A sense of warmth lights through your veins like the sunshine on your face and you find yourself smiling so brightly that it scrunches your eyes and hurts your cheeks.

As Levi steps away from the table, he holds his hand out to you – his own version of a smile tugging on his lips as he waits for you. Fingers clasping over his as you secure your wishes in the other hand, you’re led down to the shoreline with everyone else.

You never saw it even as he released it above him, but if you did you would have seen that Levi’s lantern had one simple sentence. Something so full of conviction and confidence, written in neat letters so that if there were gods, they would be able to see it so easily and hopefully grant it without hesitation.

To spend the rest of my life with her.

That night, you didn’t fully intend to return to Levi’s room but as you passed by it on the way to your own, his arm had shot out and latched around your wrist to hold you there. He didn’t offer much in terms of words, but it was there in his metallic eyes. Unspoken.

Stay.

So, you did. And that night after, when you were all spent from your last day at the beach and Liberio as a whole, Levi didn’t even have to ask, nor did you have to look at him to know. You followed him like you always would as long as he wanted you to, right to his bed and straight into his arms.

.

Before you know it, you’re on the long flight back home with soft music flowing through your earbuds. You watch as the early morning clouds float by from down below, casting various shadows on the dark blue water of the ocean underneath. Your head sinks into the stuffed strawberry that sits sandwiched between you and the wall of the plane. Your hands, however, find themselves preoccupied in Levi’s fingers. Levi is half-asleep with his head resting against your shoulder, his warm breath tickling the skin that is exposed from your tank top.

You always assumed he didn’t sleep much, so to see him pass out so easily as he held onto you was a welcome surprise. In the past few days, Levi’s energy had shifted. It was different and you couldn’t explain how, but it was there albeit subtle. Those prominent dark circles under his eyes were still there, but they didn’t cut into his skin like they used to. And his ever-present scowl rarely made an appearance, at least from what you saw.

Erwin and Hange saw it too. They didn’t say anything, but you could tell Hange was just begging to say something to Levi.

“When are you two getting married?” Your sister had joked to you while you were both waiting in the security line at the airport.

At that time, you rolled your eyes at it. It’s not like it wasn’t on your mind, since they were the ones that brought it up in the first place. But now, it felt so real. There was an actual chance for it.

To be honest, you never gave much thought to settling down with someone. The language barrier proved difficult for the very few suitors you’ve had in your life, and they were always gone before you knew what happened. So, the prospect of marriage wasn’t something you thought to worry about.

Then Levi came back into your life.

Levi cared for you in ways that no one else did. Levi was patient and put in the work for you instead of adapting to what was. You never had to ask with him – he just knew. And as always, he made everything easy.

Without looking over, you gently squeeze his hand a few times. A few seconds pass and you think he might be in a deeper sleep than you thought, but eventually his fingers reciprocate with the same pressure and your smile reflects back at you from the window.

Even though Levi had promised he wouldn’t leave, you still hope that whatever life had in store for you that he would indeed be a part of it for as long as you lived.

.

About a week had gone by since the small plane touched back down into Jinae’s local airport. Hange hit the ground running, staying at the lab late at night to catch up on what they missed. Erwin and Levi were quick to get the café back up and it was surprisingly busy – a lot of regulars equally worried and interested to hear about where they’d been for the last week. And whenever Levi wasn’t at work, he was with you.

 While making dinner together at your apartment one night, Levi threw out the suggestion of going to see his mom with him sometime over the weekend. You hadn’t seen her since before you both had left for Liberio, so you were eager to accept the offer. Whether it was your quick response to going or the genuine smile that graced your soft lips as you were signing away about how excited you were to see her again, Levi found himself pulling you away from the lettuce you were chopping and into his arms before kissing you so deeply that you saw stars.  

You never knew, but Levi’s brain clicked, and a decision was made right then and there.

When Saturday comes around, Levi swings by the apartment to pick you up that afternoon. You had offered to drive but he was quick to decline and that was that. You won’t complain though, you liked watching him from the passenger seat. The way his bottom lip would jut out in focus, how his eyes would flicker between each mirror every once in a while. His hand resting against your thigh and squeezing it gently.

After pulling into a space at the front of Riverside, Levi puts the car in park and glances over to you. In both hands, you hold a large bouquet of flowers that you had picked out specifically for Kuchel. Giving them a big sniff, you gaze over to Levi with a smile.

“She’s going to love them.” He says as he reaches over to touch your face softly. You don’t hesitate to lean into his warmth. “Ready?”

You nod before unbuckling yourself and sliding out of the passenger seat. Levi does the same and makes his way to your side, his fingers finding your hand as he locks the car with a few clicks of the key fob. His thumb rubs against the side of your palm while he leads you through the wide doors and into the facility.

According to the staff, it was a really good day for Kuchel. A fleeting thought of what a bad day might look like flashes through your mind, but you’re quick to shake it aside. Levi guides you down a couple of different cozy hallways that lead to the side of the building that held the patient’s living suites.

Like the hallways that led to the outside courtyard, the ones you walk down are just the same. Various acrylic paintings pass by in colorful blurs as your hands fidget with the plastic that holds the bouquet together. Even before Levi had warned you that his mom might have trouble remembering you, anxiety gnawed at you. The need to be liked by someone so important to Levi was ever present. He glances over to you at the crinkling of plastic and squeezes your hand a few times in reassurance.

Eventually, Levi stops in front of a white door with a hanging sign decorated with various colorful flowers and a cursive letter A in the middle. He knocks gently and through the heavy wood, you hear a muffled ‘Come in!’

When he opens the door, your mouth opens slightly in surprise.

Kuchel’s room looked as if it was taken out of a Victorian cottage catalog. For a moment, you forget that you’re in a medical facility as you take a few steps into the room – Levi closing the door behind the two of you once past the door frame.

First, you notice the soft bed on the right side of the room, fitted with tan sheets adorned with floral patterns. There are a few decorative pillows propped up against the backboard. Along the walls are sketches of people that are too small to make out, but from what you can see they are drawn beautifully well. The window in the far back is wide open, letting in the afternoon summer breeze that makes the sage green curtains dance on each side. A dresser sits under the sill that houses a couple bottles of what you think might be perfume and a few glass trinkets.

Then your eyes drift over a pale woman in the corner of the room.

Kuchel is sitting in a plush lounge chair with her feet up on an ottoman, a charcoal pencil between fingers and she’s sketching away on a pad. Her dark eyes snap up from her paper as you walk in, greeting you both with a big smile. Carefully, she places her things on the table next to her and pushes herself up from the chair, the leather squeaking at the shift in weight.  

“My little Levi.” She sighs happily.

“You don’t need to get up.” Levi scolds as he walks over to help her. She’s frailer than you remember her being, but her eyes and smile remain the same – bright and full of life. She wraps her arms around Levi and holds him close as she mumbles how it’s been a while since he last came to visit. He pulls away and gives her a smile, but there’s sadness in his eyes. You know that she was the first stop for him when he got home about a week ago.

“I’ve heard you’ve been drawing again.” He says, craning his neck to the sketch she was working on. An eyebrow raises at it and then his gaze flickers over to you.

“Mom, I don’t know if you remember…” He holds his hand out for you to take as he calls your name.

Kuchel turns her attention to you now, and at first, you’re wondering if you would need to reintroduce yourself but there’s a small flash of recognition in the same eyes she shared with Levi. She studies your face as well as your hand that holds onto her son’s. After a moment of thinking, your name finally comes tumbling out of her mouth in a question as she makes her way over to you. She wraps her arms around you in a tight hug, squishing the bouquet you had brought in the process.  

“Oh wow, look how much you’ve grown. I haven’t seen you since you were just a little thing.” She says softly. You hug her back carefully, aware of how much smaller her frame is to yours. Her hugs are so good you want to cry again, but you hold them back and instead relish in her warm embrace before pulling away with your own beaming smile. Levi reaches over to take the flowers from you, a handful of petals falling to the vinyl flooring as he does and sets it on Kuchel’s nightstand.

‘It’s nice to see you again.’ You sign, Levi interpreting for you as you go.

“Oh, are you deaf honey?” She watches you with intrigue. You shake your head no.

“She’s mute, but she can hear you just fine.” Levi pipes up softly. He looks to you as if to apologize but you smile back in reassurance. There was nothing to apologize for.

“Oh dear me. What happened?” She places a soft hand over yours before leading you to one of the chairs next to the one she got out of just moments before. Her eyebrows furrow at you in concern, the same way Levi’s does – it makes you laugh.

“I don’t think we should take up this whole visit with such a long story.” Levi suggests, shooting you a nervous glance again. You wouldn’t mind explaining the situation at some point but truthfully, you didn’t have the energy to dive into it right now. Especially when there’s only so much time to be with Kuchel and you would rather shift the attention something more pleasant. Levi picks up on this.

“What have you been working on lately?” He points to the piece of paper that Kuchel was currently sketching on, and she starts talking animatedly about her newest project.

The visit with Kuchel goes well into the early evening. The time was spent talking about Levi when he was younger, which surprised you a lot, but you remembered him mentioning how people with dementia can have a harder time recalling recent memories compared to older ones. Levi, of course, was not thrilled to be the topic of conversation but he didn’t fight it.

From her anecdotes, you learned that the moment they moved to Jinae, Levi had done everything he could to help supplement their income so that his mom didn’t have to work as much as she used to. That meant doing odd jobs here and there – working late into the night sometimes and at such a young age. It makes you sad to think of such a young Levi losing parts of his childhood to survive. But you get the sense that Levi would do it all over again if it meant being where they are today. Despite the struggles, they did what they could - together.

You were having such a wonderful time getting to know more of Levi’s past as well as Kuchel’s life that you barely register him squeezing your hand to get your attention.

“We need to get going soon. It’s almost time for mom’s dinner and we have one more stop to make.” Levi says gently, pursing his lips. He wasn’t ready to leave either. Squeezing back, you nod to Levi and stand up slowly from your chair. You offer Kuchel a small smile and lean down to hug her again so that she doesn’t have to get up.

“Go ahead, I’ll be right behind you. There’s something I need to talk to my mom about.” Levi says, nudging his head to the door behind him. Nodding in understanding, you then reach up to touch his face gently before turning on your heel and starting for the door.

“Wait, dear. Take this with you.” Kuchel calls out to you. She goes over to the wall closest to her and pulls down a sketch. She considers it for a moment then stretches it out for you to take.

When you grab it from her fingers, your eyes widen at the different sketches that filled out the paper. There are a few drawings of flowers growing out of empty space, some with little bees or butterflies hovering from above. There’s one of what you assume is a teenage Levi as he straddles a motorcycle, a scowl shooting straight through you. Finally, there’s a smaller sketch of three kids sitting on a porch step as they eat ice pops together. Levi, you, and your brother.

How wonderful of an artist Kuchel is, you think. The lines are crisp and so full of detail, you can easily feel yourself transported back to when these memories were made. You don’t remember much about your brother, but you feel like that day was a good one. A feeling of warmth travels through your body as a blast of blind nostalgia hits you. You told yourself you weren’t going to cry but you already feel the heat in your eyes as they threatened to make an appearance.

Instead of saying anything, you throw your arms around Kuchel, almost knocking her over in the process. She laughs softly as she holds onto you as tight as she can, her hand rubbing circles on your back affectionately.

“I’m so glad you found us again.” She whispers as she pulls away from you. Her eyes sparkle as she looks up at you, smiling so much so that her eyes crinkle in the corners. “Don’t be a stranger.”

With that, you squeeze her in one more hug. Pulling away, you mouth an ‘okay’ with a toothy grin before turning on your heels and out the door, closing it with a click behind you.

“Something on your mind, Levi?” Kuchel turns her focus on her son who hasn’t moved an inch from his seat. Levi props his elbows on his knees and folds his fingers together to rest his chin on it.

“Mom, what do you think about her?”

“Well, I’m not the best person to ask about that.” She chuckles as she leans back into her soft recliner.

“I know, but-“ Levi’s leg starts to shake with anxiety.

“I think she’s lovely. She’s grown into quite the woman, reminds me a lot of her mom. From what I can remember, you know.” Kuchel teases. “Why do you ask?”

Levi’s fingers unlink from each other, and he starts to fidget with the fabric of his jeans as he looks away shyly.

“Mom. I’m going to marry her.” Levi whispers quietly.

“Oh honey, I know.”

“You know?” Levi glances back up to his mom incredulously.

“Yes. I’ve known since you were both kids. I’m pretty sure she even exclaimed at one point that she was going to marry you when she was old enough, to which you scoffed. It was very adorable.”

“Mom, I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or surprised that you remember something like that. It’s just something kids say.”

“The way you look at each other now is the same way you did before. Stars in your eyes, like nothing else mattered.” Sitting up, she reaches over and places her palm over Levi’s busy fingers. “Do me a favor. Go to my nightstand and grab that blue box inside the drawer.”

As always, Levi does what he’s told and makes his way to the wooden nightstand by her bed. He expects something decently sized but instead, he is met with a small pale blue box. A ring box. He picks it up carefully and turns it around to his mom with it pinched between two fingers, leaning back so that the drawer closes behind him.

“What’s this, Ma?” Levi asks as he brings it over to his mom’s awaiting hand.

Kuchel pops it open and turns it to Levi. It’s something he’s seen once, many years ago; A bridal set, one that was passed down from her mom. In the middle of a gold band sits a dainty oval ruby surrounded in “vines” that are beset by smaller diamonds in the shape of leaves. An engagement ring and wedding band – fitting together perfectly. Kuchel had shown Levi the set when he was really young, but she never wore them – which he suspects was to keep it safe from his father’s clutches. The gemstones sparkle brightly off the sunset that floods through her window.

“Mom…”

“Now listen here. I won’t be around forever – don’t look at me like that. I want you to have this now. I’m not saying to get married right away or even propose, but it would make me feel better if I knew you had this for when the time comes. And I trust you way more than I do Kenny.” With a snap, she closes the lid and shoves it in Levi’s direction.

He takes it reluctantly, not really sure what else to say. The thought dawns on him that his mom might not be around for his wedding day whether it be mentally or physically, and an ache shoots through his chest. But just like him, his mom’s decision was made. And there was no going back.

“Okay, mom.” He says back finally, closing his fingers around it tightly before standing up to slide it in his jean pockets.

“Don’t disappear on her again.” Kuchel stands up as well and places both of her cold, delicate hands on each side of Levi’s face as she stares hard at her son. “Promise me.”

Cupping his own hands over hers, he nods back as he says, “I promise.”

“Ms. Ackerman? It’s time for dinner.” A voice rings out from a staff member that stands in the open doorway of her room. It seems they have come to collect Kuchel to take her to the dining hall. 

“Yes, one moment.” Kuchel wraps her arms around Levi once more and holds him close for a moment before letting go. “I’ll see you soon?”

“Of course Ma, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He says quietly then leans over to kiss her warm cheek.

“Can you get her a vase for those flowers, please?” Levi asks as he steps towards the staff member currently blocking his path.

“I’ll see to it, Mr. Ackerman.” They bow slightly and move aside.

As he brushes past, he sees you leaning against the wall as you scroll through your phone with his mother’s drawing pinched between tight fingers in the other hand. The golden rays from the sunset reflect off the white building and through the windows, sheathing you in a shower of sunlight like a spotlight. You are blissfully unaware of how breathtaking you are to him.

“Are you ready to go?” Levi asks, startling you from the video you were silently laughing at. You lock your phone and slide it into your back pocket before stretching a hand out to him to take. Your smile never fades as he laces his fingers through yours without hesitation and leads you out of Riverside Assisted Living, mumbling about where he would like to go for the evening.

.

That night, Levi surprises you with a picnic date.

By the time Levi pulls into his apartment, the sun is all but gone – leaving indigo and navy blues behind it. He told you that he wouldn’t be long and to stay in the running car. A few minutes go by until you see him again, bounding down the steps with a large blanket roll in one arm and a picnic basket in the other. As the overhead lights pop on while he opens the back door to unload what was in his arms, he shoots you a small smile. Then he holds something small out to you.

“Will you hold this for me?”

You hold your palm out for him, and he places a small box in the middle of it. It’s black with mesh wire on each side and a few little buttons on the top. It’s a bluetooth speaker, you surmise. When Levi hops back into the driver’s side, you raise an eyebrow at him.

 “I figured you wouldn’t want to eat dinner in silence.” He says as he reverses out of the parking spot then heads for the main road.

It doesn’t take very long to get to Jinae’s downtown – just minutes away from their café. But instead of turning down the street that would lead to it, he keeps driving until he gets to the park that once held the Sakura Festival so many months ago. The trees are all but green now, not even a small trace of pink hanging from the branches.

After parking in a small lot provided for park goers, Levi takes your hand and leads you down the subtle hill towards the bank of the river. It’s a lovely evening where the air is just warm enough with a light breeze. Fireflies start to flicker in and out of the whole park, illuminating whatever happened to be near it in a warm, yellow glow. And the only noises you hear are distant crickets and frogs coming from the river – which flows so gently that it doesn’t even look like it’s moving. The city lights reflect off the water like its glass.

There aren’t that many people out tonight as well, which is surprising given the time of year. But what surprises you even more is the one single tree lit up with a string of lights that encircle the trunk and up into the branches above. There’s nothing else next to it but you know it was meant for you.

This was the same tree you and Levi sat under while you waited for your friends at the festival back in April. Where the urge to kiss him was burning through your whole body. Where you felt your feelings for him concrete themselves into your mind.

Levi hands you the basket before letting go of your hand to roll the blanket out under the tree. In mere moments, his shoes are removed and placed neatly in the grass. He beckons you to join him as he stands in the middle of the blanket, the soft glow of the tree lighting up his face.

Kicking off your own shoes, you then step over to Levi with the basket dangling in your fingers. As he reaches over to take it back from you, he takes a step forward to plant a gentle kiss on your lips – one that lingers even when he pulls away.

“Is this okay?” he asks. At first, you think he’s referring to the kiss, but you realize his eyes are bouncing around you. There’s a subtle hint of anxiety in his gaze that wouldn’t be detectable by most people.

‘This is perfect.’ You reassure.

Despite how small the basket looked from the outside, you find out quickly that it held more than you thought. Once you and Levi settle down, he starts to unpack a myriad of items, mostly all food related. A plate with what looks like chicken salad sandwiches comes out first, all cut into small triangles. Then comes a small bowl of chopped up melon, a bag of chips, and a tall bottle of amber liquid – apple juice, Levi assured you. Finally comes out a small pillow that you recognize from Erwin’s couch. You can’t help but laugh as you sit up straight to get a better look at everything.

“What?” Levi asks with a frown.

‘It’s nothing. When did you prepare all of this?’ You inquire before picking up the chips to inspect what kind they were.

“Earlier this morning.”

You look up to see Levi eyeing you warily. Behind that façade of nonchalance, you see a very anxious man waiting for what you thought about all of this. You never took Levi to be the type to care about what other people thought, which means he really cared about what you had to say.

‘This is fantastic. Thank you for putting in all the effort.’ You lean over to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek. With a light blush, he hums back in response as he looks away to fiddle with something on his phone – at a glance, it looks like a music app. That reminds you about the speaker you had shoved into your bag before leaving the car, so you reach in and pluck it out. Levi takes it from your hand and a moment later, soft rock plays through each side of the box. Despite the small build, it sure is mighty in sound.

“There. Hungry?”

‘Starving.’

As Levi watches you nibble on your last piece of melon, he can’t help but think how perfect you are to him. Vulnerability wasn’t something that came easy to him but when you walked into his café and back into his life, it was like a scab that had been reopened. As uncomfortable as it was, he found the rawness that came with it very refreshing. What would it mean to stay by your side forever, he wonders. To wake up next to you for the rest of his life.

These thoughts raced through his mind earlier as he packed the basket and you waited in the car. The ring box burnt a hole in his pocket as he stood by his desk contemplating his choices. Tonight would be a perfect time to propose to you but still, something held him back. This was new to not only him, but you as well. Were you ready for something so life-altering? Was this even something you wanted? These were not topics that are generally brought up in casual conversation after only a week of officially dating.

No, he would know when it was time. For now, he was content with what he had, and he would wait for as long as you needed him to.

“Are you happy?” Levi leans back on a hand as he looks over to you.

You glance over to him in surprise at the question. Just as quickly, it dissolves into a big smile that lights up your eyes. Popping the rest of the fruit in your mouth, you sit up so you can sign easily.

‘I am. Are you?’

“I guess. It’s nice here.” He smirks at you, remembering that this is what he said to that same question months ago. “With you.” But he never got to say that to you then.

“You told me a while ago that words were not always needed to convey intent.”

‘I did, yes.’ Your face scrunches in confusion at the sudden statement.

Levi sits up before reaching into the basket with his left hand. For a moment you think he’s about to bring out dessert of some kind but instead he takes out a small paper bag, no bigger than three inches in width. He turns it upside down above his palm and out comes a gold chain necklace. A small cherry blossom pendant dangles off the side of his hand, glinting in the lights next to you. You scramble up on all fours as you inch closer to get a good look at it, knowing full well what it was.

“At first, this was bought as an apology. But now, I think this was also my way of saying that I love you, without me realizing it.” Levi mutters softly. Your wide eyes flicker from the pendant over to Levi’s face, lips parted in amazement. The necklace looks as if it was never broken, much less worn with the fresh polish it had received.

Before leaving Liberio, Levi had snuck away to a jeweler in town to see what they could do to fix it. In terms of damage, fortunately it was minimal. ‘For something so delicate, it sure is hardy.’ the jeweler had told Levi as they inspected it. He knew the jeweler was talking about the chain, but his mind drifted to you instead.

‘You fixed it for me.’

“It was important to you. I couldn’t leave it behind.” Levi gets up on his knees and scoots so that he’s behind you. Gingerly, he loops the chain around your neck and a few seconds later, it’s locked tight. You pinch the small metal pendant in between two fingers as you sigh in relief at the familiar weight hanging on your neck once again.

‘Thank you, Levi.’

You turn to face Levi and throw your arms around his neck as you lean in to kiss him. He startles at the abrupt movement but is quick to reciprocate as he places both hands on your waist and pulls you closer into him. He can feel you smiling into the kiss as it deepens.

As you both break apart, breathing heavily from the lack of air, you don’t lose your smile. Your hands raise to cup Levi’s face, your thumbs stroking his cheeks as you stare into those slate gray eyes of his that you loved so much.

“I don’t really have much else planned for tonight, so I can take you home-” You’re quick to cut him off with a shake of your head, much to Levi’s relief. He wasn’t ready to let you go either.

“Okay.” Levi muses. “We can stay here until you’re ready.”

The night carries on as you both lie on your backs, Levi holding you close in one arm. At some point, he started humming along to some of the songs that flowed through the speakers. The fireflies had gone to bed soon after. With your head resting on Levi’s chest, the gentle beating of his heart threatens to lull you into sleep.

As sure as the twinkling stars drift above, Levi Ackerman loves you.

And oh, how you love Levi Ackerman back.

☆ Taglist ➼ @averysmolbear @humanitys-strongest-bamf @youre-ackermine @spaghettiyarns @notgoodforlife @roseofdarknessblog @missamity @icansmellsouls @dkbktk420 @romantichomicide95 @janey-stempy @sckerman @secretmoneybearvoid @sujiroses @jadam724 @e-riellaaa @kamyru @highgoon69 @kingkonoha @nube55 @missyasma @svftackerman @velouria17

If you'd like to be a part of my taglist to be notified for not only the rest of this fic but for my other writings, please go here!

☾ Previous Chapter: June Part 4

☾ Next Chapter: TBA

[librarycard]

brb flying into the sun

[waddingham]

god just. rebecca seeing rupert plain. NO lens of still loving him, still hating him, wanting revenge on him. not seeing a man she used to love, not seeing an ex-husband, someone who hurt her, or a even rival football club for a moment. finally Just seeing a lying, cheating, fickle man who will never change his ways. and saying his daughter deserves better and his wife deserves better and finally seeing by extension that SHE deserved way better too. god. brb im gonna go fly into the sun

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Seventh Seal

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.

Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, and rumblings, and flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

And the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.

Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters.

Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.

And as I observed, I heard an eagle flying overhead, calling in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the remaining three angels!” — Revelation 8 | The Reader's Bible (BRB) The Reader’s Bible © 2020 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. All rights Reserved. Cross References: Exodus 7:17; Exodus 9:23; Exodus 10:21; Exodus 19:16; Exodus 30:1; Exodus 30:3; Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 7:62; Psalm 141:1; Isaiah 2:16; Isaiah 13:10; Isaiah 14:12; Isaiah 28:2; Jeremiah 9:15; Jeremiah 23:25; Jeremiah 51:25; Ezekiel 2:10; Ezekiel 32:7; Zechariah 4:10; Zechariah 13:8-9; Matthew 18:10; Matthew 26:17; Matthew 27:66; Revelation 3:10; Revelation 5:1; Revelation 6:13

[writernopal]

Happy STS! What are your favorite scenes from your WIPs? (and if you would like share some lines <3)

Happy belated STS, Anna!

I'll list the scenes in no particular order and share a few lines for the AASOAF 3 ones if I can. I'm putting this under a cut as well, there is some gore in one of the passages just as an FYI!

AASOAF

Axtapor getting high with Kirik in AASOAF 1 (and the hallucination that follows).

I took another few puffs and watched him produce a small box. He flicked it open with a single finger, then fixed his gaze on me. His eyes glittered, much like a boy’s witnessing something obscene between man and woman for the first time. What was in that box that got him so worked up? With a single claw, he scooped a bright yellow powder from it and then promptly snorted it. His eyes spun wildly, and his tongue flicked out over and over again to taste the air. He quickly pulled the nozzle from my hand, shoved the little box into my other, then drew a long, even puff to produce a bright green cloud of smoke from his mouth. It sank in the air like jam sliding down a glass window pane.

Axtapor and Mariel making The Plan in AASOAF 1.

The pipe lighting scene between Axtapor and Mariel in AASOAF 1.

Grandma Oxlo's heist in AASOAF 2 and subsequent boyfriend reveal lol.

She smiled at him, a gesture he easily returned as a look of deep care, and longing formed itself on his face. I had to blink a few times to make sure I wasn’t just seeing things. Why was he looking at her that way?! And why was she looking at him that way?! What was this?!  She turned her attention back to me with her more familiar look of satisfaction. “Don’t look so dumbfounded, hatchling. You are not the only man with whom I exchange letters with regularly. And you stopped writing. I needed someone else to occupy my time with.”

Fay and Wilkes screaming match aboard the Mirage from AASOAF 2. It was just so much fun to write!

The entire chapter "7 Sun's Dawn" from AASOAF 2. (brb sobbing!)

The Dero scene from AASOAF 2.

The ending scene of AASOAF 2.

Mariel's vision at the start of AASOAF 3.

Anytime Fay kills someone in AASOAF 3. Lines:

I caught a look at his face, his eyes now red with panic—the color of love. He thrashed. I bore down and put my lips to his, my form growing to accommodate his splitting one. He screamed, or tried to, as my arms sunk into his chest. They slipped right down to the bone, so easy, as if they were meant to be close to his heart. But they needed to be closer. Closer, yes so much closer. So I pressed down until fragments and meat scrapped my palms and his life gushed around my fingers, warm and soft.  All fell quiet. I sighed. I wept. I feasted. 

Axtapor's fight with Oleander in AASOAF 3. Lines:

My body went cold and my feet weighed heavier than anchors. They suddenly stopped and the soft sound of my dagger leaving its sheath shivered about my ears. I found a step, then another. A flash red danced across my vision. I followed, but too slowly. A burst of pain sliced across my right arm and a fist connected with the left side of my snout. My talons scrambled across the ground as the blow sent me back and into a mirror. It trembled and cracked as I ducked away from a clawed hand flying at me.  It was in the shower of the looking glass, that my assailant swore and I finally recognized him—Oleander.

When Mariel lays down the law in AASOAF 3. Lines:

“Then make your choice.” Mother Frere replied, her tone now harsh and her eyes full of tears, “Or will you turn your back on me?” They looked at her in disbelief. “The fate of Oepus depends on what I saw, isn’t that what you said? Her fate too…and you won’t fight for it?”

The big naval battle in AASOAF 3.

Whenever The Trifecta (Mariel, Fay and Magdalene) are on the page together in AASOAF 3.

"Trouble is, these are infested waters. Most who go, don’t come back.” “Most?” I asked. “None, really.” She clarified. “Except for one.” “Who?” A smile I could only describe as condescending crept over her features. “Me. And, well those are my seas now anyhow. I’d have to let you through them.” “What?” “[REDACTED]” The Everwatcher said. “thou hast unseated him?” Fay let the look on her face do the talking. “Allyship with the wicked thou must not entertain.” She said, turning to me now.

[airasilver]

I am loving and laughing at alot of these theories. There are like only two I had heard before so I’m liking learning new fan theories.

Reddit user u/froggysayshello asked, "Movie buffs of Reddit, what is your favorite fan theory for any well-loved and popular movie?" and people had A LOT to say.

Closeup of Nicole Kidman

AMC Theaters / Via youtube.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Here are the best replies:

1. "In Lord of the Rings, Frodo doesn't know Legolas's name. He never once says it. In the end scene where everyone runs in to see Frodo in the hospital, Frodo yells out everyone's name in excitement as they come in...except for Legolas, who he just stares at smiling. Then Gimli walks in, and Frodo's back to it yelling, 'Gimli!'"

Closeup of Frodo

©Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

—Grouchy_Cat8054

2. "Napoleon Dynamite is what poor people are like in the Wes Anderson universe."

Napoleon Dynamite sitting on a couch

Fox Searchlight / ©Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection

—natelopez53

ADVERTISEMENT

Hot Topic

Obsessed with all things Disney? Join our fan community where you'll find hot topic discussions, quizzes, movie news, and more!

See our Disney Discussions

3. "In the 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo, the gang was able to smuggle Scooby onto the plane because they’re in an alternate time line where the TSA was never invented because 9/11 never happened."

Closeup of Scooby-Doo

Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

—sometimes-i-say-stuf

4. "Sandy Olsson dies on the beach at the beginning of Grease, and Danny is her guide to the afterlife. As she is dying, she is imagining the senior year she never got to have at Rydell High and how her relationship with Danny would have played out. It ends on the last day when Danny takes her into the afterlife via the flying car."

Closeup of Sandy in &quot;Grease&quot;

Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

—DrHowardCooperman

ADVERTISEMENT

5. "Shrek didn't actually have a name, so he made one up on the spot when Donkey asked him."

Screenshot from &quot;Shrek&quot;

Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

—I_might_be_weasel

6. "Wall-E killed all the other Wall-Es in the city for spare parts."

Screenshot from &quot;Wall-E&quot;

Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

—giantvoice

"I thought that the other robots were too dirty, so they couldn't charge using the solar panels. Therefore, Wall-E used them for spare parts?"

—MettatonNeo1

"So they were 'asleep,' and he harvested their 'organs' like a psychopath instead of cleaning their solar panels. Diabolical!"

—SierraSeaWitch

ADVERTISEMENT

7. "Palpatine used Padme’s life force to keep Vader alive, and that’s why she dies — not from sadness."

Closeup of Palpatine

© 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. / courtesy Everett Collection

—chesterforbes

8. "The Machines are the good guys in The Matrix. If you watch The Animatrix, you see that the Machines tried to be democratic members of society, but the humans wouldn't let them so they created their own country. The humans then wage war against that nation. The Machines at any time could make the planet unlivable for humans, but they never do."

Screenshot from &quot;The Matrix Resurrections&quot;

© Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

"The humans actually have the bright idea to block out the sun because the Machines are primarily solar powered. The Machines convert to nuclear and win the war against humans. THEN they start plugging humans into the Matrix, an inferior source of energy to nuclear. I believe the Machines put the humans in there to keep them safe from the hellscape they created.

They never truly eradicate the humans that have escaped the Matrix, just keep them powerless enough to protect themselves. The Machines even ally with the humans against Agent Smith — an alliance the Machines readily accept because they always wanted to get along with humans. They call off the attack on Zion, thereby ending the cycle of destruction and rebuilding. They have no reason to honor Neo's terms after he dies, but they do because they wanted peace all along."

—NucularRobit

ADVERTISEMENT

9. "Bill didn’t die at the end of Kill Bill. Both he and Beatrix knew that the five point palm exploding heart technique was fake. Using it on him was Beatrix’s way of saying 'if you play along and play dead, I’ll just take my daughter and go.'"

Closeup of Bill in &quot;Kill Bill&quot;

Miramax / ©Miramax/Courtesy Everett Collection

—Rhodie114

"Which is why she's crying in the bathroom saying 'thank you' afterwards. Also, during the credits when the names are being crossed off, Bill's name isn't crossed off."

—EMI326

ADVERTISEMENT

10. "Peter Dinklage plays the same character in both Death at a Funeral movies. He's a conman who tried the same scheme on two separate families."

Screenshot from &quot;Death at a Funeral&quot;

Screen Gems / ©Screen Gems/Courtesy Everett Collection

—AverageJoeDynamo

11. "Glinda is the actual villain of The Wizard of Oz. She knew the whole time that Dorothy could go back home. But after Dorothy defeated one of her rivals (the Wicked Witch of the East), she sent Dorothy off to defeat her other two rivals (the Wizard and the Wicked Witch of the West). By the time Dorothy leaves Oz, Glinda is the only powerful ruler left."

Screenshot from &quot;The Wizard of Oz&quot;

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

—mercfan3

ADVERTISEMENT

12. "Heavyweights is a prequel to Dodgeball. Tony Perkis = White Goodman."

Screenshot from &quot;Dodgeball&quot;

20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

—drunkpilot2

13. "The Terminator wasn't the first pass through the timeline, and John Connor deliberately chose his own father to give himself a better chance."

Screenshot from &quot;The Terminator&quot;

Orion Pictures Corp / ©Orion Pictures Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection

—Astramancer_

ADVERTISEMENT

14. "George McFly figured out Marty is his son in Back to the Future. Marty calls him dad a couple of times, the Van Halen tape he uses to 'torture' George is probably something that Marty listens to often (so adult George notices the similarities), and Marty is oddly specific about the rug accident at the dance. Plus, that look George gives Marty at the end of the first movie seemed like it said 'thanks for helping me, son; I love you, enjoy your new ride.'"

Screenshot from &quot;Back to the Future&quot;

©Universal Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection

—JimGitara

"George HAS to eventually realize that his son looks exactly like that random dude who appeared out of nowhere when he was a teenager, then disappeared after basically helping him get his life together. So, he must know it's either time travel, or he's spent a lifetime constantly asking himself 'did my wife cheat on me with that random guy from high school?'"

—Honestnt

15. "Genie from Aladdin was secretly saving Aladdin's wishes for himself so he could try to gain his freedom."

Aladdin and Genie

© Buena Vista Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

"Wish 1: Aladdin says 'Genie, make me a prince.' It's later revealed he is not a real prince.

Wish 2: Genie wiggles Aladdin's lips and pretends he's telling Genie to save his life."

—AVX-768

ADVERTISEMENT

16. "All the main characters in Ghostbusters died at the end of the first movie when they crossed the streams. The sequel takes place in purgatory as each character works through their own personal issues."

Screenshot from &quot;Ghostbusters&quot;

Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

—lukin187250

17. "The movie Batman & Robin was actually an in-universe movie made by people living in Gotham City."

Closeup of Batman

© Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection

—Mr--Imp

ADVERTISEMENT

18. "The Mad Max movies all tell the same story. Max is a mythological figure in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, who in reality was maybe once a cop or something similar as society was breaking down. However, as younger generations lose more and more of a connection to society pre-collapse, subsequent generational retellings of the story have verged away more wildly from the truth."

Mel Gibson in &quot;Mad Max&quot;

Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

"The bones of the story are that he is a man stricken by grief who adopts a small community in need and fights off a gang of vehicular maniacs but does not remain with them in the end."

—WhapXI

19. "Snowpiercer is a sequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

Closeup of Willy Wonka

Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

—Fluid-Ideal-7438

ADVERTISEMENT

20. "Chris Pratt’s character in Jurassic World is the little kid from the original Jurassic Park who said raptors are just big birds."

Screenshot from &quot;Jurassic World&quot;

© Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

—littlebigfat_

21. "Dominic Toretto was put into a coma at the end of The Fast and the Furious when he flipped his car, and everything that’s happened since has been his coma dream. At the end of the final movie, he'll wake with Mia, Letty, Vince, and Leo (sorry, Jesse really is dead) and a CGI Brian around his hospital bed as “See You Again” starts playing."

Closeup of Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto

© Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

—Dancingedleslie

ADVERTISEMENT

22. "Se7en is set in pre-Batman Gotham."

Closeup of the Joker

Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

—hkiani

"David Mills is driven mad by the entire ordeal and eventually becomes the Joker. As a former detective himself, David becomes obsessed with the Batman, and the rest is history."

—Honestnt

23. "Yoda speaks the way he does because he's so old that the rules of modern grammar are different from when he was younger. Correct way to speak in his day, this was."

Yoda and Kenobi

© 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / courtesy Everett Collection

—SexyNeanderthal

ADVERTISEMENT

24. "Remy in Ratatouille goes through a secular version of baptism. When he falls from the skylight and into the kitchen, he lands in a sink full of dishwater. The cleansing water purifies him — washes away his old country rat self — and prepares him for his new role working in a professional kitchen. He goes into the water a rat, but he emerges a chef."

Closeup of Remy

Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

—Jameseatscheese

H/T r/AskReddit

Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Movie buffs, I want to hear your favorite fan theories. Drop them in the comments below! 🎥🎞️🤔

[aunt-grandma]

What I Listened to in March 2024

1. flounder—quinnie

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: better

• Least favorite song: popcorn & juice

2. Underdressed at the Symphony—Faye Webster

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite Song: Wanna Quit All the Time

• Least favorite song: He Loves Me Yeah!

3. Endurance—Josiah and the Bonnevilles

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Kentucky Flood

• Least favorite song: Basic Channels

4. If I Don’t Come Home (Go To My House And Burn My Things)—The Halfway Kid

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite Song: Spanish Pizza (Interlude)

• Least favorite song: Poniente

5. Enough: The Collection—Amahla

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: Enough

• Least favorite song: Have Mercy (acoustic)

6. Nearly Straight—chlothegod

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: UGOMDN

• Least favorite song: My Bad, My Fault

7. Manic Dream Pixie EP—Peach PRC

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Perfect For You

• Least favorite song: Loved You Before

8. City Slicker EP—Ginger Root

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: Neighbor

• Least favorite song: Juban District

9. Something To Give Each Other—Troye Sivan

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite Song: Got Me Started

• Least favorite song: In My Room

10. MAGDALENE—FKA twigs

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: fallen alien

• Least favorite song: holy terrain

11. I Got Heaven—Mannequin Pussy

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: I Got Heaven

• least favorite song: OK? OK! OK? OK!

12. Red Balloon—Tank and The Bangas

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Where Do We All Go

• Least favorite song: No ID

13. With A Hammer—Yaeji

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite Song: Fever

• Least favorite song: Ready or Not

14. Juno—Remi Wolf

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Front Tooth

• Least favorite song:Guerrilla

15. TWOPOINTFIVE—Aminé

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Mad Funny Freestyle

• Least favorite song: Colors

16. Unreal Unearth—Hozier

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: All Things End

• Least favorite song: I, Carrion (Icarian)

17. Hold The Girl—Rina Sawayama

• Rate: 9.5/10

• Favorite Song: Hold The Girl

• Least favorite song: Your Age

18. Bewitched—Laufey

• Rate: 9.5/10

• Favorite song: Lovesick

• Least favorite song: Misty

19. When We Were Younger—grentperez

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite Song: Us Without Me

• Least favorite song: When We Were Younger

20. THE GRATITUDE PROJECT EP—Tiffany Day

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: HEART TO HEART IN THE TATTOO PARLOR

• Least favorite song: SHOULD I BE OK?

21. La Tormenta EP—Christina Aguilera

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: Suéltame

• Least favorite song: Cuando Me Dé La Gana

22. relationshit—brb.

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: cool with it

• Least favorite song: can’t tell

23. Lesson EP—Aziz Hedra

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: Somebody’s Pleasure

• Least favorite song: Heartless

24. Petals to Thorns EP—d4vd

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Sleep Well

• Least favorite song: Backstreet Girl

25. SMYLE AGAIN—KYLE

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Somethin Bout U

• Least favorite song: Fly Me Out

26. eternal sunshine—Ariana Grande

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: imperfect for you

• Least favorite song: supernatural

27. a touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun—Aly & AJ

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Don’t Need Nothing

• Least favorite song: Listen!!!

28. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess—Chappell Roan

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Red Wine Supernova

• Least favorite song:Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl

29. SWELTER EP—Miss Benny

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: My Ex Just Fell In Love

• Least favorite song: Break Away

30. Lies About The War—Jacob Banks

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Just When I Thought

• Least favorite song: Parachute

31. Fruit For Flies—The Army, The Navy

• Rate:8/10

• Favorite song: BBIDGI

• Least favorite song: Alexandra

32. It Was a Religion—Blegh

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Attachment Love

• Least favorite song: Masturbate

33. Marking My Time EP—Elmiene

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Marking My Time

• Least favorite song: Mama

34. All You Need Is Time—Daisy the Great

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Tell Me You Have Been Dancing

• Least favorite song: I’m Just Another Person Oh God

35. Sorry, Mom—Destroy Boys

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Widow

• Least favorite song: Goldilocks Spot

36. Metamorphosis—Infinity Song

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite Song: I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired

• Least favorite song: Dreams

37. Sis.—KIRBY

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Don’t Leave Your Girl

• Least favorite song: Leon

38. Death of a Cheerleader—Pom Pom Squad

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Forever

• Least favorite song: Cake

39. Forgotten Love Stories from the Sahara EP—Nougat

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: The Tale of the Bazaar

• Least favorite song: Asma’s Tears

40. Catching Rabbits EP—Genevieve Stokes

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Habits

• Least favorite song: Can I

41. Every Where Is Some Where—K.Flay

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite Song: You Felt Right

• Least favorite song: Black Wave

42. Don’t Throw Rocks At The Moon EP—Planet Giza

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Start Over

• Least favorite song: Rocky Road

43. While We Wait—Kehlani

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite Song: Footsteps

• Least favorite song: Morning Glory

44. To a Dark Boy—Wakai

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Silhouette

• Least favorite song: Closed Shadows

45. Losing the Illusion EP—Lily Forte

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: Play Pretend

• Least favorite song: I Was Wearing Green

46. WORLD WIDE WHACK—Tierra Whack

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: MOOVIES

• Least favorite song: MS BEHAVE

47. Rouge—Yuna

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Forget About You

• Least favorite song: Does She

48. Deeper Well—Kacey Musgraves

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Giver / Taker

• Least favorite song: Jade Green

49. THE S(EX) TAPES EP—FLETCHER

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Bitter

• Least favorite song: Feel

50. What Happens Now?—Dasha

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Austin

• Least favorite song: Talk of the Town

51. Black Neon EP—Kennie

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Clarity

• Least favorite song: Echoes

52. Here for Now—CJ Run, yourbeautifulruin

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Mercury

• Least favorite song: Nothin’ Like You

53. CROSSOVER (Deluxe)—Dua Saleh

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: tic tic

• Least favorite song: cuéntame

54. Happy! In Retrospect EP—Kennie

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Bored

• Least favorite song: Cigarette

55. Young Hot & Vulnerable EP—Kodie Shane

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Too Deep

• Least favorite song: So Many Times

56. Black Classical Music—Yussef Dayes

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite Song: The Light

• Least favorite song: Birds of Paradise

57. Southern Delicacy—Jai’Len Josey

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Pay For My Drink

• Least favorite song: Drink Water

58. Fatigue—L’Rain

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: Suck Teeth

• Least favorite song: I V

59. Floetic —Floetry

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Getting Late

• Least favorite song: Hello

60. New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh

• Rate: 9.5/10

• Favorite song: Fall In Love (Your Funeral)

• Least favorite song: Love

61. Hollow Cherries—Tyra + Tiara

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: Beautiful Lover

• Least favorite song: Motorcycle

62. Nobody Is Listening—ZAYN

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite Song: River Road

• Least favorite song: Connexion

63. LVL5 P2–Bktherula

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: WOMAN

• Least favorite song: CODE

64. SYRE—Jaden

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Icon

• Least favorite song: George Jeff

65. Something to Feel—Mac Ayres

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Stay

• Least favorite song: I’ve Always Been

66. American Teen—Khalid

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Saved

• Least favorite song: Cold Blooded

67. CAPRISONGS—FKA twigs

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: honda

• Least favorite song: which way

68. Fuzzybrain—Dayglow

• Rate:6.5/10

• Favorite song: Dear Friend,

• Least favorite song: Can I Call You Tonight?

69. NO GMO Mixtape—Dizzy Fae

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: After Hours

• Least favorite song: Alter

70. Intermission—Sasha Keable

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Exception

• Least favorite song: My Mind

71. Bullseye—Fulton Lee

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Better

• Least favorite song: John Cena

72. Teen Angst—annonXL

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: Angst

• Least favorite song: Over It

73. Monologues EP—Ogi

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Let Me Go

• Least favorite song: I Got It

74. Babe, Come Outside EP—Precious

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Summer Dream

• Least favorite song: Outside

75. Unheard EP—Hozier

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Too Sweet

• Least favorite song: Fare Well

76. In Search Of The Antidote—FLETCHER

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Crush

• Least favorite song: Doing Better

77. Tell Me You Love Me—Demi Lovato

• Rate:9.5/10

• Favorite song: Cry Baby

• Least favorite song: Sexy Dirty Love

78. I Was / I Am—Noah Kahan

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Howling

• Least favorite song: Caves

79. After Laughter—Paramore

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Caught in the Middle

• Least favorite song: Pool

80. Avalanches and Unfamiliar Ways to Die EP—Ha Vay

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: poetry in the margins

• Least favorite song: the prettier girl

81. SUGA—Kyle Dion

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Not All the Way

• Least favorite song: Teach Me

82. Um, Hello EP—LAYA

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: Undress

• Least favorite song: Too Up

83. Stick Season—Noah Kahan

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Homesick

• Least favorite song: The View Between Villages

84. Starboy—The Weeknd

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Die For You

• Least favorite song: Stargirl Interlude

85. MONTERO—Lil Nas X

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)

• Least favorite song: LOST IN THE CITADEL

86. HOLY FVCK—Demi Lovato

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: EAT ME

• Least favorite song: BONES

87. YUNGBLUD—YUNGBLUD

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: Memories

• Least favorite song: I Cry 2

88. damn, look at the view!—Martin Luke Brown

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: alright?

• Least favorite song: elsie

89. Moonwalk EP—Iyanla

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: Drugs Don’t Mix

• Least favorite song: Interlude (Disappear)

90. Suspension of Disbelief EP—Christian Kuria

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Toroka

• Least favorite song: So

91. Inbred—Ethel Cain

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Two-Head Mother

• Least favorite song: Unpunishable

92. Now That The Light Is Fading EP—Maggie Rogers

• Rate: 7/10

• Favorite song: Alaska

• Least favorite song: Better

93. No Better Time EP—Dylan Gossett

• Rate: 10/10

• Favorite song: Beneath Oak Trees

• Least favorite song: To Be Free

94. Life Lessons—Wyatt Flores

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Orange Bottles

• Least favorite song: Life Lessons

95. Yours Until the War is Over—Amigo the Devil

• Rate: 9.5/10

• Favorite Song: Cannibal Within

• Least favorite song: It’s All Gone

96. Bought Myself Daisies EP—Jasimi

• Rate: 5/10

• Favorite song: FOOOD

• Least favorite song: Dosey Doe

97. everything means nothing—blackbear

• Rate: 6.5/10

• Favorite song: I feel bad

• Least favorite song: I felt that

98. Organic EP—Susan Carol

• Rate: 6/10

• Favorite song: Reciprocity

• Least favorite song: Crazy

99. Last Day Of Summer—Summer Walker

• Rate: 8/10

• Favorite song: Just Like Me

• Least favorite song: Karma

100. Heaux Tales—Jazmine Sullivan

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: Lost One

• Least favorite song: Girl Like Me

101. Pure Heroine—Lorde

• Rate: 8.5/10

• Favorite song: Tennis Court

• Least favorite song: White Teeth Teens

102. COWBOY CARTER—Beyoncé

• Rate: 9/10

• Favorite song: II HANDS II HEAVEN

• Least favorite song: BODYGUARD

103. K.T.S.E.—Teyana Taylor

• Rate: 7.5/10

• Favorite song: Gonna Love Me

• Least favorite song: WTP

104. Dated New Aesthetic—Windows 96, Gavriel

• Rate: 5.5/10

• Favorite song: Not a Puzzle or a Riddle

• Least favorite song: Nome Da Musica

[ashesofariandel]

you don't have anon on!!!!! anyway i shoot you out of a canon and watch as you fly towards the sun

FUCK hold on brb

[sentientsky]

brb gonna fly into the sun icarus style :)

hello harlan how does it feel to hold my still-beating heart in your hands

[swansonwritings]

just word counted all the bios i wrote for c13 back in the day.....

and did a fun google for avg novel word length.....

🙃🙃🙃

[sassycashley]

The close up was only on Dean’s face!!

[ghuletteintraining]

HAPPY FUCKING BIRTHDAY TO ME.

AVATAR IN 3...2...

[bakatenshii]

OMG YOU'RE SO CUTE AND PRETTY IM Truly Speechless. ANGEL OMGGGG IM EVAPORATING

DON’T EVAPORATE BUT IF U DO THE WIND CAN CARRY YOU OVER INTO MY ARMS PLZ HIKA I LOVE U SO MUCH MY WHOLE HEART?? PALPITATING FOR U, IT GOES BOOM BOOM FOR U HIKA ˉ̞̭(′͈∨‵͈♡)˄̻ ̊

[softlass27]

NOOOOOOOO

[opalescient]

haikyuu fic recs — the most beautiful, lovely, breathtaking masterlist (vol. I)

so i’ve been binging fics to cure my sadness, and i thought that these select masterpieces were too magnificent to not be plastered on every billboard ever. some tore my soul into shreds, while others melted said shreds back whole, but all of them made me feel some form of sheer, unadulterated love, so. please enjoy! 🥰⛅️✨

note: all of these fics are exquisite and you should read all of them, but if you’re short of time, those with ☆ are my all-time favourites!

daisuga

butterfly in the subway by bigspoonnoya ☆ | T

Sugawara Koushi has no idea he's already in love with the man he's supposed to hate.

i lovelovelove how all the concepts tied in together like a perfectly wrapped gift

also very wholesome, made me feel so inexplicably warm. like, love can exist everywhere!!! despite everything!!! that’s just so inspiring

i revisited this many times, i think it was (one of) my first haikyuu fics and honestly. it set the bar so high and i have no regrets

you’d fit my lonely arms so perfectly by boxofwonder ☆ | G

“Oh. You're. Not Asahi.”

Calmed down enough that he can speak again, Daichi takes a deep breath, his smile settling on his face easily and wide.

“Not as far as I know, no.”

-

Suga accidentally calls a stranger instead of his best friend, tells him all about his burned batch of cookies before realising, and that particular mistake might turn out the best one he ever made.

major, major fluff

the buildup!!!

god this made my yearning for love so much worse

the perfect stranger by downmoon | T

There’s a man standing outside Suga's door.

Scratch that. Start over.

There’s a man he doesn’t know standing outside his door, holding his sleeping nephew in one arm, with another kid clinging tightly to his free hand.

so domestic please read the entire series from start to finish it has my whole heart

shoyou and tobio as their actual kids 🥺

these two parents are so in love it makes me wanna cry

asanoya

silica sand by lilien passe ☆ | G

Overworked, over-stressed programmer Azumane Asahi works on the top floor of a Shinjuku skyscraper. Nervous around his coworkers and terrified of the long drop on the other side of the window, Asahi falls into a miserable routine, only to have it broken one day by a simple message on the outside of the glass.

PLEASE. so well-written it makes my heart glow and ache simultaneously

made me ascend into asanoya heaven

such a brilliantly unique concept i love it A+

qué syrah syrah by loudlucy | M

Asahi wants to be a Master Sommelier. It's the highest honor in wine service, and the certification would allow him to live the life he's always envisioned for himself. Too bad the certification test is notorious for being the world's most difficult.

Most people fail their first time taking the exam, and Asahi is no exception, but he has more difficulty than most dusting himself off and getting back on his feet. Enter Nishinoya, a young man who shares his same dream, and who believes in their goals so fiercely it forces Asahi to embark on a delicious and sensuous journey of viticulture and validation.

AKA The Wine Tasting AU that literally no one even knew to ask for.

NOTE: You Do Not Need to Know About Wine to Understand This Fic!

another super unique concept!!! (´∀｀=)

my god their chemistry is amazing

the writing made me feel things ngl

stop my bones from wondering by cerasi ☆ | T

After graduation, Asahi hides from the world and needs help from a few sources to find his way back.

i want to write sonnets and sing ballads for this fic, it’s that beautiful

as always, Top Notch Writing *chef’s kiss*

no but i seriously... can i kiss the author? asking for a friend 😳👉🏼👈🏼

iwaoi

star-crossed by starlitcities | T

“I never thought I’d see the day that I’d envy a human,” Oikawa admits, showering himself in tiny suns, because he can actually feels those, like a fusillade of warm kisses on luminous skin that leave marks. To humans, they’d be freckles. Skin stars, Oikawa calls them. He didn’t make that up, a human did.

“Who created the rule that we can’t touch, I wonder,” Iwaizumi ponders, floating heedlessly through space.

“Maybe it’s because we can fly. Humans dream of flying, right?”

“I don’t think so.”

gsjsgsjshsjshsjsj star!iwaoi

they’re LITERALLY STARS

beautifulbeautifulbeautiful i love how the author conveyed the beauty of touch and humanity 🥺🥺

please bless yourself further with the sequel sun-kissed

conquering the great king by suggestivescribe ☆| E

Iwaizumi blinked his gaze over to Oikawa, "Last time was supposed to be a one time thing," he said, voice low, lacking some conviction.

Oikawa's lips twitched into a smirk and he brought them hovering just over Iwaizumi's, "One time thing, Two time thing, what's it matter as long as it's not a Relationship thing?"

yes.

in fact, this entire series (breaking the rules) features daisuga, kuroken, asanoya and it’s SO GOOD. every single one.

but anyway, character development!!!!! plot!!!!!!!!! writing!!!!!!!! i’m here for it all

tsukkiyama

campfire in your chest by deanpendragon ☆ | M

Kei realizes in their second year of high school that he’s probably been in love with Yamaguchi since they were ten. However hopeless he might be in handling that situation, Kei prays he’s at least not as hopeless as Hinata and Kageyama. But he just might be.

SO BEAUTIFUL

i am also a sucker for anything with stars, moons and all the love in between

no words to describe this work of art please just go read it and be blessed

under the lilac tree by raewrites | G

there’s a lilac tree in Kei’s backyard.

gorgeous in its simplicity

softtsukkisofttsukkisofttsukki

not as grandiose as the rest but the love written into every word, action and character is absolutely show-stopping

kagehina

saffron and cayenne pepper by dontsaycrazy ☆ | T

Cooking is hard. Even if you have your very attractive, very grumpy neighbor there to help you.

-

In which Hinata's lack of cooking skills are a danger to him and others. Luckily (or not), Kageyama is willing to teach him, if only for the sake of avoiding any burned down apartments.

the essence of their characters were captured so well and yet it’s like they’re completely new characters too? author, whoever you are, you totally owned this

this made me ship kagehina so hard

fluff! cuteness! lots and lots of cooing!

kuroken

the galaxy is endless (i thought we were, too) by cosmogony ☆ | T

soulmate

/ˈsəʊlmeɪt/ • noun

A person who was made from the same star as you.

-

// Kuroken AU where the last words your soulmate will say to you appear on your skin when you turn 16, and how Kenma and Kuroo learn what this means over the course of their lives.

ahhh here it is. beautiful, heartbreaking, soul-emptying agony. you want angst? choke on this, and your tears later on.

no but seriously please read this if you haven’t you won’t regret it at all i promise

written from kenma’s perspective so you experience every depth and multitude of emotion he does and it’s so raw and- brb imma go cry for a sec

knot in my heart by hearthope | T

There’s a picture. Kenma blinks, looking at the little calico cat, being held up next to the face of a guy with stupidly messy hair and a crooked grin.

Cute.

The— the cat. The cat is cute.

Just the cat.

-

Kuroo starts spending a lot of time at the flower shop Kenma works at. Kenma definitely isn't into him.

okay so i like it when authors unravel a normally stoic character’s full scope of emotion and give them depth, sue me.

anyway, back on the fluff train!

i absolutely f*ck with flower symbolisms, cats and bitchy best friends who have dirt on each other. the layers of romance, friendship and everything in between is so prettily developed 10/10

bokuaka

the jacket you never returned by daisuga ☆☆ | G

He leaned over, kissed Bokuto on the cheek, and smiled bitterly, eyes watery.

He will never remember. Not now, not ever.

What they were will now forever be forgotten.

-

"You used to call me Keiji, Koutarou."

YOU USED TO CALL ME KEIJI, KOUTAROU!!!!!!!!!!

i beg you to listen to Spiegel im Spiegel when it’s first mentioned in the story please

i read this and screamed through my tears for a solid 1.5 hours. i rarely cry.

no f*ckin regrets though i read this thrice already and it hurts so good every time

rules by conesofdunshire ☆☆ | E

In which Akaashi Keiji is an overworked accountant who stumbles upon Bokuto one night playing the piano in the lobby of his work. Bokuto is different, that much is obvious. But with such supreme musical talent and a smile so dazzling it rivals the sun, there's just something about him that brings Akaashi back every night.

this fic. this fic has my whole, broken, sobbing heart and laughing soul

gorgeous. breathtaking. magnificent.

bokuto is so WARM and akaashi is so STRONG and they both find the solace they need in each other and it’s all i want for me 😭😭😭

in another life by littleluxray | T

Sleeping didn't come as easy as it used to. Bokuto knew this, and now Akaashi did, too.

The hospital AU that no body asked for, but that I took upon myself to write.

this is a famous fic that i doubt any seasoned haikyuu reader wouldn’t know, and RIGHTLY SO BECAUSE, the PAIN. the pain. the pain.

i could feel my lungs shrivel up and my chest cave in on itself. fatigue and rest are things i struggle with too so this whole story resonated with me from start to finish, and it broke me. in like, the best, most revitalising way

i would read this again but it still haunts me at night. i need to heal from the first time before i have the guts to try one more time HAHAHA 😆💔😭

tea-stained polaroids by dalyeau | G

“I'm gonna date that,” Bokuto declares solemnly, and Kuroo throws a plastic spoon at his head.

mmmmmmm pretty photographer + personalised coffee cups + cute baristas = diabetic fluff fic

i smiled so much throughout this you have no idea. cheeks achey but so good

i may have squealed a little at the ending

kurotsukki

moonfall by batman | T

There is no unlearning Tetsurou, after all. There is only leaving him.

-

(Five things of Tetsurou's that ended up in Kei's home, and one that never left.)

the writing!!!!!! is pure beauty!!!! sheer grace!!!!!!! the construction of the AU and the romanticism and hsjsgsjshsj

didn’t cry but. heart ache and bittersweet smiles are another level of misery that is just as fulfilling

yea just pleasepleasepleaseplease go read it thank you and have a good day

hidden gem by realmSpinner | E

Things get complicated when everything you thought you knew about a guy changes, and they get even more complicated when you actually start liking those changes.

That guy working with you AND becoming your neighbor? That's just a cherry on top of the cake of confusion.

this AU was refreshingly different, and amazingly so

top!tsukki??? sign me the f*ck up

the whole plot, man. perfection.

pings by barfs ☆☆ | T

[5/02/16, 3:50:17 AM] Tsukishima Kei: Please wake up.

[5/02/16, 3:50:23 AM] Tsukishima Kei: I hate begging. You know I hate it.

[5/02/16, 3:50:34 AM] Tsukishima Kei: I bet you’re snickering at that, wherever you are.

[5/02/16, 3:50:53 AM] Tsukishima Kei: But, it keeps hurting and I don’t know why and it feels like shit and I know you could tell me why, but you’re not here and I would really appreciate it if you’d just wake up.

[5/02/16, 3:51:02 AM] Tsukishima Kei: You’re laughing at that too, aren’t you.

[5/02/16, 3:51:10 AM] Tsukishima Kei: Dying is probably up there in the list of top ten shitty things you’ve ever done, and you’ve done a lot of shitty things.

god.

you already know what’s coming, and yet. when it comes.

how the f*ck did the author make grief beautiful????????? (at the expense of me dying along with kei and everyone else i guess)

this fic will ruin you and bury you under all your pain (i hope you’re ready)

but also put you back together with the “sequel”

kyouhaba

close to the chest by darkmagicalgirl | T

It takes Yahaba thirteen years to realize he's different from the other kids, one to figure out how to hide it, and two more to learn to be happy just the way he is. Yahaba's journey ft. an extremely annoyed Kyoutani, best friend in the world Watari, and loads and loads of good senpai Oikawa.

cause i’m (not) alright with the slow, burn~

no fr, take slow and burn very seriously

overthinking yahaba? i understand. i do.

again, such an amazing fic; 10/10 recommend

safe here by crossbelladonna ☆ | M

“Raids are routine work,” Kyoutani tells to Yahaba before he can air the question. “Sometimes there is no sleep done until we accomplish something, say kill a certain ghoul. I guess they’re still going through the possibility that people in the accident are still alive huh?”

Yahaba quirks a smile, pushing his mask up his head.

“You’re alive.”

Kyoutani looks at him intently and all of the things that they’ve gone through for the past month seems to flash in his mind.

“Yes I am.”

i haven’t watched tokyo ghoul but i understood everything perfectly. such is the power of f*cking kickass writing

*cue ugly crying and a lot of unresolved angst*

like the grief??????? ruin me please thank you 🙏 (i think i’m a little masochistic)

rare pairs

mannequin men by surveycorpsjean ☆ | M

[bokuto/akaashi/kuroo/tuskishima]

The modelling world is full of hungry wolves, constantly clambering over the other, snarling and desperate. They fight, and they kill, trampling over anything in their path.

In this case, Akaashi fell in love with the wolves.

i did not expect this to be good, and it wasn’t. it was SPLENDID.

akaashi is so enamoured with them from the get go i love it

a tiny bit of angst that stabbed me in the heart, but the happy ending soothed it (thankfully, because if there wasn’t one i will sue)

characterisation, writing, plot development; everything is great. can you tell i’m running out of synonyms for ‘beautiful’

feel like gold by heronfem ☆☆ | T

[bokuto/akaashi/kuroo/kenma]

In which Kenma is unapologetic and comfortable with who he is, Akaashi learns a lot about himself in a short period of time, Kuroo is wildly in love and an eternal survivor, and Bokuto remembers that love doesn't cure mental illness, but having a support system sure helps a lot.

Or, the one where 4 young men get together, and are helplessly, hopelessly, utterly in love despite everything.

e.e. cummings?? poetry??? f*ck yes

so beautiful. i’m so star-struck by this fic it’s simply stunning

there are no words to fully capture how worth your time and heart and mind reading this fic is so please. do yourself a favour, and fall in love with this fic with me

the sky and guilt are the only feelings i have left by oopsthisisqueertoo ☆☆ | not rated

[bokuto/akaashi/kuroo]

Akaashi is at his wits end. He feels nothing. He's quickly crumbling as a human being. He wants nothing but sweet release of death. In his fourth year of college he drafts a plan for his suicide. He is to graduate, publish writing for others to be inspired by, and slip quietly away. Shortly after, he meets a dog walker named Bokuto who asks him out and Akaashi reluctantly agrees. Nothing matters anymore and he treats Bokuto like an obligation. Until he's not anymore.

TW: SUICIDE ATTEMPTS & DEPRESSION

this was... this gutted me entirely and filled my body with too many shades of agony

arguably one of the best haikyuu fics i’ve ever read

so beautiful in the most painful way fathomable; strongly recommend

april to may by surveycorpsjean | T

[bokuto/akaashi/kuroo/tsukishima]

They're an odd family.

The four of them? Parents?

But still, they're a family.

So they'll support each other until the end.

aaahhhhh third gym as parents 🥺

so much fluff. i also love april and may

they’re still so in love there’s love in every millimetre of this fic :”)

that’s it for now! i’ll add more if i come across anymore good fics. i hope you enjoyed this list! if you have any requests/fic recs, or if u just wanna chat, feel free to just ask! hehe 🥰 k aight bye~