A Different Path

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Yeah, just watchin." Lilith answered, though she still seemed down.

"He'll be back in a little bit ya know."

"I think he's mad at me." This surprised Isabel, so she questioned her more.

"Something happen on your way here?"

"No, the ride was amazing. Once we got here he went to go get ready and I went with him. I think I just asked a question that I shouldn't have and he snapped at me." Her eyes looked quiet. Isabel was smart enough to figure out what the question was, there was only one that she knew Levi would get snappy with Lilith for.

"Lil, he gets mad at himself because he can't answer your questions. That's still no excuse for snapping at you and I'll make sure to give him my two sense for it, so don't worry too much about it." Isabel finished her comment with a ruffle of Lilith's hair.

"I figured it was like that, thanks." After Lilith was done talking, the 4th squad leader came and sat across from her at the table.

"So, how'd I do?" Isabel asked.

"Incredible! I've never seen someone bond with a horse so fast, she didn't even flinch when you landed. The trust must be going up fast." Misa was fascinated by the bond between the two. She looked over at Lilith and started, "So, that dad of yours, he's really something, huh?"

"Yeah." Lilith didn't really know how to answer, this was awkward.

"He's incredible in the air, especially for someone who does it underhand." Lilith didn't know what she meant but she nodded her head in agreement.

.   .   .

After an awkward hour of Misa's blabbing about Levi, he and Furlan returned. Once Lilith saw them in the distance, she shot up to run to them before remembering what happened a few hours prior, so she sat back down.

"Hey." Furlan said before sitting beside Misa. Levi walked over and sat next to Lilith. 'She didn't say hi.' Levi thought to himself.

'Something doesn't seem right.'

"Hey," he said so only she can hear, "You okay?" Lilith answered by nodding her head. "Yeah, right. What's wrong?" His voice was soft, he was genuinely concerned. Isabel, Misa, and Furlan continued talking among themselves.

"I'm fine." She was so quiet, it was practically a whisper.

Levi stood up,

"Walk with me," he said to Lilith. She stood up and adjusted her dress, then followed him towards the supply tent.

Once they got there, Levi turned, knelt down to her level, and started softly,

"Talk to me, what's wrong?" She didn't want to answer, but she had to get it over with eventually.

"I'm sorry I made you mad." She let out.

"What? When?" He was filled with confusion.

"Before you left, when I asked about my parents. You snapped at me because it makes you mad. That's why you didn't say bye to me before you left." Levi thought about it for a minute. He hadn't realized she thought he was mad or that he didn't say bye to her. He was too caught up with Flagon to notice. Before he could deepen his thought, Lilith spoke again,

"What if you left without saying bye and you never came back?" Levi's eyes widened, his stomach dropped, he thought back to when his line got cut off in the air. He, once again, felt horrible for something he did to Lilith. He was also so caught up in his own life that he had forgotten about an important part of it.

Levi put a hand on the back of Liltih's head, the other on his knee. He pulled her into his chest, "I'll always come back, and I'm sorry I upset you."

Lilith's eyes were wide, she didn't think he upset her, she upset him. Lilith let herself sink into his chest. She wrapped her little arms around Levi's torso and felt relief flood her body. After a few moments, she pulled away and put her hands on his shoulders, then spoke softly.

"I don't care who my parents are, they didn't want me. But you guys did, so you're more of a parent to me than they'll ever be." She smiled at Levi, he felt one grow on his face as well.

The two stood up and walked out of the supply tent, Lilith's hand in his.

"Hey! Levi!" Isabel came storming towards him,

"Isabel- Wait-" Furlan stood, trying to grab onto Isabel before she went all out on Levi but failed when his gear got caught on the table and led him to get a mouth full or dirt.

"I swear, if you just gave her any more trouble I'm gonna replace your nails with your teeth!" Levi and Lilith started to laugh, Isabel calmed and rubbed the back of her neck while awkwardly laughing.

"Dumbass." Levi ruffled Isabel's messy hair.

"I'm not dumb, I was just making sure-" Levi cut her off,

"I know," He looked down at Lilith, "We're good."

"We should head back, it's gonna get dark soon." Furlan didn't like riding in the dark. The three went back to the tent to take off their ODM before untying their horses. Lilith stood by Levi.

"Hey," he spoke softly, "wanna go riding into the sunset?"

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there's nothing i love and hate more than the lack of communication troupe lol

hope you thought this was a good read cause it was fun to write :)

happy saturday!