Don't Write Me Notes || Levi x Reader

9. it doesn't count if it's for learning purposes

"I figured. Which side of the family?"

"Both. Insanity doesn't run in the family, it gallops."

Levi stares at you for another moment before the corner of his mouth twitches and he pushes himself up from the bed. "Get dressed and let's go skating," he grumbles, fighting down a smile, and you laugh. 

About twenty or thirty minutes later, you, Levi, your cousins, and their partners are all gathered by the front entryway. Ymir is the one to bite the bullet and shout "we're going skating, be back at some point!" as you all scamper out the door. Apparently, your cousins had planned this and neglected to inform any of the parental units in the lodge so that no one could invite themselves along- a plan you were wholeheartedly on board with.

Besides, you've done this in previous years and never had trouble, so there's really no issue- just a desire to avoid the rest of the family. You're fine with it and Levi definitely is, so you join your cousins and company on the fifteen minute hike to the lake.

"I'm hungry," Sasha complains, maybe thirty seconds into your walk.

There's a collective sigh from everyone except Niccolo, who pulls out his bag. "What're you in the mood for?" he asks. "Fruit? Veggies? Crackers? I have sandwiches, pudding, chips, chocolate, gummies, and I think- yeah, I have sour ones too-"

Sasha lets out a sob, then lunges at her boyfriend for a hug. "I'm dating the best man in the world!"

"Match made in heaven," you murmur, nudging Levi.

"It's cold," Historia murmurs.

"You're bundled up in literally half a dozen layers," Ymir says, pulling an extra set of mittens from her pocket. "Here. Don't freeze to death."

Levi nudges you, and you glance at him. "Cold?"

"Not yet," you admit. "Aren't you?"

Like always, he's just wearing that damn leather jacket. "I was going to ask the same thing," Jean says, turning around from where he's leading the hike down to the lake. "How the hell are you not cold, man? All you've got is that jacket!"

"I'm fine," Levi replies nonchalantly.

"I'd be genuinely surprised if you weren't hypothermic by the time we make it to the lake," Marco says, shaking his head. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"See, I'm not the only one that thinks you're crazy," you say.

"Not crazy. Just warm."

"He must be great for cuddling!" Hitch says with a laugh.

"Definitely," you agree, a bit too quickly, and you glance at Levi. He's looking at you, so you avert your gaze back to Hitch. "No stealing my boyfriend, Hitch."

"Already got my own!" she announces, latching onto Marlowe's arm. "And he's my personal heater!"

"I can attest to that," Marco says.

There's an outburst that follows his statement (but you're ninety-nine percent convinced Marco only said that to stir the pot, that little shit disturber) and you smile at your cousins' antics, but when you look to Levi, he's just staring at you. You force a smile and his expression softens.

Soon enough, you all make it down to the lake. There's a dock that extends a dozen meters into the lake, which is completely frozen over. You can see people in the distance already skating, so it's safe to assume that the ice is thick enough. "Skate up!" Sasha calls excitedly as everyone sits down on the dock and starts to lace their skates up.