Don't Write Me Notes || Levi x Reader

4. it doesn't count if it's to convince the in-laws

Everyone starts to eat. It's still dead quiet, besides the sounds of silverware clinking against plates.

"So," Kuchel says eventually. "How was the drive here?"

"Fine," Levi replies. "Took the backroads to stay out of traffic."

"And how did school go this semester?"

"Good. Passed."

She smiles. "Congratulations. How was school for you?" she asks, looking to you. "You go to the same school as Levi, yes? What're you taking?"

You nod. "It was good, thank you. I'm an engineering major."

"Engineering," Lovof says.

There's a pause. "Yes, sir," you say.

"What kind?"

"Mechanical."

"In your final year?"

"Yes."

"Planning on grad school?"

A different lady enters the room and she starts to clear out some of the dishes. "Uh, not exactly," you say, handing the lady one of the plates closest to you to help her out. "It's something I considered, but I think I'd like some work experience first."

Lovof's eyebrows furrow together. "You have no work experience?"

Shit, back up, back up. "I've been working as a teaching assistant since my third year," you say quickly. "Normally for physics classes. So I have some, but I think I want more direct work in my field."

You hate talking about future plans, and you hate it even more when it's your fake boyfriend's stepfather asking you about it. "You think?" he asks.

You pause, trying not to panic and to come up with a response when Levi says, "you can stop interrogating her. I didn't bring her home just so she could be your punching bag."

Thank you thank you thank you. You glance at Levi, but he's staring at his stepfather. "You've told us nothing about her," Lovof says, shrugging as if to say he doesn't know what Levi's talking about. "I'm just asking her questions."

"When did you two get together?" Kuchel asks politely.

More food is brought in. You're mildly overwhelmed but you're doing your best to stay composed, and having food in front of you is a great way to distract yourself. "Over the summer," Levi says, glancing at you for the first time since you sat down. "Met through a mutual friend."

"And you decided to bring her home for Christmas?"

Lovof is staring at you accusingly and you want to shrink into your seat. "We wanted to spend the holidays together," he says, and he sounds like he's saying it through gritted teeth, "and since both of our families wanted us home for the holidays, we decided to split it up."

Levi's mother is staring at his stepfather now, like she's trying to convey play nice with just her eyes. Lovof sighs, spearing a piece of what you think is chicken with his fork. "And you made time for the gala," he says.

"We did," Levi replies.

"Do you have a dress prepared?" Kuchel asks, intervening before Lovof can get a word in. "It's a black tie event. Maybe you can help Levi socialize a bit more," she jokes lightly, smiling at her son.

Highly doubtful, but you can't say that. "I brought something," you say, glancing at Levi. It's not a lie; you'd packed a dress because Levi had mentioned a gala. But... "I'm not sure if it's right for the event though," you say jokingly, forcing a smile. "I didn't know it'd be a black tie event. I wasn't prepared for how fancy this would be."