Don't Write Me Notes || Levi x Reader

5. it doesn't count if it's dance practice

"Nothing professional."

"It's not professional."

"Then what is it?"

"Waltzing. Nothing fancy."

You could throw something. "Just the word 'waltz' is fancy," you grumble.

Levi crosses his arms. "It's literally just stepping. You can figure it out."

"My hand-eye coordination is atrocious. Cons of fake dating me, I can't dance."

He sighs. He beckons you towards him, and when you raise your eyebrows, he groans. "For fuck's sake. It's not hard. I'll show you."

"Okay, okay, fine." You swing your legs off the bed, standing yourself up. You wander over to Levi, then stop. Fuck, you just woke up. "Shit. I look awful. Can you give me five minutes?"

Levi sighs again, like he's exasperated. "You look fine."

"My hair is a disaster zone."

"I think rat's nest is more appropriate." You shoot him a dirty glare, and the corner of his mouth twitches. "You don't need to look like a runway model to practice waltzing."

"How would you know?" you retort. "No matter the time of day, you look like you've walked out of a magazine."

It's true; you don't think you've ever seen him look bad, not in the short periods of time you spent with him before this whole thing and not in the past two days you've been here. Levi's expression softens, and he looks away for a moment before he looks back to you. Are his ears red? "I think you look fine," Levi murmurs, "but if you want to take some time, go for it."

Your frustration dissipates. "No, it's- it's fine," you mutter, gaze anywhere but at the mirror as you pull at your hair, praying it really doesn't look that bad. "Okay. Waltz me."

"Waltz you," Levi repeats. He sounds amused.

"Or- however the expression goes."

"Wasn't aware there was one." He beckons you closer and you take a small step. You're feeling more comfortable with Levi, yes, but you're so used to staying a good five feet away from each other at all times whenever you've been able to retreat to the safety of his room. Even in his massive bed, you've never come close to touching him. It's like you're breaking down that boundary, just a bit, and it makes you feel... well, you don't really know. But it makes you feel weird. You don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing.

He takes one of his hands in yours, then sets his other on your hip. "Yours on my arm," he tells you, and you let your other hand rest on his forearm. "Higher, you look awkward. Bicep." You shift. "Good. Now just follow my feet."

Levi takes a step with his right, and you follow with your left. He steps with his left, and you follow with your right, nearly stepping on his toes. When he drags his other foot up to bring his feet together, you match him, and for a moment, it feels like you've got it.

"That's it," he says.

You meet his eyes. He's close. "That's it?" you say incredulously. "No dips, no spins, no elaborate lifts and twirls?"

"...Do you really want to add one?"

Kind of, but you're feeling rather clumsy and you'd rather not embarrass yourself. "Is that really it?" you ask, and he nods. "Just the steps?"

Levi's exasperation is back. "Just those steps," he confirms. "Come on, do it again."

"Wait, wait, wait," you say, grip tightening on Levi's hand. "Left, right, left? Or- is it left, pause, right, left? Or-"

"Just follow my lead," he interrupts, tugging at your hip. 

"Your lead is confusing."

"Or you could just use your brain."

"Use my brain for dancing. Why didn't I think of that?"

But, much to your surprise, it actually goes okay. Levi steers you with his hand on your waist, guiding you in whatever direction you need to step in next, and after a bit, you finally start to relax, letting him steer you around his massive room. 

With a slight roll of your eyes, you finally say, "okay, so this isn't that bad- shit!"

You haven't even finished your sentence when Levi dips you, arm locked around your waist to keep you from falling. Your grip on him locks up tight until he pulls you back up to an upright position, nearly stepping on your own feet.

"I hate you," is all you can manage.

He's smirking. "Grab my hand any tighter and you're going to break my fingers," Levi says calmly.

You release his fingers from your death grip, still scowling. "A bit of a warning would be nice," you complain as Levi starts to fall into step again, as if the dip was just a part of his routine. "If you ever decide to do that again."

"I'll just go for a lift next time," he replies. You can feel his fingers on your bare skin, where your shirt doesn't quite meet your pants.

"Oh, amazing," you tell him, purposely stepping on his toes. His expression doesn't change. "I'm sure we could do that without throwing me flat on my face."

"I'm fine with that."

"I'll pull you down with me."

"With that vice grip, I don't doubt it."

You scowl again, and when Levi lets go of your hip and raises your interlocked hands over your head, you get the hint. Your scowl gives way for a tiny smile as you spin in a full circle before you're back in place and Levi's hand is back on your hip, sparks dancing across your skin. "I can handle those," you tell him, smiling to yourself. 

His smirk fades into something softer, then vanishes completely. What you think was a smile is gone as soon as it appears. "Do you want a better dress?" Levi asks.

You frown at him. "I'm sure you've got a fantastic selection."

"Only the best." The two of you are still dancing, waltzing around his bedroom. "I'm serious," he adds. "There's a boutique in town that my mother always uses- it's for dress rentals. You can pick one out and I can have it returned after the gala. I'll cover it."

You halt in your tracks. Is he serious, or is he just pulling your leg? You stare at him for another moment; he's still holding your hip and your hand, and you're still clutching onto his arm, but neither of you are moving anymore.

His expression doesn't change- he's not kidding. "Seriously?" you murmur. He nods. "Well, I can- I can help cover some of it-"

"I should've told you what to expect," Levi interrupts. It's like he's saying you're right without saying it. "I've got it."

Your mouth opens, then closes. "Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't."

You'd be stupid to say no. "Okay," you say quietly. "Thank you. Really."

Levi nods. For a second, the two of you just stand there, still holding each other but no longer moving. You feel heat rush to your face and you let go of him, taking a small step back. "We can- we can leave whenever," Levi says quickly, looking away. "We've got nothing planned today. May as well stay out of the house for as long as we can."

"Right," you agree, crossing your arms. "Whatever works best for you."

"Staying out of the house for as long as possible works best for me." He crosses the room, moving around to his nightstand to grab his phone. "Get ready. Take your time. I'll go tell my mom what we're doing and we'll leave whenever you're good."

"Alright," you murmur, and you want to say something else, but by the time he's left and closed the door behind him, you still haven't figured out what.

Face warm, you head to the shower.

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Double update- next chapter on Monday, chapter 7 to come out Friday. Chapters 5 & 6 were supposed to be together but it ended up being too long so I had to split it. XOXO have a great weekend guys, all my love <3