Same, but Different

•Chapter V•

Her glossed lips pulled into a bright smile and she grabbed my hand and interlaced our fingers. "I'm excited."

"I'm anxious," I replied honestly, helping her into the passenger's seat. "I know that we've had coffee and all, but this is the first time in a long while that I've been in a relationship like this."

"Hopefully I'm worth the wait." She winked, her brown eyes radiating with warmth.

"As of now, you are." I smirked at her mock offense and buckled up before driving to the café. The ride was short and we talked about our days the whole time and were still conversing on said topic while we were walking into Rose's.

"We got a new kid today at the store," Chelsea said before ordering what she wanted.

I ordered for myself as well before replying. "Really? How are they?"

"He's a little ratty somehow. He has long brown hair, tall, and has green eyes. I think his last name was Yeee-gar."

I chuckled. "That brat is older than you, has some poor fashion choices every once in a while, and his last name is pronounced Yay-ger. It's German."

She blushed. "Are you two friends?"

"Yes. He's my roommate," I said, wording it a little more eloquently on Eren's behalf.

Chelsea sipped her lemonade as I drank in my tea, staring out the window as people in various pullovers, hoodies, sweatshirts, and beanies walked by. Some people stood out, some hid in the crowd, and some were walking hand-in-hand with their partners, each with their own untold stories.

My eyes settled on the female in front of me and I couldn't help but glance at her hand. Thankfully, she didn't notice, but I still made an effort not to do it again. I had been so touch starved since my ex and I just wanted to be able to enjoy the simple expressions of affection with Chelsea.

The blonde looked into my eyes and held my gaze. We stayed like this, our gazes locked in some sort of conversation that expressed more words than our mouths could have. I felt her hand slip into mine and I ran my thumb over her knuckles in soothing circular motions.

We began talking about topics that came to our mind, hopping between things and to new topics as our mind conjured them. We really seemed to sync up and something about that just made me feel so laid back and relaxed for a change and when our food arrived, I was slightly disappointed that our attention would be halved.

"You're like a child," I teased Chelsea for ordering a grilled cheese sandwich and French fries. "That's what my daughter orders every time we come here."

Silence.

I bit my lip, slightly worried.

"I am a little childish, but it's good to be youthful, right?" She asked me, tilting her head to the side as she sipped her beverage out of her bubblegum pink disposable bendy straw.

"Definitely. I wish I still felt like I was twenty-one." I chuckled.

"Most people would wish to be twenty-one," Chelsea replied.

"I wouldn't have Aki if that were the case." I smiled a small smile, picturing my daughter sleeping peacefully in her bed back at home.

Chelsea just smiled, eating a French fry. "How's your meal?"

I took a bite of my New England clam chowder before responding. "It's really good, as always."

"You always get the same thing?"

"Mostly, yes."

"You afraid of experimenting?" She teased.

I'm afraid of change.

I just scoffed. "Whatever." I stirred my soup around. "What are you majoring in?"

She smiled. "I'm majoring in history."

"What do you hope to do with that?" I asked, curious.

Chelsea played with her straw. "Teach at a community college."

I finished my food and wiped down with a napkin. After she finished, I paid the check, bought Aki, Tobias, and Eren their desserts, and drove us to the park.

"It's really pretty here," she said in awe, the moon lighting her face up softly.

"Yeah, it really is." I looked around with a feeling of content. The moon was high in the sky with the clouds serving to make the rays softer and more comforting. The creek gurgled quietly and the fireflies flew around, conversing with each other and lighting up the sky like stars. A pair of frogs jumped into the creek and swam around the lily pads and other aquatic fauna. Aki always loved this park and we would often bring Richie here. It felt weird being here without them, but I enjoyed Chelsea's company.

"Levi." Chelsea grabbed my hand. "We should do something romantic."

I raised an eyebrow. "Romantic? Like what?"

She pulled out her phone and pressed play on a song. "Dance with me?"

My hands found her waist and I started swaying with her. I closed my eyes until I felt a pair of lips on mine. Kissing back, I cupped her face and opened my eyes to see her expression, but she was looking back at me, most likely with a similar idea of trying to see the other in such a vulnerable state.

"Your eyes remind me of the moon tonight," Chelsea whispered, her fingers slipping under the hem of my shirt and dancing along my waist.

Our lips met again, though this time, something else was laced underneath and I felt my heart pounding in my chest. Everything felt so new, so foreign, and it was terrifying. But that didn't stop my tongue from slipping into her mouth and her hands traveling more and more as if she were sightseeing.

When we parted, I was panting softly, at a loss for words, but she spoke for me.

"Would you like to come home with me?"

My breath hitched and I just opened and closed my eyes, at loss for words. I was afraid of drowning, but Chelsea looked like she'd serve as my life raft. Her hand stopped on my chest where she took notice of my heartbeat pounding thirty-second notes in my rib cage. She took my hand and placed it on her chest, her heartbeat rhythmic and soothing. I tried to sync our heartbeats up, my eyes closing as I attempted to become one.

When I opened my eyes, I was still afraid, but willing to open myself up for her. I nodded.

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Author's Note:

No hating on Chelsea or using words that are offensive to describe her. You only get one warning.

-Ari-gami aka Author-chan