RECAP/REFRESHER BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A WHILE...SORRY
"Thank you for sharing." I whispered into his chest. "I know it's not something you usually do but it means a lot that you could open up to me the way you did." Levi never returned the hug. I wasn't surprised nor did it hurt. He could have pushed me away but he didn't and that's more than I could have asked for. "There are foundational elements in our lives - people that form the brick and mortar of who we are. People that are so deeply embedded that we take their existence for granted, until suddenly they're not there. And we collapse into rubble." Levi slowly pushed me away, keeping me at arm's length. His emotionless eyes had never changed. Not even sadness or remorse.
"And that's the reason why I haven't been looking for my mate. Why I don't want one."
***
Not want a mate? The idea both saddened me and confused me as I sat here inside my finished apartment, my back against the front door. Then again, this is Levi we're talking about. He doesn't exactly come off as the romantic type. Still, that never stopped anyone before. They are our mates. They were made just for us. If the time ever were to come for Levi to discover his mate...would he be able to have the heart and mind to reject them?
My chest ached, eyes clenched, at the thought. Levi may not have the warmest, kindest heart but he couldn't possibly go through with that right? It's unheard of. He'd inadvertently be crushing everything; his life, mind, heart, future, and ultimately his mate. How would that be fair to him? To her?
*ring**ring*
My phone that was placed on the coffee table lit up as it played a generic bubbly tone. The little song did nothing for me but make me roll my eyes.
"Hello?" I answered into the phone without checking who it was.
"Hey! Are you doing anything right now?" Petra asked from the other end but in all honesty I really didn't feel like seeing anyone the rest of the night.
"Not...reeeeeally?" I dragged out, unsure of how I wanted to answer her. I mean, I didn't want to lie!
"Great!!" Petra cheered.
"What did she say?" I heard what sounded like Hange in the background.
"What exactly do you all have planned?" I questioned, now slightly terrified.
"Oh you know, just a typical girl's night out. Nothing too special."
"And that would entail what?"
***
I was sipping out of my cup of soda absentmindedly as we – Petra, Hange, Mikasa, Krista, Ymir and Sasha – made our way out of the mall as it was nearing closing time.
"Are you alright Dani?" Petra asked with concern.
"Hmm?"
"Yeah the whole night you've had your head in the clouds. Is something wrong?" Hange agreed.
"Are you not adjusting well to your apartment?" Krista joined in.
"Did your food spoil already???" Sasha asked, tears brimming her eyes.
"Did someone hurt you? Tell me who and I'll pound their face in." Mikasa glared, though not directing it towards me.
"Guys calm down. It's nothing really. You don't have to worry about anything. I'm all good." Hange leaned close into my face. Too close for comfort. Her eyes, unblinking and staring into my soul. Slowly, a creepy grin stretched across her face.
"You're having guy troubles." She jumped back. "It's shorty isn't it?!"
"Levi?" Petra questioned before smiling wide. "Did you make a move? Did he make a move? You have to give us details!" I walked through the automatic glass doors, exiting the mall and cursing Hange for her psychology skills. Everyone was quick to be at my heels.
"It's nothing like that. Nothing happened today."
"But you wanted something to happen." Ymir stated the obvious with a smug look on her face.
"Can't see why though. The man doesn't have one romantic fiber in his body." Mikasa said in distaste.
"Don't listen to her." Hange waved Mikasa statement off. "She's still salty about the time Levi beat up Eren for interfering in a case."
"Can we not talk about this now? Out in public?" I pleaded.
"And what are you ladies doing out at this hour?" The voice of a snide man questioned us. I wiped my head forward, not liking the tone in this werewolf's voice. He stood of average height for a man – tall for me – with an equal average build. A black mop of hair sat on top of his head, the underside cut similar to Levi though not as nicely put together as his. He sported a light goatee and mustache which in my opinion should just be shaved off. And brown eyes that seemed to only be glaring hard at me.
Did I mention he was wearing a police uniform? A fancy one at that. Someone of high ranking. Great.
"Is there a problem Commissioner Nile Dok?" Petra asked. Dok's eyes narrowed even further down at me. So I challenged him back, staring him down equally.
"There was a murder a few cities over, about 30 miles away." His eyes never left mine. "The body of a female human was pulled out of a river. The only one they've had in the past few weeks. The Survey Corps are confident it doesn't relate to a rogue attack but they wanted me to inform everyone to be on the alert." Nile Dok stepped through our group and leaned down to my eye level. "You can never be too sure." I growled out a warning, hoping he'd get the hint to back off. But he didn't.
"Are you accusing me as the murderer?" I didn't take lightly to this disrespect. Police Commissioner or not. I wasn't going to let him treat me this way.
"Now why would you jump to that conclusion?" He egged on. "I wasn't accusing you of anything."
"Back off Dok." Mikasa growled. "Dani would never do such a thing."
"Yeah she was with us the entire night anyway." Petra was quick to defend.
"And before that she was with Leeeevvvvviiiiiii." Hange not now!
"That may be so." Dok straightened himself out. "But that doesn't mean I trust you. Listen well rouge because I'll only say this once. If I find anything dirty about your past, and I mean anything no matter how small it may be, I'll be the first to take you down and it won't be pretty. I'm a man of my word." I growled one final warning. Nile Dok just stood there and smirked before finally looking at the others. "You have a nice rest of your night ladies." He turned on his heal and walked through the parking lot. Mikasa growled lowly, fists clenched. One step forward was enough to get all the girls to pounce on her just to hold her back from attacking the Commissioner and causing a scene.
"Don't Mikasa!" Krista begged.
"He's not worth it!" Petra added.
"You know what I disagree." Hange quickly let go. "Get him Mikasa!"
"Hange!" The rest of us yelled at her – minus Mikasa who had started to calm down as Nile Dok drove off in his black SUV.
"Let's just head home." I grumbled, now in an even worse mood. This day just went from bad to worse.
"But weren't we going to talk about your love life over a dozen pizzas?" Sasha asked confused.
***
I walked out of my bathroom in my pj's with steam bellowing out around me and into my room. With a towel in hand I gently rubbed my wet hair as I searched for my brush. A small blue blinking light from my cellphone that lay carelessly on my bed caught the corner of my eye. Curious, I picked it up to see I had two text messages. Petra and...Levi?
Levi:
9:33 p.m.
Oi brat, you did a good job cleaning today.
I couldn't help but smile. And I wouldn't say this out loud but considering the kind of day I had, that right there made me feel a little better.
Me:
10:05
Did the great Levi just compliment me???
I then opened up Petra's text next.
Petra:
9:47
You know what I've always heard? The key to a guy's heart is through his stomach. Give that a try ;)
I rolled my eyes until my notification tone caught my attention.
Levi:
10:06
Don't get used to it. And don't even think that's an excuse to start slacking off or I'm giving you an extra week.
Now that sounds kinda tempting. I giggled to myself but I abruptly stopped, catching myself in the act. Did I really just giggle like a high schooler texting her first real boyfriend? Pull yourself together!
Me:
10:07
Thanks Levi :) Goodnight
Levi:
10:07
Yeah whatever brat, goodnight.
Then I got to thinking of Petra's text. I did give him a crepe before but did he like it? Should I make other baked goods and see how he likes them? I opened up Petra's text once again.
Me:
10:10
Can I borrow the kitchen after business hours please?
Petra:
10:10
YES! Does this mean what I think it means???
I tried to suppress a smile and a blush, hating to admit defeat. But I failed.
Me:
10:11
Yes Petra. It does. Happy now?
Petra:
10:11
EXTREMELEY!
I rolled my eyes. Well at least she's happy. Too bad I haven't told her what Levi said about his view on mates. And just like that my shoulders sunk and my good mood vanished. I shook my head.
No. I can't think like that. If Levi could be my one and true soulmate then I sure as hell am going to give it a try. I'll prove him wrong. Even if I may not be the one I'll at least be showing him that he doesn't need to be afraid of getting close to others; letting people in and letting them care for him. He doesn't have to live like this the rest of his life. He deserves happiness and I'll give it to him one way or another.
My mental determination speech was interrupted by my notification jingle once again.
Hange:
10:17
Did I hear we're going to have Levi pups?!?!
Seriously?
Me:
10:17
No. Now go to sleep.