The hardships dwindled. Regretful memories were cast aside, only to be replaced with a future brimming with smiles and forgotten blunders. Everything seemed to be blossoming accordingly, from the lilies I received from Eren and a repaired relationship with Erwin, all the way to a significant alteration in my romance regarding Levi. Positively, of course, since after I cleared the air with our distressed Aryan friend, Levi and I were able to advance smoothly with our dating lives, sharing kisses at the park or cuddling on the couch with a movie on Sunday evenings.
Erwin resumed his attorney duties with a pep in his step, again plastering genuine smiles on his masculine face. Little by little, his advances came to a halt until the feelings he had for me were discarded into the past, and the blank canvas of our future was starting to pave itself before us.
Levi, who still resented Erwin for his audacious behavior and treatment towards me, showed no signs of improvement in mending their relationship. Although, Erwin attempted to patch the gap he had created between them, yet Levi only responded with distasteful words and insults in regards to the Aryan male, ultimately abandoning their conversations altogether.
On the other hand, Mike was in the process of acclimatizing to his new workplace at Brightfield. Yes, it just so happened the honey-haired fellow decided to transfer from the firm he was employed at to join the diverse team at Brightfield. Erwin seemed ecstatic for his arrival, proffering him a hug reserved for a deep-connection bromance. The last I had seen Mike, however, was at Erwin's party many months prior, but on the bright side, the towering male hadn't changed in the slightest.
The only problem I encountered with Mike after his transition was the peculiar event regarding an empty break room and a perplexing statement.
I had been lounging in the break room by my lonesome one morning, patiently waiting for Levi to return from his trip back downstairs, since his scatterbrained self had forgotten a pile of case material in the backseat. Unbeknownst to me, there were other faculty members milling around the firm, a few that I had seen were Eren, Erwin and Mira. Then, as though time itself had frozen over, the presence of another being seemed to materialize behind me, the following utterance spoken in a hushed tone:
"You smell strongly of lavender, and Levi's shampoo."
Yelping, I jolted around to face the mysterious sniffer, only to meet the bewildered stare of Mike Zacharius. "Uh . . . good morning, sir?" I questioned rather than uttered, absentmindedly clasping my fingers a bit too tightly.
"Mornin'," he mumbled nonchalantly, as if he never inhaled my scent in the first place. "Roxanne, right?"
I bobbed my head in response. Perhaps I had not registered the fact that he could possibly be a closet weirdo, judging by the way he blatantly vocalized remarks that were uttered by Erwin towards me at the gala and, well, most importantly, how he waltzed right up and got a whiff of me.
"Yes, I remember you," he deadpanned, his expression beaming seconds later like a certain memory dawned upon him. "The attractive accountant girl with the small chest, but large brain! Of course, how could I forget that divine herbal aroma!"
Doesn't that count as sexual harassment?! I pondered, eyes scanning over the ox-built male until I met his virescent hues once again.
"Ah, but we work together now though, yes?" he inquired apologetically, hands on his hips and a smile on his mustachioed face. "That makes us friends, so call me Mike! If you can do that, I promise I won't smell you anymore, even if it is tempting, deal?"
Now he's bribing me?! Sounds more like threatening though . . . but it's worth a shot.
"Okay!" I beamed, partially outstretching my hand for a customary shake. Yet, instead of returning the gesture, Mike embraced me in a tight squeeze, raising me from my sedentary position on the floor and practically crushing the air out of my lungs.
"Aw, you're a huge sweetie!" he crooned, his hold on me tightening, if it was even possible at that point. "I just know we're gonna get along super duper swell!"
I managed to gargle out a few affirmative responses, however, with the bone-crushing hug draining the oxygen from my lungs, it was a miracle I could even utter a single word to the hefty man. Affectionate, yes, but his strength could have posed a safety hazard for anyone with a five mile radius of Mike. Although, he was quite adorable when expressing his excitement for our new-found relationship, so I supposed that his brute, physical prowess could be cast aside with ease.
"Zacharius," another individual in the room growled, tone venomous and dripping with pure disgust. "Put her down before I hurl your ass out the window."
Baffled by the newcomer, Mike unknowingly let his grasp falter, allowing me with slip out of his strapping arms, and back to my original standing place. The person who had intervened was none other than Levi, his left eye twitching as he constrained to release his pent-up frustration with the remarkably-taller male.
Mike merely chuckled in embarrassment, his face tinted a subtle pink and a cheeky grin playing at his lips. "S-sorry," he stuttered, proceeding to awkwardly shuffle out of the area and most likely return to his own office for the morning.
"What a buffoon," Levi muttered, the documents secure under his right arm.
"He seems . . . nice," I chimed in, giggling nervously while I directed my full attention to Levi.
"Well, now that he's out of the way," Levi grumbled, placing his folders the nearest table, "there's something I've been meaning to ask you, Roxanne."
Widening my olive eyes, I blinked curiously as I peered at the raven-haired male. "Y-yes, what is it?"
"Look, we've been dating for a while now, haven't we?" He paused, and I nodded my head in approval. Exhaling a mute sigh through his slightly parted lips, Levi continued: "I've . . . been debating on whether or not to take the next step in our relationship."
"Next step?" I inquired for clarification.
"I . . . want to introduce you to my parents," he explained, averting his rainy hues from my figure in a bashful manner. "You see, the problem is, they live out in the countryside a few hours away from here, and we would only be permitted to stay a weekend with them, at most. But, if you are willing to sacrifice just forty-eight hours of your time to spend it with my parents and I, I would be . . . e-eternally grateful."
Registering Levi's disparaging frown and salmon shade spreading across his angular face, I reached out and pinched his cheek, squeezing the reddened flesh in a teasing fashion. "What makes you think I wouldn't want to accompany you, Levi?" I inquired, releasing my touch from him once he scrunched up his features in disdain. "Of course I want to meet your parents, I've been aching to see who raised such an amazing and genuine man!"
"Roxanne," Levi growled, his pale lips pursed into a humiliated sneer, "we're at work . . . show some decency when assaulting me with your hands."
"My affection is far from assaulting, mind you," I huffed, folding my arms flat across my moderate chest. "But, I suppose I can restrain from bullying you with my love until this weekend, since I'll have you all to myself."
"Aside from my parents, that is," he noted, cocking his head to the left slightly. "Tomorrow's Friday, yeah? I recommend we leave straight after work at around five-thirty, get dinner someplace nice, then drive out there. Sound good?"
"Whatever you decide, I'll follow through with it." Flashing Levi a warm grin, I uncrossed my arms and clasped my hands below my chin. "That means we'll be packing tonight then? Ah, this is so exciting! You and I spending the weekend enjoying the fresh air and meeting your family . . . I'm fit to burst from all this joy!"
Levi graced me with one of his rare smiles, the corners of his mouth curving upwards by a minuscule fraction. "Wonderful, I'm glad we've sorted this out," he stated, shuffling his folders together and picking them up from the table. "If you're curious about anything else, don't be afraid to pop into my office today, or discuss it when we're at home, okay?"
I nodded in agreement, my smile widening at his words.
"Alright, pumpkin, I have to go organize these files, so I'll see you in a bit or later today." Levi glanced at our surroundings before pacing closer to my and proffering me with a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Oh, and I might dropped some personal banking documents on your desk when I was returning from the car. I hope you don't mind analyzing those for me."
"You want me to do your measly paperwork?!" I squeaked, chestnut brows knitting in displeasure and face scorching with a horrendous heat.
"Well, you are the accountant," he goaded, chuckling. Once his mocking laughter ceased, Levi pressed his lips to mine, earning an additional scorching blush to creep upon my features when he abruptly pulled back afterwards. "You know, flustered is a good color on you, perhaps I should display my affection for you around the workplace more often . . . "
"You most certainly will not!" I intervened, shoving the arrogant male aside and sauntering towards the break room's door. "And don't you have more productive things to do then waste your precious time with me? Save your wooing for when we're at home, Levi, unless you intend to be thrown out the window!"
Batting his dark lashes innocently, Levi grinned sheepishly and murmured, "Reasons why I love you so, my delectable peach tart."
"Away with you," I muttered, shooing him with a swiping motion of my hand. "I'm mortified when you announce that nickname when we're in public . . . " Sighing, I slid behind the archway, meagerly peeking my head from behind the barrier. "Just, get to work . . . moon cookie . . . "
Giggling at the endearing pet name, Levi whirled around and waltzed in the direction of the opposite break room exit, crooning, "Whatever you say."
Groaning from his carefree attitude, I stalked back to my own office, relieved when Mira was too preoccupied at her desk to bombard me with idle gossip or questions pertaining to my relationship with Levi. That being said, the whole workday flew by smoothly, and when Friday rolled over, Levi and I were fully prepared for our weekend escapades. True to his word, Levi settled on a small restaurant located in the northern part of town for dinner where the two of us shared a lovely meal and intriguing discussions.
The drive, however, was mundane and tedious. Hours passed languidly, even if Levi and I indulged in a few interesting topics of conversation. Miles upon miles were carved with similar scenery, complete with sprawling pastures, mounds of grassy hills, and an occasional fruit orchard beside the concrete road. By the time we reached our destination though, it was nearing midnight, but the mind-numbing journey was behind us when I stood beside Levi on the porch belonging to his parent's humble abode.
Unlocking the front door, Levi signaled for me to remain quiet, followed by the statement: "Best not to wake my father . . . We can surprise him in the morning."
"What about your mother?" I questioned, voice bordering inaudible.
"We're going to visit her tomorrow," he replied, barely struggling as he carried both of our luggage. "Now, let's unpack our things in the guest room and snuggle until we fall asleep, alright?"
I had no further objections concerning his plans. Then again, I pondered why I hadn't pressed the subject on meeting his mother when we ventured into his father's household in the middle of the night. Perhaps it was for the best though, the thought was answered when we slunk out the next morning at six, clad in dark attire and stopping by a local florist. Although, I immediately wondered how Levi wasn't visibly suffering of heartbreak when we were both standing before a small headstone in a graveyard, a bouquet in his left hand and both of our figures donning ebony clothing.
"My mother passed away when I was a newborn," Levi disclosed, his free hand burrowed in his slacks' pocket. "The doctors told my father that after my birth, she acquired some . . . complications. Internal bleeding was an issue, and such a large one that the doctors and nurses weren't able to prevent anymore damage. My father was heartbroken when they confessed she perished in the wee hours of the morning, and it's taken its toll on him ever since then."
The raven-haired male heaved a remorseful sigh, fingers curling the bouquet tighter until he was white-knuckling it. We stood there, statuesque before the gravestone, for at least a full minute without a word spoken, or sound emitted. Lifting my lashes, I cautiously peeked over to Levi, his eyelids closed and neutrality numbing his system. It was quite heart-wrenching to observe, watching the man I had come to love so much crumble at the memory of his dear mother.
Hesitantly, I raised a delicate hand to his shoulder and rested it there, registering how my peachy complexion contrasted with the inky, abyssal pigment of his suit jacket. He barely curved his head at my action, his stormy hues contemplating where my fingers currently resided on his body. It was as if he wanted to scold me for touching him, but refrained, and absently let the gesture advance.
His ever-lasting scowl was etched onto his porcelain features, radiating sadder emotions like desolation and regret. Regret, although was noticeable considering his countenance, surely was an emotion he should never feel in regards to his mother's death. Nor was it his fault that she passed at such an untimely age. If that was true, would it have been possible that he went his whole life feeling this way, cursing himself for being born, or not living up to her expectations?
No, it was a fallacy, such a remarkable one that I couldn't allow myself to remain silent during his hour of comfort. Just one word, phrase, even a whole sentence would work, but what was I to say?
"You're mother she . . . I think she would be proud of you," I sputtered in a solemn tone. "I mean, take a look at yourself, Levi. Your father raised such a compassionate and selfless man who genuinely cares about the people in his life. You've . . . sacrificed so much for me, for Erwin, for everyone around you, and it just . . . pains me to know you're suffering all by your lonesome over this.
"I'm . . . I'm sure your mother would agree when I say you shouldn't berate yourself for her endeavor. No matter what, she would want you to be strong, and not blame yourself for what happened."
"Tch, you didn't know her, so where's the proof in your statement?" Levi muttered, eyes fixated to mine the entire time.
"A mother's love is a powerful gift, Levi," I answered, trailing my hand down until I grazed my fingertips against the back of his hand. "Don't think for a second she would regret bringing you into this world. If anything, she must be proud of who you've become. I may not understand the feeling of losing a mother, but from what I've experienced, mothers have always striven to protect and love their children, no matter the cost. True, your mother perished too early, but that doesn't change the fact that where ever she is, she's still enamored with the little bundle of joy she birthed . . . You're always going to be the universe to her, Levi."
Blinking, Levi inhaled a deep breath before pursing his lips and tilting his head in the direction of the headstone. "I've wronged her, haven't I?" he inquired weakly, cobalt hues shrouded from his silken fringe, yet an evident tear slid down his pallid cheek. "After all this time, how could she still care for someone as ignorant and despicable as me?"
"No, no, you're nothing like that, and never will be," I reassured as I lightly tapped my fingers against his own and the bouquet. "Your burdening thoughts are mere wind from her standpoint, because deep down, you always knew it wasn't your fault, and so did she."
Using my free hand, I cusped the bleached parchment containing the blooming flowers and eased it down to the grave, Levi obediently crouching as we both placed the memorial item by the stone. Levi hiccuped softly when he was forced to release his grip and return to an upright position. Crestfallen at his behavior, I slid my hand hand towards his left, our palms slipping against the other's and fingers instinctively entwining. I allowed him to spill the remainder of his tears without uttering anything, afraid that if I did, it wouldn't be as potent as my earlier assertions.
"You're a mess," I scolded affectionately when his sniffling came to a halt. "Here, let me help you."
Extracting the handkerchief Levi kept hidden in his breast pocket, I dabbed his face with the white cloth, our adjacent hands still laced as I cleaned him with my opposite one. He gradually steadied his breathing to a leisure pace, expiring gentle puffs of air when necessary. After I scrubbed his features and rid him of any salty residue, Levi flashed a feeble smile and huffed out a faint chuckle.
"I don't deserve your compassion," he breathed, fluttering his heavy eyelids open to gaze at me. Although puffy from weeping, Levi remained as gorgeous as ever from my perspective, a microscopic curl of the lips plastered on his normally-stoic countenance and rainy irises glimmering with heartfelt emotions.
"You deserve every last drop," I responded, leaning in to capture his lips with mine. The raven-haired male rested his right hand on my hips when I pulled back from the amorous moment first, suggesting, "We still haven't graced your father with our presence, and it's nearing breakfast time . . . what say you, Levi?"
"I'm starving and exhausted from crying," he acknowledged bluntly, tugging on our linked hands like a shy child. "Home sounds perfect right now."
From there, Levi and I walked side-by-side to his car, relishing in the silence that enveloped our soothing drive. Upon returning to his father's, Levi introduced me to the said male, whose name happened to be Kenny. We shared respectful greetings to one another before spending the morning and afternoon keeping the older gentleman company in the living room, Levi vividly recounting stories to his father on how we met. The fervent male even added the cringe-worthy part of when I confessed to him in an awkward, yet sporadic fashion.
Kenny merely laughed when I squealed for Levi to quit his incessant banter, confiding in him that my behavior during the monumental event was humiliating and shameful. Levi cooed that it was necessary for him to divulge to his father of our romantic milestones, leaving me a blushing puddle by the time his squabbling came to a standstill. Kenny then proposed we ought to begin prepping dinner, a motion I whole-heartedly accepted.
It was announced that all members in the household were to be stationed with a specific task when preparing our evening meal. Kenny stationed himself with the meat, Levi was reduced to overseeing the sauces and baked items, while I busied myself with slicing vegetables and assisting Levi with any oven troubles. However, halfway through chopping some shallots, I accidentally shifted the placement of my hand, causing the knife to slip. I immediately winced, the incision on my index pricking with a small droplet of blood.
Levi, who was preoccupied with checking something on the stove, heard my yelp and rushed to my side, scowling when his metallic-blue hues affixed themselves to my injury. I reckoned that he would reprimand me for my carelessness, but instead he guided me to the sink, where he cleaned my wound with a cautious touch. He left afterwards, returning moments later with a strip of white bandaging and medical tape.
He dressed it appropriately, and proffered a sympathetic kiss to the wrapped area. "Be more careful next time," he advised with a subdued voice afterwards, proceeding to direct his attention back to stove, where surprisingly, nothing had been scorched or overcooked.
"You know, I can practically hear wedding bells chime when you two are together," jeered Kenny when we had all sat down in the dining room.
"Dad, could you please refrain from uttering such audacious things," Levi scolded through grit teeth, a flushed hue spreading across his cheeks. "You're embarrassing Roxanne . . . "
Kenny guffawed boisterously at Levi's innocent remark. "Levi, the only one I'm embarrassing is you!"
Levi clenched his jaw tighter, a growl resonating from his throat. Without warning, the raven-haired male grabbed one of the rolls from the clothed basket and chucked it at his father, retorting, "Cram it, old man!"
Sighing, I rested my left hand on Levi's thigh, gaining his attention rather quickly. "Stop throwing food at your father, we spent a lot of time preparing those together, didn't we?"
Halfway through attempting to hurl another baked treat at Kenny, Levi grunted in acknowledgement of my scolding and set the bread-filled item back on the table. Still clutching one of the rolls, Levi glanced at it as he held it away from his face, muttering, "They were made with love . . . "
"I apologize for his behavior, Kenny," I said, watching as Levi thoroughly inspected his piece of bread for any burnt marks or dents. "You're not embarrassing me in the slightest, Levi's just been a bit . . . tense lately."
"Work is piling up more now that Erwin is back to his happy-go-lucky self," Levi chimed in, setting his roll on the edge of his full plate. "I barely have enough time to be with you, Roxanne. It . . . I don't know, aggravates me and I feel like we'll drift apart."
"Son, what makes you say that?" interjected Kenny, who was about to scarf down a section of his halibut. "You're sitting here, in my house, with your charming girlfriend, and you have the nerve to say you two aren't going to make it in the long run?"
"That's . . . not what I'm trying to convey," Levi added solemnly as he poked his meal around. "I want to be with Roxanne for a very long time, perhaps even marry her someday, but I'm afraid that my schedule will prevent us from sharing some much-needed time with one another."
"Levi," I breathed, olive hues glistening with heartfelt emotions, "you want to marry me?"
Levi's narrowed eyes widened a considerable amount, his posture becoming rigid after I spoke. "We're not discussing this now, " he drawled, proceeding to stuff his mouth in order to prevent himself from answering or speaking anything else.
Proffering Kenny a bashful smile, an awkward silence ensued after Levi's curt answer, prompting the two of us to resume eating our own meals. Once in a while, the three of us would spare a glance to someone else at the table, or we filled the quietude with appropriate dinner discussion and polite mannerisms. When we were all finished, thanks were spoken for the roles we completed in order to procure the favorable supper.
Then, with the night dwindling into the later hours, Levi and I decided to spend our time outside, cuddling on a swinging bench while we steadily pushed it back and forth, the object quietly creaking as we did so. From the back porch, we had the clearest view of the verdant pastures beneath the hill the house resided on, the winding waves of grass and fenced acres sprawling across the countryside gorgeously. Even the stars speckled the night sky, their glittering hues contrasting with the navy heavens above us.
Crickets chirped near the trees as I rested my weary head on Levi's shoulder, his arm around my side and hand resting on the curve of my waist. Embraced in his comfort and warmth, I inhaled a soothing breath, exhaling with a content sigh. "Did you really mean what you said over dinner?" I inquired, tilting my head up to gaze at Levi.
He clucked his tongue indignantly, questioning, "Do you not trust my word or something?"
"N-no, it's nothing like that!" I stammered defensively with a squeaky voice. "It's just, I've never heard you talk about settling down or drawing any domestic plans for the two of us. I guess I internalized that you weren't the type to partake in those sort of things . . ."
Smirking, he gently cupped my chin and affixed his cobalt stare to me, although, his eyes were half-lidded in kindness. "Darling, before I met you, I believed I was through with women, through with relationships altogether. Women were always such hurtful beings to me, said I was cold-hearted and bitter. But you know how things go, when you are told such things, you become the opposite of what you really are. I became bitter and distant, plus, it was already hard enough for me to express my feelings to others.
"Ah, but then you waltzed into my life and thawed my frozen heart." He pecked the bridge of my nose before continuing, "Your compassion and sincerity has molded me into a tolerable person, one who has recognized that I may never love another woman as much as you, Roxanne . . . Without you, I'm unsure if I would be the same man I am sitting beside you, holding you like so and introducing you to my parents."
Sniffling quietly, I blinked my olive hues in order to shed the affectionate tears that were beginning to prick the corners of my eyes. "Oh, Levi," I managed to whisper, raising a quivering hand to trace his jawline.
The raven-haired male curled his lips at my gesture, bringing his own hands up to grasp mine in order to palm his cheek. Thumbing at his ivory skin, I smiled back as his lashes fluttered shut, a content expression washing over his features like the ebbing waves of a calm ocean.
"If only you could comprehend how vast my love for you is," Levi murmured, nuzzling into my touch as he spoke. "Mere words cannot begin to describe the depth of this overwhelming passion that makes my heart skip beats, or face burn so severely . . . I'm falling, Roxanne, forever falling because I've grown to love you so much . . . Promise me, you'll never leave a poor, infatuated man like myself for someone better."
"I'll never find someone better," I replied tenderly. "Not in a million years, would I be able to unearth another individual who was as imperfectly perfect as you . . . You're the definition of my everything, and I fret that without you, I would crumble into ashes and scatter the world with yearning particles . . . You'll never know how much I love you, Levi Ackerman."
Heaving an ardent sigh, Levi craned closer and rested his forehead against mine, the tips of our noses brushing the other's accidentally, but ideally. How was it possible that after so many hardships, I found myself indulging in devoted moments with Levi? To be quite honest, I legitimately felt as though our love was reserved for fictional movies, or sweet dreams that lapped at my subconscious when I slumbered. Despite that notion, I wouldn't trade my romance with Levi for the world, since no offer could compare to the fondness and attachment I held for the raven-haired male.
"I coudn't ask for a more flawless evening," I breathed, "thank you."