In Another Life

Chapter 19

Y/N POV

I lay flat on my back for a few minutes longer after Levi had managed to peel himself away from me, leaving me alone to think in the room, but not before turning and telling me to return back to his room, as in ours.

I stare at the ceiling for another minute before I push myself up to sit. The thought of actually being with Levi seemed like a fever dream. Something I had built up completely on my own. A one-sided relationship. Levi... He fucked, yes. But he had never taken anyone exclusively. He never seemed too concerned with keeping company, never seemed like he wanted it. But now? I bite down on my bottom lip, feeling the heat radiating off of it. I look around once more before I push myself up to stand.

Pushing the door open to the office, my eyes find Levi standing off in the corner with Kaneki. The two of them stood side by side as Levi read from a book out loud next to the window. His eyes scan up from the page, meeting mine as he continues to read aloud the sentence. My lips tug into a soft smile, nodding at him once before he drops his eyes and continues where he left off.

My smile drops as soon as he looks away, my eyes finding Kaneki. We hadn't spoken about it yet, me and Levi. But from the comments he had made earlier, I could tell it bothered him that Kaneki didn't know who he was to him.

Crossing the room, I kneel down beside Kaneki, resting my hand on his back as Levi continues to read. Levi finishes the book just as Kaneki reaches up, pulling it from his hold. Levi grins down at Kaneki as he pulls the book from his hand before opening it and looking at the pages as if he could read. Our eyes meet for a second. His eyes searching mine, he wanted my answer. He wanted to know if I wanted to do this, be with him, be a family.

My eyes pan back down to Kaneki, rubbing his back to get his attention. "Kaneki."

Levi tilts his head to the side, curious but not wanting to interrupt.

Kaneki turns to meet my gaze. "Levi here is very dear to mommy. I care for him a lot."

Kaneki fumbles with the book, twisting at the hips to ignore my gaze. Levi's jaw twitches as he swallows. Breathing out, I look up to find his eyes already on me. Hungry.

"Like mommy cares for me?"

Kaneki pulls my attention back to him as his tiny eyes wait for mine.

I bite my lip, nodding. "Yes."

Levi breathes in deep as Kaneki looks up to him, as we both do.

"Do you love him, mommy?"

Time slows as I raise my head, exhaling as I meet his eyes. "Yes."

The corner of his mouth twitches as Kaneki reaches for me.

I drag my eyes back to our son, stunned at my sudden confession. "Kaneki."

I pull him back from my shoulder, from where he had been hugging me, wiping my nose as I clear my throat. I felt like I might cry.

"Baby, a long time ago, mommy knew Levi before you were born."

I watch Levi stiffen out of the corner of my eye. It was too late; he'd find out one way or another, and I'd rather us have control over that narrative.

"Mommy and Levi loved one another."

I cringe at my own words, I just hoped Levi understood I was trying to explain this to a child. Kaneki looks up to Levi and then back down to me. I don't dare look up; I just keep speaking.

"So much that one day we decided to make you."

Kaneki's brows pull together in confusion, turning around to stare up at Levi in shock.