Beneath The Flies • 《 Levi × Reader 》

《 Chapter 15 》• A Wound To Remember

Levi's expressionless gaze cut through the overgrowth of the looming forest as I leaned against the creaky railing of the front porch, watching the hunters return with grins on their faces. I propped my elbow up, resting my head in my palm, legs behind me a bit so I could rest my weight comfortably on the railing.

They were a few meters away from the cabin, but I could still see Hange's gleaming grin, and Sasha's jumpy posture. I could see Mikasa's long, black bangs kissing the tip of her nose as she watched Sasha and Hange converse with a few ducks held in her hands, and I could see Levi at the back behind them all, eyes fervently on me.

I felt my heart leap as I felt the wind comb through my hair, carrying the message of his approach over to me, whispering in my ear that my thundering heart meant something a little more than I originally assumed...
That it had a deeper, concealed meaning that I had yet to ascertain.

The group eventually came to the foot of the porch, looking up at me with conquering smiles that stretched from ear to ear.

All except Levi, of course.

"It's not much, but it'll feed us good!" Hange snatched one of the ducks out of Mikasa's hands, her fingers clutching the flaccid neck. "Check it out!" Hange shoved it close to my face, forcing me to step back.

I held my hands up. "Woah! okay, okay- I see it," I said fastly. I turned to the rest of the group behind her. "Nice work, guys."

I hadn't gone with them today due to stubbornly sleeping in, so Hange took my place. I was glad to see them in such high spirits. Hange probably provided them with much more positive feelings than I did...

"Hey, [Y/n], what's with the bandages?" Hange then took notice of my arm, blood already seeping through. I looked at it, groaning in annoyance at the fact I was going to need to rebandage myself.

"I was being a clutz. Nothing new," I repeated what I had told Armin, my fingers placing themselves on the blood soaked bandages. I watched how a thin layer of blood managed past the barrier of bandage, attaching to the fingers that touched it. I held my hand up to my face, eyeing my reddened fingers. Blood... It always put me in a foul mood...

Levi hurriedly stepped up on the porch, snatching my hand and staring at the blood that soiled it. He then brought his pensive stare over to where the blood came from.

"You're hurt?" His voice soothed my aching mind that raced from the memory of the event that caused the wound. "Let me see."

I only pressed my lips into a thin line, frowning as I brought my head down to escape his perturbed eyes that seemed to beg me for an answer, even though it was obvious.

"Well what does it look like?" I responded, eyes still on the floor of the worn porch, brows turned upward in a frustrated expression that I hid from Levi. But the attempt was futile, for he saw anyways.

"You really are a clutz..." He glared, bringing himself over to my side as the kids walked inside, dismissing themselves. Only Hange remained, folding their arms across their chest as they took a step toward the door.

"When Levi's done pestering you, come see me. I'll clean you up." She said, heading inside. Levi gave her a resentful scowl.

"Tch."

My shoulder was beginning to sting again, throbbing underneath the tight bandages.

Levi brought his hands up, but quickly stopped just before allowing himself to touch me. He brought his eyes up to mine, the shadows dampening the blue color as they implicitly asked me for permission.

I hesitated for a moment, but soon granted him with my consent, not wanting to push him away any longer.
He let his fingers glide across the bandages, sending a series of gentle tingles down my arm as he began to tug on the knot Armin had efficiently tied, fast at work. The way his skin felt against mine was the only thing saving me from having to endure the stabbing pain that tormented the inflamed surface of the wound. He pulled the dirtied bandages off, eyes slightly widening before returning to their usual stoic positioning.