-Haruka POV-
"What are you thinking, Charles!" Ray half-yelled at me in disbelief. His voice was sharp with frustration.
I know he will react like this, but I didn't expect he would be this mad. Luckily, I reserved a private dining room.
I met his glare head-on, refusing to flinch. "I need your help, Ray. You're the only one who can do this."
He scoffed, running a hand through his blonde hair. "Do what? Walk straight into hell?" He looked straight into my eyes, lowering his voice. "You want me to infiltrate Claude's mansion by disguising as one of the elite's sons? Do you even understand what you're asking me to do?" He rubbed his forehead.
I clenched my jaw. "Yes. And I know you're capable of it. Or are you saying you cannot do that?" I said, looking at him with a firm look.
Ray let out a bitter laugh. "Hah. Who do you think I am, Charles? Of course that would be an easy task for me, but that's not the point here. The point is that it's suicide. Not me, but you! Claude isn't just some rich brat with power, he's ruthless. You think you can take him down with just information? What if he finds out? What if…"
"I don't care!" I snapped, slamming my hands on the table between us. My chest was heaving, my emotions bubbling over, but I forced myself to calm down. "If you won't do it, then I will."
Ray's expression darkened. "No, you won't"
"I will," I repeated, my voice unwavering. "One way or another, I'm getting into that mansion to find something that can destroy him. So if you won't help me, I'll find another way." I said, looking away from him.
Ray's entire posture stiffened. His jaw clenched as he stared at me, eyes filled with a mix of anger and something else, something close to fear.
"You don't get it, do you?" He muttered. "I promised your family I'd protect you. I can't let you do this." He looks down, there's fear in his voice.
"Then do it for me," I said, my voice softer now but just as determined. "You can protect me by doing that for me instead of letting me go by myself, right? I know you promised my family, but I really need your help this time, Ray." I said that, almost like I'm begging him.
Ray exhaled sharply, looking away for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter. "Charles, why are you doing this? You know how dangerous Claude Bernard can be." This time, he looks at me with a gentle gaze.
I swallowed hard before answering. "Because he threatened Levi."
Ray's head snapped up. "He even threatened the great Levi Ackerman!" He let out a disbelieving laugh, shaking his head. "And here you are, thinking about bringing him down. Charles, please think about this again." He pleaded.
"I already have, and I'm not backing down." I said that firmly.
Ray studied me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if trying to find a crack in my resolve. Then, with a sigh, he leaned against his chair, rubbing his temples.
"Why are you doing this just for him?" He finally asked, his voice quieter this time. "Charles, I know very well where you swing into. Do you have feelings for him?" Ray asked. Yeah, he knew I was gay.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
Did I?
I cared about Levi. That much was clear. But was it just sympathy? Was it admiration? Or was it something more?
Ray narrowed his eyes at my hesitation. "You don't even know, do you?"
"It doesn't matter." I looked away.
Ray sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "It does, Charles."
But I shook my head. "No, it doesn't. Because no matter what the reason is, my decision won't change." I said that with a firm voice.
Silence stretched between us, heavy and tense. Then, finally, Ray let out a long breath and straightened.
"Fine." He muttered. "You win. I'll do it. I heard he will be holding a party the day after tomorrow. I'll try to sneak in on that day." Ray let out a sigh.
"Thank you, Ray." I muttered those words slowly.
"Haa. Just promise me you won't do something dangerous like this anymore. And after this job is over, you need to listen to what I said." He said that firmly. I didn't reply, but I'm sure he knew I couldn't oppose that. After all, his job is to protect me.
Relief washed over me, but it didn't erase the unease settling in my stomach. This was only the beginning. And there was no turning back now.
The night air felt heavy as I stepped out of the restaurant. Ray already left first because I told him to. The conversation with Ray still lingered in my mind, his words echoing like a warning I was too stubborn to heed. I pulled my coat tighter around myself, exhaling a long breath as I walked towards my car.
I knew what I was doing was reckless, but I couldn't just sit back and let Claude toy with my life… or Levi's. Levi already had been through too much. It's time for me to do something.
As I slid into the driver's seat, my phone buzzed. I hesitated before picking it up. Levi. My chest tightened as I stared at the screen. I wasn't ready to face him. Not yet.
I let the call go to voicemail, gripping the wheel as guilt curled inside me. I knew Levi would see through me the moment he looked into my eyes. He always did. And I wasn't ready for his questions or the way his concern would chip away at my resolve.
I started the engine and pulled out into the quiet streets. My place was only ten minutes away, but every second felt like a weight pressing down on me. The city lights blurred past my mind, and I was stuck on the way Ray looked at me, half worried, half exasperated.
'Do you have feelings for him?'
I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. It didn't matter. My feelings, whatever they were, weren't important. What mattered was keeping Levi safe and out of this mess. Even if it meant lying to him. Even if it meant pushing him away, I'll try my best. I can.
By the time I reached my place, exhaustion seeped into my bones. I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, shutting my eyes for a brief moment. Maybe I was in over my head. Maybe Ray was right. But it was too late to turn back now.
As I was leaning against the doors, the kittens came to me, brushing their bodies against my ankle. I guess adopting them is not the bad choice after all. As I was petting them, another buzz from my phone startled me. A message this time. It's Levi.
"I just got home from meeting my grandfather. Kinda miss you already. Send me a photo, will you?" That's what the message said.
I sighed. A small smile tugged at my lips before I brought Lev and Ha-chan closer to me to take a photo.
"Haha, you're impossible. Here." I attached the photo.
"OMG! Lev and Ha-chan! You're all just too cute! Are you free tomorrow, Haru-chan? I was thinking of coming over to spend some time together." A reply. He sure is fast. Haha.
"Yeah, I'm free. Now, go to sleep. It's late." I replied. Actually, I don't know what to talk about right now. My mind is still in a mess.
"Alright, Haru-chan! See you tomorrow. Sleep well <3" He replied. The love emoji at the end. Hah.
I hope everything is alright, and I can face him properly tomorrow. I better take a shower and go to sleep.
//THE NEXT DAY//
I found myself pacing my house, restlessly tidying things that were already clean. Levi had texted that he was on his way, and somehow, knowing he was coming over made me more anxious than I wanted to admit.
BEEP! CLACK!
The sound of the door opening made me freeze mid-step. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to the door, and there he was, dressed casually but still effortlessly put together. He had that usual cool demeanour, but there was a softness in his eyes that made my stomach twist.
"Hey," he greeted with a smirk. "Miss me?"
I rolled my eyes. "You were the one who said you missed me first." Then we made our way towards the living room.
He chuckled. "True."
Levi stretched out on the couch, making himself at home as I moved to the kitchen to grab us something to drink. He had this way of blending seamlessly into my space, like he belonged here. And maybe that was what unsettled me the most.
"So, what are we doing today?" Levi asked, looking at me as I walked towards him.
I returned with two cups, a black tea and hot chocolate, setting one down in front of him. "You're the one who wanted to come over, remember? Shouldn't you have a plan?"
He smirked, taking a sip. "My plan was to bother you all day. How's that working out?" He said that with a chuckle.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the smile forming on my lips. "Terribly."
Before Levi could come up with another smart remark, the kittens leaped onto the couch beside him. His entire demeanour shifted in an instant.
"Lev! Ha-chan!" Levi's face lit up as he scooped up the female kitten, cradling her gently in his hands. "I missed you two. Did you miss me?"
Ha-chan meowed in response, rubbing her head against Levi's chin, while Lev curled up beside him, purring softly. I watched as Levi's usual cool, sharp demeanour melted into something soft and affectionate. He scratched under Lev's chin while holding Ha-chan close, his expression one of pure joy.
"They've gotten bigger," he murmured, completely ignoring me in favour of lavishing all his attention on them. "Still, just as cute, though."
I sat beside him, sipping my hot chocolate. "You act like you're their actual owner."
"I might as well be," Levi shot back, shooting me a pointed look. "They like me more than you."
As if proving his point, Ha-chan nuzzled into Levi's chest while Lev stretched out lazily across his lap. He looked ridiculously content, a stark contrast to his usual composed self.
"Fine, take them. I'll adopt new ones." I pretended to sigh in defeat, only to be met with an incredulous look from Levi.
"Don't you dare," he warned, clutching Ha-chan protectively. "They're mine now." He said that, and then Lev landed on my lap.
"Well, I guess Lev likes you more, just like how I like you. You're pretty after all." Levi said with a chuckle.
I let out a laugh, shaking my head. "You're ridiculous."
For the next hour, we lounged around, playing with the kittens. Levi pulled out a toy mouse, watching with undisguised amusement as they pounced and tumbled over each other. His laughter filled the room, rare and genuine, and I found myself just watching him instead of the kittens.
Somewhere in the middle of the play session, the babies finally tired out, curling up together on a plush blanket near the couch. Their tiny chests rose and fell in sync, their peaceful expressions making the room feel even quieter.
Levi leaned back against the couch, stretching his arms behind his head with a satisfied sigh. "Guess it's just us now."
I nodded, my gaze lingering on the sleeping kittens before turning back to him. The air felt different without their playful energy filling the space. It wasn't awkward, just quieter, more intimate.
Levi tilted his head, his piercing gaze settling on me. "Do you always get this serious when it's just the two of us?"
I scoffed, shaking my head. "I'm not serious. Just… thinking."
He smirked, shifting slightly so he was facing me. "Thinking about what? How devastatingly handsome I am?" He said, showing off his handsome face. Well, he's not wrong, though.
I rolled my eyes. "More like wondering why I let you into my house."
He let out a soft chuckle, the kind that made the corners of his eyes crinkle. "Too late to kick me out now. Besides, I know you enjoy my company."
I didn't reply right away. Because he wasn't wrong.
Instead, I leaned back against the couch, watching as Levi absentmindedly traced patterns on the cushion beside him. It was rare to see him like this, relaxed, almost peaceful.
"Do you ever just sit still and not tease someone?" I asked, arching a brow.
Levi smirked, shifting closer. "Do you ever stop pretending you don't like it? Besides, I only act like this when I'm with you." He said that with a sweet voice, looking straight in my eyes. I looked away in an instant.
The space between us had grown smaller. It wasn't intentional, but I noticed it now, the warmth of his body near mine, the way his voice sounded softer when he wasn't trying to prove a point.
"This house is really big," Levi murmured, his gaze flickering around the house before settling on me again. "Does it ever feel too empty?"
I exhaled slowly. "Sometimes."
He nodded as if he understood. "Then it's a good thing I'm here, isn't it?" He replied with a smile.
I met his gaze, my pulse unsteady. "Yeah. It is."
Silence settled over us again, but this time, it felt different—heavier, charged with something unspoken. Levi shifted slightly, his knee brushing against mine.
I shifted slightly, glancing at him. "Are you staying the night?"
Levi met my gaze, unreadable for a moment, before a slow smirk tugged at his lips. "Do you want me to?"
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. "I was just asking."
He hummed, tilting his head as if considering. "Well, I wasn't planning to leave. Unless you want me to."
I didn't answer right away. Maybe because I wasn't sure how to. The space between us felt like it was closing in, the air shifting, thick with something unspoken but undeniable.
Levi moved first, leaning in just enough that I could feel his breath against my skin. My heart pounded, anticipation settling deep in my stomach.
"Haru-chan," he murmured, voice softer now, more careful. "Tell me if you don't want this."
I didn't say anything. Instead, I reached for him, closing the distance between us as our lips met.
The first kiss was tentative, testing, but it didn't take long before restraint melted away. Levi's hand found my waist, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss, heat sparking between us.
My fingers tangled in his hair, a soft sound escaping him as I pressed against him. His body is warm, solid, grounding me in a way I didn't know I needed.
He pulled back just slightly, enough for our foreheads to touch. "Can I go all the way, Haru-chan?"
I met his gaze, steady despite the way my heart raced. "Yeah."
That was all he needed.
The next kiss was hungrier, filled with something we had both been holding back for too long. Hands roamed, bodies pressed closer, and soon, the couch was no longer enough.
Levi lifted me effortlessly, guiding us towards the bedroom, never breaking contact. Every touch, every kiss, felt like a fire igniting under my skin.
By the time we made it to the bed, there was no turning back.
Nothing else mattered anymore. Just him, just us, just this.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!