-Levi POV-
"Sneaking off to the balcony in the middle of the event? How scandalous."
I sighed, already recognising the voice.
Hanabi stood at the doorway, arms crossed, a playful smirk tugged at her lips. Her sharp gaze flickered between the two of us, brimming with amusement.
"Haru onii-chan, leaving me behind just to have a private chat? How cruel?" Hanabi said, making her way towards us.
Haruka exhaled, clearly used to her antics. "You were busy talking with the others. I doubt you even noticed I was gone until now."
Hanabi grinned. "Guilty. But I noticed Levi was gone, and where he goes, you usually follow."
I scoffed, swirling the last of my whisky in the glass. "Tch. You make me sound like I'm some kind of escape artist."
"Aren't you?" Hanabi shot back playfully. "I've known you long enough to see how you work, Levi." She said that proudly. Well, knowing me for more than 3 months might be long enough for her already.
I raised a brow at her but didn't deny it. Well, maybe she wasn't wrong.
She shifted her attention to Haruka, hands on her hips. "Anyway, grandfather's looking for you, Haru onii-chan. Well, since you suddenly disappeared."
Haruka sighed but nodded. "I'll go in a minute."
"Good." Hanabi said before turning back to me. "And you, Levi, don't think you're off the hook. Some of our cousins, uncles and aunties were hoping to corner you for a chat."
I clicked my tongue. "Tch. Sounds like a headache."
Hanabi laughed. "That's what you get for being so damn famous."
"Did you forget that your brother here is more famous than me?" I said, rolling my eyes.
Before Hanabi could retort, another voice cut in from the doorway.
"Well, isn't this a cozy little gathering?"
I didn't need to turn around to recognise it.
Ray.
"Ohh, Ray. Come here!" Hanabi invited Ray to join.
He strolled onto the balcony, hands in his pockets, an easy smirk on his lips. He looked at Haruka first. "Your grandfather's asking for you, huh? Guess that means your little escape is over.
Haruka exhaled. "Yeah, I know. I'll head back in soon."
Ray turned his gaze to me, his expression neutral yet amused. "And, Mr. Levi Ackerman. Didn't expect to run into the most powerful businessman here."
I gave him a slow once-over, making sure to keep my expression unreadable. "And you are?"
Haruka, oblivious to the act, gestured between us. "Uh, so Levi, this is Ray, my personal bodyguard." Then he turned to Ray. "Ray, this is Levi Ackerman. Well, I believe you already know who he is, right?"
"Ray extended a hand. "Of course. Nice to meet you, Mr. Ackerman."
I shook his hand firmly, keeping my expression as smooth as ever. "Likewise."
To anyone watching, it was just a formal introduction between two men meeting for the first time. But behind the act, I knew exactly who Ray was, and he knew exactly who I was. We had been working together, both keeping watch over Haruka from different angles. But for now, in front of Haruka and Hanabi, we played the roles expected of us.
Ray, the well-mannered bodyguard.
And me, the powerful businessman.
"Well," Ray said, retracting his hand. "I hope we get along well, Mr. Ackerman."
"We'll see." I replied coolly.
Hanabi watched the exchange with mild curiosity but seemed satisfied enough not to question it.
Haruka, however, was already focused on something else.
"I should go," he muttered, glancing at the doorway. "Try not to cause too much trouble while I'm gone."
"Tch. No promises." I said.
"Make sure Levi behaves, Ray. I'll head back in too." Hanabi said, disappeared back inside with Haruka, leaving just me and Ray standing on the balcony.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. We didn't have to.
Ray leaned against the railing, hands still casually tucked into his pockets. "Still playing pretend, huh?"
I exhaled sharply. "Tch. You're the one who started it."
Ray let out a low chuckle, his eyes flickering towards the ballroom. "It's amusing, really. Watching you act like we've never met. Almost convincing."
I shot him a sideways glance. "Almost?"
"Well, I did say almost." His smirk was still there, but his tone had shifted slightly.
The playful edge dulled into something more calculated. More serious.
"So?" I finally asked, tilting my head slightly. "You have something to say, or are we just standing here wasting time?"
Ray studied me for a bit longer before sighing. "I just find it interesting, that's all."
"What?"
"That you're here." He turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes watching me closely. "The great Levi Ackerman is here, just for him."
I tensed just slightly but didn't let it show. Instead, I clicked my tongue. "Tch. You think too much."
Ray hummed in response, but he didn't push.
A few moments of silence stretched between us, the cool breeze ruffling the fabric of my jacket.
"You're good at this." He murmured, almost as if to himself.
"At what?" I asked him, raising my brows.
"Pretending."
I gave him a slow smirk. "That's why I'm successful, isn't it?"
Ray chuckled again, shaking his head. "Sure. But I wonder, Levi…" He turned back to face me fully, smirk fading into something unreadable. "How would Haruka react if he knew this?"
Before I could respond, the door to the balcony opened again.
"You two aren't out here plotting something, are you?"
I turned to see Haruka stepping back outside, his expression relaxed but eyes slightly narrowed in suspicion.
Ray smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it, sir."
Haruka exhaled, clearly not convinced but not interested in pressing the matter. His gaze flickered between us before settling on me. "You should head back inside. Some of my relatives still want to talk to you."
I clicked my tongue. "Tch. As expected."
Haruka crossed his arms, giving me a pointed look. "You did say you'd handle it, didn't you?"
I sighed but pushed myself off the railing. "Yeah, yeah. Let's get this over with."
Ray gave me one last unreadable glance before stepping aside, letting me and Haruka pass him on our way back inside.
As I stepped through the doors, the warmth of the ballroom hit me instantly, the sound of chatter and music filling the space once more.
And just like that, the act continued.
//SKIP//
The evening had stretched on longer than I expected. Between the endless small talk, the scrutinising glances from some of Haruka's relatives, and Ray's thinly veiled commentary, I had endured more than enough socialising for one night.
But finally, it was time to leave.
Haruka walked beside me as we made our way towards the entrance. Everyone is still engaged in conversation, laughter echoing through the grand hall, but we had our quiet exit without much notice.
At least, that's what I thought.
"Leaving so soon, Levi?
I stopped at the sound of the familiar voice, turning my head slightly.
Haruka's grandfather stood near the entrance, his usual composed expression softened with a hint of amusement.
Haruka stopped beside me, his expression unreadable as his grandfather approached.
"I suppose you've had your fill of our family for one night." Haruka's grandfather mused, eyes glinting knowingly.
I exhaled sharply. "Ahem. You could say that."
The older man chuckled. "I expected as much. You never were one for long social events."
Haruka arched his brow. "You say that as if you've known him for years."
His grandfather merely smiled. "In some ways, I have." He turned his gaze back to me. "Your grandfather and I used to talk about you, you know."
I tensed slightly, but my face remained unreadable. "Did he?"
"Mmm. He always spoke highly of you, even when you were young. Said you had a sharp mind but an even sharper instinct for reading people." His expression held something thoughtful. "Seeing you now, I can understand why he was so certain you'd become the man you are today."
I didn't respond right away, my fingers flexing slightly at my side. Well, knowing my grandfather, I could say that I wouldn't be surprised.
Haruka glanced between us but said nothing.
After a moment, I simply nodded. "I see."
His grandfather studied me for a second longer before his gaze shifted to Haruka.
"And Charles, are you going to see Levi off, or are you leaving with him?" His grandfather asked with a smirk, already knew the answer, I guess.
"Sorry grandfather, I'll be leaving with Levi tonight. I have kittens I need to take care of, you see." Haruka said, giving an excuse.
"Ah, right. Christine did say you got kittens in your house. Well, take good care of them, then. Come visit here often, Charles. You could bring Levi too, if you want." His grandfather said with a smirk, and Haruka just rolled his eyes.
"Haha. Well then, I won't keep you both any longer. Safe travels, Levi. And Charles, don't forget that your family will always be watching." With that, Haruka's grandfather stepped back slightly, his posture as composed as ever.
Haruka rolled his eyes again. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
His grandfather let out a soft chuckle before turning away, leaving us at the entrance.
I exhaled, adjusting my jacket. "Tch. He's sharper than he looks."
Haruka smirked. "Of course he is. He's my grandfather."
I shot him a sideways glance. "Is that supposed to mean something?"
"Take it however you want. Come on, let's go before someone else stops us." Haruka grabbed my arms, walking towards my car.
As soon as we entered the car, I grabbed him for a kiss. He was surprised at first but then went along with it. After a few moments, we broke our kiss.
"Seriously, you couldn't even wait until we reached my place?" Haruka said, glaring at me, but his face is red as he's embarrassed.
"I've been holding back for hours now. I would love to fuck you here and now if possible."
TO BE CONTINUED!!!