[Chapter 5] No Regrets [Levi x Fem!Reader]

You heave out a long sigh as you wring the remaining liquid off your hair, feeling refreshed. Isabel hands you a towel, and you gratefully accept it, bringing the soft cloth to your wet skin as you begin drying yourself off. You were pushing the cloth to your hair when Isabel suddenly speaks up.

“You know, Brother does care about you. About all of us,” she adds quickly when you give her a weird look.

“What brought this on?” you wonder aloud, swapping the towel for your shirt. She shrugs.

“Well, you kinda looked disappointed when he tossed the apple back. I know it seemed like he was rejecting you and all, but that’s just his way of putting others’ well-being before his. He’s always been like that, or at least, he’s always been like that to the ones he cares about.”

“Oh?” you pull on your boots, sounding intrigued. Isabel takes notice and grins.

“Yep~ So just be patient with Brother! He’ll come around with you soon! I promise!” she declares, giggling to herself. You smile as you watch her.

“Say Isabel. Can I ask you something?” you ask and the other girl turns her attention to you.

“Shoot.”

“How long have you known Levi?”

You watch as her expression shifts from giddy to thoughtful, and she holds up both her hands, pointing a finger here and there while she mutters to herself.

“Let’s see…I was about nine years old when he found me, and I’m seventeen now so…” Thoughtful changes to confused, and now she’s just running her fingers all over the place. You chuckle.

“Eight years,” you input gently, and Isabel shoots you a grateful look. “So then…how did you guys meet?”

For a moment, she falls silent and you were worried that you offended her. You open your mouth to tell her that she doesn’t have to tell you if she’s not comfortable with it, but she shakes her head, silencing you.

“Sorry, I’m just trying to find a place to start,” she apologizes, “Anyway, I’ve lived in the Underground for as long as I can remember, so I can only assume you know what I’m talking about.”

She looks to you for confirmation, and you nod.

“Life was horrid for me. In the district I was born in, I was sure to die. There was no food or water, and to say that the air was tainted was an understatement. The living conditions were so bad that everyone around me starting dying one by one. Eventually, I was left all alone, but before death could take me too, Brother showed up. He saved me.” She looks at you, and you almost know what’s on the tip of her tongue. “Just like how he saved you. Without all the theatrics of course,” she laughs bitterly at the memory of the Military Police, but offers you a genuine smile. “When I saw you, I knew you were just like me. So it’s only natural that Brother would save you too.”

You fall silent, keeping your protest that it was her who actually saved you, but then again, it was Levi’s word that allowed your staying with them. So instead of voicing that thought, you opt for the makeshift version.

“So Levi’s like the leader of the group then?”

Isabel laughs.

“We like to think that he is, but don’t tell him that. He doesn’t like it, nor do we want to burden him with that sort of responsibility. He already has a lot on his shoulders.”

You nod. “I understand. Thanks for telling me, Isabel.”

She looks stunned for a moment, and it comes to mind that this is the first time you called her by her first name. The look wears off and she’s smiling again.

“No problem! Anyway, we should be getting back, huh? Don’t want to keep the boys waiting too long, especially Farlan. He’s going to throw a fit when we get back; I guarantee it,” she gets up, grabbing the towels as she does. You follow her, and as you watch her back, your brows furrow.

Isabel and Farlan both are so loyal to Levi…I wonder…will I ever get to know the feeling that they constantly express?

“Took you guys long enough. We’ve been waiting here for hours for you to finish,” Farlan greets as you and Isabel enter the makeshift home. He gestures to the large blanket sprawled on the ground, where Levi is seated. “We even made the bed for you. You’re welcome.”

Isabel rolls her eyes as she plops down behind Levi, leaning her back against his.

“You’re such an attention hogger,” she lets out a yelp when Levi shifts, causing her to fall backwards. “Brother!” she whines.

“Idiot. I told you never to lean on me,” Levi deadpans, his hand pushing her back down when she tries to sit back up. She whimpers again, but doesn’t touch Levi when she lays down. Instead, she turns on her side so that she’s facing you, and pats the space next to her.

“Well, [First], it looks like we’re going to have to share a bed today. Come on over.”

You comply with her request, but just as you’re lowering yourself next to her, she sits up and holds up a hand to halt you.

“Wait, switch with me.”

You look at her, bewildered.

“What?”

“You heard me. Right here,” she rolls over so that there’s space in between her and Levi. “You’ll sleep between Brother and me. That way, Farlan won’t molest you in his sleep.”

“I don’t do that!”

“I see the way you look at her,” Isabel shrugs off his comment, and smirks evilly. “And the way you fire back at me like that proves you want to lay next to [First]. You naughty, naughty boy.”

“Isabel-”

“You’re killing moonlight,” she sing-songs, and tugs you down so that you’re sandwiched between her and Levi. Farlan sighs, getting in beside her. She smiles in triumph and reaches down, grabbing a fistful of the blanket. Pulling it, she folds it over the four of you, laying down and facing you with a wide grin plastered on her face.

“Our first night under the same blanket,” she whispers excitedly. “Isn’t this exciting, [First]?”

“Shut up and sleep,” Levi grumbles from beside you.

“Okay, okay. Goodnight, Brother,” Isabel chimes. She doesn’t get an answer. She pouts adorably, but smiles when she meets eyes with you. “Goodnight, [First].”

“Goodnight, Isabel,” you whisper back, smiling a little. She grins contentedly, closing her eyes and snuggling a bit closer to you.

“No ‘goodnight’ for me?” Farlan mock-complains. You can see the smirk tugging at Isabel’s lip, but she doesn’t respond. “Well fuck you too,” he lets out a short, playful laugh, so you know he’s not mad at Isabel. “[First]?”

“Goodnight, Farlan,” you’re sure he can hear the smile in your voice, and a smile does manifest when he lets out a low chuckle.

“Goodnight, [First].”

Isabel nudges you, and you glance at her curiously. Her eyes shift from you to Levi, and you shake your head vigorously. She gives you a pointed look, and you sigh in defeat.

“Goodnight, Levi,” you mutter. You expect him to give you the silent treatment considering he ignored Isabel, but you are met with a low sigh.

“Shut the fuck up and go to sleep.”

Well, maybe not the response you were looking for, but at least he answered…right?