"Petra, let's give Y/N a moment alone," Kuchel hummed knowingly as I entered the room.

does it show that much-

"Wha- oh," Petra trailed off her gaze lingering on the package Levi had thrust into my hands earlier, before hurriedly kicking me out of his office.

I'm a little scared that it's a bomb-

I mean Levi is the type of person to buy me a desk- he did buy me a desk-

So what could it be?

It's not like I've asked him for anything really-

I'm nervous-

No-

Excited.

"Ring if you need anything," Petra bowed awkwardly, shuffling out of the room.

Oh god what if I open it and something really does explode-

I can't not open it though-

I mean assuming it's not a bomb it would be pretty offensive to just not accept the gift.

It's wrapped really nicely.

Exactly- effort was put into it

I took in the embroidered red cloth, held onto the box by an equally fancy golden ribbon.

Whatever it is I need to save the wrapping paper.

It would be rude if I didn't get a gift in return right? That's how this stuff works?

Right, where the hell am I going to get a gift-

I have no clue .

What does Levi even like???

Oh god.

I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HIM

WHENEVER WE TALK HE ONLY ASKS ME QUESTIONS ABOUT MYSELF-

IF I GET HIM A GIFT IT CAN'T JUST BE SOMETHING GENERIC- I MEAN HE KINDA HAS EVERYTHING ANYWAY

SHOOT

OK OK OPEN THE PRESENT- IF IT KILLS YOU AT LEAST YOU'RE DYING IN NICE CLOTHES

I pulled the bow out of the ribbon letting it fall away from the box- studying it for anything suspicious.

It looks like a normal box

You never know

True-

The embroidered cloth fell away next revealing a large decorative box, intricate gold designs decorating its surface.

The suspense is going to kill me before whatever poison he's filled this with does-

OK BUT WHY WOULD HE GO THROUGH THE TROUBLE OF MAKING IT SO PRETTY IF HE WAS GOING TO KILL ME ???

I MEAN TRUE BUT DOESN'T THAT MEAN THAT THE GIFT WE GIVE IN RESPONSE HAVE TO BE LIKE ??? REALLY NICE ???

HHHH

I DON'T HAVE THT KIND OF MONEY-

I unconsciously held my breath as I undid the latch, squeezing my eyes shut as I flipped the lid open, trying to focus on any unusual sounds that followed.

I don't hear anything.

I don't smell anything.

I certainly don't taste anything.

I opened my eyes, blinking for a moment as they refocused.

IM LIKE AN OLD MAN

WHAT IS THAT-

HOW DID HE-

The decorative box held several large bound books including books that I had been waiting to get my hands on for years Zemnian Nights, Scent of the Sea, and The Rosed Embrace among them.

HOW DOES HE KNOW MY TASTE IN TRASHY ROMANCE NOVELS-

I APOLOGIZE FOR EVER THINKING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO KILL ME

then why did he even kick me out-

bc he was embarrassed ?

do you really think so?

i can't really see levi getting embarrassed but he was blushing- i didn't make that up

i can't believe he remembered

Right we did have a conversation about books that one time-

"Do you like that author?" Levi brushed off my comment, his eyes wandering towards the spines of the books I had pulled out.

"I mean your library lacks variety really, all you have are boring educational books when what you really need are romance novels <3"

"Why would I-" he trailed off.

"Research!"

The memory made me feel oddly warm and the fact that he had even remembered that small interaction brought a wild blush onto my face.

im hopeless

what am i supposed to do if he asks if i like it-

i love it

it'll probably be really awkward if he realizes i'm reacting like this though-

so i shouldn't let him know

BUT THAT WOULD BE RUDE

GOD WHY ARE YOU RIGHT

always am xoxoxoxxoxoxo

there's probably something slightly less embarrassing i could do to tell him i like it :/

I found myself outside of Levi's office door, pacing back and forth awkwardly.

YOU HAVE TO HURRY HE'S GOING TO COME OUT AND NOTICE-

RIGHT I AM TRYING TO AVOID CONFRONTATION

OH GOD WHAT IF HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO IT'S FROM ? WHAT IF HE THINKS ITS FROM SOME RANDOM PERSON ???

I glanced down at the letter I had written, nervously creasing and un-creasing the thick paper as I stood outside. Scrawled on the now- beat up parchment was my barely legible handwriting.

'Levi,

You didn't have to do this Levi but- it means a lot. Thank you. I'm sorry that I'm not telling you this directly, I'm sure that would probably make a lot more sense but I've never received something like this before and I'm nervous that I'll look like a fool (not that I don't already). I promise next time you do something like this I'll be able to thank you properly. Thank you.

Y/N

ps. i promise to get you something way better later'

You'd better get over this before the two of you have to sit in a carriage together for god knows how long-

I really don't want to ruin our relationship-

he'd probably say something about it being uncomfortable, throw in a few curse words, and then steadily close himself off.

I really like being friends with Levi- I don't want to jeopardize that under any circumstances.

You're right-calm down then, you're just friends.

I crouched down slipping the letter underneath the door, before dashing off down the hall, back to my room.

I just can't help but wonder if-

?

He was definitely blushing earlier right?

he was

Is it wrong of me to be getting my hopes up?

stick to the books Y/N

right-

After all, it's contractual.

What if it wasn't?

_______________

its very important tht i give y/n's historical  (?) smut books titles

sorta spoiler (but not rlly bc i think every one knows this will eventually happen) ! im in such a weird mood bc ive been listening to honeymoon un deux trois and writing a dance scene (:

i feel so soft but at the same time- i have a rlly good angst idea so idk i might add something 2 the oneshot book if i get the time <333333

i kinda have a lot 2 say so bare with me <3333 i know i say this a lot but i really love you guys. this is probably one of the favorite things ive written n it makes me really happy to see people enjoying it as much as i do.

like i usually feel pretty good about my writing (although in hindsight its not all amazing but whatever i wrote it when i was 13 lol) but im really proud of this one. ive done some research (bare minimum LKAHDS) for this and it feels really good. 

OK SAPPY STUFF ASIDE- I REALIZED THT MR SQUID WASN'T IN THIS STORY YET ??? THIS IS A FORMAL APOLOGY I HAVE DONE ALL OF YOU A GREAT DISSERVICE HE'S COMING SOON.

the cat is more important than any romance <3

- soft ami