safe & sound

levi aston. twenty three. penned by ash for thelakeshq!

[leviastcn]

sms ✉ cordelia

LEVI: hey

LEVI: sorry for not wanting to do this in the group chat, but i am sorry. i was a dick. there's no excuse for it.

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

at least someone is happy he came home. deep down, charlie knows he’s being dramatic and that not everyone hates him but… there were days where that’s all he felt. “well, if i hadn’t come home, i wouldn’t be with you right now and… that thought is unbearable,” he muses dramatically, nails gently digging into levi’s skin. he sucks in a bit at the feeling his hands fingers moving along his waistband and onto his back, “mm, I’m here.” he slowly pulls away so he can climb onto the bed, laying on his back and tugging the smaller man into his arms, “nothing could make me happier in this moment than holding you like this.” he knows that they were both getting at more over text, but in the moment, charlie wants to be vulnerable and present in a non-sexual way. he just wants to hold levi close. gently, he rubs his back as he speaks, “i can’t believe you actually came over and i’m so glad you did.”

“ entirely too unbearable, “ levi mumbles in agreement. he wasn’t exactly sure where the hold charlie had on him seemed to come from, but he didn’t entirely mind it. there was just something about the way their fingers seemed to wander so easily along each other’s skin that kept levi here, kept him grounded. he let charlie slip from his hands as the other got onto the bed, happily enveloping himself in charlie’s arms. levi rests his head on charlie’s shoulder, gently reaching for his hand to intertwine their fingers once again. it was funny, the way levi had come over with the intent to sleep with charlie, but found himself perfectly content as they were now. this type of behavior wasn’t typical of levi, the vulnerability and whatnot. but charlie was different. it felt different. he nestles his chin onto charlie’s shoulder, brown eyes boring into the other’s. “ why wouldn’t i? “

[leviastcn]

CORDELIA:

closed starter for @leviastcn​

cordelia stood at the center counter in the post office, hands delicately rubbing over a piece of tape. the brown paper that covered her care package to her kids in paris felt so bare, so boring. it didn’t seem like it was doing much of a great job at showing them what was inside. something exciting, something fun, something american. it isn’t long before her black pen is drawing over it, little images of their favorite things: unicorns, fairies, mermaids, dinosaurs, books, and more. perfectly sketched outlines litter the blank canvas, it now looking more like wrapping paper than plain packaging. she steps back, gently bumping into someone. as she turns, delia can’t help but gasp. “oh! i’m so -” about to apologize, she realizes it’s levi, her shoulders straightening, brows raising. “levi. hi.”

a part of levi isn’t sure why he’s standing outside the post office, an envelope in hand to mail off to the department of education. it felt like the application to get his teaching license was burning a hole in his hand the longer he held it. he shouldn’t be prepping to take an exam that’ll determine if he’s qualified enough to teach biology. he should be studying for his boards. or better yet, training for the upcoming hockey season. but he isn’t. instead, he’s walking into the post office to mail off an application that might fill some of the void he’s created within himself. he’s hardly even paying attention to any of his surroundings when he feels someone bump into him. “ cordelia chen. fancy seeing you here. “ levi has to resist the urge to react. seeing delia’s face was just a reminder of who he used to be -- and not the good parts.

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

immediately, charlie can tell the tone has shifted. he didn’t mean to push or pry at levi - he’s just genuinely curious. he looks down at their hands, squeezing as he speaks, “we don’t have to talk about you if you don’t want to. i didn’t mean to push at all. but, lev?” a pause. “i’m happy you came home.” he quirks an eyebrow at levi’s smirk, stepping closer and inbetween his knees. gently, he pulls his hand from levi’s and rests both of his on his shoulders, “maybe we should change that then, huh?” being this close to levi is making charlie’s heart race - he wonders if the other man can hear it. "don’t worry, i’ll try to avoid pissing owen off,” he whispers, fingers dipping under the collar of levi’s shirt. he stays quiet for a minute before speaking again, “you’re handsome, you know that? stunning.” his fingers are gently caressing his skin as he meets his eyes.

“ it’s okay, “ levi says softly, quickly. he doesn’t want charlie to think he’s done anything wrong because he hasn’t. a small smile breaks onto his features and he gives charlie’s hand a squeeze in return. “ i’m happy you came home too. “ levi chuckles softly as charlie moves closer. he’s almost grateful when charlie moves his hands to levi’s shoulders, as he can feel himself getting more and more nervous the closer the other man gets. hesitantly, he slips his hands onto charlie’s hips, fingers absent-mindedly tracing the edge of his waistband. the feeling of goosebumps scatter through levi’s body as he feels charlie’s touch on his skin. “ hm, so are you, “ he mumbles, his own fingers moving to the small of charlie’s back, moving in small, tender circles. “ c’mere. “ his voice is soft and he gently tugs charlie’s body just a little bit closer to his own.

[leviastcn]

REBECCA:

“oh? and why wouldn’t he like it?” the subject of her relationship with ezra was still a bit touchy, but she could keep the conversation lighthearted for as long as he could. “when you say it like that, it sounds like a challenge. and god, you know how much i love a challenge.” while she still didn’t know much about what had happened, she certainly didn’t regret missing the bonfire. “so, how bad was it? did anyone cry?” the girl prodded carefully, not sure what to expect. “guessed, huh? am i really getting that predictable?” she almost laughed, before taking a sip of her coffee. “c’mon, let’s walk and talk. unless that’s too much multitasking for you?” 

“ because he’s the only one who’s been getting in your pants lately, right? “ levi’s voice is light, teasing, almost, but he still feels like he’s walking on eggshells when it comes to rebe’s relationship with ezra. he narrows his eyes at her. “ i don’t think this is a challenge you want to undertake, my dear rebecca, “ he replied with a shake of his head. he groaned at her inquiry about the bonfire -- now that he was here, he didn’t really want to talk about it. he’d rather keep joking around with rebe, like they always do. “ no one cried. but there was a lot of angry exchanges, “ he said simply. he nodded at her question, though in his mind, predictability wasn’t such a bad thing. it was good to have a routine. he scoffed at her next comment, drawing his hand to his heart in mock hurt. “ i might have played hockey, but i have more than one brain cell, thank you very much. “ he pushes himself off the storefront and loops his arm with rebe’s ( out of habit from doing it so much with dianna ). “ how are you doing? and don’t give me a bullshit answer. “

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

the two men are floored by each other and it’s obvious. the smiles on their faces seem to be almost stuck there. charlie can’t help but listen to levi when he speaks - it’s not something most people can get charlie to do. he doesn’t often care about what others are saying - especially in lake wisteria. but for levi? charlie will listen. “what happened?” he feels like he should know… it’s likely something he missed when he dipped out of lake wisteria. “don’t belittle yourself, levi. you’re not just anything… you’re a wonderful high school coach. tell me about that,” he request softly, hand still under his chin and eyes still on levi’s. he smirks again, a booming laugh leaving his lips, “everywhere? will they get you in my bed tonight?” he’s not necessarily pushing for sex - but he also wouldn’t be opposed. he mostly just wants levi to stay with him for the night. he smiles at his words, butterflies filling his stomach, “well, it’s good you feel that way because i’m sure being associated with me will get you into plenty, tiny dancer.”

the questions causes levi to halt, freeze almost. in his words, in his movements -- just about every part of him stops. he doesn’t like to think about his last semester at school. not that he could really remember much about it because of how everything around him felt like a daze back then. he probably wouldn’t even remember graduating if there weren’t pictures and a fancy diploma set up in a cabinet in living room to remind him. “ after graduation, i came back home. to be with my family. “ he pauses for a second, his thumb absent-mindedly running along the outside of charlie’s hand. “ let’s not talk about me, okay? “ his voice is just as soft and quiet as charlie’s. he doesn’t want to dampen the mood with talking about his own situation. he matches charlie’s smirk, easily. “ technically, i’m already in your bed. “ he waves his free hand, gesturing to himself. “ only thing missing is you, “ he says, reaching a hand up to poke charlie gently in the chest. levi shrugs, but his smile doesn’t fade. “ i can take ‘em. well, maybe not owen, since he fights for a living. “

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

“well, then i want to hear two things… tell me who you used to be… then tell me who you are. because… tiny dancer, i like who you are now,” charlie coos softly, reaching the injured hand up to gently tilt his chin up ever so slightly. he’s rarely this vulnerable with people but levi feels safe. he smirks slightly, shamelessly eyeing the other man up and down, “you’re pretty damn attractive under those clothes in my mind, aston.” he squeezes his hand, shrugging, “you can call me yours. i do like the idea of you fighting for my honor. would you if i said yes?” he’s curious - because he would definitely duel for levi’s hand.

the smile spreads across levi’s features slowly as he lets charlie tilt his chin up. “ if you insist, “ he says softly. “ i used to be on track to play professional hockey. and i was real cocky about it, too. but now i’m just a high school coach. “ he pauses for a second. “ what about you? who were you then and who are now, charlie anderson? “ levi follows charlie’s eyes as they take him in, knowing there isn’t exactly much to himself under his ripped-at-the-knee jeans and old college hockey tee. “ careful, compliments will get you everywhere. “ he can’t help how wide his smile grows at charlie’s words. you can call me yours. his heart fluttered at the mere thought of it. “ in a heartbeat, “ he replies a little too quickly, but he doesn’t care. “ i’ve been in my fair share of fights. and it’d be a privilege to fight for you. “

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

“why are they hard to look at?” charlie asks gently, his voice low and soft. he’s happy to hear levi opening up a little bit - maybe it’s a good step for them. if he’s honest with himself, he only truly knows levi on a surface level. he’s drawn to the boy’s personality and presence, but he wants to know him deeply too. he smirks as he watches levi fold his arms over his chest, hands still placed on his own hips, “who said my intent was to get you over here?” he’s bullshitting - they both knew charlie wanted him over. it was almost funny that charlie was trying to hide it. he can’t help the grin that spreads onto his cheeks when levi holds his hand out and speaks, laughs still tumbling from his lips as he lets levi have his unbandaged hand, “your blue boy, huh?”

“ they remind me of who i used to be, “ he starts, hesitantly. “ the kid with a dream. “ levi could hear the melancholy that had slipped into his voice and he quickly shook it away. his potential hockey career wasn’t something that he really talked about with anyone, it was just too depressing to think about. but maybe it was something he could talk about with charlie. levi narrows his gaze, a curt shake of his head. “ you can’t convince me it wasn’t. i mean, come on, charlie, you’re practically undressing me with your eyes right now. “ the tone of his voice is teasing, but a part of levi almost hopes that it’s true. he wouldn’t mind it -- in fact, he’d prefer it. when charlie takes his hand, levi pulls him gently towards the bed and intertwines their fingers once again. “ should i not call you mine? you’re not anyone else’s, are you? or do i have to fight for your honor or some shit? “

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

“why do i get the feeling you like having those old medals there too?” charlie questions softly, eyes studying the shorter man’s features. was that a faltered smile? or was it his imagination? he laughs again, shrugging and taking a big step back from levi. he places his hands on his hips, “i’m not the one who drove here practically in the middle of the night after being thirst trapped.” he’s teasing the other boy with his lips slightly pursed. he bursts out laughing as he answers, “blue.” it feels so freeing to laugh - something he hadn’t done much of since he’d gotten back to lake wisteria. he’s thankful for levi’s presence - it’s almost calming. (only almost because he also gives charlie nervous butterflies - in the best way.)

levi smiles slightly, feeling a bit of heat rush to his cheeks. “ maybe i do. “ he pauses, considering his next words carefully. there was so much neither of them knew about each other and it was terrifying. but they had to start somewhere, didn’t they? “ sometimes they’re hard to look at, “ he admits finally. as charlie steps away, levi’s hands fall to his sides in disappointment, but they quickly fold over his chest. “ and i’m not the one who kept sending said thirst traps with the intention of getting me over here in the first place. “ his retort was light and playful and he didn’t peel his eyes away from charlie as he moved to sit down on the edge of the bed. he laughs along with charlie, a million thoughts running through his head, but one sticks out -- he feels happy. after a beat, he holds his hand out. “ well, come here, my blue boy. “

[leviastcn]

DIANNA:

dianna felt herself relax as he looked back at her, glad that reading levi still came easy to her. he reached for her hand and she squeezed it back, relieved. in many ways, levi had truly symbolized her transition to a new life in lake wisteria. a new support network, a new job, a new family, a new home. levi was all of those to her, and losing him felt unfathomable. “good,” she returned, running her thumb over the back of his hand. “this isn’t my fight, i understand you want to stand up for people you care about. you’ve stood up for me before, it would be unfair of me to expect not to do it for him,” she said warmly, giving him a smile. dianna used her other hand to push the hair off her eyes. “so i’m staying out of it. i will be there for dante when he needs me, but i will not stand in the middle of it. if i know that you and i will be okay, then that’s all i need. we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.” dianna’s smile widened a bit, wanting to lessen the tension. “i am glad we are stuck with each other, i really like having you around.”

“ thanks for understanding, “ he said simply. there wasn’t really much more that levi felt he needed to say. it was established that whatever shit was between everyone else in this town, it wouldn’t come between him and dianna. he didn’t need to go into details about his relationship ( or whatever it was ) with charlie and he was grateful when dianna didn’t ask. as much as he loved and trusted the blonde, it didn’t feel right to talk about him and charlie with her. things were too new and he didn’t want to jinx it by talking about it. “ we’re on the same page, i promise, “ he reassured her, keeping his hand gripped gently around hers. “ i like having you around, too. our lunch dates makes working here all day worth it. i mean, don’t get me wrong, i love my dad. but working here can be so boring sometimes. “

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

“what’s your bedroom like?” charlie asks softly, watching as levi’s eyes wander around his bedroom. it was bare - it didn’t tell much of a story about his life. if he was going to stay longer he’d likely put things on the wall but… that isn’t in his plans. he’s supposed to leave. he laughs softly, shaking his head and slipping his arms around levi, “nope. hasn’t been so much as febreezed since high school. it’s just been stewing with all of my teenage boy sweat for years.” he leans in to give levi’s lips another peck before shrugging, “that’s pretty deep. but i can ask you more questions if you’d prefer. like… what’s your favorite color? and if you say blue, i’m gonna be disappointed in you. no offense if it’s blue.” he’s joking - mostly. 

the question causes levi to chuckle. “ very different from this. it’s practically a hockey memorabilia museum. my mom refuses to let me pack up any of my old medals. “ his smile falters a bit, thinking of the awards, of what his life could have been. but he quickly shakes the thought from his mind. he wanted to focus on being here, with charlie, nothing else. he scrunches up his nose playfully. “ guess we won’t be doing anything on your bed then. “ and with that, the smirk returns to levi’s features as he looks up at charlie. their lips touch again and a part of levi doesn’t care about anything at all, he just wants to stand there kissing charlie for hours. with a shake of his head, levi lets out an airy laugh. “ it’s lucky that my favorite color is green, isn’t it? what’s yours? “

[bennettpreston]

leviastcn.

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[leviastcn]

levi lets himself be pulled inside the door, happily. he smiles against charlie’s lips, returning the soft squeeze of the hand. he follows behind charlie as they enter his room. “ it’s perfect. “ this time, levi lets his eyes wander around, taking in the scarce contents of charlie’s room. he can’t help but think that it’s so different from his own room back home, with the hockey posters scattered on the wall, trophies and medals lining the shelves above his small tv. he has to remind himself that charlie hasn’t been home, not in the way that levi has. there’s an eyebrow raise as levi looks from the comforter to charlie. “ well, i sure hope you’ve washed it since then, “ he teases as he turns more towards the other, slipping his hands around his waist. “ i wouldn’t have minded any odd questions, you know. where would we be, as a society, without odd questions? “

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

closed starter for @leviastcn​

as soon as levi verifies he’s coming over, charlie is immediately on his feet. he’s been lounging in his childhood room - it’s home to only a full  sized bed and a dresser. there’s nothing on the walls anymore and the bed is still made with his plain black comforter from high school. his suitcase lays open on the floor at the foot of his bed, clothes neatly folded in it, and his dresser is full of random clothes from high school. he leaves his room be as he slips into the living room to coax his drunk mother off of the couch and into her room. she drunkenly grumbles at him, a bottle of rum tumbling off the couch - it’s ¾ gone. sighing softly, the curly haired man picks it up and walks it into the kitchen. he stashes it with the rest of the alcohol on the counter, sighing at the sheer volume - the kitchen is a small galley kitchen, so the multiple bottles of half drank liquor stand out. the fridge is solely beers amd seltzers, and the freezer is all frozen food. it’s obvious that his mother is struggling. he moves back to the living room, scooping his half drunk mom into his arms and carrying her into her room. his hand is wrapped in an ace bandage and still throbbing so he quickly tucks her in, careful to position her on her side. 

as soon as his mom is tucked into bed, he hears a soft tap on the front door - the house is only two bedrooms and about 900 sqft so it’s not shocking he hears it from his mom’s room. he quietly shuts the door before moving to the front door, dressed only in black sweats that hang low on his hips and a thin black headband pushing his curly hair out of his face. the house is messy - it’s dingy from years of spilt alcohol and cigarette smoking, there are bottles and cigarette butts on the coffee table… he’s not sure why he’s letting levi in, but he already (stupidly) split the beans about his mom. it’s not like it’s any different. he pulls open the door, his face lighting up when he meets levi’s eyes, “couldn’t resist me, huh, tiny dancer?” he leans forward to gently place a soft hand on levi’s cheek, “i’m glad you came. don’t mind the mess… we’ll just go to my room? if that’s okay.” suddenly, he’s self conscious about the state of the house - he should’ve offered to go to levi’s.

when levi pulls up in front of charlie’s house, he takes a moment before turning the car off, wondering if maybe he should have suggested charlie come over to his house instead. it’s not like there’s anything wrong with the tiny house that levi peers up at, but he’s reminded of what charlie told him the night of the bonfire. there wasn’t much levi knew about alcoholism. he’d heard the term thrown around his freshman year of college in reference to one of the seniors, how his teammate would never make a professional career with something like that holding him back. there’d been multiple meetings about substance abuse with the team, random drug tests to make sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to do. but the concept had never breached levi’s life so intricately as it seemed it had affected charlie’s. sure, his family had their own problems, but they seemed so small in comparison. levi finally made his way up to charlie’s front door, knocking softly, and a wide smile spreading across his features when it’s swung open. “ not at all, “ he mused, reaching up to take charlie’s hand from his cheek, intertwining their fingers right away. “ that’s more than okay. “ levi keeps his eyes on charlie, resisting the urge to look around the house. things were still too new with them, too much uncharted territory, and levi didn’t want to do or say the wrong thing. so he kept a soft smile on his face and charlie’s hand in his.

[leviastcn]

CHARLIE:

charlie wants to stay tangled into levi - he wants the smaller man’s hands to stay tangled into his curls, his lips to stay on his… but he knows they should watch the fireworks. how often does the opportunity present itself? not very. he keeps an arm around levi as he adjusts to watch, not wanting to lose contact with him. he shouldn’t feel attached to levi - or feel anything for him - it’s too early. but… he feels something for the man. maybe it’s just because he’s kind to him, but the butterflies fluttering in his stomach are undeniable. he blushes when he meets his eyes, voice nearly inaudible, “don’t give up on me like everyone else.” it’s a rather sad statement, but he feels like it needs to be said out loud. he can’t help the self doubt that’s creeping into his mind.

there’s something about the way charlie says it that brings that pang in levi’s chest. in that moment, all levi wants to do is wrap the other man in his arms and never let go. to whisper in his ear that he’s not like everyone else and that everyone else can suck it. but he doesn’t. instead, he thumbs charlie’s cheek gently with a small shake of his head. “ i won’t, “ he says softly, the promise lingering between them, one levi doesn’t intend to break. he leans forward, giving charlie one more soft kiss before he turns his attention back to the fireworks in the sky.

[leviastcn]

DIANNA:

returning to lake wisteria for her grandparents funeral had been a bittersweet experience to say the least. the town that she had loved so much seemed to dim in beauty and excitement without her favorite people in it. for a couple of weeks, as the dust settled, dianna considered selling all of it: the house, the music shop, the memories. she was sure her grandparents had expected she would do just that. a huge house in lake wisteria would go for a lot of money, money she and zac could use. but nowadays when she thought about the day she had made the decision to stay in the small town for good, she thanked all of her lucky stars she did. things had been easy once she found her people, levi being one of the first. no wonder it was her favorite sweatshirt. so when he looked away from her, leaning back on his chair to put distance between them, she felt sick. “thank you, for being honest,” dianna said after a moment. “i guess i started this all wrong,” she continued searching for his eyes with hers. “what i meant to say is that i do not have a problem with charlie personally, but dante is my family. he’s always been my family.” dianna bit her lip. “but you are family too, and i just need to get this out of the way so that you and i can be okay. because i need us to always be okay. i think you are so incredibly kind and patient, and i’m glad charlie has someone like you. but if you are friends with him and i’m friends with dante, i need to know that is not going to be a problem between us. i know this is not high school anymore, but sometimes this town feels like it is.”

as dianna talks, levi practically looks everywhere except at her. in a weird way, he feels like a little kid again, getting in trouble for something he isn’t supposed to despite how soft and sincere dianna’s words were. he presses his lips into a thin line, taking a deep breath as he finally looks up at her. he wasn’t going to lose dianna over something as trivial as this. she had become such an integral part of his life after she moved back here and he knew that without her, he’d probably be lost. he wouldn’t be looking forward to spending his days in the hallways of the high school that once held so much promise for him, he wouldn’t be considering becoming a teacher on top of coaching. she had breathed life into him after everything that had happened and he couldn’t fathom losing her. “ we’ll always be okay, “ he said softly. after a beat, he reached across the table to grab her hand, giving it a squeeze to show he meant what he said. “ it won’t be a problem between us, okay? but you have to know i won’t just stand by when they take a shot at charlie. he’s ... important to me. and so are you. “

[leviastcn]

AMBROSE:

ambrose comes out of the cafe, his macbook in one hand and his wallet and car keys in the other. the one thing that he really hasn’t given up from his life on the road is the fact that he needs coffee to wake up and to function. he’s running behind on a few video cuts for a local band and he’s stressed out about it, though he doesn’t really show it as he smiles at levi. “blueberry lemon muffins? i mean, why wouldn’t he be excited with such a description? he said something about pumpkin spice and i and just smiled and nodded, honestly.” he admitted playfully. “i don’t really function until after i’m done with one of these.” he showed his the cup of black coffee in his hand. “you in school or something?”

levi leaned back in his seat and flopped the notebook onto the table next to his abandoned meal. “ i’ve heard they’re pretty good, but i haven’t had the chance to try them yet. mrs. lawson won’t let anyone near the oven when she’s baking. but the pumpkin spice ones i have tried. they’re okay, pretty basic, if you ask me, “ he replied, nodding towards the seat across from him for ambrose to sit down if he wanted to. he pulled his own coffee cup closer to him, but didn’t take a sip from it. “ i know what you mean, “ he agreed. his eyes traveled to the notebook and he stifled a laugh. “ not even close. that’s my attempt at writing up drills for the varsity hockey team. doesn’t really make sense, does it? “

[leviastcn]

text mssg ~ tiny dancer

charlie: i mean i can eat them if i'm willing to put up with throat swelling

charlie: don't worry, i'm way ahead of you

charlie: which was your favorite tho :p

charlie: so are you, lev

levi: no way we’re not risking your life just so you can try a muffin

levi: thank god

levi: all of them duh

levi: i’ll be there in ten, okay?