MORNING HAZE — levi ackerman.
gn!reader, fluff, established relationship, cuddling. i miss him so much it's actually ridiculous. wc; 580.
"You look so pretty," you whisper into the bedroom.
The morning light bleeds in through the curtains, illuminating the man lying beside you.
He groans, stretching his legs out as he rolls onto his side. There's a light draft flowing through the room and he pulls the duvet up over his shoulders, huddling into himself for warmth. You smile, soft and warm, before tucking him even tighter into his homemade cocoon.
The clock reads 09:03, a rare lie-in for the usually prompt and early riser.
"So cute…" You say, more to yourself than to him. Slowly you bring a hand up towards his face, pushing the hair out from his eyes as he scrunches his noise in fake disgust.
"It's too early for this. Stop being so nice." He huffs, voice muffled by the duvet.
You chuckle, bringing your hands up in surrender, before shimmying your way back under the duvet. Your cold hands cause Levi to shiver, but he doesn't stop you from running them along his side. The contact is welcome, a familiar comfort that still causes his heart to flutter that little bit faster every time.
"I'm just saying…" You pause, a pout on your face as you tug the duvet closer to your shoulders and pull Levi into your arms. "I love you."
He tuts, but you can feel his smile against your skin. His lips are warm—if you were closer to his face you'd be able to smell the mint on his breath from the tea he had before bed. And when he places a gentle kiss to your collarbone you feel heat begin to pool in your stomach at the affection—familiar now, but still so frighteningly open that you can't help the pride that flutters in your chest.
Affection from the man that once swore he had no interest in dating, who was content with the life he had, the friends he had. Who had always said he didn't need a relationship to feel fulfilled. Happy to sit back and watch as his loved ones had the romantic love he was sure he would never need.
The man who now knows how empty his life feels without you. Who feels his chest ache whenever you are away from him, who grabs your hand in public without thinking and presses a gentle kiss to your forehead each morning before he leaves for work.
The change is shocking, even to him, even now. But he knows he wouldn't change it for the world.
"I love you, too." He murmurs against your skin, the words spilling from his mouth without any reservation.
Your chest flutters, a smile breaking out on your face. You long to pull away from the embrace to see the shade of pink that you're certain is dusting his cheeks.
But you don't.
How could you when he feels so warm in your arms? When the sound of his breathing is already steadying out and his grip is slowly beginning to loosen?
Sleep creeps over the both of you again, the hazy morning sun moving into a crisp lunchtime shine as soft snores fill the room. Your breathing syncs, messages go unread while time disappears around you. Maybe you'll both fret when you wake, something about missing the breakfast you were supposed to have with your friends. But right now, as Levi lies safely in your arms, your warmth seeping into his skin and into his bones, it doesn't feel important.