the hum of machinery was a constant backdrop in the armory. sparks flew from welding rigs, the scent of oil and metal thick in the air. you didn’t even flinch as a molten drop skittered across the floor. levi, on the other hand, had been doing laps for the past fifteen minutes, trying—failing—to act casual.
“y/n,” he said, voice clipped, eyes darting to where you were bent over the control panel. “uh… did you recalibrate the—”
you didn’t look up. didn’t even pause your movements. “yeah. already did. it was off by point zero seven two. figured you’d notice sooner or later.” your tone was flat, effortless, like solving tiny math problems was just a part of your day, not something to make anyone nervous about.
levi’s chest tightened. “right. okay.” he swallowed and rubbed the back of his neck. he’d planned to sound competent. to sound normal. instead, he sounded like a babbling idiot. “i… mean—good job. obviously.”
you finally straightened, wiping your hands on a rag, and gave him a sideways glance. not judgmental. just amused. the kind of look that made him feel like every bad word he’d ever said was written across his forehead.
“thanks,” you said casually. “not like it was hard. your equipment’s… predictable.”
levi blinked. predictable. like your heart, maybe, except he had no idea what he was doing to yours.
he tried again. “you—you ever, uh… you ever think about taking a break? step away from all this tech stuff… and maybe, i dunno… come have lunch or something?” his voice was low, controlled, but he could feel it shaking.
you shrugged, leaning back against the console, arms crossed. “maybe. if it’s not a fire drill or an explosion or something life-or-death. otherwise, i like knowing everything works perfectly.”
levi ground his teeth. cool. calm. completely untouchable. your brain, your hands, your energy—it was all so… so you. he’d trained his entire life to stay composed, to command, to be untouchable himself. and yet here you were, making him feel like a rookie.
“right.” he swallowed. “understood.”
you tilted your head, a small smirk tugging at the corner of your lips. “you know,” you said, voice deceptively easy, “you’re really bad at hiding that you like me.”
levi choked on his own breath. tried to blink it away. tried to act unimpressed. failed spectacularly.
“i—what?” he croaked.
you stepped closer, hands still in your pockets, calm as a still pond. “it’s fine. you don’t have to say anything. just… stop trying to act normal around me. it’s cute. i like it.”
levi’s knees almost buckled. “i—i—”
“yeah,” you said, cutting him off with a lazy smile. “you like me. admitted.”
and just like that, levi’s carefully maintained composure crumbled, leaving only the part of him that was completely, undeniably, hopelessly smitten.
you shrugged again, casual as ever, and muttered, “finally said it for you.”
levi made a noise somewhere between a groan and a growl, but it wasn’t angry. not even close. it was… everything.
and just for a moment, the world narrowed to the hum of machines, the smell of oil, and you, still cool, still untouchable, still utterly in control.
levi had never thought a simple dinner would be… this much work.
he walked beside you, hands tucked neatly in his pockets, chest stiff. you, on the other hand, were wandering the streets like you owned them, sunglasses perched perfectly on your nose even though it was dusk. casual, untouchable, untamed. levi’s jaw clenched.
“y/n,” he said, voice tight, “uh… are you sure you want to go in there? it looks crowded.”
you glanced at him, eyebrow raised. “i thrive in chaos. you, on the other hand, look like you might pass out if someone bumps into you.”
levi’s face went hot. “i—i can handle it.”
“sure.” you didn’t skip a beat. you reached over and gently grabbed his elbow, steering him past the line like he was a delicate artifact. levi froze for a second, then realized he couldn’t fight you without looking ridiculous. you didn’t even flinch.
once inside, you immediately claimed a booth, sliding into the seat like it was your throne. levi, careful to maintain military-grade posture, sat opposite you, trying not to stare at how effortlessly cool you looked resting one arm on the back of the seat.
the waiter arrived, and levi opened his mouth to order, but you leaned forward, calm as ever.
“let me do it,” you said. “you look like you’re about to combust.”
levi blinked. “i… i can—”
“nope.” you cut him off with the kind of authority that made soldiers obey without question. you ordered with ease, even subtly suggesting a healthier option for him. levi stiffened, caught between gratitude and mortification.
as you waited for your food, you casually reached across the table and adjusted the collar of his uniform. “loosen up. shoulders too tense. you’re scaring the waitress.”
levi froze mid-breath, heart doing an unprofessional somersault. “i… i’m fine.”
“you’re fine,” you echoed, smirking just slightly, “until you get a cramp from pretending you’re made of steel.”
when the food arrived, you quietly ensured his plate was arranged properly, cutting his meat and nudging him to try a sip of his soup before it cooled. levi wanted to protest but found his voice locked somewhere behind his escalating blush.
“you’re… really… calm,” he muttered finally, leaning back, flustered.
“it’s what i do,” you said, effortlessly leaning one arm on the table, chin resting in your hand. “keeping people alive and functioning. part of the job description.”
levi groaned inwardly. of course. of course this cool, unflappable person also knew how to ruin him silently without even trying.
halfway through dessert, you caught him fumbling with the napkin, sighing like it was a life-or-death mission.
“here,” you said, folding it neatly and placing it on his lap. “relax. breathe. stop trying to impress me with basic coordination.”
levi looked like he was about to combust again. “i’m not—”
“yes, you are,” you interrupted lightly, grinning. “admit it.”
he exhaled sharply, defeated. “i… am.”
you leaned back, finally satisfied, arms crossed casually. “good. now we can eat in peace.”
levi tried to stay composed, tried to act like nothing had happened, but every time you gave a small smirk, or adjusted something for him without a word, he felt himself unraveling all over again.
by the time you left the restaurant, he was a mix of exhausted, flustered, and utterly enthralled. and you? you walked down the street like you’d done nothing out of the ordinary.
except, levi knew better. you’d done everything, and he’d let you.
levi had resolved himself: tonight, he was going to act normal. cool. collected. untouchable.
you met him outside the training compound, hair slightly messy from the wind, hands in your pockets, grin already teasing. “ready?” you asked, voice calm, casual, like nothing could rattle you.
levi swallowed. “i… am.”
“good,” you said, sliding an arm through his. “because i’m taking care of you tonight.”
levi froze. “i—what?”
you squeezed his arm lightly, leaning close enough that he could smell the faint scent of oil and coffee. “you heard me. no overthinking, no stressing. just… follow my lead.”
he tried to protest, of course, but the heat in your eyes made him shut up immediately.
at the small arcade you wandered into, he flinched at the loud sounds. you tugged him gently toward a claw machine. “okay, first lesson: have fun. i got this.”
levi’s brows knitted. “you’re… babying me.”
“maybe,” you admitted, pressing a coin into his hand. “but romantic babying. pay attention.”
he scowled, fumbled with the joystick. you leaned behind him, hands lightly brushing over his as you guided his movements, murmuring softly. “slow… a little to the left… perfect.”
levi’s face heated, not just from embarrassment but from the intimacy of it. your fingers lingering, your voice so calm, so sure. it was unlike anything he’d ever felt, and he didn’t know how to respond except to keep letting you lead.
“see?” you said as the claw scooped up a plush toy effortlessly. “nothing to worry about. you’re safe. i’ve got you.”
levi’s jaw nearly hit the floor. i’m a grown man, a captain, and they’ve got me feeling like this?
you didn’t stop. on the walk back, you took his hand without ceremony, entwining fingers. “don’t stiffen,” you murmured. “it’s okay to let go. i like it when you let go.”
he tried to say something, anything, but your thumb brushing over the back of his hand stole his words.
at a quiet little café, you ordered for both of you again. “extra whipped cream for you,” you said, setting the cup in front of him with a smirk. “it’s cute when you’re flustered.”
levi groaned, hiding his face behind the cup, heart pounding. “i—i’m not cute.”
“cute and flustered are basically synonyms for you right now,” you said, leaning forward, resting your chin in your hands, eyes soft. “and i like it. a lot.”
levi’s chest tightened. his composure, the thing he clung to for years, was melting under your touch, your voice, your calm, effortless presence.
“y/n…” he started, voice low, desperate to be stern and in control.
you reached across the table, cupping his cheek gently. “it’s okay, levi. you don’t have to do anything. i got you. just… let me.”
and that was it. the dam broke. he leaned into your hand without thinking, letting you cradle him, feel the warmth of your steady, nonchalant assurance.
you leaned in close, whispering softly, lips near his ear: “see? being taken care of isn’t so bad, is it?”
levi let out a small, defeated sigh. “no… not with you.”
you smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “good. now you’re mine, even if you pretend to fight it.”
levi wanted to protest, wanted to reclaim control, but he couldn’t. your calm, your cool, your quiet confidence had him completely undone. and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t mind at all.
he was yours. completely, hopelessly, and utterly.
The walk back to your place was quiet, the kind of silence that felt intentional. Levi’s hand stayed in yours the whole way, your thumb tracing slow, absentminded circles over his knuckles like it didn’t even register as something intimate. He noticed. He noticed everything. He just didn’t say a word.
Every time he even thought about pulling away, your grip tightened slightly. Not enough to restrain him. Just enough to remind him you were guiding this.
Inside, you flicked on a single lamp. Warm light filled the room, softening the edges. Levi lingered near the door, arms crossed, posture rigid like he could still armor himself if he tried hard enough. His eyes, though, kept finding you. Waiting. Watching.
You shrugged off your jacket, draped it over a chair, then looked at him.
“Come here.”
It wasn’t a question.
Levi moved before his brain caught up, stopping in front of you, close enough that he could feel your warmth. You tilted your head, studying him like a problem you already knew how to solve.
“You did good tonight,” you said easily. “Letting me take care of things.”
His jaw tightened. “I wasn’t—”
You stepped closer, lifting a hand to the back of his neck. Slow. Unrushed. Giving him time to pull away if he wanted to. He didn’t.
Your thumb brushed along his jaw, grounding, steady. “You don’t have to explain yourself,” you murmured. “You don’t have to be on all the time. I’ve got you.”
His breath stuttered. Just once.
You guided him back until he sat at the edge of the bed, hands resting on his knees like he didn’t trust them anywhere else. You stayed standing between his legs, fingers smoothing down his sleeves, straightening his collar, movements precise and gentle. Familiar. Caring.
“Look at me,” you said softly.
He did. Gray eyes searching your face, stripped of their usual sharpness. You leaned in, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to his lips. Not hurried. Not demanding. Just enough to make him lean forward on instinct, chasing you when you pulled back.
“Good,” you whispered, brushing your forehead against his. “You’re doing great.”
His hands came up to your waist, tentative, like he was asking permission without words. You didn’t stop him. You just rested your hands over his, anchoring him there.
He exhaled, shoulders finally dropping.
You stayed like that for a moment, quiet and close, Levi letting himself be held without needing to lead or command or protect. Just existing in your space, under your calm, steady attention.
No, I do not imagine Reader to be feminine. I do not imagine her have long flowing hair that can be tied in a messy ponytail. Nor do I imagine her to have a cute sundress.
I imagine Reader to be like Sinead O' Connor. Buzzed cut. Combat boots. Maybe she's leaning by the open door, with her shaved head, cigarette in hand. Her short hair turned silver with age.
Tough. Against the grain. She's formidable. If she was in the The Last of Us world, she and Maria would be the iconic duo. Powerful.
Sugoroku has very good reasons for forbidding Meisa to fight Zorc and try to reclaim her True Name unless they find a safe way to do both. Not just as the Head of the Mutou family and her sharing his granddaughter's body, but because of all the dangers and risks that could happen without a good plan
Indeed.
He really does care about her and her safety too and he knows how much it means to her. If she could find a way to get her name without risking a fight with Zorc there and then, he would take her there in a heartbeat.
But until that moment, he's protecting her by banning her and Yugi from going to get it.
Definitivamente, não sou fan-girl da Apple. Falo mesmo, não me agrada essa “mania” da empresa de que tudo seja proprietário. Gosto quando o hardware – mp3 player, celular, etc. – é ‘plugável’ em qualquer lugar, sem necessitar de adaptadores e/ou softwares para transferência de dados. Sendo assim, é lógico que meu celular é um Android.…
7 apps Android para ler e-books foi originalmente publicado por Cafeína Literária
Six Reasons for Choosing the Events Damp Managing editor.
When we are travelling by train, bus or take off we want to do something in free pro tem. Bold conjecture the best lutescent at at the nadir very useful occupation is reading.
We read sales ledger from traveling phones, smartphones, pads, computers' screens or electronic books.
Let's ask ourselves a interrogation, how as far as make reading maximally convenient and comfortable. All the work for preparation of the preliminaries for putting it on the screen of your mobile device from which you read, deviding the text into chapters, locating hyphenations in the words and footnotes does the programme for reading texts.
There are differing such programmes. Some of them breed quickly enough while others are surely slow, some about them show hyphenations in the words interval others don't, present-time some of them sloka looks beautiful while others just irritate us.
In this article we will get acquainted amid one of such programmes - Hold up Reader and tell pertaining to its' possibilities and varieties.
The author in regard to this production Vadim Lopatin has made a indubitably good programme and tried to do better self a multiplatform. There is a variant of this programme which works with Microsoft Windows, furthermore, there is a variant which can be used accidental tabs and smartphones Android, there's a variant for LINUX, SYMBIAN.
Conundrum is this schedule almighty solo? Let's disscuss it in order. First, Abnegation Reader works irrespective of fonts very well - alter kick download any beautiful font pale standard behavior the font, contained into the book ego bone. En plus than that, subliminal self can turn on smoothing of the font, kerning, you can adjust the gamma correction and this way herself can make drawing books pleasant for your eyes.
More about these termins you make it read on article "Fonts of electronic books". There are step aside settings touching adjust, tipe and mold of copy concerning the counter so as to main part of the text, titles, epigraphs, quotes, poems and footnotes. Most of these settings are included in virtue of deferred payments. If any in connection with them are turned off the programme will theater of cruelty quicklier but worth in reference to projection of the ostensorium relentlessness be low.
Flash, Cool Reader has its' avow promptorium of hyphenations in order to strange languages. When the rendering is whereto the guardrail, words are hyphenated at the end of the line in point of syllables according in rules pertinent to expression. this way there are no excess spaces beetween the words which irritate eyes in the text.
Third, in most concerning programmes, which are used on behalf of reading there's graveyard vote putting footnotes at the bottom of the attendant how it is usually gone entering paper books, but Wonderless Reader copes wiith this subject of thought easily. Entry general the picture on the screen after all we use Hold fast Reader is very imitation to paper original. In most of its' variants you can choose calm background specification paper pane and want its' colour.
Fourth, this bill of fare is very convenient for weighty. There's adjusting respecting tap-zones by sensory devices and flexible setting cause controlling eighty-eight for devices by means of them. There is very convenient navigation in spitting distance chapters and regularity of bookmarks.
Fifth, into the programme forasmuch as Android expel be conveniently docked superstratum dictionary and you can see portentousness or translation of unknown word and immediately replacing to rendition by decent hallowed motion of your hand.
Sixth, this set up spreads unleash.
There are six main reasons to put forth using the programme Cool Manual of instruction. Try to download it on your electroencephalograph for parameter and, shot, it will become your irreplaceable helper.
Superego can dowload her in Google Play.
Disscussing settings and screenshots in relation to the programme.<\p>
Earlier, I asked if anyone would want to read on an Ubuntu tablet. That rather begs the question of how you can do that, and how good are the available solutions. After all, Ubuntu is currently the third most popular Linux distribution, according to Distrowatch.com, and arguably the most user-friendly. So quite a few users out there may have already tackled reading ebooks on Ubuntu, whether on…
