Lev x reader - Almost
It starts with something stupid.
A stray volleyball rolls toward you during cleanup, and you bend down to grab it at the same time Lev does. Your hands brush. You look up. He looks down.
And suddenly you’re both frozen.
His face goes pink, yours goes warm, and for a second — a single, suspended heartbeat — you swear he’s leaning in.
Then Yaku screams from across the gym.
“LEV, DON’T BREAK THE MANAGER!”
You both jump apart like you’ve been electrocuted.
The moment dies. But it’s the first of many.
The Second Almost
It’s raining after practice, and you forgot your umbrella. Lev notices immediately — of course he does — and offers to walk you home under his.
Except he’s so tall that you have to stand close, practically pressed against his side just to stay under the canopy.
He’s quiet. Too quiet.
You glance up at him, and he’s already looking at you, eyes soft in a way that makes your stomach flip.
“Um,” he says, voice low, “your hair’s getting wet.”
He reaches out, gently brushing a damp strand behind your ear.
You swear he leans down.
You swear you lean up.
And then—
“LEV! YOU LEFT YOUR SHOES IN THE GYM AGAIN!”
Kuroo’s voice echoes down the street.
Lev flinches so hard the umbrella tilts, dumping water all over both of you.
Moment ruined. Again.
The Third Almost
You’re sitting on the bleachers during a break, legs dangling, sipping water. Lev plops down beside you, knees knocking yours because he has no concept of personal space when it comes to you.
He’s rambling about something — a new jump technique, a funny thing Inuoka said — but then he stops mid‑sentence.
“You have something…” he murmurs, reaching toward your face.
Your breath catches.
His fingers brush your cheek, feather‑light, brushing away a fleck of dust. He doesn’t pull back. His hand lingers. His eyes drop to your lips.
He leans in.
You lean in.
It’s happening.
It’s finally—
“HEY, LOVE BIRDS! WATER BREAK’S OVER!”
Yamamoto’s voice shatters the moment like a brick through glass.
Lev jerks back so fast he almost falls off the bleachers.
You want to scream.
The Fourth Almost
It’s late. Everyone’s gone. You and Lev are the last ones in the gym, putting away equipment. The lights are dim, the air quiet, the world finally giving you a chance.
You hand him a stray towel. He takes it — and your fingers brush again.
This time, neither of you pull away.
He steps closer. You step closer.
His voice is barely above a whisper.
“I… really like being around you.”
Your heart stutters. “Yeah. Me too.”
He smiles — soft, hopeful, a little nervous. He leans down, forehead almost touching yours.
And then—
The gym lights flicker off.
Automatic shutoff.
You both scream.
Moment obliterated.
The Fifth Almost (and the closest yet)
You’re walking out together, laughing about the lights, shoulders brushing. Lev stops under the doorway, turning to you with that earnest, too‑big smile.
“Hey,” he says softly, “can I—”
He leans down.
You rise onto your toes.
Your noses brush.
Your lips almost—
A car horn blares.
You both jump apart like startled cats.
Lev groans into his hands. “Why does this keep happening?”
You laugh, stepping closer, nudging his arm. “Maybe the universe is messing with us.”
He peeks at you through his fingers, cheeks red. “I hope it stops soon.”
You smile up at him, warm and certain. “Me too.”
And even though you don’t kiss — not yet — the way he looks at you makes it feel like you’re already halfway there.
