Here it is safe. (Levi x reader)
Slight, very slight mentions of anxiety attacks? Idfk. Basically reader often gets overwhelmed and hides, guess who's there to help?
Levi knocked at your door, not surprised when he didn’t get a response.
But he waited nevertheless. He tapped against the door a few more times until he reached for the doorknob and twisted it, cautiously pushing it open. Also not to his surprise, your office was empty, not a hair of you in sight.
Seemingly.
If not for the fact that he’d seen you entering here just two minutes ago and if not for the fact he’s been here way too many times to know better. And so he found himself slowly stepping in, soundlessly shutting the door back. Light on his feet, he approached the desk standing near the back of the room and peered down.
“Hello.” You whispered when his silver eyes found yours.
It was rather unusual to find most people crouching beneath their desks, was it not?
Levi thought so too, the first time he found you here. He remembered being so confused, watching you as you curled up in a ball, rocking back and forth. He remembered being clueless, wondering if you were sick, wondering if he should call Hange or Nanaba, wondering if he should just leave you alone.
But time has passed since and he’s learnt a thing or two.
That everyone gets overwhelmed sometimes.
Levi sighed.
“What are you doing?” He asked softly.
“..hiding.” You mumbled, avoiding his gaze and pulling up your knees against your chest. You drummed your fingers anxiously on the floor.
“So I’ve figured.” He nodded. “From what exactly?”
"I.." You cringed a little. "..don’t know?”
“Come out please.”
You hesitated, meeting his gaze. It was soft. Warm. Understanding. Safe.
But yet, the world was far scarier still.
You glanced back at the floor. “I don’t want to.”
“It’s alright. Come out please.”
You shook your head. Levi exhaled.
“That’s okay,” He said, shifting. “I’ll just come down then.”
Before you could even respond to that offer, he was already squatting down, slipping himself into the small space under the desk that could barely even fit you. But he settles in anyways, leaning back opposite of you, your knees touching his.
You smiled, letting your hand find his and hooking your cold fingers through. In response, he rubbed circles on your palm with his thumb, squeezing gently. For a moment you just simply sat there, feeling gratitude flood your thundering heart as it quiets, the tension leaving your body and everything wrong in your mind eases away. In that moment, there was only you and him. You could finally breathe again.
“You don’t have to do this every time, you know?” You told him. “What would people say?”
He raised a brow questioningly.
“Your reputation would be so screwed if people find out you hide under tables like a little child.” You shook your head, trying to explain. “Just because I’m weird, doesn’t mean you have to be too.”
“You’re not weird.”
“Levi.”
“What?”
‘“You don’t have to do this. I’ll be fine in a bit.”
“I know.”
“So why?” You demanded. He looked at you and shrugged.
“Because you needed me.”
That’s all he says.
“You needed me." He repeated softly, "And I’ll stay as long as you need me to.”