LEVI'S PAST

HI! FINALLY I'M DONE WITH MY FINAL EXAM :'). HERE'S THE NEW UPDATE :)

-Haruka POV-

"Levi, I know this may not be the right time for me to ask, but I can't wait any longer. So tell me, who is he to you actually?" I asked him, gripping his hand tightly but gently. I look at him with a soft gaze.

Levi was silent for a long time. His fingers twitched slightly in my grasp, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he exhaled, slow and controlled, as if he was bracing himself.

"He… He was my ex." He said, his voice quieter than usual.

My breath caught for a fraction of a second. I had suspected there was something deeper between them, but hearing it out loud still sent a strange pang through my chest.

"Levi, if you don't mind, may I ask how you two met?" I asked softly. If he is not ready to tell me yet, I won't force him.

He took a seat at my desk, staring at a fixed point on the wall. His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it, like someone dragging a blade against old wounds.

"We met six years ago, or maybe seven years ago since it's already the end of the year. He used to approach me the same way he approached you. Right, during the dinner party."

//FLASHBACK//

-Levi POV-

Another year, another dinner party.The clinking of glasses, low laughter, and elegant classical music fill the air. I stand near the bar, sipping on my whisky, barely paying attention to the people around me. I never cared much for these social events, but obligations kept me here.

As I was enjoying my time alone, a voice cut through the solitude.

"You don't look like you enjoy parties." The voice sounded smooth, and the owner of that voice took a seat beside me.

I barely spare him a glance, already irritated. A man with sharp features, middle haircut, and a confident smirk meets my gaze. He's Claude Bernard, a politician's son, and his father is one of the presidential nominees for the country's new president. I heard his family owned one of the largest insurance companies in the world but they didn't expand their business like us. He's dressed impeccably, his tailored suit hinting at old money and power.

"Then, why are you talking to me?" I said with an uninterested voice while taking another sip of my drink.

"Because I like interesting people. And you, Levi Ackerman, are the most interesting person in this room." He said with a chuckle, resting an elbow on the bar.

Hah. This is really going to ruin my mood. I set my glass down, looking at him, unimpressed.

"I don't do small talk. If you're here to waste my time, leave."

"Now that's cold. But I like a challenge." He said with a grin, clearly entertained instead of deterred.

He signals to the bartender, ordering himself a drink before turning back to me.

"Let me buy you a drink." His smirk turned into a flirty one.

"I can buy my own drink." I arched my eyebrows, voice edged with annoyance.

"I have no doubt about that. But wouldn't it be more fun if someone else did?" He leaned in slightly, as if amused by my resistance.

I exhaled sharply through the nose, already done with the conversation. I turn to leave, but Claude steps aside, allowing me to pass without resistance. I expected him to push further, to pester, but instead…

"See you around, Levi." He said that softly as I passed him.

I don't look back, but for some reason, the way Claude said my name lingers in my mind.

Since that meeting, I have attended a series of events, corporate meetings, elite social gatherings, and charity fundraisers. Each time, I find Claude there, always with that same confident smirk.

And today, I'm attending a charity event on behalf of my father, and I really hope I don't run into Claude Bernard here. I'm already tired dealing with all those people. Finally, I have some time alone, sitting at the lounge, with a glass of whisky like always. But of course, my peace time wouldn't last long until a familiar voice interrupted.

"Still avoiding me?" That voice said.

"Still don't know how to take a hint?" I said without looking up.

"Maybe I just enjoy a challenge." He laughed lightly, sipping on his drink.

"Seriously, what do you want?" I looked up at him with a glare.

"Just to get to know you." He replied with a grin.

"And if I don't want to know you?" I said, crossing my arms.

"Then I just keep showing up until you do." He said with a shrug, unconcerned.

"You're wasting your time." I said, getting ready to leave.

"Maybe. But I have a feeling you'll like me eventually." I could sense confidence in his voice.

"Suit yourself. I'm leaving." With that, I left him alone there.

//SKIP//

It's been a month, and he doesn't lie when he says that he'll keep showing up. He never fails to show up every time I finish my work, but I ignore him all the time. But strangely, I'm used to his presence, and I didn't hate that anymore. As always, he shows up again today, waiting in front of the company building, leaning his back against his car. I finished my work a bit later today, and I could see he's shivering. It's winter, no wonder. I made my way towards him.

"Aren't you tired doing all this? Waiting for me every day like this?" My voice caught his attention, and he looked up at me.

"I told you, I'll keep showing up until you want to get to know me. Finally, you're talking to me today." He said that with a smile, still shivering.

"Tch. You're freezing. Follow me." I said, grabbing his arm without realising it.

I dragged him to the nearest cafe. 

"Is hot chocolate okay for you?" I asked him, and he just nodded.

"One hot chocolate, one black tea, and one set of Chausson aux pommes." I said to the staff, and she just nodded.

"You don't drink chocolate?" He asked me.

"I don't really like sweet things, and I prefer tea." I replied, trying to avoid eye contact.

"You know, if someone told me a year ago that Levi Ackerman himself would willingly drag me to the cafe to have a drink with me, I wouldn't believe them." Claude said with a smirk.

"Who said I'm here willingly?" I said, rolling my eyes, looking around the cafe.

"You could have left any time. But you didn't." He said with a chuckle, watching me intently.

"I'm not that cold-hearted to leave you freezing there. I'm just doing you a favour here." I tried to deny his words, and he just chuckled.

"You said that, but your words don't match your actions, you know?" He said that with a smile.

I didn't respond. Because… Because he might be right.

After having a drink with him, he suggested we take a walk together, and surprisingly, I just agreed with that. The streets are quiet, bathed in soft, golden streetlights. I walk ahead, hands in pockets, while Claude keeps pace beside me.

"Why do you always keep your distance?" He asked softly, almost as if he's testing the waters.

"What's it to you?" I glanced at him.

"Just curious. You let people respect you, fear you, but never get close." He said while shrugging, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets.

I stopped walking and turned to face him with a sharp gaze, locking onto Claude's, searching for any trace of insincerity, but I found none.

"I don't trust people easily." I said that quietly but firmly.

Claude smiles, but there's something softer in his expression this time. Something that makes my chest tighten in a way I don't like.

"Then let me be the exception." He said that softly, stepping closer.

I didn't answer. But for the first time, I don't feel like rejecting the idea either.

Over time, I find myself tolerating Claude's presence more than I should. Or maybe I already fell for him without even realising it. We spent more time together, and the longer we spent, the more intimate we became. I also helped him achieve his goals in operating their family's business by supporting him, and now their company has grown much bigger than before. Today, he managed to secure one more project in his arm, and we're having a private celebration. Just the two of us, alone in a private suite.

The city glows beneath them. A bottle of champagne sits between us, half-finished. I leaned my back on the chair while Claude lounged lazily across from me.

"To you. Because none of this would have happened without you." Claude said, lifting his glass with a smirk.

"Tch. I didn't do it for you." I said, rolling my eyes, taking a sip of whisky instead of champagne.

"Sure you didn't." He grinned, leaning closer.

For a moment, there's nothing but silence. The tension thickens, an unspoken understanding passing between us. Then, I began to speak, my voice quieter this time.

"You're not as bad as I thought." 

Claude chuckles. His smirk softened.

"And you're not as heartless as you pretend to be." Claude said softly, with a sincere smile.

I don't deny it. I just watch as Claude shifts closer, our knees brushing. And for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel like pulling away. He brought his face closer to mine, and for a moment, our lips touched. Strangely, I didn't push him away and just went along with him.

And with just one kiss, we go all the way. I'm a heavy drinker, but I never sleep with anyone. He's the first person I slept with and he's the top.

From that moment onwards. We became more and more intimate. Claude even bought an apartment just for us to hang out together. Candlelit dinner, kissing each other, sleeping together while going out all night, and quiet mornings wrapped in each other. And that's what we're doing right now, at the apartment Claude bought us. It's raining.

Rain patters against the glass windows. The air smells like coffee and something warm. I stand by the window, watching the city lights when arms wrap around my waist from behind.

"You're always thinking too much." Claude murmured against my shoulder.

"Maybe I have to. Since I have an idiot hanging around me all the time." I said with a smirk, tilting my head slightly.

Claude laughs softly, tightening his hold on me. We stay like that for a while. Silent, content, wrapped in warmth. The moment feels real. But I didn't know that everything I believed in was about to shatter.

//SKIP//

The time passed by quickly, and it's been more than one year since we've been dating each other. 

I had finished my work early today so I headed back home earlier than usual and maybe Claude's not here yet. I arrived at our home, tossing my coat onto the couch. Something feels off. The lights are dim, the air thick with the scent of expensive cologne, one that doesn't belong to me or Claude. Then, I heard it. A low chuckle. A moan.

My heart pounds as I walk towards the bedroom. I pushed the door open and froze.

Claude. In bed. With another man.

"You bastard." I said with a dangerously low voice, laced with venom.

Claude turns, utterly unbothered. If anything, he looks amused.

"Oh. You're back early." Claude said lazily, as if it was nothing.

I clenched my fists, my vision blurring with fury. 

"I gave you everything." I said, I could feel my voice crack.

Claude sits up, smirking as he runs a hand through his dishevelled hair.

"And I took it." He said that mockingly.

I grabbed him by the collar, pulling him up with barely contained rage.

"You…"

Claude chuckled before he spoke.

"Levi Ackerman, I only got close to you because my father asked me to. And in return, I got everything I wanted. I never loved you." He whispered in my ears with a cold voice.

At that time, I could feel my world shatter. The betrayal stabs deeper than I thought possible. I let go of Claude, stumbling back as the weight of it crashes over me.

Then I left the place and went to my usual bar. I downed drink after drink, trying to drown the pain, but it didn't work. Nothing works. Chloe and Felix were there trying to calm me down, but nothing worked. They even book a room for me, telling me to stay the night because it's dangerous for me to drive in that condition. But I didn't listen and just left without telling them.

I drove down the road. Too fast. Too recklessly. My mind is filled with Claude's words, the cruel smirk, the betrayal. My hands tighten around the steering wheel.

Then—blinding lights. A truck swerves into my lane. The impact is deafening. The world spins. The last thing I remember is the taste of blood and the distant sound of sirens before everything fades to black.

//END OF FLASHBACK//

-Haruka POV-

"And you know what happened after that. You're the one who operated on me after all." He said it with a faint smile, but I know his heart is hurting.

"To tell you the truth, I hoped I was dead at that time. I don't feel like living anymore. Until one day, a doctor told me to treasure my life more. He told me that it's a miracle that I survived, and he wanted me to keep on living. Forget everything that happened in the past and start a new chapter. You deserve much better, so don't give up on your life." His smile doesn't leave his lips. I know those words really well. After all, I'm the one who said that to him.

"Thanks to that, I'm able to keep myself together and keep living forward. But I told myself not to fall in love again, that's why I chose to play around with anyone instead of having a serious relationship again." He paused before continuing to speak again.

"But then, I met you. Falling in love at first sight doesn't seem to be a lie, but I pushed that feeling away. I told myself that my feeling towards you was nothing serious, but I didn't seem to be able to push that feeling away. That's why I made that decision to sleep with someone new every week. Because I wanted to brush away my feelings towards you. But after two years, I couldn't take it anymore and decided to confess my feelings to you. But of course you wouldn't believe a playboy like me, right? Haha." He said that with a chuckle.

I tried my best to hold back my tears. This guy, he went through a lot. But he never showed that weak side of him even once. I don't deserve this guy, but I don't care anymore. He's the only one I want right now.

"Levi, can I kiss you?"

TO BE CONTINUED!!!