Levi x Pianist!Reader: Overcoming the storm

Levi looked up to the sky,his eyes scanning the sky for the signs of an oncoming storm in the heavy stillness of the air. A couple passed by, huddled close against the chill. Before long, the first drops began to fall, scattering the remaining few who had been walking the grey streets. Even the murmur of passing traffic died out, leaving a lonely silence in its wake.

Nearby, you were sitting in the silvery light of a music room’s window, watching as the rain scrawled melodies across your reflection. You imagined reading notes and chords in each tear the clouds cast against the glass, the growing breeze marring the droplets and setting the bar lines. Music was a bitter-sweet violation, moving your fingers, your heart, without your concession.

Levi had been about to leave - unsure of what he was seeking, only knowing that the growing need for him to be sat by your side was nibbling at his brain it hadn't been easy lately for the two of you, the argument that you had was explosive leaving you both with a sense of loss, he was ready to leave when his ears picked up on the soft keys of the piano as your fingers danced. He always loved listening to you play the soft and cheerful happy melodies that you could pluck out of nothing were all but a memory to him it had been that long but now the notes you played were filled with sadness, loss and mourning. Like chilled hands seeking the touch of another, he was drawn to you.

He appeared a few paces behind you, observing as your fingers moved along the keys, stroking unspoken words out of each ivory bar. Lost in the song, you didn’t notice him until he took a step closer and the floor creaked underfoot. The unexpected sound made you jump in your seat, the piano protesting with a jarring combination of notes.

''Levi, you scared me'' 

His eyes moved from you to the piano and back again, caught between a compliment and an apology. “I heard you playing,” he began. Unsure of how to finish, he trailed off, although he held your stare. You inwardly sighed, sad to have lost the small escape the song had provided and a pang of longing in your heart, wanting nothing more to be held by him once again. “Here, go ahead. There’s plenty of room,” you said, moving over on the bench. He didn’t move, save for the way his brows drew together, as if confused. “The rain’s not supposed to let up for a while,” you added, amused by what you took for shyness. “Might as well sit if you’re going to wait it out in here.”

For a second it seemed he would decline, perhaps more willing to face the storm than an extended session of classical music, but then he took a seat next to you, moving with a grace that was surprising. “So… “ Your fingers absently wandered across the same keys from before. Levi took in your appearance, the way that your hair fell down your back, your bangs covering your eyes. He wanted you. All of you. 

“You’re beautiful,” he replied, quick and bright. A cluttered exclamation burst out of the piano as your fingers stumbled over the keys. Thankfully, he wasn’t watching your face, which you were positive was burning. Instead, it was your hands that held his attention.

“You can create such wonderful music. It reflects a beautiful soul.”

There was silence as you waited for him to follow the remark with a jeer or a laugh - perhaps even a cheap flirtation, but your suspicions were repaid with a small but meaningful smile. “Please.” He gently took your hand in his and returned it to where it had been poised before. “Play it again?”

A warmth lingered after his touch left you, making the melody spin, in your mind before you could reign it in. However, once you gathered yourself enough to begin once more, the soft pleasure on his face grew, lending confidence to your movements.

Usually, music could lead you far away from your surroundings, but not now. His stare never roamed, keeping you tethered to the room. In his eyes, there was a terrible longing. “Would you like to try?” you asked, your fingers still in motion. You'd never asked him to play with you before but now you wanted him to, more than anything. 

Levi hesitated, fearing he had already gone too far with this and yet, against all his arguments within, the music thrummed. “Yes” Your heart fluttered with a ray of hope as the single word left his lips, “Here, to start, just these three…”

You demonstrated a few times before gesturing for him to take over. Singing was something you typically reserved for your company alone, but as his larger hands began to delicately pick at the keys, you quickly found yourself humming the tune to guide him “Good! Keep going, just like that,” you coaxed, placing your hands further down the scale.

To your astonishment, Levi was beginning to lay claim to the keys he played, note by note introducing himself further to the melody. Your fingers moved, separate but apart, a special dance reserved only for those sharing in creation. Outside, the wind howled in challenge as your music joined his, rising up to beat back against the rain that drummed against the window.

''I've never played like this before''

“Really?” On some days, music was your kindest company, the notes of a song crying when you could not. “What about when you’re feeling down?”

“Is that why you were playing this? Are you unhappy?” he softly inquired.

You considered the question carefully. His fingertips brushed the sides of your own as you struck a key in tandem. “No.” You smiled at your music. “Not now.”

The melody that was shared between the both of you was softly coming to an end as your played the last two keys, the vibrations filling the room as the music came to an end. Your eyes stayed on your hands as they gently smoothed over the ivory keys, you wanted nothing more than to lean against him to feel his body heat, the overwhelming urge to cry burned at your eyes as your clear vision turned glossy.

Levi moved his left arm so that it was around your back so that he could pulled your closer to him, his right arm came up so that he could cradle your face as it pressed into his neck. This gesture was everything a declaration of love, forgiveness and the longing, there was nothing now that could stop the tears that flowed down your face, Levi muttered apologizes over and over, he made soothing noises to coax you to calm. 

''I love you, so much''

''I love you to (First), more than you'll ever know''

The world was cold.

But today, together, you overcame the storm.