#oc: Levi | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

tthevoic3s · 6 months ago

Text

From Blood Births Life and Death - Chapter 13

An Unsettling Feeling

word count: 3,998

MASTERPOST

CW: Stalking (putting disclaimers due to abundance of caution lol)

As dawn finally approached, the soft light of the sun filtered through the windows, illuminating the small house with its faint glow. A very poetic description, if it wasn’t for the fact that its apparent calmness did anything but match the young man’s morning mood.

A dull thud made Andrew jolt awake, as he found himself sprawled messily on the undone bed, the blankets half falling from the mattress and his arm dangling unceremoniously from the edge. In that hand, at least during the night, he had been holding a book, whose audible fall was responsible for his unpleasant awakening. He let out a soft yawn, rubbing at his still tired green eyes. The morning light stung as he tried to adjust his vision to it.

As he straightened his posture, he felt his limbs aching and cursed at himself for his recent sleeping habits, or rather, non-sleeping habits. Groaning, he swung his legs over the bed and crouched to pick up the forgotten tome, and as he tried to adjust his shirt with one hand, he realised he had, in fact, fallen asleep with the same clothes of the day before. He slammed the book on the table and headed to the counter to prepare himself some tea — probably the only luxury Andrew conceded himself in those weeks.

Work hadn’t been stressful — it never really was — but this time, it was a sort of quiet before the storm. The only periods of the year actual clients or merchants crossed the threshold of his small library was during religious festivities, and, indeed, the Summer Revelry was only a few weeks distant. He sighed, and he reached for the warm water, pouring it in his cup over tea leaves. He really wasn’t in the mood for anything like social reunions, let alone the greatest celebration of the year.

He sipped his tea, his hand still against the countertop.

Vendors and visitors, nobles from other villages, the main place bustling with life… It was all too much — but it was inevitable. Even if he hid from his responsibilities, closed the library and sealed himself in his cozy home, his brother would have found the way to drag him in.

He had to find a way to gain back his healthy — or, at least, healthier — life habits, or, he was sure, he would have dropped dead before turning 22. Stress was eating him from the inside, and who was he trying to fool? Himself, perhaps. Knowing well his own psyche, he should have expected from himself not to respect that good resolution he had set himself. Yes, the resolution of not worrying about any matter concerning humans. Yep, that one.

He clenched his fist as he looked at the book on the table. After promising himself he would have tried not to care, he lost precious hours of sleep reading about humans. Humans. The word alone was a trigger, almost disturbed him. In those weeks, he spent time searching for anything regarding soldiers or whatever technology they — and the girl from that night — were in possession of. He might have been naïve sometimes, but this time his gut feeling — or rather, more probably, his never ending anxiety — was telling him something was wrong. Truly wrong. Not just a problem he made up in his head, as he tried to convince himself the days after it happened.

Right now, he felt stupid for even thinking that. Nothing happened by chance, right? So if that weird shit had happened - and damn, why to him — he had to find an explanation. Or at least something close to it. Sure, he would have preferred to get a few more hours of sleep, but anxiety alone would have kept him awake anyway, so he might as well find out more about the matter.

He placed the now empty cup on the counter and sighed again, pushing himself straighter before finding the will to get changed from the clothes he slept on and go to work.

The path to the village was quiet as always, his steps against the grass the only sound.

The sun was now high in the sky, and as he got closer to the central square, the noise of every day’s bustling activity became more and more audible. It didn’t take long for him to reach the library. He pushed the wooden door open and, as soon as he got inside, he made his way to the historical section. He brought back the book he read in the night, given that it didn't contain any useful information outside the same old legends about humans’ sudden disappearance from the Island. And since humans were on the island – and probably planning something – it wasn’t what he needed. He sighed and pushed the volume back in its place on the tall shelf, and made his way down the ladder, thinking to get distracted for a bit. Or, at least, try to get distracted.

He sat at his desk and started tidying up some documents he left scattered there the days before, when he really didn’t care about keeping everything in order. And now, of course, his desk was a mess of paper sheets, scrolls, and quills.

As he rapidly scanned one of the documents with his eyes, his mind drifted back to that girl – Ethel, if he remembered well. It had been two weeks, and she still hadn’t retrieved her books. Not that it was a problem, but given her attitude, Andrew expected her to show up earlier, maybe just to entertain conversation.

He frowned slightly and shrugged, his hand drifting back to the healing yet still itching wound on his face. His thoughts quickly changed paths, as he remembered the human soldier’s weapon and the shot. What kind of artifact could create such clean cuts? That thing was crazy. Okay that it was tiny, but its precision still confused him.

Suddenly, an idea popped up in his mind. The weapon was the key.

Screw the distractions.

He had only been searching in the wrong place during those weeks. History wasn’t anything but a collection of legends – at least so he noticed in every book he tried to examine. Perhaps, the right thing to do was to look for material about their technology. Maybe soldiers – if they were actually soldiers, he wasn’t sure – were characterised by a certain type of weapon or technology, and through that he could at least trace, in broad terms, what their task was.

Now, it really was a bit of a gamble, with no straightforward answers or certainty, but even a little more knowledge could have been useful.

If he could at least learn something about it, he hoped it would have managed to satiate his anxiety filled curiosity.

After finally deciding which book to grab from the science and tech section,—the one that seemed to fit best what he was looking for—Andrew took a quick look out the window.

He needed some air to think clearly, and he considered the idea of going to read in the small clearing a few steps outside the square. Despite not being particularly distant from the village centre, it was still quieter and granted privacy.

It was kind of his safe place. A small, secluded clearing enclosed by a few trees arranged in a circle, and surrounded by berry bushes.

Screw it, nobody comes to the library at this hour anyway. Getting a minor break to mind my business won’t hurt anyone.

With that being said, Andrew gave another suspicious look out the window, just to make sure his predictions about the absence of customers, or rather, of his brother, were correct. He didn’t want Levi to interrupt his first actual break in 3 years of working at the library. Then, he grabbed the book, shoved it quickly in his satchel and slung it over his shoulder, making his way to the rear exit that led to the clearing.

He walked quickly, almost hurried, his posture stiff, as though he wanted to make sure no one noticed him. Paranoia, again. It wasn’t like he was doing anything illegal, after all. Still, whatever regarded that strange human affair made him feel constantly like a kid stealing cookies that could be caught with his hands dirty at any moment. This whole affair was driving him crazy, as if he didn’t remind himself of it every two seconds.

Now, he wanted at least his doubts to end, and if knowledge couldn’t succeed in such goal, he’d have started praying to the Gods. Begging, even. No joke. Everything for some clarity - and maybe a fixed, renewed sleep routine.

When he finally arrived at the clearing, he sat down on the soft grass, leaning his back, still aching from the restless, uncomfortable night, on a tree bark. As he did, his posture almost immediately relaxed, a faint sigh escaping his lips, with a last glance over his shoulder to — again — make sure of the integrity of his privacy.

Finally, some silence. Just him, nature and his thoughts.

Or, at least, he believed so, completely oblivious to the fact he wasn’t exactly alone.

Sadie crouched low behind a thick patch of ferns, her breath shallow as her sharp blue eyes followed the giant’s every movement in the clearing ahead. He was sitting beneath an oak tree, his legs crossed in front of him and a book balanced delicately in his lap. The scene was almost serene, as though she’d stumbled into the quiet heart of a fairytale.

It wasn’t the first time Sadie had spied on him that month, but each time felt more surreal than the last. And this time, was the closest she’d ever got. He could have simply stretched his arm to move the bush and reveal her presence, yet she stayed there, watching him with quiet stubbornness.

She’d told herself it was for the mission, for reconnaissance. It was for what she promised to Higgs. But it wasn’t only that. Deep down, she knew. As the thought dared to cross her mind, she gripped her rifle tighter, her eyes never leaving Andrew’s silhouette, even from behind the thick leaves. Quit it, Sadie.

Her fingers twitched against the trigger, though she had no intention of using it. She hadn’t since the night she’d given him that scar—the faint line that curved just below his left eye. The wound was healing but still fairly visible, and its sight unsettled the young soldier. The remembrance of that night, of that encounter, of her humiliation. She clenched her teeth. That scene hadn’t stopped playing in her mind, every time she laid down to sleep or she was alone with her thoughts. But now, as she watched him, she felt something else entirely. Guilt. Curiosity. An unsettling sense of… fascination.

Unbelievable, for her. But still, there it was. And now it was stinging more than anything, making itself from blurred to crystal clear in her fogged mind. Was that so called fascination that made her stop Higgs? That made her protect him? Fascination for some of his kind, again, unbelievable to someone like Sadie. She bet that if he told anyone they either wouldn’t believe her, or start laughing endlessly in her face.

Sadie Junior Howard, manipulating a mission because of her fascination towards a giant. It would have been peak comedy, for the other soldiers. Just like her downfall would have been, given their constant envy.

Andrew shifted slightly, and the movement sent Sadie’s mind back in the present. She stared at him for a moment, scanning his features once again.

His dark golden hair caught the sunlight, the strands shimmering like spun gold as they cascaded just above his shoulders. He ran a hand through said locks and leaned further towards the book, flipping the pages rapidly just to give up a few seconds later. Sadie’s breath hitched. He looked so at peace, so completely unaware of her presence, and that realization sent a shiver down her spine. For someone so large, so dangerous - as they thought her - this boy had an unexpected softness to him that left her feeling almost unsteady. Again, he was unconsciously proving her to differ from the narrative Higgs indoctrinated her with. Even so, Sadie couldn’t bring herself to be convinced, to be deceived.

No matter how he seemed or looked, no matter if he had a name she remembered vividly, he wasn’t a person and her only duty was to spy on him to gain information. And then, have him dead.

Yet, her gaze drifted up to his face and to the scar again. Her breath caught in her throat, and before she could stop herself, she began to creep closer. The forest floor was soft beneath her boots, muffling her movements as she inched forward, her steps featherlight and her heart pounding in her chest. What the fuck am I doing?

As her intrusive thoughts continued to push her further, she told herself she just wanted a better view, to observe him more closely for her report.

But the truth was something she didn’t dare admit, even to herself.

She stopped just a few feet away, crouched low in the tall grass, her body tense and her limbs trembling.

Andrew, still oblivious to the tiny soldier’s presence, turned another page, his fingers moving with a surprising delicacy, and Sadie found herself almost mesmerized. She had always thought of giants as clumsy, brutish creatures, but he was anything but. His movements were precise, almost graceful, and she couldn’t shake her gaze off his green eyes, now focused on the book he was holding.

He leaned further back against the tree, his legs shifting slightly as he settled into a more comfortable position. The book slipped from his hands, landing softly in the grass below with an almost inaudible thud. Yet, he didn’t move to pick it back up. Sadie realized with surprise that he was, indeed, falling asleep.

Her pulse quickened as she made sense of the situation. If he was asleep, there was no reason to keep watching him. Or rather, no reason that concerned the mission. This was her chance to leave, to slip away unnoticed, but her feet refused to move, to bring her back to her comfort zone.

Instead, unpleasantly to her, her curiosity, that fascination, burned brighter than her fear. She found herself creeping closer again, indulging in the need that had tormented her since her first meeting with the boy. The urge to see him up close, to study the details of his face, to understand why he unsettled her so much, and what was the real reason she was witnessing such uncertainty to the level of even protecting him.

Damn it. I’m doing it now, and then I’m done with this motherfucker.

As her mind processed such a thought, Sadie gripped the bark of the oak tree, her fingers trembling slightly as she hooked her grappling hook into another sturdy branch. Her breathing was shallow, her heart pounding as she climbed higher, inching closer to where Andrew rested. The ascent was slow and cautious, each movement deliberate to avoid making noise. She shouldn’t have been doing this—it was reckless, dangerous, but she couldn’t contain herself. Her rationality? Gone. Just gut feeling, concerns and muttered curses as she climbed progressively higher.

Finally, she reached a branch at his face level. She crouched low, steadying herself as she peered out from the shadows of the leaves. Andrew was still fast asleep, leaning against the tree trunk, his legs stretched out and his hands resting loosely in his lap. His book had fallen to one side, abandoned.

Sadie froze as she stared at him, her breath almost stopping as her grip tightened on the branch. Up close, his features were more striking than she had anticipated. His features were completely relaxed, the tension she had seen during their previous encounter gone. He looked… young. Vulnerable, even.

His skin was smooth and unblemished, save for that scar on his left cheek. That damn scar. Her stomach twisted with guilt, a pang of nausea hitting her as her brain tried to process everything, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away. Everything was magnified from her point of view. He looked even bigger than she remembered, while she felt so small she felt sick.

She didn’t understand why she was so mesmerized. He was a giant, an enemy, a threat. A monster. And yet, as she crouched there, just feet away from his face, she felt none of the raw fear she had been taught to feel. Instead, she felt… drawn to him. It was unsettling, the way her chest tightened as she studied him, each one of his features.

Then, that urge came. She didn’t know why, or how, and didn’t even think about what she was about to do. She simply did.

She secured her grappling hook and leaned forward, now dangerously close, mere inches from his face. She could even feel him breathing from that distance. Her hand trembled as she stretched her arm, her fingers hovering just above his cheek, the scar so close she could almost feel the faint ridges beneath her fingertips. She didn’t know why she wanted to touch it, why she felt this strange compulsion to trace the mark she had left. It was irrational, foolish. But she couldn’t stop herself.

Her fingertips brushed the air just above his skin, trembling as she dared to move her hand closer. She felt her breath hitch in her chest as she watched him, her heart racing with an intensity that made her head spin. He looked so… human.

The realization made her stomach twist. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. He wasn’t supposed to look human. She wasn’t supposed to see him like this. She immediately withdrew her hand, her eyes wide and her breath shallow as she finally realised what she had almost done.

Suddenly, a faint rustling sound reached her ears. Footsteps. Hell no. Sadie froze, her hand pulling back as her heart leapt into her throat. The sound grew louder, and then a voice broke through the stillness.

“Andrew!” the voice called, low and teasing. It was boyish, followed by a soft laugh.

Sadie’s blood ran cold. She ducked lower into the foliage, her body pressing against the rough bark of the branch as she tried to make herself as small as possible, invisible. Her eyes darted toward the source of the voice, and she saw a tall figure emerging from the trees—another giant with long ginger curls and a grin etched on his lips.

“Unbelievable,” he said, shaking his head as he approached Andrew’s still asleep form.. “Falling asleep out here in the middle of the day. What if someone saw you?”

Another voice joined his, this time feminine and melodic, softer but equally amused. “Shut up, Levi”, she said, a laughter following her voice. “You’re going to wake him, you shouldn’t, really,” the girl said, stepping into the clearing. She was smaller than Levi, her blond hair tied back as she carried a basket in one hand. Her tone was gentle, but there was an edge of playfulness to it.

Sadie’s stomach twisted as she watched them, her body tense with fear. She didn’t know who they were, but her presence only heightened the danger. If either of them spotted her, she was done for. And this time, there was no turning back.

Levi crouched down beside Andrew, a smirk playing on his lips. “Come on, Ethel,” he said, his voice light with teasing. “He should be at work right now, but look at him.”

“Come on,” the blonde haired giantess retorted, “Leave him alone.”

Their laughter filled the clearing, light and easy, and Sadie felt a pang of something she couldn’t quite name. She watched as Levi nudged Andrew’s shoulder gently, his smirk widening.

“Hey, wake up, sleeping beauty.”

Andrew stirred at the touch, his brow furrowing slightly as his eyes slowly fluttered open. He blinked groggily, his green eyes unfocused as he looked around. “Levi?” he mumbled, his voice still drowsy from sleep. “What…?”

Sadie’s breath caught in her throat as Andrew shifted, his hand reaching out to steady himself. His arm brushed against the branch where she was hiding, the sudden movement making her flinch. She pressed herself closer to the bark, hiding herself in the foliage, her body trembling even if she tried her best to remain still. If he noticed her now, she wouldn’t have a chance to escape. That had been definitely the worst decision ever.

Andrew rubbed his eyes, his cheeks turning pink with embarrassment despite his movements were still slow and clumsy as he sat up straighter.

“I wasn’t… I just…” He trailed off, his gaze still unfocused. Then, it landed on the girl, and his face turned completely red. Ethel.

“She crouched down beside him, her expression softening. “I brought these back,” she said with a smile, holding up the basket that contained a small stack of books. “Remember?”

Andrew blinked, his sight finally clearing as he looked at her.

With all the days she had to retrieve those darn books, she chose that one. Guess fate was really playing tricks on him right now.

Despite his initial thoughts, a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Thanks,” he murmured, his voice quiet but grateful.

Sadie watched the exchange in silence, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t understand why she felt this way, why the sight of him smiling at someone else made her stomach twist. She shouldn’t have cared. She shouldn’t have felt anything.

But as Andrew reached for the basket, his movements careful, she couldn’t tear her eyes away. His hand lingered near the branch again, and she pressed herself even closer to the bark, her entire body tense with fear. She couldn’t let him see her. Not now.

Levi flopped down beside Andrew, his red hair catching the sunlight as he grinned. “So, what were you reading this time?” he asked, nodding toward the book still resting on Andrew’s lap.

Andrew glanced down at the book, his smile faltering as he tried to hide the volume abandoned on the grass. “J-Just something I found in the library,” he said. “It’s nothing special, really.”

“Nothing special? Really?”

Levi asked, his hand grabbing the book before Andrew could even think of protesting or blocking him. Andrew looked away as his brother scanned its cover.

“Human technology… what the…” Levi said, his eyes wide with curiosity as he raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not-“ Andrew tried to interrupt, but his brother’s laughter filled the silence before he could retort.

“Seriously, Andrew? I thought you were twenty-one, not ten. How could you still be interested in that nonsense?”

Sadie’s sharp ears caught the conversation. Andrew was reading about humans. Shit. Even if he promised not to tell anyone, he still was suspicious, apparently. And this was anything but good. She kept eavesdropping the conversation, yet no word that could possibly reveal their encounter escaped Andrew’s mouth. It seemed like… their secret was actually safe with him, and it unsettled her further. Paradoxically, she didn’t expect that.

Sadie felt her chest tighten. She didn’t understand why she felt so out of place, so… small. She was an outsider there, a spy in their world. And yet, as she watched them, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t belong anywhere else.

As the three of them settled into what seemed like a calm conversation, Sadie began to inch her way back down the tree, her movements slow and deliberate. Her hands trembled as she gripped the bark, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t untangle.

By the time she reached the ground, her chest was heaving, her breath shallow. She crouched low in the underbrush, her eyes still fixed on the clearing.

She didn’t understand it. She didn’t understand any of it.

All she knew was that she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

#from blood births life and death #g/t #sfw g/t #g/t community #g/t ocs #oc: andrew #oc: sadie #oc: ethel #oc: levi #mr voices writes

20 notes · View notes