Levi Ackerman Aot - Blog Posts

the parent trap — levi ackerman (vii)

— levi ackerman x female reader (modern au | the parent trap au)

— warnings: mentions of cheating, fluff and the bittersweet feeling of meeting someone again <3

— summary: you four are together again.

— word count: 9.7k :>>>

— author’s notes: hello !! it's been a while since i picked up this series and i'm so excited to post this chapter djebdej this was so sweet to write and i hope you enjoy reading it just as much as i loved writing it !! happy reading, beautiful people <3

the song caelum is singing is linked here

my masterlist

“When I find him, I’m going to castrate the bloody hell out of that bastard,” Hange murmured lowly, voice dark as their intention towards your brown-haired fiancé. Their grip on the glass of beer tightened at the image of him molesting you in the elevator. Once again, they gulped down a mouthful of their drink before placing it back on the table with a slam. They planted their brown eyes over your figure, sitting beside them with fingers wringing on your lap. With a pursed expression, Hange placed their free hand over yours, rubbing their thumb over the back of your hand. Their voice is gentle when they said, “Don’t stop me, danseuse. I’m ready to kill someone tonight. Oluo will even help me hide the body.”

You shook your head with a light laugh, cupping Hange’s hand with both of yours. A lock of your hair fell over your face, your fingers immediately putting it behind your ear with a sniff. After you got out of the elevator, you instantly looked around the lobby of the hotel, searching for that familiar shade of black that you adored. There were instances that you saw someone with the same haircut, only for them to give you looks of bewilderment when you called out a different name. This has been on an ongoing loop for the past thirty minutes and your stomach grumbled, never giving up the opportunity of finding your ex-husband again. That was when Hange found you. They told you that Oluo phoned them, informing them of your current situation. Upon seeing your best friend, your tears once again trickled down your cheeks. It disgusted you as you were relying on what happened in the elevator but Hange needed to know, they were your confidante after all. Now, the two of you were seated inside the hotel’s restaurant for the lunch that was first reserved for five, now dwindled to two.

“Please don’t resort to murder, Hange,” you breathed, daintily picking the cup of rose tea on the table and sipping on in with a satisfied hum. It reminded you of the time Levi made you that rose tea so many years ago. It was so similar in taste that it brought you to a road of nostalgia. You placed the cup on the saucer before glancing at your pouting friend. “I don’t think I could get you out of jail if you committed it. And I miss that nickname — it brings me back.”

“Well, I guess murder is out of the question,” the brown-haired person muttered. Then, they grinned at your last statement. “This nickname will always be eternal. It was how I first knew you after all. Oh, to bring back those times when watching you dance was the highlight of my day.”

You smiled wistfully, twirling your pasta on your fork. “Do you remember that time I lied to my parents about having a study group on the campus during 8th year?”

Hange brightened at the memory. “How could I ever forget that? You appeared at our front door with the school’s full uniform on. Even the assigned beret hat!” They pointed at you before sharing a laugh with you. They hummed with nostalgia glazing their eyes. “When we went to the beach that time, I was so happy. Even if we rode the coach for more than an hour, it was so worth it. I couldn’t forget the look on the conductor’s face! He looked ready to ask about our parents.” They leaned their head on your shoulder, breathing in your scent that appeared like blossoms around their senses. “I want to be a kid again and go to beaches with you in secret. I still have that rock you found,” they looked up at you and the sight of your soft smile sent Hange’s heart in a whirlwind, “you know, that one with the iridescent shine.”

(The memoir played like a highlight reel.

You were supposed to be preparing for one of the galas your family funded — hair styled the way your mother wanted and a dress showing your status among the elites in England, but here you are, standing in front of your friend’s front door, hoping to God that it wasn’t their parents who will be answering your doorbell-ringing. You fiddled with your fingers in front of your knee-length skirt, ducking every time a car honked behind you, in fear of them knowing your identity. The best you could disguise your features with is the pair of glasses you stole from your grandfather’s study. It was too round but you still wore them nonetheless. When Hange ushered you inside their empty house (their parents were off to a business trip overseas), you relayed that you lied to your parents that some of your classmates invited you to a study group, thus, the uniform. You included Hange in your list of classmates, of course.

They laughed while eating their treasured butter cookies, which led to them having a minor choking fit that made you scramble for a glass of juice in the refrigerator.

As Hange started recovering from getting her breath taken away by the sugary goodness, you told them that you needed to escape for a moment because your house was starting to feel suffocating. That was when Hange presented the idea of spontaneously roaming around London for the whole day. They promised you that no harm will come to you as long as they’re around. You nearly doubted this because Hange is a person who attracts danger and disaster, making them one of the clumsiest people you ever knew.

“Why are you looking at me like that, danseuse? I’m fully capable of taking care of you! When have I ever get you in trouble?”

They’ve got a point and so begins your little rendezvous with Hange Zoe — trying out random restaurants, going to carnivals around the city, and eventually finding refuge in the sandy beach an hour away from London.

You never stepped foot on a beach ever since you were a toddler. The cries of the seagulls and the splashing of the waves against the rock formations nearby sent you in a sense of calmness, something that you never experienced for years of being under pressure. Your blazer, shoes, and socks were immediately thrown over the patch of grass by the sand, with you running towards the line where the sand meets the cold waters. Without any second thought, you ran until the water reached the middle of your calves, and the sound of splashing flitting your ears that signified Hange was not too far behind. Their laughs made you giggle into the sea breeze. The smell of salt invaded your senses and you let it engulf you in a temporary shield of exhilaration. Every single thing you saw at the beach embedded itself in your mind, in hopes that it would last for an eternity. You didn’t notice how Hange admired you a few feet away, the latter happy that you finally looked peaceful — very different from the usual blank, doll face you lived up to in your academy.

For the first time, you finally felt free.)

You placed your head against Hange’s, your lunch was forgotten as you basked in the never-ending comfort your best friend gave you. “I remember,” you laughed. “You nearly threw a tiny wobbler when you lost it in our flat here. Oluo was so scared of you for the first time. Good thing we found it inside your pocket in one of your pants or else you’re ready to plan another trip to a nearby beach just to find a replica. I couldn’t blame you, though, it is a pretty rock.”

“It really is! You even designed something from it!”

“Well, the colors gave me inspiration.” You patted your best friend’s head to get back to your lunch, with them complying, turning to their own food. While chewing on your pasta, an image of a hectic room came into your mind, with some of your previous employees scampering to get the right color of garments or to get a copy of the client’s measurements. What you couldn’t forget was the little toddler swinging their chubby legs over their high chair, silver eyes fixated on you like you were every role in his life. His babbles and incoherent statements made your work lighter even though he was taking up space in your then small studio. He was pointing at small trinkets, handing them to you as a way of helping. You unconsciously smiled at the memory. “Caelum was watching me stress over that dress. It was an ugly sight but he made everything better.”

Hange found themselves smiling, seeing as they were the one who brought him to your studio since they had an impromptu conference for the whole day. “You were so great at raising him, [Name]. You have every right to fight against putting him in adoption. Your parents are just trying to get on your nerves like always but they took it too far this time. I wish they saw how you sometimes put aside your schedule for the bridal shop because you couldn’t bear the thought of Caelum having days without his mother.” Hange put their hand on your back. “We just have to prove to them that Lucas is a cheating arsehole and they will start questioning their bullshit. You are a successful woman, [Name], and just a little bit more, your parents will start to realize that you can stand your ground.”

“I know, Hange. Once we get back to London, I’m going to talk to them about the proposal with Lucas and their plans for Caelum. I’m tired of them taking away every treasure I have in my life. But if they still can’t be swayed after breaking off the engagement…”

“… What are we going to do if that happens?”

You glanced at them with a small grin, the image of a pale-faced Levi flickering in your mind. What a small world. “We’re in California, right?”

Hange stared at you confused. “What do you mean, [Name]?” Then, with a glimpse of your knowing smile, they gasped --- both hands covering their mouth. “Oh, my God, don’t tell me you’re going to do the most impossible thing you told me once we got back to London all those years ago.”

“I know I never really ventured into this topic deeper because it still hurts and I regret not telling Caelum about his father more but,” you trailed off, running your fingers on the ring you took out of your necklace, the diamonds beckoning you for some reason, “I think it’s about time I face Levi. If my parents wanted me to get married so that Caelum can grow up with a father to rely on, I might just do it but with someone I’m still very much in love with after all these years. I will do everything to have Caelum stay in our little family — even if it meant pushing aside the bitterness I felt when Levi didn’t take that step forward to keep our family intact. If it means waking up to Caelum’s laughter every morning, I’d get back with Levi.” You shrugged lightheartedly. “Maybe everything will be alright this time around. I don’t know why but I have a feeling it will go well.”

Hange was silent, their body vibrating with pride and anticipation. This was supposedly the most impossible thing that could happen to you — getting back with Levi. Altair told them that during this small vacation in California, Levi will be here as well, to switch him and his twin to the rightful parent alongside another surprise that will be revealed soon. The brown-haired person was also in the dark about the latter but they have an idea that Altair was planning on setting you and Levi up. Maybe this will push the twins’ wishes to come true.

“Let’s go find Altair, Hange. I want to bring him to the butterfly garden.”

Your best friend blinked once, gaped the next second, and gasped once they realized what you said. They stood up from their seat, with you holding back your laugh. All this time, you knew? Questions such as that ran through Hange’s mind. “[Name], you knew?!”

“No, I just noticed it earlier in the lobby while waiting for you and Oluo. I know that he’s Altair but I have no clue as to why he got himself into this situation. If you have any idea of what starlight is planning, please tell me, Hange. I don’t want him to do anything reckless.”

“But how did you know? Did sweet pea tell you?”

You pointed at them with a small smile. “First of all, your new nickname for Caelum made me curious. You never once changed it no matter how many nicknames appealed to you, calling him your little bean since it sounds adorable. Second, there are things that he was doing that will be considered separate from Caelum’s usual — his appetite and even how he dresses, too. He told me Caelum’s suits felt like they were choking him. Third,” you paused, fiddling with the ring you slid in your right ring finger, “his eyes are so much like Levi’s. The way he stares at me reminded me of his father. The last reason is probably his hugs — Caelum doesn’t hug me as he saw me for the first time at every embrace. Since Altair stayed with us after the summer camp, his hugs are speaking to me to never let him go.” You looked at Hange, who was grinning with stars in their eyes. “Call it a mother’s instinct.”

Hange looped their arm with yours, leading you out of the restaurant and into the hallway. “So, are you going to tell him you know?”

You nodded. “Once we find him. I have a gut feeling that he’s with Levi right now.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right—wait, what?!”

“I know Altair told you about this, Hange, don’t play pretend.” A small breathy laugh came out of your lips, apologetically glancing at your best friend. “I hope I didn’t ruin anything. If so, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect him to be in this hotel.”

“You know what?” Hange’s lips pulled in a half-smile. “This is perfect! You’re not doubting your decision of letting him in again, right?” At your slow nod, they vibrated with excitement, pulling you outside to search for your ex-husband and children. “Then, let’s go bring you four back together right this moment!”

The tune of Suis-moi trickled like dewdrops from Caelum as he strolled down the hallways. His hands were balled inside the pockets of his jacket, his silver irises appreciating the flower arrangements and color palette the hotel boasts. He was already anticipating a new wedding gown, knowing how you always got inspiration from ethereal architectures in your trips like this huge building. It would be nice if you could enjoy this vacation before going back to your routine of sleepless nights and ringing phones from clients all over the world. Once this plan becomes a success through the end, Caelum was ready to help you around the studio, picking the fabrics and manning the other sewing machine. At the thought, Caelum smiled a little, the song he was singing resonated with every measured step towards the elevator at the end of the hallway.

Caelum couldn’t help but unconsciously sing this little tune since it was the first song he learned when you took him to Paris, making him remember the sweets he tried with you and all the dresses you designed on your sketchbook while strolling on the streets. All his reminiscing of that trip when he was six and all the many getaways you two did in the city of light and love made him miss you. Caelum enjoyed his time with his father (that’s already a given) but he also craved the gentle demeanor you always have whenever he was around, how you cradled his face in your hands like he was the most delicate thing. His expression fell, the song coming to a halt, the moment he remembered what Oluo said during their small gathering in that hotel suite — that you were never a great mother for him. Caelum felt the anger bubbling in his stomach, his dislike for his grandparents growing by the minute.

I love you to the moon and back, past the furthest galaxy, and beyond.

Those were your words every single time you tuck him in, after gallant adventures and tales of magic that your voice carried straight to his heart and memory. Everything that he is now was because of you — how you taught him that love can come in all forms or how you told him that you will always be proud of him no matter what. Whoever said you were a bad mother to him didn’t know the sacrifices you went through just to make Caelum happy. From what Levi told him, you always put everyone’s best wishes before you.

The lift dinged, signaling the little boy that he reached his destination, with his thoughts pausing as he went out of the doors. While casually humming Suis-moi again under his breath, a thought came into Caelum’s mind.

If you ever plan on marrying Levi again, Caelum hoped it’s because, at some point in this trip, you realized that you still love Levi. Not because you felt the obligation to do it to stop the engagement with Lucas or the adoption. That is the one thing that he and Altair discussed privately while eating dessert earlier — make sure that if you meet Levi again, everything should feel genuine instead of the forced enthusiasm you exhibited with Lucas.

Then, a tall person bumped into Caelum, sending him backward from the impact. He felt his bottom blossom with pain, a shaky, “Ow,” coming out of his mouth. The boy’s eyebrows furrowed, looking up at the person he bumped into, only to come face to face with a sneer on a somewhat presentable brown-haired man. The tall man was handsome, someone who could make some people swoon with just a smile, but his attractiveness ended with the scowl he threw at Caelum. As if the boy was a pest wriggling under his stare. It unnerved Caelum, choosing to glare at the stranger for the next few minutes before standing up on his own. The man didn’t even check his condition after toppling him with his overbearing gait. The boy patted his jeans and shirt, directing a jaded look at the man before him. When he opened his mouth to tell the older man to watch where he was going, he was beaten by the most arrogant, posh voice he ever heard in his life.

(More than his grandmother, and that’s saying something.)

“Have you seen your mother?”

Now, this is curious, Caelum thought, before speaking with a British accent, “What? Are you talking to me?” He looked behind him to check if there were people behind him that could possibly be the acquaintance of this man but there was no one to be found. Caelum turned back to the stranger and took a step back, lifting his head a little bit with scrutinizing eyes.

“Who else is here, Your Highness? Of course, I’m talking to you.” The man continued saying his words as if he was talking to a toddler and it made Caelum’s left eye twitch. “Or are you now adapting to this new thing of not letting commoners breathe next to you?”

“What—?” The gray-eyed boy muttered before shaking his head lightly. Words from his twin of the man you’re engaged with flashed like stoplights in his mind. A brown-haired man (“I won’t accept his attractiveness,” Altair grumbled.), taller than Oluo, calls ‘Caelum’ Your Highness — bingo. A hauntingly faux smile appeared on Caelum’s face, one that was reserved when strangers fuss over him at galas. He started running his eyes over the man’s features, getting a gist of how he carried himself, from the styled hair down to the tips of his dress shoes. This man would be an idiot to not pick up how mocking Caelum’s smile was. “Lucas,” the onyx-haired boy thoughtfully grinned.

Lucas curled his lips in disgust. “Why are you gawking at me like that? Have you finally stopped being the little demon that you are? Don’t tell me you’re going to be nice to me all of a sudden.” He walked past Caelum, tilting his head to the side to let the boy hear his next words. “If you see your mother, tell her I’m not going to be sleeping in the hotel tonight. But I’ll be coming back here in the morning to change my clothes so also tell Oluo to unlock the door by eight o’clock.” He faced the front with a blank face. “I’m going to let her have a piece of my mind when I feel like talking to her, though,” Lucas murmured for himself, careful to not let Caelum hear it. With that, he slithered out of the lobby and towards a waiting leggy, bare-backed, and youthful brunette that looked awfully familiar to the young boy.

Caelum stared at the retreating man, never taking his eyes off Lucas and the woman as he took out his phone from the pocket of his jacket. Unlocking the device with a glance, he clicked a number and pressed the screen on his ear. “Hello, Al?”

“Cae! You called early. Is everything alright?”

“I saw him.”

“Wait, who? Luke?”

Caelum nodded. He quickly realized that Altair couldn’t see him if he wordlessly answered but once he was taking a breath to say something, his twin was already talking.

“So, you saw him, huh? What do you think of him?”

That elicited a scoff from the younger twin. He ruffled his hair until they were slightly becoming the wavy locks he had before his haircut. “He called me ‘Your Highness’ as you anticipated.” Caelum laughed lowly at how bad that nickname sounded. He was perfectly fine with ‘little prince’ but being called ‘Your Highness’ takes the cake. “What a dimwitted individual. I’m actually surprised grandmother thought it was a good idea to pair up Mum with him. Aside from his family’s bank account, which is enormous, I’m sure, he doesn’t have any redeeming qualities that would look nice on the papers. I don’t like him at all, Al, he sounds funny when he speaks. Even grandmother doesn’t speak like that.”

Altair laughed through the other end of the call. “Something like this?” The older twin then deepened his voice with an exaggerated imitation of Lucas’s haughty tone. “Darling? Is everything alright? Surely my handsomeness could save your dreadful day! Why don’t we go on a vacation to relax and unwind, huh? I hope your more handsome ex-husband isn’t staying in the same hotel as us. I fear you will leave me behind for him, darling!”

Caelum giggled alongside his brother, vividly getting the image of Altair bowing in an extra manner in his side of the call with Levi looking at him as if he’s gone bonkers. “He does sound like that! I’m worried that people might misinterpret him every time he opens his mouth.” Caelum stopped laughing, remembering that he was supposed to report something to Altair. “Hey, Al, I forgot to mention that Luke was walking out of the hotel with a brown-haired woman. I swear I’ve seen her somewhere but I’m not too sure when. Oh, and he said that he’ll be sleeping outside of the hotel but he’ll be coming back in the morning to change. I think that’s the perfect time to start the next phase of the plan.”

“Ha, we hit the jackpot! Luke-boy doesn’t know what hit him this time. Are you okay with tagging along tomorrow, though? I don’t want you getting tired while roaming the city.”

“Yeah, I’ll be with you every step of the way. This will be a great experience to get to know a new place while I’m here. Wait, where are you right now?”

“I’m helping Petra set up things by the pool. Hurry over! The drinks will be watered down if you come here later than ten minutes. I hope you’re feeling alright after your walk. Oh, here are the cakes, Petra. Captain, sit! Damn, can he not cling to me when I’m bringing the drinks here? Uh, you still there, Cae? Do you want me to come to get you? Just tell me where you are.”

Caelum breathed a laugh. “No, it’s alright. I’m heading to the pool right now. Do you still have some strawberry shortcake?”

“Of course! You like this, right? Captain, for fuck’s sake, sit down! Here, take this cookie! Just stop begging me to play. Your hair is sticking to my clothes and I don’t like it when you keep doing that. I just changed, too!”

“Captain sounds lively, huh?”

“Come over here and help me calm him down please.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The hotel offered the kind of escape Levi wanted to have since he started becoming busy with the tea plantation and teahouse. Children were running around and adults eating in the hotel restaurant and for some reason, none of it irritated Levi. For a person who preferred solitude more than social interaction, he was walking down the hallways with no problem at all. The so-called meeting in his suite proved to be one of the most stressful gatherings he ever took part in. He always knew that your parents were the reason why you ran to America and he got the gist that they weren’t the best people to introduce him to, but knowing that they were trying to put Caelum to adoption just to get you to stay in line made Levi livid. Courting you again sounded like the perfect thing that can pull you out of your parents’ watchful eyes for good. Altair said that getting back with you was one of the best routes (Levi had no fucking clue what he meant by that, Caelum had to tell him it was gaming jargon) because that would mean you will have someone to help raise the twins other than Hange and Oluo.

The only problem was that you might turn him down in the next second. He hoped not.

Levi saw how your face revealed a brief flash of relief when you saw him. That little detail was the epitome of hope he desperately clung to when he came to terms that he still loves you so much. The flowers dotting the hotel poolside couldn’t compare to the bouquet flourishing inside him at the thought of you. All of them were flowers he dedicated to you – flowers he made into teas. He smiled at the memory of you gushing about having a flower garden full of your favorite blossoms. He didn’t like it when somebody talked his ear off but when it came to you, God, it’s always you, he was ready to lend his ears to your stories, no matter how trivial they were. Your voice alone compelled him to listen more – it was like a songbird marking the dawn every day. He could listen to you talk all night long until he found himself sleeping soundly in your arms.

The day seemed to glisten even more when Levi continued walking down memory lane. The sound of kids cheering by the pool became your laughter when you pulled him out of his house a year after you graduated from college, the rain creating a curtain around you. His mother was looking out the window (smile lovingly directed at you two) while the both of you danced in the rain, Levi twirling you with a firm hand around yours. The splash from the waters just outside the hallway he was walking on turned into sounds of throwing cookie batters and icing in the kitchen of your shared apartment. It started with Levi booping your nose with an icing-covered finger. You retaliated by scooping the cookie batter and wiped it down Levi’s face. The summer Sun dulled and became the night sky, stargazing and picking the brightest stars for you.

Altair.

“That’s a nice name.” He remembered turning to you.

Your eyes held the universe as you looked up at him. Soft smiles were exchanged. “Yeah, it is.”

“We’re expecting twins, right?”

You hummed, gliding your pointer finger over the expanse of Levi’s chest, drawing out a random constellation mindlessly. You felt your stomach flutter at his words. Twins, who would’ve thought.

“Caelum.”

It made you stop at first and then you were looking at a starlike gaze hovering over you. Levi was now using his elbow to support himself, looking straight down into your wide eyes.

“How about naming the other twin Caelum?” Levi ducked down to rub his nose against yours. He still felt how that contact clenched his heart. It was so soft that he wanted to turn back time to do it to you every time you wake up in his arms. “I read that name somewhere and I thought it has a nice ring to it. Altair and Caelum.”

Levi closed his eyes at the ghost of a touch you left on his cheek. “Our little heaven and starlight.”

“Our little heaven and starlight.”

Pulchritudinous was the word he could describe you any time of the day and that night wasn’t an exception. Your beauty rivals that of the goddesses and nymphs Levi learned from his mother’s bedtime stories. It was both a breathtaking and heartbreaking beauty, now that Levi thought about it. Every moment spent with you took his breath away but now that he never saw your face in the kitchen or the patio of the Ackerman manor, your face appearing in his head sent a pang of welcoming pain that he was used to. If only he took that step forward and pulled on your arm, stressed how much he loves you as he prevented you from getting out of the estate with a tight embrace, you would be here looking at him like he was the embodiment of euphoria.

As if the memories connected with the present and resonated with his wishes, you’re here.

Seeing you at the elevators only gave Levi a glimpse of your face. But now that you’re standing at the other side of the pool, gaze searching for something, someone, he felt everything all at once – and when your pretty irises met with his, the Sun and the Moon finally stopped their game of hide-and-seek and longed for an eclipse. Without a single word and gray eyes still locked on yours, Levi approached you with measured steps, fists clenching and unclenching by his side.

He feels his heart pounding to his ears, his hands becoming clammy, his breathing ragged.

Until everything stopped when you’re finally two feet away from him.

A shaky breath came out of you. “Levi.”

Wide eyes took you in, your elegance never deterring through the years. With soft eyes, he ran his adoring stare from the way the wind rustled your hair, down to how your dress’s strap dropped on one shoulder, to your hand fiddling with the ring you never threw back at him when you separated, and back to your watery smile. He reached out without thinking about it and gently grasped the strap of your dress, placing it back to its rightful place on your shoulder, and his touch lingering on your skin as if you were a flickering mirage in front of him. He stepped closer to you until only a foot separated you two. You were so close that Levi could see the stars inside your eyes – some of them escaping, clinging to your eyelashes. He was so scared that you would turn away but he didn’t give a damn about it. A tentative hand brushed against your cheek, never knowing that his voice created such an impact on you, “[Name].” It came out as a whisper but he knew it still reached you. “Hi, beautiful.”

You placed your hand over his and leaned into his palm. “Hi, Levi.” He looked the same as the person who stared at you too much during lunch in the university cafeteria. His stare was still arresting, telling you to never look away from him. There were little changes here and there like his build and height (you noted he grew a couple of inches since you last saw him) but he was still your Levi – the Levi you fell in love with all these years. You laughed, tightening your grip on his hand. “I—T-This is too much of a coincidence. You’re here while we’re on a vacation…”

A thoughtful pause made you look away from him.

“No,” Levi murmured, tilting your head until you once again stared at him. “Just look at me, alright?” His thumb caressed the apple of your cheek and it made your heart clench.

You nodded before clearing your throat. “As I said, you being here in this hotel is … it’s like you know we’ll be here. Why?”

Levi glanced at something behind him, a slight smirk and a spark of mischief lighting up his eyes.

You followed his gaze and your breath hitched at the onyx-haired boy peeking from behind Levi. He fiddled with the hem of his beach shirt while flashing a small, innocent smile at you. You returned the smile, looking at Levi for a second before kneeling in front of your son. His wide eyes still trained on your beautiful face, gulping down saliva because of anticipation. “Hello, starlight.” You saw Levi perk up at your peripheral vision. “I hope you enjoyed your time with me even if it was just for a short while.”

Altair’s lips parted in surprise, clenching his fists tightly to not let the tears drop down on his cheeks. He looked up to prevent himself from crying but his quivering lip said it all. Gentle hands cupped his face, your patient expression nearly breaking him if not for the control he has over sobbing loudly in the middle of a five-star hotel’s large pool. That would be embarrassing. “H-Hey, Mom. Please don’t be angry at Caelum, it’s my idea to switch places. I know it’s reckless but I just wanted to m-meet you and Cae wanted to meet D-Dad.” Levi tenderly ran his hand through his eldest son’s hair to comfort him but it looked like that was the last straw for the tear to drip down his cheek. “I just wanted to see you, Mommy,” he repeated.

“Oh, starlight,” you whispered once you saw him hastily wipe the tears from his face.

You pulled him in a hug, Altair’s soft cries muffled by your shoulder. His arms wrapped around your back as his cries turned into sobs. “Shh. I’m not angry.” You kissed the side of your son’s head, inhaling his scent and swaying him lightly from side to side. You cupped a hand on his cheek and lifted his head from your shoulder, admiring Altair up close. It was something you wanted to see ever since he was born — him growing up into someone kind yet adventurous, mischievous yet empathetic — a treasure all the same. Placing your forehead against his, you rubbed the tip of your nose on his. “I love you far beyond I can express to be mad at you. I wished every night to hold you and because of your idea, I got to do it. The worst part is, I didn’t even know it was you who came home until earlier when you looked at my drawing. The last time I saw you, you were raising your adorable hands at me because you always preferred me over your father.”

Levi snorted beside you two.

“He couldn’t sing to calm you down; much less be less awkward with a crying baby.” Altair giggled with you before you kissed him on the forehead and wiping his tears with a handkerchief from your handbag. “You’re grown up now. It feels so surreal seeing you like this.” You then looked around the pool area. “If you’re here, where’s—”

“I’m here, Mum.”

That voice made you look over at the peeking boy on the other side of Levi. His hair was the same as Levi’s and Altair’s, however, his wavy locks were starting to show above his undercut. A small breathy laugh was your reply, beckoning him towards you. You saw Levi rub his shoulders, flashing a knowing smile at you, and making you shake your head. Caelum walked with both hands behind his back, rocking on his heels when he reached you. There were remnants of icing on his upper lip. It made you realize that you miss him after knowing that he was with Levi since he came back from the summer camp. You gently wiped your younger son’s lips with your thumb, cleaning your finger with the handkerchief right after. “There, free of cake icing,” you murmured. The two of you stared at each other with soft smiles. You booped his nose, jokingly narrowing your eyes, “You are in so much trouble, little prince — staying in California all this time.”

“Well,” Caelum prolonged the word with a laugh, finding the glint of happiness in your eyes pretty, “California is all sunshine, Mum, and you know how London sometimes has unpredictable weather even in the summer. I just thought this opportunity is a perfect time to enjoy my favorite season here.”

“Did you have fun with your dad?” You tilted your head with a smile. “I hope you didn’t give him a hard time.”

“He’s perfect, [Name],” Levi answered for Caelum, pulling Altair by his side to give him gentle pats on the back. He looked down on the older twin, affectionately squeezing his son’s cheek. “Are you okay now, Al?” Levi then felt satisfied with Altair’s embarrassed nod, the latter’s cheeks colored with an adorable shade of cherry blossom pink. The silver-eyed man lowly chuckled as he observed Altair acting like he wasn’t crying his heart out to his mother a few minutes prior. It was always cute to watch, something that Levi never voiced out. His gaze left the pouty face of the older twin and sought out your beautiful visage, which was still lovingly trained on Caelum. As if his eyes were a beacon, you met his stare before flashing a breathtaking close-lipped smile. His mouth started talking without thinking about his words, “Caelum is an amazing kid. He’s so great at mingling with the people on the plantation and his words always make me reflect on life for some reason. You did so well in raising him, [Name].”

“Thank you, Levi.” Your heart was pounding with your ex-husband’s praise, your decision of getting back with him pulsating in your mind. Caelum was still waiting for your next words so you turned back to him. Knowing that you never saw him these past few days, you slightly opened your arms. “Come here and give your mum a hug, little prince.”

Caelum’s gray eyes shone like a passing comet, finding home in the feeling of your arms gripping him close to your heart. Two heartbeats resonated through the poolside of the hotel. At the area where Petra and Oluo set up the snacks, Hange was watching the heartwarming moment with tears in their eyes. As much as Oluo never agreed on Hange’s remarks most of the time, he couldn’t help but nod his head with a blow in his handkerchief when the brown-haired person mentioned how happy you looked with your twins and ex-husband. Not knowing what was happening on the sidelines, the younger twin squeezed you more, burying his face on the crook of your neck. Your blossom-infused scent made him smile against your skin, numerous flowers entering Caelum’s senses. Everything about you completed his day. After crying in Levi’s arms to meeting Lucas in the hotel’s lobby, all his sorrow and frustration melted away as each second was spent cuddling into you.

He hugged you like he never wanted to part with you, though, he never cried.

You noticed the intensity of his grip.

Your parents telling you the consequence if you didn’t marry Lucas was the reason why you appreciated meeting your little heaven again. Pulling away gently, you cupped Caelum’s cheek with your palm before kissing his nose, the physical contact making the boy giggle in your arms. You felt Caelum’s hands on your cheeks, tilting your head down to give access to the usual place where he reciprocates your nose kisses.

The softest kiss landed on your forehead. Caelum opened his eyes, his vision focusing on the Sun of his life. “I love you to the Moon and back, Mummy. No matter what happens, I will never leave you. I know we’ll get through this and it will be just the four of us in the end.” There were so many possibilities as to who these four people are. Caelum hoped that you misinterpret it as the usual quartet living under the roof of your house in London. Because if you got the idea that you were being set up by your sons, everything will be back to square one. “You’re not alone in this, Mum. You can lean on us, too. We’re here for you, especially Dad.”

Unshed tears glazed your irises, your heart swelling at the words. “And I love you even farther, our little heaven.” His knowing smile at the addition of Levi in his reassurances compelled you to look over at Levi, whose cheeks were flushed at the mention. “Speaking of your father, why don’t you and Al play by the pool? I think there’s some catching up to do with him that will be worth twelve years.”

Altair grinned, placing himself beside Caelum and wrapping an arm around his younger brother’s shoulders. “Sure, Mom.”

The younger twin chuckled. “Take your time, okay? And don’t be mean to him.” He narrowed his eyes at you in a jest. “He’s already suffering enough from missing you too much — don’t break him.”

Levi’s sharp intake of breath rang from behind the twins. “You know I’m still here, Cae.” Once again, he was ignored.

The two of them glanced at each other before hugging you at the same time, your euphoric laughter mixing with theirs.

“We love you so much, Mommy.”

“Much more than you imagine,” Caelum finished, pulling his twin to the direction of Hange and the others. “Have fun with Dad!”

“Don’t run by the pool, you brats!” Levi shouted with his arms crosses over his chest. The moment the two boys reached the other adults (“See, we’re fine, old man!” Altair yelled back.), he faced you with a thoughtful expression and watching as you straightened yourself. He offered his hand at you, “Shall we?”

Electricity ran through both of your arms when you finally placed your hand on his. The entire scenery gleamed with something you missed ever since you started your relationship with him years ago. It was a foreign yet nostalgic feeling. The expanse of his back and the undercut he sported for years were stirring the swarm of butterflies in your stomach — your talk didn’t even start yet. You let him pull you to one of the reclining pool chairs that were not too far from the others, sitting on one and expectantly looking up at you. You didn’t know where to sit for a few moments but you were ready to take a seat on the pool chair beside his, which will make you two face each other. A fond touch circled your wrist, pulling you to sit beside an amused Levi. His half-smile ignited your face until you looked away from him, the intensity of his stare was becoming too much for your heart. You saw him angle himself to slightly face you yet he never made a move to add more space between the two of you. Following him, you found yourself mesmerized at his half-lidded stare.

“How have you been?” The deep baritone of his voice tingled your heart.

You blinked out of your stupor, breathing a laugh under your breath. His gaze always made you shy so you looked down on your lap, a lock of hair covering half of your face. “I’m doing fine. The bridal boutique is the only thing keeping me busy other than what’s happening in our home, you know, with Hange and Caelum always keeping the house alive.”

Levi carefully tucked your hair behind your ear, his fingers lingering over the side of your face. There was a permanent love-struck small smile on his face that he was unaware of. “I’m happy to hear that. I’m sure your childhood friend slash butler helps you when that happens.”

You peered at him through your eyelashes. “That childhood friend slash butler of mine has a name, you know.”

“Oluo — I’m sure Oluo helps you when that happens.” He rolled his eyes lightheartedly, shaking his head with a laugh right after. “I can’t believe I almost punched him in the face, only because he went out of the main bathroom with only a robe on. Can you even believe I got jealous of him? Even today, I feel ashamed of myself for jumping to conclusions.”

“So, you admit that you were jealous of Oluo that time?” You hummed in amusement, pointing a finger in front of his face. “You denied that so many times no matter how much I tried to make you admit it. You always go,” you deepened your voice and made your face go blank, “‘I’m not jealous, just leave me alone’. I mean, it’s partially my fault. I didn’t tell you beforehand that Oluo became one of our flatmates.”

Levi chuckled. “His face was the funny part to me. He looked so lost and pale like I sucked his soul or he was trying to hold in his shit. It was either of those two.” He shook his head. “Do I look like one of those hooded figures in Harry Potter for him?”

His humor never failed to make you laugh out loud. “Oluo has always been like that ever since we were kids. He nearly peed himself when Mother became angry at some of the help during my eighth birthday.”

He glanced at the said man at the corner of his eyes, with you following his eyes to where Oluo was getting flustered with every interaction he had with Petra. Then, his stare went to the twins. Altair was showing Caelum how to play Pokémon Sword in his Switch, looking over the younger boy’s shoulders to direct him during the gameplay. Levi snorted when Caelum pointed at the screen of the device, calling a Pokémon cute and wanting it, only for Altair to tell him that something cooler is better. Caelum shook his head, ignoring his twin’s protests, and it looked like he chose to catch the Pokémon he wanted because he said it was shining. Without him knowing, you kept gazing at his side profile, watching how his eyes endearingly observed the twins. You looked away from him and your heart melted at the sight of your and Levi’s sons beside each other. You saw how Altair’s expression brightened whenever Caelum looked back at him to ask for help while the younger boy stared at his older brother in amazement.

“What the fuck? That was a Brilliant Pokémon? You caught a Brilliant Pokémon this early?!”

“Is that bad?”

“I had to roam that area for hours to get something with a Brilliant Aura. Are you some kind of magnet? The next time I’m playing, you have to stay beside me. Maybe your good luck might affect me if I play gacha games, too.”

“I’m scared to ask but I’m curious — what are gacha games?”

“Oh, you sweet innocent child.”

“We’re the same age.”

“You poor, poor kid. I’ll teach you everything you need to know about gaming. It’s a calming hobby if I do say so myself.”

“You cursed at your Switch earlier at lunch because you died. You didn’t just curse once, you repeated it so many times that Dad threatened to confiscate your Switch and phone. Even Petra and Captain scolded you, Al. Well, Captain only barked but it counts as a sermon, I guess.”

“… What can I say? It’s a way to relieve anger and stress.”

“… I’m concerned.”

You laughed at the exchange. “I can’t believe our boys are together in one setting. It feels so surreal.”

“Yeah, our boys.”

Your eyes briefly widened before shifting your head to the side, only for your breath to hitch. Levi was already gazing at you with a handsome smile that always entranced you. It felt like it was college all over again, where every single action Levi did, sent your heart spiraling in an abyss. You’re willing to let yourself drown in that silver sea again. This was the first time you ever admitted it after twelve years but him saying ‘our boys’ was making you fall in love with him again. No, the moment you saw him in the hotel’s interior was when you felt so many emotions for him again. But every second was amplifying the feelings you kept hidden in a chest, threatening to overflow. “Our boys,” you breathed, flashing a somber smile. “That sounds like a dream.”

Oluo materialized beside you two to place a tray of drinks on the table by the pool chair. While carefully putting the tall glasses of juice, the butler warily eyed Levi before giving you a warm smile, turning around to go back on babysitting the two kids. You thanked him, reaching out towards the table. Levi’s fingers brushed against yours for a brief moment, causing you to gasp lightly and recoil. God, why are you acting like a teenager coping with your newfound crush? This is your ex-husband and you’re far from being a teenager. Hell, you two have two amazing sons sitting a few feet from you and you’re acting like you didn’t make love to him a thousand times since junior year in university. You berated yourself along those lines, not noticing that Levi took matters into his own hands, handing you your drink. There was a gleam of amusement in his eyes that ignited embarrassment to bubble in your stomach. Bloody hell, that was worthy of a laugh.

“You don’t have to act so tensely around me, beautiful.” Levi’s voice was so close to your ear that it made you jump a little bit. You turned your head swiftly, a mere two inches separating you two. You felt your face heat up at the proximity, witnessing how Levi’s cheeks flushed, his eyes widening. The two of you didn’t pull away. It felt like Eternity was choosing this moment to prolong, letting the two of you get lost in each other’s eyes. “It’s just me, okay? Relax.” You followed his advice and you felt your shoulders loosened their tightness. Without thinking about it, you fixed your stare on his lips. His bottom lip was still fuller and like a person craving for a lover’s touch, you tilted your head.

It doesn’t go unnoticed to Levi. If only you could hear how loud his heartbeat was pounding. It was like a song, with you as his muse that spurred every tempo and beat. The distance was slightly diminishing and both of your breaths stopped when inches became centimeters. He was so intoxicated by your scent that he didn’t care if anyone saw him retreat into someone vulnerable. Only you can make him shed his impassive front. It was always you. Your eyes were starting to close and yet Levi chose the opposite — just to see your face if your lips make contact with one another. But he couldn’t help it. His eyes were closing on their own, with the softness of your lips brushing on his. His free hand rose to cup your cheek.

Until a flash erupted in front of you two, breaking the small bubble Levi created just for the two of you.

“You,” Caelum started, the Switch was forgotten on his lap, “are a bloody idiot, Al.”

Altair gulped at the unamused stares he got from Levi and Caelum, shivering at the uncanny similarity. Since he knew that Caelum brought the camera Erwin gave as a welcoming gift, he took it out of one of the bags. Once he saw the picture-perfect moment unfolding in front of his eyes, he didn’t have a second thought of taking a photo. Only for the flash to interrupt it. He looked at anywhere except those two, meeting your amused smile. “Mom,” he partially whined. “I didn’t know the flash was on.”

You waved him over, your giggles when Altair entered your arms softening Levi’s and Caelum’s glares directed at the older Ackerman twin. Altair snuggled on your side, head resting on your chest with a noticeable pout pulling on his lips. “Let’s take the flash away, okay? Here, hold this drink for me for a second.” Your gentle voice contrasted with the frustrated sigh coming from Levi. You fiddled with the settings before glancing at Levi, who inconspicuously scooted closer to you. “Oh, come on, Levi, don’t look at Al like that.” You patted your ex-husband’s cheek, squeezing his cheek lightly.

Levi’s blank face was directed at you. He blinked slowly for a few moments, slightly tilting his head to narrow his eyes at the boy sneaking a look from your other side. A mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ was what Levi got from Altair. Without anything to bring back the earlier atmosphere, he sighed. A fervent waving caught his attention. Caelum was gesturing at him and then pointing at you. His mouth was saying something wordlessly but Levi couldn’t comprehend it. Altair picked up on it and coughed between the word ‘date’, getting up from the pool chair, but not before kissing you on the cheek swiftly and placing your drink on the side table. He returned to his twin's side, nudging Caelum as a weak attempt to erase the unamused stare on his younger twin. Levi cleared his throat, remembering his son’s words in his suite.

(Altair clapped his hands. “Okay, listen up, everyone! Since all we need is to get evidence that Luke is cheating on Mom, I’m thinking of following him for the entire day tomorrow.”

“Where did this come from?” Levi asked. “And what are you saying following him? Are you doing that alone?”

“Thank you for the questions, Dad, but hear me out first.”

Levi scoffed a laugh.

“Quick warning, all of this is hypothetical and these are just my speculations. Let’s say that Lucas will be gone for the whole day tomorrow to hook up with some random girl around California. My source is seeing him using Google Maps on his phone while waiting for the taxi to take us to this hotel. The second source is seeing him talking to a younger woman in the hotel lobby when Mom is right there. Another thing that fueled my suspicion is the woman whispering something to Luke and him nodding along. Of course, I won’t forget how he took out his phone to exchange numbers!” Altair took a deep breath. “My point is, he’ll be gone the whole day tomorrow. Or the entire morning.”

“That’s such a … an unreachable theory, Al,” Petra voiced out.

“Still a theory.”

Caelum looked up from his pasta. “What do we do then?”

“You,” the older twin pointed at Caelum with a devilish grin, “will be coming with me to find Luke around San Francisco and catch solid evidence of his cheating. Petra, Oluo, and Hange will be coming with the two of us.” The two adults blinked, Altair brushing their reaction off. “Since Hange might say yes to this instantly, I hope you two will be okay with it?” He directed his question at the redhead and brunet.

“Yeah, we’ll watch over you two.” Petra flashed a thumbs-up.

Oluo only nodded with an impressed hum.

Levi sipped on his tea. “What about me?”

“Take Mom out on a date tomorrow.”

The onyx-haired man raised his head too fast that it ignited his headache to dully throb again.

“Make her relive your first date with her in a museum. It’s sort of a distraction to not give the other side of the plan out. Mom might have an idea about us getting evidence if she stays in this hotel without anything to do. And since you also have nothing to do, you ask her on a date, Dad.” Altair crossed his arms over his chest, eyebrow raised teasingly. “You also mentioned getting back with her, right? Isn’t dating the first step in establishing a relationship. It’s like killing two birds with one stone, Dad, so stop looking like I put the entire world on your shoulders. We follow Luke and you rekindle your relationship with Mom! How fun is that!”

“I-I don’t know how to ask her that.”

Caelum smiled. “You did it for your first date, right? You can always do it again, Dad.”)

Levi took a deep breath. “[Name]?”

You hummed as a response, your pretty eyes captivating Levi.

“Are you free tomorrow?”

“Yes,” you answered, heartbeat thudding in your ears.

He never looked away from you, cheeks flaming with heat. “Let me take you out. For old time’s sake.”

A pause rang out after his words, then, a heavenly smile lit up your face. “Of course, Levi.”

Altair presented his hand in front of Caelum, palm up. The younger twin looked away from their parents and looked back and forth between the waiting palm and the smug grin Altair sported. With a shake of his head, lips pulled on a smile, he gave his twin a high-five. The plan is being blessed by both Fate and Time.

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