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fic_ception2018-08-03 08:36 pm
chlorhexidine) wrote in fic_ception2018-08-03 08:36 pm
Universe - Meetings
The student's union was festooned with banners declaring Fresher's Week deals. Ignis browsed the covered trestle table parked outside it. It was the first week of lectures, but since every lecture at this point was little more than an introduction to one's professors, and a schedule for the year, and an extensive and expensive reading list, it didn't yet feel as if the academic year had begun.
This week was also when the various student societies did their recruiting. The union was no different. It cost a fee to join, and for that fee there were discounts in the various bars, and the ability to vote for student representatives to put forth the student's interests to the faculty, and whoever was ultimately responsible for deciding where budgets were spent. Ignis strongly suspected that the former was the biggest draw for most students, as much as it was the latter that interested him.
Fortunately, there was no time limit on joining the union. Ignis needed to see how his financial situation stood before he knew if he could afford the fee each term.
A lot of the student societies had recruitment tables out in the main thoroughfares, trying to catch students passing by between lectures. Some of the sports clubs were busy, and Ignis was forced to give them a wide berth or get jostled by muscleheads vying to sign up for football, or rugby societies.
A banner over one table declared the Gymnastics Club's table, and Ignis hesitated. He enjoyed gymnastics, but couldn't afford to join a gym for that purpose. On the other hand, what harm could picking up some information do?
He steeled himself, sliding between two slender women that looked like gymnasts to pick up a leaflet. “Excuse me,” he said, retreating again and taking a couple of steps back, clear of the table to have a look.
He bumped directly into someone as he moved. “Apologies,” he said, before looking up to find Gladio grinning down at him.
“No worries,” Gladio replied, still wearing that bright grin that seemed so warm and genuine, softening his features. “Gymnastics, huh?” he asked.
Ignis looked down at the leaflet he'd taken and fought against the urge to tuck it behind his back and hide it. It wasn't anything to be ashamed of, and yet the urge was still there. “Yes,” he said. “I was,” he faltered, but forced himself to continue, “thinking of continuing.”
“That's great!” Gladio said, with such honest enthusiasm that Ignis felt silly for feeling so awkward. “I bet you're amazing.”
“I don't know about that,” Ignis replied, hurriedly, and pushed his glasses back up his nose. He spotted a couple of leaflets, and a sign up sheet filled out and ready in Gladio's own hand. “And yours?” he asked.
Gladio looked down at his small collection. “Book club,” he admitted.
Ignis smiled up at him, only to catch Gladio looking awkwardly to the side. “And here I expected CrossFit,” he said, teasingly.
“Well,” Gladio said, looking back at Ignis, “it's a good way to meet girls, right?”
Ignis felt as if his heart was retreating behind his smile, and he forced himself to reply, “Of course.”
“I mean,” Gladio continued, looking everywhere but at Ignis again, “they probably won't do my kind of books, but you never know. I'm always up for expanding my shelves.”
Ignis softened again. Somewhere underneath the masculine bravado and veneer of confidence, he got the impression Gladio was a bit of a dork. He'd freely admitted to considering himself a nerd, of course, but there was something just sweet enough, and just awkward enough that Ignis thought it slid him into the dork category too. “If you get any good recommendations,” he said, “feel free to pass them on.”
Gladio gave him another grin. “You got it,” he said. Then he raised his hand, calling Ignis's attention to the sign up sheet, “I should go hand this back, and then I've got a lecture. I'll catch you later.”
“Bye,” Ignis said, and then hoped it didn't sound as wistful as he thought it had as he watched Gladio's retreating back.
“Put your tongue back in before someone trips over it.”
Ignis turned to see Levi looking up at him, wearing a scowl, although it was possible that was simple Levi's normal expression. “I don't know what you mean,” he said making a move to carry on down the thoroughfare.
“Whatever,” Levi replied, keeping up with him. “I never took the hairy farmboy for being your type.”
“He's not-!” Ignis began, and cut himself off before he said something incriminating. He huffed through his nose.
“Not what?” Levi asked, “Hairy, or a farmboy? Because he's both of those.” Ignis fought with himself not to scowl. “Or not your type?”
Ignis frowned. There was no point denying that he found Gladio attractive; of course he did. The man was six and a half feet of swollen muscle, tanned skin, and easy smiles. It was just that Ignis wasn't ready to admit that. “I'm not out,” he said, softly. “I'd appreciate if you didn't call attention to it.”
Ignis swore he spotted Levi rolling his eyes, but it was too quick for him to be sure. “If he doesn't know you fancy the pants off him, he's too stupid to be here.”
Ignis pursed his lips. “I do not fancy the pants off him,” he defended, “that's a little too far.” He gave Levi a sly smile before he added, “His shirt, on the other hand.”
Levi snorted. “You've got no taste.”
Ignis smiled into his chest, and then pushed his glasses up again. Levi was the first person he'd ever admitted to being gay to, and it was heartening how easily he'd taken it. Still, he didn't exactly want the word to spread, certainly not yet. Not while he was still getting to know the people in their dorm, and finding his feet in a new academic environment.
“Oh fuck,” Levi muttered, nudging Ignis sideways and herding him to the far side of the thoroughfare. “Don't make eye contact.”
Ignis looked over. In the middle of the path stood Yylfordt's twin brother. Ignis and Levi had met him once, the night of the second dorm party. They'd tucked themselves in a corner with Bert, talking to Annie, and Reiner from upstairs, but it had been impossible to ignore Yylfordt's twin.
From their faces, you'd believe them to be identical twins. They had the same eyes, nose, and mouth, but where Yylfordt was muscled, with long blond hair, his brother Szayel was skinny to the point of underfed, with a tousled crop of shoulder length hair that he'd dyed bright pink. He'd spent most of the party fawning over Gladio and arguing with Yylfordt. The two siblings clearly didn't get along.
He looked up and locked eyes with Ignis, and Ignis felt the uncomfortable dread of an unpleasant conversation about to descend.
“Yoohoo!” he called.
“For fuck's sake,” Levi grumbled.
Szayel minced, there was no other word for it. Ignis tried to continue walking, as if he didn't know Szayel, and had no idea why he might be being addressed by him. They hadn't exchanged more than introductions at the party, and then Ignis had retreated to the safety of the socially awkward corner where he hadn't caught Szayel's attention. Or so he'd thought.
Szayel caught up with them, offering a leaflet out towards them both. “I trust the LGBT society can count on your support?”
Ignis hoped the heat he could feel crawling up his face would be taken as embarrassment at being spoken to by Szayel, rather than anything else. He didn't have an answer; he didn't want to refuse, as it was an important society to support, but he didn't want to visibly support them, either. Certainly not when someone like Szayel was the face of them; the man was a walking stereotype.
“I don't want any of your rainbow shit anywhere near me,” Levi answered.
Ignis frowned, the change in Levi's tone from earlier when he'd been so casual stung. Szayel raised an eyebrow and looked Levi up and down. “Do you have a problem with gay people?”
“No,” Levi said, “just you.”
Szayel gave him a pitying sneer before he turned his attention to Ignis. “Eggy?” he asked, “Iggy?”
“Ignis,” Ignis corrected, shortly.
Szayel pushed a leaflet at him. “You don't have to be gay to support us,” he said, “you just have to not be an asshole. If you don't want to join, you can always buy a badge.”
Ignis took the leaflet, warily. “I'll think about it,” he said, awkwardly. “I'm sorry, I have to get to a lecture.”
Szayel flashed him a smile that didn't seem to reach his eyes, and Ignis turned, hurrying on out of the way.
“What a prick,” Levi muttered.
Ignis frowned, glancing sidelong at Levi. “I'd appreciate if you didn't talk like that,” he said.
Levi grunted. “People like him are what people think gay guys are like. He's made himself into a caricature for the attention. Gay men like that make it harder for everyone.”
There was a genuine annoyance in Levi's voice that made Ignis look down at him, catching sight of his scowl. “Still,” he said.
“Admit it,” Levi interrupted, “you're not ready to come out because you're worried people will think you're like that.”
Ignis tried to formulate a response, to dispute Levi's assertion, but the words died in his throat. There were a lot of reason that he didn't want everyone to know. He hadn't told his parents, and didn't know that he ever could. He didn't want to start his life in a distant university alienated from those around him due to something he couldn't help. He'd only accepted that he was gay in the last year, and he'd spent the whole time hiding it, so he didn't know how to be out, yet.
But when it came right down to it, no, he didn't want people to think he was like Szayel. He didn't want people to assume that being gay meant that he'd act any differently, or dress any differently. He didn't want anyone to think that just because he was attracted to men he'd become some horrific lech proudly telling people at parties that he could swallow bananas whole.
“It's not that simple,” Ignis said, softly, “but, it's a part of it, I suppose.” He looked at Levi again. “I'll see you at the dorm later,” he said. “I have a history lecture in ten minutes.”
Levi watched Ignis go in silence. The campus was noisy with the sound of students trying to attract attention over to their stands, and the library bustled with people trying to get copies of the books on their reading lists. Levi just wanted somewhere to sit down, where people wouldn't bother him.
A cup of tea wouldn't go amiss, either.
Which was how he found himself at Ebony. Coffeeshop tea was abysmal, but Ebony's tea was actually pretty good. It still smelled of coffee when Levi went in, but at least it wasn't the pungent stench of somewhere like Starbucks.
Ignis had explained the board behind the counter on Levi's second visit. Pay It Forward, the owner called it; it was basically a charity tin for drinks. All the rich brats from fancy homes probably loved it, it made them feel altruistic, and like less of a spoiled little shit. There had been three drinks listed on it when Levi had first come.
There were dozens of slips of paper now, most of them plain teas and coffees, but some big spender had been putting cappucinos and lattes up there too. Levi waited while the person ahead of him made their order, and then the till monkey in the same apron as Ignis turned to him. “What can I get you?”
“Black tea,” he said, “from the board.”
The assistant smiled at him. Her name badge said 'Jesse'. “Anything else?” she asked.
“No,” answered Levi. If they wanted to put drinks paid for by other people up for anyone to take, Levi wasn't going to spend his own money.
“All right,” Jesse answered, with a bright smile that impressed Levi with how well she pulled it off even though she was probably thinking him a cheap bastard. “Can I just take your name?”
“Levi Ackerman,” he answered, and watched her write it down on a scrap of paper. She slid it into the till, shutting it in the drawer, and then tugged another slip of paper off the board that looked like it was Ignis's handwriting.
Levi watched as she made up a pot of tea, setting it onto a tray with a cup, saucer, teaspoon, and napkin. “One tea,” she said, sliding the tray forward. She was really good at not looking judgemental.
Levi smirked, taking the tray down. “Thanks,” he said, because manners cost nothing, and then took himself to a table.
He liked the tables in Ebony, too. They were clean, for one; Ignis said they did a cleaning round every time there was a break in the queue and wiped the tables over with disinfectant. They were also booths, instead of awkward mismatched chairs that looked and smelled like they'd been relieved from some old lady's jumble sale.
He took his laptop from his bag once he was settled in the booth. Ebony had free wifi with purchases, but taking free drinks from the charity board didn't qualify as a purchase, apparently. Not that it mattered; there was free internet in the dorm if he needed to get online. He just didn't want to go back there now, when he knew there'd be dickheads like Yylfordt making the place untidy.
He drank his tea, and took out his notes from his first couple of lectures. His handwriting was pretty neat, but trying to keep up with a professor while writing was a lot harder, and if he was going to need the lecture notes at the end of term, it was best to type them up. It saved on annoying pieces of paper lingering in his room, too.
Levi hadn't been a good student, at school. He'd got into trouble, a lot, and been brought home by the police once. Only once because they hadn't caught him any other time. His reports had always said he had a bad attitude, which he knew was true.
It was after being brought home by the police that he'd tried to change things. It had upset his mom, and the things he'd done had never affected her before then except maybe to make her disappointed in him. His mom apologising to him for failing him had been eye opening. She'd never thought Levi was a bad kid, she'd said, just the child of a bad parent, and she tried her best but it wasn't good enough.
It had pissed Levi off, but it had hurt too.
He'd considered joining the police, at first, or the army. But both of those went with the risk that his mom would get some commanding officer knocking on her door one day, and Levi didn't want to do that to her.
So he'd worked in a coffee shop during the day, and done night classes to get the GCSEs he'd failed, and then, because he was just old enough, he'd been able to get into university after doing a couple of tests instead of having to take A levels. She'd been so happy when he'd shown her his acceptance letter. University was something she'd never thought she'd be able to give him; it cost too much, and she was a single mom, after all.
He didn't plan on letting her down, now.
Jesse had removed his tray and empty cup, and passive aggressively cleaned the table around Levi before he was done transcribing his notes. He'd ignored her. If she thought the tactic was unique to Ebony she had another think coming. He'd also told Ignis the trick of making enthusiastic conversation with malingerers while you cleaned nearby, because nothing makes people feel more uncomfortable than talking to strangers.
“Is this seat taken?” a voice asked.
Levi looked up, straight into the icy blue eyes of Captain America, if he'd stolen Gladio's eyebrows. “No,” he answered, waving a hand and looking back at his computer screen.
“Thank you,” the man said.
Levi stared, unseeing, at his screen as the man shuffled into the booth, across the table from Levi. He disappeared for a moment as he ducked down, plugging his own laptop in under the table. Levi remembered him; he was the one Ignis had drawn a latte heart for. It looked like he was a bit of a regular at Ebony, then.
“Do you come here often?” the man asked, as he opened his laptop up.
I do now, Levi wanted to say, but he refrained. “Usually on weekends,” he said. It wasn't exactly a lie; weekends were when Ignis's shifts were, and it was somewhere to go that had tea, and no Yylfordt.
The man smiled at him. Levi tried to hold his gaze without staring. “You should try their apple pie,” he said. Levi wasn't sure if the man was pulling his leg or not. Maybe he'd been told he looked like Captain America before, and he was playing on it to see how Levi reacted. “My name's Erwin,” the man said.
“Levi,” Levi replied, looking over the top of his laptop again.
Erwin smiled at him. “Can I get you a drink?”
Levi glanced down. Erwin's hands lay, relaxed, on the table. He wasn't wearing a ring. “Black tea,” he said, looking back up at him again, “no sugar.”
This week was also when the various student societies did their recruiting. The union was no different. It cost a fee to join, and for that fee there were discounts in the various bars, and the ability to vote for student representatives to put forth the student's interests to the faculty, and whoever was ultimately responsible for deciding where budgets were spent. Ignis strongly suspected that the former was the biggest draw for most students, as much as it was the latter that interested him.
Fortunately, there was no time limit on joining the union. Ignis needed to see how his financial situation stood before he knew if he could afford the fee each term.
A lot of the student societies had recruitment tables out in the main thoroughfares, trying to catch students passing by between lectures. Some of the sports clubs were busy, and Ignis was forced to give them a wide berth or get jostled by muscleheads vying to sign up for football, or rugby societies.
A banner over one table declared the Gymnastics Club's table, and Ignis hesitated. He enjoyed gymnastics, but couldn't afford to join a gym for that purpose. On the other hand, what harm could picking up some information do?
He steeled himself, sliding between two slender women that looked like gymnasts to pick up a leaflet. “Excuse me,” he said, retreating again and taking a couple of steps back, clear of the table to have a look.
He bumped directly into someone as he moved. “Apologies,” he said, before looking up to find Gladio grinning down at him.
“No worries,” Gladio replied, still wearing that bright grin that seemed so warm and genuine, softening his features. “Gymnastics, huh?” he asked.
Ignis looked down at the leaflet he'd taken and fought against the urge to tuck it behind his back and hide it. It wasn't anything to be ashamed of, and yet the urge was still there. “Yes,” he said. “I was,” he faltered, but forced himself to continue, “thinking of continuing.”
“That's great!” Gladio said, with such honest enthusiasm that Ignis felt silly for feeling so awkward. “I bet you're amazing.”
“I don't know about that,” Ignis replied, hurriedly, and pushed his glasses back up his nose. He spotted a couple of leaflets, and a sign up sheet filled out and ready in Gladio's own hand. “And yours?” he asked.
Gladio looked down at his small collection. “Book club,” he admitted.
Ignis smiled up at him, only to catch Gladio looking awkwardly to the side. “And here I expected CrossFit,” he said, teasingly.
“Well,” Gladio said, looking back at Ignis, “it's a good way to meet girls, right?”
Ignis felt as if his heart was retreating behind his smile, and he forced himself to reply, “Of course.”
“I mean,” Gladio continued, looking everywhere but at Ignis again, “they probably won't do my kind of books, but you never know. I'm always up for expanding my shelves.”
Ignis softened again. Somewhere underneath the masculine bravado and veneer of confidence, he got the impression Gladio was a bit of a dork. He'd freely admitted to considering himself a nerd, of course, but there was something just sweet enough, and just awkward enough that Ignis thought it slid him into the dork category too. “If you get any good recommendations,” he said, “feel free to pass them on.”
Gladio gave him another grin. “You got it,” he said. Then he raised his hand, calling Ignis's attention to the sign up sheet, “I should go hand this back, and then I've got a lecture. I'll catch you later.”
“Bye,” Ignis said, and then hoped it didn't sound as wistful as he thought it had as he watched Gladio's retreating back.
“Put your tongue back in before someone trips over it.”
Ignis turned to see Levi looking up at him, wearing a scowl, although it was possible that was simple Levi's normal expression. “I don't know what you mean,” he said making a move to carry on down the thoroughfare.
“Whatever,” Levi replied, keeping up with him. “I never took the hairy farmboy for being your type.”
“He's not-!” Ignis began, and cut himself off before he said something incriminating. He huffed through his nose.
“Not what?” Levi asked, “Hairy, or a farmboy? Because he's both of those.” Ignis fought with himself not to scowl. “Or not your type?”
Ignis frowned. There was no point denying that he found Gladio attractive; of course he did. The man was six and a half feet of swollen muscle, tanned skin, and easy smiles. It was just that Ignis wasn't ready to admit that. “I'm not out,” he said, softly. “I'd appreciate if you didn't call attention to it.”
Ignis swore he spotted Levi rolling his eyes, but it was too quick for him to be sure. “If he doesn't know you fancy the pants off him, he's too stupid to be here.”
Ignis pursed his lips. “I do not fancy the pants off him,” he defended, “that's a little too far.” He gave Levi a sly smile before he added, “His shirt, on the other hand.”
Levi snorted. “You've got no taste.”
Ignis smiled into his chest, and then pushed his glasses up again. Levi was the first person he'd ever admitted to being gay to, and it was heartening how easily he'd taken it. Still, he didn't exactly want the word to spread, certainly not yet. Not while he was still getting to know the people in their dorm, and finding his feet in a new academic environment.
“Oh fuck,” Levi muttered, nudging Ignis sideways and herding him to the far side of the thoroughfare. “Don't make eye contact.”
Ignis looked over. In the middle of the path stood Yylfordt's twin brother. Ignis and Levi had met him once, the night of the second dorm party. They'd tucked themselves in a corner with Bert, talking to Annie, and Reiner from upstairs, but it had been impossible to ignore Yylfordt's twin.
From their faces, you'd believe them to be identical twins. They had the same eyes, nose, and mouth, but where Yylfordt was muscled, with long blond hair, his brother Szayel was skinny to the point of underfed, with a tousled crop of shoulder length hair that he'd dyed bright pink. He'd spent most of the party fawning over Gladio and arguing with Yylfordt. The two siblings clearly didn't get along.
He looked up and locked eyes with Ignis, and Ignis felt the uncomfortable dread of an unpleasant conversation about to descend.
“Yoohoo!” he called.
“For fuck's sake,” Levi grumbled.
Szayel minced, there was no other word for it. Ignis tried to continue walking, as if he didn't know Szayel, and had no idea why he might be being addressed by him. They hadn't exchanged more than introductions at the party, and then Ignis had retreated to the safety of the socially awkward corner where he hadn't caught Szayel's attention. Or so he'd thought.
Szayel caught up with them, offering a leaflet out towards them both. “I trust the LGBT society can count on your support?”
Ignis hoped the heat he could feel crawling up his face would be taken as embarrassment at being spoken to by Szayel, rather than anything else. He didn't have an answer; he didn't want to refuse, as it was an important society to support, but he didn't want to visibly support them, either. Certainly not when someone like Szayel was the face of them; the man was a walking stereotype.
“I don't want any of your rainbow shit anywhere near me,” Levi answered.
Ignis frowned, the change in Levi's tone from earlier when he'd been so casual stung. Szayel raised an eyebrow and looked Levi up and down. “Do you have a problem with gay people?”
“No,” Levi said, “just you.”
Szayel gave him a pitying sneer before he turned his attention to Ignis. “Eggy?” he asked, “Iggy?”
“Ignis,” Ignis corrected, shortly.
Szayel pushed a leaflet at him. “You don't have to be gay to support us,” he said, “you just have to not be an asshole. If you don't want to join, you can always buy a badge.”
Ignis took the leaflet, warily. “I'll think about it,” he said, awkwardly. “I'm sorry, I have to get to a lecture.”
Szayel flashed him a smile that didn't seem to reach his eyes, and Ignis turned, hurrying on out of the way.
“What a prick,” Levi muttered.
Ignis frowned, glancing sidelong at Levi. “I'd appreciate if you didn't talk like that,” he said.
Levi grunted. “People like him are what people think gay guys are like. He's made himself into a caricature for the attention. Gay men like that make it harder for everyone.”
There was a genuine annoyance in Levi's voice that made Ignis look down at him, catching sight of his scowl. “Still,” he said.
“Admit it,” Levi interrupted, “you're not ready to come out because you're worried people will think you're like that.”
Ignis tried to formulate a response, to dispute Levi's assertion, but the words died in his throat. There were a lot of reason that he didn't want everyone to know. He hadn't told his parents, and didn't know that he ever could. He didn't want to start his life in a distant university alienated from those around him due to something he couldn't help. He'd only accepted that he was gay in the last year, and he'd spent the whole time hiding it, so he didn't know how to be out, yet.
But when it came right down to it, no, he didn't want people to think he was like Szayel. He didn't want people to assume that being gay meant that he'd act any differently, or dress any differently. He didn't want anyone to think that just because he was attracted to men he'd become some horrific lech proudly telling people at parties that he could swallow bananas whole.
“It's not that simple,” Ignis said, softly, “but, it's a part of it, I suppose.” He looked at Levi again. “I'll see you at the dorm later,” he said. “I have a history lecture in ten minutes.”
Levi watched Ignis go in silence. The campus was noisy with the sound of students trying to attract attention over to their stands, and the library bustled with people trying to get copies of the books on their reading lists. Levi just wanted somewhere to sit down, where people wouldn't bother him.
A cup of tea wouldn't go amiss, either.
Which was how he found himself at Ebony. Coffeeshop tea was abysmal, but Ebony's tea was actually pretty good. It still smelled of coffee when Levi went in, but at least it wasn't the pungent stench of somewhere like Starbucks.
Ignis had explained the board behind the counter on Levi's second visit. Pay It Forward, the owner called it; it was basically a charity tin for drinks. All the rich brats from fancy homes probably loved it, it made them feel altruistic, and like less of a spoiled little shit. There had been three drinks listed on it when Levi had first come.
There were dozens of slips of paper now, most of them plain teas and coffees, but some big spender had been putting cappucinos and lattes up there too. Levi waited while the person ahead of him made their order, and then the till monkey in the same apron as Ignis turned to him. “What can I get you?”
“Black tea,” he said, “from the board.”
The assistant smiled at him. Her name badge said 'Jesse'. “Anything else?” she asked.
“No,” answered Levi. If they wanted to put drinks paid for by other people up for anyone to take, Levi wasn't going to spend his own money.
“All right,” Jesse answered, with a bright smile that impressed Levi with how well she pulled it off even though she was probably thinking him a cheap bastard. “Can I just take your name?”
“Levi Ackerman,” he answered, and watched her write it down on a scrap of paper. She slid it into the till, shutting it in the drawer, and then tugged another slip of paper off the board that looked like it was Ignis's handwriting.
Levi watched as she made up a pot of tea, setting it onto a tray with a cup, saucer, teaspoon, and napkin. “One tea,” she said, sliding the tray forward. She was really good at not looking judgemental.
Levi smirked, taking the tray down. “Thanks,” he said, because manners cost nothing, and then took himself to a table.
He liked the tables in Ebony, too. They were clean, for one; Ignis said they did a cleaning round every time there was a break in the queue and wiped the tables over with disinfectant. They were also booths, instead of awkward mismatched chairs that looked and smelled like they'd been relieved from some old lady's jumble sale.
He took his laptop from his bag once he was settled in the booth. Ebony had free wifi with purchases, but taking free drinks from the charity board didn't qualify as a purchase, apparently. Not that it mattered; there was free internet in the dorm if he needed to get online. He just didn't want to go back there now, when he knew there'd be dickheads like Yylfordt making the place untidy.
He drank his tea, and took out his notes from his first couple of lectures. His handwriting was pretty neat, but trying to keep up with a professor while writing was a lot harder, and if he was going to need the lecture notes at the end of term, it was best to type them up. It saved on annoying pieces of paper lingering in his room, too.
Levi hadn't been a good student, at school. He'd got into trouble, a lot, and been brought home by the police once. Only once because they hadn't caught him any other time. His reports had always said he had a bad attitude, which he knew was true.
It was after being brought home by the police that he'd tried to change things. It had upset his mom, and the things he'd done had never affected her before then except maybe to make her disappointed in him. His mom apologising to him for failing him had been eye opening. She'd never thought Levi was a bad kid, she'd said, just the child of a bad parent, and she tried her best but it wasn't good enough.
It had pissed Levi off, but it had hurt too.
He'd considered joining the police, at first, or the army. But both of those went with the risk that his mom would get some commanding officer knocking on her door one day, and Levi didn't want to do that to her.
So he'd worked in a coffee shop during the day, and done night classes to get the GCSEs he'd failed, and then, because he was just old enough, he'd been able to get into university after doing a couple of tests instead of having to take A levels. She'd been so happy when he'd shown her his acceptance letter. University was something she'd never thought she'd be able to give him; it cost too much, and she was a single mom, after all.
He didn't plan on letting her down, now.
Jesse had removed his tray and empty cup, and passive aggressively cleaned the table around Levi before he was done transcribing his notes. He'd ignored her. If she thought the tactic was unique to Ebony she had another think coming. He'd also told Ignis the trick of making enthusiastic conversation with malingerers while you cleaned nearby, because nothing makes people feel more uncomfortable than talking to strangers.
“Is this seat taken?” a voice asked.
Levi looked up, straight into the icy blue eyes of Captain America, if he'd stolen Gladio's eyebrows. “No,” he answered, waving a hand and looking back at his computer screen.
“Thank you,” the man said.
Levi stared, unseeing, at his screen as the man shuffled into the booth, across the table from Levi. He disappeared for a moment as he ducked down, plugging his own laptop in under the table. Levi remembered him; he was the one Ignis had drawn a latte heart for. It looked like he was a bit of a regular at Ebony, then.
“Do you come here often?” the man asked, as he opened his laptop up.
I do now, Levi wanted to say, but he refrained. “Usually on weekends,” he said. It wasn't exactly a lie; weekends were when Ignis's shifts were, and it was somewhere to go that had tea, and no Yylfordt.
The man smiled at him. Levi tried to hold his gaze without staring. “You should try their apple pie,” he said. Levi wasn't sure if the man was pulling his leg or not. Maybe he'd been told he looked like Captain America before, and he was playing on it to see how Levi reacted. “My name's Erwin,” the man said.
“Levi,” Levi replied, looking over the top of his laptop again.
Erwin smiled at him. “Can I get you a drink?”
Levi glanced down. Erwin's hands lay, relaxed, on the table. He wasn't wearing a ring. “Black tea,” he said, looking back up at him again, “no sugar.”
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Poor Ignis. ;A; I feel bad for him because his friend's an asshole.
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And he's definitely tripping over that tongue when he gets out of that booth.
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I thought he might. Erwin is a handsome bastard. XD