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This is the last time.

   The dread of that thought numbed your mind as a rhythmic tone of violin slipped in from the open window and bounced off the brick walls in the dark underground city. The music came as an echo from the street and a melodic voice accompanied the high-pitched notes. The room was silent save for the rustle of clothes and the soft steps two figures pressed on the old hardwood floor. Two pairs of eyes followed their movements, every step, gesture and turn, with interest – some more than others. Green hues attached to the blue silky fabric of one of the dancer’s skirt, as the candlelight cast a golden hue on the vibrant color and made it shine with arches of green while Farlan made his partner spin on herself. His arms moved forward and curled around her slim waist, pulling her towards him and halting her for a moment to dip her. One of his hands slid to her thigh, while the other remained firm on her back. Waves of (h/c) hung toward the floor as she arched her head back and executed a half-moon with her right arm, (e/c) eyes locking with a gray pair shadowed by a curtain of coal locks.

   A cheerful string of claps vibrated in the cozy air of the house as the music came to a stop and the two figures in the middle of the room straightened up to bow to their two-persons audience. There was a wide smile on Isabel’s lips, vividly contrasting with the white canvas of Levi’s expression. He never showed his appreciation for the dance show you would pull off with Farlan from time to time – if he had any at all. Nevertheless, he always remained to watch, showing little interest to you even when his eyes were glued to your gracious figures.

   “As I thought, you are a fast learner, Farlan.” You told him after you took a deep breath in, a smile in your voice and on your lips.

   “That’s because you are a great teacher, my Lady.” The blonde took another bow before you, grasping your right in his and kissing softly its back. The playful grin hadn’t left his mouth when he stood straight again and you played along his game with a bow of your own and an elegantly pronounced ‘thank you’. The two of you would often joke about your upstanding status and he would pretend to be one of those stuck up noblemen you had to deal with every day. Sometimes the play would go on for a long while, having Isabel joining too, until Levi got fed up with you and told you to stop acting like brats. In these cases, he looked a lot like a dad scolding his children for being too noisy. It was a routine you loved and cherished and the small modest house under the capital was your little secret Heaven you wished you could visit more often. But, alas, you had your noblewoman duties to present to, dull boring activities.

   “It’s late.” Levi caught your attention as he stood up from his chair and placed his teacup on the table. “You have to go back.” He addressed you as he grabbed your mantle and tossed it your way, before he wrapped himself in his own. An involuntary sigh left your lips as you put the black fabric over your shoulders and joined him at the entrance. It all ended too soon this time too.

   “Aw! Already?” Isabel whined as she pulled you in a warm hug. “It’s only been a couple of hours.” Her kind and cheerful personality was something so rare even within the Walls above that you find it hard to believe it flourished so beautifully in the sunless city. To you she was like a wild rose, grown from poor soil, strong and beautiful and you knew for a fact that the one to tend her with so much cure was Levi.

   “The sun is about to set.” Levi pointed out and, though you knew he was right, you wondered how he could tell every time since there wasn’t a clock in the room and it was hard to tell from the light outside, since the city was scarcely illuminated all day long and the sun couldn’t reach the streets.

   “I’ll come again in a few days.” You reassured her smothering her red locks. “If that’s alright with you.” You always addressed this question to Levi, since you needed his permission to visit the trio. A curt nod of his head pulled Isabel’s lips in a wide smile and Farlan’s in a more modest one. When Isabel let go of you, it was his turn to grab you in a one-arm hug and he placed a soft kiss on your cheek as always. You had allowed yourself to relish both their warmth for a bit longer than you would normally do.

   “Have a safe trip back. See you next time.”

   “Thank you. You stay safe too.” You nodded at the two and stepped outside the door Levi had opened for you. Pulling your hood over your head and glancing around, you climbed down the set of stairs in front of the house. Stopping on the last step, you turned around to wave back at the blonde and the red-head as you waited for Levi to catch up with you. As he was next to you, he pushed you forward with his hand on the small of your back and checked his surroundings as you stepped in a dark ally.

   The course of events was always the same, but the road always different. You would sneak out your house and descend in the underground city, wander around aimlessly for an hour or so, until one of the three, usually Levi, would come fetch you and you would spend some time with them. The trip back was always guided by Levi, as he made sure no one saw where you were going and what you were doing. It was for your safety as they had many enemies and surely it wasn’t good for a noblewoman to be seen with a trio of thugs from the underground. Even so, you knew it was already too late, as you wouldn’t be able to return there anytime soon, despite the lie you had told Isabel. The approach of your twenty-first birthday loomed over you as a dark cloud for the past year and with it, the awareness of your marriage to the nobleman your father had chosen for you few years back; a lecherous old man named Nicholas Lobov, with so much money that he wasn’t even able to count them.

   Though you had hope to break free from that cage one day and finally be able to buy a place for them under the sun, maybe even that teashop Levi secretly wanted, that dream had crushed into a million pieces when Lobov declared his intentions on carrying on with the deal. Being the kind of persons they were, you knew that running away wasn’t an option as they would find you even on the bottom of the pits of Hell and obliterate whatever was in their way. The only consolation to your despair was the little home you found in the trio and now even that solace was slipping through your fingers, you could only hope Lobov wouldn’t live too long.

   Levi’s husky voice calling your name and tugging your hand in his iron grasp snapped you back to reality as you blinked your daze off your pupils and refocused on the road and then on the set of stairs not far from you. You took a deep inhale, hand squeezing on Levi’s with the same vigor he held yours, before you let go and pulled your hood further on your face. Shuffles of fabric noted you that Levi had leaned against the wall as per usual, waiting for you to climb the steps back out before he left. Even if the first time he saw you out after beating a gang of thugs to pulp and calling you the biggest idiot on the surface of Earth for deciding to play tourist in this hell hole he had walked away without even sparing you a glance – while you continued to peek over your shoulder at him with every step you took – now he never left until he was sure you had made it out.

   Usually, no words were exchanged in these moments, only you muttering a quick ‘see you soon’ before hurrying to meet the guards and pay the fee out, but now you couldn’t shake off the stare he gave you all afternoon, nor the awareness you wouldn’t be able to lose yourself in the mist of his eyes anymore. Though you had wanted to confront him about it, you decided against it, figuring that whatever it was it didn’t matter much in your situation. Besides, the fact that he kept quiet only meant that either he didn’t want to talk about it or he wasn’t ready yet. Levi was a man who liked doing things like social interactions his way and pace, and you came to learn that through a lot of awkward silences. You too had things you didn’t want to discuss, like the fact this was your goodbye to them, or the reason your cheeks grew pinker when you found yourself alone with him.

   However, fearing regret haunting you for the rest of your life if you didn’t take action now, prompted you with enough courage to stop hesitating. So, turning around to face him and whispering his name so quietly you weren’t sure he had heard you – as his gaze remained trained on your figure – you took half a step towards him, feeling his body stiffen slightly as you rested your right on his folded arms, and pressed your lips lightly against his.

   “Thank you.”

   The soft words passing your lips contrasted greatly with the echoing of your heels against the ground and then the stone steps, their rhythm accompanying the light sway of your cape as your figure grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing as you rounded the corner outside. Words so soft and a touch so brief – though long enough to send his heart on a rollercoaster of emotions – Levi wasn’t sure the episode actually happened; unable to shake the sweet smell of flowers off his senses and the rising warmth of his face. However, worst of all was the – he was sure – idiotic grin on his face.

   Cursing mentally, he only hopped that the long route home would be long enough for him to get rid of his moronic expression and shut down the loud beat of his heart, oblivious to the fact that that would be the last time he would see you in years, as he longed to feel that cozy feeling in his chest once again.

Description
Listen: [link]

This is the last time.

   The dread of that thought numbed your mind as a rhythmic tone of violin slipped in from the open window and bounced off the brick walls in the dark underground city. The music came as an echo from the street and a melodic voice accompanied the high-pitched notes. The room was silent save for the rustle of clothes and the soft steps two figures pressed on the old hardwood floor. Two pairs of eyes followed their movements, every step, gesture and turn, with interest – some more than others. Green hues attached to the blue silky fabric of one of the dancer’s skirt, as the candlelight cast a golden hue on the vibrant color and made it shine with arches of green while Farlan made his partner spin on herself. His arms moved forward and curled around her slim waist, pulling her towards him and halting her for a moment to dip her. One of his hands slid to her thigh, while the other remained firm on her back. Waves of (h/c) hung toward the floor as she arched her head back and executed a half-moon with her right arm, (e/c) eyes locking with a gray pair shadowed by a curtain of coal locks.

   A cheerful string of claps vibrated in the cozy air of the house as the music came to a stop and the two figures in the middle of the room straightened up to bow to their two-persons audience. There was a wide smile on Isabel’s lips, vividly contrasting with the white canvas of Levi’s expression. He never showed his appreciation for the dance show you would pull off with Farlan from time to time – if he had any at all. Nevertheless, he always remained to watch, showing little interest to you even when his eyes were glued to your gracious figures.

   “As I thought, you are a fast learner, Farlan.” You told him after you took a deep breath in, a smile in your voice and on your lips.

   “That’s because you are a great teacher, my Lady.” The blonde took another bow before you, grasping your right in his and kissing softly its back. The playful grin hadn’t left his mouth when he stood straight again and you played along his game with a bow of your own and an elegantly pronounced ‘thank you’. The two of you would often joke about your upstanding status and he would pretend to be one of those stuck up noblemen you had to deal with every day. Sometimes the play would go on for a long while, having Isabel joining too, until Levi got fed up with you and told you to stop acting like brats. In these cases, he looked a lot like a dad scolding his children for being too noisy. It was a routine you loved and cherished and the small modest house under the capital was your little secret Heaven you wished you could visit more often. But, alas, you had your noblewoman duties to present to, dull boring activities.

   “It’s late.” Levi caught your attention as he stood up from his chair and placed his teacup on the table. “You have to go back.” He addressed you as he grabbed your mantle and tossed it your way, before he wrapped himself in his own. An involuntary sigh left your lips as you put the black fabric over your shoulders and joined him at the entrance. It all ended too soon this time too.

   “Aw! Already?” Isabel whined as she pulled you in a warm hug. “It’s only been a couple of hours.” Her kind and cheerful personality was something so rare even within the Walls above that you find it hard to believe it flourished so beautifully in the sunless city. To you she was like a wild rose, grown from poor soil, strong and beautiful and you knew for a fact that the one to tend her with so much cure was Levi.

   “The sun is about to set.” Levi pointed out and, though you knew he was right, you wondered how he could tell every time since there wasn’t a clock in the room and it was hard to tell from the light outside, since the city was scarcely illuminated all day long and the sun couldn’t reach the streets.

   “I’ll come again in a few days.” You reassured her smothering her red locks. “If that’s alright with you.” You always addressed this question to Levi, since you needed his permission to visit the trio. A curt nod of his head pulled Isabel’s lips in a wide smile and Farlan’s in a more modest one. When Isabel let go of you, it was his turn to grab you in a one-arm hug and he placed a soft kiss on your cheek as always. You had allowed yourself to relish both their warmth for a bit longer than you would normally do.

   “Have a safe trip back. See you next time.”

   “Thank you. You stay safe too.” You nodded at the two and stepped outside the door Levi had opened for you. Pulling your hood over your head and glancing around, you climbed down the set of stairs in front of the house. Stopping on the last step, you turned around to wave back at the blonde and the red-head as you waited for Levi to catch up with you. As he was next to you, he pushed you forward with his hand on the small of your back and checked his surroundings as you stepped in a dark ally.

   The course of events was always the same, but the road always different. You would sneak out your house and descend in the underground city, wander around aimlessly for an hour or so, until one of the three, usually Levi, would come fetch you and you would spend some time with them. The trip back was always guided by Levi, as he made sure no one saw where you were going and what you were doing. It was for your safety as they had many enemies and surely it wasn’t good for a noblewoman to be seen with a trio of thugs from the underground. Even so, you knew it was already too late, as you wouldn’t be able to return there anytime soon, despite the lie you had told Isabel. The approach of your twenty-first birthday loomed over you as a dark cloud for the past year and with it, the awareness of your marriage to the nobleman your father had chosen for you few years back; a lecherous old man named Nicholas Lobov, with so much money that he wasn’t even able to count them.

   Though you had hope to break free from that cage one day and finally be able to buy a place for them under the sun, maybe even that teashop Levi secretly wanted, that dream had crushed into a million pieces when Lobov declared his intentions on carrying on with the deal. Being the kind of persons they were, you knew that running away wasn’t an option as they would find you even on the bottom of the pits of Hell and obliterate whatever was in their way. The only consolation to your despair was the little home you found in the trio and now even that solace was slipping through your fingers, you could only hope Lobov wouldn’t live too long.

   Levi’s husky voice calling your name and tugging your hand in his iron grasp snapped you back to reality as you blinked your daze off your pupils and refocused on the road and then on the set of stairs not far from you. You took a deep inhale, hand squeezing on Levi’s with the same vigor he held yours, before you let go and pulled your hood further on your face. Shuffles of fabric noted you that Levi had leaned against the wall as per usual, waiting for you to climb the steps back out before he left. Even if the first time he saw you out after beating a gang of thugs to pulp and calling you the biggest idiot on the surface of Earth for deciding to play tourist in this hell hole he had walked away without even sparing you a glance – while you continued to peek over your shoulder at him with every step you took – now he never left until he was sure you had made it out.

   Usually, no words were exchanged in these moments, only you muttering a quick ‘see you soon’ before hurrying to meet the guards and pay the fee out, but now you couldn’t shake off the stare he gave you all afternoon, nor the awareness you wouldn’t be able to lose yourself in the mist of his eyes anymore. Though you had wanted to confront him about it, you decided against it, figuring that whatever it was it didn’t matter much in your situation. Besides, the fact that he kept quiet only meant that either he didn’t want to talk about it or he wasn’t ready yet. Levi was a man who liked doing things like social interactions his way and pace, and you came to learn that through a lot of awkward silences. You too had things you didn’t want to discuss, like the fact this was your goodbye to them, or the reason your cheeks grew pinker when you found yourself alone with him.

   However, fearing regret haunting you for the rest of your life if you didn’t take action now, prompted you with enough courage to stop hesitating. So, turning around to face him and whispering his name so quietly you weren’t sure he had heard you – as his gaze remained trained on your figure – you took half a step towards him, feeling his body stiffen slightly as you rested your right on his folded arms, and pressed your lips lightly against his.

   “Thank you.”

   The soft words passing your lips contrasted greatly with the echoing of your heels against the ground and then the stone steps, their rhythm accompanying the light sway of your cape as your figure grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing as you rounded the corner outside. Words so soft and a touch so brief – though long enough to send his heart on a rollercoaster of emotions – Levi wasn’t sure the episode actually happened; unable to shake the sweet smell of flowers off his senses and the rising warmth of his face. However, worst of all was the – he was sure – idiotic grin on his face.

   Cursing mentally, he only hopped that the long route home would be long enough for him to get rid of his moronic expression and shut down the loud beat of his heart, oblivious to the fact that that would be the last time he would see you in years, as he longed to feel that cozy feeling in his chest once again.