Hanji's POV

Mom and Dad dropped me off at the mall as I waited for Levi to get off his shift. It wasn't long until he walked toward me with his backpack slung over his shoulder. A smile grew on his face once he spots me. His pace sped up as he got closer to me before he opened his arms for me to jump in.

He holds me close as I jumped, holding me tightly before I kissed his lips. "Hey, Hanji... how long have you been waiting for me?"

"Just a bit. Not that long, Levi..." I kissed him again before he lets me back on my feet.

Before I could say anything else, I heard my dad's voice coming from behind me. "So this is what you do when we drop you off here?" I froze when I heard his voice, yet I turned around to see him crossing his arms over his chest with Mom next to him. "Who is he?"

Levi sighs, clutching my hand tightly, "I'm her boyfriend. We met when she was at camp."

"Levi-."

"Tell the truth, and maybe we can spend more time together." Levi's eyes were so beautiful as they softened with his smile. "If it matters, I'm about two years older than her and in college. Hanji came when I just got off of work. I was going to take her around town for a bit before dropping her off at her house before 8 pm."

Dad looked at him from head to toe, "She better be home by then or you'll never see her again."

"Dad!"

"I promise."

Mom and Dad walked away with Mom hitting Dad in some sort of a scolding way. Levi pulled me down for a kiss on the cheek, and I was left with utter embarrassment. "Levi... I'm so sorry-."

"It's fine," he says as he holds me close, "That's one way to introduce us. Oh, and I... I made a reservation somewhere at 5. And since it's 2, we can do whatever you want until then. And no, you don't need to worry about what you need to wear. Whatever you are wearing is just fine. You look cute in anything."

"Even in a fish costume?"

"Why would you be in a fish costume?"

I chuckle, kissing him on his lips again. "It doesn't matter. I love you anyway." Levi walked me towards the exit doors as I thought about where I wanted to go. "Hm... how about... let's go... let's go to the beach. Just to have a look."

"That's fine. The restaurant is near there."

"Where are we going for dinner then?"

"It's a surprise. Stop talking about it and let it be a mystery." Levi tucks a few strands of hair behind my ear. "Let's go to the beach then."

*   *   * 

Levi made everything romantic. From the small walk on the beach to the restaurant. I never felt more in love than now. He was just... I could feel my heart fluttering and climbing higher into the sky. When we ate dinner, I wanted to get something cheap, but accidentally went with something more expensive. To make up for it, I wanted to give Levi some money, but he declined. He said he was fine paying for everything. It's a very gentleman-like move, but I feel like a dummy.

By the end of the night, Levi dropped me off at my house before 8. Almost half an hour early. I didn't want to say goodbye to him. Not now... not yet. I want to spend more time with him. Today wasn't enough. I want to be with him every day, every hour, every minute, and every second. But today can't be one of those days. When I graduate and enter college, I would love to live with Levi.

My front door opened and Dad walked out. I could see he was surprised to see me out there, but I could see that he was relieved. 

"I'll talk to you later, Hanji," Levi whispers to me, kissing my cheek. "Have a good night."

"Stay for a little bit?"

Levi shook his head, "I want to, but let's save it for next time."

"Planning another surprise for me?" I smiled, "Because I'll be waiting for your next surprise."

"What's your name again?" Dad asks Levi as he walked closer. Your full name."

"Does it matter?" Levi asks, raising his eyebrow.

"I want to know who my daughter is dating. I seem to have forgotten your name."

"It's Levi. Levi Ackerman."

"No middle name?"

"I don't think my middle name is relevant."

Dad shrugged his shoulders, "I want to know who you are in case something happens to my daughter. Whatever happens, when she's with you, I will hold you responsible."

"It's Kenny," Levi muttered that name, almost like he hated it with a passion. I wonder if it's his dad's name or something else. Why else would he hate it? Or maybe the name is lame? "Is that all?"

Dad opened his mouth again, inviting Levi to a family dinner tomorrow night. "How would you like to join us for dinner tomorrow? I think it's a good time for us to introduce each other properly."

"Not tomorrow night. I have some plans with a friend."

"Then the night after tomorrow."

"Isn't that when Issac is joining us?" I asked Dad. Levi had a confused look on his face, so I explained who he was. "Issac is a family friend of Dad's and he stops by every once in a while. We treat him like family though. Almost like he's my uncle."

"The night after tomorrow is fine," Levi says, "What time?"

"7," Dad replies.

It wasn't long until they confirmed a family dinner, and despite me being excited to have Levi over for the very first time, the weight of embarrassment fell onto my shoulders. It will be a night of questions and embarrassing moments. I'm not going to like it.

"I'll talk to you later, Hanji," Levi repeats, "See you later."

"Bye, Levi. I love you..."

I whispered those last words, ashamed that my parents would hear them. But Levi took it a bit further as if he had no fear whatsoever. Almost like it wasn't in his vocabulary, but I know fear affects him differently. 

"I love you too, Hanji." He said those words in bold and clear. He didn't leave until I was safe in my house. That feeling of dread filled the pit of my stomach when I watched him leave. When will the day I'll be with him forever come? Will it ever come? 

Levi... tell me you love me one more time... I want to hear it echo in my head forevermore.