b a c k again {raychel&&open}

[imadecoy]

Levi dropped his suitcase inside his office door, looking just as haggard as ever. He had only just gotten back from an emergency business trip from China. Apparently some stupid tourists had gone poking around in an ancient tomb, had not heeded the warnings depicted in the runes, and triggered an ancient curse. It had taken two weeks to contain and repair the damage, but Levi figured that he had improved relations with the Chinese Ministry, as well as prevented something nasty from dominating half of Asia.

He plopped down behind his desk, exhausted. Levi was just grateful that he wasn't sporting extra fingers from this curse, he had been much more careful this time. Levi sighed and began filling out paperwork that had been conveniently left on his desk for him. He hadn't gotten very far before there was a knock on the door. "It's open!" Levi called loudly enough for whoever was on the other side to hear.

[broadway]

Raychel slipped shyly inside, a bouquet of flowers hidden behind her back. She quietly waltzed forward when Levi's head was down, and quickly made her way to the desk. Using her wand, she silently conjured a vase, filled it with water, and arranged the flowers inside. "Hi," she replied softly, smiling gently. It was taking all of her willpower to not leap over the desk and embrace Levi, and kiss him until she was dizzy. Oh, how she had missed her dear boyfriend.

[imadecoy]

Levi had been expecting someone from his department with more work for him to do, but when he looked up he was pleasantly surprised to see his girlfriend. He smiled, it had been a long two weeks in China without her, but safety precautions had forbade him from bringing Raychel along. "Hi," said Levi, immediately abandoning his paperwork to stand up and give her a kiss of greeting. "I missed you," Levi added, slipping his hand into hers.

[broadway]

Raychel smiled brightly, lightly squeezing Levi's hand. Like she often did when she was physically affectionate with Levi, she marveled at her delicate touch. A year or so ago, she would have broken every bone in his hand with that simple gesture. But, now, it was if she was human... almost. "How was China?" she asked, eyes lighting up. She used to travel around the globe with her family, before Isabelle had ruined her life. Now, her options of travel were limited. In a way, Raychel lived vicariously through Levi and his travels.

[imadecoy]

"Dangerous," said Levi with an awkward sort of smile, "stupid tourists and ancient tombs don't mix well, I'm afraid. But at least I haven't got any extra fingers this time." As if to give proof he held up his other hand for Raychel to see that it only sported five fingers. Levi lead his girlfriend to to the couch against the wall where they could sit down. "But I did get you something," Levi added, reaching into his pocket and pulling out an elegant necklace.

Necklace

[broadway]

Raychel smiled, laughing along to his story. Before she could put in a sarcastic, or otherwise witty comment on his non-missing appendages, Levi presented her with the necklace. Her eyes lit up and she examined it. "It's beautiful," she replied softly. Turning, she pulled back her hair. "Help me put it on?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at him. Levi spoiled her, that much was true, but she couldn't help it. Raychel was a girl in all aspects, and she took every lovely gift from Levi with happiness.

[imadecoy]

Levi smiled, he had known Raychel would like it. He knew relationships weren't about physical things, but he always felt guilty when he had to go away on short notice and be gone for weeks at a time. Bringing Raychel gifts from the places he went to was his way of apologizing for lost time. Levi carefully closed the clasp behind his girlfriend's neck, still smiling. He was glad to be back, even if he was completely exhausted.

[broadway]

Raychel's hand reached up to delicately touch the harm. It really was lovely. She turned back and leaned into Levi, sighing happily. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she immediately relaxed into Levi's arms. "I missed you," she repeated fondly. It was nice, being there, with Levi. She wished she had more time to do this, wished Levi had more time. But, both their jobs were arduous and had ridiculous hours. They'd push through, like always. Still, Raychel wished that they had more time.

[imadecoy]

Levi felt perfectly comfortable with Raychel in his arms, he had gotten used to her coldness by now, it just seemed normal to him. Nevermind the work that had piled up in his absence, that would be tended to later, now was one of the rare times that Levi had to spend with his girlfriend. They hadn't been on a proper date in quite some time, but their hectic schedules made it unrealistic. That and restaurants weren't the best choice for their situation. Levi kissed the top of Raychel's head, and then allowed his eyes to close, he would only rest them for a moment.

[broadway]

Raychel began to feel Levi's heartbeat slow, and she smiled. He was doing the old, "relaxing my eyes" trick. Any moment now, if she didn't move or speak, he'd be asleep. It happened often, especially since he'd begun working at the ministry. Raychel held absolutely still, eyes closed as she listened to his heartbeat. This was what she looked forward to a lot of the time. Watching her boyfriend sleep. It was lovely, and something she missed. Sure, she needed sleep sometimes, but not often.

[imadecoy]

Despite what he had mentally told himself, in a few minutes Levi was sound asleep, comforted by Raychel's head on his chest. He was glad they could lay like this now, without him giving his girlfriend temptation to bite him. His subconscious mind played with the idea of him becoming a vampire, producing a quiet dream in which the both of them were sprinting through a forest, hand-in-hand, while the moonlight made their pale skin shine vibrantly.

[broadway]

Raychel smiled as Levi was finally tempted into sleep. She silently and effortlessly adjusted him so he was laying on the couch, with his head on her lap. She lightly smoothed his hair back, watching him sleep. She lived for these moments with Levi. He looked so peaceful when he slept. Raychel wondered what he was dreaming about, he was smiling an awful lot. It was a nice thing, to see that bright smile on his face. Raychel felt a small smile of her own creeping to her face as she watched him.

[imadecoy]

Levi barely twitched as Raychel moved him, he had settled too deeply into his dream to be easily disturbed. Long ago he had been a light sleeper, but in the past year or so he had developed an almost deathlike state of slumber. Perhaps it was his brain forcibly slowing down his overworked body. Levi's dream progressed, continuing to stay pleasant. The two of them had settled at the edge of a dock on a deserted lake, dangling their bare feet into the water, the moonlight reflected off a diamond ring upon Raychel's finger.