Scent on a Jacket

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Word Count | 902

Created for the Tropetember Event | Pining (Mutual Pining)

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I rubbed my hands over my arms in an attempt to ease the chill that ran over my skin making the hairs stand on end as I quickly descended the school steps, finally free from prison. Was it stupid to lend my hoodie to someone in the middle of Autumn? Yes. But spontaneity spares none and neither does stupidity, both of which I’m unfortunately cursed with. I took a quick look around and spotted a familiar figure looming awkwardly by the street surrounded by a whole bunch of our fellow students.

Because of course he was. No surprise there, everyone wants to be Levi’s friend. Those who don’t want to be more that is. And how could I blame them for wanting to talk and spend time with him when I’d drown in the sound of his voice myself? I’m every bit as guilty as them… if not far more.

Our eyes met when he turned around, offering me his signature miniscule little smile as he waved me over. “Ro!”

I hurried over, greeting his friends with a dramatic wave before turning to Levi, flashing him a grin. “Ready, bro?” I asked, giving his shoulder a small punch. He nodded and with a brief goodbye we were off, quietly making our way down the sidewalk on our usual journey home.

I kicked the fallen autumn leaves on the floor, sending them shooting forward only to immediately collapse back onto the ground in a rather underwhelming display of my kick. I pouted at their mockery, holding my arms close to my chest in an attempt to keep the chilly air away from me but it wasn’t too successful. Thankfully the walk wasn’t too long.

“Huh? Where’s your hoodie?” Levi asked.

I let out a small laugh, shrugging. “Tygo was cold so I gave it to him… I honestly didn’t think it’d get this cold but you know… dumb is gonna dumb.”

He sighed heavily and I laughed at the implication of it. He must really think I’m an idiot huh… I was about to divert the conversation with a joke when I felt a sudden weight settle on my shoulders and I immediately looked down to find his washed out denim jacket draped over my frame, just a slight bit too big on me.

I glanced up to find him looking at anything other than me, his eyes darting in all directions and never settling for long. Fuck, this must be so awkward for him… I don’t want him to think that I did this just to get his jacket or anything. He’ll think I’m so fucking weird– “Levi, it’s fine– I don’t–”

“I don’t need it, I got cold blood, remember?” he replied quietly, reaching a hand around the back of his neck, still refusing to meet my gaze.

“Well, thanks bro” I smiled, lowering my own gaze as I grabbed a hold of the jacket, holding it in place around me. The collar brushed against my cheeks, greeting my nose with the familiar scent of him; soft floral, vanilla if I had to guess specifics… I couldn’t believe it actually smelled like him. And for someone that actively despises vanilla, I’d suffocate in this scent any day.

# # # Other pov for a little spice (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*✲ﾟ*｡⋆ # # #

“DUUUUUDEEE” I spun around upon hearing the familiar voice, quickly catching sight of none other than Ro violently sprinting my way. They came to a sudden halt in front of me, holding one hand on their knee as they leaned forward, heaving for air. I watched them in concern, about to ask if they’re okay when they bolted up, meeting me with a beaming smile on their face; a sight that always somehow managed to lighten my heart and pull the air right out of my lungs. “HI”

“Hi, dude” I replied with a smile of my own, about to continue on our usual path when they grabbed my arm, pulling me right back. I turned around to see them holding a denim jacket– my denim jacket in their hand.

I blinked, looking up to meet their avoidant eyes. “Here uh… your jacket.” they mumbled out, pushing it to me, forcing me to take it. “Thanks for lending it to me” They smiled at me for just a moment before skipping away, continuing down our path.

I watched them walk off before looking down at the jacket in my hands, the memory of when I last saw it greeting my mind. Right… Friday on our walk home. I wonder why they didn’t return it during the weekend…

An abrupt thought interrupted my deduction of motive and instinctively I lifted the cloth up to my nose, meeting with the tangy but most familiar smell of citrus. My face warmed up at the scent, my mind entertaining the thought of Ro wearing my jacket so much it actually smelled like them now.

I’m never washing this again. (Mostly kidding)

“Yo, DUDE!! Come on!” Ro’s voice pulled me right out of my daydream and I looked over, seeing them wave aggressively. “WE’LL BE LATE!”

Right, school. I smiled, quickly catching up with Ro and we continued on our journey together, talking about anything and everything as we did. But the thought entertained my mind throughout the duration of our walk and long after class had started, lingering in my brain like their smell lingered on my jacket. God, I wish all my clothes smelled like them.