"Lost in Translation: p1"

‼️WARNINGS‼️

•Season 4 Spoilers

•OOC Levi

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Second Person POV (set in early 2000's)

The last thing you expected on your spring break was to meet a man you couldn't even talk to. With very poor English skills, you, too, struggled to understand the man. Coming from abroad, you could only laugh at the idea of visiting a country you had no knowledge of, especially the language. Although, he could only say the very basics, his accent was terrible and you found yourself in many awkward situations, holding in laughter.

~~

"Y/n? Qu'est-ce que tu regardes?" ("Y/n? What are you looking at?") Your best friend, and roommate, Pieck, caught your attention. Turning to face the young woman across the table from you, you shake your head. "Oh, rein de spécial." ("Oh, nothing special.") You wave it off, acting as if you totally weren't staring at some obvious tourist. Grinning over the rim of her teacup, Pieck can read you like a book. "Je sais ce visage. Qu'est-ce?" ("I know that face. Who is it?") The dark-haired woman smirks devilishly. "Pieck!" You exasperate a little too loud, earning a few glares from other patrons at the café. Snickering, your friend makes eye contact with the server. "Pardon, monsieur, l'addition, s'il vous plaît." ("Excuse me, sir, the bill, please.") She smiles brightly, thankfully ending your misery over her teasing.

Over the next few days, you keep seeing the same tourist in your city, Annecy, every time you leave the house. Granted, it was a smaller city, it was uncanny to see the same people, often. You're beginning to feel like a stalker for always seeing him and you wonder if he even notices you.

While finishing to get ready for the day, Pieck passes by your bedroom door. "Vas-tu au marché?" ("Are you going to the market?") She asks, running her fingers through her long hair to pull it up. "Oui. Qu'est-ce que tu veux?" ("Yes. What do you want?") You ask, brushing past the female to put on your shoes. Following you towards the front door of your shared apartment, the girl ponders. "Euh... une petite-amie." ("Uh... a girlfriend.") Pieck sighs, dropping herself on the couch, near the door. "Elles ne sont pas au marché, Pieck." ("They're not at the market, Pieck.") You gently flick her head, causing her to chuckle. Thinking again, Pieck gives a serious answer this time. "Du sucre pour mon thé." ("Some sugar for my tea.") She sits herself up to look at you. "D'accord. À plus tard." ("Okay. See you later.") You wave before exiting.

Searching for all the groceries you needed was easy, however, as the afternoon becomes later, more people are filling the streets. Shuffling through the busy open-air market, you accidentally bump into a stranger, holding a map. "Pardon-moi!" ("Excuse me!") You quickly exclaim, noticing he dropped his flip-phone. You reach down to pick it up for the gentleman, only grasping his hand instead, as he beat you to it. Quickly retreating, you stand back up to finally look at him. However, your eyes widen upon realizing who he is. "Sorry, this map is just too big." The familiar tourist mutters, attempting to fold it back up properly. Standing there oblivious to his language, you purse your lips as you watch him fumble with the paper.

Stuffing the phone back in his pocket along with the wrinkled map, the man, dressed in dark jeans, a sweater, and jacket, returns your gaze. "Could you point me to a café? Something that's not so crowded?" He asks. Looking up/down/straight at him, your brain fails to comprehend that he's speaking a different language, completely going over your head. Once you do realize, you get too excited to meet an English-speaker. "Hello!" You abruptly greet him. "Um, yes, hello. Do you speak English?" He furrows his thin, noir brows, waiting for a response. Mouth agape, your expression changes as you recognize the word "English." "Euh... small, small." You hold up your left/right hand to pinch your thumb and index finger together.

Nodding, the man thinks for a moment. "Café? Coffee? Where is it?" He tries to simplify the question "Oh! Café!" You exclaim, face brightening as you understand him. Scanning the area, you pull on the man's arm to lead him through the crowd. Caught off guard, the raven man follows along, glancing around. "Um... you could have just pointed." He mentions, although, you don't understand. "Cet café est très bon! Il y a beaucoup des plâts, des boissons, et il n'a pas cher." ("This café is very good! There are many dishes, drinks, and it isn't expensive.") You rattle off, used to speaking with your friend, and not someone who isn't fluent. "I don't really understand you." The man mumbles, feeling a tad bit awkward he can't converse.

"Je vais tous les jours, mais... je dépenser trop." ("I go every day, but... I spend too much.") You confess, turning down the street away from the crowd. Silently following, you eventually let go of the man's arm, being his leader. "Comment t'appelle tu?" ("What's your name?") You briefly look over your shoulder. Glancing your direction, the man pats his pockets, searching for something. "Excuse me." He finds a small booklet, flipping through the pages. "Comment..." He mumbles to himself, searching for the phrase you spoke. "Oh- Levi." He answers after finding the translation. "Enchanté, Levi! Je m'appelle Y/n!" ("Nice to meet you, Levi! My name is Y/n!") You flash him a smile, turning down another street.

"Voilà!" ("There it is!") You point to the little café inside a tall, pale-yellow building. The man, Levi, looks up at the café, visibly relaxing when he realizes where he's at. "Ah, merci." ("Ah, thank you.") He sighs in relief, putting his dictionary back in his pocket. "De rein, Levi! Au revoir!" ("You're welcome, Levi. Goodbye!") You wave to the raven-haired male as he returns the gesture.

Arriving back at your apartment, a bit later than usual, Pieck immediately notices the odd amount of time you were away. "Où tu as été?!" ("Where have you been?!") The over-protective female barks from the kitchen, boiling a kettle of water on the stove. "Désolé... je suis allé(e) au marché, puis au café." ("Sorry, I went to the market, then the café.") You explain, slipping out of your shoes before carrying your tote bag of groceries to the kitchen counter. "Sans moi?" ("Without me?") Pieck gasps like you had just slapped her. "Euh... non? Un homme avait besoin de directions." ("Uh... no? A man needed directions.") You downplay the situation, already knowing she'll tease you about it.

"Un homme? Il a eu jeune?" ("A man? Was he young?") Pieck already pesters you with questions, forcing you to sit down at the table by pushing your shoulders. "Oui, et beau." ("Yes, and handsome.") You chuckle slightly, causing her eyes to grow bigger. "Nous allons sortir ce soir!" ("We're going out tonight!") The female announces, forgetting about her kettle of water while she starts getting ready. Shaking your head, you can only laugh at her excitement. You still had to tell her that this guy was from a foreign country and didn't speak French.

~~

In a caramel-brown dress, Pieck leads you to an open pub in the middle of town, bustling with young folk. You, on the other hand, decided to wear a(n) (outfit of choice). "Allons-y!" ("Let's go!") The woman practically drags you down the street towards the entrance of the pub. Her mission tonight is to find the guy you met earlier and hopefully, exchange emails. "Quelle couleur sont ses cheveux?" ("What color is his hair?") Pieck asks as soon as you get through the door, already scoping out the place. Why would she even think he might be here, anyway? "Noirs." ("Black.") You respond loudly, projecting your voice over the commotion. "Et ses yeux?" ("And his eyes?") She hums, standing on her toes to see over people's heads, and shoulders. "Gris... ou... bleus? Je ne me souvons pas..." ("Grey... or... blue? I don't remember...") Your voice begins to trail off.

After spending an entire evening in a rowdy pub full of out-of-towners and tourists from neighboring countries, you don't spot Levi at all. Nearing 00:00 (midnight), you drag a tipsy Pieck back to the apartment, this time. The man did ask for a café, earlier. Perhaps, he's not much of a drinker, compared to Pieck. She may enjoy her teas, but she will not turn down an opportunity to throw back a few shots.

~~

The next morning, you and Pieck make your ritual stop at your favorite café for breakfast, discussing the night before. "Ma tête..." ("My head...") Pieck groans, rubbing her temple with one hand while the other lifts a cup of lemon tea to her lips. Shaking your own head, you can only chuckle at her misfortune, reaching for your glass/cup of (favorite drink). The second you lower your glass/cup, your eyes land on the back of a stranger's head, instantly recognizing it. Nearly choking on your drink, your best friend raises a brow at you. "Y/n?" She calls out your name, confused. Following your gaze, the woman adjusts in her seat to look over her shoulder, noticing the man. "C'est l'homme?" ("Is that the man?") She questions, feeling excitement bubble in her stomach.

"Correcte." ("Correct.") You eventually mumble, slowly rising from your chair to walk over to Levi's patio table. Approaching him from behind, you feel a bit nervous, but also surprised to see him again. Especially back at the café you recommended to him, the other day. "Hello!" You greet cheerfully, waving your left/right hand down at him. Turning his chin up, the man is just as surprised to see you. "Y/n, right?" He asks, looking up at you from his seat. "Oui- euh, yes!" ("Yes- uh,") You nod, smiling, glad he remembered. "Um... did you want to sit?" Levi awkwardly offers, presenting the empty chair across from him. Quickly glancing back at Pieck, you only see her vigorously nodding her head "yes." Chuckling, you face Levi again to accept. "Yes!" You smile even wider, pulling the chair out to sit.

"So, how are you?" Levi begins the conversation, not knowing where else to start. Briefly recognizing a few words, you slowly put the question together, proud to say you remembered it. "Bien! Et toi?" ("Good! And you?") You subconsciously answer in your native tongue but he seems to understand since its basic. "All right." Levi nods, suddenly realizing there's more that goes into a conversation. "Aimes-tu ce café?" ("You like this café?") You decide to ask, once again, forgetting he doesn't understand. Blinking a few times, Levi shifts around in his seat, trying to come up with a way to answer without looking like an idiot. "No, its black tea." He confidently replies, finding that to be the most logical answer.

Black... thé noir? ("Black tea?")

Quietly chuckling to yourself, Levi notices, and realizes he still messed up. What did you say, then? "As-tu le dictionnaire?" ("Do you have the dictionary?") You put your hands side-by-side, opening and closing them together to mimic a book. "Oh, I do." Levi nods, only hearing the similar word "dictionary." Pulling out the small book from his pocket, he holds it out across the table for you. "Ah, merci!" ("Ah, thank you!") You smile, gently taking the dictionary to search for the French-to-English section. Skimming through for a few minutes, you eventually find your translations. "You love the café?" You ask slowly, your accent very strong, and evident in the unfamiliar language. "Oh, yes, its very nice." Levi answers, quickly thinking of how to make you understand.

Noticing his slightly frantic behavior, you pass the dictionary back to him, immediately calming him down. Levi flips through a few pages, almost becoming overwhelmed by all the fancy words he can barely even pronounce. To you, he's just a squirmy, awkward little man. A cute one, though. "Bon. Uh... Bon café." ("Good. Uh... Good café.") He seems unsure of himself, only imagining how stupid he sounds to you. However, you're extremely patient with him, understanding how frustrating it is to not communicate in your first language. Pondering, you try to recall any words you can remember from your English class years, and years ago. Although, none seem to be sticking out.

"Love." You eventually say, catching him off guard. "Hm?" The raven quirks a brow. Pointing at yourself first, you then point at the café to your left. "Love." You repeat, hoping he understands. Connecting the dots, he thankfully does. "You like it too?" He asks, reaching for his teacup. "Oui! Euh- yes! Love!" ("Yes! Uh-") You laugh a bit awkwardly. Suddenly remembering Pieck, you quickly look over Levi's shoulder to check on her. "Mon amie- désolé..." ("My friend- sorry...") You mumble, only realizing she is no longer at the table. She must have left, realizing you were going to talk with Levi for awhile. Feeling bad, you lean back in your seat, planning to talk to her later. Knowing her, she probably isn't too upset.

Eventually, the server comes around, and offers to get you a drink, which you gladly order another (favorite drink). For the next half-hour, you try your best to converse with Levi, most of your time going into searching through the dictionary just to respond or ask questions. However, that is good enough for you. At least you've found a way to, somewhat, communicate. Realizing he has to leave, Levi announces his need to go, as sad as it is. Before you both leave, you decide to ask one last thing. "Tour? You need tour?" You look up/down/straight at the man, hoping to see him again. Glancing around for a moment, Levi gives in. "Sure. A tour sounds good." He nods, making you smile. "Parfait!" ("Perfect!") You exclaim, excitedly.

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This is definitely gonna be a 2-part or more one-shot cuz its simply too long to be one chapter 💀

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it! Pardon my French but I'm practicing again lol, hopefully its decent 😮‍💨

This is also my version of a café au LMFAOO and also, also, this is set in the early 2000's where on-the-spot translations weren't as accessible, so you had to make do with physical dictionaries 💀

Thanks for reading!

~AlpineBreadStick