In Levi's long life, he'd had a lot of very different romantic experiences. He'd never been someone who had let loss keep him from looking for love again. Sometimes he'd found it in unexpected places, and those were the kinds of memories that kept Levi going even when the sun itself rejected him. He'd had great moments of happiness followed by great tragedy. He'd had wives leave him and wives die. He'd had wives taken away by their family because they didn't think a vampire was a suitable match.
But Levi had never had a woman he love give back an engagement ring when they were engaged and then marry someone else. He'd never had to deal with that kind of pain before, and that had left him struggling enough that there was a part of himself that still felt like it was in denial. Levi guessed it was one of the ways Jackie was unique. You spend so much time wishing for new experiences and then when one happens, you want to give it back.
He truly was happy to see her, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt too. A few moments ago, Levi had felt her almost kiss him back. He just wasn't sure if that was better or worse than if she really didn't feel anything for him any longer.
When Jackie said shopping at hardware stores was her weakness, Levi shrugged. “You'll hammer it out.” He paused for that to take effect and then he smiled and turned his attention back to the gift. “Let's see if you guessed the right type.” The second time Levi unwrapped the present, his fingers made even quicker work of the bow. He wanted to make up for his lack of intrigue before. Levi also wanted to get the interaction finished as soon as he could so that he could go back up to his office, turn into a bat, and never leave the belfry again.
He looked at Jackie to make sure it was alright to proceed, and then lifted the lid of the box. The coin was still there. It was the same coin he'd kissed her for a moment ago. He looked at the coin and then back at her. “You didn't.” She did. Levi had caught up to a few moments ago and he was picking up the thread. He looked back at the coin. This time, Levi focused on the details. His fingers moved along the etched lines while he quelled his rising emotions. He hadn't been successful the last time, but this time, Levi managed a little better. He looked at her and blinked hard, and then Levi swallowed and smiled. “Thank you.” he said. “I've been looking for this one for a very long time. Where did you find it?”
Levi nodded. “I'd imagine the shirts are a factor too.” He knew she'd said genes and not jeans, but Levi could never seem to resist an opportunity to tease about how young she sometimes liked to dress. He bit the corner of his lip and then tilted his head left and then the right.
“Friends would be nice.” Levi said. “Cackle a few times and chase a few kids off the grass with a long stick and perhaps we'll have a deal.”