#rivamikaweek Day 1 (Forget-Me-Nots): At the Edge of the Wall
Summary: Mikasa and Levi have a discussion at the top of Wall Rose.
A/N: Hey guys, this'll be my compilation of one-shots for RivaMika week. I apologize ahead of time since most of these will be first drafts (due to time constraints) and therefore no revisions. So let's see what my brain can spit out!
She dangled a pair of brown-booted legs over the stone parapet of Wall Rose. The full moon hung high above in the midst of the black midnight sky. Tomorrow they would ride out the Karanese gates on yet another expedition. But Mikasa Ackerman could not sleep, despite having to be ready at the crack of dawn.
The raven-haired girl would simply deal with it, like she always did. She stared down at the dark abyss beneath her feet. It looked cold and empty, just like her heart.
Mikasa sighed. It wasn't always like this for her, though. Once there was warmth and happiness, as she spent days at her mother's side while her father was away hunting. The laughter that used to flow freely from her lips was replaced by terse acknowledgements of orders—or scowls depending on who was addressing her.
"You should get some sleep," came a voice from behind her.
Speak of the devil.
"I'm not tired, Captain," she responded curtly, not taking her eyes off the blank scenery below.
"Tch, you will be once we're hours outside the city. And then you'll be useless for fighting titans."
She could hear Levi walk over, and soon enough, she saw a pair of similar brown boots throwing themselves over the ledge beside her.
"What are you doing here?" was her way of asking how he managed to find her so far away from where the rest of the Survey Corps was staying.
His expression not changing in the slightest, he explained, "A few Garrison brats came to report one of our members loitering on their section of the wall. I was the only Squad Leader still awake, so I came to check it out."
"I don't see why they would care," Mikasa said with a shrug. "It's not like I'm a spy for the titans or anything."
"I think they were afraid you would jump."
The half-Asian girl almost snorted in disbelief. Instead, she remained quiet.
"It's happened in the past right before a mission. But once I saw it was you, I knew I didn't have to worry."
Silence reigned between them after that. Neither soldier cared to look at the other.
It was a few minutes before Captain Levi sighed, "So are you going to tell me what you're doing here, Ackerman?"
Mikasa pursed her lips for a second. She honestly didn't remember what compelled her to come out here with her 3DMG in the first place. "Just sitting and thinking, I guess."
"About?"
"About none of your business," she snapped inadvertently.
"Watch your tongue, Ackerman. I'm still your superior officer," he scowled. "Unless you enjoy shoveling horse shit for a year."
Mikasa mulled over what she should say. He'd never been so concerned about what was on her mind before. "Just about my childhood, and the family that I lost." She brought up both knees to hug to her chest. "I miss them so much…"
"At least you weren't raised by a serial killer," Levi mumbled at her side.
She turned her head slightly toward him with an eyebrow arched. That was definitely something she hadn't expected to hear.
"Trust me, it was as bad as it sounds." He rested an elbow on his knee and set his head on his hand. "But the past is in the past now. No matter how happy or how awful, no sense dwelling on it." He finally faced her with those stony orbs of his. "Are you ready to head back yet?"
Mikasa was quick to break eye contact. "I'd rather stay out here for a bit longer, Captain. You can go on ahead."
"I'm not leaving without you, Ackerman. You need to get some rest."
Maybe she should do as he said. She had to be in her best shape to protect Eren. Yet somehow, even if she were in bed, she didn't think she'd be able to fall asleep with her memories on her mind.
"It looks like a blue moon tonight."
The sound of the Captain's voice interrupted her thoughts once more. "Huh?" She looked up to to see him staring at the white disk in the sky.
The dark-haired man continued casually, "That's the name they give the second full moon in a month. It's a rare occurrence. Why they call it a 'blue' moon is beyond me when doesn't look that color." He talked as if their previous conversation had never happened.
"Maybe it's because blue can be a rare color," Mikasa mused aloud. "Like you hardly ever see blue flowers."
"And you hardly ever meet a woman who fights like a hundred soldiers. Doesn't mean that color suits you."
At that, Mikasa's onyx eyes widened.
"In fact," Levi's stormy orbs lowered to meet her own, "I think red fits you better." This time he turned his body fully in her direction. "Even if it's from titan blood, you look amazing in red."
The teenage girl could feel a hot flush coming to her cheeks. "Sir…?"
Apparently realizing what he had just said, Levi averted his gaze and gave a small cough. "Don't mind anything I say right now. I must be tired—which is a damn good reason you should get your ass back in your room and go to sleep."
Mikasa had a hard time keeping down the smile that threatened to spread across her face as she stood up. "Very well, Sir. I'll see you later this morning." With that, she strode to the other side of the walkway and, operating device in hand, prepared to leap toward the buildings below.
Just as she was falling away, she could have sworn she heard the Captain say, "Good night, Ackerman. May you have something else to think about tonight."
