A/N: Just a quick note to anyone who might be wondering about the sudden shifts in POV, the changes in perspectives is actually intentional. This method of writing is called "Third-person Omniscient POV" (aka head-hopping). To avoid confusion, keep in mind this isn't strictly in Levi's POV, he just happened to have more narration in the last chapter. Hopefully it's a little more even this time. Sorry if I gave anyone whiplash from the sudden changes in prose. :x
"Pass the salt."
"Fuck you."
Mikasa rubbed her tender temples to relieve her raging headache. The pounding in her head had been nonstop since earlier today. It went away briefly, right when they secured Eren's safety. Relief poured over her, naturally curing her pains, but when she heard she was being escorted to the mountains with Captain Levi and this deranged man, her headache returned with added intensity. It became even worse when she found out that crazy man is her uncle and the bickering between the two Ackerman's had been the final blow. And even now, they were still going at it.
Being stuck in the middle of two screaming men has been the ultimate test of endurance and patience. Her voice went weak as she plead, "Levi...please. My head is killing me."
"...Sorry." He sewed his lips closed, only to reopen them again as he threw his head back, gulping the rest of his tea in a bitter haste.
The cup had nothing more than thimble full when he set it back down hard enough to nearly shatter it. Tea is meant to calm stress, in this case it was doing absolutely nothing for her Captain, but perhaps with some luck and a few more cups of tea in his system he'd enter a more tranquil state, or at least not get riled up every time the man on the other side of her breathed.
Trying to make her wishful thinking a reality, she asked, "Do you want a refill?"
Levi broke his ugly stare on his ex-mentor and unintentionally shot Mikasa a dirty look. "...What?"
The man is obviously too involved with this pointless head game between him and Kenny to listen to her. She repeated, "Your tea, do you need a refill?"
"Oh." He sat up straighter, trying to rid his vicious posture. "No, I'll get it myself."
Kenny coiled in his seat, filling the kitchen with noises of scuffing and rattling from the cuff. Levi figured he had a splinter in his ass and was trying to rub it free, but instead he had something to say, "Geez, have some backbone. Don't decline a ladies offer."
Levi smacked his fist down on the table, the silverware rattled like a quake shook the Earth. Mikasa tried to ignore it as she stood and escaped the clamor directed right for her ear in the nick of time.
"What is your problem? Stop picking at everything I say and do. I'm not a kid anymore."
The man rolled his neck abhorrently with a cringe-worthy crack."Could've fooled me, runt."
"Boys." Mikasa took a break from pouring her tea and whirled a lethal gaze over her shoulder. Still continuing to send each other nasty looks, they silently tightened their lips at once at the motherly scold. Mikasa couldn't say anything to stop the silent war between them, but at least it was quiet (for now). Exhausted, she sighed and brought the kettle over to the table. Despite Levi saying he'd refill his own glass, she went ahead and did it herself anyway. Not that the irritated Captain noticed the fresh steam freeing from his cup. He didn't even notice when Mikasa had added his desired amount of sugar and creme, knowing exactly how he took his tea having seen him make it so many times at meal times and squad meetings.
Memories of the past ambushed Levi. He crossed his legs beneath the table and his foot bounced like it had a twitch. It would've been nice having a woman like Mikasa around when he was growing up with Kenny. Once the two of them got into an argument, there was no ending it until someone bled. This is how their own version of roughhousing started in the first place. After they beat the shit out of each other enough, they'd either wear themselves out, call it a draw and go to bed or get enough punches in until they were satisfied. The cycle would repeat over and over, but believe it or not, their home wasn't always that rowdy.
Once in a blue moon, they had quiet nights together and they'd try (and fail) to cook, or Kenny would read to Levi before bed (the kind of stories that gave most kids nightmares) and you can't forget all the time they shared together training (despite it not always being the most pleasant experience for a young boy).
Growing up with him wasn't ideal or normal by any stretch of the imagination, but it wasn't as terrible as many people might assume. But after a long time apart, Levi had trouble adapting to Kenny's attitude again; he had forgotten how terrible it was. It was like trying to get along with a more vocal version of himself. If Levi couldn't stand being around Kenny, he could only imagine how hard it was for his squad when he was in a foul mood, because on those days, Levi was a perfect replica of his ex-mentor.
The man he had been thinking about removed his hat and placed it on the table next to his bowl. An aggravated grunt left him and just the sound made Levi grimace. After flitting his gaze a bit, Kenny asked, "Got any booze?"
"No." Levi quickly answered. "Only water and tea."
"I rather choke than drink that nasty tea you brew. I'll have water."
"Nah, I'd rather you choke."
Mikasa was beyond starving, but her food remained untouched as she rose again, grabbed the pitcher of water and set out a glass for Kenny. She didn't want another fight to rise over something pity like a beverage preference. However, she did say, "I think his tea tastes fine, in my opinion, but I'll pour you some water."
Levi regarded her compliment with unreadable eyes, but didn't comment on it. Instead, he used her words as an excuse to dig, he spoke to her, but his eyes switched over to Kenny's. "Don't pay attention to him. He's always had shit taste. Did you look at his hat? He's been wearing that ugly old thing for years."
"Says the man that wears frilly cravats and an undercut. Seriously, are you even trying to make sense? And what's up with that wardrobe of yours? You still dress the same way you did as a kid." Kenny gave himself a second to think of a better quip. But Levi already knew the words Kenny would speak before it rose from his throat. He welled in anticipated rage. "Well, I suppose it can't be helped. A midget like you has to wear children's clothes."
The comeback was old and has been repeated through his teenage years, but Levi still hissed through his teeth the same way he did a hundred times before. He started to erect from his chair, the way he carried himself resembled the dead rising from the tomb, thirsty for flesh. Kenny was one more word away from getting himself lunched into the side of the house, but Levi's twitching impulses calmed when a gentle hand cupped his shoulder and eased him back down in to his chair. The touch itself wasn't forceful or as strong as it ought of been, but the gentleness was enough to throw him off track, losing the scent of the rage that had lifted him from the chair in the first place. Although he already knew who's hand it was, he followed the arm up and meet with Mikasa's eyes. They glistened in worry.
"Levi...easy. I never saw you lose your nerve so much. You usually handle yourself better than this." Mikasa was beyond surprised with the Captain's behavior. Levi is usually quiet and keeps to himself. Even during the times he overhears some of the other members of his squad making fun of him behind his back, he still kept his cool regardless, never has she seen him lash out or confront anyone over a little teasing. Mikasa always saw him as mature, but with the most child-like sense of humor with the weirdest analogizes she's ever heard, but still, mature. Now, she barely recognized him. The childish jokes he told in the past fit his present behavior.
Levi, much like herself, is usually very indifferent to insults or teasing. The only time Mikasa loses her nerve is when it involves Eren—but now that she thought about it, she only gets so worked up about Eren because he's family. Technically, Kenny is family to Levi, in a very dysfunctional and unhealthy sense. Maybe this is why he can't keep his cool. Family could make a person do crazy things. Mikasa understood this better than anyone. Suddenly, she sympathized with him.
"I have everything under control. I just want him to shut up." Levi finally answered.
"Sure." She said sharply to imply her skepticism, then finally let her hand wipe off his shoulder when she was certain it was safe enough not to restrain him any longer.
They managed to create a few peaceful minutes of eating silently. As Mikasa slipped the liquid from her spoon, she felt her eyes lids getting heavier and her taste buds dulling. No longer did her body desired food, she just needed sleep. It's been such a long day and she's exhausted, but she probably won't get much rest tonight in this creaky, cold cabin. The temperature is dropping quicker than the snow outside and the branches beating on the sides of the house doesn't make a very cozy sleeping environment. And to top it all off, she's sharing a roof with a serial killer. If she's lucky, she'll sleep an hour or two with one eye open.
Trying to estimate his level of fatigue by the face he wore, she scanned over Levi. She frowned. He looks tired, probably miles more than her. He's always had dark circles skirting around his eyes, but the discoloration is much more prominent now. Puffy with strain and lids heavy and low, making his eyes seem even more narrow. Before she had time to hide her gaze, Levi glanced over at her. Their eyes latched for a half a second before awkwardly breaking apart.
The Captain cleared his throat and revved at his neck, his sight not committing to one spot longer than a second, as if he tried to find something to talk about. Finally, he pointed the tip of his spoon to his bowl placed before him. "By the way, this tastes really good, Mikasa."
"You think so? Thanks. It's nothing special, though."
"Still, you're a good cook." Levi tried to bite back the words in his mouth, but he let them out for the sake of letting conversation persist, because this awkward silence if worse than bickering with that nutjob. "I was always able to tell when you were on cooking-duty. The nights you wouldn't cook for the squad always tasted God-awful."
Levi unintentionally just settled something Mikasa wondered about. This was something she noticed, but originally thought it was just her imagination. Levi would never touch much of his food when she wasn't on kitchen-duty and most would assume he didn't have an appetite, but he'd always clean his plate when she cooked for the squad, or at last helped out. She really didn't know what to say back to him—she's speechless and a little flattered. Levi isn't the type to hand out compliments often. As strange as she felt for admitting it, she felt honored. Instead of saying something that might sound stupid, she just gave him a little grin to show her thanks.
"If you two are going to flirt," Kenny rasped, "at least be a little less obvious. Consider how awkward it is for the third party, please."
The two strongest soldiers subtly gasped in unison. Levi's eyes expanding as large as Mikasa's and her own doubling in size as they lashed their gazes in the chuckling man's perspective.
Levi had to give himself a second to review that baseless claim. How in the hell was that flirting? All he did was compliment her on her skills. Unless—did the phrase come out wrong? He looked over at Mikasa, trying to see if he unintentionally made her uncomfortable. He's never been the best at reciting positivity, (or talking to women for that matter) but by the looks of it, Mikasa gave no signs of being offended, but then again her hand was partially shielding her face from him, concealing her expression—but that could be a way of coping with the headache she's had all evening.
"We're not flirting, please refrain from making implications. Mikasa and I are strictly superior and subordinate, but I can hand out praise when it's due." He laid on the professional tone thick.
A gravelly huff of jeering amusement roared. Kenny slapped a knee like Levi told the funniest joke he's ever heard. "Yeah, like that ain't a common scenario. Give it time. People with your relationship always develop sexual tension eventually. Mark my words."
The only tension Levi felt right now was his muscles twitching in eager fiery; his fingers lusting for a deadly hold on Kenny's neck. Even if Levi himself didn't already feel anything for Mikasa, Kenny's words would surely cause awkward complications in their relationship.
"Stop being a dirty pervert, this is your niece you're talking about."
Kenny let his lids seal as he shrugged insensitively. "Just calling it as I see it."
A surge of energy fueled Levi's veins and he impulsively threw the nearest object in sight in Kenny's direction, which just so happened to be a pepper shaker. In his blind fury, he hadn't realized Mikasa's head was in the flying shakers path—but luckily her fast reflexives dodged the blow with a bow. Levi sighed in relief when it didn't hit her and instead landed directly on target; Kenny's head. "Shut up and eat your soup, asshole."
"I wanted the salt."
And he got it, right after Levi threw it with the intensity of a bullet right at his skull with full force. Not only will that leave a bruise, but Levi will regret the self-inflicted strain he caused on his shoulder.
Mikasa recovered from ducking not once, but twice, and shook her head in disapproval at the childish display. She thought she was only babysitting one violent adult. Turns out it's two.
Kenny simply dipped his chin and gave a long glance at Mikasa, legitimate curiosity playing on his features. It's a soft expression that Levi hasn't seen since a child. The memory of himself a foot smaller and drenched in sweat and covered in dirt after a long day of training in the summer heat came to mind. That was the day Kenny praised him for the first time and call him his pride. He wondered what triggered such a rare expression on him.
Through a grin, Kenny asked in a milder tone than usual, "What do you think about this runt of mine?"
Levi swallowed hard enough to be heard.
Mikasa withdrew her neck like a turtle escaping to its shell; but unfortunately her scarf wasn't there to shield the bashfulness the mans words drew from her. Levi shook Mikasa from his sight after a long glance. He felt guilty for enjoying an expression that was likely provoked from feeling intimidated and uncomfortable.
"Leave her alone and stop putting her on the spot. The only ones that could ask questions is us."
Kenny, suddenly appearing bored, hooked his head away from them. "You're no fun."
After a long while of careful thinking, Mikasa let her soft voice he heard, "Actually, it's okay. I can answer that."
Levi's eyes blinked a few times, then protruded when he finally understood what she said. A part of him didn't really want to hear how she personally thought about him, because he assumed it might not be what he wanted to hear, but he couldn't deny the curiosity begging to be quenched.
Mikasa removed her hands from the wooden surface and tucked them beneath the table, folding them on her lap. Levi's eyes focused on her face, but then switched to Kenny's. He looked just as interested as himself to hear what she had to say.
Seeing that she had an audience, Mikasa decided to keep her focus on her fiddling fingers."I admit I wasn't very find of Captain Levi at first—I thought he was just a little abnormal, cranky man that bullied defenseless people, but when I saw him risk his life for not only my family member but all of his men, even some who were mere strangers to him, my judgment changed. I admire Captain Levi, and I hope I can learn more from him in the future."
Mikasa refused to look Levi's way—how could she after saying something so embarrassing? Mikasa never really admired anyone before—with the exception of Eren, but he and Levi were on different levels. She admired Eren for teaching her to live all over again, but she admired Levi for his strength and the way he cared for others, even strangers, but wasn't over the top about it. And he certainly doesn't act that way for praise, he does it out of the goodness of his heart and expects nothing in return. Not a lot of people notice how caring Levi is because of his general attitude, but she noticed and understood him. She knows better than anyone that a person doesn't need to be facially or even vocally expressive to show their true emotions.
Some day, she hopes she could become as strong as him so she could protect the ones she loves even better, but she also would like to learn to expand the number of people she could care about at one time. The way Levi goes out of his way to subtly cheer others up and save them is a remarkable type of kindness that she can't help but to idolize. He's truly devoted to both training his body and using that strength to helping others. Mikasa only hopes she could be more like him some day.
"Ain't that sweet."
Levi, recovering from picking his mouth off the table, shot a glare at Kenny for breaking the mood, but tried to ignore him by soften the wrinkles above his brows as he rotated to face Mikasa fully. "That's nice of you to say, Mikasa, really. I appreciate that." He never would have imagined she looked up to him. Sure, she might just be saying that to not cause any more drama this evening, but Levi is going to take it for the truth.
"Sounds like you like him," Kenny leaned over to her, lowering his scratchy voice to keep the following between him and his niece, "Tell me, is he better that that brat you're in love with?"
Unfortunately, Kenny never was very good at whispering. Levi let out a raucous, "Shut the fuck up."
"Hm?" Mikasa's bland expression popped to confusion. She shook her head between the two men, trying to see who would explain first.
"Don't pay attention to him." Levi bit, a growl simmering in his throat as he eyed Kenny, as if silently warning him not to add another word. He can't believe he brought that up. Levi couldn't believe he told him in the first place, come to think of it.
"Oh? You don't know what I'm talking about, dear niece?" Taking her baffled expression as bait, he spoke playfully, "He told me you were in love with a boy, some brat."
Her attention slowly turned to Levi. Before he could see what face she wore, he pulled away. He couldn't meet her gaze out of humiliation.
"Why were you telling him stuff like that about me?"
"I wasn't saying anything. He just makes people say weird shit by confusing them."
"I taught you to lie better than that," he rasped.
"You also taught me how to kill a man with my bare hands. Want me to fucking demonstrate on you?"
Luckily, Levi didn't have to demonstrate such a violent skill in the middle of the kitchen. The duration of the rest of dinner was held in awkward silence.
~x~
Fire burned on the candle wick after Mikasa had stroke a match to it and extinguished it with her breath. With the fire roaring and a few wax pillars lit, the living room was as bright as early morning despite it being late into the night. This night was darker than most. The storm was still heavy and the wind beat against the windows hard enough to mistake the sound for the stomps of a Titan. Not a stray of moonlight peeked in through the window Levi had cleared off, making the effort useless because nothing but spats of ice could be seen out the glass. Not even the moon hidden under the thick winter clouds could be witnessed even if you strained your eyes.
The room appeared warm from the glow of fire flickering and creating shadows all around the living room, but the wooden walls felt like they were made of blocks of ice. Mikasa ran her hands up her sleeves until her fingers touched the collar of her sweater, she snugged the knit closer to her cold neck, missing the feel of her scarf. She sunk deeper into the couch, the stuffing gifting her with some warmth.
Levi was still in the kitchen, as was Kenny. The man indulged in a cigar that they allowed him to smoke. Levi hated the stench of it, so he traveled into the living room, tea in hand.
"You might want to slow down on the tea. If we're stuck here for a few days, you might want to make it last. You're kind of difficult to live with without your tea intake." The man was like a damn junkie. She had heard from Eren's gossip about Levi being an ex-thug from the underground, but she always thought thugs were addicted to narcotics, liquor and tobacco, but high-priced tea is something unheard of. Levi gets incredibly irritable without it. It used to be terrible in the mornings. Dealing with his attitude while he boiled water was a nightmare for all involved, but as of the past week back at their base she had been setting the kettle on the stove before he woke up. That way he could go right from the bed to drinking, thus saving everyone from his cranky wrath.
"Am I really? Hm." He sipped, a thoughtful expression showing where the cup didn't cover. "I never noticed."
She rose a brow at him, having trouble believing he didn't notice his mood shifts when tea ran out back at the base. "The last time we ran out of tea, you basically took out your frustrations on Eren and made him clean the kitchen fifteen times. Fifteen. I counted. And then wound up redoing it yourself in the end, mumbling curses to yourself the whole time. Then when they returned from the supply run with your precious tea, your mood completely shifted and you let Eren off the hook."
"The brat needs to learn how to clean anyway. It was good practice." That was hardly an excuse for putting a subordinate through slave labor, but he did have one point—Eren never was a very tidy person. During her stay in the Yeager household, she always found herself cleaning up after his messes before Carla would see. Mikasa isn't as bad as Levi when it comes to wanting clean surroundings, but she could definitely relate to the desire of keeping things sterile and organized.
But then again, Eren was just a child back then when she constantly cleaned up after him, which is a good enough excuse on its own. Now he's a teenager with a lot on his plate. His lack of cleanliness is to be expected.
"It's not that he doesn't know how to clean, he's just young and has better things to do. He's suppose to be sloppy."
Levi grunted into his cup, displeased with yet another check crossed off of the number of times she's stuck up for that brat. If she's going to cover him, she should at least come up with more believable excuses. That excuse he caught word of about Eren trying to swat a fly and hitting her by mistake was the richest of them all. The claim was so stupid, yet so innocent that a person could be tempted to actually believe it. "That's no excuse. You're young as well but you always clean up after yourself and your little friends." He let in a little breath before he spoke, then swallowed another mouthful. "And Eren."
Mikasa squinted her eyes on him. "What, is Eren not good enough for the friend category?"
"You tell me."
She was going to retort with 'what is that suppose to mean?', but instead her mind moved her thoughts else where, to what Kenny told her at dinner. "That reminds me, what did you tell Kenny? Something about me being in love with someone? That's hardly appropriate, Captain."
Of course bringing up the topic of Eren reminded her of that. That just confirms that she really is in love with him. Levi stepped over to the fireplace. With a fire iron in hand, he poked through the flames. "Are you cold? I can add more wood."
"You didn't answer my question." At times like this, Mikasa couldn't help but think he looked and behaved just like a little child.
In an irritated haste, he spun around at an angle, his weight shifting all to one side as he bore into her with strict eyes. "And I don't have to. I'm your superior and you need to respect that."
Mikasa pouted her lips disdainfully.
So he wouldn't say another word he'd regret, he tightened his lips and tilted his gaze painfully away to escape her peeved eyes. Propping his hand against the cool brick, he focused his view on the flames that burned hotter than his guilt. His personal feelings aside, he never liked using that tone with Mikasa because she's much more than a mere foot solider that should blindly follow orders. She had the power to take his spot someday and she should be all around respected by everyone, as well as himself. Yet he doesn't set a good example. He's always the first to lash out at her. That's his own fault, though. If she were anyone else, he'd respect her as much as Erwin, but this deep jealousy within him makes him so angry sometimes. Not necessarily at her, hell, he could never be mad at her, but he's angry at the fact that she will never be his. He's nothing but a cruel, jealous child for thinking in such a way.
Levi sat on the opposite side of the couch from Mikasa, landing heavy into the press of the cushion. Dust that had been trapped for years escaped out in a cloud from the impact. Levi shuddered like a piercing cold went through him, but the look on his face suggested feelings of disgust.
He tried to move on from the prior scene by softening his tone and changing the subject. "I wish I could take a bath. But the tub is filthy like everything else in this damn house."
Mikasa played with a loose string of yarn on her sweater. Her tone went flat. "I'll help you clean."
Levi turned a gaze on her, inspecting her state. Her head hung low, like it couldn't hold its own weight up anymore. The bags under her eyes suggested that she was in no condition for even soft labor such as cleaning. It was hard to say given the state of the cabin, but he assured, "Don't worry about it, I'll tackle it slowly. We'll be here a while anyway. I need to keep myself busy somehow."
Just the crackling of the fire filled the void of silence as the two soldiers entertained themselves by aimlessly scouting around the room. Mikasa let out a yawn that sounded like she tried to trap it, but came out despite her efforts. A passing second later, Levi caught the contagious yawn.
"We'll be running out of logs for the fire soon. If we're lucky—really lucky—it will last us until the night after tomorrow." Levi announced his worries as he peered over to the fastly burning wood in the pit. They were never meant to stay here long, just tonight and maybe a little tomorrow, but given the circumstances their trip will be prolonged. If it weren't for the danger of the situation, that might've been a beneficial. It would have gave them more time to question Kenny. They didn't bother getting into it tonight, and Levi had zero strength to start getting into it now. Best left up to tomorrow. "We should check if there's any stocked in the basement."
"I'll check, if you uncuff me." A gruff voice called in from the kitchen. From the couch Levi checked on him with a quick adjustment of his head. Kenny still puffed on his cigar with curved lips at the table. That irritated Levi to no end because the reply implied that asshole had been eavesdropping all along.
"Shut your big-ass mouth up." As if he's stupid enough to let his prisoner preform duties. His eyes slid to Mikasa pleadingly, then his head bowed to pinch his brow. "Do me a favor and go check if there's any—see if there's any food or supplies down there while you're at it. I'm not saying we'll need it but we have to be prepared for an emergency."
"No problem, I'll be right back." Mikasa removed herself from the mold she had created on the couch and headed off down the hall. Levi listened to her footsteps descending down the stairs until they were out of range.
While waiting Mikasa's return, Levi peeled himself off the couch with a reluctant huff and sauntered into the kitchen. He circled around the table thoughtlessly.
"Ain't this fucking dandy." Kenny took another drag, Levi waved the wisps of smoke away the same way he used to as a child. "Were all going to freeze to death."
Coming to a stop, Levi crossed his arms. "I'm sure it won't be any inconvenience to you, you cold heartless bastard."
"Tch. You should have just let me go, I backed off. Now were all in prison here." Kenny waved his cigar around with a sour scowl. "Were not gonna be able to leave until the snow clears and who knows how long that will take. This shithole will be our graves."
Well isn't he a pocket full of sunshine. Maybe he'll melt the snow with that bright personality of his.
"If there needs to be an emergency rescue I'm sure my squad can handle it." Levi assured.
"So the Survey Corps are professional snow removers now? Silly me, I was under the impression you guys killed Titans."
Growing tried of his snarky attitude, Levi turned his body with a grunt in the direction of the basement door, hoping Mikasa would hurry so he wouldn't be alone with this asshole for long.
Mikasa knelled down on the cold cement floor, blowing on a dusty container and coughing a little from the dust rising. Unfastening the lid, she sifted through it, finding some junk, like playing cards that might come in handy if they get bored enough, but also she found some things they could put to use. Along with some of the other supplies she found, she hoisted the box up on her hip and climbed the stairs. Arriving in the kitchen, she set the box on the table. Kenny sat and Levi stood of each side of her.
"Okay, I didn't find any wood but I found more blankets, a little more food that may or may-or-may-not be outdated along with a jar of coffee, a little medicine and...there's also something else down there." She quit reciting the contents she found and suddenly peered at Levi.
"Is it useful? If it's too heavy to bring up I could help you—"
"No, it's...A barrel of moonshine."
An excited clap drew the soldiers attention. "Oho, I'm definitely going to sleep in the basement tonight." Kenny hopped in his seat like a happy kid that heard there's free candy being handed out.
"I hope it makes you blind." Levi spat down at him, an aggravated roll in his hip as he regarded him with hostility.
"That's just a myth."
"A true myth."
Mikasa rolled her eyes and broke the meaningless spat, "Oh, and this." She tossed it to Levi. He caught the tiny object awkwardly against his chest. "I'm pretty sure its the key to the basement."
"Hm. Good findings. Let's test this key out. Come on, asshole. On your feet."
~x~
The two soldiers clicked the door closed, like two parents putting a restless child to bed. The hall in which they stood was dark and colder than the living room. Mikasa scarcely made out Levi's outline.
"With any luck he'll drink and pass out. He won't be much trouble, I don't think. But one of us needs to keep watch. We'll take shifts."
"I'll go first. You should get some rest." Mikasa offered.
"No, I think you should. I'm not ready to sleep yet anyway. I plan on cleaning the house up a bit, then we'll switch after a few hours."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. Mikasa looked drained in more ways than one. On top of that, she's been having nonstop headaches all evening. Levi admittedly was beyond the point of exhaustion and didn't know how much longer his body would properly operate, but he'll be able to rest easy later if he makes some progress on the house and knows Mikasa got a good night rest, knowing she's fully alert when it's her time to guard.
"Well, alright. I'll head into the bedroom, then. Wake me up the second you're feeling drowsy."
He propped himself against the basement door with folded arms. "Goodnight, Mikasa."
She twitched her lips into a brief smile and clicked the door shut.
~x~
Mikasa woke with a stretch. A noticeable temperature drop spread through out the room since she drifted off. Closing her eyes again, she tucked herself deeper beneath the blankets to make the warmth trapped inside last. Sleepy thoughts that tend to run through the average persons head upon wakening lulled her. She told herself after a quick stretch, she'll get up. That was the last thought she had before all conscious activity in her mind turned off again.
When she opened her eyes up again, she felt that she only drifted off for a few minutes—but the room looked different from when she fell asleep. The bedroom lit with a winter glow seeping in from the curtains, washing the color from the room. The dull colors made the room look even more depressing.
"It's morning?" She rubbed her eye, her words spoken in disbelief. Suddenly remembering her duties as a soldier, she jumped out from bed and rushed out the door (but not before grabbing a blanket to drape over her chilly shoulders).
She replayed the established plan last night, that her and Levi were to switch shifts after a few hours, but she had slept through the night. She only hoped that she didn't inconvenience Captain Levi. She feared she didn't hear his call. If that were the case she's apologize profusely. She was just so tired—she must have slept deep enough that even a roar of a Titan wouldn't wake her up.
When she arrived in the living room, her blanket sweeping along behind her on the polished floor, she walked up behind Levi, who looked entranced as he peered out a slit of the curtain.
Trying not to startle him (if it's even possible to startle Levi) she approached him slowly, calling out in a whisper. "Sir?"
Glancing over his shoulder at angle to the voice, he regarded the speaker with baggy eyes that looked icier than the frosted glass. The curtain swung closed as he spun to face her.
"I mean no respect Captain, but you look like shit. Did you have trouble waking me? If that's the case then I'm very sor—"
"No, I let you sleep."
Her brow sunk over her lids, her mouth a little parted as she tilted her head. "Why didn't you wake me up sooner? I thought we were going to take shifts."
"I need you in good shape. You won't last long if you just have short cat naps."
"Lot a good that did." She folded her arms motherly. "Have you seen the shape you're in?"
"I'll go to sleep soon," he promised, but it sounded like a fib.
She sighed, knowing she couldn't just pick him up and carry him to bed forcefully. Actually, she could. Probably with one arm. But that might be a tad disrespectful. "You better go to sleep soon, I mean it." Dragging her blanket along like a long cape, she headed for the kitchen. "I'm gonna make some coffee."
"About that," Mikasa paused her footing to listen. "I might have drank the whole supply last night."
Mikasa spun back around, a sardonic twist in her lips. "Great. You wasted supplies because you didn't follow your own order. But it's fine. It's not like two guards might need caffeine for emergencies situations where we actually can't sleep."
He rose his brows, impressed. "Who knew, you're capable of being sarcastic. Must be an Ackerman thing," he meant as praised, but it came out rudely. His exhausted eyes suddenly popped brightly in concern. "Do you feel any better? How's your head?"
She tucked a loose strain of hair behind her lobe. "It's fine now, I don't have any pains. I slept well, which helped. Believe it or not the bed is comfortable." She thought she wouldn't get any sleep, but the moment her head touched the pillow she was out for the count.
Levi nodded his head, glad to hear that she's in better shape. His eyes followed her as she went over to the end of the couch and snuggled herself in the blanket. He joined her, sitting down in the middle.
"Why's the fireplace off?" she observed the unlit pit.
Levi hunched over, folding his hands. "Didn't want to waste it."
Mikasa tucked her lips together. She didn't understand. "But you were awake, that's not wasting it."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't too cold anyway. I ran around most of the night cleaning."
"I noticed, it looks good." Mikasa bounced her foot, her toes practically reflecting the surface of the floorboards. "Still, you might get sick if you—"
Before she could finish, the unfamiliar and unexpected sound of Levi sneezing interrupted her. She must be psychic. "Looks like it's too late. You're sick."
"It's just a sneeze," he sniffled and spoke nasally. "It's probably from the dust."
Mikasa hoped so. It wouldn't make this bad situation any better to have a sick Captain on her hands.
"What's the update on Kenny?" She wondered.
"I tried talking to him about an hour ago, but he has a nasty hangover. Dumbass drank himself to sleep last night. He said it helped cure the cold, though."
Maybe it's a good thing Mikasa found that moonshine, if they're lucky he'll keep knocking himself out and save Levi from forcing him quiet. If he keeps his drinking at a minimal, though, it might work out in their favor. He gets rather affectionate and sentimental if he drinks just the right amount. That may come in handy when they get around to questioning him.
"What about the storm? Is it any better?"
Levi really didn't want to deliver bad news to those hopeful eyes. His gazed dropped. "It seems worse, actually. It didn't stop for a second all the through the night. And in case that isn't bad enough news, I need to confess that I have no idea what to do. I was never in a situation like this before."
Mikasa mimicked his depressed expression, but tried to brightened the mood with, "It'll work out. Your squad and the rest of the Survey Corps know we're here. It might take them a litter longer to regroup with us, but they'll make it. All we have to do is wait and finish out our mission in the meantime."
Levi tried nodding to agree, but ended up bopping his head nearly into his lap with an impressively loud sneeze.
"Yup. You're sick." Mikasa claimed as if she were angry at the fact.
"No I'm not. Really, it's just—" Another sneeze. That confirms it.
Mikasa erected up on her knees and hovered over Levi, removing the blanket from her and tossing it neatly over him. Levi melted from Mikasa's warmth still trapped in the blanket.
"Thanks...but I'm not cold."
"Probably because you have a fever." She inspected his flushed cheeks, it wasn't the pale skin she's used to. "Can I feel your head?" she asked, already extending her hand.
"Can you what?" he pulled his head back like a frightened animal that didn't want to be pet.
She paused her hand and curled her fingers tentatively. "I'm just going to check if you have a fever."
He couldn't look at those concerned eyes any more. He gave his consent with a shrug. He stiffened when her soft finger tips swept above his brow. The hand lingered there, only moving slightly to check another area of his forehead. His bangs fell back into place when she retracted her hand and sat face forward. The touch felt like it lasted an eternity, but the moment her hand left he missed her warmth dearly.
"You're definitely warm. But what do you expect after keeping the fire place unlit all night and staying in wet clothes?"
"There was no helping it. I had the choice between staying in these filthy clothes or putting on a dress."
Mikasa giggled. Levi swallowed hard at the heavenly sound.
"I can wash them for you when you go to sleep, if you want."
"What would I wear to bed?"
Mikasa gave him a bold look. "I'll give you double blankets and privacy. How's that sound?"
He gave her a small smile. Her offer was tempting. "So you're saying I need to sleep in the nude if I want my clothes washed." He paused to prop his elbow on the backrest and shook his head. "This little adventure of ours keeps getting better."
"It's not so bad."
"You were the one complaining last night."
"Yes," she agreed quickly, "But I wasn't feeling well and I was tired at the time. This isn't so bad, though." She let herself scope out the cabin. It looked so creepy last night under the vile of night, but now that Levi had cleaned it up and natural light poured in from the windows, Mikasa would go as far as saying it's cozy. "It's a change of pace. I like spending time in a house setting without a ton of people around all the time or worrying about what Eren's up to. Well, I still worry about him but I know everyone is looking after him, so I get a little break from dwelling."
Levi took a look around himself, his head bobbing in approval. "Now that you word it like that, I guess it isn't so bad. It's like a little vacation."
Or honeymoon, but Levi wouldn't dare say that.