Boujin

…

Three elite members, including commander Erwin and Squad Leader Hange, were reunited that night after Levi had alerted them of a strange presence surrounding the headquarters of the Survey Corps. After a somewhat exhausting search, they found splashes of dried blood staining one of the walls of the barn, and so their investigation acquired a much more relevant/delicate touch. Until they learnt it came from a pile of dead rats, that is. They all contemplated the scene in disbelief.

"Well, there you have it, Levi" teased Hange. "The identity of your chaser is none other than that of a kitty."

Erwin narrowed his eyes, deep inside he harbored suspicions about some sneaky details going on underhand, but still approached the matter with humor. "A very hungry psycopath kitty."

"Human-shaped, even bothered to pull up its hoodie and scape running in two legs. Tsk" protested Levi. "The little shit didn't even eat the mess it caused. Disgusting."

"Are you sure it wasn't a recruit?" continued Erwin examining the rats lying dead on the floor, unable to completely ignore Hange laughing at Levi in the background.

"I'm not a shitty four-eyed moron. I know what I saw. But if, for some reason, this asshole happens to be a recruit, that sure as hell won't stop me from cutting his lame ass."

...

Downright embarrasing. A bunch of deers caught in the headlights. Knocked down against a wall. Trained soldiers that couldn't face a simple turn of events. Because of it, they all felt ashamed when the open door revealed Levi's murderous expression. His lips parted, everyone shrank back, only that a scolding never came.

"Did you see something worth telling me just now?" he asked instead. The answer was negative. Slowly, Levi spotted every startled face in front of him and fixed his gaze on the brat he was looking for.

"We heard noises..." Eren proceeded to explain. "So we came here to investigate... sort of."

"Noises. You heard noises" Levi echoed in a dark tone of voice. "Of course you heard them. You're late, by the way."

"It's everything all right?" Mikasa interrupted.

"Yeah."

"Then we"ll be in our way."

"I'll go with you."

...

Eren lessened his pace to walk next to Levi, who followed the recruits rather closely in spite of the psychological distance he kept. He looked their age when he wasn't frowning, wearing casual clothes in a non-battle situation. At first it seemed like Levi took no notice of Eren's presence by his side. Could you be mad at...?

"I was outside the warehouse early, but didn't see you so I let my friends drag me along inside with them for a snack" said Eren, sensing the urge to explain his 'delay'."I was there as soon as the sun went down, I promise."

"Same for me, I was early but got distracted."

Levi had his attention focused the other way. Thoughtful, holding onto his own shoulder. Eren then lowered his voice.

"Did something happen, captain?" Levi said uhum. "Are you okay?"

"My head."

"That's because you work too hard. A couple of days in bed would do" maybe Eren had spoken faster and louder than expected, because there was no answer from the other and there was this somewhat new grimace on Levi's face. Ansiety started kicking in. Eren tried to keep his mouth shut, but failed at every attempt. "What were those noises, anyway? Is your shoulder hurt? Are you okay?" Are you mad at me?

Eren covered his mouth, before that one could find its way through. Levi stared at him, the grimace had already vanished. Unexpectedly, he answered in a very soothing, calmed voice.

"I stumbled upon a random pile of logs in the barn that randomly fell down and randomly almost crush me" said Levi impassive.

Eren laughed softly.

"Be careful."

"I think someone was behind it. Someone with a purpose."

"Like... someone tried to harm you?"

"To eliminate me. There's this random person I've been encountering lately. It's annoying. I don't know who that is, though."

"A recruit?"

"No, I don' know-not sure. But it's not a cat."

"A cat, sir?"

Levi stopped.

"Listen, Eren, for what I had

planned for you and me today. I believe is wise not exposing ourselves."

"Right. But... may I still get to know what we were doing today?"

"I was merely gonna try something. Doesn't matter. It'll be another day."

"Did that something involved talking?"

Levi didn't answer, yet when they arrived to the castle, he stopped Eren by the arm. He gestured towards a nearby tree.

"It did."

...

Temperature decreased. It was a beautiful night. They both parted ways from the group under the menacing glare of Mikasa. When Levi noticed, he said 'hi' to her with his hand.

"She's a friend" assured Eren when asked about Mikasa after a long silence. "What's Hange to you?"

"A freak."

Eren snorted a laugh.

"Well, at least we've got nice people around us. People we can trust and love."

Relying on a tree, Levi had closed his eyes. Minutes slipped away. Apparently, the taciturn man found comfort in silence. Eren was the one who couldn't stand it. We were supposed to be talking. He bit his lip, nervously, seeing Levi's breath.

"Captain..." Eren said in a whisper. "Captain, about that..." with a gesture of his eyebrow Levi indicated Eren to keep talking. "It's been nice to meet you. I mean, the team in general. . But I was wondering... I was wondering... about... some... some stupid details."

Those last two words came out in a high pitched voice, difficult to catch. Levi didn't understand.

"What?"

Eren smiled.

"Stupid details" he repeated.

"Which is what?"

...

"Well, we're this stuborn creatures. As humans, I mean. We start loving people despite our situation, without even wondering whether is right or wrong. You know what I'm talking about."

"Without even wondering whether is right or wrong" said Levi. "And yet here you are, wondering."

"I'm not, I don't. I just wonder why it always happen before you know."

"Is that something you disagree with?"

"Hmm, no. Not really. It feels good, but is it right?"

"Love" Levi savored the word. "I assure you, you can be the most obedient soldier in the world, and yet, if provided the order to stop loving a dear one, you couldn't help it. If much, you would only love more. Love happens when you're around people. No matter what you do. Now in regards of your question, right or not, convenient or not, it's all a mystery to me. But it surely makes you human. That can't be bad" Levi paused. "That's just my humble take, anyway. Ain't a question I expected from you, though. I think of you as a wild soul that can't be kept."

Eren blinked.

"I try to follow you. I try to be compliant" his voice was almost pleading.

"Don't be. Judging by the look on your face, you may think I've lost it. Maybe you don't get it now, when I tell you to trust your own judgment."

"A wild soul, is that it? Now that you mention it... some people had complained about it. Although the thing I get the most is that I don't pay attention, that I don't correspond to feelings or rules the way I'm supposed to."

"You a scatterbrain."

"Hotheaded."

"Clean-freak" Levi stopped. "No, wait, that'd be me."

Eren laughed. Not a shy laugh, a real one. He only stopped at the visage of an unknown person in the distance.

"Captain Levi..." he whispered. "Somebody's watching us."