They gon' find you

Gon' catch you sleepin'

Put your hands up on me

Now stay woke


She was in the central offices ahead of the coronation, helping with the coordination of the ceremony as best she could. Zoe was still blown away by the article Levi had presented to her, amazed something had been published that went against the king. Levi had given it to her that morning as she prepared to go back to work; though it was about two weeks old. Apparently, the survey Corps had been close to disbanding, against their will, and Erwin had come close to an execution.

The actions of King Fritz's government were damming, seeing how they'd obstructed plans to save humanity, instead planning to sacrifice half to save themselves, along with King Fritz himself being revealed as a pretender. She picked through the rest of the paper, saw spreads on the First Interior Squad, one on Survey Corps itself (though for some reason Levi was the main interests and only his image was on the page), proclaiming their(his) crimes dismissed. Nile Dok had a statement in there, insisting that the military wasn't looking to rule, and instead wanted to work with the true royal family to restore them, and humanity, to power. So basically, she was walking into a firestorm.

Nile was waiting for her outside her office as she came down the corridor, looking as tired as she felt. "Good, Lieutenant, you're here," he said crisply. "I need you to coordinate the guards for tomorrow." he handed her a stack of profiles. "Choose the ten carefully."

"Alright, do I-"

"I also need you to oversee the escorting of corrupt officials to our detainment area today," Nile checked his watch, continuing, "in about 2 hours. There'll be a brigade outside waiting for you. Pick up the information on their location from my office before you go out there.

"Today?"

"They've been putting up a fight, or running, but we finally got some, damn," Nile Dok shook his head, rubbing a hand over his face. "How can I have people who operated above my head, with their own system of command, in my military? I never-" Nile cut himself off. "I never asked questions. Even when they were sending valuable people like you out into titan territory. They had to be developing their equipment there."

"I didn't ask questions, either, Nile," she said, smiling up at him politely. "Corruption begets corruption."

"I never wanted to see it, not like that," he murmured.

"You always saw it, you just ignored it better than I did."

"Yea. Well," Nile managed, shrugging. "Do your job. Welcome back."

"Thanks. I do it well."

She did her job, of course, she was good at following orders, sifting through the files of highly decorated, talent soldiers, all fit to be apart of the queen's guard. There were about 30 files, thankfully, and she managed to whittle them down to fifteen after a good hour, sighing soft to herself. Historia would probably feel comfortable around more women than men, and since there were such few women...she narrowed the group down to 10 quickly after that.

Zoe walked past Nile's office, saw him scribbling furiously at his desk, slapping the paper on top of a growing pile. She set her folders down in front of him too, giving him a bright smile as he shoved another folder at her. She'd never seen Nile do this much work, it must've been getting to him on a fundamental level. Meanwhile, all she had to do was collect the group of fifteen soldiers to her side, and she was on her way. Jay and Nathan were there, the redhead talking at his counterpart, sitting on the fountain as other military police milled around them. A few Garrison troops were in the pack - and she knew that because of how loudly Nathan was talking shit.

It felt like the old days with Nathan's mouth going like it was, "Why the fuck do we have Garrison Troops with us? Swear I'd take a blind dog before a Garrison Troop. At least it's not drunk , you know?"

"A blind dog," one of the Garrison tried to respond to him, "that's not even a person, that makes no sense."

"That's what I'm fucking saying - listen to my point again." Nathan stuck his face close to the other man's, slimmer than usual due to his treatment at the hands of the interior police, but he was still burlier than most of the men around him. Nathan spoke slowly, "I'd prefer a stinking animal over you, what fucking rank were you in your class?"

"Twent-Twentieth." The man was already shrinking back, holding up his hands. Nathan wasn't someone who you could argue with, especially when he pulled cadet class rank, knowing Garrison Troops had really no way out of being embarrassed.

"First," Nathan snarled, stabbing his finger at his own chest. "Motherfucker, you get my point?"

She had to break it up when he grabbed the shorter male's collar, whistling sharply at them, and Jay stepped in as soon as she made the noise, easing them apart handily. Nathan laughed instantly, anger fading from his face entirely, arms over his stomach, holding it as he cackled. The shorter male gave a nervous smile, starting to laugh as Jay moved back as well. Abruptly, Nathan stepped in, jerking back his fist to fake out the Garrison troop, who instantly cowered, Nathan's fist a few inches away from his face.

"Oops," Nathan said, laughing again as he shrugged, finally leaving the situation alone.

"So cliche, Nathan," Zoe sighed, rolled her eyes. "Take a break."

The posturing. Shit. And she knew he wasn't making up for anything in his pants. She'd never understand someone so confrontational.

Once she got Nathan under control, they were moving, Jay at her shoulder, Nathan at the other. Most of the corrupt officials were easy to snap up. She didn't even need most of the troops, kept a steady stream of weary men going to the detainment center in the Military Offices. That's what they were useful for, standing outside and waiting for Nathan or Jay to march the man out to them. Zoe knew it was bad to clique up like they did, but it was much less threatening to have only two or three officers in their room than to have the whole squad file in. No one tried anything stupid.

There was a younger one that tried to dart for the window, and Zoe was on him first, just catching his wrist, swept his feet out from under him as she slammed a palm to his shoulder, giving his arm a yank. He howled as she dislocated his shoulder, a satisfying pop reaching her ears, the young man sobbing under her, something about money. She let Jay stand him up and cuff him, rising as well, giving his crying mother a nod, feeling a bit awkward .

"Thanks, sorry," she said, edging out the door behind the two tall men. "Um, nice rug? I think. I mean. Unless you don't like it." She actually waited for a response, looking at the now somewhat bewildered woman. Why the fuck was she waiting for a conversation?

Jay pulled her along then, held up the list in front of her eyes, even as she checked the time, noticing the sun setting abruptly. She wanted to get home soon, home to Levi. The thought made her smile, and she moved along even faster, finding the last five men in quick time. It was the paperwork that held her up in the end, signing arrest forms until her hand was dead, and the sky was black. Zoe passed out for a bit over her desk, waking up as an office assistant popped into her room to collect the arrest forms.

She trudged home after that, sighing at the fact that it was twelve at night. Levi was still awake when she got home, head appearing over the bannister, normal grumpy at first, then a quick shift to bemused, leaning on the rail, all cheekbones and almost overlong hair. He was handsome when he let it grow out a little. Very handsome.

"I thought you were Hanji for a second. You know she made a copy of your key, right?"

"What?" Zoe asked, groaning as she started up the stairs. "Why?"

"I told her jokingly, one time when she couldn't get in, to make her own. She took me seriously."

"Maybe because you say everything the same way with her, Levi, emote just a little."

"No, it's Hanji. You think I'm going to give her the edge?"

"Well, she made a key, I mean," Zoe sighed, plopped down on the final landing to the second floor, terribly tired. She'd never gotten this tired from simple work before, had to blame it on her three week long mindwipe.

He moved to sit next to her. "I don't think she'd actually come in here, you know. She's too scared of me."

His arm slid around her, and she scooted closer to him, sitting her head on his shoulder, sliding to rest mostly on his chest, forehead against the base his neck, oddly comfortable. Zoe had never really thought she'd get to enjoy coming home from working late to see him, but here she was. And he smelled much better than her stuffy office - though it was spacious, air circulation was not possible without opening the window, which was an entire ordeal. She looked up at him after a minute, thought he was too cute to not get a bit of sarcasm this late.

"She'd love to come see my live in boyfriend," she said, grinning at him, albeit sleepily.

"I'm your live in boyfriend now, huh?"

"Mmmhmmm," she hummed, bringing a hand to his cheek, teasing him, "my lovely live in boyfriend who cooks and cleans, and maybe does my laundry for me."

He stole a kiss quickly. "Why aren't I running a tea shop out of here in your fantasy?"

"Oh that's right, you would be very cute in an apron."

"Very cute?" he asked, a little grin on his face, leaning in for another kiss.

"Very," she said, kissing him once, twice, smiling wide.

"What kept you so late, Zoe?" he asked, voice soft.

She sighed her exhaustion, headache she'd had back at the office flaring up briefly. "Paperwork until midnight, Levi."

"Damn. Why?"

"Arrested a lot of the old order. We're going to the countryside after Historia's coronation to make house arrests."

"Ooo, I'd like to see that," he said, eyes getting a bit distant, no doubt imagining aristocrats being arrested. "Drag a couple of the worst ones for me."

"When they run, I like to use force," she said, voice a bit quiet.

"It's fun, isn't it?"

"They don't think I can do anything, because I'm small and a girl."

"And then you decked him?"

"Yea, dislocated his shoulder for good measure. Dumbass was going out the window anyway."

"That is pretty dumb, but what can you expect from people faced with retribution?"

"We're displacing more people than ever. I mean, I was out for nine hours going all over wall Sina towns," Zoe was yawning around her words already.

"And now I'm keeping you up, huh?"

"Kinda."

He stood, tugging her up after him. "Alright. Let's get you to bed, then."

Ah, she'd follow him anywhere. Anywhere.


If the calm would allow, I would just be floating to you now


Levi stood with her in the crowd, purposefully away from Hanji and Reeves, looking somewhat uncomfortable in civilian clothes. She'd noticed he'd been wearing his cravat less and less, thought he looked just as handsome. The walk here had mostly been her hanging off his arm, making a spectacle of themselves; or at least, it seemed like a spectacle. Most people who knew them didn't know they were together, or were never really clued in to the full extent of their relationship.

"Hey, give me your hand," he requested, topping a few blocks from the town square - well one of the town squares - where the coronation was being hosted.

"Why?" she asked, as he stretched out his right hand.

"I don't want to lose you to potential wandering," he said, wiggling his fingers, as if that would speed her up.

"Oh I wander, huh?" she muttered, taking his hand with her left one, matching his firm grip.

And then there were the hundreds and hundreds of people who knew of Levi, and were able to recognize him, even without his uniform. She was stared at in fascination, saw whispers hidden behind young girl's hands. Levi looked blissfully unaware, grip on her hand still tight to keep her from quote 'wandering', scanning the crowd as they went forward into the square in front of the Military Offices. In all honesty, she liked holding his hand, and there were a lot of people taller than her that might've separated them, so she was fine with the arrangement.

He weaved them through the crowd, saw Hanji two rows behind them, shifted right instead. Zoe tried to stop him when she heard the woman call to them, but he dragged her forward, even as she pointed. People noticed them again, so she held onto his hand tighter, stopped pointing.

"Levi-" she attempted, as Hanji followed after them, shouting hers and Levi's name, something like "ZOE ROTH AND LEVI ACKERMAN? THE COUPLE? GIRL IN THE PRETTY DRESS AND THE SHORT ONE? HEY, GUYS?"

"Just ignore her, just ignore her," he hissed, stopped just to set himself behind her, and herd her forward, hands on her waist.

"We're being rude."

"I'm never rude."

A sharp, familiar whistle stung her ears, made her wince and turn to see Nathan, Jay popping up mostly as coincidence, not with his friend. He gave her a slight wave, shifting to the right side of her, where Levi wasn't.

"You're still dating short stuff there," Nathan commented, shaking his head. "Ah, well, to let you know, Lieutenant Roth, you two are apart of the buzz here, everyone in the MPs know now." he sounded gleeful. "You know, they all wanted to-"

Levi glared, which was enough to cut the redhead off, finally leveling his eyes at her subordinate. "Don't talk to my girl like that. She might punch you."

Nathan glanced between them, shrugging eventually. "Well I'm sorry, I-"

"Now go away," Levi directed, and Zoe laughed into her hand, Jay looking on as well. "If you stop being annoying, you can be around us."

For a moment, it seemed like Nathan would get mad like he had the day before, but he only rolled his eyes half-heartedly. She thought she heard a muttered apology, but Nathan was gone before she could press him, walking away, into a group of MPs who started paying him attention instead of Levi and Zoe. Jay stood with them now, Levi's arm around her waist soon enough, coaxing her closer as Historia's procession reached the stage. His other arm went around her as well as the small blonde knelt to receive the crown, and she looked up at him, nevermind the stage.

"Can you feel it?" she asked, her own arms sliding around his torso, resting her head on his chest, voice quiet, but it reached him nonetheless. "Something new."

"Yea," he said, murmurs around them swelling as the crown descended; and they both watched the circlet come to rest. "Makes you...hope again," he murmured under the roar of the crowd, flashing her the briefest smile he felt safe with in a public setting.

Then he kissed her, even dipping her slightly, though it was only because he stumbled into her, bumped by someone in the crowd. She flung her arms around the back of his neck, feeling vibrant in his arms, cupping his cheek in one of her hands as she kissed him just as deeply, breath robbed from her in her enthusiasm. She almost forgot where they were. Almost. He was good at remembering for her anyways, stopping himself before his smooth hand dipped lower than her back.

He pulled away to set his forehead to hers, standing them both up properly, looking sheepish for once in his life. "Sorry. I'm impulsive. You're just so pretty in that dress, and you're mine, and yea. Sometimes I don't mind showing people how much I care for you. Especially when they're most all distracted and can't pry into my business."

Levi adjusted her dress for her. She gazed up at him, thought that if he didn't ask her to marry him, she would at some point. While the crowds were still celebrating, they slipped away, Zoe apologizing to Jay for the quick make out session. They both had business in the Military Police Office today, had quietly decided to go in together. Zoe was more apprehensive than he was, coming into the MP's office, to her men, people who'd been in her unit for the full six years she'd been working. They'd all basically been under her command for a good year before she'd left, and she knew too many of them personally, from playing cards with Jay's group, and Nathan's. Not to mention she'd been in full out riots with a good many of them, as they'd spiked when Wall Maria fell.

Nevermind her history with her non-corrupt, genuine MP's - they were all assholes, it's why they got along so well. That's why she knew they were going to pull some dumb shit after seeing them at the coronation. She stopped him outside the door to groan long and loud, face wrinkling in distaste, could almost sense them through the doors. From the slow clapping that grew fast as she and Levi walked in, she was fucking right, too, about everything.

Nathan was at the front of the pack, large hands lending him a very loud clap, whistling there once and twice as the clapping stretched out way too long. Zoe stood there with an impassive Levi, in his military jacket. She didn't know how he did it - as soon as the clapping stretched for two minutes, she was stomping up to them all, though she pinpointed Jay instead soon enough. The man ducked and cowered, the group laughing loudly at that, watching him get chased through the group, everyone granting them a wide berth.

"Why the hell are you here?" she asked, shouting after him.

"Nathan told me it was a surprise party for you and Levi!" Jay squeaked, weaving through a group as they tried to disperse. "I didn't mean it!"

"And you bought his shit?" Zoe blew through the group, hot on his tail, despite his wider strides.

Jay winced, protecting his head from her swipes. "I mean, I didn't read into it!"

"Stop running!" she barked the order, done running.

"Please don't hit me Commander Roth," he begged, stopping with only a bit of hesitation, turning to face her with his arms raised. "I'm sorry, you know most of his stuff goes over my head!"

She couldn't stand to continue making Jay frightened enough beg anymore, relenting with a tired smile, heard the chuckles again. Zoe took it better this time, looking around at them. "You guys do need to shut the fuck up, though." More laughter. "Seriously. Pull this shit again, I'll let Levi jump you." There was a bit of awkward fidgeting then - they all knew Levi wasn't going to hold back. Where she dislocated, he broke in multiple places. "Now get back to work assholes, doing this in the lobby."

Nathan grinned, leaning on the secretary's desk, winking at the girl, who blushed furiously. "Ah, she doesn't mind me."

"Nathan, leave," the secretary snapped. "Please, you're cluttering up the lobby."

He sighed, but didn't stop grinning, waving the men back to his side. "Alright, guys, let's move out."

"Move out," Jay scoffed, stalking past Nathan, "What, am I supposed move out of my fucking house?"

There was laughter all around at that, and she gave Jay an apologetic look, elbowing Levi as he laughed into his hand. Maybe that's why Nathan never got mad at him; his insults never really landed. She trotted up after him, stopping at the window to look out at the sky, as bright as it had been. Everything was so bright. Zoe nudged him, realized he was already looking at her, not the view, and smiled, even as she blushed a bit. Something about him was making her so giddy recently.

"What?" she asked, tipping her head to the side.

"Nothing," he murmured, even as fingers went to her waist to tug her closer. "I just, I've always thought you were a flower."

She laughed at that, loud, "Levi, you're such a romantic."

"Still, if you think you'd wilt around me, Zoe, you can leave."

She leaned up quick and kissed him, saw him still try to avoid eye contact and used her words, "Hey, I love you Levi Ackerman, and we're probably going to get married, so.." Zoe trailed off when she realized what she'd said, his eyes back on hers.

"Oh we're gonna get married, huh?" he murmured, eyebrows lifting and she blushed, pushing him away only to be tugged back. "No, come back here, I take it that's my proposal."

She rolled her eyes, "No, Levi, I'd like a proper one. Or to make a proper one. Sometime."

"Of course," her huffing had made his tone more serious, and he looked at her with his soft gray eyes, thumb rubbing over her knuckles. "Sometime, when things seem safe."

"When things seem safe," she agreed, his hands squeezing secure at her waist, keeping her close for a few more moments before they parted. So she'd ask him never, right? And vice versa. But it was more of a label than anything, so she was mostly here for Levi.

"Meeting," he reminded gently, guiding her in front of him by her hand.

Chatter floated down the corridor they were in, and she tipped her head over her shoulder as she recognized Eren's voice first, stopped a couple steps after Levi did, turning to face the group, including Historia. A quick, holy shit, that's the queen, went through her, but she quieted the excitement quickly, knew the girl enough to not let the drama of the coronation get to her too much. The blonde looked at her first as she approached, a bit warily for some reason, before she clearly decided something, and went for Levi with a warcry. She was shocked when the little girl hit him in the arm, hard enough for Levi to huff, knocked into her.

There was a roar of excitement from the spectators, Connie, Jon, Sasha, Eren, and Mikasa (mostly Mikasa) looking on in disbelief.

"Now what? I'm your queen!" Historia exclaimed, pumping her fists. "Whaddya got to say no-"

Levi's unexpected laughter cut them all off, a quiet, "heh." They were all startled, even as he continued, "Thanks...all of you."

Levi

"What do you mean, an issue with the underground?" Levi asked, jaw working as he stared at the overly tall blonde, still traipsing around without his arm.

And it wasn't as if Levi was stupid enough to think that his Commander could regrow an arm, or reattach it if Levi happened to find it in a Titan's belly, but some regret would be lovely. Also, maybe a two-person confessional, in which Erwin admitted that Levi should've been on that impromptu excursion, and that he should have found someway, somehow, to keep himself safe. The blonde was smarter than anyone he'd met, but at the same time, Levi hadn't met anyone stupider than Erwin. Not even Hanji; maybe once, but mostly, no.

Erwin sighed, taking a file from Nile to look over it quickly, trading with the Military Police Commander, "Levi, we can't deal with two uprisings at the same time, and there's been word-"

Levi snorted, swiping his hair away from his face, leaning back on the wall. "So you expect me to distract myself with the underground while you work on Eren and the brat's new power. And then, be uninvolved with the real aftermath of Historia and her crowning?"

"We're not saying it'll take a long time, Levi," Nile said, giving him a disapproving look. "We just need someone already acquainted with the people's down there. Figure out what the anti-government side is planning, so we don't have to worry about interference as we adjust the surface to the new government, and the new revelations - which, by the way, I will still protest at the meeting. But as you know, the aristocrats have pulled all and any sway they have left in the underground to achieve this possible mess."

"You're not my commander, Nule, if you'd please not tell me what to do, or what I already know."

"Levi!" Zoe exclaimed, looking up from the mess of papers on the counter.

"I said please."

"His name is Nile."

He rolled his eyes, but remained quiet while Erwin, singularly, gave him instruction. Zoe, apparently, was going with him, for however long it took them to quell the rebellion; if there even was one, he thought it was Nule overreacting, and maybe deflecting one of the Survey Corps most capable members, along with Zoe, the only capable MP officer, as far as he was concerned. Still, she sat placid, listening to Erwin's orders while he silently seethed.

"What is your deal?" Levi sighed, tired of Erwin's voice already, and Nule's generally...shitty aura was getting to him. "tell me just exactly where and how I'm going to stay down there if they find out I'm working for you guys."

"You guys?" Nile asked, hand lifted to place at his chest, chin tucked back, looking rather like a skunk at the moment. "Aren't the Scouts at least respected as much as we are?"

"You know full well that's fear. And no, anything government is shitty, that's been proven over and over again down there. With your taxation policy, ripping us all off, I only saw the motion retracted during Zoe's short interm," he stood from the wall, brow heavy as he glared at Nile. "So yea, I'm gonna need an assured out. Aristocrats throwing money at criminals shouldn't be too tough to cut across, but still."

"Jay," Nile said. "You can have Jay, he's just as talented as Zoe."

Levi glared at the man, "Sure."

Nile looked to Zoe for help, and she nodded, agreeing with a small, "Almost."

competitive as always.

Levi wasn't sure his connections would be as strong as they had been 6 years or so back, whenever Erwin had managed to corner him and his friends, tear them from the admittedly terrible environment. Still, he wasn't into going back without FArlan and Isabel at his side, wasn't sure that Zoe could replace his two friends so easily. And now the suggestion of Jay? Jay, someone he hardly knew, and barely trusted, only because Zoe seemed to appreciate the odd man, his features symmetrical, looming over Zoe wherever she walked. In fact, Jay was standing guard outside the door now, with Nathan, the two looking much less weary after being back for a few weeks. Nathan seemed to be back to his old self, red hair glossy again.

"Why can't I take one of mine down there?" Levi asked, prepared to take anyone, even Eren, though the kid was currently training. Fuck it, he'd take Mikasa...who never went anywhere without Eren. So, Jean, maybe?

"Because we need the Survey corps where they are," Nile muttered, eyebrow twitching in annoyance, as he choked down his pride. "You are the only ones who know how to deal with Titans, especially the mess you all left behind. We don't know if anything important is left in the rubble, and you all seem to demand being there at every turn, even in our own territory, we still are combing through it all. So take a high ranking officer, and one of my lieutenants."

Levi heaved a sigh, pulled a quick turn on his heels so he could get out of the same room Nile was in. "Fine. We'll be down there in a few nights, Zoe will contact you when we arrive," Levi said, nudging the door open, stepping quickly beyond it, snapping it shut behind him.

Nathan and Jay looked at him, from their posts outside the door, heads angled down just a bit too much, so disgustingly tall. He had to jog out of the underground meeting room, breathing deep the fresh air, reminded that only stale air existed in the underground. He'd never seen anything like the outside of the walls, or up on the surface. Levi didn't really want to go back down there for an extended amount of time, certainly didn't want Zoe with him, because she'd wilt there.

Footsteps echoed in the corridor behind him, boots light on the stairs, letting him know it was Zoe, turning around to face her, with a hand already on her hip. He tugged her in, halting any speech with a quick kiss, her eyes shut when he pulled away, leaning out of the half-circle his arm made. Levi grasped her hips in his hands, thumb rubbing over the cloth of her shirt, lifting his hands to fix her button.

"Your boobs are too big for my shirt," he stated, got an elbow for it.

"Crude."

"It's not like I don't mind, but your shirt buttons are almost popping open."

She shrugged, tucking curls behind her ear, looking more and more like her younger self each day. And she was so bright, so gorgeous up here, shining under the sun, the prettiest thing he'd ever seen, when she smiled. Zoe reminded him of sweeping fields of goddamn flowers; and shit, she smelled like it too.

At least he could keep her safe. And that Jay kid seemed good at it too, protecting her.

He wasn't going to let her out of his sight without being sure of her safety.

Jay appeared from the same door they'd came out of, eyes locking on the shorter person to his side, made a b-line over to Zoe, speaking quickly, "I've just been told to accompany you and the Captain to the underground. When are we going?" He was twitchy when he started off talking to Zoe around other people (especially him, it seemed), always forgot them quickly.

"We're going in two days," Levi answered, more than casually annoyed he didn't even get a glance.

"Oh, Captain," Jay really noticed him then, eye drifting from Zoe for only a moment before his brown eyes snapped back onto his commanding officer. There was an intensity about Jay that reminded him of Mikasa, recognized his behavior as mostly protective and friendly. "I was told by Commander Dok to re-explain the mission to Levi."

"I think he knows what it is," Zoe said with a sigh, catching Levi's elbow before he walked away.

He tugged her along with him, pushing them into a brisk walk, eager to get back to her townhouse. "If you really want to tell me, you can walk with us."

"Well, i was told, so," Jay sounded like he had no choice, trotting after them, keeping stride with them easily, though Levi felt slowed by Zoe for once. "To clarify, in two days we will head down to the underground, and take down the aristocrats funding criminals and their forays up onto the surface. As you know, Stohess District was attacked last night, and we expect more to come. We supposedly have a contact on the people's side who can work with us, but Nile stressed we have to stop the conflict from bubbling over."

"There's already conflict," Levi said, rolling his shoulders back, gestured to the town square as they passed. "There were almost riots after Historia was crowned."

"Proven to be caused by Interior Squad members and a few wall fanatics."

"Yes, well," Levi shrugged off the information he already knew, rubbing a hand through his somewhat unkempt hair. "We'll be ready in two days. I assume they already have the living space ready."

"Yes. I think I'll go ahead and head down tonight with essentials, and stay there until you come," Jay said, flashing the briefest sheepy smile, "mostly because I have nothing to do."

"And here I thought you just wanted to make me feel bad about my work ethic," Zoe spoke quickly as they rounded the corner, leaving his elbow to jog up the steps to her townhouse door, pulling her key out of her pocket. "Write down the address for me."

Levi slipped past her into the townhouse, lingering to watch them interact.

"Oh I have it on another piece of paper already," Jay almost chirped, presenting the paper to Zoe proudly, and she responded in turn.

"Jay you're so efficient, I don't know how you do it," she praised, and the man grinned. "Thank you so much."

The conversation quickly lost his interest as she leaned on the doorframe to chat with him, asking him what he was taking down, and Jay started the list with rugs. He hadn't done any sort of personal preening in that time, had decided to handle his hair as soon as he was in her bathroom, tying his hair up in one of her ties. His shaving style had been one thing Kenny taught him, the man deciding that the undercut was conservative and militaristic, as well as being something clean enough to fit Levi's developing tastes.

He paused when the door to the bathroom opened, Zoe appearing in the door frame, paper between her fingers. "This is still one of the most interesting things to see."

"Is it now?"

"cutting cheekbones, Levi, you should try modeling."

Levi rolled his eyes, "hilarious."

"that man bun is really attractive too, you know?"

"you're so funny."

"Thank you, I'm honestly mostly here to look at you after a bath, the only towel aspect is really working for me."

"I hoped it would," he said, watching her fidget where she stood, finishing the rather straightforward shave without any hiccups. The hair was more manageable in this state, and he kept the man buns in just to draw her in.

She trotted close to him, reaching out to touch his scalp, giving a little frown. "you're annoyingly attractive, sometimes."

She still thought that even though she'd mostly seen when One night, a while back, at the beginning, even, maybe the tenth time they'd hooked up, Isabel had gone into a pub and messed with the wrong people; and as usual, Levi was charged with cleaning up her mess, coming back doused in blood that, for once, was not human. He hardly recalled the actual situation Isabel had created, just that he'd been covered, head to toe, in animal blood.

Zoe stared at him blankly, covers collected to her chest, before falling back on her pillow.

"Am I going to have to get up?"

"I need your soap, so yea," Levi sighed, trying to go with emotionless so as to stave off the idea of losing his shit over his lack of cleanliness. "get up."

"I thought we weren't supposed to interact like this."

Levi watched her dress, muscle-thick thighs always a pain to get in her pants, switching out her flimsy nightgown with a loose shirt. He wasn't in the mood to deal with Isabel anymore tonight, so he'd come here instead. And Farlan had the worst soap ever, as he was always the last person out of bed when their Cadets refreshed their basic supplies and uniforms every two weeks. Zoe, on the other hand, was usually first in line; first come, first serve, and, of course, the prime goods were given out to the first person as well.

"We work together in the field now, aren't you going to take me, your partner, to the showers?" Levi spoke quietly, so as not to wake her other roommates, as she rummaged through her drawers, her terribly folded uniform lifted up, revealing the slim, white stick of soap. "I'll take that as a yes."

"It's late, too, Levi, what were you thinking?" She asked, voice lower than his, pulling her uniform jacket over her shoulders, snatching a towel from a drying rack. He'd brought fresh clothes for himself, so he was set.

Levi shut the door behind them both, "That you wouldn't ask questions, but that's asking too much."

She rolled her eyes, walking fast beside him, almost jogging by the time they made it to the showers. Zoe stood by the curtain, dragged in to help him with his clothes, somewhat against her will. But she didn't bat an eyelash at the blood itself, didn't seem panicked by it.

"How did this happen?"

"Fuck if I know," he grumbled, as she slipped the final button off, allowing him to shed his shirt as quickly as possible, his belt quickly undone by her nimble fingers. "You're getting better at it."

She glared at him, eyelashes fluttering as she blinked, trying to come up with a suitable come back for him. "Hush and just shower, you look like you walked out of a slaughterhouse."

Zoe stepped away from him, head tilted to the ground, lips fixed in a pout, curls clouding his view of her features. He got to scrubbing his skin raw quickly enough, as the cold water turned slowly to lukewarm; and it didn't get any better than this, really, the water. He'd never felt hot water, besides the water he brewed for tea. Once, black tea had been all he needed to survive. Maybe a couple bites to eat, but otherwise, he'd be fine with a couple leaves and silence.

He didn't mind sharing that silence with her, of course, broke it for a moment, "come in here."

"Why?" she asked, even as she poked her head around the curtain, eyes locked on his, seeming determined to not allow her eyes to drift.

"All the way," he said, hand tight around her wrist.

"Levi...it's past curfew."

"So come in here."

She tried to resist his pull, but he was stronger than her, collecting her under the unsteady stream of water. Zoe made a face, and he made a point to kiss that look away, before he pressed her up against the wall of the shower, dipping only once to get rid of her half-dry pants (after he folded them), soft skin at his fingertips. Every time he had her, it was like he was fucking the sun, her golden-brown skin shimmering with beads of water, fingers grasping at her hips, tugging her close, ignoring the shirt she had on, pulling her legs around his waist.

Zoe groaned, grasping at the slick shower walls, other hand on the back of his neck, sharp moans punched out of her. "What's with your hair?" She attempted, fingers squeezing over his short bun. "Because the man bun might be a deal breaker."

Levi pressed his forehead against hers, said, "you were the one who took off my pants."

A smile touched her lips, and Levi kissed her. Like he was kissing her now, lips insistent as he kept her close. In a way, she was all that remained of his past, the last person who knew Farlan and Isabel in a way he did, as she'd bonded with them, as well.

He had let go of his past, but he'd always have a piece of it with him.


Feelings you provide
I know it, I know it
The feelings I, the feelings I know it, I….