DILAN'S P.O.V.
Dilan knocked on Levi's door before heading inside. Clearly, he was expecting her as he didn't even look up from his paperwork to check who it was.
"I'm not going, Dil." He said sternly as she closed the door. Dilan smiled, walking over to the chair and sitting down.
"Okay." She shrugged.
"Fucking rich assholes and those pompous nobles and the women! Ugh, the last time I went to anything remotely similar, they were all over me. Fucking disgusting." Levi spat. Dilan stayed quiet, knowing her friend needed to vent. "And do you know the worse part?! Erwin makes me fucking converse with those idiots. 'Are you really humanities strongest?' 'Just how strong are you?'" He said in a mocking tone, glaring at his papers as he continued to write roughly. "It's a night of pure hell, Dil. I am not going." He finished firmly, finally looking up at her, breathing heavily with frustration.
Dilan offered him a comforting smile, tilting her head slightly.
"Its understandable. I hate crowds too and I bet the women pawing at you makes you want to jump out of a window." She empathised and Levi let out a breath calming down at bit.
"Yeah, brat. It does." He admitted, tapping his pen, an uncomfortable expression on his face. Dilan knew the crowds and loud people probably triggered his OCD. He doesn't admit it to people, but Dilan knows it really fucks him up. It's why she does her best to make him comfortable.
"Do you think Erwin's going to let you stay behind?" Dilan asked, bringing her legs up to her chest and hugging them. Levi sighed and lent his head on his elbow, relaxing slightly, even if he was still annoyed.
"No, that's why I'm so pissed." Levi mumbled. Dilan smiled in understanding.
"It's still going to suck but you have me this time. We'll show up, do a quick round of the shits, grab a fuck load of drinks at the open bar and escape into an unfindable corner in the likely fucking extravagant garden of whoever's mansion we're kept prisoner in for the night." Dilan offered and Levi smiled a bit, looking at her.
"You really think it will be that easy?" He asked. Dilan smirked.
"We're underground thugs. If anyone can escape from a shit show like that, it's us. I got your back this time, grumps. It'll be fine." Dilan reassured. Levi sighed but smirked back, sitting up a bit straighter.
"Fine. If you leave me for a second, I will kick your ass." He warned with a pointed look. Dilan chuckled and stood up.
"Same goes for you. I'm not talking to those idiots by myself. Who will I make fun of them with?" Dilan asked and Levi let out a puff of amusement.
"Thanks brat." He added with a genuine smile that made a warm fuzzy feeling form in her chest. Dilan found she felt that way a lot with Levi around. She wasn't quite sure what that feeling was.
Dilan was glad she managed to put his mind at ease for the moment. And managed to prevent the war with Erwin that was sure to come had he declined. Dilan smiled back and turned to leave when Levi spoke again.
"Hey, Dil, could you bring me some-" Levi started but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Dilan smirked at the perfect timing, opening the door and taking the tray off of Petra, thanking her before she walked off again and setting it down on Levi's desk.
Levi blinked at it and she laughed.
"I'm just that good." She said with a smug smile, hearing a small laugh from Levi as she walked out and shut the door behind her.
Dilan got back to the kitchen, and all nervous eyes fell on her. She sat down at the table with a blank face before cracking a victorious smirk.
"Crisis averted. Captain's in." Dilan said simply and everyone's faces lit up.
"WHOOPEEEEEE!" Hanji yelled and everyone laughed. Dilan rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. Maybe this would be good for the squad. They won't get interrogated that much and they could probably use a break. Hopefully all will go well.
ELD'S P.O.V.
It was that very same evening and Eld was suffering from a mental dilemma. The ball was in four days time, meaning he had four days to ask Dilan to be his date. Four days to buck up the courage but he was seriously doubting he would be able to. It had been over a year now. If he couldn't find the balls in a year, he sure as hell wasn't going to do it in less than a week.
Eld sighed and sipped his beer at the kitchen table. It was night and he should be in bed along with everyone else, but he wanted to get a buzz and he was enjoying watching Gunther struggle on the track through the window. The bastard looked close to collapsing and he still had 6 more hours of night to go.
Well technically more since it was only 12 and Captain said he could only stop at sunrise. Sunrise was a lot later in winter. Eld snickered at the thought.
Imbecile. Watch where you're going next time.
"You're up late." Petra's soft voice called as she entered the room and sat down at the table next to him. Eld glanced at her, taking another sip of his beer.
"Seems like you are too." He replied, observing that the girl was still in her pyjamas. Petra sighed, raking a hand through her hair before crossing her arms and leaning her head on top of them on the table.
"Things on my mind." She mumbled, a very faint blush on her cheeks.
Eld smiled a bit.
"Captain things." He shot back and Petra's eyes widened, turning to glare at him.
Eld chuckled and held his hands up in defence.
"Woah-hey! I can't judge. Things on my mind too." He admitted and Petra's eyes softened.
"Dilan things, huh?" She asked. Eld sighed and nodded.
"I want to ask her to the ball. But your right, I've left it too long. Friend zone is the worse." He frowned, ruffing up his hair.
Petra chuckled.
"Want me to let you in on a little secret?" Petra asked. Eld looked at her, raising an eyebrow. Petra smiled. "The friend zone doesn't really exist." She said and Eld's eyes widened comically.
"HUH?" He exclaimed stupidly. Petra smiled and rolled her eyes.
"It does with some, but the friend zone is really just an excuse for people who think they are going to be rejected. They tell themselves they are in the friend zone, give themselves a reason not to make a move." Petra explained, looking out the window.
Eld's face dropped a bit. Was that what he was doing? Did he really think Dilan was going to reject him? Was that why he had waited all this time?
"So, when are you going to ask her?" Petra asked and Eld blinked at her.
"But... I thought you just said..." Eld mumbled, confused. Petra chuckled, rolling her eyes.
"Like I said, you've given yourself a reason not to ask her, but that doesn't mean you should listen to it. You and Dilan could be great if you just grew some balls and did it. Ask her by the end of tomorrow or let her go. What's the worst that can happen? Rejection? It's Dilan, somehow, she'll manage to do it in the best way. You'll stay friends and it will hurt for a bit, but you'll get over it and find someone new. But on the other hand, the best that can happen is that you could finally get what you've been dreaming of for so long." Petra said logically with a small smile as she gazed out of the window.
Eld looked at her for a second in surprise before cracking a smile. He forgot how wise Petra could be sometimes. The girl was right. It was time to stop pining.
"And you? Are you ever going to fess up to the Captain?" He asked, no mocking in his tone. He was simply curious. However, the question still managed to pull a blush out of his comrade.
"Are you kidding? He'd probably ring my neck." She blurted out nervously. Eld chuckled, looking out the window.
"I don't think so. I can't say I understand why you like the guy and I'm not sure he's capable of liking anyone like that but... he has honour. I think if you told him and he didn't reciprocate, he would let you down easy. You might even feel some relief." Eld shrugged. Petra sighed, letting out a humourless chuckle as she stood.
"You see that's the difference between me and you Eld. I'm too scared of rejection. Think about what I said and make sure your direct with her. The girl may be a certifiable genius but she's as slow as a snail when it comes to dating. Subtly is not the way to go. And make sure you ask her soon, so she has time to think about it and what it'll mean for the future." Petra advise, patting him on the shoulder.
Eld nodded slowly, taking the valuable information in.
"Thanks Petra." He said genuinely. She smiled and nodded before turning and heading back up. Eld took a sip of his beer to calm his nerves. He would tell her tomorrow. Tell her everything. He hoped he would be able to follow through.
DILAN'S P.O.V.
It was the next day at training. The gang were geared up in their thickest layers. It looked as though most of them were wearing two pairs of uniformed trouswers layered over the other. Dilan was finding it hard not to laugh and from the look on Levi's face, he had noticed it too.
"Everyone who is wearing a second pair of trousers, drop them now. They will restrict proper movement and you're honestly being pathetic. You shits haven't even tasted cold." Levi ordered, taking off his outer jacket for emphasis and Dilan smirked as the cadets blushed with embarrassment, awkwardly unzipping their pants and pulling the second layer down.
They looked like they were about to throw them behind them but quickly caught themselves after receiving a harsh glare from their superior, folding them neatly and draping them over the banister.
Dilan sniggered to herself.
"Right, we're doing something new today." Levi informed and the 5 blinked at him. Dilan hadn't been briefed on this. They all watched as the Captain ducked under the rope and stepped into the sparing platform. "Today you will be sparing with me." He explained and jaws fell open as Dilan's eyes lit up with excitement.
Levi hadn't sparred properly with any of them yet. He had let them try to attack him, correcting their movements as they did but they never managed to get a hit and he had never fought back before.
"B-but-" Gunther flustered, and the Captain gave him a look.
"Problem, cadet?" He asked. Gunther tense and shook his head quickly. Dilan could see the boy was still very tired from his punishments yesterday. He had done everything ordered of him, including running until sunrise. Dilan felt so bad, she convinced Levi to let him have an hour's rest before training started.
The kid still looked uneven on his feet.
"No sir." He defended and Levi nodded in approval.
"Obviously, none of you will beat me-" Levi started and Dilan had to refrain from rolling her eyes. Smug bastard. "-which is why I'm giving you a hint." Levi explained, gaining confused looks. "Dilan, get up here." He ordered. Dilan was confused but did as was requested, climbing up onto the platform.
"What're you-" Dilan started but was cut off as Levi punched her in the face unexpectedly and Dilan almost fell over.
The small crowd gasped, shocked and worried.
"Dilan! Are you okay?" Petra exclaimed. Dilan wiped some blood off her lip, glancing back at Levi as he gave her a subtle smirk and mouthed 'payback'.
Dilan laughed and rolled her eyes. He did that because the last time they spared, Dilan had caught him off guard and kicked him in the gut.
In both of their defences, the other should have been paying attention.
"Fine." She grinned, spitting out some blood and the others grimaced. "No holding back then?" She asked with a smirk. Levi almost smirked back and nodded, getting in his stance. Dilan leant forward.
"Watch. Dilan's as good as me so by watching us fight, there's a chance you can pick up a few of my fight patterns. That will help when you try to take me on." Levi explained and Dilan understood now. "Got it?" Levi asked and realisation dawned on everyone else's faces as they nodded.
But Dilan decided she wanted to get her own back and ran at Levi before he could refocus, sliding onto her side, through his legs and moving to punch his knee but Levi knew her better than that by now. The knee she was about to punch out was already gone as his leg swung through the air.
It's target? Her face.
Dilan missed it by a hair, feeling the burst of air in her face and grinned. It had been a while since they last spared since Levi had been pretty busy this week. She couldn't deny she'd missed it.
Dilan sprang back onto her feet, blocking his knee with her arm and punching him in the shoulder. Of course, doing this got her vulnerable and Levi only let her in order to grab the arm and pulled her towards him, twisting the arm behind her back at an unnatural angle and locking his other arm around her throat so her back was facing him.
Dilan winced before smirking.
"Giving up so soon, brat?" Levi asked quietly. Dilan laughed.
"As if, Captain." She replied, taking her free hand to elbow him in the side, distracting him so he wouldn't notice her foot slipping behind his before she pressed harshly into his knee, making him buckle, crouching as she did so to push him over her onto the ground. Unfortunately, Levi's grip on her arm remained firm and he pulled her down with her, quick to flip their positions so he was caging her in. Dilan's eyes glinted as they caught his and they both knew what was coming next.
In a split second, Dilan's blade was pressed up against Levi's neck, Levi's was pressed up against hers.
Another stalemate, huh?
"Shit!" Oluo gasped.
"Please don't kill each other!" Petra squealed, fearing for their lives. Eld and Gunther simply balked, their eyes wide. Dilan smirked, pulling the knife away from Levi's neck.
Levi rolled his eyes and did the same before getting off of her and offering her a hand up. Dilan took it gratefully and they both brushed down their clothes while the squad continued to balk at them.
"Any questions?" Levi asked.
There was a moment of hesitation.
"S-sorry sir, but we will surely die. We are not Dilan." Eld pointed out and Dilan snickered at Levi's unamused face.
"Obviously I will be going easier on you idiots, just like Dilan goes easy on you when you spar." Levi explained and the squad gasped, looking at her.
"You go easy on us?!" Gunther asked. Dilan chuckled, nervously scratching the back of their head. Sometimes she had to let them get a few shots in, for their pride.
"Of course, she does. She's my second for a reason. You wouldn't be able to get a single shot in, unless she let you." Levi explained and their faces filled with a mixture of disappointment and awe.
Dilan smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Don't be too upset, some of you have really gotten close. So, any of you get the Captain's patterns?" Dilan changed the subject as she hopped out of the ring. The other cringed, clearly, they weren't paying attention to the details of the fight, too lost in the fight itself.
Levi sighed in annoyance before turning back to her.
"Tell them then." Levi crossed his arms. Dilan guess she did know most of them.
"Alright. Listen up." She said and attention turned to her. "Captain rarely attacks with his fists. He prefers to use his legs and boots to do damage. Depending on his opponent he will choose to start on either defensive or the attack. With a worthy opponent it will be the attack, with shits like you, he'll start on the defence to give you a shot. He doesn't like to waste time. If you give him a decent opening to take you down, he will take it. Once he gets you on the ground, its normally over unless you use your head, but I don't expect you to last long enough for that. I think that's it... right?" Dilan asked.
Levi nodded an almost proud look in his eye which was gone quickly as he refocused.
"Understood?" He asked the squad. They nodded, determination growing in their eyes. Dilan thought it was cute that they thought this information would actually help them win. It might help but they sure as hell aint winning.
"Yes sir!" They replied. Levi nodded.
"Gin, you're up first." Levi ordered and Eld gulped. Dilan smirked, having the feeling Levi was going to enjoy this. He didn't like Eld for some reason. Regardless, Dilan was going to enjoy this too. But that was only because she was slightly psychopathic.
2 hours later and the four were on the ground, panting, groaning and tending to their injuries. The Captain was pretty easy on them considering things, but he still managed to get them on the ground within 10 seconds. Everyone had been against him a number of times and Levi hadn't even broken a sweat.
Dilan was pouting because she hadn't been allowed another turn and simply had to watch the others fail over and over. Apparently, the others didn't share her enthusiasm but that was fair enough considering they are shitty fighters. It's just painful for them. Still, no one learns without failure. Dilan landed on her ass a number of times when her brother was teaching her and a number of times after he was gone, and she had to get stronger by herself.
"Hey guys! How would you feel about doing that all over again with me in a few minutes?" Dilan asked, wanting to mess with them. She burst out laughing as four pairs of depaired eyes snapped up to look at her with dread.
"No more!" Gunther gasped, falling backwards. Dilan laughed in amusement, helping Petra up as she held out a hand, making a breathy grunt to get Dilan's attention.
"Have a quick lunch now and then we can get some 3DMG before it gets dark." Levi said in a monotoned voice, pulling his jacket back on.
The team groaned by accident before they all gapsed, realising what they did.
"Yes sir! Sorry sir!" They jumped up and ran towards the house before Levi even had the chance to glare at them. Dilan laughed as they rounded the corner and Levi smirked a bit.
"They seem to be learning." He commented.
Dilan smiled.
"Because your conditioning them like a dictator." She teased, crossing her arms. Levi shrugged, smiling a bit as they walked back.
"How's your face?" Levi asked. Dilan gave him a sideward glare, wincing as she touched her bruised jaw.
"Shitty. Did you have to hit that hard?" She whined. Levi chuckled.
"Just helping you, brat. You'll learn to pay better attention next time." He shrugged. Dilan frowned.
"No way are you conditioning me too, ass. I am uncontrollable." She huffed. Levi smirked and rolled his eyes.
"Well aware." He replied as they got back to the door. Eld opened it and came out before they could go in, stepping aside for the Captain to go in but Levi stayed where he was, narrowing his eyes.
Eld swallowed before looking back at Dilan.
"Dil, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment." Eld asked, only a slight tremor in his voice. "Alone." He added, glancing at the Captain who pursed his lips. Dilan nodded, not seeing the harm. They were on their break anyway.
"Sure." She smiled, giving Levi a look that she would be fine. Levi hesitated, glaring at Eld for no apparent reason but walked back inside, the door closing behind him. Eld breathed out, walking slightly away from the door. Dilan followed, confused to what this was about.
"You alright, Green?" Dilan asked. Eld offered a small smile, nodding.
"Dilan I am going to be real with you." Eld started, his eyes serious and the nervousness banishing from his tone.
Dilan blinked at his intensity.
"I like you. I really fucking like you and I know this must be a shock, but I really couldn't hold it in anymore. I'm fully aware you don't see me like that, and I don't expect your feelings to change overnight but what I'm asking for here is a chance. A chance to show you how good we could be together. Be my date to the ball, let me give you a good time. If by the end of the night, you don't see a future then I can accept that. We can go back to how things are, and I can stop hoping but I know I won't be able to forgive myself if I don't ask you for that one chance to show you how much you mean to me." Eld said genuinely, taking a step closer and picking up her hands, holding them in his.
Dilan looked at him in shock, totally blindsided by all of this. She had no idea he felt this way. Her mouth felt dry and Dilan couldn't decide whether she felt excited or nervous. She knew her cheeks were heating up though and no amount of will power was going to get them to go back to their usual shade.
"Eld..." She started, slightly breathless and unsure. "Can I have some time... to think?" She asked, needing a moment. Eld smiled and nodded.
"Course. Take all the time you need, alright?" He asked, tucking some hair behind her ear and Dilan swallowed, feeling a weird fluttering in her stomach. She managed a nod. Eld smiled again, squeezing her hands before letting go and walking back inside.
Dilan breathed out, completely overwhelmed. The weirdest part was. She didn't hate the idea and she didn't hate how close he was to her a minute ago.
Shit.
Was it crazy she was considering it? She knew she was still fucked up but a part of her wanted that connection. That connection Brand offered her all those years ago.
She wondered if he was still alive, if she would have gone for it with him once she was ready.
"You'll make a more stable girl really happy one day, Brand." She joked lightly. Brand chuckled a bit and pulled back to smile at her.
"Maybe. I still like to think that one day me and you could give it a shot though. Maybe once the war is over. I think it would be pretty epic." He smirked. Dilan chuckled, wiping her eyes. She knew she didn't have feelings like that for Brand, but she couldn't deny he was handsome and kind. The perfect boyfriend of sorts. If she wasn't so messed up, perhaps it would have been epic.
The memory hit her hard and Dilan took a breath to calm the pain, closing her eyes. She missed her family, missed the dreams that were abandoned when they were taken away from her. She didn't want to have regrets after then ever again. All Eld was asking for was a chance. Maybe she should say yes. No, she didn't care for him in that way, but she did care for him. Maybe if she gave it a chance, she could get what, deep down, she wanted.
Dilan sighed, rubbing her face. This was a lot to question. She needed to talk to Levi about it.
Turning towards the front door, she was met with the man she wanted to see as he came out.
"Levi, could I-" She tried but Levi cut her off.
"Sorry brat, I forgot about a stupid meeting with eyebrows. I'll be back in a few hours. Take command, yeah?" He asked, walking towards the stables. Dilan swallowed down her words and nodded, watching him walk away.
Great. Now she had to deal with her thoughts by herself. That was never a good situation.
LEVI'S P.O.V.
Levi came back through the door, slamming it behind him. He was positively infuriated. He wasn't sure if he had been this angry in his entire life!
"C-Captain?" Oluo asked from the kitchen but shut up quickly was he was given a deadly glare.
"No one disturb me." Levi growled and those who were present, they nodded quickly as Levi walked into his office, slamming that door behind him too. He raked a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth. It was dark outside his window. The meeting had taken longer than anticipated. Mostly likely due to Levi's incessant protesting.
He was being sold off like some sort of fucking prize! He felt like he needed to throw something. Something that looked like Erwin's head would be perfect.
The blonde bastard had called him into explain how he was being requested to be some rich bitch's date for the ball, simply because they wanted him so their daddy, extra rich bastard, asked for the favour from Erwin, suggesting he would invest if Erwin complied.
Erwin ordered him to take her out and show her a good time. Yep, Levi really needed to punch something. He was about to explode.
What was he, a young boy being commanded around by his father? He was a fucking soldier! This was NOT in the job description. But then again, a lot of what Erwin commands of him was not in the job description. The resentment was starting to build up. It had been 9 months with Erwin being relatively decent and then he pulls this shit?! Levi clenched his jaw, grabbing a chair and throwing it at the wall, breathing heavily with frustration.
I want to ring his fucking neck! The bastard! Who the hell does he think he is?!
And with that, Levi threw the other chair.
DILAN'S P.O.V.
Dilan cringed as she heard the second chair crash against the wall in Levi's office. They had been given a message by a cadet while Levi was off at his meeting to expect the Captain back in a very foul mood.
Watching the scene infront of her, Dilan was pretty sure the message had understated just how foul Levi's mood was going to be. He was raging. Dilan was almost too scared to go in there but she needed to calm him down before he ended up throwing his desk out the window. It was very possible. The man had strength.
"Guys, go to bed. I think I would be best if no one was on this floor right now." Dilan suggested. They had just finished with dinner, they would only be going up a few hours earlier than usual.
They glanced at her in horror.
"But Dil... your not thinking of... talking to him are you?" Gunther asked hesistantly. Dilan sighed, putting the washed up glasses back in their cabinets.
"Once he's cooled down a bit, yeah. Go on, go up." She encouraged. The others look reluctant but another smash from Levi's office and they obeyed. Petra gave her a hug before going up.
"Good luck." She said seriously. Dilan chuckled, knowing she'd probably need it. The squad filed out and Eld gave her a smile before disappearing around the corner which made her get a little flustered.
She still hadn't talked to him. She wanted to talk to Levi first but she had put off that conversation for now too, deciding he wasn't in the best temperament to talk about her love life. She shook her head and refocused, waiting until everyone was in their rooms before taking a breath and walking towards the office door. She opened it without knocking, glass crunching under her boot she looked around at the carnage with wide eyes before observing Levi sitting at his desk chair, with his back turned, looking out the window.
She took a moment to figure out what she should say to calm him down.
"Want to go shoot things?" Dilan asked after a second of silence. Levi paused before standing up and nodding.
"Yeah." He replied in a calmer voice. Dilan smiled a bit, as they walked out towards the shooting range. Hopefully after realising some of his anger, he would tell her what happened.
LEVI'S P.O.V.
Levi shot the centre of the target for the- god know how many times, reloading with a scary amount of efficiency before shooting it some more. Dilan stayed silent next to him, occasionally shooting with her own gun but mostly just observing him. Levi was glad she had got him out before he did something to his office that wasn't easily cleanable. This was much better and much more stress relieving.
Levi shot the gun until it was empty again, breathing out and calming down instead of reloading this time. He had successfully come down from his fury. Levi was just glad Dilan knew him so well. This was exactly what he needed.
"So, what happened?" Dilan asked, sensing he was better now. Levi felt a flash of anger but pushed it aside and remained calm, reloading slowly.
"Eyebrows." He replied simply, aiming again before taking another shot. Dilan scoffed and did the same.
"Obviously. What did the bastard do this time?" Dilan asked. Levi sighed, raking a hand through his hair.
"Rented me out for the night. I am to be the date of some rich bitch princess at the ball." Levi gritted, shooting the target a few more times. Dilan looked at him in shock.
"Wait-what?! He can't do that!" Dilan exclaimed. Somehow the fact that she was angry made Levi feel a lot better. He appreciated the support that this was fucked up.
"Well apparently he can. Said if I really cared about the regiment then I will be this girls date and show her a good time because thanks to the deal he made, using me, he almost certainly will get a new donor." Levi explained, sighing he sat down on the grass, too pissed off to care about the dirt for a moment.
Dilan looked horrified.
"Erwin doesn't expect you to have sex with this girl, does he?" Dilan asked, anger in her dark tone. Levi looked up at her.
"He said I shouldn't 'deny her' if the opportunity presents itself." Levi replied, deflated. Dilan clenched her jaw.
"I'm going to kill him." Dilan gritted, walking past Levi with purpose, going towards the stables. Levi's eyes widened, sensing her tone and got up quickly to grab her wrist and pull her back.
"Dil, you can't-"
"This is wrong Levi! He's treating you like some sort of object! It's practically forced prostitution, I won't let you go through that!" Dilan cried, anger and sadness in her tone. Levi's eyes softened seeing how worried she was.
"Hey, it'll be okay. Erwin can't make me do that if I don't want to." He said in a gentler tone, seeing how distressed she looked. The idea was probably bringing back some bad memories.
"Really?" Dilan asked, looking reluctant to let it go. Levi nodded, offering a small smile.
"Really. The evening will suck but I sure as hell am not going to be the smooth-talking prince she's looking for. By the end of the night she'll be eager to run, not offering I jump in her bed." Levi joked lightly and Dilan cracked a small smile.
"You're sure you'll be fine?" Dilan asked, needing confirmation. Levi heart warmed at how much she cared.
"Yes, brat. I was just pissed but I'm fine now. It will be a crappy evening but it's only a few hours. I'll be fine." He reassured. Dilan sighed in relief.
"Good." She replied, taking a seat on the sparing platform. Levi sat down with her. "Still sucks though." She added. Levi sighed, raking a hand through his hair.
"You can say that again. Sorry, I won't be able to make fun of the shits with you." Levi added, looking at her. He raised an eyebrow as a light pink spread on Dilan's cheeks.
"Actually... I wanted to talk to you about that." Dilan mumbled, fiddling with her fingers.
"What is it?" He asked, confused at her nervousness.
"Well..." She avoided his eyes. "Eld asked me to be his date." Dilan admitted and Levi's stomach dropped.
Shit. That must be what he asked to talk about her with. The guy actually went for it. When Levi didn't reply, Dilan continued.
"He told me he has feelings for me and wants me to give him a chance. Apparently, the ball will be like a test for me to see if I could ever like him." Dilan explained and Levi tensed. What the hell was he supposed to say? DON'T DO IT! He wasn't that pathetic.
"And?" Levi managed to force his normal monotoned voice, not letting onto the fact that he was nervous as fuck. Dilan blushed a bit more and shrugged.
"I don't know... I haven't answered him yet. I wanted to talk to you first." Dilan admitted and Levi swallowed.
"Why?" he managed to say without wavering. Dilan sighed.
"I don't know really. I guess, you know me better than I know myself. Do I really want this, or do I just like the idea?" She asked, confused.
"What idea?" He asked. Dilan smiled a bit, rolling her eyes at herself.
"You know, falling in love and all that shit. I didn't think it was me but it's that simple life that Farlan wanted for me. Maybe I just dislike the idea of being alone. Eld's the only one that's offering." She gave a small chuckle. Levi's heart was beating ridiculously fast now. He had no clue what to say. "Maybe I don't deserve love. God knows I've done enough fucked up shit. Maybe I deserve to be alone forever." She mumbled, scuffing her foot and Levi's heart lurched.
"Don't say that." He said sternly. Dilan looked at him in surprise. "It's the opposite, you, dumbass. You deserve happiness more than anyone else I know. So, don't say that again or I'll kick your ass." Levi frowned. Dilan blinked at him before cracking a smile, blushing a bit. Levi almost couldn't stand it any longer, but he remained firm.
"Thanks, Levi." She said genuinely. "So, you think I should say yes to him?" She asked and Levi felt like he was falling apart on the inside. His next words could change everything. Levi looked into her amazing orange eyes and his heart broke because he knew what he had to do next. He had to let her go. The things Dilan wanted, he couldn't give them to her, and he wouldn't ever be able to.
"I think if that's what you want then you should give him a chance." Levi forced out the words, not being able to look her in the eye. Dilan smiled, letting out a breath.
"I guess there's no harm. Eld's a good guy." She nodded to herself.
Levi swallowed down his emotion, taking a moment to get over what he just gave up before steeling himself once again.
"He's decent at best. Regardless, if he ever hurts you, I will beat his ass into the ground. That is unnegotiable." Levi said, monotoned. Dilan laughed, squeezing his shoulder as a thanks before standing up.
"You coming inside?" She asked. Levi clenched his hands into fists.
"Nah, I'll be in later. Get some rest." He suggested. Dilan smiled and nodded before walking away. As soon as she was gone Levi let out a shaky breath, lying backwards onto the platform and closing his eyes.
It was over now. That was his chance and he let her go. From now on he'd just have to get used to living with a broken heart.
A/N: Don't hate me too much. At this point I'm screaming at him to get the words out too. But I must follow my schedule.
The good thing is that the conversation with Erwin is coming. Levi isn't going to take his shit anymore. This was the last straw.
Also I wanted to thank MordredVisor for all their amazing comments over the past few days while they were reading. The dedication you gave my story honestly made me so happy so thank you for sticking with it. And for the amazing recommendation at the end. I hope you continue to read and enjoy. :)
Thanks for reading! Stay safe! X