Isa found that life on Hange's squad…was different. The woman was no slacker, if anything she was determined to prove herself as a leader and pushed her squad hard. She didn't go to lengths quite like Erwin did, but she did seem to have been influenced by his tendency to hold intense trainings.

Hers just tended to be more eccentric than anything.

Being Hange's second had come with its own perks. She'd been given a room to herself, so she no longer had roommates, which she loved. It was nice to have some privacy again.

Along with Uma, Sherri, and Isa, Hange had added two additional members on her squad, Anna, and Mark. Mark and Anna had also been in Isa's training class, and they'd seemed skilled enough, and had apparently done well enough to have survived this far.

Isa thought Mark and Anna's behavior was…strange. There were times when she caught the two of them sending her glares, and she wasn't sure why. She hadn't spoken to them back during training and hadn't been around them since. She didn't know them, and they didn't know her.

Yet, for some reason, they were unfriendly towards her.

She wondered if they thought she didn't deserve to be Hange's second, and that she'd only been given the position because of her friendship with Hange.

Isa had honestly wondered the same thing herself, but Hange had held firm that this wasn't the case.

So, Isa took a page out of Hange's book, and worked to prove herself in her role. She helped Hange with her paperwork, filling out the majority of everything and leaving only the spaces that needed Hange's signature blank.

Isa had seen Hange's handwriting and knew it was better this way, otherwise Erwin would never be able to make sense of what was written.

She attended meetings with Hange as they came up, taking diligent notes so that she and Hange would be able to remember anything important that had been covered.

She helped flip through pages and pages of books with information on titans. She found that some of the things they were taught just didn't add up.

For one, she wondered how it was that the walls were just built out of nowhere. They had equipment now for building houses and taller buildings, but, she didn't see how it was possible for the walls to have been constructed fast enough without everyone being wiped out. Titans were drawn to large groups of people, which would have been needed to construct the walls.

By extension of that, she wanted to know how their ancestors had managed to keep the titans at bay long enough to even be able to build the walls.

And the material. She couldn't figure out where their ancestors had even found enough material to construct their walls.

She wanted to see their proof that humans no longer existed outside the walls. The scouts rarely managed to make it far, so she couldn't see how they knew there was no one else left. There could very well be other settlements with similar protective structures that hadn't yet been discovered.

It just didn't make sense to her.

She brought this up with Hange, who agreed. The information in their books just didn't add up. Unfortunately, without being able to get far enough outside the walls, there was no way to prove their theories nor disprove the government's information.

Isa personally thought that both sides were technically right until they could prove otherwise. She also knew that she had to be careful who she shared these theories with…she'd heard of instances in the past where people had gone missing for questioning the government.

She also thought both her friends were doing wonderfully in their new roles, though they had…different approaches.

Where Hange was friendly and open, Levi was…Levi. It amused her to see him act so cold after having spent so much time around him. She liked that she was the only one he showed his sweeter, more relaxed side to, it made her feel closer to him. It made their friendship feel more...special.

She noticed that he'd taken what had worked from both the squads he'd been on, adding in his experiences in the Underground, to come up with his own method of training.

Levi himself had started adding a few members to his squad, one who was also from Isa's training class, a woman named Karla, along with a man named Gunther, whom Isa had noticed in the last expedition.

At this point, anyone who had lasted this long in the Scouts were going to be decently skilled in Isa's opinion, though she was aware that Levi focused on picking those with high levels of skill. His squad would be placed in more dangerous positions, so she knew he wouldn't want to pick someone who would hinder them.

She knew that more than anything, he hated wasted life.

Outside of their nightly meetings, Isa didn't get to see much of Levi now, considering he was busy putting together his own squad and holding his own trainings now, not to mention she was busy helping Hange with research in her own free time.

She'd heard some of the others grumbling about whether or not he actually deserved to be in such a role. When she'd overheard one of the new recruits disrespecting him wondering 'how in the world someone from the Underground earned such a powerful position,'she'd marched right up to the boy, slapped his head, and said, ' by working hard and not mouthing off about superiors in his free time.'

The second part was a lie…but he didn't need to know that.

Even after all the work and effort he'd put into the Scouts now, she still couldn't believe that there were members who still doubted him, and it frustrated her to no end.

When she'd told him about it, he said he didn't care what they thought, but Isa knew that when the same thing repeated to a person over and over again, a person may start to believe it without realizing it. Those barbs of uncertainty latch on when least expected, festering and growing until the self-doubt hits you at the worst possible moment. She thought he'd seemed amused that she'd slapped the recruit.

Something else she couldn't believe was how messy Hange's office had gotten in the short span of time she'd been made Squad Leader.

The two were currently in her office, discussing some new titan theories Hange had come up with, and Isa marveled at the piles of books and paperwork surrounding the two of them. She was thrown off when Hange decided to completely change the subject.

"Isa, do you know when Levi's birthday is?"

Isa blinked, taken aback as she'd been in the middle of discussing what they could discover if they caught a titan. "No, I'm not sure, why?"

"Well I was looking through his records—"

Isa's jaw dropped. "You were what!"

"—and I noticed that there's no mention of a birthday in them." Hange continued as if Isa hadn't even spoken.

Isa put her face in her hands, shaking her head. She sighed. "Hange…you can't just look through someone's records to find out personal information about them." Isa's tone was exasperated, but also amused, knowing that Hange didn't always care about what she should or shouldn't do. If she wanted to do something, she just did.

"Don't worry Isa, I looked through yours too since you never wanted to tell me, and I now know your birthday is coming up in a couple of months."

Isa glared at her friend. "Hange…no." She emphasized the no, with a hard poke to her friend's shoulder.

Dammit, why did she have to look that up. I should have just put 'unknown' for my birthday. I just never expected Hange to go snooping around in my records.

I should have known better…Hange's curiosity always gets the better of her.

Dammit.

Hange poked Isa right back. "Nope, you're not going to talk me out of anything, we're doing something for your birthday." Hange's face was now set in a stubborn expression, her arms crossed.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes. Isa, I can do this all day." Hange smirked at her friend.

Isa rubbed at her face. "Now I know how Levi feels when I say that." Isa sighed. "Look…it's just…there's a reason I don't like to celebrate my birthday."

Hange blinked, and a sad look passed over her face. She hadn't realized that there might have been a reason that Isa didn't like to talk about or celebrate her birthday. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not…not right now."

"Maybe what you need is to have a good experience with your birthday, to remind you of how good they can be." Hange's voice was hushed now.

"…I don't know Hange."

Hange put a hand on Isa's shoulder and squeezed, giving her friend a gentle smile. "Just think about it."

Isa sighed. "Fine, I have to go anyways."

The smirk came back to Hange's face. "Have fun with Levi."

Isa internally winced at Hange's singsong tone. Ever since that night on the roof, Hange had teased Isa, trying to get more information out of her friend, though Isa had held firm that nothing had happened.

She just rolled her eyes, choosing not to acknowledge Hange's comment. "Goodnight, Hange."

She made her way up to the roof and her heart thrummed with excitement when she saw Levi sitting there with a cup of tea in one hand, another cup sitting beside him.

Her crush had only gotten worse after their near kiss followed by practically being caught pleasuring herself while imagining him.

She had no idea whether or not he'd ever figured out why she'd left in such a rush, but he'd thankfully never brought it up.

He also hadn't brought up the near kiss, and she wasn't sure if she should. She still wasn't sure if she'd imagined it or not.

How in the world does a person just 'bring' something like that up?

What do you even say?

'Oh hey Levi, just curious, did you almost try to kiss me a few weeks ago, or did I just imagine that?'

…Who just flat out asks something like that?

Even better question...how does someone ask something like that?

It's a wonderful thing that our ancestors were nothing like me, otherwise we would have just gone extinct.

She took her place next to him as she did every night, picking up the tea he'd made for her.

His tea really is better than mine.

Damn.

"It's probably not very hot by now."

Translation…'you're here later than I expected.'

"Sorry, I was talking with Hange. I'm sure the tea is as good now as it was earlier."

She took a sip and was pleased to see that it was. She wondered what he did that made his tea so much better.

For some reason, his tasted richer, deeper. She didn't think it was the different leaves, it had to be something else that he did.

Maybe she'd ask him at some point, but for now, she was content in letting him make the tea.

Right now, she had another question stuck in her mind, thanks to Hange's snooping.

"Hey, Levi?"

He hummed.

She chewed at her lip, unsure of how he would react, but he had told her in the past to just 'spill it'when she had a question. "When's your birthday?"

He turned his head to look at her. "Why do you want to know?"

An amused smile formed on her face. "Why do you like to answer questions with a question?"

His eyebrow quirked up at the irony.

She giggled. "Alright, I see what I did, but you did it first."

He sighed. "I honestly don't know the exact day. I just know it's sometime towards the end of the year."

Her heart broke for him at the reminder that he'd lost his mom so young. She personally hated celebrating her own birthday, didn't really have fond memories of it, but at least she knew when it was.

Realizing it had probably been a while since someone had celebrated it with him, she decided then and there that she was going to come up with something for him.

He gave her a look. "What's with the shit-eating grin?"

She couldn't help but laugh. "What's with the shit jokes?"

"Who was it who was bitching about me answering a question with a question?" He was smirking and Isa thought he sounded a touch exasperated.

"Not so fun when you're on the receiving end is it?"

He rolled his eyes. "That doesn't answer my question."

She gave him a sly grin, refusing to give anything away. She shrugged. "You'll just have to wait and see."

For all her talk, Isa honestly wasn't sure what it was she wanted to do for Levi's birthday. She just knew she wanted to do something.

Just because she personally hated her own birthday didn't mean he should.

When Isa was unsure of something, she knew of one place where she could go to for advice. On her next free day, she made her way to Trost, as she had so many times in the past few years.

Isa truly loved Ethel. In the time since she'd met her, Ethel had managed to become a sort of mother, even a grandmother figure for her.

The sweet older woman was always willing to listen to Isa, no matter the topic, or even to just sit in silence, letting Isa enjoy her company. She gave Isa love and affection that she hadn't felt since her parents' deaths.

Love between friends just isn't the same as the love from a parental figure.

Isa wasn't sure what she would do without her.

As she settled on the couch in Ethel's little back room as she had so many times before, Isa was filled with that same comforting feeling she got whenever she was in the woman's presence.

She tried to listen to Ethel as she talked about how her days have been since they last saw each other, but Isa couldn't focus.

Ethel gave an amused chuckle at Isa's distracted behavior. "Isa dear, you look like you've got something on your mind, is something bothering you?"

Isa chewed at her lip. "Ethel, Levi's birthday is...sort of coming up, but I'm not sure what to get him?"

"What do you mean by 'sort of?'"

"Well, when I asked him, he said he couldn't remember, but just that he knew it was at the end of the year. I want to do something nice for him...I know it's probably been a while since someone celebrated it with him."

Ethel thought for a moment. "A man like him is going to appreciate a gift with meaning. Something from the heart. He's not going to care about things, or bits and baubles."

Isa groaned in frustration, falling back on the couch. "Ethel that doesn't help me in the slightest."

"I know it seems that way dear, but if I told you what to get him, then it wouldn't be a gift from you."

Isa pouted, crossing her arms. She knew Ethel was right, but knowing that didn't make it any less exasperating.

She thought back to what she knew of him, which wasn't much. His mom had died when he was young. He'd met Furlan and Isabel in the Underground. He had led a life as a criminal but was now a strong member of the Survey Corps holding an important role.

He had a strong appreciation for tea and cleanliness.

He was also kind, in his own way. Reserved. Slow to trust others. Loyal.

She thought back to his mother, that first memory she'd seen of his.

And it came to her.

"I…I think I have an idea."

Ethel rubbed her hair fondly. "I knew you'd be able to figure something out."

Her arms stayed crossed in front of her, eyes full of uncertainty. "Yea, I'm just worried that he may not like it. Sometimes it's hard to tell with him."

"You seem to know him better now than you did before, so I think your judgment is guiding you."

"Doesn't make it any easier."

"It never is." Ethel gave Isa a thoughtful look, thinking back to her own conversation with the man. "You know, Isa, I think he may be your person."

In their past visits, Ethel had spent time talking about her deceased husband, and how he'd been her person. She'd told Isa that she'd known from the minute she'd met him that she was going to marry that man.

Isa had loved hearing about the older woman's story of how she fell in love with her husband and her struggles in trying to figure out what he thought of her. While it was sweet of the older woman to think so, Isa hardly doubted that Levi was her person, or that she'd ever have one.

She gave Ethel a sad smile. "Ethel I highly doubt he even looks at me that way."

Ethel stroked at Isa's hair. "A man's eyes never lie dear. Even if they don't know what they feel, their eyes hold endless stories. Look closely at his eyes, when he thinks you're not looking, and you'll see."

Her eyes met Ethel's. "I'm not sure what you mean."

Ethel smiled fondly at Isa. "The object of a man's affection is rarely out of his sight. No matter where he is in a room, his eyes will follow you. They'll hold a light that's only present when he looks at you, a light that shines so you can see into his soul."

Isa's shoulders slumped, looking down towards the ground, away from Ethel's eyes. "It's just…I really don't think that's possible."

It was Ethel's turn to give Isa a sad smile, for she thought the world of the girl. She gently took Isa's chin, turning her head so she could meet her eyes. "Your fear blinds you."

Isa's lips quirked up in one corner. "You sound like Hange."

"She is a wise young woman."

Isa sighed. "I should go, I need to get back to base and it's starting to get late." She wasn't sure she could take anymore false hope.

She knew it wasn't possible for Levi to hold any feelings for her, and it hurt her to hear other people say otherwise.

Ethel pulled Isa into a warm hug. "Alright dear, just stay safe."

As Isa left Ethel's tea shop, Ethel couldn't help but reflect back on her conversation with Levi, back on that day Isa brought him with her.

Ethel watched as Isa and Levi began making their way out of her shop, and in that moment, she made a decision.

"Isa dear, you go on and wait outside, I'd like to talk to Levi here for a moment."

She could tell she'd taken the girl by surprise, but thankfully, she didn't put up a fight.

Ethel waited until the door closed behind Isa before turning to Levi, who was watching her with wary, suspicious eyes. "You care for her don't you."

Levi crossed his arms in front of him, avoiding her gaze. "Tsk, of course not."

His cool tone did nothing to offend her, and Ethel merely chuckled at his reaction. "Dear, I don't even think you've realized it yet. That's quite alright, it'll come to you. I can see it, you care for her, in a way that you've never cared for someone before."

"I don't—" Ethel watched as he swallowed and his cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink, his eyes flashing with a warning to back off.

She also caught the smallest hint of uncertainty in his gaze.

Ethel wasn't the slightest bit fazed, and merely gave him another light laugh at his reaction. "It's fine dear, just…be careful with her." Her own eyes flashed with a warning now, her wrinkled face serious. "She has a good heart, and she cares about people, even those who hurt her time and time again. It's her best quality, but also, her worst fault. All I ask is that you don't hurt her."

He gave her a long look. "I don't plan to."

"Good boy." She patted his cheek.

Ethel watched as Levi walked out the door, completely lost in her observations of him, a content smile on her face.

This man is already halfway in love with her and doesn't even realize it. I saw the look on his face when they first walked in and she ran up to hug me. That protective look on his face said it all. He watches her close, as if ready to act at a moment's notice, daring anyone to come near her and try to harm her.

And there's the slightest light in his eyes when he looks at her, as if she's bringing him a joy he either has never felt or hasn't felt in a long time. He tries to hide it, but I can see it, plain as day.

And the way he grew surly at the thought of Isa finding Erwin attractive, why, he was jealous. Poor man has probably had all sorts of experiences but is lost when it comes to love and affection.

Isa, I can tell you've helped this man, more than you could ever know, more than he's probably capable of saying. You're doing wonderfully on your own, just like I knew you would. Your heart guides you.

Oh Isa dear, when he realizes it, he's never going to let you go. But you'll enjoy every second, just like I did with my husband. Your Levi is almost exactly like him.

He may not know how to say it or how to show it, but he'll find a way, you'll just have to learn how to speak his language. And you will, with time. These things just take time.

Isa, I do believe you've found your match, and I couldn't be happier for you.

When the next weekend rolled around, Isa was ready. She had spent the whole week preparing her surprises for Levi.

She only hoped that he liked them.

She found him in the mess hall around lunchtime and saw that he'd just sat down to eat. Before he could take a bite, she grabbed his plate from in front of him pulling it away.

"I was eating that." His eyes held both amusement and annoyance, which she found to be an intriguing contradiction.

The fact that you can both be annoyed with someone and find them funny in the same moment…is rather ironic.

She gave him an innocent smile. "No you're not. Not today. You're coming with me."

He raised a brow at her.

She poked at his shoulder from across the table. "No questions, you're just going to listen. Got it?"

Her uncharacteristically demanding nature had his eyes lighting with more amusement, erasing the annoyance, but he made no arguments.

"Good, now, come with me."

She led him out to where she had Luna and Spartan saddled up and ready to go.

"Mind telling me where we're going?"

"I do mind. I thought I said no questions."

She gave him another innocent smile when he huffed.

Isa led them to a nearby town, where she entered a butcher's shop.

Earlier that week, she'd begged the merchant to set aside a slab of Levi's favorite meat today. The merchants were supposed to give the meat they prepared to the Military Police for distribution in the inner walls. With the shortage in meat, it had been a while since any of them had had any, and she wanted the best possible she could get.

She'd wanted to wait until the day of, to make sure it was as fresh as possible. She'd haggled with him stubbornly until he'd caved. She'd had to promise the merchant triple the price, but she didn't care.

She didn't really have a need for money, so it was just sitting there in her room, collecting dust.

Levi gave her a disapproving look when she walked out of the shop. "Please tell me you didn't just buy meat. That shit is expensive."

"Okay, I didn't just buy meat."

"Something tells me not to believe you."

She giggled at the sarcasm. "That's your prerogative."

Their next stop was a local baker, who had some of the best bread she'd ever had. She bought a couple of the freshest loaves he had.

Finally, the dairy. Another expensive commodity, considering the shortage in animals, but again, she didn't care about the money. She'd also haggled with this merchant earlier in the week, refusing to back down. She'd promised him double the price for a fresh wedge of Levi's favorite cheese.

She'd learned that if you waved enough money in front of someone, they'd usually cave.

Another disapproving look. "You did not just buy dairy products. That shit is also expensive."

She shrugged, but couldn't hold back the grin. "You're right, I didn't."

He huffed. "Stop lying."

"Okay, I'll stop. Now stop bitching and follow me."

She led them back onto base, towards the forest, following the path Isabel had shown her so long ago.

"Where are we going?"

"Again, with the questions? Ye of little sense of adventure."

"I think I've had enough adventure to last a lifetime." The grumbling tone he had made Isa laugh.

"One can never have too much adventure."

"Too much of a good thing is bad."

"Always the pessimistic grouch. You're going to end up with frown lines if you keep that up."

"Good."

She giggled. "Well, it does help play into your role of the surly Captain. And your adoring fans can't help but fawn over the mysterious Captain Levi." She batted her eyelashes, making her voice light and breathy, mimicking the fawning women that practically threw themselves at him whenever they were off base. "If they knew how you really were, I doubt they'd be so in love with you."

"It's not like I asked for that." He grumbled.

She caught the faint blush on his cheeks. "I would never have expected the Captain Levi, Humanity's Strongest,to get so flustered and embarrassed by the adoring attention of his fans," she cooed.

He rolled his eyes and glared at her. "Shut up."

"Oooo, another sore spot. Surely you find the humor in it. I've heard what they say when I'm out and about. Oh Captain Levi, come save me from the big, bad titan and whisk me away to do with as you please." Her voice got breathier, the back of her hand pressed against her forehead as if she were about to faint.

"Stop."

Now she clutched at her heart, giving a heavy sigh. "Captain Levi, I'll gladly do anything you want me to do. Give me any order, and I mean, any order."

"You're ridiculous."

"Don't be such a grouch, it's all in good fun."

"What about your adoring fans?"

She blinked at him. "Huh?"

'Adoring fans?' What is he even talking about?

"You haven't noticed the men around here looking for ways to get your attention?"

Her mouth dropped. "I…umm…what?"

He smirked at her. "So you haven't noticed? Maybe if you took your head out of the clouds, you'd see some of the fools around here tripping over themselves trying to find a way to talk to you."

The teasing light in his eyes had her huffing at the fact that he'd flipped the table on her. "Now who's being ridiculous?"

"If they knew what a pain in the ass you are, I doubt they'd bother."

She rolled her eyes. "You're such an asshole."

"I thought it was all in good fun? Not so fun when you're on the receiving end?"

She glared at him but laughed despite herself. "Fine, I guess you're right."

"When am I not?"

"I'm sure there was a time. I just…can't remember."

"Wait, what's that noise?"

She listened, and realized she could hear the water, meaning they were close. She hopped down from Luna, and then glanced awkwardly at Levi as she chewed her lip.

She wanted him to close his eyes the way Isabel had done with her, but she wasn't sure if he would…and she didn't want to upset him.

He poked at her forehead from where he sat on Spartan. "One of these days you just need to learn to spit it out and stop looking like you're debating on whether or not you want to take a shit."

She glared at him, though it held no weight due to her nerves. "Such an ass. It's just…" She chewed at her lip before meeting his eyes nervously. "Do you trust me?"

He rolled his eyes. "What do you think?"

"That's not an answer. Simple yes or no Levi."

He looked at her for a long moment. He sighed. "Yes. Now stop asking questions you know the answer to."

She couldn't stop the giant grin that took over her features.

I...I did it. I earned his trust.

"Will you… can you close your eyes? I…I want you to see this all at once, like I did the first time. It's a lot nicer that way."

"Was that such a difficult thing to ask?" He hopped down off Spartan.

"Just do it would you." She grumbled.

He sighed, but complied, closing his eyes.

She grabbed his hand, tugging him along with her, their horses' reins in her other hand. She made sure to point out when he needed to watch his step so he wouldn't trip over a random rock, though, she had a feeling he could probably make it through the forest blindfolded without falling.

As they walked closer, she could tell he was trying to place the sounds that were growing louder as they neared.

She waited until they were standing on the same rock she'd stopped on with Isabel.

"Alright, open them."

She watched his face as he opened them, and the look on it was priceless to her.

There wasn't much of a change, but because she was watching him, she could see the changes. She saw the slight widening of his eyes, the ever so slight parting of his lips. She watched as his eyes took in the sight before him, moving across the lake, following the path of the waterfall as it flowed down the rocks.

Despite it being winter, the sight was still beautiful, if anything, the brown of the trees and fallen leaves in the background helped showcase the clear blue water and colors of the rocks even more than when she'd first seen it.

She tied off their horses to one of the trees surrounding them and grabbed her satchel off Luna. "Isabel showed this to me. She came across it by accident and brought me here. If you think this is nice, you should see it in the summer. Come on, let's sit down and eat."

She pulled him to a flat rock where they sat, and she pulled out the food she'd bought.

"Thought you said you didn't buy this stuff."

"I lied, thought you realized that. Eat as much as you want, I bought plenty."

He grumbled about her wasting her money on useless stuff. She reminded him that there was no point in complaining about it now, because she'd already bought the food. Not eating it would be a waste.

They dug into sandwiches, savoring the taste of meat, it now having been months since they'd had any.

As she took her first bite, a content moan escaped her at the savory taste. Her eyes had closed so she missed the way Levi tensed, eyes darting towards her and then back away.

"It's been too long. More people would be able to enjoy this if the people in the inner wall would stop hording it for themselves."

"That would require them to care in the first place." She didn't catch that his voice sounded more gruff than normal.

"Damn you're right again."

They finished up the rest of the food, savoring each bite.

"Alright, onto the next part of today."

"There's a next part?"

"Indeed. Today, you're free to ask me anything you want, and I'll answer, though I want to preface this with I reserve the right to...not answer something if I'm not ready to discuss it."

"What makes you think I want to know anything about you?" She didn't catch the teasing light in his eyes.

She froze. "I...well..."

I...I shouldn't have assumed he wants to know about me.

Walls I'm such an idiot. I should have known better. Why would he want to know anything about me?

I just thought that maybe if I showed him it's okay to share things with people...

I don't like to either, but...over the years, my friends showed me that it's okay, and I wanted to do the same for him.

She felt a sharp pain on her forehead, and she blinked at him, realizing he'd flicked her.

"Relax, Isa, I'm joking."

She gave him a playful shove. "You're such an ass. Sometimes it's hard to tell with you."

She turned to face him, elbows resting on her knees, as her hands cupped her chin, eagerness ever apparent on her features.

He thought for a moment. "Why are you doing this?"

She hadn't expected that to be his first question. "Well...you're not one to share details about yourself, so I thought if maybe I shared some stuff with you, you'd feel more comfortable in doing the same."

He seemed surprised by that. "You want to know about me?"

She could feel the flush creeping onto her face. "I…well we're…friends and from what I've learned, friends share things with each other. So yes."

He seemed unsure of what to say to that. "I…well I meant, why are you doing all of this? Bringing me here? The food?"

"Well, I wanted to do something nice for your birthday, even if you aren't sure of the day. Everyone deserves to have a nice birthday."

Even if I haven't had one. Not since…

"Alright. Why did you go so out of your way to help us? Back at the beginning?"

A smile came across her face, amusement lighting her eyes. "We're back to this again? I told you then, but I'll tell you again. Maybe this time you'll listen you stubborn mule." She poked at his forehead for emphasis. "I know what it's like for people to judge you based on where you come from. People have done that to me my whole life. I knew that people were going to do that with you three as soon as they learned where you came from, and I didn't want you guys to think that everyone on the surface was like that."

"As simple as that?"

"Yes."

He was quiet for a moment, and she hoped that he'd finally taken the answer she'd given him at face value. There really was nothing else to it.

"Why aren't you afraid of me?"

That one took her aback, but it wasn't completely uncalled for. She'd seen how other people acted around him, as if they were afraid of him. It was pretty common, from what she'd seen, for people to be relatively afraid of him. "Something inside me just tells me not to be afraid of you. You don't hurt people because you like to, Levi. I can tell. I've never given you a reason to hurt me, so I have no reason to be afraid."

It took him a while before he decided on his next question. She was in no rush and didn't mind waiting.

"Furlan. Did he ever?" His voice was quiet, almost as if he didn't want to know the answer.

She avoided his gaze. "He...kissed me. The night before the expedition."

"I always wondered if he'd said something to you."

"I...I basically told him I wasn't interested."

"You did? Why?"

"I just...wasn't." She picked at some grass growing out from between the rocks. "It's not something you can really control. Or that's what he told me."

She thought he almost seemed…relieved at her answer.

But…why? Why would he care? Is he relieved or am I imagining it?

That has to be my imagination.

"Why did you forgive your friend?" His next question kept her from wondering for too long.

Isa looked down at her feet now. "I…I know what she did was cruel. The way she treated me was awful. Telling me she'd wished that I had died instead of Lucy."

Her eyes welled at the painful memory, her voice cracking. "But I know she was grieving, and people grieve in different ways. Hers just happened to be by blaming me. I get that. It doesn't hurt any less, but when she came to me, I could tell the guilt was eating at her. I didn't want to add to that. Besides, being angry at her won't bring Lucy back." She sniffled, wiping the tears out of her eyes.

He didn't seem happy at her answer, but Isa was grateful when he didn't press the matter. For her, there was no point in being mad at Sherri, even if deep down, she wanted to be.

A part of her wanted Sherri to suffer, the way she'd made Isa suffer. But that part of her, she was ashamed of. Being angry wasn't going to change anything.

"Come on, it's getting late and I still want some tea."

They made their way back to base, dropping off their horses in the stables. They walked into the mess hall, heating some water up in a tea kettle and grabbing two mugs. The two had the routine down at this point. She carried the kettle and he carried the two mugs.

As they started to walk to the roof, Isa stopped.

"Alright, I have one other gift for you."

He rolled his eyes, clearly unused to gifts. "What's with all the gifts?"

"It's customary to give someone something on their birthday, and it's customary to accept. You're getting this, whether or not you like it."

"Fine." He sighed, that same simple humor lighting his eyes, knowing there was no point in arguing with her.

"Okay, I want you to close your eyes. I'm going to lead you to your last surprise."

He rolled his eyes before closing them.

She hesitated before gently grabbing his hand, and her heart thrummed when he linked his fingers with hers. His hand engulfed hers, practically swallowing it whole. Its warmth filled her with the feeling of being safe, as if so long as he was with her, nothing bad could happen.

Ironic since he's the one with his eyes closed.

She gently pulled him and began to lead him up to the roof, guiding him when they had to climb the steps.

"I don't know what kind of surprise it is when I know we're going to the roof."

"Hush, you'll see when we get there."

He huffed in exasperation.

Finally, they reached the roof's door, and she pushed it open, bringing him out with her.

"Okay, wait here, but don't open your eyes yet."

She made sure his eyes were closed before she moved to the table where she'd set her final gift. Setting the tea onto it, she grabbed the drawing off the table and walked back over to him.

Nerves jangling at the uncertainty of how he'd react, she stopped in front of him. She grabbed his hand and placed the drawing in it.

She took a deep breath. "Okay, open them."

She watched as his eyes blinked open, adjusting to the light. She chewed at her lip as he looked down at the piece of paper in his hands.

When she'd gone to see Ethel for help on what to get Levi, she'd thought long and hard about the things she knew about him.

She hadn't known where the idea came from, but something in her had wanted to capture that moment with his mother when she was cradling him in her arms. It had been so beautiful, so sweet, so heartwarming. She had thought he deserved a reminder of his mother before she died. No boy, no child deserves to watch their parent die. It leaves an emptiness inside a person, that feels like it could never be filled.

She knew that all too well.

So she'd spent the last week drawing his mother as she had sat with Levi wrapped in her arms, warm and safe. The love in his mother's eyes was clear as the light of day. She had clearly adored her child.

Isa wished she could have met her.

Her nerves only grew as he stood there staring, not saying a word. Her hands fiddled with each other, unsure of what to do, feeling awkward just hanging there. She didn't know if she should say anything or if she should wait. She was worried that it would upset him.

What if I just upset him and made things worse than before?

Have I ruined the friendship I worked so hard to build? What if he never wants to talk to me again?

When he raised his head, her breath hitched and her heart leapt at the intense emotions swirling in his eyes. She couldn't read any of it, there was too much there.

'A man's eyes never lie.'

She could sense that she'd taken him by surprise, but that was the only feeling she could fully grasp from him.

She felt like they stood there for an eternity, merely staring at each other. She found the warmth in his eyes intoxicating, and the longer she held his gaze, the more she never wanted to look away.

The blue in his eyes had deepened, to the point where it had almost overtaken the gray, and she felt that she could spend years looking at his eyes, and never tire from it.

She wondered why people thought he was so emotionless, it was clear to her that he felt as deeply as any other person, even if she didn't quite know how to read what he was feeling.

Her eyes dropped of their own volition to his lips, and what she saw had her heart pounding even more.

His mouth held the slightest of curves, the corners upturned ever so subtly.

He...he's smiling! An actual smile, not like his smirks when he's making fun of me, but a smile!

It's…so beautiful.

I…I made him smile.

Her mouth dropped open at the wonder of it as she brought her eyes back up to his.

She felt a heavy weight on her head, ruffling her hair.

"Thanks, it's nice."

She knew that this slight compliment from him meant the same as if he'd grabbed her into a fierce hug.

Her own lips turned up in their own smile at the thought that she'd chosen the right gift. "You...you like it?"

"Yes."

She couldn't hold back. Before she realized what she done, she'd thrown herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, his breath huffing out at the force.

His arms came up awkwardly around her in a loose hug, clearly still unsure of what to do.

"Is this going to become a regular thing with you?" She could hear the amusement in his tone.

"Possibly. If it bothers you that much, you're free to push me away."

He huffed, and if anything, she thought his arms tightened ever so slightly around her.

Relishing in the warmth surrounding her, she let herself enjoy the hug for another minute before pulling back. "Come on, I want some tea."

I really need to control myself better around him. I can't be just throwing hugs at him all the time.

She turned to walk over to the kettle she'd brought up when his hand on her arm stopped her.

"Wait."

She turned back to face him. "What is it?" She was a little surprised to see how serious he looked again.

"I told you if you still wanted help fighting, to tell me. Why haven't you?"

She looked down at her feet, worried that her answer was going to upset him. "Well...after their deaths, I…I didn't think you wanted to be around me." She chewed at her lip, picking at a loose thread in the hem of her shirt. "I didn't want to ask you to be in a situation you weren't comfortable with. I…didn't want to bother you."

His hand on her head brought her eyes back up to his. "If it was going to bother me, I wouldn't have brought it up. I thought you knew that by now."

She paused for a moment.

"Will you?"

He gave her a look before moving his hand down to hers. "Come on."

He led her out to the training grounds, making a stop by his room on the way so he could leave her drawing in it.

She stood facing him, waiting for instruction. She watched as his gaze turned calculating, concentrating as he thought back to what he'd seen of her fighting abilities.

"That day when we fought, I noticed something. You think too much."

"As opposed to not thinking?"

"No, as opposed to not letting your fear and insecurities overrule your abilities. You have good instincts, you just doubt yourself too much."

Well now that's another person telling me I need to not let my fear and insecurities control me...except that's easier said than done.

"Well, I can't help it when the vast majority of my opponents are all bigger than me."

He gave her an amused look. "I'm not exactly winning an award for Humanity's Tallest Person."

"Yea, but you're you." She didn't see how he could compare the two of them. They may both be on the shorter side, but that's where their similarities ended.

"What does that mean?"

"You're strong and fast."

"But I'm also smart."

"And modest."

"Do you want my help or not?"

"Okay, fine, fine, so what should I do?"

"Stop thinking about whether or not you can win a fight. You're not always going to be able to win. It's not always about winning. Sometimes it's just about disarming the opponent enough so you can get away."

"What…what if…" She trailed off, chewing at her lip. She didn't want to ask this question, but her biggest concern was her experience with being completely out of control and unable to defend herself.

"What?"

She struggled to force the words at out, sniffling. "What if someone has you p-pinned against the wall, pressed up against you, wrists held…wh-what do I do then?"

When she said it aloud like that, she could suddenly feel his hand, groping at her again, those menacing eyes leering down on her. Her eyes squeezed shut as the bile started to build, her arms crossed in front of her, protecting herself.

She felt a warm weight on her head, and she opened tear filled eyes.

"I…I don't know what would have happened if you and Furlan hadn't shown up. I don't know how you guys managed to hear me, I'm just grateful you did, that you guys were close. I couldn't fight him off."

A few tears leaked from her eyes as she sniffled. "I didn't know what to do. The training they put us through isn't worth shit in real life, especially if they stop trying to actually teach you."

"Look. There are messed up people in this world. There's no denying that. The only thing you can do is fight. So are you going to sit there and cry, or are you going to fight?"

Perhaps when she'd first met him, she would have found his words harsh. But she understood him a little better now.

'You're a fighter, like Isabel, like Levi, like me.'

And she knew what she wanted to do.

She wiped at her eyes, determination furrowing her brow as she raised her chin at him.

"I'm going to fight."

He ruffled her hair, a small smile crossing his features.

"Good."

Two smiles in one night, must be a record. It's…addicting.

She spent the rest of the evening with him, as he worked her through different moves, fighting stances, punches, kicks, pins.

When he touched her to adjust her form and stance, she ignored the rushing desire flowing through her. When he was up close showing her a pin, she ignored the throb.

She wasn't going to waste his time because she couldn't control herself.

He critiqued her stance, her form, everything, but she took it in stride.

Getting offended wasn't going to help, and that's why he was doing this. To help her. He didn't have to. She wasn't sure why he was, so she wasn't going to give him a reason to stop.

She took in everything he said, trusting him fully. They worked through the sunset and into the early night, and as they did, she was surprised to have made decent progress.

Not much, but she felt that if she had him helping her, she'd get there.

She realized how good of a teacher he was. Even when she faltered or messed up, he showed a patience she hadn't expected him to carry.

When exhaustion began to make her moves sluggish, he decided to end it there, even though she wanted to keep going.

"You're not going to learn anything if you're about to pass out." He seemed amused at her reluctance to get some sleep.

She pouted. "I'm hardly about to pass out."

"The slightest shove would send you on your ass. Come on, let's go." He started walking.

She grumbled about him being an ass but followed.

The walk back to her room was spent in silence, though Isa enjoyed his presence as much as ever. She'd really enjoyed the day with him, and she hoped that he had as well.

When they stopped in front of her door, Isa turned to look at him, his gaze as piercing as ever. "I…umm, thanks for walking me back." She rubbed at her arm, nervous without fully knowing why. "I hope you enjoyed your birthday." Her lips curled into a warm smile.

"I did."

His eyes were drawing her in again and she was finding it hard to breathe. That small smile on his face was intoxicating and she wanted to keep finding ways to bring it out. She was thrown back to that night, when she'd thought he was going to kiss her. She remembered the way it had felt to be so close to him, his warmth engulfing her.

Her own body was lighting on fire at the memory.

She cleared her throat, averting her gaze from his. "Goodnight, Levi."

"Goodnight, Isa."

She opened the door and stepped into her room, shutting it lightly behind her. Eyes squeezing shut, she leaned back against it as she quietly tried to catch her breath, struggled tried to slow the thrumming of her heart.

You have it so bad, Isa.