It really took longer to update this chapter, I'm sorry for the late update. I hope this chapter is long enough. I'm sorry for the grammar mistakes from the previous chapter or in this chapter, I really hope I will enough time to edit it later, I promised. This is my favorite chapter so far, I hope there are still people reading this haha.

"I told you I'm fine." she muttered annoyingly the moment they left the doctor's house. Levi slower their ride on the horse-carriage to pulled over and stopped at the side of the road. They had just finished Mikasa's appointment to the only doctor exist in Trost, even though Mikasa had said it plenty of times and in a multifarious way, kindly saying the fact that she was in a good condition, especially her little swollen ankle from the night before.

"I know what my body feels like. And I'm totally fine, I don't need to see a doctor, and I can say that my ankle it's just fine." she continued. Levi sighed briefly, "It wasn't your ankle I worried about. You were technically froze last night, I'm afraid you'll catch a cold, or the worst is pneumonia. Many people died because of it, even the Lords from Sina Capital."

"My adoptive father used to be a doctor, I knew how to handle a cold." she replied stubbornly.

"Does it make you practically a doctor?" he asked, giving her a side glance.

Mikasa snorted, "I read a lot of book."

Levi shrugged, "I can clearly see that from your room."

Mikasa couldn't help but feel her cheeks getting warmer, Levi definitely referred to her untidy room - how her books haphazardly scattered all over the room. He must think she's some spoiled brat, didn't he? And here she had asked him that she was capable of taking care of the castle alone.

"I wasn't usually disorganized." she said firmly, unwavering.

She swore she saw that rolled eyes from him, "Of course, you're an honorable woman."

Was he teasing her?

He got off from the carriage, tied Daisy and Eloise - his horses. to the nearest tree. He approached where she sat on the carriage, opened the door and offered his hand to help her get off from the horse with her injured ankle.

"About the ankle, you heard what the doctor said. You can't use your legs to run for a couple days." he said. Mikasa momentarily stared at his hand, she scoffed a little, "It's not like I would like to run, anyways." she doubtfully received his hand and taunted it. She felt his big calloused rough hand grasped her hand firmly, it was warm.

Levi pulled her closer, wrapping one of his arm to her waist and helped her get off. He didn't notice how she held her breath when his chest brushed against her slightly, and their sudden proximity even for a mere second.

"Really? I thought you were thinking about it before, when you mentioned the castle as a prison." he said flatly.

"Not all prisoners willingly desire to run away." she said wearily.

Levi lifted his brows, "Will you promise you won't?" he asked, setting his gaze to her after he let her go.

"I'm trying." she shrugged indifferently. "Only if you stop irritating me." she continued.

"Look who's talking." he replied in a deadpan tone.

"And - if you're at least trying to stay at the castle for a while…" she whispered slowly, looked away. He almost didn't hear that.

"Do you wish me at the castle more often?" he asked carefully.

She was stupid. The last thing she had asked to him that she was comfortable to be alone at the castle. She almost didn't believe those words just came out from her throat inevitably. But last night, it changed everything. She could see things that Armin's said before. The Captain might look cold, but deep inside, he was probably a caring person. And he mentioned it before he was here to protect her.

"I'm not sure I can have such a troublesome request. I know you're such an important figure to the military. I should've understood that." she said wisely, Levi didn't reply to her answer, he was thinking what he'd heard before, he was sure Mikasa had asked him to be at home more often. He started to walk with her and follow him from behind.

"Where are we going?" she asked, realizing that they were heading to one of the caffe from the town, "Aren't we going home?" she said again.

Home.

"We're going to meet my friends." he replied briefly.

"Is it Sasha?"

He almost thought that he heard some excitement from her voice.

"No. Would you like to visit her later?" he asked. "We will pass Dauper village when we get home, if only we make it before sunset."

Mikasa nodded, she didn't realize there was a smile on her face thinking of her friend. Friend. Was she a friend to Sasha?

She brushed off the thoughts.

"I… would like to," she said doubtedly. "Of course if it's possible." she corrected her self. She wasn't sure if asking such a thing is considered proper… the servant always taught her to stay silent on any occasion, to nod, and only to answer when they really ask. It's the way they raised a proper young lady.

"While we're in town… can I buy a pair of shoes?" she asked carefully, he turned to her and gave her a side glance, he now noticed the way how odd she walked wearing those red shoes he gave to her.

"Didn't I give it to you last night?"

"It's… too big for me. Besides, I'm not typically that type of girl using a bright red like this." she explained slowly.

"I thought you're Hanji's size. She said so." he murmured, he just realized it must be difficult using an oversized women's slipper.

"Who's Hanji?" she asked flatly.

"Crazy women." he replied briefly, almost sounded like a grunt. "And we're going to meet her." he continued his walk with her following him.

"Ah… you should stop walk behind me." he said, stopping his walk and waited until she catched him up so they could walk side by side.

"The servant.. taught me to walk behind their husband." she clarified.

"Did the servant teach you to hold your husband's hand as well?" he said flatly, but the way he'd said it, it made her blush unintentionally.

"Forget about your old house's rules. You make your own rules now." he encouraged her, offering his arm for her to embrace it. And they walked again side by side this time.

"Do you wish me to boss you around instead?" she asked, feeling weird walking beside him with her arm linked to his, she didn't mean to sound as if she was teasing him. But the way she said it, it clearly sounded like that. And Levi's response surprised her, it didn't sound like actual laughter… he made a snorted sound as if he was chuckling.

"Do I look like one of those husbands to say yes to everything the woman requests?"

She scoffed, "I don't think so."

"But I'll try to compromise with you," he admitted calmly.

"Compromise?" she repeated, now it was getting interesting.

"My uncle said the whole point of marriage is… to compromise with each other, and I'm not sure, but he mentioned something about making all the decisions together and so on." he sighed, he frowned deeply as if he was thinking about something.

"Speaking of your uncle, it's weird to think that my father and your uncle knew each other. And my father looked nothing like that intimidating man,"

Levi momentarily realized it was the first time Mikasa mentioned about her real parents. And he agreed, Kenny was indeed, an intimidating person. Did he look like his uncle too? He wasn't sure.

"Ackermans never look alike, I heard that before, each generation was different. Besides, my ancestors supposedly look intimidating, we protected the King for the longest time. While branch ancestors like you, were the one healing people."

"You seem to know a lot about our ancestors. My father never mentioned it even after his death. All I know, we were living in hiding from people, that was the reason we lived from time to time in a mountainous area. Far from the town. But I never knew why. And Mr. Yager told me I'll use the name of Yaeger Family the moment they adopted me,"

"It's good for you, though. Your adoptive parents did it well, hiding you far from people, living the name of Yaeger. They said humans are more dangerous than a titan."

"You seem to have a good life, I suppose. You're living in proud, people chatter your name graciously, you never live in hiding, I envy you." she said blandly.

"You have no idea. I never mentioned my last name to anyone." he shrugged.

"I thought it's a common thing the fact that you're a niece of Kenny the Ripper."

He shook his head, "People would piss on their pants knowing I'm a relative of some sort of cold-blooded serial killer."

"Would you like to tell me the rest of it?" she asked politely. Levi nodded shortly, "Don't expect a fairy tale story, though. I was never such a good story teller." he admitted.

She chuckled shortly, "I figured."

Her laugh was like a fresh air to him, it was a new thing he learned from her. And he didn't understand why but he liked the sound of her laugh. Now they were talking normally, it was such a good progress, wasn't it? Instead of irritating each other. So far this was good.

"Later. I need to meet someone first."

"Should I come?" she asked, unsure if her presence was even wanted.

"Yeah. Sorry to drag you here. They're very eager to meet you." he murmured, cursing under his breath. He opened the caffe door to her, and they came inside. It was a simple and cozy cafe where there were plenty of people in there.

"Who?"

"Oi, Levi!" someone shouted excitedly - too excited from one of the tables. It was a red-haired woman with glasses, sitting with a tall blonde-haired men, waving her hand eagerly to them.

"Her. Hanji." he grunted annoyedly.

She remembered both of them attended their wedding and they're from the Survey Corps, and that tall hair blonde man was Erwin Smith - the Commander of the Survey Corps.

They approached them and join the table. Hanji eagerly hugged Mikasa tightly the moment they reached their table.

"Miiiiikasa!" she whistled happily.

"I'm very happy to finally meet you! Ah you must be suffering deal with Levi! Let's have a sit, I'll teach you some of things to take care about it." Hanji exclaimed excitedly and held her hands firmly.

"Uh - " Mikasa replied puzzledly. She was kind of in shock, receiving such a warm hug like this.

"Can't you see you're scaring her, Hanji?" he grunted, joining them

"Mikasa! It's such an honor to meet you. You probably didn't notice, but we attended your wedding!"

Mikasa nodded shortly, "Ah.. yeah, I remember."

Hanji sighed, giving her such a motherly look, "Really, Mikasa, hang in there will you? I understand if you want to run away from him, he could be very troublesome, right? Especially his gloomy mood. That was the reason I chose Erwin instead of him!" she laughed.

Mikasa lifted her brows, exchanging a curious look with Levi in silence. Levi caught that look, he just shook his head and gracefully took a sip of tea.

"Ah.. I apologize for his behavior the other day to you. You know he wasn't good enough in socialize with people. But I hope you like the shoe."

Levi scoffed, "You said it would fit with her. But it's too big for her."

Hanji laughed again, "How should I know? You're the husband!"

Levi was giving Erwin a glance while the blonde man was smiling, amused at the sight in front of him. "Aren't you going to say something?" he said, irritatingly.

Erwin shrugged, "You're the husband." he replied and laughed with Hanji. Levi groaned, Hanji and Erwin might be one of the genius in the military, but they still had this side of idiots within them. Here he was, sitting dumbly, with idiots doing the idiots things.

"So, how's Levi? Is he taking care of you well?" she asked curiously. Levi slapped his forehead and muttered something as a curse sound under his breath.

"Are you really going to ask that in front of my face?" he said, giving Hanji a cynicall look. But Hanji didn't respond that, Mikasa cleared her throat awkwardly. "Um…"

"It's okay, you can tell me." Hanji encouraged her, the way mothers did to their children as if they were bullied by some naughty kids.

Levi poured his tea, he might didn't look exactly care, but he kept his ears open.

"I guess he's nice."

Hanji squealed, "I know it! I taught him well!"

"You don't exactly teach me anything, four-eye-freaked women." Levi sighed.

"Wait, how about we go to the market? Have you picked your dress for the event?" Hanji asked excitedly.

"I don't think it's a good idea to attend some ridiculous stupid royal party,"

"It's an open party to celebrate your victory, Levi!" Hanji protested.

"What party?" Mikasa asked.

"Oh! He didn't tell you, didn't he?" Hanji said, "The palace will hold a victory party after the last expedition of the Survey Corps was a big success, it was an open party to all of society and Levi's attendance would be highly anticipated." she explained.

"I won't go." Levi said briefly.

"Are you kidding?! The Palace has finally supported the Survey Corps after all this time. Of course you should go! Am I right, Mikasa?"

Mikasa exchanged a look with Levi before she gave him an answer, "That's right."

"Of course! You're such a dutiful wife supporting your husband's military career! Now, get up children, we should get some proper attire."

It was the first time Mikasa visited the market. Shiganshina's was a poverty area compared to Trost, and when she was a kid, half of the area were still under Marley's colonies, and it was hard at that time to live under a colonies. And everything changed after the Survey Corps regain their Shiganshina territory and it was getting better when the King started to pay attention to Shiganshina after Doctor Yaeger had successfully saved the people of Shiganshina from a deadly flu at that time.

Trost District was full of people, laughter and kindness. It was such a crowded town with their modesty. And shopping with Hanji was definitely one of a new things she never had experienced with. And she secretly enjoyed the moment.

She adored Hanji's boldness and her certainty of something as if she always had a clear vision of what she was doing, the older woman was fearless when they bargained at the store, and the she was friendly and people also highly respected Hanji. She learned that her bold personality maybe came around with her being the Captain of Karanese District and had so much experience in the military. And Hanji treated her well, she was guided how to approach people and how to bargain. She definitely took a lot of notes from Hanji.

"Is it okay?" Mikasa asked doubtfully,as they paid the tailor after Hanji had picked several beautiful dresses for her. And one of them was the formal one and the most beautiful one. Hanji said it was for the royal party and it's the marriage season!

"About the dress or about Levi will be angry?" Hanji asked her back.

"Um.. both."

Hanji shrugged. "The dress is pretty, if you worry about the cleavage you'd mentioned before, don't be, it'll support your breast to be much fuller you know," she said, Mikasa blushed, she never really had a conversation about her body with anyone before. Hanji had babbled it before, complementing her to have such a slender feminine figure and how pretty she was. She'd refused to choose that overly open cleavage dress (even though she admitted the dress was indeed very pretty), and said she would be funny if she'd wear that, she didn't have such a fuller breast, she'd realized her breast was a little too small compare to Sasha's or Hanji's (she secretly had paid attention to that)

"Are you kidding? The people will be in awe to see you're the Humanity Strongest soldier's wife wearing this!" was Hanji's answer when she said she would look funny wearing that dress.

"And what about Levi?" Mikasa asked.

"What about Levi?" Hanji asked her back, shrugging.

"The dress is expensive. I'm not sure if he would like the idea that I spent his money on such wasteful things like this."

"First of all, this is not a wasteful thing. And you don't have to worry about the cost." Hanji momentarily handling the tailor a piece of Levi's gold coin. "You're married to the richest man on the island." Hanji said, grinning. "Sorry, the second richest after the King, of course." she corrected herself.

The thought of it left her wondering. Levi didn't exactly look that rich. He was just a captain of the Survey Corps, wasn't he?

"And… he said he doesn't want to attend the party." Mikasa continued to convey her worries.

"It is because he avoids to meet Frieda Reiss…" she said a simple thank you to the tailor, "..or the King." Hanji continued.

Mikasa frowned, "Why?"

"Oh… he never told you, didn't he?" Hanji asked in disbelief.

There are many things he never tells me.

"I thought you married him knowing that fact."

"What fact?"

"He was supposedly betrothed with the eldest daughter of Rod Reiss."

"I've heard about that."

"How come you end up marrying him, anyways?" Hanji asked curiously.

"My father and his uncle arranged this…" Mikasa said slowly.

Hanji widened her eyes, "Levi has an uncle?" she asked in surprise. "I thought he didn't have any relatives."

The realization came later, she was now aware that Levi also hid his last name as he'd mentioned it before. The way Mrs. Springer or only referred him as 'Captain Levi'.

"Um… I'm actually not sure, I just thought he was his uncle." she corrected herself.

"I know you have a trouble with him. And love never comes easy, right? He may look cold outside and rude sometimes… well, most of times actually, but he's a caring person. He'd built a dead villages and helped a lot of people." Hanji said truthfully, and opened the door to her.

"I hope you can bear with him, I really do. You seem like a nice girl, Mikasa." she continued, genuinely smiled at her and met Levi and Erwin that had been waiting for them outside.

"What did she just tell you?" Levi asked her, realizing Mikasa's thought wasn't there and she looked like daydreaming, staring at him blankly. Levi took a bag of her shopping to his hands

"Oh.. nothing special." she replied, blinking twice as she realized her shopping bags were on Levi's.

"Hanji could be troublesome most of the time, don't think about whatever she had said to you." he assured her, followed Erwin and Hanji in front of them, the people of Trost greeted the Commander and Captain respectfully.

"Do you want to buy anything else?" he asked, giving her a glance. Mikasa set her eyes to the sparkling store at the market, she looked mesmerized by the crowded town.

"Yes. Is it okay if I buy candy?" she asked, almost sounded excited behind that monotonous expression she always had.

Levi lifted his brow, she wasn't exactly like the type of girl who enjoys candy. "...candy?"

"Yes." she replied hastily as they stopped in front of the candy store. "And cakes, if you don't mind." she added.

"Of course." he replied shortly, handling her over his pocket of gold.

"I didn't know that you like sweets." he said, and cursed himself, he shouldn't have said such a ridiculous statement.

Mikasa shrugged indifferently, "There are many things you don't know about me." she replied briefly, and received the pocket. "And I like sweets."

"A lot." she added before disappearing to the candy store.

What she meant a lot, she really meant it. She brought a lot of candy with multiple flavors and forms he had no idea existed.

"You really like sweets." he commented shortly, watching her eat one of the candies, which one of them was red, and it tainted her lips too.

"They don't have such luxurious things like this in Shiganshina." she said, licking her lower lips, unintentionally catched Levi's attention. He deliberately watched the way she eat deliciously, sighing at the taste of sweets in her mouth and she closed her eyes as they walked.

Levi cleared his throats at the sight.

"Do you want some?" she offered him, almost sounded cheerful.

Levi shook his head. "No."

They bid their goodbyes to Hanji and Erwin as they parted away, Levi couldn't bring himself to ask her to come back as the sun was setting and it was getting dark, they were going to arrive at midnight if they didn't hurry up. But seeing her was getting excited, talking to Hanji, shopping with the four-eyed-freaked-women - it seemed like she was almost happy, she looked pleased - she might not smile brightly all time but at the very least she smiled politely, a genuine smile - and she still had that bored face but he caught her eyes sparkling with excitement whenever they passed a certain store and stopped by, or she'd released a sighed in content - as Hanji offered her some random snack she bought, and Hanji smiled at her warmly - and Hanji continued to talk to her about Trost District or simply bragging about herself as the leader of Karanese District or her hyperbole experience. He didn't know what exactly they'd talked about before, but she seemed interested in anything Hanji'd said.

And he knew she listened to Hanji's chatter attentively, as if she was mesmerized by the way Hanji talked to her. He'd hoped she was at least pleased, after whatever they'd encountered the unpleasant occasion before. Erwin and Hanji was right, after all. If he wanted this going to work, he should've been sane enough to make her happy even though he wasn't the reason for her being happy, she should be happy living her life, she was young and beautiful - everyone could see that how much livelier she was. Stuck with a 30 years old man like him wouldn't bring her any good, and bringing her to his endless grief didn't sound right either. The least he could do was letting her do whatever she desired and let her experience all the moments she never had from her previous house.

It wasn't his right to judge her as an irritating young woman while he was being a jerk, she had a tough life, he supposed. Watching her parents were murdered right in front of her eyes wasn't exactly a pleasant memory. They said the worst memories were the one they kept the longest in mind. And being parted away from her previous adoptive family for the sake of his selfishness must be hard for her. She'd said she was living her life in hiding, she never went to any town besides Shiganshina and she never had any friends before. He understood now, why she always had that attentive look whenever Hanji, or Sasha or even stupid Connie talk - because in reality she never had someone really talked to her besides her adoptive family or her servants.

"Are we going home now?" she asked as he rode the carriage horse slower this time, they had been in ride for 4 hours non stop after they left Trost and way to the castle was still 3 hours ahead and it was getting dark as they starting to enter

"Yeah." he asked flatly.

"Where are we?"

"We just entered Dauper." he replied as he recognized the streets and the houses.

"Isn't it Sasha's village?"

"Yes."

"Aren't we going to visit?" she asked curiously as she straightened her sit, staring at the houses passed by.

"No." he replied shortly.

There was a pause for a moment before she replied, "But you said - "

"We will arrive at the castle at midnight if we make a visit and it's going to rain."

"Oh…" was all she said, she couldn't hide her obvious dissapoint, she slumped back to her seat, sighing. Levi glanced at her after hearing that disappointed voice. Her excited look wasn't there. And he didn't know the reason why it bothered him.

"Only if we make a quick visit." Levi added. And he swore he almost saw that cheekily smiled from her.

By he meant a quick visit turned out to be the longest visit he'd ever experienced before. He didn't know Sasha Braus had this big family. And each of them welcomed them warmly and they were very eager with him. The hospitality of the Braus family offered to them was overwhelming for Levi and Mikasa, and they didn't know how to respond aside from agreeing for whatever they offered, such as they invited them to their dinner, or to join to their board game, to their story time - and he looked at Mikasa's was preoccupied by the Braus's kindness. He caught that genuine smile when she gave Sasha's younger brother and sister candies and cakes she previously bought from Trost, and how she stifled a laugh with her hands when Sasha whispered something to her and they both giggled. When was it again Mikasa and Sasha became a friend?

And Sasha's dad was talking to him nonstop, thanking him for being such a good leader and taking good care for Sasha and his help years ago to this village, until it was getting so, so, so late and the last thing he knew was that it was raining with thunder outside. There was no way they would've returned to the castle soaking wet, and his horses were tired after a long day ride.

"You should've stayed! There's thunder outside." he heard Sasha's suggest excitedly.

"We will wait for the rain to stop and we'll straight return to the castle." to his surprise, it was Mikasa's answer.

"Ah I can tell you that this thunder will stop in the morning." Sasha said, folding her arms to her chest, they looked at the heavy rain with thunder from the outside.

"How do you know?" Mikasa asked.

"Because we're hunters, the animals were hiding long before it started to rain because they knew the thunder was coming." Arthur Braus replied to her.

"You really should stay. It's pointless if you force yourself returned to the castle with a heavy rain like this." Sasha's mom said kindly. "I'll prepare a room for you." she added, Sasha followed her parents as they prepared the room for them and left them alone in the living room, while Sasha's sibling had drifted to sleep on their room.

Levi caught that glanced of Mikasa as she approached him, it was undeniable an apologetic look she registered to him.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to make a visit at the first place." she said.

Levi sighed, "It's fine. At least we won't soak in wet if we continue our trip."

"I should've asked to return earlier before the rain started." she said, staring at the thunder outside.

"As if you could do that. I didn't know you're fond with Sasha." he commented, and she sheepishly turned away to hide her blush. "Sasha is a funny girl. She is my only girl friend. I didn't know having a girl friend would be pretty… pleasant." she said awkwardly.

"Yeah." he replied briefly.

"I like Sasha's family." she clarified.

"Hm?"

"They're kind and humble. And they're all… funny."

Levi made a snorting sound, Mikasa gave him an annoying sneer having that response from him.

"Yeah. If you're really fond of this family, let's hope they'll adopt you someday." he said, he couldn't help but the words just naturally came out as if teasing her was the most common thing they've done before.

Mikasa rolled her eyes, but he knew she wasn't angry or something.

"They remind me of my parents. My real parents." she stated, closing her eyes.

"The room is ready," Sasha said, asking them to follow her.

"It's not much like Captain Levi's castle. My family doesn't exactly have a luxurious room, we only have two rooms here. This is the only room that has a bed. I hope you don't mind. And this is my pajamas for you, Mika." Sasha said cheerfully as she handed Mikasa a simple night gown.

The room was small and simple, a little bit a mess, but definitely the tidiest room in the house.

"Is this your parents room?" Levi asked, he glanced through the entire room, definitely this was Sasha's parents room as she mentioned they only had two rooms, and Sasha's sibling was already sleeping in the other room.

"Yeah. Please don't worry about my parents, we oftenly sleep together in the other big room together with my siblings every weekend. I'll sleep in the living room if any of you need anything."

"But - " Mikasa was about to protest, but Sasha already bid them goodnight and left them bewildered.

It's not the small room or Sasha's parents that they'd worried about. It was them, the fact they would share one room together in one singular bed. And there was no chair or something Levi could use to sleep - the room was just literally a singular bed with a wood cupboard at the side of the wall. He wasn't expecting too much from Sasha's house since they were hunters. And hunters usually didn't bother to live in a prosperous way of living like people in Sina, they were simply grateful and modest.

After Sasha left them, none of them said anything as if they were exactly thinking the same thing. And it was painfully weird to think that way. And none of them ever thought about sleeping under the same room, in the same bed, and only the two of them.

"I… will sleep outside." It was Levi that broke the awkward tension.

"Let's not… doing that." Mikasa stuttered, even though she still kept her face straight but he sensed her agitation.

"What I mean… we're practically married. And Sasha said she's in the living room." she muttered and pushed him a little so they entered the room and closed the door.

"I'll take the floor."

"No one sleep on the floor. We're both tired after a long ride. It's fine we can share a bed. I know you won't do anything weird." she said sitting on the edge of the bed, at least the bed was comfortable.

He kept his face straight, he remained silent as he absorbing all those word coming from her, contemplating as if she was sane enough to say that. He remembered how she always closed her room in the castle, how they used to avoid each other, and irritated one another. When was it exactly the fact that she was actually starting to trust him?

"You seemed to trust me," he commented.

She blinked, she still had that bored face of her. "Of course. You're the husband." she said unabashedly, as it was the most factual thing.

He snorted, hearing her naive answer, now they were on the talk of husband-wifey weren't they?

"Yeah, husband. Remind me to share the same bed when we're back at the castle." he didn't intend to keep teasing her, but those mischievous words of teasing her just came out as it was naturally that way.

And the way she blushed, it always amused him.

"It's just one night. I was the one that insisted on visiting Sasha's. I spent a lot of your money today. And I gave Sasha one of the dresses I bought for her to the party. I've put you in a lot of trouble before and I don't intend on making the situation between us uncomfortable. I hope you don't mind."

Us. Now that was an interesting mono syllables.

"It's fine. I told you. My money is yours as well." he replied briefly.

"Of course. Hanji said that too. I should've spent your money more often. She said you're the second richest man in the island." she said, her face remained passive, but he caught that playful tone from her.

"Don't listen to Hanji. She messes with your mind. She'd done that before to me." he said, starting to gather the woods on the fireplace and lit the fire.

"I like Hanji. She has such an interesting story and I adore her personality."

"You mean her gossip about the people in town and her freak personality? Yeah sure. Interesting." he muttered.

"Does her gossip include the fact that you're almost married to her?"

He almost choked on his own throat. That was unexpected. He remained silent, contemplating her words, and his further action. Did he really should elaborate Hanji's madness to her? Because she literally looked like believe everything Hanji had said to her.

"Sounds true then." she concluded, watching him remained silent.

"Sorry if she chose Commander Erwin over you. I completely understand that," she added.

This time, he frowned. What did it supposedly mean?

"I'm sorry - " he broke off, " - did you just…" he said wearily, refraining himself not to curse all those filthy words that were on the edge of his tongue.

"You don't need to explain yourself to me. Sorry, I was making you uncomfortable for asking such a question. It's your personal's story." she suddenly said, turning away from him.

"No I should. Before Hanji really messed up with your mind." he grunted, inwardly cursing at the Erwin's wife. "Hanji and I'm only friends. And that's all. If you're thinking any other thing besides that, don't." he said, standing up and facing her. "It's fucking weird." he finally cursed.

He caught that smirk, and those short giggles came from her involuntary afterwards. The next second she realized he was watching her attentively, she put her passive face back.

Levi just realized she was the one that messing up with him.

"Now turn around," she ordered while raising from her seat.

"What?" he asked puzzledly.

"I'll get change, and don't peek." she said all of a sudden. He blinked and said nothing, he turned his back awkwardly, this wasn't exactly a moment he'd ever imagined before. His wife was changing shamelessly in one shared room with him.

He heard the rustling sound of her dress being undone and dropped to the floor and how the fabric brushed her skin in those pevensive silences and he suddenly could get a clear image in his head of her almost bare body, and the way her silhouette moved on the wall because of the fire wasn't help either, where was all the thunder and rain sound outside anyway?

He cleared his throat and brushed off the thought as he turned his glance away - anywhere beside her silhouette on the wall tugged down her inner robes and bent down to get loose from her skirts.

Levi never thought that such a scene could make his throat dry all of a sudden. He was sure Mikasa was never intentionally put a scene at that time, and he basically had seen her yesterday behind those stupid damp white thin night gown while she was stuck on the river and her curve, he saw it all. And yesterday he never thought any of it. But now he wasn't sure he wouldn't think any of it.

He removed his coat, why was it so hot all of a sudden?

He heard the bed cracked with a certain weight as he assumed it was her climbing on the bed. There was a long silence after that, another minute passed and passed, he didn't dare to turn away or to look until the sound of a calm breathing filled the room, adjoining the sound of thunder and rain outside.

Levi decided to turn towards her to find her laid on the one side of the bed using Sasha's fresh pajamas under the blanket, sleeping soundly.

He blinked, stunned at the sight of her innocent looks, leaving him stood there alone, dumbfounded.

Levi released a long sigh before adding the weight of the bed with his to join her, he didn't lie down beside her. He sat and leaned on the headboard after he arranged the pillow behind his back, and closed his eyes.

The sound of their breathing filled the room.

It was the first time after the longest time Levi could remember he'd heard the sound of someone else breathing instead of his own on his way to sleep.

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