After securing Streak in the stables and giving him plenty of food as a reward, I stumbled to the Commander's office. The loss of blood was getting to me and my vision blurred every now and again. I practically face-planted into his door and stood there as voices floated out through the wood door.
"Erwin, we need to go out and find her now. It's dark, the Titans are inactive. She could still be alive."
"Levi, think rationally. You saw her yourself; she got caught with the Titan arm and went down underneath it. The weight would have crushed her."
That last comment was followed by a deadly silence.
"Sorry. That was uncalled for."
"I just…I just got her back." Despite my wooziness, my heart tugged at Levi's devastated tone. "We got past the incident and now…fuck, she should have never-"
I blinked to clear my head and managed to slap the door.
"Name?" called out a voice. I sucked in a deep breath to keep my eyes open. Think. Think. Name. Name. What's your name, you idiot? Answer!
"Name?" Erwin repeated and I couldn't answer back. There was a sigh. "Open the door, Levi."
I leaned my head against the wood and waited. As the handle turned, I leaned back and finally locked eyes with a pair of gray ones. A haunted look floated in Levi's eyes and dark circles lined underneath. His mouth opened and he mouthed my name.
"Death seems to favour you, Rina Hazura." Erwin moved into my line of sight. I kept my eyes on Levi and tried to take a step forward. The blood rushed through and I stumbled, my vision blurring again. A strangled gasp choked out of Levi as he caught me and I sagged in his arms.
"Sorry, Levi. And no, Commander Erwin, death doesn't favour anyone. In fact, it seems to like me a lot more than seems normal. It sucks."
Erwin smiled gently, taking in my state.
"Go get your head patched up and get some rest. You can take the day off tomorrow, Officer. You too, Captain, you're dismissed."
I struggled up and swayed on my feet. Strong arms wrapped around my waist and escorted me out. The door closed behind us. After seeing the doctor who ranted on and on about my essence for trouble, Levi and I didn't speak until we entered his private quarters. I warily sat on the edge of his chair, watching as he paced in front of me. A few minutes passed and he didn't speak.
"Levi-"
"-what the hell, Rina? You can't effing do this time and time again! It's not fair, brat."
I decided to breach this subject carefully.
"I'm sorr-"
"-sorry is not enough. You can't die again and again because every time you do, I feel like someone effing stabbed me in the shoulder."
I looked up at Levi's backside. He refused to look at me.
"It's not like I want to die, Ackerman. You know me better than that."
"Do I?" he finally snapped, grabbing the arms of the chair and leaning it on the back legs. My feet dangled in mid-air and I grabbed onto Levi's hands, gripping tightly. He glared at me.
"You risked your life to save the formation. You risked your life to save Tacoma. You risked your life to save me. I never asked you to."
"And you never will! I will save you whether you like it or not. Humanity needs you, Levi. Get that through your thick head!"
"And I need you! I can't lose another friend. Not again." he blurted out, trailing off. I blinked at the statement.
"Why did you leave the Ops squad? Did you hate me that much that you had to get away no matter what?"
"What? Levi, no. I just needed some space; the position was open so I took it. I didn't take it because of the risks it held, if that's what you're thinking. And…I'm sorry about dying again and again. I'll try to refrain myself." I cracked a small smile.
The chair tipped back onto all fours and I relaxed. Then another thought entered my mind.
"How's your leg?"
He shook his head and pulled me up from the chair. "Worry about yourself for once, Rina. It shits me about how much you don't."
He then yawned loudly. I chuckled, resulting in him grimacing and turning away.
"You had a long day, Levi. You should get some rest now."
"Like you haven't?"
"I spent quite a few hours unconscious outside. I feel fine."
His eyes darted to me at the statement and I instantly regretted reminding him about my dangerous time alone.
"Anyway, I'll leave you to it. See you in the morning, Captain." I teased and moved to the door. I reached out for the handle before his voice stopped me.
"Wait."
At that, I turned and glanced over my shoulder. His uniform was neatly draped over the back of his chair and he now wore a loose plain white long-sleeved shirt and black pants. I raised an eyebrow at my friend.
"Yes?"
We locked eyes, causing him cough and turn his head away.
"The doctor said that someone should watch over the wound on your head." he stated. I frowned.
"Okay…so?"
Levi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"So, who is going to do that for you, Rina?"
The pieces clicked together and I smirked, turning and crossing my arms.
"Why Captain Levi, are you volunteering to take care of me?"
He ignored the teasing tone in my voice and crawled onto his bed and under his covers. I smiled and began to approach his back.
"No, I was told to take care of the wound on the back of your head. If I didn't, the doctor would have my head. As if being Captain in the Survey Corps wasn't enough, I get dumped with being a nursemaid for-"
"-for your best friend with a tendency to have death following her tail? I love you too, Levi." I shot back, patting his cheek and strolled away again. There was the faint rustling of the bed sheets.
"Ri-"
"I'm getting a new uniform and will be right back, Shorty." I waved off and finally exited the room.