I gazed at the blinding setting sun as the world slowly dropped into night. I couldn't see it from here but I knew that miles away was the most outer Wall Maria, housing the entrance to the long-lost Shiganshina district. After years of training, it was finally time to take her back.

"Here are the final locations, Leader Hazura. Did you need anything else?"

I blinked out the sunlight and turned away from the edge, smiling at the soldier. Taking the clipboard from his grip and flipping through the pages briefly, I nodded in acknowledgement.

"No, that's it for today. Thanks for your work. You can all head home now."

With a final salute, the MP soldier ran off. Sighing, I scratched the back of my head and did another glance at the papers. Time had flew by more quickly than I would have liked, with Queen Historia's major event in only a few days. I had spent the immediate week with my squadron, as it had been too long since we had healed together. Linda's leg had thankfully not gotten worse but she was still out of combat for good. The Special Ops had all accepted the harsh reality but it didn't make it any less depressing. Apart from that, everyone seemed like in good spirits. We were getting fed normally again, were safe, sheltered and most importantly of all, not on the run.

Once I thought I was ready, I had gotten straight onto Erwin's orders, heading over Wall Sina to prepare the security measures for Historia's more formal engagement. Cleaning up the formations and patrol routes, the team was ready to go. Most of the MPs would begin securing the grounds a few hours before the guests began arriving. I was to ensure safe passage to the Survey Corps before joining the security watch. Due to Mikasa being Mikasa, I had persuaded Erwin to allow her to join me, more so she could keep a closer eye on the Titan-shifter.

I knocked on the door and waited, a perfect smile set on my face. The wooden slab swung open and the opposing face rolled their eyes at me.

"Must you really escort me all the way to the carriage, Hazura?"

With a flick of his head, he let me into his room. I chuckled and closed the door behind me.

"As the main Security officer, I need to ensure that the Corporal is escorted safe and sound to the mode of transportation."

"I can take care of myself."

Levi disappeared deeper into his room before emerging again, draping his outer suit jacket over his arm. I gave him a quick once-over, silently taking appreciative note of his rare but still surprisingly heart-racing appearance in a suit. I slammed my right fist over my heart to warn it to behave itself before smoothly transitioning to a salute.

"I never said you couldn't."

Levi paused and watched me carefully before speaking. I blinked as I waited.

"Then what is it? There's something you're not telling me."

I raised an eyebrow. "Is there?"

He took another moment before slowly approaching me. "Yes, something's bothering you. Spit it out."

I sighed, realising I couldn't get out of it. He just knew me too well.

"I wanted to make sure that you were actually okay with telling Hanji. I feel like I goaded you into it. Even we don't know what this is-"

"-please don't tell me you came all this way to worry about something that stupid."

I paused mid-sentence as that ambiguous remark sunk in. Not a shy person, I blurted out the next thought.

"What exactly is stupid?"

I watched as the realisation of what he last said crossed over his face. It then slowly turned into an expression of half annoyance and half amusement.

"Surprising that you need clarification, Hazura."

My eyes widened as he caught onto my sudden change of attitude and stuttered in embarrassment.

"I - we - we're not always on the same thought process."

There was another bout of silence as Levi scoffed.

"What was stupid was not our new relationship but was you thinking that you needed to check with me on telling Hanji. I trust that Four-Eyes with my life so I'm sure trusting her with something extra won't hurt."

"I just-"

"-if there was something that I didn't like, was there ever a time that I didn't let you know?"

My shoulder drooped as I caught onto where he was going. A long but probably well-deserved lecture.

"No, you'd always let me know."

"Then this time wouldn't have been any different."

"What if the circumstances were different?"

"If it was an important decision to you, then I would back you up as always. I'm sure you'd do the same for me."

At this, I dropped it, sighing in defeat. "You know, you are much more cut out for a relationship than I am."

"Tch, that's shit and we both know it." He stated and smoothly walked past me. Reaching for the door, he turned the handle slowly, letting it creak loudly. Just loud enough to cover his next words.

"But I wouldn't even be in one if it wasn't for you."

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the statement and i whirled around to give him an incredulous look. Only to see that the good Captain had his face hidden from my sight, staring intensely at the door. His hand was gripping the handle so tightly his knuckles were white. I chuckled and gently pried his fingers from the metal, jolting him back to reality.

"You didn't have to force yourself to say that, Levi."

"I wanted to."

Glancing up in surprise, I met his gaze spying at me from the corner of his eyes and our fingers tightened slightly around each other's.

"This way Commander."

We jerked out of the moment, ripping our hands away and awkwardly turning to face opposite directions. The room fell silent as voices filtered through the door from passing soldiers. Squeezing my eyes shut I began mentally running through all the security plans, routes and shifts for tonight – a wild attempt to calm my racing heart. However after a few, it did the job and I composed myself enough to open the door and sweep an arm out.

"May we?"

Levi took one look at my dramatic gesture and tried to hide his amusement.

"Tch. We may."