Hello :)

A few things before we start :

- this story largely modifies some aspects of season 4

- this story takes place after season 4, the past being presented in the form of flashbacks

- there are about ten chapters planned, but this may change if necessary

- military ranks in this fic are in part based upon french miltary ranks

Also, as english is not my native language, you may find errors. I worked hard on the translation and did my best. Please, do not hesitate to report any mistake so I can improve :)

Have a good read !

December 20th, 857

Levi's eyebrows furrowed in incomprehension before widening in surprise.

On a tray sat a steaming pot of tea with a white cup turned upside down and a small tea bag.

The Survey Corp's First Class Captain brought a hand to his mouth when a jaw-dropping yawn seized him. Their battle against the Titans and the Mahr, though officially over three years ago, hadn't really cut into Levi's activities. They had just changed.

Despite the fatigue though, a slight smile decorated his lips. He unlocked the door to his room before taking the tray and placing it on the coffee table. The comfort of his quarters had changed. From spartan and cold, they had become larger and more comfortable. The exploits of the Corp had clearly had a positive effect.

Levi laid his jacket on the back of a chair and removed his boots before loosening his straps. He cleaned his hands and face with soap in a basin of water at the entrance to woke himself up a bit. Despite better quarters, running water had not yet reached the military barracks, nor had it reached the vast majority of homes. Even though this new technology was becoming more accessible, it was still only available to those who could afford it. The rich neighborhoods in the interior of Sina and the upper middle class of Maria. Going to the well and stocking up on water was still the norm.

Levi sat down in the armchair across from the coffee table and enjoyed the cozy padding under his buttocks. He didn't have to wonder who had brought him the boiling water and tea bag despite the missive sticking out from under the cup. There was only one person giving him this type of thoughtful attention, except Hange, but hers were different.

He unfolded the small sheet of rough paper from his second lieutenant.

This one is not part of my stash, I chose it by smell during my last leave.

I hope you like it as much as I do.

And please, rest Captain!

Eren

"You too, Second lieutenant", murmured Levi, more amused than annoyed by his subordinate's admonition.

Many things had changed since the recapture of Shiganshina. After the long reconquest, the eradication of the titans had allowed the mapping of their territory. This too had taken time.

Since then, Levi had been promoted to First class Captain, a rank he had refused. He was meant to lead small specialized squads, fast and efficient, not to lead a company of one or two hundred and fifty men. He wasn't thrilled with the idea of being less often in the field either. He had enough paperwork to deal with as it was.

Eventually he accepted his new rank - and the pay that went with it - when Hange with Historia's approval suggested the creation of the Survey Corp Special Forces. A new specialized team with less than a hundred soldiers divided in several squads. Levi now had about sixty of them under his command and Lieutenants and Second lieutenants to accompany him. Eren had become one of those officers. Who would have thought it at first with his propensity to rush headlong under the power of his emotions. Not many, nobody even. Levi himself had had his doubts before remembering that the kid had been traumatized beyond words, hated, betrayed and pushed without any escape toward a fate already written. He didn't dare imagine the strength of character it had taken for Eren to free himself. To free them all.

Levi took the bag and smelled it, curious. It smelled of blueberries and something else he couldn't define. He hoped Eren hadn't spent a fortune on this tea. The cotton muslin bags were often more expensive than the bulk in a wooden box.

Levi had thought Eren was going crazy the night Hange had come pounding on his door, on the verge of panic. The black haired man still remembered clearly those endless hours when Eren went from rage to apathy, from screams to tears, trying with great difficulty to tell them what he had seen and what he had done. The avalanche of information and the weight of it had left the two officers overcome with grief. Something had happened deep inside Levi after that night. His conception of who Eren was changed forever.

The young man's torments had gradually subsided over time with Levi watching over him with renewed constancy, several times nearly provoking an altercation with Mikasa. But Eren's reassured look and his relieved smile when Levi was by his side had comforted the man in his decision.

When it was ready Levi took the time to taste the aromas of this white tea, keeping the first sip in his mouth, reassured by the delicacy of the blueberry and the floral of the second, which he still could not name. The Captain let himself sink into the armchair, sighing at ease, taking the time to look at the room without really seeing it, his mind empty of any parasitic thoughts.

It was late, the weather was cold and dry but the heat provided by the cast iron stove since this morning made the temperature of the room pleasant. Long minutes passed as Levi finished sipping his tea. He only got up because he was beginning to fall asleep in the armchair. It wouldn't have been the first time, but for almost a year he had been trying to get into the habit of occasionally sleeping in a bed... of actually really sleeping. Not the three short hours sprinkled with regular micro-naps that he had once been able to survive with.

Now it was impossible, he had no choice. His body had finally backed him into a corner almost a year ago when he had suddenly collapsed from exhaustion, no longer willing nor able to get up in the morning. Hange had put him on forced rest for two months, threatening to suspend his pay if he didn't comply. This threat had no effect. Apart from a few personal effects, an occasional book or two - which were more often than not lent to him by Hange herself or Armin - and his tea purchases, Levi spent almost nothing. But his commander and friend knew him too well. She had quickly played her trump card : taking away the 104th and assigning them to another captain. Levi, his brain so foggy and tired, hadn't thought about it. He simply saw red and fell head first into his friend's trap.

"

"You will not take the brats and Eren away from me, Hange! No way! Unless they tell me clearly that they want to leave, I'm keeping them with me. They are our best soldiers, along with your best Captain !"

Levi was halfway on his feet at this point, almost ready to fall asleep standing in front of Hange's desk, when Hange laughed at his tirade.

"Well in this case little man, I will say it un four words : bed and total rest. Your kids will still be there in two months and your lieutenants will keep you informed of any critical information. Other than that, I don't want to see you in the field nor do I want to hear that there was any light under your door all night."

Levi had rolled his eyes. He hadn't bothered to pick up on the joke made on his height.

"I'm not kidding Levi, I'll send the kids to check it out if I have to."

"It's not with my insomnia..."

She cut him off.

"It's unlikely you'll have any for a few days. I bet you'll sleep like a log."

Levi had been planning a retort when someone had knocked firmly on the door.

"Come in", Hange had called.

The opening door had given way to Mikasa, her face impassive, but her gaze penetrating, already knowing why she was there. Shit, Hange was going to have him escorted like a child to his room.

Glorious.

Even more glorious for Levi had been to see Eren appear behind the jet-haired young woman. The special forces captain of the Survey Corp had rarely felt so mortified. However, Eren's worried look had somewhat eased his discomfort. Hange then looked him straight in the eye before raising an eyebrow in defiance.

"Go to bed Captain Ackerman. That's an order."

"

Levi, who usually didn't care what anyone thought of him felt deeply uncomfortable at the thought of Eren and Mikasa... - especially Eren - losing some of the respect he had for him. None of his men had ever even caught a glimpse of him being reprimanded - particularly when deservedly so - by a superior.

He huffed as he entered the cooler room adjoining his bedroom. Another basin of clear water was placed on a cabinet with a mirror on top. No way he was washing the cup and teapot in the dirty water he had used for his hands. Only Maria knew what he had touched at the end-of-the-year reception for the officers. In a glass, he retrieved some water that he would use to rinse his teeth after cleaning them.

He should have known that Eren would never have lost respect for him over something so "minor".

He wasn't that kind of person.

Mikasa had left him with the young man once he got to his room and Levi had grumbled he didn't know what before collapsing on the bed. He had to admit that he was exhausted. In the distance he had heard Eren's quiet laughter, just as he had felt him take off his boots and loosen his straps, then cover him with his cloak.

He had slept twelve hours uninterrupted.

Every day for a month.

With two hours of extra nap time daily.

Now Levi could almost smile about it. He had needed the break badly and recognized he would not have lasted very long in this state. He had reached his limit. By force of circumstance he was now following a more suitable sleep rhythm, even if he had difficulty in keeping it regular. It explained his Second lieutenant's letters when he realized that he was overdoing it. Eren was much more observant than people gave him credit for.

Having finished the dishes and his evening ablutions, Levi returned to the room dressed in his white pajamas with dark green stripes. This too was a change from the new world, replacing the classic long nightgown which Levi had never worn except as a child. He curled up in his blankets up to his neck and, helped by the soothing properties of the tea offered by Eren, let himself be gently carried away by sleep.

Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a comment :)

Happy holidays and see you next chapter!