Levi opened his eye just slightly, the room lit in a red hue as there was no light coming through the sheets, it probably being night and the fire was the only light source in the room. He heard noise over around the fire and figured that it was where Erwin and Hange were.
Trying to sit up a little, wanting to let Hange and Erwin know he was awake, he wasn't able to move his lips, his lips feeling numb and hurting more than before. He was glad Hange had fixed up the stitches, but his whole face hurt a lot worse now.
Laying back, he took a second to get his bearings.
He wasn't sure how long he had been out, eventually having passed out from the pain and the booze as Hange had taken care of his face and hand. He hadn't even been conscious anymore by the time they got to his hand. The last thing he did remember was Erwin caressing his hand.
'Can we move him?'
Erwin's voice.
'We are going to need to. We either gonna follow the others or wait till the Yeagerist find us,' Hange said as they poked into the fire.
Sitting up a little more, he looked as Hange picked up his broken gear again, holding some tools, not sure what they were working on.
'Hange, he is in no shape to travel,' Erwin said concerned, 'his fever has only just gone down, he has barely eaten anything in the last few days and he lost a lot of blood,'
'You always keep saying he is the strongest person you know -'
'He is – but I am really worried about him, you saw those wounds,' Erwin admitted to Hange and Levi felt guilty for eavesdropping as he heard the emotions in Erwin's voice.
'I know, but he is strong and he is going to be okay,' he heard Hange comfort Erwin.
'I am scared Hange – I can't lose him,'
Levi hated hearing Erwin's voice break, hearing him so emotional. He wanted to get up, walk over there, tell him he was okay but he didn't move, too tired and sore to do so.
'He is on the mend, you said so yourself,' Hange still tried to comfort him, 'I know you are worried about him, but he has been through the worst of it. It is going to be okay,'
It was quiet for a while and Levi hoped Erwin was finally taken Hange's words to heart. He wanted to shout, he wanted to tell Erwin he was fine. But his body, his face, nothing would move.
'Thanks Hange – I just - I love him,' Erwin said and Levi felt his chest tighten. Each time Erwin said those three words, it meant the world to him as much as he didn't know how to return it sometimes. Especially hearing it say to somebody else for the first time, he closed his eye for a second, wincing as his lips formed into a smile.
'I know,' Hange said, 'It was always clear there was something special between two. Even when nobody got along with Levi, you still saw the best in him,'
'Come on, stew is done, wake him up- he really needs to eat,' Hange told Erwin, 'I am going to check outside, see how things are in case we leave tomorrow,'
Levi closed his eyes as he heard Erwin walk closer, hearing Erwin sit on the edge of the bed, the bowl being set down on the floor and his gently hand on the side of his face now.
'Hey – Levi,' Erwin spoke gentle and Levi pretended to wake. He knew how hard the conversation he had just had with Hange had to be on him and he didn't want to let on that he had heard most of it.
'Hey,' Levi said now, his lips hurting worse than before. Erwin looked concerned as he was struggling to talk now, his lips swollen where Hange had redone the stitches.
'Hange made some stew, you should eat,' Erwin said gently, stirring through the bowl for a second as he was clearly still emotional, as much as he didn't want to show that to Levi.
Helping him sit up, he was surprised as Levi suddenly wrapped his arms around him, his face against his neck.
'Hey what are you-'
'I love you,' Levi mumbled, Erwin hearing he struggled talking, but it didn't make the world any less meaningless. They only meant more – and it was just what he needed after his talk with Hange.
Levi laid back, the hug having somehow drained him, but given him new energy as well.
'Thanks, I needed that,' Erwin admitted, 'I love you too,'
He smiled at Levi, taking his hand for a second to caress it, so grateful for the hug. It was just what he needed.
'Looked like you needed a hug,' Levi said. Erwin stirred through the bowl again as he slowly started to nod.
'I did, thanks,'
Levi looked at his tired smile.
'Erwin, I am going to be okay,' Levi told him as Erwin put some of the stew on the spoon.
'I – I know,' Erwin said a little unsure, finally started to feed him. It was even harder now that his lips were swollen. Levi tried not to complain as he knew he had to eat as well.
'Shit,' Levi complained though as it was hard to eat, some of the food slipping down his lips onto his chin and the shirt. It was hard to move his mouth.
'Don't worry, we can clean you up in a second,'
'I know – just-'
'I know it is frustrating, it's okay,' Erwin told him.
Levi was touched by how patient Erwin still was with him even though he was clearly not feeling his best himself either. Finishing the whole bowl, as much as he had struggled, he did feel a little better.
Gently wiping the food away from his face, carefully taking the shirt off to wash it, Erwin smiled at him.
'Must've been good to eat something substantial this time,' he smiled, hoping it would give Levi some of the much needed energy.
'Yeah,' Levi just smiled slightly. It was a welcome meal after days, finally having eaten something warm and filling.
'Going to grab some for myself as well, before you start complaining about that,' Erwin winked as he got up to grab a bowl for himself as well. Sitting down on the bed again and setting the bowl down so he could eat.
'Hange wants to leave tomorrow so we can leave with the others, told them it depends on how you are,'
'We are going Erwin, no question about it,' Levi argued, wincing as the new stitches in his lip pulled.
'Alright, just – just rest up then,' Erwin said, not wanting to argue with him. Kissing him on his forehead, another kiss on his head, he started eating, keeping a watchful eye on Levi as he fell asleep.
Levi was hammering the poles of his tent into the ground after they had left the walls today. The 26th expedition of the Survey Corps had started this morning. It was his third expedition and he had even less expectations of this one over the other two.
He looked back, saw some of the people look back at him, immediately looking away.
He wasn't sure if it was because of his history in the Underground that had been gossiped around by now, his own antisocial demeanor or because he was the newest member of the Survey Corps until the new recruits came in, but he didn't mind. Nobody had wanted to share a tent with him and since they were an uneven number, he was assigned to sleep alone.
With his insomnia he was happy not to have to share a tent and having to be mindful of a sleeping comrade beside him.
His tent was much further away from the others, closest to the horses and his eye fell on his own horse, the smallest of the bunch by far – that had been pushed away from the hay by the others.
'Shit,' he hissed under his breath as he made his way towards the horses. Grabbing the harness of his horse and pushing the others aside a little, he let his horse into the bunch so he could finally eat something as well. Caressing over the horses mane as the small horse finally started eating.
Miche had thought it was hilarious to give him this tiny horse, the tall man finding Levi's short stature an endless source of jokes so far. Some of the other soldiers had ridiculed him, but he didn't care. All he cared about was doing this expedition well.
'Levi?'
Commander Erwin suddenly stood behind him, sitting on his massive white horse.
'Come on, I heard something in the distance,' Erwin waved him to come along. Jumping onto his horse, he quickly followed the commander.
He followed Erwin. The commander was not far ahead of him and they had barely left the camp as Levi rode beside him. In-between the trees, they slowed down so they could get a better view. Levi peered between the massive trees, Erwin doing so on the other side.
'Not seeing anything so far,' Erwin pointed out.
'This side is clear too,' Levi answered him.
'Why did you want me to come with you?' Levi enquired as he rode next to Erwin. Especially now that he was driving next to Erwin on his giant horse, he hated Miche even more for giving him the tiniest horse in the stable. Erwin towered over him as they looked out for the titans.
'You are one of the strongest soldiers with us currently,' Erwin explained himself as he tore his eyes away from the tree line, instead looking at Levi.
'Tsk,' Levi just shrugged and looked around again, 'Why wouldn't you take Miche?'
'He is a higher rank, but he also talks a lot. A lót,' Erwin explained himself as they made their way between the trees, slow and hesitant, still on the lockout for danger.
'So, how are you finding the Survey Corps?' Erwin enquired after about a minute of silence as they rode through the forest beside each other.
'Next time if you wanna talk, you should take Mich- Sorry, commander,' Levi said. As much as he wanted to snark and speak what was on his mind, he knew he would be in trouble with the military police if he were to get kicked out. Besides that, Erwin seemed to be one of the few people here with an actual purpose.
'It's okay, sure not afraid to speak what is on your mind,' Erwin laughed.
'It's good,' was all Levi replied to the question Erwin had asked.
'Just good?'
'Mhmm,' Levi just nodded. Erwin didn't want to prod him any further. Although Levi wasn't social with most of the other comrades and Levi was one of the few men Erwin wasn't able to read.
'Just wanted to say as well that I am really grateful you did pledge your loyalty to the Survey Corps,' Erwin said as they had reached the end of the forest, looking over the fields that they had passed today as they had left the walls.
'Asked me to ride with you just to thank me?' Levi asked curious, still weary of Erwin's intentions. They stopped their horses, looking at the clear view in front of them.
'Maybe I just wanted to check in with somebody I don't talk to often, since he usually doesn't even wanna be in the same room as me – or anybody,' Erwin told him as they looked over the field, no movement to be seen.
'Doesn't seem like you are getting on with the other soldiers,' Erwin remarked finally after a few seconds.
'I don't care about being popular,' Levi just told him, staring off into the distance.
'I picked up on that,' Erwin nodded, 'Something I can do to help? I want everybody to feel at home in the Corps,'
'No,' Levi just answered, not looking at him as he turned his horse around
'I am not seeing any titans, let's head back,' Erwin finally said.
Levi looked as Hange and Erwin has started packing up everything they wanted to take. He wished he could help them, assure to Erwin again that he was going to be okay.
Especially after he had heard Erwin get so emotional.
'Gonna scout again so we can leave in an hour, okay,' Hange said and Erwin nodded. Looking as they left, Levi looked at Erwin.
'Thank you for listening to me, we need to get out of here,'
'I know, I just wasn't sure if you are up for it,' Erwin explained as he started grabbing Levi's clothes together, having washed some more of it last night so they could leave. Levi just shrugged. He felt like shit, but he wasn't sure if it was going to change by just being in a new location.
'Hange thought of something though, gonna carry you until we meet up with the others,' Erwin said as he started sorting out Levi's gear.
'Erwin no, I can walk,' Levi said, not wanting Erwin to have to carry him, especially not slow Erwin down when they were in danger.
'I am not sure if you can, we need to walk far to meet up with the others. Hange had hoped we could leave yesterday, they are closer to the sea now,'
'Let me prove it to you then,' Levi said.
'Levi, I am not sure,' Erwin said, but finally stretching out his hand. He knew there was no way to stop Levi anyway when he wanted to prove something.
'I can walk,' Levi assured Erwin, grabbing onto his hand.
Erwin pulled him onto his feet. Levi didn't even stand fully upright before his legs crumbled under him, Erwin quickly grabbing him and helping him sit down on the ground before he could fall.
'You okay?' Erwin asked worried as Levi sat on the ground, panting after even getting up from the bed.
'Yeah, I-' Levi said as he tried to himself up, his hands on Erwin's arm. He tried, but as much as he tried, he couldn't find the power in his body to get back onto his feet.
'Your hip?' Erwin asked concerned.
'No – maybe – just – everything hurts,' Levi panted as pain seared through his whole body. As much as he tried to hide it from Erwin and although his body was healing, everything hurt from the shockwave that had gone through it. He knew most people wouldn't even survive the blast and he was lucky to be alive, probably only because of his healing powers. But it didn't mean his body hadn't gone through hell and back because of the blast.
Gently, Erwin moved his hands away and helped him sit back, Levi wincing as Erwin slid his leg from under his body, his bruised hip complaining at the slightest movement. Leaning back, he felt tears burning in his eyes, his head back before Erwin could see them. It wasn't even the pain in his body, but the frustration he felt not being able to do anything.
The tears only frustrated him more. He had never felt this emotional before.
'Levi?' Erwin asked carefully, not wanting to point out his tears even though he saw them.
'I'm useless like this – the world is ending and-'
'Respectfully, shut up,' Erwin told him.
'Not much of a soldier now,'
'I need you with me, no matter where and not matter what. Not as my strongest soldier, but as my favorite person,' Erwin told him as he gently caressed the side of Levi's face.
'The world is ending Erwin, I heard you and Hange – all you ever did was to find out what was outside the walls and now you are letting it be destroyed just to stay here with me,'
'If the world is ending I want it to be while I am with you – a world where I would leave you while you are in this state – a world without you with me isn't worth living in either, let it be destroyed then,' Erwin told him, Levi rolling his eyes.
Levi was quiet for a few second, not sure what to say to Erwin.
'You done talking cheesy shit?' levi finally asked, causing Erwin to chuckle.
'Guess that means you are going to be okay too?' Erwin smiled as Levi seemed to come back into his own.
'I am – I guess the explosion scrambled my brain a bit,' Levi just said with a small smile.
'You know it's okay to feel emotions and talk about them right, at least with me,' Erwin said gently. As much as he enjoyed seeing Levi's softer side, he knew that it was something that only happened when he wasn't feeling his best and he hated the idea of that.
'I know,' Levi finally said, 'Help me up the bed for a second?'
Carefully, Erwin helped Levi sit back on the bed, gently wrapping the blanket around him before he could get cold.
Looking into his eyes, he just wished they could kiss, every kiss between them always making him feel like the day was a little brighter and the world a better place. But with all the pain he was in, he instead just pecked him on his cheek again.
Levi laid in his arm, closing his eye for just a second.
'Erwin, I want to go and meet up with the others. If the world is ending, we should at least try to save it. Because I don't want to live in a world without you either, or without a world - there is no us, so that means this world has got to stick around a little longer,' Levi softly spoke, some words hard to make out as his lips pulled, but Erwin could make out every word.
'Alright, sounds like plan,' Erwin said softly. With all that Levi had lost and he had been through, he didn't want to keep making all this decisions. Levi was just as capable as him.
'Thank you,' Levi said softly, so appreciative that Erwin respected his wishes.
'Let's stop the end of the world,' Erwin smiled, kissing Levi on his forehead once more.
Erwin had sat watching into the darkness for an hour, his turn to take the night watch as he heard shuffling behind him.
Looking up and behind him, he was surprised to see Levi walking closer.
'Why are you still up?' Erwin enquired a bit surprised. The last voices, singing and drinking had died down at least an hour ago.
'Can't sleep,' Levi just said as he sat down on the other side of the fire from Erwin.
'Something wrong-'
'I don't sleep - usually,' Levi just told him.
Not wanting to question it any further, Erwin just nodded as he looked at Levi over the flames. The last few months he had been in the corps, he had been standoffish and Erwin hadn't talked to him much as Levi often left any situation that would require him to have a conversation. The fact he voluntarily came over here and sit beside him surprised Erwin. Maybe it had something to do with their excursion earlier today.
Levi was welcome company though during his lonely watch. After their talk today as they had scouted for titans Erwin was only more intrigued by Levi.
'You want some tea?' Erwin offered him.
'It's shit tea, but yeah,' Levi nodded and Erwin chuckled for a second at his answer.
Pouring in some more water to boil over the fire, he grabbed another of the cups left for the watch. Levi carefully inspected what he was doing, finally not being able to help himself from saying something.
'No wonder the tea tastes like shit, you are using way too many leaves,' Levi pointed out.
'Really?' Erwin asked surprised.
'Yeah, use a little less and let it steep longer. It's better,' Levi just said. Erwin was a little bit taken aback, but even though Levi was blunt, he wasn't unfriendly.
Following his advice, he handed one of the cups over to Levi, the man nodding as he took it.
'Thanks,'
Erwin took as sip, the tea warming him up as he had gotten cold from sitting around here.
'Better right?' Levi enquired.
'Yeah it is, thanks,' Erwin smiled at him.
Levi wasn't unfriendly, at least nowhere as unfriendly as he had perceived him before. He was rude, uncaring and didn't seem to get on with most of the other corps members, but he wasn't unfriendly. Erwin still hoped that eventually, he would warm and open up a little more.
Sitting back a little, he looked up between the trees. It was so different to anything else he had ever seen before.
'You ever seen this many stars?' Erwin looked in disbelief. Every time they were outside the wall, he couldn't believe how many stars dotted the night sky.
'You are asking a kid from the underground how many stars he has seen?' Levi teased him a bit.
'Sorry – I-'
'It's fine, it really is a nice view,' Levi smiled at Erwin for just a second, taking another sip of the tea. They sat in silence for a few minutes, the only sound the smalls sips both of them took from the cups. Erwin didn't mind the silence though. Whereas he had felt he had to keep the conversation going today, it felt a lot more natural sitting in silence with Levi.
But looking as he sipped from his cup, the cup balancing between his fingertips, he was curious.
'Why do you hold your cup like that?' Erwin enquired as he looked at Levi.
'It's a dumb story – you don't want to hear it,' Levi just told him. Looking over the flames, he looked as the flames danced in Levi's steel blue, almost gray eyes.
'But I do, that's why I just asked,' Erwin pointed out.
Levi sighed, staring off in the distance, seemingly not too excited to recount the tale.
'Just – when I still lived in the underground I made some money on a job, bought a tea set and some tea and the ear of the cup broke before I could drink it. Been holding it like this since,'
Erwin nodded just slightly, the story touching to him as even though he and Erwin had been through a rocky start with the job Levi had had to do and not finished, he realized that his life in the Underground must have not been easy at all for him.
'I told you it was a dumb story,' Levi shrugged.
'It's not,' Erwin wanted to assure him, 'I think it speaks to how resourceful you are,'
'You are full of shit,' Levi told him, still not sure why the commander was so warm to him given their history. Especially after he had only joined the Survey Corps with the intent of killing Erwin. Erwin chuckled and he finally noticed a small smile appear on Levi's face, even if it was just a for a second.
'Wow, you really gotta learn to take a compliment,' Erwin teased him a little.
'Yeah, yeah, whatever, thanks I guess,' Levi finally shrugged. Looking up the stars, he thought Erwin was right. The blanket of stars above them was amazing, not only because it was unfamiliar to him being from the underground, but insid ethe walls there wasn't as much to be seen with all the light pollution. The last two expeditions had been shortlived and they had ran back behind the walls the same day they left.
'What you said today – about my loyalty – how can you know after what happened?' Levi asked as he looked up at the stars.
'You may have come into the Survey Corps under false pretenses, but I still think you are here for the right reasons now,' Erwin said, 'I am happy tou joined, you are one of our strongest members and you did amazing these two first expeditions,'
Levi looked down at his cup now, trying to keep the smile from his face. He wanted to make a snarky remark, but he felt genuinely happy with Erwin had just said, as much as he wasn't great at expressing it.
'Alright, my watch is almost over and I really do need some sleep, you are welcome to keep sitting here, Hange should be here any minute. You are welcome to make more tea - ' Erwin wanted to persuade to keep sitting there, hoping that a one on one chat with some of the other members of the corps would help him feel more welcome and comfortable. Hange was odd but they were friendly and Erwin knew Hange would do their best to get on with Levi. Maybe they would get along as they were both the odd ones out from the Corps.
'Nope,' Levi just said as he jumped up, finishing the tea.
'Hange is nice,' Erwin told him.
'I once fell into the trap of asking about their experiments, I don't need a lot of sleep but life is too short - never again,' Levi explained himself.
'Fair,' Erwin chuckled, 'it was really nice talking to you Levi. Welcome anytime for a chat – or tea, okay?'
'Only if you don't use too many leaves,' Levi said with a small smile and Erwin realized he was at least trying to joke.
'Yeah, no more bad tea,' Erwin promised as they split their ways as soon as Hange appeared.
'Hange is going to be in front of us while I walk with you, don't want to get you into danger,' Erwin explained the plans as he was getting Levi dressed.
'I still have one good eye and hand to aim and shoot,'
'I am not dragging you into danger,' Erwin told him again.
'I will be fine,' Levi told him as Erwin carefully dressed him.
'Yeah, you will be fine not fighting,' Erwin told him. He had just washed him, dressing him now. It seemed trivial, but he knew at least Levi would feel better after freshening up.
'Where is my cravat?', Levi enquired.
'Had to wrap it around you hand, sorry-' Erwin thought back about the white cloth. He had felt so bad about it when they had eben on the run, but it was one of the few things he could wrap around his mangled hand at the time.
'It's okay,' Levi reassured him.
'I know it is not a big worry, but you look a little weird – almost naked without it,' Erwin explained as he helped him pull the ODM gear over his head, Hange having mostly salvaged it.
'Bet you wish I was,' Levi bluntly teased him.
'How about you say these things to me when I don't need to worry about breaking your body in two when I gently touch you,' Erwin said as he bit his lip.
'Not that feeble, not gonna break if you touch me,' Levi assured him. Erwin laid his hand on the side of his face again kissing him on his forehead, gently. As much as he wanted to do so much more to him, he didn't want to hurt him.
Clipping the ODM gear closed across his chest then as Levi helped, Erwin still looked unsure.
'You sure you are ready to go?'
'Yeah, we really need to get out of here,' Levi just said. He was tired, his head hurt, not just the wounds on his face, his eye, but his head in the general. Just like the rest of his body hurt. Not just his hand, but every part of his body that had gotten hit by the shockwave of the thunder spear. He was such a mess, he knew there was no way they could wait it out.
The door opened, Erwin looking worried, but it was Hange.
'It's clear out, not much activity. I think we should go soon,'
'Where are my swords?' Levi nodded, wanting to leave too now.
'One probably exploded in your face, the other – probably the one that your hand was in when-'
'Yeah,' Levi just mumbled then, filling in the gaps.
'I still got one,' Erwin said, not wanting Levi to even think about fighting.
'You are not fighting. If we need to fight, you run away with Levi,' Hange told him, still shoving one of their blades in his ODM gear. Putting what remained of Levi's gear, in the hopes to fix it up in their bags and tying it on the back of their bag, they got ready to leave.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he felt a little more like a person again now that he was finally dressed. He was still wearing Erwin's shirt, his own pants and the leather jacket Hange had mostly stitched up for him. He was even wearing the harness of his ODM gear, Hange having fixed it up and telling him to put it on, helping him do so
'Here Levi, you wear it, you need to stay warm,' Hange said as they tossed their cape his way. Erwin gently put it around his shoulders, waiting for Hange to help him close it.
'Come on Levi, let's see if this thing works,' Hange smiled as they held his arm as he swung his arms around Erwin.
Careful Erwin got up, Levi on his back, a leg on either side of him as Hange held him, fiddling with the ODM gear.
Having used some of the bands from Levi's uniform and some sheets, Hange easily hooked him onto Erwin's ODM gear, making it easy to stay on Erwin's back as he wrapped his arms around his neck.
'Hange, you are a genius,' Erwin told them.
'Wouldn't go that far,' Levi just mumbled, not wanting to admit how comfortable it was to be against Erwin.
'What, not comfortable?' Hange said as they planted their arms in their side, almost insulted and in disbelief.
'It fine Hange, I am just messing with you,' Levi mumbled, grateful they had made this for him, so Erwin wouldn't have to stay back either.
'Not too heavy Erwin?' Hange asked concerned as they inspected the straps again.
'All good,' Erwin smiled, 'Weight is distributed nicely and he doesn't weigh much anyway,'
'Tsk,' Levi just argued beside his ear.
Soon they had left the small farm they had taken refuge in. Hange was carrying enormous bags on their back, carrying all the supplies they had taken from HQ. Levi felt he was dozing off on Erwin's back, exhausted by all that had happened this morning.
'You okay?' Erwin asked worried as they had been walking for a while, Levi very quiet.
'Feeling tired again,' Levi admitted.
'Don't stay awake on my account,' Erwin told him.
'I hate sleeping this much,' Levi complained as he looked over Erwin's shoulder, still trying to keep his eyes open. Trying to keep from dozing off, he instead just wrapped his arms even tighter around Erwin.
'Am I not too heavy on you?' Levi asked as they had been walking for a while. The slight bounce of Erwin walking, his chin on his shoulder and his arms around him made it even harder to stay awake, feeling like he was being rocked asleep.
Closing his eyes, he swore for a second like he was back in his mother's arms.
'You barely weigh anything Levi, you really underestimate me,' Erwin answered his question.
'Feeling like a knight on a horse,' Levi slurred as Erwin figured he was dozing off.
'What do you know about knights?' Erwin laughed at him.
'Read about them in Armin's book,'
'You read it?' Erwin said surprised. He hadn't really thought Levi would care much about the book Armin had always carried with him, the one thing that reminded him off his parents. It told them so much about the outside world, previous having thought to be legends. It meant much more now they knew all of it was real. Erwin cared much more about the outside world than Levi ever had though.
'It interests you, so with that I try and care about it too,' Levi explained himself as Erwin stopped, looking Hange who had stopped too, but waved for them to continue then.
'That is very sweet off you,' Erwin said surprised.
'I read it one night in your office when I couldn't sleep,' Levi explained.
'I am not charging at a titan or somebody so you can live out your knight dreams,' Erwin laughed at him, getting a soft chuckle out of Levi too. Taking his blade that was still intact and putting it into his blade carrier as well, he slowly started walking, staying back from Hange. He knew with Levi in his back, there was no way he could fight if needed and the blades were just a last resort.
'Bummer,' Levi just deadpanned and Erwin chuckled a little.
'You do realize what we do as scouts is not that far off?'
'Tsk, ruining my fantasy,' Levi complained and Erwin chuckled. The walk couldn't be easy on his tender body and he was just appreciative of Levi being in such good spirits.
Hange walked in front of them, scouting the area carefully before they moved. Erwin was holding his blade, trying to walk carefully with Levi on his back. Levi's arms around his neck, he felt Levi's warm breath in his neck.
'Are you asleep?' Erwin asked finally, trying to turn his head so he could see Levi.
'Hmm,' Levi just mumbled and Erwin knew he was dozing off again.
Holding Levi's arm with his hand, scared that he was going to fall backwards. Feeling Levi's head slump on his shoulder, it wasn't long before he heard the soft snore. Keeping on walking and getting a little closer to Hange, he knew he had to keep going. For Levi, not for the world.
Making pace after pace, it felt like he was on autopilot. Just needing to keep going.
He didn't even really care about the world anymore, or saving it. All he cared about was the man slumped on his back, the only person he cared so much about.
And to think all of this had started with just a delicate light blue teacup.
A few nights after they had returned from the 26th expedition, Levi walked through HQ. Most of the people in his regiment were still in the banquet hall, eating and drinking to celebrate the return after their expedition.
He didn't feel like it, not wanting to hang around the nearly underage cannon fodder and not wanting to celebrate while they had lost so many people on the expedition.
The bunk room he was staying in was a lot emptier since the mission, having lost multiple people during the expedition.
He had one of the last bunks in the room, the bottom bunk. Still trying to stay as far away from people as he could. At least until the new recruits would come in.
The fact he had jumped into the top bunk with ease as soon as Miche had mocked him hadn't helped and now he was stuck looking at the dust on the underside of the bed above him.
Hanging his jacket beside the bed, he looked curious at the small letter and wrapped box on his pillow.
Taking the little letter, he knew who's handwriting it was, having seen it on all mission papers. Erwin's.
Promise this one won't break
Looking at the square wrapped present on his pillow, he picked up the wrapped box. Curious, he started to unwrap it, curious as he opened the small box. Between wood shavings, carefully put in the box was a small, delicate light blue teacup.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and you are still excited about what is to come! In the next chapter a lot more characters will join the story. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter, or the story in general and hopefully till next week!