The Special Operations Squad discusses the nature of the relationship between their captain and his second in command. Eren is confused.
Takes place somewhere in chapters 25-27.
(Sorry not sorry about the chapter title.)
Chapter 3: The 'Tea' in Teamwork
Due to the influx of new recruits since Historia's crowning, mealtimes at the Survey Corps HQ were slowly starting to become a lively affair. It reminded Eren of their time in the 104th Cadet Corps, back when his goals had been much simpler.
And even though this current state of peace and victory was bound to end sooner rather than later, it sure was nice, for a change. That was, when he wasn't too deep in his own head to notice, desperately trying to make sense of his father's memories that had overwhelmed him back in the cavern at Historia's and Rod Reiss's touch. Jumbled images flashing through his brain occupied both Eren's waking and sleeping thoughts, gone and replaced with the next too quickly to figure them out. If he could just remember where he'd seen that one soldier before…
As if on coincidence, his blank gaze landed on Mikasa's, and he shook himself out of his reverie, managing a half-hearted smile in an attempt to smooth the worry line between her brows. Eren glanced around the table at his comrades, laughing and chatting between bites. Only two members of the squad weren't sitting with them. Already finished with dinner, Nora and Levi were standing by the counter and brewing tea in practiced, coordinated movements. Without speaking, one of them filled the pot with water while the other measured a few spoonfuls of tea leaves. In the same manner, they gathered dishes, strainer and teaspoons, handing the things over without even looking up, setting everything beside the pot while the water started to boil.
Eren was reminded of all the times he and Mikasa had set a table together, or worked the fields, or gathered firewood. A strange ache settled in his chest.
"Nora and the captain... Do you think they are, you know, a thing?" To Eren's left, Armin was watching the pair as well, throwing the question into the round out of nowhere.
Chewing, Sasha looked over to them, brows furrowed, thinking. A moment later, her eyes widened, as if she'd just had a revelation. "Oooh..." Her mouth hung open.
"That would make sense, actually," Mikasa said, picking at her vegetables with a fork.
Eren frowned in confusion. "Wait, what are you guys talking about? Why would you think—"
"Damn, I should have seen it earlier," Jean interrupted, leaning over the table in a conspiratorial fashion. "Remember how she defended the captain back in Stohess? And at the Reiss Chapel, when the cave gave in—I mean, I was distracted with that suicidal maniac here running off while we were about to get crushed—but I think I saw him grab her..."
Before Eren had a chance to give the insufferable jerk a piece of his mind, Connie spoke up. "Yeah, that was weird... The captain was straight up clutching her." With a small, suggestive grin on his face, he threw a quick glance over to the pair at the counter, then continued, "And they always seem to be, I dunno, sort of hovering around each other. Drinking tea and bickering all the time."
Her mouth full with food, Sasha nodded vigorously.
What the hell are they on about? Eren was shaking his head, his eyes on the targets of his comrades' gossip. Apparently, the tea had brewed for the sufficient amount of time; Captain Levi was straining the leaves. Nora held out two cups, and he filled them to the brim, then took one from her.
"I don't get it," Eren said, "They've known each other longer than we know them, right? Nora's the same way with Hange. She and the captain are probably just friends." Friends with the captain. What a weird thought. But then, Nora was a bit weird, too. And she was all that was left from the former Special Ops squad.
Eren noticed then the disbelieving looks his friends shot him.
"Yeah, right." Connie's voice was oozing sarcasm.
"Wow, just how dense are you, blockhead?" Jean gave him a condescending smile.
That arrogant, stupid… Heat shot to Eren's face. "Shut up, horseface! As if you're—"
"I mean, they aren't exactly obvious about it, but something seems to be going on between them," Armin said, ignoring their little spat. "Not that it's any of our business..." He trailed off, his thoughtful gaze on their captain and his second in command.
They were talking now, leaning against the counter, facing each other. Bickering once again, from the looks of it. Nora was scowling, gesticulating with her free hand to emphasise whatever she was saying to her captain. Her eyes were huge, looking back and forth between him and a point over his shoulder, her cheeks slightly pink. His expression was the ever same stoic mask; the slight, permanent frown giving away nothing. But Captain Levi's gaze was fixed on Nora's face with single-minded, unwavering focus, his surroundings forgotten.
As he lowered the cup from his lips, his eyebrows lifted a fraction, and he said something to her. Out of nowhere, Nora's scowl dissolved into laughter, her whole face lighting up, eyes shining.
And the captain's eyes remained glued to her, transfixed, one corner of his mouth quirking up.
"Friends, huh..." Armin was smiling.
AN: I've been writing on pretty intense chapters, lately, so I decided to take a short breather with this much-needed fluff. At least, it counts as fluff, in my book.
This is a POV and a shift in focus I've never tried my hands on, before. Quite an interesting practice, for me. As always, I'd love if you'd let me know whether you enjoyed it.
