Chapter 3

The chilly Autumn air changes into cold droplets of snow. Winter arrives as the fields of the Scouts HQ are now stained a pure white with thick layers of snow covering every inch of it. Levi lets out a chilly breath as he walks past the empty hallways in the early rays of sunrise. It's far too early and too cold for anyone to be up, but Levi would never let cold weather stop him from waking up early and missing his morning workout.

He's dressed in a thick pair of wool sweatpants and a cotton long-sleeved top that he usually wore on his off days. As he puts his hands into the pockets of his pants, his ears perk up at the sound of flesh against a punching bag. He raises an eyebrow, light footsteps as he treads towards the training grounds. He glances through the open window to find a familiar figure in the corner of the empty training grounds.

Rosaria pants as she grunts, punching continuously on the red punching bag. She's wearing a black tank and long sweatpants, a sheen of sweat all over her pale skin. She has bandages wrapped around her knuckles, but Levi can make out the bruises and chapped skin on her delicate knuckles already. Rosaria steps backwards, eyes tired and bloodshot. When Levi expects her to stop and rest, she instead sprints forward and lands a dangerous spinning kick, the flesh of her leg slapping loudly against the punching bag.

"Did the punching bag steal your rations, Rosaria? You look like you're about to murder the shitty thing." Levi's voice perks up, his arms crossed over his chest as he let out a chilly breath. Rosaria jumps in her feet. She turns her head to meet cold, steely grey eyes. "C-corporal!" Rosaria greets. Levi walks over with a raised eyebrow. "Ease up on the punching bag, Rosaria. Do you know how much it costs to replace one?" Rosaria licked her lips.

"I-i'm sorry, sir…." Rosaria's tired eyes trail the Corporal's form. Her eyes stop at his chest and her words are stuck in her throat. Levi raises an eyebrow. "You look constipated, Rosaria. Been swiping your vegetables during dinner, have you?" Levi expected to see a flustered Rosaria stumbling for words, but instead, she just stares at him with an intense ferocity he couldn't explain. "Corporal… Would you like to spar with me?" Levi blinks in amusement.

Levi takes a look at his subordinate and it seems she was eager to get her ass handed to her. Before Levi could respond, Rosaria took a deep breath and changed into a defensive stance. Levi smirked. Since when was the last time someone challenged him to a fight? Levi thinks back to the day Rosaria joined and the hand-to-hand combat that ensued. If anything, Levi was looking forward to another round with her.

"Sounds like you're out for blood, Rosaria. Military training not satisfactory enough for you?" Levi asks as he pulls his top over his head, revealing lines of taut muscles and abs evident from decades of harsh training. Levi folds the shirt carefully, putting it onto the bench by the side. Rosaria glances at the show of bare skin on Levi for a moment. Levi smirks, sprinting towards her with a flying kick. Rosaria barely dodges, emerald eyes glaring at the Corporal.

"Eyes on your enemy, Rosaria. You can't be swayed by a pair of abs in war." Levi smirks and Rosaria returns an equally amused smirk. "The last time I checked, you were pretty swayed by the touch of my womanhood too... Corporal." Levi lets out a low laugh. The two glared at each other like animals hunting their prey, excitement coursing through their veins at the thought of a luxurious dinner.

Levi sprints first, hands balled into fists.

Rosaria lays on the ground, panting heavily. She stares at the ceiling, head and body heavy. She hears Levi panting as he sits down on the ground, hands holding his weight as sweat rolled down his chest, then his abs and disappearing into the waistband of his slacks. "Feeling better?" Levi asks, glancing down at Rosaria. Rosaria blinks, confused. "How did you…." Levi passes a glass of water to her without glancing. She takes the glass with a nod and gulps the water greedily down her throat.

"The chapped skin and dried blood on your knuckles say it all, Captain." Rosaria looks down at her own knuckles. "Sounds like you needed an outlet for all the anger." Levi gulped down his own glass of water and stared outside the window. He too understood the need for pain to numb his feelings out. Rosaria looked up at Levi and gulped. Without knowing it, Rosaria's mouth opens and words pour out of it.

"Whenever winter comes, I'm reminded of my lover." Rosaria stares out the window now, eyes staring into the cold abyss. "He was my first love." Levi didn't look at her, sipping on his glass of water. "We met as recruits in the military… We were so young and in love." Rosaria smiles at the small memory of holding hands with a brown-haired boy outside a snowy cabin. "We joined the Garrison together after graduating and just when we thought we'd have our happily ever after…. The colossal titan came." Rosaria's eyes turned a dull, lifeless green. "He died protecting civilians in Wall Maria." Levi sighed quietly. "Whenever winter comes, I'm reminded of the treasured memories that I cannot go back too. It's strange really…. It's been so many years. But why does it still hurt?" Rosaria laughs to herself.

"How do you do it, Corporal?" Levi raises an eyebrow as he looks at her. Her emerald eyes were tired, bloodshot - most likely from not getting an ounce of sleep last night. "How do you live…. Knowing you've been left behind by the people you love?" Rosaria looks into cold grey eyes for a long while, and for a second - she sees something shift in them.

Levi grunts, resting his hand on his knee. "I'm still searching for the answer too, Rosaria." The answer catches Rosaria off guard. She expected some kind of a fancy speech prepared that the Corporal would use to lift the spirits of his subordinates after witnessing the deaths of their comrades in a titan's mouth. Yet, his answer was as human as her question.

Rosaria gulps as she lets out a shaky breath.

He's lost so many people. So many good friends, comrades, innocent men and women who swore to serve. Levi Ackerman is humanity's strongest….

Rosaria let out a single tear as she smiled at Levi.

… but he too was only human. And he too feels grief, pain and loss. He wasn't the cold, heartless, and emotionless soldier everyone envisioned in their heads. He was a battle-worn human, tired of fighting, tired of losing the people he loved. He kept his distance from people, afraid of attachment, afraid of feeling the same pain he goes through time and time again - when he loses them. He had succumbed to this life - the life of a soldier, a pawn in a war he never chose to fight, to be alone for the rest of his life… until it was time for him to die and follow in his lost loved ones' footsteps. But until then - he goes on and on, vowing to continue the fight his loved ones sacrificed their lives for; and someday…. Hope to reunite with them at the end of the road when his time is up.

"Corporal." Rosaria squeaked out. She looks into cold grey eyes that mirrored her own eyes. "I'll always be by your side." Levi's eyes widen. "I'll always be by your side… until the day comes for you to reunite with them." Levi's mouth opened in shock, unsure at how to process the words. "So until then… I'll stick to you with your favourite cup of tea waiting in hand."

Levi smiles. Maybe for the first time in a long time, he enjoyed having someone's company for once.

Levi sat in his office, feet planted on top of the wooden table as his boots gave a squeak against the surface. He leaned against the soft material of his armchair, staring up at the ceiling above him. He had many things to think about - new combat strategies and manoeuvres with the modified 3DMG gear they had now, preparations for their upcoming expedition beyond the walls - one that would head towards this so-called ocean, where Marley would be opposite of it, Eren's increasing insubordination and the look of hopelessness he was starting to have in his once bright, life-filled green eyes.

It scared something in Levi, the way that Eren Yeager was slowly detaching himself from the very few loved ones he had… and was keeping things to himself and acting alone instead of asking for his comrades' help. What happened to the kid who kept rushing into battle eager to die, who yelled "I'll eradicate this world of titans!" with a wicked grin on his face, the kid who reminded him of Isabel in certain ways. Where had that kid gone to? Had discovering the truth left behind by his father really changed Eren for the worse?

"Corporal, you have wrinkles underneath your eyes…." Levi turned his head, staring into curious emerald green eyes who was too close for comfort. Levi flinched, then slammed a fist down Rosaria's skull as she dropped to the ground. "Rosaria, did you fail military training? Where are your shitty manners when you can't even knock before entering your commanding officer's office?" Levi growled. Rosaria shook her head in pain before smiling. "I knocked Corporal… but you were so deep in thought that you didn't hear me enter." Levi clicked his tongue.

"State your business, Rosaria. I don't have all the shitty time in the world to listen to you talk about cooking and puppies." Rosaria held a box in front of her and placed it before Levi. Levi raises an eyebrow, confused. "Open it." Levi proceeds to open the box and takes out the contents of it… revealing a beautiful white china teapot with small, intricate birds by the side. "This is….."

"I asked Hanji where you always got your china teapots and she told me about the shop in Wall Sina. Since you broke two sets of it recently, I'm sure you were intending to get a new one soon so I wanted to give you one as a surprise." Levi was impressed. He was indeed going to stop by the china shop by the end of the week. "Currying favours with your commanding officer again, Rosaria? Unfortunately for you, I only look at performance as the measurement for your promotion." Still, Levi made no move to return the gift. He quietly examined the teapot, squinting his eyes to appreciate every fine detail on it.

"Well, do you like it, Corporal?" Rosaria's large eyes glared expectantly at Levi. Levi blinked, knowing full well what those eyes were waiting for. Levi moved his hand upwards to Rosaria's head and ruffled her blonde hair. His calloused hand rested on the crown of her skull, gently stroking her long blonde hair. "You did good, Rosaria." Rosaria slightly blushed as she looked up at Levi. She was expecting him to click his tongue or ask if she was constipated again… not this.

"Thank you." Levi said, slowly pulling his hand away. He had a small smile on his face and Rosaria watched his hand pull away in silence. "Do you want tea, Corporal?" Rosaria asked. Levi nodded as he started taking out papers from his drawers. "The weather is quite cold today… Earl grey then?" Levi nodded again.

"I'll be back shortly, sir." Rosaria said, picking up the new teapot in her hands carefully. Levi gave her a quick glance and picked up a pen, focused on his paperwork. Rosaria closes the door to his office and leans against it, taking a sharp breath. She bit her lip and covered her eyes with the back of her palm as her cheeks turned red.

"Hanji, do we really have to do this?" Connie asked, shivering in the cold. Sasha groaned as she held her heavy backpack. "Is it supper yet? I'm hungry…" Jean clicked his tongue. "We just ate 15 minutes ago, Sasha!" Jean yelled. "Sasha… did you steal my ratios?" Mikasa growled as she glared at the girl. "Mikasa, let's not fight…" Armin said.

"Oi, brats. Is this how you behave just because we're not surrounded by enemies?" Levi raised an eyebrow. Everyone turned and focused their attention on Levi. As Levi was about to speak, a lick on his cheek made him jump.

"S-sorry… Corporal." Rosaria laughed as she held the familiar puppy in her hands. Instead, the puppy was an almost full-grown husky with a thick coat of black fur and sharp blue eyes. Levi growled, ready to pounce on Rosaria. "Now everyone, let's do a final check and make sure we have everything." Hanji said, putting a strong hand on Levi's shoulder to make sure he wouldn't attack anyone.

"Should we be bringing this?" Eren pointed at the dog in Rosaria's arms. Rosaria glared at Eren. "This." Rosaria pointed at the dog, "Is a member of the Scouts, Eren!" Eren raised an eyebrow as he looked at the green cloak on the dog's back. "He even knows how to salute." Rosaria held the dog's paw in her hand. "Sacrifice your heart, cadet!" Rosaria yelled and lifted the dog's paw to its chest. Hanji and Connie laughed.

"We are not bringing an animal with us to hike while it's freaking snowing." Levi growled. Rosaria scowled. "Huskies are masters in the winter! Their noses are superior and can easily dig through the snow! Clearly, it's an advantage…" Levi rolled his eyes. "Don't make me repeat myself, Rosaria." Rosaria grunted, crossing her arms over her thick coat. "Then, surely I can throw your tea leaves and teapot down the cliff? No matter how you look at it, a dog could at least serve as meat to ease my hunger as compared to dried leaves… sir." Rosaria threatened. She had never really outright challenged Levi and said anything that would compromise his authority other than a few smart teasing remarks in their fights, but Rosaria was not ready to back down when it came to her puppy just yet. Levi's features darkened as he reached for his 3DMG gear by his thigh. For a second, Levi wondered if he would slice Rosaria's neck just like how he would to a tian.

"Did someone say meat?" Sasha growled as she drooled. Hanji sighed. "Alright, let's head out. No more fighting." Hanji yelled as she gathered her own set of equipment and set foot onto the snowy slope. "Rosaria, you're taking care of the dog." Rosaria smiled. "Thank you Hanji!" Levi clicked his tongue. "Alright, let's stay close."

Easily an hour had passed and they hiked further and further towards the snowy terrain. It was cold and everyone panted as they made their way up with careful use of the 3DMG gear. "Reserve your gas. We still need to make the trip back down, brats." Levi called out. If the slope was walkable, they'd lower down their gear and walk instead against the snowy weather. "God, it's so cold." Jean yelled as he hugged himself. "I don't think it was even this cold when we hiked that time back in the 104th." Connie said through freezing teeth. "It feels like it was so long ago… Daz almost died if it weren't for Historia and Ymir…" Armin says as he lets out a chilly breath.

"Who would have guessed years later Historia would become queen and Ymir…." Jean's words seem to die down. Eren's eyes continued to sink further down his boots. There was once a time when all of them were young, naive brats in the 104th, focused on trying to improve their scores and being able to get into the MP. Now, Eren wonders what he would give to turn back time… being able to spend time with his friends and comrades without knowing what the future of the world looked like.

"You brats talk too much. The whole point of this mission is to increase your endurance and stamina in preparation for the war. Who knows what awaits us beyond the walls?" Levi yelled. Sasha moved her nostrils as she sniffed the air. She blinks, holding her hand up. "What is it, Sasha… It's not supper yet." Mikasa sighed. Sasha paled, looking back at her comrades. "Something's approaching us." Everyone goes on high alert. Levi adjusts the straps of his gear and tightens his grip on his blades. "What is it, Sasha?" Sasha squints her eyes. "A fox? A big fox…? I don't know…" Sasha said, sweat sliding down her forehead. Suddenly, the dog by Rosaria's side barks loudly, snarling its teeth as if a predator was approaching.

Everyone goes into a defensive stance, unsure of what to expect. If it were a titan, they'd be less fearful…. But this, they had no idea what to expect. As seconds pass, a bark echoes in the air as suddenly a loud growl erupts. Levi and everyone else pulls their blades out, ready to swing in a moment's notice. Without missing a beat, a large creature jumps out and rushes towards Rosaria. She blocks the sharp claws of the creature with her blades, holding them out in an X. She grunts, widening her stance at the overwhelming strength.

Luckily we came equipped with our 3DMG.

"It's a bear!" Sasha yelled, pointing her blades at the bear from a safe distance. Rosaria grunts as she dashes towards the right, barely avoiding the bear's sharp teeth as she hits the soft snow on the ground. "Blades up, brats. We're taking it down now!" Levi's orders are loud and clear. Eren gazes at the large bear, easily twice his height and size; and pulls his own blades out. The bear charges at Eren, eyes glinting and fangs sharp. Jean comes out from behind, swinging his blade right across the bear's back, earning a loud snarl of pain from it.

"Hah! This is nothing compared to fighting a titan." Jean proudly proclaimed. The bear turns and snarls, a weird, high-pitched sound releasing from its throat. "Something's coming!" Sasha's voice dies out when several movements could be heard behind the thick, snow-covered trees. Two slightly smaller sized bears come dashing out of the trees, attacking Mikasa and Armin. Both manage to dodge their attacks just in time.

Levi grunts as he tightens his grip on the bear. "There's too many of them and the space is too narrow and small!" Hanji yells, looking behind her to see the cliff inches away from her snow-covered boots. "Split into teams of three and lure a bear each out of range until it's safe to kill it!" Levi yells. "Yes, sir!"

"C'mon you tiny bastard! You're nothing compared to a titan!" Connie says, teasing one bear as he dangled mid-air with the use of his 3DMG. "Connie, lure it this way!" Sasha yells, pointing towards a direction with Jean. "H-hanji-san!" Armin yelled, concerned as Hanji stood in front one of the bears and dangled a ration bar in her hand dangerously. "C'mon~ I'm sure you'd like a taste of my meat!" Hanji yelled with a laugh as the bear growled, clawing in thin air as Hanji jumped backwards with her gear.

"I'm sure you'd taste as shitty as your shit brain, four-eyes." Levi grunted, luring the last bear into the trees. "Sir, your orders?" Rosaria asked. Levi glanced at her and clicked his tongue. "Think of this as your first expedition, Rosaria. Show me all you got." Rosaria nodded, pulling the trigger of her gear as she followed Levi's pace into the icy, cold woods. The bear followed them swiftly behind, growling and snarling. Once they were far enough into the dense woods with no sign of the others, Levi glanced at Rosaria.

"Finish the job." Rosaria nodded as she planted herself firmly in a branch of one of the tall trees, looking down at her prey. As the bear sniffs around for their scent, it approaches closer and Rosaria shoots her grapple, flying towards the bear and catching it off guard. She lifts her blade and swings it as she performs a flip mid-air, then returning to another branch as she heard the pained growl of the animal. As she looks down from above, the red blood stains the pure white snow almost immediately. It was a clean-cut, and precise enough for there to be no struggle and pain for her victim.

"Ah…." Rosaria says in a low voice. "I didn't realise I was waiting for the steam… I forgot this wasn't a titan." She lets out a chilly breath, looking down with cold emerald grey eyes. Levi watches in silence as he hears every word of it. He expected the ex-Garrison Captain to be inexperienced in titan kills, but apparently he was wrong.

"Corporal. Shall we return?" Rosaria's voice snaps Levi out of his thoughts. "We should. Check if-" Levi's words are cut short when a sudden breeze of cold comes towards their direction. Their lines and grapples swing and waver dangerously in the fast and scary speed of the wind and they both immediately lower towards the ground to prevent from being thrown off the cliff. "Rosaria!" Levi yells, calling out to her as he shielded his eyes from the rapid snow blizzard. Rosaria reaches out her hand while shielding her own eyes. Damn, how did the weather suddenly make a turn for the worse?

Levi catches her hand in his own gloved one and the two lock fingers as Levi pulls her weight. They sprint towards the north as their boots dug into the thick layers of snow, desperately trying to escape the snow blizzard. After what seemed like an hour, the two panted as they shivered in the cold snow. Their lips were turning blue and it was too dangerous to use 3DMG. Levi opened his canister and turned it upside down, finding that the water inside had frozen solid.

"Great... No water… and we're stuck in the middle of nowhere." Rosaria said in a small voice, too cold to speak normally. "We still have our rations and equipment… If only we could find some place safe for shelter and fire…" As Levi whispered, a bark echoed. "Oh. Is that you buddy?" Rosaria crouched down, looking at the source of the voice. The familiar black puppy wagged its tails and barked at Rosaria with a grin. "Great. It really did follow us all the way here." Levi rolled his eyes. "Oh, I think it's asking us to follow him." Rosaria followed the dog, letting out a chilly breath as she adjusted her gear.

"Oi, Rosaria!" Corporal yelled. "Corporal, I'll follow him and see what he wants…" Rosaria's voice was getting further and further away in the blizzard and Levi clicked his tongue. He sprinted lightly towards her direction, hearing for the sound of her boots against the snow. "C-corporal!" Rosaria's yell is loud and alarmed. Levi's alarmed, quickly running towards her against the blizzard. "Rosaria! Where are you?!" Levi yells.

He's mind is running in different scenarios. Was there another bear? Did she fall off a cliff? Goddamn it, he shouldn't have let her out of his sight. "Corporal!" Her yell is louder, closer; but Levi's heart still beats fast from the adrenaline and worry. He reaches a different part of the forest, seeing a clearer landscape. He swiftly takes out his blades, jumping as he turns a corner-

…. To find a small abandoned cabin.

"What's going on?" Levi grunts, looking down to see Rosaria patting the puppy's head. "It's a cabin, sir. Seems abandoned. I've done a quick perimeter check, no one seems to be around." Levi clicks his tongue.

And here I was, worried that you might have died.

"It's all thanks to you, buddy!" Rosaria cooed, giving a belly rub to the dog. "Looks like that runt finally had some use after all the free meals he's gotten." Levi sighs, crouching down to pat the dog too. "Let's check the inside, and…." Rosaria stands up, looking back at Levi.

"Don't stay out of my sight, Rosaria."

Author's Notes:

Did anyone else just watched Episode 8 of S4 and just bawl their eyes out? I know I did ;( As always, please leave a review!