The Scouts were taking a lunch break outside after a rigorous training session. Levi was looking over a layout plan that Erwin had drawn. He was asking his commander many questions that mingled with the general chatter of the other soldiers, and Erwin moved to stand behind him. As they looked over the paper together, minds focused on war, Erwin moved his arm in to point at the map from behind the much shorter man. Neither took note of anything odd about their actions, and didn't catch a few giggles aimed in their direction. They strategized in harmony, always having worked well together and were completely capable of bouncing their knowledge off of each other to improve whatever their goal was. Immersed in their work, they only broke attention when Hange approached.

"Cute." She said.

The men looked up at her, Erwin subconsciously placing his hand on Levi's shoulder. The small captain wore a furrowed brow, while the tall blond held curious eyes. They waited for her elaboration, but it never came.

"What's cute?" Levi asked flatly.

"The both of you. Do you see yourselves?" She walked away to sit with some others, patting Erwin's shoulder as she passed.

Levi and Erwin looked at each other, confused. Then they saw the many pairs of eyes across from them.

"Erwin, what's cute?" Levi whispered, pretending not to see his soldiers watching him.

"Maybe it's the height difference..." Erwin wondered aloud.

Levi elbowed his commander in the gut, making him lose his breath before catching it back and laughing warmly.

"Laugh all you want, you damn bastard. You won't be able to when I slit your throat." Levi growled.

"See? That's cute." Erwin smiled, patting the top of Levi's head.

Levi moved in with a swift kick but Erwin skillfully dodged it.

"You'll be the short one when I sever your legs from below the knee!" Levi yelled.

The two then sat down civilly as if their whole argument never happened. They continued to talk about their upcoming work, fitting together flawlessly, but throwing a jab at each other here and there. Without knowing it, that little squabble lifted the spirits of all of their comrades, making them feel a little more human that day; they felt blessed to witness such casual joy in their dark reality. The commander and his captain were certainly the backbone of humanity.