The final chapter is here!

Part 3/3

Enjoy!

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I Hope She Makes You Happy.

Levi stalked through the market place. He hated this. All the hustle and bustle, people bumping into each other without a care, walking next to each other far too closely in his opinion. Shouting and cheering and jeering and calling. Cries of the latest offer, last chance to buy, freshly baked, one of a kind. The crowds clambering over each other to snatch and pull and squeal with delight when they got their hands on whatever it is they wanted at the time. Amongst all that you could hear horses, their hooves clipping against the paths, children screaming loudly. There was just no order to the place. It made him sick. It made him itch.

The smells were overpowering. The smell of freshly baked bread, seared meat, gutted fish, a faint hint of smoke from nearby chimneys. Getting a whiff of the people was worse though, some of them clearly had no idea what a bath was while others tried to hide their putrid stench by bathing in fragrances, hoping that by dousing themselves in a perfume it would hide their odour. It did not. And Levi had a right mind to tell them half the time.

Still he plodded on, eyes glancing to the occasional stall that caught his eye. He wasn't really intending to buy anything. He was just killing time. He had been forced here against his will, and instead of being made to wander around a tiny little store, being forced to rub against everyone inside, he had decided to wait here. Although he would much prefer to wait with the horse.

"Levi!!" his head shot up as he heard the sound of his name being called. The voice strangely familiar to him. His eyes scoured the sea of people, trying to figure out where it had come from. He frowned slightly.

"Levi!" he turned his head again and his eyes instantly found the source. A woman pushed through the crowd, being quite careless in doing so and quickly made her way to him. Levi was froze to the spot. Not quite believing his eyes. Auburn hair. Emerald green eyes.

"Illyria?" he blinked and the woman smiled up at him warmly, quickly wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him a firm hug. Levi stiffened slightly, tapping her back awkwardly at the display of affection. If she noticed, she wasn't bothered. She released him, beaming at him in a mix of disbelief and sheer happiness.

Levi took a moment to take in the woman he hadn't seen in two years. Her hair had grown some, but was still in remarkable condition, and aside from that she hadn't seemed to change at all. She wore a long green dress that really brought out the colour of her eyes. Her eyes took him by surprise though. She was smiling at him. Truly smiling at him. It had been a long time since he had seen a smile that genuine on her face.

"I can't believe I bumped into you here! How are you?" Levi blinked, shaking himself from his thoughts and offering her a small smile.

"Fine. And you?" Illyria's smile broadened, running a hand through her tousled hair.

"I'm good. I miss you guys though." Levi just nodded. He was quickly becoming very uncomfortable with this situation. Seeing Illyria again, was making him remember everything that had happened between them. Bringing back all the memories he had fought to bury, opening old wounds that still to this day hadn't quite healed yet.

The day they had had that huge row, the one where she had proceeded to give him the cold shoulder all day, flirt with as many men as she could before returning to his quarters for sex on the night, he had sworn that would be the last time. He had told himself that this was it, she had crossed a line, what she had done was unforgivable. But just one more night. One last time.

Levi, had not left her the next day. Nor the day after that. In fact he hated to admit it, but things had returned to normal. Well, as normal as they could be, considering...

It was three months later, when yet another argument had ensued. Every row they ever had, based around the same topic. The situation they were in. The fact that he was madly in love with her and she refused to acknowledge it, informing him time and time again that she did not feel the same way.

Four months after that and another row had secured the end of their arrangement. Levi couldn't do it anymore. It hurt too much. He had tried so hard to hold on to hope, the hope that she would change her mind. Maybe she just needed time, maybe she just needed someone to prove that they meant what they said. Needed someone to prove that they weren't going to abandon her, that no matter how vicious she got, they would still be there. Through all the heartache and pain, all the cruel hurtful words and her recklessness, they would still be there, still care. But there was only so much he could take.

He could only give so much without getting anything back for so long. He had his breaking point, and he had already gone well beyond that a long time ago. Yet he had still tried. Tried to show her that there wasn't anything to be scared of. But nothing he did, everything he gave, it just wasn't enough.

Their final argument had been explosive. Both of them screaming at each other until their voices were hoarse. Each of them desperate to get their point across but completely ignoring the other side. Levi wanted her to know, wanted her to see just what this was doing to him. Wanted her to know that he loved her, that despite everything he wanted to try. But he wasn't going to do it by himself anymore. He wasn't going to be the one putting his all in when it wasn't wanted, wasn't reciprocated. Illyria, had categorically told him, that it meant nothing. It all meant nothing. The words he spoke, the way he thought he felt, none of it meant anything to her. She was here for one thing, and one thing only. Sex. The fact that his company was also occasionally soothing was just an added bonus, but it was not a necessity.

They had rowed for hours, each one trying to hurt the other with words. Illyria had won that round, purely because it seemed like nothing the captain said fazed her. She really was cut off. Eventually, Levi had told her to leave. Enough was enough. This was toxic, and he would have no part of it anymore. Illyria had done as he asked. Yet she had came back a couple of days later, trying to seduce him. Levi had stood firm, pushing her back with force so that she had slammed against the desk. The action clearly taking her off guard. She could see he was being serious this time. When she left his office that night, she didn't return again, and a few days after that, she vanished.

Levi, though he hid it well, had gone out of his mind with worry. After a month of her disappearance, Erwin informed him that he had received information about her. She had resigned from the survey corps and apparently was living in the Trost District. Levi shrugged, claiming he didn't care. He did. Of course he did. The man still loved her, he wanted her to be safe. But he was not planning on showing that to anyone.

Levi had struggled. He went through so many intense emotions while trying to forget about Illyria. He had been furious, he had been hurt he was devastated, so many mixed emotions about the entire thing. He drank more. He barely left his office. He was even more quiet than usual. Hanji and Erwin were incredibly worried about him. They had tried to visit him on multiple occasions under different ruses. Sometimes joining him for a drink, sometimes forcing him into conversation, and other times just sitting with him in the room, silent.

It had taken Levi just over a year to return to normal. And now, here he was again. Standing in front of Illyria feeling a pang in his heart, old thoughts and feelings slowly resurfacing. And here she was again. Pretending that nothing had ever even happened.

"You look well, Levi. How is everyone? Hanji still crazy?" Levi cleared his throat a little, forcing himself to look away for a moment to clear his head, unable to stop the small smile at her question.

"Hanji will always be crazy." He replied, eyes softening as he looked back at the woman he once knew. It was like he was looking at her for the first time, quietly taking in all the features he once had memorized.

"And you? How is civilian life?" she chuckled, rolling her eyes a little.

"Well it's not as exciting that's for sure." Levi smiled again, watching as her eyes twinkled in the sunlight.

"But I guess it's okay." There was a tense silence. Neither of then really knowing what else to say. What else could they say? There was nothing left. Illyria pressed her lips together, something Levi had never seen her do before and she shuffled on her feet. She appeared almost anxious, but Levi quickly dismissed the idea. That was absurd. Illyria was never nervous. Of anything. Least of all him.

"Levi, I..."

"Levi! There you are!!" both of them turned their attention to the high pitched squeal, barely having time to register before a petite brunette appeared at his side, quickly throwing her arms around him in a strong embrace. Levi bristled and clicked his tongue.

"Idiot. Are you done?" he asked, looking at the woman who was slowly releasing him.

"Almost! I want to pop into that tea shop you told me about, so I need my tea connoisseur with me!" the brunette seemed to suddenly take note of the other woman in the captains presence. She blinked her golden orbs filled with puzzlement.

"Oh, hi?" she asked, clearly unsure of herself and Levi smirked.

"I'll meet you at the shop alright Amber?" she spun to face the captain, beaming happily.

"Okay! Don't be too long though! You'll only complain if I drink all the free samples!" she chirped, making the captain wince slightly at her enthusiasm. Who gave Amber coffee this morning? The hyperactive cadet certainly didn't need any additional energy. Fools.

"It was nice to meet you!" and Amber threw her arm out, taking Illyria's hand and shaking it with passion before she ran off in the direction of the shop she was looking for. Levi's eyes narrowed as he watched the retreating form, shaking his head. He turned back to Illyria noticing she was fiddling awkwardly with her fingers, eyes focused on her hands. He frowned a little, confused by her sudden shift in attitude.

Illyria looked up at him, lips pressed together and offered a smile, though this time it did not reach her eyes.

"She seems... nice..." she said and Levi scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"A royal pain in the ass more like. Hanji demanded I accompany her here, she tends to... attract trouble." Illyria chuckled a little, raising her eyebrows.

"Just your type then." She teased. Levi froze, not quite sure how to respond to that. Where had that even come from? He blinked but Illyria continued before he could respond.

"She's beautiful, Levi. I hope she makes you happy." Levi's stare hardened, confusion slowly being replaced with distaste. He shook his head.

"Illyria, that's not..."

"You don't need to explain anything to me, Levi. It's okay." She released a deep breath, sighing loudly and running a hand through her hair again. She gave him a very forced smile and took a step back.

"I should go. It was really good to see you again." Levi did not respond. He would be lying if he had returned her sentiment. He wasn't one hundred percent sure if it had been good to see her again. The whole thing had confused him. Did she think he and Amber were together? It had certainly seemed that way from her comment. She had actually looked a little, upset with the thought. But why would she be? She didn't care. She had made it painfully obvious on countless occasions just how little she cared. And if she ever did, she certainly wouldn't now, two years later.

Levi did. Obviously. But he had feelings for her, and she had been adamant that she never felt the same way... so why did she look so hurt? So deflated?

Levi's brain was a mess, thinking a hundred different things, none of them ending in a positive way. He was torn on whether to correct her or not. Should he tell her that there was actually nothing going on with Amber and himself, or let her believe a lie? What would she do if she knew he wasn't seeing Amber, would she do anything? What did he want her to do?

Illyria noticed his silence and gave another fake smile, looking to the floor for a second and shaking her head a little.

"I know this probably doesn't mean much coming from me. But I am sorry. About... everything." Levi's breathing hitched a little but he forced his expression to stay neutral, not trusting himself at all in this woman's presence right now. What were her intentions? Why wait two years, for a total coincidence in order to tell him this? Why now? Why here?

Illyria's eyes showed genuine remorse and she looked away quickly, feeling stupid for even approaching the man in front of her right now. Levi's eyes, did not leave her face, silently watching every reaction, every emotion that ran across her face. She sighed again, looking back at him. He saw guilt there, the sadness... but he just didn't know whether he should believe it or not. Illyria had always been very good at making her emotions. Even when she had lost her friends out on the field, she had barely had any reaction. She had spared them a quick disconnected glance before continuing. And her attitude hadn't changed when she returned to base.

Levi distinctly remembered her using the phrase 'you win some, you lose some. It is what it is.' When he had asked her how she was. She was methodical when it came to death, cold hard logic in almost everything she did. She was almost a machine. If it hadn't been for the occasions when Levi had seen her express real emotions, he would have thought she was one. Yet she had her moments. There were times when she would laugh or smile, and it was real. Times she would look confused, or angry. She did have emotions... they were just buried deep.

Levi understood that more than anyone. It took a special kind of person to break through walls you had put in place to protect yourself from pain. Illyria tapped his wrist softly.

"Take care of yourself, Levi." And with that she turned away, slowly disappearing into the crowd of people. Levi's eyes followed her until he could no longer see her, heart pounding in his chest. He clenched his jaw. He desperately wanted to go after her, that little part of him that still loved her begging him to go and tell her everything was okay and she had got her wires crossed. He wanted her, even now. And he hated himself for it.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to try and get his emotions in check. It had been two years, how on earth did he still feel this way? He thought it was all over.

Shaking his head and trying to forget the entire meeting, he headed to the tea shop, quickly finding Amber. She smiled at him happily, offering him a cup of his favourite tea while she tasted samples. Levi usually loved this place, but today, his heart just wasn't in it. All his thoughts drifting back to Illyria.

Even the tea tasted like ashes in his mouth.

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I really struggled trying to decide whether to give this one a happy or a sad ending! But sad felt right.

My friend was upset with me... she demanded I write an alternate ending for the people who need a little happiness in their lives

What do you guys think?

Should I write an alternate too?

She wanted something a bit more realistic and I feel like everyone has been in this kind of situation at least once in their lives.

Read and Review!

Lots of Love!

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