Chapter 10: Steam

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I love hearing the opinions and I love how mixed people are! I think it makes for a good discussion. Personally, I lean towards Levi not being a virgin, though I think he hasn't had sex in a very long time. I think he would have messed around in his younger teen years just because of where he was raised it was probably normal. I do think meaningless sex became unfulfilling to him soon after he started though. And as we know, he's never been in a real romantic relationship.

But that's just me. I get both sides, though, and I can't say I'd be surprised either way. This question wasn't meant to be perverse either. Since we don't have much to go off canon-wise about his romantic affairs, I have to make assumptions about his romantic history to figure out how I am going to write the romance part.

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Also, looking for a beta for either this fic, or my other Levi/Kag fic :)

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"Arrows?" Petra raised a brow, "Why would you want some arrows?"

Kagome walked with her ginger companion around the castle grounds, an array of pinks and oranges dashing through the evening sky. They had just finished doing some afternoon training with the rest of the squad, a cool breeze now gifted upon their heated skin like a post-workout present.

"I don't know. I know archery isn't exactly a useful tool nowadays, but I really used to love it." The dark-haired woman knew she was lying through her teeth to her friend, but there wasn't a piece of truth she could really give out at this point, "I just think it'd be fun to practice a bit while we're out here. Maybe do some target practice or something."

"Oh! Well unfortunately I don't know where you might be able to snag some." Petra replied, "Maybe ask the captain? He's more resourceful than we are."

But Kagome just shook her head, "Levi would probably just mock me or something if I asked. He's got a lot on his plate, anyways." And he'd probably know I'd be using the artifact longbow...

The other elite laughed a bit at that, "Yeah, that sounds like him. He isn't what most people envision when they think of the world's greatest soldier. He's much shorter and pretty unsociable."

"You're telling me. We didn't exactly get off on the right foot. I think we're okay, now, though." The former priestess said, "Or at least I hope so. I talked with him earlier and he actually made a joke with me, but he's still just such a mysterious guy."

Petra seemed taken back by the idea that Levi had joked with Kagome, almost as if the idea in and of itself was unbelievable. But she quickly shook off her surprise and bit her lip.

"Yeah, I don't think anyone really knows much about him. People say that he was a major crime boss in the underground before he was dragged into the scouts by Commander Erwin." There was a suspense laced in her tone as if she was telling a story, "Apparently he didn't even undergo training. He was already better than most soldiers by the time Erwin found him... But I don't really know for sure how true everything is. And he really isn't one to talk about it. I'm sure he'd get annoyed if anyone ever asked him."

A crime boss in the Underground? I've heard about that place... It's the remains of an underground city below Wall Sina. It's basically where the government hides the poor and marginalized, where people can even get sick from the lack of sunlight because they have to pay to just visit the surface... Kagome thought to herself, I wonder if it's true or if it's just some made up gossip... Did Levi really grow up in a place like that?

"Maybe one day I'll investigate that." She joked, though she had to admit to herself that her curiosity had been peaked, the image of the short man flashing in her brain. His hardened stare almost felt like a wall blocking his true self, and she briefly pondered what it'd be like to get a wrecking ball to see what he's been hiding.

"Well, if you ever find out, I'd love to know." Petra giggled. The women continues to converse, their voices dancing in the atmosphere as they joked and gossiped like schoolgirls at recess. It wasn't until the sky above them darkened a few shades, shadows growing behind them as the moon raced its way up above them, that they began to make their separate ways. Their bones ached as if to whisper of their successful training, and the former priestess began to feel the building desire to stand beneath a waterfall of warm water.

Unfortunately, their showers only allowed for ten minute maximums before the water shut off. And of course, the water was only lukewarm at best. Still, Kagome knew she needed to rinse off the day from her skin, so she bid farewell to her conversation with Petra and headed off to the wash herself. While it wasn't comparable to the old days in the hot springs with Sango, it was relaxing enough and the dark-haired woman loved the feeling of running her fingers though her grime-free strands. The sweat had been cleaned, as well as any dirt. She could feel a few small cuts from brushes against the rough wood of the trees, given that they practiced within a forest. But the woman was pleased that those seemed to be the extent of her injuries for the day. She had taken no tumbles, so there were no bruises to decorate her pale complexion this training unlike many others.

Her body had become tattooed with a few small scars throughout the years though. Notably one a few inches long that stretched across her left side, over her hip bone. It was thin and not nearly as bad as some of the other soldiers have, but every time she went to shower, she always spent a few moments running her fingers over it. It was a reminder of who she was now, a symbol of the life she chose in this era. She was a scout, and it was a fact that would never leave her figure. And she would carry it the way the rich carry their wealth until the day she died.

The water shut off just as she finished, and she was pleased that she hadn't any soapy remnants on her. Kagome grabbed her towel, patted herself dry and then went to dry her hair. When she was satisfied, she tossed the towel aside and put her hair up in a bun atop her head and dressed herself in a more casual attire for sleeping.

Oh! That's right. I should make Levi some tea before I forget. We surprisingly have the ingredients since there's a garden in the back of the castle. She didn't want to find out what would happen if she didn't keep her word to the captain. So she went off to the kitchen where she prepared the hot beverage, hair still slightly damp from her shower. Hmm... I think I'll make some for myself as well. It's not like I couldn't always benefit from a good night's sleep.

Before she knew it, she had two teacups and a filled kettle sitting atop a silver tray that she carried up towards Levi's room. The woman took careful steps to avoid spilling the steamy drink over herself, lips pursed together as she focused on staying steady. When his door came into view, her face relaxed and she approached it confidently, knocking in a tune.

It took a second, but the sound of a heavy sigh seeped through the door, followed by a stern "Come in." She hoped she wasn't interrupting something, though she knew his default demeanor was harsh and cold.

As she opened the door, the tray now balancing on the palm of her other hand, she saw the captain sitting by candlelight on a black leather chair that rested against the wall opposite his perfectly made bed. On his lap rested some papers that he didn't seem to enjoy looking over.

"Tsk. And here I thought your small brain wouldn't remember the tea." He remarked, eyeing the tray suspiciously, "Any reason you brought two teacups brat?"

Kagome made a quick note of another leather chair that rested against the same wall as the one he sat on. They were separated only by a small side table where a lit candle rested. Immediately smiling at her luck, she waltzed on over and placed the tray on that very same table, just enough room for both that and the candle to fit.

"I figured if I'm making it, I might as well have some, too. I hope that's okay." She answered, taking a quick glance at the man before pouring the tea in the two cups.

When only an indifferent grunt escaped his lips, she wordlessly took a seat in the other chair, leaning back as silence covered them like a blanket. She grabbed her cup by the handle, blew on it softly and then took a sip. He, on the other hand, picked up his cup by the rim, and lifted it to his lips that way, clearly not bothered by the burning heat. Kagome watched him curiously, her gaze captivated by the quirky way he held it as he looked off into the distance.

"Can I ask you something?" She broke the comfortable quiet, his attention turning from his thoughts to meet her. Their gazes caught each other, the dim flame of the candle creating shadows on their faces.

When he didn't object, the dark-haired woman continued, "Why do you hold your cup that way?"

He looked down at his grip on the teacup, then back at her, "Have a problem with it?"

"No. And I don't mean to offend you." She smiled sincerely, "I guess I'm just curious."

He eyed her with a narrowed gaze for a moment, one that she didn't flinch under, before he exhaled and simply said, "In case the handle's loose."

Now, it didn't take much detective work for Kagome to figure out that he was concerned that if he picked it up by the handle, it might be loose and break off, effectively causing the demise of the cup and the spillage of the tea. It was an odd concern, considering she had seen everyone else drink tea, none of whom held it the same way and no one experienced any of them breaking. These tea sets appeared to be in fine condition.

Maybe it happened in the Underground. Tea was probably much harder to come by in a poor area like that. If a cup handle broke and he spilled tea everywhere back when he couldn't easily afford to buy more, he'd probably become extra careful about it... Not to mention, he'd definitely wanna avoid the mess. But she didn't want to pry about past tea fiascos. At this point, her brain was filling with the rumors Petra had revealed about his life as a crime boss in the underground city. She was interested in a much bigger part of his past, one she already knew he wouldn't reveal so easily. It just wasn't his nature, and she wondered if anyone outside of Erwin knew much about him.

A barely visible frown casted over her features. It was a familiar sadness, not having many people around who really knew one's story. Even if it was by his own choice to remain reclusive, there no doubt would be a shadow of loneliness that always wrapped around him.

Because having a part of you that no one can reach makes it impossible for you to really reach others, too. An ever-present disconnect. At least that's how she saw it, or rather, felt it.

"Levi, what made you join the scout regiment?" She was asking the question before she even really had time to think about whether she should. Her words fell out of her like a full glass tipped over, and she saw his face contort with perplexity momentarily before he just took another sip.

"You're just full of shitty questions, aren't you?" He questioned, tongue clicking, "Didn't you ever learn to mind your own damn business?"

"C'mon, humor me, Captain. It's nice tea-time talk." She shifted, ignoring his pressing glare and unfriendly expression.

"You're irritating." He bluntly stated.

"And you're unsociable." Kagome replied, her tone just as casual as she took another sip.

He didn't say anything for a moment, holding his cup by his lips but not drinking any of it. The steam hit his face, and he focused his stare back into the distance. He half-expected himself to reprimand her, perhaps even throw her out of his room. But instead, he sat there, entirely calm in a way that surprised him. However, the biggest shock wasn't the lack of a punishment for her insult, but the fact that he was actually feeling obliged to answer her original question. It was an odd sensation to him, the blossoming comfortableness at the idea of actually talking to someone about himself.

"Erwin convinced me." He said, his syllables drawn out relatively slowly.

Kagome smiled at the admission, "He convinced you? Did he also teach you how to use the ODM gear?"

"I taught myself." He replied quickly, though he still refused to look at her.

"That's pretty cool." Kagome bit her lip, wanting to know more about him, "How?"

"You're one nosey brat." Levi maintained, but shook his head, "I stole the gear, then I taught myself. That's it. I hope you don't plan on interrogating me further, Higurashi. I just might order you to clean the shit from the stables."

Making a disgusted face, the woman tipped her head back and laughed, "I'm sorry. I can't help myself. You're so secretive, you know?" Now, he was looking back at her with his brow cocked. He had never pegged himself as secretive, just more about his business. It's not like he had some big mystery he was keeping from everyone. He just wasn't one to babble on about himself.

Besides, she should be one to talk. "Brat, it's to my knowledge that you don't seem to talk much about your life with your comrades. Tch, seems a bit hypocritical to call me secretive."

"Hey, you know a decent bit about my life." Kagome countered, blushing a bit as she recalled the captain walking in her crying over her past, "Granted, that is quite literally because you and the commander were interrogating me and I had to tell you. Don't tell me you forgot how life really fucked me."

Now, Levi wouldn't have even blinked at her choice of language normally. It wouldn't have even registered in his mind as a curse word. He would have actually agreed that her story was pretty unfortunate had he had the time to respond. Of course, before he could say anything, he noticed her hands rise up to cover her mouth dramatically with her eyes wide on her face like she just committed some mortal sin. It didn't take him long to figure out why, either. And it was such a childlike thing to do.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! I usually don't say words like that!" Her voice was slightly muffled, still covered as shame laid itself over her expression like a thin veil.

The captain could tell that she was serious, a fact that both shocked and amused him. The woman had proved herself to be relatively outspoken, so he hadn't exactly pegged her to be so reserved in this one way. She was a soldier after all. But there she was, ashamed that she had used the f word in front of him like she wasn't a woman in her early twenties.

"Oi, are you a damn child?" He asked in a more condescending tone.

"No I'm not a child. I just prefer not to use that type of bad, crude language..." She defended, "Sorry, sorry, sorry." Her face was as red as a rose petal, her embarrassment flaunting itself, which only caused her hands to move from covering just her mouth to shielding her whole face from his view.

Unfortunately for her, when she hid herself, she also blocked him from her eyes. So, she would never know the face he was making as he gazed upon her display of absolute innocence.

She would never know that, even if for a moment, his amusement had tugged at the corners of his mouth until he wore a grin on his face.

She had made Levi Ackerman smile.

"You're right. I should send your ass to timeout." He taunted. "But I'll overlook it since this tea's not half-bad, brat." To be honest, he found it to be quite delicious, but he wouldn't tell her that. He'd just relax further into his seat, and smirk in secret at the absurdly amusing woman beside him.

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Not gonna lie, coming up with dialogue for Levi and Kagome that is believable and develops them realistically involves a lot of writing and rewriting. So I hope you like how their relationship is blossoming :)

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Also, started another Kag/Levi fic called Transcendence. It's a darker themed fic so feel free to check it out, too!

And I'm still looking for a Beta/Cheerleader for either this fic or the other. Pleaaasseee send me a message if you'd like to help!
If you know any writers/betas who work with this pairing, it'd be great if you let them know too!

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This chapter, let me know what your favorite quirk/character trait is for either Levi or Kagome! I'd love to know! I think mine is Kagome's stubborn nature and Levi's crude/sarcastic humor.

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Review Review Review!