Chapter Sixteen
"Hey! Levi!" Hange Zoe waves wildly as the pint-sized Ackermann enters the conference room. She turns to nudge her lieutenant signaling him to make room for the Captain to sit beside her. When her long-suffering assistant does not budge, she moves a seat over instead beckoning him to join her in the newly created seat.
Pretending not to have noticed her, Captain Levi scans the room for the Commander's tall form. The blond is holding a sizeable stack of reports, reading them with a studious frown. Without shifting his gaze, he briefly acknowledges the Captain with a small nod in his direction as he pulls out a chair and settles in beside him.
"Excuse me, excuse me. Coming through." Hange Zoe calls out cheerily as she makes her way to join the Captain and Commander, squeezing through several bodies in the process.
"Section Commander, mind your hand! Your stitches haven't fully healed yet!" Moblit Berner scolds breathlessly as he follows her. Captain Levi's eye twitches as the eccentric titan-lover settles into the seat beside him.
"I'm so excited Levi. Can you feel it? Today's the day!"
"The day humanity finds a cure for your madness?" He mutters crossing his arms over his chest.
"No, silly," she chuckles nudging him playfully, earning a baleful glare for her troubles. "Today's the day…" In spite of himself, he turns when she abruptly stops talking. He arches an eyebrow when he finds her peering intently at him through her goggle-like spectacles.
"What the fuck—?" He leans back slightly, brushing against the Commander's chair in the process.
"You look horrible, Levi! The bags under your eyes seem to have doubled since yesterday evening." Light brown eyes tinge visibly with concern as she leans forward to peer at her irritated colleague. Commander Ervin shifts his gaze to appraise his subordinate with a bemused frown.
"She's right," Commander Ervin Smith remarks, lowering his paperwork as he shifts to face the Captain. "I told you to delegate your duties to your squad if they are too much for you."
"I'm fine."
"With all due respect, Captain you don't look fine," Moblit admits quietly.
"Perhaps something else is keeping you up?" Ervin Smith states watching the pint-sized scout carefully. The Captain freezes as a meaningful gaze passes between them.
Tch! Fucking Four-Eyes! Sticking her fucking nose where it doesn't belong. He turns away without bothering to respond as his thoughts return back to the prior night's activities with the newly-crowned queen. Looks like I'm going to have to start taking naps whenever I go to see her.
"Sorry to have kept you all waiting," Premier Zachary announces as the guards shut the door behind him. The conference room falls still as he marches briskly towards the head of the table, lowering himself unto his seat with a firm frown. "Very well then, who'd like to start?"
Commander Ervin raises his hand, patiently waiting for the Premier to acknowledge him. Once he is given permission to speak he rises up, holding up the papers he had been reading earlier as he clears his throat.
"I am pleased to announce that with the help of the Queen and the Chancellery's fundraising efforts the Survey Corps has managed to secure more than enough funds for the expedition to reclaim Wall Maria." Excited chattering follows this as several people exchange thankful smiles.
"Does that mean that the Chancellery will keep its promise and begin distributing and publishing pardons for the vindicated nobles?" Levi's scowl deepens as he turns to face a portly middle-aged woman dressed in stately barrister's robes. Several people shoot the outspoken advocate annoyed looks as murmurs of disgust slowly fills the room.
"Honestly, Judge Schaeffer is now really the best time?" Nile Dawk mutters with a disapproving frown. "The Reiss Inquisition has only just begun. Pardoning any implicated individuals could compromise the investigation not to mention bring its integrity into question."
"That is not the deal I was promised by Commander Smith and Premier Zachary," the barrister shoots back shifting slightly in her seat to glance at Ervin. "Despite the fact that they are innocent, my clients have fully complied with every single one of the Survey Corps' requests. It's time that they are rightfully vindicated."
"Surely if they're as innocent as you claim, then what's the hurry in clearing their names before the investigation has even had a chance to begin?!" The Military Police Commander challenges clenching his fist angrily. From the corner of his eye, Levi notices a faint smile playing at the blond Commander's lips as he observes the scene silently.
"He's right. This investigation would only uncover further evidence of their innocence—" Another Military police officer begins. Premier Zachary taps the table loudly with his large palm, restoring order to the meeting.
"Commander Smith, may I see your report?" The blond rises to hand the Premier a stack of papers before retaking his seat. "We'll be in recess while I examine these reports. Commander Ervin, Judge Schaeffer, might I have a word with you both?"
The Captain rises pausing to let the conference room empty out before taking his leave, not bothering to acknowledge his Commander. Hange Zoe and her lieutenant follow him as he moves to lean on the wall furthest from the conversing crowd.
"He's not seriously considering letting those traitors off the hook, is he?" A military police lieutenant asks Nile Dawk incredulously.
"It honestly wouldn't surprise me if he did, Bruce," the Military Police Commander replies with a disillusioned sigh.
"I mean to hell with whatever deal they might have struck with the Survey Corps!" The lieutenant named Bruce snaps angrily. "Those greedy bastards can't bind the rest of us."
"You fucking pigs sure are brave all of a sudden," Captain Levi scoffs with an annoyed glower.
"What did you call me, you scum?!" Lieutenant Bruce growls turning to face them.
"Hard of hearing?" The pint-sized scout shoots back without missing a beat. "Where the fuck was all this anger when those greedy bastards were hunting down me and my men?!"
"That's enough you two!" Nile Dawk barks as he and Moblit Berner step between the two seething officers.
"If it were up to me I'd round up every single MP and march them through a firing squad." The Captain's shoulders are trembling as his voice deepens to a menacing growl. "For all we know, you all could have been in on the conspiracy too."
"Hey, I said that's enough!" Commander Dawk snaps reaching to grab the Captain's shirt. Hange Zoe knocks his hand away with a sheepish chuckle.
"Trust me, you don't want to do that," she assures him with an ominous frown.
"For your information, we were just as shocked as you guys were to find out about the King being a fraud," Lieutenant Bruce barks hotly. "If anyone was in on the conspiracy, I'd say it was the Survey Corps."
"That doesn't even begin to make any sense," Moblit Berner remarks quietly.
"In a matter of weeks, your branch has single-handedly spear-headed two ill-advised operations with catastrophic losses while wielding the exact same weapon the Garrison was able to use to seal the breach in Trost."
"Can we please just leave the Garrison out of this?" Dot Pixis requests politely, his head gleaming as he approaches them.
"Fine whatever! Even if we leave out the Stohess catastrophe and the Fifty-Seventh Expedition, the Survey Corps still orchestrated a dubious coup d'état, conveniently producing a so-called 'rightful heir' before striking a deal with several implicated nobles to secure funding for its continued operations!"
"So let me get this straight," Levi sighs with a frustrated frown. "You spend years working for and with several officials who were either aware or otherwise directly involved in a conspiracy to conceal the secret of the titans from humanity and never once muster enough balls to question their authority or otherwise oppose them. Then you sit back, again, and watch as your fellow soldiers are hunted and slaughtered by members of your own branch armed with equipment designed specifically to counter omnidirectional gear and you continue following orders. Then when the conspiracy is exposed, you have the gall to accuse the whistleblowers of profiteering! I'll just chalk this up to stupidity and let it slide."
"Why you arrogant little pipsqueak!" Lieutenant Bruce roars as he reaches out for Levi's ascot. The Captain easily steps aside at the last moment, causing the taller man to stumble gracelessly into a nearby wall just as the conference room door swings open.
The crowd falls silent as Commander Smith steps out to summon the officers back into the conference room. Blue eyes narrow angrily as they fall on Lieutenant Bruce's reeling form, clutching a bloody handkerchief to his nose as a pair of military police officers rally to help him to his feet.
"Ervin!" Hange Zoe calls nervously. "I swear it's not what it looks like."
"Premier Zachary is about to reconvene the conference," the blond states formally, stepping aside to allow the others return back to the conference room. Captain Levi moves to re-enter the conference room as Lieutenant Bruce is carried away for medical attention. The Commander blocks his path with his body, prompting the pint-sized Ackermann to glower at him.
"I didn't touch him," Levi Ackermann blurts defensively.
"I know," Ervin Smith admits. "Your handiwork tends to be a lot…messier than a broken nose. That being said, I still want you to get some rest."
"I'm fine." The Commander moves an arm to bar his path as he tries to walk around him.
"No, you're not," Ervin shoots back in a clipped tone. "We'll finish this conversation later."
Heat stings the back of the Captain's neck as he watches the tall Commander march into the conference room, shutting the door firmly behind him. Letting out a long, steadying breath, the Captain shoves his hands into his pocket, quietly turning as he walks away. His footsteps echo in the vast, stately halls of the royal palace as his boots carry him further away from the conference room. He stops when he reaches the grand foyer and finds it packed with a small contingent of military police officers hastily marching towards a waiting carriage.
That's the royal family's carriage. Is Historia planning on going somewhere?
"Captain Levi!" He stiffens as he spies his lover waving at him from the foot of the stairs. Although he had noticed her earlier, he hadn't recognized her with her blonde locks styled in a simple braided ponytail and her dressed in a bright corseted frock. Tightening his lips as he slowly descends the stairs, he pauses to acknowledge her with a small nod. "Is the conference already over?"
"No," He states moving to walk past her without elaboration or explanation.
"Were you sent on another assignment?" He pauses briefly before nodding.
"Your majesty, the carriage is ready." A footman informs her with a reverent bow.
"Thank you, Janis." The man flushes deeply at being addressed so informally as he shuffles away. She turns to face the Captain, folding her hands meekly in front of her a light blush tinting her cheeks. "Where are you headed?"
"Back to the Survey Corps barracks," he replies slipping his hands into his pockets. "Why?"
"We're headed in that direction, we could ride with you if you'd like."
"I'm sorry, your Majesty," he pauses, lowering his frame into a low bow. "But I'd prefer to ride alone."
"Oh, I see," she mumbles quietly lifting her gaze to study his features. He abruptly turns away as her light blue eyes shift to the dark circles encircling his eyes, blonde eyebrows drawn in a concerned frown. "Well then, I'll leave you to it." He bows once more before taking his leave. Although he feels her gaze trailing his movements he does not turn or otherwise acknowledge her as he strides purposefully towards the royal stables to retrieve his horse.
Swinging his leg over his horse, he seizes the reins urging his trusty steed forward with a click of his teeth. As he rides past, he catches a glimpse of the Queen mounting her carriage. She freezes when she notices him passing forcing him to abruptly avert his gaze.
Fuck me! Does she fucking have to stare all the fucking time?! His grip tightens around the reins as he leans forward spurring his horse into an urgent gallop. It's a miracle no one's caught on yet—shit I'll be damned in Ervin and Armin haven't figured it out by now.
"Perhaps something else is keeping you up?"
He grits his teeth as he recalls the shrewd look in the Commander's light blue eyes as they had studied him earlier.
"Yep," he mutters with a frustrated sigh. "He knows." He cringes as he recalls a conversation he had shared with the Commander several years ago following a particularly devastating expedition beyond the walls.
He remembered snatching the casualty list from the taller man's hand as he had passed his desk, replacing it instead with a simple envelope addressed to him.
"If you're dying to read something, read that," he had growled, tossing the casualty list into a nearby drawer without hesitation. "It's been sitting on your desk for almost a month now and some dumb ass keeps moving it to my fucking desk." The blond had turned the envelope letter, his blue eyes skimming the characters long enough to discern its sender's identity before rising to cast it into the fireplace.
"Have you seen Mike? His report was due yesterday—"
"He's still in the infirmary," he remembered responding crossing his hands as he had turned to fix the tall blond with a disapproving scowl. "Speaking of which, you seriously need to get that cut looked at." Ervin Smith had briefly tapped the side of his bandaged head with a distracted frown before shifting his attention to the growing stack of paperwork sitting on his desk.
"What could I possibly have to say to her after all these years?" He remembered the somber shadow that had fallen over the taller man's eyes as he stood completely still, watching the crackling embers of the hearth.
"Who?"The Captain had asked stupidly prompting the blond to turn and face him.
"When I was young my father used to always say that no man could faithfully serve two masters. It took me years to understand what he really meant and even longer to realize the truth behind these very words. No matter what, one master's interests will always prevail over the other's, sometimes to the other's detriment." He had listened quietly as his friend moved to settle down unto the chair directly opposite him, watching him with dull, unseeing eyes. "There are days when our work vindicates my decision to leave her behind. But some days…some days it's harder to resist the urge to seek her out. To rekindle the flame I so foolishly extinguished in youthful tactlessness."
"I'm guessing today's one of those latter days huh?" When the blond offered no protest or response, the Captain remembered giving him a bemused frown. "Whatever happened to making difficult choices and sticking out the consequences no matter how shitty?"
"I'm human too Levi," the blond had scoffed shaking his head.
"Fair enough. So why don't you just end it?" He had shrugged. "Four-Eyes claims you graduated in the top ten percent of your trainee corps, so you should be eligible for a transfer to any branch you choose."
"It's not that simple." He had sighed leaning back to close his eyes with a resigned frown. "She's getting married to a former classmate of mine. But even then, if she wasn't getting married, I couldn't marry her knowing that any day—any expedition could possibly be my last."
"Fair enough," he had repeated quietly as he let the matter drop.
He is thankful to be back in the Survey Corps barracks as he rides past the front gates, making a beeline for the stables. After securing his horse, he immediately makes his way to his apartment to take a quick shower before returning to his office. He finishes his report in record time but decides to reread it later before turning it in. He notices Hange's and Moblit's horses being guided to the stables as he waits for his horse.
"Levi!" The eccentric Section Commander calls out with an excited squeal as she skips toward him. "Guess what?! The council approved additional funding for my Titan-extermination apparatus."
"Were they brain-dead or something?" Captain Levi wonders with an incredulous frown.
"No, silly! They were thoroughly blown away by my awesome proposal—"
"Rambling monologue—" her long-suffering subordinate amends beneath his breath with a weary sigh.
"—and my super awesome blueprint—"
"—unintelligible doodles—" Moblit Berner corrects, pausing to pinch the bridge of his nose as his Section Commander wraps her good hand around his mouth.
"Good work," Levi mutters distractedly as his horse is brought out to him.
"Leaving already?" Hange Zoe asks as they watch him inspect his saddle. "Where are you going?"
"I need to negotiate a contract with the metalsmith guild now that we've secured sufficient funds for the expedition." He scans the stable with a small frown for any sign of the Commander's horse. "Where's Trina?"
"With the Commander," the eccentric scout replies removing her glasses to clean them with the hem of her shirt. "He stayed behind to have a word with the Queen." Levi's eyes widen at this as he digs his heels sharply into his horse's side.
"About what?!" He snarls reining his horse long enough to receive a response.
"Er, I didn't care enough to ask," Hange replies with a sheepish smile. "Where are you going?!"
He knows he fucking knows! While he really shouldn't have been surprised that the Commander had figured their secret out so quickly, part of him had hoped that he would have come up with an acceptable explanation by the time the Commander had caught on to their affair.
He flies down the cobbled streets, urging his horse faster as the imposing silhouette of the royal palace grows bigger. A pair of footmen cast him identically confused looks as he dismounts from his horse. Grayish-blue eyes narrow as they settle on the space where the royal carriage had been parked earlier.
"Welcome back Captain Ackermann,"
"Captain Levi—not Ackermann," he corrects as the footman approaches to relieve him off his horse. "Have you seen Commander Smith?"
"He left with the Queen in her carriage some hours ago." Came the footman's reply.
"Where did they go?"
"They didn't say, sir." He grits his teeth with an irritated click, turning his horse as he prepares to leave. From the corner of his eye, he notices movement and turns to watch the royal carriage slowly move into view. He steers his horse away to make room for the carriage as it slows to a halt. The carriage door swings open as Ervin Smith's long leg slowly slides out.
"Captain Levi?" the Queen greets with a bemused frown as she disembarks from her carriage.
"Is everything alright?" The Commander asks as their eyes meet.
Now he fucking knows! He had known Ervin Smith long enough to recognize the triumphant sheen in his bright blue eyes that typically accompanied the discovery of some fascinating bit of information.
I'll bet he deliberately stayed behind and sent Hange and Moblit ahead, knowing that once they told me where he was I would come running back like some thief in the night.
"Everything is fine," the Captain lies with an irritated glare as he turns around, intent on leaving. "Commander?"
"Right." The Commander turns to give the Queen a deep, reverent bow as his horse is gently guided toward him. "Good night, your majesty."
"Good night, Commander," the blonde replies before shifting to acknowledge the Captain as well. "Captain." Commander Ervin mounts his horse quickly and sets off trotting behind the surly Captain.
'That was a dirty move," Captain Levi mumbles sourly as they reach the Survey Corps barracks.
"What was?" The Commander asks pointedly avoiding his gaze.
"You know what I'm talking about." The Captain snatches the one-armed man's sleeve as he moves to walk past. "Just fucking go ahead and say it, already."
"Go to bed, Levi." The blond's expression hardens as blue eyes detect a hint of defiance in the pint-sized Ackermann's boyish features. "Seriously. That's an order."
He obediently secures his horse and retreats to his sparsely-furnished apartment. Pausing briefly to kick off his boots, he settles down unto the couch. Leaning back, he rests his weary head unto his outstretched palms watching the shadows dance over the plain ceiling as the sun finally sinks over the horizon. Blinking lazily as a small sigh escapes him, he shifts his attention to the stack of paperwork on his writing desk. Stretching his hands high over his head, he crosses the room, quickly picking up the pile of reports and diagrams desperately begging for his attention.
His shoulders stiffen instinctively as he senses another presence steadily creeping toward his room. Rising to his feet, he wordlessly crosses the room, positioning himself behind the door's path, reaching calmly for his letter opener. Grayish-blue eyes narrow cautiously as the door swings open briefly obscuring him as the petite intruder hastily slips in, pausing to secure the door shut.
"C-Captain?" He steps forward, yanking down the Queen's hood with an irritated glower.
"Rule number four: the moment you start neglecting your duties as queen, this is over." Blue eyes follow him as he moves to observe the grounds below through the gap in his curtain.
"I wasn't followed," she assures him breathlessly fanning herself as she shrugs off her heavy traveling cloak. He shifts his gaze towards her as he detects the familiar rattle of omnidirectional gear.
"You have to leave," he informs her softly as he finally retreats from the window. "Commander Ervin knows."
"What?! You told him?" His eyes narrow as he studies her carefully.
"I didn't mean to," he replies vaguely. "Why are you here?"
"I was worried about you." She turns to drape her coat and jacket over a nearby chair before making her way towards the kitchen. "You looked…possessed this afternoon when I saw you leaving the council meeting."
"I'm fine. I got into a little argument that's all." He rises to gather her clothes, moving quietly towards the tiny foyer closet where he hung his coats and jackets. Hanging her coat and jacket, he turns to watch her fill a kettle of water by the sink before moving to turn on the stove. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
"Making you some tea," she replies as she moves to join him on the couch.
"Tea keeps me up,"
"Don't worry, I brought my own special brew." She winks at him as she leans closer gently nudges him with her elbow.
"What?" He scowls.
"Try resting your head on my lap," she suggests blushing slightly.
"Why? Your thighs are bonier than mine." A vein throbs visibly on her temple. "It's true." He insists prompting her to clench her fist.
"Lie. Your. Head. On. My. Lap. Now!" She growls through grit teeth. An amused smile tugs at the corner of his lips as he silently complies. Small fingers gently slip into his dark hair lovingly massaging his scalp with reverent circular strokes. "Close your eyes. There? Isn't that soothing?"
"Whatever, just don't forget the kettle on the stove."
"That morning at the cottage when I nearly burned the kitchen down," she begins with an incredulous chuckle. "I honestly thought it was possible to die of embarrassment."
"Come to think of it," he sighs cracking an eye open to peer at her. "Why did you decide to cook that evening? Didn't you realize that the stove would create smoke that could be seen by anyone?"
"I honestly didn't think about it." She shrugs in response as she leans forward instead, a small hand reaching up to stroke the side of his face affectionately before falling to his long neck. "Someone had told me that there was barely enough dinner left over for you and Section Commander Zoe. I decided to make some more food so you guys would have enough to eat when you returned."
"What did you fall asleep or something?" She chuckles blushing deeply as she shakes her head sheepishly.
"Do you really want to know the truth?" He cracks his other eye open, abandoning his attempt at feigning sleep. "I got carried away reading Petra's diary."
"You're kidding." She shakes her head, bowing her head as his shoulders rumble with amusement.
"Can you at least pretend like it's not that funny?" She snaps as the kettle begins to whistle.
"But it is," he insists.
"You're the worst!" He lifts his head off her lap, allowing her to rise and return to the kitchen. She dumps some teabags into a pair of waiting teacups before pouring out the steaming water. He moves to settle down by the kitchen table as she approaches with the tray. He presses his lips gently to her elbow as she leans forward to set the tray down on the table.
"Ginger tea?" He arches an eyebrow as he reaches to lift his teacup.
"Why do you hold it like that?" She asks with a bemused smile as she watches him take a sip of the steaming beverage. "Your cup I mean."
"I'll tell you a funny story." He leans back, arm draped over the backrest of his chair as he gently returns the cup to its saucer. "When I was thirteen I used to visit this teashop that would serve its customers with fine china. The tea itself was nothing special but the china pieces were some of the most breathtaking works of art I have ever seen. One day I found a traveling merchant who agreed to sell me a china set very similar to the ones that shop used for a cheap price. I was thrilled and began saving up to buy it. When I finally bought it, I was so excited that I didn't properly inspect the merchandise before taking it home and setting it out for a business associate. When I lifted the teacup by its handle it fucking shattered spilling tea all over me and my associate."
She purses her lips desperately fighting back laughter as he concludes his tale. He turns to watch her and shakes his head prompting her to release the breath she had been holding with a hysterical cackle. Grayish-blue eyes soften as he studies her fair mirthful visage with an amused chuckle of his own.
"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't—"
"Don't apologize, it was a funny story. Obviously, I didn't think so at the time but that's a moot point at this point." She shakes her head, clutching her side as she reaches to dry her eyes with a finger.
"Did you ever get back at the merchant?" A mischievous smirk twists his lips as he nods his head without further elaboration.
"Tell me what happened," she pleads leaning forward to clutch his arm as his eyelids begin to grow heavy.
"Maybe…some other time…" He hears her chair scrape as she moves to help him to his feet, guiding him towards the couch where she gently lowers him unto the waiting cushions.
"I'd love to hear the story behind your aversion to beds." Sleep claims him before he can articulate a response.
Author's Note: I'm so excited! I just can't hide it! I was worried that I wouldn't have enough time to develop their relationship before the expedition to reclaim Wall Maria but episode 11 just revealed that at least two freaking months had passed before the expedition! Glad you guys enjoyed the last two chapters as I honestly felt uncertain about posting them at all. Until next week! :)