Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin.
Summary: He tries to dissuade her confession. Romance/Angst.
LEVI MIKASA CHEER!
Throughout Time
don't
He tells himself.
He looks at her and wonders how it happened.
He looks at her and continues wondering, as if he'd find the answer on the soft smile on her lips. Her eyes, he noticed, were unfairly gentle and warm.
It was unacceptable. It was foolish.
He looked away, hoping his yearning would suddenly cease.
No matter how much he loathed the fact, he thinks as he turns back to face her, it was undeniable.
This man, this foolish, foolish, stupid man, was in love with her- with the unjust beauty before him.
His whole life he's strayed from such a path. His whole life, he never let himself make that mistake. But she, with her understanding smile, with her loving gaze, told him it was all right. That amidst this hellish world, man was allowed to fall this way, man was allowed to fall in love.
Their relationship started blossoming so long ago. Their initial abhor turned into commendable teamwork. And before he knew it, he took a step further and became her friend. He should never had taken that step.
He had lost so many people already. And to fall in love. That was just insane. To survive this godforsaken world, a person needed a levelled head. One's skill could only take them so far. Without the focus, a wrong step could lead to one's demise.
He wasn't so stupid a person. And it was the main reason he was still alive.
So, he looks away again. Yet, he is rooted where he stands.
He could feel her gaze unwavering as she waited for his reply.
It feels as if a million years had passed since she confessed. And he finds, that even in those million years, he still has yet to produce an answer, one he wouldn't regret.
Everything was a mystery as he would so often say.
If this plunge would be for the worse, both of them would die. And he wouldn't have it. Living was priority. Love, it was a luxury they could never afford.
But when she said those three words, as if they were the most truthful, most genuinely real spoken words, truer than the death they faced day after day, truer than the titans clawing on the walls, he could help but want, to his core, to return those three words back.
So that maybe, maybe, she'd feel that sweet burst of warmth he felt the moment she did.
Before he could speak up, before he could make up his mind, she repeats herself softly.
I love you.
He pauses and finds her face more immaculate. Then, a single thought enters his mind.
Don't.
He wanted to tell her.
Don't, you foolish girl.
He wanted to scream at her. His blood slowly started to boil. He advances towards her. The expression on his face was paler and graver.
Instead of returning her words, out of his confusion, out of the rise of his anger, he seethes at her.
Do you want to die?
She holds her stance. And firmly, she tells him.
Yes.
If it meant being with you, I would give my life a thousand times.
His heart crumbles. And he lets himself fall. He leans on her in defeat. His face reflected the inevitable pain of the future awaiting them.
Then, he finds himself imploring,
Don't.
Mikasa smiles as she leans down to the crook of his neck and lovingly caresses the brittle hair on the back of his head. Unwittingly, in that one conjugation, Levi had told her, that just like every other fool, even the most level-headed man have errors in judgement.
Je t'aime.
I'll find that answer, why I find myself crazily shipping this impossible pair.