Hello all! Thank you all again for taking the time to read my fanfic! I just wanted to clarify a few more things before we get the story started.
First of all, there's been a concern about Mikasa getting knocked up after the previous chapter. I'd just like to say that this isn't that kind of story, and was a little disappointed that a reader would get that assumption from reading it. That was never my intention and if I for some reason made that happen, it would ruin the whole idea of the story. I'm not saying that there won't be the possibility of Levi and Mikasa as parents later on, but if they do want a kid they'll certainly do so when they feel it's right. It won't be because of an accident. And I know what you're thinking, "Oh but they didn't use a condom!" Well, I've been reading "A Song of Ice and Fire" aka "Game of Thrones" and I was going to borrow their moon tea concept as Mikasa's form of birth control (though I won't mention it until the next chapter). I don't know, just the thought of them using condoms in their universe is strange to me.
The other thing I wanted to address was the order of the timeline in each chapter. I can see how it would be a little confusing, but to make it simple, the first sections of chapters two, three, and four are all flash-forwards. Every section afterwords is to show how they got to that point. The first and last chapters are the exceptions.
I hope that cleared things up!
Now enjoy the chapter!
Warning: Sexual situations ahead.
xxxxx
Esteem
xxxxx
Levi's heart stopped.
His eyes were wide, traumatized at the series of events that just occurred. And all he could do was gape, watching as her limp body plummeted to the earth. He couldn't move a muscle. Couldn't bring himself to see if she was still alive. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if he saw death overcome her. Mikasa; his companion, his lover, his reason for existence. His clutch on his swords tightened when he couldn't locate her figure anymore.
All of this because of a simple malfunction in her 3DMG gear. It was the reason she got caught in the crossfire. He squeezed his eyes shut in agony. What could he do? All of those nights memorizing her, kissing her, laughing with her... all for nothing?
He suddenly wished he told her that he loved her more, allowed his lips to linger a moment longer, held her hand a little tighter.
No.
Levi never gave up that easily.
With one final boost of confidence, he stepped off the building and soared to the last spot he recalled seeing her.
xxxxx
"I think I'm going to ask her," Erwin confided to Levi, stroking the dark mane of his horse, obviously deep in thought. Levi turned to the man beside him, brows slightly knitting together in confusion. There was a content smile on the commander's face as he pet the steed. Shaking his head, Levi continued to prepare his horse for their journey back to headquarters.
He decided to humor him. "Ask who what?"
"Hanji. To marry me."
Did he just hear him right? Hanji? The shitty woman who constantly grated on his nerves? Who could never seem to leave him and Mikasa alone? Levi scoffed, buckling the cinch of the saddle onto his horse. "I genuinely hope you're joking."
Erwin shook his head, brow stern and lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm completely serious. Hanji keeps me entertained and she knows how to cheer me up. She's... She's like a breath of fresh air in this foul world. I mean, I've known her for such long time, and she knows me best—aside from you of course. But I'm sure if I let her go without properly doing something about it, I'll definitely regret it." He mounted his horse, waiting for Levi to do the same.
Levi supposed he understood where his friend was coming from. But still, he was never aware that Erwin carried a torch for the bespectacled woman.
"I wasn't aware the two of you were going out," Levi eventually responded, seemingly apathetic as he urged his horse to start moving. Erwin chuckled and scratched the back of his head nervously. "We're not, actually."
"So you're just going to ask her out of nowhere? What if she says no?"
Erwin shrugged, a smile etching onto his lips again. "At least I tried. I'm not getting any younger, Levi. By the time this war is over, I'll probably be too old to go out and try to woo some woman. Why bother when I have a perfectly suitable companion back at the base? I mean, she's incredibly intelligent, amusing, and beautiful. What more could I possibly ask for in a woman?"
Levi exhaled slowly. "Perhaps if she bathed more, I would see the appeal."
"Ah well, that can be easily changed. All she would need is some persuasion."
"Marriage is a waste, especially if you're in the military. I never understood why soldiers did it."
Erwin chuckled again, averting his eyes to the man beside him. "You shouldn't tell Mikasa that. She's more than likely to get upset."
Levi scoffed again, rolling his eyes at the commander. "Oh please. I know my woman better than you do."
He's there to witness Erwin's proposal to Hanji nearly a month later. Mikasa's arm is linked with his as they take an afternoon stroll throughout the grounds. She's idly playing with his fingers for the majority of the time, and it's not until they reach gardens that he realizes her hand has gone still. He follows her line of vision, eyes finally falling on Erwin, down on one knee, and Hanji, proceeding to tackle him onto the ground. She's smothering his face with kisses, and Levi can't remember ever seeing Erwin this happy before.
Mikasa's cheeks are tinted red as she wistfully stares at the pair, fingers abandoning his to anxiously pull at one end of her scarf.
Levi recognizes the gleam in her eyes—the want, the sorrow, the perpetual longing rooting into her soul. His hand falls to delicately lace his fingers through hers. "Are you okay?" he asks, concern discernible in his voice. And he's been around her long enough to know what her response will be: one nod, a slight upturn of her lips, and a gentle kiss to his cheek before she murmurs, "I'm fine."
She does exactly that.
He never believes her, but he decides to leave the matter alone. Prying never seemed to work with her anyway.
Dinner is strange that night as well. Aside from the festivities celebrating Erwin and Hanji's engagement, Mikasa's gaze remains situated on her food, absentmindedly stirring the contents of her stew but never actually eating it. Her behavior begins to trouble him now. Reaching for her free hand resting on the tabletop, Levi carefully pulls it to his mouth, lips caressing the back of her cold fingers in a pleasant kiss. The shy grin she wears is genuine as he coaxed her onto the bench beside him.
"Will you tell me what's wrong?" he inquires after brushing his lips on her temple.
She breathes out a short laugh. "I'm just being silly. It's nothing to fuss about."
Levi manages to hold back his grimace. When will she finally be able to open up to him about these trivial matters? They've been together for nearly a year now, so he couldn't understand why she was still holding back from him.
He pushed the hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear. "I love you. You can tell me anything."
It's one of those rare times he's said those three little words and Mikasa's face flushes pink because of it. She rests her head on his shoulder, the pleased expression evident on her features as she laces their fingers together again. "I love you too," is the only thing she responds back with. Levi can't help but allow a fleeting smile to surpass his lips upon noticing how irrevocably happy he truly makes her.
And it's enough for now.
xxxxx
Levi doesn't bother trying to be discreet as he ogles his girlfriend. She's standing directly in front of him, tying his cravat for him with her skilled hands. They're in his office, both dressed in their formal attire for the party that evening. Mikasa's settled on wearing a cherry blossom embroidered ruby cheongsam while Levi dusted off the only suit he had. He felt his mouth go dry when she first stepped into the room, and now he just couldn't take his eyes off of her. Her lips were stained red, eyes outlined with black and her hair pinned up into a small bun.
In short, he wanted to ravish her.
But he had to ease his way into it if he was going to get what he wanted.
"I thought you were looking for a kimono."
Mikasa's eyes met his gaze evenly, frowning slightly before focusing on his cravat once again. "I was. But there aren't any nearby. Any at all, really. And I didn't feel like traveling all the way to Sina for one, if they even had any there as well. This is the closest I could get, even if it's not from my heritage."
He nodded and his gaze roamed over her features again. "I see the girls got to you."
Mikasa smiled shyly, but she made an effort to avoid his stare. "They said you would like it."
Levi smirked, his piercing eyes trailing down her body. "And I do."
He heard her release a soft gasp, the familiar blush coloring her cheeks once again. When he's centimeters away from meeting her luscious lips, she turns her head at the last moment. "Levi, I don't want to mess up my makeup. And we have to leave." That doesn't deter him at all, and instead he leaves a trail of wet kisses down her pale neck.
"That's perfect because I didn't want to go in the first place."
But she's pushing at his shoulders now and he has no choice but to stop. "They're your best friends, Levi. You know they'll be upset if you don't show up." Levi sighs, snaking his arm around her waist and pulling her closer until she's flush against him. "You know I hate parties."
Her fingers are running through his hair now, fixing the stray hairs back into place. "I know you do, but this isn't just any party. It's your best friend's wedding and it's very important to both of them that you attend, got it?"
"I guess," he groused, refusing to let go of Mikasa when she began to take a step away from him. The woman huffed, crossing her arms in displeasure. "I'm not going to kiss you, Captain. Or do anything else for that matter."
Levi's eyebrow quirked up slightly in amusement. She certainly was a bad liar around him, most likely just because he's been around her so long. But he'd like to believe it was because his handsome looks made her nervous. "You're such a tease, you know that? Coming in here dressed like that and then downright denying me. But I'm confident you did this on purpose. You really shouldn't try to deceive me, love."
Her features remained impassive for nearly a minute, that is, until one corner of her lips pulled up into a sultry smirk, a mischievous gleam in her onyx orbs. "Okay, you caught me. That doesn't mean I'm going to give in though."
Frowning, Levi leisurely ran his palm down the swell of her hip. "Come now, that's not fair. I know you want to."
She halted his hand from moving any further by grasping it. "This is just some payback from all the times you turned me down. Now, how about we get a move on?"
"But Mika—"
"How about we make a deal?" She was quick to interrupt, placing both hands on her hips as she patiently awaited his answer. All he could offer her was an awestruck nod. It was rare for her to cut him off. "No interrupting either, understand?" Mikasa instructed, and Levi had no other choice but to obey.
"Yes, dear."
"Alright then. Now... the evidence is quite clear that this little get up arouses you. So if you're a good boy tonight, I'll give you what you want when we come back. How does that sound?" At the last word, she palmed his erection through his pants without warning. Levi hissed at the sudden onset of pressure, seizing her wrist before she could do any more damage to his wounded pride. How was she able to incapacitate him so easily? It was the complete truth when people said that she called the shots in the relationship. He'd never admit it, but she had him tightly wound around her finger. And she knew this, taking full advantage of it every time she had the opportunity to.
"Y-Yes..." He cursed himself. Did he just fucking stutter?
This night was full of surprises.
Levi hastily tugged her out of the room before she could comment on the burning embarrassment plastered on his face.
They're over halfway to the church when Levi finally takes notice of other soldiers, men specifically, leering at his girlfriend like she was a piece of meat. He protectively wrapped an arm around her waist, making a point that he would strangle anyone who so much as touched her. He's in the middle of glaring at someone when her voice suddenly breaks his concentration.
"Why do girls like wearing heels? My feet are already hurting."
His gaze dropped to her feet. Her shoes matched her dress and were no higher that two inches. But the extra height disgruntled him. "I don't like them either."
Mikasa abruptly stops once they're right outside the church, palms rubbing up and down her arms nervously. "What's wrong?" He takes a tentative step towards her when she doesn't respond. He runs a thumb along her jaw before tilting her face up, her frantic eyes finally meeting his. "Mikasa?"
"I just... I'm standing out too much. I should go back and change."
"Wait a minute!" Levi just barely grasps her hand, pivoting her around to face him once again. "What are you doing? You look beautiful. Please don't go and change." Her lips twisted into a grimace as she fiddled with her fingers.
"But everyone's staring at me," she whispered, stressing herself out.
"Since when did you care about what other people think?"
She opened her mouth to answer, but allowed it to fall shut again when she realized he was right. Without needing another response, Levi laced their fingers together and finally coaxed her into entering the church.
The ceremony was fairly short, much to Levi's pleasure. Mikasa was silent the entire time, save for a few gasps here and there once the pair began their vows. Hanji was over the moon at that point, unable to stand still as they reached the end of the ceremony. Erwin couldn't fight the infatuated smile off his face, reaching over to grasp the woman's hands in a poor attempt at immobilizing her. This proved fruitless, because as soon as the pastor gave them permission to kiss, Hanji ripped her palms from his and threw her arms around the commander's neck, sealing his mouth with hers. Levi couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing the disappointed groans of a few female subordinates.
The reception was held in the mess hall back at the headquarters and went on well into the night. Mikasa made an effort to get him to dance with her once she was a bit tipsy, but of course he had to refuse. He never danced. He wasn't sure if he even could. And he wasn't about to test it out. He suffered enough embarrassment for one day, after all. Still, it was gratifying to see her have fun with her friends for once, even if he was a bit jealous watching Jean, Eren, and all the other men take turns dancing with her.
Erwin eventually obtains enough time to escape his wife to sit beside Levi. "Wow, I'm exhausted." Erwin ran a hand down his face, eyelids heavy from all the events of the day.
Levi's frigid gaze never strayed from Mikasa's form. "What did you expect? Being married to that woman is going to be a handful."
The older man released a deep laugh. "I'm fully aware of what I put myself into, Levi."
It's quiet between them for a while, until Erwin asks him a question that unsettles him considerably. "So... when are you going to ask Mikasa?" Levi blinks and turns to him with brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"
"Don't play dumb. You know she wants to. Why are you holding back?"
Levi scoffs. "I don't know what the hell you're talking ab—"
Erwin placed a strong hand on Levi's shoulder. "We live in a time where we can't afford to be patient. What if you lose her tomorrow? I know what you're thinking. You think you're doing her a favor by not taking that extra step, but in reality you're just pushing her away. Haven't you noticed a change in her behavior these past several months? Or is she just that good at hiding it?"
There was suddenly a ruckus of girlish squealing coming from behind him. Levi turned his head to the group of women and noticed Mikasa clutching a bouquet of flowers in her slender hands. He recognized the small flower arrangement from Hanji's own hands not too long ago. He put two and two together and made the mistake of immediately making eye contact with Mikasa, a hopeful smile lifting onto her face as she pulls the bouquet to her chest. A lump forms in his throat, but instead of turning away, he offers her a small smile in return.
Erwin was right.
He should've known that years of denying Mikasa only proved to be futile. What made this situation any different?
With that in mind, he was determined to set things right from now on.
xxxxx
Levi stared at the small box held open in his fingers. Inside was a rose gold-banded ring with a modest sized diamond in the middle. It was simple, but he knew she'd love it regardless. His only problem now was figuring out a way to ask her. It should've been easy, considering how he already knew she would say yes, but he didn't have a romantic bone in his body. All he wanted to do was make up all the times he was a knucklehead towards her.
He spotted her speaking to that Braus girl in front of her room and he instantly pocketed the box.
Okay Levi. Just walk right up to her and demand that she take a walk with you. No. Kindly ask her to take a stroll with you after you suavely kiss her hand. No, that's too cheesy. Just find a way to get rid of her friend. That isn't right either. She'll just get mad at me. Levi groaned to himself. Why was this so difficult? He dealt with far more difficult things than this. He butchered titans for a living, enjoyed doing it more than he should have, and he was worried about how to ask her to marry him.
He never felt so weak until now.
"Levi?"
He froze. Mikasa held onto his forearm, eyes hardened with concern. Sasha stood right behind her, looking like Levi was about to throttle her. Was he seriously that frightening? Even when he was vulnerable like this?
"U-Uh... I..." He was such a fucking mess. Things weren't supposed to happen this way.
"Why are you hiding?" Her eyebrow was quirked up in amusement as she fought back a giggle from escaping her lips.
"I just..." His hands were shaking now. When he didn't finish his thought, she took his hand. "Come on. Sasha and I were about to get dinner. Eat with us."
She began to drag him down the hallway, Sasha animatedly leading the way. Levi let out a frustrated sigh. It really was now or never. Steeling himself, he dug the heels of his boots to the stone floor until Mikasa could barely budge. "Just... wait. Please?" he begged.
Both Mikasa and Sasha turned back to him, confusion present on their features.
"What's wrong?"
His stomach was in knots as he reached over to grasp her arms. Breathe in, breathe out. "I love you, Mikasa." Letting go of her, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring box before dropping to one knee. Her eyes are already wide and filling with tears when she realizes what's happening. She's completely speechless, which only encourages him to press on. "You know I'm terrible at expressing my feelings, and I'm by no means romantic... as you can tell." He gestured to their bland surroundings, holding back a frown when he's sure he screwed this up. Sweat trickled down his temple.
"But... you make me a very happy man. I know it's extremely cliché to say this, but you've really made me better. Mentally, at least. I never thought I could make any friends, or even think about skipping cleaning to spend a few hours with you." Mikasa blushed at that, recalling all the mornings they spent under the sheets when they should have been working. "I mean, look at me. I'm kneeling on this filthy floor with no problem. But... that aside, I would be deeply upset if I didn't have a future with you. So, what do you say? Will you marry me?"
A single tear slipped from her eye, and Levi thought she was going to turn him down if it weren't for the soft laugh escaping her lips and the reassuring nod that followed.
"Of course, idiot."
Levi felt a grin creep onto his face as he slid the ring onto her finger. Barely giving him the time to stand up, Mikasa placed her hands on both sides of his face, pulling him into a searing kiss. Levi returns the heated touch with just as much fervor, gliding his thumb along her jaw as he drew her closer. It isn't long until he lifts her up, whisking her off to her room.
Sasha is left behind in shock, gaping and unable to comprehend everything that just occurred.
xxxxx
"I'm so jealous of you." Jean spoke through clenched teeth. Levi peered up from the reports in his left hand to the man standing across from him. And here he was, hoping to have a pleasant breakfast without any interruptions. He should have expected the opposite since Mikasa and him had only been engaged yesterday. Hanji and all the other squad leaders kept badgering him about it since the pair left her room the previous evening. Apparently Sasha couldn't keep her mouth shut and the news spread like wildfire.
"Excuse me?" Levi certainly didn't have the patience for Jean's envious rantings right now.
The younger man merely clenched his fists at his sides. Levi shook his head and took a sip of his coffee, turning his attention back to the papers. "If you have nothing to say, I'd like to eat my meal in peace, thank you very much."
Jean didn't leave, and Levi tried his best to ignore the brooding man, all to no avail.
"What do you want, Kirschtein? Spit it out or I'll have you cleaning out horse stalls for a month."
"I just don't understand. Why you?"
That was a question Levi asked himself on a weekly basis since they began the intimate aspect of their relationship. He always figured he'd be a terrible companion. His short temper, anti-social behavior, and mental illness didn't particularly make the ladies swoon. And sure, he was a handsome man, but his short stature was something some women couldn't get over. He had absolutely no clue what Mikasa saw in him.
"Why don't you ask her? Because I sure as hell don't know why either."
That seemed to catch Jean off guard. He sputtered. "W-What do you mean, you don't know?"
Levi sighed, setting the reports on the table. "Look. You're asking the wrong person these things. I love her more than anything, therefore I asked her to marry me. She said yes, and that's that. I know she loves me, though I'm not entirely sure why. I'm five years short from turning forty and I'm a terrible person, but regardless of those facts, she still said yes. Now I'm not saying I deserve her, because I fucking don't. But she deserves whoever she wants after all the shit she's been through. And I know you're upset because she chose me over you a long time ago, but perhaps if you were more assertive back then, things would be different today."
Now he was sounding like a jackass. He squeezed his eyes shut in irritation.
"The last part was unnecessary, but you get my point. Now, if you have any other questions, take it up with the woman herself because I don't have time for this drivel."
Later on that evening, as he's leaving his office to go to his quarters, he overhears Jean and Mikasa speaking to each other. He doesn't make any assumptions, instead choosing to lean against the wall to eavesdrop on their conversation. It was about what Jean spoke about with him that morning.
That man just never gave up.
But that didn't mean Levi wasn't curious about what Mikasa's response would be.
"We're just... so similar. I know, it's kind of hard to believe. But he's more of myself than I am, and I think that's the reason we've been able to stand being around each other for such a long time. He's always protective of me, and he never thinks about himself when it concerns me. I wish I could do the same for him more often, but I don't think he minds. I feel like not a lot of people understand him, but I guess that's just what makes it more special."
There's an inaudible response and then the shuffling of retreating feet.
A moment later, Mikasa comes into his vision and he smirks when she gasps in surprise, laying a hand on her chest.
"Special, huh? I had no idea I was so selfless."
Mikasa playfully rolled her eyes, leaning over to press a chaste kiss to his lips. "You are when it involves me, shorty." His eyes narrowed at her back as she sauntered away from him. Pressing his lips into a thin line, he obediently followed her to his room.
She was always right, of course.
xxxxx
Their wedding took place over two weeks later, both wanting to get the deed done before the next expedition. It was a lot more stressful, but they couldn't be bothered to wait anymore. And it was nothing like Erwin and Hanji's extravagant wedding, both in favor for something more private and in the outdoors—Levi refused to have it inside a stuffy church, never once being a religious man in his entire life anyway.
They were sitting together at their reception now, Mikasa's eyes dancing with sheer delight while Levi simply couldn't take his own eyes off his bride.
He never thought he'd ever get married, considering his dreadful personality and occupation, but he supposed there really was someone out there for every person. How could he not think that? Especially when he lucked out like this.
It wasn't too long ago when he saw her down the aisle, a vision in white as Erwin escorted her. It already felt like ages since it happened, and the only thing he cared about now was spending time alone with his wife. Why on earth were they still in here?
Squeezing their already intertwined hands, Levi waited until she turned her radiant face towards him. "Let's ditch this place."
Her brow arched, the coy smile on her painted lips causing his stomach to flip. Oh how he longed to suck and nibble on them all night long. "The night is still young, Levi. What's the rush?" Slipping a hand underneath her dress, Levi ran his hand up her thigh, pressing a kiss to her shoulder when she released a surprised gasp.
"You know what the rush is."
She bit her lip, hesitating to answer.
"I don't mind leaving a bit early, but... can we save that for tomorrow. I'm really tired. Aren't you?"
Now that she brought it up, he actually was feeling ridiculously drowsy. He drew her hand to his mouth, tenderly kissing her fingers before speaking. "As you wish."
The next morning, Levi was awakened by Mikasa's prodding kisses and giggles. He groaned, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Mm, what's so funny?" His voice was still thick and scratchy with misuse. Finally opening his bleary eyes, he spotted Mikasa hovering on top of him, wearing nothing but his dress shirt from the day before.
"You're covered in lipstick. Especially your mouth."
He smirked as she began attempting to swipe off the smudged make up from his lips. Just because they both agreed not to do anything sexual last night, didn't mean they wouldn't mess around for a bit. But he never recalled stripping her. She must have changed after he fell asleep.
"You just can't take your hands—err, mouth—off of me. Admit it."
Her cheeks pinked as he tugged the shirt off her, still rather shy even after all the times he's seen her naked. "Not until you do—ah!" His hands rose to palm her breasts, and she roughly grasped his cock in retribution. A shocked noise escaped his lips, much to his embarrassment, bucking his hips into her hand.
He had to have her.
Nearly ripping off his underwear, Mikasa settled herself on his member as quickly as she could, the pair sighing in unison at the familiar satisfaction of just simply feeling one another. Pinning his wrists beside his head, Mikasa rode him slowly, languidly sliding her hips against his enticingly. Levi grunted, desiring a lot more friction than this. Why did she have to be such a goddamn tease?
"What is it?" She asked after a while, her voice breathy. "Does my husband want more?"
His new title sent a thrill through him, and he sharply thrust up into her as an answer. The woman above him moaned, immediately grinding against him more forcefully. He met her hips with just as much vigor, leaning up to capture her lips with his. Wrenching his wrists out of her hold, he slid one hand behind her neck and the other at her waist. He nibbled and licked across her jaw, earning him a mewl as he ravished her throat, her forehead beading with sweat as she came nearer to her release.
"L-Levi," she whimpered, fingernails digging and scratching the hardened flesh on his chest as her movements became desperate. With one more powerful plunge into her, Mikasa shuddered, toes curling as she finally reached her climax.
He wasn't done with her yet though.
Mikasa was still panting when he pushed her onto her back. Moving between her legs, he slid his length back into her wet heat, trembling at the gratifying sensation. He hooked one of her legs over his shoulder, biting the supple skin on her inner thigh and soothing it over with his tongue. He heard Mikasa release a shaky breath, threading her fingers in his hair and urging him to repeat the action again. He bit and licked and sucked repeatedly, surprising her again by thrusting into her hard, not even bothering to start off slow, and rubbing her clit with his free hand.
"Fuck," he sighed against her thigh. She was still incredibly tight from her first orgasm. It should be wrong for something to feel that good.
The momentum he sets up suddenly becomes frantic upon feeling each spasm of her inner muscles. Her grip in his hair tightens; eyes squeezed shut, eyebrows furrowed, and breathing ragged. And he keeps pushing, pressing into her as deeply as he can. Thrust after thrust after thrust and she finally reaches her second orgasm, gasping his name as she clenches all too tightly around him.
He's surprised he lasts this long, but he's getting close. So, so close he can almost taste the rapture.
Then at last, the cord snaps and all he can see is white behind his eyelids as he releases inside her. He feels light for a split second before he's brought back to reality, to the woman lying wantonly on his—no, their—bed.
Levi pushes the sweat-soaked hair off her brow, kissing her swollen lips once more before settling himself onto his side beside her. She lies on her stomach, staring at him with bright eyes as Levi runs his fingertips over every notch on her spine. "I love you," he whispers, running his fingers through her tangled hair. Though her cheeks are still flushed from exertion, he's sure he saw them color into a deeper shade of red.
"I love you too."
xxxxx
Levi finds her underneath a pile of rubble. He's in the middle of slicing up two titans when he spots her lying lifelessly underneath part of a collapsed building. After killing the titans, he maneuvers over to where Mikasa lies. She's still breathing, thankfully, but he can tell she's losing a lot of blood.
"Don't you fucking die on me. Not after all this time."
He's frantically trying to pull the debris off her when Jean swoops in, eyes wide and disbelieving as he takes in the scene before him.
"Help me, Kirschtein!"
All their problems aside, they both knew they had to get her to safety. Once they remove a particularly big piece of the wreckage, blood is suddenly is seeping out of her mouth, her eyes never opening. Levi feels his hands go weak, panicking as he tries to set her free.
"Mikasa!"
He doesn't even realize he's crying as he yells her name over and over again.
Then finally, with shaking hands, he manages to pull her into his arms, sobbing into her bloodstained cloak and begging her to wake up. She's still limp in his arms, but Jean urges him to take her to Hanji before it might be too late.
He doesn't see Mikasa again until the next day. Hanji had to push him away to get him to keep fighting. It was the final assault towards the titans, and they needed his help more than ever. They emerged victorious in the end, mostly thanks to Eren's abilities, but Levi couldn't find it in himself to celebrate afterwords. Not until he found out if Mikasa was okay. Barging into the infirmary, Levi hysterically searches for his wife. He finally spots her in the back corner and hurriedly makes his way over, noticing at the last second that Hanji's examining her. "Is she okay?" he asks, trying to catch his breath.
Hanji smiles sadly at him.
"She broke a leg and three ribs. She should be okay, but she hasn't woken up yet. If there's anything else wrong with her, I won't know until she's awake. Maybe you could watch her while I ch—"
"Yes." He doesn't even hesitate, pulling up a chair beside her bed and holding Mikasa's hand firmly in his.
She doesn't wake up that night or the night after that. Both Erwin and Hanji urge him to eat and get some rest, but he refuses to leave her side.
Then, on the third day, he hears her murmur something before her eyes flutter open. "Levi...?" Her voice is too feeble and hoarse for his liking, but he's glad it's there, no less. He's not entirely sure what she's trying to say after that, because he's humiliatingly crying like a baby again, shakily gripping her palm tighter in his.
She was okay, and nothing else mattered.
xxxxx
One more chapter left!
I realize that they both seem a little out of character, but I can totally see Mikasa inadvertently helping Levi be a little less OCD about things. And Mikasa, well she's raised differently in this fanfic, and their dynamic made her a little less serious. And because they've been around each other for so long, they're just so comfortable being together now. Those are my reasons for their "out of character" behavior.
Please drop a review and tell me what you think. :)