The trio had made the journey to visit the young Scouts, not only to ensure they were on schedule with the construction of the train track but also to provide an update on the situation unfolding in Marley. The relentless sun bore down upon them, intensifying Levi's already grumpy disposition. The arid landscape stretched out before them, a vast expanse of dry, cracked earth that seemed to go on forever.
Hange, on the other hand, found Levi's foul mood rather amusing. They took pleasure in trading witty remarks and the occasional playful but not-too-friendly punch, a routine that had developed over their years of working together. The desert winds whispered secrets of ages past as they tousled her unruly hair, as she couldn't help but smile, watching her two superior officers bicker amongst themselves.
Down on the construction site, the young Scouts toiled diligently. Their efficiency was remarkable, a testament to Armin's capable supervision. It was a demanding job, but credit was due where it was deserved, and Armin's leadership shone through. The construction site was a hive of activity amidst the barren landscape, with Scouts hauling materials, driving stakes into the ground, and laying tracks that seemed to stretch to the edge of the world.
With the work paused for a well-deserved break, everyone gathered around, wiping sweat from their brows and sipping from canteens. The makeshift camp was a stark contrast to the desolation of the desert, with tents pitched beneath the scant shade of scrubby trees. The distant sound of flowing water from a nearby oasis provided a tantalizing promise of relief from the oppressive heat.
As Hange began to brief the Scouts on the latest developments, her gaze, as usual, wandered over to Levi. He sat on a weathered log, his back straight, and his sharp eyes scanned the horizon. Beyond the construction site, the dunes of the desert seemed to ripple in the heat, creating an illusion of distant mirages. Levi's scowl deepened as he observed the growth spurt that continued to hit the younger Scouts. Their lanky frames and awkward movements contrasted sharply with the battle-hardened veterans.
Levi couldn't help but notice her watching him, and it irked him more than he cared to admit. He was never one to enjoy being the center of anyone's focus. He shifted uncomfortably on the log, the coarse fabric of his shirt sticking to his skin. The relentless sun above seemed to bear down specifically on him, intensifying his irritation.
As evening slowly crept in, there was no relief from the sweltering heat. The humidity still clung to the air, a relentless discomfort that left everyone mildly irritated. The sky transformed into a canvas painted with hues of red and orange, mirroring the fiery intensity of the desert. The distant calls of desert creatures echoed through the twilight, creating an eerie yet strangely captivating atmosphere.
Hange decided it was time to give the hardworking group a reprieve. They suggested the group take a break from their labor to freshen up, relax for the evening, and perhaps enjoy a well-deserved meal. The idea of a temporary respite brought a glimmer of hope to the weary Scouts, and they eagerly scattered to their tents and the oasis, seeking relief from the unrelenting heat.
During dinner preparations, she couldn't resist offering to assist Levi in gathering firewood, despite the sweltering heat. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the camp in a warm, golden glow. The scrubby trees and rocks that dotted the landscape now cast elongated shadows, creating a sense of serenity in the midst of the harsh desert.
Levi was in the midst of splitting wood into smaller logs when she approached him. "Do you want to swap, Captain?" she asked, her tone lighthearted. She still felt her heart race when he was nearby, but she had learned to keep her nervous gestures in check.
"Be my fucking guest," Levi grumbled, wedging the axe into the log with a hint of irritation, as if the log had personally aggravated him. The sound of the axe splitting wood echoed in the still desert air, a rhythmic percussion that seemed to belong to a world far removed from the chaos of Titans.
She chuckled, tossing her canteen to Levi before grabbing the axe. After testing the weight, she swung down hard, cleanly splitting the log in two. The sound of wood cracking and splitting merged with the rustling of the desert breeze, creating a soothing symphony of nature's elements.
"What's on the menu? Twigs and shitty stew?" Levi inquired after drinking some much-needed water. His sarcasm was a familiar comfort in this unforgiving environment.
"Rabbits, actually," she replied with a playful grin, "with a side of shitty stew," she added, amused by Levi's eye roll.
Levi stood up to stretch, and she briefly glanced at him but quickly averted her eyes, ensuring that her longing didn't show on her face. The desert night was surprisingly cool, offering a respite from the scorching day. The stars above seemed to multiply in number, creating a breathtaking celestial display that stretched from horizon to horizon.
"That's the last of it," she announced, starting to pile the logs to keep herself occupied. Levi had noticed her glance, but he chose to remain silent, his thoughts his own. The quietude of the desert night seemed to envelop them, a stark contrast to the chaos of their daily lives.
"Give me some of those. Let's get it to the others," Levi said as he walked up to her, extending his arms. Nodding, she placed the logs one by one in his arms, ensuring he wasn't straining.
"You good?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she checked on Levi. He grunted in confirmation. With a final glance over the area, she looked back at Levi and they started towards the camp.
As they carried the firewood, she decided to break the silence. "Levi," they began tentatively, "what do you think lies beyond all of this? Beyond the walls, the Titans, the endless battles?"
Levi shifted the logs in his arms, his gaze distant for a moment. "I've never thought much about it. Survival was all that mattered."
She sensed there was more to Levi's thoughts than he was letting on. "But surely, there must be something more, something worth fighting for beyond survival."
Levi remained silent for a while, then spoke in a quiet voice, "I've seen too much death, too much loss. Maybe there was a time when I had dreams, but now, I'm not so sure."
She knew of the weight of Levi's past experiences weighing heavily on him. "Dreams can change, Levi. Maybe it's time to start dreaming again, to find a purpose beyond the battlefield."
Levi didn't respond immediately, but he seemed lost in thought.
As they continued walking, the desert's relentless heat bore down on them. Levi's irritation grew palpable as his sweat-dampened hair fell into his eyes. He attempted to jerk his head to free the strands from his face, but it proved to be a futile effort.
No logical explanation existed for what prompted her to take that one step closer to her Captain. No excuse for her hand that raised itself and gently brushed his sweat-dampened hair off his forehead. Perhaps it was the oppressive heat that had momentarily overwhelmed her senses when she found herself so close to him. She couldn't help but gaze at his face with a soft expression, her touch fleeting.
Levi felt her touch, and it caught him off guard. His typically sharp mind momentarily faltered in the face of this unexpected gesture, and he couldn't help but regard her with a blend of confusion and curiosity. He was dumbfounded. "What was that?" The words tumbled out of his mouth, his voice suddenly strained.
Reality crashed down around her, and she found herself staring back at him, her eyes widening in shock as the consequences of her actions registered in her brain. Her neck burned with embarrassment, and her mind raced as she desperately tried to come up with an explanation.
Amid the whirlwind of thoughts, one idea crystallized in her mind. Her body instinctively obeyed her brain's command, and without hesitation, she turned and bolted.
She ran, as if she could escape her thoughts that replayed what had just happened. 'How could I be so stupid!' she berated herself silently while sprinting. She didn't even notice Hange until the last minute when she desperately tried to slow down to avoid colliding with them.
"What's wrong? Who's attacking?" Hange questioned, already moving in the direction she was running from.
"No! No, no one's attacking. Everything is OK!" she assured Hange quickly.
"What? Then why – what's going on? Are you OK?" Hange turned back to her, their expression a mix of confusion and concern.
Torn between seeking solace in a friend's understanding and the weight of her Commander's authority, she grappled with her decision. She wanted to tell Hange everything, to let out the turmoil that threatened to consume her. Yet, the fear of blurring the line between friend and subordinate held her back. The mission was paramount, and she couldn't afford to jeopardize it.
She couldn't hold back any longer. The weight of what had occurred pressed down on her chest, and her desire for Hange's understanding overpowered her reservations. She stopped in her tracks, her breathing heavy from the run, and turned to face Hange, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Hange, I..." She began, her voice trembling, "I need to tell you something, and it's... it's so embarrassing." Her words came out in a rush, and she stumbled over them, struggling to find the right way to explain the situation.
Hange regarded her with a gentle but concerned expression. "It's alright," they reassured her, "you can tell me anything. What happened?"
Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose herself. "I was helping Levi gather firewood, and then... I don't know why, but I... I touched his hair, and it was so... so awkward, and I felt like a complete fool. His expression... it was like he couldn't quite grasp why I did that, and it made me panic, so I just ran."
Hange's eyes widened in surprise, and a mischievous grin crept across their face. "You touched Levi's hair?" they repeated, their tone now dripping with playful amusement.
She nodded, feeling her cheeks burn even hotter. "Yes, and it was completely inappropriate, and I... I don't know what got into me. I'm so embarrassed, Hange."
Hange leaned in closer, their voice dripping with curiosity. "Well, well, this is quite a revelation. You know, I've heard that sometimes people do unexpected things when they're around someone they have... special feelings for. Is there something you're not telling me?" They gave her a sly wink, clearly trying to provoke a reaction.
Eyes widening, she stammered, "Wha—no! I mean, it's not like that at all. I just... I don't know what got into me. It was a momentary lapse of reason, that's all."
Hange continued to push, their amusement growing. "Oh, don't be coy. You can tell me. We've been through so much together, and you know I won't judge. Maybe it's time to admit that you have a little crush on our dear Captain Levi."
She stubbornly shook her head, her denial unwavering, but Hange reveled in the game. "Hange, you're reading too much into it. It was just a silly mistake, nothing more. I don't have a crush on the Captain. That's ridiculous."
Levi couldn't shake his confusion about the recent encounter. Something had transpired between them, but he couldn't put his finger on it. In his mind, there were more important things to focus on – survival, battles, and the never-ending fight against Titans. Love and romance had always seemed like distant concepts, irrelevant in the face of the harsh reality they lived in. He made his way to Hange with the logs, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of her.
As he arrived, he was taken aback to find her there with Hange. He hadn't expected her to still be around. Her discomfort was palpable, and it puzzled him further. Levi didn't say anything, but his piercing gray eyes remained fixed on her.
Upon noticing Levi's arrival, she felt a fresh wave of embarrassment wash over her. Whatever she had been about to say died on her lips, and she promptly snapped to attention, saluting Hange and Levi abruptly. She refused to make eye contact with Levi, her gaze firmly fixed on the ground.
Levi's gaze never wavered from her. He couldn't help but feel that something significant had transpired between them earlier, and her reaction only deepened the mystery. He exchanged a brief nod with her in acknowledgment of her salute, his eyes continuing to follow her.
She refused to meet Levi's eyes and felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She couldn't bear the weight of his scrutiny, and without another word, she promptly turned and left, her retreat brisk and determined.
As she disappeared from view, Levi turned to Hange, a furrow forming on his brow. "What was that about?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of confusion. Hange, with a knowing smile, was about to respond, ready to revel in the intrigue, but Levi's sharp gaze stopped them short, leaving the question hanging in the air.
Hange shrugged nonchalantly, trying to suppress a mischievous grin. "Oh, just a little desert magic, perhaps, Captain. Who knows what mysteries unfold beneath the scorching sun and starlit nights?"
Levi's expression remained skeptical, but he didn't press further. Instead, he turned his attention back to the campfire, the perplexing encounter still on his mind, and the possibility of dreams in the harsh reality of their world lingering like an unspoken question.
Laughter, conversation, and the occasional outburst of chaos filled the air.
Resolute in her decision to avoid Levi, she wandered until spotted Jean and Armin at a nearby table. With a friendly smile, she joined them, eager for some lighthearted conversation and a chance to catch up. As they exchanged stories and shared laughter, she felt a sense of camaraderie with her friends. Jean regaled them with humorous anecdotes from their day's work, while Armin, ever the thoughtful one, offered insights into their training progress. It was a welcome distraction from the weight of their ongoing mission.
Despite the chaotic banter around her and the friendly conversation with the squad, she found herself distracted by her own thoughts. Her cheeks still burned with the memory of her impulsive action, and she couldn't bear the idea of facing Levi again.
Hange, ever observant, couldn't help but notice that their only other friend was intentionally avoiding sitting with Levi as she usually did. Levi, for his part, seemed more irritated than usual, his confusion about the recent incident still lingering.
Hange cared about Levi and, if there was a chance for him to find happiness, they wanted to help. They decided to engage Levi in a conversation, subtly probing his thoughts. Casually, Hange leaned in toward Levi and asked, "Hey Levi, notice anything different about dinner tonight?"
Levi, ever the straight shooter, shrugged and replied, "Other than the fact that Eren and Jean nearly started a brawl again, not really."
Hange nodded, pushing a bit further. "Well, I couldn't help but notice that your buddy isn't sitting with you tonight. Anything you want to share about that?"
Levi furrowed his brow, genuinely puzzled. "What are you talking about, Hange? She can sit wherever she wants."
Hange smiled knowingly, trying to drop a hint. "True, but it's just not like her, is it? You two usually have your own little corner of chaos during dinner."
Levi's thoughts churned as he considered Hange's words. He couldn't deny that there was something different about tonight. He had come to rely on her presence, her efficiency with paperwork, and her knack for defusing tense situations with her diplomatic skills. She had a way of making their challenging lives just a bit more bearable.
As he glanced around the campfire, he couldn't help but recall the countless dinners they had shared. Her subtle smiles, the way she brewed the tea just to his liking—it had all become a cherished routine, a refuge from the harshness of their world. He had grown used to her presence, and it had become a source of comfort.
Levi's eyes lingered on the empty are where she usually sat. The realization slowly crept up on him—her absence left a void, one he hadn't anticipated. He always trusted her implicitly, and their relationship had evolved into something beyond mere comradeship.
He appreciated her in ways he rarely expressed, not even to himself. Yet, the idea that she chose a different seat tonight left him feeling strangely unsettled. It was as if a part of his routine had been disrupted, and he couldn't quite grasp why it bothered him.
Levi's typically stoic demeanor cracked just slightly, revealing a hint of vulnerability. He cleared his throat, his voice tinged with a trace of uncertainty. "Maybe she just needed a change of scenery," he muttered, as much to himself as to Hange.
Hange, ever perceptive, noticed the shift in Levi's tone. They decided not to press further, realizing that sometimes, understanding one's own emotions could be a puzzle as complex as any Titan battle.
The campfire crackled in the desert night, and Levi's thoughts continued to revolve around her absence, leaving him with an unsettling sense of confusion.
As the night wore on, she found herself lost in thought. She approached Hange, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Hange, do you think I could stay behind with the younger scouts and help them?" she asked, a plea born from her overwhelming desire to avoid Levi.
Hange regarded her with understanding eyes, sensing the turmoil within her. "I know what you're trying to do" they replied gently, "but I think it's time to confront those feelings you have for Levi."
She hesitated, her reluctance evident. "I... I'm not sure if I'm ready for that."
Hange offered unwavering support, their tone encouraging. "Facing your emotions is never easy, but it's a crucial step. You don't have to go through it alone. I'll be here to help you."
As they spoke, Hange's thoughts turned to Levi, a man they had known for years. "You know," Hange began, their voice carrying a sense of wisdom, "Levi has faced countless challenges in his life. His past is marked by pain and hardship, but he's always found solace in the bonds of friendship. Love, on the other hand, has remained a territory uncharted for him."
They continued, "I believe, that your presence in his life might just be the key to unlocking a part of him he's never explored. It won't be easy, but it could be a journey worth taking."
She listened to Hange's words, her heart both heavy with uncertainty and hopeful for the possibility of something deeper with Levi. As she wandered through the camp, her gaze fell upon Levi, who was seated by a small fire, seemingly lost in his own pensive world.
As if on instinct, Levi reached for the kettle and set it over the fire. The flames cast flickering shadows across his face, emphasizing the weariness etched into his features. She watched in silence, torn between the desire to approach him and the fear of what might transpire.
Levi's hands moved with practiced efficiency as he prepared the tea. However, before she could decide, Levi looked up, his eyes meeting hers. In a rare move, he called out to her in a gruff yet surprisingly gentle voice, "Tea?"
She nodded in response and walked over to him, their eyes locked in a silent exchange filled with unspoken questions and curiosity. Levi reached for the kettle beside him and poured a cup of tea for her, his movements deliberate.
Under the starry sky, they sat by the fire, the soft crackling of the flames providing a soothing backdrop to their shared silence. The tea in their cups emitted a comforting warmth, matching the gentle camaraderie that had formed between them over the years. Levi's gray eyes remained fixed on the dancing flames, while she gazed at the starry expanse above, lost in her thoughts.
As the minutes passed, the unspoken tension between them seemed to hang in the air like an invisible thread. It was as though a delicate balance existed, one that neither of them dared to disturb. Levi's mind was a whirlwind of confusion, trying to decipher the events of the day.
The night breeze carried a faint chill, causing her to shiver slightly. She instinctively moved closer to the warmth of the fire, her movement causing her shoulder to brush against Levi's. The contact was fleeting, but it sent a jolt through both of them.
Levi's fingers, wrapped around his tea cup, twitched involuntarily. It was a subtle movement, imperceptible to anyone but himself. He couldn't explain it, but that fleeting touch had stirred something within him. It was a sensation he hadn't experienced, one that felt foreign and unfamiliar.
He stole a sidelong glance at her, his sharp eyes catching her profile as she stared into the fire. She seemed oblivious to the effect that brief touch had on him. Levi's thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, a storm of emotions he had long suppressed.
As the fire crackled and the night stretched on, Levi found himself wrestling with a feeling he couldn't quite define. It was a sensation that seemed out of place in their harsh world, a world dominated by survival and battle. It was a feeling that he had long denied himself, buried beneath layers of duty and responsibility.
Levi took a deep breath, his gaze returning to the flames, still trying to figure out the awkwardness that had arisen between them, and left without a word, leaving her to contemplate the enigma of their evolving connection.