The next morning, Rosa woke up to find Levi missing from their tent. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing, and the campsite was filled with life. There was a pleasant buzz around the area, the scouts preparing for the journey back to the walls.

Rosa stepped out of the tent, finding Levi by the campfire. He looked exhausted; his eyes were dull, his skin pale, and his face drawn.

"Morning, Levi." She greeted him, but the smile fell from her lips when she noticed the dark circles under his eyes. "Uhm... You couldn't sleep, huh?" She asked as she sat down onto the log next to him.

Levi shook his head.

"I slept like a log, actually." Rosa smiled, but when she looked at him, her brows knitted together. The sight was somewhat unsettling— His usual demeanor was nowhere to be seen, and his expression was empty, and lifeless. His eyes were dark, and his jaw was set, and his lips were drawn into a tight line. "...Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He snapped, but then immediately regretted his tone, as he took a deep breath, and cleared his throat. "I'm just tired."

"Oh, okay." The look on Rosa's face turned a bit sheepish as she continued. "It was because of me, wasn't it? That you couldn't sleep."

Levi didn't answer, his gaze focused on the dying fire, and his brows furrowing. He sighed, and his head dropped. "Look, Rosa... about what happened last night..."

"I probably should've mentioned that I'm a restless sleeper." Rosa laughed a bit nervously, seemingly apologetic for disturbing Levi's sleep. "A heavy sleeper, but a restless one."

"No, I mean, about-" Levi cut himself off, his gaze shifting towards Rosa. "...What do you mean by that?"

"I move a lot in my sleep, and sometimes I talk, too. But... I didn't kick you or punch you, or did I? Because if I did, it was an accident-"

"You didn't."

"Oh, thank God." Rosa let out a sigh of relief. "So, what were you going to say?"

Levi remained silent, his jaw clenched.

"Levi?"

Levi shook his head. "Nevermind."

"O-kay..."

Rosa was hesitant to pry further, and Levi didn't seem like he was willing to share. They sat there in silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts, and the awkwardness was almost tangible. Rosa could see the tension in his shoulders, and the way his hands were balled into fists, and she knew that he was bothered. She wanted to reach out, and comfort him, but she was scared. Seeing him like that, she didn't know what to say, or how to act around him, and she wasn't sure if he even wanted her to comfort him.

"I'm sorry." Levi said quietly, breaking the silence.

"You're sorry?" Rosa tilted her head in confusion.

"Yes." Levi looked away, his face contorting in shame. "I acted like an asshole."

"Uhm... What do you mean?" She let out a nervous chuckle. "Why are you an asshole?"

"Because..." He paused, and swallowed thickly. "Because, I'm an idiot." Levi ran his hand through his hair, and sighed, his jaw clenching, and his brows furrowing. He was conflicted, unsure whether he should tell her or not, his feelings and thoughts a jumbled mess.

"Well, that's nothing new." Rosa smirked in a teasing manner.

Levi stared at her, his lips parting, but he couldn't find words, his brows knitting together. His gaze trailed along her features. Right now, seeing that sweet, innocent look on her face was almost unbearable for him.

"Rosa, I-" He started, his voice low and strained. He hesitated, and his breath caught in his throat. He couldn't tell her, he couldn't admit his weakness. "Forget it." Levi shook his head. "Let's just get the horses ready, and-"

"Good morning, guys." Sasha let out a long yawn as she joined them at the campfire. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Why is everyone asking that…" Levi mumbled under his breath, but the others didn't even hear him.

"I probably should've shared a tent with you, Sasha." Rosa sighed, scratching the back of her head somewhat awkwardly. "You're also a heavy sleeper… My tossing and turning kept Captain awake the whole night."

"Why didn't you just set up a tent for yourself?" Sasha gave Rosa a confused look. "There were quite a lot of casualties, so… well… we probably had extra tents to spare-"

"...What?" Rosa furrowed her brow, instinctively glancing at Levi, who had just stood up from his seat.

"I'm going to kill Hange." He grumbled, slouching away to find the Section Commander.

"Did I say something wrong?" Sasha blinked, her gaze shifting between Levi and Rosa.

"No, no. It's fine." Rosa shook her head, and offered Sasha a reassuring smile. "Let's just pack the horses and get going."

As they prepared their things, gathering all their equipment and supplies, Rosa's mind was occupied; Her thoughts kept wandering back to their conversation, and her brows furrowed. She wondered what Levi was trying to say, and why he acted so strange.

After they were done with their tasks, and the camp was clean, the Scouts mounted their horses, and they started their journey back to the walls.

As usual, Levi was in the front of the formation with Erwin— His expression was solemn, but his jaw was clenched, and his thoughts were clouded with frustration.

Erwin was looking at him, his expression unreadable. "Levi." Erwin spoke, his voice calm and composed. "I'd like to have a word with you."

Levi nodded, his gaze not meeting the Commander's. Erwin slowed down his horse, and waited until the rest of the squad was out of earshot. He glanced at Levi, and his eyes narrowed.

"Is everything alright?" He asked.

Levi's grip on the reins tightened. "Yes."

"Hm." Erwin studied Levi for a moment. "I assume you have a good reason to lie."

"I don't have to explain myself to you." Levi stated bluntly.

"Of course." Erwin nodded. "You don't have to tell me anything." He paused. "However, I'd appreciate it if you kept your personal affairs out of the expeditions."

"I'm not discussing my private life with you, Erwin." Levi scoffed, and rolled his eyes.

"That's not what I'm saying." Erwin frowned. "You know, very well, that you can't afford to lose your focus during the missions. We are in a dire situation, and we need to be able to rely on you."

"I'm perfectly capable of doing my job, Erwin." Levi spat, his voice sharp, and his brows furrowing. "So stop fucking interrogating me, and get off my back."

"Levi." Erwin's voice was stern, and he gave him a warning look. "What is going on with you?"

"I said, I'm fine." Levi replied, his tone cold and harsh. "Don't worry, I'll do my job, like always."

"Levi, the way you're behaving right now…" Erwin said slowly. "I can't have someone acting this way on my squad, especially not someone of your status and abilities."

"Oh, fuck you." Levi scoffed, his anger rising. "Don't you think I've already heard this crap before? Don't you think I know what I'm capable of, and how valuable my skills are? I know all of that, Erwin, and I can guarantee you, that my abilities haven't diminished just because I have some fucking issues."

Erwin's gaze darkened, but his expression was as solemn as ever. He stayed silent for a short moment, his eyes scanning the formation and the scouts. "All I'm asking is you to keep your emotions in check." His eyes fixated on one of the scouts as he said this, his voice low, and his jaw clenching slightly. Then, he turned his attention back to Levi, giving him one last glare before rejoining the front of the formation. "Don't make me regret taking Walch back to the team."

Levi glared at him, his lips parting, but no words came out. Then, he just let out a sigh and looked ahead, his gaze distant.

"God damn it, Erwin." He mumbled under his breath. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you're an asshole."