Chapter Fifteen:

The days at Scout HQ fell into a steady rhythm, a balance of training, meetings, and

quiet moments in between. Tiana had quickly settled into the pace of life here, her days

filled with work in her workshop, meetings with Hange and the other engineers, and her

ongoing efforts to adapt Paradis's technology with her advanced knowledge. Yet, amidst

all the chaos and routine, she found herself drawn, almost unconsciously, to observing

one person more than anyone else—Captain Levi.

Levi was a man of few words, his presence a constant, calm force in the often

tumultuous environment of the Scouts. Tiana had grown accustomed to his watchful

gaze, his quiet vigilance as he stood in her workshop or escorted her to meetings. But it

wasn't just his presence that fascinated her. It was the little things, the small quirks and

habits that made him who he was—quirks that, over time, she had begun to notice, to

catalog in her mind.

One of the first things she had noticed was how Levi held his teacup. She had seen him

drink tea countless times; it was almost a ritual for him, a moment of calm in the chaos.

But unlike most people, Levi didn't hold his teacup by the handle. Instead, he grasped it

from the top, his fingers curling over the rim as he lifted it to his lips. She found it

strangely endearing, the way his fingers wrapped around the delicate porcelain, his

movements careful and precise. It was a small, almost insignificant detail, but it was one

she couldn't help but notice every time he took a sip.

Then there was the way he said "Tch" all the time. It was a sound she had come to

associate with him, a soft, almost dismissive noise that seemed to slip out whenever he

was annoyed or unimpressed—which was often. She had heard it countless times

during meetings, during training sessions, even when he was simply watching the other

scouts go about their business. It was always accompanied by a slight narrowing of his

eyes, a subtle tilt of his head, as if he were silently judging everything and everyone

around him.

And then there was the way he referred to the scouts as "brats." At first, Tiana had

thought it was just a term of frustration, something he said when he was annoyed or

exasperated with them. But over time, she had come to realize it was more than that. It

was almost… affectionate, in its own way. A rough, gruff sort of endearment that

masked a deeper concern, a protective instinct that ran beneath his stoic exterior. She

had seen the way he looked after them, the way he stepped in when things got

dangerous, the way he always seemed to have their backs, even when he called them

"brats."

She had also noticed how often he crossed his arms. It was his default stance, his go-to

posture whenever he was standing still. Arms crossed over his chest, feet planted firmly

on the ground, his expression a mix of calm and intense focus. It was a stance that

conveyed both authority and a sort of quiet contemplation, as if he were constantly

assessing the world around him, weighing every decision, every action, with a careful,

calculated eye. She found herself watching him sometimes, fascinated by the way he

seemed so at ease in his own skin, so comfortable in his role as a leader.

Tiana would never admit it out loud, but she found all these little quirks… intriguing.

Charming, even. They were part of what made Levi, Levi. They were the small, subtle

details that set him apart, that made him different from anyone she had ever met. And

though she would never be so bold as to say it, she found herself drawn to these little

quirks, these small, seemingly insignificant habits that revealed so much about who he

was.

She often wondered if he noticed these things about himself, if he was even aware of

them. Did he know he held his teacup that way? Did he realize how often he said "Tch,"

or how frequently he called the scouts "brats"? Did he know how his arms always

seemed to cross over his chest, a habit so ingrained it seemed almost second nature?

One afternoon, as she worked in her workshop, Levi standing nearby as usual, she

found herself watching him out of the corner of her eye. He was leaning against the

wall, arms crossed, his expression thoughtful as he watched the scouts training outside

through the small window. She could see the familiar set of his jaw, the way his eyes

narrowed slightly, his mouth turning down at the corners in that familiar way. She

wondered what he was thinking, what was going through his mind as he watched them.

She turned back to her work, her fingers moving deftly over the tools and parts on her

workbench, but her mind was still on Levi. She knew she shouldn't be thinking about

him like this, shouldn't be letting herself get distracted. But it was hard not to. There was

something about him, something that drew her in, made her want to know more.

She wondered if he had any idea how much she noticed about him. If he knew that she

had memorized the way he moved, the way he spoke, the way he seemed to carry the

weight of the world on his shoulders with such quiet grace. Did he have any idea that

she found all these little quirks so… endearing?

She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. She was being ridiculous. Levi

was her personal guard, her protector. That was all. She needed to stay focused, to

keep her mind on her work. But even as she told herself this, she couldn't help but steal

another glance at him, her heart fluttering just a little when she saw the way his eyes

flicked back to her, his expression unreadable.

She quickly looked away, feeling a flush rise in her cheeks. She needed to get a grip.

She couldn't let herself get caught up in silly daydreams, in thoughts that went nowhere.

But even as she tried to focus on her work, she couldn't help but smile, just a little, at

the thought of all the things she had noticed about him, all the little quirks and habits

that made him who he was.

She would never tell him, of course. She would never be so bold. But for now, it was

enough to simply observe, to quietly appreciate all the things that made Levi, Levi. And

she thought to herself, that was okay. To notice. To care. Even if she never said a word.

…..

The soft hum of machinery filled Tiana's workshop, accompanied by the rhythmic

clinking of tools against metal. Tiana was focused intently on her latest project, her brow

furrowed in concentration as she carefully adjusted a small gear within a complex

mechanism. She loved these moments—when the world outside seemed to fade away,

and all that existed was her work, her inventions, and the quiet satisfaction of creating

something new.

Levi was there, as usual, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his eyes

scanning the room with his habitual vigilance. He was a constant presence, always

watching, always nearby. Tiana had grown accustomed to his presence, found comfort

in it even, but today she was so engrossed in her work that she barely registered he

was there.

She was about to reach for another tool when she noticed something strange. The

humming sound had stopped, and the room was unusually quiet. She looked up,

glancing around, and realized that Demetri, her ever-reliable android assistant, was

standing still, his usual mechanical movements completely halted. That wasn't what

caught her attention, though. What caught her attention was Levi.

He was standing beside Demetri, a small cloth in one hand and a bottle of polish in the

other. His expression was one of intense focus, his eyes narrowed as he carefully wiped

down Demetri's metal surface, the cloth moving in small, precise circles. He was

polishing Demetri—thoroughly, methodically, with the same intensity he brought to

everything he did.

Tiana blinked, her eyes widening slightly as she watched him. She had seen Levi's

obsession with cleanliness before—the way he meticulously cleaned his gear, the way

he kept his quarters spotless, the way he couldn't stand anything out of place. But she

had never seen him apply that obsession to Demetri.

Levi didn't seem to notice her watching. He was completely absorbed in his task, his

movements steady and deliberate. He wiped down one of Demetri's arms, carefully

polishing every inch, making sure the metal gleamed in the dim light of the workshop.

When he finished with the arm, he moved on to the chest, his hand moving in smooth,

practiced motions, as if he had done this a hundred times before.

Tiana couldn't help but smile, a small, amused smile that tugged at her lips. There was

something oddly endearing about it—seeing Levi, the stoic, serious captain,

meticulously polishing her android like it was a piece of fine china. She watched him for

a moment longer, then finally spoke, her voice filled with a light, teasing tone.

"Captain," she said softly, trying to hide her amusement, "what are you doing?"

Levi looked up, his expression completely unbothered, as if it were the most natural

thing in the world to be caught polishing an android. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

he replied flatly, his tone as calm and even as ever. "This thing was filthy."

Tiana chuckled, setting down her tools and wiping her hands on a cloth. "Filthy?" she

repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Demetri's not filthy. He's an android. He doesn't get

dirty."

Levi's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression still serious. "Everything gets dirty," he said

firmly. "Especially if it's being used. And this thing was covered in dust and fingerprints.

It needed a good cleaning."

Tiana tried to suppress a smile, but she couldn't help the amusement that crept into her

voice. "I didn't realize you were so concerned about Demetri's cleanliness," she said,

crossing her arms and leaning against the workbench. "Or that you had such a talent for

polishing."

Levi shot her a look, but there was a faint hint of a smirk on his lips. "I don't like things

being dirty," he said simply. "It's distracting. And if this thing is going to be in here all the

time, it might as well be clean."

Tiana laughed softly, shaking her head. "You really are a clean freak, aren't you?" she

teased, her tone light and playful. "I've never seen anyone so obsessed with keeping

everything spotless."

Levi didn't deny it. He just shrugged, his expression calm. "Cleanliness is important," he

said. "Especially in a place like this. Dirt and dust can affect the equipment, cause

malfunctions. Besides," he added, glancing at Demetri, "if you're going to have this thing

around, it should at least look presentable."

Tiana chuckled again, watching him with a mixture of amusement and affection. She

couldn't deny that there was something charming about his obsession with cleanliness,

the way he seemed to take such pride in keeping everything in order. It was just… so

Levi.

She moved closer, her eyes still on him, her smile softening. "Well, thank you, Captain,"

she said, her voice sincere. "I'm sure Demetri appreciates the attention. Even if he

doesn't say it."

Levi gave her a small nod, his expression softening just a fraction. "Someone has to

keep things in order around here," he said quietly. "Might as well be me."

Tiana's smile grew, a warmth spreading through her chest. "You do a good job," she

said softly. "Really. I've never seen anyone so dedicated to… well, everything."

Levi glanced at her, his eyes meeting hers, and for a moment, there was a brief,

unspoken understanding between them—a quiet acknowledgment of the mutual respect

they had for each other, for the roles they played, for the small, seemingly insignificant

details that made them who they were.

Tiana broke the silence, her tone still light. "You know," she said with a grin, "if you ever

get tired of being a captain, you could always take up a job as a janitor. I'm sure you'd

be the best one around."

Levi snorted softly, a rare, amused sound escaping his lips. "I'll keep that in mind," he

replied dryly, but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Tiana laughed, her heart light. It was moments like these—small, unexpected moments

of connection—that made her feel truly at ease around Levi. She knew he was serious,

disciplined, always focused on his duty. But she also knew there was more to him than

that. There was a depth, a complexity that she was only just beginning to understand.

And she found herself wanting to know more, to see more of the man behind the stoic

exterior.

Levi turned back to Demetri, giving the android one final, thorough wipe down before

stepping back, satisfied. "There," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "That's better."

Tiana shook her head, still smiling. "You really are something, Captain," she said softly.

"Thank you."

Levi nodded, his expression softening just a bit. "You're welcome," he said simply. And

with that, he set the cloth and polish bottle aside, returning to his spot against the wall,

arms crossed once more.

Tiana watched him for a moment longer, her heart filled with a quiet sense of gratitude.

She knew she was lucky to have someone like Levi looking out for her, someone who

cared enough to notice even the smallest details, who took the time to keep things in

order, who was always there, always watching.

It had been a surprisingly quiet day. The Scouts were out on patrol, and Hange was

busy with her latest research, which meant Tiana and Levi had the workshop to

themselves. The silence was comfortable, a welcome respite from the usual chaos that

filled the headquarters. And for once, Levi seemed… curious.

Tiana glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, noticing the way his gaze lingered on

the parts spread out before her. She could see the faint flicker of interest in his eyes, a

curiosity that he didn't often show. She set down her tools, wiping her hands on a cloth,

and turned to him with a small smile.

"Captain," she said softly, her tone light, "would you like to try building something?"

Levi raised an eyebrow, his expression remaining stoic, but there was a hint of intrigue

in his eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice calm.

Tiana gestured to the array of parts on the workbench. "A gadget," she explained.

"Something simple. I could show you how to build it. It might be… fun."

Levi considered her offer for a moment, his gaze shifting from the parts to Tiana's

expectant face. He wasn't one to indulge in distractions or games, but something about

the way she asked, the genuine enthusiasm in her voice, made him pause. He had

spent countless hours in this workshop, watching her work, admiring her skill and

dedication. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try.

He nodded slowly, uncrossing his arms. "Alright," he said simply. "Show me."

Tiana's smile widened, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Great," she said, her voice

bright. "We'll start with something easy."

She reached for a small metal casing, holding it up for him to see. "We're going to build

a simple wind-up device," she explained. "It's like a small motor, powered by a spring.

When you wind it up, the spring stores energy, and when it's released, it powers the

gears inside."

Levi nodded, listening carefully. He was used to complex machinery—ODM gear,

weapons, even the occasional piece of artillery—but this was different. Smaller, more

delicate. He wasn't sure how good he'd be at it, but he was willing to try.

Tiana handed him the casing, along with a few small gears and a spring. "First, we need

to assemble the gears inside the casing," she instructed, her tone patient. "They need to

fit together just right, so they can turn smoothly when the spring is wound."

Levi took the parts from her, his hands steady, his fingers surprisingly nimble for

someone who spent most of his time wielding blades. He studied the gears, his brow

furrowing slightly as he tried to figure out how they fit together. Tiana watched him

closely, ready to offer guidance if needed, but she held back, wanting to see how he

would approach the task.

After a moment of careful consideration, Levi began to place the gears inside the

casing, his movements slow and deliberate. He adjusted each one with precision,

making sure they aligned properly, turning them slightly to test their movement. He was

focused, his eyes narrowed in concentration, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Tiana couldn't help but smile. It was fascinating to watch him work, to see the way his

mind worked, the way he approached the task with the same intensity and care he

brought to everything he did. He was a perfectionist, always striving for the best, always

pushing himself to be better. She admired that about him.

"Good," she said softly, her voice encouraging. "Now, we need to attach the spring. It

goes here," she pointed to a small slot in the casing, "and winds around this gear."

Levi nodded, carefully picking up the spring. He slid it into place, winding it around the

gear as she instructed, his movements precise and controlled. Tiana handed him a

small screw and a screwdriver, showing him where to secure the spring in place. He

tightened the screw with steady hands, making sure everything was secure.

Once the spring was in place, Tiana handed him a small winding key. "Now, we just

wind it up," she explained, her eyes watching him intently. "Not too tight, just enough to

store some energy."

Levi inserted the key into the slot and began to wind the spring, his movements slow

and careful. He could feel the tension building inside the device, the gears clicking into

place as the spring tightened. When he felt it was wound enough, he stopped, removing

the key and stepping back.

Tiana smiled, a sense of pride swelling in her chest. "You did it," she said, her voice

filled with warmth. "Now, let's see if it works."

She reached over, pressing a small lever on the side of the device. There was a brief

moment of silence, and then the gears inside began to turn, the device whirring to life.

The small motor spun smoothly, the gears moving in perfect harmony, powered by the

tension in the spring.

Levi watched the device with a mix of satisfaction and mild surprise. He hadn't been

sure what to expect, but seeing the device come to life, feeling the subtle vibrations in

his hand, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment.

"Not bad," he said quietly, his voice low but with a hint of approval.

Tiana laughed softly, her smile bright. "Not bad at all," she agreed. "You're a natural,

Captain. You might have a future as an engineer after all."

Levi gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile, his eyes meeting hers. "I think I'll

stick to being a soldier," he replied, his tone light. "But… it wasn't as bad as I thought it

would be."

Tiana chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at his words. "I'm glad," she

said softly. "I think you did a great job."

They stood there for a moment, the small gadget still whirring in Levi's hand, the soft

hum of the gears filling the room. It was a simple thing, a small, almost insignificant

device, but in that moment, it felt like something more—a shared experience, a quiet

bond forged in the midst of their hectic lives.

Levi handed the device back to her, his expression returning to its usual calm. "Thanks,"

he said quietly. "For showing me."

Tiana took the device from him, her fingers brushing against his for a brief moment.

"Anytime, Captain," she replied softly. "Anytime."

As Levi returned to his spot against the wall, arms crossing over his chest once more,

Tiana couldn't help but feel a small, satisfied smile tug at her lips. It wasn't much, but it

was a start—a small, shared moment in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty.