Chapter 18:

The sun was high in the sky over the Scout headquarters, casting warm rays across the

training grounds where the soldiers usually sparred and practiced their maneuvers.

Today, however, the grounds were occupied by a different kind of activity. Tiana stood at

the center of the open field, her excitement palpable as she prepared to test her latest

invention. She was wearing her pink work suit, the fitted fabric hugging her form, with

her hair tied up in a high ponytail to keep it out of her face. Her glasses perched on her

nose, catching the sunlight, and her eyes were bright with anticipation.

This was her favorite part of the day—testing her gadgets. Tinkering and engineering

had been her passion since she was a child, always driven by curiosity and a desire to

create. Back home in Androsia, she would spend hours in her father's workshop,

crafting small contraptions from scrap metal and spare parts, making things that no one

had ever thought to build before. It was how she had fallen in love with engineering,

how she had earned her reputation as one of the brightest minds of her generation. And

even now, amidst the chaos and conflict, she found solace in her work, in the joy of

creation.

Today, she was testing a new gadget she had been working on—a compact, portable

grappling device that could be attached to the wrist and fired with a flick of the hand. It

was designed to mimic some of the functionality of the ODM gear but on a smaller

scale, meant for quick maneuvers in tight spaces where the full ODM gear wasn't

practical. She had been working on it for weeks, fine-tuning the mechanisms, calibrating

the tension in the wires, and today was the day she would see if it worked as she had

envisioned.

Levi stood a few meters away, his arms crossed over his chest, watching her with his

usual stoic expression. He had become accustomed to her experiments, her constant

need to test and tinker, and while he didn't always understand what she was building,

he respected her skill and dedication. Still, he kept a wary eye on her, ready to step in if

anything went wrong.

Tiana adjusted the straps on her wrist, securing the small grappling device in place. She

took a deep breath, her heart pounding with excitement and a hint of nervousness. She

glanced over at Levi, giving him a small, confident smile. "Alright, Captain," she called

out, her voice bright. "Here goes nothing!"

Levi gave her a small nod, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched her every move.

"Just be careful," he said simply. "And make sure you aim away from me."

Tiana laughed, a light, melodic sound that carried across the field. "Don't worry," she

replied, adjusting her glasses. "I've got this."

She took a step back, raising her arm and aiming the device at a nearby tree. She

flicked her wrist, triggering the release mechanism, and with a soft click, the grappling

hook shot out, trailing a thin, strong wire behind it. It flew through the air with surprising

speed, the hook latching onto a high branch with a satisfying thud.

Tiana's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes!" she exclaimed, her face glowing with pride. "It

worked!"

She gave the wire a small tug, testing its strength, and it held firm. Her heart swelled

with joy—this was what she loved, the thrill of seeing her ideas come to life, the

satisfaction of a successful test. She turned to Levi, a wide smile on her face. "Did you

see that, Captain?" she called out, her voice filled with excitement. "It worked perfectly!"

Levi nodded, a small, approving smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Not bad," he

said, his tone calm but with a hint of admiration. "But let's see if it holds up under

pressure."

Tiana nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses. "Right," she agreed.

"Let's test the retraction mechanism."

She pressed a button on the device, and the small motor inside began to whir, slowly

retracting the wire and pulling her toward the tree. The tension in the wire increased as

it wound back into the device, and Tiana felt a rush of exhilaration as she was lifted off

the ground, her feet leaving the earth as the device pulled her up.

But just as she reached the halfway point, there was a sudden, loud crack—a sound

that made her heart skip a beat. She looked down at the device, her eyes widening in

alarm as she saw a small plume of smoke rising from the casing. "Oh no," she muttered,

her voice filled with a mix of panic and frustration. "Something's wrong—"

Before she could finish, the device gave a violent jolt, the motor sputtering and stalling.

The grappling hook detached from the tree branch with a sharp snap, and Tiana felt

herself falling, her stomach lurching as she plummeted back toward the ground. She

instinctively curled her body, bracing for impact, but she wasn't the only one reacting.

Levi's instincts kicked in immediately. Without a second thought, he launched himself

forward, moving with a speed and precision that only he could muster. He covered the

distance between them in a heartbeat, his hand reaching out to grab Tiana just as she

fell. He caught her around the waist, his grip firm and steady, pulling her against him as

he pivoted, absorbing the impact with a grace that defied belief.

They hit the ground together, Levi rolling with the momentum to soften the fall, his body

shielding Tiana from the brunt of the impact. Dust and dirt kicked up around them, a

cloud of debris filling the air as they came to a stop, Levi's arms still wrapped

protectively around her.

For a moment, there was only silence, the world seeming to hold its breath. Tiana lay

still, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing as she tried to process what had

just happened. She was pressed close against Levi, his strong arms holding her

securely, and she could feel the rapid rise and fall of his chest against hers, could hear

his breath, steady but deep, in her ear.

Levi looked down at her, his expression calm but his eyes sharp, searching her face for

any sign of injury. "You okay?" he asked, his voice low but steady.

Tiana blinked, her mind still spinning, but she managed a small nod. "I… I think so," she

stammered, her voice a bit shaky. "I'm not hurt. Just… a little shaken."

Levi nodded, his grip on her waist loosening slightly but still holding her close. "Good,"

he said quietly. "That was close. Too close."

Tiana let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her body slowly relaxing

as she felt the tension ease. She looked up at him, her cheeks flushing with a mix of

embarrassment and gratitude. "I'm sorry, Captain," she said softly. "I didn't mean for that

to happen. The device… it must have malfunctioned. I'll have to check the wiring."

Levi gave her a small, reassuring nod. "It's alright," he said calmly. "Just be more careful

next time. Test your gadgets more thoroughly before you try them out."

Tiana nodded, feeling a small, sheepish smile tug at her lips. "I will," she promised. "I

just got a little too excited."

Levi's expression softened, a faint hint of amusement in his eyes. "I could tell," he said

dryly. "You and your gadgets."

Tiana chuckled, her cheeks still flushed. "It's a hobby," she explained, her voice light.

"I've been making gadgets since I was a kid. It's how I fell in love with engineering."

Levi nodded, his gaze steady. "Just make sure you don't blow yourself up," he said, his

tone half-teasing, half-serious.

Tiana laughed, a soft, relieved sound that eased the lingering tension in the air. "I'll do

my best," she said with a grin. "And thank you, Captain. For catching me. Again."

Levi nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Just doing my job," he said

simply. "Now, let's get you up."

He helped her to her feet, his hands still on her waist for a moment longer before he

stepped back, giving her space. Tiana adjusted her glasses, brushing the dust from her

pink work suit, and glanced down at the device still strapped to her wrist. "I'll have to

take this apart," she muttered, her tone thoughtful. "Figure out what went wrong."

Levi nodded, watching her with a mix of curiosity and respect. "You'll figure it out," he

said confidently. "You always do."

Tiana smiled, feeling a warm rush of gratitude. "Thank you, Captain," she said softly.

"For believing in me."

Levi gave her a small nod, his expression calm. "Just be careful," he said again. "We

can't afford to lose you."

Tiana's smile widened, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. "I will," she

promised. "I'll be more careful."

As they made their way back toward the workshop, side by side, Tiana couldn't help but

feel a sense of contentment, a quiet joy in her heart. Despite the mishap, despite the

close call, she felt… alive. She felt like she was doing what she loved, and she was

surrounded by people who believed in her, who supported her.

…..

Meanwhile, further away, the midday sun hung high over the Scout headquarters,

casting long shadows across the courtyard where a few of the scouts had gathered to

take a break from their training. The air was filled with a sense of camaraderie, laughter,

and the familiar smell of sweat and earth. They lounged on the wooden benches,

catching their breath and sharing a few moments of respite between drills.

Jean, Connie, Sasha, and Armin sat together, their faces flushed from the morning's

exertions. Nearby, Mikasa and Eren stood by, quietly observing. The training grounds

were bustling, but a few of the scouts had something else on their minds—a topic that

had been the source of whispered conversations and curious glances throughout the

day.

"You guys see what happened earlier?" Jean finally asked, a sly grin spreading across

his face as he leaned back against the bench. "With Tiana and Captain Levi?"

Connie nodded, his eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Oh, yeah," he

said, chuckling. "I thought Captain was gonna lose it when Tiana's gadget almost took

him out. But he didn't even yell at her!"

Sasha, who had been munching on a piece of bread, looked up, her eyebrows raised in

surprise. "Yeah, I noticed that too," she said, swallowing her food. "Usually, if one of us

messes up that bad, he'd have us cleaning latrines for a month."

Armin nodded thoughtfully, adjusting his glasses. "It's… interesting," he remarked.

"Captain Levi's always so strict with us, but with Tiana… it's like he's different. More…

understanding?"

Jean snorted, a grin tugging at his lips. "Understanding? That's one way to put it. I'd say

he's got a bit of a soft spot for her."

Connie's eyes widened with mock surprise. "A soft spot? Captain Levi? For Tiana?" he

asked, his tone teasing. "I never thought I'd see the day."

Mikasa, who had been standing quietly by, crossed her arms and frowned slightly. "He's

just being cautious," she said, her tone a bit defensive. "Tiana's important to our efforts

against Marley. And she's not a soldier like us. He's just… protecting her."

Eren, standing next to Mikasa, shrugged, a slight smirk on his face. "Maybe," he said,

his voice low. "But you have to admit, it's strange. Captain Levi doesn't usually show

that kind of patience with anyone."

Armin nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "It's not just patience," he observed. "It's… different.

More like he's… looking out for her in a way he doesn't for the rest of us."

Sasha giggled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Maybe Captain Levi has a crush on

her," she said playfully, her voice barely a whisper.

Jean chuckled, shaking his head. "A crush? On Tiana?" he repeated, clearly amused by

the idea. "Can you imagine that? Levi Ackerman, 'Humanity's Strongest Soldier,' having

a crush?"

Connie grinned, leaning in closer. "Well, he did save her twice now," he pointed out.

"And both times, he didn't even look mad. If it were any of us, he'd have chewed us out

in front of everyone."

Jean nodded, his grin widening. "Exactly. Remember that time I slipped up during

training and almost knocked over a supply crate? Captain had me running laps for

hours. But Tiana nearly kills them both with her gadget, and he just… brushes it off."

Mikasa glanced at the group, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You're all reading too much

into this," she said sharply. "Captain Levi is just doing his job. And Tiana is… different.

She's not like us."

Eren raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at his lips. "Different, huh?" he said

quietly. "Maybe that's exactly why he's acting this way."

Armin, ever the mediator, raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Let's not jump to

conclusions," he said gently. "We don't know what he's thinking. And we definitely

shouldn't be talking about it like this."

Sasha nodded, though her eyes still held a mischievous gleam. "Yeah, you're right," she

agreed. "But still… it's kind of nice to see CaptainLevi being… well, human. He always

seems so… untouchable."

Jean chuckled softly. "Untouchable, yeah," he said with a grin. "But not when it comes to

Tiana, apparently."

Connie laughed, shaking his head. "You know, if Captain ever heard us talking like this,

he'd have us scrubbing floors until our hands bled."

Jean nodded, his grin turning into a chuckle. "True," he said. "So, let's keep this

between us, yeah? I don't feel like running laps today."

The group nodded in agreement, their laughter and banter continuing, but with a more

subdued tone. They knew better than to gossip too loudly about their captain, especially

about something as sensitive as this. Levi had a way of knowing things he shouldn't, of

sensing when he was being talked about. And no one wanted to be on the receiving end

of his ire.

As they continued to talk and joke, Tiana appeared in the distance, walking toward the

training grounds with Levi not far behind her. She had her gadget tucked under her arm,

her expression bright and excited despite the earlier mishap. Her pink work suit caught

the light, her high ponytail swaying with each step. She was clearly eager to get back to

work, her enthusiasm undimmed.

Jean nudged Connie with his elbow, nodding toward Tiana and Levi. "There they go

again," he said quietly, a teasing note in his voice. "Captain Levi and his favorite

engineer."

Connie chuckled, shaking his head. "Better keep your voice down," he warned. "We

don't want Captain hearing us."

Sasha grinned, her eyes twinkling. "Yeah," she whispered. "But you have to admit… it's

kind of sweet, isn't it?"

Armin smiled softly, his gaze following Tiana and Levi as they moved further away.

"Maybe," he said quietly. "Maybe it is."

As the group watched Levi and Tiana disappear into the distance, a sense of quiet

understanding settled among them. They didn't dare speak their thoughts aloud, not

where Levi could hear. But in their hearts, they couldn't help but feel a small, warm

sense of curiosity—wondering just what it was about Tiana that had softened their

usually stern captain, if only just a little.

The late afternoon sun was casting long, golden shadows across the courtyard when

Commander Dot Pyxis arrived at the Scout headquarters. The older man had a relaxed,

almost casual gait as he strolled through the grounds, his hands clasped behind his

back, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He had come to meet the famous

Dr. Tiana Belrose, a name that had quickly spread throughout the military ranks. The

stories about her were endless—her intelligence, her groundbreaking inventions, and, of

course, her exotic beauty.

As Pyxis walked through the courtyard, he saw several scouts engaged in training,

sparring with one another, or practicing their ODM gear maneuvers. But his eyes were

searching for something—or rather, someone—else. He had heard the whispers, the

murmurs among the soldiers, and his curiosity had gotten the better of him. After all, it

wasn't every day that a new ally of such reputation arrived on Paradis.

He rounded a corner, and there she was. Tiana stood near the workshop, talking

animatedly with Demetri, her android assistant, who was holding a toolbox and a few

gadgets in his metallic hands. Tiana was dressed in her pink work suit, her hair tied up

in a high ponytail, her glasses perched on her nose. She was explaining something to

Demetri, her hands moving in small, precise gestures as she spoke, her face alight with

enthusiasm.

Pyxis stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening slightly as he took her in. The stories

hadn't done her justice. Her skin, a deep, rich brown that seemed to glow in the

sunlight, her hair cascading down in intricate twists—he had never seen anything like it.

Her features were striking, her beauty both exotic and captivating, and for a moment, he

simply stood there, a bit stunned.

"Well, I'll be," he muttered to himself, his voice a low drawl. "They weren't exaggerating."

Tiana noticed his presence then, her eyes flicking up from her work, her expression

brightening with a polite smile. She recognized Commander Pyxis from the descriptions

she had heard—a wily old man with a reputation for being both cunning and

unorthodox. She set down her tools and stepped forward, her smile warm and

welcoming.

"Commander Pyxis," she greeted, her voice melodic. "It's an honor to meet you. I've

heard so much about you."

Pyxis's face broke into a broad grin as he approached her, his eyes twinkling with

amusement. "And I've heard quite a bit about you, Dr. Belrose," he replied, his tone

smooth. "More than a bit, actually. Beauty and brains, they said. And now I see they

were right on both counts."

Tiana chuckled softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "You flatter me, Commander,"

she said modestly. "I'm just here to do my part."

Pyxis waved a hand dismissively, his smile never fading. "Oh, no need for modesty," he

said with a chuckle. "I've heard about your inventions, your brilliance. And now, seeing

you in person… well, let's just say I'm impressed."

Tiana smiled, her eyes twinkling behind her glasses. "Thank you, Commander," she

said. "I appreciate the kind words."

Pyxis's gaze shifted then, landing on Demetri, who stood patiently beside Tiana, his

metallic frame glinting in the sunlight. The older man blinked, his smile faltering slightly

as he took in the sight of the android. "And… what do we have here?" he asked, his

tone filled with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

Tiana's smile widened, a hint of pride in her expression. "This is Demetri," she

explained. "He's my assistant. I built him myself. He helps me with my projects and

keeps me company."

Pyxis stared at Demetri for a moment longer, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to

make sense of what he was seeing. "Well, I'll be damned," he muttered, shaking his

head. "I've never seen anything like it. An automaton… and you built it yourself?"

Tiana nodded, her smile bright. "Yes, Commander," she said. "It's a passion of mine. I've

been building gadgets and machines since I was a child."

Pyxis let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Incredible," he said, his eyes flicking back

to her. "You really are something, aren't you?"

Tiana's blush deepened, and she gave a modest shrug. "I just enjoy what I do," she said

simply. "I'm glad to be able to contribute."

Pyxis nodded, his smile returning. "Well, I'm certainly glad you're here," he said

smoothly. "And I must say, you've brought a bit of sunshine to our dreary little island."

Tiana chuckled, feeling a mix of amusement and flattery. "Thank you, Commander," she

said. "That's very kind of you to say."

At that moment, Levi appeared from around the corner, his expression as stoic as ever,

his eyes immediately assessing the situation. He had been nearby, keeping a watchful

eye on Tiana as usual, and he approached with his usual silent grace, his gaze flicking

to Pyxis with a hint of curiosity.

"Commander Pyxis," Levi greeted, his tone respectful but guarded. "Didn't expect to see

you here."

Pyxis turned to face Levi, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Ah, Captain Levi," he

said, his tone light and teasing. "I've heard you've been assigned to guard Dr. Belrose

here. I must say, you've got the best job in the world, don't you? Watching over such a

pretty lady all day, every day."

Levi's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression remaining calm and unreadable. "It's a job,

like any other," he replied evenly. "I'm here to protect her, nothing more."

Pyxis chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "Of course, of course," he said with a

wink. "But I can't say I envy you, Captain. It must be… challenging, keeping your wits

about you around someone like her."

Tiana's cheeks flushed again, and she glanced down, a small, embarrassed smile

tugging at her lips. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially not from

someone like Commander Pyxis. She felt a mix of flattery and discomfort, unsure of

how to respond.

Levi, however, remained composed. "I'm quite capable of doing my job, Commander,"

he said firmly. "Regardless of the circumstances."

Pyxis laughed, clearly entertained by Levi's stoic response. "Oh, I don't doubt that,

Captain," he said with a grin. "You're the best we've got, after all. But still… I'm sure you

don't mind the company."

Levi's expression didn't change, but there was a subtle shift in his posture, a slight

stiffening of his shoulders. "I'm here to protect her," he repeated, his tone colder now.

"That's all that matters."

Pyxis raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin widening. "Alright, alright," he said

with a chuckle. "No need to get all serious on me, Captain. I'm just having a bit of fun."

Tiana decided to step in, sensing the tension between the two men. "Thank you for your

visit, Commander Pyxis," she said quickly, her tone polite. "It's always nice to meet new

faces. And I'm grateful for Captain Levi's protection. He's been… very helpful."

Pyxis nodded, his smile softening. "I'm sure he has," he said warmly. "And I'm glad to

see you're settling in, Dr. Belrose. We're lucky to have you."

Tiana smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "Thank you, Commander," she said softly.

"I'm glad to be here."

Pyxis gave her a small nod, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he

turned back to Levi. "Take good care of her, Captain," he said, his tone suddenly

serious. "She's important. To all of us."

Levi nodded, his expression firm. "I will," he said simply. "You have my word."

Pyxis seemed satisfied with that and gave a final nod, tipping his hat slightly before

turning to leave. "Good," he said. "That's all I need to hear."

As he walked away, Tiana let out a small breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

She turned to Levi, her expression a mix of relief and amusement. "He's… quite the

character, isn't he?" she remarked softly.

Levi nodded, his eyes still on Pyxis's retreating figure. "He's unpredictable," he said

quietly. "But he's not wrong. You are important. And I intend to keep it that way."

Tiana smiled, her heart warming at his words. "Thank you, Captain," she said softly. "I

appreciate that."

Levi gave her a small nod, his gaze steady. "Just doing my job," he replied. But as he

turned to continue their patrol, there was a small, almost imperceptible softness in his

eyes—a hint of something more than just duty.

And as they walked together, side by side, Tiana couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of

reassurance, a feeling that, despite the challenges ahead, she was not alone. She had

allies, friends, and even a few unexpected protectors.

And for now, that was more than enough.