Chapter 17: Waves of Resistence
Levi stood at the edge of the camp, the weight of the night settling heavily on his
shoulders. The soft rustle of the ocean waves filled the silence, and the flickering
campfire cast long, wavering shadows across the sand. The air was cool, but Levi
barely noticed it. His mind was elsewhere—on the scouts who had left, swallowed by
the sea and the bonds they had forged with their siren mates.
Floch, Eren, Reiner, Bertholdt, Connie, Jean, Armin. All of them were gone. Each had
disappeared into their respective siren honeymoons, leaving Levi behind with only
Hange, Sasha, and the ever-pressing presence of Aria, who had slipped into the ocean
for a swim earlier. Mikasa had gone back to HQ, unable tolerate waiting around at the
shore for Eren to return from his siren honeymoon with Luna.
Levi's frustration was still simmering beneath the surface. He was used to being in
control, used to guiding his team through impossible odds. But this? There was no
strategy, no battlefield tactics to deploy. The sirens had undone everything he thought
he could rely on. And now, here he was, surrounded by the sound of the sea and the
absence of his men.
Hange sat nearby, leaning against a log, her eyes gleaming with that familiar fascination
as she watched the night sky. She was always curious, always drawn to the unknown,
and the sirens had been no exception. In fact, Levi could tell that Hange found the entire
situation exhilarating in her own strange way. She didn't seem worried about the scouts
being gone; if anything, she saw it as an exciting development.
"Levi," Hange said suddenly, her voice light but thoughtful. "Isn't it amazing? A whole
species of creatures we never even knew about, and now they're part of our lives. I
mean, it's not exactly what I expected, but… it's fascinating, isn't it?"
Levi shot her a sharp look, but he didn't respond right away. His mind was too focused
on the current state of affairs. He couldn't share in Hange's enthusiasm, not with
everything at stake. Not when his men were being pulled away by these creatures,
leaving Paradis vulnerable. What if Marley launched a surprise attack while the top
brass are gone?
Sasha sat beside Hange, staring into the fire, her usual energy dimmed by the weight of
everything that had happened. She had been the one to express more concern, though
it was tempered by her trust in the scouts. "I just hope they're okay," she said quietly,
her voice soft. "I mean, I know the sirens don't want to hurt them, but… it's still weird,
right?"
Levi's eyes flickered toward Sasha. She was right—it was weird. It wasn't just that his
men had gone willingly, it was that they had gone so easily. They had fought, bled, and
suffered to survive, and yet the sirens had managed to break through their defenses
with nothing more than their beauty and their presence.
"It's more than weird," Levi muttered, his voice low. "It's dangerous."
Hange's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she tilted her head. "Dangerous? Oh, come on,
Levi. The sirens aren't our enemies. If they were, they'd have done more than just whisk
the scouts away. Besides, it's not like the scouts are in danger. They're… bonding, or
whatever."
Levi's jaw clenched. "They're out of our control. That's the danger."
Hange shrugged, clearly unbothered by Levi's concerns. "Maybe. But they're not exactly
prisoners either. You saw the way they left—they wanted to go. And as much as it
annoys you, we can't force them to come back."
Sasha glanced up, her brow furrowed. "But what if something happens while they're
gone? We can't protect Paradis without Eren or the rest of the titan shifters."
Levi didn't answer right away. That was the real problem, wasn't it? They were the last
line of defense, and now, with only him, Hange, and Sasha left, they were vulnerable.
His men were the best soldiers humanity had, and now they were gone, tied up in
something they hadn't fully understood. Levi could only hope and pray Marley didn't
decide to attack within these weeks the scouts would be gone.
The silence stretched between them, the crackling fire the only sound besides the
steady rhythm of the waves. Levi's eyes shifted toward the ocean, where Aria had
disappeared for her swim. He knew she wasn't far. Even when she wasn't right beside
him, her presence still lingered, a constant reminder of the influence the sirens had over
everything.
Levi's thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of footsteps in the sand. Aria was
returning, her lavender hair wet and clinging to her back as she strolled up from the
water. Her usual smirk was in place, though there was something softer in her
expression now, as if the night had cooled her teasing edge. She walked closer, her
eyes locking onto Levi's with that same unwavering confidence she always carried.
"Miss me, Captain?" Aria asked, her voice light, but Levi could hear the underlying
challenge in her words.
Levi's expression didn't change. He was tired of this game, tired of her pushing his
buttons. He wasn't like the others. He wouldn't fall for her, no matter how persistent she
was.
Aria's smirk deepened, clearly amused by his silence. "You know, Levi," she continued,
"you're the only one left. Everyone else is off with their mates, enjoying their siren
honeymoons. And here you are, still fighting it."
Levi shot her a sharp glare. "I'm not interested."
Aria chuckled, her eyes gleaming. "That's what you keep saying."
Levi's fists clenched at his sides, his patience wearing thin. He was a man of discipline,
a soldier who had survived more than anyone else could imagine, and yet this
siren—the one standing before him with her smug smile and relentless attitude—was
getting under his skin in a way nothing else had.
"Why are you still here?" Levi muttered, his voice low but edged with frustration. "Go
back to the ocean with the rest of them."
Aria's smile softened, but her eyes remained locked on his. "Because I haven't given up
on you, Captain. And I don't think you've given up on me either."
Levi's glare deepened, but Aria didn't back down. She stepped closer, her gaze
unwavering, as if daring him to push her away.
"I'm not like the others," Levi said, his voice tight with frustration.
Aria's smile widened. "I know. That's why I'm still here."
Levi turned away from her, his jaw clenched as he stared out at the dark ocean. He was
tired of the games, tired of the sirens, tired of everything being out of his control. But as
Aria stood there beside him, her presence refusing to fade, Levi couldn't help but feel
that this was only the beginning of something he wasn't ready to face.
For now, though, he had no choice but to wait—alone with his discipline, his frustration,
and the one siren who refused to leave his side.
…
The night stretched long, the air cool and still as Levi sat by the campfire, watching the
flames flicker and dance in the dim light. Sasha and Hange had gone off to sleep,
leaving him alone with his thoughts, the soft lull of the ocean the only sound
accompanying him. Or so he thought.
A gentle rustle of sand caught his attention, and Levi's eyes flickered up to see Aria
walking toward him, her usual playful smirk absent. Instead, her expression was softer,
more reflective, her lavender eyes catching the faint glow of the firelight. She sat down a
few feet away from him, her posture relaxed but her eyes heavy with something
unspoken.
Levi wasn't in the mood for more games. "What now?" he muttered, his tone flat, tired.
Aria didn't respond right away. Instead, she stared into the fire for a long moment, as if
gathering her thoughts. Her usual confidence, her smug demeanor, seemed to fade as
the seconds ticked by.
"You know, Levi," she began quietly, her voice softer than usual, "there's something I
haven't told you."
Levi glanced at her, skeptical. He'd gotten used to her teasing and relentless flirting, but
this? This felt different. "What?" he asked, his voice edged with curiosity despite himself.
Aria sighed, brushing her lavender hair over her shoulder as she gazed into the flames.
"I wasn't always this confident. This… sure of myself," she admitted. "In fact, for most of
my life, I've been hunted. Chased. Because of how I look."
Levi's brow furrowed, his curiosity deepening as Aria continued. She had never opened
up to him before—not like this. "Hunted?" he asked, his tone skeptical but not
dismissive.
Aria nodded, her eyes still fixed on the fire. "Yeah. Ever since I was a kid." She paused,
a faint, almost bitter smile playing on her lips. "I'm one of the most beautiful sirens in
history, Levi. And that's not just some title I throw around to sound important. It's a
curse, too."
Levi stayed silent, letting her speak. He could see the weight in her words, the
seriousness behind them that she usually hid behind her playful exterior.
"My parents were killed when I was little," Aria continued, her voice quieter now. "Siren
hunters found us. We were living peacefully, out in the open ocean, but…" She trailed
off, her eyes darkening. "They didn't make it. And I was left alone."
Levi shifted slightly, his posture still guarded, but his attention fully on her now. He
hadn't expected this—hadn't expected her to have a past so marred by tragedy.
Aria pulled out a small shell. It was white and had a thin strap and a clasp in the front.
She gently opened it and inside was a torn and weathered photograph. Aria picked it up
and handed it to Levi who was a bit stunned for a few seconds, but he eventually
tentatively reached out to grab the photograph.
The image surprised him. A woman who bore a striking resemblance to Aria stood in
the center of the photograph, her hair and eyes a soft, shimmering pink instead of Aria's
lavender. She was laughing, her smile radiant as an older man with white hair, a
wooden leg, and a worn soldier's uniform hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek.
Despite his blindness, the man's face was filled with warmth and affection.
Levi felt a tightness in his chest as he stared at the photo. The woman's beauty was
undeniable, as if she carried the same ethereal glow that Aria did. But it wasn't just her
appearance that caught his attention; it was the way the man held her, as if she was his
entire world.
A voice broke his reverie.
"That's my parents," Aria said softly. Her usual flirtatious demeanor was replaced with
something more somber, more vulnerable.
Levi didn't say anything at first. He just looked up at her, then back down at the
photograph in his hand.
"Your mother…" Levi began, trying to find the right words. "She looks just like you."
Aria smiled sadly, walking over to sit beside him. She took the photo from his hand, her
fingers tracing the outline of the two people who had meant everything to her. "Yeah.
Everyone always said I looked just like her. She was beautiful, wasn't she?"
Levi nodded, still looking at the picture. "Is this your father next to her?"
Aria's eyes softened as she stared down at her father's face. "That's my dad. Mark.
He… he wasn't like other people who met my mom. He didn't see her the way they
did—literally. He was blind."
Levi looked at her, his curiosity piqued. Aria had never spoken much about her past, but
now, as she opened up, he could feel the weight of her memories.
"My mom, Alana," Aria continued, her voice quiet, "was one of the most beautiful sirens
anyone had ever seen. Just like me, her beauty was a curse. People always wanted
her… for all the wrong reasons. But she never cared about their attention. Then one
day, she met my dad. He was an older soldier, tough as nails, but gentle at the same
time. He had been injured in battle, lost his leg, and his sight. But when he heard her
voice, he didn't know what she was. He didn't care about her beauty because he
couldn't see it. He just… fell in love with her because of who she was."
Levi listened in silence, his gaze unwavering as Aria continued to speak.
"They fell in love, and for the first time in her life, my mom felt safe. She knew that with
him, she wasn't just some beautiful object to be admired or used. She was Alana. And
he loved her for that." Aria paused, her eyes misting over with memories. "They were
happy together. I was born after their first year of being mated. And for a while,
everything was perfect."
Levi watched as Aria's expression shifted, the weight of her next words clearly heavy in
her heart. He knew where this was going, but he waited patiently, giving her the space
to share the rest of her story.
"But…" Aria's voice wavered, "being mated to a siren has its risks. Siren hunters
eventually found us. They wanted my mother, just like they want me. My dad… he tried
to protect her. He fought as hard as he could, even with his injuries. His enhanced
abilities weren't enough, though. The hunters were too strong. They killed him in front of
us."
Levi's grip on the edge of his seat tightened. He knew loss all too well, but hearing it
from Aria's perspective—about her parents, who clearly meant everything to
her—stirred something deep in his chest.
"My mom…" Aria's voice broke, but she steadied herself. "She sacrificed herself so I
could escape. She fought off the hunters and gave me time to get away, but in the end,
they took her too. I've been on the run ever since that day."
Levi's expression remained stoic, but beneath that calm facade, his heart ached for her.
The weight of her past, the loneliness she had endured, the fear of being hunted—it
explained so much about why Aria was the way she was. She had been alone for so
long, constantly in fear, until she found her sisters.
Aria wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and gave Levi a small, sad smile. "I never
told anyone this before besides my sisters. It just… it hurts to remember them. But I feel
like I can tell you."
Aria sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Ever since then, I've been on my own.
My beauty made me a target. Siren hunters would go to any length to capture me.
Some wanted to sell me, others… well, let's just say they had worse intentions." Her
voice wavered slightly, but she quickly composed herself. "I had to learn to survive on
my own. For years, I didn't have anyone. No one to watch my back, no one to protect
me."
Levi felt a flicker of something in his chest—empathy, maybe. He knew what it was like
to lose everything, to be forced to fend for yourself when no one else would. He glanced
at Aria, the firelight reflecting in her lavender eyes, and for the first time, he saw
something different. She wasn't just the cocky, smart-mouthed siren who had been
trying to seduce him. She was someone who had survived, just like him.
"It wasn't until I met my sisters—my pod—that I finally felt safe again," Aria continued,
her voice softening. "They've been my family for years now, and I love them. But as
much as I care about them, there's still something missing."
Levi raised an eyebrow, though he didn't interrupt.
Aria turned to face him fully, her eyes locking onto his with a seriousness he hadn't seen
from her before. "I want to feel safe, Levi. Really safe. The kind of safety I've never had
in my life since my parents were killed." She paused, her voice trembling slightly, as if
the next words were hard for her to say. "And I believe you're the one who can give me
that."
Levi blinked, caught off guard by her honesty. "Me?" he muttered, his tone flat but laced
with disbelief.
Aria nodded, her eyes steady. "I've watched you, Levi. The way you are with the scouts.
How protective you are, how you care about them even if you don't show it. You fight for
them, you put your life on the line for them. And I…" She trailed off, swallowing hard. "I
want that. I want someone who would fight for me like that."
Levi stayed quiet, his mind racing. He hadn't expected this. He had always assumed
Aria's pursuit of him was based on her teasing nature, her need to push his buttons. But
now, he realized it was something deeper.
"I chose you, Levi," Aria said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Not just
because you're strong or disciplined. I chose you because I believe you can give me
something I've always been searching for—protection. Real protection. I'm tired of
feeling like a target, like I'm constantly being hunted. I want to feel safe. And I think… I
think you can give me that."
Levi's eyes flickered with something he rarely showed—vulnerability. He didn't know
how to respond to this. He had spent his entire life protecting people, fighting for others.
But this? This was different.
"Aria," he muttered, his voice quieter now. "I'm not—"
"I know you don't want this," Aria interrupted, her voice firm but gentle. "I know you've
been fighting it since we met. But I'm not asking for you to fall in love with me right now.
I'm just… I'm just asking you to understand. To see why I've been trying so hard."
Levi fell silent, staring into the fire as Aria's words sank in. He hadn't asked for any of
this. He hadn't wanted to be caught up in the sirens' world. But as he sat there, listening
to Aria's story, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of understanding. She wasn't just some
cocky siren trying to win him over. She was someone who had been fighting her whole
life, just like him.
After a long pause, Levi finally spoke, his voice low but steady. "I get it," he muttered,
his eyes still fixed on the flames. "You've been through a lot. More than I realized."
Aria didn't respond immediately, but her expression softened, her eyes filled with
something that looked like relief.
"I'm not promising anything," Levi added quickly, his tone firm. "But I understand why
you've been pushing so hard."
Aria smiled, though it was softer than her usual teasing grin. "That's all I wanted, Levi.
For you to understand."
And in that moment, as he looked at her—truly looked at her—Levi couldn't deny it any
longer. She was beautiful. But more than that, she was someone worth protecting.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable this time. It was a quiet, shared
understanding. Levi wasn't sure where things would go from here, but for the first time
since Aria had entered his life, he didn't feel the need to push her away.
…..
The next morning came with a stillness that Levi had grown accustomed to over the
past day. The soft rustle of the ocean waves was the only sound, accompanied by the
occasional chirping of distant birds. The scouts were still gone, off with their respective
sirens on their honeymoons. Floch had been gone the longest, and now, with Eren and
the others gone as well, the camp felt deserted. It was just Levi, Hange, Sasha, and
Aria.
Levi sat by the fire, poking at the dying embers with a stick, his mind preoccupied with
everything that had happened. He had spent most of the night replaying Aria's words
from the previous evening in his mind. Her vulnerability, her story—he hadn't expected
it. It had changed the way he saw her, even if only slightly.
But this morning, Aria seemed to have shed the seriousness of their conversation like it
had never happened. She strolled up to him, her lavender hair bouncing lightly with
each step, and Levi immediately noticed she was wearing something new—a short
white halter dress that seemed entirely out of place in the camp but somehow suited her
effortlessly.
"Good morning, Captain," Aria said with a bright, teasing smile. Her tone was back to its
usual flirtatious self, any traces of vulnerability from last night seemingly gone. She spun
around playfully, showing off the dress. "Do you like it? Hange gave me some materials,
and I thought I'd make something a little more… me."
Levi glanced up from the fire, his expression as unreadable as ever. The dress was
simple but eye-catching. It fit her perfectly, the white fabric contrasting against her
lavender hair and sun-kissed skin. He wasn't about to feed into her vanity, though.
"It's fine," he muttered, keeping his voice as flat as possible.
Aria pouted, leaning in a little closer to him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "*Fine*?
Come on, Levi. It's more than just fine, don't you think?" She playfully tugged at the hem
of the dress, drawing attention to its length. "It took some work, you know. Thought I'd
try something a bit… shorter."
Levi rolled his eyes and shifted his gaze back to the fire, refusing to give her the
reaction she clearly wanted. "It's just a dress," he muttered.
Aria's pout deepened, though it was clearly for show. She crossed her arms and tilted
her head, her lavender eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're impossible, you know
that?" she said, her voice still laced with teasing. "I think you like it. You just don't want
to admit it."
Levi's patience was wearing thin, as it always did when Aria decided to push his
buttons. "I don't care about your dress," he replied, his voice flat but edged with
frustration. "It doesn't matter what you wear."
Aria smirked, leaning closer to him, her voice dropping to a more playful tone. "Well, you
care enough to comment on it," she pointed out. "And that's progress."
Levi shot her a sharp look, but she didn't flinch. Instead, she took a seat beside him,
close enough that he could feel her presence but not so close that it felt invasive. She
was always dancing on the edge of his boundaries, testing how far she could go before
he snapped.
"What do you even want, Aria?" Levi asked, his tone tired. "Why are you still here?"
Aria's smile softened, but the teasing glint in her eyes remained. "I like being around
you, Levi," she said simply. "You're not like anyone I've met before. You're disciplined,
strong, and you don't fall for my charms like the others. It makes you… interesting."
Levi frowned, clearly unimpressed with her reasoning. "You think this is some kind of
game?" he muttered.
Aria shook her head, her expression growing more thoughtful. "No, it's not a game. Not
anymore." She glanced out at the ocean, her gaze distant for a moment before returning
to him. "I've been hunted my whole life because of how I look. I've spent years running,
hiding, always on edge. But you? You're the first person I've met who doesn't care
about that. You see through it. And that's… refreshing."
Levi didn't respond right away, his eyes flicking back to the fire as he processed her
words. He wasn't used to being praised like this, especially not by someone like Aria,
who had spent most of their time together trying to get under his skin.
"I don't care about your looks," Levi said finally, his voice low but firm. "It's who you are
that matters. You said it yourself last night—you're looking for safety. I'm not the kind of
man who falls for distractions."
Aria's smile returned, though it was softer this time. "And that's exactly why I like you,
Captain."
Levi let out a quiet sigh, his shoulders tensing as he realized this conversation was
going nowhere. Aria wasn't going to stop, and as much as he hated to admit it, there
was a part of him—buried deep down—that understood her. She wasn't just some vain,
beautiful siren. She was someone who had survived, someone who had been fighting
her whole life.
And for the first time, Levi wasn't entirely sure how to respond to that.
Aria tilted her head, studying him with a curious expression. "You're thinking about
something," she said softly. "I can see it."
Levi shot her a glance but didn't respond. He wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of
knowing she had gotten under his skin, even if it was just a little.
Aria chuckled softly, standing up and brushing the sand off her dress. "Well, I won't
bother you for now, Captain," she said with a wink. "But don't think I'm done with you.
Not by a long shot."
Levi watched her walk away, her lavender hair swaying lightly in the breeze, the white
dress she had made flowing around her as she strolled back toward the water. He
shook his head, annoyed with himself for letting her get to him—again.
As the morning stretched on, Levi found himself alone once more, his mind lingering on
Aria's words. He hated how she pushed him, how she seemed to always know what
buttons to press. But deep down, he also knew there was more to her than just her
beauty, her flirtation.
For now, though, he wouldn't let himself dwell on it. He had more important things to
worry about—like the fact that his entire squad was still missing, wrapped up in their
siren honeymoons, while he was left to pick up the pieces.
But no matter how hard he tried to focus on the bigger picture, Aria's presence—her
laughter, her teasing—lingered in the back of his mind.
And Levi hated that most of all.
He had barely settled back into his usual silent contemplation when a group of civilian
men appeared, wandering down the beach, clearly not from the immediate area. They
seemed to be traders, judging by their worn clothes and the way they looked around
with curiosity. Levi's eyes narrowed as he observed them, his instinctive suspicion
flaring up. It wasn't often that civilians ventured this far out to the coast.
But the moment they spotted Aria, everything changed.
Aria, standing at the water's edge in her new white halter dress, her lavender hair
glinting in the sunlight, was an ethereal sight against the backdrop of the ocean. To
these men—who had likely never seen anything like her before—it was as if they had
stumbled upon a goddess.
The traders stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes widening as they took in Aria's
otherworldly appearance. Levi watched, his expression hard, as one by one, the men
fell to their knees, completely dumbstruck.
"W-What…?" one of them stammered, his voice shaky as he tried to process what he
was seeing. "Is she…?"
"Is she real?" another man whispered, his eyes wide with awe.
Aria, for her part, hadn't noticed them at first, too busy enjoying the cool water lapping at
her feet. But when she heard the hushed murmurs, she turned, her lavender eyes
locking onto the group of men who had practically collapsed at the sight of her. Her
expression shifted from mild surprise to amusement as she recognized the effect she
was having on them.
"Ah, of course," Aria muttered under her breath, her lips curving into a playful smile. She
had grown used to this reaction over the years. Even here, in Paradis, where the people
were tough and war-hardened, her beauty still had the power to bring men to their
knees.
Levi, however, was less amused. He stood up, his hand instinctively resting near the hilt
of one of his blades, though he doubted he'd need it. The civilians weren't a
threat—they were just idiots. But the way they were looking at Aria, the way they
seemed utterly captivated by her, set him on edge.
The men, still on their knees, scrambled to approach her, their eyes wide with a mix of
reverence and disbelief.
"Are you… are you an angel?" one of the men asked breathlessly, his voice filled with
awe as he looked up at Aria, his hands trembling slightly. "Your hair, your eyes… I've
never seen anything like it. Are you—?"
Aria laughed softly, cutting him off. "An angel?" she echoed, clearly entertained by the
idea. "No, I'm not an angel." She tilted her head, her lavender hair falling over her
shoulder as she gave them a knowing smile. "But I suppose I can understand why you'd
think that."
Another man reached out hesitantly, his hand shaking as if he wanted to touch her, but
stopped himself just short of doing so. "You're… the most beautiful thing I've ever seen,"
he whispered, his voice filled with reverence. "Who… who are you?"
Aria's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She clearly enjoyed the
attention, though there was something playful in the way she handled it. "I'm just
passing through," she said, her tone light and teasing. "But I'm flattered by your
compliments."
Levi's patience was already wearing thin. He could see how quickly this situation could
spiral out of control, especially with these men so obviously under Aria's spell. They
were innocent enough, sure, but it didn't take much for things to get complicated when
people like Aria were involved. And the fact that they had no idea she was a siren made
it worse.
"Alright, that's enough," Levi said sharply, stepping forward and placing himself between
Aria and the civilians. His cold, commanding tone broke the spell for a moment, the men
flinching at the sight of him.
The men blinked, startled by Levi's sudden appearance. They exchanged nervous
glances, their awe of Aria momentarily eclipsed by the intensity of the man standing in
front of them.
"Captain Levi… Ackerman?" one of them stammered, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Levi crossed his arms, his expression hard. "Yeah. And unless you want trouble, I
suggest you move along."
The men hesitated, still stealing glances at Aria, but they clearly understood that Levi
wasn't someone to be trifled with. Slowly, they began to back away, though their eyes
lingered on Aria as if they couldn't help themselves.
One of them, bolder than the rest, turned to Aria and spoke up, his voice shaky but filled
with admiration. "We… we've never seen anyone like you before. Are you from here?
What's your name?"
Aria's eyes gleamed with mischief as she stepped forward, ignoring Levi's silent warning
look. "My name is Aria," she said smoothly, her voice like honey. "But you don't need to
worry about where I'm from."
Levi scowled, his frustration growing as he saw Aria feeding into their fascination.
"Enough," he snapped, his voice cold. "She's with me. And you're done here."
The men glanced at each other, clearly intimidated by Levi's presence. They nodded
hastily, murmuring apologies as they quickly turned and shuffled back the way they had
come, casting one last glance at Aria before they disappeared down the beach.
Once they were gone, Aria let out a soft, amused laugh, turning to Levi with a smirk.
"You're so serious, Captain," she teased, her voice light. "I was just having a bit of fun."
Levi shot her a hard look, clearly unimpressed. "You call that fun?" he muttered, his
voice flat. "They didn't know what you are. They could've caused trouble."
Aria shrugged, unfazed by his irritation. "They were harmless," she said, waving a hand
dismissively. "Just a bunch of men overwhelmed by beauty. Happens all the time."
Levi clenched his jaw, still not satisfied. "You can't just—"
"Oh, relax, Captain," Aria interrupted, her smirk widening. "You scared them off just fine.
Besides, it's not like I'm going anywhere."
Levi's glare deepened, but he didn't respond. He knew arguing with Aria was pointless.
She wasn't going to change her ways just because he was annoyed. And despite
everything, Levi couldn't shake the feeling that this wouldn't be the last time her
presence caused chaos.
But for now, all he could do was keep his guard up.
Aria, for her part, seemed completely at ease. She spun around, her lavender hair
catching the breeze as she walked back toward the water, her white dress flowing
around her. "You'll have to get used to it, you know," she called back over her shoulder,
her tone light and teasing. "Men falling at my feet. It's part of the package."
Levi sighed, his patience already wearing thin. "Great," he muttered under his breath,
watching her disappear toward the shore.
This was far from over.
…
Levi sat at the camp, quietly sipping his tea as the morning sun began to warm the
beach. The ocean's rhythmic hum was a steady background noise, but Levi found a
moment of peace in his simple routine. The tea—dark, bitter, with no sugar or
cream—was just how he liked it. He took a small sip, savoring the warmth and the
familiar taste that reminded him of home, of the barracks, of a life that made sense to
him.
Of course, it wasn't long before his peace was interrupted.
Aria, who had been lounging by the water earlier, made her way back to where Levi sat,
her curiosity piqued as she watched him drink. Her lavender eyes sparkled with mischief
as she approached, clearly in one of her playful moods.
"What's that you're drinking?" Aria asked, leaning in slightly and peering into the cup.
She wrinkled her nose at the dark liquid, but her curiosity wasn't deterred. "Tea?"
Levi gave her a sidelong glance, already sensing where this was going. "Yeah. It's tea."
Aria tilted her head, studying the cup for a moment before a playful smirk crossed her
lips. "Let me try some," she said, reaching out before Levi had a chance to protest.
Levi's eyes narrowed, but he didn't stop her. He didn't bother warning her either. If she
wanted to try it, she'd find out soon enough. He simply handed over the cup, his
expression unreadable.
Aria took the cup, bringing it to her lips with an air of curiosity. She took a small sip, and
within seconds, her face twisted into a grimace. She immediately pulled the cup away,
sticking out her tongue as if she could rid herself of the taste. "Ugh!" she exclaimed, her
voice filled with disbelief. "That's terrible!"
Levi didn't even try to hide his smirk as he took the cup back from her. "You wanted to
try it."
Aria shook her head, still grimacing as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"What do you have against flavor, Levi? There's nothing in there—no sugar, no cream,
nothing!" She looked genuinely offended by the experience.
Levi, clearly amused by her reaction, took another sip, completely unfazed. "That's how
tea is supposed to taste."
Aria made a face, folding her arms as she stared at him, her lavender eyes filled with
mock horror. "You seriously drink this every day? How do you even enjoy it? It's just…
bitter."
Levi shrugged, completely unaffected by her critique. "You get used to it. It's better than
dumping a bunch of sugar into it and pretending you're drinking tea."
Aria rolled her eyes dramatically, though her teasing tone didn't falter. "I don't know how
you do it, Captain. You live in this world of discipline and… bitterness." She grinned,
leaning in slightly as if she was about to share a secret. "You should try enjoying things
once in a while. Not everything has to be so serious."
Levi met her gaze, his expression flat. "I enjoy things just fine. I just don't need sugar to
do it."
Aria chuckled, clearly entertained by the entire exchange. "Well, more power to you,
then," she said, leaning back with a sigh. "But I'll stick to something with flavor. Life's too
short to drink… whatever that was." She waved dismissively at the tea cup.
Levi took another sip, the warmth of the tea settling him back into his familiar routine.
He wasn't surprised by Aria's reaction—he had expected it. But there was a small part
of him, hidden deep beneath his stoic exterior, that found her playful disgust amusing.
Aria, noticing the faintest flicker of amusement in Levi's eyes, smiled. "You're smiling,"
she teased, her voice light and melodic. "See? I knew I could get to you."
Levi's expression immediately returned to its usual neutral state. "I'm not smiling."
Aria grinned, undeterred. "You were. Just a little. Admit it."
Levi sighed, setting the cup down and giving her a look that clearly said he wasn't going
to humor her. "You're seeing things."
Aria laughed, her light, carefree energy in stark contrast to Levi's steady seriousness.
"Maybe I am," she said with a shrug. "But one day, Captain, I'll get you to loosen up.
Just watch."
Levi didn't respond, but he couldn't help the small sense of amusement that lingered in
the air between them. Aria may have hated his tea, but she wasn't backing down. She
never did.
And somehow, Levi was starting to get used to that.
As Aria leaned back, still shaking her head in disbelief at the bitterness of Levi's tea, he
picked up his cup once more, taking another sip with quiet satisfaction. For all her
teasing and playful nature, she was the only siren left in the camp with him. And in
some strange way, Levi had grown used to her presence.
But he'd never admit it. Not to her, anyway.
Aria continued to sit beside Levi, staring out at the ocean, her mind clearly elsewhere.
The sound of the waves and the soft rustling of the breeze filled the air between them,
but it wasn't enough to quiet the thoughts in her head.
"I wonder how my sisters' siren honeymoons are coming along," Aria mused aloud, her
voice thoughtful but still laced with that ever-present playful edge. "Floch must be
halfway gone by now. And Eren? Luna's probably making him hers even as we speak."
Levi, who is still quietly sipping his bitter tea, gave her a flat look. "You all seem to be
doing fine, turning every one of my men into mindless love-struck fools."
Aria raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by Levi's sarcastic response. "Oh, come on,
Captain," she said with a teasing smile. "You make it sound like we're doing something
terrible to them."
Levi's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice dripping with dry sarcasm. "Taking them off to
your magical moonpools for two weeks and turning them into super soldiers who are
hopelessly in love with you? Yeah, nothing odd about that."
Aria laughed softly, leaning in just a little closer. "Well, when you put it that way, it does
sound a bit dramatic. But they don't seem to be complaining, do they?"
Levi didn't respond immediately, but his silence spoke volumes. Aria's sisters had
clearly ensnared the scouts, and despite his frustration, Levi knew they had gone
willingly. But that didn't mean he had to like it.
Aria tilted her head, her lavender eyes gleaming as she watched Levi carefully. "You
know," she said, her voice soft but teasing, "you're the only one left, Captain. Everyone
else has already gone off with their chosen siren. It's just you now."
Levi shot her a glance, unimpressed. "I'm not like them."
Aria's smirk widened as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a low, seductive
tone. "Oh, I know. That's why I'm so looking forward to it."
Levi's jaw tightened slightly, his patience wearing thin. "Looking forward to what?"
Aria's eyes sparkled with mischief as she slowly ran her fingers through her lavender
hair, letting the strands fall over her shoulder. "Watching you unravel," she whispered,
her voice filled with a dangerous mixture of teasing and sincerity. "Underneath me. In
my moonpool."
Levi's grip on his teacup tightened, his usual calm exterior faltering for just a moment as
Aria's words sank in. She was as relentless as ever, always pushing, always testing his
limits. And the way she said it—her voice, low and sultry—made it clear she wasn't just
teasing this time. There was something real behind her words.
Aria leaned in closer, her face just inches from his, her lavender eyes locking onto his
with an intensity that made even Levi—who had seen more than his fair share of
horrors—feel unsettled. "You think you can keep resisting me, Levi," she murmured, her
voice soft but filled with quiet confidence. "But you're wrong. I've watched you fight for
so long, and I know how strong you are. But I also know that strength has its limits."
Levi's glare deepened, but he didn't pull away. "I'm not falling for your tricks, Aria."
Aria chuckled softly, her breath warm against his skin as she spoke. "Who said anything
about tricks?" She leaned back slightly, giving him just a little more space, though her
eyes never left his. "I'm patient. I can wait. But when the time comes, Captain, you won't
be able to stop it. You'll give in."
Levi's jaw tightened, his mind racing as he tried to regain control of the situation. He
wasn't like the others. He wasn't going to be swept away by her beauty, by her words.
But there was something in the way she looked at him, in the way her voice seemed to
slip into his mind like a melody, that made him feel more vulnerable than he wanted to
admit.
Aria stood up slowly, her movements graceful as she turned toward the ocean. She
gave Levi one last glance over her shoulder, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I'll be
waiting, Captain," she said softly. "And when you're ready… I'll be right here."
With that, she walked back toward the water, her lavender hair shimmering in the
sunlight as she disappeared toward the shore.
Levi watched her go, his grip still tight on his cup, his mind filled with frustration. Aria
was relentless, always pushing, always testing him. And despite everything, despite his
determination to resist her, Levi couldn't shake the feeling that, eventually, she might
just get what she wanted.
But for now, he would keep his guard up.
Because that was all he had left.