Chapter Nineteen:

The mess hall buzzed with the usual lunchtime chatter. The scouts were scattered

across the long wooden tables, eating their midday meal and discussing the latest

training drills, missions, and gossip. The air was thick with the scent of stew and fresh

bread, mingling with the familiar sounds of clinking cutlery and murmured

conversations.

At one of the tables near the back, a small group of scouts had gathered, speaking in

hushed tones as they ate. Jean, Connie, Sasha, Armin, and Mikasa sat together, their

heads leaned in close, their voices low to avoid drawing attention. They had been

observing something new—something intriguing—and none of them dared speak too

loudly about it.

Jean leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did you guys notice?" he

asked, his eyes darting around to make sure Levi wasn't anywhere nearby. "Tiana and

Captain Levi… they're on a first-name basis now."

Connie's eyebrows shot up in surprise, a grin spreading across his face. "No way," he

whispered back. "Are you serious? Captain Levi and Tiana? Calling each other by their

first names?"

Sasha nodded, her eyes wide with amusement. "I heard it earlier," she said quietly.

"Tiana called him 'Levi' when she was thanking him for helping her with one of her

projects. And he called her 'Tiana' right back."

Armin, always the cautious one, glanced around the mess hall, making sure Levi wasn't

within earshot. "That's… interesting," he said thoughtfully. "Captain Levi doesn't usually

get that close to people. Especially not new arrivals."

Mikasa listened quietly, her expression neutral, though her eyes flickered with a hint of

curiosity. "They've been spending a lot of time together," she observed softly. "It makes

sense that they'd be more comfortable with each other."

Jean chuckled softly, his grin widening. "Comfortable? That's one way to put it," he said

teasingly. "But come on, this is Captain we're talking about. The guy doesn't get

'comfortable' with anyone. He's got a permanent wall up."

Sasha leaned in, her voice filled with mischief. "But not with Tiana," she said, a playful

gleam in her eyes. "He's different around her. Softer, almost."

Armin raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful. "Do you think he's starting to… I

don't know, like her? Maybe even trust her more than he does us?"

Jean shrugged, his grin turning into a smirk. "Could be," he said. "I mean, she's

definitely… unique. And she's smart, that's for sure. Maybe Captain Levi's just…

impressed by her."

Connie snickered. "Or maybe he's got a soft spot for her," he said with a laugh. "I mean,

can you blame him? She's pretty, she's smart, and she's probably the only person here

who doesn't flinch every time he gives her that death glare."

Mikasa glanced at Connie, her expression serious. "You shouldn't joke about that," she

said quietly. "He's our captain. We shouldn't be gossiping about him."

Jean rolled his eyes, though his grin never faded. "Relax, Mikasa," he said. "We're just

talking. It's not like we're spreading rumors or anything."

Armin nodded in agreement, his tone more measured. "Still, we should be careful," he

said. "We don't want this getting back to him. You know how he is about this kind of

stuff."

Sasha chuckled softly, nodding. "Yeah, last thing we need is to end up running laps for

the rest of the day," she agreed, a playful smile on her lips. "But… it's still interesting,

right? Seeing him like this? Seeing him… almost human?"

Connie grinned, nodding. "Yeah," he said. "It's kind of nice, actually. Makes him seem

less like a robot and more like… I don't know, a person. A person who can actually care

about someone."

Jean smirked, taking a sip of his water. "Who knew Captain had it in him?" he said with

a chuckle. "Maybe Tiana's bringing out a different side of him. A side we've never seen

before."

Armin smiled, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe," he said quietly. "Or maybe she's

just… helping him remember what it's like to have someone to care about. To trust

someone."

Mikasa watched them all, her expression softening slightly. She didn't say anything, but

she couldn't deny the truth in their words. Captain Levi had always been a mystery to

them—a closed book, always keeping his distance, always focused on the mission, on

the next fight. But with Tiana… things seemed different. He seemed different.

The group continued their quiet conversation, their voices low, their words filled with a

mix of curiosity and amusement. They knew better than to let their speculation get out of

hand, but they couldn't help but wonder—what was it about Tiana that had managed to

break through Levi's tough exterior? What had changed? And what did it mean for all of

them?

As they continued to talk, Tiana entered the mess hall, Levi walking beside her as

always. They were talking quietly, their heads leaned in close, their expressions relaxed.

Tiana laughed at something Levi said, her smile bright and genuine, and Levi's lips

twitched into a small, rare smile of his own.

The scouts watched them, their conversation dying down as they saw the ease between

the two, the comfort in their movements, the familiarity in their words. It was clear to

anyone who was paying attention—there was a connection there, a bond that went

beyond mere duty or obligation.

Jean leaned in, his voice barely a whisper. "Looks like we were right," he said with a

grin. "First-name basis and all."

Connie chuckled softly, nodding. "Yeah," he agreed. "And you know what? I think it's a

good thing."

Sasha smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Me too," she said softly. "It's nice to

see Captain Levi like this. Happy, even."

Armin nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe this is exactly what he needed," he

said quietly. "Someone to remind him what it's like to… to be more than just a soldier."

Mikasa watched them all, her gaze thoughtful. She didn't say anything, but she couldn't

help but feel a small, warm feeling in her chest—a sense of hope, of possibility. Maybe,

just maybe, they were right. Maybe this was a good thing.

As Tiana and Levi continued toward the far end of the mess hall, the scouts returned to

their meal, their conversation quieter now, but their minds still buzzing with curiosity and

wonder. They didn't dare speak too loudly about it, didn't dare let Levi hear them talking.

But in their hearts, they couldn't help but feel a small, quiet sense of intrigue—a sense

that something new, something unexpected, was happening.

….

Isaac leaned against the stone wall of the training grounds, his eyes narrowing as he

watched Levi and Tiana from a distance. The sun was beginning to dip low in the sky,

casting long shadows across the grounds where a few scouts were finishing up their

drills. His gaze was fixed on the two figures near the workshop—Levi and Tiana,

standing close together, talking quietly.

They were supposed to be going over some security protocols, but from where Isaac

stood, it looked more like a friendly conversation. Tiana was smiling, her expression

relaxed, and Levi, though still stoic, had a softer look in his eyes. Isaac's chest tightened

with a mix of frustration and jealousy. He could see it—the growing familiarity, the ease

between them. They almost seemed like… friends.

Isaac scowled, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. He didn't like this one bit.

Tiana had always been someone he cared about deeply, even if she didn't return his

feelings. She was brilliant, kind, and had a spirit that drew people in. He'd always

imagined that if anyone were to grow close to her, it would be someone like

him—someone who knew her, understood her, and shared her past. Not someone like

Levi.

Levi, who was always so distant, so cold. Levi, who didn't seem to care about anyone or

anything beyond his duty and the next mission. Levi, who now seemed to be spending

every waking moment with Tiana, growing closer to her in a way that made Isaac's

blood boil.

He pushed himself off the wall, his jaw clenched as he approached the pair. As he drew

closer, he could hear their voices—low, casual, almost teasing. Tiana was explaining

something about a new gadget she was working on, her hands moving animatedly as

she spoke, and Levi was listening, his expression more relaxed than Isaac had ever

seen.

"I've recalibrated the gears," Tiana was saying, her voice filled with excitement. "It

should increase the efficiency by at least twenty percent. I just need to test it out a few

more times."

Levi nodded, his gaze steady on her. "Sounds like you've thought this through," he said.

"Just be careful with your tests. We don't need another close call like last time."

Tiana laughed, a soft, melodic sound that made Isaac's chest tighten further. "Don't

worry, Levi," she replied with a grin. "I'll make sure to keep you out of the blast zone."

Isaac cleared his throat loudly as he approached, his expression tight. "Dr. Belrose," he

called out, his voice a bit sharper than he intended. "Captain Levi."

Tiana turned, her smile fading slightly as she saw Isaac's tense expression. "Oh, Isaac,"

she greeted, her tone friendly but a bit hesitant. "I didn't see you there."

Levi's eyes flicked to Isaac, his expression immediately shifting back to its usual calm,

unreadable mask. "Isaac," he acknowledged with a curt nod. "Is there something you

need?"

Isaac's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Just wanted to see how things were

going," he said, trying to keep his tone casual but failing. "Seems like you two are

spending a lot of time together."

Tiana blinked, sensing the tension in his voice. "Well, Levi is my personal guard," she

explained gently. "It's his job to be with me, especially when I'm working on something

potentially dangerous."

Isaac forced a tight smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Right," he said, his tone

clipped. "But it seems like… more than that. You two seem pretty… close. On first-name

basis now and all."

Levi's eyes narrowed slightly, catching the edge in Isaac's voice. "We work together

often," he said evenly. "It's important to have a good working relationship. For security."

Isaac's gaze shifted to Tiana, his expression softening slightly, but his frustration was

still clear. "Tiana," he said, his voice more earnest now, "you know you don't have to

spend all your time with him. You've got us—your own people. We're here to support

you too."

Tiana offered him a small, understanding smile. "I know, Isaac," she said softly. "And I

appreciate that. But Captain Levi has been… very helpful. He's taught me a lot about

how things work here, and he's been good company."

Isaac felt a pang of jealousy at her words, his grip tightening on his sword. "Good

company?" he repeated, his voice a bit strained. "Is that what this is now? Just…

friendly companionship?"

Tiana's smile faltered, sensing the growing tension. "Isaac, it's not like that," she said

gently. "Levi and I… we're just working together, that's all."

Levi, watching the exchange with a calm, detached expression, finally spoke up, his

tone firm. "Isaac," he said quietly, "I know you're concerned about Tiana. But my job is

to protect her, to keep her safe. That's what I'm doing."

Isaac turned his gaze back to Levi, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "And what

about us?" he asked, his voice sharp. "The Androsians? We've been protecting her

since before we even got here. We don't need you taking over."

Levi's eyes hardened, his posture straightening. "This isn't about taking over," he said

coolly. "This is about following orders. Commander Erwin assigned me to guard her, and

that's what I'm doing. If you have a problem with that, take it up with him."

Tiana stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Isaac's arm, her voice soft and

calming. "Isaac, please," she said quietly. "There's no need for this. We're all on the

same side here. We're all working to keep each other safe."

Isaac looked down at her hand on his arm, his jaw clenched. He could see the sincerity

in her eyes, the gentle concern, and he felt a small, guilty pang in his chest. He didn't

want to make her feel uncomfortable, didn't want to cause any more tension. But seeing

her so close to Levi, seeing the way they seemed to understand each other… it was

hard not to feel like he was being pushed aside.

He took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "You're right, Tiana," he said quietly. "I'm sorry. I

didn't mean to… overstep."

Tiana gave him a small, reassuring smile. "It's okay," she said softly. "I know you're just

looking out for me. And I appreciate that. More than you know."

Isaac nodded, though the tension in his shoulders didn't fully ease. He glanced at Levi

one last time, his eyes hard. "Just… make sure you do your job, Captain," he said, his

voice steady but firm. "Keep her safe."

Levi nodded, his expression calm and unyielding. "I will," he said simply. "You have my

word."

Isaac gave a curt nod, his jaw still tight, before turning and walking away, his steps

heavy with frustration. He knew he couldn't push this any further, not without causing

more trouble. But the sight of Tiana and Levi together, the ease between them, the

growing closeness—it gnawed at him, a bitter, unsettling feeling that he couldn't shake.

As he walked away, Tiana watched him go, a small sigh escaping her lips. She turned

back to Levi, her expression a mix of concern and apology. "I'm sorry about that," she

said softly. "Isaac… he's just worried."

Levi nodded, his eyes following Isaac's retreating figure. "I know," he said quietly. "But

he needs to learn to control his emotions. We all do."

Tiana nodded, a small, understanding smile on her lips. "I'll talk to him," she said gently.

"Try to help him understand."

Levi's expression softened just a fraction, his gaze shifting back to her. "You're too kind,"

he said, his voice low. "But that's what makes you… different."

Tiana blushed slightly, her smile widening. "Thank you, Levi," she said softly. "For

understanding. And for… everything."

Levi nodded, his gaze steady. "Just doing my job," he replied. But as he looked at her,

there was a hint of something more in his eyes—something that went beyond duty,

beyond obligation.

And as they continued their work, side by side, Tiana couldn't help but feel a small, quiet

sense of comfort—a feeling that, despite the tension, despite the challenges, she was

not alone. She had allies, friends, and perhaps… something more.

….

Levi's presence had become a constant in Tiana's life at Scout headquarters. No matter

where she went or what she was doing, he was always there—never more than a few

paces behind her, always within her line of sight. At first, it had been a bit unsettling,

having someone so close, so vigilant. But as days turned into weeks, she had grown

accustomed to it. In some ways, she even found it reassuring.

It was morning, and the sun cast a warm glow over the headquarters. Tiana moved

through the courtyard, heading toward the workshop where she spent most of her days

tinkering with her gadgets. Her pink work suit hugged her form, her high ponytail

bouncing with each step, and her glasses perched securely on her nose. Behind her,

Levi walked in his usual silent manner, his footsteps almost inaudible against the

cobblestone. His eyes were always on her, a silent sentinel watching her every move.

As she reached the entrance to the workshop, Tiana turned slightly, glancing back at

Levi with a small, amused smile. "You know, Levi," she said, her voice light and teasing,

"you really don't have to follow me everywhere. I promise I won't run off."

Levi's expression remained stoic, though there was a faint hint of amusement in his

eyes. "It's my job to keep you safe," he replied evenly. "And that means staying close."

Tiana chuckled softly, pushing open the workshop door. "I get that," she said. "But don't

you ever get tired of… well, just watching me work all day?"

Levi stepped in behind her, his gaze sweeping the room, always assessing, always

alert. "I've seen worse," he said dryly, his tone betraying a hint of humor. "And besides,

you keep things… interesting."

Tiana laughed, a bright, melodic sound that seemed to lighten the air in the workshop.

"Interesting, huh?" she echoed, setting her tools down on the workbench. "Well, I

suppose that's better than boring."

Levi gave a small nod, his expression softening just a fraction. "Much better," he agreed.

"And you're not as reckless as some of the others. Most of the time."

Tiana grinned, pulling out a small device she had been working on—a new, compact

generator she hoped could be used to power the scouts' field equipment more

efficiently. "I'll take that as a compliment," she said, adjusting her glasses. "Now, let's

see if we can get this thing working."

Levi watched her as she began to tinker with the device, her hands moving with

practiced ease, her brow furrowed in concentration. He had come to admire her focus,

her dedication to her work. She was different from anyone he had ever known—brilliant,

creative, and fearless in her own way. He could see why Commander Erwin had been

so eager to bring her on board. And he could also see why she needed protection.

He positioned himself by the door, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his

chest. His eyes never left her, watching as she adjusted the components, made small

tweaks, and muttered to herself in that soft, melodic voice he had grown accustomed to.

After a while, Tiana glanced up, noticing his unwavering attention. "You know, Levi," she

said with a playful smile, "if you're going to be here all the time, you could at least help

me with something."

Levi raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "I'm not much of an engineer,"

he replied. "But I suppose I could hand you a wrench or two."

Tiana laughed, shaking her head. "That's a start," she said, her eyes twinkling with

amusement. "Here, hold this for me." She handed him a small, intricate tool, her fingers

brushing against his briefly. She felt a slight flutter in her chest at the contact but quickly

pushed it aside, focusing on her work.

Levi took the tool, his grip firm and steady. He watched her as she continued to work,

his expression thoughtful. "You're so good at this," he remarked quietly. "Better than

anyone I've seen."

Tiana glanced up, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you," she said softly. "I've

been doing this since I was a kid. It's… comforting, in a way. Creating things, making

things work."

Levi nodded, his gaze steady on her. "I can see that," he said. "And you're making a

difference here. That's important."

Tiana smiled, a warm feeling spreading through her chest at his words. "That means a

lot, coming from you," she said softly. "I've always admired your dedication, your…

commitment to the cause."

Levi's expression remained calm, but there was a small, almost imperceptible softness

in his eyes. "It's just what needs to be done," he said quietly. "No different from what

you're doing."

They worked in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the soft clicks and whirs

of Tiana's tools and the occasional creak of the workshop's old wooden beams. Levi

remained close, always watching, always vigilant. He knew the dangers that lurked

beyond the walls of their headquarters, knew that the enemy was always looking for a

way in. And he wasn't going to let anything happen to her—not on his watch.

Later, as they left the workshop and headed toward the training grounds, Tiana turned

to Levi again, a playful glint in her eyes. "You know, you really are everywhere, aren't

you?" she teased. "I'm starting to think you're my shadow."

Levi smirked, his eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. "Maybe I am," he replied. "But

it's a good shadow to have. Keeps you safe."

Tiana chuckled, her heart warming at his words. "Well, I suppose I can't argue with

that," she said with a grin. "But you could at least try to enjoy yourself a little more. It

can't be all work all the time, right?"

Levi's expression softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe not all the time," he

said quietly. "But enough of the time."

As they reached the training grounds, they saw a group of scouts gathered nearby, their

eyes following Levi and Tiana with a mix of curiosity and amusement. Jean, Connie,

Sasha, and Armin were among them, their expressions a blend of intrigue and surprise.

"Look at them," Jean muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed on Levi and Tiana.

"They're always together now. And he's never more than a few steps behind her."

Connie nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah," he whispered. "It's like he's

her shadow."

Sasha chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I think it's sweet," she said

quietly. "Seeing Captain Levi like this. It's… different."

Armin smiled, his expression thoughtful. "He's definitely more protective of her than he

is of us," he observed. "Not that I blame him. She's… special."

Jean snorted, shaking his head. "Special, huh?" he said with a grin. "I'd say she's got

him wrapped around her finger."

Armin chuckled softly, his gaze still on Levi and Tiana as they walked past, their

conversation light and easy. "Whatever it is," he said quietly, "it's good for him. Maybe…

it's good for both of them."

Mikasa, who had been listening quietly, nodded slightly, her expression thoughtful.

"They're good for each other," she said softly. "In their own way."

The group nodded in agreement, their laughter and chatter continuing in low tones,

always mindful of Levi's sharp ears. They knew better than to speak too loudly, to draw

his attention. But as they watched Levi and Tiana disappear around the corner, they

couldn't help but feel a small, quiet sense of wonder—a sense that something new,

something unexpected, was unfolding before their eyes.

And for now, that was more than enough.

….

The day was bright and clear, the sky a crisp, unbroken blue as Tiana made her way

toward the back of Scout headquarters. Her satellite had been acting up again, and she

needed to get to the roof to check the alignment. It wasn't the first time she'd had to

make adjustments; the device was still in its experimental phase, and the frequent

adjustments were part of the process. She was in her pink work suit, her tools clinking in

her belt, her glasses perched on her nose, and her hair tied back in a high ponytail to

keep it out of her way.

Levi was, as always, a few steps behind her. His gaze was vigilant, his expression

serious as he followed her around the side of the building. Tiana had grown accustomed

to his constant presence, the way he always seemed to be just within reach. She found

it comforting, even though she sometimes felt a little self-conscious under his watchful

eye.

As they reached the base of the building, Tiana spotted the old ladder propped up

against the wall, leading to the roof. It looked rickety, its wooden rungs worn and

weathered from years of exposure to the elements. She approached it, giving it a small

tug to test its stability. It wobbled slightly, the wood creaking under her grip, but she was

determined to make it work.

"Alright," she said, mostly to herself, as she began to position herself to climb. "Just a

quick fix and we'll be back down in no time."

Levi's eyes narrowed as he watched her, his instincts immediately kicking in. He could

see the way the ladder shifted, the way the wood groaned under even her slight weight.

"Tiana," he said, his voice calm but firm, "that ladder doesn't look stable."

Tiana glanced back at him, a small, reassuring smile on her lips. "It's fine, Levi," she

said lightly. "I've climbed worse. Besides, it's the quickest way up."

Levi's expression didn't change, his gaze fixed on the ladder. "It's not safe," he insisted,

his tone more serious now. "If it breaks, you could get hurt."

Tiana sighed softly, her hand still on the ladder. "I'll be careful," she promised. "I've done

this before."

But Levi wasn't convinced. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them, his

eyes scanning the ladder, then the wall. Without a word, he reached out, his hand

closing around her wrist.

Tiana blinked in surprise, turning to look at him. "Levi, what are you—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Levi's other hand reached for his ODM gear, his

movements swift and precise. In one fluid motion, he fired a hook into the edge of the

roof, the line pulling taut with a sharp metallic snap. He tightened his grip on her, his

arm wrapping securely around her waist.

"Hold on," he instructed, his voice low but firm.

Tiana barely had time to react before she felt the sudden pull of the ODM gear, her feet

lifting off the ground as Levi propelled them upward. The world blurred around her, a

rush of wind whipping past her face as they soared through the air. She instinctively

clutched at Levi's jacket, her heart racing in her chest, a mix of shock and exhilaration

flooding through her.

In an instant, they were on the roof, the momentum of the ODM gear bringing them to a

smooth landing. Levi released his grip on her waist, stepping back slightly, his eyes still

on her, assessing her reaction.

Tiana blinked, her glasses slightly askew, her heart still pounding. She looked up at

Levi, a mixture of awe and breathless amusement in her expression. "Well," she said,

catching her breath, "that was… unexpected."

Levi gave her a small, almost imperceptible smirk. "Safer than the ladder," he said

simply, his tone matter-of-fact.

Tiana chuckled softly, adjusting her glasses. "I suppose you're right," she admitted, a

warm smile spreading across her face. "But you could have warned me."

Levi shrugged, his expression calm. "Would you have listened?" he asked, a hint of

teasing in his voice.

Tiana laughed, a light, melodic sound that seemed to brighten the rooftop. "Probably

not," she conceded. "But still… that was quite the ride."

Levi's smirk widened just a fraction. "It's what I do," he replied, his tone softening. "Get

you where you need to be. Safely."

Tiana's smile remained, her heart warming at his words. "Thank you, Levi," she said

sincerely. "I appreciate it. Really."

Levi nodded, his gaze steady. "Just doing my job," he said quietly. But there was a

softness in his eyes, a hint of something more than just duty.

They stood there for a moment, a comfortable silence settling between them. The wind

blew gently across the rooftop, rustling Tiana's hair, the sun warm on their faces. Tiana

felt a sense of calm, a quiet contentment in Levi's presence. She had grown to trust

him, to rely on him, and in moments like this, she couldn't help but feel a small,

unspoken bond forming between them.

She turned back to the satellite, her smile still lingering. "Alright," she said, pulling out

her tools, "let's see what's going on with this thing."

Levi watched her as she began her work, his expression thoughtful. He had seen her in

many situations, had watched her handle herself with grace and intelligence. She was

different from anyone he had ever known—unique in a way that intrigued him. He was

always aware of her presence, always within reach, always watching.

As she worked, adjusting the satellite's alignment, Levi moved to the edge of the roof,

his eyes scanning the grounds below. He was always alert, always on guard. But today,

he felt a small, quiet sense of ease—something he rarely felt.

After a few minutes, Tiana looked up, her face bright with triumph. "Got it!" she

exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face. "The alignment was just a little off. Should

be good to go now."

Levi turned, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Good work," he said simply. "Now, let's get

back down. Safely."

Tiana nodded, a playful glint in her eyes. "You going to carry me down again, Captain?"

she teased.

Levi raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. "Only if you promise not to use that

ladder," he replied.

Tiana laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Deal," she said, stepping closer to

him.

Without a word, Levi wrapped his arm around her waist again, his grip secure and

steady. He fired his ODM gear once more, and with a swift pull, they were airborne,

soaring down to the ground in a smooth, controlled descent.

As they landed, Tiana felt a rush of exhilaration, a bright, joyful smile on her face. She

looked up at Levi, her heart light. "Thanks for the lift," she said, her voice warm.

Levi nodded, his eyes holding hers for a moment longer. "Anytime," he said quietly.

As they made their way back inside, side by side, Tiana couldn't help but feel a small,

quiet smile on her lips, her heart a bit lighter. Despite the challenges, despite the

tension, there was something good here—something new, something unexpected.