Chapter 2 - Bad Habits

Levi didn't feel like going inside once he'd returned home. The walk had taken the bite out of his sour mood, but only marginally, and the kids didn't deserve to be subjected to him when he was like this. Although Gabi was the only one who'd touched a nerve, his animosity wasn't directed toward her or any of them, for that matter.

It was best for everyone that he be left alone at that moment.

At the bottom of the stoop, knee begging for relief, Levi leaned his cane against the concrete railing and then sat down on the second step. The itchy, buzzing bug sounds made the world seem so loud. It was strangely calming compared to how much louder life used to be.

Reaching into his jacket, he dug out two small boxes; one cardboard and one metal. He tapped the cardboard box a few times against his palm before opening the top and sliding out the contents. He grabbed one of the thin, rolled tubes with his lips and quickly returned the box to his jacket. He could already taste the tobacco. He had no problem igniting the lighter with his right hand, so he flicked the lid and brought the flame to the end of the cigarette. Being so close to his face and having only one eye, he couldn't always see exactly where the flame was, but he'd not had any accidents so far since taking up the habit. His acute spacial awareness was one ability that hadn't left him.

The smoke rushed into his lungs, more refreshing than the clean, nighttime air. All his muscle tension subsided, and he relaxed, his mind slowing. The drag was deep, and he blew out a voluminous cloud of smoke.

Levi didn't smoke often or for any particular occasion. It tasted awful, and the smoke was dirty. He never smoked in the house for that reason. The bad habits he'd picked up in Marley all tended to be centered around thoughts of his old friends, and like the drinking, it made him feel better.

Not ten seconds later, Levi heard the sound of a door open behind him, and he turned his head to take a look. Over the shrubbery between the stoops, he caught a glimpse of an older gentleman—who was he kidding? The man was probably about the same age as himself—on the next porch. The man's body was turned toward the door so Levi couldn't see his face. Then, a younger woman with long, dark brown hair, who he recognized as his neighbor, Diana, leaned through the threshold after him. The man held her hand for a second, muttering something incomprehensible that Diana responded to with a smile, a nod, and some quiet words Levi couldn't hear. Then, the man turned and descended the steps, heading off into the night. Oblivious to her neighbor's presence, Diana leaned back inside and closed the door.

Levi and Diana were familiar, insomuch as neighbors were. He considered her a friend, but for the most part, they weren't terribly involved in each others' lives. He knew quite a bit of her history but had been invariably reluctant to share his own. Levi knew it wasn't a fair exchange, but he didn't need to relive his past or pass his burdens on to her.

Diana was thirty, ten or so years younger than himself, and a native of Marley. She did not know of any remaining relatives, though she suspected a younger sister might be out there somewhere. After The Rumbling, people were scattered as they tried to rebuild their lives, so it made sense that she didn't know. It didn't matter. Diana had been estranged from her family since she was a teenager, having emancipated herself from the abusive situation in which she'd been raised.

Levi, on the other hand, had told her as much about himself as he cared to. He'd told her that he had been in the military on Paradis and that it was the reason for his injuries. Diana knew the name Ackerman held some significance, and he'd told her why. That was about all she knew, though.

They'd covered these topics long ago, but they mostly talked about the weather, tea recommendations, and how their gardens were doing these days.

Just then, the front door of Levi's house opened, and several voices trailed outside.

"You can't just leave dishes in the sink to soak; that doesn't do anything," Gabi said as the others followed her through the doorway.

When Gabi turned to close the door behind her, Falco said, "If stuff is baked on, the water softens it, so it's easier to wipe off."

"That's not the point… oh hey." Gabi finally noticed Levi sitting on the steps.

"The point is, Falco," Onyankopon slapped a hand on the boy's shoulder, "you don't leave dishes for Levi to clean when we all ate off them. As much as he enjoys cleaning, as guests, it's impolite."

Levi didn't respond. After giving them a slow blink and choosing to ignore Gabi's subtle sneer when she noticed the cigarette between his fingers, he turned back around, raised it to his lips, and took another prolonged drag.

Something yowled from inside the shrubbery next to the stairs, but Levi ignored that, too. Falco, on the other hand, did not.

"Did you hear that?" asked Falco to no one in particular.

"What?" asked Onyankopon.

"There's something down there."

Falco rushed down the stairs, side-stepping Levi, who gave him an annoyed grunt. Then he crawled into the bushes, re-emerging a moment later, holding something furry in his arms.

"Aw, poor guy…" he said despondently.

Gabi and Onyankopon looked over the railing at Falco, eyeing the wretched creature shaking in the boy's arms.

"It's a kitty!" cried Gabi, taking her turn to step over Levi, much to his chagrin.

"Put it down," said Levi, "it's probably riddled with fleas."

Ignoring Levi, Falco added, "A stray, by the looks of it."

"Oh no! He only has one eye." Standing in front of Falco, Gabi examined the cat more closely. "It's a girl cat. Aw, she does have a lot of fleas. She's probably so uncomfortable."

"Take it away from here," Levi ordered, but no one was listening.

"We have to help," said Falco, "we can't just leave her here in the shrubs. That would be cruel."

"I would take her," said Gabi, "but I'm not allowed pets at home."

"Me either," said Falco.

Onyankopon shrugged, seeming to not want the responsibility.

The three of them slowly turned their gazes on Levi, waiting with bated breath.

"No."

"But look, she has one eye, just like you," Falco pleaded. Levi had little tolerance for the whining tone.

"Wrong eye."

"Like Commander Hange, then."

Levi took one last drag, flicked the cigarette onto the ground, and then stamped it out with his shoe. He'd sweep it up tomorrow. Picking up his cane and standing, holding onto the stair rail for support, he gave the two kids in front of him a death-defying glare before turning and shuffling up the steps.

"I don't care what you do with it, but it can't stay here."

"No one gave up on you when you were injured," Gabi called after him. "You're still here. How can you be so cold?"

"I'm not a cat," Levi grumbled to himself low enough that no one else could hear.

"Besides, having something around to keep you company might do you some good. You're such a grump when you've been alone all day."

Levi gave the three of them one last look over his shoulder, then turned toward the door.

"I'll take her," said Onyankopon finally as Levi opened the door and stepped into the house. He slammed it behind him harder than intended.

With a sigh, he thought about the only person he had to thank for not giving up on him, and Gabi, Falco, and Onyankopon weren't the ones at the forefront of his mind. They hadn't nursed him back to health while comatose from his injuries, but he supposed their dragging him along during the final battle had to count for something. He had to admit Gabi's suggestion wasn't entirely off-base. He wasn't wanting for company; he did fine on his own. But once in a while, it might be nice for his home to not feel so empty. The kids stopping by kept him in moderate spirits (most days), but sometimes, he couldn't help feeling a little lost to the world. If he were to disappear, would there be anyone else who cared?

With another dour sigh, he headed off toward his bedroom.

A/N: Welcome Diana, the OC introduced in this chapter. I want to give fair warning to whomever it may concern; I am not the type of writer to include Mary-sues in my fics. Diana is a plot device. I don't want to spoil anything, so you'll have to keep reading to find out how she plays into the plot. But by the way she was introduced, it's probably obvious she will be a significant character. The reason I bring it up is because I don't want to disappoint those looking for smut while reassuring those who don't like that kind of thing that this is not a smut fic. Thank you for reading! If you are enjoying so far, follows and reviews are always encouraged and appreciated!

This story is available to read on FanFiction . net and Archive of our Own. The title of this fic, description, and my author name, DarkMuse112, is the same on both.