#WAIT HANG ON I HAD BEEN SNEAKING AROUND THE BARRACKS BUT I WAS INVISIBLE HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY KNOW IT WAS ME- | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

concealeddarkness13 · 9 months

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Lunar Stardust

Content warning for kissing, death, and blood. Hello! I have written a short scene with Luneth and Cress from before the story to help establish their relationship! This is choppy, still getting back into the hang of writing, but I really enjoy it! The title might not make sense, but it does more when you know that Luneth's nickname is Stardust, and Cress's is Luna. Yes, that is a change already from this powerpoint. Tagging: @ratracechronicler, @maple-writes, @pen-of-roses, @drabbleitout, and @grailfish!

Luneth's perspective

I was exhausted after celebrating my birthday, but I still snuck out of my house and found Cress waiting in the tunnel that led out to the real world. He grinned over at me and stood up from where he had been leaning against the wall. “Took you long enough. Are you ready to go fuck with some empire goons as a birthday celebration?”

I grinned, even as my cheeks heated up just at the sight of him. “I’m ready if you are, Luna.”

He smirked and nudged my shoulder before exploding with his darkness and sprinting off. I did the same, reveling in the power coursing through my veins as I followed him. Everything was even clearer at night with my darkness activated. The heady smell of the forest around us, the night calls of animals who were hunting just like us. It was all so wild and free, and I was a part of it! Not cowering in Sombra, praying to long-forgotten Celestials that the empire didn’t find us. I could do something, at least with Cress by my side.

He held up a hand, and I stopped and turned invisible, silently creeping through the undergrowth until Sibylline was in sight. The only indication that he had moved back to be next to me was his breath hot on my neck. “We sneak inside, find the diluted light users, and see who we can free,” he breathed.

I nodded, almost forgetting that he couldn’t see me in my distraction. “Yes, I’ll follow your lead.”

He patted my shoulder and crept forward, making sure that I could see where he went by moving undergrowth or the grass. I followed with wide eyes. No matter how many times he told me that I was the genius, that I had the strong darkness, he was really the one who made the plans. He knew Sibylline by heart.

We climbed the wall, and once we had gotten over, we both turned visible, sneaking through the alleys until we found the barracks for the empire soldiers.

Cress walked around the building, darkness seeping off his skin, and I stared at him. Damn, he was gorgeous. Why had he chosen me to help him with his plots?

He looked over at me, and I jumped. “I hear a Light Bearer over this way.” He thumbed behind him, and I nodded before I could fully process.

But this was my turn. I tapped more into my darkness and heard what Cress had. I moved in a blur, climbing up a building and leaping between the roofs, feeling as if I could fly. The night was so bright with my enhanced senses, and the chill of the wind just made me more awake. There was nothing that could stop me!

I found the person and shot my darkness at them, ensnaring them and covering their mouth before they could scream. I put on my hood and facemask and landed silently, rolling to my feet and stalking toward them, Cress taking a bit to catch up.

Their eyes turned to terror as they stared at us. Cress took them by the collar and slammed them against the wall. "Who do you control?"

I placed darkness on their throat so they couldn’t use their voice more than a whisper. If someone wanted to be technical about it, I destroyed most of their larynx so they couldn’t scream. Only then did I take away the darkness from their mouth.

And of course, they tried to scream, but it just came out as a whisper. They looked between us with their mouth hanging open before they finally deigned to whisper. “We will control you soon enough.”

Cress laughed. “You’ll just as soon control the moon and stars. Answer my fucking question.” The anger bled into his voice. His younger brother, Corbin, had been taken, and Cress was especially hoping to find him.

“I don’t know their fucking names! Why should I care about the names of my puppets?”

The motherfucker. I formed my darkness into a knife, and Cress sighed and nodded. I slit their throat and left them to collapse to the ground in a pool of their own blood. Cress knelt down to write our signature: With love, L & S, as I scanned for the next Light Bearer.

But before I could get very far, light blinded us as people shouted. Shit. I grabbed Cress’s hand and ran, dashing for a hidden spot I had noticed in one of our many incursions into Sibylline. With our darkness, we were too fast for the soldiers to catch up, but even so, when we were safely hidden, we were both panting and laughing breathlessly. They were finally catching on to us, so it would get harder and harder to come in and get rid of the empire’s puppet masters, but it didn’t matter. We had escaped this time.

I stared at Cress, and fuck, being so close, he was so beautiful, and his eyes were so full of adrenaline, and I did the stupidest thing. I grabbed him by the collar and kissed him full on the lips, and he melted against me, kissing me roughly back. We stayed there for a while, tangled up in a biting, painful kiss, but I didn’t care. His lips were soft, and I swallowed his whimpers, and his hand slipped under my hoodie…

The bell rang, and we both froze. That was a call to action for the soldiers stationed there. I strained to listen, finding a commander giving orders.

“The Tenebrus stronghold has been found. We march for Sombra at once!”

“Fuck.” Cress muttered the word just as I did. How had they found it? I scrambled out of our hiding spot, plotting out our escape based on where the city was the quietest, and when Cress was out of the nook too, I grabbed his hand and ran with him, almost flying again in my desperation to get back before they did. The Light Bearers could force the Tenebrus to go faster while also making them use their magic to give them a double boost compared to our single boosts, but we could. We had to.

The vines that had covered the tunnel were burned, and still I ran. To find the fucking army ransacking Sombra. I screamed and let go of Cress’s hand, heading for the nearest Light Bearer. The darkness knives appeared in my hands, and I cut her down without thinking.

I ran through the city, looking for anyone. Someone had to be okay! But everywhere I looked, familiar eyes stared back at me, cold and lifeless. They were all either dead or captured. And most of the Light Bearers weren’t out where I could find them!

“Luneth…”

I whirled around, panting, covered in the Light Bearer’s blood and some of my own. Selviam was there. My friend. Her eyes were unfocused. She…she was being controlled.

She took a stiff step forward, tilting her head too far to be comfortable. “Luneth, why did you leave tonight? I saw you…and followed…just for the empire soldiers to take me.” She held up an arm, and her skin was mangled and burned. “They tortured me and got me to tell them where Sombra was.” Tears streaked down her cheeks. “Why did you leave? Why couldn’t you have stayed?”

She took another step forward, and I scrambled back. I…I…It was my fault! Cress had always said to be careful when I snuck out. I…I was the reason Sombra had been found. It was all me. And I couldn’t fix it! The Light Bearers were nowhere to be found! I couldn’t…I couldn’t…

I ran, tears streaking down my cheeks. I had always ruined everything. I had distracted my parents enough for them to have been killed six years ago. I had been a burden on Cress’s family, hating everyone after my parents died. And now this. The ultimate sin. I had condemned everyone to death or control just because I wanted to play hero. I wasn’t a hero. I could never be one.

“Cress!” But my scream just died to the flames just like everything else. No one else was around. Just the dead and the shambling soldiers leaving to go be controlled for the rest of their lives. I couldn’t…I couldn’t save them.

I tripped and fell, not moving or even trying to heal the scrapes. I just screamed sobs into the night.

Cress's perspective

I snuck the few survivors I found away before the whole city went up in flames. Luneth had left me, and I couldn’t find them, and the survivors…they were more important. It had to have been my fault. I wasn’t careful enough in my excitement to see Luneth again. But I couldn’t think about that right now. I had to get them to safety and go back for Luneth. They had to still be there.

There was someone waiting at the mouth of the hidden passage, but when I squinted, I groaned, holding the few survivors closer. “What the fuck do you want, Xander?”

He took a step forward, and I bristled. What the fuck was he gonna promise now? I didn’t have the time to listen to his nonsense. I had to go find Luneth.

“I’m offering a sanctuary.” And he looked so damn smug about it.

Lily and Shaye perked up, though. Damnit, of course he would come to “help” when we were at our most vulnerable. But Lily and Shaye were children. And Marcus wouldn’t be able to help me protect them. “What’s the catch?”

“Nothing. You’re free to stay there as long as you’d like. It’s at Imperium’s headquarters. We’re fighting the empire, so I guarantee it’s safe there.”

I sighed through my nose. “Great, whatever. Could you shut up and protect them for now then? I need to go find Luneth.”

“They’ve been captured, turned into a puppet like so many of the others.”

I froze and stared at him. “I don’t believe you.”

“You didn’t see them while you were searching for survivors, did you? Where else would they be than in the empire’s hands?”

My stomach lurched, and I looked back down the passage, towards what was left of Sombra. “I don’t…”

“You don’t have time, boy. Do you want to be found and captured too? Come with me now.”

I looked down at Lily and Shaye, who were clinging to me tighter. I…

He snarled. “Aston will hear about your friend soon enough since they’re captured. I’m the only hope they have.”

Luneth’s parents…Luneth’s mom had been dismembered, tortured. I had to save them, had to protect them. And I couldn’t leave the others.

I steeled myself and looked up at him, feeling as if I was signing myself away to become a puppet of my own. “Fine, I’ll go with you.”

#writeblr #Concealed Darkness trilogy #not much editing #just wanted to get this out

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hxwks-gf · 3 years

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» 𝖘𝖆𝖋𝖊

𝖑𝖊𝖛𝖎 𝖆𝖈𝖐𝖊𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖝 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖗

𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢: 𝚕𝚎𝚟𝚒 𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎

𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: 𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚏𝚏, 𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚝

𝚠/𝚌: 𝟸.𝟷𝚔

The heavy winter rains wrought havoc on the old wood of the scout’s barracks. The storm had caught the regiment by surprise, the darkened clouds arriving to drown the sky in grey not long after Hange’s squad had deployed to the field. Pretty soon the street’s gutters were awash in murky rainwater, washing the cobblestones clean for the first time that season. Every few minutes, the sky would be illuminated by lightning, and soon after the thunder would rattle the window panes.

Levi sat at his desk, surrounded by paperwork; reports that needed signing, applications for new gear that needed his approval, the list went on and on. He reached over and picked up his teacup as another round of thunder shook the barracks. He had always hated thunderstorms.

Truthfully, he was drowning himself in his work because he needed something to distract him from the growing worry that plagued the pit of his stomach. But after a while, even his tea began to leave a bitter taste in his mouth. Levi sighed heavily and pushed away from his desk, running his hands over his tired eyes. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t focus. His thoughts kept wandering to Hange’s squad, and how they had most likely been caught in the storm somewhere on the other side of the wall, somewhere he couldn’t reach them, somewhere he couldn’t protect them.

Levi got up from his chair and moved to stand at the window. The glow from the candle on his desk illuminated the raindrops that raced themselves down the glass, and his own reflection beyond them. He looked like hell.

He could just barely make out the black, looming structure in the distance that was Wall Rose. Somewhere out there, he knew you were stuck in this rain, probably cold and miserable. An unexpected pang of anguish hit him in his chest, and he could feel his fingernails digging into his palms. Why did you go on this mission? Why didn’t you ask him to come with you?

Levi turned away from the window and went back to his desk, pushing his dark hair out of his eyes. Of course, he knew why you went. Hange had asked for your help specifically in testing some new technology for capturing Titans for research, and Levi knew you were more than up for the task. You had proved to be a valuable soldier; adept in the field as well as the classroom. You were smart. Tactical. Refined. Of course Hange would ask for your help, anyone would.

But that didn’t stop him from worrying.

He poured a fresh cup of tea and mindlessly stirred it as he looked over some of the documents in front of him. A few moments later, he found himself glancing up and staring at his unmade bed--the sheets twisted and tangled with the pillows. He imagined you laying there, sound asleep, maybe with an arm hooked around one of the pillows and the blankets tucked in around your shoulders. You’d be snoring softly while he worked nearby, and he would silently curse you for being such a loud sleeper. But...you’d be safe.

Levi stared at his empty bed for a few minutes more before swallowing roughly and glaring at his paperwork again. He no longer desired his tea, and he no longer desired working. He leaned over and blew out the candle, dousing his bedroom in darkness.

“....Hange’s squad is expected to make their return this afternoon,” Erwin was saying, but Levi wasn’t paying attention. He stood at the window in the commander’s office with his arms crossed and his eyebrows knit together.

“Levi,” Erwin said.

“What?” he snapped, not looking at him.

“Did you hear me?”

Levi glared at the rainclouds that still hadn’t left the sky. The rains hadn’t stopped, not once since last night. He clenched his jaw and forced himself to look away from the window and focus on Erwin. “Yes,” he said, “I heard you.”

“You seem unusually cross this morning.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” Levi turned back to the window. “Damn thunder kept me up all night.”

“I see.” Erwin flipped through some paperwork on his desk, reaching for his quill. After a few minutes of silence, the commander looked up at the captain again. “See anything interesting outside?”

Levi made a noise of disgust and kept his grey eyes focused on the front gates, waiting to see it lift up and reveal you coming back to him--safe and uninjured. However, he knew it would be hours until the squad returned, and he would have to find something else to do to pass the time. Levi brushed some invisible dust from his black shirt and turned to leave Erwin’s office. As Levi muttered something to explain his departure, he heard frantic footsteps approaching the door. A moment later, and another scout burst through with a fearful expression on his face.

“Sir!” he said as he saluted both men. “Hange’s squad was spotted from the wall, with a captured Titan in tow.”

Levi’s heart leapt into his throat. He didn’t wait to see what else the scout had to say; he shoved past him and immediately made his way toward the armory, ignoring Erwin’s protests behind him. Levi expertly hefted on his ODM gear, not bothering to grab his coat, and promptly left the scout’s barracks. He barely felt the freezing rain pelting his cheeks and soaking his hair as he launched himself up the wall, landing gracefully on the surface and looking out over the wet, rolling hills beyond.

There, in the distance, he saw the enormous Titan being carted along the muddy road. Alongside it were the squad members on their horses, making sure the straps held it in place and it didn’t break free. Levi did his best to try and count how many riders there were, but it was impossible in the rain. He only hoped you were among them.

“Captain!” one of the soldiers on the wall called to him. “Sir, it’s freezing out here! You really should be wearing a coat--”

“Binoculars,” Levi growled.

“Y-yes, sir,” the soldier stammered, and held out his pair to him.

Levi snatched them up and raised them to his eyes, focusing on the approaching team of scouts. He inwardly groaned at the sight of the Titan, it was a wonder they captured it at all. He could see Hange riding nearby, shouting orders at the rest of the squad with that strange, excited expression they always got whenever Hange was near a Titan. “Insane,” Levi muttered, and moved from face to face until--

His breath caught in his throat. There you were. The hood of your green cloak was pulled up to protect you from the rain as you gracefully trotted atop your horse, but it looked like you were absolutely soaked to the bone. Despite being in the freezing weather, you had a flush to your cheeks as you and Hange exchanged a silent, excited conversation, no doubt about what sort of tests you’d run on the disgusting creature first. You were spending entirely too much time with Four Eyes. Levi felt the worry slowly start to ebb away in his stomach when he decided you were safe, and you were almost home. He watched you through the binoculars a few minutes longer, and felt the ice that encased his heart begin to melt when you smiled and laughed at something Hange said, despite the rain dripping down your wet hair and over your cheeks. How is it that someone could be so...happy? In a world like this? Levi didn’t know if that made you weak, or if it made you strong. He would decide later.

Once you and the rest of Hange’s squad made it to the gates, Levi shoved the binoculars back into the soldier’s hands and launched himself off the wall, swinging and gliding through the rain before landing effortlessly onto the street and waited for the stone gate to be lifted.

It felt like a lifetime had passed when it finally was high enough to allow the captured Titan through, along with the rest of the horses surrounding it. Levi stood there with his arms crossed, his dark hair flat against his head from the rain.

“Levi!” Hange gleefully shouted, but he dutifully ignored it. His eyes searched the squad for you, until they finally landed on their prize.

“Captain!” you greeted as you slid from your horse, and Levi noticed the violent shiver that rocked through your body. But you grinned as you approached him, flexing your stiff fingers. “What are you doing out here? It’s freezing!”

“Yes, it is,” he growled, glaring at you. “You were supposed to be back last night.”

“Well, yeah,” you said, turning to pull your saddlebags from your horse. “But the storm came out of nowhere and we had to make camp. Worst night of my life.”

Levi’s nostrils flared. “You couldn’t send a rider?”

You frowned at him. “Is something wrong, captain?”

“No,” Levi said, rolling his shoulders. The cold was starting to sneak into his muscles. He turned away from you. “There’s some reports I’ll have you fill out, once you’ve had your gear inspected and the horses are brushed down. Come by my office later.”

“Yes, sir,” you replied, still holding that confused expression.

Levi said nothing else and began making his way back to the barracks, frustrated at Hange’s carelessness and the freezing, stinging rain. Why didn’t he take his coat with him?

Hours later, Levi was back in the warm safety of his bedroom, finishing up the reports from the night before with a fresh pot of tea nearby. A knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” he said, not looking up.

“Sir,” he heard your voice reply. No doubt you were standing in a salute, waiting for his instruction. Such a devoted little soldier. Levi set his pen down and looked up at you, and nearly fell out of his chair.

You had changed out of your wet cloak and uniform, and opted for a fresh, clean pair of pants and a soft looking shirt that exposed part of your shoulders. Your hair, still wet from the rain, was slowly drying around your face, framing those flushed cheeks and bright eyes. Levi exhaled through his nose and gestured to a few loose pieces of paper, to which you picked up and pen and began signing your name at the bottom of each one. He watched you intently as you did so, admiring the way your hair fell over your shoulder. A minute later and you stood back, pushing the papers towards him.

“There you go,” you replied, smiling. “Anything else?”

“No,” Levi found himself saying. “That’s all.”

“This might sound strange to ask,” you said, shifting from one foot to the other, as if afraid to say the next few words. Levi waited for you to finish. “Do you mind if I sit down for a moment? It was a rough mission, and my muscles are sore.”

Levi blinked, but gestured to his bed nearby. With a grateful sigh, you sat down on the edge and fell backwards with a whump.

“I’m tired,” he heard you say softly. “And cold.”

Levi didn’t know what to reply with. Isn’t this what he wanted? For you to be safe and warm in his bed? “I was...worried about you,” he said aloud, staring at your elegant signature on the paper in front of him and clenching his jaw. “I was waiting for you to come home, to me. I know you’re a strong soldier, but that didn’t stop me from…” He pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Look, what I’m trying to say is--”

A gentle snore sounded from where you lay on his bed, and he realized you were asleep. Levi rolled his eyes and sighed. He set his pen down and walked over to his bed, staring down at your sleeping body halfway curled up underneath his blankets. He reached out and pulled them over the rest of you, carefully tucking them around your shoulders, his fingertips softly grazing the line of your jaw.

Levi returned to his desk, picked up his teacup, and watched you sleep. The thunderstorm outside had subsided to a gentle pattering of raindrops on the window, and the flames that crackled in the fireplace nearby flooded the room with warmth. He watched the way your chest rose and fell with each breath you took, and listened to your quiet breathing and soft snores. As he picked up his pen to finish his reports, he had one thought in his mind: you were safe.

That’s all he could ever ask for.

#words cannot describe how badly i want to innocently fall asleep in levi’s bed #and have him silently tuck me in because secretly he cares about me #sigh #levi ackerman x you #levi ackerman headcanons #levi ackerman x y/n #levi ackerman fic #captain levi imagine #levi ackerman imagine #shingeki no kyojin imagine #attack on titan #attack on titan fic #attack on titan imagine #levi heichou

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koulakoukoula2003 · 3 years

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Winter on Paradis

Pairings: Levi x y/n x Erwin, Hange x Moblit, Eren x Mikasa, Marlowe x Hitch

Genre: Fluff, Comedy

Summary: (AU where nobody dies in the Battle of Shiganshina) Everybody is more than excited to find everything covered in white outside the Survey Corps HQ. The Winter Holidays are closer than ever, and you can't wait to spend them alongside your husband, and your brats in your Special Operations Squad.

Warnings: Swearing

A/N: This takes place after the Battle of Shiganshina. Moblit and Hange are married. You and Levi are married. BASICALLY EVERYBODY'S HAPPY, WE NEED SOME HAPPINESS IN THIS FANDOM GODDAMMIT😭😭

Enjoy! 🥰

The next morning, everything was white outside. Everybody was way too excited. It was the 24th of December. And tomorrow was her beloved husband’s birthday. (Y/n) had to think of presents, but all she could look at now, was the whiteness that spread all around them. The snow looked puffy. Only for Connie and Sasha to step right in and destroy it's immaculate beauty. They dove right into the snow, throwing snowballs at each other, and Jean soon joined, playing like five-year-olds.

A snowball landed on Marlowe’s back and he turned, only to be met with an even larger one landing on his face and Sasha with Connie laughed their asses off.

“Aw man, look at that mess,” Hitch approached her boyfriend wiping the white snow off his face. They were all dressed in their pyjamas. They hadn’t even bothered to throw on a cloak or a jacket. Armin had barged right into the barracks, notifying them all that everything outside was covered in a thick, beautiful veil of white and everybody just had to run outside right away.

“No worries, Hitch. I’ve got this,” Marlowe cracked his fingers before he leaned down, picking a large handful of snow and tossing it in Connie’s way. Connie’s laughter ceased as the throw was so powerful, it knocked him down on the snow and Sasha only pointed down at him laughing even more.

Hitch threw another snowball, knocking Sasha down beside Connie. Hitch laughed throwing a fist in the air. “That’s what you get for sneak-attacking my boyfriend!”

Meanwhile, Jean and Eren had been glaring at each other with snowballs in their fists, waiting for the right moment to throw them. Mikasa and Armin were just watching as Jean and Eren did nothing but stare intensely at each other as if they were trying to curse at each other with just one look. Armin raised an eyebrow. Wait a minute…

“Are you guys making a staring contest?” Armin pointed out but the two didn’t answer. They were too busy with trying to keep their eyes open.

Mikasa groaned. “Seriously?! What are you guys? Five-year-olds?!”

The two ignored her and tried to keep it up for as long as they could manage. Eren was the first to give in. “AAH! MY EYES!”

Jean threw a fist in the air. “FUCK YEAH!” And then he tossed the melting snowball that he had in his hand towards his friend. He grabbed another snowball tossing it at him, and another. “Can Mikasa stop me from turning you into a snowman?!” Jean cried out.

“SHUT UP, JEANBOYYYY!” Eren launched at him and they both came crushing down on the snow, beating each other up.

By the time the veterans walked out, it was a mess. (Y/n) had chosen to put on that one thick coat that she had for such circumstances. It was brown, way too big for her small body, but quite cosy and warm due to the fur embroidered on the inside of it. Of course, she had hurried to the barracks to catch all those coats of her squad’s stuff that she recognised. She had washed those coats before. She passed all six of them around her arm and she hurried outside.

Connie, Sasha, Marlowe and Hitch were locked in a thunderous snowball fight. Mikasa and Armin were cheering for Eren whilst he fought with Jean. (Y/n) sighed and she just shook her head. Those kids were going to catch a cold, that was for sure.

“L- Lieutenant (Y/n)-” Marlowe tried to say as he stopped throwing snowballs and turned at his superior, only to be knocked down by a powerful snowball from Connie.

“HELL YEAH!” Connie cried out.

“High-five!” Sasha raised her hand only for Connie to give it a smack.

Hitch growled as she gathered all the snow she could. “You little-”

“Time-out! Time-out! Unarmed person passing by!” (Y/n) cried out as she walked between the two groups. She caught Marlowe’s hand helping him up.

“Thanks, Lieutenant,” Marlowe said as he dusted off the snow from his shoulders. (Y/n) passed his coat around his shoulders and she messed his hair pushing the snow away.

“What have I asked you to call me?” (Y/n) grinned as she settled the coat closer around him.

Marlowe started giggling like an idiot. “(Y/n)?”

(Y/n) gave him a smile. “There, there, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” She handed Hitch her own coat. Hitch had just joined the Survey Corps, and she with Marlowe were making a pretty good team already.

“Thanks, Lieu- er- (y/n)!”

Connie let out a loud sneeze as (y/n) approached him and she cringed. “Oh dear,”

“It’s nothing, (y/n), seriously,” Connie said as he rubbed his red nose.

(Y/n) raised an eyebrow “Sure,” as she passed his own coat around him, and then she did the same with Sasha. “You guys continue,” She grinned. “The team who wins gets to share an entire tray of cake,”

Sasha’s eyes widened. “IT HAS TO BE ME!”

“OVER MY DEAD BODY!” Hitch growled as their hands reached for all the snow she could get.

“SO BE IT!” Connie cried out and the fight continued. (Y/n) giggled as she watched them. She’d never get to make that cake. Those kids would be bedridden by afternoon with an unbearable fever and an undoubtedly sore throat.

Erwin let out a sigh as he watched (y/n) scolding Jean and Eren to death before tucking them both in their coats and then setting over to do the same with Armin and Mikasa. But then he realised he wasn’t the only one staring. An invisible smile spread on Levi’s lips as he tucked his hands in the pockets of his black, thick trench coat, and then another contented sigh came from Moblit. All three men stared at that wonderful woman whilst she mothered the fifteen-year-olds that were making a mess of the street.

Moblit received a painful smack on his shoulder, and he knew of only one woman whose hand was so damn heavy. He turned and he saw his wife. “I get it for those two idiots, but why are YOU SIGHING AND STARING AT HER?!” Hange cried out furiously and Moblit cringed.

“I- I- I wasn’t staring at her!”

“YES, YOU WERE!”

“NO, I WASN’T!”

“FUCK YOU, MOBBY! …and then fuck me too,”

Those two were kissing and making out before they knew it. Levi groaned and rubbed his forehead and Erwin rolled his eyes. Both men turned their attention away from the loudly kissing couple, and they tried to ignore Hange’s moans and Moblit’s groans. Levi clicked his tongue in utter annoyance.

I’m never standing around those two ever again.

Time Skip

“H- Hey, (y/n)?”

“Yes, darling?”

“Y- You don’t happen to have a... twin sister, do you?”

(Y/n) choked back a laugh. Connie’s fever was bringing the wildest hallucinations she had ever seen in a patient with fever. “No, darling,”

“Who brought that goat in here?” Sasha mumbled as she pointed at Hitch who was lying on a bed across from her. No matter her fever, Hitch’s eyebrow twitched in frustration.

“I know for a fact that Sasha’s not hallucinating!” Hitch growled.

“Jeez, can y’all like… shut up?" Jean cut in. "And no, Sasha, that’s not a goat, that’s clearly a unicorn,” Jean pointed out in as-a-matter-of-factedly tone in his voice. (Y/n) cringed. Oh boy. Jean was hallucinating too.

“Speaks the horse,” Eren’s voice came from the bed across of Jean’s and Jean shut his eyes and groaned. Eren was the only one not hallucinating and maybe his titan-shifting abilities had something to do with that. Still, Mikasa was beside him, tending to his fever, and Armin was all around trying to help (y/n) all he could.

“You… son of a b-” Jean tried to say but (y/n) cut him.

“Guys!” She said strictly, catching everyone’s attention. “Let’s just deal with your fever and then you’re all free to skin each other alive, how about that?”

Eren sighed as he let his head roll back on his pillow and Jean groaned. “Fine!”

(Y/n) reached Marlowe. He wasn’t hallucinating either, or at least she thought as much. He was sitting there, quietly on the bed across Connie’s dealing with his fever.

“Hey, honeybun,” Hitch caught Marlowe’s attention. His bed was beside her own. “Do I look like a unicorn to you?”

Marlowe looked at her for a moment. His own fever-induced hallucinations weren’t helping him form an honest answer. “N- No, my sweetiecake,”

“Those are like… the lamest pet names I’ve ever heard of,” Jean commented.

“It’s not like you have a big experience with the ladies and pet names,” Connie grinned. (y/n) couldn’t understand how he was able to tease even though he was in a very high fever.

“Me?” Jean chuckled. “If anybody’s got experience in here, it’s me,” Connie, Sasha and Eren started laughing and a bright blush graced Jean’s cheeks. Jean frowned deeply. “YOU GUYS, SHUT UP!”

“Oi, Jean… I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to your twin brother,” Connie said as he let his head roll back on the pillow. (Y/n) tried her best not to laugh. There he is.

“Ooohhh," Jean nodded casually. "Alright, dude, no problem,”

A/N: Thanks for reading!!! Lemme know if you like it!!! Feel free to reblog and comment below!!! 🥰

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sasa-gay-yo · 3 years

Text

Just Us (Chapter Seven: Calculating)

← Chapter Six

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“So… um, it’s the Spring Equinox and all. We usually do something. You know, you, me, some friends; like we always do. Are you… are you going to come this year?” I turned to Jonas who was leaning on a box of flour. How could he so easily forget moments like that? He confessed to me and then the next day seemed to completely forget. Months later when it seemed he had an in, he didn’t even go for it. Talk about being uncompetitive.

“Will there be as much drinking as there was last year?” It was monotone and I glanced over to the corner spot. Garrison. Last year, the girl Jonas was interested in and I had to drag back him and his three friends from outside Wall Sina and they slept on the floor of the bakery while I offered her my couch. During the process of wrestling them inside, Jonas had somehow stripped naked and his friends were trying to follow suit. I try to keep that memory suppressed.

“Probably yeah. You know the spring wine is the best… but you’re still kinda sic-” I nodded and help up my hand to stop his excuses.

“You’ll probably have to drag me home this year. I’m in.” He smiled, but it was bittersweet, knowing I wasn’t going to hang out with everyone and socialize. I’d probably just sit under a tree and drink my sorrows away.

“Eva, you-” The sounds of horses outside broke him from his sentence. Some people went out and others just turned back to their food. The Scouts were slowly dwindling in number as they were waiting for the new recruits to come in from training. No one was enthused that they were coming in and out and those who would go and watch them come back were sadists. I turned my back and went to busy myself with some invisible work at the back table.

“You know, if he did something to you to-” I grasped the table. He says this almost every time they march outside of my café.

“If who did something, Jonas?” He felt the venom in my tone and decided not to push forward. I coughed for what felt like the hundredth time and it broke the tension.

“So, uh, next week. I’ll come to get you when we leave. Should be after five. We’ll all get dinner and take it out.” He took the money off the counter and went out of the store, probably to go glare at the Scouts who were walking by.

If he didn’t come this Saturday that marks three months. It also marks the point where I get the message and I’ll forget about him all together. I had forgiven him the first month. He didn’t know how to deal with emotions so he needed some time and maybe needed to kill some titans. The second month came, and an extended break for weather conditions, but yet he didn’t come anywhere near Trost. I even went through one cold and caught another one just waiting for his ass. I wanted him to reject me already so I wasn’t getting let down on the daily.

Here comes my surprise when Saturday one rolls around, I’m still coughing and sneezing, and he’s nowhere to be seen. Even the old ladies stopped coming. I guess they were more wiser on when to give up.

Damn. That was something I never thought I’d hear myself say. Giving up hope. Even he said that he’s afraid I’d give up hope because of him. Well, here we seem to be.

I shouldn’t let a shorty who doesn’t know how to process emotion take away my hope.

The bells rang above the door and two nightshift Garrison members walked in. My least favorite people, always coming 30 minutes before closing asking me to serve them fresh coffee to keep them awake. They never failed to make my mood worse and this oncoming headache wasn’t going to go away with their shouts. Last month, I had to kick out a few of them because they were talking so nastily about the Scouts. I couldn't bear it and neither could my head. I still had hope in the Scouts as a whole, especially hearing they were getting new recruits, and one person wasn’t going to ruin that. Hopefully, the fresh meat would propel them like it did last year. Hm, maybe fresh meat was not a good way to describe the cadets.

The bell above the door rang again and I looked up to be face to face with the Wings of Freedom. At least one Scout was using their day off, a tall one at that. A contrast to shorty. She had rectangular glasses strapped to her face and auburn hair in a ponytail. She came in smiling crazily too. A big contrast.

“Are you Eva with the peppermint tea?” I had to do a double take and even blinked a few times before answering her. I sneezed again before answering.

“Um, yes. I think that would be me. Who’s asking?” She sharply reached out her hand and I shook it. Ouch, she had a hard grip.

“I’m Hange Zoë, a squad leader for the Scouts Regiment. I’m here to escort you to the Scout HQ. Do you have the peppermint tea?” I blinked again, not moving. She wanted to take me where? The last place I wanted to go, that’s where.

“Am… Am I in trouble?” She laughed out loud, not caring if anyone looked at her. Yeah, she really wasn’t at all like the Scouts I meet on a daily basis.

“No, no. Not at all. In fact, I almost have no idea why I’m taking you there. Well, a little bit more of an idea than you have. Personally,” she leaned in and whispered behind her hand, “I’ve been wanting to talk to you since I saw you at the festival, but shorty wouldn’t crack.” It wasn’t a whisper and I’m sure if anyone was at the first few tables, they would have heard it.

“A-and if I don’t come with you?” She shrugged and crossed her arms.

“I’ll drug you and drag you myself.” I stepped back from the counter and she roared with laughter, “I’m kidding! I’m kidding! Do I look like someone who would do that? Well, maybe... but If you don’t come, I’ll have to deal with an even more upset Captain and I don’t want to do that!” Captain? He ordered her here?

“Did the Captain send you to get me?” She pushed her glasses up and leaned one arm on the counter.

“I guess I should’ve led with that. Levi said, ‘Eva with the peppermint tea,’” she imitated his voice and facial expression, “I had to go to three coffee shops in Trost to find an Eva. Two streets down is a Freud and about a half mile behind you in a cute old couple. I didn’t think the Captain would want them that badly. So when I walked in and remembered seeing Captain talk to you at the festival, I knew I hit the jackpot.” She snapped at the end making a point to her adventure to find me. The Garrison members were now staring at her, too. They probably knew about her better than I did.

“Why does he want me to come to HQ?” She shrugged again, but this time without a death threat after.

“I don’t know, but shorty is very adamant about it. I told him I was busy for a whole month, thinking it was a fever dream, but that made him even madder. Anyways, I was hoping you’d come and bring the tea and a...” she looked down at ink on her hand, “ a tea set. Captain Levi broke his on the first day of the year. How unlucky is that?” He was adamant that I come? That’s stupid. How adamant can he be when he’s had three months to do it. He probably just wanted to make it easy for someone to drag me away from him when he rejected me. Either way, I was intrigued.

The Garrison members groaned when I shoved them out the door to lock up a few minutes early.

I shouldn’t have gone really, but I had no excuse. Maybe I just wanted him to reject me like I said and then have a sad ride back to the café. However, Hange coming in and saying all those things made me much more concerned about his mental wellbeing than what he was going to say to crush me. And if he was making me come all the way there, was he going to give me bad news? I don’t think he’d be that mean, but I have never faced the real Captain Levi before.

Hange had given me another cape, and some tissues for my nose, saying that it would be easy to have me come in unnoticed because the new cadets had just showed up. She just hoped I didn’t get caught sneaking around by Erwin and thrown into combat training. This woman was saying stuff that was making me scared the whole ride there. I was on a horse too, so that made my anxiety worse.

The Scout HQ was a huge ass castle and I didn’t think it would look at all like this. The barracks in the capital were just a big square building with some pillars. This place was gigantic. Hange made it a point to name every section of the castle so I somehow knew right away where I was going. I was going to the Officer’s Wings.

“It’s a shame though. We’re leaving this place soon for a new one the government issued. It’s not as nice, but it’s smaller because they don’t think we need such a big place… Well, it’s true, but… they didn’t have to say it like that, you know! I’ll have to move my whole lab!”

The hallways were also tall on the inside. It was an actual abandoned castle. I wondered who had lived in here before the government got ahold of it. She even stopped by to show me the throne room that they had converted into the mess hall. It’s like I was on a field trip, but at the end of it was the school leader’s office. Why was I being summoned by him? Was he not good enough to come to the civilian’s café anymore? Annoying prick.

“Here is Captain Levi’s quarters. We just transferred him back today, but he’s still a bit sore from not moving around much. I hope that once he gets his peppermint tea that he’s moaning about, he won’t be so rude to everyone anymore.” I balanced the tea set and bag of tea in my hands as she opened the door for me.

“Transferred?” She waved her hand like it was nothing as shut the door on me. It was like she threw me into the wolves. She didn’t even want to be. I didn’t know she was just going to leave me like that because my nerves just skyrocketed.

His office was like he described. Half the size of the capital, but still with big windows in the back. This time, they were turned to the way of the sun. There was a single, full bookshelf against the wall on the left with another chair in front. This time the chair didn’t seem as uncomfortable as the ones in the capital. He wasn’t sitting at his desk where I thought he’d be. As soon as I saw the crack in the door and dim light peaking through, I knew he was in his bedroom. Why?

We just transferred him back today. Well where had he been?

I decided to sneak up to the little cut out in the wall which held a singular hot plate. If I could make tea, I could prolong the time I didn’t have to talk to him. Why did I even come here in the first place? It’s not like I like this guy anymore or would bend over at his will. Just a rejection, yeah, that’s what I came for.

Taking a single, short step, I tested the floors, hoping they didn’t squeak. Once I was in the clear, I slowly started to tiptoe towards the opening. If I went fast near his door, he wouldn’t even see it.

Achoo!

I held the tea set, but it rattled mercilessly in the box. Oh fu-

“Hange?!” Oh, yeah, he was definitely in the bedroom. Now, I’d just stand here with my eyes closed and hope I didn’t look too bad when he opened the door.

Who am I kidding, I literally hopped on a horse to get here on a whim. I’m bending so far over for this man it’s ridiculous.

“Hange, I told you it was the sixth café down off of the turn we make on the main drag. It’s hard to,” there was a wheeze, “h-hard to miss.” I stood there for a while, but he didn’t come out or open the door. In fact, there was no movement coming from his room at all.

“Hello?!” It was harsh and was followed by another sharp intake of air. It dawned on me then. Transferred. Was he injured?!

“Um, hello?” I finally answered and looked again to see if he would open the door now. Still no movement and now no answer. Maybe Hange messed up and he didn’t want me he-

“Did you bring the tea?” I was not expecting that. His voice was instantly softer than before and after months of not hearing it, it made me melt.

“Oh, um, uh, yes, yes I did. And the set, and the set.” I coughed into my arm, masking my cold. If he knew I was sick, he might send me back just because of germs.

“C-come in. M-My room. I already have hot water...” Come in? To his room? His bedroom? Where he’s laying? He hasn’t even come into my bedroom before.

“Um, are you sure you want me in there?” There was a loud groan, probably so I could hear his annoyance too.

“Just get in here, brat.” There was something about him calling me that that made me annoyed and walk slowly into his room. Was it the urge to bicker again?

I opened the door and peaked in, instantly locking eyes with him. I screamed at my heart because just like the first day, it started beating fast again. Shut up. He’s going to reject you then you’re going to go back home and put the tarts in the oven to prebake.

He looked pitiful. There were bandages wrapped all the way around his torso and he was shirtless, but it didn’t look like it. His head had one bandage around it too, but that one seemed pretty useless. More of a headband if anything. It had also been a while since he’s bathed, marked by the incomplete stubble scattered around his mouth and chin. He just laid there, blanket up to his waistband, staring at me. What had happened and for how long was he like this?

My anger and inhibition to come inside subsided and I set the tea set down on the floor. There was no chair for me to sit on, so I just stood. We stared at each other for what seemed like eternity, my heart still beating out of my chest. He was the first one to break the silence.

“C-Can you make me tea?” It almost came out like a whine coupled with his lack of breath. I crouched down and took the tea set out, looking at the makeshift water kettle he had on his nightside table. This bedroom was so small; there was no room for a desk. His bed was up against the wall only leaving a few feet towards the door and enough room for a dresser and walking space at his feet. No windows.

“You can,” he caught his breath and was silence for a few moments before continuing, “You can sit here, Eva.” He tapped the space next to him on his bed. I was hesitant at first, but the way he said Eva made me almost forget all his wrong doings. How badly did I want to see him again that I was acting like this? So weak for a single man. I sat down on the bed, back to him, trying to ignore his heated stare.

It was the same feeling the night I kissed him. I made him tea, he stared at me from behind, but I couldn’t get close to him this time. That was going to be the difference. I wouldn’t let myself have such a weak will like last time. Go in, make the tea, get out.

“What did you do?” Goddamnit Eva. You weren’t supposed to make conversation like this.

“A newer cadet ran into me while I was trying to finish off an abnormal titan. The titan got a hold of me and squeezed pretty hard before I cut it’s fingers off. The cadet gave me the concussion, and the titan fractured most of my ribs. This was the beginning of February.” Of course he gave me a date. If I went back to that time, I said I was going to let it slide, too. I had given him January off and if he got hurt in February that means even if he wanted to come to the café, maybe he couldn’t… No, Eva, if he wanted to he’d send Hange earlier.

I told him I was busy for a whole month, thinking it was a fever dream.

“Oh,” I went back to work, taking out the set he left when he stormed out of the café and the new peppermint tea he has yet to drink. No one but him comes in to drink mint tea. Usually it’s just green or black, so the stock I buy is just for him. Imagine me staring at the tea leaves sitting under the counter for hours next to the tea set box willing him to walk into the café. If he wasn’t going to come back, maybe I should just give it to him so he doesn’t force me here again.

“I’m almost healed completely. There’s just one rib that’s bothering me enough to not be able to go back in the field.” It was interesting to hear him talk so much, even when injured. Our roles had reversed. Maybe he felt pressured to talk more than usual. I hope guilt was pushing him.

“That’s good.” I just sat there, watching the tea leaves swirl in the water, and hoping I’d had enough strength to turn back away from him when I gave him his cup.

“What have you been d-doing?”

“The usual.” I picked at my skirt, noticing it was the one I’d worn the last time I’d seen him. When only owning about five, there were heavy odds that would happen. Sadly, this meant the odds were stacked against me. I only won a few bits of luck back when I was, in fact, able to turn back around when I gave him his tea. I didn’t even look in his eyes either.

“Can you help me into the bathroom?” He set the empty tea cup down next to me, making it so I didn’t have to turn around to put it on his nightstand. If I helped him, I’d have to look at him though. This was apart of some plan.

“I could get Hang-” He grabbed my wrist with a bit of force and used his strength to turn me. I also fell on top of him with how hard he whipped me around. This was the first time he had put his hands on me like that.

“Why can’t you even look at me?!” I was breathing hard, but still looking at the blankets on the bed. His hand was bandaged too. We’d traded places in that aspect. I wasn’t going to tell him, but the balm he gave me helped. HE didn’t deserve that information when he was acting like this.

I stood up, taking my knees off the bed, and pulled the blanket off of him. I made sure to fold this so he had nothing to yell at me about again. He got himself parallel to me and needed help to sit up. The was probably going to be the most painful part. You were helping someone who was in pain, there was nothing else to it. I was being a nurse to him since no one else was around to do so.

Reaching for his back, I carefully helped lift him up to a seated position. The amount of curse words that came out of his mouth made my heart squeeze at the pain I was putting him through. It was just pity; you were sad for the man who was hurt. That’s it. I shifted my position to sitting next to him and silently gasped when he put his arm around me and grabbed my opposite shoulder. Minus the time I had kissed him, this was the closest we’d ever been. My mind couldn’t help but take a delight in that.

When we stood, there were a lot less curse words, but they were still there. My gaze was directed at the floor as we walked out and directly to the right into the small bathroom. They really paid no expense to give the Scouts nothing. This was an officer’s quarters too, which meant that he had one of the best lodgings. I bet it was bunk beds and communal showers outside of this wing.

I let go of him and got behind him near the door. I had no idea what he was going to do here, but I knew I’d leave as soon as he started. Would I leave completely now that I’d given him tea? It seemed rude to someone who was in his state. What if he falls or hurts himself again? This wing was so far removed from the others. My weak will triumphs again.

“Can you take off the bandages? There’s scissors on the sink.” How much was he going to torture me before I leave? He’s hurt, just do it, Eva.

I picked up the scissors and walked over to his back, trying to be gentle so I didn’t cut the skin off of him. I put one hand on his upper back and worked from the bottom-up, cutting away at the thick, white bandages holding his ribs in place.

The speed of our breathing matched when I touched his bare skin. Was he breathing hard because of the decreased pressure? I raised one eyebrow, maybe taking that as a selfish clue, and took away the last bandage. They fell on the floor and allowed me to take in his shirtless back. There were bruises that were healing and a few minor cuts, but most importantly it seemed to be all lean, muscle. He wouldn’t care or notice if I was staring, so I took it as payback. Sweet, muscular, gorgeous pay back. If he turned he would have seen my blush.

Yeah, good luck Eva, the feelings aren’t gone.

“I’m going to shower. You can, um, there’s books? I think Hange left something to eat a few hours ago, too. Eat that...if you want.” That was his way of telling me he didn’t want me to leave.

“Okay,” I finished shortly and turned back around, closing the bathroom door. When the water went on, I took a long breath and sunk down against the door. I put a hand to my face and lightly slapped it to wake me up. My face had to be at least five shades redder after that encounter. Was he going to make me put bandages back on him? Would I get to see his front on full display? I slapped my face again and frowned at myself. He wasn’t the only shirtless man you’ve seen, quit acting like this.

I stood up and looked around at his office. There were papers scattered all over his desk, nothing seemed to be in it’s right place, and I could see a layer of dust collecting on the shelves to the right of his desk. It’s not because me cleaning would make him happy, but it’s because I had taken an interest in looking around his office. It would be a disservice to the place if I didn’t look at it in the way he intended.

Starting with the desk, I just pushed papers together and stacked them in neat piles on his desk. It was easy to find a spot because there was absolutely nothing on his desk besides a name plaque, a cup to hold pens, and a stamp that seemed to be his official marking for papers. His office was as bare as the one in the capital. I found a cloth by the burner and used that to wipe down the shelves that were equally as empty. A rusted knife, a small stack of Wings of Freedom cloth emblems, and a cracked, white teacup. I wonder what these things meant to him if he put them over here on display.

I wiped off his desk too and opened the curtains that blocked the sunlight from the windows. His office viewed the training ground as I saw cadets practicing hand-to-hand combat in full uniform. When I finished dusting everything, I sat down in his chair, taking in the full view of his office. If I had a room like this, I’d fill it with something and not leave it so empty. I bet it even echoed.

“Echo… echo,” I confirmed my suspicion. When we talked about remodeling the Scouts HQ, his office had never come into the conversation when it severely needed to.

The water shut off and my gaze snapped to the door of the bathroom. He takes quick showers for someone who was slightly incapacitated. I wonder how long they took him when he was back to normal. Showers should be savored, not rushed; that was my opinion.

The door opened and I just turned the random book of his desk open to pretend I was reading. It was something about the history of Scout maneuvers but I couldn’t understand a thing. He had to know I was lying to him.

“You cleaned?” I glanced quickly up at him and looked back down at the book. Oh gods. He was smiling. Not a smirk or a smile after he insulted me; a heartwarming, genuine smile. Another one worth ten points at least. I wanted to look back up at him. If he smiled like that again, this whole emotionless façade of mine was going to break easily.

He walked over to the small foot rest that was in front of his desk and sat down slowly to face me. I just kept staring at the pictures in the book finally discovering that the Os were Scouts and the Xs were titans.

“Interesting book?” I turned the page and nodded, lying to him. This page didn’t have a picture so I’d have to pretend to be interested in the words.

“Can you even understand what that’s saying?” I’d been caught. I acted like I had finished the page before closing the book and setting it aside. This time, I felt like I was at an appropriate distance to look at him. That was a mistake because he was still smiling at me and I felt my insides melt. He was doing it on purpose. The defensive strategy that I made while he was shower disappeared too.

“No,” I answered truthfully and took in his form. He had put the bandages on himself, thank gods, and was sitting completely straight so as to not hurt his ribs. His face was smooth again, but his hair had grown almost past the tip of his nose. Even like this, he looked so handsome. I leaned back in the chair and started twiddling my thumbs, looking down at them.

“You cut your hair?” He was observant. I coughed before answering.

“I do at the beginning of every year.”

“Are you sick?” His voice was filled with concern and not the tone of ‘If you say yes, I’ll kick you out’.

“A cold.”

“So you haven’t been taking care of yourself.” There was no tea to sip in place of answering his statement. Those words brought back a bit of anger though. The effects of his smile didn’t last long.

“If you cared, why didn’t you come back then?” He sighed and rested one leg over the other like he always does.

“I was sca-”

“Don’t say you were scared. You’ve used that excuse before. Find something original.” It was a lot easier to yell at him when I wasn’t looking at him.

“I didn’t know how to respond.” I clenched my fists. I knew that when I kissed him, but it still made me mad. He was a grown man.

“Usually when someone kisses you, you have two options. Respond back or tell them you don’t want that. You don’t run away from them.” He groaned which made my anger even worse. He didn’t know how to respond to anything I was saying and that made him frustrated too.

“C-Can you come sit next to me?” I looked up at him for the first time, my eyes hardening with emotion.

“No, I won’t.” I didn’t dare get close to him again.

“Eva,” he pleaded and I shook my head again.

“I’m not playing this game anymore, Levi. I’m not going to play pretend with you and ignore the reality of things.” He stood up again slowly.

“Look at this. At me. This is reality. I almost died out on the field because I was thinking about you and not the titans! I called you here to show you that because I don’t think you know how bad things can get.” I raised an eyebrow at him and crossed my arms.

“Are you saying I’m a distraction?” He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration again. No, sir, I was the one who could be frustrated.

“No, I’m not saying that. I’m saying that I almost died because of one small slip up. Who knows what could happen on the next expedition? You don’t know what it’s like to be outside of the walls or to see people die to the left and right of you! I’m always next.” I glared at him.

“Maybe if we didn’t spend so much time in our pretend little world, you could’ve told me so I understand. Maybe you’d know about my life in the Underground and how you’re completely wrong about me not knowing how bad things can get. You’re the one who did this to yourself!” I hit his desk with my fist and stood up to match him. I wasn’t going to back down. His face went blank again, back into the calculating Captain Levi, not the one who seemed to blurt out things when the emotion came too much for him to know how to deal with it.

“I don’t… ”

“You’re afraid of yourself. If you let yourself really do what you want, it’ll break the little pretend world you’ve made. The one where you’re emotionless and in control of every part of yourself and the people below you. You can’t push away reality and keep playing pretend with me.” He gripped his fist.

“I’m not playing pretend.”

“Then who are you when you’re sitting on my couch?”

“Levi.”

“Levi or Captain Levi?” He shook his head like it didn’t matter the difference.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“They’re two different people. Right now, you’re being Captain Levi. You’re calculating down to your next syllable and not letting yourself say what you want. When you’re Levi, you talk freely and smile and laugh. That’s why we never talk about your life or the Scouts, because you feel you can never talk freely around me about those things. You don’t need to protect me.” He looked down at the floor again, calculating what to say next. It was so frustrating that he couldn’t just speak like he was previously. He always had to be in control.

“Scouts die everyday. There’s no guarantee that I’ll come back. And when I’m back, there’s no guarantee that I can come and see you. I have paperwork and training and duties I have to humanity first. I will always be Captain Levi before I am Levi… since you see a difference in the two.” That changed the pace I was going at. I was going to continue to yell at him, but those last works…

“I’m not going to hold myself back because I’m afraid of what could happen. I recognize there are things I can and can’t control and I live with it. No one can live like that. You would never be a Scout if you lived like that. You would never be a Captain if you hesitated on every move or order you made. Right now, you’re eating yourself up inside because you want to control everything and can’t admit it to yourself that you can’t!” I squeezed my eyes shut, not caring if my words hurt him in any way. It was the truth.

“What will you do when I die?” My eyes shot open and locked with his. That emotion was there again. The sliver of something I could never put my finger on. The soft tone of his voice matched it. When?

“I believe in you enough to know that day will never come.” Apparently, that was the wrong answer and it made him lean forward, grasping the edge of the desk hard enough to make his fingers white. He was only a few inches away from me, but my anger clouded over the want to lean in and taste him again. Did he taste like tea?

“I’ll ask you one more time. What will you do when I die?” I shook my head at him, denying his death, and this time he hit the desk with his injured fist, “Why do you have so much blind faith in people? In me?”

“I was given a second chance at life because an old man had faith in a little Underground girl with burned hands. I believe everyone should be given the same. You haven’t done anything for me to lose faith in you. I don’t go out to see you off on expeditions because I know I’ll see you when you get back.” He seemed to almost collapse down in one big breath, his head between his straight arms, hands still gripping the edge of the desk.

The air in his office was tense. No one had probably ever talked to him like I had just did and my words probably matched the internal dialogue he’s had with himself. He knows that I’m right and that he’ll break down on the inside if he keeps trying to strive for total control.

I stood there looking at the back of his head, waiting for him to speak up. His hands kept clenching and unclenching the edge of the desk like he was thinking everything over again. The fact that he couldn’t control the his emotions in this situation, no matter how hard he tried, was probably beating him to death on the inside. Was he sad because once he rejected me, he’d lose the pretend world where he can relax and there isn’t a need to strive for control? Was he angry at me for speaking to him like that?

“I think I have feelings for you. I’m just apprehensive.” My eyes widened and I looked down at him, still crouched over at the other end of the desk. That wasn’t the emotion I thought he was experiencing. My heart was beating so hard he could probably hear it too. He just… I didn’t expect this to be the outcome of the night.

“What will you do when I die? Just answer the question.” This was his apprehension. He’s had to move on constantly from people who’ve died, outside the wall or under it. He’s strong, but he didn’t know how strong I could be. I’ve watched people die too. I’ve had to say goodbye countless times. I had to make sure he knew I could deal with pain and hurt as well, and not just my own.

“I’ll give you a nice funeral, wait a year, then move on to Commander Erwin.” The tension broke and he let out a huff of air in laughter before standing up. His eyes were back to normal, but this time a lot softer than when he was walking down the street. It wasn’t indifference, it was just from being relaxed.

“I can’t abandon my duty as a Captain. If I have work to do, that comes first.”

“Understandable.”

“It might be months on end where you won’t be able to see me.”

“I guess I’ll just have to get a mistress.” He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. The orange light from the sun setting behind us made it so I couldn’t stop staring at him now.

“I’m being serious here, Eva.” I sat back down in his chair, crisscrossed, still struck with his face.

“So am I, Levi.”

“I require monogamy.” I think that was him trying to make a joke so I indulged.

“I guess I can live with that. The bakery keeps me busy enough. If I have orders to fill out, that comes first.” I mimicked him and a small smirk crept up onto his face. That’s how I knew he was completely back.

“Understandable, but slightly saddening you put baked goods above me.” There was a knock at the door. He rolled his eyes and went over to answer it. I made sure I was out of sight of the door.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing disturbing my sleep, cadet? Can’t you see my state? I should make you clean the stables for waking me up.” I could hear the nervousness in the cadet’s voice when he answered.

“I-I-I’m so… sorry, Captain! I didn’t know you were sleeping! Squad leader Zoë told me to bring you this!” There seemed to be an exchange of plates and the cadet was still shaking as Levi turned back into the room/

“Dismissed. Don’t come knocking this late again.” He kicked the door closed in front of the cadet saluting him and walked to the desk with two plates of food.

“I see now where the mean rumors come from. He was just delivering food.” He set the place down in front of me, ignoring my comment.

“Not Erwin.” He pulled the ottoman over so he could eat at his desk too. I smiled spooning some curry.

“Why not? I’m trying to climb the ranks.” He shook his head again.

“If you think I’m too calculated, then you’d hate him. That book you were pretending to read, he’s probably gone through that six or seven times. He stays up till dawn thinking about where a single person should ride in our formation to maximize titan spotting. He’ll have no time for you.” I pulled a face and he lightly laughed. Actually laughed.

“I guess I’m just stuck with you, Captain.”

Chapter Eight →

Chapter Masterlist

xx Now, we’ll start getting into actually AOT plot. Did you all watch the new ep today? Only got to see a part of our King’s face :(

#levi ackerman #levi ackerman x reader #levi ackerman x oc #levi x reader #levi x oc #aot levi #aot #shingeki no kyojin #shingeki no kyoujin levi #captain levi #levi heichou #levi headcanons #original character

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banditchika · 7 years

Text

i hear alisha diphda is ripped. that she has an eight-pack

For all of Rose’s strange lapses in judgement when it comes to clothing, there is no denying that she has an excellent eye for color and cut. Alisha lays out the outfit with an appraising eye. The ensemble is simple enough: a dark blue shirt, sturdy brown pants, and a jacket much like Rose’s, if longer. Certainly, it’s not as elaborate as what she’d worn the last time Rose had picked out clothing for her nor as utilitarian as her tabard, but there’s a charm to be found in the plainness of the ensemble. What a difference a change of attire can make. Alisha must remember to thank Rose for picking this outfit for her — she can almost believe that she’d look like an entirely different person in it. Alisha pulls the shirt over her head with some difficulty. It stretches awkwardly over the breadth of her shoulders, and the fabric creaks ominously as she does up the buttons of the collar.

It is just a size too small. Alisha sighs. She shouldn’t complain; Rose had been kind enough to provide her with these clothes, free of charge and at such short notice — but she’d perfectly guessed Alisha’s size when they had dealt with the pro-war extremists. There shouldn’t be a reason why Rose would suddenly give her too-small clothing.

Thankfully, the pants fit perfectly. Alisha can handle a too-small shirt; even the tamest corsets she has worn at galas were monstrous, strangling things. Compared to that, the shirt is nothing — even if Alisha has to be careful to keep from tearing the back wide open.

But too-tight pants are another matter entirely. Alisha dreads to think of what Zaveid — or worse, Rose — would say if they saw her. For all the jokes and insults Rose makes at his expense, she’s just as bad as he is when it comes to women. Or at least, when it comes to Alisha.

She wriggles into the trousers and smooths out the creases, smiling at the deep pockets and the leather belt at the waists. Wearing pants after years of riding around Hyland in her tabard and the occasional dress is strange. The material is scratchier and rougher than what Alisha’s used to, and without the familiar weight of her greaves and bracers, the whole ensemble feels almost exposing.

A rather ridiculous notion — she’s still fully clothed, after all, and the outfit Rose picked out for her covers more skin than even her tabard. Alisha would wear her armor too, if it wouldn’t immediately give her identity away. She should count herself lucky that she has a belt to hang a dagger from. For all that she longs for peace and gentle, prosperous times, Alisha hasn’t left her home unarmed since the day she entered Lady Maltran’s tutelage. It’s an instinct that’s been drilled into her and reinforced for years — and as dedicated as she is to this mission, Alisha doesn’t think she could step out into the city without a weapon, no matter how hard she tries.

The last part of the ensemble, the jacket, lacks the bolero cut that Rose is so fond of. Alisha is glad. Rose might make hers look nice, but Alisha much prefers long, draping pieces of clothing. Still: Alisha admires the worn brass buttons along the length of the jacket as she smoothes it over her chest.

It’s a shame that it’d would be considered out of place among the company Alisha keeps. It truly is a lovely article of clothing. Perhaps if she ever decides to wander around Ladylake like this again, she’ll ask Rose to lend it to her.

That was the kind of thing girl friends did, right? Share clothing? Many of her knights are women, and certainly, they’re Alisha’s precious friends and comrades — but they’ve never had the luxury of doing something as mundane as dressing up and sneaking out to spend a day in the city. And they’ve definitely never shared clothing. Alisha tries to imagine trying on an endless array of Hyland’s soldiers’ uniforms and winces. Perhaps it is for the better.

And although it might be too optimistic of her, Alisha hopes that it can be different with Rose. It feels faintly ridiculous, wishing to deepen her friendship with an assassin that once tried to kill her — and her own Shepherd to boot!

But Alisha can’t help the warmth that blooms in her chest when she thinks of Rose, unfurling like a flower in the spring. Perhaps it’s another flaw of hers, to think so highly of those she’s attached to — but Alisha has never been able to stop her heart.

It might be even more foolish of her to try.

Alisha sneaks out of the barracks as best she can, pulling the band from her hair and letting it fall loose around her shoulders. Rose and the seraphim are staying at an inn close to the market center — perfect for what she and Rose intend.

Alisha swears she feels eyes on her back as she steps into heart of the city, but when she chances a glance around her, no one is paying her any mind in the least. It’s a big change from when she usually arrives at a city. A crown princess, even the one most furthest removed from the throne, tends to draw attention. And Alisha has always been something of an oddity herself, always in the public eye despite being the black sheep of the royal family.

She takes the time to enjoy the bustle of the city. Anonymous, just another face in the crowd, Alisha flits from sight to sight, dipping her fingers in a fountain, peering at stalls and wagons — not a single person seems to recognize her.

It is wonderful.

Even the innkeeper barely bats an eye when Alisha greets her. The scent of food is enticing — even in the early morning there are patrons crowded around the low wooden tables, conversing or nursing their meals in silence, perhaps suffering the effects of a night full of ale or enjoying a solitary, peaceful morning. No one spares her more than a cursory glance, and Alisha heads to Rose’s room, marveling at the invisibility a simple change of clothing and hairstyle has afforded her.

She thinks she understands now how Rose can so easily change from a traveling merchant to a deadly assassin with no one the wiser. Most people don’t see what they don’t expect — and Rose’s sunshine sweet smile could make even a drawn blade seem unthreatening.

Rose’s door is shut tight when she arrives. She can hear shuffling from within, but restrains her curiosity. Alisha knows better than to press her ear to the door — although she might not be acting as knight-princess now, it’s incredibly rude to eavesdrop. Even if the person she’s eavesdropping on is Rose.

Instead, she raps her knuckles against the door. “Rose! Rose, are you decent?”

More shuffling, and Rose’s voice rings out. “Not morally, but my pants are on, if that’s what you mean.” The floor creaks, and Alisha steps back as Rose throws the door open. She’s barefoot, hair wild and sticking up in points around her head. Her mouth curves in a lazy, catlike grin at the sight of Alisha, eyes roaming up and down her body.

“I knew it,” she says, sounding as self-satisfied as Ian after a hunt. “The tall, mysterious woodsman look totally works for you, Princess.”

“If this operation is to succeed, perhaps you should refrain from calling me that?” Rose rolls her eyes and tugs Alisha into the room by the wrist.

“You need to relax, Alisha. The more you think about this as an ‘operation,’ the stiffer you’ll act. And that, more than anything else, is what people are gonna pick up on.” She’s pushed onto the bed as Rose stands before her, fists planted on her hips. “So just take it easy, will ya? We’re just two normal gals enjoying a day at the market. ”

“If you say so, Rose.” Alisha startles when Rose reaches for her throat, clever fingers fiddling with her collar. “Er — ”

“Gods, I forget how weirdly you like to dress.” Rose undoes a button. Alisha’s throat bobs when her fingers brush against her skin. “It’s hot out, today! No one’s gonna button up their collar like this unless they’re total weirdos, especially if they’re also wearing a jacket!”

Rose makes a considering noise. “…Or unless they got up to some funny business last night. But since we don’t wanna look like either—” She tugs sharply at either side of the collar, exposing Alisha’s throat and clavicle. “It’s gonna be like this, capisce?”

“Ca…pisce?” Rose seems satisfied with Alisha’s answer, even if the tail end of her sentence trails up like a question. She runs her hands through her hair, busying herself with attaching her beads. Alisha looks away and scolds herself all the while, feeling as though she’s blundering in on a scene too intimate to intrude upon.

Rose is just doing her hair, not changing. Alisha keeps her eyes fixed to the wall anyways.

“Alright. Have you had breakfast yet?” Rose is leaning against the dresser, balancing awkwardly as she wriggles her foot into a boot. When Alisha shakes her head, she grins, all eagerness and bright-toothed delight. “Great! Street food is the best. And we might even run into some of the seraphim while we’re at it!” She wriggles her foot, the tip of her tongue poking from her mouth. “They ran off this morning to explore. Lailah’s pretty fond of Ladylake, did y’know?”

“Yes, I can imagine.” Alisha stands and instinctively smooths out the creases in her clothing. Something creaks at the seams, and she winces. “Rose, where did you get this shirt? It’s… tight.”

“Tight? So you like it then!” Rose snaps her fingers. “Ah, wait. Tight. Well, the shirt’s mine. I thought we were about the same size, but…” Her eyes settle on Alisha. “Guess you’re broader across the shoulders than I thought. Does it bother you that much?”

Alisha flusters under her stare, a prickling heat crawling up the back of her neck to warm her cheeks. “No, not very. I’ll just have to hope that we won’t need to carry anything too heavy or engage in combat.” Alisha tries for a smile, relieved when Rose flashes her usual catlike grin. “I don’t think your shirt could survive such an encounter.”

“Yeah, no heroics today, okay "Allie?’” Alisha blinks. Even if it’s the name they’d decided on together, it still feels strange to be referred to by a pseudonym. Rose’s grin goes wide, and she reaches out to muss Alisha’s hair. “I like that shirt, and I want it back in one piece.”

“Is that necessary?” Alisha pulls away from Rose’s chasing hands, wrinkling her nose. “My hair is fine as it is, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I mean, it’s different enough.” There’s a petulant twist to Rose’s lips and a furrow in her brow. She eyes Alisha’s hair like it’s personally offended her. When Alisha cocks her head, Rose lifts her chin and plants her hands at her hips, bright and brazen. “Alright, ‘Allie’ — ready for a day out in Ladylake?”

Alisha’s heart thrills in her chest. Rose has always had this effect on her: a cold remark that ends with the two of them brawling on an inn room floor, a sly glance that steels her spine as they walk, alone, into the jaws of her countrymen-turned enemies. Rose sets a bar and Alisha leaps to meet it, to prove herself and her ideals to the person whose thoughts have become as a beacon to her.

She reaches out and slips her hand into Rose’s, squeezing firmly. Without the barrier of her gloves, Rose’s calloused hand is warm and firm in her skin.

“I am at your mercy.” Alisha smiles and revels in the way Rose’s lips part.

Alisha can’t so much as sneeze in the marketplace without elbowing someone. Taking advantage of the afternoon heat, merchants hawk fans and umbrellas, and more than one stall owner hands out cones of shaved ice.

Rose is nibbling on a skewer of chicken, eyes scanning the marketplace with lazy interest. Alisha, on the other hand, can’t get enough of the scene, still marveling at the way no one seems to pay her any mind.

“Rose, look!” Alisha tilts her chin towards a stall displaying masks. Made from thin, painted wood, the masks range from grotesque to comedic. She rushes over and carefully unhooks a mask from its hook, then holds it up to her face.

From between the narrow eye slits, Alisha sees Rose grin.

“It’s about time you replaced the mask you broke!” she cries, tossing her skewer to the floor. “I never did ask for repayment, didn’t I?”

“Given the situation, I doubt I owe you anything.” Alisha places the mask back on its hook and takes another one, a gaudy red and white mask with a snarl stretching from both sides of its face. “This one looks like you, though.”

“Hey, why that one?!” Rose reaches out and shoves a shut-eyed, weeping mask into Alisha’s arms. There are long strands of hair attached to the top, and they tickle as they brush against her ungloved hands. “Now this one — this one looks like you.”

“I’m afraid I don’t see the resemblance.” Rose taps underneath her eyelids, smirking in a way that triggers a very unlady-like urge to roll her eyes.

“It’s the crying, Allie.”

“Hey, you ladies going to buy something?” the stall owner grouses, mopping at his brow with a cloth. Alisha hurries to replace the masks, bowing her head and murmuring apologies as Rose tugs her back to the streets.

“So, anything you really want to see, Princess?” Rose, bereft of something to chew on, settles for hooking her thumbs into her beltloops, looking for all the world like another one of the merchants lining the streets, scanning the crowds for easy customers to lure in. Except in this case, Alisha supposes, Rose is looking for stalls to hook her into.

“Nothing in particular. I only wished to see Ladylake from the eyes of other citizens, to see what I can do to immediately improve their lives.” There’s a loose thread dangling from the sleeve of her jacket, and Alisha rubs it between her fingers. She should cut it, but drawing a dagger in such a crowded area seems a foolhardy idea at best. Rose hems and haws, tugging at the kerchief around her neck.

“Lessee… if we’re talking Ladylake, there is one place I always like to visit whenever I come.” Rose shrugs carelessly and wanders off. Alisha admires how comfortable she is in her own skin. For a traveler that’s crossed the entire span of the continent, Rose seems more intimate with the comings and goings of the city than Alisha, a native citizen. She’s glad that Rose is with her, showing her sides of Ladylake that she’s never had the chance to know.

It happens when they return to the barracks. Alisha has seen her fill of the city, gleaned the information that her advisers hadn’t wanted to tell her. The sky is purple, lined with streaks of red and gold as the sun sinks behind the spirals of the temple. It’s beautiful. Ladylake is so beautiful: all of it, from the marketplace to the alleys.

And Rose is beautiful too. She has a leaf stuck in her hair, and only her beads are keeping her hair neat and orderly. Their hands are linked, even if Rose’s is sticky with syrup. Alisha has wrapped her — or rather, Rose’s — jacket around Rose’s shoulders to ward against the evening chill. It’s mundane. The two of them could almost be normal girls having a nice day out, rather than the Shepherd and Hyland’s princess.

“Thank you, Rose,” Alisha finally says when the sky is speckled with the faintest hint of stars. Rose leans against the walls of the barracks. They’re standing before the entrance furthest from the main road, where no one can see them. It’d ruin the whole purpose of their mission if Alisha was caught just outside her door. “For everything.” “No problem.” Rose shrugs, looking a little uncomfortable the more Alisha smiles at her. “Seriously, don’t make a big deal out of it. ‘Course you’d want to see what’s happening in the city sometime, right? Did you have fun?” “Oh, so very much.” Alisha claps her hands together. A thousand explanations bubble to her lips, but the smile on Rose’s face, a gentle shadow of her usual grin, stops her. “I… I never thought I’d get to see any of this. So really, Rose: thank you so much. This means a lot to me.” Rose shakes her head. “Geez, what did I just say? I’m going to feel embarrassed if you say stuff like that for every little thing I do.” A familiar gleam winks in her eye; mischievous, playful, just like Rose. “But hey, if you really wanna thank me…” She taps a finger beneath her lower lip. Alisha flushes, but leans in anyways. And then. Something pops. Rose’s eyes go wide. Alisha grimaces. The night air tickles the exposed skin of her shoulders, and Alisha pulls away as Rose begins to cackle. She slumps against the wall, her jacket slipping to the floor as she laughs into her hand. “Oh, Princess! Of course you would!” chokes Rose, swiping tears from her cheeks. Alisha flushes and fiddles with the frayed threads of Rose’s now-ruined shirt. She can’t see why Rose is laughing! Hadn’t she said herself that she liked this top? “I fail to see how this is funny.” That, if anything, makes Rose laugh harder. “Hey,” she gasps. “Alisha, Alisha, flex for me — I want to see if you can rip the sleeves entirely.” “That is absolutely ridiculous! Of course I can’t!” “Come ooon! I’ve seen those biceps, you absolutely can! Pleeeeaaase?” “I do not think so!” Alisha’s face is burning. She must be bright red. She snatches up Rose’s discarded jacket and slips it on. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight, Rose!” “Aww, come on, Princess! Think of it like, like making up the cost of the shirt to me. It’s already ruined, might as well get something out of it, right? Or I know — maybe as a final favor, from Allie to Rose?” She slaps her knee, doubled over for the force of her giggles. Alisha shakes her head and cracks open the door. Some things never change. Even if the sun were never to rise again and the moon should fall from the sky, she can always count on Rose to be absolutely, utterly incorrigible. She smiles despite herself as Rose’s laughter rings off the streets and alleys of Ladylake. “I said, goodnight!”

so @pasdechat ‘s bday was the other day!! unfortunately i ran into a plot issue the day of so i couldnt quite get this fic out when i wanted to, but better late than never!! sarah, you’re such a sweet person and an inspiration to writers everywhere. whenever i see ur name in the DMs i know i’ve been sent smth both quality AND wonderful. your encouragement helped me power through a lot of tough fics n rough times, n i always look forward 2 seeing your thoughts on a new piece. thank u for being such a warm n encouraging presence n for all the works u’ve written!! i always go wild over ur new fics–they never fail 2 make my day. i hope the rest of ur bday month (and vacation) will be amazing!! ^^/

#tales of zestiria #roseali #rosali #alisha diphda #rose (toz)#toz #peents writes #as always its 2:15 n late as fuck when i post things but i hope u enjoy this fic sarah!! it was going 2 be more dramatique but then #i thought 2 myself: why am i doing this 2 sarah she doesn't deserve this ridiculous drawn out fight scene n so u've got rosali being dorks #it worked out much better this way n as a bonus i get 2 throw out some fluff n comedy into the world #also the amount of nicknames i cycled thru for a few throwaway lines for alisha's disguise name was ridiculous #granted. the mission was meant 2 b more grand but literally why did i try for that when the most important thing is their date #anyways!! thank u sarah for being such a blessing in my life n in fandom #i tumble into new fandoms at ur gentle urging n i only suffer a little for it #i hope ur cats r doing amazing n that ur having a wonderful wonderful day!!

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