nine

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫; ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ˢᵘᵍᵍᵉˢᵗⁱᵛᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗ.

"They weren't always alone."

The day of the most dangerous mission of the Survey Corps was to arrive tomorrow. Retaking Wall Maria was an important mission with a minimal success rate. And the survival rate? Lower than a typical Scout mission. 

And it happened to be your first mission as a Scout since you were taken out of the Underground City you grew up in. Tomorrow would be the first time you venture outside the walls. But for the moment, you were sitting next to Hange, across Levi as one of the Squad Leaders was announcing something. 

"This may be a special night, but let's not let the public find out! Behave like soldiers without causing a ruckus!"

Though his voice entered your hearing, your focus was nowhere near there. Your concentration was all built up to what was on the plate at the center of the table. In the Underground, you've only eaten whatever you could get your hands on. 

But never once, have you ever had the luxury of enjoying well-cooked meat like the one that was displayed in front of you. Your mouth was watering just at the sight of it, your eyes unable to look elsewhere. 

"Tonight's the night before we retake Wall Maria! Cheers!" 

His voice was drowned out by the echoes of the soldiers fighting for meat. You weren't much of an exception since you quickly took a bite out of the piece of meat Levi had put on your plate. Hange watched with amusement as you savored the flavourful taste of the meat. 

You paid no attention to your surroundings as you devoured the luxurious meal. But you still ate the meat slices slowly to avoid choking on them. As everyone was busy enjoying their food, not a single person there noticed the small smile Levi had on his complexion. 

But he couldn't help it. He thought you looked absolutely wondrous as you had luxurious food for the first time. Levi knew he never stopped loving you but if he was a complete stranger who saw you so happy living in that moment, he would fall in love with you instantly. 

If by any chance, he did stop loving you -which he knew was impossible-, seeing you like that would cause him to fall in love with you all over again. If Levi died and was reincarnated, he knew he would love you. 

And he always will. Again and again. 

Levi Ackerman will always love you. 

You heard familiar voices coming from not too far from where you're sitting with Hange, Moblit, Erwin, and Levi. Looking up as you took a large bite, you saw Connie with arms around Sasha who was biting Jean's hand, causing the latter boy to let out a loud scream. Swallowing, you turned to look at Levi who bore a tired expression from seeing his squad members.

Turning to Hange, you asked, "Shouldn't someone stop them? Like maybe their Captain?" 

"They'll figure it out themselves," Hange waved a dismissive hand. 

You let it go since they themselves said to let the teens be. But you didn't let your eyes stray away mostly because you found it to be entertaining. You almost choked on your food when you saw Sasha accidentally punching a boy with a bowl cut while trying to get out of Connie's grasp. You knew Sasha was a good soldier but her strength was clearly proven in that scene that played before you as you noticed the gush of blood leaving the boy's nose. 

"Seriously, are you just gonna let them be?" You frowned with slight worry as you lightly kicked Levi's leg under the table. 

It seemed that Levi's lack of worries was the right choice because a little bit after that, you saw Eren and Connie tying up Sasha to a pole. This caused you to slightly laugh. Ever since you met Levi's squad, you couldn't help but find them quite the character. 

"Is it a good idea to be drinking the night before a mission?" You scrunched your nose to the smell of the drink Moblit poured for you. 

"Probably not," Moblit gossiped. 

"Well, since everyone's doing it," you giggled a little, shrugging as you took a sip of the alcohol. "Hmm," you shuddered, shaking your head while Hange and Moblit laughed at you. 

"Not used to your alcohol, Cadet?" You heard Erwin ask with a light smile. 

"Not used to it at all," you laughed, giving your cup to Hange. "I'll stick with tea."

"YOU'RE SO FULL OF YOURSELF, YOU PIG SHIT!" A sudden voice shouted, causing a loud commotion. 

Your eyes darted to see two boys standing up and going on each other. Both Jean and Eren were looking at each other with sharp eyes to kill. 

"YOU TRYING TO GROW OUT THE HAIR ON YOUR MANE, HORSE FACE?!" Eren retorted with the same amount of anger, if not more. Both their fists were tightly clenched around each other's shirts. 

"YOU JERK!" 

"YOU'RE RIPPING IT, ASS!" 

"What are they-" You let out a small laugh, eyes wide in disbelief. 

"It's a normal thing between them, apparently," Moblit giggled next to you. 

Your lips parted in a soft gasp when you saw Eren punching Jean in the stomach. Your hand went to cover your mouth to stop yourself from laughing over the two boys. You continued watching with slight amusement as Jean returned a hard punch to Eren. 

The two exchanged more punches, words, and insults going back and forth while most of the crowd in the room cheered for them to continue with their infighting. To add to your amusement, you caught sight of Levi letting out a heavy sigh, no doubt annoyed by his Cadets. 

"Usually, Mikasa would be the one to stop them," Hange whispered to your ear. 

"She seems to be enjoying the show as well," you scoffed lightly as you noticed the dark-haired girl next to Armin who looked quite troubled. 

After a while, the fighting duo still went on each other, arms throwing strong punches at each other. The cheering had stopped a little but some people still kept cheering. You were taking small sips of your tea when Levi suddenly stood up. Curious, your eyes followed Levi's trail.

"Oi," he called to the boys before kicking Eren harshly on his stomach. 

He then proceeded to punch Jean until both boys were groaning in pain as they laid on the ground. You let out a small laugh, clasping your palm over your mouth as you widened your eyes at the sight. You noticed Jean beginning to throw up, causing you to scrunch your face in disgust. 

"You're all too damn rowdy," he spat. "Go to sleep," he looked down on both the pained boys. "And clean that up," he instructed, looking at Jean in disgust. 

"Yes, sir!" A chorus of nervous soldiers sounded at the man's request. 

You lost sight of where Levi went but you couldn't find it in you to stand up to find him. Not when the sight of him standing there reminded you a lot of when you two still lived in the Underground together. 

⥀

"You were gone for so long, I was starting to miss you, Levi," you panted, tilting your head upwards to allow Levi some room. 

"Hmm, you better have," he whispered lowly, his lips leaving quick kisses against the skin of your neck. 

"Shit," you cursed while giggling slightly, feeling slight pain on your back as Levi pushed you against it a little too roughly. 

"Sorry, love," he hummed, his right hand cupping your cheek while his left hand crept under your shirt. "You're fucking gorgeous," he breathed out, pressing his lips against yours. 

"Hmm, says you," you smirked as you mumbled against the kiss, your fingers fumbling around his buttons. "We should leave all business to Furlan and Isabel," you exhaled, your left hand going up to tug onto Levi's dark locks. 

"Yeah?" He smirked, quirking a teasing brow. "And we'll have all the pleasure, won't we?" He teased, turning you around while his lips melded with yours, his hands never stopping their travel down your body. 

"And I can finally have you whenever and however I want," you giggled, walking backwards towards the bed. 

"Hmm, such a tempting offer," he chuckled darkly, lightly pushing you onto the bed without ever letting go. 

"I TOLD YOU IT WAS WRONG!" 

"NO, YOU SAID I SHOULD TRY IT OUT FOR MYSELF!" 

The deep kiss you were sharing with Levi broke as soon as you heard the shouting voices outside. You let out an annoyed groan, not really letting go of Levi's hair. 

"Let's just ignore them, please," you begged, pulling him by his hair to continue the kiss. 

Groaning against your lips, Levi finally pulled away. "If we do that-"

"They'll kill each other," you continued with a heavy sigh. "Seriously, out of all the time they choose to fight, it had to be now."

"If you think I'm planning to let you go so easily, you're wrong, my love," Levi tilted his head, the teasing tone causing a grin to curl on your lips. "Give me a second," he gave a small kiss on your forehead before going to the door. 

You sighed, standind up while slightly fixing your shirt and your hair as to not make it seem too obvious of what you and Levi were doing, or at least about to do. You followed him out to the living room, watching him lift both Furlan and Isabel by their shirt. 

"Shut up," Levi growled harshly. 

"He started it!" Isabel frowned, looking at Furlan. 

"I don't care," Levi coldly glared at the two. 

"Now now, Levi, let them down," you kissed him on his shoulder before resting your chin there. "I'm sure they've learned their lesson."

Levi reluctantly let the two go, causing Isabel to quickly hug your arm. "Y/N, my savior!" 

You laughed, looking at the young girl while Levi only rolled his eyes, walking back to your shared bedroom. You glanced over your shoulder to his direction and slightly giggled before looking back at the two. 

"Well, don't be too loud, both of you," you reminded, looking at Isabel then Furlan. 

"I'd say the same thing to you," Furlan replied with a smirk, nodding his head to your mess of an appearance. 

"Hmm, maybe its better for you both to get out of the house for a while," you grinned, quirking both your brows. "Me and Levi have some important matters to get to." 

"Ew," Isabel scrunched her face. 

"Disgusting," Furlan gagged.

You let out a small laugh and waved them both goodbye. You heard them both walking away towards the front door. The creak of the wood was produced as it opened and closed, a sign that you and Levi were in the house alone. 

You made your way back to your shared bedroom. Before you could even close the door, Levi had you pushed up against it, his lips immediately finding home on yours. 

"Now where were we?" 

⥀

"Y/N?" You heard Hange call you while their elbow nudged your arm gently. 

"Huh?" You gaped, slightly lost in the memory that flashed your mind. 

"We're going soon. You coming?" They asked. 

"Oh, uh, just go ahead. There's something I wanna do," you said, earning a nod from them and Moblit. 

You stood up and waved them both goodnight. You walked out of the room, the empty street of the night haunting you with its silence. But that silence was temporary as you heard familiar voices that belonged to Eren, Armin and Mikasa. 

You let a smile form on your lips at their slightly loud voices that you could hear from the neighbouring road that was connected by a dark alley. You walked a little further towards the alley before you turned to enter the pathway. 

Your body softened upon recognizing the figure that was sitting on the ground, back laid against the wooden wall. Just the person you were looking for. Your footsteps were light, helpful in keeping your presence a secret from the young trio. 

But the familiarity of your aura did not allow such secret from the man sitting on the ground. He looked up, watching blankly as you approached him. His eyes only followed your body as you took a seat next to him, his cup of alcohol resting in between you. 

"Have you been dirnking?" You asked in a silenced tone. 

"A little," he replied. 

"Okay," you uttered before letting the silent night take over. But after a while of silence, you broke it when you had accidentlly blurted out, "You can't die tomorrow."

Keeping his gaze straight like you, he asked, "Why not?" 

"Because I still haven't forgiven you yet," you responded blankly. "So you can't die. Not until I forgive you." 

"Then I guess you can't die either," he scoffed lightly. "Not until you say you forgive me." 

"What a tempting deal," you hummed. 

You took his cup that still had some alcohol in it. You brought the rim over to your lips as you took a sip of his drink. A relieved smile was plastered on your lips as you sighed, putting down the cup. You let your head fall against his shoulder, your hand falling to place in the space between you. 

"Y/N," he called in a whisper, causing you to lift your head as you looked at him with a hum. "I love you," he whispered, his face so close to yours, you could smell the slight aroma of alcohol mixed with Levi's natural neat scent. 

"I know," you whispered back, noticing how his eyes flickered from your orbs to your lips. "I really do know," you repeated, pressing your lips against his. 

Levi savoured in the taste of your lips against his. The feeling of home from the merged lips between you two brought not just nostalgia but a sense of true love. 

Love that he'd never get from anyone but you. He wanted to kiss you more, having you against him more, feel you more. But that was not to be as you pulled away from him, breaking the kiss that you so adored that it caused your heart to flutter wildly. 

"And that's why you can't die tomorrow," you silently said to him within the comfort of this dark alley with his presence right next to yours. "Because you need to live long enough for me to tell you the same thing." 

"Then ᴘʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇ me," he whispered. "ᴘʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇ me you'll survive tomorrow."

"I ᴘʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇ," you replied in a quiet whisper, letting your head rest against his shoulder.