𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐎𝐌 | 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐱 𝐎𝐂

Stitches

[AN:

There's a quote from one of my favorite movies with Anne Hathaway. Let's see who finds it.

I hope you're all enjoying your holidays, see you next time!

Warnings: panic attack

Songs: "Broken" by Lund, "Baby You're Worth It" by Kina, "Lost On You" by Lewis Capaldi (main inspiration)]

DAPHNE'S POV

"I'm sorry Daphne, I really can't do this". While I was trying to avoid Levi, I kept repeating his words in my head, thousands, and thousands of times again. Neither I could do such a thing. I already knew that one of us would get hurt. And I perfectly knew that would be me.

I already knew I couldn't let myself go with anyone else again after what happened with Alec. I knew exactly how it would have ended.

At the thought of those horrible memories, I immediately felt more confident in my decision.

While I was in the kitchen making some chamomile, I felt that unmistakable, haunting presence behind my back. Accidentally, I had prepared too much water, therefore, as a sign of peace, I thought to leave an extra cup for Levi. Before he could tell me something, I left, hoping that he wouldn't say anything too.

One word from him would have been enough and that wall I had built between us would have collapsed in a second. And still, I could not understand how he had managed to do it. How he had gotten under my skin.

I needed to keep in mind that nothing more would have been between us. I'm just a cadet. He's the captain.

And above all, soon one of us two could have even died. Right? Even died... But I couldn't allow myself to die yet.

I tried not to dwell on it too much, even if I could already feel a huge weight, like a boulder, shaping on my chest. I went back to the room where Eren and the others were waiting for me. As soon as I took my seat between Ymir and Reiner, I witnessed an animated conversation between Jean, Eren, and Mikasa that made my skin crawl.

"Until a few days ago, you didn't even know this dark reality of yours. And as if that wasn't enough, you're not even able to control yourself..." hinted Jean. "That's true..." Eren replied, keeping his eyes low.

"Well, then our lives and those of mankind depend on Eren. It means that we all risk getting killed without him even realizing it" continued Jean. But soon Mikasa rebutted: "Jean. That's enough. Do you mind explaining to me what is the point of treating Eren this way?".

Without looking back at her, he spoke again: "Hear me out, Mikasa. Not everyone around here is as ready as you are to die for someone just in the name of friendship, you know? We must know what we are called to risk our own lives for. Otherwise, at the crucial moment, we may even hesitate. I must ask him for guarantees. And realize that the risk is worth our life". Then turning to Eren and holding him vigorously by his shoulders he cried out to him: "Listen, Eren, I will fight for you too! Don't disappoint me!"

I don't know what my brain told me at that specific moment, but I instinctively stood up. That boulder on my chest had become unbearable and I had to run away from there as soon as possible. I was going insane. My heart seemed to be running out of my chest, and I only knew one place I wanted to be.

LEVI'S POV

I lingered in the kitchen staring at that cup for I don't know how long. I held the tissue in my hands, turning it and turning it a couple of times more. Then I slipped it into a pocket inside my jacket and brought my attention back to the mug.