The pain before happiness (Levi Ackerman x Reader)

Eleven [Graduation]

A pale white ray of sunlight pierced through the curtain and crept across her eyes as she slept, forcing her awake. She was welcomed by the oh-so-familiar ceiling of her room. A smile crept on her face. She gathered herself, wincing in pain as she tried to sit up and leaned against the headboard of her bed. A groan left her lips feeling as her body burns in pain.

"Hmmm,"

Raven looked up towards the voice to see her beloved fiancé walking into the room.

"Levi, my Levi."

He approached her, collecting her into his arms as she feebly but determinedly clasped at his jacket. Through the warm embrace, she felt the faint trembling in him as his hands wrapped themselves around her shrunken waist and bony ribs. Levi buried his face in her shoulder faintly planting a soft kiss.

"Ah, you're so thin."

"I guess I am. How long was I out?" She softly asked.

"A painful month."

"It is a painful month," She winced as he moves his hand down to her back.

"I missed you so fucking much."

"I missed you so fucking much." She repeated, wiping away the fallen tears on his cheek. "I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be apologise about." He whispered. "As long as you are here in my arms, it is all that matters."

"I love you so much Levi, thank you." She grinned, kissing him oh-so-lovingly.

Erwin entered the general's bedroom, smiling like a proud dad as he watches the general sleeping in the captain's arms. They looked so peaceful that he did not want to wake the captain up for his duty.

"What do you want Erwin?" Levi croaked even though he had his eyes closed. Poor the elder, jumping in surprise.

"It is time for duty."

"Ask Hange to relief me. I do not feel like going anywhere today."

"Are you sure about that, Captain Levi?" Hange poked her head into the room.

"You guys do know that the general's office is out of bound to all of you right?" Raven mumbled, snuggling more into Levi's chest "why is there more people coming in at this timing? Hange, relief Levi's duty for the day, I'll need him more."

"Ahhhh General Kim! You are awake. That is pleasant! I will be more than happy to relief his duty." Hange chimed.

"Good to have you back, General Kim." Erwin grinned.

"Yeah, it is."

"I'll let you rest now." Erwin finally left the room.

"It's so nice to hear their voices." Raven whispered.

Levi hummed and pulled her closely, not wanting to let her go any moment soon, "It is nice to hear your voice again. Eren finally graduated as a soldier."

"That is fantastic."

"I know. Raven," he called.

"Hmmm?"

"Let's get married."

"Of course. Once I recover, yes, we will get married."

"and promise me," He kissed her forehead, "do not ever leave me again, never."

"I promise you." She smiled.

Eren sprinted across the hallway, tears clouding his eyes despite the smile that was plastered on his face. He barged through the General's office, knowing he would get scolded big time but, fuck that. Captain Levi was at the kitchen looking at him weirdly with a displeased look.

"Sorry Captain but, can I see her?" Levi nodded, pointing to the General's bedroom.

"General." Eren chimed, pushing the doors to the room.

Generel Kim sat by the balcony on her wheelchair. She had a book in her hand, probably some fiction she had always loved to read. Her oversize glasses barely perched on the bridge of her nose as she kept pushing her glasses up to prevent it from sliding down.

"Eren!" She looked up upon his arrival.

"General Kim," Eren broke into a sob. He threw himself to her, hugging her frail so tightly. "I... I did it. I graduated. I'm now a part of Survey Corps."

"Wonderful Eren. Wonderful." She chuckled, caressing his back in comfort. "It's good to see you."

"Get in the showers, Eren. You're filthy." said the Captain.

"I'm not filthy. I just changed my uniform," Eren stuck his tongue out to the captain, showing no sign of releasing the General.

"Go and take a shower, Eren. We will have dinner together."

"Okay." Eren finally release the General and obediently went into his room.

Levi took a seat opposite of her and sat the tea tray on the table. "Coffee or tea?"

"Coffee, please." Raven smiled.

"You shouldn't be drinking that much coffee, baby."

"You offered, my dearest captain." Raven smirked.

Levi huffed but served her a cup of coffee, "The ceremony will be held tomorrow. Will you be alright attending it?"

Raven took a sip of her coffee, gazing out towards the village, "do I have to?"

"Well," Levi started, "you are the General."

"about that, I am planning on resigning on the position." Levi stayed quiet. "Are you not going to say anything?" Silence. "It won't be the same anymore. The next time an attack happened, I would not be able to transform again. This way, I can't be the saviour everyone wished for."

Levi sighed, putting down his cup of tea and scooted closer to the general, "you've risked your life more than anyone else. If it is not because of you, we wouldn't be here today." He lifted her hand and softly plants a kiss to her knuckles.

"Levi, I risked your life too. I used you to fight, I hurt you, Levi."

"I am still here, living my life with you. I insisted that you used me to fight. We are bonded, you are bound to me for the rest of your life. You gave me the strength, the power that we now share together."

Raven sighed, "Levi, I---,"

"Shush baby." Levi kissed her, "I promise you that we are going to be alright."