Ackerman's Steppes / Levi x Reader

Chapter 5: Papers Please?

You wake up. You didn't notice that you overslept at first. But after sitting on the bed, you realized that the sun is way higher than usual. It's almost noon. After a split second you became aware of what's going on. You are late. Very late. All of those days without sleep got to you.

"You know how they are calling that disease?" Lizzie asks you referring to town's people.

"Actually, I wonder. I'd love to stop calling it simply disease. It needs a name," you glance at Lizzie whilst packing your food; it's some soup made from fresh vegetables you bought that time you went to the town.

"Levi's virus," she says it like it's a normal name. You frown. "I think it has a figurative meaning though. Like a way to say that scouts, particularly Levi, is to be blamed for spreading this disease in our little town."

"No, this is just a straight up mockery, Lizzie. You shouldn't call it like that," you forget what you are doing because you are stunned by the name. You think it would be more appropriate to call it scouts virus, or better not even anything scouts related. But calling it with their captain's name... That's just ludicrous. It isn't only his fault.

"Sure. I just wanted to tell you, because I know you are nursing him," she looks at you mischievously. "You are late, right?" she reminds you. You nod awkwardly and continue packing your food.

She stares at you. You feel uncomfortable, but finish packing it and grab your work's clothing.

"I'm just wondering since when did you start defending scouts? I mean, I would think that there is maybe something going on between you two, but he's way shorter; and he's not that attractive. What's going on?"

"He isn't ugly, frankly no one is. What are you going about?" you snap because she is bugging you for no reason. You don't want to explain yourself to her, albeit you never thought he was ugly like lots of people tend to say. You remember looking at his sweaty face that night with the candle's light help. You actually thought of the very opposite back then. "Well, anyway, I have no idea what are you trying to say here, but I don't care either," you burst through the door and take a deep breath. That was awkward. Defending someone's face.

-

You don't get scolded from the higher ups. You are lucky that the disease is almost gone. Lots of people have recovered, so there are many empty rooms. You have nothing better to do, so you brew some tea for Levi. You think that you are going to let him go since you have already found effective herbs against the sickness. You don't need to hold him anymore. He seems to have a lot of work and you don't want to keep treating him in a special manner knowing that people are noticing.

"I made you some tea," you walk in a little awkwardly because it feels following today's dispute with Lizzie. You pay more attention in the way he acts. He looks at you just like always, but you already know that something is different. Every time you bring him tea, his eyes light up. 'He's like a kid' you think to yourself and smile. You walk to the counter to put the cup down.

"What's funny?" he takes the cup from your hands before you can put it down. He has a bunch of papers on the counter. They seem important since he didn't want you to put the cup on them. You didn't even realize you looked at him smiling like an idiot during this act of your kindness.

"Well, you seem to be in a great condition. I think I can let you go. You know you are a captain after all," you can't speak coherently. It feels so bizarre that Lizzie thought about you two.

"I am still a human," he looks at you questionably. Now that he said it you feel weird about highlighting that he is a captain before. "So, no tests?" he asks you looking at the papers.

"No, I've already found the cure. Well, at least I think I did," you feel strange because you didn't expect him to ask that. He looked so urgent when you accepted him. Also, when you asked him, he refused straightaway. He just looked at you to gesture that he heard your answer. "What's with the papers?" you break the awkward silence.

"Erwin sent them to me. These bodies can't keep rotting because I'm sick. But it seems that there is no need since you are letting me return," he claims unfazed. A shiver runs down your spine. He seems worried that this town is caught up in his mess. You feel the town's people fault for mocking him with that name.

"Why did you stay in this town first of all? Shouldn't all of you come back to Wall Rose, to the Survey Corps base?" you feel confused. You never thought of it, but it makes no sense for scouts to stay here. You get that they start their expeditions through a gate nearby your town, but why stay here for a few days before urgently marching back.

"I lost my whole squad. We didn't have time to bring all of the injured and dead into Wall Rose. We stopped at this hospital in hopes to save at least a few... " he looks hurt, but sadness disappears just as swiftly as it was shown in his face . "Am I allowed to leave any time now?" he asks you anxiously.

"Yes, you can leave right now if you want to," you answer to him. You slowly realize that this rollercoaster with the scouts is coming to an end. You feel relieved, but also conflicted. They aren't so heartless in the end. "Well, I'll leave you to it," you exit the room.

-

You are enjoying your soup in employees' room when suddenly you hear lots of murmurs. You walk out into corridor to see what's the commotion about.

You see Levi storming out of his room wearing scout's uniform and holding papers from earlier. He looks so elegant and serious, but also a little awkward because everyone is staring and most likely judging him.

Then, he catches your gaze. You sigh. It would be rude not to wish him farewell.

He walks through you without saying anything.

You feel guilty. Everyone is talking about him literally in front of him, making him tense. He already feels responsible enough. He isn't as bad as everyone says.

You wait a few minutes and go outside. You look around for a few seconds and see him on a horse nearby at the exit of horse stalls, looking at the papers he's holding. You walk to him. He doesn't notice you at first, but then looks at you with a piercing stare.

"Levi's virus. Creative," he looks mad. You didn't call it like that. You look at him for a second. You note that he probably is more tired than angry. Also, he looks like he belongs on that horse. No other job would suit him. You smile to yourself of how ludicrous this situation is.

"I refuse to call it like that," you look at him expressionless. "Anyway, I just wanted to wish you farewell."

"I see," he glances at you and looks at his papers. "Keep up the good work," he pats your head with those papers.

You stare at him as he rides his horse towards Wall Rose.

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