Ackerman's Steppes / Levi x Reader

Chapter 13: Care to Dare

"What do you want?" you look at him dumbfounded. He smirks for a second and turns blank again.

"I am going to put it short. Erwin tracked some letters that proposed an interesting idea. We suspect MPs behind this. They are still pissed for what I did, so they kind of want to assassinate you," he looks at you sluggishly holding a letter. You can't hide your panic. "I guess this is the best thing they can come up since nobody will care about simple woman's death, but Survey Corps will get the message," he continues unbothered about your state of mind. You were right when you though there is no way he will actually talk about you two in romantic manner.

"So, am I getting murdered?" you stare at him with fear.

"No, I won't let them," he sounds a bit agitated. "Erwin tasked me with protecting you for a few days. Unfortunately, we will need to stay somewhere else for that period of time," he continues with calm tone.

"Why is it always you?" you sit down on the bed and hold your head. You can't grasp how you even got into a situation like this. Just a few hours ago you felt calm because you realized that this place is kind of nice. You made friends with Walter, and got ready for real work; you even felt excited about it. Now, apparently, someone is trying to kill you just as a twisted revenge for what Levi done months ago, therefore you are forced to leave this place. Just when you succumbed to it all.

"Just Erwin's orders," he shrugs off.

"Why is it always Erwin? Do you ever think about what you want?" you emphasize saying 'you'.

"Then, let's say, I want to take care of you," he surprisingly answers your question, but you don't believe it.

"You are saying this just to shut me up, right?" you look at his eyes. You know that there is no way that he actually wants to care about you. It has to be something like 'I can't let you die, just like any other normal human being would not', or 'As I said, I am human too'. His eyes widen for a second and he turns emotionless just like before. "No, Levi, I don't care. Please, be honest with me," you don't want him to shut himself off just like always, just when you get closer to him. You notice how his whole body relaxes for a moment and he sits on the chair by the table.

"I don't even know why, but I feel like I need to take responsibility for you," he answers to you stuttering and looking to the ground; you already know how hard it must be for him to explain his feelings and thoughts. You look at him with loving eyes to assure him. This is the first time he talks about something like this. Consequently, he is not a person who prioritizes his feelings.

"You don't need to do anything for anyone. Especially me. I know that Erwin is preparing for another expedition, so you should focus on that. Any other scout can protect me too," you try to comfort him; he looks conflicted. You know that there is no way that Erwin Smith would ask Levi to protect a woman instead of going with all of them on an expedition as humanities strongest soldier.

"Erwin postponed it, so I have nothing better to do. Also, I can't trust them with this since it might involve killing more people," he monotonously claims. "I will need you to be ready at noon tomorrow, it would be too suspicious to leave in middle of the night," he doesn't let you interrupt him.

"Levi. Thank you," you feel defeated. Even if he opens up it is only for a few moments. The least you can do is support and understand him. Perhaps, there are just things he will never share and you need to except that. You aren't even that close with him; you can't expect him to open up at all, when you rationally think about it.

"Ella, I will see you tomorrow," he softly murmurs and exits the room. It is the first time he called you by your name. Maybe, what happened yesterday night, had no effect on his feelings. You wish for it with all of your heart.