After I died

31

Anastasia

I had spend breakfast at Hanji's table where she sat with Erwin and Levi. After the meal, Levi and I were on our way to the trainign grounds, where the others probably already were. "Oh and, thanks for letting me sleep on your couch.", I said, while we were still out of reach for the others to hear us. "No problem, you can sleep there as long as you want." "Does that include afternoon work?"

He looked at me a little suspicious from the side before asking: "And what's that supposed to mean?" "I sometimes got some stuff to do in the afternoon but living with Hanji our room is never exactly quiet.", I explained. He nodded slowly. "Well, the offer goes for anything, if you need something just come by." I was gonna answer something but we reached the others and Sasha pulled me over into the row to tell me how great the breakfast was.

That afternoon, I sat on the couch in Levi's office, writing my notes. I was still having a hard time gathering all the memories that were messed up by the Anchor. Everytime they came back or fell into place I'd write it down. This went on for days and days turned into weeks. I made sure to still spend time with Hanji and not neglect my friend but she didnt mind.

In fact, she'd been the one to encourage me to keep spending time near Levi, she reasoned it saying she had lots of stuff to do and needed the quiet of our dorm. Eventho she had her own office to work in but we both knew it was just a excuse to push her matchmaking schemes. I was sitting on Levis couch again, writing and drinking a tea he'd made.

For some reason I'd been thinking about that kiss a few weeks ago. We still hadn't taked about what happened there. What we were now. Somehow neither of us brought it up and we'd always tiptoed around it. But especially with how much had been happening and would soon be happening I wasn't sure how much time we'd have left. Maybe we should stop this beating around the bush.

"What'ya thinking about?" I hadn't realised that I'd stopped writing and was just staring off into space. "Mh?", I asked, snapping out of my thoughts and looking over at Levi. "What are you thinking about? You look like it's important." "I was just... maybe we don't have enough time to keep avoiding eachother emotionally."

He sighed, putting his tea and the pen in his hand down. I had the feeling he knew immediately what I was talking about. "You're right, we don't.", he said. I looked at my fidgeting hands before soeaking: "I don't wanna regret not having given us a chance. Of course only if you still-" Levi cut me off. "I do. I meant it when I said I love you. And I don't use those words lightly."

Levi wasn't looking at me anymore. A sign he meant it. Over time I'd noticed he wasn't good with admitting his feelings which was why, when talking about them, he looked down pretending to be alone. "I love you too.", I replied, causing hin to look up again, his expression somewhat confused.

"I would've said it back then but... well, Hanji happened." He scoffed slightly with an amused undertone. "Yes, I remember." The silence was a little awkward because I could tell he wanted to say something but didn't know how to. "So... you'll be my girlfriend?", Levi finally asked, looking nervously between me, the window and his work o the table. "Yes. I'd love to.", I replied chuckling.

He just nodded a few times, still pretty nervous. His current state was much to my amusement. "Dinner time, let's go." Levi got up from him desk and walked over to the couch, holding out his hand to help me up. His touch was still hesitant and a bit awkward but I had the feeling he was warming up to it. In the dining hall, I sat next to him, across from Hanji who I was talking to.

She told me about her experiments and some things she'd organised today. Ever since Erwin told Habji she'd be the next commander after him, she'd been more included in plannings of upcoming projects, especially regarding the expedition to wall Maria. I went to my and Hanji's dorm after the meal to go shower. After coming out of the bathroom ready for bed, I saw Hanji look at me with this expectant expression.

"We're together.", I said after a but of silence and she jumped up.from her chair bouncing around the room, then hugging me, then bouncing around again. :Oh that's great news. I knew it. You two make a great couple, haven't seen him this comfortable with anyone in a long time. Probably since I met him." I chuckled at her rambling. "Oh, I'm not holding you up. Go, go to your boyfriend. But no little you's running around anytime soon. Yeah?"

I just huffed at her joke, at least I hope she meant it as a joke and that Hanji didn't actually think of us that way. "Good night Hanji.", I said before opening the door and going down the corridor to Levi's office. I was just getting comfortable in the couch when he looked over at me. "You know, you don't have to sleep on the couch." "Don't worry, I like the couche.", I teased, knowing this wasn't about the couch.

"You know what I mean, idiot. You can sleep in my bed, you know... being my girlfriend and all.", he mumbled awkwardly standing in the doorframe to his bedroom, pointing inside. "Now that's an offer I can't refuse, ain't it." "No, not really." I got up and walled over to Levi, kissing his cheek and then walking past him towards the bed. Curling myself up under the blanket. Levi stood in the doorframe some longer, hand hovering over his cheek before finally catching himself and coming to bed as well.