Turning Page || Levi Ackerman

12: Broken Tea Cups

Hey guys, this chapter might be slightly triggering for a few people, so do check out the content warnings for this fic before reading. Also this chapter takes place 2 weeks after the last chapter. (Which means three weeks of Levi being distant towards Mae, and the marriage proposal being offered.)

Song for this chapter is a hindi song (because my inner desi, suddenly came out.) But I highly recommend you check it out. I think it fits the situation perfectly, and the video I'm linking has the translated lyrics. (Link in the comments.)

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JUL 846

The smell of tea wafts around the medical ward. It smells great and Mae can't help but be reminded of Levi, as she brings the cup in her hand closer to her mouth.

She sips in the little beverage remaining in her cup. The warm liquid seeps into her throat. It tastes even better than it smells. Perfectly sweet, perfectly strong... exactly the way she likes it.

Petra sits in front of her. Watching the sunset through the window, that beautifully shades the sky in pinks and violets.

The mission is approaching in 3 weeks, and a few things in the Survey Corps have already become a little tense. Higher officials are busy, attending meeting after meeting, and training the squads for the challenges ahead

Mae places her emptied cup on the tray and then she asks "How is the preparation for the mission going in Petra?"

"We are training very hard, working hard to the bone," Captain Levi is training them to death these days, but Petra avoids saying anything Captain-related in front of Mae. Because she knows it hurts Mae in some way.

She doesn't understand what's happening between the two of them. On one hand, Mae is visibly upset. Always cooped up in the medical room, reading books related to medicine, or taking tips from the other doctors.

And Captain has made himself so busy. He takes extra training sessions for other cadets, attends every meeting even if he is not called for. Does extra chores around the headquarters. And the paperwork he would tell Eld to do, is all done by him, these days.

As it is, the job of a captain has a million other tasks. And Petra doesn't know how he is handling all this extra stuff all by himself. She hardly sees him around, unless it's for the squad practice. Or for the times he calls her into his office.

And in between all of that, comes Ivan with his marriage proposal.

The entire squad is agonizing over where this story is headed. And right now the end doesn't seem good in any way.

"I'm a little nervous, but I think we'll be just fine. We are preparing well." Petra speaks about the mission again. And Mae hums as she looks up at Petra thoughtfully.

Ever since the day Levi lashed out at her in the hallways, Petra has come to meet her, regularly.

The first time was the same night when they were all cleaning the hallways. She told her that Levi didn't mean all those words he said that day. He was really mad about something else, and Mae shouldn't be upset about it.

The gesture was heartwarming. And Petra even made her some tea to cheer her up.

Now Petra talks about her days mostly, and then sometimes she would flip the tables and ask Mae about how she's doing.

The sound of the door creaking open pierces through and both their heads swivel towards it. Ivan walks in and flashes Petra an awkward smile.

He's working here as a nurse for a month. And Petra often finds him and Mae together. Solemnly, she finishes her tea, places it on the tray, and gets up. "I'll take my leave."