An Ackerman's secret

33

I woke up to someone lightly tapping my shoulder.

Panicked, I jumped up and turned to look at them, my body immediately relaxing as soon as I saw Levi's small smile.

"Hey, calm down, nothing's wrong." He whispered and held out his hand, "Come with me."

I nodded and grabbed his hand, allowing him to pull me up. It was dark outside and everyone was asleep around us apart from us, Hange and Moblit who were sat together in the corner.

We stepped over everyone laying on the floor, being careful not to wake any of them.

Since it was evening, it was now much colder and I could feel goosebumps running up and down my arms.

"Here." Levi took off his jacket and rested it on my shoulders, putting his arm around me to keep it up.

I smiled, "You're so sweet."

We walked past the tents and up the nearby hill, Levi leading the way.

He came to a stop at the top and laid down on the grass, patting the spot next to him.

I laid down and cuddled up next to him, resting my head against his chest as we both stared up at the sky, admiring the stars.

"How come you brought me out here?" I asked.

He shrugged, "I missed you, well, alone time with you."

"I'm still slightly tipsy." I giggled, holding my head which hurt.

Levi rolled his eyes and pulled me closer, kissing my forehead. The sky was so clear tonight and the stars seemed so close, it was surreal knowing that we are in Marley.

"Do you think we will win?" I lifted my head to glance at him.

He drew his eyebrows together, hesitating before answering, "I'm not sure, but we have come so far."

I nodded, my smile returning, "I'm proud of us."

His hand rested on my lower back, lightly rubbing it as he gazed at me, tucking my hair behind my ear to get a clearer look of me.

The way he looked at me was so calming and he made me feel so loved.

"As long as you never lose that smile of yours, we'll be okay."

I felt my cheeks heat up and broke eye contact with him, laying back down on his chest.

"Can you remember what we were like when we first met?" I asked, recalling all the memories that used to annoy me but now humour me.

"How could I forget." He scoffed.

"You were actually kind of intimidating then." I joked, knowing that he loved me being intimidated by him. "Sad you're not anymore."

He gave me a glare, "Well you never were intimidating."

"Oh but you did get nervous around me, didn't you?"

Levi still has an effect on me to this day, but back then, I couldn't read him and I knew nothing about him. He was a mystery to me.

"Nervous that you would do something stupid, yes." He muttered.

"You're so annoying."

He went silent for a few seconds before speaking up again, "You still make me nervous."

I raised my eyebrows, not expecting those words, "Really?"

He nodded, "I can barely breath around you."

A blush spread across my face which he caressed with his thumb, making the rosy colour appear even more pigmented.

"I love you." I beamed.