The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

Complicated... Feelings?

The midnight starry night illuminated the courtyard as the girl with long cascaded ebony curls and the guy with storm-colored eyes walked back to Tessa's room. However, Tessa stops to listen to the stillness around them, enjoying one of the few beauties among the darkness that covers the world. No Titan or corrupted military branch could warp it into disgust, so whenever the sky is clear, like right now is when Tessa feels tranquility. It became a part of her routine in the Military Police because she could let go of the stress, anger, and all negative feelings she felt that day. Though she was now free from that, Tessa needed a minute to pause because the past few hours had been a whirlwind of emotions, from seeing Levi again to relieving her mother's death. It had become too much, and Tessa felt like her body was drowning in a tornado of emotions.

While Tessa enjoys her peace, she doesn't notice Levi's gaze transfixed on her because he watched her stop in the courtyard. He remained silent as he raised a brow at what she could be doing, only to see her close her eyes. Somehow after Tessa did that, all the extra noises around them went quiet. It was as if Tessa had frozen time around them by doing one small thing, which amazed Levi as he smiled at her. After a few short moments, Tessa opens her eyes to see Levi staring at her and feels her cheeks turn red, and she bites the corner of her lip, "Heh, I uhh... it's a long story." She winces from embarrassment while rustling her hair, a nervous tick that Levi remembers. 'Why am I still so awkward around him?' Tessa thought while she rubbed her temples before they resumed their walk. Levi chuckles as he walks beside Tessa again, then remembers the books in Tessa's office and the drawing on her desk, "Speaking of stories, Tess. Why do you have a section of fairytales in your office?" Levi asks, and Tessa sighs, "Whenever I check on my younger patients, I bring a story to read to them," Tessa replies, "It brings me closer to my mom since she used to do that for me every night." She explains while twisting the ring on her pinky, another nervous tick.

After hearing Tessa talk about her patients, Levi couldn't help but smile because he noticed the once-dim light was now shining bright. The Tessa he watched poured her heart out about what happened to her mom was different than the one he saw now. Tessa is still passionate about helping people, which makes him wonder if anyone else has got to experience her kind heart when she is nearby. Levi takes Tessa's hand and smiles, "Your mom would be proud of you, Tess," He admits, which makes Tessa smile, yet Levi isn't done with his questions because they still need to talk about the drawing he had found earlier, "I have one more question for you. It's about the drawing on your desk." He asks and hears Tessa curse under her breath, which makes him laugh because he knows Tessa can't escape this one. Tessa slowly shakes her head and sighs, "In my defense, I forgot that was on my desk when I went to get the tea," Tessa defends, and Levi looks at her, "Don't look at me like that." She laughs, but Levi shakes his head before letting out another laugh, "You don't even know what I was going to say, Tess." Levi reasons, and Tessa smirks, "Yes, I do, but that's another story for another day, Levi." She replies with a laugh, only for Levi to roll his eyes, "Fine, brat." He huffs, and Tessa raises a brow, "It's been a while since I heard that nickname, dork." She teases with a nudge.

Levi shakes his head as he takes Tessa's hand to spin her around the dark hallway, which makes her laugh and becomes a sign for Levi to keep going because he loves hearing her laugh. The two childhood friends smile at each other before Kip barks, notifying them they have reached their destination, Tessa's room. Tessa has yet to pull away from Levi's embrace as they stop by the door, but she does smile at him, "I really have missed you, Levi. Tonight felt like old times." She admits while petting the top of Kip's head, unaware of Levi's cheeks turning slightly red, though the dim lighting helps mask it. Levi clears his throat after scratching the back of his undercut, "You're welcome, Tess. I've missed it too," He agrees before clearing his throat another time, "I'll see you tomorrow?" He asks, and Tessa nods, "Yeah. I have to head to Trost to check on a few patients, but I'll be back around noon," She explains, "Hopefully, I won't have any more paperwork when I get back." She admits with a laugh, which makes Levi smirk.