The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

One Year Later... Again

One Year Later

Year: 845

After accepting Erwin's invitation to be Humanity's protectors, Tessa and Levi were by each other's side, demonstrating hand-to-hand combat and ODM in front of the Scouts and newer recruits. Over the past few months, Hange had an idea for Tessa and Levi to set a record on clearing the course, and the other would have to beat it. It was for Hange's personal entertainment and curiosity to see who was the most competitive among the duo. Plus, it was to tease them about their relationship. While there were some highs over the year, there were some lows too. Levi still had nightmares though they were distant, and Tessa was there by his side since he was now staying in her room since their first night together. Of course, Tessa didn't mind it because she got to have Levi hold her close to his chest, especially when she couldn't sleep to when he had night terrors. Whenever that happened, Tessa would run her fingers through his raven-colored hair while humming the same lullaby as he rested his head on her chest to listen to her heartbeat and humming before falling back to sleep, which Tessa figured out the first time she did it for him.

As the expedition drew near, the nightmares Levi experienced would happen, causing him to lose sleep. During those nights, Levi would either stare at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to overtake him again, or read one of the books on Tessa's bookshelf, not wanting to wake her because she was busy as him since the expedition was getting closer. Somehow Levi's gaze would shift to Tessa's sleeping form curled up to his chest, causing him to run his fingers through her ebony curls because even while she sleeps, she is always by his side. Kip would even leave his dog bed to lay on the floor by Levi's bedside, making Levi wonder what he did to deserve this kind of life, but he didn't mind it, not one bit. The days weren't as bad, well, they frankly were. When recruits came in, they tried flirting with Tessa by asking her to train with them, which she would politely refuse. It wasn't until one of the guys had grazed his hand across Tessa's ass and squeezed it. However, before Tessa could react, Levi punched him, saying it was a hand-to-hand combat training exercise, but Tessa and even Hange knew better. After his anger got the best of him that day, it was also when Hange told him that she knew about his and Tessa's relationship. All Levi could respond was a simple Tch, which caused Hange to laugh before promising to keep it a secret, which surprised him. Tessa didn't find out about it until a week later, realizing they didn't hide it very well.

With more recruits joining the Scouts, Tessa had more help in the medical wing to visit her patients in the city more often. The new medics respected Tessa and her talents in the specialization of medicine and the Scouts by her teaching them whatever she could, which they learned with haste. Since the added help in the wing increased, Tessa no longer had to stress about cramming everything into one day. Though the medical files did grow as expected, she would finish them in less than three days as part of the deal with Levi, Hange, Miche, and Erwin. Everything was looking up for Tessa and Levi until a letter came.

Tessa's POV:

While looking at the last-minute details before the expedition tomorrow, Levi and Tessa is in the office, sitting around the desk, looking at the map and documents from Erwin. Tessa's braid hangs over her shoulder as she hovers over her desk with a pen to take notes while Levi sits in the desk chair, running his fingers through his raven-colored hair while looking at the paperwork from Erwin. Everything is adding perfectly, yet they need every backup plan possible. It is part of their job for Erwin, Shadis, and the rest of the Scouts. Levi pinches the bridge of his nose before putting the paperwork down, "I've looked this over so much the words are weaving together," He confesses, "Any luck on your end, Tess?" He asks while getting up to join Tessa's side, which she lightly chuckles while staring at the map, "I'm in the same boat, love," She replies when she puts the pen down, "Erwin must've realized how much of perfectionists we are, so that's why he asked us to help overlook this plan." She implies while resting her head on Levi's shoulder, making him smirk as he rubs her back, "Well, you're not wrong there. Four-Eyes would lead us to danger if up to her," He jokes, making Tessa glare at him, "You know I'm right, sweetheart." He adds, and Tessa rolls her eyes while shaking her head, "I know, but sometimes, I wish you two would get along. I swear I think you two enjoy messing with each other." She confesses while pulling away from Levi's embrace.