Blue and White - Levi Fanfiction

Ch. 72 - Untroubled Waters, Undisturbed Sands

Armin led me to one of the first permanent buildings that'd been completed, one that acted for now as storage and office space while the main base was being built.

Commander Hange was standing at a table, flanked by the Special Operations Squad and my co-captain, as well as the other lieutenants and squad leaders that had been recently appointed. Also in the room were our brave volunteers, Yelena and Onyankopon.

There was quiet chatter filling the room, and at our entrance a few of the faces turned to look at us. I returned the smiles but looked down at the feeling of little hands grabbing at the straps on my thighs. I reached down and picked up my daughter, setting her on my hip as I weaved through the group to stand next to Levi. "Hello, my darling," I cooed to her. Then, when I reached Levi's side, asked the commander, "Were you waiting for me?"

"Not for long," Hange said. "I only got here a minute ago, too."

"This meeting was called not too long ago," Onyankopon spoke up. "I only just finished drafting what I needed, so don't worry, captain."

"Good, then," I responded, happy I hadn't held them up.

"I think that's everyone, now," Hange announced. "The floor is yours, Onyankopon."

He looked around the room, a wide smile on his face. "Let's get started, then," he said. "As part of the efforts to help Paradis Island catch up with the world, we had a few ideas on the most important advancements to focus on. Of course, a base of operations here on the coast takes priority, but progress on that is going smoothly, thanks to the combined efforts of the scouts and Marleyans. So, Commander Hange has asked me to prepare our next steps. I have quite the list of things to do."

He paused for a moment, taking a meaningful look around the room. A smile bloomed on his face, one equal parts excited as it was warm, and it was hard not to smile as well. His enthusiasm was contagious, and his desire to help our humble island was wonderful to see. We'd thought the entire world was our enemy, but clearly, there were people willing to help us.

"First," he continued, "let's make what this island needs most."

He unrolled a large piece of parchment with a flourish, laying it flat on the table in front of him. We all leaned forward to see it better. I tilted my head this way and that, trying to make sense of the shapes.

"This is called a harbor," Onyankopon said.

"Ooh," Connie smirked, "a harbor, huh? The little kids will like that."

"It's not a plaything," Jean said surely, flushing noticeably, though his eyes were lit with interest and excitement. "It's a bathhouse. You'll make one for mixed bathing too, right?"

"It's not a hot spring, you pervert," Sasha laughed, a line of drool dribbling down her chin. "It's like something tasty that you can eat, isn't it?"

"It's not food," Onyankopon said with a chuckle. "This is-"

"A place where boats can dock safely," Hange interjected. "I see... We could use the boats we've captured from the enemy to trade with countries across the sea!"

There was a chorus of intrigued "oh's" ringing out through the room now as we all looked at the diagram again. Even Onyankopon looked impressed that she'd figured it out. Goodness knows I wouldn't have guessed that, not in a million years.

"That's right, Commander Hange," he praised. "A port will help you interact with the rest of the world!"

"That's incredible, Onyankopon," she said genuinely.

Connie sighed disappointedly. "Where will the kids play, then?"

"I think a hot spring is more important," Jean scoffed.