Pluviophile | Levi Ackermann × Reader |

| Chapter 27| Teacup

I held the shiny blue rim of the teacup up to the sky, watching how it glimmered in the moonlight. I lived vicariously through the beauty of it, then brought it down into Levi's hands and bestowed it upon him. It was the teacup I had spotted in the pawn shop the day we ran into that thief, a teacup that reminded me of the Captain in every way.
"Take good care if it."

I had already purchased it, both of us standing outside the store now.

"Where did you get the money for something like this?" Levi examined it with a inquisitive look. He couldn't take his eyes off it, and I could tell he was absorbed in it's glamor.

"I had some money pile up while I was recovering in the hospital," I yawned, responding. "It reminded me of you, so the money is well spent."

He cupped it delicately, holding it nicely so that he wouldn't accidentally damage it. "Thank you..."

I began tredding through the roads of the town side by side with Levi, listening to the owls and crickets and the little stream of water that ran underneath a bridge. While crossing the bridge, I stopped to lean on the railing and gaze down into the flowing water. Levi stopped with me.

"What is it?" He asked, peering into the blue liquid.

"It's beautiful tonight, isn't it?" Although I spoke of the water and the sky, my eyes were on Levi.

He met my gaze, the colors of our eyes shining together.

"It is."

It was silent, and then Levi spoke again. "I can't thank you enough for... This," He looked down at the teacup. I smiled.
"How can I repay you?"

I pointed at my lips. "Well you could start with this."

Levi held the teacup at his side on one hand as the other slithered to the back of my head, pushing me forward into a soft kiss. When he parted from my lips, I crossed my arms defiantly.

"Just one kiss? That's it?"

Levi started walking back to the Headquarters. "Let's save the rest for later."

"How bold," I chuckled, smirking as I followed behind him.
-

|Chapter 27|
Teacup
-
I poured myself a cup of water down in the empty Mess Hall. It was far past midnight, and I was parched. I quickly journeyed through the dusted halls and over to Levi's office, opening it without knocking as I entered.

I didn't see him anywhere. I had told him I was going to shower before returning, and that I had already done. My hair was still wet.

"Levi? Where are you?"

"In here." He called from his room, voice echoing.

I went inside, the sight of Levi sitting on the edge of his bed made me blush ever so slightly. He was wearing pajamas, simple and plain. A white shirt and brown pants that were nearly too long for him. It was a cute thing to see, yet his shirt was slightly folded up on one side, and I could see his V-line. It canceled out the cuteness and replaced it with hotness.

I bit my lip. "You sure do know how to get me flustered," I said, sitting down beside him and pulling his shirt down to hide the view. He drowsily leaned forward, kissing me clumsily.

I held in a laugh, giving him a confused glance. "Are you tired?"

"No," He responded, eyes droopy. It gave him away. "I'm fine."

He towered over top of me, holding me down on the bed and kissing me more. I rolled him over, easily overpowering him. He was limp. "You are tired. Don't try and hide it."

He glared. "I'm not hiding anything."

His eyes fluttered, obviously trying to stay awake. "I'm... Repaying my debts."

"Well lucky for you the debts aren't due yet, so get some sleep." I let go of him and layed on the other half of the bed, running my fingers through his cold, wet hair. He had showered too before I arrived. His eyes were closed now, lips parted in a shallow breath. He looked peaceful as he layed on the bed beside me.

I pulled the blanket up over him before stepping off the bed. I placed a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight, Levi."

When I turned around, he pulled me back by my sleeve. "Stay with me for tonight. Please."

He didn't even have to ask twice. I curled up under the sheets beside him, pressing my head against his chest. He embraced me, resting his chin on the top of my head. His heartbeat was a soft lullaby that lulled me to sleep. Being in his arms was like being in another world entirely.

Soon, I was asleep.

|>>>>|

When I awoke, my eyes were crusted shut. I rubbed them open and was drowned by light that surfaced from the edge of the window. I sat up, the soft sheets slipping off of me. My hand felt the empty space on the bed beside me.

Levi wasn't there.

I assumed he was up for breakfast already, or at least in his office, so I got out of his bed and stepped out into the next room. He wasn't there either.

When I got to the Mess Hall, the only person there I cared about was Hange, who sat rambling to her peers about who knows what. Levi was nowhere to be seen, so I skipped breakfast and headed to the only other place he could be. The stables.

I stepped outside and trecked over to the stables, opening the large wooden doors and stepped inside.

But rather than seeing Levi, I was met with a rather unexpected face.

"Commander Erwin?" I looked over at the tall man, his stoic face turning toward me.

"Ah, good morning soldier," He greeted formally. "I take it you're here looking for Captain Levi, yes?"

He was spot on, but I tried to play it off. "Actually no. I'm here to care for my horse," I said, picking up a bucket and tapping my horse awake.

Erwin's face was expressionless, but his eyes bore into my back and I could tell he knew I was trying to be casual.

"I sent him off to speak with the King, along with two other soldiers," The Commander informed me. "They're discussing his skill, from what I am aware of. It's a private affair, so even I lack knowledge of what they speak of."

"I see..." I cleared my throat. "Thank you for telling me. Do you know how long he will be gone?" I asked the last part with a twinge of lonesomeness in my voice. I didn't want to be apart from him for too long. It reminded me of when he was in his coma.

Erwin took note of my question, a small smile forming on his face. I was shocked to say the least.

"You care for him, don't you?" He stated it more than asked it, then turned back to his horse. "It will do him some good to lighten up. I've noticed he's a lot less reckless these days."

The Commander placed the bucket of feed away. "He will return tonight, before sundown."

I gave him a nod. "... Alright."

When I left, I gave the Commander a short wave and headed for my room to await Levi's arrival. I was impatient, my foot tapping crabbily against the floor.

By the time the clock struck six PM, I heard a knock at my door. I hurriedly rushed to it and opened it. But my excitement was slain and shot into the ground when I didn't see Levi.
Instead, I saw Harlin, his face white with grief, arms trembling.

"Why do you look so frightened?" I noticed a display of blood on his shoulder, but it wasn't his. There was no wounds anywhere on his body. He placed a hand on his shoulder, covering it up. My mouth went dry.

"Section Commander," He whimpered out. "The Captain... He's..."

"The Captain is dead."