The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

"When will it be enough?"

Tessa's POV:

After Tessa left Levi's office, she left for the training yard. Though her mind focused on training with her squad, Tessa still thought about how Levi was throughout the day. She hoped Levi would be fine and get some rest while she was gone with the others. Tessa was still upset with him for not telling her about the migraines, yet she understood why. The last Levi wanted to do was worry her, so he kept his mouth shut. However, Tessa thought Levi didn't trust her... Wait. What was she thinking? He does trust her. Tessa couldn't believe that dark thought crossed her mind. She messes with her hair as she pulls herself together. Yet those thoughts didn't fade, but she realized why. Over the past few years, both Tessa and Levi had put their feelings for the other on hold whenever it came time to be leaders. It has kept a counterweight for the entire squad and their personal lives. However, the balance had started to shift.

Whenever Levi and Tessa are alone, they don't talk about work. It's just them, just Levi and Tessa. However, there are times when their alone time does get interrupted by endless paperwork, meetings, missions, or being exhausted from their jobs. It's becoming more frequent, and it's starting to bother her. The only time Levi and Tessa have been able to talk nowadays is during training and missions. Both have been too tired to stay awake to talk or have sex. It was lonely and driving Tessa crazy. Suddenly Tessa realized that it was no wonder those dark thoughts crossed her mind. It's because work always got in the way. They don't get a break from being Captains anymore. Tessa knew she didn't want to voice her concerns since she didn't want to seem incapable of doing her job because she was more concerned about her relationship than humanity. That's the last she wants to do because humankind needs her now more than ever.

As training had finished for the day, Tessa's job as a Captain was far from over. She still had the two stacks of paperwork on her desk and had to pack for the trip before she and Levi left tomorrow. Tessa rubs the back of her neck as she walks into the courtyard with Kip beside her leg and sighs, "I'm going to feel like shit tomorrow." She mutters before looking up at the clear sunset-colored sky as the fresh air swarms around her, which pauses her overwhelming thoughts. As always, time freezes around her, and everything goes silent. The only thing that she can feel and hear is the sound of her beating heart. It was like a beating drum hitting her chest each time she breathed. Sometimes, it's suffocating, but other times it's refreshing and relaxing. If her emotions are overwhelming, then it is a caged prison. If she needs a sign of peace, then it keeps her grounded. Tessa sighed as she looked for the motion of peace in her thoughts, and this was it. She takes another deep breath before walking into the fortress.

While everyone went their separate ways to relax after an exhausting day of training and drills, Tessa was on her way to finishing the paperwork she left on her desk this morning. Kip nudges her hand for a pet, and Tessa weakly smiles and pets him. Kip understood why Tessa was silent in her walk and how her body language acted. She was under a lot of stress and worry, so she was in shutdown mode. Her mind focused on one thing, and that was it. Before reaching her office door, Tessa remembered that she would check on Levi after training. She couldn't believe that she almost forgot that, and her heart twinged with slight guilt. Tessa and Kip walk past her office door and head for Levi's office, not even realizing that her office door is slightly ajar and unlocked.

During the short walk to her new destination, Tessa starts thinking about how Hange went on and on about capturing a Titan to learn about them, only for Tessa to let it go. She shakes her head and quietly laughs at how Hange has yet to drop the idea. Hoping Hange will listen to her this time, Tessa is still grateful that Hange will help overlook the team while Levi and she are away for the next week. They didn't find out that Hange actually offered to do it until Erwin told them about it the following day as he went over everything with them. While Tessa was pleased that she did, Levi was the opposite. He still had and does hold reservations about her being in charge of the Special Operations Unit. Tessa and Hange both agree that he's being a bit dramatic, which causes him to click his tongue and roll his eyes at them. Now, Tessa agrees with Levi, especially since Hange brought up a new idea about the Titan capturing during training.