The Captain and the Assistant

Chapter 19: Home

You finally find a day where the three of you can head off towards your hometown. Despite the Walls being free from titans for some time now,  you still hadn't been back. Things had been so busy for both Levi and you despite the titan problem being over for the moment. The movement of people within the walls took time and you were still working daily with Hange to formulate a plan of attack if the armored and beast titans ever decided to return. The scouts felt like they couldn't let their guard down, always working.

Levi was up before you like he normally was. Hot tea was steaming from your bedside table and your clothes were folded neatly for you on Levi's dresser. You sat up and looked around, but there was no Levi to be found.

You smile at Levi's tea that he left for you. Even though he did that most mornings, it never got old.

Sitting up, you take a thoughtful sip and stand to look out over the courtyard of Trost. People are just beginning to stir, it's still very early.

You turn to grab your clothes and get dressed for the day when you see a small piece of parchment folded on top of your clothes. You smile to yourself and pick it up gingerly.

"Simon and I will be waiting for you. See you soon."

You admired Levi's small, neat penmanship. You can't help but find new things to love about the man everyday. You had been with him for almost four months now and everyday is a dream.

...

"Took you long enough. We were going to leave without you," Levi says to you when you arrive.

"Well I couldn't leave without finishing my tea," you smile and lean into him. He grabs you around the waist and pulls you in closer, kissing you sweetly.

"Ew! Gross! Can we go already! Please!" You hear Simon yelling at the two of you as you pull away.

Levi steps back and ruffles Simon's hair and gracefully sweeps the boy up in his strong arms, cradling him like a baby. Levi slowly starts walking towards the stables.

Simon practically growls at Levi, "Hey! You put me down!"

Despite Simon's objection, it's clear he can't stop smiling and chuckling under his breath. You fall in stride with the two of them and look at Levi, who's face is so soft and thoughtful. He looks so peaceful. There's a faint smile painted on his lips, like he's almost to afraid to let anyone see.

Levi raises Simon up, placing him on the saddle of the horse. Then he comes around to your horse and helps you climb over. He gracefully jumps on the horse behind Simon and takes the reigns from the child who is trying to whip the horse and telling it to "get moving".

Levi stares back at you, "Lead the way."

You ride on for a while, forgetting the trek you both took the night before the battle of Sheganshina. You hate that traveling back to your hometown would make you feel this sick. You look over to Levi for comfort. He's sitting up tall, one hand on the reigns, the other gripped tightly around Simon.

You tell yourself you'll be safe wherever you go with him, but you can't shake the pit in your stomach.

"To be honest with the both of you," you say aloud, "I'm not even sure if my cabin is still standing. If not, we can always set up camp somewhere around here too."

Levi nods and Simon smiles at you.

"It should be just up ahead," you tell the two as you round a familiar bend in the woods.

Then you see it.

You jerk your horse to stop and so does Levi.

You're home.