The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

Decisions

A Few Days Later

Levi's POV:

Over the next few days, we continued running tests with Hange and Eren, with us now more cautious and understanding of Eren's control with his Titan. We haven't used the method I created since Eren has maintained the command in his Titan form. Yet we're prepared to use it if needed. Throughout the tests and drills we run as a team, I have noticed Tessa becoming more focused each time Eren shifts, wondering what could be racing in her mind as she keeps her notebook on her leg and eyes on Eren at all times. The fold of her hands with her chin resting on her thumbs as she remains silent tells me that she is trying to keep calm about the nerves we are all feeling due to the week ending and the rest of the Scouts joining us soon. I slowly gaze at the notebook on her lap and notice the timestamps she has written down and her watch beside it, which makes me realize that Tessa is timing the tests. Is it possible to give Eren time to recover the number of times he transforms, or is it also part of the tests? Whether the answer may be, it's a good idea for us to have it on hand.

I snap out of my thoughts when I hear Hange cheering, which causes me to turn around and see her jumping in front of Eren's Titan's feet. I shake my head before I notice ebony-colored curls blowing in my peripheral, and I look at Tessa again. She has her pen between her index and thumb as she keeps the hand they belong to under her chin while watching the scene in front of us. Her sky-blue eyes narrow at Hange and Eren as the pen bounces between her fingers before moving it away to write on the little book on her lap. She doesn't realize I'm staring at her as she writes something in her notebook. Of course, that's what I wanted to ask her about-the notebook. I grab Shadow's reins and guide him closer to Star, and I clear my throat, which makes Tessa look at me, "Everything okay, Levi?" She whispers, and I nod, "Yeah, I just want to see where we are before you say it's time for Eren to have a break." I answer, and Tessa softly laughs as she looks at her lap, "I was wondering when you would catch on to what I was doing." She admits while writing something down.

At the same time, Tessa's left index finger trails down the paper before looking at me, "If Eren can hold out for at least five, maybe ten more minutes, we can tell Zoe it's time to stop." She answers, and I nod, "Alright, good to know," I reply, "And another thing, Tess, it didn't take long for me to notice since I know the most organized person who also has a skill for time management." I taunt, which makes Tessa roll her eyes, "I don't know why you're talking about yourself, Levi, but if it helps your ego, then by all means, talk away." She remarks before closing the notebook as she gives me a wink, and I shake my head, "You know who I'm talking about, Brat." I reply, and Tessa raises a brow, "Oh, I do? Then who is it then, Dork?" She asks playfully, and I click my tongue before leaning closer, "My beautiful fiancee." I whisper, to which I feel the heat emitting from Tessa's cheeks as I move away from her and see Tessa glaring at me with crimson-colored cheeks, "Aren't you a smooth one." She says while flipping her ebony curls out, possibly pretending that there isn't a scarlet color painting her cheeks.

I smirk as I turn to see Hange still jumping due to Eren's control timing before looking at Tessa again, returning to our playful banter, "Well, I know how to make your knees weak just by a few simple words." I whisper, and Tessa bites her lip while avoiding my gaze, "I-I have n-no idea what you're talking about." She answers though I can hear the wavering in her voice, and I raise a brow, "Yet the hesitation in your tone says otherwise, Tess." I point out, and Tessa rolls her eyes, "You're unbelievable sometimes, you know that, right?" She asks, and I smirk, "Only for you, beautiful." I whisper, which makes Tessa let out a frustrated sigh before looking at me with her sky-blue eyes, "Can we focus on Eren right now because we only have today and tomorrow for the last bit of training? Or did your old age make you forget?" She teases with a head tilt, and I click my tongue, "Tch. I'm only older than you by nine months, brat." I remark, and Tessa snickers, "And yet I'm still the more mature one between us, dork." She teases with a wink.