The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

"After All These Years..."

Tessa's POV:

The Following Morning

When Tessa and Levi woke up this morning, they prepared the layout for today. They would join Hange, along with Moblit, Oluo, and Petra, accompanying them to Trost to meet with Erwin before the recruitment ceremony tonight before returning to Headquarters of just her and Levi to take Eren, Eld, and Gunther, for one more patrol. After the anticipation of the past month, it was finally here. Tessa was concerned about the number of recruits willing to join the Scouts, hoping it would be enough to increase the numbers again because they needed them. Tessa falls into her desk chair while pushing her bangs away from her face and sighs, and Levi hears it as he walks into the room, "You okay, honey?" He asks while finishing buttoning his shirt, and Tessa nods as she rests her chin on her hand, "Yeah, just ready for today to be over because we need to prepare for the expedition." She admits while swaying her chair from side to side. Levi notices Tessa's worry as she fiddles with the wing around her neck, to which he takes her hand and sighs, "It's going to be fine, Tess. You don't need to worry." He reassures her, and Tessa weakly smiles, "I hope so, Levi." She confesses while leaving the chair and pulling away from Levi's embrace. Today's stress is heavy on her mind, and Tessa tries blocking it out as she walks into the bedroom to prepare for the day ahead of them, leaving Levi in the office.

Tessa hopes to block out the overwhelming feelings rattling inside her head before Levi notices. However, she doesn't realize he is leaning against the bedroom door, watching her every move because he is concerned about her until he speaks, "Honey, what's wrong?" He asks, but Tessa shakes her head as she sits on the bed, "Nothing's wrong, Levi. I'm fine." She lies while putting on her boots. Levi sighs as he pushes himself off the frame to kneel in front of her, "Tess, I know how you are when you are stressed and overthinking, like right now," He reveals while cupping her face, "Talk to me, baby. What's wrong?" He asks while tilting his head, and Tessa sees the concerned look in his storm-colored eyes, which makes her bite her lip, "It's just-" She pauses, "Do you think any of those kids that faced Trost will join the regiment after what they saw?" She asks, and Levi's lip purses as he furrows his brows, "We can only hope that there are some willing to join and help put a stop to the Titan onslaught." He says, but Tessa shakes her head again, "But, what if-" She goes to say, but Levi stops her, "Honey, listen to me. It will be okay." He says, and Tessa nods before resting her head on Levi's shoulder, "I only hope you're right, my love." She confesses, and Levi lets out a light chuckle before kissing Tessa's cheek, "I thought it was your job to be the optimistic one, not me." He teases, which makes Tessa turn her head and smile, "I still am, dork. Don't forget that." She answers with a wink, and Levi grins, "I wouldn't dream of it, brat." He replies while zipping up her other boot for her.

Tessa runs both hands through her ebony curls and sighs, "And the fucking humidity will be kicking my ass today. Great." She grumbles before getting up from the bed to the bathroom to brush her long curls into a tight ponytail. Levi watches her as he leans against the door and smiles, "Did I ever tell you that your dramatics is one of the first things I missed about you?" He asks, and Tessa looks at him as she adjusts her bangs, "Really? Why?" She asks, and Levi chuckles, "Because it's what made me realize I had feelings for you," He answers, which makes Tessa blush as he walks over to wrap his arms around her waist, "It's why I started calling you, 'Brat' in the first place because you looked like a child throwing a tantrum whenever you're pissed." He reveals, and Tessa gasps as she hits his chest, "Ass, and here I thought it was my sweet personality that won you over." She teases, and Levi smiles after kissing Tessa's cheek, "It was, but your dramatics is what makes your personality that much sweeter, beautiful." He whispers as he rests his forehead against hers, and Tessa smiles again, "I love you." She says while wrapping her arms around his neck, and Levi lifts her chin, "And I love you." He whispers, then pulls her in for a kiss.