Watchers [Levi x Erwin short story + Hange & Mike]

Sniffer

The time it took for Levi to think over the recent event was short. Although it was frustrating to understand, Levi made amends with it. That is until nighttime. For now, Levi wanted to per take in his newly found hobby, gardening. It wasn't much of a clean hobby, but it soothed him. Levi poured fresh water upon the sprouting Chrysanthemums. These specific ones were white and Black. Both clean colors.

Sniff sniff

Someone beside Levi sniffed the air, startling Levi. He glanced over at the person and nearly jumped out of his skin. It was Mike.

"Those flowers smell good," Mike said, straitening his stance. Then he looked over at Levi. Or..down. Mike was really tall. Taller than Erwin. Levi always disliked him for it. "Are you going to speak or just stare?"

Levi stared.

Rolling his eyes, Mike grabbed the watering can from Levi's grasp. "Stop over watering them. It makes the flowers smell soggy," Mike said, placing the can down. It was still unbelievable how Mike was standing here, In front of Levi.

"How are you-"

"Hange already told you," Mike interrupted. It was correct, Hange did tell Levi. But they didn't explain why. How come they hadn't stayed longer?
Levi shifted on his feet, feeling uncomfortable. "Ah, I see. I'll explain it a tad. We're here to, y'know, give encouragement. Make it so you're ready for what's to happen," Mike said.

"What is to happen?" Levi asked, concerned.

"You'll see. For now, keep growing those Chrysanthemums."

"Why should I though. They're just flowers. An excuse to feel proud of myself. It's not like they'll miss me if I die." Levi's tone was depressed. Those damned flowers wouldn't miss him. Nature would water them, keep them safe. Levi was only a babysitter. Babysitters weren't loved.

In that moment, Mike's gaze became hard as rock.  "Don't say such things about yourself. Those flowers need you. They love you. I can hear them saying that they love it when you water them, especially in the summer. Isn't that a reason enough to keep caring for them?"

"They're just flowers. Not a walking organism. It's not like they can-" Levi stopped himself for going further. There was no need to. It wasn't like Mike could care less about it anyways.
Levi turned his gaze to the flowers. They were beautiful, that's why they were there. To sit and look pretty. All the while Levi wilted away. Those flowers would only break through the ground again, he would not.

That would be okay though. Levi would like to sink back into the Earth. To never return to this..hell.

"Levi."

Levi rose his gaze back to Mike, whose eyes had softened. There was a comfort in the contact. A comfort of friends.

Mike let out a sigh and said,"Look, I'm not one for uplifting words, but you need to stay in there. It's not only flowers you're helping. It's people too. Leading those expeditions in search for new life in the wilderness. That helps humanity. You're not humanity's strongest anymore. You're humanity's leader."

The words sank into Levi's chest. How could someone like Mike come up with that? Levi glanced at the stone beneath them. It was recently polished.

"I have to go now, but. Remember today, okay? Smell you later," Mike said with a smile. He used to use that joke nonstop before the wall fell. It had gotten old, but now it was new. New and funny. Levi watched at Mike did a small wave while disappearing.

He then picked the watering can back up and continued on.