Love in a Time of War

Chapter One

A/N: I'm changing it slightly so Levi was older when his mother died. He was fifteen and Emiko was a newborn. Also for appearance, just picture a female Levi with short hair like Mikasa's in the final season.

Emiko sits in her brother's study reading, waiting for her brother to finish his paperwork "That's the fifth time you've read that book this month." Levi tells her. "It wouldn't be if you let me go to the library." Emiko responds, not looking up from her book. "You know why you're not allowed to go to the library. Last time you went you got yourself banned." Levi sighs. "Not my fault." Emiko mutters, turning her page. Levi stands and walks over, snatching the book out of her hands "Levi! Give it back!" Emiko exclaims, jumping up and trying to get the book back. "Not until you tell me what happened at the library." he responds, keeping the book out of reach. Emiko glares and launches herself at her brother with a small scream, Levi just holding her in one arm as he holds the book out of reach "Emiko." he groans. "Give me my book back!" Emiko glares. "Not until you tell me." Levi retorts, trying to keep the tiny ten year old away from her book. "I punched a MP in the balls." Emiko mumbles.

Levi sighs and sits at his desk, sitting his sister on his lap "What happened?" he asks. Emiko plays with her fingers, not looking at her brother "Emiko, I can't do anything about it if you don't tell me what happened." Levi tries, lifting her chin with his first two fingers. "It was one of the MP's who know about our history." Emiko tells him. "What did they say?" Levi growls slightly. "Doesn't matter." Emiko mumbles, playing with Levi's cravat. Levi takes her hand in his "It does, Emiko." he tells her. Emiko nuzzles into him "He made some remarks out Mother, Isa and Farl." she tells him, a couple tears falling. Levi's arms tighten protectively round her "Emiko-" he starts, being cut off by the door opening and Hange walking in. "Hange!" Emiko grins, jumping up and running over. Hange smiles and hugs her "Hey Mini Levi." they greet, Emiko giggling slightly. Levi scoffs slightly, Emiko smiling at him "Can I have my book back now?" she asks sweetly. "Only if your promise to finish our conversation later." Levi concedes. "Okay." she nods, grinning when Levi gives her the book back. "Levi." Hange says, motioning to Emiko. Levi nods "Emiko, can you go to your room til i come and get you? Hange and I need to talk." he tells her. "Okay. Bye Hange." Emiko smiles, hugging her brother before walking out the room.

Levi lets a small smile show before hiding it "What is it?" he asks Hange. "We're leaving for the mission tonight, it got brought forward." Hange tells him. Levi sighs "I'll have to let Emiko know that I can't take her out later then." he tells therm. Hange nods "You want me to go find one of the usuals to look after her?" they asks him. Levi nods "If you would, I need to tell her sooner rather than later." he responds, walking out his office. Walking to the next door, he opens it "Emiko." he says, smiling slightly when he sees his sister in her window seat reading. "Levi." she smiles. Levi walks over and pulls a chair over "The expedition got brought forward, we're leaving tonight. I can't take you out later like I said." he tells her. Emiko looks down "Okay, but we can go when you get back. Right?" she asks, looking at him. "Right, promise." he smiles slightly. Emiko smiles and wraps her arms round his neck "Be careful." she whispers. "I always am." Levi tells her, holding her close and kissing the top of her head. Emiko moves so she can wrap her legs round his waist "Can we have tea before you have to get ready to go?" she asks. "Of course we can." Levi smiles, picking her up and carrying her to his room next door.

Emiko stands with one of the cooks as Levi gets ready to leave "Remember to be good. I'll see you when we get back and take you to your favourite cafe." Levi tells her. Emiko nods and wraps her arms round his waist "I'll miss you." she tells him. "I'll miss you too." he responds. "You have your necklace?" Emiko asks. Levi nods and pulls the leather cord with a small wooden feather on it from under his shirt "Always have it on me." he tells her. Emiko smiles and pulls out her own one out from under her shirt "Me too." she tells him. Levi kisses her forehead as he tuck his necklace back under his shirt "I love you." he tells her quietly. "I love you too." Emiko tells him, kissing his cheek. "Hey Minnie Levi, where's my hug?" Hange asks, walking over with her horse. "Hange!" Emiko exclaims, jumping into Hange's arms. Hange chuckles and hugs her "Be good and I'll get you a new book." they tell her. Emiko nods "I will." she responds, hugging Hange again before jumping down. Levi hugs Emiko one last time before mounting his horse, Emiko standing to the side as the Scouts leave.

A few days later, Emiko lies asleep in Levi's bed. Levi smiles as he walks in, sitting on the edge of the bed "Emiko, wake up." he says, brushing her hair out her face. Emiko wakes up and smiles when she sees her brother "Levi!" she exclaims, jumping into his arms. "Have you been sleeping in here?" he asks. "Only last night when we heard about Shiganshina." Emiko responds, putting her face in his neck. Levi nods "You want to sleep in here tonight?" he asks her, kissing her head. Emiko yawns and sleepily nods, Levi nodding and pulling back to covers. Levi puts Emiko under his covers "Let me change cleaned up and changed, then I'll come join you." he tells her. "Okay Levi." she nods, curling up under the covers. Levi kisses her head and goes to wash and change before walking back over to the bed, climbing in next to Emiko. Moving slightly in her sleep, Emiko cuddles into his chest making Levi wrap his arms protectively round her.