One Million to One || Levi x Reader

epilogue: relearn

It's Tuesday somewhere... Pt 2 of 3! XO enjoy

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He can't bring himself to talk to you. And still, he doesn't know why.

Well, it should be obvious: there's no reason to. He doesn't know you. But that's not the case: there's something about you, something that makes his chest hurt and his heart squeeze and he's not sure what it is because he's positive he's never met you before. It's just something about you. He sees you, he sees the state you're in, and he feels this wave of guilt like never before.

Is it survivor's guilt? He's already had a psychologist come and talk to him about that. And yes, he feels that- he thinks about Isabel and Farlan every day- but why does he feel it about you?

That's why, when he heads to the cafeteria one night, he takes a seat next to the only other person he recognizes, because maybe it's something he feels too.

"Yes, be my guest," Erwin says when Levi gestures to the empty spot. 

He sits down, the tray piled with forgettable food plunking down on the table. "Thanks," he says dryly. Erwin hums in acknowledgement, but otherwise says nothing else.

They eat for a while in silence before Erwin clears his throat. "When are you getting discharged?"

Levi pauses. "I've been discharged. As of yesterday."

"Oh, congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Are you..." Erwin pauses. "Leaving, I suppose?"

He shrugs. "Not sure. Nurse said room is mine as long as I want it." Not really, but when he told her he had a bit of a headache, she said they would keep him as long as necessary to do some thorough evaluations. Apparently they've been given full bandwidth to care for people injured in the disaster and have had other people diverted to other hospitals, so Levi doesn't feel bad. "I'll stay a bit. Not sure what to do."

Erwin hums. "Understandable. The board's offered me a job in another city, whenever I feel up to it. But I'm still an infection risk, so I don't think I'll leave yet."

"Board?"

"School board." Erwin pauses. "I'm a teacher."

"Ah."

"And you?"

"Instructor. Martial arts."

"Definitely need to be at full health before you get back into that."

Sure. And it's not like the job is here- it's in his hometown, a few hours by train, unaffected by the disaster. He could go back whenever.

But there's still something needling him. "You feel like..." Levi stabs at his plate. "You feel like you're missing something?"

Erwin stares for a moment, then nods. "Sometimes."

"Like what?"

"Time, mostly. I feel like I should have some recollection of the incident, but all I remember is glancing at my watch, and then I was here." He frowns, then continues, "it feels fishy."

"Fishy," Levi repeats.

"Everyone's hearts stopped for exactly one minute. Isn't that strange?" Erwin straightens up. "And the dreams. I've talked to some people who are recalling some weird things. You had anything like that?"

Besides an overwhelming black hole in the middle of his chest, no. "No."

Erwin's eyebrows furrow slightly. Then, his lips quirk. "Or, perhaps, maybe... someone you feel that you should know."