Falling For You (Levi x Reader) Slowburn

Chapter 15:

Levi sat on the edge of the battlements, on one of the slightly sunken crenels. The stone ledge, part of a high path connecting two watchtowers from Headquarters, gave him a quiet spot away from the noise and movement below. The night air was cool, and the stars were clear and sharp against the dark sky, offering him a rare moment of peace. He often found solace in such places, far above the ground where the stillness of the night enveloped him.

His eyes traced the constellations, the distant lights familiar yet still fascinating. Only a few days left before they set out on their next expedition outside the walls. The thought of it made his mind drift. So many of the new recruits barely survived their first expedition. Most never returned at all. He didn't let himself get too attached to them. He couldn't.

But Y/N... he hated to admit it, but she occupied his thoughts more often than he liked. Her chances of survival worried him. Even if she'd be placed in a supposedly safer spot within the outer formation, there was no guarantee she would survive. The field was unpredictable. The thought gnawed at him, and he hoped she'd somehow be safe.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing from the watchtower connected to Headquarters. His brow furrowed as he turned his head, slightly annoyed. He assumed the others were still gathered around the bonfire. He had come here specifically to avoid them. So why was someone intruding on his quiet?

A figure emerged from the doorway. Y/N.

She seemed to walk past at first, not noticing him in the shadows, but then she paused, her eyes catching his. After putting on the uniform, she had been looking for him everywhere. She had wandered through the hallways, up and down the stairs of Headquarters, her eyes scanning every room and corridor, hoping to catch even a glimpse of him. Seeing him now, brought a rush of excitement and comfort. She smiled, and Levi's breath caught for a moment, his annoyance fading as he took in her appearance.

Dressed in the uniform he had given her, she looked different, proud... confident. Y/N felt a surge of pride welling up inside her, the uniform making her feel stronger and capable. There was a brightness in her expression that he hadn't seen before.

His eyes softened without him realizing it, observing the way she nearly skipped toward him, her movements light and free. She seemed so genuinely happy in that moment, and it hit him in a way he wasn't prepared for. His usual sharp gaze lingered on her, taking in every detail of her appearance, from the way her hair framed her face to how her eyes shined under the moonlight.

She stopped in front of him, beaming as she widened her arms playfully. "So? What do you think?" Y/N turned around, showing off the emblem on her cape proudly. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for his response, a mix of excitement and nervousness swirling inside her.

Levi blinked, feeling something strange in his chest. His eyes widened slightly as he tried to gather himself, masking the tenderness that had crept in. He gave her a dry look. "You're wearing that at this hour?" He arched a brow, adding with a hint of sarcasm, "Thought you said you preferred comfortable stuff."

Y/N giggled, clearly not bothered by his teasing. Her head felt light, and the giggle slipped out before she could stop it. She wasn't thinking about much, just that she was happy. "It's comfortable enough," she said with a bright smile, twirling slightly to show off the cape. "And it looks great! I just had to show you."

Why did she feel the need to show him? She wasn't sure, but it felt like the right thing to do at the time. Levi would appreciate it, she thought, or at least she hoped. Her heart swelled with pride, not caring that it was late or that her thoughts weren't fully making sense.

He glanced at her again, trying to suppress his feelings. "Just take better care of it," he said, his voice softer than before, though he quickly added, "And don't go getting yourself swallowed by another Titan."