Retrieving Footsteps [Levi x Reader]

The First Breakthrough

Later that day, as I was immersed in analyzing the data for the crystal project, I heard a soft voice beside me.

"Hey, (Y/n)," Armin said, giving a polite nod as he approached. "I was just wondering if you might need some help with the project. I've been looking through some material that might be relevant and thought I could lend a hand."

I looked up from my notes, pleasantly surprised. Armin's gentle but analytical nature was known throughout the office, and his attention to detail was something that set him apart. "That would actually be amazing, Armin," I replied. "I could definitely use an extra set of eyes on some of these formulas."

He smiled, pulling up a chair next to me. "From what I've seen, the crystal's structural properties remind me a bit of layered minerals—like how graphite and diamonds have different forms but are both made of carbon. If we could identify any existing materials with a similar binding strength, it might give us a head start."

I blinked, taking in his insight. "You're absolutely right, that's a great comparison. I've been thinking about how to strengthen the molecular bonds without compromising flexibility. If we can strike that balance, the crystal could have even more potential uses."

Armin's face lit up. "Exactly. And if we can adjust the environmental conditions carefully, we might find the key to controlling its growth rate." He glanced around and then lowered his voice. "Not that Levi would have a problem if we sped things up a little."

I chuckled, nodding. "You're not wrong. Levi has an... intense commitment to efficiency. But I think he'll appreciate the results, especially if we can get them sooner."

As we dove deeper into our discussion, I found myself becoming increasingly engaged. Armin had a way of breaking down complex ideas into manageable pieces, making it easier to see the potential in my project.

"What if we create a prototype using a combination of materials?" I suggested, tapping my pencil against the table. "We could test the strength and durability under various conditions to see what works best."

"That's a solid idea," Armin replied, jotting down notes. "We could even gather some data from the lab on similar materials to compare their properties with what we're developing. It might help us refine our approach."

As we brainstormed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie growing between us. It was refreshing to work alongside someone who shared the same passion for innovation and problem-solving.

Suddenly, Eren's voice broke through our concentration. "Hey, you two! What's the secret huddle about?" He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed with a teasing grin. "Plotting to take over the lab while Levi's away?"

I shot him an amused glare. "Nothing like that, Eren. We're just discussing some ideas for the crystal project."

"Right, right," he said, still smirking. "I just hope you're not planning on making it more complicated than it needs to be. You know how Levi is about efficiency."

"Believe me, we're well aware," Armin chimed in, rolling his eyes playfully. "But sometimes a little complexity can lead to breakthroughs."

Eren shrugged, walking further into the room. "Just don't get on Levi's bad side, or you'll both end up with a mountain of work to do." He grinned, obviously enjoying the thought.

"Thanks for the reminder," I said, laughing lightly. "We'll be sure to keep our heads down."

As the three of us continued to brainstorm, a sudden idea sparked in my mind, illuminating my thoughts like a light bulb flickering to life. What if I used a layered approach for the prototype? Each layer could contain different material compositions, allowing us to test various combinations for strength and durability simultaneously.