Your Wings - Reader X Levi Ackerman

Chapter 24: A Gift For You

A sliver of sunlight crept into the room, nudging you awake. The first thing you saw as you blinked the sleep from your eyes was Hange sprawled out, her mouth hanging open and a slight trail of drool glistening on her cheek. You bit back a laugh, tucking a hand over your mouth to muffle any sound. Her position—head tilted back, one arm slung over her face—was nothing short of absurd.

You stretched, quietly slipping out of your bedding to avoid disturbing the others. Outside, birds chirped, filling the air with a sense of calm you seldom experienced. For a moment, you lingered by the window, soaking in the warm morning light before heading over to a small wash basin in the corner to freshen up.

Splashing cool water on your face, you felt the last remnants of sleep fade away, replaced by a refreshing clarity. You took your time, combing through your hair with gentle fingers, before settling on a set of normal clothing. Just a long blue skirt with a white button up and brown boots.  There was something nice about dressing casually, blending in, and enjoying a rare sense of normalcy.

After getting ready, you turned to find Hange finally stirring, her eyes groggily opening. Her gaze fell on you, and a lazy smile spread across her face.

"Ah, good morning," she said, stretching dramatically. "You're up early. Ready to face the day?"

You chuckled, nodding as she slowly propped herself up. A warm scent of tea was wafting through the room, and you could already hear the others stirring. As you left the room and  walked over to the table by the kitchen, you spotted Levi, with sleepy eyes and a cup of tea in his hand.

A quiet smile flickered across his face as you approached. "Good morning, ready to eat?" he asked.

"Definitely," you replied, seating yourself across from him.

Just then, Connie gasped from the pantry area. "Wait a second... Where's all the food?"

Everyone glanced over, and Connie emerged from the pantry with a bewildered expression.

Jean groaned, rubbing his temples. "Please don't tell me it's another Sasha situation..."

Sasha, who was just starting to sit down, froze mid-motion. Her cheeks flushed as all eyes turned toward her. "I was... I was hungry, okay? We were cleaning all day yesterday and I got so hungry... I couldn't help myself."

Hange let out a loud, dramatic sigh, giving Sasha a look that was half-amusement, half-mock disappointment. "I guess there's only one way to handle this. Don't worry—Sasha will be the main target in today's experiment with Eren," she said.

Sasha's eyes widened in horror. "I'll... I'll find a way to repay you guys! I'll catch fish, forage for berries, anything!"

The whole group burst into laughter across the table. Levi leaned back, crossing his arms as he raised an eyebrow at Sasha.

"Start with restocking the pantry next time instead of raiding it," he said, his voice deadpan but tinged with a hint of dry humor.

Hange shook her head, clapping a hand on your shoulder.

"You and Levi should go to the market at the nearby village," she suggested, a mischievous glint in her eye. "We'll just start Eren's training early and eat later. You two can take a scenic little walk and pick up supplies?"

You glanced at Levi, who gave a faint nod. "Fine. We'll be back later. Make sure you do your experiments out of sight," he said, already standing and grabbing his jacket.

The morning was calm as you and Levi walked along the dirt path, the sky above a brilliant, cloudless blue. Rays of sunlight dappled the ground through the trees, casting everything in a golden glow. The peace and beauty of the surroundings felt like a distant memory, a rare moment away from constant battles and training.