Levi x Reader

Chapter 5

You thought that your self-discipline was pretty good since you survived well in the demanding other world, but apparently, your body wasn't the same. Instead of waking up of your own accord, you woke to the soft meowing of (cat name), her paw gently tapping your cheek as if to say, Come on, get up, human.

You sit up with a groan, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. Disappointment bubbles up inside you before you can catch it.

Levi isn't here.

The realization stings more than you'd like to admit. You quickly shake it off, chastising yourself. Levi shouldn't be here. Why would he be? It's absurd to think otherwise.

{I don't know, maybe you actually like him?}

711's voice chimes in, teasing but almost... gentle. It makes you pause for a moment, your mind still clouded with the remnants of sleep.

You didn't wake me up.

{Well, someone blocked me out last night, remember?}

...

Sorry, you murmur, the apology barely audible, even in the privacy of your own mind.

The silence stretches for a beat, filled only by the steady, rumbling purr of (cat name) as she nestles against your chest. You pick her up, holding her close as you swing your legs over the edge of the bed. The cool floor against your bare feet is grounding, a small comfort as you take a deep breath and try to center yourself.

It's time to face the day.

With (cat name) cradled in your arms, you make your way towards the cafeteria. The early morning light filters through the hallway windows, casting soft, golden beams across the stone floors. It's quiet, the kind of peace that feels almost sacred—like the calm before the chaos of a busy day.

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The morning air is brisk as you step into the mess hall, (cat name) cradled in your arms. It's quieter than you remember, the usual hum of early chatter not quite the same without the voices you'd gotten used to in another world. You take a deep breath, steeling yourself for what's next as you approach the counter to grab a tray.

(Cat Name)'s head pokes out from your arms, her whiskers twitching as she surveys the room like she owns it. You can't help but smile a little. At least someone feels at home.

The line moves slowly, and you find yourself standing behind Sasha, who's already piling her tray with more potatoes than anyone should reasonably consume. She doesn't seem to notice you at first, too focused on her breakfast, but then her head snaps up.

"Y/N!" Her voice is bright and surprised, a burst of genuine joy that catches you off guard. "You're up early today! Didn't think I'd see you here this soon."

You blink, momentarily thrown. Of course she'd be surprised—"y/n" wouldn't have been up this early. "Yeah," you say, forcing a smile. "I guess I was just... eager to start the day."

Her face lights up in that familiar way, but there's a flicker of something else in her eyes—uncertainty, like she's trying to reconcile the y/n she sees now with the one she's known for the past three years.

You grab a piece of bread, feeling the weight of her gaze, before moving to the table where the others are gathered. It's a mix of old and new faces, laughter mingling with quiet conversation. Eren gives you a nod, more reserved than you remember, while Armin offers a polite smile. Mikasa watches you with that intense look she always has, but there's something softer there, too—sympathy, maybe, or worry.