Retrieving Footsteps [Levi x Reader]

The New Addition

As the day progressed and the final preparations for the prototype deployment continued, the atmosphere in the lab shifted. Erwin gathered everyone for a brief meeting, his authoritative presence commanding the attention of the room.

"Listen up, everyone," Erwin began, his voice steady and clear. "We have an exciting addition to our team. This is Floch Forster, an intern who will be joining us for the next few months to assist with the crystal project." He gestured to a young man standing at the back, who looked eager yet slightly nervous.

Floch stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the team before landing on me. There was an instant spark in his eyes—something that caught me off guard. I could feel a slight blush creeping onto my cheeks as he smiled warmly.

"Hi, everyone! I'm really excited to be here and to learn from all of you," Floch said, his enthusiasm infectious. "I've heard amazing things about this project, and I can't wait to contribute however I can."

Levi crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "Let's hope your enthusiasm translates into hard work," he commented dryly, casting a sideways glance at Floch, who nodded earnestly.

As the introductions continued, I caught Floch glancing my way again, and I couldn't help but smile back. There was something endearing about his nervousness, and I found myself intrigued. But before I could dwell on it, Erwin's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Now, let's get back to business. We need everyone focused as we finalize preparations for tomorrow's demonstration." He turned to me, then to Levi. "(Y/N), I want you to guide Floch as he gets acquainted with our work. You'll be showing him the ropes."

"Sure, Erwin," I replied, feeling a sense of responsibility wash over me. I shot a glance at Levi, who simply nodded, though I could see a hint of amusement in his eyes. I wondered if he sensed the connection I felt with Floch.

As the meeting wrapped up, Floch moved closer to me. "So, uh, (Y/N), can you tell me more about the project? I've heard a lot about the crystal weapons, but I'd love to get your perspective," he asked, his eyes bright with curiosity.

"Of course!" I said, genuinely excited to share my passion. "The crystal weapons are revolutionary; they're designed for both offense and defense against the Titans. I've been working on the prototypes for months now, and we've just finished the final testing phase."

As I explained the intricacies of the project, I noticed Floch hanging on my every word, nodding and asking questions. It felt good to share my work, especially with someone who seemed genuinely interested. But beneath the surface, I could sense Levi's gaze on us, his expression unreadable.

After our discussion, Floch took a deep breath, a hint of shyness creeping into his demeanor. "Um, I just wanted to say that I really admire what you're doing here. It takes a lot of courage to push boundaries, especially in a male-dominated field. You're an inspiration," he said, his cheeks slightly flushed.

I felt a flutter in my stomach, the sincerity in his words refreshing yet unexpected. "Thank you, Floch. That means a lot," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. But before I could respond further, Levi's voice interrupted.

"Don't get too comfortable, Floch. You'll find out quickly that we don't have time for idle chit-chat," Levi said, his tone warning yet a touch protective. It was as if he was subtly asserting his place in the dynamic, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth from his underlying concern.

"Right! I'll make sure to keep up with the pace," Floch replied, flashing a nervous smile at Levi before turning back to me.

As the day progressed and we moved back into our work, I could feel Floch's gaze occasionally drifting my way, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about this new attention. Yet, in the back of my mind, I was all too aware of Levi's presence—his quiet strength anchoring me as we prepared for the challenges ahead.