Birdie (Levi x OC)

twenty-four

"Oi, Pixis," a voice called, pulling me from the depths of sleep. I mumbled, rolling onto my side, trying to cling to the fading dream.

A hand gently touched my shoulder, and a familiar voice urged, "Birdie, wake up."

My eyes fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the dim light. Captain Levi's gaze met mine, and I was instantly wide awake. My brows furrowed with concern. "Is everything okay?" I asked, sitting up abruptly.

"Yes, everything is fine," he reassured me, looking down.

Only a sliver of light pierced through the stable walls, signaling the approaching dawn. Yet, everyone else around me remained sound asleep.

"Let's let them sleep in a little while longer," Levi said coolly. "They had a long and hard day yesterday."

"And I don't get the same courtesy?" I retorted cheekily, a sly grin spreading across my face.

"Tch." He scoffed lightly. "Let's take a walk before they wake up."

"You're making me nervous, Captain," I admitted, a knot forming in my stomach. "Am I getting put in timeout?"

The captain's glare was sharp. "Stop it, Birdie."

I winced. "I'm sorry, Captain."

He extended a hand, a silent truce, and I took it, feeling a bit sheepish. His touch was warm and comforting, and a pang of loss hit me when he let go. Birdie, get a grip.

We walked out of the stable in silence, me trailing a step behind Levi.

"After everything that happened yesterday," he began, his voice quiet, "I really don't want to let you go to the MPs."

Here we go.

"But-" I started.

"Let me talk, Birdie," he interrupted, looking back at me and stopping so I could catch up. "I know it's the logical thing to do. Armin is right, it makes the most sense. We need Eren and Historia's location." He paused, his brows furrowed in thought. "For some reason, I find myself not giving a damn. The thought of sending you there alone makes me-" He cut himself off, sighing and studying me warily.

My eyes were wide as I met his gaze, but I said nothing.

"I've had a lot of people go and die on me, Birdie." His voice was cold, not cruel, but strained and distant. "My family, childhood friends, countless squad members. Each and every one a goddamn stain in my memory."

We continued walking through the trees, the stable still visible. Dawn was truly breaking now, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and reds. His low, slightly emotional tone made me sad. I reached for his hand, craving the warmth it had offered earlier. He looked at me, surprised, and stopped.

"I'm sorry that you've lost so many, Captain," I said. I hesitated, then continued, "I don't want to lose Historia or Eren. I don't want to add even more of a burden on your shoulders from their loss." I stumbled over my next words, beginning to ramble. "And I-I...I promise that I will come back, and if anything even slightly goes wrong, I'll get out of there."

He sighed, still holding my hand, and looked up at the sky. "I was always going to let you go, Birdie. Right after Armin spoke up yesterday, I just knew he was right...that you were right." He squeezed my hand gently, an affirmation. "I hate that we live in this world. I hate that we're always in danger. I hate that you took this fucking job with the Survey Corps."

I winced, and he sighed again. "I just don't want another person that I care about to become another goddamn memory."

I knew Levi cared about me; it was clear in his words, his gentle touches, and his affirmations. I mean, Levi cared about everyone in the Survey Corps, that much I was sure of. But to hear him vocalize it? That was something else entirely.