Yours Truly, Levi

Home is Not Just a House

The decision has been made; the flare is sent out just after sunset.

You sit, your body curled next to Levi on the sand, and watch as your hopes and dreams are rolled up on a rocket, lit with a match fished from Ham's pack, and sent whizzing into the air.

As the rocket is shot into the air, you bury your face in Levi's cloak, inhaling the smell of pinewood. The rocket exploded, and everything is bathed in a harsh green light. Levi's thin face looks sickly against the dark background, illuminated in the electric green haze.

This is it. This flare marks the end of your too-short relationship with him.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, holding your head close to his chest.

"For what?" you ask weakly, your voice sounding coming out in a mumble through the warm fabric.

"For making our time so short. If I had just... let myself... be close to you sooner," he murmurs, "we'd have had more time being together."

You wrap your arms around his solid chest, cuddling deep into the recesses of his warmth. "It's not over yet," you whisper. "We still have now. And... maybe... we can still be together... when we get back."

He pulls you closer and lands a kiss on your head. "I know, but what if-"

"No what ifs," you respond. "Don't think ahead. Let's just... enjoy the time we have together now."

He breathes deeply, and you snuggle deeper. "I love you."

"I love you too," he murmurs.

And you fall asleep like that, arm-in-arm on the beach.

XXX

Though you pray quietly that the shape ok the horizon isn't a ship, it is.

The next few days are a blur. Sometime in the night, while the Clan is asleep, the ship offshore lands on your beach. The other Clan is less than overjoyed to ferry the extra men back to the mainland, but having been headed that direction anyway, and with a bit of persuasion from a very intimidating Levi, they finally agree.

And so, the next day at noon, you find yourself on board the ride home.

The entire ordeal feels like a dream, more surreal than reality. You cling to Levi the entire time. He introduces you to the leaders of the Clan, a serious-looking woman named Mikasa and her chipper partner, Sasha, as his girlfriend.

The word resonates in your mind as he says it, and the girl named Sasha, who doesn't seem much older than you, pumps your hand enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you Levi's Girlfriend," she says giddily. Then, turning to face you, she whispers, "It sure took that slow idiot long enough!"

The one named Mikasa just nods curtly at the introduction and resumes her work around the vessel.

The voyage itself is scheduled to take about ten days. Apparently, your crew hadn't gone as far as originally thought. Although the sleeping situation is crammed, Sasha doesn't hesitate to invite you to crash with her and Mikasa.

"Unless, of course," she murmurs playfully to you as you lug your bag down the hall, "you want to share a hammock with Levi-sama!" Her voice is teasing, and even though sharing a bed with him doesn't sound so bad, you know better than to suggest that.

"Actually, this room seems nice," you deflect the teasing comment. "But is Mikasa-san okay with it?"

"Oh sure! Mika-chan seems cold and standoffish, but she just misses her brother, Eren."

"Oh," you say. "Is he-"

"Eren Jaëger," Sasha says. "The human Titan. Yup. That's our Eren-kun!"

"Eren-kun? Are you two close?" You don't mean to pry, but as soon as you say it you realize the mistake.

Sasha turns a shade of pink, and shakes her head vigorously. "No, no! I mean, yes, he's a close... friend. But that's all! He... he's a good friend."

You feel a smirk spread across your face. "Mm-hmm."

"R-really!"

"Sasha, you're sure you don't have feelings for him?"

Sasha pales. "I don't know. He's... kind of a brat sometimes," she admits. "And he doesn't always admit when he's wrong. And he gets angry easily... but he's had a tough life, and... he has a good heart. He's really strong, inside and out."

"I think I know how you feel," you say. "When you're with him, you feel like you're..."

The two of you finish simultaneously. "Home."