Birdie (Levi x OC)

thirty-one

Captain Levi and I leaned against a wall in the capital building, waiting to pack up and head back to Trost. The silence between us had grown thick since our earlier conversation over tea, and it now left us both lost in our own thoughts.

"I should go see my grandfather before we head out," I said, my voice cutting through the stillness. I had seen him briefly after Rod Reiss was killed, but Historia's rushed coronation had left him too busy for more than a quick hello. With only a day to finalize everything, there had been no time for idle talk. Having been in hiding for the past little while made me eager to see him. Before joining the Survey Corps I used to see him almost daily, now it felt like an eternity between visits with him.

The Captain glanced at me. "Make it quick."

"Captain! Birdie!" a voice echoed down the hallway. We both looked up to see the group of kids, including Historia, approaching. She was no longer in her queenly garments, having changed into a simple white dress.

Historia led their small crew, marching toward us with a look of determination. Levi lazily pushed himself off the wall and turned to face them. As she got closer, Historia let out a small but mighty battle cry and reared back her fist.

"Historia—" I began, but it was too late.

She landed a punch, not a very strong one, directly on Captain Levi's shoulder.

"Ha ha ha!" she laughed, almost manically. "Now what do you have to say? I'm your Queen!"

My mind flashed back to when Levi had confronted her about being queen. A soft laugh escaped my lips. I looked over at Levi to see a gentle smile on his face.

His smile took me aback. It was genuine, and soft and made something in my heart tighten.

"Thanks, all of you," he said sincerely, looking at his squad.

They all looked stunned, similarly to me, expecting a different reaction from their Captain.

"Now come on," he gestured toward the main entrance. "Let's ready the horses and head home."

The squad moved to leave, but Historia remained. "I suppose I'm to stay here."

Captain Levi nodded, placing a hand gently on the girl's head. "You're in good hands now. The corrupt MPs will be dealt with."

"And we'll be visiting often, Historia," I added. "You can visit us too. Plus, you're the Queen now; you can go wherever you want." I finished with a wink.

"Tch," Levi scolded. "Birdie, go see your grandfather. I'll get the Commander and that Shitty-Glasses Squad Leader of yours so we can head out."

I nodded, "be back soon."

With that, I turned into the opposite direction, heading deeper into the building.

~

I found my grandfather in the makeshift office he'd claimed during our short time in the Capital. He was packing up his few belongings, a glass of whiskey in hand.

I knocked gently on the open door. "I thought I told you to cut back on the drinking, Grandpa?"

He lifted his head, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "My sweet bird," he said, opening his arms wide. "I've been waiting for you to come see me."

I walked over and let him wrap his arms around me.

"Dear girl," he began, "you're going to send me to an early grave at this rate. Going into hiding, warrants out for your arrest, getting hurt."