Birdie (Levi x OC)

sixty-one

Levi had been distant since the revelation that Zeke Yeager was involved with the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers and since the beginning of the massive infrastructure projects. Not unkind or overtly cold, just absent. He seemed constantly preoccupied, his thoughts focused on the enemy he was now forced to protect.

I kept busy with the organizational logistics of the railroad build. Eren and the rest of Levi's squad were heavily involved, working alongside the Volunteers and other soldiers; a painstakingly difficult process. Eren was the driving force behind the physical labor, insisting that it was essential for the troops. "Build our bodies as we build Paradis," he'd preached.

I had privately laughed at the sentiment, but Levi had granted them all permission. I went with them almost daily. Though my physical participation was limited, my role as an engineer allowed me to guide and direct the labor, working with the mixed groups of Scouts, Marleyan defectors, and Garrison soldiers laying the track.

The routine was a necessary distraction. In the daylight, surrounded by the rhythmic clamor of hammers and the raw, dusty smell of freshly turned earth, I could almost forget about the outside world. But the moment the work stopped, the heavy, silent tension of Levi's constant, divided focus would settle back over me.

It was out one hot, sunny afternoon with Levi's squad; the kids working tirelessly as they lay track after track. The sharp metallic sound of the hammer filled my ears, each bang sent a jolt down my spine. The metal stakes were eerily similar to the rebar that pierced my leg, I grimaced at the sight of them but breathed deeply, anchoring myself to reality.

I was kneeling beside Onyankopon, reviewing a section of track alignment where a Volunteer had spotted a leveling issue. My braced left leg was extended awkwardly, but my attention was focused entirely the job.

"Hey!" I heard Connie yelling as he lay down a track. "It's the Captain and the Commander!"

I looked up, shielding my eyes against the sun, and saw two figures riding toward us, Hange and Levi, mounted on horseback. Their horses kicking up a trail of dust behind them.

They pulled their horses to a halt near us. Hange dismounted with her usual enthusiastic lack of grace, while Levi stepped down with clinical precision, his eyes already sweeping the entire site before landing on me. His gaze was assessing.

"Birdie! Onyankopon! How's the tracks coming along?" Hange yelled, striding toward us with that mix of scientific curiosity and commanding authority.

I rose quickly. I put too much weight on my braced leg, and a searing spike of pain shot from my knee through my hip. I barely managed to keep my balance, biting back a gasp.

I immediately shifted my weight, masking the spasm by sweeping my hand out to point toward the work crew.

"It's going good, Hange!" I said, a forced laugh on my lips.

Hange clapped me on the shoulder—a gesture that made me flinch slightly due to the pain—and beamed. A sudden, violent wave of nausea twisted my stomach. The intense heat combined with the spike of hidden pain made my head spin. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my composure.

While Hange launched into a technical discussion with Onyankopon, Levi stepped closer to me. His voice dropped to a whisper as if to shield me from embarrassment, "Did you pinch a nerve?"

"I'm okay," I said, trying to reassure him, mustering up a smile. "I didn't see you before I left this morning. Have you had a good day?"

He hummed, narrowing his gaze on my face. Examining me with surgical precision. "It's been fine. Just busy. Hange and I went back to the Capital. There are talks about going to Marley. Hange wants to set up a sort of base there."