Yours Truly, Levi

Stargazing

You've just begun slipping into the warm, dreamy embrace of sleep, lulled by Sasha's soft snores and the gentle rocking of Mikasa's hammock, when you're suddenly aware of a figure standing over you. As he leans in, you feel a pair of warm lips plant a kiss on your forehead, then the figure straightens and turns to leave. Wait, you think, and your hand instinctually reaches out, snagging the hem of his shirt. "Levi," you murmur, rubbing your eyes. "Don't go."

"You're awake," he says softly, turning back to you.

"Yeah," you say, letting a yawn escape your lips, your eyes moistening slightly. Blinking them clear, you watch as Levi leans over again. This time his kiss lands right on your lips, warming your entire body. Your hands instinctually find his hair, and you wrap your fingers in his soft locks, pulling him down closer.

The sound of Sasha's snoring breaks up the moment, and you sit upright and cling to Levi to keep him from leaving.

"Hey, I want to show you something," he whispers when it's clear that nobody else is awake, and he takes your hand. Levi pulls you carefully to your feet, and you yawn again, wiping your eyes and padding along behind him. He leads you to the door of the cabin and gently ushers you onto the deck. He slips his hand in yours, and you smile. When you reach the center of the open deck, the two of you lie down, side by side, gazing up at the sky. The stars are brighter than you've ever seen them, and the stunning sight along, with sounds of sails flapping and waves caressing the side of the boat, gently lulling you into a sleepy trance.

Levi tucks a blanket around your neck, and you cuddle close to him, both for warmth and out of affection. "Aren't the stars just so beautiful?" he asks.

"Mm..." You're too tired for a more detailed response, so instead you just shift closer to his warm chest. He kisses your head, and for a moment, all your worries are gone.

"There's no stars underground," Levi says. He sighs. "I'd never seen stars until... I don't know, until I was maybe... twenty."

"T-twenty?" Suddenly, you have a sinking feeling in your stomach.

"Yes."

"How old are you- n-now?"

He chuckles slightly. "Too old for a kiddo like yourself," he says teasingly, absently stroking your hair, which has grown to almost your chin, much softer than you remember it being before you had to cut it all off.

"I'm not a kiddo," you say defensively. "I'm a young adult, according to society."

You feel his smile as he kisses your forehead again. "It's okay," he murmurs. "I'd estimate I'm about, I don't know, maybe ten years older than you."

"Ten years?" you gulp.

"Maybe fifteen."

"I guess that makes it a bit difficult for us, even if we stay together when we get home," you say, fighting back tears.

He sits up, and you follow suit, watching his chiseled face for some sign that he was worried for the same reason. "Don't say that," he says firmly. "I don't care what I have to do to stay with you. As long as we both live, I will stay by your side."

You swallow hard, but the tears come anyway, flowing down your cheeks and dripping off the end of your chin. "I- I don't want to be ap... apart f-from you," you choke out.

"Oh love, you won't be," he affirms, shifting to his knees and wrapping his arms around you. "I promise I won't let it happen."

"How can you promise that?" you demand.

He's silent for a moment, and you cry quietly into his uniform jacket. "I guess... I guess I can't," he says finally. "I can't promise that we won't be separated, but I can promise I'll do everything in my power to keep close by."

His words, futile as they seem, bring you comfort, and you feel yourself calm down. Sleep has made me emotional, that's all, you think to yourself.

After a moment of silence, Levi speaks. "You cry a lot, for such a strong person," he says.

"I do not," you protest, but you know he's right. "Even if I do, it's not like I just go around crying over every little thing."

Levi snickers. "Sure," he says complacently. "Anyway, Bozu, I think you should know that I don't mind. I see how much emotion you hide from the other men, and I'm just... well... I feel special that you trust me enough to show your real emotions around me."

He squeezes you tight, and though you sort of feel like your ribs are about to crack, it's a good feeling. Nobody ever hugs you like this, at least not anymore. "Thank you," you whisper, barely audible.

"For what?"

"Just... this." You squeeze him back, as if to say the hug is what you're referring to. And the two of you just stay there, him holding you to his chest, your tear-soaked face buried in his jacket, until the warm peacefulness of sleep finds you again, right where you belong.