Yours Truly, Levi

Return

"Land ho!"

The call echoes across the entire ship, evoking cheers and whoops of jubilee from the crew of both Clans. Men scurry along the deck, heaving ropes and pushing barrels across the woods surface. You straighten up from having been bent over a pile of fishing wire and lift your hand to shield the sun from your eyes. Sure enough, a faded, blurry line has appeared on the horizon, signaling the end of your aquatic journey... and possibly the end of you and Levi.

His presence by your side has been so comforting these past days. It made it easier to believe that the situation was better, that maybe, maybe things would work out.

"Hey, Bozu-chan," someone says from behind. You turn and are suddenly face-to-face with-

"Jason-sama," you say back, if a little coldly.

The tension grows as Levi, noticing the encounter, steps subtly in front of you, as if reminding Jason that you are his and his alone. "Jason," he says icily.

As if sensing the tension, Jason puts his hands up and takes a step back. "Relax, Levi-heichou. I'm just here to ask you if you'd assist Sasha and Mikasa in directing the ship into port."

Levi nods curtly and takes your hand. "Come on, brat," he says.

You smile to yourself, knowing that he meant it in love.

The next hour is spent preparing to dock, with Mikasa and Sasha sifting through files to find out who was alive so the Clans can have a proper ceremony and alert the families of the deceased. Levi and Jason also bustle about, ordering the crew members around and preparing for docking.

The strip of shadow slowly becomes larger and darker. As the land comes into view, you feel a fluttering of excitement to be home. From the looks on the others' faces, they clearly felt the same.

"I can't wait to be off the waters," says Ham, who had been a sickly shade of green all day.

"I can't wait to get home and see my girlfriend," Baxter replies.

"How do you know she's been faithful for so long?" asks Mikasa in a bored monotone. "You have been gone for months."

"She's right," says anotber member from the other Clan . "For all you know, she's married off to someone from a returned or from the military, with triplets on the way."

Baxter's face flushes several shades of red and purple. You feel bad for the poor guy, so you place a hand comfortingly on his broad shoulder. "I'm sure she's waiting patiently," you say.

Baxter nods glumly. "I hope so," he mumbles dejectedly.

And with that, the loading begins.