Remembrance ; Levi

♡ Dare I?

"(Y/N)." Jin's voice shook you out of your thoughts as you relaxed in your chair at the table.

Your father glanced at Jin with a small smile before giving you a bright grin.

It was morning- the night had passed safely, and Jin seemed indifferent.

"Ah- yes?"

"Would you care to give me a tour of Utopia?"

"A tour...?"

Your father jumped at the suggestion. "What brilliant thinking! Yes, (Y/N), why don't you take him along for a tour outside?"

"Wait, I-"

'Him? Me? Alone??'

"No waiting! You've already finished eating, so hurry along!" Your father shooed the both of you out the door.

___

Swinging a foot over your horse, you pulled yourself onto the mare's back.

As Jin mounted his horse, he had a shy, small smile on his face. "Thanks for bringing me along. I know you probably had better things to do."

'Not really...'

"Yeah, no problem." You patted the large flank that belonged to the gentle beast. "So, um," you took a breath, "where do you want to go?"

Looking surprised, the man's eyes sparkled; just a bit. "Actually, I wanted to visit the cemetery."

"The cemetery...?" You echoed, confused. "Why would you want to visit the cemetery?"

"Just to...visit someone."

You raised an eyebrow, but complied to his request. "Fine, I'll bring you to the cemetery. We don't really have an official one- but we do have a place we like to bury dead people."

"Alright," Jin spread his hands out, "by all means- lead the way."

___

"We're here." You jumped off, landing on the soft grassy ground. "Don't expect too much. Since bodies aren't always returned, some graves are right outside people's houses."

"Gotcha."

Jin also hopped off, his eyes shining in the sunlight as if he already knew where he was going to go.

You watched him from there, waiting to see what he would do. He knelt down by a grave that sat under the shade of a small tree.

An eyebrow raised as you watched him gently touch the stone; belonging to the grave that you had grown so used to.

The hard stone was already starting to show its age. The places where you had been rubbing since young were already worn down.

Jin's boots were touching the ground where you would always lay; weeping or just staring and talking.

His hands traced the words that were carved into the crude stone. His lips formed words that you could not hear.

However, you had no desire to hear his words, either. Turning the other way, you decided to wait for him.

It only took a few minutes- when he came closer, your eyes opened to the bright sunlight.

Lazily stretching like a cat that had just taken a long nap, you yawned. "We done, here?" Jin cracked a smile. "Yeah. Did you just almost fall asleep standing up?"

"It's a skill. Where to?"

"Actually, I want to talk to you." Jin took a seat on the grass. "Will you?" He pat the ground, gesturing you to sit.

You did so, wary of him. "Relax, I'm not going to do anything." Jin laughed at the distance you had put between the two of you.

Still unsure, you scoot just a bit closer. "What is it?" Sleep was still on the borderline of taking over, and you didn't want to blank out.

"So is it alright? Will you let me be your lie?"

Suddenly, you didn't feel like sleeping anymore. His words were harmless, and his expression was one of honesty and integrity.

However, you violently jerked your head. "I told you, I don't want to do that to Le-"

"It'll only be for this week. I know how you don't want him to find out about the Survey Corps or Levi." Jin's smile seemed hollow and lonely like a doll's.

"Are you...blackmailing me?" You raised an eyebrow.

Jin's eyes widened so fast, and he bolted upright. "No! No, no I'm not!" He clenched his jaw, and flopped back onto the grass. "I couldn't do that."

You twisted around to send him a confused look. "It's true that I don't want him to find out, but, Levi..." Sighing, you pressed your fingertips to your forehead.

"Are you going to risk your relationship?" Jin asked, abruptly. You could only infer his anger as your eyes fell upon his clenched fists.

"Why are you mad?" You avoided his question, "this isn't your problem."

'Why would you risk my dad's trust in you? For something I doubt you're happy about, Jin?'

Said man lowered his gaze to the ground, his long lashes hid his eyes. "Although Levi and I may not get along well, now..."

You stayed quiet. The warm wind that seemed to envelop you in its warmth was now was suddenly like a bitter, autumn chill.

Goosebumps rose upon your skin; and the stood out like freckles.

"We both...just don't want you to disappear again. I don't want to admit it, but you're safer with Levi than with me."

'Wait, wait, wait. But the Survey Corps go out way more. Are you an idiot?'

"I know what you're thinking, but it's true. So that's why." Jin's ears blushed red, while his face was beginning to turn color.

After a few seconds, he resembled a color of a tomato. "So, what's your answer?"

His bashfulness made you hesitate, thinking about what he said.

You opened your mouth, and replied-

___
author's note:
"What would you say?"