Rivamika- What it takes to love

Chapter 16/1: New Technique

As soon as Levi entered the mansion, first thing he did was nagging about cleansing!

First he asked everyone to sit down so he can have a cup of tea! Then he rubbed his hand under the table and felt the dust there "You should have had plenty of time..." Armin, Eren and Jean sweated as he was glaring and looking serious, Sasha had no idea what is wrong with their cleaning job. Historia and Connie looked depressed, each for different thing but, Mikasa looked into his eyes as if she was telling him "Are you serious clean freak midget? Is that all you think about right now?" Levi cleaned the dust on his hand with his handkerchief "Well...never mind that. We'll talk about your cleaning job later. Right now we have to get organized and plan our next move."

During dinner, Historia talked about her past and about how she ended up in Survey Corps with new identity of Krista Lenz. After that everyone went back to their rooms with no comment on things that happened to Historia. somehow everyone could understand her and all she's been through in their own way.

*Midnight* 

Mikasa usually got couple hour of sleep and woke up in the middle of night and stay awake for the rest of it. It didn't matter how tired and sleepy she was, her nightmares and her headaches wouldn't let her sleep a wink. She woke up and wore her pant and a white shirt to go out and try the New technique shewanted to try for quite some time. when she walked out of her room on her wayto go out she saw a figure sitting on a chair in kitchen and resting his head on his crossed hand on the table.

She recognized captain the moment she saw him "Sir...?" she whispered as she didn't receive any respond she walked closer "Is he really asleep?" she checked his face and breath; it seemed he was deep asleep "He doesn't look that stiff and grumpy when he's not awake..." she thought.

"You can't swear when you're sleeping am I right?" she put on a fade smile and kept looking at him for a moment "I guess he didn't get to rest at all until now that commander is awake." Thought Mikasa as she grabbed his black blazer and covered his shoulder.

Then she silently exited through the kitchen door. Sasha was on the turret guard and Mikasa caught her at the middle of yawning "Hey Sasha go back inside I'll keep rest of the watch" said Mikasa. Sasha's mouth froze open halfway yawned. "Eh?! Why? It's not your turn tonight."

Mikasa pilled her up of her shoulder "I know but I'm generally more comfortable with night shifts so, I'm gonna take every night"

Arguing with Mikasa when she was at something was wasteful, specially through her power of convincing others to do as she says...well not everyone! As a result, Sasha didn't argue and shrugged "Ok then, Goodnight Mikasa!" before getting inside Sasha turned to look at her "Ah Mikasa...if only you would talk to with me..." Sasha looked very care free and always hungry but deep down if you got to know her better, she cared so much about people around her and in fact she was a very good friend.

Mikasa stood there and enjoyed the sound of silence and the touch of pure, cold air on her face, then she walked down the ladder and put on her 3DMGs and then her training began. She flew again and again and each time somehow she lost her control and fell on the ground. The sun slowly came up and not only she didn't get to master the technique but also she gained more pain in her chest and flanks. She gathered herself up and when she noticed the first ray of light she mumbled "I should go back and clean myself before someone lectures me again!" and while she was holding on to her flanks she went back inside.

The moment she entered, subconsciously she checked the kitchen but Levi wasn't there "It looks he woke up early..." and she directly went upstairs to the shower room and washed her dirty cloth there.

*During Breakfast*

"If you brats think cleaning is over you're so wrong! Today all of you'll do it all over again." said Levi with a cup of tea in his hand and his usual way of holding it. Well no one can object with his decisions specially in cleaning matter!

After breakfast everyone lined up for Levi to assign them on their tasks. "Eren and Historia since you have to stay indoors so you two and I take care of the upstairs rooms and the rest of you split up to clean the kitchen, hall, stable and balcony"

Mikasa was about to go out with Sasha and Armin that Levi called out for her "Oi Mikasa stop, you...come up with us."

Mikasa only nodded, grabbed the nearest broom and followed up. Everyone's eyes followed her way wondering why she's not disagreeing with him! Levi said "TCH" and walked up stairs as, right before stepping on the first stairs he paused and looked at Eren and Historia "Care to join the party!?" they both rushed to the stairs and followed him.

Levi Pov:

"This brat...I'm sure she spent the night awake...she has those tired eyes and she can't stand straight properly!" Sweeping and wiping the windows, until he could see his own reflect on the glass, always satisfied him as much as putting a fade smile on his face but, in that moment thinking about everything wouldn't help him relax and enjoy his cleaning!

He remembered yesterday morning when the troops were talking about Mikasa overworking "Let's keep an eye on her personally now." he put that thought along with all the other thoughts on his mind. When he was done with the first spot he walked out, to the room she was cleaning.

Mikasa was silently cleaning but if someone like Levi, with sharp ears, could hear her singing and mumblings something, her tone sounded like a lullaby. He hasn't paused for long and entered wondering why he keeps hesitating to confront her! "Oi Mikasa, if you're done here come with me" He caught her by surprise "Ah! Yes, sir" she stopped wiping the table and followed him. Levi checked on both Eren and Historia on his way to the largest room. The largest room had only 3 one-per bed where Eren, Armin and Connie were staying. "Sir, do we have to clean all over again?!" Mikasa sounded frustrated as she thought the room was clean enough and that Levi is only pestering them. "You don't seem mind to push yourself all the time for nothing!" Levi didn't mean to be sarcastic like that but it just came out. Mikasa didn't expect him to growl at her for absolutely something that seemed to be irrelevant. He sighed "Tch...yes for fuck sake you should do it all over again!" then he entered the room Mikasa didn't understand what Levi meant by being irrational for a second and then just explained himself!

Her troubled expression was showing on her face.Eventually time passed by and dinner passed smoothly.

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Just to make something clear, I assumed for night shifts they only put one person on watch to walk around the mansion because it's quiet and nothing moves it's easier to notice intruders but in the morning as you can see in the manga chapter 52, two person keeps the watch on east and west side of the mansion.