Dirt & Windex | a levihan fanfiction

five - scrubbing shitty glasses

|p a s t l i f e |

Levi grunted upon seeing the disheveled woman in front of him. He had just walked into the meeting room, almost late, and the first thing he noticed was Hange. She looked like shit. Her hair was greasy and falling from its binder, her yellow button down top was wrinkled and untucked from her pants. Her belt was undone as she rested her head on her hands, the lilac circles beneath her eyes more evident than usual. Dirt was smudged on her tan, slender fingers, and on her rosy cheeks. Her glasses were pushed lazily to her forehead, her hazel eyes droopy.

He knew she had been working very hard the last few days. She had barely slept or eaten anything, and what little of each she did get, it was forced by either him or her assistant, Moblit. Levi didn't even want to think about the last time she bathed, the thought of all the filth that probably covered her entire body disturbing him.

The short man wasn't particularly fond of the brunette, but he had found himself growing closer and closer to the woman. She had helped him through the death of his only friends, his family. He admired her work ethic and ability to get what needed to be done accomplished.

"Levi," Erwin said, "sit down. You're just in time."

Levi lazily slid a chair out, sitting down and eyeing the tall blond. Miche was seated beside the sleepy woman.

The man seemed stressed as well, and Levi had a feeling this meeting was a serious matter.

"I've called for you three because you are my most trusted comrades," Erwin began, "and I need some of your input."

"Spit it out, Erwin. I've got some important research I need to get back to," Hange stated drowsily.

Levi rolled his eyes at her words. There was no way he was letting her get back to her work after this damned meeting. She needed a bath and rest, otherwise she would be dead on the next expedition.

The commander rubbed his temples before saying, "I have been thinking. . . I think the survival rate of our missions would go up if we. . ." He gulped, trying to find the right way to put it. "If we left the bodies of our fallen comrades, I think the survival rate would go up."

Levi heard Hange gasp. He, himself, flinched upon hearing his commander's words. Leave them behind? But what about their families?

Miche coughed into his hand, the attention turning to him. "Sir, I agree, but. . . Leave them? I don't know if we could do that and what if the others refuse?"

"I'm the commander. They just do as I say, but I see where your coming from. I believe our comrades will forever live on in our hearts, regardless of whether or not we have their bodies."

It was true. Many people died just trying to save the bodies of their friends, and sometimes, even family. Levi knew this, but he wasn't sure even he could let them go.

"If it's for the sake of humanity," he heard himself saying, "then so be it."

He felt the eyes of his peers, but he didn't look up to any of them. Instead, his steel orbs remained on the cup of tea in front of him. He watched as the steam rose from the clean cup, swirling into the empty space.

"I'm with Levi," Hange informed Erwin. "It'll be hard, but if more of us live then. . ."

"Very well. It's decided. Thank you. You're dismissed."

Levi stood up, blue eyes focused on the scientist bouncing up from her chair, all sleepiness seemingly disappearing. Miche had left and now it was only the three.

"Bye Erwin!" Hange darted towards the door, but Levi reached out, snatching her arm and pulling her towards him. She looked confused as he began dragging her towards her chambers. "Levi? What are you doing? My lab is that way!"