I see what people can't (rivamika)

Getting Somewhere

Levi's POV...

The night went by slower than I had hoped and I managed to find myself out in the balcony again. The balcony chair was not the most comfortable in the house to sleep on. Really need to get a better one. Anyway, I eventually fell asleep out there and was able to stay asleep for a whopping two hours. Shocker I know but that is besides the point. The reason I woke up was because of the screeching sound the balcony door made as it opened to let a still half asleep Mikasa our. She was tilting more on her left leg as her injuries made it difficult for her to walk properly yet she still managed to go up the stairs and find her way to where I was. I'm quite surprised but then again, she does seem more resilient and powerful than other women I've known. Nevertheless she stumbles towards the little table and grabs it for support.

"Where the hell am I?" she says in an aggressive tone. She then continued "What the fuck did you do to me?" She rambled on and on and I've got to admit, it was funny to see her get so worked up but I knew I had to explain what happened. I sigh "You we're beat up by three idiots at an alley and I got you out of the mess you created, again. You are in my house which is near the old cemetery and you were badly wounded and bleeding so I stitched up your arm and bandaged your body. Don't worry you will be back into shape within a week and you can begin training again soon enough. If you want to leave this place and go back to the dump you call a neighbourhood then I left you money on the kitchen table on the first floor as well as a pair of crutches or you could stay here until you're all better and sleep in one of the guests rooms. They're all empty anyways. Now then, any more worthless questions you want answered?"

Near silence overtook is as only the sound of the nightly crickets made any sort of noise as she looked away from me either angry or embarrassed. A hint of red hidden in her cheeks as she looked out towards the balcony view to see the city lights. She then mumbled something I never thought I'd hear come out of her mouth which is why I assume she mumbled it. "Thank you" she said. I heard her perfectly well but I decided to tease her about it a little. "Oh I'm sorry what was that?" I ask with a hint of sarcasm in my voice. "I'm not repeating myself Levi... I mean sir, I said it once already. It's not my fault you didn't listen" she said now even more red than before.

"Oh I heard you alright, just teasing you brat. And Levi is fine here. You're not working right now are you?" I say and I direct my gaze at her and she returns it. She seemed shocked and I don't know if it's because of my sudden 'kindness' or because I told her to call me by my name. Either way it's stupid. I get up from my chair and I go to stand right in front of her as I ask "So then, will you be leaving or staying?" She looks at me puzzled, like she doesn't know what I'm asking her. "Umm pardon?" She asks. I facepalm and I can tell she slightly giggles at my irritation. "Will you be going back to your house or do you want to stay here for a while? I've got enough room to fit 10 of you and I might as well put them to good use"

Mikasa's POV...

Did he really just ask me that? Did the famous Levi Ackerman just ask me to stay at his house? Is he alright? He never wants to be around other people and now he's asking me to move in with him? "I-I can't stay here. I've got my house to take care of" I say even though I didn't want to. I was kinda for the idea of staying with the famous detective and my mentor but I couldn't just do that. Could I? "Why not? I'm sure you must be tired of living in that dirty old place. And the only reason I live here is because I need to so I wouldn't mind some company. It means it will be easier for me to train you since we can use the equipment I got here and can have more silence than in the office" he stated like it's an everyday thing for him. I sigh in defeat knowing that he had a pretty good point.

"How much for the rent?" I ask embarrassed as I hid my face in the scarf around my neck. "Rent? Really? I own this house and you think I'm going to make you pay to stay here? I am inviting you to stay here for free so long as you help take care of this place" he scoffs like it's no big deal. "What? I can't just live here for free" I say completely dumbfounded. "Well your work will be enough for me. We both want the same thing, to take down the Titans. You help me do that and you can stay here for as long as you need" he walks past me towards the balcony door. I was completely shocked though I'm sure my face stayed the same.

"I'll give you until the morning to decide. For now you best go back to sleep. You need rest and you brat have a long way before you're ready to fight them" I turn and face him as I see he had stopped right in front of the door. He looks back at me and his usual expressionless face is still there. "Goodnight Mikasa" he says and walks inside leaving me standing there by myself. It was at that point I realised he wasn't as bad as I originally thought he was. Sure he is rude beyond belief and might come off as arrogant but now I'm not sure if that's all there is to him. At this moment he seemed like a different person, so kind and understanding towards me, so calm and easy going, so... so attracti-I mean... no no no, what am I thinking. Him? No way but I mean, sigh. Maybe I do need sleep.

Haha, finally finished this chapter and it seems like this is going to be a long story. Hopefully you guys are ready for this, it's been a blast writing these chapters and I'm now feeling ready to keep going. If you read the little update I posted yesterday then wow, I'm impressed but yeah, things will be a bit more scheduled now but not really. Oh well... let me know if you're enjoying the story so far and I'll see you on the next chapter!!!