Promise me [Levi Ackerman x OC]

✦ XII: Forbidden ✦

The freckled young woman slowed down the pace of her horse. She could feel her guts twisting with nerves once the barracks were visible.

They were supposed to be there by that moment, and the anticipation of seeing them again was bittersweet torture.

Hange waited with a wide grin at the main entrance steps to welcome her. "Good morning, Captain."

"Hey, Hange."

Before she could finish greeting her back, the woman was already beside her, waiting for her to dismount the horse. "Is everything all right, baby? Did the Dr say something? You look..."

"My check-up was all right," Hazel assured her with a faint smile, squeezing the hand she had placed on her knee. "It's just- I'm kind of scared. What if they don't take it well after all?"

"Don't say that, Hazel! I'll be by your side if anything happens."

Hange didn't want to waste more time. The old friends' reencounter was something she had expected since meeting Hazel. She urged the short captain to get down and sent a cadet to the stable with the horse.

Flagon exited the building to find his section in the forest and joined the ladies on their way to the same destination.

"I can't believe Shadis left me in charge of those thugs. They look like they could kill me anytime."

'Sounds like Levi.'

Suddenly, she halted her pace and needed to be hauled by her friend. Her anxiety was taking all over her, keeping her from thinking straight.

"Hange, stop! I can't-" She pleaded, warding away from her hold and feeling a hole in the pit of her stomach.

"Hazel?!" The boy's scream reached her ears, making her look at the forest.

When she turned, the wind blew her hair, and the sunlight illuminated her irises, making it seem like an angel had appeared. She forgot about the surroundings, focusing on running to get at him and clashing in a longing hug.

He was taller than she remembered, but his handsome face and warmth were the same.

"Furlan!" She cried against his chest while he buried his face in her hair.

"It's you!" His arms tightened around her waist. The boy lifted and swirled her for a short second before setting her on the ground. His hands traced her face before cupping it, trying to assure himself it was real. With his thumbs, Furlan wiped her joy tears and mimicked her smile. "Damn, I missed you so much. Look at you, all grown up!"

Feet away, Levi was shocked. His precious Haze was there alive. As much as he wanted to feel relieved, he couldn't stop thinking about how she ended up in that damned place.

Without having to look out for the girl, she was there. There, in a place where she risks her life every time they go out of the walls to fight monsters.

The one he convinced himself was dead was alive, grown into a beautiful young lady and a scout.

Whenever Levi dreamed of her, he saw her living a simple life with Declan. The siblings would own a country house or perhaps a modest one in a city, working in a small shop or a decent restaurant, taking care of her condition.

Every single scenario could be better than reality.

'Why, Hazel?'

"How mad does he seem?" Hazel asked the one in front of her, not having the braveness to look at Levi.

The tall blond observed from the corner of his eye how the said male finished adjusting the straps of his gear with a deep scowl. "He always appears to be angry."