Daisy | Levi Ackerman

Chapter 33 - Sacred Solace

A/N: Did you enjoy the stay at Calaneth? I hope you did. I bet you'll enjoy this chapter more, wink.

[Naomi]

Our return back to Stohess was a surprising snap back to reality. We spent the next couple of weeks training and preparing for battle, with myself always being present. Hanji and I also conducted a few demonstration seminars on how to use the new weapons- the blade bow and the thunder spears.

I never missed a day at training, I always thought to myself that my decision to stay back as they charge for Maria wasn't final. Trying to convince Levi to understand this deeply buried, innate passion of mine to discover, how it has been passed down from generation to generation of the Smiths- it was distant from easy.

But as we argued in that moment, almost yelling at each other and almost successfully skidding down the dangerous path of miscommunication, I pleaded for him to respect how much it meant to my family that I would be there.

Something about mentioning the name of my mother softens a weak spot of his. I didn't and would never use it to take advantage of him, but I couldn't help bringing her back because she was one of the sole reasons why I kept my feet apart and my arms braced out front. She was everything to me and nothing could change that.

And besides, I only wanted him to be alright with it because I might change my mind about staying back. But as of the moment, I felt like I was really sitting this expedition out for the sake of my uncle's sanity.

Before I came to meet the scouts for our last night together before the day of the Shiganshina Expedition, I made sure I was spending what could be my last day alive and happy to the fullest.

I looked into the mirror, attempting to replicate the messy bun that my mother always wore her blonde locks in at every picture I've had of her. I tied it behind me and let the wisps fly out in my face. We had the same smile, my uncle always says. But very different personalities.

My mother looked too innocent to be suspected for a smart-ass, while most of the people around me would describe me as beautiful, but highly intimidating. Perhaps because of my adoptive last name.

I wore my mother's favorite dress. It was pure white, crocheted with little daisies. The bodice was buttoned up and the skirt flew just a few inches below my knees. I put on a beige cardigan over it, and wore dark brown shoes that matched the graceful, delicate color scheme.

I gave myself a twirl in front of the mirror, smiling faintly as I felt the presence of my dearest mother embracing me, wishing for me to be proud of myself for she was, too.

And so, I went down to the Scouts' mess hall for the last supper before the expedition tomorrow at dusk. It was well lit-up and jam-packed, and I was the one who prepared the recipe for everyone's supper that night. They all seemed so satisfied with their food, so it satisfied me enough.

Armin met me halfway down the high stone stairs, a faint smile on his face. "I really thought you weren't going to show up."

I laughed softly. "How could I not? I'll miss this. This noise. The rackets. The food wars, the banters. Heck, I miss Eren and Jean's fist fights. They always made me laugh."

"We do, too. Actually." Armin answered, sighing. But then suddenly, we heard a clambering and a few thuds, and Eren screaming, trying to taunt Jean. Soon, they were both head-to-head on pounding the hell out of each other.

"Well... I guess I spoke too soon." I answered softly, smiling faintly down at this very familiar, painfully distant scene of our two friends from the 104th beating up each other like we were kids once more. The whole audience of on-the-edge scouts were cheering and jeering them on as they blew each other punches and kicks.