{ Part 1.7 }

(y/n)'s pov:

'There are weeds everywhere. This place is a mess.' Eldo says looking at their old headquarters. 'It's been a while, after all. The inside's probably covered in dust.' Gunther added.

'Now that's a problem we can't overlook. We'll get to work immediately.' Levi says behind them. Levi's clean freak mode is on and it's not gonna stop until we clean every specks of dust.

I got in charge to clean the meeting room a.k.a dining room. There's a lot of dust due to not using this base for many years. I had to sweep thoroughly and mop every inches. IT'S VERY TIRING!!!!

I don't know how Levi have the strength to clean all this. As the cleaning goes on, I noticed it's almost evening. There I saw Eren moving his stuff to the underground.

'Did Captain Levi told you to sleep in the basement?'

'Yeah, he said if I accidentally change into a titan, being underground will help him restrain me more easily. I can't defy his order.' Eren said not wanting to sleep in the basement.

'You sure you'll be fine? If you need anything just tell me. I'll be right over in a second. Just tell me ok? Don't hide anything.' He nodded back at me, then I ruffled his hair. Then we both get called to have a meeting with everyone. We got to the dining room and I decided to just sit beside Eren.

Eld then starts to talk, 'I expect we'll be in standby for a few more days, but I heard there are plans for a large-scale expedition in thirty days. And we'll be joined by the new recruits who graduated recently.'

'Are you serious, Eld? That's rather sudden, especially since the latest Titan attack has undoubtedly taken its toll on them.' Gunther says not believing what Eld just tell them.

'The brat must've all lost their backbone.' Oluo says while sipping his tea.

'Is it true, Corporal Levi? Petra ask Levi to make sure Eld is saying the truth.

'I'm not in charge of drafting plans. But remember, this is Erwin. I'm sure he's thinking much further ahead than us. He even give us another new member.' Levi answered looking at me.

Eren and I just listen to the conversation as it goes on, we don't know what to say.

'I still find it hard to believe, but what exactly does it mean to transform into a Titan, Eren? Eld suddenly ask Eren, wanting to know how he easily transform like that.

'My memories from that time aren't clear, It felt like I lost myself. But I do know it's triggered by self-injury though. If I take my hand and ....' he stop talking and got lost in his own thoughts.

'You guys are aware, aren't you?' Levi says pointing at me. He continued, 'The reports cover everything we know now. Well, I doubt she'll stay put either way. But she might go too far and end up killing you, Eren.' She as in Hange, right?

Eren looks scared by what Levi said. 'Huh? Who's she?' At that time we heard someone get themselves hit by the door. Petra get up to open the door and see it was Hange.

'Good evening, members of Levi Squad. How's it feel living in a castle?

She walked over to Eren and says, 'I'm in charge of investigating two Titans we captured in the city, and I want your cooperation for tomorrow's experiment. I came to get permission for that. What's your schedule tomorrow Levi?'

'Cleaning the garden.' Levi answered without a care.

'Then it's settled. She look over to me and ask Levi, 'Is that her?'

'Yes.'

She came to me and embrace me tightly. What's with them hugging me the moment they saw me? She hold both my cheeks and say, 'You look so pretty and I heard your skills from Erwin. He's really proud that he have you in the corps.' She commented.

I blush a little by what she says. 'It's nothing, Captain Hange. I'm just giving my best shot in saving everyone and thank you for your compliment.' I immediately stand up and bow. I don't know what to do anything else. I know I'm blushing and I don't want them to see it.

'I like you already. Then Eren let's start tomorrow.'

'But what exactly are we doing tomorrow?' Eren ask Hange not knowing what she's gonna do tomorrow. Wrong question, Eren. You gonna have to stay up til morning because of that. Oluo try to stop him but Eren ask again and Hange starts to feel happy that someone ask her to explain about all of the experiments.

Everyone starts to get up and leave knowing what's gonna happen next. I also stand up to leave. '(y/n), aren't you gonna listen?'

'Nah, I'm gonna go have a walk outside to have some fresh air. Have fun you two.'

I walk a little further from the HQ. It's peaceful at night. Without the birds chirping only the insects sound are there. When was the last time I get to spent like this. Maybe at the training corps?

The forest is cold but not too cold. I heard rustling behind me. I turned around with caution and noticed it was Levi. 'Capt...captain, what brings you here?' I still can't speak normal around him yet. Why are you keep stuttering while talking to him? Stupid (y/n).

'Oh just to have a walk. How about I join you? You ok with that?'

'Yes, sir.' I smile at him showing that I'm ok with it.

The atmosphere feels awkward for me. I have a lot to say but I can't talk it out. He's been my anime crush since I first saw him. Now after getting close to him in reality, makes me feel more than just an anime crush. I don't know what it is, but it feel nice.

'Why are you walking here all alone, (y/n)?' Levi starts to talk breaking the awkward silence.

'Just to take my mind off from a few things and I like being like this, sir.'

'You don't have to be that formal, you know? Just call me Levi when we are alone. I'm ok with it.'

'Yes, si.. I mean Levi.'

'Are you scared of me? By the looks of it, you keep stuttering around me.'

'No it's not like that. I don't know why I'm like this but it's not because I'm scared of you.'

'So tell me why you want to kill Titans, (y/n)? Did something triggered you to do this or something else?'

'The reason I kill titans is to protect everyone I love and to save then from getting eaten. Nothing triggers me, But for sure, I don't want to see another person die because of me again.' I thought of Thomas as I say that. I still feel guilty because of it.

Levi show me a knowing look that he knows how I feel. I tear up a little but thank the lord that Levi didn't see that because of the darkness.

'Let's head back inside, shall we?' I nodded and then we head back inside. He walk me to my room.

'Have a good rest, (y/n). I'll be seeing you tomorrow.'

'Goodnight, Levi.' I bow to him and went in to my room. What just happen? My heart is beating so fast during that walk. But he's my captain. He only sees me as a cadet.

I slap my cheeks to make me wake up from the thoughts. He shows his caring side because I'm his cadet. Nothing else. Calm your heart,

(y/n). Breathe in, Breathe out, Breathe in, Breathe out.

'Ahhh.' I yelled with full of frustration and jump to lay on my bed. I'm the only one feeling this. He's not that kind of person who loves the person he just met. But what about the hug that day? Nope, he told me he confused me with someone else.

I stand and walk around my room. Calming my beating heart which beats are too fast to count. What if I'm being like this because of that reason? Am I starting to fall for him? Do I like him?

Am I starting to fall for you, Levi?

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Word count: 1390

Published: 18, September, 2020