I had an imperative need to get up, rising from the sunken pillows of the opulently sheeted bed, my fingers latching onto the sewn rim of the comforter and pulling it off my sluggish body.
I swung my feet over the edge, standing, and leaving the lavishly decorated room.

The halls were quiet with the breath of sleep, yet warm.

The nights were no longer insufferable from the cold and nipping winter winds that crept into our homes without an invitation. Now, the air was subtle and delightful. It wasn't stuffy like it was in the summer, either.
It was just right, a perfect temperature.

I headed down to the living room for no apparent reason other than the fact my vacant mind lead me down there. When I passed under the arched doorway that led into the room, I rested my palm on the burgundy tinted sofa that was facing the unlit fireplace, charcoal from the last flame sitting lifeless behind the metal bars that were charred with black residue.

My gaze shifted down, and I let go of the couch, stunned.

Levi was sitting there, fast asleep, legs and arms still crossed as he sat upright on the cushions. If it weren't for the way he didn't react to me looming over him, I would have assumed he was still wide awake.

Honestly... It was a little creepy.

I debated the idea of waking him up or not, walking carefully to the side of the couch to get a better look at the slumbering Captain. I made sure each step was as light as a feather, not wishing to wake him just yet as I contemplated my choices.

His lips were downturned even in his sleep, granting him that usual frown he always bore upon his etiolated face. His hair was hung loosely over his eyes, casting shadows that ran down his cheeks like dark rivers.

I felt like a weirdo sitting here staring, so I quickly turned away.

I decided to let him sleep.

But that position hardly looked comfy, so I had an idea.

I was quick to execute my mission, rushing back up to my room to grab a spare wool blanket folded neatly at the foot of my bed, leaning over the frame to pick it up and then tucking it under my arms as I headed back downstairs. I unfolded it, and took a step closer to Levi. He was still asleep, his soft breathing a musical remedy for my ears.
I was careful as could be as I placed the blanket over his frame, hoping to not disturb him. Waves of anxiety ran through me as I fulfilled my mission, stepping back to ensure I hadn't awoken him.

Alas, he was still sleeping.

I observed him for just a heartbeat more.

Then I sighed.

"You sure are a strange man, sleeping like that," I hummed, quiet enough that my voice did not travel to him.

"... But... At least you're sleeping for once," I remarked, recalling the fact he wasn't very keen to the idea of sleep. He never humored his supervisors, like Erwin and Hange, whenever they told him to rest. He was as stubborn as a mule when it came to getting some shut-eye. Seeing him knocked out like this was beyond unusual. Maybe I was still dreaming.

I shook my head. "Still. You are strange," I repeated myself, still staring at his slumped posture. "I can't imagine how that's comfortable."

"... It's not."

He stirred, meeting me with his fogged eyes. My soul nearly shot out of my body.

"Gosh!" I spat. "You scared me!"

He glared.

"Scared you? You're the one creeping around, staring at me and insulting me while I'm asleep."

I rose a questioning brow. My hands found themselves on my hips. "Insulting you?"

He rolled his eyes as if annoyed he had to explain. He uncrossed his legs.

"'Strange'," He quoted, his hand dragging across the blanket. "You kept calling me that."

"Well, it is strange," I argued matter-of-factly. "I've never seen anybody sleep like that. Can you blame me for thinking that it's strange?"

"No, but I can blame you for saying it out loud. You could always keep the thought to yourself." He was quick to the shut down my answer.

"That's just how I am... I can't help it."

"Just like how you can't help worrying about me?" He brought up what I had said this morning, grasping the blanket I had given him with his hand.
He smoothed out a wrinkle with the other, his eyes locked onto the embroidered decorations in the weighted fabric.

I felt my stomach flip.

"..." I hesitated momentarily, but regained my voice after taking a deep breath.

"Yes," I said. "... Just like how I can't help but worry about you."

Levi kept his eyes on the blanket, strangling silence filling the room to the brim, threatening to overflow and steal my ability to think.

He then lifted the blanket up, cradling it in the crook of his arm as he stood. "... I must've lost track of time." He left the previous subject behind, running his fingers through his messy black hair that clung to the sides of his temples. "I'm going to bed."

He extended his arm, trying to return the blanket. Honestly, I was a little disappointed, I had to admit...

But I took it.

Levi began to step toward the kitchen which led to the stairs, but just as he reached the archway, he stopped.
I watched him glance mystifyingly over his shoulder, the thinnest line of moonlight from the kitchen window gliding over his back.
He turned his head back around, walking forward as he began to speak his words of parting.

"... Goodnight, [Y/n]."

I was glad he had turned around, unable to see the way my face fell.

I watched him go.

My voice slightly shook.

"... Goodnight, Levi..."

●●●

《 Chapter 13 》• The Moons Reconnaissance

●●●

The premature light of early morning that came in through the bedroom window seemed to grab me by the shoulders and sit me up. I rubbed my eyes that were stuck together from a long night of rest, a yawn simultaneously escaping my lips as I peered over at the edge of my bed...

The blanket I had given Levi last night was laying there; unused and folded, an object that did not fulfill its intended purpose.

But there was nothing I could do about it now. So I got up, and left the room before I let it get to me.

As I lazily stepped down the stairs, the crisp aroma of bacon filling the kitchen wafted up my nose, my stomach growling in ravenous response.

"That smells good..." I muttered without thinking, still trying to wake up fully. The loud yap of Hange's voice zipped through my ears as they rose our of their chair to greet me.

"[Y/n]! You're finally awake!" She sqwauked. "I was beginning to think you slipped away from us in your sleep. I've never seen you sleep in this late!"

I was beginning to cut through the haze in my eyes, growing a little more conscious.

"I... Stayed up late."

Hange rolled her eyes. "Well come sit, Levi's serving us all breakfast!"

Levi, who was stationed at the stove with his hands full of cooking utensils, shot Hange a lethal glare.

"For the last time," He glowered. "I'm making food, not serving it. You lousy asses can dish yourselves up, I'm not your damn slave."

I now took in the full sight of Levi cooking. He wore that apron Hange put on every time she made dinner, only this time, it was much cleaner and didn't look as raggedy and dirt-covered. His white sleeves were pushed up past his elbows, revealing the boney structure of his forearms and the faint blue colors of veins that ran down his arm and connected to his lengthy fingers.

I stared like an idiot, just as I always seemed to do.

I'd never seen him cook before.

"Both of you..." Levi's narrowed eyes went from Hange to me, announcing his indignation in the tone of his voice.

"Quit staring."

His voice was insistent, laced with pure irritation.

But I didn't listen.

Staring was harmless, at least in my mind. Surely he wouldn't force me to look away? What was he, some shy school-boy? No matter how complicated our past may be, staring was the one thing I never felt bad about. If I wanted to watch him cook, then I would do exactly that. I wasn't ashamed.

But the Captain didn't seem to be fond of that mindset.

"[Y/n]," He began tersely, his hand wrapped around the handle of a pan. "I mean it."

Due to his persistence, I reluctantly turned my head away solely out of respect for him.

I took a seat beside Hange, the cushion that was placed upon the wooden chair stretching under my weight.

By the time Levi was done, I was almost asleep again, tired of waiting. He had called everyone to make themselves a plate, and quite honestly, I was dying to discover if his skills in the field extended to the kitchen.
Was he just as talented a cook as he was a soldier?

I guess I'll find out.

After fixing myself a plate of bacon and a singular fluffy pancake, I sat down at my usual spot beside Hange and across from Levi. I slid my fingers underneath the silverware, plucking a fork up and using it to smear butter onto the pancake. It melted from the heat that still clung to it from the stove, a delicious scent introducing itself. I cut through the pancake with the edge of the fork, then ate it with bubbling anticipation.

It was just a regular pancake. Fluffy batter, butter, and the usual experience you would expect. But the consistency, texture, and overall taste of the food seemed to burst onto my tongue, flooding my mouth with exquisite flavor. It was like biting into a cloud. And the bacon- wow. Not too crispy, not too fat. Just right. Absolutely delectable.

Levi certainly gained himself another reputation in my eyes.

Humanities Best Cook...! ... Or, something like that... I don't know.

"Levi, you could totally be a chef! I cannot believe you chose this shitty job with us over working in a kitchen!" Hange exclaimed, mouth full of pancake. She flung her fork around as she spoke, pointing it at Levi, who rolled his eyes.

"Need I remind you that I didn't originally have that option?" He retorted. "It was either join the Survey Corps or rot in the Underground like a sack of shit. Being a chef was the last thing on my mind."

Hange gave him a salty glance. "Still! Once this is all over, you could make a living off of this stuff!" They stuffed their mouth with another heap of food.

Levi groaned. "All I did was make breakfast. I don't understand your enthusiasm. Anyone can do it."

I had to disagree. "Levi, take the compliment," I urged him, still enjoying the sweetness of the food on my tongue. "It's really good. Hange's trying to explain that."

The kids were huddled at the end of the table, all of them just as joyous over the flavorful meal as Hange and I. Sasha especially.

Everyone was ecstatic.

Levi sighed.

"You're all crazy."

Authors Note;

Hi!
I really hope you guys are enjoying the story so far. I'm so sorry if it's boring or slow.

Im pulling this story out of my ass with absolutely no idea where it's headed, so it's bound to be somewhat choppy.
Please bear with me.

I do realize the writing has kind of downgraded from the first chapters to now. I am very disappointed in that, which is why I am addressing it in hopes that my dear readers are not upset as well.

If you are, then, well, I guess that sucks for you lol.

I am apologizing and moving on.

Thank you!

Next chapter.