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Chapter Text

After wall Maria was breached in the year 845 a lot of people enrolled in the military. Some to join the Survey Corps, other to join the Military Police and live the easy life and others to join the Garrison. At that time Yuki, being 20 years old by that time, was already in the Survey corps. Now, five years later the year is 850, some time had passed after the reappearance of the Collosal Titan and all the casualties. Yuki was already 25 and was proud to be in Hange's squad. She was known to be kinda creepy among the Survey corps. Especially amongst the cadets. Why? Because of how she killled Titans. What she was doing, the way she fought, was reckless and animalistic, borderline unhinged. She liked taunting the Titans, mock them and then kill them without regard for her safety (which did get her injured a lot of the time). But she also got a very high kill count too. Some would call her a maniac. Others creep. Others said she's emotionless, due to her lack of emotions outside of the battle field. She didn't like it but she also didn't really care. What she was aiming at was pretty much what a lot of the scouts aimed to. Levi's squad.

Yuki was currently walking around the halls, walking towards Commander Erwin's office. She was called there. Why she didn't know. Usually it was for scaring some new cadet (which she didn't always do on purpose) and so she assumed it's that again. So when she walked in and saw Captain Levi standing in the room leaning on the wall beside him while Erwin was sitting on his desk surprised her and her eyebrow cocked up in surprise though she regained composure immediately.

"You called me, Commander."-she said after she saluted him.

"Yes. I have something to discuss with you."-Erwin responded. Always the smooth talker, of course.-"More like, we have to dicuss something with you."-he added after a few seconds. 'We?' Yuki thought to herself but didn't question it and just listened.

"So, as you might know, you've shown... capabilities, let's call them that. You're doing good on expeditions."-Erwin started and glanced at Levi's usual scowl. It was actually comical how those two, the two best soldiers in the Survey Corps at the moment, were both so short.-"And Levi and I discussed his request to have you join his squad."-at the specification that it was Levi's request he huffed and looked to the side.

Yuki stared at the Commander for a few seconds like 'is that for fucking real' and then spoke.

"Have me join Levi squad?"-she repeated. Why would Levi request that? Was she really that good of a soldier?

"Yes, brat."-Levi said, seemingly irritated as always before Erwin could say anything. But was it just her or did his gaze avert from hers? His gaze never averts anyone else's...

"I'd be glad to. Thank you."-she said. Of course she'd join. It was what she's been aiming for.

"Then it's settled. From now on you're in Levi's squad."-Erwin said. With that he nodded for her that she's free to leave, she saluted him and left. 'What would come from this' she couldn't help but wonder as she walked through the halls to the barracks. 'Why would he want me in his squad... Well I won't dwell on it' she decided and walked in the barracks. It was getting late anyways.

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A few months passed since Yuki joined Squad Levi. A feew expeditions passed since then too. Everyone, including Levi got to see her kinda animalistic and reckless way of killing Titans. It was effective though, nonetheless so it works. Everyone in the squad were on good terms with her too. She got injured a few times and stayed at the medical wing. This worried Levi to no end, but refusing to accept his feelings for Yuki didn't do even if it was to scold her. To be honest Yuki also realised she's developing feelings for her captain, and despite being unaware of his, she didn't refuse to admit it to herself. She just didn't do anything about it because it's simply immoral to confess your feelings to your captain who most likely doesn't feel the same.

Today was yet another expedition. The scouts were at the gates and Erwin was giving his speech, as always, until they took off outside the wall. Levi on his horse was ahead of his squad, the squad members behind him. Overall everything was like usual. Everyone on their horses, moving forward in the forest until they see Titans. And Titans did appear. Quite a few of them. Which excited Yuki to no end and Levi, who was keeping an eye on her for obvious reasons, nervous and worried. On the captain's command they got off the horses and started killing the Titans.

Yuki was zipping with the ODM killing Titas one after another. She tried playing cat and mouse with one Titan as it was trying to catch her and she, wth a kinda crazy excited glint in her eyes, was moving over its head. Yeah, she killed it too. She also helped Petra a few times. Overall everyone was fighting and as always there were casualties. But also a lotta dead Titans. Levi couldn't help but look at Yuki from time to time. First, he was worried and second, it was an interesting thing to see. 

Some time passed like that. Yuki was killing Titans, like everyone else. Then she saw that one Titan was gonna attack Eld.

"Watch out!"- she called out to him and immediately went there, pushing Eld out of the way of the Titan that was swinging its hand towards him. But stupid her, she had no time for reaction and tha Titan swinged its hand towards her, knocking her back hard against a tree. She slumped an the bg branch under her and moved no more. Levi of course saw that and his heart sank. Eld felt like it was his fault that his newest comrade is already dead. 

Soon the scouts came back inside the walls. Another espedition with no result for humanity and only casualties. One of which hurt Levi to no end. The same evening, in his room all he could think of was Yuki getting slammed into the tree and her dead body slumped on the branch. It just hurt. 

For the next day, probably a week or so, Squad Levi were all more down since they they lked Yuki. And most of all Levi was silently grieving. Though it didn't look like it to anyone else. 

It's been a week, maybe six days and Levi had no desire to deal with anything. But he was called by the gate by Erwin himself. Without anything more specific Levi, in a painfully sore mood went there. What he was met with made his heart skip a beat. It was so sudden that he froze for a moment to ponder this. It can't be. Yet, somehow, it is. 

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"Ugh... My head hurts... I can barely breath..."

In the forest, the same night, after everyone was already gone Yuki's eyes opened. She looked around and found herself on a  branch. Her ribs hurt, most likely broken and her head hurt too. From the impact. She looked around. Then she came back to her senses and jolted, standing up on her feet on the branch only to wince in pain and clutch her chest. Yeah, definitely broken. She saw the dead bodies of what was once her comrades and it made stomach turn. She realised that she's alone. In the forest. Among Titans. The thought itself is terrifying. What scared her more was that the moment the sun rises she'll be the Titans' prey. She had barely any gas left in the ODM which she was gonna save for the day. Yuki climbed down the tree, grazing her right arm in the process. And she started walking around the forest. It was nighttime so she couldn't see much. Besides she didn't even know what to look for. 

After some wandering around in the forest the sun started rising. Now she could see better at least. Yuki warily walked around the forest. She didn't know what to even look for. She was glad that there were no Titans for now. After a while of wandering she saw a Titan in the distance and immediately climbed up the nearest, hoping the gas will last for a bit longer. It was clear killing it was inevitable as it noticed and was already trying to get her and eat her.

Around ten minutes or so the Titan was dead and Yuki's left eye was injured and bleeding, now closed. She kept wandering around the forest during the day and felt relieved when the sun started setting. She stumbled upon corpses and skeletons of past scouts. God knows who and when had died here. The next day or two passed around the same way. It was already four days since she was wandering aimlessly. She saw so much dead bodies. Skeletons. She felt as if she's spinning in a loop.Like she'll never be able to escape. All these thoughts and all the things she saw was messing with her head. She felt like she's going crazy. She was feeling constant pain and exhaustion.

On the fifth day, more like early evening of the fifth day Yuki saw a Titan and killed it. She cut its nape and when it fell she stared at its dead decaying body and started laughing. She laughed and climbed on it and started slashing with the dull blades of the ODM gear. A few minutes later she sat under a tree and her laughter turned into cries. She felt like she's going insane. Like she's spinning in a loop and she'll never be able to escape this Hell. She weapt, her face buried in her knees and she was hugging her legs. After a while she started walking around again. Yuki was in pain and exhausted and hungry. And scared. More than ever. She felt like she's going crazy. Constantly running away like prey and seeing dead bodies was messing with her mind a lot. In a bad way. The day passed and the night came. She was still walking, just a bit more calm knowing that Titans sleep at night. 

The next day Yuki was weary as her gas was over. There was no more and she couldn't use the ODM gear anymore. She was stressed and exhausted. Her right eye hurt, her ribs hurt. She felt like she's going crazy. And she was getting paranoid. She was at the verge of a mental breakdown. At noon, sitting under a tree she couldn't help but cry. She couldn't not. Her nerves weren't able bare any more. She looked at the already dull blades and grabbed. Pressing one of them to her wrists to slash her wrist. She pressed it enough to draw a bit of blood but couldn't do it and just dropped the blade and started crying. She couldn't endure this anymore. It was too much. It was a living Hell. One she so desperately wanted to escape but couldn't.

At night she kept walking. Her feet hurt at this point. Her white hair was stained with blood, making in red-ish on some places. Overall she couldn't take it anymore but he couldn't stop trying to escape. Finally at the seventh day of aimless wandering Yuki finally saw the end of the forest. Finally a clearing. She walked faster, her eyes watering as she hurried towards the last bits of hope. And she finally escaped the forest. Out in the clearing she saw mainly nothing. The sun was pricking at her good eye. She started running in one direction, sudden rush of adreline pumping in her blood. 

After a while, her lungs burning and her panting from running, Yuki had to slow down. Still fast she kept moving forward until she saw the walls closer. She started running faster with tears pricking her eyes from both relief and fear. She was becoming more and more aware of the pain and aching in her body, in her eye. But she kept running. Getting closer to the walls. The gate. And her way into relief and peace. She reached the gate, pantig and started shouting hoping to catch someone's attention. Hopefully someone from the Garrison would hear her. She was exhausted and in pain but she didn't seem to process it as she saw someone looking down and seemingly calling out to someone else/ Her heart skipped a beat almost as if knowing that she's finally getting to safety. 

Yuki couldn't stay awake long enough to see who was coming to get her but she felt someone lift her up in bridal style and then it all went black. She was saved. So she could finally rest and recover.

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No... No, it can't be.

Levi watched as some guy from the Garrison was climbing back up the wall with the ODM, holding a body. Painfully familiar one. He didn't even give the guy time to climb back up completely. The captain ran to him and took her in his arms. He kneeled down, holding onto her. Yuki. His Yuki. So battered, so messed up. Covered in blood. It pained him. At least she's alive.

"Levi."-Erwin spoke to him, having come behind him but the captain didn't listen-"Levi, she has to be taken to the medical wing. Levi!"

"I'll take her."-Levi said. He didn't look at Erwin at all and took off to the medical wing. Fuck it, he didn't care if he'll get scolded or some shit like that. What're they gonna do to him, huh? He's Humanity's strongest. 

In the medical wing Levi came in, kicking the door open and carried Yuki to one of the beds, setting her down gently. Medics came having heard the commotion. Levi stepped away, letting them do their thing. He didn't leave and they gave up on trying to convince him to. Fuck, she was so injured. It made Levi's heart ache. Broken ribs, basically gone left eye.. Scratches and bruises everywhere. Even the tips of her hair were stained with blood. Only God knows if it's only hers or Titan's too. 

After a while, the wound on Yuki's arm was stitched and bandaged, her torso and her eye were bandaged. The medics left, having duties. It's the medical wing after all. Levi sat on a stool beside the bed and watched over her. Simply that. He longed to hold her hand. And he did. The captain didn't know if it was just for comfort or also to be able to feel her pulse on her wrist. But he held her hand. 

It's been hours but he didn't move. Medics tried to convince him to rest, it was near midnight by now. He'd been here whole noon and evening. It was night by now. But Levi didn't respond. He didn't let anyone else besides the medics see her. This was Yuki. His soldier, his comrade, his subordinate. His Yuki. His love. He'd speak quietly to her sometimes. Telling her the most random things ever. 

"I really love you... Please..."-he'd finally muster up to say this after a while. He knew she won't hear hm. But what does he care?-"You'll be fine."- Levi murmured and leaned down, resting his forhead on her hand, but never letting go. Yuki looked so peaceful, painfully peaceful, in this unconscious state. So peaceful he'd never seen her. And it hurt him. 

"Captain Levi."-Levi heard some voice and felt his shoulder being shaken. He lifted his head, realising he'd fallen asleep.-"Captain Levi. Section Commander Hange came."-the voice said. A young boy, a medic Levi spotted earlier bandaging Yuki's eye.

"Tell her to leave."-Levi replied. He wasn't in the mood to see Hange right now. The damn four-eyes. Always finding the worst moments to show up.

"Levi, you're so cold."-Hange's voice chimed in. Clearly she's not leaving, Levi thought. 

The captain sighed in mild frustration and looked at Hange. He didn't want to deal with her at all right now. 

"What do you want, shitty glasses?"

"Erwin sent me to find you. And figure out what you're doing."

"Well you saw."-Levi said, implying that he wants her to leave. But Hange isn't that heartless. Or dumb. She knew it isn't the moment to tease him so she didn't. 

"She'll be fine."-The section commander said and glanced at Yuki. She sighed, seeing that Levi won't talk much now so she left him be and walked away. 

Levi sighed. He held Yuki's hand again, just watching over her. He didn't care how it looked to anyone else. She seemed so peaceful. She hadn't moved even a bit. She'd be fine, surely. Though it still pained him. Even though he could feel her pulse steady on her wrist. It hurt to see her like that. He was telling her random things, like for example why he holds a cup the way he does or how he lived before he became a scout. He was sure she doesn't hear him. 

Time passed and it was already near noon the next day. Levi hadn't moved from his spot. But Yuki moved. And stirred finally. The captain looked at her, as she opened her eyes and looked around and let go of her hand immediately. She came to, realising it's day and all. She sat up immediately, ignoring the pain in her chest as if on instinct, frantically looking around. She hadn't let herself sleep at all this week. 

"Hey, hey. Calm down."-Levi said to get her attention. It hurt him to see her look so scared like a deer in headlights.-"You're in the medical wing."-he added.

Yuki looked at Levi, looked around, then back at him. She realised she's fine and safe now and God, what a relief that was. 

"The medical wing..."-Yuki murmured and sighed in relief. She wsa already used with her injuries so she didn't pay them mind and just leaned back, sitting in the bed.-"Why are you here, captain...?"-she asked. She didn't get why he'd be here. I mean, yes he does care for his comrades. But still. Before when she got injured he never came. It warmed her heart to know he's here ad all that. She had grown fond of him. 

"To make sure you stay here once you wake up."-Levi replied. It wasn't true at all even though she did always get up and about when injured way too soon. It was just because he wanted to be sure she's alive and fine even though injured. 

After that Levi told her a few more thing. Like how the others were worried for her and such. How they'd be glad she's awake and fine. he didn't make her tell him what had happened in the forest. He figured it'll only be unpleasant for both of them. The captain left soon after, after warning her to stay here until the medics say it's fine to move again. Though as he left he felt lighter, as if one of the many boulders on his shoulders was lifted. Yuki, his Yuki, was alive and in somewhat fine state. He had to go to Erwin, to his squad and all that. The usual. But it didn't seem as awful as usually.

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Being in the infirmary, laying in bed and obeying the medics was never Yuki's thing. Sure, she stayed for a bit. After she woke up and Levi warned her to stay here she did stay in the bed for a bit. Like two hours, maybe three. But God, this is the most annoying thing she's done. The most boring few hours of her life. She was used to the pain of her injuries, having been ignoring them all week in the forest. That, combined with the pain tolerance meant that she can't just stay in bed at the infirmary and do nothing. And only hear injuries soldiers' whimpers or something. So, of course Yuki used the first chance she got to get up and walk around. Do something. Maybe find her squadmates or something. To tell them she's fine and all. 

So first, she tried to take off the bandage over her left eye. It irked her to no end. But, the medics already knowing how she is, had made it so she wasn't able to, even though she did manage to loosen them up a little. So Yuki just opted with keeping them on for a while more, got out of the bed and simply- walked out of the medical wing. She did have to lean on a wall as she walked around the hallways to be able to stand up. Levi was sure to scold her once he finds out but, I mean who could stay in the infirmary so long. A few cadets passed by her and looked at her almost terrified- well not almost. Completely terrified. But Yuki just waved at them, being in a nice mood since finally being safe. She wanted to go see her squadmates, especially Eld. She never got to see if he actually got hurt or not. Plus she had some catching up to do with Petra. Like, girls talk and stuff. Overall things Yuki considered more important than just laying in the infirmary. She stumbled in the halls, not at all caring about any pain that was going through her whole body. She also wanted to see Levi, to be honest. She'd grown fond of him, she'd grown to love him. Even though she won't initiate anything of that sort. 

Those were the things going through Yuki's mind as she somehow managed to walk around. That is until she heard a voice. More like, two voices that were painfully familiar. Hange and Levi. Speak of the devil, huh? She didn't even have a moment to react until the two saw her. Hange, being Yuki's previous captain and being just- Hange, seemed not surprised by what she saw. Levi on the other hand looked at her and only one look was enough to make him incredibly mad, though inside worried. 

"Idiot, what are you doing here?"-the captain's voice sounded through the hall as he walked over to Yuki, looking at her as she was almost slumped against the wall.-" Why are you not know the medical wing? As you were told?"

"Levi, she's always like that let her be-..."-Hange interrupted but Levi cut her off. 

"None of your business, four eyes."-he shot a look at Hange and then looked at Yuki again.-"Answer the question."

"I don't need to be in the medical wing any longer. And I wanted to see the others."-Yuki simply explained as if it's normal to be walking around with broken ribs, cuts, bruises and a missing eye, all of this bandaged. As if it was normal to her. Which it actually is. But that's besides the point. 

"Idiot."-the captain sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.-" You're in no state to be walking around, brat."

"I can handle it-" -Yuki protested but was quickly cut off. 

"No you can't."-Levi didn't even let her finish-"The others can wait."- he continued scolding as he took her arm slinging it over his shoulder. To touch her like this made his heart race. But he did his best to stay composed. It made her heart race as well. But she also didn't show it.-" Hange, we'll talk later."-Levi said, glancing at Hange. She gave him a look that clearly screamed "go ahead lovebirds", totally in her style and she walked off. He didn't like that look at all but he can't do anything about it. Hange was a sly woman. 

The captain wrapped his free arm around Yuki's waist to stabilize her and started slowly walking back to the medical wing, much to her dislike. 

"Dumbass. Why do you have to be so difficult."-he'd murmured under his breath. Honestly he really liked holding her like this and had it not been for her injuries he would like it even more. It made his heart pound. Of course, he kept up his usual grumpy facade.-" Why did you even go out of there, hm?"

"I wanted to see the others, as I said."-Yuki explained. She really wanted to see the rest of the squad.-" And you too, captain."-she added, though quieter. At her statement Levi felt his heart clench. She wanted to see him too, huh.. He'd be flattered if she wasn't injured. 

"That's not reasonable."-he said anyways. He had to keep up appearances after all. He looked her over, his heart aches at the sight of her so injured.-" You've messed up the bandages in your eye, idiot."-the captain noted, sounding almost reprimanding. 

"I want to be able to see, of course I did."-Yuki retorted. Honestly, her whole body was in pain, including her left eye- or well, where it used to be. As he carefully guided her to the infirmary she was in constant pain. 

"You can't see with that eye whether there's bandages or not."-Levi said begrudgingly. He was starting to wonder if she was acting dumb or was getting hazy. It was none of these, just Yuki hadn't fully grasped the extent of her own injuries. 

"Oh, yeah. Right."-she muttered in response. She hadn't payed much mind to her wounds, she simply couldn't think about them when she was in the constant state of terror for seven days. She just now realised that her body was actually very battered. Which she didn't like. For aesthetic reasons of course. 

Levi was getting tired of this slow pace. He didn't want Yuki to be in pain but he wanted to bring her back faster. So he stopped walking, put his arm under her legs and lifted her up in bridal carry, trying to ignore the way his heart felt fuzzy. She couldn't help the whimper of pain that left her throat at the sudden move. The sound pained the captain more than anything but he didn't show it. 

"Bear with me for a while. It's faster that way." -he said. He really wnted to get her back faster. And Yuki herself actually really liked his hold on her. It was warm and nice. She didn't show it though. 

Levi got to the infirmary and wljed in, ignoring the states from all the injured and conscious soldiers, and carried her back to the bed she had been supposed to be in. 

"This time you stay here."-he said as if warning a child. He sounded stern but there was this underlying care in his tone.-" Or do I have to stay here the whole time to make sure you won't leave?"

"Fine, I got it. I won't leave."-Yuki opted with just obeying her captain's command. She couldn't do much anyways. 

"I'll come later to see if you're still here or not. Because apparently, you like running away when your hurt. Like a total idiot."-Levi said. He tried to make it sound like he didn't want to come and check on her. But he actually really wanted to and was just making up excuses to see her more. 

Yuki also didn't mind the idea if Levi coming to see how she is. She really liked it and didn't expect it. 

"Fine. As you command, captain."-she said, trying to joke at least a bit. Though it didn't seem to lighten his mood so she refrained from anything more. 

"Good."-Levi then walked out. Be was worried for her and he couldn't deny it. He couldn't deny his feelings for her. As much as he wanted to. He left, leaving her to rest, or at least hoping she will. He had his duties to attend to as well. He walked to his office. His only hope was that she gets out of the medical wing sooner rather than later. 

Chapter Text

The infirmary was agonizingly boring, Yuki concluded after laying in the bed for like a day and slept for the night somewhat. Levi had been by her side for most of the night but of course she didn't know that. She was willing to bash her head in the wall but that's result in her staying even longer in the infirmary in this god forsaken bed. So she did the most logical thing ever. Get out of  when there was no one watching her. When she did that she couldn't  the winces in pain. She started walking around the hallways, leaning on the walls. God, these bandages annoyed her a lot. She could hear people talking behind a door at some point and thought of it no big deal. But then she heard who is talking. Is that... Captain Levi? And the fucking Commander?! She's fucked if they see her, having been told to stay in the infirmary. So she stayed hidden and silent and listened in cause, gossip of course. 

"I can't do this Erwin!"- Levi's voice was heard as he was speaking kinda louder than usual, obviously agitated.-"I love her-! It's just-" -he didn't continue just groaned in frustration. 

"Levi, I will not make her leave the corps because of that. She is our soldier. We need every person. I won't weaken the whole corps because you're in love."- was Erwin's stern answer. 

Yuki didn't even listen to the next part of the convo between them. In love?! Levi?! With who? And so much so that he wanted this girl to be made to leave the corps for her own safety? He was in deep then. And it hurt Yuki a lot. She felt her eye sting and decided she'd better get back to the infirmary. Suddenly the bed didn't seem like such a bad perspective. She started slowly walking away, leaning against the wall besides her when she heard the door knob and her heart made a somersault in her chest. What now? She can't run with how she is right now. She can barely stand! 

Before Yuki could think of anything to do to get out of this situation Levi was already in the hallway, behind her. Though he seemed... Vexed...? Just as much as her... Why? She turned around to look at him and lo and behold, there was her captain completely frozen, looking at her like she has two heads! Her eye was still watery too! This is such a disaster. God dammit, she cursed herself mentally. 

"Did you... uhm, hear the...the conversation?.."-Levi asked. Why did he sound so uncertain? 

Then it hit her. He didn't want anyone knowing he's in love with a girl in the corps! The thought made her heart ache just as much as her wounds. 

"I uhh... I was just- I mean-..." - She started sturtering, trying to think of what to say. But it's pointless. So..- "Yes.. Yes, I did..."

Yuki looked to the side, lest Levi see her eye tear up as she quickly blinked the tears away. She couldn't believe it but for the first time in her life as a soldier in the Survey Corps, she preferred actually being bedridden. 

But Levi is her captain, and deeply in love with her, so he knew her very well. They had been comrades for years anyways. So of course he saw how her eye would tear up. 

"Hey, hey, are you okay? What, did you hurt yourself somewhere again?" - the captain asked, concern bleeding through his usual scowl as he took two long strides towards her. 

"No, I'm fine.. It's nothing." - Yuki answered, quickly wiping her eye. She hadn't been seen crying by anyone in the corps. Ever. Levi would be the first. 

Levi, not knowing that her heart was the one that aches at the moment, thought it's her wounds acting up. He took her arm and slinged it around his shoulders, helping to the infirmary. 

A what seemed to be torturous minute passed before he spoke again. 

"About what you'd heard-" - the captain started but Yuki quickly cut him off:

"Yeah, I know. I won't go telling anyone you're in love with some girl in the corps. It's none of my business." -she said, not even looking at him. 

Her words left Levi bewildered and his steps halted in the hallway. He looked down at her. "None of my business" she'd said. Had she not heard how almost desperately he tried to convince Erwin to make her leave the corps? Had she not heard how he said he loves her? He noticed the hurt in her voice and it puzzled him even more. Was she... Sad? Because of what he'd said? Or rather the part of it she'd heard. 

"None of your business?" - he parroted her words. 

"Yeah. I'm just a squadmate. It's not my business." -Yuki repeated her words, confused as to why he sounded so confused. 

Levi looked at her for a second or two and then it hit him. She hadn't heard the whole convo, she'd heard only a small part of it! That's why she'd misunderstood his words. 

"Yuki... Just- tell me this. What did you hear?" - he asked. He needed to make things clear. He never intended to confess his feelings, or at least not soon. But it's come to this so he might as well. 

"Well, how you told the commander "I love her" and he said he won't be making the corps more vulnerable and that every person is needed. So he won't be making that girl leave because you're in love." - Yuki explained quickly. Her words made Levi almost want to laugh. She'd misunderstood everything. 

"No. You've got it all wrong. Listen-" - her captain started explaining but stopped. His heart pounding faster than usual. God, he wasn't good at confessions. - "I-... It's not just some girl... It's uhm... It's you that I'm in love with..." - the last part he murmured almost inaudible. 

"Sorry, what?" - the girl looked up at him, as if to make sure he's not just screwing with her. Though he wasn't the type to do so. And not like that. She did hear him. She just couldn't believe it. 

"I said-" -Levi repeated, this time talking louder. - "I love you."

Yuki looked at her captain for a second, bewildered. He loved her? Like, really? It made her eye tear up again, though now cause she was happy. 

"God, did I hurt you sonewhere-" -Levi started fussing over her, seeing as she was tearing up again. But he was once again cut off as she spoke:

"No, it's just-.. I love you too..." - she muttered. For that she received her captain's surprised but strangely happy look. 

He couldn't hold himself. Her arm was already over his shoulders anyways. Before she'd say anything else his other arm wrapped around her waist and he putlled her in to kiss her. Deep but gentle and loving kiss was his. And she kissed him back. He wanted it to last as long as possible. But he had to stop and pull away when he heard a small whimper from her, immediately looking down at her. 

"Does it hurt somewhere? Did I hurt you?" - he asked immediately, worry in his gaze. 

"A little... It's fine." - Yuki muttered. She looked up at him for a little. She just had to ask. Despite the pain in her abdomen flaring up again and making her eyebrows furrow a bit. -"What does that make us, captain?" - she murmured. She was a pretty insecure so she had do ask. 

"Lovers. If you'd want that." - her captain was quick to answer. The look in his eyes told her he meant it. She nodded with a quiet "alright". Then they started walking again, Levi supporting most of her weight as he knew she's in agonizing pain probably. She was soon brought to the infirmary and when a medical was about to scold her Levi shot them a look that said " zip it" and lead her to the bed she was stationed at. Helping her lay down, he was gentle with every touch. Not wanting to hurt her further. 

He stayed by her side for a while, even after luckily she'd fallen asleep. He kept watching over her, his heart aching every time she moved in her sleep and her face scrunched up in pain. But Levi was there. And will always be. 

Chapter Text

It was already around a month since Levi had confessed his feelings to his dear Yuki. A month since they got together, though no one else knew yet. Everyday he'd go to the infirmary to check on her and also speak with the medics. Things were going good. Today they'd get the bandages off her left eye and her arm. Though she still needed some more time in there for the broken ribs to heal completely. This morning the captain saw Petra going to the infirmary. He'd asked her why and her answer was that she wanted to see Yuki. The two became somewhat of close friends. So he understood that. 

So, Petra was in the infirmary, talking with Yuki. You know, girl's talk. Talking about the forest, about guys. Such stuff. Ever since the morning. Which was a few hours at least. That was, until an hour ago, one of the older medics, more deft that the younger ones came up to the two of them. 

"I'll have to remove some of the bandages, so please, move away for a while."- the medic told to Petra and she quickly followed his request. The man went over to Yuki and, knowing her damn well, looked at her with a warning-"Now please don't move. I don't want to poke your other eye out as well."

"I know, I know. Get it off." - Yuki would immediately answer, not rude in any way. Just wanting the bandages off. They irked her so much. 

The older man huffed and got to work, carefully peeling off the bandages. It took him good fifteen minutes. Younger medics had put on a lot of bandages after Yuki fiddled with them multiple times, trying to get them off. Once everything was off, the man cleaned her skin where the bandages were, where her eye once was. Honestly, the sight wasn't nice at all. He quickly got the threads out after that, despite her flinching constantly. After it was all away he gave her a brush to brush out her hair, knowing how much she cared about her looks. He knew her well as a parent would, considering how much she'd been in here under his care. Once everything was off Petra could peek after the man walked away to grab something. She had to keep herself from gasping. Being the girly girl she is she couldn't help but think that the sight of Yuki's missing eye was gruesome. 

"What?"-Yuki looked at Petra, questioning look in her gaze. 

"Nothing. Nothing. Don't worry about it." - Petra said quickly, unable to tell her friend yet. 

Just when Yuki was gonna keep insisting the medic came back with a mirror. He looked at her, kinda sympathetic as he handed it to her. 

"Here. You should take a look."- he said. The girl took the mirror and looked at her reflection. Her expression fell immediately. The medic took the mirror before she smashed it into the wall and walked away, letting her have her moment. 

Yuki put her hand over where her eye had once been and she felt herself tearing up. Petra being the good friend she is sat next to her and got to comforting her. 

"Come on, now. It's not that bad..."-she said and out her hand on Yuki's shoulder. 

"It's fucking awful!"-Yuki said, her voice shaky.-"I look disgusting!"

"No, no. It's- Wait what?"-Petra couldn't help but get confused. She was worried about looks? Not about how she has no eye but about how she looks without it?! What the fuck is this logic?- "You're worried about looks?"

"Of course I am!"-Yuki exclaimed as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.-" Look at that!" -she said pointing towards the scarred flesh replacing what was once and eye and an eye socket. Truly a not so nice to look at sight. It didn't make her ugly though. It was only in her head. 

After a few more sentences of Petra's trying to comfort Yuki, she just started crying like a schoolgirl would for having her hair messed up. She looked and sounded distraught. Literally. Petra started comforting her and all that, embracing her over the shoulders, patting her back and stuff. At some point Yuki started rambling on and on about something but it was intelligible through her sobs. Petra mentioned eye patches and it seemed to only make Yuki feel worse. She didn't want to look like some lowlife drunkard that lost his eye! She thought that an eye patch would make her look worse. 

And now, an hour after the medic had taken the bandages off, Yuki was crying for her appearance, Petra was trying to soothe her though it didn't seem to be working. Yuki was or course grateful for Petra's friendship and kind words. But she was still crying on and on like a child about how she's gonna look bad without one eye. 

Levi, so blissfully unaware of his darling's despair was currently walking over to the infirmary to see how she's doing and stuff. As he does every day. And sometimes at night too. When he neared the infirmary he couldn't help but hear a woman's voice, weeping and crying so sadly. And he recognized it immediately. His heart pounded in his chest, wondering what's happened. He got worried and hurried over. He was met with the medic that took her bandages off. He looks at Levi with a dead serious expression. 

"What's going on? Why is she crying?"- the captain asked immediately. He did his best to sound annoyed and stuff. But there was worry in his eyes. 

"She got upset about her left eye. We took the bandages off today. Not a pretty sight, I'll tell you this. Now she's crying because she thinks she'd look bad."-the older man explained, dead serious. 

Levi was confused. She was crying because of fucking appearances?! What the fuck is up with her priorities? He shook his head, thanking the medic for his work and walked inside the infirmary. He saw Yuki sitting up in the bed, Petra having half hugged her, crying as Petra tried to calm her down. The captain was torn between thinking how cute Yuki is, how fucked her priorities are and how worried he is for her. 

Petra saw her captain and looked up at him, she herself having teared up after seeing how upset her friend is. They were both like schoolgirls crying over something trivial, really. 

"Captain Levi! Look at that-"-she started but was cut off by Yuki. 

"No, don't look! Don't even think about it"-she almost demanded while sobbing. She didn't want her beloved to see her looking just so bad! 

Levi stood speechless for a few seconds, watching two adult women acting like little kids, marveling and the foolishness for a moment. He shook his head with a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

"Calm down, you both. Petra, is fine, I got this."-he said looking at Petra. -"Yuki, it's really not that bad. I saw already anyways."-he said looking at Yuki. Though his words only seemed to make them both cry more. Petra, because she was touched by her captain's gentleness and Yuki because she didn't want anyone seeing her like that. A disaster overall. 

After a few attempts he did manage to get Petra to calm down. He assured her that he'll handle this and that she can leave. After she did he sat down by Yuki's side and put his arm over her shoulders. She wasn't crying as much too. After all one can't cry for hours. Especially with one eye. 

"Come on, now. It's fine, don't cry."- Levi cooed quietly. He couldn't help but feel his heart ache for his lover as much as crying over appearances was silly in his mind.-"You look fine. I'll get you an eye patch, yeah?"

"I'll look worse with an eye patch, Levi."-Yuki sobbed, unable to hold back at the image of herself wearing an eye patch. She didn't want to look disgusting! And with a missing eye and an ugly scar over where the left eye socket once was, she was sure she looks disgusting. 

"You'll look badass and you'll scare the new cadets, love. You'll look great."-he kept trying to soothe her as she sniffled wiping her tears away. She glanced up at him, eyebrows furrowed in insecure question. 

"Really? You think so?"-she asked. As much as the scar really was ugly, Levi couldn't help but feel his heart melt at those cute big eyes of hers right now. Well, one eye. 

"Of course I think so. It's gonna be fine."-he assured her, squeezing her a bit tighter to his chest.-"Do you want an eye patch? I can get you one, okay?"-he said quietly, rubbing up and down her arm. 

"...Yeah.. Okay. Thanks..."-Yuki murmured, her voice wavery and her eye blood shot from crying. But overall she'd calmed down and Levi was here with her. 

After Yuki agreed he walked out to find an eye patch. Maybe Hange has, considering all the weird science stuff she likes and has. He was gonna figure it out. After like thirty minutes or so, coming back, Levi walked over to her again. Handing her a black eye patch. 

"I found you a black one."-Levi said gently.-"Wanna put it on?"-he asked. Yuki would merely nod and he did his best to tie the straps on the back of her head without causing her any pain.-"You look great, dear."-the captain said afterwards, missing the top of her head. 

Yuki sniffled again a few times. After that for some time Levi stayed with her, making sure she's fine now without as much bandages. And overall keeping her company. He loved her very much, really. At some point the captain kissed her gently on the lips, saying goodbye for now. He talked with the medics and after that he left to do some paperwork he has left to do. Yuki stayed in the infirmary, getting used to less bandages and an eye patch. And also waited for Levi to come and see her again.