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The first time he saw you the first word that came to his mind is ‘innocent’. It wasn’t just the same innocence he was destined to witness with all of the new recruits. Not the same eagerness they all had to leave for a mission. The same eagerness to run to their deaths in the name of glory, to witness titans up close. No, it wasn’t that. It was something else. Your eyes still had that childlike spark that he rarely ever saw in Paradis.
He watched silently, arms folded, as you were unbearably kind to everyone. He was stood in the shadows and away from the others as he always was. The small moment when your innocent eyes found his as you were beaming a pretty smile meant for someone else instilled something in him.
He quickly averted his eyes, focusing on the tea that was slowly growing cold in his cup. Levi decided to look back up, a strange desire to overcame him, and he was met once again with your eyes. You were no longer smiling as wide, but your lips were upturned and crinkles aside both of your eyes remained.
He could see the other cadets, namely the male ones, fawn around you. Yet you paid them no mind. This time it was obvious you were meaningfully looking at him.
Levi wasn’t a stranger to fresh female cadets ogling him. Wanting to see Humanity’s Strongest Soldier, the title which he disdained, up close and personal. That wasn’t what you were doing, though. You were observing him. The same way he had been observing you. The realisation dawned on him and he was dumbfounded. If this was another cadet, perhaps he’d have half a mind to tell them to clean the stables and stare at the shit instead. But this was you. You enticingly innocent-looking girl. You watched him as he watched you.
The moment was only broken when you realised your water was empty, murmuring a sweet apology to the men surrounding you and walking to get more. Levi watched you as you walked with piqued curiosity, something he rarely had when it came to his cadets.
The male cadets began to talk.
“She’s so beautiful. I’m gonna make her my wife.” Jean says to the others, a sloppy smile on his face.
The others all laughed and rolled their eyes.
A flicker of irritation ran through the Captain, although he wasn’t sure why. This kind of talk was unfortunately normal for them. It just so happened the subject of it was different.
As they continued talking he felt himself grip the teacup in his hand more tightly. He was about to walk over to them and reprimand them, when he felt a presence beside him.
His grey eyes shifted to yours and they widened slightly against his will. Another thing about you was that you were shorter than the famously small Captain. It felt almost odd to look down at you, not being used to it much. Your innocent eyes looked up at him, your head tilted.
He cleared his throat, brows furrowing slightly.
“Cadet.”
He meant it as a question. Why were you standing there? None of the others would be caught dead gawking the way you were.
“Captain. Your…your tea’s gone cold. I noticed you haven’t sipped from it in a while. Do you want me to get you another?”
Your voice was like sweet honey. He hadn’t heard it up close before.
Your question made his brow raise. You had freely admitted you had been watching him, noticing when he was drinking his tea. And now you were offering to refill it for him.
“No, Cadet. Believe it or not I’m perfectly capable of pouring myself some tea.”
Expecting you to cower or flinch, he was surprised when you only let out a little laugh. The sound was like looking at the stars.
“Did I say something funny, Cadet?” He bristled, confused as to why you were laughing at what he said.
“No, no Captain. Sorry. Your bluntness can be unintentionally funny sometimes.” You had replied, amusement rampant in your tone.
You spoke in a familiarity that was jarring to him. Who would dare say something like that to him? Much less a new recruit. You had barely been there a week.
He could feel the gazes of the others on them, no doubt curious why you were so unashamedly speaking to your Captain. He was even more curious than them, but he wouldn’t show it.
“Well, you’re right, that’s not my intention. Now go back to your table unless you want your ass kicked.” Levi replied bluntly.
His eyes narrowed as he saw your lips quirk slightly at the edges. Levi was tempted to chastise you for it before you nodded, the ghost of a grin gone.
“Yes sir.”
He watched quietly as you walked back to the group, all of their eyes on you. They swarmed you like a flock of birds.
Reflexively he went to take a sip of his tea, only to find that you were right. It had gone cold.
Levi didn’t stand there for much longer. He watched you for a few moments more before leaving to do the stack of paperwork on his desk. Before he did so he refilled his teacup.
That night, after the candlelight had begun to burn his eyes and the paperwork was all done, Levi tossed and turned in his bed as usual. The morning light was beginning to seep through the windows, illuminating his room in a soft haze of blue.
This time, however, his thoughts weren’t plagued of the people he’d lost in the past or mission plans, but of you.