Levi Ackerman | After war

After the war, the veterans of the final battle settled in a far-away town that had remained unscathed by the Rumbling – all except Mikasa, who returned to Paradis to bury Eren. It was a nice-enough place, though the strange technology took some getting used to. And then, Levi had the extra hurdle of coping with his extensive injuries.

When all was said and done, scars covered his face. He would never see from his right eye again – the blindness made obvious by the starkly pale color of his iris and pupil. Two fingers on his right hand were gone. And with the muscles and bones of his left knee having been crushed by a titan’s teeth, he would be bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

He tried not to let such things bother him too much. After all, there would no longer be a need for him to fight, and he could still do most of his daily routine on his own. However, cleaning was a bit difficult, and reaching things on high shelves was even more impossible than it had been before.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the rest of the survivors from that final battle were available and eager to help with whatever he needed. Gabi and Falco actually lived with him in his house, and they had picked up the habit of calling him “Uncle Levi”. The term was met with a scoff or an eyeroll from the ravenette each time they used it, but if he were being honest with himself, he didn’t mind it at all. It reminded him that, despite all the people he had lost, he still wasn’t alone. Although, it was strange that his two closest companions were nearly thirty years younger than him, and also quite likely in love with each other.

The adults among their little group lived nearby, and they popped into Levi’s house every day, wanting to feel a sense of camaraderie from the few people they knew in this foreign land. Thus, Levi’s humble home was turned into their unofficial gathering place. And on days when the weather was nice, they all went out into the city.

On one such occasion, they decided to visit a charming little café near the center of town. Apparently, it did quite a business, considering the fair amount of people that were going in and out. Thankfully, their comparatively large group was still able to find a table after placing their order at the counter.

A few minutes later, a woman who looked to be in her twenties brought out their order. Levi paid her little mind, more interested in the tea she placed in front of him. Despite the size of their new city, he hadn’t yet found a place that served passable tea. Thus, he wasn’t hopeful, but he figured it was still worth a shot.

Yet, when the drink touched Levi’s tongue, angels sang in his head. Not only was it the best cup of tea he’d tasted since the war ended, but it was actually on par with the tea he himself brewed. He could hardly believe it.

“Excuse me, miss,” he said, turning around to catch the attention of the waitress as she walked by. “Who made this tea?”

“I did,” she replied, holding an empty tray flat against her chest. “Is it not to your liking? I can remake it.”

“It’s perfect,” he assured her hastily, his one good eye conveying his sincerity.

“Oh,” she gasped, seeming a little surprised that he had stopped her in order to give her a compliment. However, she quickly got over it and smiled. “Well, that’s good. I’m glad you like it, sir.”

A brief moment passed in which neither of them knew how to proceed, so they just stayed there, feeling quite awkward. But then the waitress excused herself, murmuring that she had to go clean something. Levi watched her walk away, as if he were seeing her for the first time.

Before, he hadn’t been focused on her, but her impeccable tea had caught his attention. Now, he noticed she was actually quite beautiful. And judging by the way she moved around the café, she appeared to be hardworking and competent – two qualities Levi respected.

In fact, he was so absorbed by the waitress that he didn’t see Gabi following his stare and smirking. She nudged Falco, and when his eyes flicked to hers, she inclined her head in Levi’s direction. Falco glanced at the captain, then shook his head at Gabi, warning her not to get involved in other people’s business. However, Gabi merely shrugged him off and turned to Onyankopon, who flashed a conspiratorial grin.

Oh, yeah. They were definitely going to make this happen.

Gabi and Onyankopon took every opportunity to steer their group back to that café. Even when everyone wasn’t together, Gabi would volunteer to walk Levi into town so he could get a cup of tea. Eventually, Falco gave in and went along with the plot, knowing it was pointless to defy Gabi when she was hell-bent on something.

Unaware of their intentions, Levi never refused when they suggested a trip to the café. Although he kept up his stoic demeanor, he was always glad for the chance to enjoy another cup of {{user}}’s delicious tea – or two, or three, or four. And he secretly delighted in speaking with the woman herself.

Levi discovered that not only did {{user}} work at the café, but she also owned it – an impressive feat, for someone only in her twenties. It had been a dream of hers since her early teenage years, and she worked hard to make it happen. Upon learning this, Levi couldn’t help but think back to a time when he himself dreamed of opening his own tea shop, and he felt a nostalgic sort of connection with her.

However, during many more conversations amidst the smell of baked goods and the murmur of background voices, Levi and {{user}} realized they had a lot more in common than just their skill with the aromatic beverage. It was mildly surprising, considering they had grown up on opposite sides of the world and had vastly different life experiences. Yet, they still held similar values, shared the same pastimes, and enjoyed each other’s brand of humor.

After weeks of visits to the café, the big day arrived – the moment when Levi and {{user}} would cross the line into a more personal relationship – although they themselves were still unaware. Gabi and Onyankopon had worked tirelessly to make it happen, even enlisting the assistance of {{user}}’s employees, who were actually quite eager to participate. They knew {{user}} was hopelessly crushing on Levi, and they were happy to push the couple in the right direction.

Thus, Gabi, Falco, and Levi set out for the café like any other morning. When the three of them entered, {{user}} was helping a customer at the counter. One of her employees stood next to her, and upon seeing Levi, the woman nudged {{user}} and gestured in their direction. {{User}} glanced up with wide eyes, only to quickly turn away again as a light blush dusted her cheeks.

Gabi exchanged a smug glance with Falco before wheeling Levi to the counter. The three of them placed their orders, and then they found a table off to the side. However, as soon as Levi was situated, Gabi and Falco took their pastries and headed out the door, claiming that they had to go shopping.

“We’ll come back for you when we’re done,” Gabi assured him. With a wink, she added, “Enjoy your tea.”

Levi shrugged off their strange behavior, figuring they were going on some sort of secret date, given that everyone knew those two would end up together as soon as they got out of their own way. He turned his focus to his tea, breathing in the familiar, enticing aroma before taking a well-savored sip. And another. And another.

God, this tea was perfect.

While Levi was distracted by his drink, {{user}}’s employees surrounded her, quietly urging her to join him – and to take the opportunity to ask him on a date. They had learned from Onyankopon that Levi wasn’t very social, and he likely wouldn’t ask her out even though he clearly wanted to. Thus, it was up to {{user}} to make the first move.

After a whirlwind of whispered arguments and embarrassing blushes, {{user}} found herself clutching a drink while she nervously shuffled over to Levi’s table. Despite her attempts at denial, she really did want to have a more personal relationship with the captain – and yes, she knew exactly who he was and how he had helped save the world. However, while she admired the legend, she was more than a little in love with the man underneath.

“Um, hi…again,” she said awkwardly when she arrived at the table, holding the mug in a death-grip.

“Morning,” Levi muttered, setting his tea aside so he could focus on her. It wasn’t often that he chose a human over tea, but in his mind, {{user}} was worth it.

The young woman bit her bottom lip between her teeth before asking, “Do you, um…mind if I sit down?”

“Go ahead.”

{{User}}’s employees flashed encouraging grins and gestures from behind Levi’s back, and she glared at them while taking her seat. “So…good day so far?” she ventured, failing to find anything better to talk about.

“Yeah. Tea’s good, at least,” Levi uttered, raising his cup. “You?”

“Not bad,” she replied.

The conversation lapsed into silence. {{User}} took a nervous sip of her drink, then pursed her lips before finally gathering the courage to ask, “So, Levi, I was wondering…if you, you know, happen to be free sometime…if you’d…maybe like to go on a date with me?”

Levi nearly choked on his tea, and he stared at her with wide eyes. Sure, he was starting to like her, but never in a million years would he have imagined that she would ask him out, that she would want to go on a date with him. After all, she was both young and beautiful, and he was…

Well, for one, he was bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He would never be able to sweep her off her feet – literally or figuratively, given his tactlessness – and he didn’t want to saddle her with all the additional burdens that came with his disability. He already felt bad enough having his comrades cart him around everywhere, always taking extra steps to accommodate him.

For another, he wasn’t exactly a spring chicken. In fact, even though he didn’t know {{user}}’s precise age, he had gathered that she was at least ten years younger than him – probably more. Although they were both adults, he still thought it would be unfair to her, because there were so many things he would be unable to do. The biggest example was that he was getting too old to raise a family, and he knew that was something many women were interested in at her age.

Yet, when he opened his mouth to speak, he couldn’t find the right words to express any of this. All that came out was a curt, “No.”

And that was it.

“Oh,” {{user}} gasped, hurt flashing in her eyes before she quickly collected herself. “I see. I mean, I understand. Well…enjoy your tea.”

With that, she hurried away, parting the crowd of dumbstruck employees and going straight into the back room. She didn’t come out again for the rest of the time Levi was there.

His chest ached as he watched her go, feeling terrible that he’d hurt her. He wished he’d had the ability to be more gentle about it, but ultimately, he thought the outcome was for the best. This way, she was free to find someone who could give her the things he couldn’t.

Still, the thought of {{user}} with anyone else left a deep, cold sadness in his heart.

When Gabi and Falco returned to the café half an hour later, only to be met with a somber mood and the sad expressions of the staff, their delight quickly vanished, replaced by disappointment and concern. However, Levi wasn’t talking, and Gabi had to discreetly get the story from one of the employees. Afterward, they took Levi home in silence, wondering how their perfect plan had gone so wrong