When I awoke in the morning, I was a bit unsure of my whereabouts. The sun was beginning to peak through the window, and the ceiling was unfamiliar. Slowly, I recalled that it was the first time I was waking up inside the old fortress, which would be my home for the next month or so.

I rolled over slowly, stretching from fingertips to toes, followed by a long sigh. I honestly did not expect to find Levi still asleep next to me. He was always an early riser, not one for much sleep. And yet, there he was. I froze for a moment, careful of my movements, as I slowly turned to face him, studying his beautiful face closely.

His black hair had fallen over his brow, slightly covering his eyelids. I wanted so badly to brush the wisps away so I could see him better, but I didn't want to disturb him. I felt my heart begin thumping against my chest as I became slightly overwhelmed by him just being next to me.

The sun was now fully rising, as the pink sky began to fade to a soft gold. I could feel the warmth of the sunbeams as they crept along the bed. If only every morning could be this idyllic.

As Levi began to rouse, I took advantage of the moment, and brought my lips to his. I could feel him change from groggy confusion to full comprehension. I framed his broad shoulders with my palms, leaning over him while continuing my morning greeting. He calmly placed one hand on my cheek, the other onto my back.

I felt myself gradually becoming more and more aroused as my innocent kiss began to evolve into a deeper, hungrier one.
Before I knew it I had thrown my leg over him, bringing myself into a straddle. Levi was pleasantly surprised by this sudden turn of events as he brought his hands to my hips, lowering me down onto him.

We both parted our lips for a breath, but before I could return, he pulled back slightly. I opened my eyes to find his steel grey eyes staring right back.

"(F/N). Sit up. I want to see you--"

I felt myself suddenly become a bit sheepish as he continued:

"-- it's always been so dark at night..."

After a few moments of hesitation, I walked my hands backwards, sitting myself up, still completely nude from the night before. One hand left my hip as he gently began to run his fingertips down my neck, over my breast, along my side, and back to my hip.
I closed my eyes, shuddering a euphoric exhale. He did the same with his other hand, this time slower and more intentional. I could barely handle it.

I felt him begin to sit up, still inside me, as he wrapped his arms around me. He gently started kissing my neck, but I noticed him slow to a stop after placing a few along my scar. Distracted by this, I pulled away to see what was wrong.

"Levi, what are you--"

I suddenly realized our morning fling had been brought to an end when I saw his expression. He seemed to be replaying a memory in his mind, as his face became concerned, confused, and distant.

I removed myself from his embrace to just sit beside him, when his stern voice asked:

"How did you get that scar, (F/N)...?"

I lowered my head and turned away. I was frustrated and hurt that he had found it necessary to ask that during such a passionate moment. I scoffed and dropped my feet to the floor, wanting to get dressed immediately. But he grabbed my wrist, asking the same question, this time with more urgency.

I yanked my hand away and began angrily covering myself with clothing. I could hear Levi throwing the covers off the bed behind me, before bringing himself to a stand. I fully expected him to explode for not answering him, but instead he let out a "tch" and began dressing himself as well.

Just as we had both become fully clothed, I heard a knock at the door. The voice of Eld followed:

"Captain Levi, breakfast is ready if you care to join?"

I glanced back to see Levi clenching his fists before answering.

"Not today, Eld."

"Sir?"

"Don't go stuffing yourselves... We're cleaning the outside of this shit hole today."

"Yessir."

Levi waited until he could no longer hear Eld's footsteps before turning back around to face me, demanding to be acknowledged.

"You were in the Underground... weren't you...?"

My eyes widened.

"What? How- How did you know that?"

Levi slammed the side of his fist against the wall in frustration.

"Fuck...!"

I was lost. What the hell was going on? Levi stormed across the room, grabbed my arms and commanded, "Answer the goddamn question! How did you get that!?"

"Why the hell is this suddenly so damn important to you!?"

"Because I think I gave it to you!"

I stared at him in disbelief as I watched his eyes begin to plead for answers. I lifted my fingertips to my chest where my scar disappeared underneath my shirt.

"Levi...that is impossible..."

I gently took his hand, as he eased the tension from his grasp. With a reluctant sigh, I guided him back to our bedside, where we both sat on the edge.

"Levi... I didn't think I would ever be telling anyone this, but at this point... I really don't have much of a choice."

I could see Levi focusing in on me, but he was still struggling with some inner turmoil. I brought my hand to my brow, rubbing it nervously. Staring down at my lap, I breathed in deeply before recalling everything that had brought me to where I was.

"I wasn't born in the Underground. I was born and raised in the town of Krovla, the western district of Wall Rose. We weren't exactly well off, but my Father was able to provide for us by caring for the Garrison's horses. When I was sixteen, I started going with him due to my mother's decreasing health. We needed more money due to the rising Military Tax on medicine. Almost all of the town's Doctors had been ordered to tend to the soldiers, so it was almost impossible to find care for my mother.
Eventually, we were completely unable to afford what my Mother needed, so I began stealing the medicine from the Garrison without my Father knowing. I had been able to sneak medicine home to my Mom for over a year before getting caught..."

I paused for a moment, trying to muster up the strength to continue.

"I had just turned 18 when a member of the Garrison witnessed me stealing from their medical supplies. I panicked and ran, knowing my mother would die without it. I thought I had evaded him, but when I got home, I walked in to find four MP's waiting for me. The Garrison Soldier must have reported my theft to them, and since we were employed by the Garrison, they knew where we lived."

"Two of them were restraining my Father, one had me at gunpoint, and the other was hovering over my Mother's bedside.
I could hear my Father pleading for my forgiveness, and to punish him for my insubordination. The MP who had focused on me seemed to accept my Father's offer when he dropped his aim from me. He told me to give him the medicine so he could administer it. I was naive and trusted him, thinking he was going to help her. But once I handed it over, he gave the order to put my mother "out of her misery" and they shot her in the head... I watched them execute my Mother! And I couldn't do a damn thing to stop them!"

Tears began to trace my cheeks and drip onto my lap. I could feel myself beginning to tremble with anger and sorrow.

"I tried to run to her, thinking that if I could somehow just stop the bleeding, she would be okay...! But they hit me with the stock of their guns, knocking me to the ground. I watched them hauling off my Father, telling him he had to atone for my sins. He fell to his knees, begging for them not to kill me. He began to wager his life, his skills, what money we had left -- anything to spare me."

"Part of me honestly still believes it would have been better if they had just killed us then and there, but they agreed to listen to my Father.
They made him join the Garrison since he was so familiar with the horses, and told him he would have to leave with the Survey Corps on every expedition beyond the walls. I knew that meant he would be forced to face the Titans, which was a fate worse than death.
I in turn admitted that my Father never knew I had been stealing, and that he was completely innocent. But they just laughed and took him from me anyway...
The MP who had been giving all of those orders... was Viktor Dietrich."

Levi stood up and began pacing the floor angrily, as if he was trying to talk himself out of doing something rash.

"Viktor ordered the last MP to return to his post, leaving me alone with him, my mother still bleeding profusely behind us. He didn't waste anytime; he started beating me senseless and... telling me that he owned me... and that I was his to do with as he pleased. And that's when he...he... ripped my clothes off and...and..."

Levi pulled me into his arms as I began to crumble, losing the ability to go on any further. I had become completely overwhelmed, as if it was happening to me all over again. There was so much more to tell him, but it would have to wait. It was excruciating having to reveal everything to him, even though I knew I had to tell him. I couldn't hide from my past any longer.

And I still had to tell him how I got my scar.