But he was here. Levi... he was here.

His eyes were currently trained on Hange, and even from across the street I could tell that they were narrowed, his brow was furrowed, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. It was, to be frank, the perfect look of annoyance. It was also one I knew well from him, not only from seeing it aimed at others but from being on the receiving end of it many times. 

Yet for now, it was aimed at Hange, who was smiling in a mischievous sort of way. It was as though they were unaware of the look being sent their way... or perhaps they were already used to it from him, and so they simply did not care.

Levi, as though realizing that Hange was paying exactly no attention to him, rolled his eyes. I thought that perhaps he might turn on his heel and then head off to school alone (who knew why he even humored Hange by waiting up for them anyway), but he didn't.

For then his eyes met my own, clearly curious as to who Hange's new acquaintance was. I waited with bated breath as his eyes looked intently at my own, then traveled across my face, then back into my eyes.

Well... I may pretend like I was waiting with bated breath, with anticipation, with hope that he might react in some way to my presence, but the truth was, the weight of his gaze after going for so long without it had stolen the breath from me.

Was it too cheesy to say that it had stolen my breath away? That he... that he was breathtaking?

Perhaps that was a bit much. But I couldn't bring myself to care about the way sudden embarrassment flooded my system with the simple thought alone, because it was true. He had, with only a look, taken my breath away.

A smile spread across my face and warmth bloomed in my heart when his eyes widened and as realization settled onto his features. His look of annoyance faded into surprise, into shock. The typical Levi look - aloof, annoyed, indifferent - switched out for a much rarer one, one that clearly displayed what he was feeling.

And what he was feeling... was surprise.

So, Hange hadn't told him that I attended the school. They also hadn't even teased it, by the looks of things, because his surprise was far too real for it to be anything other than real, true astonishment.

"Go on," Hange said gently to me, shocking me out of my reverie. "Don't just stand there staring at him all day." Then they laughed, a loud bark of laughter that I'd have been annoyed by if it had happened at any other moment. "Though I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you? Just getting to look at him, right?"

I pushed Hange away slightly; not enough to hurt or even physically move them all that much, just enough to tell them without words to buzz off. My eyes weren't even focused on Hange, anyway. No, my vision – much like every other sense of mine – was focused on Levi. My entire being was transfixed on him.

He was so close, now. It wasn't just that I could see him, no. I could go to him, physically be there with him, once more. It really did seem like a lifetime ago now that I'd seen him last. Or was that just me being dramatic again?

It probably was. It had only been a few months, hadn't it? So it certainly hadn't been a lifetime, not even close, but... Well, I didn't care if I was being dramatic, because once again, I didn't dare waste the brainpower to dwell on it for too long. 

Surprisingly, I wasn't embarrassed or anything of the sort, or thought that maybe I was already too excited to just see him again. 

I couldn't be embarrassed, because he meant a lot to me. To that end...

I took a step forward. Thankfully, it was a quiet neighborhood, and it was still early enough so that many driving commuters weren't out and about yet. So there was no fear, no hesitance, in the way that I just stepped out onto the street, for I could hear the acute silence that overtook the area.

There was no approaching car, no oncoming biker, not even a delivery truck going to the convenience store down the road to drop off its goods. For as quiet as they now were, it was as though Hange wasn't even here with us now, either.

It was only us. Much like how it felt whenever we were together, it was... just us. Only us.

The world was large, its people numerous, its dangers plentiful. But for right now... It all faded into nothing.

A grin overtook my features as I took my next step. My heartrate increased ever faster, so much so that I'm sure it was no longer even healthy. If I wasn't so happy, I might have been worried.

But how could I waste the energy on being worried, when I was suddenly so rejuvenated by the prospect of seeing him again?

It was something out of a movie, or perhaps a book, or perhaps this was something straight out of my dreams and this wasn't actually happening right now. But no, that couldn't be. 

I could see all the details, from the largest to the most minute. I could feel the most minimal changes in the air, in the wind that rolled by. I could hear the chirping of birds, the cooing of morning doves, and even the far-off bustle of cars as they went on their way.

Levi, for his part, seemed rather stunned as well. He stood there, all but mesmerized. Perhaps he was as excited as I was to finally reunite. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. I could only hope he was, and trust in that, because I'm sure he wouldn't say it. Not straight to my face, anyway. 

He always was someone to appreciate the value of actions over words. So perhaps he would prove it to me, instead.

He stood there, still and statuesque, as I approached. When at last I came to a stop right in front of him, close enough to reach out and touch him, close enough to hear the stilted breath that hitched when he caught sight of the tears now brimming in my eyes.

I wanted to blink them away, but I knew that any attempt from me to keep myself from crying would be in vain, so I... I let it happen, for now. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of the tears, and I watched as his eyes followed the movements of the first tear that rolled down my cheek.

It seemed that my presence had stunned him into silence. I supposed I needed to be the one to summon their courage and speak first, lest we wanted to stand here forever in silence.

Maybe that wouldn't be so bad, actually. But no, there was so much that I wanted to say, that I couldn't do that.

Just say something. Anything.

"Hi, Levi," I finally decided. My voice was gentle and quiet, so much so that I was worried for a moment that he hadn't heard it. But I knew he had, when his eyes softened, his features warming up. It was a sight I'd gotten so used to.

Once that ice on the outside melted through, and I got to see who he was beyond the walls he'd thrown up to protect himself while on his own and even with the few partners that he had – including even his uncle – I'd been able to see how truly warm he was.

Because he was a deeply caring, passionate boy. He was just terribly picky about who he decided to use the energy on. The blues of his eyes, so icy to everyone else, instead reminded me of a pale morning sky, of that sacred, silent time where no one quite woke up yet.

Yeah, maybe I was being dramatic.

Still, I didn't care.

I couldn't.

Not when he was looking at me like that.

"(Y/n)," he finally responded. His volume matched my own. My name came out at a whisper, and a breathy one at that, as though just seeing me had winded him. Goodness, maybe he really was that surprised. "You're crying."

"They're happy tears," I managed to say. "Don't worry."

"I wasn't," he replied easily. Then, a pause, before he quietly continued. "Did you know?"

He didn't need to specify, for I knew what he meant. I knew that one question stood in place for several. Did I know we lived so close to each other now? Did I influence it in any way? Did I know we'd just end up at the same school?

Luckily for me, all the questions shared the same answer.

I shook my head. "No," I answered. "I had no idea."

"I wasn't here yesterday," he began to explain, "I had a-"

"Hange told me," I interrupted gently. "They're the one who told me you had an appointment. But it's better this way. You didn't have to see me fumble around with my locker for ten minutes trying to figure it out."

"It seems crazy but it's true," Hange said, suddenly appearing at my shoulder. Hange placed their hands on my shoulder and a wide, mischievous smile sat on their face. "I timed it. It really was ten minutes. I hate to cut in on your heartwarming reunion, but it was just too hard to resist!"

My cheeks flared up at the reminder. I certainly didn't need Hange here to embarrass me, I could do that perfectly fine on my own. "S-Shut up!"

"Buzz off," Levi said to Hange. "I already need another day to recover from how annoying you are."

"Ouch," Hange said, feigning being hurt. "But tough luck. Years in the future when you look back on your shared memories and reminisce about meeting again right now, I'll always be there! I have forever tainted your memories, and have imprinted myself into this one!" Their voice was a lilting tease, one that had me rolling my eyes and Levi clicking his tongue with annoyance.

The worst part of it all was that they were right. They were completely correct. No matter how far into the future we were, if ever we looked back on this moment... Yeah. Hange would be there. They would always be part of this memory.

"Leave us alone, four-eyes," Levi muttered. "Even (Y/n) doesn't want you here right now."

"Ooh," Hange chimed, "so protective! I guess she was right to be so excited to see you again!"

"Hange," I hissed, my brows furrowing. Honestly, this just kept getting worse – at my expense, somehow. 

"It's all just so heartwarming," Hange said, pretending to gag. "It makes me sick."

"Just go," I said to them. "We'll catch up. Besides, you still need to apologize to Moblit for not being with him yesterday for the extra lesson after school."

Hange pouted. "But... It was worth it, to walk you home! We're besties now, aren't we?! And you want me gone so soon? And for a guy?"

"Go," Levi said, less of a suggestion and more of an order. "I'll kick your ass if you don't."

"A violent guy, at that," Hange mused lightly, sounding oddly reminiscent of a scientist mumbling to themselves about their latest findings and going over their observations. "Perhaps (Y/n) is into that. Maybe. Will ask later." Levi's eyes narrowed to what I learned to be a very dangerous level. "Alright, I get it. I know when I'm not wanted. Off I go!"

And then Hange bounded off, the contents of their overly full bag jostling around and making quite the racket as Hange continued on their way to school.

"So annoying," Levi muttered under his breath, watching Hange go. My eyes trailed after them too, finding myself suddenly... shy, being alone with him for the first time in a long time, and unable to quite look at him. At least with Hange here there was a buffer. But now it was just us. It's what I wanted, sure, but...

At least now fresh tears were no longer falling, though my eyes were chilled by the leftover dampness in them, coupled with the cool morning air. Watching Hange go gave me a reason to forestall talking, because for the life of me I couldn't figure out what to say now.

It was an awkward kind of silence now, one that we hadn't shared often. Not since we were still getting to know each other, back when we were what, eleven? Twelve? The awkwardness had left our relationship early on, as soon as we grew to trust each other, to depend on each other.

Our silences were typically comfortable, well-meaning – so, basically, as far from awkward as you can get. But this... I'd nearly forgotten how to navigate this kind of thing.

"Hange told you," Levi piped up, saving me from having to figure out what to say. I met his eyes, to see his eyes now softened again, his brow lined with less tension.

"Mm-hm," I hummed in reply. "Yesterday was my first day, so the secretary called Hange down to help me out."

"Sorry," he said, averting his eyes. "It should've been me."

I smiled. "Even if you were at school yesterday, it doesn't mean she'd have called for you instead," I reminded him. "No offense, but you wouldn't be my go-to guy to give someone a tour."

Instead of getting angry, he did as I'd anticipated for him to do; he reached out, flicking me in the middle of my forehead. It stung only for a moment, and by the way his lips had the slightest upturn in them, and the way that mischief was dancing in his eyes, I could tell he was happy. I was, too.

Usually, I'd have mumbled an ow, whined a little just to annoy him, or mockingly pouted in a faux way to get on his nerves. But I didn't do that now. There was no need. I only smiled at him once he'd lowered his hand again, and when the slight sting was absent from my forehead, I stepped closer to him.

Led by instinct, I closed the distance between us and drew him close for a hug. I set my chin on my shoulder, my wide smile sitting proudly on my face. My eyes fluttered closed, and my heart skipped more than a few beats when his own arms wrapped around me.

He pulled me ever closer, ducking his head close to my neck. If it was any other time of day, and traffic was any heavier than it was now, he wouldn't have done this. He'd have been as standoffish as always, as aloof as I knew him to be and then some. But not now. After so long, and when granted the perfect opportunity to do so...

Levi allowed his walls to fall, just for a moment, to allow me to see just how much he'd missed me. At this point, words were unnecessary. Words wouldn't really do it justice, now would it? No, it couldn't. Still, I felt I needed to say something.

"I missed you, Levi," I said quietly. This close, I hardly needed to speak above a whisper, anyway. Any louder than a whisper would feel intrusive on the moment, booming against the silence that surrounded us.

A pause, as he gathered up his own words, his own courage.

"I missed you too," he replied.

"Things were weird without you," I said to him. "I kept getting out of bed and expecting to see you at the breakfast table."

There was a light exhalation of breath – a gentle laugh, from Levi. "Took me a while to get used to not seeing your annoying face every single day."

"Ouch," I said through a laugh. I pulled away slightly, just enough to see him. "But at least you were right about me getting adopted one day."

His gaze grew serious then. "And your parents? Are they good to you?"

I nodded, my smile growing. "They're great, don't worry," I assured him. "And get this: I was adopted alongside Eren and Mikasa."

Levi shook his head with disbelief. "I thought I'd seen the last of those brats."

"Oh," I mused teasingly, "what do you mean? You'd only see them if you meant you wanted to come to visit, or that you want to be in my life for a long time."

"Shut up," he hissed, only making me laugh more. "I only said it because we live near each other, so odds are I'll see them at some point."

"Mm-hm," I hummed conspiratorially, not believing him for even a second. "Sure. If that's what you want to tell yourself."

Something unspoken passed between us then, of a fact both of us were reminded of. I'd given him a kiss. He'd given me one. That... meant something. What it was, we didn't know, but it meant something. And that was enough.

"I got my schedule yesterday after my tests," I said to him, reaching into my bag for it. "We share homeroom, but I think Hange mentioned us sharing some other classes, too."

Levi stepped close to my side to look over my shoulder at my schedule. His eyes skimmed overt the document, pointing out what classes we shared. And we shared quite a few, thankfully, which excited me. It'd be one thing to just be in the same school as him, but to share classes... It seemed like almost too much to ask for.

Maybe we really could pretend to be normal kids. Because we sure as hell weren't. But we could pretend, and finally get to experience what it was like to go to a real school, make friends, take real classes... deal with problems normal kids experienced.

From what I'd read and watched, school was a very polarizing topic, to say the least. Some kids liked it, fewer kids loved it, and many hated it. That was just from media, anyway. To experience it for myself, and to experience it with my best friend, was something I was excited for, though even that felt like undermining the feeling.

How long had I wanted this? Not with Levi specifically, but for myself? I'd sit out on those front steps of the orphanage and watch kids walk to and from school, watch school buses go by, hear the chatter from students about their homework, about the fun activity they did in class, even to just how awful their day was – either because of the workload, a bad grade, a shitty teacher.

I'd wondered what it was like, to have those problems. Instead, my life revolved around wondering who my parents were, wondering if I'd ever find a family of my own, to wondering if I'd be doomed forever to remain in that damned house. I'd wanted new problems, because my own had seemed so trivial from inside that fence, so... unusual.

To know what they were feeling, and to feel it myself, well... the word excited just seemed so weak. I'd been dreaming of doing something like this for nearly my entire life. I just couldn't wait to get to it.

But school wasn't the priority right now. Not with Levi standing right in front of me.

"Did you get a little taller?" I asked Levi, knowing damn well that the answer was no, at least from what I could tell. As far as I could see, our difference in height had remained – the truth of the matter making Levi roll his eyes, clearly annoyed with my antics already.

But that was just how I liked it.

And how he liked it too, or he'd push me aside and be done with me already.

"Shut up, idiot," he muttered, though his words held none of the heat of a real insult. Typical Levi. At least he hadn't grown out of his habit of making even insults into strange pet-names that only he would use.

"It was an honest question," I teased. "I know it's a sensitive subject for you, so you must check your height every day, right?"

"Are you trying to piss me off already?"

I gasped with faux surprise, though he knew I wasn't actually hurt or offended by the way my smile immediately replaced my shocked expression once more. "Of course not. Just trying to make up for lost time."

"I like it better when you're not actively annoying me," he said. "You're bad enough on your own. You don't need to try harder to do it."

I laughed lightly. "Alright, alright. So, how about you then? How is your family?"

"My parents are strange," Levi admitted. "I can tell they're upset I haven't called them mom and dad yet."

"Those things take time," I said gently. "They know that, don't they?"

He shrugged. "Maybe they got me confused with a kid more easily swayed."

"Sure, but they're good to you, right?"

"Yeah," he answered. "They're fine."

"Just fine...?"

"(Y/n)," he sighed, "they're good. Don't worry."

"No promises," I said to him. "I can't have someone making my best friend upset." That got a laugh out of him, a chuckle that he tried his hardest to conceal but failed to. "I'm excited, you know."

"About what?"

"About this," I exclaimed. "About going to school. About seeing you again. Just... all of it!" My smile grew warm then, though still remained a bit mischievous. "I know you said that we'd find each other again, but I didn't think it would just be this easy."

He seemed to somber up, in a way, in response to my words. "I'm sorry I wasn't there that night," he said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"At that park," he said.

"Oh," I mused. "Don't apologize. There's nothing to be sorry about. We live too far away now for you to have been able to make it."

"But you went, didn't you? Were you alright on your own?"

"I was," I answered. "You'd have been proud of me. I did it all by myself, got there early, then made it all the way back without getting scared once."

"Right," he said, clearly not believing me. I had a feeling that this conversation wasn't over, not quite. But I wouldn't be the one to continue it right now.

"We should get to school," I offered gently, gesturing with my head for us to go.

Levi nodded, silently agreeing. I made to take the first step but there was suddenly something tugging at my wrist, holding me back. I glanced at him only to see that he was looking down, as though ashamed suddenly to meet my gaze.

"Levi...? Are you alright?"

There was hesitance in his eyes and words dancing on the tip of his tongue, things he wanted to say but could not... or would not, rather. With my free hand, I gently removed his grip on my wrist, and instead slipped the hand into his own.

"Is this better?" My words were hushed, as I had suddenly become rather shy myself.

"Yeah," he said, snapping out of his reverie. He glanced down at our interlocked hands and blinked once, then twice, as though he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. But he cleared his throat and came to a decision, straightening up slightly. "Come on, brat. We're going to be late if we keep standing there all day."

I suppressed the urge to tease him, to remind him that he'd been the one to want to catch up right here, of all places, and the one who had just spent oh, somewhere around thirty seconds just looking at our hands.

I'm sure he was already beating himself up about how uncool he just was, anyway. There was no need for me to do it. I only smiled instead, falling into step alongside him.

"Are you sure you want to walk?" I asked, my voice a lilting tease.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, back when we'd sneak out, you'd make me run everywhere."

He slowed momentarily, thinking it over, before falling right back into step. "That's not true!"

"Really? Because I remember that time we ran from Ms. Fields-"

"We walked before that!"

"Fair," I said, "but we ran the whole way to the park. We could've really only run to the end of the block, or not ran at all, but you insisted-"

"Either that or get caught! I didn't want you ruining your precious relationship with Fields!"

"Oh, please. Tell me how that relates in any way to the following three instances after that time sneaking out where we ran all the way to where we were going!"

"Well, I, wait, that's not-"

"Go ahead," I teased, looking right at him. "Tell me."

He clicked his tongue, refusing to meet my gaze. "No. I don't need to tell you anything."

I smirked, the look on my face rivaling even his own expression. "I win. Go pout."