I locked eyes with Levi. He didn't seem happy nor irritated. In fact, I wasn't sure what he was feeling.

His face was expressionless as ever, save for the small frown taking over his lips. He sat on the wooden chair finally wearing his buttoned shirt. I was somewhat thankful to the piece of clothing covering him.

Yet, that was the least thing on my mind. Instead, all I could think about is those bloody screams. All I could envision was that young man's face filled with terror and the way his eyes begged me to save him.

A shiver goes down my spine, my heart plummeting to my stomach. Without my consent a lone tear streams down my cheek. I catch Levi raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"I'm assuming it was," he says a loud. Hastily I turn the other way. With the palm of my hand I roughly wipe away the tear with a sniff.

"Have you been watching me?" I found myself asking instead of scolding him for his perceptiveness. Levi doesn't respond right away.

I stay as I was with my knees close to my chest. It did little to comfort me. I hear Levi shift on his chair before letting out a small sigh.

"It's hard not to when you keep whimpering like a puppy," he mutters.

"Shut up," I growl. Embarrassment runs strongly through my blood, my cheeks were tainted with it.

I'm able to control what I think when awake but once unconscious, my memories take over. I'm then reminded of all the horrible things I've done. With this recent dream being the worst.

I hug my knees closer before burying my face in them. Levi doesn't speak and gives me the silence he thought I needed. However, silence only made things worse.

I was continuously reminded how much I dreaded being Squad Leader and the blood that will forever stain my hands.

Erwin's words were painted across my mind, "Wasn't losing twenty Scouts two years ago and being the only one making it out alive enough? Or did you not get your fill of making bad decisions?"

I was starting to think I was reverting back to my old ways. Maybe my arrogance never truly left. Maybe I didn't get my fill.

"Hey, Levi?" I hear myself murmur. Levi sighs in his chair, his eyes never left me. His attention was upon me completely.

"What?"

I hesitate for a moment. I wasn't totally sure why I called him, my voice acted upon its own. Now I don't know what to say.

I'm against pouring out every detail of my nightmares to him but, I wanted all my thoughts to be rid of. I've been handling this alone, would it be nice to speak them aloud to someone? I mindlessly started to fumble with the sheets. I keep my eyes firmly upon my fingers.

"Just out of curiosity, have you ever had the same reoccurring dream over and over again?"

It took all my energy to voice that out. It wasn't too plain nor too detailed like I wanted. He doesn't reply immediately, I figured he was thinking of an answer.

"Dream or nightmare?" Levi inquired instead. I knew what he was implying at and made no accusation of it. I grip the blankets tighter while biting my lip.

"Nightmare," I breathe. I glance once more over my arm to see Levi cock his head while gazing at the wall on his right. His shrugs nonchalantly before returning his gaze to me.

"No," he replies dully. I turn away with a sigh.

"Figures."

Of course nightmares isn't a problem to him. A born Titan killer like himself who felt nothing but anger could never truly know what it's like to have something eat away at your sanity. He doesn't care about who died for our cause or not.

He made that perfectly clear over Sylvia's death. His only drive was killing, that's all Levi ever knows.

It was silent once again but this time it wasn't one I could sit comfortably in. I was well aware of Levi's inspective, icy gaze upon me. It did no good except make my neck coat in sweat.

The seconds grudgingly ticked by as I feel myself unable to handle this any longer. However, when I opened my mouth to speak my voice wasn't the one heard.

"What about you? Do you have the same nightmare over and over?" On instinct I click my tongue. I ignited any sort of anger inside me and wield it like a shield.

"What's it to you? Why are you asking?"

"Because you asked me first, brat." Levi retorts bitterly. "A question for a question. I answered yours so answer mine."

I fold my lips tightly. Awkwardly, I cast my gaze to the floor. For the five years I've known Levi not once has he taken any general interest in me.

I wholeheartedly expected him to not even answer my question and if he did, then I knew his answer would be bland. A huge part of me never thought he would ask a question about me. I felt stupid for blushing over such a dumb act.

Levi waits patiently for an answer that I wasn't sure how to provide. Instead, I flop back down on the hard mattress making sure my back faced him.

"Recently," I mutter finally. "Ever since Erwin assigned me as Squad Leader."

I glare at the wall while pulling the blankets over me as if it could protect me from his cold gaze. I listen to the sound of a chair creaking then someone standing.

"Ah." That's all Levi said. He doesn't add more to his comment nor does he pry more into my complicated dilemma.

A part of me was thankful for that but another part wishes he could talk some more. I breathe out a soft sigh before bringing my hands close to my chest.

"I can't stand it anymore, you know," I murmur to myself. Yet loud enough for Levi's ears to pick up. "Seeing that same person get eaten then continuously listen to their screams and see their blood gushing out of them. It's the worst type of nightmare to have. Especially when you know you're at fault."

Tears had escaped my eyes and I hated it. I hate the weakness I possess and the audacity my emotions have to make me cry. I feel like a damn idiot.

"Sorry," I mumble. "Just ignore me."

Silence filled the cell afterwards. I try my best to wipe away my damn tears. I wasn't sure if Levi went to bed or stopped listening to me.

I repeated to myself that it didn't matter. It wasn't his problem, what sense of mind does he have to be in to meddle with me? The edge of my mattress suddenly dips causing me to jolt in surprise.

"It's hard," Levi admits in a soft tone. "No matter how hard you push it away, the memory never leaves."

My eyes widen in awe. His words were not meant to make me feel comfort but to let me know it was an agreement amongst soldiers who fought side-by-side. I was surprised by how soothing his words were to me though.

It's like he knows what I'm going through. Somehow, it had me see him in a different light.

I swallow thickly, I could feel his presence so close to me. My heart begins to thump loudly making my insides twist and turn. I hesitate for a moment wondering if I should turn around or stay as I was.

I damned my curiosity as I feel my body turn. I've come to face with a broad back. Levi was sitting on the very edge of the bed making sure his body wouldn't touch mine.

He faced the wall across from us with his hands clasped together atop his lap. I gaze up at him in shock with my heart failing to beat at a normal pace.

I wasn't sure how long I stared at him with a dazed gaze but I'm sure it was a while. I began to notice the accusing glare taking over his eyes.

"What are you looking at?" He questions firmly.

It was such a simple question that came with a simple answer. But for me the answer wasn't easy. His question became something I had no answer for.

I didn't know what to say or even knew if it were wise to answer. Instead, I avert my gaze gaining a small, Tch, from him.

"Go back to sleep," he orders. "You look like a damn raccoon."

"No one told you to look," I deadpan. That fleeting sensation I felt moments ago abandoned me. What was left was a pit of embarrassment and awkwardness.

Levi snickers in response and looks away. Silence has greeted us once more but this time, it was nice. Peaceful even.

Despite my displeasure of our close proximity, calmness greeted my core. His presence had chased away the nightmares and I was left with a peace of mind. The warmth his body possessed was radiating off of him.

I started to relax due to the soothing warmth he provided. Without thinking I scoot closer. He stiffens at the touch but doesn't move away.

Drowsiness began to take over my conscious but not completely. I still found it hard to sleep. My eyes roam lazily to Levi's clasped hands.

With little light provided I was able to see how well his knuckles were healing. You could barely tell the flesh was spilt open. A memory suddenly flashes through my mind.

I start to remember how I fell atop him during our dumb punishment. I start to remember Levi's touch. The way his hands held my waists. The gentleness his touch possessed as he held me so delicately.

In that moment, when I laid atop him I had realized how I loved that feeling. I enjoyed the softness of his skin and how fitting his hands were around me.

I started to crave for that touch. For that same fleeting feeling.

My hand finds its way out of the blankets as it began to pursue with purpose. Slowly, I reach for his left hand. I grasp with such gentleness. I felt the way his hand flinches so suddenly with a startled gasp hitching in his throat.

"What are you doing?" Levi demands with a stern but also, bewildered tone. I choose not to answer.

What could I say to describe this need to hold his hand? What words can show him that I wasn't strange but only a woman who wished to feel another's comforting touch? Nothing.

Being silent was my only option. So, instead I brought his hand off his lap closer to me. I intertwined my fingers with his and to my surprise, Levi doesn't pull away.

I could feel his cautious gaze upon me in questioning. He still doesn't say anything. I've started to rub his knuckles aimlessly with my mind drifting elsewhere.

Was he always like this? Cold as ice but also kind?

He watched over me while I laid unconscious in the Medical Center. He stood up for me when most didn't. And he saved me from being eaten.

Despite the icy exterior and nasty insults he throws everyday, he was truly kind to me. In his own way of course. Guilt was starting to eat away at me, however.

He did all these things without expecting anything in return but only a simple thank you. Yet, I'd given him rude jabs and insults. I bite my lip as I remember his words.

"You ungrateful brat."

And I had to agree, I am ungrateful. This man deserves nothing more but a thank you. And I wasn't able to provide that.

"Levi?"

"What now, brat?" He replies irritably but, I could not detect any indication that he truly was. Releasing a small sigh I've realized my mouth begun to move faster than my thoughts.

"Thank you," I say awkwardly as though that phrase was foreign. "I think I owe that to you big time." He scoffs almost immediately as if he couldn't believe what he's hearing.

"Oh yeah? For what exactly?"

"Everything pretty much," I murmur. "The flowers you've given me. Staying with me till I gained conscious. Standing up for me. Protecting me when I couldn't do it myself. And for this blanket."

There were many other things I wished to say but my words started to clump together. I had slurred them like a drowsy drunk. Sleep was finally starting to take over and it became harder for me to fight it off.

With my eyelids becoming heavy, I snuggled more into the blankets while tightening my hold on his hand.

"I don't want to be ungrateful like you said I was," I mumble. I finally let my eyelids droop over my eyes. "That's why I'm saying thank you. Don't think much of it, dummy. . ."

I finally drift off into sleep. A comfortable darkness welcomes my vision as I was sure I would sleep a dreamless sleep. Yet, I heard a voice. One that sounded amused but also hopeless.

"Troublesome brat."

Those were the only words I heard before drifting off into unconsciousness.

/\/\/\/\/\

These past two chapters were hard but fun to write.

I did my best to capture the small closeness they've made and how their relationship somewhat deepened.

Was it good?

Lemme know if there are things to be changed in future chapters!

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