HOPE YOU ENJOY

PLEASE VOTE

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"Mikasa, time for bed. It's going to be a chilly night and it's best to get you in the warm. Try and stay in my room for the whole night instead of sneaking out once I gm asleep or gone" Hanji spoke with a weak smile, walking over to the girl who was sat outside under the window that was beside Levi bunk bed.

"I'm staying here, he's shouldn't be alone. He needs space but he shouldn't be left alone, I'll wait here until he needs me" Mikasa answered, staying sat under the window with Furlan spare cape tightened around her. 

"He's not alone, I'm sure he knows that much. Why don't you give him some space, try seeing him tomorrow instead. It won't be good if you caught a cold or worse by staying outside here tonight" Hanji replied with a worried big sister like voice, walking towards the girl who made no effect in moving. 

"I'm not leaving him" Mikasa suborning snapped back, wrapping her arms around her legs as she pushed them to her chest. 

"Please, at least let me fetch you a blanket or something" Hanji begged a little, not willing to leave Mikasa out in the cold night in just a set of old cloths and a thin cape.

"Just leave me alone, I'm fine as long as he's okay. I just need to be here for him, stay with him so he's not alone" Mikasa muttered to herself, resting her head on her knees as Hanji gave a sadden nod. 

"Why don't I at least make us a cuppa, warm ourselves up a little" Hanji offered with a forced smile, staring at Mikasa for a response but just giving a weak nod when Mikasa stayed unmoving and silent. 

Hanji sent a glance to the window, Levi was inside the barracks along after he slammed the door shot and warned every other soldier inside to leave. They did and were not using spare bunk beds in other barracks. No candle light was inside, it was just pitch dark and silent but Levi was somewhere inside by himself. 

Hours passed and Mikasa stayed sitting outside, sitting under the window and waiting until Levi needed her. She wouldn't let him face the deaths alone, Furlan and Isabel was her family too. She knew neither would want Levi blaming himself, to shut himself away and so, she'll wait here for him. He needed her as much as she needed him, she'll just wait until he was ready for her to be in his line of sight once more. 

Sleep taking over as one in the morning came along, huddling in a ball on the ground and shivering but she was asleep at least making her suffering over the cold vanish for now. 

Hanji stayed with her, bringing a chair when she returned with the drinks and giving the one meant for Mikasa to Moblit when Mikasa wouldn't accept the warm drink. She wasn't going to eat or drink until Levi did, she wouldn't let him rot alone and would wait him out because she knew new no matter how broken he got, he won't let a wasteful death happen before him. 

She was strong, she could take the pain of not eating and drinking if needed. She's deal with the cold before, the cold from where she was in her kidnappers years all those years ago turned her numb. Cold was nothing to fear in her eyes, it was the numbness but she was willing to lose the small bit of warmth she was given by Levi and Furlan from having them in her lives, she was willing to give it up if it helped bring Levi back to her. 

Moblit sat on a wooden beside Hanji, both of them just watching over Mikasa and trying to take her back to Hanji room to tuck in bed only for Mikasa to startle awake whenever they tried lifting her up. They tired giving her blankets but they would only find them thrown back moments later. Now, both sat watching over the girl and huddled under the blankets trying to keep warm. 

Mike coming just half n hour after Mikasa finally fell asleep and placing a wooden chair down on the other side of Moblit and sitting down. He got filled in by Moblit when he went to make hot drinks for him and Hanji just over an hour ago. Of course, Mike thought the two would have gone to bed and when he woke for water found them with Mikasa, he knew he had to join them in. 

All three startling awake as Erwin coughed, he was standing on the other side of Hanji and sipping a warm drink himself. Dressed a little messy showing he woke up and hurried over when he took notice of candle light still burning by a barrack wall making him find the two captains and Moblit.

"Has he left?" Erwin asked as he noticed the three awake and sleepily staring at him.

"Not since he locked himself inside, he's not came out once from what we known" Hanji lazily answered, tucking the blanket around herself more and wondering how Mikasa wasn't dying from frost bite.

"We're more worried over Mikasa, she hasn't moved from that spot since he wanted to be alone in the barracks. She didn't even come to eat for dinner and once it got dark, Hanji tried couching her to bed but she won't leave his side. She's been outside, well we guess she hasn't moved from that spot since Levi entered the barracks. No one knows how long she's been outside and dressed like she is ... it worrying at most" Moblit added on with a frown, he wanted to help Mikasa as well but he knew that all they could do was leave her as she was until she was ready to accept what was going on. 

"Have you three stayed with her?" Erwin asked surprised, glancing to the three who gave tired nods.

"Hanji the longest, I came an hour after and Mike came around two in the morning. We've taken turns to get warm drinks and mostly slept huddled under the blankets when we could drift to sleep" Moblit answered as he rubbed his eye a little, getting rid of some sleep.

"We've all tried moving her, even just trying to place a blanket on her won't work. She won't leave that spot and she throws any blankets back at us. Any food or warm drinks we brought over to her, she's left untouched. I'm worried, she's only a child even if she's strong or mature .. her body is still one of a child" Hanji sighed, concern clear in her eyes as she stared at Mikasa who stirred a little.

"Give her until he wakes and leaves, if he's not out by lunch that drag her off my camp. She's be given to the church orphanage. I was nice enough to play along to his wishes but I won't deal with this any longer than needed. I don't care if she screams and fights back, get her off my camp" Erwin ordered sternly as he looked to the three who tensed up, even Mike was unsure over the order. 

"Erwin, have heart" Hanji replied making Erwin raise an eyebrow.

"We're soldiers, we fight titans head on and lose men each time we do face titan. This is no place for a child, I want her gone" Erwin scoffed, crossing his arms and looking towards Mikasa who started to sit up, rubbing her eyes. 

Her eyes glancing around before she lifted her head up to look at the early morning sky. It was around five in the morning and in the next hour all captains should be waking along with most soldiers who didn't wish to be late for any duties. 

"Ooh" Hanji breathed out hopeful as Mikasa started to push herself to stand.

"You think she gave in?" Moblit whispered hopeful and Mike shook his head. 

They watched as Mikasa turned around, looking through the window before frowning more. She pushed at the window, sliding it up and opening it freely. The other four watching her every move as she snuck inside, risking  facing Levi rage head on. 

A couple minutes passed before a bag was thrown out, Mikasa hopping out with a shovel. Turning to the four before giving a slight nod and lifting the bag she arrived with before over her shoulder.

"Do we follow?" Hanji asked as she pushed herself to stand.

"She's gone to make a grave" Mike spoke making the other three jump a little.

"The sun is rising, she's finally giving her family souls a place to rest in peace. She must know their bodies couldn't be collected and brought back" Moblit commented as the other's nodded in agreement.

"Let's leave her to do this alone, I'm sure she would wait for Levi but she must know that Furlan and Isabel shouldn't be left to suffer any longer" Erwin frowned, running a hand through his hair.

"Than I'll wait for her to return once she's done, we've stayed here this long and I won't give up now" Hanji stubbornly spoke and sat down again, crossing her right leg over her left.

"I'll make us some tea, don't steal my blanket" Moblit smiled with care before collecting the three cups they had been using through out the night before he headed towards a kitchen. Mike grabbing Moblit blanket as soon as he was out of sight and using it for extra warmth.  

"We can't keep her, she deserves a chance at living her own life. If she doesn't become a soldier we can't training her to be one of us. She must chose the next path in life, if she stays as just family than she must live in the village. I know you've grown attached over the girl but the higher ups won't allow me to just accept her into our ranks if she never passed basic training. Getting Levi and his friends to join was hard enough as it was and they won't let me use the same trick twice" Erwin warned as he sat down in Moblit stool, glancing to the morning sky. 

"We know but that doesn't mean we'll just throw her out to the wolves either. Mikasa is special to Levi, Furlan knew this long before we ever did. Furlan was her brother, Isabel her sister and friend but Levi .. he's important to her. It's the same for Levi, Furlan was his loyal and only friend, Isabel a little sister he was forced with but Mikasa, she's special and holds no true title. If we get rid of Mikasa, we lose Levi. His body might be given to us but his soul, that will belong to Mikasa alone. If we want the both of them to fight for our dream, we need both of them as they are" Hanji spoke in a low but serious tone, showing just what was at risk if they played the wrong keys. 

Mikasa returned an hour later, her hand me downs trousers muddy and stained along with parts of Furlan spare cape that she pushed over her shoulders a little more showing her red shawl was under all along. The old shirt she wore was dirty as well from her wiping her hands over it. Slight blood stains from her using all her strength to use the shovel in making two graves and earning a couple of blisters on her hands. 

She sat under the window once more, sitting like she never once moved before and just leaned her head back, closing her eyes and taking in as the sunlight raised a little more and hitting her. 

Her head snapping towards the others as they heard a door and soon Levi stepped out without a single word. Mikasa pushed herself to stand, wobbling as she stood a little fast but turning towards the wall waiting for Levi to turn round the corner. 

Hanji, Moblit, Erwin and Mike all silently watched, standing up and pushing their chairs, stools and blankets to the side to clear the path a bit better. Turning as Mikasa seemed hopeful, ready to follow after but stopping after a single step as Levi walked the opposite direction once turning the corner. 

"OI! She's been out here all bloody night waiting for you to accept their deaths and find your footing. Don't just ignore her" Hanji screamed out in complete anger over Levi attitude, ready to throw her empty cup at him but Moblit grabbed it from her hands.

"Hanji, please .. stay calm" Moblit begged slightly, he knew Levi would be upset and in pain over losing half of his family within a single day. Anyone would be crush and broke after seeing someone die by a titan, all soldiers went through it at some point. Now it was Levi time and sure, he still had Mikasa but that doesn't always mean someone can just close up their emotions and act like everything was fine for someone else chance.

Levi didn't say a word, he carried on walking without even looking over his shoulder towards them. Showing no hints he heard what Hanji said but they all knew he heard. He was ready to carry on walking and ignore Mikasa completely making them worry more. If Levi was willing to leave Mikasa behind, maybe he was already gone deep down. It was clear he was shutting his heart down, building stronger and higher walls to make himself fully alone for the rest of the lift, that's what Mikasa could see as she looked to him. 

"BUT YOUR NOT ALONE!" Mikasa screamed out, screaming louder than she ever did before, her hands in tight fist and shaking by her side. Soldiers leaving their barracks all turning in her direction and some inside the barracks all opening their windows to see what was happening. 

Levi froze in his step, his back stayed to her but his heart ached over hurting her.

"You promised, you said I'll be stuck with you until you're certain I can handle myself. That I can stay with you until I choose to go on my own. It will always be Me and You, just us" Mikasa spoke once more, her voice weak and shaky but clear for him to hear. Hurt in her eyes and there was a hint of tears forming that she tried fighting back. 

"You're better of living with someone else from now on" Levi snapped back, his hands staying by his side as he started walking once more. 

"we'll just stick together and handle each hit life throws at us together" Mikasa reminded, taking a step forward and keeping her eyes focused on Levi back. 

"They're gone, both of them are dead. Furlan, he won't .. it's just us" Levi yelled back, his eyes broken and angered but the anger wasn't at her, it was aimed for himself. He blamed himself, he promised her a new family and he was the reason she lost it. He couldn't face her, not when she finally felt warmth after being numb for so long. 

"It's going to hurt, for a long time. You'll never fully heal but you won't ever be alone again, you'll find someone new to fill the lonely gap in your heart and you'll do everything to protect them. You're still young, you still have hope in finding a new family and living a happy life. So, for now it's okay to cry, be sad and let your pain out" Mikasa spoke, her voice soft and honest as she spoke the same words he once told her so many years ago. She stayed walking onwards, no caring over how many people were watching her. 

Levi stayed still, his hands turning into his fists as his shoulders tensed. He listened to her footsteps getting closer and closer making him want to do nothing but run and retreat. But he knew he couldn't, she always found him whenever he was alone just like he found her whenever she felt alone. 

"You told me that the first time I cried after my parents death, but now it's different. I found my new family, the people who saved me when I was ready to give you. You still have someone, you have me because I won't ever leave your side .. never! I promised to always be with you" Mikasa gave her answer, one she's know for a long time but never wished to speak as she knew a chain would form around both her and Levi. Her voice soft and sweet, her eyes honest and show no hints of regret even at her age. 

Levi stayed still, not moving from the spot as he felt her stand behind him. Just a single step away and looking into his soul like she's always done whenever she was searching for something from him. 

Hanji staring intensely, taking down notices in her notebook and hoping she wasn't writing over every word she's already put as she couldn't pull her eyes away from the two to glance at her notebook. Moblit and Mike watching with lips parted as well, wondering how this was all going to end between the two. Erwin stood watching, taking in the scene a little more and keeping his eyes on Mikasa instead of Levi. 

Mikasa was the one risking it all, ready to give up the one thing she had left worth protecting. Her heart, she was speaking the truth and holding it out to Levi to prove he'll never be alone again. A silent promise and all he had to do was agree or reject her forever, to built a wall between them and walk away. It was a small moment but it would change their futures forever. 

"You're never alone, I know I won't be on the same level as Furlan because no one will EVER be able to replace him. He was .. an angel we got blessed with. I could never replace Isabel either, she was a break from the cureless but I'm still standing. I'm right here, I won't ever leave you to be alone as long as I hold breath in my lungs. I'm with you to the end, Levi .. just look at me and you'll see your not alone anymore" Mikasa pleaded to the last person she had left and wasn't willing to lose. She was fighting to carry on living because she had him and she would carry on trying to reach out to him as long as she needed to. 

"Just look at me Levi, I can see your tears" Mikasa whispered with a warm smile, pulling something out from her pocket and showing his cravat with the Raven she sewn on before they started the job.

Levi turned to her, not a single tear to be seen on his face and yet, Mikasa saw all the tears pouring out from his heart. She pushed herself on her tiptoes and patted his head like he always did to her. Patting his shirt where his heart should be with his unfolded cravat like she was cleaning up invisible tears. 

"Tsk, your fifthly" Levi finally commented, glancing away as Mikasa smiled, a true smile that was brighter than anything anyone had seen for a long time. 

"Like you're one to talk, I've seen pigs look cleaner after eating" Mikasa shot back as she stepped back, leaving Levi cravat in his hand while he wore the change clothes as the ones he left in yesterday expedition. 

"God, you really aren't cute" Levi scoffed making Mikasa smirk. 

"I told you, we can't both be the cute ones" Mikasa teased as she placed her hands on her hips, Levi taking notice of her red shawl. 

"Come on, let's eat" Levi sighed, ruffling Mikasa hair.

"We're not going to wash from?" Mikasa asked surprised but started walking with Levi anyway. 

"Nah, that can wait until after we eat .. for once" Levi answered shocking everyone around. 

"Can cleaning duties be cut down today as well?" Mikasa asked hopeful, her hands were really killing her now.

"Don't push your luck" Levi warned making Mikasa just nod but a slight skip made it's way in her step. 

"The farm strawberries really are going to be sweet this time" Mikasa commented, earning a true smile to secretly form on Levi lips.

"They really will" Levi admitted, glancing up to the morning sky and feeling no more burdens on his shoulders.