Pluviophile | Levi Ackermann × Reader |

| Chapter 3 | Vermillion

I rested the aching palms of my hands on the wooden table as I listened to the chatter in the cafeteria. There were sores and blisters on my hands from the overuse of my ODM gear, and I gently caressed them with my fingers, wincing at the small amount of pain that traveled through my hands like an electric shock.

Despite the pain, though, I lifted my spoon to the bowl of oats in front of me, scooping a large quantity into my mouth.

It had been days since the last time I'd seen Levi Ackermann, and the dream was now nothing more than a distant nightmare in the back of my mind. I couldn't help but think about it every time I rested my head on a pillow at night, however. It always seemed to come rushing back, attaching itself to me like a flee.

Fortunately, I had other things to distract me.

Picking myself up from the table I sat at, I took the bowl and tossed it into a pile where the other Scouts placed there's. I let my feet carry me outside, the cold wind nipping at my nose.

Last night's rainfall had turned the snow outside to mush and ice, the pathways a dangerous thing to walk if not careful, so I decided to tred through the snow for more traction, feeling the sopping snow sink into my boots. I suppressed a shiver as I made my way over to the stables.

I hadn't yet fed my horse this morning, so I took a bucket of feed in my hands and held it up to my horse. I didn't have a name for him, but I'm certain it will come to me in due time.

He placed his snout in the bucket, snorting as he ate, ears flicking the lingering dust that had gathered as he slept. There was a single ray of sunlight that shown through a crack in the roof, spilling out into the stables like a river of color. Despite it being winter outside, it was just as golden as it was in the summer, and I basked in the warmth of it on my cheeks.

"I think I've got a name for you," I said, stroking the horses muzzle. "What do you think about Licht?"

The horse whinnied softly, still crunching the food in its jaw.

"I'll take that as a yes," I gave him a final stroke before pulling the bucket away, setting it down beside the gates of the stall.

There was a sudden noise on my left, a noise of which sounded like tin being clanged against wood.

I shifted my eyes over to the source of the noise, brow raising as I saw what I least expected.

Captain Levi was there, feeding his stallion with the bucket pressed up against the stall door, his hands residing firmly around the bucket to hold it in place while the horse ate.
He turned his narrowed eyes to me, locking our gazes together. It seemed as if this always happened. A silent exchange of glances without words. Yet, no matter if he spoke or not, I always heard his voice being carried to me in the form of the dream.

"It's rare to see someone give a damn about their horse," He broke the silence.

I held myself calm. "I just consider it another one of my duties," I responded softly, turning back to my horse, who cooed at my touch as I caressed his neck with the intention of building a bond.

Levi gave me a brief look, then returned his attention to the stallion who stood firmly in the stables, as if challenging the other horses. He seemed just as cold as his master, and I couldn't help but feel intimidated by the two standing side by side.

"Then it would seem you're the only one who takes that duty to heart," He gestured to the empty stable, only the two of us residing within. Nobody else was here, nobody else was caring for their steed.

"It would appear so," I answered daftly, still not sure how to speak to the Captain. Though I stood only a rank below him, I still felt inferior- As if I was a mere bug to be squashed under his gaze.