Pluviophile | Levi Ackermann × Reader |

| Chapter 5 | Lifeless

Held high to the ceiling was the excitement of the Scouts, who cheered and cheered for this had been one of the few times they had gone on an expedition with little to no casualties. The aura of the Mess Hall comforted me, like a warm hug on a lonesome winter day.

I enjoyed seeing everyone so full of life. It was a beautiful thing to see because unfortunately, depressive and butchered emotions were usually what took place here. People returned from missions with their life but not their soul.
A lot more people died than those who were stacked into burning mountains.

The bread I was eating was hard and rocky. Stale.
But I didn't complain, stomaching the rough feeling it created in my gut. I washed it down with water, a few drops slipping down the corner of my mouth and onto my chin.

Since it was winter, we had to ration the soup- And meat was not even on the imaginary menu.

"Section Commander Y/n!" I heard Harlin, (The man whom I had fought with today) call over to me, his hand wrapped around a tankard full of alcohol. I found the brewery here to be bitter. I disliked the taste of alcohol too.

I also cringed at the formalities. Normally, nobody called me, "Section commander," Off the job. I assumed it was because I never got mad at people for plainly calling me by my name, so most people just got accustomed to addressing me that way.

"Come join us for a drink!" He called, clearly drunk. He swayed in his seat, cheeks a flushed red. I could see the way his eyes squinted over at me. He obviously had one too many.

"I'll pass," I said, refusing the offer.

But he stuck his bottom lip out, pouting like a child.

I scrunched my face in confusion, unsure why he was being so friendly. I barely knew this guy, but he pressed on anyways, saying stuff like, "Oh come on! One drink won't hurt!"

I had to keep firm with my answer, repeatedly shaking my head.

Whilst saying no, I felt an odd sensation rising inside of me, bringing my sights over to the corner of the room. There sat Levi, unbothered by the way everyone bounded around, sipping his tea delicately. The way he held the porcelain-cermic cup ever so carefully drew out the distant feelings of the dream. I felt my breath hitch in my chest as the same force guided his face towards mine.

Again.

We sat in silence, staring.

The persistent poking of Harlin's words jammed my senses shut, and I basked in the silence as I just allowed myself to look over at the Captain.

Voices rose in my head, planting new emotions in my heart. It felt like two hands had been placed on my back, pushing me towards him.

I didn't resist.

I rose from the bench I sat at, stepping past Harlin. "Excuse me for just a moment," I shut him down without caring enough to look at the saddened expression he was making. I'm sure he was fine though, he'd get over it as soon as he took another drink.

I sat down in front of the Captain, a friendly smile plastered on my face.

He gave me an unimpressed raise of his brow, placing his tea down. "What is it?"

"This seat isn't taken, is it?" I ignored his question.

He didn't move while answering. "No."

"Good."

There was a plate of untouched bread sitting next to his elbow.

"Are you going to eat those?" I made it my mission to make small talk.