It seemed that as soon as we arrived we were leaving once again.

there will never be enough time to grieve

i have to keep going

we have to keep going

"Are you sure about this?" Mikasa and I stood to the side, watching as the carriages were loaded for our trip.

"It's the only thing I can do," I laughed dryly, "it makes the decision much easier."

ill be back before you know it

"I'll take care of the marquisate."

thank you

"Of course you will," I turned to squeeze her hand, "you're the only one who could."

you've been doing it for longer than i have

"What was she like?" She asked hesitantly, "the witch."

"Hanji? She was kind."

"I thought so," Mikasa murmured quietly to herself, "until you decide what you want to do with it, we will protect the forest."

?

"What do you mean by that?"

"Mikasa!" Sasha shouted over, "they're done loading- come check."

wait-

"Good luck, Y/N," she nodded at me before running off to join the rest of the knights.

can people just be upfront with me-

"You look strange," Levi came up from behind me.

"Oh my god-" I startled, turning to face him, "I should put a bell on you."

"I'm not a cat."

"Well I know that," I scoffed, "you're far too ugly."

no one could compare to mr. squid

"Farlan has agreed to meet us in the capital."

wow.

ignoring me

....

"When did you stop being fun?"

"You-"

"Unless-" I cupped his face with my hands, "Levi are you having self confidence issues? I know you're probably feeling intimidated by me but-"

he really had it easy being in my body

im gorgeous

i was the one stuck in that five foot three prison

"You're insane."

"There you are," I released his face, "that's how you're supposed to react."

i like that you're nice now but-

it would be uncomfortable if we couldn't act like this

ridiculous banter is necessary

"You're ridiculous."

"Isn't that one of my better traits?"

"You could say that."

"You must be itching to get back," I followed his gaze to where it stayed fixed on the carriage.

there's a lot waiting for us

"Not particularly."

hmm

"We're going to be fine."

they've already failed once

"Will we?"

i think so

"It can't get any worse than this," I muttered, "and we're different now, on the same team."

if anyone is going to watch out for me

i want it to be you

you know all of my weaknesses

"You've got me, don't you?"

"I do," he nodded, tearing his eyes away from the carriage. "Do you?"

"Of course."

is that even a question at this point?

"How helpful are you actually going to be?" Levi chuckled.

oh you-

"Assho-"

"Y/N!" Eren came running up, "we're ready."

"Already?"

"You can stay for longer," he shrugged, glancing at Levi. "But he definitely has to go."

"It's a shame then-" I rolled my eyes at the enthusiastic knight, "he needs my supervision."

"Shut the fuc-"

"Let's go Levi," I pushed him forward, preventing him from finishing the sentence.

before they trap me here forever

"We'll be back," Levi nodded curtly at Eren before following after me.

sooner rather than later

The rest of the knights stood next to the carriage, ready for our departure.

the guards who accompanied us here from the duchy will bring us back to the capital

i don't want to divide my power too much

especially when i don't know what's happening

if someone tries to do something to the forest-

i want the people i trust the most ready and waiting

"I'll send someone to follow you until the outskirts of the castle town," Mikasa muttered, holding the door open for us.

thank you

"Everything is going to be fine," I said as much for myself to hear as it was for everyone else.

because it has to be

"Come on," Levi offered me a hand, pulling me into the carriage.

and just like that we leave

The carriage began to pull forward, my home rapidly disappearing behind us as we left the way we came.

levi must be relieved

he didn't say anything but-

they're a lot to deal with

"We're alone," I sighed loudly, leaning back into my seat.

the knights are historically awful at providing alone time

maybe i needed that

it would've been harder if there was silence

"We're alone," Levi nodded in agreement.

so-

"None of this feels real."

i don't think that either of us have had enough time to process it

or enough time to just be alone together

i'm a bit nervous

"No shit," he shot me a reassuring look, "it isn't over yet."

"You're right, it has barely started."

we have a lot of things to do

and a lot more to catch up on

but for right now i think-

"You-" I hesitated, my cheeks heating up, "there isn't anything you want to do- or say?"

like-

"You're ridiculous-"

"We haven't- you haven't actually said it."

"I basically-" his cheeks flushed as he recalled the memory.

i'm the only one who actually said it

"You haven't- that doesn't count."

we have an entire trip back to the capital to talk about this

"I'm not going to say it like this- it's awkward as shit."

wow...

"I feel sooo loved."

"You are."

"The Levi Ackerman is too emotionally constipated to say I love you," I shook my head at him, "it's a shame- I thought you were cool for a second."

clearly i was blinded by lust or something

"You're insane."

"You like it."

love it even

"Maybe," he turned away from me, avoiding eye contact. "I l-"

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"No- no- finish what you were saying."

"I love you," the flush in his cheeks and ears deepened.

cute

"Was that so hard?"

"Shut the fuck up."

"Absolutely not."

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happy valentines day! i hope its going well for all of u