Part 2 of this since some people asked for it
The strange thing about Levi Ackerman falling in love is that absolutely nothing changes.
He doesn’t become softer, doesn’t suddenly smile, doesn’t start complimenting you.
If anything, he becomes even more insufferable.
The squad immediately notices something is different.
Not obvious, just different.
Levi’s eyes follow you during briefings.
You somehow end up assigned to his side more often.
The captain who hated unnecessary conversation now occasionally asks you questions that have nothing to do with missions.
Small things like what book you’re reading, why you’re limping, if your shoulder still botheres you.
Meanwhile, you’re having your own problem.
Because somehow Levi keeps showing up.
You wake up early? He’s already cleaning. You stay up late? He’s still working. You go to train? He’s there too. You visit the stables? There he is.
It had gotten to the point you were convinced he was following you.
Then one evening you’re sitting alone outside headquarters.
Without looking up, you already know who it is.
Five minutes pass, ten, fifteen, and somehow it’s not awkward.
“You don’t have to call me Captain when we’re alone.”
He immediately looks annoyed.
“As long as we’re not on duty.”
You stare, not sure what to say. Because somehow this feels oddly significant.
Much more significant than it should.
“Then what am I supposed to call you?”
The name sounds strange coming from him.
Something unreadable flashes across his face.
And for some reason your heart stumbles.
After that, things become worse.
You start seeking him out.
You find yourself lingering after meetings.
Walking slower when he’s nearby, looking for him across crowded rooms, waiting for his sarcastic comments.
The problem is neither of you says anything.
Nothing happens but so does everything.
He knows when you’re upset before anyone else. You know when he’s exhausted even when he’s pretending otherwise.
He starts saving a cup of tea whenever he thinks you’ll be working late.
You start fixing paperwork mistakes before he finds them.
The two of you become a partnership without ever discussing it.
One night an expedition returns badly.
The entire headquarters feels heavy.
So you end up outside, staring up at the stars trying not to think.
Then quietly—“I hate this.”
The word is barely audible.
But somehow it means more than any speech could.
Because Levi never admits weakness.
Yet here he is, sharing it with you.
You realize then that he trusts you.
And the realization steals your breath.
He’s already looking at you.
For a moment neither of you move.
The world feels strangely small.
Then Levi looks away first.
But neither of you forget it.
A few weeks later, things finally go wrong.
A Titan grabs your leg during an expedition.
Except Levi witnesses the entire thing.
The second you’re safely back behind the walls, he rounds on you.
“You call that being careful?”
“You nearly got yourself killed.”
The anger doesn’t make sense.
And suddenly you understand.
The anger vanishes instantly.
He knows you’ve figured it out.
The words seem dragged out of him reluctantly.
Because doesn’t say things like that.
Not unless he means them.
And he never says things he doesn’t mean.
After that, there’s nowhere left to hide.
At this point, neither of you question why you’re still awake together after everyone else has gone to bed.
The reports are finished.
Neither of you have left.
You sit across from Levi, absentmindedly turning a pen between your fingers.
Outside, the headquarters is silent.
“You should get some sleep.”
A few months ago that would’ve been the end of the conversation.
Now the silence settles comfortably.
Neither of you rush to fill it.
You study him for a moment.
The dark circles under his eyes.
The way exhaustion sits in his shoulders.
The slight crease between his brows.
“You know,” you say quietly, “you’re allowed to let other people handle things sometimes.”
“That’s a terrible idea.”
“Not everyone is incompetent.”
And for some reason, Levi’s gaze lingers.
Just for a second longer than normal.
Not because you’re uncomfortable.
Because suddenly the room feels smaller.
Neither of you look away.
For months you’ve danced around this.
For months you’ve pretended those moments meant nothing.
The late-night conversations, the concern, the way he always looked for you after expeditions, the way you’d find yourself searching for him in every room.
Instead, he stops beside your chair.
Your heart immediately starts acting ridiculous.
He looks down at you, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, it seems like he’s about to say something.
It’s not dramatic, not rushed, just certain.
Like a decision he’d already made weeks ago.
His hand shifts to the side of your face, careful and slightly hesitant.
The way he handles things he actually cares about.
When he finally pulls back, the room remains silent.
You stare at him before laughing.
Levi immediately looks irritated.
Which somehow makes it even better.
“You say that like this wasn’t entirely your fault.”
And somehow, that’s even more satisfying.
© SleepyKina 2026. Do not steal, translate, feed my work into AI, or repost on any other platforms other than tumblr.