amaya ♡

Almost nobody expected you to be dating a rookie police officer.

That is not because Leon Kennedy wasn’t the kind type, actually, he is the complete opposite.

He is the type to hold doors open without even thinking about it, apologizing if he ever bumped into someone and somehow even blush a little when you complimented him. And with you being the sweetest girl on campus, you two made the perfect pair.

He had graduated from the police academy just a few weeks earlier, determined to make a difference in today’s society and help people. Some people joked about his optimism at first, because being a police officer isn’t and easy job, but Leon is a very persistent guy too, so he went for it anyway, always insisting that there was still plenty of good worth protecting.

You two met complete by accident during your last year of college, not in a dramatic, love at first sight-cliche kind of way, but it was sweet you thought.

You were revising for a midterm on a café near campus late at night when Leon, fresh out of training, with still messy clothes and hair knocked over his own coffee over your biology notes. He obviously very embarrassed, apologized after.

Since then running into each other became almost a routine, exchanging smiles transformed into exchanging phone numbers (which was kind of embarrassing, because you had to run to pick up the phone so your father didn’t do it first at home so you could talk to him) and the rest it’s just history now.

You weren’t sure about how things could turn out with you finishing college and him staring to work in a police station, but to your surprise, dating Leon was the easiest thing.

Obviously Your schedules rarely lined up perfectly. Between your senior-year coursework, research projects, and part-time job, and Leon's demanding academy training followed by his upcoming assignment with the Raccoon City Police Department, but somehow the two of you always found time. Even if it was just grabbing lunch in between classes or Leon taking you on a walk to see the sunset, he made every moment as special as he could. He always asked about your day first before talking about his.

Today was different though.

Tonight was your first real date after Leon officially graduated from the police academy, and he wanted to celebrate with you. He planned everything himself, refusing to tell you where you two where going and insisting on you wearing something cute that you liked.

So there you where 20 minutes before he told you he would pick you up, already ready, checking yourself in the mirror to see if everything looked just how you liked it and if that new lipgloss was the right tone.

Just at seven, you heard a knock on your door.

Sure enough it was him standing outside your door with a small bouquet of daisies when you finally opened it.

“You always say that roses are too much.” He told you softly smiling and handing you the bouquet.

“They’re beautiful…” You say as you take the bouquet and notice a shy smile creeping up your face.

“So are you…” He said surprisingly smoothly even for him.

“You practiced that one! There’s no way!” You said laughing before closing the door behind you. “But thank you, officer Kennedy…”

He thought the premiere of his new title sounded wonderful through your lips.

“Are you finally telling me where are we going?”

“You ask too many questions…” He told you quietly laughing as he opened the passenger seat door of his old Jeep for you.

The drive wasn't long, but every turn only made you more curious.

“You passed our movies spot.”

“Mmh…” He mumbled.

“And also our dinner spot.”

“Mmh…” He mumbled again, but this time with a smirk on his lips.

“So we are not getting dinner?” You genuinely asked now.

“We are. Eventually.” He told you laughing. “You ask a lot of questions, I promise you’ll like it.”

“I know.” You said smiling at him before pecking his cheek while he was driving and finally seated back to look at the window.

After almost forty minutes of him driving, you finally stared to see Racoon City fade a bit on the distance, your curiosity obviously growing bigger.

The Jeep eventually turned onto a narrow road lined with old-fashioned lanterns, each one already glowing with a warm amber light as dusk settled over the evening.

“Where are we Leon?”

“I said you’ll see, just wait a few minutes more…” He said as a smile was slowly tugging at his lips.

The road opened into a beautifully maintained botanical garden nestled just outside the city and that’s when you remembered you talked about this with him. About how you read a chapter in your biology book mentioning botanic species and then talking to him about it and how much you wanted to go here when exams where over.

Leon pulled into a parking space overlooking the gardens before shutting off the engine.

"...We're here."

For a second, you simply stared through the windshield.

"Leon..."

"You... like it?”

“It’s so perfect! You remembered…”

The nervousness melted into a relieved smile.

"Well of course I did."

Before you could reach for the handle, Leon was already stepping out of the Jeep. A few seconds later your door opened, and he held out his hand once again, letting you out.

“Sometimes I drove past here after academy training, so when you mentioned, I had to bring you here. It has always looked so peaceful so I figured I’d be enjoyable…”

And before you could even speak he held your hand and started guiding you both there, as he continued speaking.

“We’ve been very busy lately… Your classes, your research… Me trying to survive academy training and all. So I wanted a peaceful place just for us, you know? After my graduation and all, just enjoy being with each other.”

You looked up at him and widely smiled.

“So what’s the plan then, Officer Kennedy?”

He quietly laughed and cleared his throat before speaking again.

“Well… First we’re obviously going for a walk through the gardens before it gets fully dark. I found out there’s a nice lookout at the end, so I figured we could see the sunset over the lake and all.”

Then he nodded towards his Jeep, you followed his gaze.

“After that, I packed some dinner for a picnic”

“You packed dinner?” You asked laughing.

“How little trust you have in me then.”

You giggled as he rolled his eyes.

“And after we eat, I heard the conservatory stays open late on Fridays… and guess which day it is… They light up everything inside, maybe we could walk around there for a while too. No schedules and all, just you and me again.”

You stopped walking.

Leon noticed and turned toward you, concern flickering across his face.

"What?"

"You planned all of this?"

He shrugged sheepishly.

"You deserved a real real date. I figured my graduation was the perfect excuse. I know it's not exactly elegant... but I thought we'd make better memories here than sitting in some expensive restaurant.”

For a moment, all you could do was smile.

Then you reached up, straightened the slightly crooked collar of his jacket, and leaned in to kiss his cheek.

“Thank you…” You softly whispered to him.

The blush that spread across Leon's face was immediate.

He smiled to himself, gently intertwining his fingers with yours once more before giving your hand a soft squeeze.

Levi Ackerman has spent years fighting for humanity as the strongest soldier in the Survey Corps. Missions beyond the walls are unpredictable, often lasting days or weeks, and every return carries the weight of lives lost and battles survived.

He was famously known for being a man who never tolerated sloppiness, having a very sharp tongue and a cold gaze.

They for sure didn’t know the man that always came home to you.

Outside of headquarters and endless battles, there was a house, a home, tucked away on a quiet street, far enough from the capital noises but close enough to the tea shop you always enjoyed going with him.

It wasn’t an extravagant house, but it was warm, lived in, it was yours. Every shelf was carefully placed by him, the knitted blanket you made was always draped over the couch, from where you could see the fresh flowers you two had by the window.

You weren't a soldier. You had never fought a titan, never worn the wings of freedom, and never wanted to. While Levi fought to protect humanity, you made sure he had a home to come to every time, and that’s his reason why.

The engagement surprised everyone.

Many couldn’t even picture Levi as the affectionate type to have romantic gestures or poetic confessions.

And he wasn’t any of that, but that is because instead, he always remembered how you liked your tea, always draped his cloak over your shoulders when you forgot your own when you went for a walk, or how he made sure the windows were always locked before holding you in your sleep. Always alert and always protecting you.

And every time he returned from an expedition, no matter how exhausted or battered he was, the first place he went wasn't headquarters.

It was home.

Today was another day that passed with you waiting for him. He had been gone for almost three weeks now and you didn’t get any news apart of when a few days ago, a recruit came to your house to notify you that they were supposed to be coming back soon.

You were currently embroidering a new handkerchief with some flowers for when Levi came back, he always kept one on his pocket, so you knew he would appreciate that.

The sunset light was reflecting on your engagement ring, the one that he got you when he proposed a few weeks before this mission. It was just a simple silver band around your finger, you didn’t need any more than that though, because you knew that if you even ever asked for the moon, he would try and get it down for you.

That’s when you heard three knocks on the door, and remembered that he always knocked three times.

You left everything you were doing and almost ran towards the door, hoping it was him.

You quickly opened the door and sure enough it was.

Your shoulders, tense for days, instantly relaxed when you saw him.

“…You’re home.” You said as you noticed your voice came out quieter than you intended but with a smile on your face.

“I always tell you that I’d come back.”

A laugh escaped you, small, breathless, almost disbelieving. You blinked quickly, trying to ignore the sting gathering behind your eyes where tears dared to escape.

“You do always say that…”

You said still smiling before stepping forward without thinking, wrapping your arms around him and melting into his embrace, checking at the same time to the feeling if he had any injuries he probably won’t admit he has later.

He inhaled sharply and then spoke again.

"I'm covered in dirt."

"I know."

"And blood."

"I know."

"You'll ruin your clothes."

"I don't care."

For a moment, he didn't move.

Then one arm settled around your waist, the other resting gently against your back.

You buried your face against his shoulder, closing your eyes as if making sure he was really there.

“I was so worried…” You quietly admit in that embrace.

“I know… you always are.” He told you with a hint of gentleness on his tone. “I’m sorry.” You hear him mumble then.

“Don’t apologize for coming back to me…” You softly told him while looking up at him and taking one of your hands to caress his cheek. Levi was not a vey tall man, sure, but he was tall enough to protect you with his embrace. He was tall enough for you, that’s what you always told him.

His gaze lingered on your face before he reached up too, brushing his thumb beneath your eye.

"You're exhausted."

"I haven't slept much."

"I noticed."

Another tiny laugh escaped you.

“I should be the one worried about you…”

“You worry enough for the both of us. That’s inefficient. You don’t need to be, I still came back.” He said, this time softer.

“Just… try to be more careful for me… alright?” You quietly said as you got off his embrace to hold his hands with yours, his thumb instantly going to trace the ring in your finger.

“You know I always am.” He said looking down at you.

You nodded before looking up at him too, really looked at him.

“…You look relieved,” he said.

You let out a quiet breath. “I am.”

“…Don’t make a habit of being restless while I’m not here.”

“Then keep coming home…”

He lingered there a moment longer and nodded, like he always did when he was deciding whether to leave or stay before his missions.

After that he pressed his forehead against yours, noses slightly touching, as you let out a quiet laugh before sharing a gentle kiss with him.

“Welcome home, my love…” You whispered to him against his lips.

The world had already been close to end so many times by now in the past few months that you kind of stopped counting.

Whole cities where disappearing minute after minute by the hands of Eren, huge titan footsteps, leaving almost permanent footprints along the way of many innocent souls. Every sunrise since that day had become another impossible decision to make, but not only for you at least.

But what was really moving your thoughts about this situation was him.

The mission required Levi guarding Zeke along with Hange, and that’s the first time in this hell of a mission that you two separated since the others needed you in their part of the team. He did promise you that he was going to be fine, that you shouldn’t worry. That’s why you stopped asking questions about him, afraid of what the answer to those could be about his state.

After all, you were a captain too, you had to keep your composure, for you, for him.

That’s why when you saw him for the first time after so many days on that forest reunion after the accident with Zeke, your heart dropped to the floor at him being so carefully handled by Hange.

By this moment, the camp was unusually quiet, but besides it being quiet, the atmosphere felt tense. Jean sat across the fire staring at the darkness of the trees while Mikasa just quietly looked down at her hands while Armin was mumbling about how another plan may actually make this situation better for everybody.

Maybe you should have been paying attention to Armin's plan. He was explaining something about supply routes, tracing careful lines across a map spread over the ground.

Instead, your gaze drifted towards Levi once more. You were sitting next to where his makeshift bedding was, you refused to leave his side again after what Hange told you what they went through when they came back.

You shouldn’t cry, you couldn’t cry. He wouldn’t be proud of you crying about him.

Levi had been resting the whole time, maybe too tired to move or even open his eyes after what his body went through.

When Levi finally woke again, the campfire had burned low, it was all quiet now, even quieter than before, just you and him.

He noticed you looking down at him immediately. Of course he did.

You reached very carefully for his hand immediately, and that’s when everything really starts to settle in for you.

The injuries.

The missing fingers.

The bandages all around his face, covering his beautiful eye.

So you hesitate about your touch at first, even if it was careful, last thing you wanted to do was hurt him.

Levi notices again, like he always does, he knows you too well.

Then he turns his hand over and takes yours too.

Not a big romantic gesture, you weren’t looking for one either, his body probably was in pain by doing so.

But then you felt the smallest squeeze.

A very Levi way of saying: "I'm still here."

“I thought about you” Levi said on a very quiet and raspy voice.

You didn’t realize how much you missed his voice.

“What?” You quietly whisper back, holding whatever feelings where about to burst out of you.

“After the blast.”

That’s the moment you throat tighten.

“Levi…” You said as you let a crack escape through you voice.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to get another chance to do so. You’re lucky I’m stubborn and didn’t like the idea of leaving you behind.” He weakly said with the most tired eyes that you have ever seen on him.

The words were almost lost to the wind.

Almost.

Your chest tightened even more.

“I got very sacred when I saw you like this. Afraid. I- I don’t think you understand how worried I was all this time about you.” You quietly said.

“I know.” He whispered.

You looked down at him, really looked at him.

“You should keep resting.” You whispered to him.

“You too.” He whispered back once more.

You shook your head no slowly as your hand that was holding his went to very very carefully caress his hair. It was the first time you saw him this vulnerable.

“Im taking care of you.”

A few minutes after that, neither of you spoke for a while.

It wasn’t the heavy silence from before.

It wasn’t fear or shock, those feeling started to wear down eventually.

Just… familiar.

The kind that used to exist between missions in the quiet moments you always stole with him before everything turned out to be this way.

Levi closed his eye for a moment, finally ready to rest again.

“You’re still here.” He said eventually.

It wasn’t a question.

“So are you.” You replied.

Levi has only been in the Survey Corps for a few weeks when he met you.

For you, the infirmary wasn’t never truly silent.

Even in the calmest days, there was always a grunt, a cough or a sigh from the recovering soldiers and a characteristic antiseptic smell. All of those you knew too well, you had grown used to it, you had your ways and your routine.

Until you met him, that is.

Levi Ackerman, one of the newest recruits of the Survey Corps. He'd only been here a few weeks, yet somehow everyone already had a story about him.

Rumors about him where going around like crazy, about how he was some sort of criminal, about how Erwin recruited him himself, about the fact that he was from the underground…

Many stories contradicted in between them too, but all of them had something in common, Levi was a difficult man.

You were almost done reorganizing some medication and bandages when the infirmary door busted open, and that is when you first heard him, when you turned around to see who it was along with the other nurses you where working that shift with.

“I don’t need a nurse.” He stubbornly said.

Instantly, some of the other nurses and the soldiers that were around began quietly whispering, that whisper that has been following Levi the past few weeks almost everywhere.

But that’s not the first thing you noticed about him, it was definitely the blood dripping from his knuckles directly in the infirmary floor.

“Levi you’re bleeding! It’ll just be a few minutes, come on!” You hear the tall blonde guy next to him, Furlan, you heard his name was.

One of the nurses turned to talk to you, since you kept staring at them without even realizing.

“Would you mind taking care of that?” She asked you.

“It’s alright, I’ll do it.” You told her giving her a small smile before approaching the two.

“Anything I can help you with?” You asked the both of them.

Before Levi could oppose or say anything, Furlan spoke first.

“Can you take a look at his hand… Please? We where training and… you know… He won’t let anyone look at it.” He softly asked you, a bit worried about his friend.

“Because it’s a scratch” Levi coldly answered.

You just looked at both of them before letting out a tiny sigh, thinking how you could handle Levi’s stubbornness.

“Well, you’re here already. Would you really mind if I took a look at it? Let’s just make sure we get the risk of infection out of the way.”

Levi was many things, and he sure was a clean man himself, so when you mentioned a possible risk of infection, it was enough for him to turn his head towards Furlan, give him a dirty look before side eyeing you too, but finally sitting on one of the beds you had over there.

“Happy now?” He muttered.

“Ecstatic.” You said when a small smile escaped your lips as an effort to make the situation a bit less uncomfortable.

Nothing, not even a glare at you from him.

You pretended not to notice as you gathered a clean cloth and a small bottle of disinfectant.

Up close, the injury looked worse than you'd thought. His knuckles were scraped raw, dried blood crusted along the cuts.

“May I ask how this happened?” You softly asked looking at his hand.

“Training. Does it really matter?” He drily replied.

“It can if you are going to show up more often from now…” You told him. “I heard you tend to get in trouble.”

The comment just casually escaped your lips with no intend to be an attack to him while you kept rubbing disinfectant on his knuckles to clean him up, you also noticed he didn’t even flinched while doing so.

That’s when he looked up at you for the first time.

“Sorry.” You quickly apologized quietly when you realized how the comment sounded.

He just glanced back at his hand and thought to himself that obviously the rumors had reached you too. Of course they did, but he just decided to ignore it and silently take your apology.

“Im not.” He quietly said.

“Excuse me?” You softly asked him back, trying to soothe your earlier mistake while bandaging him up.

“Im not going to keep showing here often.”

“Alright… But many of my patients have said the same thing.” You said as a smile managed to escape your lips.

He noticed.

“You have a lot of patients?”

“Enough.”

“Hm.”

The sound wasn't quite agreement, but it wasn't dismissal either.

“There," you said, tying off the bandage. "Try not to split them open again tomorrow."

As soon as Levi stepped into the hallway, Furlan, who was waiting for him, fell into step beside him.

"She handled you pretty well."

Levi shot him a look.

"Shut up."

"I'm just saying. Most people look terrified when you glare at them."

Levi glanced back once at the infirmary door.

"...She's got common sense."

Furlan grinned.

"That's practically a compliment."