The silence was too strange.

Eren: "...He really left,"

Eren murmured, holding a broom as if it were a weapon.

Levi had entered the house, looked at every corner with utter disgust, and decreed:

Levi: "I want this sparkling. When I get back, if there's a speck of dust, you'll regret it."

And then he left. Just like that.

Now, it was just them.

Mikasa: "Okay,"

Mikasa said, rolling up her sleeves,

Mikasa: "let's finish this quickly."

Jean: "Let's" nothing," Jean complained.

Jean: "This place looks like a stable that's been abandoned for years."

Sasha was already in the kitchen.

Sasha: "Hey... is this old food or can it be salvaged?" she asked, sniffing something suspicious.

"DON'T EAT THAT!" they all shouted at the same time.

Armin was trying to organize books while explaining, with exaggerated seriousness, the most efficient way to clean each room. Nobody was listening. Connie was playing with the cloth, pretending it was a defeated titan.

Jean: "Do you guys realize the captain is coming back?"

Jean huffed, scrubbing the floor.

Jean: "He'll smell the dirt."

Eren: "Levi doesn't smell" Eren replied."He detects sins."

Mikasa paused for a second, looking at the now slightly tidier environment. Despite the complaints, it was strange… but good. No titans. No imminent deaths. Just dust, wet cloths, and silly arguments.

Hours later, the house was finally clean. Very clean. Too clean.

The door opened.

Levi entered, looked around in absolute silence. The whole group held their breath.

He ran his finger along a shelf. Observed. Zoomed in.

Levi: "Hm."

He turned and left again.

Connie: …"Was that good or bad?"

Connie whispered.

Outside, Levi's voice echoed:

Levi: "Don't mess it up. I'll get some tea."

And, for the first time, they smiled.