Nothing was more unexpected than Levi falling for you all those years ago: how you carried yourself despite your condition when he encountered you in a dimly lit alleyway, helping out those who supposedly overdosed or passed out with the lack of Sun to strengthen their bones. It was rare to see people in the rings of poverty, illegal trading, and crime that were generous to aid others, typically they would fend for themselves; you were already much better than a lot of the people there in his eyes.

Through tremendous encounters, he couldn’t help but admire your prowess in adapting your way of communication through a notepad or when he got closer to you and your hand signals. Squeezing his hand hard when you were in distress, caressing it when you were in glee, even swinging with your threaded hands when you were being playful; he caught everything. Your lack of speech made him appreciate the small gestures you would do all the more, and sometimes a lack of words what he needed.

You held onto him on that rainy night when he lost Isabel and Furlan, your friends. Enamoring him in light feather kisses and tender caresses while you unwind the knots in his back, the facade broke when hid himself in your chest to let out strained sobs. The only trace of his past is you, and damn would he be your shield to protect you from the cruel world.

— What would I do without you?

A heaving sigh would escape his lips while he was meticulously working his sud-covered fingers onto your scalp, all around your body was a pool of water and the light smell of lavender. The image burdened his mind when he was greeted by the faces of grieving parents and scrutinizing military police at the sound of their horses coming back from the latest expedition.

He was still sad of course; behind that layer of stoicism, he was trying to come to terms with that the worst thing he dreaded but knew would happen one day had come true now as he is a lone arrow on the battlefield once again… he could only enjoy what he had now: your presence.