Both being young and without rings on your fingers, you and Levi had become an unintentional source of entertainment for the students at the high school you taught at.

Their whispers and giggles barely concealed during class. Surprisingly, some of them were bold enough to ask you two about it. Levi found it mildly irritating at first, but over time, he couldn't deny the fact that they were right about the extra few seconds he looked at you.

Thinking the students were all there was to it, their co-workers added to the mix, Hange being the basis of it all. Even Erwin dropped in a little tease or two, causing Levi and you to get all awkward. Seems like you'll never hear the end of it.

The hallways were always quiet during after school hours, the usual clamor of students gone, only the janitors rolling their carts down the hall and the occasional opening and closing of other classrooms. Most of the faculty had already left for the day, but some remained open, yours included.

The faint scent of cleaning spray lingered in the air as you wiped down the students desk of stains gathered throughout the day. Papers were neatly stacked on your desk, your bag already packed and ready to be slung over your shoulder to go home.

The advanced physics teacher caught sight of you tidying up. Mid-stride he took note the slump of your shoulders and the absent-minded way you tucked a stray hair behind your ear. He had grown accustomed to the sight in the months you both became teachers, you being a diligent anatomy teacher whose dedication rivaled his own.

He leaned against the doorframe in silence as he watched you wipe down the board. "Still here?" He asked, finally stepping in, his sharp eyes softening slightly as they met yours, nice and pretty as he'd come to remember.

“Overworking yourself won’t do you any good. Let me help you pack up, or you’ll never leave. Besides…” His voice trailed off, a rare flicker of warmth breaking through his usual stoicism. “It’s better to walk out together than to leave you here alone.”