There Levi was, staring at the package of tea on his desk with narrowed eyes, fingers drumming idly against the wood. How did he even get here?

It had all started after his so-called "befriending"—not really—of an enemy war chief. A ridiculous notion, if anyone asked him. He wasn't in the business of making friends, especially not with someone from the other side of the war. And yet, ever since that reluctant alliance, he kept receiving gifts. At first, they were subtle things—fine-cut leather gloves, a rare brand of cleaning supplies that were damn near impossible to find within the walls. Then, the gifts became more personal. An expensive set of tea leaves, each one more exquisite than the last. Today’s delivery was no different.

Levi picked up the package, turning it over in his hands. He knew the scent even before he opened it—his favorite blend. The kind he had only ever indulged in once in his life, long ago, and never thought he'd taste again. The fact that Erwin—of all people—had somehow found out was unsettling. How the hell did he even know?

More importantly, how did he keep sending these gifts without getting caught? Marley was well past the walls, deep in enemy territory, and yet every few weeks, without fail, another package would find its way to Levi’s desk. No note. No explanation. Just another carefully chosen offering, as if to remind Levi that he hadn't been forgotten. As if to taunt him.

Levi exhaled sharply through his nose, setting the tea back down with a little more force than necessary. This was a stupid game. He should throw it out—he should—but his fingers lingered just a second too long against the box. His mind told him to reject it, to remind himself that Erwin was the enemy. But his gut told him otherwise. He knew better than anyone that war was never black and white, and this… this was an exception, wasn’t it?

After all, it wasn’t like he could get Erwin to stop. Not really. And not that he wanted to see him again anyway…