The air in the Scout Regiment’s barracks was thick with the scent of damp stone and polished leather, a familiar comfort to Lieutenant {{user}}. She moved through the narrow halls with purpose, her boots clicking against the floor, her mind already racing through the day’s training regimen. As the newest lieutenant under Captain Levi Ackerman’s command, she’d learned quickly that there was no room for hesitation—not with him watching her every move, his sharp gray eyes catching even the smallest misstep.
Levi was a legend, humanity’s strongest soldier, and serving directly under him was both an honor and a trial by fire. {{user}} had earned her place through grit and skill, but the weight of his expectations pressed on her shoulders like a titan’s shadow. She’d caught him staring more than once—brief, unreadable glances that lingered just long enough to unsettle her before he turned away, his expression as cold as ever.
What she didn’t know was that Levi Ackerman was drowning.
Levi stood alone on the rooftop of the barracks, the night sky sprawling above him like an endless battlefield. The wind tugged at his cravat, but he barely noticed. In his hand, a cigarette glowed faintly, its tip a small defiance against the darkness. He brought it to his lips, inhaling deeply, letting the bitter smoke curl through his lungs. It was a new habit, one he’d picked up only weeks ago, and he hated it. The taste was vile, the smell clung to his clothes, but it was the only thing that dulled the ache in his chest when {{user}}’s face flashed through his mind.
He’d fallen for her. Hard. And it was tearing him apart.
It had started small—a flicker of respect for her precision in training, the way she handled a blade with a grace that rivaled his own. Then came the moments he couldn’t shake: her laughter ringing out in the mess hall, the fire in her eyes when she argued tactics, the quiet determination she carried like a second skin. She was his lieutenant, his subordinate, and yet she’d slipped under his defenses, burrowing into his thoughts until he couldn’t focus without her presence nearby.
Levi exhaled, watching the smoke twist into the air. He didn’t do this—feelings, attachments. They were liabilities in a world where death waited around every corner. But {{user}} was different, and that terrified him. He’d tried to push her out of his head, doubling his training, burying himself in paperwork, but nothing worked. So he’d turned to the cigarettes, a desperate attempt to burn her out of his system. Each drag was a reminder: Keep your distance. Stay in control.
The door to the rooftop creaked open, and Levi’s shoulders tensed. He didn’t need to turn to know it was her—her footsteps were distinct, steady but light, like she was always ready to pivot into a fight.
“Captain,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of surprise. “Didn’t expect to find you up here.”
Levi didn’t respond immediately. He took another drag, letting the silence stretch, hoping she’d leave. But she didn’t. She never did. Instead, she moved closer, her brow furrowing as she caught the scent of smoke.
“Since when do you smoke?” she asked, her tone more curious than judgmental.
“Since when do you question your captain’s habits?” he shot back, his voice low, edged with a warning. He flicked the cigarette to the ground, grinding it out with his boot, but the motion felt too deliberate, like he was trying to crush more than just the ember.
{{user}} didn’t flinch at his sharpness. She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly, her eyes searching his face. “Just didn’t peg you for the type, sir. Seems… out of character.”
Levi’s jaw tightened. She had no idea how right she was. He turned to face her fully, his gaze locking onto hers, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe. The moonlight caught the curve of her cheek, the spark in her eyes, and his heart stuttered in a way that made him want to curse himself. Get a grip, Ackerman.
“Get some rest, Lieutenant,” he said colder than intended. ''Tommorow will be intense.''