𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂!

Hey Flor! As promised, here I come with a request! 💕

How about a lil drabble with Levi where he helps the reader with their hair while they're recovering from their injuries from the most recent expedition? Just a short lil something with some fluff and comfort 💖

Love wasn’t always loud. Love was sometimes silent.

You and Levi demonstrated your love for eachother in unspoken ways. The way in which you exchanged subtle yet tender glances. The way he placed a concerned touch on your knee whenever you felt anxious. The way you prepared his tea for him every morning just the way he liked it.

Love wasn’t always an unrelenting wave. Love was sometimes a still body of water.

An expression on your face that wrote Thank you. One he returned, which read Don’t mention it.

For a man like Levi, actions spoke louder than words. Today was no different. He had made an effort to visit you five days a week, even if it was brief. Despite his busy schedule as the captain, he wanted to show up for you. You were the most important person in his life after all.

The last expedition had taken a toll on you, physically, mentally and emotionally. It had been three weeks since, and physically you took some damage, but nothing that was life threateningly critical, at least according to Hange. Two of your ribs were broken, and you tore a ligament in your leg but your three weeks in the infirmary were helping you with your rehabilitation and the pain seemed to have somewhat subsided since. Of course you were under strict order to not exert yourself in any manner during the healing process, which meant you had to receive help with many of your daily tasks.

Mentally though? Mentally you were going through the wringer. Flashbacks of the incident and the many lives that were lost on that unfortunate night played through your mind like a broken record. Sometimes those flashbacks morphed into nightmares. The lingering doubts didn’t make that any easier. Thoughts plagued your mind about how the mess could have been avoided had you taken initiative, had you taken a different course of action. You blamed yourself fully. The guilt you felt affected your appetite and sleep in ways you couldn’t describe. There were nights you wondered how the families of your squadron coped hearing the sorrowful news of their loved ones now lost. Your injuries might have been healing fine, but your eyes had so much sadness and terror in them. You were at least thankful for your comrades who would make trips to visit you on occasion. Armin had swung by the other day to read to you, Jean and Sasha had brought you food and updated you on how things were fairing on the outside. Mikasa would bring you new sets of clothes. You were very thankful to have them by your side. You were especially thankful for your partner Levi, you’re sure you would have lost your mind long ago had it not been for him. He was often stoic but with how long you’ve known him, you knew he worried for you immensely and you didn’t want to alarm him and add to his existing anxiety. Since the incident, you had insisted he put his duties first, but he had refused. He made it a point to be with you five days, even if it was for a mere hour.

“There you are.” Speaking of the devil. “How long since you last ate anything y/n?” You were about to prepare a good white lie, but Levi knew better. He read you like a book and gave a disapproving “Tch” before you could even speak. Ignoring you, he picked up an apple and a peach from the untouched fruit assortment Sasha had brought you two days ago. Taking a seat at your bedside with a sharp knife in hand, he proceeded to peel an apple. “Levi I can’t eat right now, not with this much on my mind, I’m stressing over the amount of work I’m missing by being cooped up in here and-” Your excuses are interrupted by him shoving an apple slice in your mouth. “You need sustenance, so be quiet and eat, lest i inform cadet Braus about how you’ve chosen to neglect her offering, you know she doesn’t like wasting food.” Good point. You do as you're told, appreciating the gesture. Levi was not a man of many words, but he demonstrated he cared for you through actions. An acts of service kind of guy, he was.

An apple and a peach later, you seemed to regain some of the lost life and colour on your features. You thank him with a kiss on the lips and watch in amusement as the heat rises to his cheeks. The captain reaches for your hair, twirling a piece of the y/h/c strands between his fingers as if he was examining something. “When was the last time you took care of your hair?” “I-is it that bad?” he shook his head before proceeding to walk over to the bedside drawer where you kept your toiletries and grooming supplies. Making his way back with combs, brushes, and an array of oils that he carefully sets down before beginning to unravel your two braids. “We’re gonna be here a while, aren’t we?” You joke, but you’re not opposed to the pamper session, so you let him work on your hair without question and hum in delight.

Time seemed to stand still as Levi got busy on your hair, brushing away as many knots and tangles as possible starting from the bottom and working his way up. It was all too relaxing. You were doing your best to keep your eyes open and not fall into a slumber.

He took a great deal of time and care into getting you groomed and as soon as he switched from comb to a boar bristle brush you were pretty much a goner. That was his way of showing you his pure adoration. His love was quiet.

In the deafening yet comfortable silence of your infirmary room, you were in bliss as Levi was now massaging your scalp. As if perfectly orchestrated, rain began to hit the window and for a fleeting moment it seemed like all you could focus on was the soothing sensation of his fingers scratching at your scalp, as you smiled in appreciation. A soft clean scent of lavender and something else your inexperienced nostrils failed to identify wafted in the room from the luxurious oil blend he was using on you, a gift from Historia. You felt so pampered and loved right now, so grateful you had him, so overwhelmed with emotion that you couldn’t help the stream of salty tears that now coated your cheeks. You were so thankful he was by your side.

Upon noticing your sobs Levi was quick to face you and wipe your tears with his thumbs. Your sobs continued and worry was now plastered on his features, his eyebrows knitted together in concern. He’s very aware of the trauma and the burden that is the life of a survey corps soldier, so he doesn’t say anything. Having been through this countless times himself, he knows that words don’t help in some instances, so he opts to embrace you. He holds you tightly as if letting you go for even a second would be the biggest regret of his life. You allow yourself to cry in your man’s embrace for as long as time permits.

“I-im sorry Levi, I-” you choke out. A caring hand is rubbing circles of comfort on your back as he tells you not to worry. “You’re allowed to cry, y/n. It’s alright, I'm here.” with that you cry in his chest for as much as you can muster.

The recent memories your mind tried so hard to lock away are triggered again. Their screams. The smell of fresh blood clinging to the thick air, their pleas for help, the canons going off and the heavy treading of titans on the wet rocky terrain. All so vivid, as if all of this happened minutes ago. You choke out sob after sob until you’re worn and defeated. When you finally do stop, you take notice of him. The silent love in his eyes, the quiet concern, the voiceless pained expression wishing he could take your place instead so that you were at ease. Even with all he’s gone through, he still wants to shoulder your pain. Smiling down at you softly he places a kiss on your forehead as he wipes away the rest of your tears. You feel secure in his arms, warm with his touch, and if you could melt into him and forget the world, you would. You would in the blink of an eye. He’s your home.

Your thoughts are interrupted when he tilts your chin up to meet his eyes once more. “I still have to braid your hair, so allow me to finish what I started, ok brat?” you let out a soft giggle, finally. A drastic change from the you of three minutes ago, and suddenly relief washes over Levi’s face. You reposition yourself properly on the bed as he continued to brush your hair, putting it up in a not perfect, but adequate loose braid.

“Thank you, Levi.” He doesn’t reply but gives you an affirming look you know too well, a silent “Don’t mention it.” before shifting over to take up a space on the bed with you. You lay on his chest as he draws soothing patterns on your back until you drift away.

Don’t mention it.