Invisible String

CHAPTER 11

"What?! Where are you going? Get back here, you midget!" The perplexed woman scoffs at the disappearing figure of the captain. She had no choice but to stay and wait for him although she knew he wouldn't dare to do his threat to her.

As she runs her fingers to the carves of the dagger, a sudden vision flashes before her eyes. It was Levi holding the same dagger, but he was younger in the image. He was training with it then smiled at... her? Why was he looking straight at me? Wait. Could it be someone else's memory? The dazed woman was pulled back to reality when she heard the footsteps. She looked back at the dagger, still wondering about what she just saw.

Levi sat down beside her, holding a bucket of water, a clean cloth, ointment, and some gauze. "Pull your blouse up again."

"You don't have to do that, I can do it myself." Luna says as she hands him back his dagger.

"Shut up and just do as I say." Before Luna could retaliate, the man spoke again. "And yes, I know you only answer to Erwin. But stop being a stubborn brat for once and pull your damn blouse up."

With a sigh, Luna did what he asked and let him tend to her wound. The two stayed in comfortable silence as Levi cleaned her wound with the wet cloth before applying ointment on the cut. Surprisingly, his hands are very gentle. After a good few minutes, Levi has now finished treating her wound. He wanted to cover it with a bandage but she was laying flat on the floor. He was going to ask her to slightly lift her body when he found her peacefully sleeping. He didn't want to wake her up so he decided to just leave it be and have her bandage it tomorrow when she wakes up.

Levi pulled her blouse back down to cover her bare stomach. He could feel his cheeks heating up. As he looked back at Luna's face, he admired how angelic and peaceful she looks even when she's asleep. With gentle movements, he tucked a strand of her hair at the back of her ear, giving him a clearer view of the beauty in front of him. Like an automatic response, his hand cupped her right cheek lovingly.

"I'm sorry." He softly whispered as he tenderly rubs his thumb back and forth on her smooth skin.

He wished he could hold her like this longer but he didn't want her to catch a cold for sleeping outside. He stood up and moved to her right side. Gently holding her right arm to put on his shoulder, he carried her with one arm under her legs and the other supporting her back like a groom carrying his bride.

As soon as they reached the bottom of the stairs, they were greeted by none other than their commander.

"Levi." He acknowledged the corporals presence before looking down at the sleeping lady in his arms. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine. She just fell asleep on the rooftop." The little man plainly replied.

"Here. Let me take her to her room." The blond man says as he extends his arms motioning Levi to give him Luna.

The corporal ignored him and turned to her room's direction before speaking again. "No need. I'll bring her myself." With that, he started walking towards her chamber.

Erwin didn't argue and just followed behind. He helped Levi open the door and watched him carefully lay her down on the neat bed.

Levi was impressed at how clean her room is. He pulled a blanket and covered it over Luna's sleeping figure before tucking another strand of hair that slipped when he put her down.

Luckily, Erwin has now left the door. Levi cupped her cheek one last time before leaving. When he reached the door, he looked back at Luna and whispered a soft, "Good night, brat." before closing the door behind him.

Levi went back to the rooftop to gather all the things he left there. And just like yesterday, he was able to sleep immediately. He's not sure if it's because of her but can't think of any other reason as to why he's been having better sleep lately and he wouldn't want it any other way.

However, Levi woke up the next morning with a migraine and figured that Luna must be awake now and feeling a lot worse than him. Despite the worry he's feeling, he decided not to bother her and move on his own. Although, with every hour passing by, the pain is getting worse and worse.

So much worry flowing over Levi, he decided to check up on Luna. He knocked on her door but got no response. He thought maybe she was inside the bathroom or still asleep, but with every knock, there's not a single response or any noise inside. His panic grew even more when he didn't find her on the rooftop. With every room he checked, his anxiety is taking over as the woman is still missing. Even though he asked all the cadets if they've seen her, no one could tell where she is.

Levi made his way to Erwin's office, in hopes that he'll finally find her there. Despite the panic he's feeling, he managed to knock and wait on Erwin's permission to come in. "Have you seen Luna?" He asked plainly, trying to suppress his worry.

"No, I haven't yet. Why?" Erwin replied.

"Nothing." In the back of his mind, distressing thoughts are now taking over. Where could she possibly be? I hope she's alright.

Erwin pulled him from his thoughts by putting a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe she's in the mess hall. You know how she is when it comes to eating schedules." The blond man says.

Trying to calm himself down, he followed his superior to the mess hall. Hoping he'll finally see her. But even after they sat down, Luna was nowhere to be seen.

"Oi, brats. Have you seen Luna?" He kept asking his squad, even Eren and his friends but no one knew her whereabouts. "Tch. Where's that brat?"

As his heart beats loudly, the pounding in his head kept escalating. And with heavy steps, the woman has now appeared in the mess hall looking pale and beads of sweat spreading across her forehead. Levi immediately went to her and when he noticed she's weak and about to fall, he quickly ran to her. Just before she hit the floor, Levi was able to catch her.

"Luna!"