Silent Echoes || Levi x Reader

The Letter

The rhythmic clip-clop of the horse's hooves was the only sound breaking the silence as we rode through the dense forest. It felt like we had been riding for ages, the monotony of the journey lulling me into a state of drowsiness. Even Hange, usually brimming with excitement and chatter, had fallen silent.

Lost in my thoughts, I couldn't help but wonder about the nature of Hange's research and how it would intersect with my own. Her focus on titans seemed worlds apart from my study of human behaviour. What role would I play in her lab? Would my expertise even be relevant?

Just as I was about to voice my concerns, the sight of Survey Corps headquarters came into view, emerging from the edge of the forest. The sight stirred a mix of anticipation and uncertainty within me.

As we exited the forest, my gaze was drawn to an abandoned house nestled among the trees, its yard adorned with a small garden of white roses. The sight tugged at something deep within me, softening my expression and bringing a smile to my lips.

The garden, though small, was not well-tended. Weeds sprouted between the rose bushes, and the once neatly trimmed edges were now overgrown and unkempt. Yet, despite the neglect, the white roses thrived.

I couldn't help but marvel at the resilience of the flowers, their blooms a stark contrast to the surrounding disarray. How were they still alive and blooming in such an abandoned place, I wondered.

Closing my eyes, I basked in the warmth of the sun, allowing myself a moment of quiet contemplation amidst the bustle of our arrival.

---------------------------------------------- Time skip ----------------------------------------------------

As we approached the Survey Corps HQ, Hange's voice broke the silence, accompanied by a mischievous smile. "You smell that, Y/n?"

I furrowed my brows in confusion, taking in a deep breath. "Smell what?" I replied, genuinely puzzled.

Hange's grin widened. "That, my dear Y/n, is the intoxicating scent of science," she declared dramatically, her arms outstretched as if to embrace the air around us. "The sweet aroma of knowledge waiting to be absorbed into our brains."

I couldn't help but cringe slightly at her theatrics, though I found myself chuckling nonetheless. "And suddenly I understand where my sister finds the inspiration for all those nerd jokes." I joked, glancing around the wooded surroundings "But don't get me wrong, I understand the excitement, Commander."

Hange laughed in response, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "And this is only the beginning," she conceded, motioning for me to follow her as she dismounted her horse and made her way towards the building.

As we entered the lab, Hange turned to me with a playful glint in her eye. "You know what, Y/n? If you're going to make fun of me, you should just call me Hange."

I couldn't help but smile at her suggestion. "You'll get used to me making fun of people, Hange," I replied with a playful wink.

"And you'll get used to my nerd talk," Hange countered, returning my smile as she pulled out a chair for me.

Taking a seat, I nodded in agreement. "Now, let's talk business," She said and pulled out several reposts. After several hours of poring over mission reports and Hange's detailed observations, I found myself delving deeper into the enigma of titans. While I had always been intrigued by their mystery, Hange's keen eye for detail had sparked a newfound fascination within me. Lost in thought, I absentmindedly rested my chin on my palm, scanning the reports with unwavering focus.

"Hm," I mumbled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear as I continued reading.

"What? You got something?" Hange's voice cut through the quiet, her curiosity evident.