One Last Time

Ch. 2: Moment

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Chapter 2: Moment

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It was already late afternoon when Levi and his squad were done with training. Commander of the Survey Corps, Keith Shadis and Erwin, one of his advisors, soon plans to go on an expedition outside the walls. Of course, a lot of preparation is needed and training is mandatory for everyone. Training increased the abilities of soldiers and therefore their survival rate increased as well.

Normally, the Special Operation Squad would be able to handle the training at ease, but added that their Captain made them run and do other things along with the training, they were too tired to even walk.

"We're home."

Levi feels strange saying that. Usually, there was no one at their house to say that to. But now that Maria is here, it just feels like the right thing to do.

"Welcome home," Maria appears from the kitchen and from a distance sees Levi coming inside the house with his squad following him. "Dinner is ready, you can all take a seat and I'll bring the food out."

"I'm sorry Maria but I'll pass," Petra says as she begins to walk towards her room. "I'm too tired, I'll go to sleep."

"Me too," Gunther adds, he genuinely looks sorry and Maria feels bad for them. They must be too tired.

"Hey, brats show some respect," Levi doesn't look as tired as the rest of his team. "Besides, we can't afford to waste food."

"It's alright!" Maria looks at the Captain, almost asking him for permission. "If you want I can bring the food to your room."

"That will help a lot, thank you," Eld smiles at the brunette before going off to his room. Little by little they leave and the room becomes quiet and Maria goes back to work.

As she was taking the food she made to Levi's squad, the Captain makes his way to the dining room. It smells different. Usually, when he is the one cleaning, the room always smells like soap. The dining table is clean, almost to perfection. It is clear that Maria got really busy during the day. Levi questions if she cleaned his room as well, not like there was much to clean anyways, his room was always impeccable. Also that he didn't want her going inside his room, maybe he could take this time to clarify some rules with the woman.

As he approaches the table, he notices that there was a flower vase on top of it; Lavender, so that's why it smelled different. It isn't that he dislikes the smell, he is more surprised at the fact that someone was putting that much effort. He sits down and for a complete moment, he is invested in the flower arrangement.

"Here Mr. Levi."

He is once again caught off guard, Maria places a bowl of soup in front of him. She finishes delivering the food to the other residents of the house and decides to serve Captain Levi his fair share of food.

Levi is a picky eater, all the contrary he could eat pretty much anything. However, he couldn't deny the fact that the soup did wake up his appetite. It's hot, and some herbs were added to the orange liquid. The smell of spices reaches his nostrils and he is mesmerized that something so simple could make his mouth water.

It was something small, but the effort that was put into it made it special.

"Have you eaten?" Levi asks out loud before Maria could take her leave to the kitchen.

"No, I haven't."

"Then get yourself a plate and join me."

That sounded more like an order than a request and Maria, as intimidated as she is by the short man, quickly did as she was told. She was fast, it was a matter of just going to the kitchen and serving a bowl of soup for herself. That wasn't the problem, the problem was when she went back to the dining room.