THE SCOUTS WERE ABLE TO GET THEMSELVES out of that troubling predicament in success, having no one's body or life's lost. The vanguard dismounted their mares to regain their precision after the unpredicted titan ambush. Luna walked over to the two scouts that she and Mikasa had saved earlier.
She greeted them with a soft concerning stare, "Hello there, gentlemen." Her serene voice caught their attention. The two lifted their heads up in surprise. "Executive Officer Kocho..."
"I-"
"We..."
Luna shook her head, "I do not require a thank you, or an apology from either of you. I only came to check if any of you accumulated such injuries." She said, giving the two a close-eyed smile. The two looked at each other in worry, before turning back to face their senior executive. They shook their heads, "No, ma'am. No major injuries." The brunette male replied, looking down.
Luna hummed, nodding her head. "I see. However, if you two do feel any excruciating pain, meet me in my clinic, alright? I do not tolerate any obstinate attitudes from either of you, do I make myself clear?" She reminded, slightly scolding them.
The two nodded, gulping their saliva along. Luna noticed their expressions. The two were still unsatisfied about the fact they couldn't bring back their friend's dead body. Not only that, but they were also disappointed in themselves with the fact that it was their fault that some titans tried to ambush them. If Luna hadn't done something, who knows who else could've died, and how many more corpses they'd have to bring home.
The executive sighed, before walking in between them. She placed her hands on their shoulders. The two flinched at the sudden action, "If you do not want Ivan's death to go in vain, keep moving forward, you two." She spoke, "I bet you Ivan wouldn't want to see his friends being pathetic little cowards~"
The two nodded, their sweat on the side of their foreheads, "Uh- Y-Yes, ma'am." She walked away, leaving the two soldiers be, who stood frozen in their places. They stared off into the direction where Luna was walking away.
...She really has her own way of encouragement.
It wasn't before long until Levi had approached them, dismounting his horse in front of the two. The blonde's eyes widened, "Captain... I..." From under Levi's hood, he pulled out a badge of the scout regiment and walked closer to the two.
"We can't always carry our fallen comrades home. But we carry their memory." Levi simply told them and handed out the scout badge to the blonde. His eyes widened in shock. "This was Ivan's." Levi stated.
The two scouts had erupted into tears, clutching the badge in their grasp tightly. "Thank you, sir!"
Levi walked back to his horse, mounting on the animal, then left the two there to mourn for their fallen friend. Luna watched how all of this happened. Even though he may appear stoic and cold as he is, even with his simple gesture and words, the hearts of the two were touched.
Luna sadly smiled at the sight, before walking away so that they could return now to the walls.
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"They're already on their way back?"
"Was it that bad?"
"Probably. Odds are they'll have a stack of fresh corpses."
~~~
"It sounds like Eld will be home sooner than we thought..."
"Is that so..."
~~~
"Do you think they'll give Oluo enough time to come by and say hello?"
"I suppose in any event we can set a place for them around the table!"
~~~
"They say Gunther's coming back..."
"Do they..."
~~~
The scouts had returned back to the walls, only to be greeted with disappointed looks on the people's faces, staring at the survey corps soldiers with disgust. Murmurs and whispers here and there as they returned to their homes.
"Am I miscounting or are there fewer of them than when they left?" One of the people asked the person beside them. "No... There's a lot fewer..." Another replied.
'Fewer is an understatement...' Luna thought to herself, pulling the rope of her horse. She had a tender look on her face. In the perspective of others, she seemed to be at a calm facade, when in reality, she just wanted to scream in agony.
"Must've been that bad."
"I don't get it. They were all priss and vinegar this morning. And they're already back?"
"Well, why bother leaving in the first place?"
"No idea. I'd say by the looks on their faces it should've gone way longer."
"Our taxes hard at work, ladies and gentlemen. Bravo."
Even though Luna has faced these judgments for years, she still couldn't help but be pissed and irritated at their comments. No matter how much she wants to lash out at them, daring them to go out the walls if they even had the guts to do so, instead of cowering behind the walls, she knows she can't.
She hated these nasty comments. People have already died and yet these people still needed to put their anger out. Although, she couldn't really blame them much. If they never went outside the walls, lives wouldn't be lost. Those who are dead would still be living happily with their families. The lives of many are gone just like that.
"E-Excuse me, Captain Levi!" A voice had called out to her captain. A man approached the male with a letter in his hand. "G-Good evening... I... You see... I'm Petra's father, sir... Might I bend your ear before she sees us?" He introduced himself.
Levi didn't spare the man a glance, keeping his gaze forward as he clenched his hand into a tight fist. "I received this letter from her somewhat recently. Apparently, you hand-picked her yourself? She's very excited I can assure you. In fact, it sounds like she's utterly devoted to you in every way." He continued while glancing around.
His gaze had suddenly landed on a certain female that was walking beside Levi's horse. "Oh, wait! Lady Luna!" He called out to the lady. Upon hearing that familiar voice, Luna couldn't help but internally freeze in place. One of the people she wished she wouldn't see after one of her closest comrades' death had presented themself right in front of her.
I just really can't catch a break, now can I?
"I hope you don't mind, but mind if I speak to you as well?" He excused, "First of all, I don't think I had the chance to thank you that time when you helped us..."
Luna gulped, undetectably fiddling with the rope in her left hand. "You see, m-my daughter... S-She really looks up to you, Lady Luna! She told me in her letter that you two have built quite that astounding friendship. And let me tell you, she was really happy when she finally got the chance to work with you, ma'am." He chuckled awkwardly.
'I'm aware of that...'
"Of course, as her father, I'm really happy for her. She's able to meet the two people she admires most. I just hope that..-"
"Yes, sir. Your daughter was a very outstanding soldier. Kind, diligent, and sympathetic. The best of the best. I may even consider her as a little sister. Thank you very much for taking care of her and raising her as the kind of person we've spent the years with." Luna spoke, giving him her signature smile before continuing on her walk.
Her response left the father in a halt. He was confounded by her words that made him stand there, watching the two senior scouts walk side-by-side - both were not uttering a word.
After so, specific soldiers were called to the central building in Wall Sina— meaning that their hands on Eren's Titan have been revoked. The casualties that happened for today were far more severe than how their previous missions would go. Honestly, at this point, the regiment as whole itself might be in danger due to the number of lives lost.
᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃
Luna had just finished securing Armin's wound on his head properly. "There, that should seal up your wound up for now, Armin. Come to my clinic if it still feels sore, okay, dear?"
The blonde nodded, humming in response. Luna smiled at him, before turning to the other two teens, who sat at the hospital bed. "What about you two? Any major injuries?" She asked them. Jean and Reiner shook their heads. "We just came to accompany Armin, Executive. Thank you for your concern, ma'am." Reiner replied, giving her an assuring look, bowing.
Luna chuckled, "No need to thank me, darling. I'm only doing my duty." She said, offering Armin her hand to help him stand up from the bed. She faced the two once again, walking towards them, whilst blonde teen trailed behind her.
She walked closer to the two and placed the back of her hand on their foreheads to feel if they were hiding a fever from her. The two felt themselves stiffen in their place as they made contact with the black-haired beauty, feeling butterflies swarm in their stomach, blushing red.
Of course, they would never consider to be in a relationship with the lady since she was years older than them... and they were still teenagers (minors), but having a crush and admiration on a woman this compassionate and beautiful wouldn't hurt, right? It's normal.
"Your bodies' temperatures feel to be in a normal condition." She informed them before taking her hand off their foreheads. "Apologies for approaching you two without your consent. Sometimes people can be stubborn and say they're fine even if they aren't." She said softly, flashing them a genuine smile.
"I-It's no problem, Lady Luna. Right, Reiner..?" Jean's sweat dripped in embarrassment, slightly facing his light blonde-haired friend beside him. "Yes, yeah! It's no problem at all, ma'am." Reiner replied, smiling bashfully.
Armin stared at them unamused, sweatdropping, 'They couldn't be any more obvious.'
Luna smiled at them, "That's good to hear. However, if you two do feel anything that's hurting, feel free to come over to my clinic, alright?"
Jean and Reiner saluted, "Yes, ma'am!"
Luna nodded at them, before turning to face Armin, "Armin, darling, if you ever see your other comrades, do remind them to come by the clinic for me, or Hange, to treat their injuries daily. Just because I've applied bandages, that does not mean it's clean and healthy."
Armin nodded, "Yes, Executive."
Luna chuckled, "Good boy. Now, go along. You may exit." She motioned for them to exit the clinic.
"Yes, ma'am." The three of them saluted to her before leaving the clinic, leaving Luna inside the room to herself.
"Oh, and Armin, dear! If you see Eren or Mikasa, kindly tell them to come by please!" Luna called out. Armin nodded, "Noted, Miss Luna!" He smiled, waving at the female.
Jean and Reiner stared at the blonde wide-eyed, "You can call the executive by just... miss?" Jean asked.
Armin tilted his head, "Is that wrong..?"
"Well, seeing the executive's status being someone from Wall Sina and her titles, you'd expect she wants people to call her 'executive', 'doctor', or 'lady'." Reiner responded
Armin shrugged, "Luna's known me, Eren, and Mikasa for years ever since we were little kids. I don't know, I guess we just get used to it... And she doesn't bat us an eye, so..."
"Damn lucky." Reiner muttered.
Armin disregarded Reiner's comment, "You know, if it weren't for Eren's ability to transform into a titan, I'd say the commander also makes sure to keep Miss Luna protected."
Jean turned to him questioningly, "But isn't Executive Luna one of the best soldiers in the whole brigade? Her and Captain Levi. Why would she need protection if she's more than capable of protecting herself?"
"She is. But she's more than just one of the strongest soldiers of humanity. She's also one of the best, if not the best doctor, in the walls. She's smart and intuitive like Section Commander Hange in terms of the research for the truth of the titans. She and Section Commander Mike are the main lookouts out in titan territory. She's amazing in every aspect. Commander Erwin knows that and he knows he won't find an asset like that anywhere else." Armin explained. This wasn't just based off of the years he's known her, but also his observations between Luna's interactions with their comrades and even the Commander.
Actually, it might be more than just her being an asset.
"If that's how you talk about her, I'd say she's definitely unlike anyone I've ever seen." Reiner stated, "For one thing, you'd never meet someone with her voice. It's calming but kind of scary. Also, she's pretty much a beauty."
Jean sweatdropped at him, "For godsake, Reiner. We're talking about her skills."
Armin sighed, "I wish I'd be surprised. He even said earlier that the Female Titan's got a nice... ass."
"Reiner." Jean sighed.
"Hey, those are two different things!" Reiner exclaimed, "Besides, wouldn't you agree? Her voice is like no other. I mean, name someone who can pull off that kind of tone. It's calming, but also scary. She's pretty and her smile is assuring, but again, I'd be scared shitless if she curses me." The others looked at one another, shrugging as they tended to agree. A tone and gaze that may seem so sweet, but can send shivers up someone's spine if used in a different situation. A posion and an antidote.
"But look at the way the scouts turn to her like she's some sort of savior and goddess." Reiner added, "People would come crawling to her with tears in their eyes as she treats them. I mean, not just in the clinic, but out in the field."
The soldiers rushed to her, as if seeking salvation to save their lives. They trusted her and in what she says; they rely on her whether they're inside or outside the walls. The moment recruits are introduced into the Scout Regiment, one of the first people that Commander Erwin introduces to them is Luna.
Her name, Luna Kocho, a name that holds honor, reputation, and respect from across the walls. Even before Wall Maria became infested with titans, her name carries a strong authority among the people living there. Not one title, but more than that— people knowing her as: Humanity's Most Skilled Soldier, Executive Officer of the Survey Corps, Head Medical of the Survey Corps, a Doctor, and the Second-in-Command of the Special Operations Team.
Back in the clinic, as soon as she was left alone in the clinic with the door shut close, Luna released out an exhausted sigh, plopping onto the bed in relief. She held half of her face with her hand, feeling her mind buzzing all kinds of aches. She was tired, even though she's been at this for years.
However, there was a tingling smell in her nose that she does not appreciate. There was no one else in the room but her. And so, she sniffed her clothing. Her nose managed to inhale the stench of titan odor. She gagged in disgust. She huffed in annoyance, jolting up from the bed. Luckily for her, she always had an extra top in the clinic. There were times where she didn't feel comfortable with her scent, so she'd change clothes if she doesn't feel like showering yet.
She removed the hair tie, letting her black hair drape on her shoulders. She removed her top, only leaving her in her bra and exposed shoulders and stomach, settling the piece of clothing on the bed beside her.
She grabbed her clean top, fixing the clothing for her to wear.
"Oi, Luna-" The doors of the clinic had suddenly opened, causing Luna to look up from her clothes to the door. There stood Levi who seemed to halt in his tracks as his gaze landed on the woman's face. His eyes for now only seemed to settle on the lady's facial looks. His eyes examined Luna's facial features as it was his first time seeing the girl with no hair tie on. She is and truly is beautiful, especially with the girl's hair down. Her chest-level hair rested perfectly on her shoulders.
His gaze had unintentionally landed on the girl's exposed top (still with the bra on), making him gulp in nervousness. He awkwardly stayed in his place, mind blank and eyes widened as he tried to process the kind of predicament he was in.
Luna furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, then looked down on her body, trying to figure out what he was staring at.
Her eyes suddenly widened in realization as her expressions paled. She immediately let out a petrifying scream, making Levi quickly regain his focus and back away. Luna rushed to the door and pushed the door to close it immediately.
It completely slipped out of her mind that she was changing.
Levi stood outside of the room still in shock about what just happened to him. "L-Luna-" He hesitated to ask, as his heart started beating nervously. His mind was still blank, trying so hard to process what just went down.
"OH MY GOD!! LEVI WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?!!" Luna shouted, blaring in anger and irritation as she rushed to the bed to wear her clean top.
Levi ran his fingers through his hair, hands shaking, "Look, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO?!!" Luna yelled through the door, pulling the door open after successfully putting on her top. She walked outside, meeting with a frantic black-haired male, who took a step back, putting his hands in front to stop the female from coming closer.
"Luna, hear me out! I didn't know you were changing. I'm sorry-"
"HOW DARE YOU PEEP AT MY BODY WHILE CHANGING! MY FACE IS NOT ON MY CHEST, THEY'RE UP HERE, PERVERT!!" Luna angrily pulled the black-haired male into the clinic.
"L-Look! I said I'm sorry-" He got interrupted when Luna pushed him, his front facing the wall while locking his arm on his back harshly, making him groan in pain. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE SORRY?!!" She fumed, tightening her grip on his wrist, grabbing the back of his collar in irritation.
"O-oi, woman-!"
"WHY THE HELL DID YOU PEEP ON ME?!!" Luna questioned him again.
"I didn't peep on you!!"
"YES, YOU DID PERVERT! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU CALL THAT THEN?!"
"WHY WOULD I PEEP ON YOU?? YOU ASKED ME TO MEET YOU IN THE CLINIC!!" Levi shouted back, causing Luna to fall into silence as she remembered her words to him earlier.
...
...
...
"OKAY, FINE! I'M SORRY! ALRIGHT??" Luna yelled, but pushed him harder to the wall in annoyance, making him groan.
Since Luna was taller than him, he couldn't get out of her grasp. And he was basically trapped. "BUT WHAT THE HELL DO YOU CALL THAT? YOUR EYES SUDDENLY WANDERED DOWN TO MY EXPOSED CHEST??"
"What??"
"I saw it! I saw your eyes! You peeped at my body! Don't lie to me!!" Luna furrowed her eyebrows.
"Look! I said I didn't mean to-!"
"Exactly! See?!! You're admitting that you did peep at my body!!"
"Well, I didn't know you were changing your clothes!! If I did, I wouldn't have walked in!"
"You could have knocked, asshole!! Ever heard of that or no?!!" Luna spat, pushing him harder against the wall.
Because of the fact that they were caught in their argument, the two had no idea that Eren had walked in on them. His sweat dripped on the side of his head, "U-Uh... Am... am I interrupting... something..?" He spoke, grabbing the attention of the two.
Both of them directed their gaze back to the door, eyes widened, spotting Eren who stood there awkwardly. Footsteps soon came running in, "I heard yelling. Is everything alri-" Hange paused when they got a glimpse of the position the two soldiers were in.
"..Oh..?" They mumbled, wearing a tiny smirk on their face. Luna glanced at the two, then back to Levi who was struggling against her. Luna looked down in embarrassment, before releasing the poor male from her grasp.
She crossed her arms on her chest, sighing. Levi side-glared at the woman beside him as the two stood awkwardly side-by-side. Even though he was released from her clutches, Levi could still feel sting on his wrist that Luna had grasped tightly. Why the hell is she so strong? It wasn't long until he felt pain in his leg again, cursing under his breath.
Hange noticed the male, before turning to Eren, "Hey, Eren! You need your bandages fixed, right? Come with me to the other clinic. Executive Lady Kocho and Lance Corporal seem to be busy at the moment." Hange glanced at the two.
Luna sighed, "Hange-"
"Oi, four-eyes!" Levi tried calling out.
However, their brunette friend dismissed them, "Come along now, Eren!" Hange led Eren outside of the clinic, closing the door behind them.
≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫
Luna and Levi sat in a completely silent and awkward atmosphere. Levi sitting on the bed, while Luna tended to the injury in his leg. She applied ice packs around it. Luna broke the silence and sighed, "You're lucky the injury on your leg wasn't so severe, Levi. Or else, we'd be in trouble." She lightly scolded, applying ice packs to reduce its swelling.
Levi bit his lip in pain as Luna applied pressure on his leg. Luna scoffed, shaking her head, "Not so super strong now, huh, Levi?" She teased.
"Yeah, no shit, I've got an injury on my leg." He replied bluntly.
Luna hummed, "Mm... And whose fault do you think was it, dear?" She asked, taking the bandages from her doctor's tray beside her. Levi clicked his tongue, "I had no choice. If I didn't, Eren's lunatic girlfriend would get killed by that titan."
Luna chuckled amusingly, "Girlfriend, huh?" She smiled as she wrapped his leg with a bandage. "Well, to be frank, I always had a feeling the two have feelings for each other. It's just that Mikasa's usually the one who'd show it." She mentioned.
"What makes you say that?"
Luna shrugged, "Just a hunch." She tucked her hair behind her ear. Levi stared at the female's gentle features. She seemed so... calm... and gracious. He couldn't help but stare at her. He'd be lying to himself if he says he doesn't find her beautiful at all. Her soft eyes gazed down on her work and her dark hair settled ever so gently on her shoulders.
It wasn't only her looks that he noticed, but her personality as well. She can be annoying to him, yes. Blunt, straightforward, mocking, as well as irritatingly manipulative. However, he knows she does care deeply about (some) humans, even if she claims she hates them.
If she truly does hate them, why bother being nice and smiling at them all the time? Wouldn't it be much more easier to go off yelling and appearing ruthless in front of them so they won't like you?
She was confusing, difficult to read, difficult to assess her true feelings... a mystery. But after he got a glimpse of her tears earlier, maybe she wasn't just an attractive, smiling idiot. He has never spotted her crying. That was the first time. Because of that, he does wonder about something. He does not like to dwell much on the past, but just wants to know how she felt that time.
Was she sad? Guilty? Proud? Or did she continue on her merry way when she told him 'that' that time?
"Right, I'm done tending your wounds, Levi." Luna announced to him, causing the male to snap out of his thoughts. "You'll still be able to walk, but you might feel pain as you do." She informed him, picking up her doctor's tray. She stood up and settled it on one of the tables on the sides of the room.
"I suggest you apply ice to it for 2-4 hours for the next three days. Make sure to wrap the ice with a cloth before applying it though..." She advised, grabbing the hair tie on the desk to tie her hair into her usual ponytail.
Levi had only stared at her, not uttering a word. He was too busy on his thoughts, debating something in his brain that every word she spoke to him went past his ears.
Luna noticed his head on clouds since she felt someone watching her. Of course, she knew it was him, silently gazing at her. There was no one else there besides him and her. She finished tying her hair and put on her signature smile. She faced the male with a soft look, "I should get going now, darling~ I have things to attend to."
Those words pulled Levi back into reality.
'You know what? Fuck it.'
He shook his head as Luna started walking away. "Wait, Luna." He called out, causing the girl to stop in her tracks. She turned to face the male, "Hmm?"
Levi pursed his lips. He stood up, before sighing, "Listen, I-"
"If you're going to apologize for what happened earlier-"
"No. I just have something to ask you," He started. Luna nodded, motioning for him to continue, "about something six years ago."
"About Isabel and Furlan"
Luna's breath hitched at the mention of the duos' names. She looked down, sighing, trying to keep a calm demeanor, not wanting to look anxious or nervous, "An inquiry six years ago is long overdue, Levi." She said, clicking her tongue, before looking up to meet his gaze, "But I suppose I'm at fault as well..." She continued.
Six years ago is definitely a long way overdue. She wanted to avoid this question from him as much as she wanted as she already knows what the question is. However, she was willing to give him a chance to get his answer. That's what Hange and Erwin advised anyway.
"Let's play a game of hide and seek, Levi." She suggested.
Levi rolled his eyes, "I'm not in the mood or conditions to play your games, Luna."
"Then no answers for you." She smiled at him, turning away. "It's your choice if you want to or not. I won't force you anyway. Both of us have nothing to gain nor lose if you don't play and things will remain the same." She assured him, "But, if you truly want your answers, then play with me! The rules are simple...
...You just have to find me."
Word Count: 4667
☞ 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲 | 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ☜