The courtyard of the palace was shrouded in a somber atmosphere, raindrops drumming a methodic melody against the cobblestone pavement as various soldiers scurried around completing their obligations. The once vibrant hues of the palace were muted beneath the gray expanse of the overcast sky, casting a pall of gloom over the scene.
You stood amidst the drizzle, a solemn expression etched upon your features as you assisted Hange in packing the final supplies for the Scouts' departure. Despite the heaviness of the moment, Hange's irrepressible spirit remained undimmed, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness.
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Hange couldn't resist the urge to tease you about Levi, her playful banter a stark contrast to the somber backdrop of the courtyard.
"You know, Adeline," Hange began, a teasing lilt to her voice, "I can't help but notice how you and Levi seemed awfully cozy during the ball. From where I was, it sounded like the two of you had a pretty good night. Anything you want to share with the class?"
You rolled your eyes at Hange's playful insinuations, a faint blush rising to your cheeks. "Hange, now's not the time for jokes," you chided gently, though a hint of amusement danced in your eyes.
Hange nudges you playfully, "You don't have to be ashamed, y'know. You got Levi to finally come out of his shell, which is pretty impressive. And besides," She huffed as she placed a box down into a cart. "I was beginning to think I was going to lose the bet I had with the cadets." She said casually.
You stared at your friend incredulously, "You guys had a bet on whether or not Levi would get together?"
"Yep." She said, matter-of-factly. "Mikasa, Eren, and Jean all bet you wouldn't. But Connie, Sasha, and I had faith in you. Erwin, too."
Your mouth dropped open. "Erwin was in on this?"
Hange nodded mischievously, "Yep." She waved her hand in dismissal at your expression, "Oh, please! It's not like you two ever hid it. Levi just has a stick up his ass at all times, so he'd never admit it and you were too scared to say anything. But I always had faith." She said, earning another astonished look from you at her honesty.
You chuckled at Hange's antics, shaking your head in amusement. "Well, if you must know, things are nice but... complicated."
Hange raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Complicated, huh? Sounds intriguing. Do tell."
You sighed, a mix of frustration and fondness swirling within you. "Let's just say Levi and I have a few obstacles to overcome. Duty, for one."
Hange nodded knowingly, her expression softening. "Ah, yes. The burden of duty. A formidable opponent, indeed. But hey, where there's a will, there's a way, right?"
You smiled wistfully, grateful for Hange's unwavering support. "Right."
"In any case, it seems like Levi's back to his old demeanor. It was nice seeing him so relaxed this past month, but alas!" Hange sighed, placing the final box down.
Your eyes scanned the courtyard, searching for Levi amidst the flurry of activity. Finally, you spotted him, commanding with his usual stoic demeanor, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. Soldiers scurried at his orders, their movements precise and swift, a testament to his authority.
As your gaze locked with his, a fleeting moment of connection passed between you. His stern expression softened ever so slightly. But the moment was fleeting, interrupted by the demands of duty pulling Levi's attention away once more.
Hange, ever perceptive, caught the subtle shift in your demeanor as you watched Levi. She nudged you gently, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Hey, Adeline, don't worry too much. He'll be fine. And you, my dear, have managed to do what few could—get a smile out of the Stoneheart himself. That's no small feat."
Her words carried a reassuring weight, a reminder that even in the face of impending separation, there were victories to savor. You mustered a small smile in return, grateful for Hange's understanding.
The time had come for Hange's departure, and you embraced each other tightly, the rain outside providing a fitting backdrop to the bittersweet moment. Hange, always one for heartfelt farewells, held you at arm's length, a warm grin spreading across her face.
"Take care, Adeline. You've got big shoes to fill, but I know you'll do brilliantly. And hey, if you ever find yourself missing the chaos of the Scouts, you know where to find us. I've got a feeling you'll be itching to swing around with the ODM gear sooner or later," Hange teased, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
You chuckled, appreciating the lightness she brought to the situation. "I'll miss you, Hange. Try not to get into too much trouble out there."
Hange winked, "No promises, my dear. But seriously, take care of yourself." She said, stepping away. But before she got very far, she turned around and shouted back, "Oh, and while you're writing your letters to loverboy, don't forget to write to us too! We're gonna miss you too, ya know!"
You laughed and shouted after her, "Of course, Hange. I'll even spray a little bit of my perfume on your letters as a little special something." You smiled as she cheered jokingly before turning on her heel and disappearing further into the courtyard.
As you made your way back inside the palace, you stumbled upon your friends gathered in the hallway, a mixture of anticipation and melancholy evident on their faces as they prepared for their departure. Sasha, with her usual cheerfulness slightly more subdued due to the mood, was busy double-checking her gear, while Connie and Jean exchanged a few last-minute jokes to lighten the mood.
"Hey, Adeline." Armin called out, waving as he spotted you approaching. "You ready for us to hit the road?"
You offered a wistful smile, a pang of sadness tugging at your heart. "As ready as I'll ever be, Armin. Just hate saying goodbye, you know?"
Connie chimed in, "Ah, come on, Adeline! You can't get rid of us that easily. We'll see each other again before you know it. We'll hold the fort down for you while you're gone."
The rest of them offered you supportive smiles. "Yeah, don't forget to write us love letters from the palace, Princess," Jean teased, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
You laughed softly, appreciating the attempt to inject some levity into the farewell. "I'll be sure to keep you all updated on palace gossip," you promised. It was at this moment that Erwin's voice boomed through the courtyard and into the palace's open doors that the Scouts were preparing for departure, causing your smile to falter, "You've been like family to me. Stay safe out there, okay?"
"We will." Mikasa promised, placing her hand on your arm before she turned to head towards the courtyard. The others followed after her, after giving their final well wishes and hugs. You made your way to the palace entrance to stand on the steps as you watched them walk away.
However, panic set in as you realized you hadn't yet said goodbye to Levi. Frantically, you scanned the courtyard, searching for his familiar figure amidst the bustling activity. Just as anxiety threatened to consume you, his voice broke through the chaos from behind.
"Adeline," he called, his tone soft yet unmistakably commanding.
Relief flooded through you as you turned to face him, meeting his gaze with a mixture of apprehension and longing.
You approached him with a half-smile, trying to mask the anxiety that had gripped you just moments ago. "Levi, trying to slip away without saying goodbye?" you teased, attempting to inject a lighthearted tone into the conversation.
"I wouldn't dream of it." He responded, matching your tone.
Levi held you in a brief but tight embrace, a departure from his usual stoicism. His lips grazed your temple in a gentle kiss, a promise lingering in the gesture.
"Adeline," he spoke, his voice low but filled with a sincerity that resonated with you. "Try not to worry too much. It will work out. I'll write, I'll visit. You won't be alone in this."
You nodded, a mixture of emotions swirling within you. "I know, Levi. I trust you."
His thumb brushing against your cheek. "We'll be together soon. You're going to do great things."
With those words, he pulled away, leaving you with a lingering sense of warmth. As he turned to leave, you called out one last time, "Promise me, Levi. Promise you'll come back."
He met your gaze, a solemn promise in his eyes. "I promise, Adeline. Take care of yourself."
And with that, he walked away, disappearing into the rainy courtyard, leaving you with the weight of your shared promises and the uncertainty of the future.