"We've covered about half of the first zone."
"And we have a little over 2 weeks left," Armin murmured, gazing blankly. He glanced at Petra. "How are supplies?"
Petra shrugged. "Enough to last us for about two weeks, I guess."
Erwin turned to Hanji. "Report progress?"
"Still a draft. Not even close to finalization, but then we are still missing a lot of info," Hanji replied after fixing her glasses briefly.
"Hang on," Levi interrupted. "Why are our supplies running out so quickly?"
We all stared at Levi for a few seconds, before our eyes slowly drifted to one specific person.
Eren.
"What? Why're you all looking at me?"
"Give up Eren. We all know you've been taking daily "snacks" whenever we're out." Petra rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair.
"So what?" Eren retorted. "Like you said, it's just snacks!"
"Yeah. Snacks the size of a whole meal," Hanji pointed out.
"It's true," Mikasa murmured, earning an annoyed glance from Eren. "Oi. You're supposed to be helping me out."
"How am I supposed to help out if you leave me no food?" Mikasa exclaimed. Honestly, I think this is the first time I've seen Mikasa go against Eren like this.
Erwin, who seemed rather dumbfounded by this information by the judge of his face, quickly cleared his throat. "Eren. No more snacks," he said sternly, a commanding glint in his eyes.
Eren glanced at Erwin, abruptly standing up pointing at the blonde. "Erwin! You're in on it too. Don't you fucking dare lie! I saw you stuff your face in the kitchen!"
Hanji stared blankly at Erwin. "Really man?"
"Dear lord." Petra face-palmed, shaking her head from side to side.
Erwin raised an eyebrow at Eren. "I admit I've taken some extra food before. But I don't do it as often as you."
"What? That's--"
"Eren. Erwin. No more snacks, and that's final." Levi stared at the two men with a face that just speaks, 'I'm so done with this shit'.
Eren fell silent, but Erwin wasn't done letting some steam out. "Yeah? Says Mr. I Hog The Tea All The Time."
"What?" Levi hissed out, his eyes dark with annoyance.
"This is just sad," Armin muttered.
I tapped my hand on the table a few times, getting everyone's attention. "Enough. Eren and Erwin; stop taking extra food."
My eyes slowly drifted to Levi, who was staring at me, unblinking.
"And Levi..." I paused. "Share the tea."
The raven clicked his tongue, rising from his seat and walking away to his room. Erwin rose from his own seat and headed for the front door, exiting the cabin.
"Did we seriously just argue over food and tea?" Petra asked, glancing back and forth with a disbelieved gaze.
"It seems so," Hanji confirmed, slumping over the table.
I rested my head on the table, briefly closing my eyes. This is the third time we've argued over something this week. It's been happening a lot more as time goes on, which leads me to realize we can only put up with each other's BS for so long.
"(Y/N)? You okay? You look kinda tired," Armin asked, placing a hand on my back.
"I'm fine," I replied softly, slowly sitting back up. Hanji looked up, quickly shaking her head.
"No, you're not fine (Y/N). You barely sleep at all, and you're always volunteering to go out!"
I remained silent. For the past week, I haven't been sleeping as much as I used to. And if I do sleep, it only lasts an hour or two. Even so, I'd prefer staying awake rather than sleeping nowadays.
Lately, I've been having weirdly horrifying nightmares that never makes sense. Everything is blurry and unclear, but at the same time, feels incredibly terrifying and dreadful.
Everything is just a blur of black and red, along with shrilling screams that never seem to stop echoing in my ears.
The first time I got this nightmare... well I freaked out. Woke up suddenly; drenched in a pool of cold sweat, frantic and panicked with no reason.
Mikasa was the one that comforted me at that time. No one else other than the calm raven knows about my sleeping issues. Not even Levi. I made her promise not to tell anyone about it, for the sake of the group.
"--/N)! (Y/N)!"
"Huh?"
Petra looked at me, concern filling her eyes. "You spaced out. I think you should really get some rest and take the day off."
"I agree." Armin nodded. "You don't look so good. You should go and rest."
I threw a nervous glance at Mikasa before reluctantly agreeing. "...Alright."
Standing up, I quietly made my way back to my bed and sat down on the edge. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Not long after, there was a knock on the door.
I glanced up, relief washing over me at the sight of the person standing by the doorway. "Mikasa."
"(Y/N). How much sleep have you been getting?" Mikasa wasted no time in getting into the main point.
I chuckled in response. "Barely any."
Pity filled her gaze. "Have they been getting worse?"
"The longer I sleep, the worse it gets," I replied simply, avoiding her eyes.
"What if you try sleeping in daytime? Maybe the nightmares won't come?" She suggested. "I'll watch over you in case of anything."
"Mikasa, you can't--"
The raven cut me off. "It's fine (Y/N), I insist. Try and sleep, please."
I gave up. I laid down on my side and pulled the covers over my body. I faced Mikasa, who looked at me with gentle eyes. She gave a pat on my head, slightly ruffling my hair. "I'll get some warm water. Try and get some sleep, okay?"
I chuckled softly. "Okay, mom."
Mikasa rolled her eyes and left the room, leaving me staring at the wooden wall, alone. I sighed, closing my eyes with hopes that I can get some peaceful rest.
Not even a minute later, I heard the sound of footsteps, followed by a person clearing their throat. My eyes fluttered open, surprised that Mikasa already returned.
"That was quick--"
Shock struck my body, making me jerk back abruptly as I stared at the person leaning by the doorway.
"What was quick?" Levi asked with a raise of a brow.
"...Levi."
Levi made his way to my bed, stopping at the edge. "Care to explain what's going on?"
I shook my head nervously. "Explain what? There's nothing going on."
"Do you really expect me to believe that?"
I stayed silent, unsure of what to answer. "It's not hard to tell the fact that you've been losing drastic amounts of sleep for the past week."
"You... can't prove that."
Levi narrowed his eyes. "I'm insomniac (Y/N), I don't sleep much. Don't think I haven't noticed the sound of your footsteps around the cabin each and every night."
I looked away, refusing to meet his gaze. The raven let out a sigh as he kneeled down beside my bed. "Look at me (Y/N)," he ordered. I kept my head turned away.
"(Y/N)," he repeated again, this time a bit more firmly. "Look at me."
My (e/c) eyes slowly met steel blue ones, gazing at me intensely. "What's going on?" He asked, softening his voice.
I debated on whether or not I should tell him, but decided to just let him know a part of the information. "I've been... having trouble sleeping."
"I realize that. Why?"
I looked away uncomfortably, answering in a low voice. "...Nightmares."
At once, Levi's eyes softened, losing it's usual cold glint. Instead, it was replaced by a warm and understanding gaze. "I see... Have they been disturbing you all this time?"
I gave a small nod. "Every single time I close my eyes. I-I don't understand what is even going on in these nightmares, it just feels so awful and--"
I was silenced by Levi who placed a hand on my shoulder and gave a small "hush".
"You don't have to tell me anything that you're not comfortable with. You don't have to recall anything you don't feel comfortable with."
Levi's voice was strangely soft but firm, sounding almost unfamiliar to my ears.
"The only thing I ask of you right now, is to close your eyes and try to sleep," Levi murmured, his hand trailing down my arm and stopping at my hand.
My eyes flickered to the doorway, remembering that Mikasa was supposed to be back with a glass of water, but there was no one there.
I turned my attention back to Levi. "I'm... scared," I admitted softly, earning a gentle squeeze from his hand.
"Don't be. I'm right here." Levi spoke in such a way that made me feel safer than ever, his voice gentle and reassuring.
I gave him a small smile, before closing my eyes and forcing myself to be engulfed in the black tide. The only thing I remembered was Levi's gentle strokes to my hand, and a soft, soothing voice telling me that everything was going to be alright.
***
Levi watched as (Y/N) slowly drifted to sleep, observing her before ragged breaths turn into a more steady and calm pace.
When (Y/N) had mentioned that her lack of sleep was caused by nightmares, Levi had instantly been able to understand her. After all, he has had his fair share of experience with nightmares.
During that time, there was unfortunately no one to help him out. No one to talk to, and no one to tell him that it was going to be alright.
Levi gazed at the peaceful face of (Y/N). It troubled him to see the usually strong and confident woman be so scared of something. Especially considering the fact that she was the woman whom he had feelings for. So for now, the very least he can do is stay and accompany her for as long as it takes.
(Y/N) suddenly flinched, her peaceful face morphing into one full of fear. Levi responded by continuing to stroke her hand, eventually bringing it up close to his mouth to gently kiss it.
"Shh... it's okay," Levi whispered softly, relieved to see the fear slowly fading from her features. The raven kept her hand close to his face, his gentle strokes never stopping. "Everything's okay. I'm right here."
For the first time in a while, Levi finally cracked a small smile. "Sweet dreams, you stupid brat."
And upon hearing those words being spoken to at such a soft and gentle tone, Mikasa couldn't help but smile at how far the two have come.
But the smile soon faded as she remembered the ominous information her best friend had given her, regarding the two people behind the doors that are silently enjoying the presence of each other.
Mikasa stared at the glass of water in her hands with clouded eyes, feeling confused and unsure of everything around her. In the end, she decided to leave them be and let them enjoy their time, before everything would finally go downhill.