Chapter Text
Like almost every day, Levi was sitting on one of the terraces under the arcades overlooking the town square, the wheelchair taking up most of the space between the small table and the window of the café. It had been five years since the end of the war but the scars could still be seen on the buildings still awaiting repairs, barely secured and with blackened walls. The new government had promised aid to restore normalcy to the city, but not a penny seemed to reach the neighborhood. Although the barbed wire fences had long since disappeared, Liberio seemed determined not to forget that Ymir's children still lived in that ghetto. In spite of everything, the Eldians didn't seem ready to give up.
The morning was warm for a month of September, the last traces of the summer bidding farewell before giving way to autumn. A light breeze snuck between the columns of the arcades. Levi couldn't help but notice the awnings of the street stalls. Reds, golds, blues and oranges covered the west side of the square, filling it with vibrant colors. Dozens of artisans had come from far and wide, bringing with them gold work, jewelry and sweets that were normally impossible to find anywhere in the city. All around them, children shouted and laughed. The smell of cotton candy seemed to have permeated the air. Tablecloths and colorful draperies covered the makeshift counters. It wasn't the first time Levi felt like an outsider in the middle of the crowd but he let the feeling pass through him undeterred. Gabi and Falco deserved to be able to enjoy the festivities without having to worry about him. It was the least Levi could do.
“They didn't have Earl Grey," Gabi sat down next to him, leaving the tray on the table. “I ordered Darjeeling.”
Gabi had ordered herself a latte, the thick foam drawing a perfect heart. The powdered sugar completely covered the pumpkin jam pastry that they always used to share. The small black iron teapot rested next to a small porcelain cup.
“How long does it take to brew?” Gabi asked.
“Four minutes.” Levi lifted the lid of the teapot and breathed in, enjoying the fresh aroma of the tea before putting the lid back on. “What's wrong?” Levi frowned at the smile on Gabi's face.
“Nothing, I'm just happy. It's nice to see you relaxed for once.”
Levi raised his face. It was hard to recognize the girl-soldier in the woman who laughed nonchalantly as she watched the kids playing tag among the market stalls. Sometimes Gabi reminded him of Isabel. It was amazing that after all she had seen she could still marvel at the sound of the birds at dawn or at the wet sand under the soles of her feet at the seashore.
“Are you sure you wouldn't rather go to the harbor to meet them?” Gabi took a sip of coffee, the foam staining her lips. “Armin said they'd arrive with the twelve o'clock ferry.”
“Too many people.”
Levi picked up the small silverware and took the plate with the pumpkin jam pastry. Gabi had laughed at him the first time he had seen him eat it with a knife and fork. Levi couldn't understand how Gabi could stand the powdered sugar sticking to his fingers and falling all over the place.
“It shouldn't be long now, either.” Levi looked at the time on his watch.
The dark leather strap was a little worn but it fit comfortably on his wrist. Levi had had the cracked dial repaired. Maybe he could give it to Falco as a gift. Hopefully, he will get to see Falco before the end of the day. Something for him to remember Levi by when he was gone. It was a good watch. Reliable and sturdy. It had been Erwin's. And before that, Erwin's father's.
“Captain Levi!” As if he had been summoned at the mere mention of him, Armin's high-pitched, almost childish voice interrupted his train of thought. “I'm so glad to see you!”
“I was beginning to think you were too busy for this old man.” The scar across his lip tightened, turning his attempt at a smile into a grimace. “You're looking good.”
“Falco's not with you?” Armin sat down in one of the empty chairs facing away from the square. “I wanted to say hello to him too.”
“He's been helping with the preparations all week, I guess he'll be here later.” Gabi replied. “He'll most likely be running around here somewhere. I thought Reiner and Jean would be with you.”
“They'll be here later too. They were needed at the embassy and only I was able to get away first. It seems incredible that it's been five years already.”
The screeching of a microphone deafened them for a moment. The stage had not been set up until the day before, and the sound checks were still in progress. The whole neighborhood had done their part to make sure that night would be perfect. There were many in Liberio who still remembered Eren's attack in that same square. The hatred was still very much alive in the memory of too many people.
“Having to give public speeches still gets on my nerves.” Armin looked at the stage with apprehension. “Isn't it ridiculous?”
“Tch, so what if it is ridiculous?” said Levi, picking up the teapot carefully with both hands. The tea was still boiling, the green glowing brightly against the white inside the cup. “You've earned the right to worry about whatever crap you want.”
“I guess you're right.” It was nice to hear Armin laugh in a carefree way. The world had forced them to grow up so fast that sometimes it was all too easy to forget that they were all just kids. “We missed you at the memorial. Even Mikasa was there. I thought you would have at least wanted to visit the Commander's grave.”
“I don't need to see a tombstone with his name on it to know he's dead. It's just bones.”
The cup slipped from his hand before he could get to take the first sip. The still-boiling tea splashed everywhere, dripping across the table and sliding down to soak his lap.
“Tch," he grunted as he felt the liquid soak his shirt.
Pinned as he was against the wall, he barely had room to move out of the way as the tea continued to drip, sliding down his leg. Levi tried to peel his shirt off his chest, the unpleasant sensation against his skin. Levi was a complete idiot. Five years later and he was still forgetting that he'd lost his index and middle fingers.
“It's okay!” Gabi got up, rescuing one of the paper napkins and wiping the table. “We'd better go home.”
Levi just wanted a quiet day with Gabi and Falco; to be able to say goodbye to Armin and the rest of the Survey Corps that had traveled to Marley; to give them a good day they could remember without thinking about what would come next. Just that. It wasn't so much to ask.
“Yes, please.” Levi sighed, unable to look Armin in the face as Gabi helped him out.
He had the impression that all eyes were on him. He didn't need to see the pity reflected on Armin's face. Levi had prided himself all his life on not needing anyone and now he couldn't even tie his shoes without Gabi or Falco helping him.
“You'll be here for the speeches tonight, right?” Armin asked, pushing the table aside and making room.
Even with his wheelchair, smaller than anything he could have found at Marley's or Paradis, Gabi had trouble getting him out of there. In the last hour, the terrace had been filling up and the rest of the tables had ended up shutting them into a corner.
“What are you looking at?” Levi grunted to the couple at the next table. “Are you enjoying the show?”
The stares were the same ones that had followed him for many years on the surface just for being an outcast from the Underground. That air of smugness always managed to set him on edge, as if they had any right to judge him for doing what he could with the cards life had dealt him. Levi spat on the ground.
“Levi, let it go.” Gabi pushed him away, apologizing with a little bow. “Why do you have to keep getting into useless arguments?”
“I still have some self-respect left. Maybe you should practice it.” Levi lashed out at Gabi, knowing he would regret his words later. “I don't have to put up with a bunch of assholes.”
“Captain!” Armin shouted, cutting off the string of expletives. Standing upright under the portico, he squared his shoulders in a military salute.
All around him, many other people began to imitate Armin. Levi felt a shiver run down his spine. He was barely able to contain the urge to vomit. Levi had never done anything to deserve such praise. Much less, then. It had always been Erwin.
“It's been a long time since your rank surpassed mine, Commander.” Levi frowned.
Too many years had passed, but the word still left a bitter aftertaste.