Chapter Text
Levi Ackerman would rather be literally anywhere rather than here with you. He was silently aware of how you were ogling at him for the whole time you were on the royal carriage of Her Majesty, Queen Historia. Today, she was on her rare "day off" where she could do anything she wanted. Although she was off her queenly duties, she still remained queenly. You were requested by her to sit and wait in the carriage as she checked in and talked to the children in the last orphanage you were going to. You had a considerable portion of your skirt ripped by a hyperactive boy from the last orphanage. Historia thought it would be improper for you to walk around with one of your legs almost fully exposed. Levi saw how irked you were. From the brief time of when he was invited by the Queen to afternoon tea (something he can never decline, not for the queen, but for the high-quality tea) to now, he had already calculated your attitude. There were few things he knew. You were the daughter of a noble who had openly been against the former puppet King Fritz' reign. One of the better nobles, he thought. Besides that? He knew you were a brat.
Levi calls everyone a brat. He was known for crude language and harsh names, after all. Still, this time he meant it. You complained by the third orphanage that it was approaching noon and you were hungry and warm. Again and again, you complained. Historia-- pure, kind-hearted Historia-- laughed and lightly agreed each time. Levi had the urge to punish you, somehow. He had to remind himself that you were no cadet. In fact, those days of senseless fighting and training were behind him. He couldn't just hit someone in the name of being a superior officer. Especially not in front of the Queen.
"Sina's summers are merciless, aren't they?" You spoke, finding the silence unbearable. Across you, Levi looked up at you from the book he distracted himself with. As he took off his hand from the page, a damp imprint of his thumb was left on the paper. Disgusting. "Hmm." He drew it out. "It shouldn't be so hot with half your skirt gone, br- though." He cut himself off. It was hot, he could admit, but he was getting annoyed by your whining. You guffawed. "Good point. I suppose a three piece suit is much warmer." You lifted your exposed leg and crossed it over your other. Whatever cloth remained on your thigh hiked up higher. You were wearing trousers underneath, but they were summer trousers that were short and light on your skin. Levi only caught a glimpse of it as he turned his head out of the window. He did have a bit of a collection of suits, but this was actually one of his summery ones. Well, light grey was the most summery his limited wardrobe could get. He remained quiet, and you were once again left to quietly observe the man in front of you.
You knew Levi Ackerman, of course-- everyone knew Levi Ackerman. After Paradis defeated Marley, he was awarded more medals than anyone else in the Survey Corps. To say he was a decorated officer was an understatement. If he were to wear all his medals, you're sure it would cover the fabric on top of his toned chest. After the war, he started a tea shop business. He started in Trost, and put up a branch in Mitras. He still apparently teaches and privately tutors anyone who wants to learn basic self-defense. He was probably more well-known than you, and you couldn't just say that about anyone.
But you already picked up on all that even before this moment. Now, you were thinking about him as you saw him in the present.
Strands of raven hair fell over his grey eyes. Those tired, striking eyes, you thought. His features were sculpted, almost too perfect, too pristine. If it weren't for the couple of scars that littered his face and neck, you would think he was an untouched, inexperienced noble like you. His body was obviously toned. Even though you had pointed out his strange choice of summer clothing, you could tell it was probably the breeziest choice in his closet. The crisp light blue shirt he wore was thin and a little transparent. It hugged his body perfectly.
"Oi."
His voice brought you out of your stupor.
"What the hell are you doing?" He asked, stare hardened, questioning. You cleared your throat and straightened up. "That's oi, mistress to you." You dodged the question. Of course that was a joke, you were usually referred to as Lady. Mistress was for your servants.
He was aware of that.
"What the hell did you say to me?" Before he could continue, the carriage door opened. Historia, with her bright eyes and smile stood there. Blonde strands of hair clung to her shiny forehead. Still, she seemed undisturbed by the heat. "Levi," She nodded towards the man, one eyebrow raised at his aggressive body language. She spoke your name, acknowledging you as well. "Shall we go?"
---
You and Historia walked inside of the royal palace, arm in arm. A servant's heavy coat draped over your figure, at least covering the back of your thighs. You hung fresh clothes on your free arm. She laughed at one of your wild retellings of past dates. "That last suitor of yours was no good, I told you so!" She said, high-pitched and amused. You rolled your eyes. "Not all of us can snag a girlfriend again so easily, Your Majesty." You emphasized those last two words. Her expression fell in a way that was not melancholic, but nostalgic almost. It was one of the things that brought you and Historia together. She had an ex-girlfriend, so did you. Historia's face lit up again as thought of a retort. "If I could do that as easily as you say, I would have already asked you out, no?" She winked at you. You laughed, shaking it off. "Shut your mouth," You almost howled it. "Your Majesty." You finished with that, smiling at your dearest friend.
Levi followed behind the both of you. You two were giggling, carefree. He watched your pristine face as you spoke. Not a bit of anxiety or hurt in your body language. It was still surreal to him how they all could live like this. Peaceful.
Free.
He smiled. A soft, almost hidden smile. Historia had fought in the air against titans and she had fought on the ground for her place on the throne. She was far from pure, but you, you were almost perfectly untouched. Levi held only indifference towards the rich who were coddled and never saw a titan in their life. Now, he had newfound pride in knowing that their money wouldn't have made a difference if they were all slaughtered. A slaughter that he and his Scout Regiment stopped.
You and Historia abruptly stopped in front of big intricate doors. You recognized it as the palace's parlor room, where Historia usually held informal, leisurely meetings. She whispered something to you. You nodded and walked away, leaving Levi alone with Historia. You only spared a glance behind you, leaving on the guise of changing your clothes. Levi caught your gaze as you went.
You turned your head back, looking straight ahead and gulped. My god, that man was fine.
---
"Cap… Levi." Historia corrected herself as she held out a hand to shake Levi's. Levi took it. "Your Majesty." A ghost of a smirk appeared on his lips. Historia noticed and chuckled. "Sorry, old habits die hard." She and him sat down on their chairs across the other.
The parlor room was lavish and intricate. Deep red details covered the walls, and the heavy curtains that were drawn back was a new, expensive material only available to the richest of the rich. The large frosted glass windows diffused the early afternoon sun. Though Levi was more accustomed to his dim and cozy tea shop, he decided he didn't hate this place either. He tilted the hot, readied tea pot over each of their cups, first Historia's, and the aromatic, comforting smell of expensive oriental tea filled his nose. "It's not earl grey," Historia said as she touched the sides of her cup. She decided it was too hot for her yet. Levi appreciated that his former subordinate still remembers his favorite tea. "But I thought you would appreciate trying something rare today." At that, Levi took a tentative sip. It was earthier, a bit bitter, and yet comforting at his throat. "Hmm." Historia smiled at his reaction. "Cheers to your successful business venture here in Mitras. I could refer you to the royal supplier of this tea. They also offer some wonderful fruit-infused teas." Historia's posture was tensed, Levi noticed. She sat straight, always, as a queen. She usually did not have her shoulders so high though. Levi exhaled. "I get the sense that we're not just hear to discuss pleasantries and business gossip." He prodded. Historia cast a worried glance at him, before relaxing her shoulders. "Yes. I'm afraid that's true." She took a sip from her own cup before continuing. "Someone is out to get me." That made Levi pause a bit as he put down his cup to the table. Someone? If it were just one person, Historia's royal guard would easily be able to take care of that. Maybe if they were really tough, then another veteran, but definitely not him. Historia knew better than to disturb Levi from his calmness. Instead of asking who, he inquired: "How did you learn this?" Historia sighed and looked at the doors from where they entered. "She did." Was all she said. Levi understood. You were not just any noble after all, your father pledged allegiance with Queen Historia, and said he would support her in any way. He probably had spies employed in your last name. "She heard it herself. She asked to keep our plans inconspicuous, for my safety." Historia took another sip from her tea. "What do you want me to do about it?" Was the next thing Levi asked. "I need you to work with her. I have to act like I know nothing… and she seems to be faithful to that. She hasn't said much besides that someone had organized a group to gather information about me and eventually wanted to assassinate me." Levi thought about it long and hard. Historia continued. "I feel she would be more open to sharing information with you. I've tried to tell her I can handle it and myself, but she won't budge. She's certain any clear response from my part would alert those who are conspiring against me." She was convincing him at this point. Maybe you hadn't made a good impression, she thought. She was afraid he would be unwilling to help. Levi clicked his tongue. He didn't care about that. People died to put Historia on the throne. His own soldiers, his own uncle. It was a distant memory, but it was there. If Historia died, all that effort would be wasted. "Fine. But I have no home in Mitras. I only have my tea shop and it's quite far from the palace." He finished his tea. Historia was only half done. "Well," She hurried to finish hers. The warmth of the beverage did little to calm her nerves. It seems her reign would continue to be an uphill battle. She said your family name, prominent and proud. "You'll be staying in her estate."
Great. It seems he'll be housemates with the bratty noble he had the urge to hit.
---
You were waiting at the foyer of your estate, subtly admiring yourself in front of the big mirror that occupied one side of the walls. You wore a deep blue dress, velvet and form fitting. Your father strongly disapproved of this specific number, but who was he to tell you, an adult, what to do? In fact, he lived in the other building with your stepmother. After you turned 18, your own house was the first thing you asked for and he did not disappoint.
"Mistress, our guest is at the door." A servant said after they approached you. You eyed the windows on either side of the entrance. You wouldn't be able to see him from here, of course, he'd be in front of the door. "Excellent. Thank you, Darius. You may go." You smiled. Darius bowed and they walked away. You had especially asked to greet your honored guest yourself.
You swung open the door. The hefty mahogany felt unfamiliar to your arms. The embarrassment from that realization disappeared when you saw him.
There stood Levi Ackerman, looking at you like he would rather be cleaning shit than having to live with you.
"Welcome to my estate, Mr. Ackerman."