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Eren walked through the long and cold corridor. The castle was huge and it took time just to pick a botanic book from the library and bring it back to your best friend's bedroom.
Training had been intense that morning, so they all had their afternoon off. Eren felt a bit guilty about doing nothing because he felt perfectly fine. With his healing powers giving him energy and no sore muscles, he voluntereed to do tiring little tasks of his friends so they could rest.
It was quite funny to see Jean too tired to whinge. Last time he saw him, he was staring at the fireplace, trying to keep up with the quick movement of the flames.
Eren was as lively as the beginning of the day though. He would probably take a walk in the woods later, to enjoy some time alone. But for now, he had to grab that book for Armin.
He entered the library and walked to the bookshelf on the left. Armin had described the spine of it so precisely, it took him only two seconds to find it.
Because he was looking at the volume in his hands, he almost missed the two sleeping silhouettes on the couch across the room.
He first recognized the long and reddish hair of Sasha, they weren't in a ponytail as usual, but falling on her shoulders and on someone's head.
Eren blinked twice when he recognized the man sleeping against her. He seemed relaxed and... at peace. Since when was Captain Levi this comfortable with Sasha? With anyone, actually?
Eren stayed still, surprised and intrigued by this scene. Humanity's strongest was resting his head on potato girl's right shoulder. Their arms were touching. They were taking a nap together like they were long date lovers.
Eren began to think. To look out for clues in his memories of those two. He had rarely seen them speak to each other, only for necessary information. But, he had noticed they were always the last ones to leave the table at dinner. He had assumed Sasha was eating the leftovers and Captain Levi liked to finish cleaning the table himself. Maybe that was how they started hanging out?
Sasha, still asleep, slightly moved to get more comfortable against Levi, who unconsciously responded by slightly adjusting his head on her shoulder.
Eren realized he must have been staring at them for minutes now, and he finally resumed his book delivery. On the way out, he slowly closed the library door, hoping it wouldn't make any noise.
His body lead him upstairs, to Armin's bedroom, but his mind was still wondering about his friends taking a nap together. They really seemed close back there. It was so strange to Eren because Captain Levi was his idol, his hero, his superior. He was a cold, proud and impassive man. But Eren had seen Sasha grow up with him in the Training Corps. She was his friend, a member of his new family. She was that sunlight that brightened everybody's day with her smile and jokes.
"Eren, are you ok?"
The man went back to the present and acknowledged Armin's presence. He had arrived in his bedroom and probably stood there for a while.
"Yeah, I'm good," he replied. "Here's the book."
Armin took it without looking away from Eren, who sat next to him.
"Did something happen?" the blond man asked.
"No, I just saw-"
He stopped his sentence. Maybe there was a reason he had never seen Levi and Sasha close before? Maybe they didn't want him to see them? Maybe they just wanted to be left in peace together, without the endless questions and stares of everybody?
"Nothing," Eren finally said.
Armin stared at him for a while before smiling and opening the book. The best friend knew some things had to remain silent. That was another quality of him Eren admired.
Armin had all the strengths Eren didn't have. They were so different, but they've been best friends since their childhood. Sometimes, people with opposite personalities got along very well. Sometimes, they would complement each other and would get through life together. Like day and night. Water and earth. Tea and potatoes.