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Dusk grew over the skies. Two veterans sat across from each other, candlelight brightening the room just enough for the men to pay focus on their work. Strewn about the long, wooden table were piles of paperwork to be dealt with. Levi, having made quick work on his end, nonchalantly sat before the neat and tidy piles, enjoying a hot drink as reward. Naturally, the cup was held in his unusual manner. Nile breathed in frustration at the shorter man—ever the stoic he was, and somehow so efficient when it came to practical matters.
Nile dipped his pen into a glass of ink and he signed off a couple of the papers. His focus was pinpointed so as not to make a mistake, or God forbid spill the ink; for a question circled his mind and he debated bringing it up in a casual way. Though, he knew the reaction this would cost him, curiosity had won.
"So, Levi," he began.
"Nile." the other acknowledged in an uninterested tone, taking a sip of his tea.
"How long have you been seeing the Queen?"
Levi coughed, choking on the beverage. He recollected himself quickly. "I beg your pardon?"
Nile remained calm, but couldn't suppress cocking his eyebrow slightly. "You heard me." It was a humorous sight seeing Humanity's Strongest nearly choke on his tea.
Levi had set aside his cup and crossed his arms. He shot a glare at the other gentleman. "Is that your business now? Having an interest in the Queen's personal affairs?" Truth be told, he tried in vain to dodge the question, but he admitted it sounded awfully shady once the words left his lips. Had Historia said something? It was under his impression that the pair agreed to keep things under wraps. For the young Queen to go against their agreement seemed absurd to him.
Nile shuffled some paperwork, shaking his head. His eyes looked heavy and tinted a shade of purple. "Hey now. My eldest daughter will be close to her age soon, so if you want to call it an interest, well... I suppose it's more of a concern. An interesting method indeed, avoiding my question, Captain."
"Tch," Levi scoffed. "How nice of you. I would suggest that you ask Her Majesty. As her adviser, I'm not obliged to reveal anything, particularly not to you."
"No need to treat me with contempt,"
"Haven't I always?"
Nile sighed. "If you're wondering, Historia has said nothing."
Grey eyes darted to the older man suspiciously. He chose not to speak, and Nile took this as a leeway to continue.
"I have noticed the little things, you could say. It was the same for me once, with Marie. The small gestures, the lingering hands, the way you look at each other. Such things a man like myself might notice."
"Ah, you're a romantic now," Levi joked bitterly, a strong dislike brewing.
"Maybe I am,"
The two men sat in a comfortable silence for a minute, their eyes somber. Levi cleared his throat, kicking a bootclad leg over his knee. "I'll share one thing with you, Nile,"
"Go on,"
Levi looked to the taller soldier with his usual cool composure, but his eyes burnt a serious statement.
"No one else can protect her. It can only be me."
The passion in his short answer took Nile aback, and he couldn't help chuckle softly. He reassured. "This, I trust."
Levi looked on sternly then. "That is all I will say concerning Historia."
A short pause remained between the two as they resumed their duties, but Nile wanted to press on further, much to Levi's chagrin. "You're an awkwardly nice man, Captain Levi, and she's a nice girl. Why don't you settle down and marry her?"
"I've already devoted my heart, as much as I want to—"
Levi stopped himself, muttered something unintelligable and looked away. Nile looked at him sadly then, hands folded underneath his chin. Memories of their old friend and his influence on the pair began resurfacing. Erwin truly had left a mark. Nile decided it was wise not to push for the rest of that sentence. Instead, he gazed out of the window, the full moon glowing upon them and stirring cycles of sentiment between the gentlemen.
"Sometimes, on days like this, I'm so exhausted I can barely think," the older soldier kept his regard on the moon. "My eyes hurt, my feet hurt, and the stresses of the day have built up.
Then I make it home, and it's late, this means my youngest is already put to sleep, so I try not to wake her. My wife prepares me a pot of tea, and I bid goodnight to my eldest girls before they, too, retire to bed. This security in being surrounded by those I am familiar brings a sense of accomplishment. I'm certain I'm not mistaken when I say that all men feel this satisfaction. That you are the provider to the family, and that your means of hardship are only for their safety and comfort. Knowing this, I feel complete in my choices."
As Nile finished his soliloquy, he spotted in the corner of his vision that something had changed about the younger man. His icy eyes had softened. What was he thinking about, to be gazing off at the wall in such a way?
The Captain gave a low "hm" and spoke a gentle "I see," while maintaining his emotional distance, before returning to his silence. The Commander took this opportunity—as Levi had not reacted to him in violence or anger—to expand on his reasoning for suspecting the pair's entanglement.
"I suppose I noticed you do speak favourably of the Queen. It wouldn't be far off to assume you took a liking to each other."
"Is that so?"
"Her cheerfulness certainly brings out the best in you,"
"What did I say about not speaking on Historia?"
"Likewise," he ignored. "You can keep her in check as both her adviser and her lover."
"..."
"Should I go on?"
"I urge you to be quiet, unless you want a boot up your ass."
Nile laughed aloud at that and Levi grimaced in response. His teasing was meant only in jest, but he had hoped, both as a father and a husband, that his words might reach the Captain to come to a reasonable decision. Nile knew with Historia being in such a vulnerable position, while maintaining her power it was necessary to have protection from within her immediate circle. He had some pity for the two, who both put their duties before their personal needs and wants.
While he was there, defending his selfish reasons for choosing family over anything else. Why should the strongest man on the island be forbidden from this? Why should the dutiful Queen herself be forced to hide her love, and forever be portrayed as an unhappy puppet longing for what she cannot have? This is ostensibly how the public wished for the pair to remain, despite their gratitude, which Nile saw as a pretense.
"I suppose this rumour will be the new talk among the MPs."
Nile looked at Levi, slightly offended at his words, but decided he would not provoke him any longer, for it would be cruel. "I'm happy that you could share as much as you have," he said. "What you and the Queen do is between the two of you," he continued. "As far as I'm concerned, your secret is safe with me."
At that, Levi's candelit face softened faintly, just enough for the ever dubious eye of Mr Dok to notice. The Captain, who was slouched back against the chair, straightened up then and took a small stack of papers that were left in a mess. He began organising them, relieving the Commander of the chore.
Perhaps Erwin's old friend was not such a bastard, after all.