by
A Red-Blooded Man
“I…didn’t know what to say. Or do. The women looked so pretty and…,” Mikasa bit her lip, feeling stupid and completely out of her element.
Levi looked at her with raised brows. That morning he was at the naval base currently under construction on the southwestern part of the island. Jean’s battleship was scheduled to dock there in a few days, but not before off-loading some of her cargo at the southern port. The wharves and docks connecting the two ports received tons of cargo each, the dockers handling exotic imports, making robberies very common on the docks. On a busy day like today a few of the Special Forces, returning from their merchant ship escort duties, sometimes stayed at the southern port to help the military police in case they got their hands full. Many port industries developed alongside the dockyards and Levi, in charge of protecting the merchant marines, was often at the port after each mission. He was preparing to take a tea break when he found Mikasa wandering around the port, looking lost and dejected. He could tell something was wrong. What was she doing there, all dolled up but alone with nowhere to go?
“You’re shocked to find out he’s got lovers?” he asked to clarify.
“I guess so…” she answered. “I thought…I just thought he’d always…he’d only…that I’d be the only one…” Mikasa blushed. She couldn’t say it, how she just vainly assumed Jean would look only at her, ever.
“So, did you talk about having an exclusive relationship?”
She shook her head. “No, sir, we never dated. We’re just friends, I think. But I didn’t know he had other women…” She blushed again. Gosh, I feel so stupid and sound so stupid.
“Don’t be naïve, Mikasa. He was away for a year. In the Navy. He’s a red-blooded man, not a monk.”
Now she felt really foolish. “I suppose he is. I don’t know what I was thinking…”
—— AD - CONTINUE READING BELOW ——
“Did you write to him about how you feel?” he asked.
She shook her head, staring into the cup of herbal tea Levi had given her.
“Did you ask him about how he felt?”
She could only shake her head.
“Did you talk in any way about what your relationship was about?”
Again she shook her head. “I thought…I mean, all these years…he’d always been…I just assumed that…we had an understanding…of sorts…” The more she tried to put her thoughts to words the dumber she felt.
—— AD - CONTINUE READING BELOW ——
Levi sighed as he watched her drink the tea. The Ackermanns were known to be poor sods at verbal expression. He was bad, but she was a hopeless case.
“Look, Mikasa. A man can’t read minds. Not even someone as astute and intelligent as Jean.”
Mikasa was chewing on this when Caleb Pfeiffer appeared. He was one of Levi’s operators, a team leader in the Special Forces.
“Chief,” he nodded at Levi. Turning to stare at Mikasa, he whistled. “Whoa, Captain Ackermann, you look gorgeous!” He had never seen her in anything but her Army uniform, or the blue sparring gi she wore when she gave her close-quarter combat masterclasses.
“Aww, cheers, Caleb,” she smiled at him.
“Are you meeting someone, ma’am?” he asked.
“I was going to…but…”
—— AD - CONTINUE READING BELOW ——
“But she chickened out in the end,” Levi continued for her, saving her from having to explain her embarrassing predicament. “Now help me out here and say something to knock some sense into her and give her the courage she needs.”
Caleb took a flask from his pocket and handed it to her. “Here, this will help.”
Mikasa took a long swig. She felt the alcohol warm up her belly. She took another swig.
Caleb chuckled, taking the flask away from her. “That’s all you’re having for today, ma’am. Else you’ll be a blubbering mess when meeting your fellow. You should go to him. You look very nice today, it’d be a waste if he doesn’t get to see you. He’s a lucky guy,” he said with kindness.
“You’re only saying that because your boss made you,” she replied glumly.
“No, ma’am. I do mean it. You look lovely in purple, it brings out the color of your eyes. And your hair looks pretty with those curls. You really should go see him. I can drop you off if you like. Where’s this fellow, chief?” He turns to look at Levi.
“A Navy man. At this time of day, at Nicolo’s tavern most likely.”
—— AD - CONTINUE READING BELOW ——
“I’m taking the carriage and passing that way. My grandmother’s in the hospital,” he explained to Mikasa. “I got off night duty today to see her.”
As they prepare to leave, Levi helps her onto the carriage and says, “Life is short, Mikasa. Tell Jean how you feel, and if it’s mutual then great. If not, don’t waste the pretty.” She nods gratefully, thanking him for the tea and his time.
Caleb drops her off at the tavern, but not before she hands him the bouquet. “Give this to your grandmother for me. Tell her it’s from your instructor who’s competent in combat but incompetent at everything else.”
From the windows she could see that the tavern was full, as always, the din from the crowd mixing with music and dancing from one end of the hall. Mikasa waffles at the entrance. What on earth was she going to say to him? I got all dolled up to meet you at the port with flowers but turns out you’re no longer the Jean I used to know?
Thank you so much for reading! Please take a moment to share a thought or two in the comment section below. Your comments give me life and are a real source of encouragement. xoxo, hana
Next – Chapter 4: The Tavern Where It Began
Back – Chapter 2: Meet the Rivals
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Your stories are so soul soothing!
And your comments make my day! Thank you so much for the kind words❤
just too too cute levis real sweet I love their interaction here also like your caleb character this fanfics lovely it’s so heartwarming <3
Thank you so much! I always imagine Levi as having all these life experiences, and more than anyone he’s the most qualified in doling out advice. He’s been through hell and back; he’s been there, done that and all the while he’s observed human behaviour and knows more about the human condition than he’d care to admit. I’ve seen some really hot rivamika in my lifetime and I’ve enjoyed them, but here I wanted to put Levi in the role of big brother and caring senpai. I think he’s perfectly cut out for it, being fond of the 104th and all.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Caleb’s character. There are four leaders in Levi’s brigade and he’s the sweet one among them. The other three are all quite different. I hope to reach that part of my novela where they make an entrance and become part of the story.