#bullying? not on my watch

[claywriting]

Look out for me

3600 words

first part of three: part two, part three

If you like I wrote another fic of neville, called "I can’t always be there to save you"

the Y/n is the same

Very, very slow burn

neville x f!reader

Being in the DA is one of the best things that happened to Y/n, not drawing attention on herself however has never been one of her abilities. When she found herself having to decide between defending Neville, which she isn't even so friend with or ending in the Umbridge hands she has no doubt, jumping at the rescue of the timid boy, not caring about the consequences. But this will have, and perhaps, not the ones expected.

The corridors of Hogwarts where colder that year, than ever before. Maybe only in the third year Neville found those colder, the terror of having the dementor roaming around the school and knowing that a serial killer was looking for the guy who slept in the bed near his almost make him go crazy that year. But in his fifth year the atmosphere if possible was even darker. The danger didn’t come from outside the school no more, but from the inside. The installation of the professor Umbridge was one of the worst things ever happened to the school; making the climate that the students had to endure the worst possible. Just walking around, talking freely, or looking too much could cause many problems to the younglings.

And there he was, walking alone in the afternoon, after the end of his lessons, going for the Room of Requirement, because Harry had that crazy idea, and now he was risking his neck to learn how to defend himself from crazy death eater and You-Know-who. He sighed, shaking his head, very lost in his thoughts, only listening the sound of his shoes on the floor of the empty hall; until a much faster sound captured his attention, someone coming very fast to his location. He raised his eyes just enough to look at his surrounding when a hand clashed on his back. “Hello, Darling. Going around alone? Mind if I walk with you? Pretty sure we are going in the same direction anyway and,” there she lowered her voice “Granger told us, better moving in pairs, less easy to pick on us.” A small laugh came out of a mouth next to Neville’s ear, as he moved his gaze to look at the girl that just crashed on his back.

Y/n was a year younger than him, a fellow Gryffindor, a normal girl. Pretty, Seamus once said, but no one had the courage to go tell her; her notorious hot head more than enough to keep any unwanted suitor away from her. But Neville had to agree with Seamus, she was, pretty. She had large shoulders, always waiting for one of the Weasley twins to fell of the broom (as she said) to be able to play, her hairs looked soft and well cured, even when she returned to the common room after study session they looked pretty, curled in a bum on top of her head; although that year she had cut them shorter, into a messy and carefree bob that was always, well... messy; but, and Neville could not explain that to himself, it looked like she wanted it to be like it, because even if it was chaotic, her hair looked better than ever. She had a happy smile, the one kind that make other people smile too, and a fast tongue that make her one of the targets both from the twins and the Umbridge, the firsts because they founded her annoyed words funny, and the second because she can’t seem to keep her mouth shout for her own good.

And, as the last part there were her eyes. Neville always tough that her eyes were the most mesmerizing eyes in the whole school. Able to go from looking like a sky before a storm, when she was studying or saw something that angered her, to the kindest and happiest one for almost nothing.

As one time she was clearly struggling with her head inside a book, reading for God know what time the same three lines; her face looked like she was about to explode and kill someone, and Ginny came to Neville asking for a courtesy.

“I have finished all my sweets,” she told him softly “don’t you happen to have something? This usually is enough to make her mood better.”

Now, Neville always was picked on by bullies, but after the year before when the girl crushed Gobble’s nose with her book to protect him, he felt a little more safe to walk around in the castle, especially when the girl was in the surroundings. So, he was eager to be able to help her, in everything, even the smallest thing. This was no exception, and the marvel when he noticed that, only tapping on her shoulder to offer her a candy, make her eyes transform in pure bliss. She accepted the candy so happily that make his heart warmer.

“Yes, I Know, but I didn’t find anyone; and…” he hesitated “going around with a girl is…”

She laughed, softly. “I swear Longbottom, I’ll be distant enough to not get us a detention, if someone comes by, okay?”

He nodded, slow.

“But seriously, ask me next time. I don’t like to go alone neither. And go picking Luna is a pain in the ass, I always send Ginny and Hermione. So, I don’t have to walk by myself for half of the castle.”

“She isn’t bad” tried to argue him.

“No, she is lovely. Don’t get me wrong.” She fasted explain “But, if you don’t mind, I prefer to walk with you.”

Some redness grew on the boy’s face, his hand twirling on each other’s. “I… like to walk with you too, Y/n.” he muttered.

“So, there isn’t any problem if we go together, only being safer. No cons, only pros.” She laughed, putting her hands in the pockets of the coat. “Am I wrong?”

The boy shakes his head. “As always, no, you aren’t.”

Another laugh left the lips of the girl next to him. She must have been of an extremely good mood that day, Neville thought, looking at her jumping happily in the middle of the hall, slightly ahead of him; he himself let go a smile, while looking at her. The thoughts in his head looking at the happy girl jumping and twirling her skirt, her bouncy hair free in the air, the laughter in her eyes. She was extremely good at making him happy, just by looking at her. He almost tend his hand to grab her when a cough reclaimed their attention behind them.

“Longbottom.” a snarky voice make him  froze on the spot, and slowly turn around.

The malefic trio behind them, Draco was looking at Neville with a smirk on his face, and behind him Cabble and Goyle. Neville was petrified in the middle of the corridor, unable to lift his gaze to look at the three in the eyes, one good thing was that his figure covered almost completely y/n, so when she emerged from behind him she had a very good view of the change of expression of the three guys. She smirked at them, Cabble growl ah her, Neville with a surge of curage put himself between his friend and the bully.

“Do we have any problem, Malfoy?” asked the girl, putting a hand on Neville’s shoulder, to tranquilize him. “I mean, you and your two minions, clearly have some, but we?” she looked at them funny, “We didn’t do anything wrong.”

The blonde one, the one that looked like a ferret, gaze them with attention, before a smirk grew on his face. “Do you really wanna do this, L/n?”

The girl already had her wand in her hand, but was still smiling, and the tone of her voice spoke about arrogance, against Draco. “I won’t make anything, if you don’t do anything funny, Malfoy.”

Neville thought that the tension between the girl and Draco was so thick that could be cut with a knife, both looked like as they were ready to jump at each other throat, just a wrong movement and chaos would be unleashed in the corridors. They clearly hated each other, Draco was a bitch with all the Gryffindors, but Neville has seen him with that expression only looking at Harry, he would have never thought… His gaze moved on the two behind him, Cabble looked like he was ready to rip the head off y/n, probably because last year she broke his nose, and Goyle looked as always, eager to torment someone.

“Letting a girl defending you Squib?” asked Malfoy moving his gaze on Neville, witch didn’t answer the provocation.

Y/n however did.

“Jealous, Draco? What’s the matter? Do you wish to have someone protecting you?” she makes a grimace at him, moving her weight to a foot into the other. “I can show you, if you ask properly. Be a good boy, c’mon.”

She was shitting on him, and everyone could tell; but, for once, Draco decided to be the smart one, lifting his wand as to cast a spell, Neville saw the slow movement, and understood that there made with purpose, to make the girl attack him first. And that exactly what she did, seeing Draco lifting his wand she had no instants of doubt, her wand moved almost on his own ad she casted a spell that led the blonde boy fly into a wall, crashing and falling with disgraced movement.

But, when he lifted his face, aside from a little blood that was leaking from his nose, a smile moved his face.

“She attacked me!” he started screaming. “Get her! She attacked me!”

The yells were more than enough to make her hesitate for some moments, her eyes moved to Nevilles, with a sorry look on her face; knowing that she, with her hot head, just condemned them both to a visit into Umbridge’s office. That was just a second because after that a binding curse send her flying into the hall, blocked on the floor.

Neville looked in horror his friend being sent on the other side of the corridor, her hair scattered on the cold floor and her wand fled some meters from the body of the girl. Her eyes blocked looking in another direction, open. For a second, he felt bile coming in his mouth, she looked death, but then the Pietrificus totalus malediction crashed on him too, and his thought moved in another direction, afraid for the consequences of the meet.

When Neville recuperates his body autonomy, he was already in the Umbridge office; the smell of melted rose scented wax making his eyes watery, and his throat ache. Y/n on the floor too, not far away from him. She didn’t look very worried, and this made him even more anxious, afraid of what the girl could do. It was almost like she didn’t care what would have happened to her, as long as she would have win in the long period. She wasn’t afraid of losing points from her house, to sustain the angry looks of her housemates, to end in detention every other week; it was like she didn’t care because she feels in peace with herself every time she put herself in trouble to defend someone.  So, there she was, lifting herself from the floor to sit on one of the little armchairs in front of professor’s Umbridge desk, with a little smile on her lips. Neville didn’t sit, standing behind the girl, trembling slowly.

“Is it true,” started the woman, passing her own wand from a hand to the other. “that you two attacked some other students.”

“No, it’s not.” answered Y/n fast, moving for an instant her gaze on Neville’s, which sent her a confused look. “I did. He didn’t do nothing, Miss, just standing here.” 

The professor’s gaze moved on Neville, thinning.

“I’m ready to take the Veritaserum, Miss, I was the one that cast a spell first, on Malfoy. He did nothing, was walking me to the common room.” She fidgets with her hands, slightly nervous. “I swear, Miss. Neville’s has not done anything wrong, even stepping in the middle to stop me.” she make a small laugh. “He knows I’m a hot head.”

Professor’s Umbridge sat in silence, looking only at the girl.

“Very well” she sighed “Longbottom, you are free to go. But I have my eyes on you, so be careful.” She showed him the door. “And, perhaps, choose better friends, in the future.”

Neville opened his mouth, as to protest. “I’m… I was there it isn’t right… not only Y/n…”

The girl gave him a soft smile “It’s alright, I’ll see you in the common room later. I’ve made a mistake, It’s only my fault.”

Neville looked at her in disbelief. Once again, she was just sitting there going in detention with serenity, the girl give him a last smile and then the professor forced him to leave the office.

He walked to the great hall with his hands into the pockets of his pants, the head recessed between the shoulders, and his face deformed in a sad pout. He sat there till the other members of the DA arrived and sat as well.

“Why didn’t you come to the encounter?” inquired almost immediately Ginny, leaning in his direction.

Every other member of the DA looked at him curious.

“Y/n.” he answered, gaining more curious look from his peers. “She…” he sighed “Malfoy stopped us in the middle of a hallway, and she… didn’t take well. I mean, he extracted the wand, and she attacked him…” he passed a hand on his eyes.

The Weasley let all go a laugh, followed by Harry.

“Did she hurt him?” asked Fred, with sparling eyes.

Neville just moved his head to point to the Slytherin table, where Draco’s nose was still red and swallow. The table let go another amazed laugh, one of the twins almost fall from his spot.

“She has a passion to hit on the nose of the Slytherin. I wonder if she does on purpose or what.” Ron commented between the laughs; Ginny’s, on his side, exploded in another laugh, very amused by the precision of her friend.

“I bet she does it on purpose.” Commented Dean. “She is a good Beater; her aim must be good.”

Everyone agreed with that, and, by doing so the focus of the conversation moved to the quidditch, distracting the presents, except for Neville, which keep an eye on the doors of the Great Hall, waiting for his friend. When they all get up, at the end of the dinner he makes sure to take a sandwich for the girl.

The group moved to the common room and there sated, chatting between each other, on the sofa enjoying the warmth of the fire in the fireplace. Next to Neville, Ginny was sitting on the sofa curled up in silence. In an angle Fred and George were confabulating something and, next to them, Seamus and Dean were chatting about Quidditch.

After some time, the paint of the Fat Lady opened, and, behind the entrance y/n was standing, her hand red and a black eye proud on her face.

“Sup guys,” she entered gaining the silence inside of the room, she left her robes on the armchair and sat on the sofa, next to Ginny and Neville. “did you all had a good evening?”

“What in the bloody hell happened to your face?” Hermione spoke first, breaking the silence in the room, clearly voicing what everyone were thinking, looking at her.

“Oh… yes.” Y/n answered “This… I may or may not have made the Umbridge…” she grinned “Mad.”

The silence persisted.

“I exaggerated, maybe. But that old Hag makes my patience go to the hell.” she looked at Neville’s lap, where a sandwich sat napkin-wrapped. “Is that for me honey? You are the most precious.” she added when Neville confirmed that, the food, was in fact for her. Her hand moved and grabbed the sandwich to unwrap it, and she started eating.

Fred and George moved closer curious looking at her. “And the hand? What did make you write?”

She grinned, once again. “I should have write ‘I should not attack other students.’” she moved her hand, to show the twins; Neville leaned to look at the back of the girl’s hand, on that the back a sentence.

“I will punch Malfoy” and above another sentence, unreadable.

“When I noticed what that thing was doing to my hand, I decided to write on me something that I actually believe.” she huffed. “The old hag didn’t check what I was writing, so…” She lifted her shoulder with a smile that promised chaos and moved her eyes to look at Fred and George. “Weasleys, I will need your help, if it’s not much trouble.”

The two looked at her intrigued, smelling that something was on.

“I swear Y/n if you make us loose other points…” started Ron.

“Let the lady talk Ronnie.” exclaimed Fred smacking his brother behind his head.

“Ye, I think she is cooking something in that head.” added George.

She tapped her fingers on the armrest of the sofa. “I think we’ll need the bludgers,” she muttered “and a distraction to sneak into the office while she is away.” added eyeing Ginny, she huffed. “But before anything else I need a shower, and a good night of sleep.” the girl eyed the twins once again. “I hope we’ll discuss this thing better tomorrow morning, yes?”

The two grinned at her.

And Neville stood here looking at y/n and the twins, the stomach twisted with anxiety and, maybe, something else.

Two weeks passed by with nothing done from y/n, it looked like that only speaking about terrible things with the twins was enough to keep her satisfied, but Neville couldn’t shake that horrible feeling that was aching his chest. He, used to have her spawning around him at the most random moments, was now seeing her only in company of the two ginger boys. Even Ginny, that was a good friend of the girl, was barely seeing her outside of the lessons. At lunch and dinner, she always sat with Neville and Ginny, and now her new place was between the two brothers, in the corridors looked like they walked to her and with her to every class; and after the lessons she was allowed to stick to them constantly, at quidditch practice, during the DA meetings, in the common room during the evening.

Neville was looking at all this with a pouty face and nervous attitude, ready to snap to everyone that talked about the trio in a different way than to complain. Ginny and Hermione being his best ally on this ques. The first because the one girl that was hatched by her brother was her best friend who she was deeply missing, and the other because she didn’t want to attract Umbridge attention on the Gryffindor house. So, during an evening in the common room, during which Neville was studying at a table in silence the two girls popped at his side, sitting with a disappointed groan.

“We must stop the three of them.” Hermione said with no further ado. Neville lifted his eyes from the book he was reading to send the two girl a confused look, tilting his head, no more invitation was needed for the girl to continue. “They are going to get us in trouble, if they get caught in no time the Umbridge will know about the DA, and then, we all be marked.”

Neville shot a look at Ginny, which nodded. “To be honest you know, I’m only pissed because she now spends all her time with those two,” she moved her hair behind her ear “aren’t you? You used to walk everywhere together, and now she goes with them.” The two girl sent him inquisitive looks, curious about his answer, and he blushed.

“I… you know, since the beginning of the year walking with a girl can send you in detention.”

Ginny gave him a kick under the table.

“Don’t be stupid,” She hissed. “and don’t lie to me. I know you miss it, she doesn't even spar with you at the DA.” The redhead takes her breath in, as Hermione moved her gaze to look at the girl they were talking about that was just walking inside the room with the twins.

“We know it pisses you too, Neville.” Hermione said softly “And we know that seeing her happy makes you happy too, but…”

At this point the boy shook his head, asking himself why he was listening to the two girls. He closed his book, his cheeks red and suddenly stood up, interrupting that and other conversation in the room. Even Y/n which in the last period was so taken by the twins to even look at him stopped her chatting to stare in silence. Seeing Neville, the quiet, unsure, boy stand up like that, the face angry and the hands closed in firsts was a new gaze to all the presents, and so everyone stopped what was doing to look in awe at the scene. “I’m not gonna put in the middle.” Said the boy with no hesitation whatsoever. “If she is happy, then I am. That’s it.” He spoke, leaving Hermione and Ginny to look at him confused, or better, surprised from the reaction. He waited long enough to see the two nods before taking his book and fly in the direction of his room, the eyes of the common room that were piercing the back of his head.

Many times, Y/n had saved him from the bully, the last time just a few weeks prior, when the bully stopped being a student and has become a professor, he could have never token something that made her happy, even if that meant was left behind. He passed a hand on his eyes, trying to make the tears that were stinging his eyes return, and succeeded, remaining in silence, on his bed, looking at the ceiling while in the common room the chatting was returning to his normal pace.

hello hello hello i hope you liked this little thing, is shorter than the other one, but I'm writhing other parts too and working on other fiction as well.

If you wish to be tagged in part two (and three as well) let me know; and if you have any request or ideas. Anything will be precious to improve myself. <3

I take a moment to tell, I don't have a beta reader and, since I'm not english, I would appreciate some help.

thank you all, send love <3

[council-of-colors]

Me when the big sister™️ is big sistering

[krysmcscience]

I have some questions about karaoke night, Alex Hirsch. Very Important Questions. Which I will happily scream at a poor hapless baby triangle who can have no answers for me, and possibly also does not have object permanence yet.

Follow-up that is I guess suggestive, but let's be real here, Bill's a fucking triangle:

Dude slipped right into his birthday suit, lmao

this is so stupid :D

Anyway, I don't care what anyone says, this brilliant individual knows what's up - Bill is absolutely way more of a monsterfucker than Ford could or ever will be, full stop.

[hwathwugu]

A classic western tale

[soyochii]

Grown adults but also Highschool bullies fr

[a-most-beloved-fool]

makes me a little sad when star trek ignores IDIC. like. vulcans are logical. that is true. But 'logical', for vulcans, does not amount to 'without compassion,' and it definitely doesn't amount to 'racial superiority.' Belief in 'infinite diversity in infinite combinations' should NOT result in the weird racist/speciest stuff we're getting in some of the newer treks. It does make sense that some vulcans are discriminatory. They're still flawed. But that should not be common or expected, like it seems to be in SNW. If it is, then it's a race of hypocrites, which. doesn't seem very true to Star Trek's message.

I think TOS Spock does a pretty good job of embodying this. Not always, it was the 60s, after all, but mostly. He was often trying to find non-violent routes, and get by without killing - even if they were in danger or had already been attacked. (See: the mugato, and the horta (until Kirk was the one in danger, lmao. t'hy'la > IDIC), the Gorn ship). Kirk, in his eulogy, calls him the most human soul he's ever known, and I've always read that as Kirk calling out Spock's overwhelming compassion.

It's just so much more interesting when Vulcans get to be radically compassionate. I want them to believe that everything and everyone has value. I want them to respect all ways of being. I want them to find ways for even very non-humanoid aliens to exist unfettered in society. I want them to see hybrids and think that it's amazing. Also, like, disability rep. I want Vulcans to have The Most Accessible Planet and available resources because they want everyone to feel accepted and valued. It makes for better characters and more interesting stories.

[hiphopcherrrypop]

something sowmthing the kageyama brothers + their blue eyed weirdboys

[homoesia]

soukoku dance (insp by episode 507)

[that1notetaker]

How did Narinder and The Lamb meet? Also, have u named ur lamb?

Narinder: Someone reeks of death and not the dying kind whossit. The lamb: Narinder, about to break his self isolated streak, socially handicapped after millenia indoors: Fucks sake Technically they met here at a festival. (literally a fancy excuse for the gods to have fun and devotion to grow. Also another reason.) Narinder was about to make a break for it when the lamb with their weird vibes came in. Also, nope. I don't have a name for the lamb yet. Tempted to name the guy Lamb-o for shits and giggles.

[buddhamethods]

-Compliment each other, huh? You two deserve the hashtag #KongthapAtom.

My Love Mix-Up! (2024) dir. Au Kornprom Niyomsil

[ameliadoesstuff]

these are fun

[friendofozma]

Thinking about the line in hatchet town “Singing all these songs gives him greater windows to kill, but we're singing still!” and how it implies that the song is diegetic (the characters in the story know that they’re singing). In fact, according to the lyric, they know that they’ve been singing MULTIPLE songs throughout the show. I am thinking about the implications of characters IN A HATCHETFIELD MUSICAL being AWARE that they are SINGING.

PROMISE ME YOU’LL THINK ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS!!

[chrliekclly]

ummm first time becoming self conscious about the way you act with your best friend because of some middle school bullies :)

[heyhollow]

Are we gonna have a problem?

You gotta bone to pick?

Final decided to do some stuff with them for the au!!

Relationship chart:

Click to read them

Extra fact: Micheal uses a fake American accent around his friends/in public. Cuz I think it's funny and they live in Utah

Close ups

They make me ill your honor

[cloudsofteeth]

1 weed plz

[leviraaaaaa]

𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭

𝘞𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵e𝘭𝘭

Levi let out a sigh of relief the moment your silhouette appeared through the shadows, tensed shoulders relaxing. He turned his head, all focus shifting instantly to you.

“You.” He exhaled, a hint of exasperation in his tone, indicating that the little time spent without your absence had not been very fun. “Where have you been?”

“Hi. Went to scout.” You answered, reaching the little campfire to stand beside Levi. All your friends sat circling it. Levi’s subtle, not very subtle eagerness at your arrival seemed to have triggered something, making the already guffawing crowd of people laugh even harder. Concluded with Levi’s sour face, it wasn’t very hard to guess what the subject of amusement must have been.

“Oh, are we bullying Levi again?” You beamed, nudging Levi’s leg with your foot, signaling him to give you space. “Scoot over. I want to join too.”

Levi shot a glare, but shifted to let you sit beside him. As another wave of laugher sparked through your friends, you plopped down on the grass, folding your legs. It was a chilly night, and everyone wanted to stay near the fire, therefore, the circle was so tightly formed around the fire, you could barely squeeze yourself between Levi and Nifa.

“Sit on my lap, why don’t you?” Levi grumbled, scowling and squirming a little at the close contact.

“What? It’s cold. And you’re warm.” You said as you sat down. “What are you so pissy for anyways?” You pressed yourself tighter, curling yourself up against him, uncaring of the poisonous gaze. You’ve learnt a long ago, half of Levi's words didn’t mean shit, that if he actually was uncomfortable, you wouldn’t even be here right now, he would’ve broken a bone or two. Levi’s personal space wasn’t something he let anyone come through, but you’ve been an exception for that for a long time.

And he was warm. A warmth that surprisingly only the cold, cold man was capable of.

And as always, the low protest died soon and he adjusted to let you lean against him.

“Hange.” He muttered, answering your previous question. “They’re trying to convince people to marry me.”

“Wonderful.” You grinned, “I volunteer.”

“I hate you.”

Cue for a very drunk Hange cracking up again, leading the others to join in. Even Erwin, ever regal and solemn, couldn’t seem to be able to hold the small smile from forming. With Hange’s contagious laughter and Levi’s scowl, it was impossible to.

“Oh why’d you let Hange drink again?” You laughed, watching them as Moblit struggled, trying to pry the bottle out of the section commander's grasp. “They're gonna be terrible to deal with tomorrow.”

“They insisted it was one sip.” Erwin said solemnly.

“Well, that sure seems like one sip.”

“But seriously though,” Nanaba piped in, shoulders still shaking with the waves of laughter. “Levi’s got all that spunk, but no bitches.”

“Stubborn shortie-” Hange's voice was cut of as they hiccupped

“Shut up. All of you. Please.” Levi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “

“Point stands. In your mid-thirties, Levi. How long are you going to wait?”

“Why,” He huffed. “Are you people so insistent on analyzing my personal life every damn time? Do you not have anything better to do?”

“Only well wishers.” She gave him a smug smile. “That’s what friends do, they care for each other.”

“No. You just want to give me shit.”

“Well, that too.” She shrugged.

“Iffff—if anything,” Hange stumbled in, rubbing their eyes. She glanced at you pointedly. “You could at least date her. That’d be nice.”

“So I keep telling him.” You feigned a disappointed sigh.

“Don’t fucking egg them on.” He hissed, face heating up at the suggestion. How could they even think it’d work out? He thinks, against the thoughts tugging. Ridiculous. They were ridiculous. You were just as ridiculous. So what does he do with this ridiculous fucking feelin–

“Oh but look,” Hange leaned forward, squinting to watch the two of you, their glasses reflecting off the fire and casting shadows on their face. “ Do mine eyes deceive me or is Ackerman over there blushing?”

“No.” The denial was quick. A little too quick.

“I confirm.” Nanaba smirked. Miche grunted.

“No.”

“Oh, Levi.” Erwin’s eyes glimmered amusement.

“I will hit you. Don’t even go there.”

The roar of laughter only grew louder.

And the night rolled on, the nonsense bickerings and banters continued. Friendly faces and friendly voices, joking and teasing and laughing without a care in the world. Bottles clinked, the firelight glinting on them. At one point, you and Hange started singing some stupid song you’ve heard in the fair, rocking back and forth with the music. And you weren’t certain, but you could swear there was a hint of melody even in the wind blowing by. And it was cold, but with Levi beside you, you were okay. But that was okay, it was okay. More than okay, really. The happiness was overwhelming.

.

“You know,” Hange called out suddenly. They had taken to fully sprawl out on the grass. They’d been quiet a while, and you had thought they must’ve passed out, but appears not.

Everyone turned to look at them.

“This is nice isn’t it?” They mumbled, blinking up to the sky. “I mean, sure, we might die tomorrow, but this is nice. I wouldn’t really mind dying.”

“You know, what would’ve been nice, Hange?” Nanaba said, watching Hange. And despite the words itself, she was smiling. “To not mention death.”

“I know but,” Hange sat up, grinning. “This is not too bad as a last night of your life right? I wouldn’t mind.”

And for a second, no one spoke. Perhaps, it was because all were drunk more or less but that hit harder in that moment. Unsaid words were spoken in silence, the wind carrying the oaths away. And even Levi’s eyes had softened.

Only Hange could say words like that with that face, you thought. You weren’t sad, not really. Because Hange was right. Being a scout meant learning to appreciate every breath you can take, and nights like this were as good as they’d come.

“Aww Hange.” You sighed, grinning back. “Cheesy much? You’re making Levi all squirmy.”

“No, I am not—” Levi’s protests were buried as the group jumped in yet again another session of Levi leg-pulling.

But despite it all, Levi thought.

Pissheads, all of them were. But nevertheless.

He watched you with the corner of his eyes, watching you as you laughed your head off to something Eld said, shoulders shaking, the firelight making your eyes glitter. And you were so close, so close, he could hardly breathe. And the urge to wrap an arm around you, to pull you closer. To feel you against him.Would that be so wrong of him? If he leaned close, would you pull away? But it’s okay, he thinks.

Hange was right.

It’s okay if he dies tomorrow. He wouldn’t really mind.

He didn’t really mind right now either.

He finds it strange that he didn’t really mind it. Any of it.

He didn’t mind Hange or Nanaba or any of them.

He didn’t mind your stupid little jokes, clearly made with the intention to piss him off. He didn’t really mind that you were so close. He didn’t mind that your head on his shoulder. He didn’t mind a lot of things that he thinks he would’ve minded if it was anyone else but you.

He doesn’t really know how it works. He doesn’t like thinking about the strange little feelings in his heart that tugged everytime you smiled, or the way his stomach tightened whenever you flirted with him so casually.

And maybe one day he’ll tell you. Maybe he won’t

Does it matter? Is it not enough to only have you alive and close?

He’s here now. With everyone and with you.

He’s home.