Pairing: Levi Ackerman x Female!Reader

Genre: fluff, angst

Warnings: rejection, not proofread

WC: ~2k

Request: Hello hello! I'm that person that read all your works but never requests anything 👁️👄👁️ I'm about to change that! I think we are lacking levi x reader unrequited love content so what about cadet reader likes the captain but he doesn't correspond her (he could, eventually). Thanks 💕

A/N: yay! I was finally able to pump this out. Idk why but everytime I try to write for Levi I get sooo intimidated and I feel like it's not good enough, but hopefully I'll get better as I continue. PLUS I made this with two endings since I couldn't decide which way I wanted it to go so enjoy both an angsty-ish ending and an fluffy-ish ending! Thanks for the request darling!

You found yourself staring at him more often than usual. Stealing glances when you thought you could get away with it. Face burning whenever he would catch you. It made you feel a bit stupid. I mean- having a crush on the man who's considered to be humanity's strongest soldier. Just the name made him feel so out of reach. In a completely different ballpark. This fact though did little to get rid of the crush you had on him. Especially since you had been seeing him almost daily now for the last few weeks.

Your squad has been paired with Levi's for joint training, so cooperating with him has been something new and surprisingly welcoming. At first, you were dreading it. You've heard enough rumors about the man that made you want to tell Erwin to reconsider. He wasn't really a people-person, to put it lightly. But you also knew how good of a soldier he was. How valuable it would be to your squad to learn from him and his team. Plus, it wasn't really like you were in any position to say no in the first place.

So, here you were. Out on the field for another 3DMG training session; specifically on how to perfect your movements and gain speed before landing the kill. You were paying attention to what Petra was saying- you were really- but you could feel his presence coming up behind you. It was intimidating. Distracting. You started to fidget involuntarily just as Petra finished her explanation and told you guys to try out the new tactics. You gladly moved first, heading towards the training ground and using your gear to lurch yourself into the air.

Levi came up beside Petra to watch you and your team practice. He was impressed, of course, he wouldn't have shown it, but as he watched you move through the trees and towards the Titan dummy's, he was shocked with how well you picked it up just from Petra's explanation.

"They seem to be picking up rather quickly." Petra's voice catches Levi's attention and he hums a quick response.

"Yeah, they're not as bad as you thought, Petra." Oluo comments and Petra rolls her eyes in response. The two bicker amongst themselves as Levi watches you intently as you follow Petra's advice and slice through one of the Titan dummy's neck precisely.

You smile to yourself as you use your gear to swing ahead of everyone.

"Alright, did everyone see how I did that?" You ask your team as you turn your head to look at them.

"Yeah!" They all reply and you swing over the next dummy to let your team follow your lead. It was nice to see your team evolve in such a way; it almost made you feel like a mother whose chicks are learning how to fly. Your team finishes the first set of Titans, each of them displaying a newly founded skill that Petra had taught them. Now the next part was to master it.

You made it back to Petra and Oluo and you found yourself looking for Levi, who you were pretty sure came to see how the training was going. But, he was nowhere to be found. You shrugged it off, but deep down you were a bit disappointed. As Petra began the next lesson, you shook your head of any distracting thoughts and focused back on her.

After a long day of practice you made your way back to the soldiers quarters, thinking about cleaning yourself up and taking a well deserved nap. Your shoulders and legs were starting to throb from the extensive training. It was nothing you weren't used to, but at the moment it was the only thing on your mind; making it ten times worse. As you turned the corner, your body collided with something solid. At first you thought maybe you ran into the wall, as embarrassing as it sounds it wouldn't have been the first time, but as you collected yourself and looked forward you're met with the dark eyes of Levi. You're shocked. So shocked you don't hear what he asked you until you notice his eyebrows furrow in frustration.

"Sorry, can you repeat that?" You ask as you try to regain your composure.

"I said, watch where you're going." He repeats simply before moving to the side and walking around you. The air is tense and you find yourself having trouble breathing normally after that. You're finally able to let out a long sigh and when you look up you see squad leader Hange Zoe where Levi just stood. You knew Hange for a while, helping her with her crazy projects and listening to her long winding propositions as to what Titans are, so you two were pretty close. And seeing her here you knew what she would do next. Embarrass the hell out of you.

"Wow, y/n, you look kind of flustered right now. Are you okay?" She asks in a loud voice, playing dumb. Your eyes widen as you look back to see Levi's retreating figure walking away from you. He was a decent distance away, but he still probably heard Hange.

"Hange, really?!" You whisper-yell at her and she just smirks at you.

"What, I'm concerned for my friends' well-being. Are you coming down with something?" She asks as she brings her hand to your forehead. You swat her hand away and she just laughs at you.

"You're a loudmouth, y'know." You say to her as she walks the same way Levi had gone. She gives you a quick wave before leaving down the hall, leaving you by yourself. You're a bit deflated now. Your energy that previously coursed through your veins from shock was now replaced with embarrassment. Hange practically outed your crush on Levi right in front of him. You were hoping he was just a bit dense or was willing to turn a blind eye for your sake. But one thing was for sure. You really needed to take that nap now after this encounter.

The next day you're tasked with meeting up with Levi to discuss the training so far. Basically, Erwin figured that joint paperwork on the training and it's progress would save time and effort for both of you. If you would have known how things would have gone, you would've said no to the idea. But here you were, outside Levi's office door feeling rather jittery. You knock twice.

"Come in." His voice echoes inside the small room and you take a deep breath before opening the door; your professional soldier side coming to front.

"Hello, Captain Levi." You greet as you salute him and close the door behind you. He glances up at you briefly before focusing back down on the paperwork. Erwin required a short overview every once in a while, so this should go by pretty fast; at least you were hoping it would. You brush off his coldness and take a seat across from his desk, your nerves bouncing on your chest as you can now see his face more clearly from this angle. You clear your throat.

"Where should we get started?" You announce and you both delve into your work. It was a bit easier after that now that both of your attention was focused on the training instead of how nervous you were. Actually, it was quite pleasant to hear the things he had to say about your squad and you. You both wrap up your work, dating the paper and folding it nicely. Levi hands you the paper, since you always offered to take it to Erwin, and you give him a smile.

"Same time next week?" You ask as you make your way towards the door.

"Sure." He agrees and before you're able to put your hand on the doorknob, Levi's voice stops you again. "And, y/n? I want to make something clear with you." He says and you turn to face him, eyebrows furrowed. Your silence tells him to continue. "I'd rather not have to deal with something as childish as a crush..."

Angst ending

"I'd rather not have to deal with something as childish as a crush... I want you to understand that we're strictly soldiers, acquaintances at best." His words sting. In all honesty, you were almost positive he would've rejected you anyway. He doesn't really seem like the type that settles down for a relationship; especially not in a world like this. But, the truth of it hurt- like a slap to the face.

"Yes. Yes, of course, I understand." You can't look up to meet his gaze. You feel like you're being scolded. Like you shouldn't have had these feelings in the first place. You feel small and crushable under his weighted gaze. You're uncomfortable.

"Good. glad we cleared that." Levi says as he pulls his chair forward and goes back to work. You scurry out of the room, too ashamed to stay any longer, and make your way towards Erwin's office to deliver the report. You're in a daze, one where you reply his words in your head and sink deeper into the pit of despair. As dramatic as it sounds now, you truly felt awful. You don't even realize how far you have walked until you hear Erwin's voice. You see him talking with another squad leader and you approach just as the man leaves.

"Ah, y/n. How can I help you?" Erwin asks as he turns his body to face you.

"Just came to drop this off, Commander." You say as you hand out the report towards him.

"Right on time. Thank you. You and Levi make a pretty good team." Erwin says with a small smile before excusing himself into his office. The door closes and your shoulders slump a bit from his comment. Every encounter you've had today seems to get worse and worse for you. So, you decide to retreat into your room for the rest of the day and pray that no one comes looking for you.

Fluff ending

"I'd rather not have to deal with something as childish as a crush... so, let's skip the games, okay?" His words catch you off guard and you have to blink a few times in order to fully register what he's saying to you. 'Skip the games?' You repeat in your head as Levi stands up from his chair. He walks around the desk and leans back on the edge, his full attention on you.

"I-I." You stutter and clear your throat before collecting your jumbled thoughts. "What did you say?" You question and Levi lets out a short sigh.

"Don't make me repeat it, brat." He says and your eyes widen in realization. He likes you back. At least, you hope you're not reading it wrong. Then a thought comes to you.

"Did Hange put you up to play a prank on me or something?" You ask and he scoffs.

"You think I'd listen to anything that four-eyed freak has to say to me, let alone go along with some stupid prank of hers?" Levi makes a point. He'd probably rather take on a few Titans than have to go through with a prank from Hange's mind.

"Ju-just though I would ask." You reply and look down at your boots.

"Go drop off the report with Erwin then meet me back here at 5." Levi says as he makes his way towards you. You straighten up out of instinct and you can feel your heartbeat in your ears as he gets closer. He moves to the side of you and opens the door to his office, signaling you to leave. You take the hint, cheeks erupting in flames, and walk out into the hall.

"Don't leave me waiting, y/n." Levi says as you turn towards him. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah. See you later." You finally manage to say just before he closes the door. Did...did he just ask you out on a date?