Who knew that day after day of chasing titans, it could lead to the weirdest of conclusions. SnK drabbles, one-shots, fluff, AU, you name it. Requests now being accepted!

Thanks to the first review, I've made this one a Rikasa. I never said anything about it only being about Eren and Mikasa! This story is smooth so far! I've actually had this one prepared too, so yeah, another update, another drabble. [Did I forget to mention about spoilers? Sorry if this is short. I promise the next one will be longer! Oh god... For those who aren't caught up with the series, please don't go any farther than this!

I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin.

II. Solemn

Every solider would feel this, right? It flashes through their eyes, it scars them to the brink of madness. Yet it's easily hidden. The exact feeling of blank emotions.

It felt lonely. Very lonely.

Levi, being as cruel and heartless as he was thought as, could not possibly contain the fact that Petra had been brutally killed by a Titan. A figure that they best avoided. Something that they believed that wasn't always the cause of death, let the only way be through old age. The guilt still dawned on him, irony adding on when the woman's father came to talk to him after the expedition about how Petra had some feelings for him, and how grateful he was that Levi had taken her into his squad. Nevertheless, he could only do his best to ignore reality in that small bit of time, walking off the situation as if nothing happened.

Chasing after titans was back-breaking work, as well as a blood bath, not to mention a plethora of corpses lining up body after body. Levi didn't really care whether or not each solider had made it back alive, for as long as he didn't feel afflicted into a cavity of pity, he worked as an independent man, his team right behind the reins.

His team that was behind the reins.

He never felt it before; it came as a blur, a masked maniac, disguised as the feeling that he dreaded the most to feel. Yet after holding the hand, the flesh of Petra's dead body, he could no longer contain himself. He needed to let go before this ruined his reputation.

And now here he was, sitting alone, drinking up warm water and staring into the small candle in front of him. Having no one to talk to had become a nuisance, and conversing with the other captains was like taking in bullets in his ears. The role of being stuck with only the trainees should have gone to the other Survey Corps, or rather a place where they'd leave him in peace.

Then came Eren, whom he had plucked out from trial and ate him down until he had found a place in the corps. Yet out of all people, why would he still presume under his care, where as the others, bold and fierce, had been foolish enough to be killed in an instant? Just having Eren switch places with Petra could hone his roaming emotions, yet fate had acted cruelly and taken away the people who had been so precious to him, only to have Eren aback and still within his sight. It was either because of seeing him each day, or the lack of sleep, but his eyes were practically loathing his body along with his mind. He needed to be alone for the time being. Laying back, he began to relax, only to be disturbed by the sound of footsteps behind him. Turning swiftly yet cautiously, his thin orbs came in contact with Mikasa's weary and lost. "What do you need, Ackerman?"

"I'm just grabbing some water. I'll be back in my room shortly." She said like a child. "Won't you get some sleep, Captain?"

"When I feel like it, I will." He muttered. "It's bad enough that the expedition left some mental scars." Mikasa stopped in place, only turning towards him. "I see,"

"You've got some too, don't you Ackerman?" Levi commented, wiping his forehead. "About Eren, and what happened? Seems you've been lacking in your abilities ever since that day. Tell me. I've wondered..." Mikasa didn't refuse to answer, yet she did feel a bit of a resistance, especially since this was a person that harmed her sibling and yet had more to learn about. Yet she felt something around him, especially since he had done something so generous in her own eyes. Walking over to Levi, he cocked a brow, only to see her bowing at him.

"Thank you, Captain... For saving me there..." Mikasa bowed in gratitude. "And especially for giving Eren a chance to live..."

"I wouldn't mean anything like that if I tried. And besides, you're his sister, aren't you? I only did what benefited for your sake." He said in a strong tone. Yet that was lost, as Mikasa leafed her arms around him, sobbing softly. "If it wasn't for you... I couldn't imagine what would happen if you haven't had taken Eren in. I'm very grateful for what you've done."

"It's fine, Mikasa," He muttered, resting his hands on her shoulders. "Just go, get some rest. It's going to be another tough day tomorrow." She nodded, only to walk off from his sights. Sighing in content, he did the same, heading off to his room. Yet by the looks of it, something bugged him that the hug was a little more than just an apology. By the warmth of it, it felt moreover like an excuse to place her arms around him. But hey, with the loss of Petra, and what Mikasa's experienced with the chances of losing Eren, they've got their rights to feel solemn. Comfort, pure comfort.