STAR POV

"So what have we got here," I said, sitting next to Hange as she researched Annie throughly.

"Hmm, looks like her mom is still alive, dad deceased...her social media is pretty basic...she is part of some kind of church...pretty active I'd say," Hange concluded, showing me pictures.

All the pictures looked pretty innocent. Some even had Armin in them, but he wasn't in the church pictures. The building was pretty big and I recognized it. It looked almost like an office building but with a huge wooden cross over top of it. The windows had black out curtains. Anime looked fairly happy in the pictures with other people. The church itself was known for being well...a bit discriminatory. They were kind of secretive, from what rumors I've heard around town. I informed Hange of this, and she nodded.

"Maybe they have been brainwashing her for something,"

"Yeah, but what? To kill people with black hair who like the occult?"

Hange shrugged. "Could be."

"Speaking of, I'm saging this place. I feel uneasy."

I got up and went to grab my sage bundle.

"You know I don't care."

"Hange, do you think supernatural stuff is real? I know you're a science kind of gal," I asked.

"Well considering I used to live in a world with giant Titans eating other humans, I'd say anything could be real at this point."

"Yeah, good point," I said, starting to burn the sage. I loved the smell a lot, plus Hange needed a shower, I swear it was a bit gross how long she could go. The smell of her hair was getting to me.

"Levi? Oh yeah. He even used to beat Eren up. But around you he's like a tame little kitten!" Hange teased, poking my cheek.

"Whoa, even he can be rude to me sometimes. So it must be true," I said laughing a little. "And beat up Eren? Hah. I can tell they have a little beef going on. It's cute though."

"Yeah...hey you know maybe me and you can go on a little trip to that church, check it out and act like we're interested! You know, our own little investigation," she suggested, changing the subject.

"That would be interesting, we could go this weekend after we've checked that place out I wanna move to."

Me and Hange sat making plans to do our little investigation. Of course I'd run it by Levi.

Run it by Levi.

Since when the hell did I run anything by anyone? Especially a dude?

As if on cue, the door opened and in walked two very annoyed individuals.

"Useless. Kenny wasn't even there," Levi complained.

"Two women answered the door and kept staring at us laughing saying Kenny was busy and wouldn't be back for a few days," Eren explained. "I've never met them before."

"His house is huge. And his company is weird," Levi said sitting next to me on the couch.

"They were laughing?" I asked quizzically.

"Yeah and kept staring at us and asking us where we were from," Eren said. "And then one of them touched Levi's hair."

"SHE TOUCHED YOUR HAIR?" I gasped at Levi.

"Calm down I brushed off her advances and left," Levi said petting my head.

That's twice today someone has pissed me off.

"Ugh. Gross." I pouted and crossed my arms angrily.

"So what did you guys find?" Eren asked.

Me and Hange explained the pictures and the rumors I heard surrounding the church, and our weekend plans.

"If they're connected to this witch hunt, then it's probably best for me and Hange to go and Star and Eren-"

"Can't, I'm supposed to be on a date with Mikasa," Eren interrupted.

Date...hey me and Levi haven't been on a date!

I furrowed my brows, knowing I'd bring it up later

"Fine, Star can stay home and-" Levi started.

"No way, absolutely not. I'm not spending my weekend at home worrying for hours while everyone leaves to do stuff without me," I argued.  "Besides we have to go look at apartments after and that's the only place I've found that does tours on Saturday. AND we shouldn't be wasting gas going back and forth."

"Alright fine but you stay in the car and the second someone seems suspicious, just scream or something. Better yet I'll Have Hange put one of her headphones in her ear and you can listen in on yours. That way everyone knows what's going on," Levi said, finalizing the plan.

Eren went home and I decided I could have some time to practice my viola. I hadn't practiced since I met Levi, due to being so distracted. I told Hange I was going to go play some music. She didn't mind of course and actually really enjoyed hearing it. I was too shy to play in front of everyone. Levi raised an eye brow at me.

"Is that what that thing is you told me to be so protective of when we moved here? You play something?"

"Yes, so I'll be busy for a minute. Just knock, please."

I quickly walked off so he wouldn't ask me anything else. Knowing how he is he would probably be curious.

I went to the room and pulled out some sheet music and realized I didn't have anything to sit it on so I make-shifted  a way to lean it on something.

I picked a song that was a little melancholy but beautiful. Something my mom really loved hearing. I started playing it mostly by memory. Half-way through the second run of the chorus part as expected I heard a knock.

"Yes,? Come in."

Of course it was Levi.

He had a very confused look on his face.

"Hey, what's up?"

He looked at me then the viola and back at me.

"If I'm interrupt-"

"No, stay."

He shut the door and sat on the bed.

"You can listen. A little pressure can help a performer. I'm just going to turn around a little though so I'm not looking at you. Makes it awkward, heh."

I took a little breath and started over. Yeah, I was nervous but I just imagined my mom's face and forgot Levi was in the room.

When I finished the song I turned around only to feel shocked. Levi was sitting with his same bored expression, but he had tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Levi? Hun, are...are you crying?"

"Huh? Oh...I guess so," he said, looking at hands in wonder. I cupped his face and wiped the tears away with my thumbs.

He looked away.

"Hey, brat. Don't tell anyone about this. Ever."

—-
LEVI POV

That night while she got ready for bed I made sure to clean the kitchen up. I told her it was fine, she could go do her nightly routine. She had this entire routine where she had to shower brush her teeth, wash her face and put like 7 different creams on her face. I wondered if that was why she had the softest skin. She would sometimes shower twice a day. I really like how hygienic she was. When she played music I swear something inside me felt alive. It was like we were making love all over again.

When I came to the room she was just wearing a shirt and panties. She just laid in the bed reading a book with her legs stretched out. I would never tell her but sometimes she made me nervous looking at her. I don't think she even realizes how beautiful she is to me. Her glasses really framed her face and I liked how she looked so peaceful laying there. I got ready for bed too and didn't even put a shirt on, just my underclothes and sleeping pants.

She put her book down and cuddled up to me.

"Hey, Levi...." She started talking, her head laid across my chest as I fingered strands of her hair. It was getting really long, past her shoulders.

"Yeah?"

"Is it true you've always been a hardass? And an amazing fighter?"

I paused for a second. Did she even know how many people I've killed? Even tortured? I've told her a little about it. She knows I've killed and slaughtered...people, titans...but perhaps not the extent of how much bloodshed really occurred. Honestly, I was surprised it didn't bother her. She was a really strange woman.

"If that's what people say, yeah." I turned off the light. I never wanted her to see the things I've seen. It was best to leave the descriptions to a minimum. I've always told her the basics of everything. I've indulged a little here and there because I've felt comfortable. But I never told her about what Annie did.

Of course, she asked.

"So we've established we don't like Annie. What did she do exactly?"

"....Star...I can't talk about that right now," I replied, my voice stern letting her know I was serious.

"It's okay, Levi. You don't have to. I love you. Goodnight."

"I love you too, brat."

I kissed her.

And we fell asleep.

Till my nightmares came back.