Title: Where She Belongs
Author: Vianna Orchidia / Annasthacy Chashyme
Rating: T
Warning: AU and gender-bent characters (well that's the prompt), using present tense, possible misstypo and grammar errors, possible OOC (though I did my best to keep them in-chara along with some adjustment to match the natural/basic gender traits), very little implicit mature content far in the back.
A/N: I found this picture of gender-swapped characters of SnK that got me hooked. All just looks handsome/pretty while stays in-chara (except Jean, and maybe Annie). I don't know the source of this picture because I found it while lurking at Levi's fanpage on Facebook.
By the way, the gender-swapped characters are Levi (Leviana), Mikasa (Misaki, and I copied the name from a fanfic I read on FFn, so I don't own!), Eren (Ellen, because that's like his canon female version name), Armin (Aimee, sorry I suck at making names), and Hange (if you can call that gender-swap...)
Sometimes sex and gender do not limit
one's strength and ability. This statement sounds very true when you
look at Captain Leviana. A woman with unknown age, though vastly
believed that she's in her late-twenties, who leads the Special
Operation Squad of the Scouting Legion. She is entitled as Humanity's
Strongest Soldier, excels in both 3DMG and hand-to-hand combat, and
most importantly, is famous for her sheer beauty. Leviana has
somewhat become a living legend among the soldiers and trainees.
Ellen, Misaki and Aimee once saw her
during their trainee days; the Scouting Legion had just come back
from their expedition, with Commander Erwin and Captain Leviana
riding at the foremost front, their backs straight and heads held
high even when people threw angry insults at them. Misaki, being the
tallest out of the three, managed to get a better view. He was
particularly curious at this woman people call as The Strongest, and
thus couldn't take his eyes off her.
Misaki's first impression was, isn't
she just a common female?
However, his senses
were blocked out completely when the woman swept her eyes through the
crowd, and accidentally met his gaze.
Sparks flew.
.:.:.
“Heh,
so this is the prodigy from 104th
trainee? The man worth one hundred soldiers?” Leviana mocks in her
best nonchalant tone. “You must be kidding me.”
Misaki clenches his
fists until they turn white and bones can be seen, but he doesn't
retort back. He knows better than to challenge this woman, who
heartlessly kicked the shit out of Ellen, and kept a bored expression
then. He knows far better. Revenge is best served cold, right?
The
raven-haired woman stands only an inch away from him, checking his
postures and muscles. She gives a dissatisfied frown that seems to
get deeper with each passing second. It turns into a scowl
particularly at the sight of his red scarf. Leviana cocks her head
backward to look straight into his dark orbs—because as much as she
loathes it, she only reaches his chin with her full height—and
growls.
“Get your gears,
Ackerman, and show me what you've got with that lousy body of yours.”
His
blood is boiling, but he tries his best to keep a flat face. He trots
to the heap of gears, and catches Ellen and Aimee as he puts them on.
They are standing side by side, green and blue eyes heavy with
concern. Even from this distance he can easily read their mind: don't
defy her don't anger her pleasepleaseplease.
He understands
their worry. He has witnessed how ruthless the captain can be, along
with them. But in his opinion, it is more the reason to prove himself
to her. He isn't going to let a mere short woman trample on his
dignity so easily. The tables will be turned, and her smug smirk will
fall, replaced with shame.
Misaki readies his
gear, and instantly fires the wires at Leviana's command. He flies at
top speed, through branches and leaves, and when he spots the fake
titan he draws two blades from the sheath. With little effort he
slices its nape with clean, precise cut, then flies again. He feels
the rush of adrenaline alongside the wind. Perhaps he can beat his
own time record this time—fueled with cold anger, he runs
impossibly fast in the air, leaving open napes in his wake.
A feeling of
satisfaction starts to grow in the pit of his stomach, but it dies as
quickly when a whirl of long, straight black hair appears from behind
his back. Startled, he jerks backwards a little, allowing the
intruder to get past him. Misaki watches in silent fury, and hidden
fascination, as Leviana dances gracefully among the tangles of her
own gears' wires. He can't deny the superior technique that brings
her even faster than him (albeit a little unconventional).
When both of them
reaches the earth once again—she five full seconds earlier—he
admits, grudgingly, that there's no disobedience to her. Ever.
Well, maybe until
the time he can get her to her knees.
.:.:.
Contrary
to popular belief, Captain Leviana is not
without flaws.
Misaki
finds out about this only a few days after his transfer to her squad.
He is going to return to his room after bidding Ellen goodnight (the
captain lets her sleep in the underground cell, that snarky
bastard) when he runs into her,
leaning to an open window and inspecting a single ring attached to a
silver chain.
She doesn't show
any sign of acknowledgement, so Misaki thinks he might as well ignore
and stride past her. But then Leviana calls his name, in a silent
brooding voice. “Oi. Ackerman.”
“Captain,” he
salutes, right fist presses against his heart.
“At
ease.” The captain slowly turns her body sideways, reaching his
stare with something he can only describe as vulnerability. (No,
vulnerability should not even exist
in her dictionary.) It is then that he realizes her cravat is undone,
revealing a long, inviting neck. She lets the ring dangle soundlessly
at her eye level. “Why aren't you asleep yet, Cadet?”
He notices her tone
is not as cold as usual. “Ellen had just finished the experiment
conducted by Major Hange.”
“And how does it
concern you?”
Misaki narrows her
eyes. “I make it my job to see her being perfectly fine after every
experiment.”
A dry laugh makes
its way from the captain. Her face contorts in twisted amusement.
“Are you her boyfriend or what, huh?”
“No,” he grits
his teeth. “Ellen is family.”
Leviana
studies his features for a moment before throwing her hand in a
swat-like move. “I can care less. But I do care that one of my
cadet is sight-seeing freely after the curfew.” She wears the
silver chain around her neck, the ring being nestled comfortably
between her collarbones, and fixes her cravat with expert fingers.
Once she's done, she straightens up and flicks her long hair back.
“Go back to your quarter right now, Ackerman. If I catch you
wandering about after your curfew again, the stable work is all
yours.”
As the woman walks
off, Misaki idly wonders how she affords to be so swift and effective
in battlefield with such long hair swaying along her every moves. He
tries to picture her with shorter hair, preferably chin length like
Aimee's, but the image just doesn't pop up in. Almost like he can't
see her in any other way.
That night, Misaki
dreams of her, in a simple white dress instead of the military
uniform—a ring hangs around her neck, but another ring is neatly
tucked around her finger.
.:.:.
Sometimes, Leviana
just likes to tease one cadet of hers. It's a half-oriental, with
pale white skin, dark eyes, and soft jet-black hair. At first she's
just intrigued by some rumours about a real prodigy—maybe a little
upset when peope say he might be on par with her, discuss the big
possibility of him snatching her title as Humanity's Strongest. One
snotty brat can't be that awesome. She knows she's acting a little
snotty as well, but the hell with it. Her title is her pride, her
proof of existence, as well as her promise to a beloved one.
But the first time
she lays her eyes on him, Leviana immediately discovers a depth of
darkness in his core, the same view she sees everytime she stands in
front of a mirror, only this one is clad in manly features. The first
time she witnesses the way he sways in air, sharp and deadly, she
secretly grives—because once again, a young human will face deaths
of comrades and family, as he lives on and on. As if the decayed
bodies will serve as oil that keeps his flame of life lit eternally.
The long-haired
captain feels something akin to sympathy as she watches her squad
member train. Misaki is strong, but still very young and
inexperienced. As much as she hates to admit his capability to be the
next Humanity's Strongest, Leviana decides to train him personally.
If he were to be crowned the title, might as well forge his ass to be
more than suitable for it, she thinks.
Somewhere along the
way, she finds herself not at all disturbed by his presence.
Misaki is cold and
quiet and stoic, never sticking his nose into other people's
business, yet still manages to be caring to those he values.
Especially Ellen. Yeah, bless that girl. Every now and then Leviana
will spot them talking in intimate whispers, and every time she will
clutch her hands and walks away.
Even though Misaki
says Ellen is family, Leviana knows something unspoken is going on
between both of them. The way Misaki always steps up to protect her
at any cost, the way he lifts her gently after Ellen goes
unconscious, even the way his eyes perk up at the slightest mention
of her name (or a none-too-subtle glare he sends to his captain at
her slightest mention of the brunette's name), show it all.
The uneasiness in
the pit of her stomach is inexplainable. Leviana only refers it as
dismay—there is no time for little romance in this world, she knows
that firsthand.
But she also cannot
understand the slight giddy feeling everytime Misaki talks to her.
.:.:.
He finds the
captain with the same ring in her hand.
Misaki goes to her
room because he finds a letter directed at Leviana among the files
she gave him that afternoon. He ponders for a while, whether to
return it immediately or tomorrow, seeing that the clock has just
struck eleven. But maybe the content is important, who knows, so he
leaves his room and walks in long strides to hers.
But the door to her
chamber is slightly ajar. Misaki, puzzled as well as confused at her
unusual recklessness, peers into the dark room. He can easily make
out her figure—lean body, long hair—sitting at the end of the
bed, with a circular object between her thumb and forefinger. After
some squinting Misaki realizes it's the same piece of jewellery she
was staring at the other night, complete with its silver chain.
Not knowing what to
do, Misaki finally decides to knock. At the first knock Leviana
visibly stiffens, chunks the ring into her palm, then turns her body.
Somehow Misaki can see that her shoulders relax a bit as she nods,
allowing him to enter.
“You didn't close
the door,” he says.
The female
ravenette frowns. “Well, that's my bad, but what the hell are you
doing in front of my door at this hour?”
“A letter for you
is mixed up in the documents you gave.” He extends his hand, the
envelope stops right under her nose. “Thought this might be
important and needs to be read right away, so I took the liberty
delivering it to you,” he continues, a hint of sarcasm in his
careful words.
Apparently the
sarcasm does not escape her, as she snickers and takes the envelope
with her free hand. “Well, thank you, Ackerman. Now go back
to your room and have a nice sleep.”
Misaki stands still
despite her orders. His eyes are transfixed on her closed palm hiding
the ring. He can't help but notices the lack of oppressing act
whenever she busies herself with that ring; instead replaced with
melancholic air. He knows Leviana isn't the type to nurture
over-affectionate emotions (like she has so many times warned him) so
for her to keep a memento, although hidden under that cravat of hers,
is kind of... unusual. He flicks his eyes to her steely ones. “What
is that ring?”
She seems a little
surprised, but still she opens her palm and eyes her ring after
putting the envelope down. “This? This is... my engagement ring.”
She snorts when the younger male shamelessly has a jawdrop. “What?
I once had a family too, you know.” Is it just him, or she is
talking almost spitefully? “Not really a family, though. He's
actually one of my squad member. Older but still listens to me as his
superior. A complete opposite from someone I know here, I suppose.”
She is clearly
referring to him, but Misaki lets it slide aside. There's another
pressing matter he needs to know. “What's... his name?”
“Erd. His name
was... Erd.”
It clicks in his
mind immediately. Misaki has heard an old rumour about Leviana's love
life. She guards the truth very carefully even now so the story is
never confirmed, but they guess it must be one of the guys from her
squad, since they spend everyday together. But her whole squad was
terminated in one expedition, which prompted her to recruit half of
the 104th trainee.
It means her lover
is dead too.
Erd was her second
in command.
“Surprised,
Ackerman?” she sneers.
More than
surprised—he is speechless.
.:.:.
With Erd it was
easy. He was a good man, responsible, determined, and loyal. He
follows her without question like he reads her mind, but he also
gives feedback when required. He's not really talkative, but
conversations with him was always comfortable and memorable. He
kissed her goodnight gently. He respected her as the much honored
Humanity's Strongest as well as remembers that she's just a normal
woman.
When Erd asked her
hand for marriage and offered the ring, she half-smiled and took his
hand in hers. It was easy. No tears, no doubt, no anger.
With Misaki, it is
anything but easy. He hides a short temper behind the stoic mask. He
only listens to Ellen and to her need to protect the girl. He
repeatedly speaks up to her in a not very polite manner. With Misaki,
it's always doubt and anger (no, she refuses to cry over the very
young, immature male, no matter the reason). Besides, she has to
constantly compete with Ellen for his attention (though Ellen is
still oblivious to this).
The hardest part is
how much Misaki reminds her of herself. With Erd she can become
human, strengthened by beautiful emotions—but with the
half-oriental, she reverts back to the monster she has been once upon
a time ago. Dark, ominous, weakened by ugly emotions.
He respects her as
Humanity's Strongest because he knows the burden she shoulders, and
he remembers she's just a human because she loses her defensive wall
around him so easily. He respects her as his squad leader through
bloodied fists and bruises during their far-too-serious spars, and he
remembers she's just a woman through hungry kisses and rough touches behind closed doors.
He ignites a blazing
cold fire in her, while Erd gave her warmth. That's how different
they are.
Leviana knows
Misaki will not give her a ring like Erd did, but now she dreams of
herself wearing Erd's ring as a necklace and puts another ring on her
finger. Somehow she knows it will be his—the band hugs her finger
as beautifully as his arms drapes over her waist in her bed.
-fin-
A/N: sorry, I'm not very satisfied with the ending. I can't explain what I want by comparing Leviana's relationship with Erd and with Misaki. I just hope you get a brief understanding about the two sides of a coin they cause to Leviana. And why it ends like that--that's because I don't even know where I'm taking this. At some point I wanted to make this painful and angsty but then the mood is gone completely and I settled for this. (Can't help the feeling that this could turn into a full series but I just can't----)
I hope you enjoyed~
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