A/N: Originally written for Day 5 (Theme: Violets [Sincerity]) of RivaMikaWeek in June 2014. Again, FF doesn't seem to support strikethrough text which is important for this fic, so I'm using brackets [] instead to indicate any "crossed-out" parts...

Rhapsodies in Blue - Chapter II

Summary: Levi finds a journal of fantasies – and every entry is about him.

After a rattled series of actions – from rearranging his clothing back to a presentable state to doing a quick wipe-up of the soiled floorboards - it took Levi another three minutes to finally reach the door. To his aggravation, Mikasa's knocks were persistent throughout that waiting period, even though he had assured her near the beginning that her presence was not required – not in the least, in fact.

He took two deep breaths before pulling the slab of mahogany ajar, resorting himself to the first confrontation since the subject on the other side became the centerpiece of his own fantasies. Gradually, her entire silhouette, shadowed against the dim lanterns down the corridor, came into view, and Levi sighed in relief when he saw that contrary to his worst fears – though they were illogical in the first place - she still donned most pieces of her uniform.

But when the young woman brushed past him and moved straight into his room without a single word, Levi supposed that he hadn't considered the worst possible outcomes, after all.

"Mi—" He started to say but halted, for the name sounded almost sinful considering recent events. "What are you doing?"

His guest did not answer even while she arrived near the middle of his quarters, where her eyes began to inspect the entire space with thorough scrutiny. Though he knew she was only ensuring that no enemies were hiding about and threatening his safety, his eyes still darted to his desk, where he had wisely stored the diary within one of the top drawers. When her search came up empty, Mikasa finally turned around, and Levi inhaled deeply again when he saw the suspicion burning through her otherwise fetching eyes.

"What's wrong, captain?" Her inquiries came without reluctance. "Why did you call my name before?"

"Like I told you already, I didn't mean to." Damn, I really have no better excuse than that, do I? He swallowed before attempting to redirect the topic. "But what exactly were you doing around here so you could even hear that?"

A peculiar pause rose between them, and he noticed a few of her fingers tapping against her thigh for the briefest moment, as if contemplating the best response. Then, rather than answering for her actions, she moved one step closer to him, and any previous doubts in her expression hazily morphed into concern.

"You seem paler than this morning…and you're sweating profusely. Are you sure you're not coming down with a fever?"

He was taken aback by her display of thoughtfulness, and even though it seemed like a follow-up from breakfast, this time their environment was one of privacy, which gave her words additional significance. Raising a sleeve to wipe at his forehead, Levi tried not to think about how much more he now wanted the journal writer to be her, for at least then, her worries would at least be rooted in a semblance of bizarre affection.

"I'm fine, Mikasa." He nodded towards the door, though more out of instinct than genuine preference. "Just go back to your room."

Strangely, what followed was another pause - and this time, it was supplemented by an almost undetectable twitch at the corner of Mikasa's lips. Without warning, she closed the distance between them by another step, and her head tilted to one side in curiosity.

"You've been acting strange all day, Captain. I'm not sure if I should leave you alone." More and more, the young woman's voice adopted a perplexing quality, and he couldn't be sure whether his reaction to such a development should be thrill or unease.

Either way, Levi was not about to take any chances.

"Leave. Now."

"Why?" This time, two more forward strides placed her just an arm's length away, and for whatever reason, his body decided to begin its own journey – not moving away with caution, as his instincts shouted to do, but vice versa in a feeble attempt to impose his authority.

"Are you questioning my command?" He never thought he would have to speak to her in such a way, but these small acts of defiance had unnerved him, especially since he couldn't even remember the last time Mikasa Ackerman refused to follow orders from above – much less ones from his mouth.

"I'm prioritizing a superior's well-being over his own nonsense."

The usual specificity in her word choices shook him.

Wait, this exchange between us…why does it seem familiar?

While he contemplated on the observation, Levi failed to notice Mikasa approaching close enough to loom within his comfort zone, and her slightly advantageous height positioned her lips in his direct line of vision. Forcing his jolting reflexes back into a state of calm, he knit his brows together in sincere bewilderment before craning his neck.

"What exactly are you doing, Mikasa…?" The words slid out too candidly for his liking, for they interpreted his thoughts in real-time, and so he drove the rest of his dangerous speculation back within his head. Are you tempting me like the way you would've written it?

She stared back mildly, and the radial blur encircling her stormy eyes intensified in color and depth. "I think perhaps I should be asking you that question, Captain..."

In that moment she was so close – too close – and it took all his might to constrain his arms to their state of limp paralysis. But those recent visions of her beneath him were still distinct, and despite his fleeting stamina, Levi knew it would only take the slightest additional shift from either of them before fantasy escalated towards reality.

Fuck me, Captain…

"On second thought - never mind."

Wait, what? A thunder of confusion struck at his rationale, for those were certainly were not the words he expected to hear next.

"Good night, Captain." While still delivering that definite farewell, she sashayed past him with the swift grace of a leopard. The resulting draft from her retreat detached him from those remnants of wish fulfillment, leaving him permanently baffled.

When he finally managed to turn around and give one last attempt at chasing her shadows, his gaze fell straight on Mikasa pausing in his doorway, both hands gripping the aged frame as she looked back one final time. Visible indecision etched itself into her features, but he could tell that she was not struggling with the choice to stay – it was something far more strenuous.

Her lashes fell to form a gentle hood over her lowering eyes, and elegant fingers rose slowly, strategically, flashing one number, then closely followed by another.

Six. Four.

He stared at the straightened segments of tissue, completely confounded as to their cryptic meaning, and her mouth thinned into a soft smile before she set off into the hallway.

Six…six o'clock wakeup time? Four…what…?

Sixty-four.

The discovery triggered an even louder internal blast than when Levi first came across the journal in all its provocative glory, and every prospect of the universe suddenly paled in comparison to the meaning behind this revelation. If that number was meant to verify all his suspicions, then for the first time in a long time, expectation and reality would actually align themselves in the chaotic void of his consciousness. But rather than chase after her to demand more clarification, Levi's feet scrambled back towards his desk, and soon the fluttering corners of parchment frantically unearthed the bound book's contents once more. Though his hormones no longer desired to use the words within as catalyst for yet another round of satisfaction, a different form of elation lingered beneath the skin of his fingertips, now trembling with their own sense of eagerness.

At last, he arrived at the fateful entry, the opening dialogue of which practically reenacted what had just taken place between them.

#64

Even Humanity's Strongest gets sick sometimes.

As usual, I'm in his room at an ungodly hour, but for once, it's not to perform ungodly deeds. No, tonight my heart is full of concern as I watch him squirm under the effects of a fever, its origin likely from that extreme bout of coughs and sneezes Connie happened to release right into the Captain's face a few days ago.

Fortunately, he seems to be on the road to recovery.

Unfortunately, my usual urges have been in overdrive for far too long.

"I'm not sure if I should leave you alone." I grumble when he requests my departure.

"Just go…" Even though his tone is dismissive, I know – or at least I hope - that he is only worried for my own health.

"Why?"

The glare he tosses in my direction burns with frustration. "Are you questioning my command?"

"I'm prioritizing a superior's well-being over his own nonsense." My hand extends to run through his hair, caring little for the perspiration that wets my skin. He enjoys how I touch his scalp like this more than he likes to admit, so I know it's also my best method of persuasion.

Of course, he sees through my falsehoods in a heartbeat.

"…you just want to have sex."

Even the mere word inspires tingles from my pelvis down to the ends of my toes, and my masquerade collapses under its frail scaffolding of lies. "It has been over four days, Captain." To my own humiliation, I can barely hide the desperation in my voice – but sometimes a woman has her own needs to fulfill. "You're already much better now, aren't you?"

His brows furrow with immense disapproval, and he lifts himself on both elbows to conduct my much-deserved interrogation.

"Are you trying to kill me?"

"It's your own damn fault for spoiling me this much." I fold my arms with pride before looking away, not wanting to give him the pleasure of sensing more weakness. The sight of his desk, however, suddenly recovers a treacherous idea that I had never dared to voice – an idea that could now serve as payback for his insolence.

"I'm still contagious, you know." He continues his defense, this time emphasizing the stuffy, nasal tone in his recuperating voice. "I just did not want to hear any complaints if you end up feeling fucking horrible the day after."

I can only grin, for his statement actually supports what I'm about to attempt.

"As long as we make as little actual physical contact as possible, the likelihood is pretty low." Keeping my eyes locked onto the desk, I start to remove my jacket with usual efficiency. "Or so Hanji tells me."

He watches my every movement with guarded suspicion. "No physical contact."

"Yes." Hanging the two pieces prudently onto my chair's backrest, I move on to my harnesses, making short work of each connection and letting them fall away like defeated soldiers.

"And how exactly is that going to work?"

The grin on my face widens as I stand upright. "Stay right here."

"Where are you…"

I pace over to the nondescript piece of furniture, positioned within his visual but just far enough to be out of his physical reach. With each step, I ensure that the swing of my hip is more blatant than usual, just so he can grumble inside a little longer about his overextended self-control.

"Oi, brat." His tone drops to the husky level that never fails to stir my yearning. "What do you think you're doing over there?"

As I reach my destination and turn around, both hands gripping wood, my voice also takes on an extra teasing nature.

"Tonight, my dearest Captain. Distance will be our newest friend."

His irises darken with interest as I lift myself onto his desk, where my thighs are slightly spread by the hard material pressing into my muscles. Then, with composed speed, my fingers lift to undo the buttons constricting my torso, trailing a vertical path straight down into the clasps lined over my crotch. Soon, those stubborn grips of metal come loose as well, revealing tempting bits of flesh that beckon for exploration. And as I proceed to slip off my boots, I catch gulps of air forming mesmerizing contours down his throat.

"Well? Aren't you going to follow along?" Baiting him is half the fun sometimes.

Even in the dimness, I can detect the deepening shade of his cheeks, but the transformation is soon concealed by those languid efforts at removing his nightshirt. Little by little, the erotic map of muscles and scars that I have memorized since long ago unveil itself for my mental consumption again. In response, I quickly slip off my own top and unwind the strips of linen that bind my torso, springing free the globes of flesh he himself has probably committed to memory.

Our eyes meet again, and like countless times previous – during battles, duels, arguments, lustful sessions – the silent exchange is rife with challenge and stimulation in at least a thousand forms. As if on cue, both our right hands begin to slide towards those most sensuous regions, sneaking beneath fabric – his sweatpants, my trousers – before procuring the objects of our arousal.

Like how I had taught myself long before ever consummating our relationship, my fingers immediately begin to explore those damp layers of skin, gliding over the petal folds and probing through the intimate crevice that constantly begged for attention. Throwing my head backward, I squeeze my lids shut, imagining that rather than his place upon the bed, he is the one standing between my legs, using those wonderfully calloused digits to service my insatiable lust. Slowly, I feel my hips take on a life of their own, elevating off the desk surface and rolling in perfect circles against the hypnotic rhythm I set for myself.

"Ah…Levi…" My cries escalate in volume and hunger as I begin to deliver light pinches to my most precious pearl, all the while resisting the temptation of actually seeking his reaction. In the direction of the bed, I can now hear the increasing heaviness of his breaths, each inhale and exhale becoming labored with grudging endurance. With every few seconds comes a sigh that graduates into a moan, though from their soft volumes, it is obvious that he is still trying to maintain control.

Unacceptable.

"If I can't touch you, let me at least hear you." I somehow manage to reprimand without slowing down my pace.

"You…are insane." He stammers.

"And I thought you were…the bravest among us…unf…" Like the nips to my bundle of nerves that render my speech completely jumbled, I boldly nip upon the most sensitive portion of his pride. "Don't tell me that you're…actually…afraid?"

"Sometimes…I fear you more than…the worst Titan."

Following his confession, I begin to hear the actual sound of skin slithering against skin, and my ears clearly identify each ascent and descent of his palm along his shaft. My smile becomes triumphant, and I order my fingers to follow his tempo, coinciding each movement with the exact counteract. In, up, out, down – the immodest pairing of our isolated actions prove to be the catalyst in our undoing.

"Levi…fuck me…" My lips release the lecherous command, putting my ongoing wish into the most transparent words. One set of fingers are drenched with moisture as they move with the speed of tremors, while the nails of my other hand are scratching trenches into his desk – a dissatisfactory substitute for the delectably hard muscles of his back.

"Ah…fuck…" His mattress audibly screeches under those unending, forceful thrashes. "This is absolute torture…"

What he fails to realize that our torture is shared, because I can never hope to gift myself with the same fulfillment that he has awarded me time and again. My teases only reflect the most wishful portions of my imagination, where he is always right there, slamming into me with abandon and grunting obscenities into my neck.

And then, he nearly is.

The sensation of palms gripping my waist startles my eyes into opening, but before I even comprehend his sudden presence, his kisses already descend all over my torso, skimming over every bump like the wayward shadow of a wraith while nudging me into a lying position. I gasp aloud when his tongue befriends a nipple with the worst of intentions, and the resulting stimulation threatens to exile all my senses into oblivion.

Not wanting to declare defeat, I entangle both my hands into his scalp, jerking his face upward before he devours too much of this open feast.

"Uh-uh." I shake my head and stare at him under half-closed eyes. "Don't want to get me sick now, do you?"

"…Fuck being contagious."

Now that's the captain I know [and love.]

[Shit, I did not mean to write that.]

Hastily, he couples the sour response with a return to a standing position, and his fingers claw at the waistband of my trousers, sliding it down past my knees with little effort and revealing what has been awaiting him all this time. Barely a second later, he buries himself to the hilt within my primed abyss, and besides the mammoth bouts of pleasure sparked by our frantic connection, my ears also become temporarily deafened by both our extended groans.

Our ensuing movements are as wild as they've ever been, spurred on further by those precious minutes of denied pleasure. With each push and shove, I feel varnish slide mercilessly against my back, but the throbs from such friction pale compared to what my nether regions now communicate to my brain. Like all those other nights there is only him – that beautifully scarred body glistening with sweat, that luscious mouth parting with whispers of my name, and that shaft molding so perfectly against my contracting flesh. But through all the frenzy; through the fact that he had declared indifference towards passing the illness onward, he still keeps his head stretched away from mine this time, distant from his usual kisses but somewhat safer from the regret of later ailments.

Is it awareness? Is it consideration? [Is it love?]

[Stop writing that word.]

[Just stop.]

Despite the abrupt, incomplete ending, Levi felt not disappointment but rather curiosity. When he had read through this entry the night before, there was little deliberation as to what hidden meanings the crossed-out words had contained. But now, after his self-enlightenment and the astounding discovery of her involvement, he could only reminisce upon their past years together, revisiting every brief touch and every meeting of eyes in search of the longing he had apparently missed. Whether these entries were merely outlets for impulsive expression or genuine manifestos of all she believed could result between them, he still did not know - but perhaps she did not know, either. After all, even when she had nearly played out one fantasy with him tonight, she still resorted to reluctant withdrawal in the end.

"What exactly is this between us, Mikasa…?" He whispered to himself, leaning his body into the desk's edge for support.

Without warning, an apparition of her nude form appeared beneath him, echoing the exact position that he had just read about in such vivid detail. But instead of taking on the untamed nature of those last paragraphs, this Mikasa merely panted, seemingly having already come down from an unwritten climax. From the disheveled state of her hair, to the gentle rise and fall of her chest, extending to the phantom grip of her calves across his lower back - she was nothing short of exquisite; perfect, even.

The emotions that surged within Levi this time were no longer just lust. Now, he felt something akin to a need to protect – one far beyond the traditional expectations between a superior and a subordinate. Through her impressively scripted words she had shown him the truest side of herself: one full of hopes, devotions, and even vulnerabilities he never imagined her to bear. Though he likely possessed very similar traits – and though she might deny him such an endeavor due to her own pride - he still sought to help her guard those weaknesses, shielding any fears and desires by the strength of their mingling hearts.

This feeling. Is it…?

The question instigated a night of restlessness.

The next morning, it only took a few minutes of waiting around the corner for Mikasa to cross Levi's path, and it only took another few seconds for him to drag her into an obscure corridor, where he pinned both palms against the wall space around her stiff shoulders.

"Entry 64, huh? Mikasa?" His filled his upward gaze with both accusation and appreciation.

She remained in a rigid stance, but the slightest amount of stress entered her voice. "Took you long enough to figure everything out, Captain."

Though in accordance with her usual sense of formality, that last word stirred mild discontent within him, for he selfishly coveted for her to call him by his name, just as she had always written so. In response he leaned in closer, liberating breaths across her earlobe that made her visibly shudder.

"A mystery is impossible to solve when all the clues are so…distracting."

By then, the temptation had been too great, and he twisted his neck in an attempt to catch her lips within his for the first time. But with usual swift reflexes, Mikasa dodged the efforts by turning her own head, relegating Levi to regard her with grudging confusion.

"I'm not sure if subpar investigators deserve any prizes." She explained with candor. "Especially if they're supposed to be Humanity's Strongest."

He nearly scoffed. But rather than answering her tease, he moved on to another integral topic that had been plaguing his mind.

"Did you lose the damn journal on purpose? Just so I would find it?"

To his surprise, this time Mikasa became the one to make an alluring approach, as if trying to distract him from her lack of an excuse. While still confined within his loosely-set boundaries, arm muscles relaxed as she raised a hand to his neck, eventually running enticing fingers through the malleable fabric of his cravat. Behind the silky layer of white, his throat swallowed hard, for the look in her eyes was now identical to the one in his fantasies.

"Come to my room tonight." She said huskily while toying with the ceremonial knot. "I'll explain everything then…"

At last, Levi's mind thundered with all the possibilities to come – and her next words spoke of promises finally fulfilled and imperfections finally mended.

"…and maybe we can write the next entry together."

[Fin?]

A/N: Sincerity – as in Mikasa finally admits to the truth (Sort of).

I thought of ending this fic here, but I had a feeling that wouldn't go over too well.

Reviews are much appreciated! :D