Your next visitor is a tall, blond man with sharp eyes that immediately make you stiffen up. There's something familiar about him too, but not in the same way Levi was familiar. Levi was someone you feel like you should've known inside and out. This man makes you want to hit something. You narrow your eyes.

"Logan," he greets. "Good to see you awake."

"You'd be the first to think so," you reply, frowning.

"I see Levi's been here."

"Briefly."

"I've been informed of your circumstances."

"Wonderful," you say, trying to bite back on the sarcasm unsuccessfully. Another person who knows you and is now going to walk on eggshells around you. "So you already know I have no idea who you are," you say when he doesn't say anything else.

He smiles. "Well, we haven't known each other very long."

"And Levi?"

"How long you've known him?" he asks, and you nod. "I'm not entirely sure. I just know you two are close. You've been close friends for at least a year by my guess. He's the closest living person to you, from the best of my knowledge."

You nod, straightening up. Maybe the blond man hadn't meant to, but he's answered a few more of your questions: Levi's a friend, not a boyfriend (you're not sure whether you're upset by that or not). Closest person to you- so you're closer with Levi than your family. If you have any. And you most likely don't have a significant other then, if Levi's the one you're closest to.

His word choice bothers you. "Living?" you ask, tightening your grip on the hospital sheets.

His expression doesn't change. "The expedition that put you in this state also claimed the lives of a few of your friends."

You try to feel sad, but it's kind of hard when you have no idea who or what he's talking about. "What expedition?"

"If I'm correct, you don't know anything about titans or our way of living?" he asks, and you shake your head. "Alright. Would you be okay with me debriefing you on humanity's current situation?"

"Humanity?" you repeat, and he nods. You press your palms to your forehead. "Um, sure."

"Stop me whenever." He clears his throat. "For as long as-"

"Wait. What's your name?"

He smirks. "Erwin Smith. I'm the commander of the Survey Corps."

So this is who Doctor Fizal had to report to. You survey him, wondering if he'll complain if you try and put your feelings into words. There's something about him that bothers you and you're not quite sure what it is, but it's there. Ah, fuck it, you think to yourself. I've got nothing to lose. "I don't like you very much, do I?"

To your surprise, Erwin chuckles. "No, you don't."

"Oh." You pause, slightly pleased with yourself. Your hunch was right. "Well, go on."

He regards you for a moment, making you slightly uncomfortable, then he grins. "I don't think you're such a lost cause, Logan."

"At this rate, I'm going to get 'lost cause' printed on my forehead."

"Don't be rash."

"Try me." The blond man looks amused. "Well, get on with it," you push, waving a hand at him. "I don't have all day."

"Made plans?"

You shrug, smirking. "I've got a nap scheduled in five minutes, but if you're somewhat entertaining, it can wait."

Erwin grins. "Challenge accepted."

So you slide your knees up to your chest, wrap your arms around your legs, and listen. In all fairness, Erwin is a good story teller. At least, that's what it feels like this should be: a story. Some sort of fairy tale. Because there's no way that fifteen meter creatures like what he's describing exist. The walls, the last of humanity? It doesn't feel real. But there's something in his stories that feels familiar, and nothing shocks you. It feels like it shouldn't be real. It shouldn't. But... There's not an ounce of lie in Erwin's eyes.

You ask him more, and he tells you what he knows about you. You're a recently-made member of the Survey Corps, recruited by Erwin from the 'underground'- and apparently he knows nothing about you from before then. The underground.

Only Levi would know more about you. You need to talk to Levi.

Erwin goes on about how you skipped most of the training, instead joining right away and jumping in on an expedition. "I wasn't there for your injury," he says, his voice measured. "The weather was awful. Rain and fog- no one could see a thing. When I had arrived, Levi was the only one standing. He thought you were dead."

You bite your lip, anxious.

"We were collecting the bodies, and found you were alive after all." Erwin clears his throat and shifts backwards in his chair. "You've been recovering here ever since. No one knew if you were going to wake up."

"Oh." You let your legs relax, stretching them out across the bed. "Well, I did."

"You did," he agrees. "And Levi's been here already?"

You nod, swallowing the lump in your throat. "I don't think he..." You trail off.

Erwin sighs. "He's disappointed, Logan. Give it time."

"Does no one call me by my first name?" you ask, frowning.

"Not many," he admits. "You went by Logan in the underground and it carried on for the short period of time you were in the Survey Corps."

"Oh." You pause, trying to digest everything he's told you. What now? Do you just... go back to fighting titans and whatnot? Would you even know how? You bring your hands up to your face, touching your bandaged eye. "Will this heal?" you ask quietly, glancing up at Erwin.

His expression doesn't change. "I'm not sure."

Well, that's great. You pinch your lips together. "Now what?"

"You heal."

"And after that?"

"That remains to be discussed and we'll be able to make a decision based on how much you remember and if your abilities have left you."

"So my memories can come back?" you say quickly, straightening up.

Erwin crosses his arms. You're trying your best to read his body language but it's difficult considering you met the man all of ten minutes ago. "Yet to be seen," he says eventually. "Your case is unique. Although I believe a bit of optimism wouldn't be misplaced."

You stare, trying to see if he's just giving you false hope, but his gaze never wavers. He's being honest.

"Alright," you mutter.

He smirks. "You don't seem very optimistic."

"I woke up an hour ago. Give me a break."

Erwin stands up. You keep your eyes trained on him as he pushes the chair back into its original position and heads to the door. "I'll stop by again, Logan," he says, turning back to you. "With a plan or some better news."

"And Levi," you add.

There's a flicker of a smile on Erwin's face. "And Levi," he agrees.

The blond man closes the door softly behind him, leaving you to your thoughts- which there aren't very many of. Just questions, questions, and more questions.

With nothing better to do, you let your head fall against the pillow and pass out almost immediately.

.

Two weeks pass.

Two weeks of only seeing the annoying face of Doctor Fizal and her assistant, a short boy with curly black hair that stammers every time he talks. He introduces himself as Tanner, and Doctor Fizal says he's going to act as your memory. He's sort of endearing in a way- he's short, has freckles stretching across his cheeks, and twirls some sort of writing utensil in his fingers constantly. Always moving, always fidgeting, and always asking questions.

Tanner sits with you every morning and asks you a series of pointless questions- do you remember your name, your age, your family, on and on and on. Every day, checking for new developments. He starts asking for feelings, hunches, ideas, other ridiculous things that make your empty head spin. Word association, things like that. Nothing that actually helps.

In a way, his company is nice. It helps you keep track of the days. Even if his questions about various things are sort of aggravating.

"Any thoughts on the outdoors?" Tanner asks one morning.

You pretend to think, then cross your arms. "I'd have more opinions on the outdoors if I was actually allowed to leave my room," you say casually.

It's true- the most you've been outside of your hospital room is to the bathroom across the hall, and you're always supervised. Your ankle still feels sore when you stand on it, so Doctor Fizal has given you a crutch to use. The door is always locked when no one else is in here, which means you can't leave.

Tanner winces. "You- you know that's only for your safety. Sensory overload, you know."

"So you've said," you muse, picking at a loose thread on the bed sheet.

"How about trees?" he pushes, his small quill tapping against a binder of papers that he carries everywhere.

"Tall," you say blankly.

"How about the short ones?"

"...Short?"

Tanner sighs, jotting down something on his paper. "Okay, well, how about quills?" he offers, holding up his utensil. "Any opinions on those?"

You blink. "Ink?"

"Do you want to draw?"

"Sure," you reply, surprised. He never really gives you the opportunity to do much.

Tanner holds it out, then hesitates. "I feel like you'll stab me with this."

"Debating it," you say honestly.

Tanner's hand snaps back to his side so fast that you wouldn't have been surprised if he accidentally stabbed himself with the quill. He taps it repeatedly against the paper- that tapping is really testing your patience. "Well- well, only a few more things for today," he says. "I have to come up with some new stuff for tomorrow..."

The door pushes open, and you straighten up.

It's the first time you've seen him since his initial entrance two weeks ago, but Levi's face has been imprinted in your brain. Once again, his expression is impassive and it looks like he's glaring at you. He's holding a tray in his hands. Resting on the tray is an hourglass, a spall teapot, and two cups.

Levi looks at Tanner. "Get out."

Tanner's jaw slips open. "Well- I'm not- not really done-"

"Well, now you'll have material for tomorrow," you say quickly, and Tanner's head swivels back to you. "Less work for you, right?"

"I'll lock the door when I leave," Levi adds.

Tanner's jaw closes, then opens, then closes. One more hard glare from Levi is all he needs to stumble out of the room, tripping over his own feet. Levi shuts the door behind Tanner with his foot, then sets the tray down on a nearby table.

You stare, so many questions posed on your tongue. Levi glances at the hourglass, which still has sand trickling through it.

Eventually, you settle on, "why the hourglass?"

"It's best when it's steeped for three minutes," Levi replies, eyes trained on the sand falling through the glass. "Longer than that and the tea is too bitter."

The hourglass runs out. Levi takes the teapot and carefully pours out two cups. You eye the steam coming off of the top of the cup warily. "Trying to poison me?" you joke bitterly, taking the tea cup by the handle.

Something flickers in his eyes, but it's gone so fast that you might have imagined it. "Tempting," he replies.

Levi picks up his cup, but he does it weirdly. He holds it from the top using all of his fingers and his thumb and brings it to his lips, taking a sip. Tentatively, you bring the tea cup up to your mouth and pour some of the hot liquid down your throat. It's soothing. "What type of tea is this?" you ask, hands clenched around the tea cup for warmth.

"Green."

"Oh." You take another sip. "You made me wait," you say, echoing his words to you from two weeks ago.

Levi takes another sip of his tea, leaning back in the chair. "Remember anything?"

"No," you admit. "They won't let me leave the room and the most the doctors have told me is my name. Erwin told me more- said that I was in... scouting corps?"

"Survey Corps," he corrects. "How much did he tell you?"

"He told me about the titans, and the walls, and how one of the walls was broken down a few weeks ago," you recall, furrowing your brow as you try to remember everything. "He told me I'm from- underground? And people call me Logan."

"Fucking idiot," Levi curses lowly, taking another sip.

Your eyes widen. "What?"

"He shouldn't have told you that."

"Well, someone had to." You clench your jaw and narrow your eyes at Levi. "Considering that the one person I even somewhat recognize won't look at me."

Finally, Levi meets your gaze. His eyes are just as sharp as you remember them being the first time you saw him. "You remember me?" he says slowly, setting his tea cup down.

You shrug. "Sort of. I feel like I'm supposed to know you. You're the only one that's felt familiar."

Levi sets his jaw. "Makes sense."

His attitude is ticking you off. "So could you maybe fill me in instead of being so cryptic?" you snap, your hands tight around the cup.

"Maybe if you stop acting like such a brat," he shoots back.

"Oh, I'm a brat? I'm so sorry I woke up with no memories and kind of want to figure out who I am," you retort, glaring at him. "Sorry that's so bratty and such an inconvenience to you."

There's a pause. You angrily sip your tea, fingers clenched tight around the handle.

Levi calmly brings his cup to his lips, taking a slow sip, then sets it down again. "You've always had temper problems."

"Maybe I just have you problems," you grumble, taking another sip.

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I'm assuming you've done word association with the useless blunderhead from earlier?" Levi asks, referencing Tanner. "He says a word, you try to associate something with it?" You give him a grudging nod. "Alright. I'm going to give you words or names. Tell me if they mean anything."

"Fine," you say shortly, still sort of peeved but too desperate for information to protest.

"Isabel."

You blink, trying to recall something. "Nope."

"Farlan."

"No."

Levi's eyes squeeze shut, then reopen. You bite your lip anxiously. Were you supposed to know them? "I'll just say words," he says. "Tea."

"Green," you reply, holding the cup a bit tighter.

"Titans."

"Walls."

"Underground."

"Damp," you say, but you're not really sure where the word comes from. Well, underground places are typically dark and damp, right? It doesn't mean anything.

"Family."

"Nothing."

"Clean."

"Freak."

You both pause. You blink several times in surprise, wondering why freak was your go-to answer. You hadn't even thought of it. Nothing new enters your brain, but it felt right to say. Levi's eyes are wide.

"Seriously?" he says dubiously.

"Is that my next word?" you ask dumbly.

"Clean freak," Levi repeats, ignoring your question. His lips twitch. "Alright. Fly."

Oh, we're still going. "Annoying," you say, thinking of the insect.

"Horse."

"Fast."

"Sky."

"Blue."

"Stars."

"Wish." You're sort of dumbstruck again. Where the hell did that come from?

"Knife," Levi says. His glare is lifting.

"Stab," you reply, feeling stupid. You resist the urge to smack yourself in the forehead.

"Stealing."

"Thief."

"Training."

"Fun." You think training is fun? Since when? Training for what? Titan killing?

"Erwin."

"Strong."

"What makes you say that? You've only met him once."

You purse your lips, thinking back to your encounter with the blond man a week ago. "He holds himself differently than Doctor Fizal or Tanner," you murmur, trying to string your thoughts together. "He talks about all of these tragedies and stories, but... he's honest. He doesn't... oh, I don't know." You shrug. "It just feels right."

"Feels right," Levi deadpans. He laces his fingers. "What about me then?"

"What I think of you?" you ask in surprise, and he raises his eyebrows in confirmation. You haven't met many people- the two men at the very beginning when you woke up, Erwin, Doctor Fizal, and Tanner- but no one's given you the same feeling Levi has. Even Erwin said it: he's important, and he's your closest friend, apparently. But you've seen him twice, and neither has been a great impression. He's sort of... well, he's... Fine then.

"You're an asshole," you say finally.

His frown doesn't falter. "Takes one to know one." Levi stands, picking up the tray with his empty tea cup, teapot, and hourglass. He holds it out, and you put your half-empty cup on the tray. Without another word, he heads towards the door, balancing the tray on one hand so that he can pull it open.

"When will you give me answers?" you ask, hating yourself for sounding sort of desperate.

Levi shoots you one last glare. "I don't know as much as you're hoping I do."

He shuts the door behind him. There's a click to indicate that it's locked. Footsteps echo down the hallway as he walks away.

You fall back onto your pillow. "Fuck you, Levi," you grumble to the ceiling.

The ceiling doesn't reply. Go figure.

But he gave you clues. A lot of them, actually. Not just the words that you associated bizarrely: clean and freak, stars and wish. But all the words he gave you have some sort of meaning. Words like titans, family, tea- sure, basic things. But he said horse. Did you like horses? Ride them? He also said training. And thief. Were you a thief of some sort? Is that how you met Levi?

You spend so long puzzling them that you have no idea when you fall asleep.