Title: Obligatory Vow

Pairing: Rivamika multi-chapter (forced marriage) fanfic

A/N: Firstly, sorry it took so long to update. God I am so glad to be done with this chapter. It's more than twice the size of the first chapter (3,334 words) but it was really fun to write though. And I like the way it came out. Also just somethings you should know. Mikasa and the rest of the 104th trainee group are just older. Chapters 1 through about 5 or 6 all take place before the 57th expedition, but after the Battle of Trost. All the chapters after this will be mostly original plot with major canon events mixed in. Other than that enjoy and please review

Also thanks so much for all the support I am amazed by the response to this story. Over 1500 views. Thanks you guys!

Disclaimer: I own nothing


Two: A Kiss with a Fist

It had been two weeks. Fourteen days since their confrontation and Mikasa and Levi had avoided each other as much as possible; sending icy glares whenever they crossed paths. But after just five days her anger about the impeding wedding was beginning to die down. Since she hadn't been able to argue with Levi right away, her boiling anger had simmered down to just annoyance.

As she now sat in the small library in the research wing of the castle, the last thing she felt like doing was letting her thoughts dwell on things that sickened her. That's why she'd come there right? With the more free time the Legion got as winter approached, she found herself wanting company. And while watching scientists experiment and take notes wasn't her favorite pass time, spending it with one of her closest friends was. She and Armin had spent most of their time in the small but comfortable library. Sometimes Eren joined them too, when he wasn't under the watch of Levi and his squad, but it was usually just her and the blonde. When Armin took breaks from working with Hanji, they'd talk or even share a cup of tea on occasion. But she mostly liked to sit and watch while he poured over books and notes. It reminded her of their childhood, when it was just the three of them secretly reading books on the outside world and dreaming of those far off places. But the happy memory was spoiled as she thought of all the events since those cheerful and simpler times. A frown etched itself into her features the thought of certain heichou and the events to come.

"Tch, stupid chibi." She huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. He always had to ruin everything.

"I'm sure he's not all that bad."

The raven haired girl gave him an incredulous look as she watched him close the large book in his hands.

"How can you say something like that Armin? He's terrible. And rude and uncaring. Not to mention he beat up Eren and locked him in a dungeon."

"Mikasa are you still mad about that? That was months ago. Plus it was for his own good. If Captain Levi hadn't done that then Eren would be in the custody of the Military Police and we'd never see him again. Who knows what would have happened to him." The blonde stated as he placed the book among the others on the shelf.

Armin was always the level headed one. Placid and clever. But those words were the last thing she wanted to come out of his mouth.

"Armin, I didn't come here for a lecture."

"I'm not giving you one." He said with an understanding smile. "I'm just facing facts."

"It doesn't excuse what he did."

"But holding a grudge this long isn't worth it. Eren has forgiven him and moved on. Why haven't you?"

"Armin-"

BOOM! The whole room shook as smoke began seep under the door. The two exchanged a worried look before agreeing, Hanji. They burst through the door to the lab to find a soot covered Hanji on the floor and the rest of the research team coming out from behind their various hiding places.

"Squad Leader! Are you alright?" asked a rather frantic Moblit who was coming out from behind a desk.

Armin moved to Hanji's side quickly, wiping the grime off her goggles and helping her to her feet. "Major Zoe, are you alright?"

The brunette laughed heartily before giving a quiet cough. "Of course, I'm fine Armin. And how many times have I told you to call me Hanji?"

"Sorry."

"Excuse me, but what were you trying to do?" Mikasa asked warily as she picked up a piece of broken test tube on the floor.

"Oh, I was just testing some titan blood. Eren's of course and-"

"HANJI! What the hell is going on in here?!"

The door to the lab banged open as a glaring Levi stood in the door way.

"Levi!" Hanji said excitedly. "I was just running some tests. It's quite amazing actually Eren's blood is-"

"Nevermind, I don't want to know," he muttered, waving off her rambling. "Just try to not destroy this end of the castle, Shitty glasses."

"Yeah, yeah. How many times have you said that before?"

"One too many." The short man pinched he bridge of his nose in annoyance. "Anyway, do you have those reports I requested?"

Mikasa could only watch in surprise. She had never seen the captain act so…casual. Well, if being annoyed and speaking on a first name basis counted as casual. The interaction between Levi and Hanji was strange and almost comical. Yet she could see he had much more patience and respect for Hanji as a comrade and a close friend…despite his use of her rather insulting pet name.

"Here's all the reports. I also threw in some of Armin's notes for you to look over too." Hanji said thrusting a stuffed folder into his hands.

"Hanji-"

"You can thank Armin for most of it thought. He has a brilliant mind ya know."

The short captain looked over the orderly notes before casting his gaze over to the blonde. "Arlert right?"

"Uh, yes sir."

Levi raised an eyebrow before noting Mikasa behind him. "Ackerman."

"Heichou."

His sharp gaze stayed on her as she glared with a look of disgust. He could see all her loathing of him in her stare. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with him, that much was written all over her face and in those onyx eyes. His own distasteful look crossed his features before he gruffly thanked Hanji and left.

The brat was being selfish. Didn't she realize that the marriage affected the both of them? And there was no way they were going to pull off looking marginally in love, let alone in love enough to be getting married.

Levi huffed as he crossed the open courtyard. She was just gonna have to put her pride aside and get over it. There was no time for this crap. This was a war. Public-pleasing marriages and government funding really should've been the least of the Legion's concern. They were frivolous things that distracted everyone from the very real and threatening crisis at hand. Humanity was hanging by a thread and all the public could care about was their damn taxes.

"Tck, damn brat." he frowned. He had better things to do than worry about the stupid girl, whether he was getting married to her or not.

-/-/-/-

Hanji may have been known as the eccentric mad scientist but her sharp mind didn't miss the charged exchange between Levi and Mikasa. The annoyed tension was obvious but there seemed to be something more to their stairdown than just distaste and hostility.

Hanji let the thought continue to roll around her mind as Mikasa's expression changed from anger to exasperation and reluctance. What would've sparked such a change?

"Uh…" Mikasa started, her face now displaying a neutral expression. "Thanks for the talk Armin. I'm sure you and Hanji have work to get back to. Thanks for letting me stay here for a while Hanji."

"Ít's no problem at all Mikasa. Come by any time you like." Hanji replied with a smile. "I'm usually here in my office."

With a curt nod, the girl righted her thick sweater and left quietly. Just as the door closed with a soft click, Hanji's smile fell. Something was troubling that girl. Something to do with Levi and she didn't like it. Hanji knew that the three kids she had taken under her wing had struggled before joining the military, each with a sad and dark pasts that no child should bear.

Now the girl known as the Women Worth a Hundred Soldiers looked like she had the weight of the world burdening her. What was weighing so heavily on this extraordinary girl?

Hanji exchanged looks with the boy beside her. He had seen it too. If there was one thing the two were going to be researching tonight, it was the two raven haired soldiers. They were going to get to the bottom of their disgruntled and strained relationship if it took all night.

-/-/-/-

Mikasa wondered mindlessly through the halls of the castle. She felt almost sick with both resentment and dread. Why her? Of all people, it had to be her. There were plenty of other exceptional soldiers in the Survey Corp, why-

Because no else is the Woman Worth a Hundred Soldiers.

Thoroughly annoyed, the girl sighed and ran her hand through her hair as the last pink-orange light of sunset filtered through one of the large windows. She tried to let her thoughts drift elsewhere but that much easier said than done. How was she going to break the news to Armin and Eren? Surely, Commander Erwin would allow her to tell her closest friends about the wedding before it was announced publicly. They deserved to know from her, not through rumors and speculations from the common people and other soldiers. They were deserved better than that.

With her mind reeling Mikasa was about to head towards her room and skip dinner when a voice called out to her. "Cadet Ackerman!"

She turned to see a male soldier coming down the corridor.

"Captain Levi requested that you report to the training room by eight o'clock."

A scowl crossed her face as she raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"He didn't say. He only said for you to meet him there on time and in training attire."

What could that man possibly want now? Breathing out through her nose, she sighed. "Alright. Thank you."

The soldier gave a quick salute before turning back the way he came. Mikasa turned down the next hallway towards her room. Judging by the inky dusk already settling out the nearest window, she had a good forty-five minutes to an hour before she needed to be ready.

Approaching a familiar door, she slunk inside her chambers. All she really wanted to do was sleep and escape the toiling thoughts in her head for a little while. Despite the enjoyment she would probably get from throwing a few punches the corporal's way, she didn't even have the energy or interest to do so.

Flopping down on her bed tiredly, she glanced out the window on the opposite wall. Stars were beginning to peek out as time ticked on, and the last thing she wanted to hear was Levi's mouth about her not being punctual.

Pushing herself onto her elbow she let her eyes wonder lazily to the wardrobe.

"Guess I better pick out something to wear."

-/-/-/-

Levi leaned against a training dummy as began wrapping his hands and knuckles. It was almost eight o'clock and Mikasa was nowhere to be seen. Where was that stupid brat anyway? He'd sent that trainee to go find her and deliver the message almost an hour ago. If that brat even thought about being late she was going to get an earful.

The large wooden doors of the training facility creaked open as the said cadet entered with one minute to spare. Didn't he say for her to be timely?

Levi continued to tighten the bindings on his hands as she approached him, an unpleasant look gracing her features. Her choice of work out attire surprised him. A loose white shirt and black pants much like the ones to her uniform. The hell? He had never seen her wear such things to training before. Months ago he would've been yelling at her to wear something more than just a sports bra and loose pants, and reprimanding male soldiers to quit ogling and get back to work. Maybe in light of recent events she wasn't going to give him the pleasure of exposing so much skin when it was just him. Stubborn brat.

She cleared her throat before speaking. "You wanted to see me Heichou."

Levi cut the excess bandage with his teeth and gave the girl a skeptical look as he turned to her. "Yes, your combat skills could use a little work Ackerman. You're out of practice." He drawled.

He watched impassively as she gaped at him. She couldn't believe it. Was he serious? Was this some sort of a stupid joke? She was always the top of her class in combat training and worked out regularly. How dare he disregard he rigorous work to keep her body and skills up to par.

Shutting her mouth to clench her teeth she tried to speak as calmly as possible. "What are you talking about sir? That is completely inaccurate-"

"I didn't ask for your opinion cadet."

Mikasa just watched as he walked out to the middle of the floor. "Hurry up, I don't have all night."

She felt his eyes on her as she angrily kicked off her boots and joined him on the floor. He had better have a good reason for all of this. It was so stupid-

A sharp kick to the side greeted her just as she stopped in front of him. The wind rushed out of her as she roughly landed on the floor.

"What the hell, Captain! I wasn't ready!" she snapped seething.

"Watch your mouth Ackerman. Plus your stance was terrible. Now, get up."

You didn't even give me the chance to get into a stance.

He could already see the fire of anger and determination burning in her onyx eyes as she stood. She was mad now, hatred was fueling her fire and she wanted nothing more than to punch the man into the ground.

"What is this all about Heichou?" she barked taking the proper stance.

He didn't answer as they exchanged a hard stare. His next procession of moves was his only reply.

Spinning kick, punch, duck. Uppercut, dodge. Punch, punch, block.

To answer her question it was simply really. He want to show her that she was getting nowhere with him or this faked relationship. Her stupid glaring and stubborn facade wasn't going to change the fact that they were going to be married whether she liked or not. And if she wasn't going to figure this out for herself, maybe this speak to her in a way common sense wasn't. She was letting her emotions get to her. Two weeks she'd avoided him, refusing to give in to Erwin's suggestion of tolerating each other. She was a bit prideful and it seemed that she'd let her get the better of her.

He swung a powerful kick up towards the side of her head and Mikasa ducked at the last minute.

He scoffed. "Come on Ackerman, surely you can do better than that. With the way you've been glaring at me all week I'd thought you'd be jumping at the chance for a fight." He paused as he saw her panting tiredly but her fight still burning in her eyes. She wasn't giving up yet, so he wouldn't either. "Attack me."

The girl set her jaw as she came after at him with as much power she could muster.

Kick! Punch, punch, dodge. Swing kick!

He was just too damn fast! Levi just looked like he hadn't broken a sweat, almost mocking her as he easily blocked and dodged her moves. A growl passed her lips as she tried to catch him off guard and actually lay a punch on him. But it was useless. She was only able to sneak in a few more techniques before he began advance on her. Swift and hard strikes came racing towards her body, moves that were more than enough to leave bruises.

How was this possible? How was he this fast and strong? Mikasa could hardly keep up. Her weary limbs barely blocked his moves. And- isssh!

The raven haired girl hissed in pain as his heal caught an already bruised spot on her arm. She faltered for a split second just as the corporal knocked her off her feet.

Oof!

She was just about to get up again when she felt a weight holding her down.

"Get off me Heichou." She growled lowly.

"No. You're going to listen to me."

"Hell I am! I'm not listening to word you have to say!" she barked trying to lunge as him from her position.

"Ackerman, cut it out-"

"No, I don't-"

"Mikasa, stop!"

She stilled as his tone of voice spiked and the use of her first name. The man held her wrists and looked like he was just about to pin her to the floor.

Her rage calmed as steel blue eyes pierced hers and she realized he was…sitting on her. No, straddling her.

She quickly tried to stop the blush creeping up her face as scrabbled to find something to say.

The girl averted her eyes before speaking quietly. "What do you want Corporal?"

"A chance to actually talk to you. As my fiancée."

She frowned at the use of her new title. Did it even really count? From what she knew about marriage and proposals, this was nowhere near being properly engaged.

Tsk, stubborn brat. She still wouldn't look at him. Then again, he was sitting on her. Seeing that she was at least calm enough to not lash out again, Levi released her wrists.

The girl eyed him indignantly when he still hadn't moved from his place on her lap. (Not that it mattered to him anyway.) Rolling his eyes, he moved and sat beside her, her sharp gaze still burning into him as she remain quiet.

"Dammit Ackerman…" he ran a hand through his hair exasperated. "You and I both know this marriage is not going to look believable if you keep glaring at me like that."

Mikasa opened her mouth to retort but let it stay closed as she frowned deeper.

"Yes, exactly like that." He pinched the bridge of his nose. Didn't anybody ever tell her that her face would get stuck like that if kept frowning? "You have to stop this Ackerman. No one is going to believe this bullshit otherwise."

"Me? Why are you blaming all of this on me? It's not like you greet me with a pleasant smile and a kiss every day."

He gave her a frown of his own and raised an eyebrow just as he grabbed her chin and pulled her face close to his. "Would you rather me greet you with a kiss everyday then?'

Levi had no idea why he'd done that, but didn't let it show. And even with his expression still as deadpan and disinterested as usual, Mikasa still blushed and let embarrassment cover her face.

"Please don't tell me that's a yes Ackerman. I'd rather not." He muttered, holding back a smirk.

Her eyes widened and she pushed away as she stood. She'd never felt so humiliated in her life. Why did that stupid chibi always have to be such a nuisance?

"But in all seriousness," he said standing. "You know I'm right. Both of us have to put aside our pride and deal with this, for both our sakes. Otherwise this is just going to be annoying as hell and not worth it."

She was silent as she took in his words. He was right. And she was just so tired of all of this. She didn't have the energy kept up this game of bickering and glaring. She was just too confused and tired and hurt. (And she didn't know how she felt about the fact that he'd suggested kissing her.)

She raised her eyes towards his. "And what if they don't Captain? What if they don't believe it? What do we do then?"

He contemplated it for a minute before looking up at her. "I don't know…But all we can do now is follow orders."

She seemed to be disappointed by his answer, but there was nothing else to say. Accepting it anyway, she turned to leave.

"Oi, Ackerman."

She peered over her shoulder.

"Do something about that arm, it's going to have a nasty bruise in the morning." He said throwing the roll of bandages her way.

Catching it she simply nodded, grabbed her boots and left without a word.

If this didn't work, she'd have no idea what to do.


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