Welcome to the fourth chapter of my first fanfic!
NOTICE:
-the character Fyllie (pronunciation: "FILL-ee") June belongs to me.
-the rest of the characters with identified names belong to the anime and manga series Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin. "Trost Univeristy", "the Scouts", "The University of Utgard", "the Titans", while of course are referenced from the series, are fanmade (by me) colleges and teams, and the idea belongs to me, and are not a part of the Attack on Titan's existing story.
-"Paint Wars", while exists as the well known electronic music festivals, is the name of the College Paintball Sport Association in the fanfic.
-Slight Language Warning; wouldn't be Attack on Titan without it.
-Wow I didn't think it would done this soon! I'm very sorry about the length, but I had a lot I wanted to add in this chapter. I've decided that I'm not going to worry about chapter length. None of them will exceed 10k words, promise. But from now on, chapters will range from 4k - 9k.
-Please leave a review! It means a lot! Thank you!
2 Weeks Later
"Sasha! Gah, we're in public!" Fyllie squealed as the potatochip-obsessed girl pulled her over so they both were laying horizontally in the booth.
"Lighten up and have some fun!" Sasha replied back, hugging Fyllie more tightly. "Wow your hair smells nice!"
"Oh my god this is so weird," Fyllie said, not being able to hold back giggles.
"Heyyy, why don't I get a huuug?" Connie asked.
"Because you guys are dry humping every other second," Jean said, mouth full with the contents of a big ass, greasy burger.
The whole team, excluding Levi and Hanji, were at a restaurant together, for "team bonding". It was actually quite fun. The past two weeks of practice and hanging out in general, really made it seem like they were a family, and in such short time.
Fyllie had never had close friends, so she was getting used to the idea of it all. She'd never had someone like Sasha, that hugged her randomly with so much energy, or someone like Marco, to encourage her and of course everyone else when they made the smallest mistake or correct Fyllie when she apologized too much. She never had anyone, really. She could have chosen to be more social but she just preferred paintballing instead.
Fyllie once tried to invite a couple of kids to paint ball with her for her 10th birthday, but they were no where near her level so it wasn't fun at all. Fyllie's best friends were honestly the employees at the Paintball Parks, who saw her the most. The employees would play paintball if there weren't enough players sometimes.
"Gross, Jean." Eren said as he ate.
"Are you sure those are good bite sizes for you? You might choke," Mikasa said in her monotone, but motherly voice to Eren.
"We don't dry hump!" Connie said, hands behind his head, eyes closed in his own little world.
"Ugh, don't even talk about your sad couple life," Ymir said, "you're no where near where Krista and I are! Like I said, were getting married-"
"Yeah, yeah. We all know you guys are going to get married," Jean interrupted, receiving a death glare from Ymir.
"It's okay Ymir, let Connie and Sasha talk about themselves! They're cute!" Krista said sweetly, like the little angel goddess she is.
"But never as cute as us!" Ymir said.
"Sasha, people think we're weird, lemme sit up!" Fyllie giggled.
"We are weird!" Sasha said happily.
"Sashaaa," Fyllie whined.
"Fiiine," Sasha said letting go, pulling Fyllie back up. "You aren't used to being close to people, are you?"
"Well I'm not used to being attacked with hugs at random times for no reason," Fyllie said, rolling her eyes with a smile on her face.
"You'll get used to it!" Sasha said.
"Guys, is anyone like, super fired up for our match tomorrow?" Eren asked, his fork and knife in hand. "It's not the Titans, but it's someone. Our first match of the year. The first shot we have at establishing dominance over Paintwars, proving we are a force to be reckoned with! We're going to crush them! Destroy them! And-"
"Woah woah, calm down someone's gonna call the cops," Jean joked.
"I find your passion inspiring, Eren! Your determination will take you far in life!" Marco said supportingly, smiling happily.
"Don't encourage him." Ymir said.
"His determination and his physical capabilities are complete different things," Fyllie giggled.
"Exactly!" Jean said, a bit over-enthusiasticly. "You're exactly right!"
"Obvious, much, Jean?" Armin asked.
"Shut up," Jean said. "Aren't you supposed to be studying?" It was a joke, for the yellow haired boy was always obsessing about school work.
"Actually," Armin started, taking his comment literally, "Hanji has helped me with a lot of it, so I'm ahead a few chapters in everything!"
"Jesus Christ, little man." Jean rolled his eyes.
"That's great!" Marco said.
"Good for you, Armin!" Krista chimed.
"Thanks!" Armin replied.
"Okay but Eren does have a point, I'm super excited for our first match. We're going to do great. We've worked so hard in such a short amount of time," Sasha said.
"Our work has been mildly impressive," Mikasa admitted.
"Speaking of our work, we all still smell like shit," Fyllie said. The team had just come directly from practice, and today was rigorous. They didn't do any conditioning, floor work or lifting, but it was all Paintball. Running and jumping and flipping around, repeatedly, again and again without a break. They were dripping sweat afterwards; thank goodness everyone had a change of clothes. However even with deodorant, the smell was still there and strong.
"Yeah we do," Sasha said as she made a face.
"But we have food, so everything is A-OK!" Connie said, slurping in a single noodle for what seemed like minutes.
"I guess that puts things into perspective." Fyllie giggled.
"Speaking of perspective, how is it with you and Captain Levi?" Krista asked. "The bigger picture is the whole team. And you still haven't talked about what's been going on with you two after-"
"Yeah... Er, I don't wanna talk about it; it doesn't matter," Fyllie said, a nervous smile on her face.
After Levi had left her at the optical store, Fyllie managed to get inside and received immediate help. She got her contacts, and even a new pair of glasses with their insurance. Before she could ask for someone's phone to use to call someone, the entire team was basically there to get her.
She told them what happened, and when they got to her to her dorm, Sasha stayed with her. Fyllie's roommate must have been scared off from earlier with Levi, and she didn't come back that night.
Fyllie just broke down and cried, and let Sasha hug her and comfort her, and somehow Sasha made her feel like why she was crying was valid, and Fyllie was able to calm down in only minutes.
The two spent the whole night talking about random things, what they enjoyed and what they didn't, what tv shows they binged and movies they could quote, what music they loved, the weird embarrassing obsessions they had, and eventually, what happened with her and Levi in every detail and why it made Fyllie feel what she did.
And afterwards, after falling asleep together watching anime on Netflix until 3am, Fyllie felt better. Not better from the previous day, better about herself, about everything.
Since then, everything kind of flowed together, like with the team members. Fyllie was finally able to let go of her fear that they thought she wasn't deserving to be on the team. They all thought she was fine, and they felt kind of bad that she came as a sophomore and didn't know anyone. They also felt bad that she got paired up with Levi, as that was obviously intimidating.
At the next practice, the team was by her side, and treated her as if they had known her for a year, too. And Fyllie was overwhelmed but loved it. The whole group. How Mikasa mothered Eren. How Jean and Eren went at it. How Marco supported everyone, with Krista as well, and how Ymir loved Krista. She loved Connie and Sasha together, and how Connie was so goddamn chill on such a comical level. She loved how Armin was so timid but smart and nice, and how he cared for Eren as well.
It was just great. The group dynamic. The best part was that all the making fun, all the teasing was just for fun and no one was ever actually offended, which was something that Fyllie was scared for at first.
She loved Hanji too, of course. The sophomore recruits were like a little family, and Hanji was like everyone's weird, but cool aunt. And she was always busy with things so she couldn't always hang out. Apparently she was one of her class's top students and was taking so many courses that her schedule was packed. No one had any idea how she lived under the pressure. She was late for things every now and then, but lived completely stress free.
She was also the leader and organizer of two other recognized science groups, and was somehow always prepared for everything; never scatter-brained. She also ran the group chat the team had, being the caring reminder to everyone about everything, like heads up on what they were doing in practice, and if they should bring extra clothes and everything like that. She also encouraged everyone to hang out.
Overall, Fyllie was loving her life on campus. She didn't give Levi much thought throughout the days, and besides never having a family of friends before, she totally embraced the team as they welcomed her. She was comfortable around them, especially with Sasha as her best friend. But the silence between her and Levi was panging at her insides, whether she recognized it or not.
"C'mon, open up! We all wanna know!" Krista continued.
"Yeah, has he said anything about me?" Eren asked.
"Fyllie doesn't have to talk about it if she doesn't want to," Sasha smiled.
"Well I guess," Fyllie hesitated.
They all leaned in waiting for her next words.
"Well," she started, "we haven't talked. At all."
The rest of the group had heard Fyllie's story before. She explained everything she did to Sasha, a few days later. They knew what she said and how Levi treated her, how he helped her and when he was nice, and how he stood up to roommate for her.
Fyllie could remember the whole conversation.
"But then he left you there at the optical store?" Krista had asked.
"Yeah, after all he did for you," Armin sighed.
"He's so stupid, I'm going to punch him the next time I see him!" Eren said.
"No, no," Fyllie shook her head quickly. "Don't do that."
"The point is that what Levi did wasn't appropriate for him being captain. Even though he was angry, he's supposed to help through it. And he came short of that." Mikasa said.
"He did help me. It was harder but it wasn't like I couldn't find my way in the store," Fyllie said.
"Yeah, but someone could have taken you," Ymir said.
"Yeah! You should've called me to be your protector!" Jean said.
"She didn't have her phone, dumbass." Eren said.
"And she didn't have our numbers yet, shitbrain," Ymir added.
"Guys, at least Captain Levi called Hanji to tell us to pick up Fyllie," Marco said. "He did help her even after he left."
"Yeah," Fyllie agreed. "Besides, I did say that thing about Petra..."
"Yeah... Ouch." Jean said.
"Who's Petra?" Connie asked.
"Levi's ex-partner you idiot," Eren replied.
"It was wrong of me to bring something like that up, it really was. Petra means a lot to Levi, and it must be hard for him not having her as a partner, you know?" Fyllie said.
"Give yourself a little credit," Sasha said. "He had you against a wall. Physically."
"I mean, I'm over it. I really am. It's you guys who I'm spending time with, and I love that. I've decided with Sasha's help there's no need to try to kindle a relationship with Levi. We're good enough as we are, we don't need to talk. If he won't mind me, I won't mind him." Fyllie said contently.
"Good for you," Marco had smiled.
And Fyllie was over it. She was proud of herself for that. It was just hard talking about how things were now with Levi, because it was disappointing.
"You haven't spoken at all???" They all asked in different ways, all at the same time.
"He hasn't apologized?" Krista asked, shocked.
"What was it like seeing him for the first time the next practice?" Armin asked.
"Have you said like, even small words to each other?" Eren asked.
"What about when we do conditioning? Does he say a number when you're done?" Mikasa added.
"What about when we Paintball actually, do you discuss a game plan?" Jean asked.
Fyllie was overwhelmed with questions.
"No. We don't talk at all. Not one word has been exchanged between us since he left me at the store. Not one. He's never apologized, he doesn't say the number after we do sit ups and stuff. When we actually play Paintball, I run off like I did the first day and he covers me and vice versa. When I first saw him after he left me he looked away and crossed his arms. He hasn't ever seemed like he's wanted to say anything to me, and I've given him a chance. I'm sure Erwin is up his ass about it, since Hanji knows kind of what happened. But I don't want him to apologize or whatever just because Coach told him to. And I don't care if he ever does." Fyllie answered. She sighed and looked down; it was disappointing, but it was the truth. And she did care, just a little bit.
"Wow." Ymir said.
"What the shit," Jean said.
"How does Hanji know?" Connie asked.
"Because Levi told Hanji to tell us to pick Fyllie up you stupid egg head," Ymir answered.
"Heyyy, don't insult my babe's beautiful buzz-y cut!" Sasha said, hugging Connie, who probably didn't hear the comment at all.
"So you two haven't said anything?" Marco asked, in total disbelief.
"As a leader, as the captain he should be willing and wanting to solve this inbetween you, whether Coach says so or not. I can't believe this," Krista sighed.
"It's whatever," Fyllie assured. "Besides, excluding what happened between me and him, he's still a good captain. He doesn't like our mess interfere with him at practice and when he's instructing or helping us." Fyllie always made sure that when she talked about Levi, she mentioned the good. She didn't want the team to not like him, or disrespect him because of her. She did respect Levi, he just a had a temper.
"I suppose that's true," Mikasa admitted.
And Levi was a really good captain these past practices. He was respectable, not overly harsh (except to Eren for some reason), offered advice (though in strict tones of course), and explained things effectively. He was right in almost all cases of his perspective, and whenever someone showed lacking in an area, he knew how to fix it.
Eren started to say, "Yeah, but Fyllie-"
"Is a mother-flippin' badass that can handle herself," Sasha interjected. "If it doesn't bother her than we can all let this go. Sure Levi wasn't respectable in that case, he was far from that, and I do want to clob him in the face for it, but we can't let this interfere with how we see him. Now, is there a vending machine in this place because I really want some potato chips," Sasha said, smiling at Fyllie.
Fyllie was glad. Sasha summed up exactly what Fyllie felt. She smiled at Sasha in a way that said, "thanks so much," and Sasha understood.
The team was silent for a second or two to take that in and then all slowly nodded their heads in agreement.
"Sasha you've had 14 bags of Potato chips today." Mikasa said.
"And this is a nice restaurant," Eren added.
"They don't have a vending machine," Ymir said.
"And if they did, they'd sell pasta and burgers and fancy stuffs!" Connie added.
"Or, maybe healthier stuff," Krista said, trying to draw the attention away from Connie's stupid comment, as Eren, Jean and Ymir face-palmed.
"Don't you want to know what Captain Levi's thinking?" Marco asked one last time, showing his sweet caring side while the others discussed vending machines. "Maybe what he'd say to you the first time you guys do talk? Assuming he initiated the conversation?"
Fyllie thought it over for a second. "I-"
"Fyllie." Levi's voice cut through the air like knives, slicing that entire mood of the restaurant.
Eren nearly shat his pants, and Krista would have jumped out of her skin if Ymir hadn't protectively hugged her. Jean spit out contents of his greasy burger back onto his plate, and Sasha's mouth dropped so the floor. Connie didn't even notice Levi was there, and Mikasa just looked his way. Marco smiled, and Armin was startled but didn't react too much.
"Yes, Captain?" Fyllie asked, surprised that he was speaking to her. And now of all places. She normally knew what she would do under a lot of already thought out circumstances, but Levi coming to confront her now was not something she expected at all.
"I would like if you came with me." He said, steadily. His tone wasn't demanding but Fyllie could tell that he was holding it back.
"I'm eating with my friends," Fyllie said.
"Your plate's empty." Levi replied, walking over to the table. He then dropped two one hundred dollar bills on the table. "Your food's on me, everyone."
Fyllie sighed and bit her lip, looking at everyone. She felt like she had to go, as much as she knew bailing out would be rude.
"Go with him, it's fine, Fyllie," Sasha said, as if she could read her mind.
Fyllie smiled lightly, and looked back to Levi. She didn't know what he wanted or where he wanted her to go, but she decided they'd have to talk eventually and solve whatever it was in between them, and better now than never. Besides, they had their first match tomorrow and it would be better for them if they could openly communicate.
The freckled girl stood up. "Alright. I'll go," she said, shoving her hands in her pocket, grabbing her bag. As she started to sling it over her shoulder, Levi grabbed the strap and slung it over his.
"I'll carry it for you. Let's go." Levi said, turning around, starting to walk to the exit."You brats better not screw around before our match tomrrow," he called back to the group.
"Bye, guys," Fyllie said, before walking after their captain.
Levi held the door for Fyllie as they exited the restaurant, and walked through the parking lot, walking beside her and not in front of her. He then unlocked his car, opened the passenger side door for her, closed it after she got in, and then jumped in on his side.
Fyllie buckled herself and sat their awkwardly, her leg bouncing in anxiousness.
Levi started the car, pulled out of the parking lot and starting driving through campus. It was silent for a few minutes, and Fyllie's phone was blowing up with texts in the group chat from everyone.
"I'm sorry for two weeks ago, Fyllie." Levi said in a deep voice; sincere, not overly-apologetic and steady. "It was wrong. As a captain it was wrong. Even if I wasn't a captain it would be wrong."
Fyllie didn't answer for a little bit. She processed his words slowly, accepting it as a sincere apology.
"Thanks," Fyllie started, "it's fine. All you did for me really covers it up, I guess. I never did thank you properly for all you did." Fyllie looked down. "Thanks for everything you did. It was... really caring of you."
Levi was silent for a moment as well.
"It's not fine." Levi said. "I was wrong. ...And you're welcome."
Fyllie lightly smiled. "I'm sorry for what I said about-"
"Don't mention it," Levi interrupted.
Before Fyllie could say anything, Levi turned on the radio station, and current pop music filled the car. Fyllie couldn't help but smile, and rested her arm on the elbow rest, and propped up her head with her hand.
Fyllie didn't bother asking where they were going; it really didn't matter. She would find out soon, and now it was the time to just relax in a way. To exhale. Levi apologized. Fyllie apologized. Fyllie thanked him. It was over with. During the actual apology, even as short as it was, it was nerve-wracking but afterwards it's like a wave of relief.
After a few more minutes, Levi pulled up in the driveway of a small split apartment on campus. One side was yellow, and the other side was pink. There was a front porch, and a divider in the middle. The two sides were identical. Juniors and seniors, who were good students of course, were allowed to live in these apartments. They were comfy and obviously bigger than dorms, and fun if you had a good roommate(s). He parked the car and got out, and Fyllie got out as well.
"Where are we?" Fyllie asked.
"I want you to meet someone." Levi replied. He walked up the stairs to the front porch on the left side, and rang the doorbell.
Fyllie stepped up beside him.
"Come in!" Fyllie heard someone, a girl's voice calling from inside.
Levi opened the door and held it for Fyllie. The freckled girl stepped inside, and Levi followed afterwards.
Fyllie looked around at everything and smiled. It was so cute inside, fun-looking and pretty. There were cute decorations and the casual "college student girl" vibe, but with a hint of general cheerfulness. Her eyes finally landed on a girl siting on the couch, one of her legs propped up on a table in front of her. That leg had a huge cast on it, from her mid-thigh to her toes. She had light brown hair to her shoulders, and smiled sweetly.
"Hey Captain, and hello, I'm Petra, nice to meet you Fyllie," Petra said, waving lightly.
"Hello, nice to meet you too," Fyllie said awkwardly. She knew it was Petra from pictures and such, and lightly smiled as well, not really knowing what to say, or what Levi wanted to accomplish by bringing her here.
"Have a seat, you guys," she said, smiling cheerfully. "How are you today?"
"Fine," Levi said. "I'll make us some tea."
Petra nodded as Levi went into the other room to the kitchen area. He'd obviously been here before.
"I'm good, I guess," Fyllie replied, slowly sitting down in a comfy chair. "How are you?"
"I'm pretty good, just doing homework," Petra answered. "So, how's being on the Scouts?"
"Really awesome," Fyllie said, not being able to hide her grin. She lit up whenever she talked about it; it was what she loved. It was like all the awkwardness disappeared as well. "It's great, the team is great, as people and as players, practice is hard but fun, and Erwin is a good coach. Levi's a good captain, too. I'm sorry you got injured Petra, I wish that you could be on the team, even if I wouldn't be on it," Fyllie said.
Petra giggled a bit and shrugged. "That's great you're enjoying it, I'm really glad. And it's okay, sweetie, I'm happy that someone like you has my position. I really am."
"That's so sweet," Fyllie said, grinning.
"Awww, thanks, Fyllie," Petra replied. "Levi talks about you a lot. You're a really strong link in the team."
"He does? Wait he thinks that? What does he say?" Fyllie asked. She knew she sounded a bit obsessive, but she was one of those people that wanted to know what certain others said or thought about her since she was self conscious and desired approval from many people.
"He just says you're really skilled. He says that you're strong and tough, and paintballing comes so natural to you. He said that if you were at tryouts, you would have been one of the top two recruits for sure." Petra said sincerely.
Fyllie couldn't help but feel relieved, but more than that, hot. Her cheeks warmed up and she found herself shyly looking down trying to hide it.
"Wow," Fyllie said. "I wouldn't think that's what he'd think."
"He is a rough Captain, and he's a tough guy. But he does think that. And he told me he's ashamed for what happened two weeks ago." Petra said.
Fyllie bit her lip. So Petra knew about that. She wondered what parts Levi told her and what parts he might've left out. She wondered if Petra knew about what Fyllie said about her.
"Yeah, well that was my fault," Fyllie said. "I'm really useless without my glasses, and I was having really bad anxiety, so Levi's fine, it's just that I'm a mess," Fyllie said nervously, sadly smiling in embarrassment and humbleness.
"Awww, cut yourself a little slack, Fyllie. Levi does have a temper sometimes. But he's human. And he knows you're just human too." Petra reassured.
"Thanks, Petra," Fyllie said, smiling warmly.
"Go easy on him; he plans to going easy on you, too. Levi thinks highly of you, and despite first not wanting you on the team, that really changed. He's glad that you're his new partner. And believe me when I say this, he's sorry. He's ashamed, and not because of anything Erwin said," Petra said reassuringly, smiling.
"Er, I think he's just saying things, that can't be all true. I heard him on the first day of practice before and he was pretty pissed I was on the team," Fyllie said nervously. "He may like my skill but he doesn't like me."
"Fyllie, I think he does likes you," Petra said.
Fyllie almost choked, managing to bite her lip before she started coughing. She couldn't help but want to laugh, and she just awkwardly grinned, blushing a bit, slowly shaking her head no.
Petra giggled a bit and nodded her head yes. "It's true! I really do think that! It's the way he talks about you! I swear!"
"No no no, he does not like me. Not in any universe, not in any way." Fyllie said. "If anything he likes you, Petra. And why wouldn't he? You're so beautiful and kind and wonderful, I can tell it already."
"Awww, thanks Fyllie, but I really do believe that Levi could like you. He appreciates you as a player, as a member of the team, but he also likes your personality." Petra said.
"How? We haven't talked since two weeks ago until now, how could he know my personality?" Fyllie asked.
"He talks about how you interact with the other team members. And he talks with Hanji. Hanji is the best observer of the team, and he always talks about you in a different way than he does with everyone else. Fyllie, even if he doesn't like you, you have to believe he wants to have your back, and he wants to be friends." Petra said.
"What's his definition of friends?" Fyllie asked.
"I guess you'll have to ask him," Petra smiled.
Before Fyllie could ask more questions, Levi came in carrying a tray with a cute little tea set on it. He poured three cups of tea into the cups, and handed one to Petra, and one to Fyllie.
"Thanks, Levi," Petra said smiling, as she took a sip.
"Thanks, Captain," Fyllie said, smelling it first. She hadn't ever really had a lot of hot tea before, but this stuff smelled good. She took a sip, and was fairly impressed. "Wow this stuff is really good, what kind is it?" She asked.
Levi ever so slightly smiled. "I make my own, do you drink tea often?"
"No, I haven't had hot tea in a long time," Fyllie said, taking another sip.
"That's a shame," Levi said, taking a sip from his, holding his cup around the rim instead of using the handle for some reason.
"So, what are you guys' game plan for tomorrow?" Petra asked.
Fyllie looked up at Levi, who looked at her as well. Fyllie looked away, and down at her tea.
"We haven't discussed one, yet." Levi answered.
"It's Levi's choice," Fyllie said. "He's the captain."
"But you guys are partners," Petra smiled.
"I suppose we can do what we do in practice," Levi suggested.
"With a bit more communication," Fyllie added.
"Yeah we've talked about this team's style. We've practiced for it." Levi said. He looked slightly away and hesitated. "But Fyllie and I haven't talked about our personal plan."
"Well, they're hiders, right?" Fyllie said. "They want to lure us in and then jump out and attack. So, we basically just, maybe do what we do but slower?"
"Well, I suppose. Their arena is being set up like a maze. I propose we get on the top of the maze. The team we're facing are crouchers. They stay low to the ground. The walls are about 15 feet high, so no one can really get on top, and they definitely wouldn't be looking that high." Levi said.
"Should we tell the rest of the team that?" Fyllie asked.
"Some. Maybe. But for now, it'll be our plan. I've heard the other's plan, and they're decent working together. But frankly, some of them wouldn't be able to do that. Like Krista and Armin and such. Which means Ymir couldn't. Eren probably couldn't either. We haven't practiced in senarios like this, maybe jumping distances, but not like the top of a maze," Levi said.
"And if they could," Levi continued, "for instance Jean most likely could, he'd be too loud and obvious. We might be able to propose the position to Mikasa, but she might prefer to watch over Eren. However, if one of us gets out, the other one won't. If I get eliminated, you won't, Fyllie. But I don't know what goes on in Mikasa's brain for Eren."
"True," Fyllie said, feeling kind of honored Levi knew she was capable of running on top of the maze with him.
"But for partner rounds," Levi continued, "and the final rounds, we don't have a plan yet. It's my fault, we should have been discussing a lot before now."
"It's alright," Fyllie said, smiling weakly.
"Since we'll only be facing one team, there won't be a formal Free-For-All round, where one person from each team goes into a separate arena, but there will be two separate games. They're splitting up our team and the other team to go into two special courses. They're a surprise so we don't know what they are. The order is you and me, Krista and Ymir, Jean and Marco on one, and then Hanji and Armin, Mikasa and Eren, and Sasha and Connie in the other," Levi explained.
"The point system is in a grading scale at their arena. Kind of like school Grades. Whoever wins capture the flag gets an "A" and then deductions for mistakes and how many people got shot, etc... and the other team's grade is based on their performance strictly," Levi said.
"And then what's the scoring system for the two Free-For-All's?" Fyllie asked.
"More of the same," Levi shrugged. "They average out the "grades" in the end and that's who wins the match."
Fyllie thought a bit. She nodded in understanding, thinking about the team placings and everything. A part of it was stressful to think about, but it was Paintball. The thing she knew best.
"You know the reason why I didn't want you to run out the first day of practice is because it's not like some regular arena where you can dominate people who only play every few months. There are people on some teams that are better than me, better than us. But I see that we're fine now, Fyllie," Levi said. "I'll cover you."
Fyllie looked at Levi and smiled. "Okay," she said.
Petra grinned in the background. "Awww look at you to cuties getting along," she giggled.
Levi raised an eyebrow at her and rolled his eyes. Fyllie smiled and blushed a bit, looking away.
"Fyllie?" Levi asked.
"Yes, Captain?" She replied.
"Come to the arena with me, I want to practice something with you." He said.
"Okay," Fyllie said, smiling.
Fyllie ran around the corner, up the side of the wall of the maze with all her speed, then jumped directly down on Levi. Levi's hands met her feet as she jumped, and shoved her up high enough to grab the edge of the wall, and silently pull herself up. Just like they practiced yesterday after they left Petra's house. Levi tossed Fyllie their paintball guns, and then swiftly jumped from behind two walls to get on top of the maze as well. Fyllie gave him his gun, and they nodded at each other before quietly walking more inwards, looking down for the other team.
Fyllie glanced up at those who were watching them, their spectators, and both coaches of the teams'. Erwin looked down approvingly at them, and the other coach glared. The players on the ground would not be able to see their coaches. The freckled girl looked at Levi.
You run, I'll shoot, he seemed to say with his look.
Fyllie then leapt from on top of the wall to another wall about seven feet across, and then another, nimbly making her way over the maze. Levi followed her, and soon enough, Levi started shooting.
"They're on top of the walls!" The other team started to yell.
"Go!" Levi shouted, as he shot off one by one, advancing, dodging paint balls coming at him.
It meant Fyllie didn't have to be silent anymore. She began sprinting across the maze walls, running as fast as she could, as gracefully as she could as well. Dodging was very difficult. All the shots were coming from underneath her; it wasn't like she would move sideways on the walls, she had to move forward. She trusted Levi to cover her, and he did. She managed to get a couple shots out, and when she located their flag, only three walls away, only 30 more feet, she jumped like she could make it.
Levi's fingers slipped in between hers, held on tightly, and then Fyllie felt her body being swung around, and then Levi let go, and she propelled through the air, just enough so she could grab the edge of the wall to lighten her fall. When her feet touched the ground, she grabbed the flag and the game was over. The horn rang, and Levi jumped down beside her.
Fyllie grinned and the announcement was made that the Scouts had won Capture the Flag.
Levi nodded approvingly at her, with a look on his face that felt like he was smiling at her. She couldn't help but grin, and didn't care about the uncontrollable blush on her cheeks.
Their Free-For-All was more of the same. With no flag to capture, running around eliminating their opponents was like second nature, and with the other Scout teammates, the win was easy.
The other Free-For-All was won as well, mainly lead by Mikasa.
The Scouts won the overall match, and they celebrated after Coach Erwin, Levi and Hanji spoke to them about how they'd done and what they did good and what they did bad, and considering after only two weeks of practice how good they were. They were aware there were much tougher teams ahead, but today they had won.
The bus ride home was nice; they talked a bit, told jokes and messed around for a while and then for the rest of trip they all fell asleep listening to music or leaning on each other. Levi and Hanji were sitting near the front talking with Erwin, and Fyllie was sitting with Armin.
They arrived back at their arena and put their gear back on the racks, put whatever they wanted in their lockers, and then were dismissed.
Fyllie left the arena, followed by the other members. She pulled out her phone and rolled her eyes as they laughed and joked.
"Are you going to the party tonight?" Sasha asked Fyllie excitedly.
Jean nodded as well. "Yeah Fyllie, you should come with us! We can dance together if you want-"
"Jean don't you understand, she's infinitely out of your league." Eren chuckled.
"What party?" Fyllie asked. "Oh the one at Hanji's apartment," she remembered. Hanji lived in a split apartment like Petra, and they both sides were hosting one big party. They had been talking about it in the group chat, just not around Erwin, in case he didn't want them to go. Knowing Erwin he probably did know they were going, but they low-keyed it during paintball practice and such.
"Yeah, Hanji wants us to come Fyllie," Ymir said.
"Well actually, I do have a lot of studying for," Fyllie said truthfully. Parties also were just never her thing. High school parties weren't either. There was this underlying thing that if you didn't drink or do drugs you weren't "cool", and Fyllie thought this was bullshit. Fyllie actually didn't have many friends to go to parties with in the first place because she was always paintballing in her free time. She had been to parties her freshman year at her other university, but it was really just people trying to bang the cutest girl/guy, getting so drunk that everyone looks cute, and then banging someone. The music was good, though.
"Oh c'mon," Sasha said, skipping around holding hands with Connie, who was zoned out in his own little world of course. "It'll be fun! You'll have us!"
"You guys will be wasted, that's not my thing," Fyllie giggled.
"I won't," Mikasa said. "I'll be watching over Eren."
Eren flushed red. "Shut up! I don't need watched over! I'm nineteen!"
"Maybe. I'm not sure. It all depends on what you guys bombard the group chat with," Fyllie answered, smiling.
"Oh, we'll be convincing you! We're gonna get your ass to that party no matter what it takes!" Sasha wrapped her arms around Fyllie's shoulders from behind.
Fyllie couldn't help but grin and roll her eyes. "It'll take a hella lot, I actually do have something to study for," she said, walking wobbly from the odd position she was with Sasha.
"Like what?" Eren asked.
"Science-"
"Oh that shit doesn't matter!" Jean exclaimed. "Come party!"
"Yeah Science is useless!" Connie chimed. "I failed that!"
"Don't let Hanji hear that. You'll be doing clean up for the rest of the season," Ymir said.
"How'd you fail already? It's we've been in school for like, 3 weeks," Fyllie said.
"Oh, then I don't know." Connie shrugged.
"Okay well anyways, c'mon think about it," Sasha said. "Pleeease? To celebrate our win for today! I'll help you with homework later, and it'll all be a good time!"
Fyllie giggled and rolled her eyes. "Maybe".
"Fyllie." Someone said behind them.
"Go on, I'll catch up later," Fyllie smiled as she turned around to face her Captain. "What's up?" She asked, walking over towards him. She smiled at him, and he raised his eyebrows and kind of smiled back.
"You did mildly impressive, today," he started, making Fyllie laugh out loud.
"Mildly impressive?" She asked.
"Fine. Good." He said.
"Okay well, thank you I suppose," Fyllie said. "And you did mildly impressive as well."
"Thanks." Levi said. "So are you going to that party at Hanji's?"
"I don't know," Fyllie answered, rocking on the heels of her feet.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because parties aren't my thing," she replied.
"Mine either. Just a bunch of crazy douchebags listening to stupid music and thinking they're on top of the world," Levi said.
"Well, it is fun to be young and wild," Fyllie said.
"I suppose so," Levi said. "You should come with me."
Fyllie was surprised by that. "How come?" She asked.
"Well, you know that thing I was talking about? About the Titans?" Levi asked.
"Yeah I remember," Fyllie said.
"They're here. On our campus." Levi said with an annoyed look on his face.
"They are? The whole team?" Fyllie asked.
"No. Three of them. The new recruits. An they'll be at the party. I've been watching them whenever I can-"
"Stalker alert," Fyllie joked, interrupting Levi.
"Shut up," Levi said, making Fyllie laugh. "Anyways, they've been stalking us around our paintball arena, around me, around other members as well. I've seen them. They hang out around after class in the campus buildings and try to confirm who's on the team. You guys' pictures aren't on our website yet, so they're not sure. And there's something they probably want from Hanji."
"That's creepy as hell," Fyllie said. "What do they want?"
"Hanji was talking to one of her friends about the paintball team last week. She was explaining to her how she keeps the team together. As a captain, or, someone older you know, she takes notes of the team; she's like everyone's manager. She keeps all that shit in a notebook, to have it organized. It has all your application forms, and she takes note on where all your dorms are incase she needs to find you. It has how you interact with the team and everything and of course your stats and such. It has everything there. And then she reports back to Erwin with any concerns or stuff that stands out as either bad or good," Levi explained.
"Wait do you have a notebook?" Fyllie asked. "What does Hanji write about me? Have you read it?"
Levi was taken aback by her sudden questions, that were quite irrelevant. "Er, I don't have a physical notebook, no. And-"
"Where do you keep your notes, then?"
"Er, in my phone and in my head. Plus, I take care of your performances in paintballing only, and if I have any big concerns, Hanji might have an answer in her observations." Levi replied.
"Okay answer my other two questions," the freckled girl said.
"Tsk. I don't know, a bunch of shit. And yeah I've skimmed through it when she's shoving it in my face. But I don't know, why don't you ask her instead?" Levi said.
"Because it would be weird if I was the one who asked," Fyllie answered.
"Well, okay but you're missing the point. One of the Titans overheard Hanji talking; it's easy for them to find out she's having a party, and they'll be there tonight." Levi said.
"Okay so why do you need me?" Fyllie asked.
Levi hesitated. "Tsk, doesn't matter. I'll pick you up at 8:30." He started to turn away back to his car.
"Wait! What should I wear?" Fyllie asked, because she honestly had no idea.
"I don't know? Ask Sasha," Levi answered as he got in his car. Fyllie thought it was adorable that she noticed Levi's ears got a little bit red when she asked.
"Fyllie you better be ready," Levi said as he knocked on her dorm room door.
"I'm fine, thanks, how are you?" She said sarcastically.
Levi sighed. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks!" Fyllie replied.
Levi rolled his eyes. "Hurry up," he said.
"Patient much?" Fyllie asked, as she opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind her.
Hot damn. Levi looked good. He was wearing dark blue fitted jeans, and a long-sleeved black v-neck shirt that was ever so slightly baggy, showing his collar bone and the top of his chest. His facial appearance wasn't any different, but seeing him in things other than gym wear and paintball gear was weird. Maybe he had something casual on when he took her to get her glasses, but she wouldn't have been able to see it.
"Yeah yeah, whatever," Levi said.
Fyllie was wearing a fancy white short sleeved shirt and black leggings with bright orange shorts over top. Her hair was pulled up in a cute-messy bun, she wore her glasses, and on her feet were her neon orange and green high tops.
She noticed Levi look at her for a split second, then look away. "C'mon let's go, they're already there."
"Well doesn't Hanji know by now?" Fyllie asked as she walked beside Levi, moving at a quick pace.
"I still haven't told her." Levi answered.
"Why?" Fyllie asked.
"Because she'd think I'm overthinking or something. She might believe that Titans are on campus, but she wouldn't believe my gut," Levi replied.
"Why not, it's rock solid," Fyllie joked, referring to his hard ass six pack.
"Ha Ha very funny," Levi rolled his eyes.
"What are we doing in here?" Fyllie asked, as Levi shut the door. They were in Hanji's room. The place was generally clean, but there was just so much stuff that it didn't look tidy. The walls you couldn't even see, there were posters and bulletin boards and calendars and bookshelves, and her desk, or desks, were covered in papers.
"Obviously to have sex, Fyllie," Levi answered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Jesus Christ, Levi." The freckled girl said, turning beat red.
"Tsk." Levi went over to Hanji's desk and started looking for something, digging through all the books and such. "Jesus, Hanji. How many biology classes are you taking?" He said, shoving all the books off the table.
"Don't just push all her shit around, Levi," Fyllie said, stacking he books that'd fallen on Levi's accord in a neat pile.
"You're the one that just called her stuff shit," Levi smirked, continuing to dig through her papers.
"Gah, are you sure it's here?" Fyllie asked.
"Yes," Levi said.
"Levi I'm pretty sure no one would take it. It's just too far fetched. Let's just leave, it doesn't matter," Fyllie said. It did seem a little far fetched. What people would steal a team's information like that? Even if they wanted to cheat somehow it was weird. Besides, a team's fighting style can be countered if that's what the Titans would try to do, but when it comes down to it, it's really just a matter of skill.
"No, we need it." Levi answered.
"Why?" Fyllie asked.
"Because I'm emotionally attached. How much of the team is here?" Levi asked before Fyllie could comment on his sarcastic-ness.
"I'm pretty sure all of us-" before Fyllie could finish, Levi shushed her and swiftly pulled her into Hanji's closet, so fast Fyllie had no idea what was happening until she felt all kinds of clothes hanging in her face, surrounding her legs and under her feet.
"Someone's coming," Levi's voice came from right behind her ear, and she suddenly became aware of her back and shoulder being pressed tightly against his rock solid stomach and chest. His arms were wrapped tightly around her torso, and she knew that if he let go, she would fall forward. The clothes piled up more towards the back of the closet; it was like she was standing on a shifty slope.
Fyllie's face became hot and her heart was beating out of her chest. Levi's breath brushed across her ear, giving her goosebumps. She shifted ever so slightly and felt his sharp hipbones press against her lower back.
Before she could have a panic attack about being so close to Levi, three people entered Hanji's room. She looked hard through the louvered doors, trying to catch their faces. Two tall boys and short girl.
They went straight to Hanji's desk and dug around for a minute or so. The girl picked up the notebook. Fyllie felt Levi's arms squeeze her tighter.
"Got it," the girl said.
"Shit," Levi whispered under his breath.
And then they were gone.
"Was that...?" Fyllie whispered, not knowing if it was safe for them to get out of the closet.
"Yeah. Bertolt, Reiner and Annie Leonhart. The new recruits for the Utgard's Titans." Levi said.
He opened the closest door with one arm, still holding onto Fyllie with the other and it swung open slowly. Fyllie then stepped out and sighed, sitting on Hanji's bed.
"Well this blows," she said.
"Yeah." Levi said. "Get up, let's follow them."
Fyllie stood up and followed Levi out the door.
"Why didn't you just beat them up?" Fyllie asked as they pushed their way through the crowd.
"Because this isn't a spy movie, even if I did beat them up they could easily report to authorities that I did. I could get expelled for that. I don't have some magic shit to make them forget everything," Levi answered.
"True," Fyllie said.
They continued to push their way through the party until they spotted the three Titans standing around talking to some people, the girl holding the notebook.
"Can we get it back?" Fyllie asked.
"Not without causing a scene." Levi answered.
"What about telling Hanji?" Fyllie asked.
"Probably would take too much time. And she's wasted right now." Levi replied.
"What should we do, now?" Fyllie asked.
"Just leave. Hanji will find out it's gone tomrrow and report to Erwin. Maybe I'll be able to tell them it was the Titans." Levi sighed.
"What about taking a picture?" Fyllie asked. "Of then with the notebook?"
"Hanji would kill me if she knew I knew they had her notebook and didn't do anything about it, even though she would never believe me. Besides, like I said we can't get it without causing a scene. That girl, Annie, she's a world class kickboxer." Levi said.
"She is? Holy shit," Fyllie said in disbelief.
"Yeah, she is. Not that I couldn't beat her in a fight, but she'd cause a shit ton of trouble." Levi replied. "Ready to go home?"
"I mean I don't want to leave my friends," Fyllie answered. The whole team was there, and she was able to see most of them before Levi had dragged her up to Hanji's room.
"True. Well, I'm going to go, are you good to get a ride home? Will you be safe? Will you drink or anything?" Levi asked.
"No, I'm okay," Fyllie smiled.
"Alright. Well, watch out for those brats," Levi said. "Thanks for coming tonight."
"You're welcome Levi, and you never answered me when I asked why you need me," Fyllie said.
Levi paused. "Because you're my partner," he answered before walking away.
Fyllie smiled and blushed, and then turned to go find some of her friends. She looked over at the Titans, who were reading the notebook together. She slowly walked by, hiding behind a few passing people so she could kind of hear what they were saying. Her eyes focused in and they were on her page. With her picture and everything. Her heart started racing, and she was just stepping away when she heard the tall blond one, Reiner, say something.
"That's the chick who's glasses I broke."
Excerpt from the next chapter:
"No one hears about this. No one. Not your coach, captain or friends. If you so much as think about telling someone, you're dead. Understood?" The girl, Annie said to her menacingly. Her words stung more than anything Levi had said. Maybe it was because she was a girl? Maybe because this was a real threat. This was a real threat. Fyllie nodded slowly.
"Understood?" Annie said loudly at her, swiftly drilling her knee into Fyllie's stomach.
Fyllie shouted in pain and doubled over. She bit her lip harder, blood still dripping from her mouth, and she held her stomach. She felt like throwing up.
She nodded again, and then felt the bottom of a shoe on her shoulder, kicking it down with such force she heard a crack. Dislocation.
She bit her lip as tears stung her eyes and she now clenched the side of her arm as tightly as she could, shaking.
"I get it," she managed through her teeth, grimacing in pain, blood dripping off her lip still.
"Good. Well, see you around," Annie said.
The three walked away from Fyllie, who now sat down against the wall, head leaned back and eyes closed, spitting out a bit more blood. Then they got in a car, and drove away.
Next Chapter hopefully by the end of April! Thanks for reading!