Hello again! Thank you for reading, the continued support really helps me as a writer, and I hope you enjoy!

This is the last chapter that was uploaded BEFORE my big overhaul, so from this point on it should all be new content!

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan.

"Eren! Oi! Wake the fuck up!" I slap his overly peaceful face a few times, but he's just lying there, drooling down his chin. Being a shifter myself, I was thankful the blow to the head hadn't set him off, but also, as a Shifter, I couldn't believe he was knocked out. The two guards that had accompanied him are standing back, looking at me like I'm mad to be so close to him. But to be fair, if I wasn't a Shifter, I would have no inkling as to how dangerous it could be. I'm only playing on my innocence… as well as my slight guilt for sending the kid, to sleep land. "Could you two do something? Other than stand there looking like morons?"

"We ain't getting crushed if he turns Titan!" blurts out the ashen haired one.

"Titan's are actually fairly light, you wouldn't be crushed, but you will be pummelled if you don't help me out!" I don't bother mentioning the velocity of his transformation would probably do a decent amount of damage. But my priority wasn't their well-being. It was the kid's. I didn't mean to kick him that hard. I really didn't. But I guess it was all the frustration; it had built up beneath the surface, and unfortunately the kid was in the way when it was time for it to spill. It was that or turn Titan myself. I think this was the better option; for me anyway.

"Go get the Captain would ya? I'll help the brat." Groans one of them finally, and heads over, his oddly old looking face contorted into some kind of attempt at indifference. Really he just looked like he had a bad case of gas.

"I think he's sorting out cleaning duty… but sure. Be back soon, keep an eye on her."

"Just hurry it up yeah?" I snap as the other one warns his friend, as though they're dealing with a bear or something. Fucking gits. I've put my jacket under Eren's head, he's alive, that much was clear. He'd have one hell of a bruise on his cheek, but otherwise he should be fine. He said he was a good fighter, but I think my speed caught him off guard. Oh well, he had asked that I not be scared to hit him. I just hope he'd meant it.

"You better not try anything, y'hear me brat?" the guard drawls, and I look away from our patient to frown at him. Was that on purpose? He's glaring at me, still looking like he's in desperate need for the toilet. Did he know he was sounding like a pathetic Levi wannabe? I see the way he holds his eyes slightly narrowed, and hold back a laugh; that was beyond creepy.

"Are you trying to sound like Levi?"

"That's Captain Levi to you, rat. And no, dunno what you're talking about."

"Uhuh… what's your name? Not that I see much point in using it, as you won't use mine."

"Oluo, though you can just call me sir, got it?"

"Loud, and clear, numbnuts."

"You little—"

"Ugh…" Eren gives a little mumble, and Oluo, the big brave warrior that he is, falls back with a weird little whimper like noise. Really? This was a man assigned to guard Eren? If he burped, was Oluo going to piss everywhere. So intimidating, however would I cope with someone like this looking after me? But I look away from the snivelling wreck, and back to the kid, his eyes are flickering open at long last. Phew.

"Hey kid, can you hear me?"

"Yeah… what the hell happened?"

"I um… well… I kicked you in the head… kind of."

"Kind of?" he laughs, sitting up and rubbing the bruise, another groan coming out of him. I shrug my shoulders when he looks at me, a grin in place as he smiles back. "I'd hate to know how a proper one feels then. Shit… ow."

"Sorry…" I tug my coat back on, "I had a bit of a bad day."

"I'd have hoped so. Feel any better?" he chuckles, casting a wary look towards his now composed guard. Oluo stands up, and calls over towards a group headed our way. Probably about to tattle-tale on me to his idol.

"Yah… I do feel a bit better actually. Thanks, I'll come to you whenever I feel tense?" I snigger as Eren bites on his lip a little, "Nah, don't want to actually make you turn Titan. Think you made your guards a little more cautious of you though."

"Hmm? Oh those guys are okay,"

"They are? You've not had a great experience with Humanity either, have you?"

"They're not like the Military Police at least."

"The lesser of two evils, is still an evil Eren." I mutter as I help him stand. He frowns at me, almost in disapproval, but before I can ask him what the look is for I'm pinned to the floor. I can smell Oluo's coffee sodden breath before I hurl him back, flip onto my feet, and kick out at him when he makes another lunge.

"What's the big idea fuckface?"

"Not exactly keeping her contained are you Oluo?" Levi says having apparently also appeared. I stand straight, removing myself from fighting stance in the hope I don't get a beating simply for defending myself. Oluo straightens also, a hand rubbing his guts where I'd made decent contact. He turns to his father figure and salutes proudly, gesturing to me in the next moment. Levi looks unmoved.

"Little rat was conversing with the Titan kid, thought they might be conspiring, Captain." Oluo says with an attempt at a nonchalant wave of his hand. He just looks like he's trying to dispel his own BO. I try, I really do, but as soon as the words have slipped past his tongue I roll my eyes. Levi clicks his tongue, and I flinch a little, what now?

"He's an idiot, but he's still your superior, brat. 50 laps. Now." Snaps Levi, turning and heading towards Eren who is stood with his mouth slightly ajar. "Feeling normal?"

"Y-Yes sir."

"Are you serious?" I laugh, looking from Levi to Petra who just blushes and nods her head. But before I can simply head off, and get the laps over and done with, Levi spins round and takes my feet out from under me. I smack into the mud, and do my best to ignore the guttural chuckles from Oluo.

"Personally I get the issue with discipline towards these idiots, but second guess me again Cadet? And you won't be getting back up."

I guess that small sense of comradery was short-lived.

I don't look up, just nod and wait till he's moved a little further away. Out of kicking range, and hopefully far enough that he won't notice how I'm shuddering. This damned inset reaction to him was getting annoying. I had lived in Titan territory for a fucking decade, yet this little midget had me shaking like a damned leaf whenever he even frowned at me. PTSD for a midget. Wow. What a terrifying creature I was. My pride couldn't take much more of this. I get up, and try to ignore the pathetic look Eren is giving me. Stupid kid was probably trying to blame himself for this; but I'd snap him out of it later. For now, I needed to exhaust myself lapping the damn compound.

"Oi brat, when you're done come eat with us in the private squad room. There are things to be discussed." Levi calls over in his bored tone.

"Another room to fucking find..." I grumble, but turn to give an off-hand wave, making Oluo only glare more. "Will do Captain. Just leave me a damned map!" and I run off out of earshot before extra laps can be added to my punishment.

Eventually, once my entire body is on fire and my feet feel like they are dead and rotting in my boots, I finally finish as the sun sets. It takes a while to find the damn place, but at last, I flail into the small room. The Levi Squad all look at me, and I wave lazily, going over and sitting down heavily next to Eren, at the opposite end of the table from Levi. I don't even bother looking round as I lay my head onto my arms, and let my muscles enjoy the moment of sweet, sweet calm. It was painful, but in all honesty the exertion had almost felt good.

The eye-roll was still worth it.

"Feeling more compliant after that?" Oluo mutters, and I just peer at him over my arm. He flinches a little.

"Towards the Captain? Yeah, a bit. Towards you fuckface? He didn't say anything about second guessing you. So stop mumbling at me, okay?"

"Of all the insolent little—" he whimpers as he bites his tongue, and I laugh down into the table. Petra, the strange little angel that she is, pours me a coffee and slides the cup over. I take a long sip, and nod at her thankfully, casting a cold look toward oluo who sit sucking his bleeding tongue. Go on choke on it, I could use another laugh.

"Doing a bang up job of imitating your Captain there, Oluo. Congrats. So what's this little get together all about anyway? We gonna braid each other's hair and share stories?" I say, sitting up and enjoying all the bone cracking that makes its way up my spine. Glorious. Levi's nose wrinkles at the popping noises, but just sips his tea for a moment, before placing it down and nodding at Eren.

"We were discussing an upcoming mission that Erwin has planned."

"Sounds like fun. How many people is he planning on kidnapping?"

The room goes quiet, very quiet indeed.

"Look, mission planning is not part of my duty." States Levi, staring intently at his coffee mug all of a sudden. "But you can be assured Erwin has meticulously planned every aspect."

And there it is again, that inherent mistrust. He says the words, and intends them to be sincere, and everyone else at this table seems calmed by them. But I see it there. The conflict of interest. For some reason he doesn't trust Erwin; and I now wonder if it was partly Erwin's fault that Levi lost whoever it was. I'd crack you yet Levi. Just wait.

"So you don't know all the details?"

"Excuse me?"

"Kinda seems to me like you're wondering if you've been told everything. Does Erwin regularly withhold information before a mission?" I look all around the group with my loaded question. Eren just sits back a little, shrinking into his seat as he gets further out of his depth. The others look amongst themselves, not entirely sure how to answer that. Or how to dodge the question. When I get back round to Levi, I find him glaring at me. A cold sensation crawls up my spine. But I try my best to hold back the shivering. Not now, not in front of this lot. Especially Oluo.

"You have no right to question the Commander, rat."

"I wasn't, I was asking you if he withheld information. Not saying it's a negative thing, just seems a little odd, considering how in tune you all have to be presumably whilst out on patrol." I reply, finding the silence to thicken somehow. I drink my coffee, and wait for someone to be kind enough to explain what I'd said wrong now. For tough soldiers, this lot were oddly sensitive at times.

"And how would you know how in tune we are?" Levi grumbles, clicking his tongue in clear irritation. I look around the group again, and see them staring intently. They want to know too obviously. "You haven't seen any formation layouts, I've specifically prevented you from seeing them."

"I know because I've seen your formations out in the field obviously? I'm not blind. You've travelled through the forest where I lived many times, and always seemed to be in some kind of… formation or… planned out route. Heck, if I'm wrong, apologies. But that's what it looked like from where I sat."

"How often did you spy on us?" demand Oluo stupidly, I snort and raise my brows at him.

"I didn't spy, I'd notice you lot trundling along and watch. Made a change from watching Titans lumber about, or fall over."

"So lazy spying, but still spying, wench." He continues, growing a little red in the face. I laugh a bit, but when I see the rest of them watching me just as closely I groan. They were serious?

"Spying implies intent, I simply lived there and you happened to go by. Not like I ever did anything with the information, except elude you occasionally. Why? Worried I'll report to the Titans and tell them your master plan?"

The expression on Oluo's face almost makes me wonder if he thinks I can do that. I laugh a little, and shake my head at them all. This regiment, the hope for humanities survival, was just as clueless as the rest, weren't they? They were flying blind.

"You lot seriously need to get a grip, paranoia much?"

"Says the woman second guessing the Commander." Snaps Oluo, and I just put my head back onto the table, little giggles still leaving me at the idiocy of all this. I was too tired to pretend otherwise.

"Yeah I've been corralled, imprisoned, tortured and hoodwinked into service by that guy. Of course I'm a little apprehensive about him telling me what to do. Who the hell wouldn't be?"

"A good soldier." Snaps Levi.

"I've never claimed to be that. And I haven't done anything to make you distrust me. Except live outside the walls. Bit of a difference, isn't there? Along with the fact you lot keep looking at Eren in the same way, despite the kid's obvious dedication to your damned cause."

"Eren is a new concept Alex," says Petra quietly, almost pleadingly. I look over at her with raised brows. She's blushing, and biting her lip a little, but looks sincere enough. She wants me to stop digging myself a hole I guess. Can't be bothered with another trip to the infirmary. "It's not that we don't trust Eren, we simply don't understand him yet."

"Speak for yourself woman." Snorts Oluo, casting a shadey look at the kid. "I don't trust him yet, for all we know he'll turn Titan on us any second."

"Oh you're right, look at that evil little face currently blushing at being the centre of attention. Such dastardly deeds do linger behind those big green eyes." I drawl staring at Oluo, who is still turning redder somehow. Is he turning inside out?

"You won't be joking when he does it!"

"No, you're right… if he does it… I'd probably be dead? Not much joking then right?"

"Alex…" sighs Petra, putting a hand over her face. Again with the mothering. I yawn, and shrug my shoulders, this lot were no fun at all. It's not like we're fighting for the continuation of our species or anything. Then again…

"Tough crowd. Oh shit… how's your head Eren? I completely forgot to ask you."

"F-Fine…" he stammers, and I peer at him, seeing his eyes flicker from me to the Squad around us. He was still intimidated by them, even if he wasn't scared. He'd already told me they weren't treating him too badly, but they continued to belittle him. And distrust him. And generally look at him like he was a circus freak. Poor kid. He was going through adolescence rammed up to 200%. I understood their distrust of me, as much as I didn't like it; but this kid was so obviously on their side… damn they were idiots. How could you not trust that face? It was so pathetically honest.

"You're a good fighter, y'know?" I nudge him, hoping to raise his spirits. A small smile tugs at his lips, and he touches the paling bruise. "Just need to pick up your speed a bit."

"Suddenly you're an expert on hand-to-hand?" mutters Levi into his coffee. I click my tongue, and raise a brow at him.

"Nothing wrong with encouraging the kid is there?"

"The brat doesn't need your counselling."

"Probably needs it more than your contempt."

"Oh?"

"He's a kid, and this is all probably kinda frightening to him. I understand that you're the hardnosed badass of the Scouting Legion, but he's like… what, fifteen? He's already given Humanity it's first ever victory hasn't he? Cut the kid some slack."

"He's still an unknown potential threat, brat, don't forget that."

"And yet he sits here and looks you all in the eye, whilst Oluo here nearly wets himself if the kid sneezes."

"I did not!" blurts out the wimp in question, a little too loudly to be convincing. But as the smirks grow on his comrade's faces he snarls, and jabs an accusing finger my way. "Plus, you flinch whenever Levi even looks at you."

I send him a fierce glare but he just smirks at me. I quickly look at Levi, and find him still frowning into his coffee, though his mouth is pressed into a thin line. Supressing laughter, or perhaps feeling shame? I look down at the table for a moment before continuing my glare at Oluo; I doubted Levi ever felt shame. Though I wonder what his laugh sounds like. Or if he's ever managed a laugh before, the shock might turn his hair white.

"I don't," I mutter, "But even if I did, the guy beat the shit out me what… three, or four times? Defensive reaction is only human nature."

"Or damned cowardice."

"Look that isn't my point."

"So what is?" asks Levi.

"This kid has done nothing but try to help, to serve humanity despite it's disregard for him, or his life. He signed up as a soldier, even before he knew about his powers. The intent is clear for me to see, not sure why you idiots can't…"

"You're putting him on quite the pedestal."

"Well maybe that's what he deserves?" I snap angrily, but as Levis cold eyes go between me, and the now tomato red Eren, a weird smirk takes over the thin lips.

"Taken quite the shining to you, brat, watch out,"

"S-sir?" Eren stammers, and I sense where Levi is going with this.

"Careful, brat. She might get unsavoury thoughts about you."

"Oh you're right, Captain, me defending the kid obviously means I want to jump his bones."

"Just suck Jeager's dick already, rat. Get it over with." Levi's cold voice almost sounds jovial as he makes his little joke. Everyone else is agape, staring as their eyes flit between me, and the Captain.

Game on, Levi, game on.

I sit back and drum my nails against the table top, meeting his eyes straight on.

"Kinky, you wanna watch Captain?" I rise to his challenge, only wishing Eren didn't have to be part of this dick measuring contest. I knew I'd win. Levi cared too much about his cool façade in front of his subordinates. But he started it. He shoots a look my way, and I just raise a brow, tilting my head as I lick my lips slowly. There's a weird grunt from Oluo's direction.

"Well, if you're offering a show." Mutters Levi, also sitting back a little.

Trying to call my bluff?

I smirk, and shake my head at him, winking as my smirk widens.

"No, you're demanding one, Captain. Though… I wonder why…"

I get up, and wander round the back of the other chairs, slowly walking towards him whilst maintaining eye contact. He doesn't even blink. I bite my lip, and fiddle with my collar, hands lingering near the opening of my shirt. His eyes flicker there for a moment, before returning to my gaze, unchanged. I think.

"Feeling frustrated Levi?"

"Get back to your seat, rat."

"Or what Captain?" I walk behind his chair, and talk into his ear in a hushed whisper, though still loud enough for the small room to hear. "Am I going to be punished some more? Do you like watching me sweat?"

"Don't be disgusting." Did his voice just shake a little? I grin, and chuckle, my breath wafting against his skin, and creating goose-bumps.

"You seem awfully tense there, something making you uncomfortable?"

"Your breath stinks."

"Hmm… your dick doesn't seem to think so. Trouser's feeling a bit tight there, Levi?"

"Hungry are we, Alexia?" I ignore the surge in my veins as he growls my name, when he turns and gives the slightest of smirks I feel it intensify. At this angle our lips are practically touching, and we hold our shared gaze as determinedly as each other. Everyone else is dead silent. I wasn't about to be outdone.

"You'd like that wouldn't you Levi? Let off some of that tension at long last, feeling me wrap my mouth round that… frustration?" I slowly let my eyes wander down him, then gradually bring them back up as I raise a brow, and pucker my lips. This close, I see his pupils dilate a little. There it is, the tell not even he can mask. I then sigh, lean in a little and straighten up sharply. "Sorry, love, you're not my type."

"Really?" he stands, and squares up to me, and I'm thrilled at the little gasp that comes out of Petra. Yup, it's quite the tent in his trousers isn't it? I wonder if she has a thing for the nasty ninja. The way he's glaring down at me, has me shivering, but it's the damn reflex, I know that. I know at this point he could easily send me to the floor, crumpled and bleeding. My hands shake, so I put them on my hips to mask it.

"Disappointed Captain?" I laugh, thankfully hiding the quiver to my voice.

"Tch, hardly. Just surprised, didn't think filth like you had a type. Other than maybe, something with a pulse."

"Someone's grumpy," I coo, pouting as I roll back on my heels, and waggle my eyebrows at him. "Has the Commander not bent you over his desk in a while?"

"You're vile."

"And yet your boner remains." I walk round behind him again, grazing the nape of his neck lightly with my fingertips, a triumphant smile on my face. He shudders, and shrugs me away, an angry snarl on his lips. "You may have a good poker-face Levi, but your body betrays you. Good night everyone. Oh and Levi, enjoy yourself tonight eh?"

"Fuck off, rat."

"Gladly." And I then nod to the rest of the group; all sat blushing profusely with mouths hanging open. The rest of their meeting might well prove a little awkward.

I head for my room with a small skip in my step. It had been a mixed day, and that was for sure. But I'd had some fun at least. We had a mission coming closer, and it was clearly a test for Eren. But I did wonder why I was supposedly being involved. The way Erwin had talked, I was going to have to exhaust all my knowledge of the gear, and outside world, before even possibly having that opportunity. If I really wasn't to be trusted, why even take me along? I sigh and lock my door; this place seemed to pile on questions whilst never giving answers. How tiring.

The next morning I'm awoken by a strange squawking noise. It sounds like a goat, and crow mashed into one creature. I groggily rub my eyes and sit up, scratching my head as the weird noise gurgles around. Is it outside? My window's closed so it isn't likely. But then I hear it coming down the corridor, getting louder, and somehow squawkier. The hell was going on?

BANG.

Something makes harsh contact with my locked door, and then continues to thump against it. Eventually the squawking dies down to rambling words, a few of which get through.

Sawney.

Bean.

Dead.

The hell was Sawney and what was the problem about a bean being dead? I recognise the jabbering as Hanji, and so I pull on my uniform as quickly as possible and open the door. She falls into the room, and sits there looking up at me in desperation.

"Hanji what the hell are you doing? And why are you talking about beans?"

Apparently she'd been experimenting on two live Titans caught by the Legion. And now they had been found murdered. I head over to the holding pen with her, riding along as she continues to jabber about the injustice of it all. I nod, and pull all the correct expressions, whilst wondering what the hell she was talking about.

Murder?

Of a Titan?

Surely that didn't count as a crime, or as injustice? To them at least. I never pitied the creatures, but the way she talks about Titans, as real people. I feel like they might have been shifters. But I stop myself. A shifter would have escaped long before now, even if bound up. It was just empty Titans; mindless beasts. I knew the woman was oddly interested in the beasts, but it sounds like she's talking about a lost pet dog. A valued member of her family. For a moment this makes me understand her willing to retain my secret, she sees me as this valuable as well? But then it quickly gets weirder as she explains all the experiments she'd been doing. I had wondered why I hadn't seen her as much; but I'd never expected this as the answer. And I was very grateful she hadn't decided to experiment on me, although that could well change now.

As we arrive in the area flooded with Cadets, I see the steam still rising from two great skeletons. It hadn't happened long ago then. Everyone's whispering and looking around, a figure stood in a very obvious hooded cloak watches it all unfold. I head over, and pat Eren's shoulder. He jumps a little, but smiles when he sees it's me.

"Who do you think could've done it?"

"Considering my track record, I am withholding judgement, kid. As long as no one is pointing the finger at me, I'm good."

"You think they will?"

"Probably, despite the fact I didn't even know these things were being kept here."

"We didn't see the point in telling you, rat." Mutters Levi, suddenly appearing next to us. I jump a little, and give a small nod to the creepy man. He doesn't meet my eye, presumably sulking about our little exchange last night. It wasn't my fault, he started the damn stand-off. I simply finished it.

"Not an issue, just pointing out I can't have done it. Before anyone decides it had to be the crazy one from over the walls."

"You're not under suspicion."

"My, my, rational thinking? Whatever next…"

"We should leave, the Military Police will take it from here."

"And what, pray tell, are the fun things we get to do today? Laps? Hand-to-hand pointlessness? 3DMG demonstrations? Kicking Oluo?"

"Formation learning for Eren, and you'll be helping me tend the horses."

Well that takes the damn biscuit, no, it took the whole biscuit tin.

I was here for giving out information, that was the deal, and yet I was to be shovelling shit? I turn to him in amazement, realising something else; was I seriously expected to go out on a mission without knowing the formation? He just stares me down, finally meeting my gaze, but makes no move to explain this fresh idiocy. I glance around but see no sign of the Golden Boy, it seems I can still talk freely.

"And how am I meant to know what to do on the mission, when I don't know the damned formation beyond what little I've spied over the years?"

"You're going to protect Eren with your skills at killing Titans, as long as you're with Eren, it's all good." He replies, starting to walk away.

Well I wasn't putting up with that as an answer.

I squeeze Eren's arm, and chase after the Captain. This is bullshit and he knows it. We've already left the main holding area, and I catch up to him where the number of cadets is greatly thinned. He hears my footsteps and glances over his shoulder.

"Eager to begin your work, brat? Good."

"What is the big secret? And what's the problem with me knowing—"

"That isn't important. You're not allowed to know, leave it at that."

"Fine then, keep me in the dark. Though can I ask one thing before we go shovel horse-shit?"

"What is it?" he groans.

"If I do well on this mission, will I get even a shred of trust, or respect, from you or this team?"

"Why?" he asks, properly turning to me finally.

"Because otherwise what's the fucking point?"

"Excuse me?"

"Just throw me back in that cell, get all the information you want out of me, then let me go." I reply in a long sigh. If this was all just to wear me down, it made more sense to do so in a cell. There was also a lot less danger of me being found out down there. It didn't matter how hard I tried, nothing in the surrounding area showed me where the walls were. I didn't know any more now, than I did on my first day, where I was. And if this automatic distrust continued; no one would ever tell me either. Transforming on the mission wasn't a real option either; the entire formation would literally be in battle stations. I'd be dead in seconds.

With eyes narrowed, he looks me up and down.

"And it bothers you so much now because…?"

"Because if I can't at least walk into a room without getting some semblance of comradery, I might as well carry on despairing at Humanity from inside a cell. The playing pretend is getting tiresome."

"So you hate Humanity, and yet you want some chums?" he scoffs in a weird bark. I roll my eyes.

"I'm not asking for friends, simply some basic civility."

"My team are trained in survival. You are a potential threat to that, so of course they're wary."

"And the rest?"

"I don't control the damn regiment."

"But Erwin does, and he seems hell bent on maintaining this distrust of me. Why?"

"Because it keeps you controlled, you idiot!" he snaps, waving his hand in dismissal, but my reflex is to flinch back, hands up in defence as my body expects a swift slap to the face. I stand there, frozen as my heart hammers in my ears, and sweat forms on my brow. He's frozen too, staring at me, eyes slightly widened as he sees my reaction. Oluo's words echo around us, and I slowly straighten up, fighting back against the blush on my cheeks.

"Apologies, Captain, I'll keep that in mind." I mutter, making to walk past him before the weirdness can continue any longer. But as I pass him by, he catches my wrist, and unfortunately makes me flinch all over again. The quivering takes over my body, and I blush brighter. "L-Let me go."

"You're really that frightened of me…"

"Frightened is a s-strong word Captain, more like muscle memory." I snap back at his condescension. I won't be belittled for having survival instincts. "I can still take you down, so d-don't think—"

"Just shut up for once, idiot." He growls, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Look… I'm not sorry for what I did. I don't regret how I treated you in that cell, you were a suspect and I stand by my actions. Regret isn't something I allow myself—"

"I never asked for a fucking apology, Captain."

"I know you didn't. However…" he glances to the side, and I see Hanji stood with Petra, Oluo and Eren talking. "You could prove immensely useful to this team, if you stopped being an ass for five minutes. And I can't have a member of my team flinching whenever I go past. Fucking ridiculous."

"Y'know belittling me isn't helping this situation."

"I'm not. Least that isn't my intention. Just know though, in preparation for the mission, I have to consider you as part of my Squad. Therefore you are an ally. I don't trust you, but I'm also not going to turn on you. Got it?"

"Man up and stop flinching, loud and clear." I doff my head and make to move away, but he just holds onto my wrist tighter. "If you have something else to say Levi, please spit it out before you break my damned wrist?"

"You're right to be wary of him." He murmurs quietly, eyes still glancing to the side. I follow his gaze and see that Erwin has joined the group, stood with a hand on Eren's young shoulders, talking with a serious look. What the hell was he telling the kid? I look back at Levi, and see the dilemma in his face; he doesn't want me to be insubordinate, but I think he also doesn't want me to start doubting my suspicions. Was he trying to protect me?

"Thank you…"

"Just keep it to yourself a little more, okay Brat? He's a pompous ass, but a powerful one. Don't make an enemy out of him if you can help it. Doesn't end well."

"He got them killed didn't he?" I say it before I can really think it through. His grip tightens again for an instant, almost cracking my bone I'm sure, before he lets go and steps back a little. His eyes scan over me, a hint of disbelief in his sharp features. "Whoever it was you lost? I'm guessing he played a large role in their death. I won't ask anything else about it Levi, but I appreciate you telling me what little you have."

"You don't—"

"You're a prick most of the time, and I'd gladly return the favours you paid me in that cell. But under than I think you're a decent human-being, and that isn't something I've thought about a lot of people."

"Right…"

"I guess I'll earn your trust Levi, and I'll focus on that for the time being. If I'm on your Squad, then that's that. You're my Captain, not that blonde sack of lies, schemes and shit. I may not have yours yet Levi, but… shit… you just earned my respect." I admit with a weird smirk on my lips. He frowns at me, though the expression clears as I salute sincerely. "I suspected you were more than a loyal dog, and it's nice to know I was right about something for once."

"Let's get shovelling shit, shall we, brat?"

"I'd rather not talk to Erwin if I can avoid it, sir." I laugh, mounting my horse as he does the same. He shakes his head, but leads the way out of the holding area towards the stables, and I swear I see a small smile threatening to break free.

I hope this counts as picking up the pace a little, don't want anyone getting bored!

See you next time; please review, leave a follow and or favourite if you so wish!