Disclaimer: In no way does Dwellin own, produce, write, draw, or participate in the creative process or production of Shingeki no Kyogin (or, if you prefer, Attack On Titan) in any way, form, shape, or manner. It is the brainchild of Hajime Isayama.


Chapter 11


Sasha smiled as she watched the meat cooking over the campfire. The dancing glow of firelight and shadows flickered across her face as she patiently waited for her evening meal to cook. She had stopped earlier that day to set out some snares. Now two fat hares hung over the flames with the juices falling into the fire making pop and sizzle sounds that were music to her ears.

Her sunny disposition and contentment were at an all time high for someone who abruptly took an unauthorized vacation. Well, as long as there's food, life is good.

To complement the dinner, she had found tubers to roast in the coals. She even had packed enough tea for a few cups along the way. Her stomach would be full, she was outdoors in good weather, and she had not a care in the world.

"You have very poor running-away skills which leads me to believe you've never done this before."

Sasha spun from her sitting position to rise up on one knee ready to launch an attack. Out of reflex she had grabbed the first weapon that came to hand in order to defend herself with but as soon as her eyes landed on the uninvited goes and recognized him she blurted, "Oh dear Lord!"

"Not even close."

There, standing just outside the perimeter of her small campsite, was Levi-heicho. And his horse.

The expression on his face was contemptuous as he scanned her camp. Maybe it was her imagination but it seemed to her that horse standing next to him, was also looking her over with disapproval? Have I just been judged by a horse and found lacking?

Ignoring her frozen pose, his gaze came back from looking over her temporary abode and skimmed over her shoulder to the rabbits roasting above the fire. "Good. Looks like I'm in time for dinner."

"Yes," she replied numbly through her shock. "But I wasn't expecting company."

He nodded at her still upraised arm, "You might want to think twice about throwing that."

Sasha looked up at her hand still held above her head, firmly clenched around the object she had snatched up to defend herself. Blushing, she lowered it trying to be as nonchalant as possible. How embarrassing.

"So that's your go-to weapon of choice? Interesting. Next time I see Erwin, I must recommend the possibility of fighting Titans with table spoons."

Sasha carefully placed the spoon by the plate in front of her. She would need that; tools designed to eat with were to be treated with respect. She puffed her cheeks and blew out a huff of air at the thought of soiling good flatware by using it on Titans. The man had a weird sense of humor.

She cast a quick assessing look at the rabbits, yes there would be enough for two although she had already decided to use the other one for breakfast. Guess not, now that he's here.

She settled back into a seated position, crossed her arms, stared at the ground and said in a voice that could only be described as petulant and stubborn, "I'm not going back and you can't make me."

"You are and I can."

Levi watched as her alarmed eyes whipped up to his face before her brow lowered in a thunderous frown as she informed him, "I'd like to see you try."

Sasha's eyebrows shot up at her own uncharacteristic stance. Whoa! Where had that come from? She was not what one could call a 'strong personality'. Instead, she was a rather easy-going, laid back and for the most part, got along well with people, (unless, that is, they got between her and her next meal).

Taking a stick, she poked at the fire that didn't need attending, and said, "Fine arrest me but I won't change my mind!"

The dark-haired man looked her impassively before responding with, "If I have to, but for now I am; (oh, and the horse is too) tired and hungry."

He entered the area set up as her home-away-from-home and moved over to the nearest sapling.

Sasha, infuriated by his business-as-usual air, defiantly thought at him I refuse to take this sitting down, until it dawned on her that she was sitting and quickly switched it to, I don't have to stand for this! I shall sit here with an uncooperative attitude!

Levi hitched his horse and removed the gear and attended to the animal's welfare while letting the fuming girl get used to his presence and come to terms with the fact that he wasn't going away any time soon.

As he stroked the horse's neck with the brush, he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye from time to time. Who knew when she might come at him brandishing her lethal spoon of retribution.

It was easy to imagine animosity coming off her in searing waves but, to his mild surprise, found it and her to be amusing. The notion hit with such force that he froze in the middle of brushing. He'd never found anyone before this who struck him as being amusing.

He had to look over to confirm that new discovery and upon turning found her cheeks pink, face screwed up in what he assumed was an internal dialogue or tongue-lashing aimed at him.

Damn. It was true. He was finding the rapidly changing expressions on her face easy to read and also… comical. Yes, amusing was the right word, along with entertaining.

After a few moments, the steam of the indignant internal tirade appeared to wear itself out. With a sigh, he watched as she finally pulled her knees up and propped her crossed arms on them before burrowing her chin until only her tiny nose showed.

When the horse shifted, in what he assumed was a gentle reminder for him to keep brushing, he snapped out of his watchful reverie and finished up his chore and then set about to unpacking.

While Levi busied himself Sasha weighed her options, going over the precious few she could think of. The one she decided on amounted to feeding him into a food coma so he was out for the rest of the night. This would allow her time to sneak away in the cover of darkness and laugh her way to freedom. But before she left; and here she shot his horse a look, she would send his mount back like she had her own.

She thought darkly at him, Teach you to look down your nose at me; you and the judgy horse you rode in on!

However, a serious drawback occurred giving her pause; she would have to skimp on her portions of the meal. Sasha debated back and forth but finally opted for what looked like the easiest and most doable of a list with very few choices. She winced, she hated not being full.

She poked at baking tubers that still didn't need her attention while sneaking a look at the sharp-eyed man while he methodically took out and arranged his possessions with care.

For the first time it dawned on that for a male he wasn't very tall. In fact, she might even have some height on him. An inch or two maybe? She shot him a glance and when he caught her one corner of his mouth rose slightly and hastily she dropped her eyes to stare into the fire. Hmph! He may be short but his awful personality is Titan-sized!

Assessing the challenge of hunting prey was almost second nature to Sasha. And in this situation she decided to view things in that light. Except a curious thought had her coming up short. What if she was the one being hunted?

That's unsettling! Then she reminded herself the job at hand was to stick to the plan.

From under lowered eyelids, Sasha covertly darted glances watching as he put away the grooming supplies while taking note of the lithe, graceful movements without a wasted gesture in them.

I need to keep a cool head and just keep acting nonchalantly. He'll never notice anything's afoot.

The last thing Levi did was pull out a flat tin from his bags but upon turning in her direction he found a pair of light brown eyes staring at him before darting off to the side trying to deny the fact she had been watching him.

He moved to the fire and squatted down. He waited. He could see the struggle as he studied her profile with wispy strands of hair floating around her ears and cheeks. Finally she lost the battle to deny his existence and turned back to face him.

"Can I help you?" She intoned frostily with nose slightly elevated.

He held out a small tin to her. "A special blend."

She stared at his hand as if it had suddenly sprouted sharp venomous teeth.

"How nice for you," she finally murmured, lowering her face down so that the same wispy strands of escaped hair fell becomingly over her cheek. For some reason he couldn't see to stop staring at it but forced himself to reply anyway.

"Yes it is but I'm sharing."

"No thank—"

"Make it," he ordered. "You'll thank me later."

"What!?" Her eyes narrowed in challenge. "Maybe I don't like tea."

"Or maybe you do but happen to be drinking a particularly hideous blend." He held up his other hand to forestall her denying his accusation.

"Please, I can smell it from here." He put the tin down between them. "Try this instead."

With that Levi returned to the gear he had unloaded and began rolling out his pad and blankets. All the while he could feel her gaze on him. He didn't care, but there was no way in hell he was going to submit himself to an inferior drink.

" I'd rather have coffee." She asserted, and hoped he couldn't tell that she was lying, she liked both but he didn't need to know that.

"Pretend."

"Your attitude stinks!" she snapped, "and I don't like it!"

Sasha slapped a hand over her mouth, appalled. She had never flared up at a superior officer like that before! She was shocked at her words and expected him to erupt, but he didn't. Instead he turned his head until black, sharp eyes, locked gazes with her, pinning her in place. Then languidly, unhurriedly, his eyes moved over her before returning to her face.

Sasha felt frozen, unable to move, all she was able to do was wait wondering what he was going to say.

With a slow, slight lift of his lips, a smirk appeared and he replied, "No one does."

Still writing, despite the many obstacles and setbacks in front of me. Thank you for hanging in there.


If anyone wonders, I turned off the guest option. For the twisted soul who left that comment, surprised me you did, but once I got over my lazy ass, it made me laugh. Dude, thanks for reminding me not to take myself too seriously.

~Dwellin