Wings freedom part 14 Adjacent

I stood outside the commanders office at headquarters, holding my secondary written report in my hands. Commander Erwin was at another meeting at the moment, so Levi went to get more coffee while I stayed and waited, sitting on the bench pushed to the wall. "Hey Elle!" I looked over to Morgan, who gave a wave, Petra walking beside her. "There you are, we've been looking for you."

"Oh, hey." I smiled, standing as they approached. "We were wondering if you'd like to go into town with us for some shopping. You could use some new clothes now that you don't have to wear your uniform all the time." Petra invited, smiling brightly. "Sure, but I've got an interview before than, so maybe later."

"Oh! Since your meeting the commander, give him this with your report." Morgan dug into the sachet carried over her shoulder and took out some papers, handing them to me. "Their documents on you and Levi's conditions, based on when the next mission is it'll tell you when your able to go or not. Though in Levi's case his injuries are more severe than yours..."

"Right... I'll give it to the commander." I took the file and tucked it under my arm. " I wasn't sure if I should put post traumatic stress, so I left that are open for the patient to fill in."

"Oh, okay." I noticed Petra smiling softly, teasing the corners of her mouth as if suppressing it to spread. I gave her a quizzical glance. "What's with you?" I asked, and her eyes widened, clearing her throat to get rid of the grin, but it now had been switched to Morgan. "Nothing, it's just... We were wondering how long you and Levi have been *ahem* romantic."

"What?!"

"Oh come on it's so obvious! And Petra said she heard you two in Levi's room last night as she passed by!" My face flamed, the two smiling as the expression made it totally obvious. "So! When did it happen? While in Titan territory? When you got back?" "It-it's not what you think! I-I told him how I felt but that's it, he hasn't returned the feelings-"

"Oh please! Sure he hasn't verbally but that mean it hasn't been like that physically." Morgan winked and I gasped, slapping my hand over her mouth. "It's not-!"

"Elle." I turned with a start, looking back to commander Erwin and Pixis, smiling down at me. "Oh! Commanders!" I saluted quickly, standing straight but Erwin gave the wave of his hand in dismissal. "At ease. Welcome back Elle. We're going to be talking in the conference hall so you can head that way, we'll be there in a minuet. Do you have your report?"

"Ah, yes sir. Here you are." I took the report and handed it to him, keeping Morgan's document. "All right, dismissed." I saluted again, and walked past Morgan and Petra with a glare as they smiled, heading down the hall. Sure he kissed me and was kind every now and than, but I know he doesn't share his feelings. It wasn't long before I found my way through the labryth, entering the conference room with a stride. I jumped to seeing Levi already there, drinking coffee casually as he looked out the small window at the end o the table. "Excuse me..." I mumbled as I entered, closing the door behind me as his head turned. He gave a nod of acknowledgment, watching me as I sat across from him, looking over the documents Morgan had given me. Already knowing my injuries I looked at Levi's instead. His arm injury was severe, the bone of his forearm completely snapped, the diagram drawn looked painful. I couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt to that, pursing my lips. "What is that?" The captain asked, making me look up where I sat across from him. "Medical report. Yours looked a bit bad..."

He took the papers from my hand and looked through, resting on mine rather than his, probably not caring much about this own injuries. "Minor concussion, nourishment deprived, dysfunctional nervous system, and ripped leg tendon. Huh, not bad for all the shit you've been through." "I've built endurance for my prone to trouble." I teased with a smile, the captain rolling his eyes. "In shorter words you got a thick skull." He handed the papers back as I pouted, taking them and grabbing a jar of ink on the table behind me along with a pen.

"What are you writing?" He asked as I scribbled on my record, finishing and blowing in the ink so it'd dry. "Just filling in blanks." As I put the ink back, the conference room door opened, commander Erwin and Pixis entering, the captain and I standing and giving a salute. "Levi, Elle." Erwin greeted, seating himself infront of the window at the end of the table, Pixis beside me and next to Erwin. "Pixis will be joining us today of your interrogation because his troops were also involved in the recovery of the two of you. So, with that said, Elle, tell us what happened when you woke up in Titan territory."

Hours later when we had drunk our third cup of coffee dry, and Hanji had joined in on the interrogation a little later after we started, Levi had ended the tale of our adventurous story. We had added into each others explanations where it was no longer just my story, and the two commanders stayed low on questioning, the control of the interrogation somehow switching over to me and Levi. But finally, finally we managed to get out the last word, my throat soar from talking so much. Hanji, Pixis and Erwin just stared in silence as they registered what we had told them, Levi refilling his coffee and setting the pitcher back on the table as I reached for it, along with the sugar and cream. "That's... Quite a story." Pixis mumbled, scratching his chin in thought, Hanji resting her forehead in her hand. "To think... That tribe still existed... Elle! What oils did it looked like they rubbed on you?" She demanded, making me choke a bit on my coffee, clearing my throat.

"U-um... It smelled like... Some kind of butter... And salt I think." Hanji added that to her notes. "And what about the language they spoke?" She turned to Levi who had communicated to the tribe. "Elle said it was a language called French, it died off years ago."

"Say something in French!"

"Hanji, this isn't some field trip." Erwin reminded her and she chuckled lightly with a bashful blush. "Haha, right I got carried away."

"oui hanji, arrêter d'être stupide."

We gaped as Levi spoke in the foreign language, Hanji slamming her hand on the table. "What does that mean?!"

"Hanji!" I giggled, Pixis giving a sigh at the woman who acted like a child. "What about the old man you met Levi? You just left him there?" "It's not like I could bring the dirt bag with me, I couldn't handle extra weight, plus he didn't seem to want to leave anyway."

"Well, we better not let these things be known to the public, especially inside wall Sina. The church has been growing in that area." Pixis warned, and we all gave a nod. This wasn't going to be an easy road from now on. "I believe this meeting can be closed now, I say it's time for lunch." I stood and gave a stretch, hearing my joints pop in satisfaction. "Oh, Levi, stay behind for a minuet, I need to have a word with you." Erwin added as the captain headed towards the door. I looked at him in reassurance till he gave a nod towards me, allowing me to take my leave. I exited the door after saluting the captain and commanders. I began to walk down the hall when I remembered I had no idea where the meals were served in this place. so I decided to wait for my captain to lead the way, waiting in the corridor with my back pressed against the wall. By the door. I was playing with my symp absent-mindedly, watching the metal limb move to my command, my skirt raised a bit by my hand to watch the joints and gears. I've probably had this thing for half a year, and I still couldn't get used to the mobility of it. I stopped to hearing voices grow louder behind the stone walls, standing straight as I tried to listen. "What the hell are you saying?! Of course in going I'm absolutely fine!"

"It takes place in a month Levi! Do you honestly think you can defend your self not even including the soldiers under your command!?" "Than put me behind strategy! I'm not staying here with my soldiers fighting alone!" "Levi, it's required by law-"

"Fuck that! Since when have we played things the legal way?!" "Maybe for you in the past it was different! But your a soldier now captain! And a commanding officer that is in no way ready to be let out of these gates! As your commander, you are to stay inside the walls and that's an order!" There was a short served silence, my heart beating fast. We're they talking about the next mission? Levi won't be able to go? Does that mean I'd have to go alone again? Back in that awful place so soon? Having to go back with out Levi made it much more scarier, my breathing becoming short and fast, making me almost miss the words that continued to flow from behind the wall. "Don't worry Levi, everyone will be in good hands, it's just a mission to stock some supplies areas."

Hanji's voice assured, a quick "Che!" Being the captains response. "I think he's more worried about Elle anyway, having to go in there on her own." Pixis grumbled voice added, Levi staying silent till Hanji's chipper voice jumped in once again. "Well That's okay! I can put her of my squad if you want! She obviously has the skill and smarts to do so. And the rest of your squad can be assigned to squad leader Mercio Davis, how does that sound? He's just a level below you." There was still silence, and I could practically see the scowl of his face, the hatred of being left behind to sit there alone and wait for everyone to return, feeling so useless. "What if Elle or my squad doesn't return? Who am I to blame?" "You can blame me Levi! Elle will be under my command and since Davis was once part of my squad I'll take responsibility for his actions too." My heart was pounding. If I... Didn't return? If I died out there alone... No, not alone. With out Levi. Without seeing his face once more. My leg began to hurt at the thought. I want to be with him, I want to be with him! Please don't make me go out there without you! I don't think I'll be able to stay sane! "Aren't you concerned about the condition Elle will be in?" Levi's voice began, making me jolt as he said my name, listening hard with my back pressed against the cold gritty wall. Pixis gave a laugh. "What? Will she be crestfallen if her captains not there? Give her some -"

"I can't, cause that's absolutely right. Take the perspective from a girl who's been abandoned into Titan territory twice without warning. When I was with her, the very thought of me walking two steps ahead of her sent her trembling with fear. She was, and still is, terrified of being in that same position she was in the first time she went on a mission." "Levi, she won't be alone-"

"You think that'll stop her from panicking?"

"So your saying if your not even three inches away from her she'll be in torment? Don't be selfish captain, I'm ashamed you don't have more confidence in her-"

"Your just looking at what you believe is her hidden behind a masked title! 'the Titan rider'" he hissed out the name. "Yes she's brave and strong! But you don't hear her nightmares in the night. You don't watch her blank fearful expressions when she sits there alone! There's only so much agony a woman can take!"

"She is a soldier! This is what she signed up for!"

"Bullshit!" The conference room doors flung open, making me dodge their line of fire as Levi stormed from the room, rushing down the hall, his expression furious.

"L-Levi-?" I called, making him stop and turn for the briefest second, but he continued on. That expression... Was he.. Fearful..? "Elle, your still here." I turned to the commander of the survey corps, saluting in his presence. "Excuse me sir... But what's going on?" "Nothing, he's just having a tantrum because he is unable to go on the next mission because of his injuries. You on the other hand is fine by the information of your papers, so don't worry." What? I was going back?! I couldn't disagree, it was required by law to attend all missions as long as my physical and mental being allowed it. This wasn't right.

"Sir, I think theirs a misunderstanding, please look at my papers again."

I found Levi outside of head quarters, sitting on the marble stairs with his elbows on his knees, his chin rested in his hands. The afternoon breeze stirred his hair, the sky open with a clear blue, few clouds spotting the airy sea. I approached the captain from behind, standing over him as I watched the captain trying to control his anger. "Levi." He ignored me, keeping his eyes forward to the town ahead, the walls in their background. I gave a sigh, sitting next to the man, so close out shoulders touched leaning my head down to look at his face, his eyes avoiding mine. I smiled, looking away and leaning back, taking a deep breath. "It's a beautiful day isn't it?" I observed, loving the cool breeze, the fresh air that filled my lungs.

"It won't stay like this forever, sooner or later, it's going to be ruined. I can't stop it." His fists clenched, his eyes closing. "That's why..." I managed to get him to lift his head, his grey eyes looking at me with a tired expression, my hands cupping his cheeks. "You need to look at what's in front of you now." I turned his head towards the sunny day, but he ignored it turning back to me, grasping the back of my head and resting his forehead on mine, taking a deep breath. "Your coming back. No matter what you'll come back with everyone this time."

I giggled, grabbing his face and giving his nose a small peck which he scrunched. "I'm not leaving." I told him, his eyes widening in confusion. "What?" "Well, long story short I've been diagnosed with post dramatic stress and I'm not allowed to attend the mission, doctors orders." He pulled away and stare at me, than gave a sigh, running his fingers through his hair. "I don't know whether to be angry or relieved." "We'll since I've seen you more angry than relieved lets drop the negativity." He rolled his eyes before looking back at me, those cold grey eyes of his making my heart pound. "I love you." I whispered, the words just slipping out as my chest swelled with emotions, watching his eyes turn blank, his hands moving to the nape of my neck, giving my lips a soft kiss, the tip of his tongue tasting my lips before pulling back, taking a deep breath. "...I-"

"Whatcha'll doin?" Levi and I pulled away to look up the stairs where Morgan stood with her hands on her hips grinning. Levi had almost said something, what did he almost say?! I glared at Morgan, her expression offended to my look. "Why are you here Morgan?"

"Don't sass me. As your doctor, were gonna spend the next week together." She smiled as I groaned. This was going to be a long week.

The survey corps had left this morning, I had seen them off, but Levi refused to, staying at the inn. It was by ten I returned, carrying in groceries as I kicked the door open with my foot and closed it behind me, crossing the lobby towards the kitchen to unload the goods. It would just be me and Levi staying here, I felt a but excited at the thought, feeling like a wife who had come home to her husband after shopping, though I knew that was a bit far fetched. As I unloaded the food from the basket, I wondered what I could make for dinner. I'll go ask Levi what he would like. With a hop in my step I headed up the stairs and down the hall, knocking on the room door reserved for his office. "Levi, I was wondering if there was anything in particular you would like for lunch." I called through the door, a small hesitation before an answer was followed. "Something warm."

"Well of course it's going to warm silly! How about a roast beef sandwich and potatoes." Another hesitation as I fiddled with the hem of my blouse, awaiting his answer. "Make it into a soup." He called from behind the door. That was odd, he usually disliked soup because it had a better chance of spilling and staining his clothes. Plus he disliked the over excessive broth. "Um, is everything okay?" I asked, cracking the door open and entering the office. Levi sat at his desk, fiddling with some papers as they hid his face where he looked at them. "Perfectly fine." He assured matter of factly, but I wasn't buying it.

I approached his desk and looked over the papers. "You face looks a bit pail, are you all right?" I asked, leaning over the desk and feeling his forehead with my hand, not fairly over heated but a bit warm. "What?" He asked, removing my hand from his skin as I looked at him with concern. "Why don't you take a break and catch a nap or something?" "This is preparing for when the survey corps returns, if I do most of it now, I won't have to do as much when they come back." "A fifteen minuet nap won't put a major dent in your schedule. Come on, your eyes are bloodshot."

"Go cook dinner for us if your so concerned." He shooed, reaching for his coffee next to his papers but I snatched it from him, holding up as he reached for it. "Elle! Give that back!" "No! No more coffee till your so tired your forced to sleep, and if you must drink something, I'll make you sugarless tea." He scowled to that, I knew he wasn't much of a fan of tea cause it tasted too watery. I ignored him and escaped out the door and downstairs to make lunch. I forced him to come downstairs and eat it at a table rather than a desk, plus my first meal alone with him, I didn't want him staring at papers while eating. We sat in an awkward silence at first as I served his share of roast beef soup, and I noticed his cheeks were a bit flushed. He really did need some rest.

"Hey Levi," I began, sitting down in front of my own bowl as I moved the pot of soup to the side. " maybe after lunch, you can take some medicine and get some rest-" "I'm fine, theirs no need." He ate his soup silently as I pondered for a way to convince him. Maybe if I slipped some medicine into his tea, but that still wouldn't get him to sleep, a frying pan could do the job- "Stop your senseless scheming woman, your staring holes through my face." I jumped at the command and pouted, taking a bite of my soup with the corn bread. "I'm just concerned is all. Your going to get a fever if you keep on thinking your body's immortal, you may think you'll be okay but you can never be too careful." I grasped his hand that lied on the table across from me, giving it a squeeze. "Please, for me at least take the medicine." I begged, his eyes cold as he pondered his thoughts. "Fine, since your being so annoying about it." I smiled with relief. "Thank you."

The moon was full and rose high in the sky for all to see, the breeze rustling softly to the warm weather that drifted in by surprise till the fall would once take over again. After fully cleaning the kitchen to the extent Levi saw fit, I headed upstairs to check on the captain I had forced to bed first.

It wasn't as early as I had hoped it would have been, but it was better than him staying up trying to play hero as he finished work. As quietly as I could I creaked open the door to his bedroom, a sliver of light shining onto his white blanket, just barely missing his sleeping face. I knew it! He really wasn't looking well. His cheeks were flushed and breathing a bit labored, and from what I could see as he slept on his side, his hand was trembling with chills. Did he not take his medicine? Sure enough, the small glass bottle still rested on his bedside table, sealed tightly.

Are you serious?! After all that trouble I went to get that from Morgan while in town! I quietly crept into his room and walked to his bedside, taking the bottle and breaking the seal with my teeth, staring at the captain than the container, wondering how I was going to get him to drink it. I felt his cheek gently, his skin feeling like the stones on the ground after a long day Of seething in the summer sun. With that, I stashed about half of the medicine in my mouth, bending down and grasping the back of his neck to angle his face, pressing my lips to his and letting him drink the liquid as I gently poured it into his mouth, feeling him swallow.

Before I drew back I felt his tongue taste my lips, licking the remains of the medicine away before I jerked away with a blush, hiding my mouth with my wrist. I heard his teasing chuckle in the darkness, my blush spreading as I realized he was awake. "Aren't you horny." He mumbled, making me gasp at the accusation. "No! I was giving you the medicine you didn't take you stubborn mule! If I gave it to you normally you would have choked!" "Uh huh." He rolled on his back as I stood there silently for a second before taking the medicine and turning to leave. "Goodnight." I grumbled sourly.

"Your in a bad mood." He noticed, and I sighed, looking over my shoulder. "No, really?" The tone was sarcastic, making him sigh. "Should I tell a joke?"

"You? Telling a joke?"

"Yes every blue moon I feel the need to, plus I don't want you going to sleep upset with me, if a person goes to sleep upset with someone they start to hate them the next morning. That could be troublesome with you cooking my meals and the rat poison is in the kitchen with you-"

"Yah yah mr. Smart guy, what's your joke?" I interrupted, rolling my eyes as he sat up a bit, leaning his weight on his elbows, his face straight even though he planned to tell a joke. "Something's on your ass." He told me, making me blink. Huh? For real? Did I sit in dirt or something? "What?" I tried brushing off my skirt to get rid of the dirt I couldn't see. "My eyes." I looked at him as his face stayed straight, the joke finally registering. "Oh my god, that's gotta be the worst joke ever!"

I laughed, trying to silence it by covering my mouth with my hand. "That's not even a joke it's more like a cheesy pickup line!" "It made you laugh." The captain stated and I nodded, giggling. "Yup, you win. Good job Mr. Smart guy." I gladly gave him credit for such a proud man telling such a lame joke with a strait face and a dull voice. I felt like I was seeing more of his playful side.

"Come here." He ordered with an outstretched hand, and after a shy hesitation I obeyed, placing my hand in his offered one as he pulled me forward with his warm callused hand. As he held my hand his left arm reached up and placed his fingers on my scalp, rubbing them back and forth quickly, making my brow furrow in confusion. "What's this?" He asked me as he continued to knead the top of my head, making me smile as I gave a giggle. "Um, massaging my head-?"

"A brain sucker. What's it doing?" I rolled my eyes at the obvious outcome to this question, his eyes looking blank as he waited for my answer. "Sucking my brain-"

"Starving." I scoffed and smacked his hand away playfully, leaning forward and kissing his forehead. "That's Enough joking. Goodnight." I whispered, but he grasped my chin with his thumb and index finger knuckle, pulling me closer and giving my lips a sweet long kiss. "Goodnight."

A/N: I swear this chapter felt like six thousand words when I was writing it, oh well. anyway, thanks for staying with my story and please REVEIW! I get the sweetest comments from all you guys thanks! and I've had a couple that I have a problem with my grammar, if yall could be specific on that that'd be great thanks! ill do anything to make this story more enjoyable!