Hello, everyone. Here's a lovely little idea I have. I don't normally write "OC" characters as main characters, but I decided to try something different. Please let me know what you think and I'll try to update as often as possible.

Disclaimer: I do not own AOT

The bright light of the sun peered painfully into Rui's eyes. She grunted as each cadet stood at attention, waiting to be screamed at. She wasn't supposed to be here. Not in this heat. Not in this formation. But what choice did she have? The bald, screaming man was getting closer. He'd told them all his name but...she couldn't remember. It was the man behind him that scared her more, however. He followed the screaming man...but he made no sound or expression. His sharp eyes pierced the hearts of every cadet. She took a deep breath as they approached.

"Well, what do we have here?!" He shouted, getting close to her face as he'd done with all the others. "Didn't know we let mice into the military! What the hell are you doing here cadet?!" He shouted. Rui felt her knees go wobbly.

"I'm...here to fight for humanity, sir!" She said as loudly as possible. It still came out as barely above normal speech volume. The man behind him turned his head. She swore she saw a smirk. It made her heart sink.

"Fight for humanity? You look like you'd lose a fight with a dead pidgin, cadet!"

Well, he didn't have to say it like that.

"I'm sorry, sir! I can't help the way I look, sir!"

"Say my name, cadet! I want to hear what it sounds like so I know whether or not to visit the brothel you'll work at when you fail this camp!"

Rui froze. Shit...

"Uhh...Chief instructor...Sheldon...sir!" She guessed. It had to be better than saying nothing. The man behind the instructor turned away again, his black hair covering his eyes.

"Are you special needs, cadet!?" His face was a bright red from his shouting, his bald head glistening in the heat of the sun.

"No, sir! I am just bad with names!" She said with fear seeping down her back like ice water.

"My name is chief instructor Shadis and if you forget it again you'll run laps until you can't even say your own name, are you hearing me tiny field mouse!?"

His voice resonated in her ears like a siren. She felt her knees shake as he gripped her shirt, his eyes shredding into her.

"YES SIR!" She said as loudly as she could. The man behind her looked at her then. His grey eyes pierced her soul, judging her silently as Shadis moved on, screaming at the next cadet. As much as she feared Shadis, there was something about the other man that frightened her far more. His stone cold expression gave her relief that he hadn't been the one to speak to her. She imagined his words would cut like a knife to her heart - she just knew. That man was a shark and she did not belong in these waters.

Sweat beaded down her face as she tried holding herself up with the ODM gear. It was fairly easy to stay upright, but the straps rubbed against her skin and the belt was bulky. She didn't think she could ever get used to it. She'd learned the instructor's name, and she was damned sure to learn the other man's as well and put it to memory. She did not want to get yelled at again. Captain Levi.

There was something about his presence that made her weak. His domineering aura, his sharp gaze and his deep, calloused voice made her squirm every time she heard it. Rui wanted nothing to do with him. He made her feel things she was petrified of.

That night, in the mess hall, she wanted more than anything to sit in her bed and think about him, as she had been every night since seeing him for the first time. She placed a spoon to her lips, slowly sipping at her dinner. The rest of the cadets were carrying on together, being friendly.

"Did you see Shadis today? I thought he was going to make Holloway piss himself!" One cadet laughed. Rui sighed. There was too much chatter. She hated being bunched together in a big group. It made her skin crawl. But this is what she had to do in the military.

The door swung open and a hush fell over the room. Two boots stepped heavily into the mess hall. Captain Levi stood silently, his eyes scanning every cadet. Rui swallowed hard. This was rare. He never ate with the cadets.

"Cadet Rui Stone. Come with me," he barked. Rui sank into her seat, trying to become invisible.

"With haste," he clarified, turning and leaving the room. Groaning, Rui stood, leaving her meal behind. She had been pretty hungry, so she was a tad upset at losing half her dinner. She dropped her head as she walked, mortified as every eye in the room watched her leave. They all knew. They were each acutely aware she had no business in the military. She walked behind him, not looking up. She was sure he didn't look back at her. That wasn't his way.

They'd finally made it to an office he'd been using temporarily, covering for another officer who'd been absent. As much as Rui loved his presence, she rather wished he would go away.

"I've been watching your...performance, Stone. I have to say I'm less than lukewarm about you. This isn't a place where you should slack off. You haven't made any progress in any of the fields. You can barely manage your gear, you fall asleep in class, and you have one of the worst physical fitness scores I think I've ever seen. Care to explain why you thought the military was a good idea in the first place?" He crossed his arms, facing her. This had been the most he'd ever said to her at once. Her head was getting fuzzy from the anxiety of talking to him.

"Oh, well, I just...it was kindof my only option..." She admitted. He stepped closer, standing just slightly taller than her. It was true he wasn't as large as what most would consider a normal man, but his presence, in her mind, was giant.

"Then, you'd think you would take it a bit more seriously," he said quietly. She quivered as he stood so close. Surly he knew what he was doing. There was no way he got this close for intimidation alone. Suddenly, his hands gripped her torso, squeezing slightly. She yelped, jumping out of her skin.

"Jeeze, you're so thin. Nothing but bones rattling around in there. No wonder you don't meet any of the requirements. Why haven't you been eating properly? The military provides enough provisions to keep you perfectly nourished."

Rui turned her head, trying not to comment on the fact that he had, in fact, interrupted her meal just moments ago. His hands left her, leaving two incredibly hot spots behind on her sides. She felt her face flush as he backed away.

"What now? Are you sick?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Rui smiled awkwardly.

"No, sir!" She squeaked, standing at attention. He sighed, turning around.

"I'm putting you on extra rations. Obviously this won't go over well with the other cadets, so you'll be having all your meals with me. And you will eat all of it. I'll make sure of that. If I have to shove it down your throat, you get it down, cadet. Do you understand?" He asked, still not meeting her eyes.

"Yes, Captain Levi!" She said with as much force as she could belt out. It wasn't much. He rolled his eyes, clearly still not impressed. Though his reaction to her speaking hurt her pride a bit, his name on her tongue sent butterflies through her belly. This wasn't good. She wasn't supposed to feel this way for a commanding officer. Absolutely no good could come from it. Captain Levi was a seasoned soldier. He's seen more than his fair share of hardship and bloodshed. He was a cold killer of any Titan he came across. All these things should deter her. But they only impressed and infatuated the young woman.

"And put your hair up better. If you're going to have long hair in the military, it would be a bit smarter for it not to be in a sloppy tie barely hanging on your head," he grunted. He stepped around her again, this time gripping her hair. It didn't hurt, but the act surprised her and she flinched. Levi stopped.

"Sorry," he grunted, continuing to pull out the hair tie. Still messily, but at least over her shoulders, Levi tied her long brown hair back into place, tighter on her head. She internally groaned. That was a little unnecessary.

"There. It needs to be at least this high off your shoulders and out of your face," he said, close to her ear. His fingers in her hair had a startling effect in her body. She just wanted to run. She couldn't believe he was actually touching her like this. Even platonically, it was a bit strange.

When he finally stepped away, he headed straight for a small water bucket on a counter. He washed his hands.

Rui felt a rock in her stomach.

"I...I'm not dirty, sir..." She said quietly. Captain Levi rinsed and dried his hands, picking up a paper on the nearby desk.

"Everyone is dirty, Stone. And after your face became red like that, I can't be sure you aren't sick. I'm just taking precautions, but if you're insulted, please know I don't care at all," he said smoothly. Rui gritted her teeth.

"Noted, Captain," she grumbled. His eyes glanced up at her for a moment, grey orbs looking deep within her. Perhaps she was romanticizing, but that's how it felt. She could get lost within them. Most likely he just wanted her to leave.

She saluted, turning away.

"I didn't tell you to leave yet," he said calmly as she made her way to the door. She froze in place, her hand raised to the handle. What else could he possibly want?

"But yes, get out," he said, going back to the desk. Rui nearly coughed. He was really something, indeed. She left quickly, heading for the barracks. Being the first one there, she took her bottom bunk (she'd quickly lost the top to a more aggressive cadet) and completely covered her body in the thick blankets. She couldn't get kicked out. She would be left with nothing. But at the same time, she knew this sort of thing was not her strength. Once again, as she had every night, she thought of two things; how incredibly outplaced and alone she felt...and Captain Levi.