C.5: Confusing
Trying to keep herself from running down the stairs, her hands fisted until she was able to breathe in a sigh of relief when she heard the door close. Embarrassment heated her cheeks further thinking of what Levi might have seen. Worse, what he would think about it.
Of all the people who had to see that, it just had to be him. It's as if a bad joke was being played on her.
She stopped abruptly from her tracks on her way back to the Infirmary. Again, she was getting irrationally affected by Ackerman. If it had been any other soldier, would she have walked out of the room like she had done something shameful?
No. She won't. She would not have batted an eyelash if someone had seen Erwin kiss her on the lips. Didn't she kiss Erwin on the cheeks when he was in the room earlier?
"Fuck." She cursed quietly. "What on earth is wrong with you, Regan?"
For one thing, she and Erwin were ancient history. Something they had broken off mutually. One, because of Erwin's one track mind. Two, because of her own personal demons. But that didn't mean they could not be friends within this chaos. God knows how her friends are probably the reason why she can face each day.
She was being absurdly irritated—towards herself and Levi—unconsciously picking up her stride towards the infirmary.
"Focus, Regan." She reprimanded herself pushing the unnecessary thoughts from her mind.
Her troop was going at the whole building in full force. Floors were being scrubbed a second time, nooks dusted, equipment and supplies moved from wagons. Light blue curtains were slowly being put up to create seamless divisions. As she instructed, a section of the floor near the door was separated to create an emergency area. At the far back, already barricaded by the light blue curtains stretched properly with the help of wood from floor to ceiling, was the supposed operating room. She'd consider it fortunate there were no patients when they arrived, making the place easier to transform.
The hustle calmed Regan a bit from her irritability. There was only one place that Regan can truly be at peace in. She does not intend to make the infirmary to be exclusive for soldiers but also to the public. Titans were not the only threats to humanity. And with the heavy loss of arable land, it brought in a rise of malnutrition among the populace making them succumb to the most simple of fevers.
She found Ajax arguing with an old man who was gesticulating angrily at what was happening while a group of nurses stood by silently. Regan can't help but roll her eyes.
Faulk Dobbs. The replacement while she was gone.
She doesn't know who had the bright idea of putting this douchebag in charge but the fact that Erwin kept him in that post was equally ridiculous.
Ajax saw her approach and he stopped talking instantly. Dobbs turned his head and the famous scowl greeted her.
"Is there anything I can help you, Dobbs?" Regan asked coolly.
"So, the witch is back." Dobbs snickered. "May I ask what do you think you're doing to this place?"
She barely managed to contain the flare of anger inside her by clenching her fists. She wasn't above this dense and pretentious piece of junk but she'd rather not set the example with her own subordinates. There has been bad blood between her and Dobbs ever since—with her own work and the fact that he got passed off the title of Head Medic.
"We're setting up a proper emergency area. Not that you'd know about it." She smirked. "I'm in charge of this place now. You're relieved from your post until further notice. We won't be needing any of your services here."
Dobbs raged, attempting to grab her by the collar if not for Ajax who quickly restrained him, and bringing him down to his knees. He gave a howl of pain.
"You can't do that!" He screamed at her.
Her soldiers did not even bother to look at the commotion being used to it.
"May I remind you that I am the Head Medic and you're only a civilian retainer? I can remove you from your post because I can. I don't need the Commander's approval." She said coldly looking down at him from her nose.
"Let me go!" Dobbs responded shaking Ajax off.
Regan nodded her head and he let the man go. She cannot, for the life of her, understand why Erwin had not removed this vile man from his post.
The indignant man stood and brushed himself off.
"You think you're so untouchable, Nightingale." He smirked at her mocking. "As if nobody can knock you off your high horse. Just wait for it." He threatened her.
Regan rolled her eyes at him, challenging. "I'd like to see you try."
Dobbs fitfully removed his white coat, flinging it aside and stormed out of the room.
She turned to the group of nurses who were nervously avoiding her eyes. As if afraid that they were going to meet the same fate if they did something as much as breathe. There were six of them, all young women. Her throat tightened at the sight.
"I'm assuming you're the nurses here." She said to them kindly.
"Yes'm." The tallest one with dark brown hair responded after a long second.
"Okay." She smiled at them as gently as she can. "What's your name?"
"Liza, ma'am." She answered, her voice getting stronger.
"Well, let's go to the office. We'll talk there," She said taking the lead to the second floor.
They settled into the small office at the farthest part of the floor, freshly cleaned and Dobbs-free.
Sitting with the young nurses, Regan found out that they also lived within the HQ since they started, courtesy of Dobbs. A knot in her belly tightened, knowing full well what happened there. A fit of cold anger washed over her and she barely restrained hitting the table but the genial smile on her face quivered. She would need to speak to Erwin directly about this.
That motherfucking Dobbs. The haunted and exhausted faces told her more than what these girls are relaying. Their faces cleared with wary relief when she told them that they will be remaining as nurses and will be under her direct supervision. To report to her if, in any way, Dobbs will try to interact with them from this point forward.
After introducing them to the team, she assigned the girls to different tasks to help with the set-ups. As with herself, Regan joined Verruca and her team in the basement set up the lab.
The day finally ended for all of them with at least 60% of the work complete by 7 in the evening wherein Ursula just decided to fix them all a meal rather than going to the mess hall to join the Corps. As always, Regan retired later than all of them, going over her set schedules and the research plan—making sure that every detail was well-organized. It was. There was nothing wrong with it.
But, anything to distract her really. From what?
From him. She had to grudgingly admit it after having to rearrange her papers for God knows how many times now.
It was the middle of the night when she had bid Verruca good night, who prefers the isolation in the basement lab rather than the barracks.
Guided by the moonlight, she made her way back to the barracks. The night breeze hummed between the trees before passing over her to make her shiver.
There was still light in the kitchen when she reached the castle. Threading like a cat, she glided towards the open door taking a peek.
Lo and behold, the other captain was there—arms crossed, his head tucked towards his chin, sitting a few feet from her near the wall. A single lamp illuminated his figure, a soft halo of light surrounded him from behind. There was a cup of tea set on the table before him.
Regan felt her heart race inside her—keeping her frozen on the spot. Images from 17 years ago flooded her mind overwhelming her one more time.
"What the fuck are you standing there for?" Levi unexpectedly spoke, his deep and stern voice filling the silent room instantly startling her. He had heard the crack of the door opening and the light, almost soundless footsteps.
"Uhm. Uh." Regan floundered and then silently cursing herself. She didn't expect him to notice or rather she should have expected him to notice.
"Sorry. I did not mean to intrude." She answered doing her best to sound as natural as possible with her heart in her head and the heat creeping again to her face after being caught ogling.
Levi raised his head, shocked at the voice of who responded. The medics had noisily turned in hours ago but he had not really encountered the famous leader.
Regan met his eyes, a brow lifted questioning her presence. She held back the great desire to look away, like the kid she was 17 years ago. Levi leaned back and uncrossed his arms from his chest.
"Sorry." She repeated and now, she just wants to smack herself from doing so.
"I just came back from the infirmary and saw the light." She reasoned in a hurry, swaying her arms uneasily before her and then finally deciding to just keep them on her pockets. Levi did not respond and just continued to stare at her. His silence and stare made her feel deeply uncomfortable as if he was looking right through her.
He studied the woman before him. She looked as if the day had finally caught up and had taken the time to punch her down. The red hair escaped messily from her bun while grime, visible under the dim light, covered her white-collared shirt.
Regan bit the side of her lower lip as she bore his scrutiny, finally looking down briefly before she sucked it in and bade him, "Well, I'll be going now. Good night, Captain. "
And as she turned on her heel to leave, he said quietly, "Good night, Regan."
She stopped mid-step and tilted her head slightly, her profile outlined against the dark corridor by the soft light. Levi could see the small smile on her lips and she disappeared again in light, almost soundless steps.
.X.X.X.
Author's Note:
Hi! How are ya?
To think that some people actually clicked on to check on this piece, tickles me to death. This is the first story I've ever shared with anyone, so thank you for bearing with it so far and reaching this chapter.
As a rookie mistake, I forgot to place the disclaimer so here goes: This fiction is based on a greater work of fiction by Hajime Isayama, creator of Attack on Titan
The original character, Regan, from her last name itself, is based on the English social reformer, Florence Nightingale, who had changed the profession of nursing through her work during the Crimean War.
I wanted to create a character equal to Levi, not only in physical prowess when it comes to fighting but also in standing. I wish for the female lead to have her own achievements that can compete with him, so I wrote Regan already with a name for herself, only a few years younger and hopefully, she can come off as mature in her position.
I kinda don't know where this story is headed or if that would seriously also stick to an official LEVIxOC because writing the bit with Erwin was... well, interesting. I will follow canon in this case with some modifications to the main storyline later on. So, who knows?
Again, thank you for taking the time to read. Any reviews on how to improve on it or vamp up the story would be appreciated really.
I was actually thinking of reuploading the earlier chapters to change the colour of Regan's hair. It seems that OCs for Levi tend to be redheads. Thoughts?
It started as just a self-gratification story that I uploaded for the heck of it. Now I feel responsible for the few people who had given their time. I will do my best to upload in 2-week intervals, perhaps earlier depending. If a chapter will be late, I will make sure to give a heads-up at least.
So, there.
OctoberApples