You don't have to
call a fire
by its name but
that doesn't make
it less of a fire.
so call us
whatever you want,
baby.
we're still going
to burn.

Kat Savage

-Emmryn's POV-

Ugghhhhh…. I woke up with a pounding headache, but I felt oddly warm and comfortable. My pillow felt oddly firm, and I was hugging onto something or… someone… At that thought, everything that happened rushed back to me. Levi… He saved me from that creepy doctor that drugged me despite being injured himself… And I… I clung to him like a lovesick teenager. Oh Walls… Maybe I should just pretend to still be asleep so I don't have to face him.

"Oi, brat, I know you're awake," Levi's bored voice pierced my thoughts, "Now are you going to let go of my one good arm or continue to make problems for me?" At that comment, my eyes shot open, and I glared at the raven-haired captain as I got up quickly from the bed.

"You know, Captain, that's a really funny way of saying 'Thanks for saving my life from an abnormal titan, Emmryn'," I retorted angrily, getting up to walk away from him, but I was stopped when his hand shot out and gripped my wrist tightly causing me to turn to face him, "What do you want, Captain? I'm leaving so I'm no longer making problems for you." He growled at my sarcasm, but little did he know, this was just my way of masking how hurt I was. I was so scared he wasn't gonna wake up after those injuries.

"Emmryn, we need to talk," Levi said, his voice less harsh than before, "We're going to my office. Now." His tone told me that his request was not up for discussion. I sighed as we both stood up and left the infirmary with no one daring to stop the irritable looking captain and his subordinate.

In just a couple of minutes, we made it to his office. As soon as we got there and got inside, he backed me up against his door, shutting it with his good arm and mostly blocking me from moving. One look at his eyes, and I could tell he was pissed and I had no idea why. However, I did know it made me want to hide in a corner and cry. Apparently, I can attack abnormal titans head on without a second thought, but an angry short captain, nope. Too scared to move.

"Why the hell did you face that abnormal titan without backup?" Levi demanded angrily, and I shrunk into myself in response, partially upset that he was mad about me saving him but more so scared. I had not seen Levi's anger directed at me like this in some time.

"Answer me, Cadet Smith!" he ordered, his voice rising to a shout. At this, the tears I had been holding back began to fall as I looked up at him, my eyes wide with fear.

"Because you were going to die!" I answered softly, my voice breaking at the word 'die', "I-I couldn't let you die without at least trying to save you. You're worth more than anyone in this army, especially me." His growl was audible before I heard him let out a sigh before clicking his tongue and dropping the arm that had me pinned to his door.

Immediately after, I felt his hand grip my chin and lift my face towards him before, much to my surprise, his lips slammed into mine. My eyes widened in shock as I stood there, frozen. Levi was… kissing me?... What?... His lips were surprisingly soft, and I couldn't help myself as I shyly kissed back. The kiss lasted only seconds as Levi pulled away and looked me in the eyes, his hand still holding my chin, though much gentler than before.

"L-Levi?" my voice was soft and confused, "What are you doing?" Part of me was afraid. He wouldn't just do this because I used to be a prostitute would he? Damn Oluo for putting these doubts in my head.

"Emmryn," Levi said in his usual bored tone causing my focus to shift back to him. His steel gray eyes shining with something I didn't quite recognize, "I don't want to say this more than once. So listen well." I gave a small nod as he continued.

"When I woke up and found out that you had risked your life AGAIN, and for me at that, I was pissed. I told you that I needed you to stay safe because you were my friend. I promised myself to keep it just that: friends. But when I found out that the bastard doctor had drugged you, the idea of him trying anything towards you made me lose all sense of reasoning. And when you clung to me after getting the antidote from Shitty Glasses, I realized that I needed you as more than what I promised myself," Levi explained, his voice low and heavy with emotion, though it wouldn't be obvious to most people. I put my finger to his lips to stop his rambling.

"Levi," I breathed, my voice calm and confident for once, "I've spent the last 6 years being terrified of men and wanting nothing to do with them. Previously, the idea of someone touching me at all would cause a panic attack, but when I saw you slung from that abnormal titan, my only thought was that I needed you to be okay. I care about you a lot, Levi, more than a friend should. You're the only man I can stand to have touch me in any way, and you make me feel safer than I have in years." He looked at me in silence before giving me a small smirk and pulling my head to his chest in a one armed hug.

"You're mine," he said simply. I giggled a bit at that as I nuzzled into his chest.

"That's a funny way to ask to court someone," I teased, causing him to click his tongue.

"Who said I was asking?" he retorted. At this, he pulled my head back gently, planting a chaste kiss on my lips; however, I was not satisfied with that and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into another, deeper kiss. This time instead of being backed up to the door, Levi wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me further into his office, never once breaking the kiss as he gently lifted me up and sat me on his desk. After doing so, he pulled away, both of us breathing a little heavily.

"Do not tempt me, Emmryn," Levi warned, his eyes starting to fill with lust. I opened my mouth to respond, but we were interrupted by a knock on Levi's door earning a very low growl from Levi as he quickly moved away from me and I got off of his desk before he called out, "Name and business."

At his response, the door had burst open to reveal the rest of Squad Levi, with Petra and Oluo at the front of the group. Petra had tears in her eyes as she ran up to Levi and gave him a heartfelt salute. Oluo, Eld, and Gunther followed suit, minus the tears.

"Captain! You're awake! We're so glad you're okay!" Petra cried happily.

"How are your injuries, Captain? Will you be returning to us soon?" Eld asked, concern showing in his expression though not quite overbearing like Petra.

"I'm fine, guys. Just a broken arm and a couple of broken ribs. I'll be back to full strength in a month and a half," Levi answered in his usual bored tone, but his eyes glinted, a small amount of evidence of his appreciation for his squad's concern, "What have I missed?"

"Cadet Smith skipping out on all of her duties since you were in your coma," Oluo said snidely. Dear Walls, this guy is an actual idiot. Levi looked to me and raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, and I shrugged.

"I see. Then, Cadet Smith will be helping you with your two months of stable duty," Levi responded earning a grin from Oluo and a shocked and irritated look from me as I fell into rank with the others with a salute, not wanting anyone to see my expression as I gave him a 'What the hell was that for?' look. Levi had a glint of amusement in his eyes before continuing, "In addition, for not following orders twice in the expedition, Cadet Smith, you will be continuing to clean my office for the next two months as well." Now that I was not arguing with.

"But Captain, Emmryn saved your life! It's not fair that she should have to have two punishments. She spent your entire in the coma tending to your wounds. Her duties were barely an issue to deal with," Petra defended me at the mention of a second punishment. I smiled a bit.

"Yeah, Captain. Besides, I don't think it would be wise to force Emmryn to work alone with Oluo considering the shit he's pulled in the past, including while you were in your coma," Eld added, and I silently thanked the walls for these two angels in this squad.

"Enough. Cadet Smith can handle herself. Eld, I expect a full report on everything I missed during my absence at breakfast tomorrow. Everyone is dismissed for the night," Levi ordered, clearly already tired of all the drama, before turning to me, "Except you, Cadet Smith, your punishment of cleaning my office starts tonight." I simply nodded as everyone else left.

"Smart move not locking the door earlier, Captain," I teased him after he shut the door, being sure to lock it this time, "I'd almost think you wanted us to get caught." Levi simply walked up to me and raised an eyebrow, his eyes revealing nothing for once as he walked up to me, leaning down and putting his mouth next to my ear.

"And what if I did?" he challenged, his hot breath causing me to shudder slightly. Walls, he was attractive. Just as quickly as he was next to me though, he was back at his desk, looking at the mountain of paperwork there and clicking his tongue in annoyance.

"Want some help?" I offered walking over to him as he sat in his chair.

"You act like you have a choice in the matter. Go make us some tea and then get back here and help me get through all this shit," Levi ordered, not looking up from the paper he was currently working on. I rolled my eyes slightly at him.

"You know, Levi, I'm not exactly sure how this relationship thing is supposed to work, but I really don't think you're doing it right," I retorted in a teasing manner as I walked towards his door to go make the tea, turning back to see him looking at me with a hard stare.

"If you want romance and red roses, you're with the wrong person," he stated bluntly, "I'm not gonna try and do pointless shit to show feelings you already know I have." I sighed dramatically before smiling slightly at him.

"I know. I wouldn't expect any less, Levi," I responded with a small smile, "Besides, I don't need you for red roses. I can grow my own." And with that, I walked out to make our tea, a slight spring in my step and a lightness in my heart.

Song: Girls Like You by Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B

Edited: 03/26/2020