Elsie giggled as she was tossed onto the couch, her younger brother hitting her repeatedly. Her dad was shouting somewhere in the kitchen, mid talk with their grandmother, and no doubt threatening to kill them both if they didn't stop fighting. She knew it was all joke, that he was laughing about it, so she popped Tucker over the head and kicked him to the floor. She held her fists up in pride.

"Don't fuck with me, boy." Elsie chuckled.

Tucker rolled his eyes and sat up, shoving the dog off of him. The puppy only wanted love. Her grandma waddled into the room, camera ready to take a picture, and her aunt came in shortly after with a glass of wine. She rolled her eyes at the duo.

"Come on, dinner's ready."

Tucker rolled over and grabbed Elsie by the ankles, slamming her to the ground with him.

Elsie's eyes flashed open, taking in the dark stone wall room. She sat up in bed and rubbed her tired eyes. She shivered at the cold and climbed out, slipping on her slippers and slowly sneaking down the hallway to the kitchen. She had quickly learned her way by herself and had taken frequent visits to it, to her relief dodging Levi every time.

The memory of her family had shaken her and left her with a pit in her stomach, missing her family more than she had since she'd been here. She wondered what had happened to her in 2018, if she had gone missing or if this was all her in head. Was she crazy? She rubbed her temples as she entered the kitchen, so lost in thought and focused on getting the tea pot, that she didn't notice the slouched figure sitting at the stools.

"Tsk, do you ever listen?" She squeaked and spun, glowering at Levi. "We need to get your ears checked."

"I have selective hearing." Elsie replied, turning her back to him and grabbing the teapot. She decided the best way to get out of this was to pretend that she wasn't in trouble.

Levi sipped at his cup and waited till she sat before he talked, "Why are you up this time?"

"I had a dream about my family. I miss them a lot tonight." She decided to tell the truth. Maybe he'd take pity on her. She internally scoffed. As if.

Levi nodded and set his cup down, crossing his arms. His eyes had gained more circles as the month came to an end and closer to the expedition. She knew he wasn't getting any sleep, could tell by the way his temper became shorter with everyone.

"What were they like?" He asked, catching her off guard.

She cleared her throat and shrugged, "Rowdy, I guess. My mom left when I was little so it's just my dad and brother. My grandparents helped when they could and I have one aunt and uncle. Nothing special, really. We're super close. I was living with my grandma, helping her out."

"I don't have a family. A small one is still a good one." He said.

She blinked and nodded, letting her thoughts wander back to her family. Levi drank his tea and Elsie would sometimes offer tidbits of information, Levi humming in response. It couldn't be labelled as a conversation but was definitely the most they had talked since they came to the castle. She enjoyed it while it lasted.

"You're doing good at the ODM, I will admit. Gunther is very pleased. We'll start a more intense combat lesson tomorrow." Levi said when the silence lingered longer than usual.

Elsie's eyes were heavy at that point, relaxed by the presence of another person and the tea. She nodded mutely, gathering her cup and putting it in the sink. Levi followed her back to her room and when she opened the door she felt a slap on the back of her head. She scowled and glared at him, half in the doorway and ready to fall asleep.

He wagged a finger at her, "Stop coming out of your room, brat."

"Yes sir." She muttered, both of them knowing it was a lie.

Elsie cleaned the dining room before Levi found her the next morning. He watched as she put away the cleaning materials before leading her to the yard. Petra was sharpening the swords again and Oulo was in charge of making sure all ODM tanks had gas. Levi was once again dressed in his white shirt and tan pants. Elsie felt that she was finally a soldier, wearing the same thing, and preparing herself before Levi could remind her. She smirked when he raised an eyebrow at her.

The midget had something coming for him.

He moved fast and was ruthless with his punches. She felt the bruises forming on her forearm as he ruthlessly attacked, not quick enough to get a hit in. In no time he had her down on the ground and she was reminded of the fight at her house. She sighed as she laid in the grass before pushing herself up and getting ready once more. They continued like this for hours - Levi quickly ending her and Elsie laying silently on the floor to regain herself.

Eventually the squad came to watch, laughing and shouting out helpful points of attack for Elsie. She was happy that none of them were rooting for Levi, although that was probably because he was never beaten and they were trying to encourage her. Levi was smirking at her as he kicked her in the thigh, making her stumble, and she glowered. She wasn't as frustrated as she had been months ago and actually enjoyed the fight. She was better than before - no where near the squad's abilities - but she wasn't to the point of crying. It was nice to see Levi was also less intense about it.

Levi kicked her down and Elsie laid, her hands out and feet wide. He shook his head and stood over her, "Do you give up yet?"

An evil thought flickered in her head and she acted on it. She rolled over and grabbed him by the ankles and pushed with all her might. Levi shouted and stumbled, falling on his ass, and Elsie was no where near done. She heard the squad cheering her on viciously, their shouts making her ears ring, and she clambered up his body so she could straddle him and punch at his face. He easily blocked her, their bodies wiggling, and he grabbed her stomach and squeezed. She squealed at the ticklish feeling that came over her and bent over, slapping his hand away.

He grabbed her head and shoved her to the side. She squeezed her legs and he rolled with her, grunting when he landed on her. He can't hit me if he can't move, she thought and wrapped her legs and arms around him, burying her face into his chest.

"What the fuck?" Levi bellowed in her ear. She flinched but held tight. "You fucking child!" He hit her back and she noticed that it didn't hold half the strength he had been using before.

"That's right, girl, don't let go!" Petra shouted in support.

"Say I win and I'll let go!" Elsie squeaked, her eyes clenched shut. She could only imagine what Levi's face looked like.

"Give her a noogie, Captain! That always beats them!" Oulo suggested.

To her surprise, Levi actually began to rub his knuckles on the crown of her head and hard. She winced and released her hold, making sure to punch him in the chin before he moved out of her reach.

They fell apart, panting. Elsie's hair covered her face and Levi's clothes were rumpled, his jaw red. They glared at each other before Elsie burst into laughter, holding her sides and rolling on the grass. Petra was wiping tears from her eyes and the guys were leaning on each other, pointing at their captain as they chuckled. Levi shook his head and Elsie pretended to not see the small smile on his lips as he pushed his hair back and stood up.

"You're cleaning my clothes. Look at these grass stains." Levi tutted, frowning at his ruined clothes.

Elsie rolled her eyes and stood as well, knocking her shoulder against his, "Sure thing, captain."

He rolled his eyes and pushed her away, snickering when she almost toppled over. She regained her balance and kicked at his ankles, giggling and dashing off when he turned to give her a burning gaze. Petra caught her and wrapped her arm around Elsie's shoulders, the two girls giggling and wandering towards the castle.

"Oi, no one dismissed your asses!" Levi shouted after them.

Elsie stuck her tongue out and quickly dodged into the door when she saw him bend for a rock. Petra couldn't stop laughing until she sat in the dining room, falling into the chair and wiping her face. Elsie was slightly worried that Levi would come find her and finish her off, but when she heard the door open and footsteps heading towards the office, she knew that she was forgotten.

Petra leaned back in the chair, her giggles gone, "It's nice to see him let loose like that."

"Yeah. He's a stressed out man, that's for sure." Elsie agreed, grabbing an apple from the table and sitting across from the girl.

Petra smiled to herself and Elsie chewed. She knew that Petra liked Levi, and when she had watched the show, she had been confused by their relationship. Her dad had walked up to Levi on their return talking about marriage being too soon for Petra, and it had never been touched on again, but she wondered. Did that mean Petra was a girl in love or that her and Levi actually planned on getting married? For the past month she had barely seen the two interact outside of when they spoke, although she was usually outside training, so she couldn't say much on that.

She wanted to ask but she didn't want to fluster Petra. She had learned early on that Petra was shy.

"You know, we never talk about you," Elsie said innocently, batting her eyes. "Tell me about your family."

"Oh, yeah. I have three younger sisters and my mom and dad. They live in Trost." Her smile dimmed at the thought of the upcoming attack.

Elsie took a chance and swallowed her apple before speaking, "They'll be fine."

She was relieved when no pain overcame her and by Petra's sweet smile.

"Oh thank the Gods." Petra breathed.

Elsie raised an eyebrow, "What about a boyfriend?"

Petra's cheek turned red and she furiously shook her head, "Oh no, no. I'm too involved with my job to even think about that. I wouldn't have time. What about you?" She tapped her fingers on the table and her eyes darted towards the door.

Elsie shrugged, "No. I saw boys here and there, but nothing serious."

Footsteps approached and Oulo and Gunther entered. They still had smiles on their faces and gave Elsie shoulder pats as they walked past.

"Good one on the captain, Elsie!" Gunther cheered, sitting next to her.

Oulo scoffed and tossed an apple, "Childish, don't you think?"

"Are you acting like the captain again?" Petra asked loftily, knowing her the question would enrage the man.

His eyes narrowed and his cheeks turned red, spitting out a jumbled retort. The three laughed at him and he frowned before leaving the room. The squad fell into easy conversation for the rest of the afternoon, and she was shocked when Levi didn't order her to do anything else. Even Gunther couldn't think of anything for her to do. For the first time in a month she had a relaxing afternoon. They moved to the sitting room and spread out on the furniture; Elsie sitting on the couch while Gunther lounged on the other half, one arm on the top of it and his feet kicking her thighs. Petra took the chair and sat cross legged, holding a book and listening half to the conversation. Oulo finished pouting and returned to sit on the floor at Petra's feet, always having an insult to add when the conversation got too sweet for his liking.

When the sun set and the fire was lit, candles burning on the wall, Levi and Eld came down from the office. Eld happily fell onto the floor with Oulo, the two sharing a look before focusing on the story Gunther was telling. Levi took in the room, nodding, before leaning on the wall.

"I wish you guys had marshmallows." Elsie sighed wistfully, gazing at the fireplace.

"What are those?" Oulo asked.

She blinked, "Only the greatest thing ever. I don't even know what's in them, not gonna lie, but they're like a dessert. You roast them on the fire."

Conversation changed to plans for the expedition, the light feeling dissipating. Levi stayed silent on the wall for the rest of it before disappearing back to his office. Elsie tapped out first, stretching and saying good night. She made her way to her room and glanced at the stairs, hesitating. She decided to say good night to the captain and trotted to his office, knocking before entering.

She could tell he was annoyed that she didn't wait for his answer but quickly spoke, "I just came to say good night and I hope that you sleep."

He raised an eyebrow, "Do I need your hope to sleep?"

"You need something, that's for sure." She replied.

Levi shook his head and waved his hand in dismissal. She waved and shut the door, skipping to her room. She had a good day. She knew that the next weeks would be the most stressful but this one day had given her time to think. She decided that tomorrow she would write down what she could about the attack, see if that could be done. Anything to keep Levi Squad alive.