Elsie sat in bed and listened as the squad woke up and prepared for the day.

She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, her legs crossed, and momentarily enjoyed the sunlight streaming through her window. The room had been cold all night and it didn't help that her body was shaking like an addict on withdrawal. Her skin was grey and sticky from sweat, every muscle and bone in agonizing pain. She thought it would go away and she would be fine, would fall into a dark sleep but none the less asleep. She was sorely mistaken. Elsie couldn't close her eyes and it was when the sun began to rise that she realized she should've gone to Levi earlier.

Now, Elsie was procrastinating. She thought she had beaten the system by trying to write it all down. Elsie had gotten far too. She looked at the paper she held tightly in her hand, stained with the blank ink she had tipped over.

There are traitors in the new group. A- She would've written all of Annie's name if it hadn't felt like her right hand had been shoved into fire. Elsie could only watch as her hand turned red and angry blisters began to form on her once flawless skin. Just like the first time, her entire body seized and her hand hit the ink pot as she fell to the ground. She had enough sense to grab the paper from further damage before her entire body became useless. For hours she laid on the cold floor and stared at the ceiling, waiting for the terrible feeling to pass. At least she hadn't passed out or her throat had been burned. She thought she would fall asleep.

She didn't. Eventually she was able to crawl up the bed and sit upright, suddenly dizzy if she tried to lay down. Elsie knew she wouldn't have enough strength to walk down the hallway to Levi's office so she waited... and waited... and waited until she heard a door slam and water running through the old pipes. Then the sun rose. She had to find Levi.

Elsie shuffled to the end of the bed, her feet dangling momentarily before touching the cold stone. She used her left hand to hold herself up till she could reach the wall next to the door. Her shoulder hit the wall and her knees wobbled but she bit her cheek and forced her body to move. Elsie shuffled the entire way to Levi's office, hearing the others laughing downstairs. She could see Levi's closed door and felt relief in her chest.

She knocked before opening the door, expecting the callous look Levi sent her.

"Do you ever wait for a reply or just barge in?" Levi snapped, setting his quill down to stare at her. He lent back in his chair and tsked. "We need to teach you some manners."

Elsie shrugged, "Um, I actually have something to tell you. I tried to write down names last night and..." She gave a weak smile as she held her burned hand up for him to see.

Levi moved instantly, his chair screeching at being pushed back. He strode across the room to grab her by the arm and lead her to the couch, helping her sit. He crouched in front of her and pulled up her sleeve, inspecting her red hand. She bit her lip to hold back her pain, trying to not seem like a wuss in front of Levi. He shook his head and sat back on his heels, giving her a glare.

"Was it worth it?" He snapped - Elsie told herself that he didn't purposefully try to sound mean although she had a feeling that wasn't the truth.

She shrugged and held out the paper, feeling like it wasn't, "I don't know."

Levi's dark eyes scanned the paper before blankly staring at her, "What the fuck is new group supposed to mean? The new Scouts? The new Regiment? The new Military Police?" He railed questions.

She sunk into the couch, feeling more little than anything, "No..."

Levi stuffed the paper in his pocket and stood to grab his cloak from his chair. He clasped it on and returned to her side, helping her stand and leading her back to her room. She stood along the wall as he grabbed her cloak and laid it over her shoulders. She felt like a child as he led her slowly down the stairs and passed the dining room where the squad was eating. They stopped instantly when they spotted the two standing in the entrance; Elsie forlorn and Levi's dark expression.

"We're going to Hange's. I'll be back before night fall." He said shortly before leading her to the stables.

They said nothing as Levi hoisted her onto Noir's back. He slid easily behind her and she tried to slouch so she didn't block his view as he wrapped his arms around her to grab the reigns. She relaxed in his hold and tried to get comfortable but her body screamed in agony at the horse's rough trot. More than ever she wished that cars existed. Her head rolled forward, exhausted.

It felt like forever before Hange's run down cottage appeared. Levi led Noir to the three other horse's tied on the post and slid off, keeping one hand on her thigh so she didn't fall with him. He helped her down and she fell into his side, her head lagging on his shoulder. Her eyes were heavy, her vision going blurry suddenly. She tried to push it down, tried to walk by herself. Levi didn't let go of her and when he tried to lead her towards the door her feet shuffled on the floor.

"You really fucked yourself up this time, Elsie." Levi muttered, sweeping her off her feet to hold her bridal style.

She hummed into his chest, happily closing her eyes, "I only wanted to help, Levi."

"You already helped more than you know," Levi said, kicking the door instead of knocking. She faintly heard Hibilot shouting to wait. "You don't need to kill yourself over it, that's what the titans are for."

She giggled, "You're going to be so shocked when a titan doesn't eat me."

"I hope so." He said just as the door opened.

Elsie turned to watch as Hange's mouth fell open, her glasses enlarging her wide brown eyes. She ushered Levi in and was shouting out orders to her team that sounded warbled to Elsie. She barely could hold her eyes open any longer.

With one last look of Levi's face, she was engulfed in darkness.

Elsie was warm, comfortably so. She hugged herself and dug further into the cozy cushions, humming in contentment. She heard low murmurs over her shoulder and considered opening her eyes to see who was in the room, but the thought of getting more sleep was too tempting.

She felt a smack on her shoulder, "Oi, lazy ass."

Of course. Levi.

She growled and rolled over, opening one eye to glare at him. He stood over the couch, tight lipped and eyes narrowed. She pouted.

"Can't I get some sleep? I'm injured."

"Self injured." Levi snorted, crossing his arms.

Elsie sighed, knowing that sleep was not going to be possible. She slowly eased herself up, feeling better, but just tired. She lifted her right hand to see that it was tightly bandaged, no doubt the work of Hange. She took in the room, noticing the fire place was lit and the windows were dark. Levi stood near her, looking annoyed to be there, while Hange and three others sat at the table across from her. They were eating, two plates pushed to the end for Levi and Elsie.

She rubbed the back of her neck and stood, stretching and hearing her back crack. Levi shook his head and led her to the table, waiting till she sat before he grabbed his plate. Hange beamed from the head of the table, her mouth full of food.

"How do you feel?" She asked after she swallowed. Elsie was shocked she didn't choke.

"Better, thank you. Sorry to show up like that." Elsie said sheepishly, playing with her potatoes and rice. Levi was already eating, leaned back in his chair and looking like he had blocked out whatever they were saying.

Hange waved her fork dismissively, "Nonsense. It was a great way for me to see what happens to you! The instantaneous boils was quite interesting, I have to say. I've never seen anything like it before. Tell me, how did it feel?"

"Um, like my hand was set on fire? Literally, the moment I went to write down a name it burned." Elsie shivered at the memory.

Hange paused mid bite, "Name? So, our terrorist begins with an A. Interesting. Tell me, this new group, is it the upcoming cadets?"

Elsie was ready to scream a resounding yes. She wanted to jump from her chair and avidly nod her head and gesture with her hands that Hange had it spot on. She swallowed nervously, felt the entire table's eyes on her, and slowly nodded. She waited for the pain, maybe for her ears to start burning of all things, but nothing came. She was safe. She felt giddy at the realization and bounced in her seat, eagerly looking at Levi to see his reaction. He did not appear happy - but did he ever?

Hange didn't appear as happy either. She looked at Levi, the candle light reflecting off her spectacles, and the two shared a look that only they could understand. Elsie ate her food silently, the excitement wearing off as she realized that this made it more real for them. This made it so that they had an actual enemy towards humanity was amongst them, and now known. This was a show for Elsie but their livelihood.

Levi nodded, as if ending a silent discussion, and stood. Taking it as they were leaving, Elsie left her plate half finished and gave a hurried thank you before following Levi to the door. They put on their cloaks in silence, Hange watching them with a shrewd expression. She felt the atmosphere stiffen as they took their leave, not bothering with good byes. Levi quietly untied Noir and led the horse outside of the wall, checking to make sure his saddle hadn't shifted. Elsie stood behind him, holding her injured hand.

"Are you happy?" She asked softly, unsure.

Levi's shoulder's tensed as he threw the reign over, "Why would I be happy to know that the fucker has been training for four years and is about to graduate? All you gave us was a fucking initial. No, I'm not fucking happy. I'm pissed that these shit heads are right under our noses and our only way of finding out is you burning yourself to smithereens."

Elsie looked at her shoes. She felt that way. She wasn't shocked Levi did - she wouldn't be surprised if the entire Scout Regiment was annoyed with her lack of being able to tell them anything. She had all the answers yet no way of telling them.

"At least now we know I can nod yes or no," She added optimistically. "I can find other ways too."

"Just like a fucking dog." Levi snapped, turning to glare at her.

She let her eyes drop once more, intimidated by him like this. She had always been lucky to only get partial attitude from Levi. It seemed that his patience had worn out with her.

"I'll try harder, Levi." She said, blinking back tears. The last thing she needed was for him to leap down her throat at the sight of them.

Elsie heard him sigh. There was a moment of silence as she listened to the wind rustle the leaves and Noir paw at the ground. She took a breath before walking forwards, pushing past Levi to put her foot in the stirrup. She wanted to do it on her own, she didn't want Levi's help, but she faltered and he easily caught her by the hips. He gave a push and she slid up right. Elsie bit the inside of her cheek and stared resolutely ahead.

Levi easily saddled behind her, his thighs pressing against her's, and his arms pressing her in as he grabbed the reigns.

"Stop making me feel bad, shithead." Levi said.

She couldn't help the watery laugh that escaped her lips, "Stop being a dick to me."

"Shut up."

In Levi's words, that was the closest she was going to get to an apology. And it was good enough for Elsie.