"Fuck me."

"Shut up before he hears!"

"Is that a potato?!"

"UP FRONT, DROP AND GIVE ME THIRTY!"

Sasha, Jean, Elsie, and Ymir didn't hesitate to fall to their stomachs and carry out thirty frantic push-ups, the rest of the corp running around them. Elsie had arrived just in time to be slung into the line of soldiers, hands behind their backs, and catching the tail end of Erwin's speech, informing them that they weren't sleeping that night. No one complained. The shouted yes back and set a steady pace.

The moon was high and useless. It was covered in clouds tonight, emitting a chill that froze her fingers, and Erwin didn't tell them to stop until Fumio fainted. Elsie helped Ymir hold a sagging Krista, separating when Elsie had to enter the castle. Ymir followed the others down a path beside the castle that led to the barracks.

Elsie slowly turned the knob, palm on the door so that it wouldn't make a noise. A lone flame came from a half burnt candle on her night stand, confirming her suspicions that it had to be at least one in the morning. Levi continued to sleep as she tip toed to the bathroom but she knew he would wake when he heard the water turn on.

Elsie soaked her back in the water, sore from her tackle, and washed the blood and dirt that had collected. She braided her hair in the steamy mirror, wanting to sleep in before church, and made sure her towel was decently covering her before opening the door.

"Here." Levi was waiting, holding out a bundle of dark fabric.

"Thanks."

"What happened?" He gestured to her cheek.

"I fell during a push up."

"Tsk, pitiful."

"You try running for seven hours and doing one." Elsie nagged, turning to change.

Levi waited for her. She did her night routine of blowing out the light, sighing in content when she could close her eyes without the worry of someone making her run. Erwin had been unforgiving but it was deserved. At least it was over.

"Erwin wouldn't talk to Hange or Miche." Levi informed her, out of no where.

She hummed to let him know she was awake and very interested in the conversation. Even if she couldn't open her eyes, it was rare that Levi opened up without pestering, "And you."

"Yeah."

"It'll be better tomorrow."

"I don't know. He's never been like this before."

"The Lord isn't mad, it's over." She yawned, covering her ears with the blanket.

"How do you figure, brat?"

"H-He thought it was funny...How we all looked..."

Levi slapped her back, jolting her eyes open, "Wake the fuck up, I'm talking to you."

"I'm up, I'm up," Elsie leaned on her elbows, hooded eyes squinting to focus on him. "He said that Erwin was going to handle the Scouts, he didn't sound like he was going to kick us out."

"What'd he say to you?"

Elsie sighed, "That he thinks military women are sluts but he won't stop Van from liking me."

"He called you a slut?" Levi didn't sound mad but without light to read his face, Elsie couldn't trust her tired ears.

"No. He just said that girls in the army have open legs, or some stupid shit. And that was it. Then I ran for seven hours. That was worse than talking to Lord Mahil."

Levi snorted, "The fucktard. You should see him at breakfast-"

"Levi, I'm listening but I'm going to close my eyes, okay?" Elsie was already resting, pulling her pillow close so that she was at his side.

"Who's the old one now?"

"Still you. I need my beauty rest."

"Hate to break it to you but sleep can't fix ugly."

Levi was still, Elsie easing into the darkness. His hand came to rest at his side, his forearm brushing her head. Silence. Her braid moved off her neck, a soft finger dragging across her throat.

"It doesn't hurt." Her voice surprised him. His finger stopped but he didn't pull away.

"I don't care."

"Hmm," Elsie smiled to herself, eyes closed. "Did I break your nose?"

"No." He was amused at the idea of Elsie inflicting damage.

"Shame. I wanted to be even."

Elsie pulled his hand from her neck, pressing their palms together, and bringing it to her chest.

A woodpecker had somehow gotten into the room. The persistent sound roused Elsie, releasing her hold on Levi's arm to look around. She was disoriented; was it still one in the morning? The room was dark enough to trick her.

"It's your stalker, shut her up." Levi rolled onto his stomach, slamming a pillow over his messy hair.

Elsie's legs burned as she stumbled to the door, yawning and fixing the shirt around her collar bone, opening the door. Himari, who was a very proper girl, shoved Elsie aside before she could stop her. Her arms were full of dresses and a box hanging off one finger, which she dumped on the foot of the bed. Levi shot from the pillows, snarling.

Himari clutched her open mouth, unblinking as she stared her bully in the face. Elsie spun her around, grabbing her shaking hands, hoping that Himari liked her as much as Elsie thought.

"You can't tell anyone, do you understand? Please, Himari, I swear nothing is happening, he's just my best friend." Elsie pleaded, hoping she comprehended the severity of the situation.

"I-I won't, I promise. I-I'm sorry for intruding but I heard Lord Mahil tell the cooks that the minister will be joining him for breakfast," Himari caught her breath, squeezing Elsie. "I thought they would go to your room."

It meant the world to Elsie that the girl had came to warn her. She released her hands and walked around Himari, shifting through the bags, an urgency to her once cozy morning. She glanced at Levi, trying to read him. All she got in return was a slow blink that could mean many different things and the sight of his back as he gathered clothes for the day.

"Good thing you thought to braid your hair, did you find a dress?" Himari loosened once Levi was out of view, beginning to undo Elsie's bed head.

"Yes, come on, let's be quick."

Elsie was holding the bed post when Levi exited the bathroom. He watched Himari's rough lacing technique as he fixed his cravat, finally meeting Elsie's penetrating stare when he couldn't fake interest anymore.

"Find me after."

"Where are you going?" Himari went under the skirts, shoving uncomfortable heels on.

"Erwin."

"It'll be-"

"I know."

He didn't look back, gone before Himari was standing up, digging into the bag for make up and a choker necklace to cover her bruises. There was no time to think about Levi's sudden departure.

They moved to the bathroom, Elsie examining the stranger in the mirror. She never took the time to appreciate the outfits, annoyed with the flamboyancy of it, but she couldn't deny that she looked like a Lady by the time Himari released her. Her curly hair coiled tightly, shortening to her breasts that were teasing out of the top of the green corset, her hips accentuated by the white bow constricting her breathing. The choker, green velvet, covered the bruise from Levi's cast, elongating her neck.

It wasn't her, and she appreciated being dolled up, but she would feel better in her tan pants and white blouse.

Elsie and Himari stepped out of Levi's room just as Minister Nick's wrinkles appeared at the stair case. Elsie smiled pleasantly, greeting him with energy she didn't have.

"Good morning to you too! How do you feel? Oh dear, I didn't realize you bruised your cheek. Poor child, come, let's have some food. I brought books with the Old Language that we can discuss."

Oh joy. Minister Nick filled the silence with idle chit chat, guiding Elsie past the dining hall and to the Lord's office. A table had been added to the room, the ape and his nephew talking pleasantly over fruit, eggs, and did her nose deceive her? Was that bacon?

"Elsie, hi!" Van knocked the table in his urgency to stand, nervous for which attitude he would be getting. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. Lord Mahil." She'd much prefer to lunge across the table and stab him, but she curtsied.

"Miss Fraser. Have a seat, we're eager to see just what God has shown you."

It was a test. Lord Mahil thought Elsie was a fraud and he was no doubt wanting to make an idiot out of her.

Elsie smiled wide, "Let's not waste another minute."

The books Minister Nick had explained the continents. She scratched her head, pondered what an ocean was, and pretended to be as befuddled as the men at this information. They were nothing useful, to her at least, but the minister was alive with the glory of knowledge. He'd pardoned himself before the food had finished, wanting to pray for insight as soon as possible.

Lord Mahil had no interest keeping Elsie in his presence and told Van to walk her through the gardens. Van held his hand out, and with the Lord's warning look, Elsie allowed herself to be led like a dog. She really didn't like holding onto someone as she walked.

Himari was six paces behind, watching birds fly or picking flowers as they walked. Elsie and Van said nothing. She looked to the right and Van inhaled, making her think he would be bold, but lost his nerve.

"I need to clean the horse stalls." Elsie said in way of good bye once they'd walked the stupid garden. It wasn't anything she hadn't seen before.

"Elsie, he won't do it again. I'm sorry I left, I should have realized how mad he was."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not," Van cradled her hands, forcing her to look at him. What a pleasant surprise, Van didn't like how a Scout got treated. "I wish I could go back and stop him but I can't. All I can do now is hope that I can make you forgive me, for as long as it takes."

Elsie could be mean, hell look at her boss, but not to a man who was putting his emotions on the table.

"We're leaving after the ball. I can't be what you want."

"My uncle - I know, I know - he can talk to Smith-"

"No, absolutely not." She pulled her hands back.

Van sighed, "Then I will treasure my last days with you."

Elsie rubbed the itchy choker as she entered the barracks. It was her first time, disgusted at the long building that housed both genders with an endless line of bunkbeds. Ymir was snoring on a top bunk, hand hanging limply over the edge for a bored Krista to play with. Eren sat on the floor with Sasha, Connie, Mikasa, and Armin, playing cards.

Jean stood and went to salute before he recognized her, "What the hell are you wearing?"

"You'd better be nice or I'll take my gift back." Elsie said smartly, crouching to join the circle of teenagers.

Sasha put her hand in Eren's face, shoving him back, "You smell lovely."

"And that's not weird at all." Connie huffed.

Eren floundered before overpowering the drooling country girl, "What are you doing here?"

"Don't I get a hello?" Elsie toyed with them, smoothing her dress so that it didn't puff over Eren and Mikasa's laps.

"Hello, Elsie. What brings you here?" Armin said politely.

She grinned deviously and pulled the napkin out of the layers of her dress. Sasha gaped as Elsie revealed the crispy bacon, still warm. Elsie happily shared the pieces with the kids, having taken as many as she could. Lord Mahil hadn't noticed a dent in the heaping platter on the table and Elsie had helped herself. The fat shit didn't need it.

Sasha invited her to stay for a game of cards through a mouthful.

Elsie fell into a bale of hay, kicking her feet out and letting out a long sigh. Levi stabbed the pitchfork dangerously close to her side, heaving the food into Sunni's stall. She sighed again and Levi ignored her, using his foot to shove the tool harder the next time he came back.

"Fine. I won't share with you."

Levi grunted, okay with that. Judging from his sour mood, Erwin was still ignoring him. Elsie had thought that the commander would've cooled down enough to be strangely polite.

"Are you going to talk to me or should I find Hange?"

"Go bother four eyes."

Elsie hesitated, hurt that he didn't want her to stay. Levi didn't take his eyes off the hay, sweating through his shirt. He'd been at it a long time and didn't look like he was going to be stopping for her. Relenting, she stood and brushed her skirt, grabbing the last two pieces of bacon she'd saved for them.

"Don't strain your arm." She advised, setting the napkin by his coat.

Another grunt. Stab. Elsie left him to it, twiddling her thumbs and not really wanting to bother Hange. What could she do? All she wanted was to be around him.

"Come on, say it! Chubby bunny." Elsie encouraged Sasha, handing her another torn piece of bread.

She resembled a chipmunk, "Tuby bumi."

"How is she breathing?" Jean said, leering from the other side of Sasha.

"Open wide, bunny." Ymir was vindictive, shoving another piece into her mouth.

Sasha turned green. The group stepped back in time for her to pitch forward, throwing up on the grass.

"Ugh, really Sasha?"

"That's disgusting."

Krista rubbed the girl's curved spine, "I told you to stop four pieces ago."

"But food."

"Fraser!"

The five heads turned. Elsie half expected it to be Lord Mahil but the voice was the same from yesterday. Erwin was up the path, having watched them make Sasha throw up in front of the barracks no doubt. Laughter filtered from the safe building, and seeing how no one else was Fraser, her new friends tripped over each other to get away from the angry commander.

Elsie didn't make him wait, running up the hill, "Commander-"

She knew she was still in trouble from her last name. He confirmed her suspicions when he pivoted, fast paced as he led her into the castle, not wanting to hear her. Great. Erwin walked with purpose, stopping at an empty room that no one would notice. He opened the door for her, Elsie taking in the dusty sheets covering the unused furniture.

"What did you do to the young Mahil?" Erwin asked, restrained.

Elsie frowned, confused as to why Erwin would demand to know such personal things, "What do you mean? I didn't do anything with him-"

"He has a black eye and a broken rib. You're lucky that I saw him as he was leading his horse out. He wouldn't say who did it but I know you were the last person with him, walking alone in the gardens."

"I-I-" She was at a lost, flabbergasted. Truly, she didn't know what to say, astounded that Erwin thought she had enough anger to beat the young Lord.

Erwin took a threatening step forward. She would never think Erwin would lay a hand on her but she stepped back, her knees hitting the arm of a couch. She fell, sitting and holding her stomach. She should've changed out of the dress, this damn corset would be the death of her.

"You're not from our world but you've been here long enough to understand that no matter what, you never lay a hand on a lord! If his uncle had seen, if he hadn't been so scared to talk, you would be on your way to the noose!"

First off, Elsie didn't beat anyone up and most definitely not in her gown. Did she seem the type? No, even Erwin wouldn't have put Elsie at the top of a suspect list. She may have been the last seen with him, but he had to have gone somewhere after they separated. Himari could testify. Oh God, was she going to be hanged?

"After the act you pulled yesterday, you're lucky that I'm not dragging you behind my horse! You will find Mahil, you will beg for mercy, get on your knees if you have to, and you will fix this. What was going through your head? Unbelievable!"

Erwin ranted and paced. He didn't need her there at that point, just someone to listen as he was insulting everything she'd done to date, starting from when they'd first met with a faraway look and spitting lips. It was news to her that she'd been rude to Erwin, had cried for two days when they'd asked where she was from, and he even went into a tangent about the difficulties of obtaining a house for her to stay in Trost.

Elsie listened, studied the stained floors, nodded when Erwin paused for an agreement on her burdensome behavior. She didn't take insult, knowing that he had to get it off his chest. Hell, this was better than running.

Until Erwin turned and yanked the door open, "I don't want to see you the rest of the day! Clean this room!"

She sat cross legged on the bed, turning through the pages of a book Minister Nick had told Himari to put in her room. It had been waiting on Levi's dresser, thickly bound with leather, and the material reminiscent of a cow's hide (she was positive she wasn't so far off). A faint scent of bleach wafted through the room, still lingering after Elsie had showered and opened the window. Perhaps it was permanently etched in her nose after scrubbing the tiles grout, stopping when she heard people heading for dinner.

Das Dunkle Zeitalter begann, angeführt von König Fritz, um das Volk der Marley zu kontrollieren.

Elsie rubbed her eyebrow. Okay, so King Fritz did something and 'dunkle' meant night or possibly dark... Dark Ages? King Fritz began the Dark Ages against Marley? Elsie snapped her fingers, positively illuminated as it came back to her. The Eldians were titan shifters and Marley had been the people! Was it Marley that was coming for them? But why?

Elsie jumped when the door swung open. Levi quirked an eyebrow, "Were you doing something naughty?"

He either didn't care for her darkened expression at his arrival or didn't see, heading to the dresser to put his jacket up. She looked for a sign that he was guilty, that he had a bad day. He was back to his usual devoid self, grabbing clothes to change. Levi moved for the bathroom. Elsie heaved the book with all her strength and chucked it at his back, not caring that it held the world's secrets.

The only sound were the pages rattling in the air, the book falling on its spine at his heels. Levi turned, reminding her of the day he'd chased her on ODM gear.

"What did you do to Van?"

Levi's jaw clenched, "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, we both know that when I left him he was perfectly fine! You were at the stables-"

"Doing my fucking job. I couldn't give a flying fuck about the prick-"

"Someone did it! Stop lying-"

Levi moved like a viper, cruelly gripping her chin with one hand and dragging her to the foot of the bed. Elsie had to kneel, gasping, squeezing Levi's hurt arm to let go. It encouraged him to use more pressure, her teeth grinding against the inside of her mouth.

"Who's fucking lying, Elsie? What idiot gets a wound like this," He wasn't gentle, his thumb digging into her bruise and making her whine. "From a fucking push up. Let's see, shall we? Get the hell up-"

Elsie pressed into his chest, fighting his hands as he tried to shove her off the bed, "Get off! Levi, you're hurting me!"

"Tell the damn truth!"

Elsie didn't want to. Levi shook her, demanding words, an explanation. He was as wild as a caged lion, nails piercing and scaring her with unreadable black eyes.

"You already think you know everything, why even bother asking me-"

"You're right! You're damn fucking right, 'cause all I can think about is which one of those sack of shits hit you! Fuck, Elsie, why didn't you tell me?" Levi was bellowing to get his point across, once more shaking her.

"Look at what you did! He'll have you arrested, Lord Mahil will hang you-"

"He's not going to say shit if he knows what best for him! I can handle myself-"

For a second Elsie had no idea what was coming from their lips. It turned into a yelling match, Elsie smacking him away to stand on the bed, an accusing finger waving, face red, trying not to take a moment to breath in case Levi got a word in. He was doing no better, trying to pull her down by her thin wrists, cursing and insulting her, his raucous voice trying to shake her courage and drag her down.

Hange walked in.

Elsie and Levi snarled at the grinning woman. Hange raised a hand over her head, scratching her neck as she appraised the situation. No one was stabbed - yet, Elsie did have domain over the bed, if Levi had pushed her she would've dived for his knife.

"Listen, if you don't want anyone to know that our captain here beat up the kid, you should probably stop screaming. The whole hall can hear." Hange said pleasantly, closing the door as fast as she had opened it.

The animosity left with Hange. Elsie felt like she had been crying, her throat sore and so much emotion in her chest that she couldn't exactly say for herself what she was feeling. She didn't know what they were fighting about, throwing words like they were rocks, hoping to injure the other.

"I'm going to shower." Levi snatched the forgotten clothes off the floor.

"Levi-"

"Do you love him?"

Elsie sat, perplexed, "No."

"Then why are you so mad? Fucking drop it." He slammed the door shut.

Elsie cradled her head, pulling her knees to her chest. The whole reason she hadn't told Levi was to avoid his temper. She knew he would react strongly, hell he'd made it clear that Van wasn't allowed to touch her. She wasn't mad over the slap - she's watched Game of Thrones, fuck if she wasn't prepared for the patriarchy system - and she wasn't mad about Van getting hit.

She was upset because Levi had put himself in danger.

If Van talked... He already had an ill view of Levi and with this information, surely he wouldn't keep quiet. She was worried that the police would break their door down in the middle of the night and tie a rope around Levi's neck. She was worried about Levi, damnit, and the man was so far up his own ass that he believed he could take the Lord on.

Fuck. Erwin was right. She was going to have to grovel to Van. It didn't matter, it was all for Levi, and she would do it as religiously as church if it kept him safe.

The shower turned off, Elsie uncurling and bracing herself for him. She had enough sense to pick the book up, leaving it open on his side table before returning to her spot next to his pillow.

"Tsk." Levi shook his wet hair, taking her in.

"I'm mad because you could've gotten in trouble. I couldn't care less about him."

Elsie stared at her hands at the admittance. There, it was out. She cared more about Levi than she did Van. It's always been Levi, but she guess she thought he was so thick skinned that he didn't need the assurance.

Levi's long toes shuffled into her down trodden sight. She sniffed and looked through her lashes, hoping all was forgiven. He cocked his head to the side, a lone strand of hair between his eyes, and he slowly reached out to caress her cheek. Elsie exhaled, leaning into his palm, raising her hand to keep him there.

"Don't worry about me."

"What if he says something? Erwin said-"

"Erwin?"

"He thought I beat him up in the garden."

Levi laughed. A body shaking, shoulders bouncing laugh. It was unrestrained, hearty, the purest sound she heard. He tapped her thigh and Elsie pulled her legs onto the bed, bringing the blanket with her. Levi slunk into bed, blowing out the candle, and grabbing Elsie. He pulled her into his side, getting the blanket and pillow sorted for them.

Elsie didn't resist. On the contrary she was happy that Levi had made the first move for once. She pressed her nose into his forearm, having no hesitation with pocketing herself into his side. Levi clasped her shoulder, squeezed, his head falling back.

"What happened?" She whispered.

Levi rolled his shoulders, shuffling them, legs tangling. Elsie didn't dare break their hold.

"I was in Noir's stall, he didn't see me when he walked in. He had a boy holding his saddle and doing the straps. It was pathetic, I might have made a sound, and his humor is not as tasteful as mine. He straightened his jacket, made a big show out of the fancy clothes, asked how it was to wear the same thing day in and day out. It was just a round of smack, typical shit.

Then it wasn't. He asked if I got pleasure from beating on ladies. I told him it wasn't normal, should probably get that checked out by the priest. He wasn't too happy with that, got all huffy, told me to stay away from you if I knew what was good for me, among other things. I knew as soon I saw you, Elsie, that one of them hit you and if... if you had truly loved him, he would do it again.

So, I gave him a good pep talk about how to treat a lady, how to keep his castle running, and helped him on his horse. I was very gentlemanly."

Elsie shifted, memorizing the shape of his eyebrows and how he looked softer in the moonlight. Levi's hand left her shoulder, leaving her cold, to once more grab her chin. It was an apologetic touch, grazing the raised blue skin.

"Oh, I'm sure you were the perfect gentleman," Elsie teased. They fell into comfortable silence, Elsie not the least bit concerned with how Van was faring. "My dad raised me to know that it's not okay for someone to hit you, it's not love. I wouldn't have stayed if Van had hit me. But it was the Lord, and everyone was in trouble and it's a small price to pay for it."

Levi dropped his hand back to her shoulder, "No, it's not love."

"I'm sorry he said those things to you."

She knew there was more, could hear the disgust in his voice. He'd hesitated at that part, thinking Elsie hadn't seen him contemplate if the words were worth saying.

Levi grunted, "You're a pain in my ass."

"Dick." Elsie said lowly.

He smiled, closing his eyes. Elsie couldn't sleep, not after the shouting, so she kept her eyes open and listened to him breathe. She took the time to revel in the smell of his skin, clean from the shower, his arm more comfortable than her pillow. Elsie pulled his hand from its spot and ran her fingertips over the purple knuckles.

He snored as she kissed the bruises.

Elsie's pillow was trying to leave her. She clung tight, rubbing her cheek into the warmth, humming when something tickled her neck. There was a whisper of her name in the distance, pressure on her spine.

"Hmm."

"Get off, you fat shit."

Oh, well. Elsie groaned and rolled, taking the blanket so she became a burrito. Levi got dressed, threatening to drag her out of bed if she didn't sit up in five minutes. She pouted, bleary eyed when he pulled the drapes open to encourage her.

"Oh fuck," She gasped, tripping in the blankets as she tried to run to the door. "I forgot about Van, I have to go apologize or Erwin will-"

Levi caught her, "First, look at yourself, you look like a titan shat you out," Elsie scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Second, you're not doing jack shit."

"Levi, if he says something-"

"He won't. Get ready or we'll be late."

Elsie knew that Levi hated being late more than titans. She went double time, jumping on one foot to get her uniform pants on, using one arm to lever her shirt over her head and brushing her hair. Like a whirlwind, she was back at his side in no time, giving a thumbs up as she made a pony tail.

Levi tugged on her shirt, their belts clicking against each other. Elsie was frozen, wide eyed, daring him to do whatever the hell he wanted to her.

"You missed one." He buttoned the center of her blouse, his fingers grazing the skin of her stomach.

"What will we be late for?"

Elsie wasn't breathless from changing, more affected by their proximity than she would be if they were laying down. The bed was a safe zone. Elsie was scared and Levi comforted her, it was never more than that. But standing there, his eyes scanning her outfit for anything else amiss, she thought it would be so easy to lean on her toes and close the distance between them.

"Your little stalker brought a message. Erwin wants to go over the plans for tomorrow night."

Right, Annie, the whole reason Elsie was in this world.