It was a conundrum. Should Elsie tell the others about her past life? Of course, it was no secret. The last squad had known, as long with Miche and Hange's squad. The trust amongst Scouts was thick as knives and she felt that she could bring Mikasa and the others in. It was annoying that Mikasa had firstly thought she was a titan, an insult to Elsie above anything else. Did she ooze bad intentions?

"Did your mouth get you into trouble?" Levi drawled, appearing from behind. He flexed his hands as he waited for her reply, not the least bit troubled by her smoking glare.

"What makes you think it was my fault?" Elsie was only trying to be nice to the damn woman. How was she to know that it would be an insult to cheer her up over Armin? He was clearly a banned topic.

"You start everything," Levi began to walk up the hill, heading towards the warmth that the castle provided after their tiring day. "It's annoying."

"Sorry I have initiation," She had to push people to get the answers she wanted. He was a perfect example, she thought sourly. "I'm trying to make the best of what I have and no one is working with me."

"Go home if it's too hard for you, shithead."

"I don't quit, asshole. I'm going to keep you all alive even if some of you don't like me." She'd love to see Mikasa's face when they were standing on the ocean and Elsie had only helped them along the way, not once having turned into a titan.

Levi abruptly turned, stopping Elsie in her mindless tracks. She gasped when Levi grabbed her hip, holding her steady with his determined gaze, "It's not your job to keep every one alive. You use that shitty mouth of yours to tell me what to do, got it?"

"I'm going to help." She refused to conform to Levi's personal theory of him being able to handle everything. He wasn't immortal, he didn't have a hidden super titan waiting to be woken. Levi was as human as her and Elsie would be damned if she sat on the sidelines while he risked his life.

"Help by staying out of the way."

Elsie grinned, "You know I can't do that."

"If you're going to stay here then you will be treated like the others," Levi's grip bruised her hip, blunt nails digging into the leather of her belt and rubbing into her skin. Elsie pressed closer, not the least bit threatened by his talk. "You're a soldier, no more squabbling with Erwin, what he says is what you do."

"I've already been doing that."

"If he says you go to Hange's squad then you go. There's no more special treatment, you will be thrown into the masses like every other disposable person here. You don't have a weird ass brain like Hange or a high ranked position, you will be nothing."

If she had been receiving special treatment it had been from Levi himself. Other than her bed privileges, she was trained with the rest of the squad like Sasha or Jean was. She ate with them, she planned on going on missions with them, and if Erwin did consider daring Elsie to switch to Hange's squad, she would refuse just as she had the other day. Nothing would change with her staying, and his feeble attempt to make her feel scared only made Elsie's smile grow mirthfully.

"Do I have to start calling you captain now?"

Levi's lips tightened as his lack attempt in distancing her failed, "Don't start with that shit. It's not a game, Elsie, this is real life. You're in the army-"

"Oh wow, I am? I had no idea after you punched you me a million times!"

"There is no time off, it's this every day-"

"You do realize I've been in the army for six months, right?"

"Elsie," Levi snapped, shaking her. "You've gone on two missions and survived by sheer dumb luck, stop fucking thinking this isn't real and understand what you're agreeing to."

"I am! I can do this, I've been doing it, and I'll keep doing it. I've been here almost a year, Levi, don't you understand? I'm staying, I have to start thinking about money and bills and everyday life shit. Don't think I haven't thought about it."

Levi shook his head, "Fucking idiot."

"I can handle it," Elsie squeezed his wrist, seeming to remind him that he was holding her. He released her, to Elsie's sadness, and couldn't bring himself to look in her eyes, scanning the greenery behind her. "I did tell someone that I wouldn't get eaten by titans."

"You have yet to prove me wrong," Levi said dryly. "We'll find out this next mission, won't we?"

If this was her test to prove that she wouldn't die, then so be it. She met it head on with a toothy smile and a pep to her tone that had been missing earlier, "We will. You have to give me five coins if I live."

"My pockets won't be hurting," They were back in familiar territory, away from the talk of future life and onto the now. That's all Levi and Elsie could find solace in, for now they were alone and together, and that was all that mattered. "If you need money you can get a pretty price for cleaning the horse shit."

"Shut up, that's Eren's job," Elsie snickered, pleased when she saw his lips tug. "I'll speak to Erwin."

"Tell me how that goes." Levi gave a snort of hilarity at the idea and resumed their walk, Elsie skipping to catch up to his fast pace.

"If anything I can be a teacher again. Erwin didn't have problems with pulling that."

Bickering could be heard from up the stairs, no doubt the product of one bathroom and over forty people trying to clean at rational times. Even if her 'special treatment' disappeared, she wouldn't have to face the crowds for a shower.

"There aren't enough teachers to go around, they're always in demand. They didn't require any proof of your existence, just the fact that you could spell and not hit children."

Elsie knew that from working there a day, "Still a job."

Two seats were left open for Levi and Elsie to fall into at the circular table. Hange scribbled on notes with bread hanging out of her mouth, mad whispers incomprehensible of gibberish that would no doubt give Elsie a nightmare if she asked. Miche faced away from the squad, who sat divided at the long table. The three friends were still in the same area yet lacked the usual warmth they provided, Jean and Connie taking over the conversation while Ymir tended to Historia's needs.

Levi had no such fears and dived in, "What are you doing, four eyes?"

"You won't like it, shorty."

Elsie had an inkling of an idea that maybe it was about Annie and Levi's menacing attitude from earlier returned to the conversation. She decided this was a good time to be quiet and let Hange take lead.

"Are you going to tell me like a man or do I have to read it?" Levi snapped, not liking that Hange hesitated in reading her document to him.

Miche sipped his ale and Elsie chose a particularly circular potato from the center of the table. Yum, constant potato, all she's ever wanted in life.

"I was reevaluating my notes on titan skin. The hardening ability is certainly what the Armored titan used when it appeared with the Colossal titan. I'm confused on how to make this happen to Eren. Any ideas, Elsie?"

She shook her head from behind Levi's shadowed face, "Sorry, Hange. I have no idea about hardening."

"It must be a mind set. I would like to perform tests with Eren tomorrow to get an idea. Maybe there's a switch like ability he needs to flip while transformed."

"Very well," The tension released when a certain name wasn't brought up. "His guard dog won't pay attention without him so take her and the boy with you."

"More the merrier! They'll be great help when he throws a fit," Hange cackled, having been on the receiving end of a stressed Eren too many times to count. "They look to be in a great mood too. Thanks for that, shorty."

If a great mood would be considered scowls and no talking than Mikasa, Armin, and Eren were having a swell time. Eren pouted into his bowl, sulking as Mikasa glared daggers into the side of his face, praying that one of them would manifest and do damage. Armin was at a lost, gaping his mouth like a fish as he tried to find the right words to say. Nothing could fix the animosity that had grown between them, only Elsie clearing the air.

She winced, facing the squad leaders, "That might be my fault."

"How did you stir shit between them?" Levi scowled as if that could threaten them to act right.

"I'm intrigued, do continue, Elsie." Hange beamed with the glee of having drama to sip on at the end of the day.

"I'm gonna' solve it myself," Elsie said to begin with, not wanting anyone else to speak for her. "I might just need one of you to be there when I tell them the truth about me so it seems credible. Mikasa thinks I'm a titan because of how much I know about Eren's abilities."

"The fact you can barely fight is proof enough." Levi snarked, amused with the accusation as he sipped the tea in his adorably awkward way.

Elsie was completely smitten with the man, "I would think my charming personality would be enough."

"What personality?"

Hange peeked in with, "I'll be more than happy to join your conversation, Elsie. I would love to see all their faces."

"Of course I don't have paperwork to do like Hange," Miche suddenly intervened, grinning as he leaned on the table to wink at Elsie. "I'll stay. Don't worry about it, Hange, you can thank me later. I'm sure you're just dying to get to your work."

"It can wait," Hange brushed him off, Miche leering over her shoulder as her glinting eyes found Elsie. "Shall we call them into my office?"

"Stop calling the broom closet your office," Levi dead panned, gripping the back of Elsie's chair when he turned to meet her eyes. "And you tell Mikasa to shove her large nose elsewhere."

"She thinks I'm a titan, I can't do that or she'll kill me," Elsie's words made Levi's eyes narrow, no doubt thinking of who Elsie had considered a titan and how that had ended. "It's just... How do I go about saying, hey I'm from the future and I just know everything so have trust I'm not going to kill you."

"That works."

Elsie begged Levi with her eyes to offer some advice, "How'd I make you believe?"

"The shit you were spouting about no walls, cell phones, the year, it was too descriptive to write off. And your eyes," Levi's fingers did a little dance on her back. "When you said that the Armored and Colossal titans were coming back, there was real fear behind it."

That was well and done, now all she could mention was the upcoming Beast titan. Elsie pouted, "Should I just say that I'm a sorceress?"

"That would work," Hange once more interrupted, pushing her glasses up her nose to grin annoyingly at them, knowing her voice wasn't welcomed. "I could use you to scare Eren into actually transforming."

"If I was a witch I'd be a good one and not help you," Elsie huffed, frowning and looking back at her squad. The tension had eased with the finishing of plates, the kids now happily stuffed and caring little about each other's feelings and more about sleeping. "I'll talk to them tomorrow. I need to figure out what to say."

"I'm from the future and know everything about you is good enough," Miche put his vote in, stretching as he stood. "I'm off."

"But there's still ale!" Hange half heartedly called before snatching his forgotten goblet and sipping at the rest of his drink. "The buffoon, who leaves a drink half finished?"

"He's already drunk, there's no need for it," Levi's fingers left her back as she pushed her plate, staring expectantly at him to say that he was finished as well. Instead he refilled his cup. "Elsie, go make sure Eren isn't trying to feed that cunt. I saw him take a loaf of bread."

"It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world." She muttered, standing before Levi could hear what she said. Hange drank out of Miche's goblet and Levi leaned into her side, saying something that made her eyes widen and forget her drink.

Elsie didn't have to look very far for Eren. He was leaned 'innocently' against Hange's door whistling a tune that echoed in the hallway. Fumio was the chosen guard for the basement, his suspicious eyes locked on Eren. His expression darkened at the appearance of Elsie, who haven't spoken since she had kicked him for keeping her from the basement last time. He broadened his footsteps in preparedness.

"I'll take you both on," He warned, fixing his belt and leveling them with a look that slightly encouraged Elsie to retort. "The captain specifically said under no circumstances can you see the prisoner."

Eren was more pissed that Elsie had ruined his horrible cover, "I was doing fine before you showed up! What do you want?"

"Levi saw you sneak out the bread," Elsie tugged at his jacket, easily pulling the cooled loaf into her hands. "Really, Eren? Not even a day?"

"Wouldn't have gotten very far." Fumio off handily called, ignored by Elsie and Eren.

"I promised her that I would help, I can't not give her anything tonight. It's the most important part, how can she trust me if I don't follow through?"

Elsie's sympathy for the woman must only come when she saw the horrendous treatment, for at the moment she was thinking that Annie deserved no such follow through. She had killed Elsie's friends, she needed to be the one trying to meet them, not the other way around.

"Fumio," Elsie glanced at the red haired boy, rolling her eyes when he puffed his chest threateningly. "If I give you a shirt, can you help her get dressed?"

His nose curled, "Are you kidding me?"

"It's either that or actually have to fight Eren," She recapped, popping her hip and hoping that her glower at least slightly intimidated him. "He regenerates, falling down those stairs wouldn't do anything to him."

Fumio glanced back at the steep staircase, "Captain Levi only said you couldn't go down. I'll take the shirt if it gets you two away from here."

Elsie nodded and grabbed Eren's arms, at the perfect time leading him away from Hange's door just as the last two squad leaders meandered out of the dining hall. She had a moment of hurried plan changing, thinking she could leave Eren at the second floor while she ran up with Levi to get one of her sleep shirts. The only problem she had would be leaving the room after that.

Levi solved her problem with a snide remark, "Didn't get very far, did you brat?"

"I'm only being a good person, captain." Eren snapped, not backing down from the challenging stare.

"Levi, we were talking about more important things," Hange brushed past the boys, ruffling Eren's hair to his annoyance. "Scurry off, kid, we have a long day ahead of us."

"Stop being a problem, brat," Levi slid past Elsie as he scorned Eren, her hand reaching out to catch the material of his shirt at his stomach. He paused, holding her gaze, understanding her silent question. "Twenty minutes."

She could work with that. Elsie kept a grip on Eren as she ushered them up the stairs, squeezing past the line that had formed outside of the bathroom to continue up to the third floor. Eren slowed in the spiral staircase, gaping as he came to the landing opening to the six rooms.

"I thought it was the medical floor," Eren glanced at each door, as if expecting a monster to pop out as Elsie confidently led them to the very end of the hall where her safe haven resided. "Who stays up here?"

"It's the squads floor, you guys will move up once everyone else leaves I would assume. For now it's only Hange, Miche, Levi, and Erwin. Me, obviously."

"That's your room," Eren pointed to the door closest to the stairs, three away from where Elsie had stopped. "What's this one? The bathroom?"

"My closet," Elsie snickered, not wanting to invite Eren into her and Levi's private place. "Wait here."

She slipped into the room, snapping the door shut so that Eren's nosy eyes couldn't get a glimpse. She rushed to the top drawer, disdainfully noting Levi had changed her clothes, and grabbed the white night gown she hadn't worn since before Reiner. Eren was leaning against the door knob, trying to peek in like she knew he would, and flushed when she stepped out.

"I wish I had a black one but white will have to do," Elsie sighed, folding the dress and holding out her hand for the bread. She wrapped it in the middle before handing it back to him. "Fumio won't notice until he goes down and then it's up to him if he feeds her. That's the most we can do, Eren, for now. You don't want to push Levi before he makes a decision."

"Screw that guy," Eren held the gown like a baby, frowning down at it. "He never wants to hear what I have to say."

"That isn't true, he just takes some time to digest it," Elsie tried to help Levi's cause but knew that he was in this alone. "He'll come around."

"I wanted to shift when Annie was chasing us," Eren confided, no doubt talking about the long winding chase they had in the forest a month ago. "He told me to trust him, to do what ever I wanted, but I could hear it in his voice. He would've killed me if I turned without his approval. It's always what the captain wants, nothing else."

"He sounds like he'll kill me when I do anything wrong," Elsie tried to joke but he was not in the mood, huffing and looking towards the stairs. "I know he's a hard person to work for but he knows what he's doing. This won't last forever, eventually he'll understand that we need Annie, and everything will be fine."

"You think so simple, Elsie," Eren chuckled, returning to the kid that everyone liked to tease. "I hope so."

"I know so," Elsie led the way back down the stairs, both having to jump to avoid Ymir's sneaky ankle trying to trip them past the line for the shower. "Let's just not get caught before then."

Fumio held to his word, "If captain angry pants finds out, I'm totally blaming you, Jeager."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Eren waved him off, watching Fumio tuck the shirt into the inside of his coat pocket. "Just be nice to her, alright Garriss? If you don't-"

"Enough of that," Elsie grabbed Eren's elbow, taking control and once more heading for the stairs. "Do you feel better now?"

"I will once I find out he kept to his word," Eren sat on a step, heaving a great sigh as if he hadn't breathed the past few minutes. "I just want her out of there, Elsie."

"You've done all you can, Eren."

He frowned, "Elsie, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course. Fire away."

"Where are you from?"

Elsie cocked her head, "You really want to know? Or is this about what Mikasa said?"

Yep, just as she had thought. His cheeks flamed, his tell tale sign when he was caught, and he nervously rubbed his hands over his knees. Elsie sighed and sat beside him, having known this would come up. She suddenly forgot how to to talk, swallowing nervously at the idea of explaining her crazy back story.

"I do trust you but I don't know anything about you. Then again, I don't know anything about Captain Levi or Hange, but it's different. You know a lot of things about titans and me."

Elsie nodded, meeting his eyes worriedly, "It's a crazy story."

"We all have one."

"Yeah, that's true. I'll tell you in the morning, deal? We'll get every one together and talk it out."

"I knew you weren't a titan," Eren grinned, knocking their knees together to brighten both their spirits. "I told Mikasa. You don't have it in you. Annie, as much as I like her, she has a darkness to her that I related to. I thought it was something else but I was wrong," He lost his smile. "Maybe that darkness was for me."

"We'll figure it out. I'm sorry for starting drama between you guys."

"Eh, there's always something between us. It's just how we work, she's my sister. Do you have a sister?"

"A little brother."

"Oh, is he young?"

"No, he's older than you."

Eren's eyes widened, "Wait, how old are you? I thought you were twenty, at least."

"Aw thanks kiddo," Elsie cooed, truly flattered and ruffling his hair much like Hange had earlier. His reaction was still the same. "I'm twenty five."

"Oh wow, you're like old." She knew he didn't mean it that way but damn, hearing it made Elsie's smile fade and her fingers pull on his hair.

When he winced she pulled back, "Jerk. I'm not old."

"Sorry, sorry, just older than I thought," He scratched the back of his neck, the red flame returning to his cheeks. "Thanks, Elsie, for helping me."

"Of course, thanks for standing up for me. It means a lot."

"Anytime."

They heard the squeak of the door opening at the end of the hall, no doubt Levi and Hange leaving her office. Eren didn't bother waiting to see his favorite person, leaving Elsie to sit alone on the stairs.

"You're that desperate, huh?" Levi commented when he came around the corner.

She rolled her eyes, standing to the side to allow Hange to brush past. She didn't meet Elsie's eyes, strict features on the ground as she slithered up the stairs. Elsie watched her go before facing Levi, who looked no less serious than she had.

"What were you talking about? Usually Hange has a comment." Elsie tried to weasel information out of him, keeping her smile in place as she matched his steps to their room.

"I wanted to get her thoughts on something," Levi opened the door, allowing Elsie to enter first before locking them in for the night. "Nothing to worry your daft little head over."

"You're definitely rolling with the compliments, keep them coming," Elsie pulled her drawer open, snatching her chosen pajamas and heading for the bathroom. "Just for that, I get the shower first."

"Save some hot water, shithead."

"No promises."

Elsie swung the door behind her but it didn't close all the way allowing a glimpse into the bedroom. She hesitated, wondering if she should close or push the boundaries. It wasn't open too far, and he had changed in front of her before. It was nothing crazy, she told herself, pulling the curtain aside and turning the old knob to hot. She faced the mirror as she un dressed, perhaps being too aware of how her legs looked coming out of her pants or the way her breasts looked fabulous in the plain white bra the army provided.

She showered as normally as she could with the door open, her eyes locked as she washed the conditioner out of her hair. Her mind ran rampant with dirty thoughts of Levi bombarding her in the shower, yet, when she turned the water off - enough hot water left for the captain - she was alone in the bathroom with a half open door. She wrapped herself in the towel, sweeping her hair over her shoulder, and smiled when she caught sight of a shadow coming near the door.

"I saved you some water so don't complain, old man." She taunted, drying the tips as Levi entered the steamy room.

"How very considerate," Levi didn't turn for the shower. He focused on Elsie, finding it comfortable to lean against the counter and watch her. She met his eyes, holding the towel maybe a bit looser under his heady gaze. "We were talking earlier about telling the squad."

"Yes, I can still do that, right?"

"You'll have to with that brat starting shit," He found it hilarious that Mikasa thought Elsie was a threat. She pouted. "When you came here, all you remember was sleeping?"

"Yeah. I went to bed in my pajamas which is weird considering I showed up in jeans and a tank top," Elsie had never thought on it, now frowning as she reflected at her sudden clothes change. "I didn't wish upon a star or anything the night before. I wasn't even thinking about the sh-all this," She loftily aired at him. "So, I don't know. I just went to sleep and woke up in the streets of Trost."

"Anything else you can remember? A light, a sound? A weird person you met?" Levi badgered.

Elsie pulled back, suspicious, "You've never asked me about it before, what does it matter now?"

"Can't I be curious?"

"No, Levi, you can't," Elsie leaned into his space, looking him up and down. "I didn't hear or see anything different that night. Like I said, I woke up and I was here. Must be a miracle."

"A curse more like it."

"Not really," She gave him a strange look, her hair well forgotten for the sake of looking into his unreadable grey stare. "I've enjoyed my new home."

"It's not your new home." Levi snapped, pushing off the counter to swing the curtain open and warm the water.

Elsie glanced at him from behind, "Then what is it? I have to have a home, Levi."

"It's with your dad and brother," Levi pulled his shirt off, ruffling his hair in the process, and blindly tossing it behind. Elsie caught it, neatly folding it to distract herself from the delicious, yet furious, view she was getting. "Fuck, Elsie, you have a home waiting for you."

"It's been a year, you know," Elsie turned back to the mirror, tracing the scar of Levi's finger prints on her arms. He followed her fingers, his frown thickening at the memory. "At least next month it will be. If I was going back home, don't you think I would've left by now?"

"What if to go home all you have to do is really want it?"

Elsie smiled sadly, "I tried that. It doesn't work. You should get in before all that hot water goes away, captain."

She gathered her clothes and left the door open, listening as Levi got out of his pants and into the shower. She slowly pulled her shirt and pants on, realizing she forgot the brush. It was nothing to worry about, she told herself, holding the towel in her hand as she returned to the bathroom. With only the candle light to illuminate the room, she couldn't see through the shower curtain if she damn well tried - she might've, no one knows. She hung her towel on the hook to dry and grabbed her brush, hesitating before leaving the bathroom.

"Can you braid my hair?" She asked timidly over the loud shower nozzle.

"I can't do it now, obviously."

Elsie laughed, "After you're done, dick."

"Go be a good girl and wait for me then."

She sure was glad that he couldn't see her face for it definitely went up a few hundred degrees. Flushing and eager, Elsie quickly left the bathroom to find her spot on the bed. A good girl, what a thought. If he kept calling her that Elsie wouldn't be able to think properly. She brushed her hair absently, trying to think of anything but Levi's words. They sounded so good coming from a deep voice that was brute yet gentle. She began to riffle through her drawer, finding comfort in putting the colors back to how she wanted, and running his words over, over, and over again.

The shower turned off and no sooner had she heard the last drop was there heat on her back, "What are you doing, shithead?"

"I'm fixing my drawer," Elsie bit her bottom lip, smiling as she put her pants where they belonged and slowly sliding the wooden drawer shut. "Do you have a problem with it?"

"It looks like shit."

He looked so good that all she wanted was to lick him. Her eyes trailed up and down his exposed body, allowing him to see the way he affected her. Elsie finally met his eyes, her breasts touching his exposed chest, and she trailed a finger over the scar that a titan had left. Where had all the air gone?

"It's my shit to organize." Elsie whispered, drowning in the dark abyss that somehow managed easily to distract her. Wet hair stuck to his eyebrows, she wanted to reach out and brush it back.

It was a game, she thought, as her finger turned into two then four then her entire palm was sliding down his shoulder as he said, "That doesn't change the fact it doesn't match the rest of the dresser."

"Does it have too?" Elsie's hand stopped at his wrist and skimmed upwards, returning to the scar. "When did this happen?"

"My first year," Levi glanced at it, frowning in memory and Elsie wanted nothing more than to wipe the look of sorrow from his face. "Some idiot got his chords tangled. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Hm," She didn't think she could look away if she wanted. Did he need clothes? She doesn't think he'll ever need clothes again. "I don't like the idea of you being in a titan's mouth."

"No one likes it, Elsie, it just fucking happens," Levi reached around her, allowing her hand to continue to trace his scar, and she felt the second drawer hit her back as he plucked his clothes. Yet, his eyes never left her. "You're going to see a lot of it if you stay. Especially in this next mission."

"I'll be scared the entire time but I'll be here for it."

"Stupid girl." He muttered, fisting his clothes and stepping away from her. Her hand fell and Levi walked to the bathroom, but she didn't want to let go just yet.

Elsie followed him, falling into his back as her arms wrapped tightly around his torso. She buried her face into his skin, breathing in deep as she appreciated the clean smell and silky smooth flesh beneath her hands.

"Can't you be happy that I'm staying?" She asked brokenly, holding harder with her question.

Levi for once didn't fight her. He leaned back and she supported him, clenching her eyes tightly with the wish that he would give her this one thing. Just another mention of being a good girl would suffice, she would gladly survive the next year with that one endearment engraved in mind.

"I am happy, Elsie."

That was enough for her to let go. He glanced back at her, unreadable as always, a mysterious handsome man that drifted to the bathroom to change and leave her standing alone. It never went where she wanted, the words she knew that could come from him never reaching her. With Levi it was actions over words, she knew, and the fact that he had let her touch him outside of the safety bed meant a lot.

He had let that tough exterior down for a second.

She sat on the edge of the bed, brushed her hair as distraction, and waited for her hair to be braided. He did it with gentle hands, swiftly tugging the hair so that no baby strand thought of escaping. Elsie was silent, lost in the brief moments that their skin would make contact by the back of his knuckles or the fix of a hair caught on her ear.

"Aren't you scared?" Levi asked once her hair was done, resting his hand on the back of her neck. Maybe he needed to touch her just as much as she needed to be around him.

"A hundred percent," Elsie admitted. "But I had a good teacher, I'm sure I'll figure it out. Are you?"

"Every day."

She looked back, their noses only an inch away and his lips looking inviting, "We'll be scared together, okay?"

"You have to keep trying to go back," Levi's fingers dug into her neck, threatening. How could she be scared of a man that held her to sleep every night? "Don't fucking give up, alright?"

"Levi," Elsie cocked her head, unsure if she should tell him the truth. Would it work in her favor or would it leave her looking like a girl who expected him to love her for staying? "It's been a year."

"Not yet, you still have a month left."

"Who's to say that it will change anything?" Elsie grinned. "When did you become such an optimist?"

"When you stopped being one apparently," Levi's hand was tightening and loosening, a massage she realized. Elsie leaned into his grip, encouraging the movement as he continued with his rant. "Do you really believe you won't ever go back? How pathetic."

"I can't help but feel that way. Have you seen anything stating otherwise? I'm okay with it, in fact, Levi, I'm more than happy with where I've come. Before this I couldn't fight, or run or do push ups, hell, I never did anything except eat chips and sit at home on the weekends doing work. I love this life, and it sucks that I won't see my family, but I remember them and they remember me. That's all I can ask for at this point."

Levi said nothing and Elsie didn't think there was anything he could think of to fight her. Wasn't she right? It had been a whole year, in thirty three days she would have been less of a twenty first century woman and more of a warrior in olden times. She had changed so much, her every day routine destroyed if she did return to 2018.

"Just keep trying for one more month, just to amuse me." Levi meddled.

It was his hand's movement that made her laugh playfully and agree, "If you think that will change anything. Sounds like you're trying to get rid of me."

"I don't want you to regret your choice."

Elsie scoffed, "I think I know myself enough to make a good decision."

"That's up for discussion."

"I made a great one in choosing to stay, Levi."

He met her eyes, resigned that he had lost the battle but was still trying, "I hope for your sake that you're right."

"I'm always right. Get used to it."

If it lessened the guilt Levi felt about letting her stay in a war then Elsie would try for another month. She would close her eyes and think of her dad, but not in the way she had done for the past year. She would reminisce of all the times they went camping, when he taught her how to drive, the jokes that were old and over used but they laughed out every time. She would tell her dad that she was happy and that she was doing great things, impossible things that no teacher could ever experience. It was a life that she hadn't been wanted, a life that she had stumbled into and found exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. It was too addictive to leave once she'd found it. He would understand, tell her to chase whatever made her want to run with such fire.

"Do you want to help Hange in the morning? She requested that you join." Levi changed the topic as easy as he always did, his hand dropping and making his side of the bed ready for sleep.

Elsie followed suit, the nervous butterflies in her stomach wanting to stay the night with them, "I don't know a thing about hardening so it would be useless."

"Be honest," She glanced up at Levi's words, both of them stopping on their side of the bed. "Does he really need Annie?"

"No," Elsie frowned, wishing that she could say the opposite for Eren's favor but if things went with the story line, he would find the hardening serum in Rod Reiss' church. "There's a lot he does without her. He can fight but he's emotional. He's finds power in those moments that's why they're necessary but we have Annie to change all that. If we use Annie, and we head to Shiganshina with her and Ymir and all of us behind them," She was speaking fast, lost in the thought of victory. "So many people will live. I'm skipping steps but I don't think whatever God who put me here is mad about it."

"What parts are you missing?"

Levi got into bed first and of course Elsie followed, forever his trusty side kick. She laid on her side to face him, resting on her hands as she thought how to phrase it.

"There's a guy," She said slowly, watching the way his lashes bat and he licked his lips ever so slightly. "He has amazing power and bad intentions. He was supposed to be here weeks ago but I think I stopped it with Reiner and Annie."

"They're like fucking roaches." He grumbled.

Elsie reached out, her fingers playing their game to brush the sleeve of his shirt up and trace the raised crescent scar. It was her new safe spot just as her neck was to him. Levi turned his head to watch, those beautiful lashes kissing his clear under eyes. No more circles for Levi, he was back to the man she had grown accustomed to.

"It's not just titans anymore, not with Historia being discovered."

She felt his muscles tense, "Interior police. Erwin's getting the records."

"I think it's changed if we're on the mission to Shiganshina."

"One fuckery to the next, welcome to the Scout Regiment."

Elsie giggled to break the tension, squeezing his arm and closing her eyes, "It'll be over one day."

"There's the optimist."

There was a rather annoying thump happening down the hallway. It was consistent enough to stir Elsie from sleep, who slowly opened her eyes to the blue hue of a nearly ready to rise sun. Levi was already awake but shockingly hadn't moved, still pressed against her back with his nose against her neck.

The thump came again and Elsie sighed, closing her eyes, "What is that?"

"Don't care. I'm not working yet."

She was content to stay in his arms, "I like that philosophy."

Her morning nuisance came to an end and Elsie leant back into Levi, pressing them together. It was such a good feeling, to have him perfectly pliant and cozy, not wanting to be disturbed. A rare moment that she easily succumbed to, falling into his chest.

"Eren Jeager, what the fuck are you doing?" Hange's screech trilled under the doorway.

They ignored it, Levi's arm tightening around her stomach, Elsie snuggling into her pillow where her hand rested on his forearm.

"We should go horse riding," Elsie said when Eren's high voice joined the lovely musical happening outside their door. "I've forgotten all about poor Suni."

"The horse probably thinks you've left her."

"Rude, we have a bond."

There was a clunk and a shriek, rapid feet going down the stairs, and Levi's husky morning voice muttering, "Horrible care taker."

She could feel his nose against her neck, slowly running up the expanse of skin that was welcomed to him. She arched, humming with contently closed eyes as the feel of his nimble fingers followed behind.

"I'm not the worst around," What were they talking about? Her pulse raced beneath his nose, his fingers trailing down to her shoulder then back to wrap around her waist. "She'll forgive me." Horses. Suni. Right.

"I'm sure over time." Levi's lips were brushing against her skin when he spoke. Elsie wanted them further up and on hers.

Elsie's eyelids flashed open at the interruption of rapid knocks on their door, facing the slightly lightening curtains and catching sight of Levi pulling away from her. She rolled with him, not letting him get away that easy, and fell onto his chest as they stared at the rattling door.

"Someone better come out here and get their rookie before I kill him!" Hange threatened shrewdly. "The little ass, he woke me up before the break of dawn banging on Elsie's old room! Fucking open the door!"

"She's a bitch in the mornings," Elsie said lightly, not the least bit concerned when the door knob began to shake. "You deal with her."

"She said your name." Levi ran his hand down her spine, up and down, a new game that Elsie wanted to play.

"Open the door you assholes! I know you're awake!"

"I don't want to go. It's not time."

Levi glanced out the window, "No, I guess it's not."

Elsie had a few blissful moments of Levi's touch, soaking in this new development, and considered how to play her own game with him. If touching was their next step then Elsie had a surplus of ideas that she wanted to play out; namely brushing the hair from his eyes that seemed comfortable there in the mornings. She barely lifted a hand before the door swung open, enraged Hange standing in the door way with a bobby pin in her shaking hand.

"Good morning, four eyes. Never looked better." Levi drawled, his hand falling limp on her back but neither moving.

Elsie raised an eyebrow at Hange's bedraggled appearance, missing her glasses and making her eyes appear smaller than normal, and her hair loose for once around her shoulders. Although Hange was known for being bubbly and over energetic, she was none of those things as she sneered down at the comfortable pair. She lifted the edge of her sleep gown and marched across the room, easily standing onto the bed and plopping on Elsie's other side.

"I can't stand that brat," Hange raved, Elsie slowly turning to face the intruder in her bed. Levi stiffened and sat up, leaving her as the only one laying between the sour soldiers. "He goes banging on your door for thirty minutes, then conveniently forgets what he's being so annoying about, and has the audacity to shout back at me! Me!"

"Does this require you in my bed? Get your nasty feet off," Levi snapped, reaching over Elsie to shove Hange in the shoulder. "It's too fucking early for this shit."

She held onto the headboard, growling, "You refused to come out and deal with the child now you have to deal with me. I don't like waking up early, Levi, the sun isn't even fucking out. What the hell is this? I didn't even know this time existed."

"You're a genius, I'm sure at one point you realized that four o'clock was a thing," Elsie drawled, sighing and sitting up as well. The three sat shoulder to shoulder, filling the expanse of the bed. She glanced at Hange. "Your hair is long, I like it down."

"Ah this? It just gets in my way," Hange pushed the bangs behind her ear. "Stop distracting me. I want his head on a pike."

Levi was not pleased with how his morning turned out, growling under his breath as he flung the blankets and padded for his dresser. Elsie said, "I'm sure Levi would help."

"I won't do shit for you, kill the kid by yourself. Fucking banshee."

"All he does is yap and yap about that Annie girl, does he love her or something? Ugh," Hange's head banged on the board and Elsie cooed, sliding a pillow behind for support. "Thanks, Elsie, what a true friend you are. You never wake me up early and never tell me to leave your bed when I need support in my great time of need. Unlike some rude bastards."

"I would've left you out there all morning if you hadn't broken in."

"He is rude, isn't he?" Elsie agreed, giggling as Levi slammed the bathroom door to change.

"Extremely," Hange agreed with another bang to the headboard. "I hate waking up this early. Hey, are you and shorty dating finally? Looked pretty cozy to me."

"I don't know. Can't really describe what's happening between us, can I? He's hard to understand sometimes." Elsie confided in a soft whisper, something about her gleeful cuddle session leaving her wanting to talk about it. Who else could she confide to? Ymir was the only girl that Elsie spoke to other than Hange, and Petra wasn't here. Not that Elsie would consider talking to her about her crush on the captain.

"I can only imagine, you're a brave girl for sticking it out with him though. The shorty can't flirt to save his life, sometimes I wondered if he would end up alone."

Elsie laughed, "I highly doubt he would've been alone. He does pretty good, from what I understand."

"Oh, you talking about Petra? Yeah, that was a shit show," Hange snorted, playing with the edge of their grey comforter and smiling comfortingly at Elsie, even if she hadn't meant Petra and rather about herself. "If I'm being honest, I think he felt bad that she kept pining after him."

Elsie didn't believe that for a second, "Oh, interesting." Did she want to know? Should she ask for more?

Hange was a great girl friend and eagerly delved in, hurriedly speaking before Levi could return, "You see, Petra always had a crush on the captain and you can't blame the guy for acting on it. Erwin and I had no idea until months later when Petra had a near conniption when Levi went on a mission without her. Well, she fell way too hard, and eventually wanted to make it official, you know, with marriage. Ha, can you imagine shorty pants in a suit and a wife?" Even Elsie couldn't find that image, coming blank when it came to Levi and marriage in the same sentence. "After he made it clear that things wouldn't be moving forward, I swear we had at least six months of Petra with my squad and crying every day. Things got right, eventually, and what do you know, you show up not even a month after all's well in Levi's romantic life. Coincidence, mmhm?"

Elsie wasn't appeased with the fact that Levi had been with another person but it was still Petra and she was happy to finally hear the whole story (if not a little bit fabricated since Hange wasn't involved). She had theorized about their romance and was glad that her thoughts hadn't strayed too far from the truth, albeit she could've gone with out them being involved.

"He won't die alone," Elsie said after a moment of deliberation, smiling in return to Hange's gleeful one. "But I don't think he'll ever get married."

"That's one less person for me to worry about. Now onto Erwin, the lonely soul," Hange gave Elsie a friendly pat on the top of her hand, both of them comfortable on the bed when Levi returned in his uniform and bringing the rising sun with him. "Oi, shorty, are you going to deal with that brat of yours?"

"Get out of my fucking room and I'll consider it," Levi grabbed his belt and Elsie licked her lips, bringing her knees up so she could have a resting spot for her chin to gaze at the view. "Why haven't you kicked her out yet?"

"I'm having fun, you wouldn't know anything about that."

"And you've got a mouth that needs to watch its tongue," Levi warned, finished with his belt and drawing her attention to his narrowed gaze. "Fuck off, four eyes."

"I like your bed, it's more soft than mine," Hange spread her hands, glancing at Elsie. "And bigger. That's not fair, I'm higher ranked than you."

"No one likes you so you get the shitty cottage with the shitty beds." Levi was not in a great mood, his scowl thickening as he took in the view of Hange and Elsie giggling in his sheets.

"Elsie likes me, right?"

"Of course."

Levi pointed at them, a hand on the door as he was ready to leave, "Clean the sheets and make the bed, you disgusting fucks."

He swung the door, ready to make his dramatic exit - a sore loser to Hange taking over the bed it appeared, however Elsie had an inkling of a theory he didn't want the scientist to badger him about their compromising position - but his walk out was compromised by Jean in the doorway, hand raised to knock.

He spluttered, wide eyed as she took in the women in bed and Levi, who no doubt looked like the devil that petrified Jean.

"What the fuck do you want?" Levi snapped.

Jean swallowed, "There's a carriage here for Elsie, captain."

They looked at her, who was at a lost just as the next person for who could possibly want to visit her.

How do you guys think the squad will take Elsie's secret? Who possibly could be showing up to talk to her? Levi and Elsie are slowly testing the waters between them, I wonder who would make the first move. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS - THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL AND SO WELL THOUGHT OUT I CRY - AND FAVORITES!