CHAPTER 4

Neutral POV. It jumps between Alia and Levi. Please let me know what you think of the story! I'd love to hear your reactions or any thoughts. :)

Still, Alia spent the night in that cell, chained to that chair. Apparently she would be closely watched until she'd be in that remote area - whichever shithole Levi's squad was staying at.

She couldn't sleep, but she also couldn't focus on any thoughts either, or any plan. Her head, her whole body was throbbing in pain from all the hits and kicks. Erwin had ordered to give her some bread and water before midnight, but she was still hungry and weak.

The cell was pitch black. She hated it. There was nothing she had under control. She couldn't even tell whether it was 1AM, or 3AM, or 10AM, she had no idea.

Any sounds in that cell and beyond made her uneasy. Chained on that chair, she never felt so defenceless.

Suddenly, the door flew open. Light emerged from it; and Alia squeezed her eyes.

"Oi. Time to go brat."

It was that guy, Levi, with dark hair.

He vaguely reminded her of someone, but... She couldn't tell who..

Anyway. She must just be pretty tired and confused.

But if she had understood correctly, he was a captain -her captain. A pretty big deal of a rank. She chuckled.

"What gives me the honour of having a captain escort me, captain? Could it be that I'm too dangerous for everyone else out there to handle?"

Levi was about to hit her for her audacity to speak, but he realised she didn't have that much strength, and he needed her to be able to travel without being too much of a burden. He'll work on her discipline later.

"Not a proud badge of honour to wear, brat. You're just a disturbed, lost, troublesome young woman to babysit and the officers here are the least respected in the military ranks, not some cool targets. So right now... you're just wasting my time. Someone else should have come here but you can only fucking behave like a street punk"

He walked close to her and freed her from her chains. For a fraction of a second, Alia was thinking of an escape plan but she caught his eyes and froze.
He definitely reminded her of someone, or something.

Or maybe he was just so damn intimidating. No way she'd escape his deadly grip.

She did remember almost instantly to seem fearless, though. And she stood up fast - too fast. Her ribs hurt, and her head was spinning.

"Mmh.." she gasped, trying to reach something to catch her balance back. Instinctively, she had grabbed the closest thing she could - and looking up, she realised she was hanging onto Levi's shirt.

"Tch." He eyes were burning; annoyed, he grabbed her wrist and pull it away, but put an arm beneath her shoulder and guided her out.

Alia felt her cheeks flush. It had been a very long time that she needed help from a man - if ever. She never trusted anyone - except her father, but he was gone.

It seemed in Levi's interest, at least that morning, that she was out of here, safe, and in good physical condition, though.

She shouldn't get too comfortable. This interest might vary according to the day and each situation. Something about him was making her feel on edge.

"Let go off me" , she demanded.

"Sure."

Suddenly he let go off her with a smirk on his face, and Alia regretted -still, never showing this on her face. It was painful to walk, and she had to limp - she had twisted her ankle up on the roof. Alia worked on calming her breath so that he wouldn't hear her struggling.

Then they reached narrow stairs and Alia felt this wouldn't work well. Her head was still throbbing, and was messing up her balance. She also realised she was shaking from exhaustion when she placed her hand on the wall for support from the first step, and she couldn't control it. Levi did see, and he observed her as she went down the stairs awkwardly, holding her breath.

He sighed.

"Hey, shithead."

Alia ignored him and came down a second step, slightly grimacing now.

"There are seven floors to go. At this speed our squad would have the time to reach the fucking sea"

"No problem, just go without me then"

They stared at each other for a few seconds, when Alia gasped - her ankle just sent a shiver of pain through her leg.

"Stubborn shit"

At this words, Alia felt herself lifted in the air as Levi grabbed her and carried her in his arms - for the second time now.

"I said -let go off me" Alia demanded as she started instantly to get out of his arms, but he didn't budge. When she continued, Levi pulled her hair hard and she gasped, her neck fully exposed backward -

"Oi. Calm down. I'm helping you, brat."

"Let me g-"

"Well then try winning the fight next time. Or try landing a hit - not just getting punched like a stupid doll. Maybe then you won't need me carrying around your sorry ass"

Alia swallowed hard, feeling humiliated and insulted beyond words. Also a feeling she hadn't experience for a very long time before her capture.

"You coward!" she said full of anger, "I was chained, against many!"

"If our roles were reversed, it wouldn't have been a problem for me", Levi said with a shrug.

Alia sighed.

"I am not sure why you guys are begging me to join your cause. It's not like I'm the best warrior." Her eyes locked on her hands, uncomfortable. "... The strength of the Underground Roses lies in teamwork. I was just good at getting people fired up to join our fight, and I was good at strategy."

While she led, Alia felt, many times, impostor syndrome kicking in. Some of her subordinates were far better fighters than she was.

"We saw you escape on the rooftop, and we've heard of your capture - which took many days and many soldiers to fulfil. I wouldn't say you're a bad fighter. Having fought you and carrying you now, you're not as strong as I had expected though. That's true. But you'll work on that in the Corps."

Alia was surprised by this. She had expected him to mock her, or decide to get rid of her, but he instead acted like a reasonable person.

"So what would you say your strength is, outside of strategy and teamwork? Anything that could help fighting big giant titan asses?"

She wasn't sure what his tone meant. Was he mocking her like she had expected - was he just curious, or trying to get to know her weaknesses to know how to put her down?

Feeling her body become tense, Levi sighed. That woman really distrusted him, even if he had no interest whatsoever in harming her. She should have worked that out.

Again, he remembered that she was from the Underground. A lot of people there just wanted to harm others - especially women - for no good reason at all.

"Oi, answer me. You're in my squad now, and you can either help us or hinder us. And it's my responsibility that you end up being an asset to us. I need to know your strengths, your weaknesses, so that I can plan your training and your role accordingly."

"Well... for example, I have used... The ODM gear, multiple times. I think I am quite good at it." Alia said, surrendering. "I am quite agile, and can think on my feet. I don't let panic control me. I can keep calm and make a plan."

"So your weakness is strength and combat, right?" Alia nodded, blushing. "I'll add that to the report to Erwin".

They finally reached the ground floor and Levi dropped Alia off just as Erwin appeared at the end of the stairs. Alia placed a hand on the wall for restoring her balance while he entered another hallway, nodding at Levi, with countless documents and papers under his arm.

Levi grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the building, and for the first time in her life, she saw horses.

Ignoring the people around, she walked closer to one and caressed its neck. She chuckled. They looked terrifying - they were so big and looking strong - but they actually reacted pretty gently to her light touch.

"Guys, this is Alia. She's new to this squad - Erwin placed her under my watch."

Alia faced the other way and saw five pairs of eyes on her. Some glares were curious; some downright unhappy.

"Under your watch? So what, we'll be fighting for our lives with someone that Erwin doesnt even know whether to trust or not?"

"Who is she?" someone else asked.

"Oi, no questions. Unless if you don't trust my judgement or Erwin's. Which I know isn't the case. So get your asses on your horses, we have a long way to go."

Everyone nodded and climbed on their horses with haste.

"Hey girl", a sweet voice echoed and, surprised, Alia's eyes fell on a ginger-haired girl who was a bit taller than herself; she wore a beautiful smile. Feeling appeased for the first time in days, Alia smiled back, relieved that...

"So nice to have another girl with me! It was starting to feel lonely", the girl said, mirroring Alia's thoughts. "My name's Petra."

"So nice to meet you", Alia said, reaching for her hand with a large smile and warm eyes, and Petra shook it with enthusiasm.

Petra then turned around to get to her horse and Alia stared at the beast, not sure how this would go - not even sure how to get to ride its back, nor how to get on it. She panicked, avoiding Levi's glare. But he walked up to her, feeling something was wrong. He seemed lost in thoughts, and "oh yeah" he whispered, "you girl never went on a horse before, right?"

Alia shook her head, looking down on the floor.

Damn, she felt so pathetic these days. This all contrasted so much with the epic times she lived with the Underground Roses, as the queen of badass murderesses and thieves, making even the worst criminals of the underground not dare to lay a hand on her for fear of repercussions by one of her Amazones.

"Well even then, I'd rather not have to watch your every move in case you go on the run", Levi sighed. "Ride with me." he ordered with a cold voice.

No." Alia refused instantly, dreading to be so close to him, physically.

Levi walked even closer to her and grabbed her arm abruptly.

"Wen we'll get to the base, I'll care to instil discipline in this stupid brain of yours", he threatened. "Rule number one - never make me repeat myself."

He turned her around and pushed her forward towards his horse. Alia resisted and ended up placing her hands on his chest to try to stop him from advancing - in vain.

"Please", she pleaded, "let me ride with Petra instead"

Something changed in Levi's eyes and he seemed to suddenly understand the source of her unease.

She didn't just distrust people - she behaved so differently toward Petra. She only distrusted men. And to be fair, given her history and missions in the Underground, she must have had her reasons to. Still, she had to get rid of such fears if he ever had to gain her trust on the battlefield and outside, same for his men fighting alongside her.

It would take some time, but that was even more of a reason to start now.

"... Or anyone else?" Alia asked, pointing to other squad members.

Levi frowned; this just contradicted his theory - one which had made so much sense.

She didn't distrust men - just him?

Was it because he was the only one she believed could overpower her?

He'll have to confirm that.

"Why, what do you think can turn wrong if you ride with me?" Levi asked, trying to make her realise how irrational she was. "What's the scenario?"

Alia blushed and shook her head slowly, not knowing what could actually turn wrong. She just felt incredibly uneasy and nervous around him, since he had fought her on that rooftop and she realised how weak she was in comparison. His presence was a painful reminder of that fact, and how she might actually just die if she engaged in a fight. Something she always brushed off as a possibility.

Levi sighed at her silence. "If you're such a fucking wimp with me, I don't even want to see you fighting Titans" he snapped coldly while lifting her on his horse, and he jumped on it himself when he heard her murmur "I think I can kill Titans."

"What was that, brat?"

"I said, I think I can kill Titans. You just have to good at ODM and slice their nape, you know what you have to do."

With him, it would be different. Not knowing how to handle him if they turned enemies made Alia feel on edge. She liked control.

Levi understood the indirect comparison and that basically was confirming his second theory - she only was nervous around those that she believed she wouldn't win against. Hell, that would happen a lot out there, no matter what she was thinking of titan fights right now.

She said she was good at controlling her emotions, thinking on her feet and not letting panic overtake her, but looking at her now, he realised that it wouldn't be true if she didn't think deep down that she could have a chance against the opponent.

It was crucial that she worked on that, if he ever wanted her to be useful in tough situations - which there would be.

He'll have to spar with her himself. To get over this paralysing fear that was holding her back, she needed to fight against someone which she didn't think there was any chance of winning over. Levi scanned the rest of the squad and he knew that she may not feel this handicap against them during training, which would not prove helpful.

Levi was about to start riding off when he realised without surprise that she hadn't even placed her hands on his waist. She'd just fall off the horse and hurt her back, and then it would be a mess to travel with her. Levi sighed again - that woman!

"Oi, place your hands around me, I won't eat you"

He then finally felt two shaking hands slightly touching his waist - and when he rode off, making sign to the rest of the squad to follow, the horse leapt forward which such force that Alia instantly had to hold on to him tight, her chest hugging his back. She'd let out a surprised gasp in his ears and looked around, experiencing a horse ride for the first time in her life.

"You don't have to hug me", Levi commented with a smirk and, feeling her cheeks burnt, Alia realised she was still holding on for her life to him, her hands wrapped high around his chest.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to..."

She couldn't believe she had let her guard down and had had no problem with having such close proximity with him.

Alia, you can't let yourself become too comfortable

"Actually, you could try to get some sleep." Levi' smirk had evaporated, his tone was serious. "There won't be much rough terrains, it should be smooth."

Alia stared at him - absolutely not.

"Calm down. Just put your head on my shoulder and rest. Tomorrow's training and I need you on good form."

"I'm ok."

"Fine. Don't come crying at me after training."

That was fine. She knew she wasn't the type to let herself cry after a difficult session.

Alia's teeth clenched and she fought hard against falling asleep - but she never placed her head on his shoulder, nor his back. She focused hard on staying awake and alert, and on keeping her touch to Levi's waist to the bare minimum.

It felt like forever passed when she finally could perceive through the darkness the shape of a building, in the middle of nowhere.

They all halted then slowly rode on to the stables. Levi jumped off the horse graciously and Alia ignored his arms to try to imitate him, jumping off from the other side of the beast, and finally, succeeded at something in front of Levi. Savouring such small but oh so needed victory, Alia's eyes smiled and she followed the squad inside of the building. She followed Petra through the corridor that she walked towards when Levi stopped her, grabbing her arm towards an opposite door.

Maybe he wanted her in his office or something. Surely her room would be near Petra, in the girls' dorms.

Putting her guard up, she waved to the rest of the squad and followed Levi, ready to react at any of his move.

They walked until they nearly reached the end of the corridor, and Alia could reach through the darkness a small "LEVI" inscription on the door. Yet, at her confusion, Levi opened the door opposite of it.

"Your room."

Alia took a few steps back, digesting the fact that he'd place her right next to his room, away from everyone else.

"Why do I have to be right next to you?"

"Because you are still under my watch. And stop with your questions, brat. Just get in."

"I'd rather be with Petr-"

Levi's fist met her cheek and she crashed to the wall, and fell to the ground.

How could this happen? She'd been on her guard!

And she remembered. Of course she couldn't catch him or fight back, he was Levi, humanity's strongest..

For the first time in a decade, she couldn't think of a plan. She just sat there, flinching, avoiding Levi's gaze when Levi walked towards her and kneeled, whispering in her ear

"First. As of now, brat, I am your captain and have to address me as such." Levi's finger slid under her chin and lifted it so that she would have to look up to him.

Levi couldn't believe this was the same fiery girl he'd fight on that rooftop. Then, she didn't know who he was, or that she couldn't win. In contrast, the girl he was in front of now was shaking of fear, paralysed, refusing to dare to fight back.

She really needed to work on this. But for now, this was quite handy as he had to teach her some discipline.

"Second", Levi hissed while staring at her threateningly. "I. never. Repeat. Myself."

Alia shivered and looked down.

What is happening to me? Why can't I put him back at his place?

If anyone else had dared hitting her, and threatening her, they'd be headed toward the infirmary by now.

Cmon Alia... Do something... Anything...

"Understood?" Levi asked while retrieving his hand from her chin.

"Y-yes.."

"Yes, who?"

"Yes cap-captain.."

"Good girl."

Good girl... good girl...

The words resonated in her head. Suddenly she remembered. It was also then, the last time those words were spoken to her.

Kenny. Kenny Ackerman. Her uncle's partner in crime, to whom she had been sold. After a brutal beating, when he finally had successfully handed her over to the traffickants -and that pain, fear and hurt went rushing through her.

Good girl... good girl... he had said, and Alia could remembered how she had felt, in that second.

Heavy tears rolled on her cheeks and she put a hand over a mouth to muffle the cries she let out.

Levi analysed the situation, and, observing her irrational behaviour and reactions, he understood that something in him triggered her -psychologically. Perhaps it was how he made her submit to him; something that didn't sit right with her, given literally no one had managed to do so and she hated it. Perhaps his persona was reminding her of someone in her past that haunted her to this day. Perhaps it was something he said. Who knows. He'd have to find out eventually, but now was not the right time. She was in a huge emotional distress and he'd rather not push her limits straight away.

He slowly kneeled again besides her and tried to carry her in the room, but she weakly pushed him back.

"Don't", she muffled between her cries.

"I won't hurt you, brat. Let's just get you off the floor", Levi said while noticing that a bruise already formed on her cheek from when he'd hit her just now. He sighed. No matter what he'd say, she wouldn't just let him touch her, and he just had given her a good reason not to.

But he also refused to leave her crying ass on the floor, while he'd go to his room as if nothing was happening.

Levi put his arm under her and lifted her up, carrying her bridal style. Her cries intensified and he dropped her on the bed, immediately stepping backwards. He dragged a chair towards the opposite end of the room and sat down, waiting for her to calm down.

Alia's mind slowly drifted back to the present. The echoes of Kenny's good girl words went away and, when her eyes fell on Levi, on that chair in the corner of the room, she realised that the person he was reminding her of, strangely, had been Kenny.

They did have similar fighting style and movements. Also the cold expression and inhuman strength.

Alia never had faced Kenny since that day when her uncle sold her to him. And even when she had escaped the brothel on her first damn day, she was thankfully never chased after by himself personally. He had underestimated her. Didn't think she was worth his own attention and time, and then, when she had established the Underground Roses and stole more of his girls-objects, he had tried to find her.

But she always had managed to avoid him.

To be fair, she had spent most of her most intense energy and strategies on making sure to not end up in a confrontation against him.

She knew she wouldn't win. Not her, not her sisters. No one could.

Alia stood upwards and observed Levi, lost in thoughts.

No one could win over him either. Was it the only parallel between them? Why was he making her think of Kenny - her worst nightmare-, somehow?

As she was staring at him like someone she'd seen a ghost, one of his eyebrows arched.

"Care to explain what's happened?"

Alia suddenly stopped staring at him and hugged her knees.

"You just reminded me of someone. That's it." She slightly rocked upward and backwards in an unconscious attempt to comfort herself. "Captain." she added, not wanting to spark any confrontations right now. She was not in a cocky mood, she just wanted to fucking rest for once.

"Who?" Levi inquired.

He knew that whoever this person was, she was not having fond memories of. She clearly had been traumatised -she'd be downright terrified of him, or her, or they?

"With all due respect, Captain, I do not believe it is an information relevant to you. This is personal."

"I do ask you to give me the following information, which is relevant to me. What do I do, or say, that reminds you of him? That way I can do my best to not cause any triggers."

There was a short silence, and Alia rocked herself a few times, before finally admitting -

"There are more than one thing. And you can't not do them." She couldn't like, ask him to change the way he moves, talks and fight. Just not an easy list of small things like the good girl words... and this bit, he didn't need to know of.

Levi noticed that she didn't correct the "him". So it was a man. Well, not a surprising part. He was a man himself.

At this point, he knew that the only way to get any bit of additional information would be by using violence, and it would be stupid. He'd drop it. For now.

He was about to leave, but realised he should set something straight in her mind - or at least, he'd have to try to do that often enough to drill it into her head.

"Look, brat. I'm your captain. Which means that, yes, if you do not respect me as such, there are consequences", he said, gesturing towards her purple, bruised cheek. Alia touched it and looked down. It seemed to hurt. "But except that, you are under my protection."

Surprised, Alia met his gaze.

"Yes, you will have to fight Titans, but it is my duty to make sure you can do it with the higher chances of success, and I cover your brats' asses out there as many times as I have to. And even outside of the battlefield, if anyone dares to lay a hand on you. I will not let them get away with it."

Levi then stood up, and walked outside of the room, reaching his, just a few steps away.

" As long as you'll be part of the Corps, you have no reason to fear me. Whoever I'm reminding you of - I am not him." he closed the door, and she heard him open his.

Confused about her own feelings and messy thoughts, exhausted by the capture, the beating, the journey, the hurt, everything - and now her cheek was burning like hell - Alia blacked out heavily, thankfully placed on the bed, and slept without dreams. There was only darkness.