Is This Love?

Chapter Four

Confused Captain

~ *•* ~ *•* ~ *•* ~

He turns around. "That'll be my apology. For earlier."

My face softens. That actually... affected him..?

He turns back around. "You wanted my thoughts on your time and kills?", he asks as he unclips both operation devices from their holsters, "I could take down double in half the time."

"Huh?!", I yell.

He shoots out an anchor. "Ah, by the way, thanks for being light."

And with that final remark, he flies through the air and out of sight.

I stand there stunned. Was that.. a compliment..?

~ *•* ~ *•* ~ *•* ~

Hanji's - POV

I walk out towards the training arena. I hope there aren't too many of those training statues that need repairs. It would've been nice to have had a little bit more of a heads up that the new recruits would be using them today.

I walk up to the entrance and see a tiny soldier land about a meter away.

"Heya, Shorty!"

Levi flinches as if I had startled him.

"Hey.. you good?", I ask confused.

Levi glares at me. "What do you want, sh*tty glasses?"

"Calm down. I'm just here to make sure the arena's ready for the new recruits.", I say somewhat defensively.

"Wait... What?", Levi asks with some sort of concern.

"Yeah", I respond, "Erwin wants to see how the new recruits will do under certain pressure. Shadis gave us pretty good info but Erwin wants us to see them with our own eyes. So I gotta get everything ready."

"Ahh...", Levi says glancing behind him.

"Wait... What were you doing in the arena..?", I ask someone confused.

Levi looks back at me. "Nothing special. I just needed to fix something that was annoying me."

"Something.. in the arena..?", I ask still confused.

"Obviously", Levi says sharply.

"Okay..? Well I have to get in there and make sure everything's all set and ready."

I walk past Levi and further into the cluster trees.

"W-Wait Hanji..!"

I turn around and see Levi glaring at me. But this glare isn't necessarily an angry glare. It feels a little more desperate.

"Is something wrong, Levi?"

"If you go in there, then yes; there will be."

I look at him closely. I notice little spots of dirt on his white pants. He's the craziest clean freak I know. The only time I really see him dirty is if he's out fighting or maybe cleaning. I doubt he was in the arena cleaning with his full odm gear.

"Did you fight someone in there?", I ask suspiciously.

"Ah-No.", Levi says quickly.

"Levi", I chuckle, "That was a rotten lie. ...Wait... You're an amazing liar... What's got you all messed up?"

I watch Levi's eyes go from me, to the floor, to the trees to his right, back down to the floor, then at me again.

"So... Who'd you fight?"

Levi doesn't break eye contact. "I don't know."

"Huh?!", I ask, once again, completely confused.

Levi looks to the side. "I.. don't know her name."

I think for a moment. Then everything clicks.

"Oh... so you fought with [Y/N], a new recruit, in the forest arena to apologize for fighting in the mess hall this morning. Yeah. That makes complete sense.", I say somewhat sarcastically.

"What are you trying to say, Sh*tty glasses?", Levi says sharply.

I look back at him. His dusty blue eyes shoot daggers at me through his raven hair. I guess he didn't care for my sarcasm too much.

"Are you serious..?", I ask, "Your way of fixing that mess was with another fight?"

Levi crosses his arms and looks out of the corner of his eye. "It's not my fault the brat has a short fuse. She started it."

"Uh huh...", I say somewhat doubtful, "I don't think [F/N]'s the only one with a short temper."

Before Levi could protest I turn around to face the arena and continue to talk.

"So I think I might've figured this whole thing out. So you found [F/N] training even though Nifa told me the new recruit named Harper told her [F/N] was sick. [F/N] was out training and not with the other new recruits. So she could get into some trouble. That's why you want me out here. I don't need to figure out exactly why you two seem to always fight. And I don't need to know why you don't want her to get in trouble."

I turn my head towards Levi, who has his head tilted slightly down with his arms still crossed.

"Don't worry. She won't be getting reported be me."

Levi nods at me before turning and walking away; most likely towards his office in the building by the dormitory.

I hear a zipping noise and I'm greeted by a fast flying soldier who is now standing just a couple of meters in front of me.

"Hanji?!", [F/N] exclaims.

"Heyah, [F/N]. Workin' hard?", I ask rather cheerfully.

"Ah- w-well... I-", she stutters.

I hold my hand up. "Ya don't have to explain. I just talked to Levi a little."

"Uh... so... I'm not in trouble..?", she asks, still slightly confused.

"No. Well, I'm not getting you in trouble.", I say as I shrug, "I just came to make sure the training statues are all ready to be used."

[F/N] scratches the back of her head as she looks towards the ground.

"Ah.. How many need to be replaced?", I ask somewhat afraid to hear the answer.

[F/N] digs into one of her pockets and pulls out a piece of paper. She hands it to me and I read it.

"O-oh. I see. You seem to have had a pretty successful morning of training.", I say after I read the numbers and look back at her.

"Mhmm...", she mumbles avoiding eye contact.

"Well", I say as I fold the paper, "You're coming with me to replace it."

"Huh?!", [F/N] says in confusion.

"Well, you can either help me, or walk to the dormitory in your full odm gear, covered in dirt and sweat, and wind-blown hair. I'm sure no one will be suspicious."

[F/N] looks at her dirty self then back up to me. "Y-yeah okay. I see your point. I guess it's kinda my fault so many need repairs too..."

"Perfect!", I exclaim, "Then let's get going!"

I took [F/N] to the storehouse where we got the materials to replace the training statues. We met up with Mike along the way and he decided to help us get everything ready. I honestly thought [F/N] might struggle just a little bit in figuring out how to get everything set up, but she picked it up quick; and she was fast too. She has a knack for working hard and getting everything done right the first time. Repairing and replacing bits on the training statues is not easy. But with the three workers we had, we got it all done in record time. I don't know what it is about this one recruit, but she seems strong. Not just in strength, but in resolve and willpower.

:|-|:~*~:|-|:

[Y/N]'s- POV

It's been almost two weeks since our first day. The new recruits have gone through many lessons a day that lasted a few hours each. We have a lot to learn about the scouting formations before we're qualified to go out on the next expedition, which will take place in just under two weeks.

We have done a few physical tests as well. Like the one we did on our first day. Erwin was there as well as the Captain, Hanji, Mike, and a bunch of other high ranking veteran scouts. It was a little overwhelming at first. I almost matched my record, the one I had just set a couple hours earlier, during that first aptitude test. Harper was shocked to say the least. But I saw the Captain sneering at me out of the corner of my eye.

"I could take down double in half the time."

The Captain's words rang in my ears that day every time someone praised me for my time. I know the Captain's really good, but just seeing how much better he is than me kinda pisses me off. I mean, sure, I did almost nothing physical before I became a soldier. But that's no reason to settle for anything less than my very best.

I set my tray of food down on the table, which made a loud thud from all the diced potatoes, bread, and soup on it.

"Geez, [F/N]", Harper says as she sets her tray down next to me, "Aggressive much?"

"Sorry sorry", I say as I sit down with her, "I'm just tired."

"Yeah, today was a pretty tough day. Lots of lessons and we even had a few hours of physical lessons as wel-"

"No no...", I say, cutting Harper off, "I mean, I'm tired of those eyes constantly glaring at me during every training exercise. And the voice ringing in the back of my mind every time I do something good. It's frustrating."

I look over at Harper who is giving me the most confused look.

"Eyes..?", she questions, "A voice...? [F/N], are you okay?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Harper sighs, ignoring my question. "So who's eyes and voice is oh so frustrating?"

"The Captain's", I mumble begrudgingly.

"Huh? Wait...", Harper says, "He was only at the first physical test. I actually haven't seen him in a little while."

"Yeah yeah, maybe he hasn't actually been there. But I can feel his short, rude, annoying presence."

Harper rests her chin on her fist. "Hmm. He seems to have made quite an impression on you, huh [F/N]."

"What do you mean by that..?"

"Look", Harper says, ignoring my question once again, "I think you just need to calm down. You met him once. Don't let him get to you. You're stronger than that."

I grab my piece of bread and take a bite. "Yeah. You're right, Harper. I just need to forget about that stupid, stubborn Captain. He's insignificant. I don't need to even worry about that shorty!"

I feel a hand grab my shoulder and begin squeezing.

"What was that now?", someone asks through clenched teeth.

I reluctantly turn my head to see the Captain out of the corner of my eye. "Uh... h-hey Captain. H-how've you been..?"

"I just came to tell you that Erwin wishes to speak to you", he says, still gripping my shoulder, "Come on, brat."

I wince a little as his grip tightens. "Okay okay. I get it."

The Captain lets go as I stand up. I look down at Harper, who's eyes are a little bit wider than normal.

'This is what I meant', I mouth to Harper.

"Ah... I'll save your dinner and your spot, [F/N]", Harper says somewhat quietly.

"Thank y-"

"Let's go!", the Captain hollers.

I groan. "Yeah yeah, I'm coming."

I follow the Captain out of the mess hall and into one of the hallways. I feel the setting sun shining through the windows and onto my skin. I begin scanning the back of the Captain quietly. You'd never notice from a quick glance but he has a strong build, for someone who has such a small body of course. I look down and notice his fists are still balled up. Did what I say really make him angry..? Seriously? It's just table talk coming from a girl. I mean, what I said was kinda true, but still...

The Captain stops and I almost run right into him.

"Uh.. Wh-What's wro-", I begin.

The Captain cuts my off my grabbing my right wrist with one hand and slamming my shoulder against the wall with the other. He squeezes my right wrist and holds it up against the wall with his left and slaps his right hand onto the wall by my face. I'm practically being pressed up against the wall purely by his presence.

He knocks the wind out of me but I'm able to recover quickly. I start to say something but that's when my eyes met his. Those shining dusty-blue eyes look beautiful under the shadow his body casts due to the window directly behind him. I want to be angry at his sudden outburst but... in this lighting... even while he's angry, he's stunning.

"What the h*ll is wrong with you?"

I snap back to reality when the Captain breaks the silence.

My eyebrows are squeezed closer together, showing the Captain how confused I am at his question.

"Tch... What's with that face?", he continues, "You should know d*mn why I'm pissed you idiot."

"I...", I stutter, "I have.. no idea what you're talking about. Why are you so angry? Is it because of what I said back at the table? That was just some stupid talk-"

"Shut up. That one thing isn't enough to get me angry. What do you take me for, a d*mn fool?!"

His frustration shuts me up.

"What the h*ll?!", I think to myself, "What is his problem?!"

"C-Captain...", I say coaxingly, "Please.. explain to me why you're angry."

I feel his grip on my right wrist tighten. I wince slightly but try not to show the pain I'm feeling in my face.

"Everyone.. has recognized who I am. They know what I can do and the power I hold and they respect that.", he says sternly before glaring back into my eyes, "But you... you treat me like an equal. Even sh*tty glasses knows their place every once and a while... But you make no d*mn sense! What makes you... so different to me..? Answer me, brat!"

I'm speechless. That was the longest I had ever heard him talk at once. And don't get me started on what he was saying. What is happening?! I'm losing feeling in my wrist, my legs are trembling, and my heart is pounding strangely fast. But that doesn't seem to faze me. In this moment, I'm left speechless by this tiny angry soldier.

After a moment, I feel the Captain loosen his grip on my wrist just slightly. I look into his eyes. They seem to have softened just a little. I think I've gained enough courage to speak.

"C-Captain...", I say as I begin to sound calm, "I don't know exactly why you're angry. But if it's because of my disrespect, then I want to deeply apologize to you. You are a higher ranking soldier, your skill is leagues above mine, and you have an incredible amount of experience out in the field. I'm sorry for the way I've treated you. I can assure you Captain, you will receive no further disrespect from me. I will follow along with how everyone else acts around you. Is that acceptable?"

At this point, the Captain has practically released his grip on my wrist. His eyes are down at the ground and his eyebrows are no longer furrowed.

"Captain?", I say, asking again, "Is that acceptable?"

"No..."

"What?", I ask confusingly, "What do you mean?"

He looks me in the eyes. "Nothing. Just forget it."

He lets go and takes a step back. "Come on", he says sharply as he begins walking again.

I stand there against the wall dumbfounded and speechless.

What... just... happened?!