You're In Love With Her.
Levi watched the cadets in front of him train relentlessly. The sky was clear and a beautiful bright blue, the sun beating down on each of them. Some of them were in worse conditions than others. Some of them had rosy cheeks, hair damp from sweat, clothes sticking to their clammy bodies. Some of them were struggling to not pass out in the heat, finding it difficult to breathe. Yet not one of them dared stop working.
Levi watched from the side lines. His arms folded and eyes slightly narrowed as he observed their form intently. They were not completely useless this year, some of them were actually half decent, showed potential even. But it would be a long time before he considered most of them proper soldiers. A long time before he would be able to trust them totally.
His eyes fell on a certain cadet that had held his interest more than others over the last few months. He watched her spin around with a speed akin to his own, her elbow colliding with her sparring partners forearm with devastating force before she swung her fist towards his face. Her auburn hair shimmered beautifully in the sunlight, glistening strands of silk refracting the light that beamed down on her, highlighting her beautiful colour. Soft strands fanned out as she moved, whipping across her face for a brief moment.
Her stunning emerald green eyes glistened, a fierce and determined look on her face, eyebrows drawn slightly as she put her all in to every single move. She ducked, avoiding a counterattack from her opponent and swung her leg out, kicking violently at his shin, bringing him to the ground as she towered over him. A small victorious smirk pulled on her lips as she held her hand out, helping the fallen man to his feet before she gave a small nod and got back into her fighting stance.
Her name, was Illyria Light.
She was a petite girl, just about his height, but she was fast and strong. She was also, highly intelligent, logical and so far, had been able to keep her calm in all situations. Erwin had mentioned that that would all change once out in the field, that when the conditions mattered she would buckle under pressure and mess up. But Levi wasn't so sure.
Her body was slender, and pretty much made of pure muscle, though she had somehow managed to keep her femininity. She was toned, but not muscular. At first glance, she would look like just an incredibly attractive woman.
But as she had so eloquently said before... what she lacked in height and build she made up for in all other departments. And she really wasn't kidding. She was a force to be reckoned with in all areas, despite her physical appearance. She had impressed the captain on her first day and he had immediately requested to Erwin that she join his squad, much to the commanders surprise.
Despite her promise, there was something about her attitude that irked the captain. She was respectful and obedient, but there was an air of defiance surrounding her, and she could occasionally show a more cheeky side, snide remarks and sarcastic comments. She had a dark sense of humour, dry, and not the usual. She found humour in the things that really shouldn't be joked about. Levi had never heard her joke, but he had heard other cadets call her sick once or twice while she had been doubled over in fits of hysterics, and they had just looked on mortified.
However despite her laughs and jokes, she was often very blunt and to the point. She had made it very clear that she was not there to make friends. She was happy to join in the conversations, but she was reluctant to share stories and form any sort of bond with anybody. Nobody knew much about her, where she came from, if she had family... nothing. She was a closed book, despite her friendly persona. And that intrigued the captain.
A ghost of a smirk appeared on his face as he watched the woman once again, tackle the man she was fighting to the floor, her own smirk widening at having bested him twice now. Still she extended her hand, offering him assistance in getting to his feet.
"Light! Springer! Swap partners." Her orbs locked onto his and she flashed him a knowing smile, a smile he had to fight to not return, before she followed his command, approaching Reiner and taking her fighting stance instantly.
Levi's eyes followed her across the courtyard. His eyes drawn to the way the straps of her harness clung tightly to her figure. Subconsciously he clenched his jaw, eyes twitching just slightly as he continued to stare. She fought with Reiner with just as much vigour as she had with Jean, it took her a few more minutes but soon enough, the man was on the floor.
She was unstoppable.
She was relentless.
She was dangerous.
And she was sleeping with the captain.
"She's quite something. Isn't she?" the commanders voice pierced Levi's ears. He turned to the side, noticing that the monster of a man was standing right beside him, eyes intently fixed on the cadets. Levi glanced at him for but a moment before turning to watch the cadets.
"Who?" he asked, disinterestedly.
"You know who." Erwin's voice was it's usual timbre, not suggestive or teasing. Just as flat as usual, as though he were having a meeting. Levi did not respond. Of course he knew who. His eyes automatically focused back on the auburn haired woman, who was currently in a headlock by Reiner, until she stamped on his foot, elbowed him in the gut and twisted around, bringing her knee right up into his most prized possessions before administering the final blow, a sound head butt. Reiner fell to the floor, holding his nose. Levi arched an eyebrow.
"She's certainly impressive." He commented offhandedly, earning a chuckle from his commanding officer and close friend.
"That's one way to put it." Levi's lips twitched into a small smirk, watching as Illyria helped Reiner to his feet, examining his nose before knocking his hand away from his face and giving him a small shove. Though the man's nose was bleeding, Levi doubted it was broken. Illyria had clearly reached the same conclusion.
There was a brief silence between the commander and the captain for a moment. Levi momentarily mesmerised by the woman he was watching, and Erwin closely watching Levi.
"You're in love with her." Erwin stated, in a matter of fact way. The words made Levi's eyes narrow ever so slightly again. He hesitated before answering, eyes never leaving Illyria. He clicked his tongue.
"Don't be ridiculous, Erwin. Stupidity really doesn't suit you." Illyria took several violent punches to her body, losing ground for a second before she caught the oncoming fist, twisting it behind the mans back and tripping him with her foot, slamming him face first into the gritty ground below. Levi's smirk widened ever so slightly.
"I appreciate the compliment. But I am just being observant, Levi." Levi heaved a sigh, his smirk fading. He had a gut feeling that Erwin had caught on to his 'relationship' with Illyria. Something had just seemed off.
"It's just sex Erwin." He responded, a hint of irritation in his voice as he turned his head slightly, eyes boring into the commanders chest because he refused to make eye contact right now.
"You remember what that is right?" Erwin chortled, shifting his feet just a little before standing erect again.
"Alright. Have it your way Levi. But just know this... I only have your interests at heart. And she is going to break yours." And without another word, the commander took his leave, his words ringing in Levi's ears like alarm bells.
He turned back to Illyria. She showed no signs of lethargy, still going strong, still as fierce as ever. Her lip and nose were bloodied now, knuckles slightly grazed from the intensity of the fight. But her eyes were still filled with a burning ferocity.
Levi unfolded his arms and began walking forward.
"Time! Assemble." Levi called and all the cadets stopped, moving to stand in a line awaiting further instructions. Illyria looked at the captain as she took her position. Eyes shining bright, but her expression was dead.
"That's enough for today cadets. Dismissed." His eyes met Illyria's again as everyone gave a firm salute and a chorus of 'Yes, Sirs' followed. Her eyes softened ever so slightly and she smirked at him before she turned and followed the rest of her peers.
Levi sighed as his eyes followed her, not turning away until she had disappeared into the castle, unable to forget about Erwin's words. The biggest problem, was that he was in love with her. Erwin was right. Erwin was always right.
And that worried him.