"Am I totally sure about this..? This is crazy!" You stood alone in the research lab, staring blankly out the window. Section commander Hange held you an hour long speech about the reasons why you should join the scout regiment before letting you go yesterday― And you bet she would've kept talking if you hadn't given her an answer. "Why the heck I went and said yes?! These are the type of decisions you should put your thought into, not just blurt out the first answer that comes to your mind..!" It was too late to regret now; Hange was at the very moment in Commander Erwin's office, finishing up your recruiting process. "But the more I think about it… maybe it's not such a crazy idea after all?" You muttered under your breath. Hange had made a few very good points, you had to admit: You were an able soldier, someone who had seen more than a few dire battles. Scout regiment desperately needed people like you in their rows, and seriously, what else you'd do for the rest of your life if not this? Become a farmer? Or a baker? Or maybe a shoemaker? Only the thought made you sneer. "If I want to do something that matters, this is it." This was the right thing to do and now you were sure about it. One thing kept nagging you, though: "I don't know why, but I have a feeling that Levi isn't going to be too happy about this..!" You had expressed your concern to Hange, but she didn't think too much about it. "Captain Shorty? What he has to do with anything?" You repeated her words in your mind. "She had a point when she said that Levi just should be glad if I join: Scout regiment gets a one soldier more… and I'll have a new purpose in life." So, what was the problem? The idea of you joining survey corps wasn't far fetched, not at all… So it must've crossed Levi's mind too, but he chose not to bring it up― Of course, this alone didn't mean he would surely opposite this, but he still had his own reasons not to even mention the possibility. "OK, you're overthinking again!" Shaking the worrisome thoughts from your head, you were about to go back to filing the reports when Hange returned.
"It's official~!" She chanted as she pranced over to you. "Erwin sends you his regards; He asked you to pop in his office when you have time so he can greet our newest recruit personally." Hange added with a wink.
"Oh..! Alright, then. I'll do that." You gave her a demure smile and nodded, trying your best to put on a brave face. This was really it, then? You were now officially a soldier of the scout regiment, Levi wanted it or not. "I guess there's no going back now, huh?" You smirked. "So, what happens next?"
"Ah, yes! There's one thing more I'd like discuss with you― It's more like a proposition, actually, but I'd prefer us to have that conversation in the titan research room." Hange rubbed her hands together as she spoke, seemingly excited about this proposition of hers― whatever it was. "But first things first: You should go and grab your uniform from the logistics office. When you're done, I'll see you in the research room, OK?"
Since you only needed a jacket and a cape, your visit to the logistics office was a brief one. You made your way across the courtyard and towards the titan research room, curious to hear what it was Hange wanted to talk about. You were just about to enter the room when a familiar voice you heard from the inside made you halt: It sounded like someone was middle of a heated conversation with Hange. You could tell who it was, but you didn't want to believe it before seeing it with your own eyes― Cautiously and trying not to be seen, you took a small peek inside; It was him.
"Aw come on, Levi!" Hange groaned in frustration. "What's with the attitude? Seriously! Since when I'm supposed to consult you before recruiting people to my team, huh?"
"To your team?" Levi growled. He was standing his back turned at you, so you couldn't see his face, but the tone of his voice and the way he clenched his fists told you enough about his current mindset. "From all the teams, it has to be yours? Isn't that fucking perfect..!"
"Hey!" Hange shot an annoyed glare at Levi. "What, are you jealous that for once I managed to snatch an elite like her to my team? Learn to share, shorty..."
"Congratu-fucking-lations, you got yourself a loose cannon!" Levi snapped, shoving a bunch of papers to Hange. "Take a closer look! What she pulled off in Trost... only people who don't care if they make it out alive or not can do something like that! Even an idiot like you should've seen it!"
You stood there paralyzed, listening every word in disbelief. What Levi was referring to had to be your report from Trost; He must've gotten his hands on it when he looked you up. There was a hint of truth in his words, but hearing him say all those things made your stomach turn. You found yourself instinctively squeezing a piece of paper you had in your pocket― the letter you had written for him. You had forgotten all about it when Hange brought up the idea of you joining the scout regiment... and maybe it was for the best that you did, after all.
"You can't know that for sure." Hange frowned, only taking a quick glance at the documents before turning her attention back to Levi. "And even if it had been the case, she-"
"It's only pure luck she's still even alive!" At this point he was almost shouting. "If she goes and gets herself killed, it's on you! That brat won't survive back from her first expedition, I can guarantee that!"
"If you're trying to make me change my mind, it's not happening; I've decided to offer [f/n] a position as my research assistant." Hange stated, crossing her arms over her chest in a defensive manner. "Geez, why you're getting so worked up because of this? What's the deal with the two of you, anyways?"
"Don't give me that look― There's nothing between us, if that's what you're implying." Levi snarled. "So mind your own business, will you?" Getting enough of this conversation, he gave Hange a one last glare before turning away to leave. "I just don't like people go dying for nothing."
"Yeah, I should mind my own business..!" Hange scoffed. "Only if you'd do the same..!"
"What a fucking mess…" Levi cursed under his breath on his way out. He was still fuming, but the look in his eyes changed at instant when his gaze met yours in the doorway― For a few seconds, you two just stared at each other, neither one of you saying a word. The expression on his face was a mixture of both shock and disbelief; The fact that you had been present during his outburst was something he clearly didn't expect. Before he could bring himself to say something, you boldly walked straight past him, not even glancing to his direction anymore when doing so.
"It's fine." Was the only thing you said to him. You weren't fine, though― But this wasn't the place or time to pursue the matter. Doing what you did best, suppressing all the negative emotions inside you, you walked up to Hange, giving her a slight smile as you spoke. "Research assistant, you said? That sounds good."