Grueling days of training blended into one another. Karma could recite every component of their complex attack formation in her sleep. She could tactfully conserve the gas of her ODM gear (too little too late). She could precisely replicate a 3D model of Titan anatomy. She could fluidly slash her blades through fast-moving boulders (go figure). She'd surpassed even Mikasa's expectations.
Amazing what can happen without distractions.
But in reality, training itself was the distraction. Whenever her mind tormented her with Levi's gray-blue eyes or mesmeric touch, she would slice her swords harder or bury her face deeper into her books. She refused to think of him.
And for a few days, this tactic worked wonders. Until, suddenly, it didn't.
"Sloppy technique, soldier."
Karma stiffened, knuckles chalk-white against the hilt of her blades. It was as if his voice constricted every cell in her body. She caught a flash of his green cloak and felt him encircle her from behind.
He trapped her between his feet. His hands swallowed hers.
None of the sparring soldiers paid them any mind. It looked as though he were merely giving her pointers on her sword fighting. But she was hyperfocused on his touch. His warmth. His presence.
He bent his head toward her ear. "I'm sorry, Karma."
She swallowed, trying to find her voice. This was her chance to scream at him and tell him how much he'd hurt her. To punch and kick him and make him feel a shred of the pain she'd felt.
Instead she said through her teeth, "If you're apologizing in hopes that you can get your fix, then you're out of luck. It's not gonna happen."
Captain Levi stepped back and pulled out his own swords with a metallic whoosh, inviting her to spar. She swung both blades in an X, which he blocked with a swooping arc.
"I don't expect you to believe me, but I really am trying to do what's best for you," he said.
Their blades clashed again. Karma pushed against his sword with all of her weight. The metal rattled. She gained a couple inches. Her blade was at his shoulder. But now she was too close to his face. His angular, chiseled features. He was holding her in this position quite easily; almost as if he'd slackened his sword before to let her advance. To let her get close to him.
She reeled back.
"Whatever. It was a mistake and you're sorry it happened. I get it. Now leave me alone." Her voice broke on the last word.
The longer he was here, the more difficult it was to keep her emotions in check. Her rage was dissolving into longing and sadness, and she refused to let him see. He was only allowed to see her angry.
She lunged her blades again. This time, Levi stepped out of the way at the last moment so that she toppled over with her own momentum. Her face was inches from smashing into the dirt when she was suddenly suspended, mid-fall. Strong hands gripped her waist.
"It shouldn't have happened. But I'm not sorry that it did." Did she hear him right? She fumbled to find words.
"Then what are you sorry for?"
He settled her back on her feet. Karma turned toward him but didn't spar. All of the anger that powered her sword had vanished.
"For calling it a mistake. I acted like a complete dick," he said.
"Oh."
"I got you something, but I can't give it to you here." He glanced around then lowered his voice. "Come to the stables during your meal break." He sheathed his blades and left to observe the other soldiers.
Slack-jawed, Karma stared after him.
At her lunch break, she hesitated going to the stables. What was he going to give her that he had to do in private? Another stolen kiss? Was this cycle doomed to repeat itself? Her hand lingered on the wooden door.
Curiosity and anticipation nudged her inside.
A fat ash-brown cat sat on strewn needles of hay, tail curled. He mewed happily when he saw her.
"Jean?!" Karma fell to her knees. She squeezed him to her chest. "Jean you naughty thing! How'd you find me this far out of Trost?" He purred, bumping his head against her chin, vying for attention.
A strap of black caught her eye; Jean was wearing a collar. Her eyes widened. This was what he'd brought her—her pet cat. Happy tears stung her eyes as she nuzzled into his fur. Something poked her cheek. A folded up note was tucked into the collar:
Jean is not to come to training with you. Keep him in the stables.
Captain Levi
Straightforward and to the point. But it meant the world to Karma. It was proof that this was real—Jean could stay. She tucked the note away with a grin.
The mess hall was buzzing. Some of the chatter, however, hushed to whispers as Karma passed, hefting a fat cat in both arms. Levi never said she couldn't bring him to the mess hall.
She sat by her usual group, Eren still missing.
"Karma…is that a cat?" Armin said, spoon paused in midair.
"Yep. His name's Jean. Isn't he the cutest?"
"You named that fat hairball after me?" Jean's brow twitched.
"Yeah, but it'd be more fitting if he were a horse," Karma said.
"What?! Why would you do that?"
"Well, the fur-color. Plus, we don't always get along. But that's where the similarities stop—Jean here is rather likable," Karma said, stroking her cat. He purred, looking like a giant fluffy blanket draped across her lap.
"Are you saying I'm not?" Jean held his fork like a weapon, ready to lunge across the table.
"Yeah, I tried to make that very clear for you."
Mikasa swatted the air between their bickering. "Would you guys shut up? Karma, why the hell do you have a pet cat?"
"Captain Levi got it approved."
"Why?"
"He, uh, owed me a favor."
"Captain Levi owed you a favor and you wasted it on a cat?" Jean said, stabbing at his greens.
"Whatever. You're just jealous that you're the second best Jean in the regiment now." Karma dug into her potatoes and bread, offering nibbles to her pet.
"He really went out of his way—Commander Erwin is strict," Mikasa said. She eyed Karma as though she were putting a puzzle together with missing pieces. Pieces she suspected Karma was hiding in her pockets.
"I guess so." Karma focused on her food, avoiding Mikasa's inquisitive eyes.
"I mean, you stole from his pantry. I'm surprised you're not the one owing him favors."
Karma wished Mikasa wasn't so observant. The table had gone quiet.
"I saved him. Back in Trost. There was a Titan and he was almost killed." Karma was sweating.
"Huh." Mikasa didn't seem convinced, but stopped pestering her.
Training resumed after their lunch break.
The classroom setting was repetitive and dull; Karma was actually looking forward to sparring practice. She fidgeted with her pencil, willing the clock to reach the hour so she could get outside and swing a weapon.
"I'm gonna kick your ass in sparring today." The whisper came from the table behind her. Karma turned her head a fraction. It was Jean. She made a show of rolling her eyes at him.
"I'm sorry you feel so threatened by my cat."
"I'll kick his ass too!"
"Try it."
"I—yeah, I will!"
Suddenly, she had a brilliant idea. She couldn't contain her cheek-tugging grin.
"That sums up our lecture for today. We will meet in the practice fields for sparring," Commander Erwin said. Before he could start erasing the chalkboard, Karma popped at his side.
"I received a message from Captain Levi." She handed him the folded up note from her pocket. Erwin glanced it over, noting the captain's signature at the bottom.
Jean is not to come to training with you. Keep him in the stables.
Captain Levi
"Thank you," Erwin said, turning his attention to Jean, who was packing his bag. "Jean, Captain Levi has requested you to work in the stables. Please, go immediately. I hope you will not require further discipline." Karma smirked at the deflated look on Jean's face.
"Right," he said, saluting Erwin with a droopy hand.
She strolled to Jean's table. "That's too bad," she said. He shouldered his bag with a grimace. "I was really looking forward to our match. Oh well—there's always tomorrow. Enjoy the horse shit, horse-face."
It didn't take long for her shenanigans to catch up to her.
She'd been at dinner, giggling at the dirt—or possibly poo—smudged on Jean's cheeks from his labor in the stables when a lanky, red-haired officer brought her a note. Or, more accurately, a summons.
"What's that all about?" Mikasa was peeking over Karma's shoulder.
"Well, I'm sort of the reason Jean was stuck in the stables all afternoon. I'm guessing Levi found out. If I'm murdered, start the investigation with him," she said, rising from the table with cement legs.
"Oh, Karma…" Mikasa sighed, shaking her head. "Please don't get murdered."
"No promises."