I'm really not sure exactly where I'm going with this story... so if you have suggestions or ideas just message me or something :)
Eren's back was starting to hurt from slouching.
He'd been hunched over Armin's book for what seemed like days. On the bright side, he felt like he was actually getting somewhere. Armin was right about knowledge being power.
He clumsily rolled off him bed and started to organize the notes he'd made. He wasn't even sure why he was going to all this trouble, why couldn't he have just let it drop? I have to redeem myself to him. Lance Corporal Rivaille might be humanity's strongest, but like hell if Eren was going to be stepped on like a bug. Eren cared what Levi thought of him, and now he felt like he needed to prove himself.
Eren glanced down at his papers. I'll show that fucker. This time Eren wasn't just going to stumble into his office unprepared. He flushed with embarrassment at the memory. If only Levi would stop teasing him.
"Eren," Mikasa interrupted his thoughts. When did Mikasa come in? She probably came to check up on me.
"Shut up," Eren blinked in suprise, "You were rambling to yourself, you didn't even notice when I came in."
"Not now, Mikasa, I'm busy"
"Is this about Levi? Let it drop, Eren. If you keep bugging him, he'll start to bug you back"
"He already is!" Eren huffed angrily.
"You're both so stubborn, I give up. But when this turns into a shitstorm, I am not getting dragged in."
And with that she left Eren alone with his thoughts.
*Flashback*
"-And so then, he ignored my perfectly good idea and told to go to the clinic to get my head checked! And I'm clearly not sick, it was just to mock me! What a dick!"
"Eren, If you want to prove yourself to the Corporal, I can lend you my book and you can look through it and make notes. Always be educated about what you're arguing for," Armin suggested, "Maybe write a paper in between your training, that'll impress him!"
"Good idea Armin! But you should have seen the smug look he gave me when he stole my tea, that was crossing a line."
"Look Eren, I think you and Levi are going to blow this way out of proportion," said Mikasa, "Just be careful, and keep your ideals in mind."
Levi, who was ignoring what Hanji and Irwin were talking about and had overheard their conversation, decided to pick on Eren. Gotta teach the kid not to gossip about their superiors.
"You should have seen how flustered the poor brat was, I don't know what crawled up his ass to make him suggest flying around in big metal birds," Levi said to Hanji and Irwin, loud enough for Eren to hear. He hoped Eren wouldn't turn around and see the confused looks on the faces of Levi's tablemates.
He glanced back a bit to catch Eren's reaction. He's furious! He noticed with satisfaction.
I can't believe he has the nerve to humiliate me again! And in front of everybody! Eren thought, This means war, Levi.
"Hey guys, is it just me or does the Corporal look shorter?" Eren said in a mock whisper, but it was loud enough to be heard by the whole dining hall.
The entire room fell silent. People gaped. Making fun of Levi's height was a major faux-pas, it would guarantee a bloody nose and maybe some missing teeth. Hushed murmurs of "He's suicidal!" and "Did he just say that?" circulated around the room. Eren shifted in his chair so he could look at the Corporal. Levi's back was still to him, he hesitated before slowly turning around, giving Eren a death glare that made him immediately regret his decision to screw with the Corporal. They stared at each other for a few seconds, neither saying a word. The whole room seemed to be holding their breath. Eren felt like his nose would start bleeding from the look Levi was giving him.
"Get a room!" called Jean, earning a smack from Mikasa. It's already out of proportion, she thought.
Finally, Levi spoke, "You're playing a dangerous game, Yaeger."