He resumed pacing back to the HQ and the woman just stood there, not knowing what else to say as she was somewhat hurt by his words.
By the time he got back to HQ, he made a beeline to Erwin's office and did not even knock. He stormed in, catching Erwin, Hange, Moblit, and Miche in a middle of a meeting.
"I'm out of this mission. Reprimand me or whatever, but I refuse to work with this shit any further," he hissed.
Hange looked at Levi with a confused expression while Erwin remained calm. Miche and Moblit remained quiet, observing what would happen next.
"Did something happen?" Erwin asked and Levi continued to glower at him and strode toward his desk, slamming his hands on its surface, making Hange flinch.
"Those pigs don't know how important our role is and had the nerve to stroll and tour around the town while our men risk their necks for their asses. So either we do this our own way or I drop this fucking case on your lap. I don't care and I refuse to spend another second with them," he spat angrily.
Hange looked nervous as she knew how intense Levi is when angry. He's one of the people who would try and remain indifferent, keep his cool and remain calm through the situation. Even Miche had never seen Levi this pissed. The tension was growing and Erwin stared at Levi with a calm, calculating look.
He clicked his tongue and chose his words carefully, trying to pacify the angry Captain, "I'll talk to Emilia and Cullen. If we don't see any progress within the week, then I would tell Nile that we'd take over fully. Will that work for you?" Erwin asked.
Levi contemplated Erwin's suggestion and found it reasonable. he withdrew his hands from the desk and placed them inside his pockets. "That sounds sensible," he said, his voice evened out and calmer.
Hange reappeared and placed a cup of tea on Erwin's desk, and looked at Levi with a relieved expression that it did not escalate any further, "Why don't you sit and drink tea to calm your nerves?" Levi 'tched' but he looked less annoyed this time and took the tea and sat down, while Miche resumed the topic they were on before he interrupted them.
The night progressed and Levi eventually relaxed in the presence of his friends. It has been a while since he hung out with them and he admits that he needed their company, no matter how many times he would whine about how annoying they are. They retired and went on separate ways toward their quarters. He was walking peacefully when the source of his headache emerged in front of him, her hands on her hips and her annoying voice nagging him. "You are unbelievable. I scheduled the day for activities that can help us improve our teamwork. You couldn't appreciate that?" Emilia snarled and Levi gritted his teeth in irritation.
Levi was not in the mood to even put up with her attitude and just walked past her, making her huff indignantly. She followed him, her footsteps stomping hard on the ground. He ignored her rants and incessant complaints, her shrill voice echoing in the hallway.
"Shut your mouth," he hissed dangerously, "I'm not in the mood to deal with your crap."
Before he could open the door to his quarters, he felt a rough pull on his arms and turned around with force and felt her lips on his.
You saw Hange and Moblit along the hallway and you joined them, wedging yourself between the two as you linked your arms to theirs.
"What's up tiny?" Mobile greeted you with a smile while Hange gave you a weary expression that made you worry a bit.
"Long day? You asked and Hange nodded and sighed audibly when you heard an all-too-familiar voice that annoyed you. For some reason, it made the three of you curious as Emilia sounded very angry. Curious, the three of you decided to check what is going on and as soon as you got there, you were greeted by a shocking scene of Emilia kissing Levi on the lips.
You did not even wait, and simply turned around and went the other way, unsure if you were angry or hurt. You just felt numb and tired and couldn't take another set of drama.
You decided not to fight for Levi's attention anymore and if he wanted you, he'd come and get you. You're just done. You reached your quarters and laid your exhausted body on your bed, allowing the day to just end and letting your mind drift far away from Levi.
You wished to be deployed on a mission, just to make yourself forget about everything. It's what you do best anyway and you'd rather give your time to something that would help the cause.
Hange and Moblit just stood there in shock and as soon as you briskly turned around to leave, Hange shouted after you, making Levi push Emilia roughly and saw your retreating form.
You did not even hear them calling after you. You did not even realize that you were running away to the safety of your quarters.
You ignored Hange's voice or Levi's violent knocks. You ignored them all and just drifted to sleep, thankful that you wore yourself out the whole day enough to knock you out.
You did not even appear at the Mess hall for breakfast or any meals the following days.
It was Miche who found your hiding spot on top of the walls as you volunteered to be on patrol duties while you were not being deployed on the field. Moblit knew that you would want to avoid people so he'd just bring you food, while you continue to throw yourself into either training or patrolling duties.
Hange couldn't even bring it up, as you made it clear that you're not in the mood to talk. It's quite scary actually because you were very calm. Nobody could read what's going on in your head. No one could tell if you were hurt or pissed or what because you've kept an indifferent expression.
Miche sat down beside you, handing you a pastry. He did not say a word as he knew you so well. He just sat there and watched the horizon while you take a bite from the food that he gave you.
"I know I should talk to him," you started to speak and he listened, "But I couldn't. I also know that I should let him explain, but for some reason, I just couldn't let him because I know I would give in. I'm not ready to give in."
Miche let out a soft 'hm' in understanding that you wanted to give yourself some sort of shield and protection from getting possibly hurt. But Miche also knew that Levi had his eyes only on you and nobody else, but he can't force anybody who is not ready.
Levi tried to catch you alone, but you would always find a way to evade him. He felt really bad that you had to see the witch kiss him. He wished you have also seen him shove her away, disgusted by her touches, her presence, her whole being.
He had never regretted any decision in his life, except this one. He hated that he did not fight harder to remove the whole mission off his plate or that he should have forced Erwin to let the Special Ops team take the task fully.
The news reached Erwin and although he would always try to be neutral, this time he decided that Emilia crossed the line. Cullen heard as well and he was concerned at how this would affect the mission. Cullen knew that Emilia was already attracted to the great Captain Levi Ackerman, Humanity's Strongest Soldier, and saw him as a challenge to pursue. She was enamored by his intimidating aura, strength, and looks. And it pissed him off that it caused the mission to be halted as Erwin called for a meeting to announce that he had spoken with Dhalis Zachary and had gotten the approval that the Special Operations Team will take over the whole thing as they had allowed their personal intentions compromise the whole mission.
Levi kept his promise and escorted the two Military Police out of HQ, finally being able to breathe that Emilia would be gone finally.
Erwin called Levi's Squad, minus you, and Levi wondered where you were. Erwin informed them that Hange needed a hand outside the walls for a brief run and that they should be back safely within the day.
Your run went without a hitch and this confirmed Erwin's theory that the smugglers were using the trail that the Scouts have been using because they saw fresh trails when they went out last time. It only means that somebody capable inside the Military Police is accompanying them in case of a Titan attack, which is unlikely as the routes that the Survey Corps have been using outside the walls are safe and have been established as Titan-free, but caution should still be applied.
You went back to Erwin's office, together with Hange and Moblit, and caught Levi and Erwin in a middle of an argument.
"I refuse, she shouldn't-" he was cut off when the three of you entered the office.
Erwin looked up and you noticed his exasperated expression, while the rest of your squadmates are there, listening to whatever is going on.
"Why don't we let her decide then?" Erwin said and he gestured for you to join.
"Me?" You asked in confusion and Erwin continued, "We needed a bait. These smugglers don't only sell weapons illegally but also sell children and women as slaves. It'll be faster to catch if somebody would be able to infiltrate."
You noticed Levi's defiant appearance as he clenched his jaw and stared at you, more like waiting for you to answer.
"If that would help, then I -"
"No," Levi cut you off and protested, "It's too risky and dangerous. This is not an option, Erwin."
"Look, Levi," Erwin spoke, "She's more than capable of handling herself and can take down men twice her size. We are going to be close by. We just need to get in-"
"No. That's putting her at risk -"
"Shut up," You said in a tired and impatient tone, "I am going. I agree with Erwin. This is the best option that we have. It'll be easier to infiltrate once we're in. We can get down to the bottom of this faster."
"Why can't you see reason for once, brat?" Levi spat, his anger directed at you while you returned a cold, glared at him and responded, "I have. I've seen enough to know that this is the most reasonable and fastest way."
"It is also the most dangerous one."
"So? I can take care of myself."
"We can't be there to always protect you. You'll be vulnerable!"
"I'm not expecting anybody to protect me from danger or from getting hurt. Especially not you," you replied coldly and turned to Erwin, "I'll do it. End of discussion," then you stormed off Erwin's office, your last sentence caught Levi off guard and knew that it was meant for something else entirely. He couldn't come up with anything to say.
All of your friends in that room were aware that it was also the first time that you have referred to what's been eating you alive inside, that you were hurt that Levi distanced himself and that he allowed another woman to kiss him, regardless of whether he liked it or not. You were pissed at him and you knew that you only agreed to defy him and show him that you don't need anybody to protect you, that you are strong and capable.
Levi followed you a couple of seconds after you slammed the door behind you. You flounced your way aimlessly in the hallway, letting your feet take you wherever they decided to go. You felt a firm grip on your arm, pulling you back and you hit a hard surface. You turned around and realized that you collided with Levi's body.
"What?!" You snapped, looking at him defiantly.
"Why can't you just listen?" He asked impatiently.
"I did! I listened to Erwin. He gave his reason and I saw how it made sense," you replied coldly.
"It would put you in a compromising situation. We can find another -"
"No, Levi. I am going and you are not going to stop me," You hissed and turned your back on him once again and started to walk away, but he pulled you back again.
"Let me go," you warned and he gave you glowered at you, keeping his hand firm on your wrist, "You can't make me change my mind."
"Can you stop being so stubborn?" He growled, making you flinch at his tone.
Levi noticed how you flinched at his tone and he let go of your arm that instant. You started to walk away from him but he called you, with a desperate tone that made you stop.
"Fine, but you need to have someone with you undercover. Petra can perhaps join you for all intents and purposes," he said in a much calmer voice and you contemplated, watching his expression of worry and frustration.
"If Erwin agrees, then I'm okay with that," you answered and took off, feeling your heart beat so fast from the thought of Levi being concerned about you. It felt nice but that doesn't mean that you're not annoyed by him. You know that you don't have any right to be jealous that Emilia kissed him because you are not dating Levi. Even if there's an unspoken thing between the two of you, there's no exclusivity.
You can't help but feel your chest throb every time you think of Levi.