Chapter 7-Bonds/All is fair in love and war

4 years later-Reader's POV-25

Keith, Levi, and I become a family once more. I forced Levi out of his empty, lonely home into ours. Over the years, the three of us hung out more and tried to finish work earlier to go out to a nice park later. I enjoyed each day that I got to spend with Levi but it did not seem like it was enough. That is until one day changed that, remember Peter and John? Yes, you do. Well they grew up over the years, each specializing their skills. John got smarter, Peter got stronger and their love for their favorite leader grew even more immensely. Day one of their arrival at the military they were best friends, but after time they became rivals. I was still oblivious to their deep regards for me but that changed also on the same day.

The day after your squad graduates-morning

The day started out nicely. Levi, Keith and myself strolled down to HQ. I was expecting everyone to be relaxed, contemplating which regiment to join, and probably not even show up today at HQ. I was wrong, so wrong in fact that Levi and Keith gasped as they drew in the sight before them. My entire squad was waiting for me behind the gates of HQ. Some were reading, studying, or training to hone their already impressive skill. Peter and John were the middle of the field, sparring. Peter was the first to notice the gates opening, revealing their beautiful leader. His distraction caused for John to have an opening, giving him a punch causing Peter to stumble back and then glare at John. Before Peter could smack him upside the head, John had already dashed toward you. I smiled at two of my top ten cadets. Peter easily caught up to John but tripped on a rock on the way. I tried to suppress my laugh and greet my two pupils.

"Good Morning, ma'am!" They saluted me in unison and smiled brightly. Peter was half a foot taller than me while John was only taller by two inches. They began to blush at my morning glory and this did not go unnoticed by Keith, but especially by Levi.

"Good morning, John, Peter," I smiled gently at them while Levi had a special death glare for them. Keith laughed at his friend, not thinking he would have reason to be jealous. "Carry on." I dismiss them to continue their spar. John did not lack strength but Peter was by far the strongest I have ever seen. Peter as well did not lack intelligence but could not be compared to John's extraordinary mind. Still younger at the age of 19, John was always seen as a younger brother to me and sometimes even a son. I both bonded over the years with books and chess games. He almost beat you but it was completed in a stalemate. Peter was only 22 and was found to be very attractive by the rest of his peers but I could only see him as a pupil. Sometimes I treated him as an equal and his excitement always sky rocketed when I was around. His sky blue eyes and John's dark hazel stayed in contact with mine until Levi coughed loudly.

"I believe she said to carry on." Levi stepped in front of me, much to my surprise, while Keith suggested getting lunch. I agreed and asked Levi to leave my cadets alone. Peter crossed his arms and smirked back at the short corporal, towering over him. Levi did not feel inferior whatsoever but he did decide to follow me. John laughed a little and turned to high five Peter. Peter was already running to the showers to appear presentable to his favorite leader. John quickly went after him and shouted that he would proclaim his love first.

I sat down at one of the superior's wooden benches and took a bite of my ham sandwich. A simple meal for a simple, easy, non-frustrating day but something did not feel right. Levi was grouchier than usual and Keith was more smiley-faced. I sat in between them with Levi on my left. I took another bite of my wonderful bread and ham, not expecting anything to happen. Peter arrived to the mess hall first, standing there, anticipating the squad leader. After glimpsing at me, he wandered in my direction. Not a second too late, John ran up to catch up to Peter. After reaching his rival, he trips Peter and picks up his pace to greet his squad leader for the second time that day. I never knew about this love-war even over the training years I never thought too hard about any of my cadets after work hours. Their rivalry began ever since the second day of their first year of training. The two became my little helpers since they discovered their feelings for me. Each would spend his free time helping me with small tasks or bring me a lunch of something mentioned as a craving earlier. If one cadet was sick, making an odd number, they would beg at my feet to become my sparring parter. I thought of these favors as bonding moments, seeing them people who wanted to help and would support me whenever. I would trust them with paperwork and they would always have my back. I would show my reciprocation of gratitude by pulling Levi away from them before he thought of "disciplining" my cadets. These favors were actually acts of service to gain my attention and company. I did sometimes wonder why John or Peter would randomly stare at me, smiling softly as if I was a precious artifact that would help humanity or how Sasha stares at food. I thought of their loving gazes as how one would look at their mother.

My thoughts were disrupted by two determined voices.

"Squad Leader, _ Shadis, ma'am. I," Peter pauses, a lump stuck in his throat but John is the first to recover his courage.

"I love you, _." John smiled proudly like it was his first A+ on a military report.

"I love you more," Peter recovered as well but not before John. He shoved John to the side and sat into the wooden bench. Peter grabbed your hands, tugging them out of their grip from your sandwich. He looked deep into my eyes, longing for an answer. I was still too shocked by the two sudden confessions to even comprehend his quick movements. Keith was watching the whole thing as if it were a tv drama but he has no idea what that is since I believe there is no television. Levi was trying his best to let you handle the two brats and not snap them by their necks. Keith looked from Levi back to me, hoping I would snap out of it. John was slowly getting up from the floor because it probably really hurts to be slammed into a wall. What happened next, no one could believe their eyes.

Peter was kissing his own squad leader. This got the entire mess hall to view the scene. Levi was being held back by Keith. John was boiling with anger and pummeled Peter out of the wooden bench seat. I snapped out of my daze when his lips left mine. My mouth was still full so I swallowed before leaving my sandwich on the table and pulling out my whistle. I blew it so hard that everyone in the mess hall had to cover their ears which made Peter and John let go of each other and protect their ears from the shrilling sound. Once I stopped, you stood up on the table.

"Everyone, listen up! I want you all to finish your lunch and then leave HQ immediately, if you have any questions stop by office. Cadet Peter and Cadet John, you are to report to my office now!" I hated yelling bit I wanted the fighting to stop. Levi was still pissed so he followed me to my office behind the line of Peter and John. Keith could still not believed what just happened. His baby sister's first kiss was taken by someone other than Levi, he gave the guy credit for having guts.

In your office-one in the afternoon

"The both of you showed extremely reckless behavior today. I am giving you the punishment cleaning the entire mess hall and stables for two weeks. John you are dismissed. I am also sorry but I cannot return your feelings, John." John nodded and walked out the door. You could hear him hiccuping as he began to cry. I knew I couldn't do anything so I redirected my attention to the real criminal at hand. The kiss stealer, Peter, one of the best, but he took something precious I could never get back. Levi was glaring at him the whole and before things got out of hand, I asked Levi to politely leave your office for the time being. He obliged but not before the words, she's mine, to Peter. I didn't see his lips mouth the threat but I could Peter's glare in retaliation.

"Cadet Peter, I hope you have something worth saying." If I get a proper apology, he will be on his way.

"Did my kiss please you, ma'am?" Peter smirked and winked at you. I couldn't tell whether he was being serious or not so I asked the question a little differently.

"Cadet, I want you to apologize for your actions recently. I will not tolerate anymore childish behavior." I hated being mean but this situation was a serious matter to me.

"I apologize for my actions today."

I nodded and dismissed him. I told him, that just like John, I could not return his feelings. Today was supposed to be a simple day but I guess all is fair in love and war.