Ick, sorry this took so long. I will try to get myself sorted. For those who don't know, update day is *SUPPOSED TO BE* Thursday.
So far I am failing XD
LEVI
I took such a massive gulp of air, it felt like I had used all the oxygen in the room in one breath. My knuckles were white, closed over the arms of the chair. As my eyes darted around, I let out a strangled cry of relief and sagged back.
I found myself wishing she was here, in the room. Here to blatantly tell me it wasn't real as if that would make me feel better – but heck, it would.
Because it's her saying it.
I could go and find her… No, just calm down. You don't need to go running to her.
You don't NEED to….
But you want to.
I jumped up and marched into the empty corridor, striding the short distance down the hall to her room. My conscious jumped at my fist to pull it back, but it was too late, I had already knocked.
Dammit Levi.
The door opened and her eyes met mine.
Screw the sky and all its stars, that's ugly compared to what I am looking at.
Wait, what?
'What's wrong?' She stepped aside immediately, her gaze filled with concern.
It dawned on me then that, of course, she would know something was up.
'Stupid question,' she waved it away before I could answer as I stepped inside. Kicking the door shut, she stopped dead when she realised I was staring at her.
At her NECK.
I had never been so grateful for her neck before.
Her hand went to it, probably subconsciously. 'Levi?'
'It's fine,' I blurted.
She shook her head. She knew I knew she hated it when I said that.
Stepping closer, she put her hand on her hip. 'I'll repeat the question, shall I?'
'What, my name, or the stupid one?' I was being difficult.
'The stupid one,' she replied placidly.
'Don't bother when you know the answer.'
'Levi…' She half-closed her eyes. 'Why are you here right now?'
Her tone was soft, she was getting me to ask myself that question, rather than her demanding what I was doing irritating her in the middle of the night.
'…I don't know…' I had her full attention now. 'I just ended up here.'
I could almost see cogs whizzing around in her brain. 'Yeah, I get what you mean...'
Glancing around, I could see dust motes whizzing around in the candlelight. Her room was lit eerily, the warmth of the flames making her eyes shine.
'You haven't dusted.'
'No, I haven't got around to it.'
'Haven't got around to it? What have you been doing all this time?'
NOVALIE
I needed to get him out of this mood. He was confused and shaken up, and now he was just being obnoxious. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards the door. I could feel it startled him, but he followed. Traipsing down the corridor, I let go of him to open his room door, and hastily lit a candle. I steered him towards his chair.
He stopped and refused to go any further.
'Levi, you are exhausted,' I protested.
'What, and go to sleep just to see you die again?' He growled.
'Not if I can help it.'
'Yeah? Well you can't help it.'
'You are going to go to sleep and I am going to stay right here.'
He thought about it for a second, then sighed and sat down. I sat on the floor cross-legged, and leant against the chair leg. I was there, just thinking, in silence, for what must have been about an hour, before I glanced up at Levi.
Bring it on Ackerman – you are asleep already.
'The party is in two weeks!'
'Oh my lord I can't WAIT!'
'We are actually having some fun for once!'
The Scouts were alive with excitement at the prospect of having a party. There had been a few in the time I had been here, I mean, everyone needs to unwind from time to time, although I had never attended. This time was different though. I was going along, because where there is a party there are drugs, and I had a mystery to solve.
I had also been called to see Erwin. I guess she did report me.
I rapped on the door, my heart in my throat. Was I about to lose everything I had?
'Enter.'
I turned the handle and slipped inside, shutting the door behind me more carefully than I needed to.
'Hello Novalie,' Erwin nodded, motioning to the chair opposite where he was sat at his desk. 'Please, take a seat.'
I obeyed.
'So, I gather you know what we are here to talk about?'
'Yes sir,' I said quietly, my hand curling into a fist in my lap. I could feel burning in the pit of my stomach, like my stomach acid was burning right through me.
'We have two witnesses that can attest to your possession of the drugs.'
'Is that proof enough?' I asked in horror. He must have detected my dismay, because his face softened a little.
'No Novalie, not in my opinion. Someone could well have framed you, and I am not going to lose a soldier over this without thorough investigation. However, I must, of course, take some kind of measures in the meantime for the higher-ups.'
'Right…' I was willing to take whatever punishment he wanted to give me, so long as he wasn't kicking me out.
'You will have to be under twenty-four hour surveillance.'
I take that statement back.
'By your Captain.'
And I take it back again.
'By Levi?' I was open-mouthed. Surely Levi would be deemed to have a bias.
'The higher-ups don't know, do they? In fact, Captain Levi would be perfect, since he has reason to dislike you according to them.' Erwin had a twinkle in his eye. This man appeared so regimented, but really, he lived by his own justice.
'Reason to dislike me...?' I raised an eyebrow. As Erwin opened his mouth, I got it. 'Oh course, Elias.'
It still stung to say his name. He was ever in my nightmares with his crazy laugh and crooked smile.
I saluted to the Commander with my remaining arm and thanked him.
Poor Levi, he is going to be stuck with me twenty-four seven.
LEVI
I was surprised at my own reaction. Why did this make me happy? I mean, sure, we were close, but the idea of being stuck with someone all the time would usually horrify me. Then again, Novalie is always the exception to the rule, isn't she?
My hand reached for a thin, rough mark of white on my collarbone. I traced my finger over it. It was a constant reminder of Novalie's pain. I think she was tortured more than I was in that cell.
Novalie's face appeared at my shoulder in the mirror and I quickly dropped my hand.
'I'm going to try and sleep at night,' she told me. We stared at each other through the mirror.
'I'll leave a light on.' I turned to face her. 'What about your teaching?'
'I have to set them theory work on the days you aren't available to supervise...' She sighed apologetically.
I said nothing. I wasn't complaining.
I mentally jolted, realising I had been leaning closer and closer to her. My heart leapt. Woah, what am I doing? She hadn't moved away, she just gave me an expression of slight surprise. Our noses were only inches apart, and I could see her pulse throb on her neck. Blood rushed to my cheeks. Goddamn it Levi, get a grip.
She cleared her throat as awkwardness grew between us and marched over to my desk. She gathered up some papers of hers that were piled perfectly, and adjusted them, straightening a parallel pen. Something clicked back into place then, and I blinked, regaining my composure.
'It's getting late,' she announced.
That night I just lay on top of my bed, and Novalie sat against the wall, candle by her side, unable to sleep at all. She clung to the candle's light. Part of me wanted to go over to her and tell her it was all fine, that nothing was going to hurt her, that I was here – but I couldn't possibly do that. I couldn't get the words out right if I tried.
So I stared at her in the darkness.
