baby girl, he's a loner. Late night organ donor, after that he disown ya. After that he's just hopeless, soul mates become soulless

(848)

They fanned out, Nathan's red hair flashing with a burst of lightning, green cape with no insignia not doing anything to hide him. He tipped to look over his shoulder, and jerked on his reins, a short whistle alerting the Central Military Police. They turned, looked at them, and shrugged, the little wave making her and Nathan's mood sour, the rain already managing this.

Nathan pointed at her, and she shrugged, saw his snort of amusement because it was a mirror of the people who they were protecting. Despite the fact that, technically, she was ranked above them, and she should be the one making careless hand gestures. Zoe turned, set a leg up on saddle, wiping her eyes before squeezing the trigger.

A silver line shot out, and she jumped, wrist doing that annoying little painful shift, before it disappeared. She twisted, waiting for the 13meter to swipe before she jolted under the hand, line attacking to another tree for a brief enough moment so she was at the nape of it's neck. As the Titan fell, she spotted her horse, waiting patiently, and Zoe sprung again, knees bending as she landed, mud splashed up past her boots, swinging up quickly into her saddle, saddle wet now.

Great.

She came alongside Nathan again, the pattering of rain now interrupted by the hissing of water, as if came in contact with the Titan body. Zoe fucking hated these excursions outside Wall Rose, shrouded in secrecy, as well as generally making her men miserable; they always picked the rain to go out in. Her horse plodded forward, and they stopped, all of the Military Troops turning around.

Nathan's curse was muffled by the rain, and he sniffed, cheeks red, matching his hair. "I had a fucking date tonight," he snarled. "Guaranteed sex, and these," he muffled his large sneeze in his big hands. "Fucking shit, I'm gonna die, and not from the shitting Titans." He caught sight of a troop laughing, and Nathan jerked his horse out of the circular formation, hand smacking the blond boy out of his saddle. His horse reared up, and the blond cowered, hand up over his face.

"Nathan," She called, amused by him, "how about we leave the killing to the Titans?"

Nathan's horse tipped, hooves landing a centimeter away from the boy. He eased himself back in formation, and Zoe watched the younger man scrambled back into saddle, the cold rain hardly the effect to his pale face. They rested there for a good while, a couple men bounding off to relieve themselves, and she had to monitor them, set up times, apparently, because this was essentially day care.

Nathan bundled himself up further, hunkering down, grumbling to himself. With their place up in the mountains, they were able to observe, dangers aptly, and Zoe pointed the partners forward when a Titan got too close. One of them, the blond Nathan had terrified, miffed his attack, and his partner was batted away, thankfully reappearing uninjured, though Zoe was already moving, using a large amount of gas, dispatching the Titan with ease.

Nathan was after her, though her attack was correct, as she'd gotten exceedingly good at taking them down by herself. Variants were the only challenge, due to their...odd behavior, essentially, and she noticed they were a bit faster, usually, reflexes much better than the normal ones. Zoe dropped with the Titan, pointed at the blond, steam wafting from the blade. The young man tried to turn, but bumped of Nathan's chest, falling again on his ass.

"Hi," the red-head said, smile too cheery, and it didn't reach his eyes. He dipped suddenly, grabbed the blond's collar, and rattled him just as Zoe stopped next to him, patting him on the shoulder before she moved back to the circle, making sure the partner who'd gotten hurt was properly looked at.

Nathan returned as the Central Military Police did, the tunnel entrance sealed over again. The blond's face was puffy, an already blackened bruise sealing one of his eyes, and he limped next to Nathan. Her Captain patted the blond roughly on his back, sending him forward, where he slipped in the mud, eyes dull when he rose up on horseback.

"What rank was he?" she asked Nathan the next day, shuffling the cards for them.

"9th in class."

She scoffed, but fell silent, as was her usual state with her soldiers. Nathan won, per usual, and she read, turned away from them, hardly listening, conversation always escaping her. Zoe closed her book, and departed at night, her food brought to her room as usual. Nile popped in briefly, shoving the paperwork he was supposed to do to her already overflowing pile.

LEVI

He held her away from the kitchen, arm over her stomach, grappling with her briefly, and Zoe pouted. But she couldn't cook, didn't matter how cute she got, he wasn't letting her near the area, face flat as he made an effort to find a viable excuse. Levi wasn't sure why he couldn't dredge up the guts to tell her the truth, maybe because she had so much pride in the lingering idea that she could cook.

"Go take a bath," he finally said, unwinding his arm from her, giving her a gentle push towards the bathroom. "yea? I'll call up the houselady, get you heated water, it should be fine."

She nodded, and he watched her go, shaking his head before he got that arranged. A couple of his fellow Scout REgiment men walked up the stairs, the large townhouse shared between the five of them. When they saw him, they turned back to their muddy boots, and took some time to wash them. Levi gave a short scoff of acknowledgement, just as Zoe stepped out of the bathroom, a robe around her, thankfully.

Zoe gave them a short wave, jogging to his side, waving him down to her level, "Where are the soaps?" she whispered, eyebrows screwing up, biting her lip, nervousness apparent with this tic.

"I've got it," he murmured, and she smiled.

Levi turned as she went, steps hurried, ducking her head, though no one was really there to make her feel uncomfortable, smile pulling at his lips before he remembered that they weren't alone. That face was the one he'd thought of through one of the worst expeditions he'd ever experienced, a new scar on his shoulder. She'd picked it out last night, as that's when they usually saw each other, if they were ever….

He shook his head, leaving the pot over the fire, walking to the cabinet, and rifling through the less feminine material, found the cloth he'd wrote her name on. Levi pulled the perfumed soap out, thinking that she'd smelled just like that last night as well, rolling his eyes as he did. Shit, he was trying to keep a hold on this, whatever it was, but really. He wasn't any good, was he?

And as he opened the door, saw her turn, look over her shoulder, he felt an inexplicable rush of fear. That one day he wouldn't get to see her, something, or that he'd fuck this up, because he was fucking good at that. The idea that she'd die made it spike, that fear, and he turned quickly away, unable to make her understand. No, no, not really, he just didn't want to open himself up, hope she'd understand in that little way she managed.

"She's cute," One of them said, as Levi returned from the bathroom.

Levi didn't respond, just continued to cook, but they carried the conversation on without him.

"Haven't we seen her?"

"Oh, oh, Mason," Geo snapped his fingers, pointing at the man. "This has to be the one who wakes us up at night when the bell goes."

Mason chuckled, "And otherwise."

"No, the thing is," Moss held up a finger. "I thought she was homely, or something, and that's why you didn't have her here in the day time."

"I thought he interchanged them, I was tallying this up to him being, like, humanity's greatest...homewrecker," Mason gesture, shrugging.

"Nah, ladies man," Geo said.

Moss waved a spread hand at Geo. "Well said."

"Thank you."

"But," Roy added himself in, choppy way of speaking indicating his heritage. "s'not as if she fucks about elsewhere, know what ah'm sayin'?"

"Are you talking about her only coming at night?" Mason said, and Roy pointed, clapping his hands briefly. "Yes, that is another addition, my uneducated friend."

Moss frowned, and Mason held up his hands, cutting himself off as Moss said, "So, maybe, he is humanity's greatest homewrecker."

Murmurs of agreement went around, and Geo sat forward, "No, no, I don't think so. There's, like, no guilt there, so, let's go for…" Geo pursed his lips.

"Girlfriend, "Roy said.

Mason's eyes almost popped out of his head, "Are you serious?" Everyone's attention was on Levi, and he didn't respond. "Oh my- holy shit, he's even more domestic than we thought."

"I always thought he was, I dunno," Moss waved his hand again, pointing at Geo, "a, ah, mistress; dunno the male version that. A ladies man."

"Well, man, the only advice I can give you," Geo leaned back on his chair, steepling his hands, lording over the group as the one who usually found a girl when they were given down time, "better watch these girls; smart now, especially the cute ones. Keep those feelings locked down."

Respectful nods went around, and Roy went as far as writing it down.

Levi nodded, "I know." Everyone was quiet, the light nature of conversation ending with his words, the sincerity in them.

He set the spoon down, walked into the bathroom. Zoe shifted, pretty brown eyes opening to take him in, and he dipped, let her warm, wet hand trace over his cheek, taking her in, memorizing her face. She always changed in the tiniest ways, a new freckle there, standing out, darker than her skin tone, that little dip in her lip always there, but the acne scars changed, he noted.

Levi went through all that he'd said, the stupid things back in training that had driven a rift between them. He couldn't remember some of the things, but he'd rebuffed her continually. And he couldn't get a handle on her now, because she was changing in a different way, and didn't stay long enough for him to memorize that. Zoe was more reserved, and she didn't laugh as much as she did. A bit more skittish, as well, but…he wasn't going to ask her why. Kept his feelings to himself, because he was good at that, at least.

"What?" she finally asked.

"Do you want to eat?"

She nodded, and he stood, walking out of the door. "Levi, where are you-" the door closed, Levi pointing at the five men, and then the door.

Complaints arose, but he continued this motion, not in the mood to deal with anyone besides Zoe. They eventually went as Roy suggested the neighbors, who were Scout Regiment troops as well, adding in the point about not cleaning, and the bonus of cards. There was a mass exodus, and Levi's sigh was the loudest thing left.

He tugged off his apron as he went, taking a second to fold it, opening the door to her. "They're gone," he said, and she smiled.

She made to rise, and he didn't turn. "Levi," she tried that stern tone which really lacked any effect. "Turn."

Levi leaned against the doorframe, looked to the cracked open window, heard the carts, few and far between now. She stood finally, walked past him, and he kept his eyes on her, catching her waist, though she was trying to walk past him, a robe now on. He ran his thumb over her hair, the buzzcut area dramatically different than the other side, though it barely made it over her ear.

There was a heavy knock, and she twitched, frowning. "Is that-?"

Another heavy knock, along with a shout, "Zoe, it's Sjeh."

"What?" Levi asked, but Zoe had her hands on his abdomen, shoving him back into his bedroom. "What-?"

"She's the top medical in the walls, Levi, and I'm technically not supposed to be here with you."

He caught her arm, "What?"

"No, that last part is a lie, she just does not like you," Zoe said, unable to even stick to that small lie.

Levi considered this, then shrugged, feeling it was fairly valid, he wasn't easy to get along with. He allowed her to close the door in his face, the thin door providing enough audio for him to make out the direction of the conversation. Sjeh bridged the conversation before she decided to talk about him, Zoe reassuring her that she wasn't here for him.

He'd seen the stout woman before, just due to the fact she was the top medical official. She kept the same harsh tone that he'd heard from her, though it tempered soon enough.

"Then why are you here?" Sjeh asked, something clattering. "You know that I only ask because I care for you, and since Mary died…" Sjeh took a long beat. "I can't change your job choice, but your mother," Mary, Levi supposed, frowning at the door, wondering why Zoe had never told him her name. "your mother wouldn't stand for your choice in men." Had Sjeh known her mother? Maybe.

Levi knew how her mother had impressed the 'ladylike' ideal on Zoe. So, she'd been a bit odd in training, her congeniality putting strain on her social tendencies. He'd told her one day to just stop and open up, speak her mind, something, because she did let people walk all over her. She didn't seem confident in her place even now, but she'd gotten a handle on it.

"Sjeh, I'm fine. I've grown up, I'm fine, you know. No need to worry."

"You pick up with the worst people."

"I haven't- really been with anyone besides him."

"That's even worse."

"So, what; even monogamy isn't doing it for you?"

"He's a- Scout Regiment- I heard," Sjeh's voice dropped to a dramatic, audible whisper, "he was a thug in the underground. A notorious one at that."

"Why does that matter?"

"One; he's a criminal, and dangerous. Second, he's a loner, Zoe; he'll drop you as soon as he's bored with you; you do notice how he only associates with you at night? That's not the kind of man you should be with. Especially; Zoe, once again, Scout Regiment. The mortality rate is obscene."

Levi frowned, the false information frustrating him, especially as Sjeh rolled over Zoe's words.

"He's a lost cause, Zoe, you can drop standards so well, I swear, it's nice charity work. But, you're lovely, Zoe, just like your mother, if shorter. You should just join the medics, I mean….He'll move on, and so should you."

Zoe's sigh was loud, "Why are you here? Only to tell me off? I don't know what you want me to do." her voice wavered, and Levi sensed that she was about to bend. "I-" He heard the crack, then the resurgence of her voice, "Sjeh, I know what I'm doing. I'm not 15 anymore. And that; I'm fine."

"Fine, being that you cried for a good hour over him sleeping with someone else."

"What-"

"Cadet training." Sjeh paused for effect. "Ring any bells?"

"I was 20, Sjeh, I know how to keep my feelings in check now, okay? I'm 24, I can handle myself, I really don't-I don't like making you worried," Zoe's voice was soft, the one she used on him when he was in a mood. "I'm fine. We're...I don't know what we are, but it's nothing, okay?"

Levi didn't acknowledge the fact that his heart dropped.

Sjeh scoffed. "Fine. And referring to your earlier sentence, I'm here to make sure you're sleeping correctly."

"I'm fine."

"Saying it over and over doesn't make it true." A slight clunk. "there. I think that should be good enough for a month."

"Thank you."

The door opened, shut, and Levi retreated to look out the window, watching the woman beetle away, cowl shrouding her face. He turned, opened his door before she could, striding past her to the glass container Sjeh had set on the table. Zoe couldn't keep up with him, her attempt to block his retrieval failing miserably, and Levi held the tincture to the light.

"What is this, Zoe?" He asked, looking to her.

Her breath hitched, and she mumbled something. Levi raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to answer, jaw working as the time spanned. He frowned, considered the idea that this aggressive approach wasn't a good idea and relaxed as much as he could, setting down the container. Zoe fidgeted there, hair still damp, and he stepped in, let his fingers run through it, waves present in this form.

"It's something to help with sleeping. I," she took a large breath, looking away from him, "just have a good amount of nightmares. There's been a bit of issue, and the job description has been a bit off, but," Zoe shrugged, false smile making his frown deepen, "I'm fine."

He let his thumb slip over a freckle, "No you're not."

She shook her head, "No, but I'm not entirely sure why I'm not."

He understood that, at least, and allowed the silence to lull, eventually moving to let her sit at the table. His soup was still warm, so he grabbed two bowels, found a bit of expensive wine, Dandelion Wine, actually, he'd kept for himself under threat of death, that threat being applied to Roy, Moss, Mason, and Geo. The air outside was still warm, the summer always a bit...cloying, but still. At least it was a nice temperature, and he sat close to her. Let her talk.

Levi kept his hand close to hers, providing a bit of commentary on her fellows. Especially Nile. Who annoyed him just because he'd hopped over to the Military Police, and, here, he was given more reasons to be dislike Nile. Or Nule, as Levi prefered to term him, mostly due to the relation; mule. Because he was an absolute ass, and he'd rather see her as the commander.

She laughed at that, reached, pushed him, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, tugging her onto his seat, empty bowl clattering. "I can't be the Commander, Levi, do I seem like a commanding presence?"

He hummed briefly, "You are short."

"Wow, look who's talking."

"Zoe, you're, what, 5 feet?"

"Um, five feet and a half, so," She tipped forward enough to turn to him, "get your facts straight."

"I can teach you how to be commanding, Zoe."

"What, are you going to write me a book?" she laughed, allowing him to shift her so she straddled him, his hands smoothing slow under her robe. "One page work," she held up her fingers, putting quotes around her next words, "frown, be a clean freak, grumble occasionally, and be talented."

"It would sell," he said, tipped his head back as her hands curled up into his hair, slight body flush against him now.

"Sadly, yes, it would," she gave a little giggle, head tipping away as he pressed his forehead to her neck, hands moving to work at the tie of her rob. "Especially if you put, 'by humanity's greatest soldier'. About the author section would be missing, and I'd bet you'd put 'declined to comment' because you're an asshole." Her words caught as his hands slid over her hips, soft skin against his hands, his lips parting to take deeper breaths, Levi's head tipped down, but he raised it soon enough. The look on her face was a much better thing to focus on.

"I would put declined to comment, because it would miss the point of established brevity if I added the section." He tried for a kiss, but she tilted away, hips moving in his hands, the smell from the soaps she used making his head spin. Wasn't the wine, it was just...

"Oh, big words; I bet you learned that from my book. That you still haven't returned."

He nodded, this time catching her lips, hands on her lower back, making sure her legs were in the proper place before he stood. She gave a squeak, arms tight around the back of his neck, trying to find a bit of say in where he was taking her. Levi stopped in the doorway, put her weight there for an instant, kissed her hard, hoping it was good enough to equal a non-vocal 'I missed you'. Just glad she'd agreed to come over.

"Are we going to get my book?" she asked when he pulled away.

"Sure."

He kicked the door, closing it with a solid finality.

Lightning cracked open the sky, released another torrent of rain. Zoe tugged her cowl over her head, positioning it over her mouth, horses slogging through the mud. The horse next to her suddenly gave, and Levi swore, his horse bucking as it attempted to find it's footing. His hand lashed out, and she stuck hers out, reaching for him.

His slim fingers couldn't find a grip, eyes wide as his horse finally tipped, and Zoe lunged for him. Felt her fingers tap against his, stretched over, edge of the mountain path giving out. The gaping mouth of a Titan waited below, and she wondered why he didn't have his gear, even as she screamed, rooted to her spot by some invisible force.

The mouth snapped closed, and he was gone from view, though the Titan reached, hands matching his for some reason-. Light-

Nathan's face invaded her vision, shaking her without any attempt to be gentle, Nile peering over his broad shoulder, hand touching the red pendant on his neck, concerned. Jay popped into view, buzzcut hair always familiar, Sjeh almost waddling behind him, personifying the storm in her, what she assumed, nightmare. Nathan patted her face, and Jay yanked her hand, poking it with a needle.

She yelped, glaring at him, falling out of her chair, book with her, looking blearily around the card playing room. "What-"

"You were screaming," Nathan said, lips turning down in a slash. "Yea? Screaming your pretty little ass off."

"Well, gee, Nathan, I'm so happy you think it's pretty," she said, shifting slow to her feet, though he'd already picked her up by her under arms, almost a full foot taller than her.

She didn't like it when they talked about her looks, because she still didn't feel like she was treated seriously, especially by Nathan. Though, most of the high-ranking officers did respect her by this point, if only because she'd saved a couple of their asses outside the wall. But, with Nathan, she…. He was a tall, strong man, and she knew she didn't equate to his vision of a Commander. Or, second in Command. Whatever.

Zoe drew back to her room during card time, focusing on her paperwork, rather than conversing with them. And if she fell asleep, no one was going to prick her with a needle to wake her up. She rolled her eyes as she recalled that, setting the writing utensil back in it's holder, rubbing her eyes before she pushed another stack to the side, and pulled one more to her.

Panic dreams, so it seems we're meant to die. I had to figure it out; "it's the best," no, that's a lie
Had to get some stuff off my chest, I vaporized(...) I just got the motivation, your talent's just a bunch of luck, hard work and dedication, but lately it's run amok. Waking up in these places I don't remember. (..) doors left open; I don't know who I am anymore