Take my crown to the grave, I'm an underground king.

The mirror reflected her appearance and Zoe didn't recognize herself.

Later, she stood in her large bedroom, looking at herself in the dim light, her prominent cheekbones, pressing at her standing out collarbone, wondering why she looked so frail. Didn't want to, really, she did want a presence that people would take seriously. Zoe turned, looked at the scar on her leg, bending, running her thumb over it, compared it to her still present training injuries. What was that; four, five years ago?

She glanced to the clock, cursed when she realized she had a limited amount of time to get downstairs. Zoe was hopping on one foot by the end, jerking her boot on just as she moved herself out of her room, dashing forward as soon as it was on. On the way, she clipped someone, the male's sharp words correctly applied, though she wasn't able to stay and apologize.

Zoe used a banister railing, swinging herself with more momentum as she turned. She stopped in front of the door, smoothing her uniform, catching her breath before she opened it, and walked in, saluting as the door close behind her. The Commander in Chief sat at his desk, spectacles low on his nose, Nile standing in front of the desk as well. His lip curled when he saw her, though it disappeared when Zacklay looked up.

"Well," The man said, setting his papers to the side. "I suppose you're going to be the new Commander." He gestured at a chair, and she sat, hoping she seemed slightly imposing. "Now, by your files," Zacklay's weathered hand rest on the papers. "You seem to have an issue with command in general. Constant reports of your issues with confidence in handling the men have plagued your earlier years, but now."

She still stammered when she said, "I believe I can suit it, now."

"For the most part, it may be temporary, just due for the 6 months Nile would like to spend with his family."

"Oh," Zoe glanced towards the unhappy male. "So, some point in 850 I'll be let off?" This was the last month in 849, and everyone was finally settling down after the Wall Maria loss. Jay had even invited her over for dinner with his family, some politically powerful people she'd heard of before. Never associated it with him.

"Essentially, yes."

She took a beat, then nodded, thanking whatever celestial power had control over removing responsibility. "That sounds...fine, I suppose. I mean, I'll do what I can, I just-." Zoe breathed slow. "Sir, I believe I'm up for it."

Nile snorted, looking away.

Zacklay's eyebrows raised, "Dok, would you like stay in your position?"

"...I'll take the time off, thank you, Commander."

"There," Zacklay motioned between them. "Settled. Nile, if you'll leave."

Nile started to leave, but Darius cleared his throat, hand settling close to it. Her Commander turned, slapped the pendant down, a brief salute coming before the door slammed after him. Zoe made to leave, the pendant enclosed in her hand, afraid to check, in case this was another dream. Zacklay raised his hand, and she halted, standing still.

"Is it true you trained with Captain Levi?" Zacklay asked, slipping his spectacles off his nose, pinching the bridge.

Zoe blinked, eyebrows furrowing as she answered, "yes, actually."

The Commander in Chief hummed, resting back in his chair, considering her. "Well." He sat up. "If you don't think you can deal with this command, please inform me, I promise, there's no need to be shy about it, I'd rather make the problem better than prolong it."

She flushed, salute hurried, darting out of the room, colliding with someone. Levi. Shit.

He instantly bristled, not falling like she did, though his back was turned until he shifted, eyes narrowed, brow creased, darkening. "Watch where-" he started, practically snarling at her, then his expression cleared. "What are you doing?"

Zoe slapped around, looking for the pendant, a terrified squeak seeping out as she watched it clatter down the stairs to the entrance of this building. Apparently, whatever celestial beings were granting her less responsibility, were also causing the worst run of luck she'd ever witnessed. A teenager appeared, tattered clothes signifying that he was definitely not an occupant of the main capital as well as his sudden appearance from a suspicious grate.

She scrambled to her feet, shouting at him as he picked up the pendant. He saw her coming for him and practically dove back into the grate, taking a second to put the lock back on it, pale face revealed by the sun before even that disappeared. Zoe yanked at the bars, rust staining her fingers, eyes wide, breath coming faster, hands shaking so hard she had to pull them back.

Levi was at her side, looking down at the grate, a tired huff escaping him. "You really have the worst luck."

"Yes, state the obvious, Levi," she snapped, circling the metal covered hole.

Levi shrugged. "You want help?"

"What?" Zoe said, so flustered she could hardly hear him.

"I'm stating the obvious again, but I know my way around down there."

She stopped, looking up at him. "Really?"

Levi lifted his eyebrows, gazed at her. Zoe crossed her arms over her chest, kicked out a rock, missing it, and stubbing her toe. Levi actually laughed, even though it was exceedingly brief, eyebrows twisting up, shaking his head as she shook her foot.

" Next thing you know, you'll accidentally die. How about you stop moving?"

"That's probably a good idea."

Levi was at the Military Office the next day, not looking too pleased at being told to wait by Military Police, and she waved him through, the large building easy to navigate once you knew it. Her room had once been located on the ground floors, two bunkbeds to a small room. Passing them now, she saw the resident Military police, about 400 here, including one or two of the ranking officers, rise.

"Where are we going?"

"Um, I think we have," she searched for the correct word, then shrugged. "I guess, disguises."

Levi gave a scoff, but he still followed after her, stairs leading underground, the basement containing locked up 3D gear, as well as guns. There were 3 separate keys, one for the immediate door, others for the gear, and guns. He sat down at a lone table, eyes tracking her as she went to and from the table, dumping all sorts of clothing there.

His dress differed from yesterday, the black, formal attire he wore gone, cravat as well. Levi set his chin in his hand, looking fairly amused, plucking at a near by item, rubbing it between his forefinger and thumb. She finally sat the last heap on the table, hands on her hips, observing the small hill. Multicolored, dirt dulled cloth was about the only thing here.

"Are you serious, Zoe?" Levi asked, eyebrows raising.

"Well, I-I don't know what people wear down there, I'm not fucking documenting it, Levi."

"Just put on regular clothes. And bring 3D gear, you can't walk around without a back up plan."

"Oh. Oh, okay."

Levi tugged out two capes, tossed one her way. "Are you good?"

"Yea."

He was in his element down here, hood up over his head, correcting her little mistake of not doing that by himself, shaking his head. Zoe heard the 'you would've gotten killed' phrase, and elbowed him, keeping close to him despite that. Levi stood in the main square, turning in a circle, people skirting by him as he did, eyes narrowed, a couple older men taking a longer time than everyone else to observe him.

Levi finally pointed, grabbed her elbow and tugged her along after him. He held up two fingers next, and she nodded, jumping into the air with him after two more steps. His navigation was much more polished, and she almost clipped a stalagmite, breath robbed from her. Zoe didn't look back, dropping with him, teetering on the edge of an alley, clothes lines roping between the buildings.

She stopped herself from falling with ease, jogging for a second to catch up with him, unable to keep her eyes from wandering. She'd been down here once. And it really lacked the dark, scary place she'd held it to, lips twisting down, handles back in place. Levi was waiting for her at the top of the steps, frowning as he waved her closer, caught her wrist when she was in range.

"Right, stay here."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

Zoe narrowed her eyes, "I'd smack you if you wouldn't block it."

"Fine; because these people don't like…" he searched for a word. "outsiders, Zoe."

"Outsiders- can they tell?"

"Yes they can."

"How?"

"Oh-shit, quiz me later, okay?" He clenched his jaw, turned, walking into the small house. He stopped in the door way, attracted her attention by snapping. "Stay there. Don't move an inch."

If she was younger, she would've stuck out her tongue, but she was left with glaring as her only line of defense. Zoe moved an inch, hoped he knew she'd done something displeasing, though it was hardly anything to slap 'rebel' on. Frankly, she was scared, but not enough to spite him in her own, silly way. A rat scampered past, and she cringed, happy that at least it wasn't a snake, but she wasn't good on any terms.

Zoe bumped against something, thought it was a wall, but her assumption was soon proved wrong, a large hand clapping down to rest on her shoulder. She turned, stepped back, brows creasing, as his palm was almost bigger than her face, the hulking man maybe a foot taller than her. A shorter man stood at the giant's shoulder, leaned back to talk to someone else behind him.

"You sure?" the shorter man said, gruff voice just reaching her ear.

"She's military police, all right," came the person he was consulting.

"What, no-" Zoe attempted, stepping back, and actually hitting a wall this time.

"Too clean to be down here," the short man said.

Levi stepped out just as the giant reached for her, a huge sigh from him halting progress. He moved in that second, caught her arm, a silver line attaching to the alley. Zoe did the same, thinking that her luck today was making up for the shit that'd gone down yesterday, making it through all the clothes, crashing through the window Levi had a second before, skidding forward on the foot that braced her.

"What did I say?" Levi snapped, hands on her as soon as she was stable, checking her over. "What did I say?"

"Don't move. an inch. And I didn't do anything, Levi, don't lose your shit, I'm fine."

He narrowed his eyes, going silent, gaze dark. Eventually, he held up his clenched hand, opened it, pendant dropping, hanging by the tie. She held out her hand, and he pressed it into hers, turning.

Zoe didn't really think about her next words, just blurted them out, "Why do you care, Levi? I'm not really special, am I? I mean, I'm not...really anything impressive, and I'm sorry for worrying you, but I just- I don't seem." She sighed. "Compared to you, I'm nothing of note, really. You're a leader, and I'm a follower, so…" Another sigh, and she stared at his back. "thank you, though. I should give this back. I lost it," her voice cracked, but she cleared her throat, "and I didn't even have it for a minute, so that's got to be a sign."

She didn't have enough bravery to wait for his response, just tried to rush out, mumbling something about finding her own way back. He stopped her, head tipping, looking confused.

"A follower?" He shook his head, eyes wide. "first of all, you're not even social enough to follow the popular idea, and second, with all those books, you...you're a know it all, so, you know. Too smart to be taken advantage of, and even if you're not the best leader: not even the best leader can get everyone out alive, and frankly, Zoe, this entire world has gone to shit, so."

"But if my orders; I don't want anyone to get hurt, because I made the wrong decision. I don't want to be a failure." more than she already was.

He shook his head again, "Even I can't make the right decision, sometimes, and I've been at this for a while…." he gazed at the floor between them. "don't think that I'm an amazing leader. It's a lot of weight, and sometimes-but they're right here," he pressed a brief hand to his chest. "Okay? Everybody's in this for a reason."

She nodded. "Yea."

"And," he caught her again, tugged her close. "don't compare yourself to other people. You always want to be better than the next person, and that's… ridiculous. It really is. Balance it out, yea? So competitive, it's like you're trying to beat everyone, and everything." His hand swept over her hair, tapping along the piercings. "You're perfect to somebody."

He didn't give her time to ask if it was him who thought she was perfect, kiss hard enough to sweep the phrase from her mind. Levi disengaged when he took in the landscape again, though it didn't seem to really put him off, pressing her back. She wasn't a big fan of the wall behind her, hand at his chest, wishing for a moment, her 3D gear making it even more awkward.

Levi did pause, and she nodded her thanks, murmuring, "Don't we need to get back?"

He stepped away, and led her out, coming out of the underground via caves. She frowned, not recognizing the land scape, somewhere in the inner reaches of Wall Sina. Still, he knew where he was going, obviously much more adventurous that she was. Zoe just preferred her warm covers, rather than shivering in the rain. Where she was the next day.

"Do you have a better place to be, Commander?" one of the Central Military police asked.

What if I just turned this detail around? Let him die? she thought. "Just cold." She should have Command over them. But she didn't. Which was odd. But she didn't ask questions.

The man's smirk crawled briefly over his face, obviously amused by the miserable MPs, the regular group shortened by one, due to the common excursions out. Her group circled around the tunnel, Nathan's huge sneezes making a couple people laugh. He glared, but obviously, it was too cold for him to even attempt getting off his horse and punching them.

It was a shorter outing this time, and they were back down the mountain with limited precaution, everyone eager to get back inside Wall Sina, and work through possible illnesses. The gate opened, town silent, a few lights here and there, but no one looked out, due to the quiet affair they were playing out. Next, the inner gate opened, and their slow pace through the streets was forgotten on the other side, making good time to the next outcrop in Sina, where they weren't as careful.

Nathan and Jay grumbled per usual, leaving their gear to the men responsible for the upkeep. Zoe barely listened, hand touching the red pendant, hoping Levi wasn't too mad that she'd blown him off, the command coming from nowhere, and giving her no time to arrange her limited social interactions. He didn't look amused the next afternoon when she found him, practically stalking towards her, a storm cloud with all of his dark clothing.

"Where were you?" he asked. "I was worried."

"Well, that's nice," she gave a large sniff, the cold air not doing much for her mood. "Very nice." A cough interrupted her, and she turned, giving a groan. "had to do something; last minute."

"What?"

she frowned, not processing his question,"What?"

"What were you doing?"

"I don't have to tell you," she said.

"Don't you trust me?" he asked.

"It's not a matter of trust, Levi."

His frown deepened. then he shrugged. "whatever."

Zoe opened her mouth when she recalled the news, "There's going to be a social, something along that, high ranking officers. Jay's parents are apparently ridiculously rich, so. I know Erwin said he'd come. Probably only to network, but. Maybe, um, you could come. Or something?"

Another shrug. "Maybe."

He did. Though it was almost over by that time, and he'd left her there to sit at a corner table. Jay was next to her when Levi came in, though his eyes were on Nathan and Mya, mouth twisted down, stabbing his knife into the cloth, pulling it out, repeating these two movements. Zoe didn't know he liked Mya, but hey. Learned something new everyday. Coupled with the knowledge that Nathan had a reputation with women.

Jay finally stood up, shoving out of the large hall, door slamming behind him. Levi took his chair, taking an untouched plate from the other table. She crossed her arms, looked away from him, listened to the short huff that meant he was amused. Zoe bristled, glaring at him now.

"What, are you going to sit there and pout?" he asked, setting his elbow on the table.

"Look, all I wanted was to be able to talk to someone," she said. "I'm sorry I can't tell you where I was, but-" She rose to her feet, striding to the door, think that she'd take Jay's idea of non-confrontation.

Unlike Jay's exit, hers was followed by the person who caused it, Levi calling, "Don't make me chase you, Zoe. This is ridiculous, fuck. You're working yourself up over nothing."

Still, he caught her arm, the chase after her easy. She tried to yank her arm away, but he had her, pulling her with him, bringing her close.

"Get off," she snapped, hand slamming to his hard chest, and he did, but she didn't run.

"Look. If you can't tell me, you can't tell me, I get it. Just, I thought you trusted me enough to tell me, is all. I didn't think."

"No, no you didn't," she confirmed, breathing deep. "moron."

He shook his head, a smirk curling his lips, "Yea, just a little."

"So, what, do you want…?"

Levi turned, looked over his shoulder, "I could steal some food, and we can go eat somewhere else. Without that many people."

"Or you could just ask for food."

"Takes the fun out of it."

"I didn't know you had fun, Levi."

She twisted, smile large. "Can't you keep up?"

Levi scoffed, and put some power into his stride, running alongside her now, Farlan left in the literal dust. Despite their stature, Zoe and he were at the front of the group, mostly because she'd provoked him. He kept pace with her, sprinting the final stretch, crossing the line, attracting Nanaba's eyes, the woman writing down the time, while they hooked the corner.

He grabbed her arm tugged her off the path, managing to slow them both down, though her back hit the tree fairly hard. Levi studied her face, before he dipped in, arm slipping around her waist, tugging her tight to him. Zoe attempted to put her finger over his lips, as well as her looking around his shoulder to check, but he resisted, managing to hitch her leg at least up to his waist.

"Keep up," he murmured.

Fuck, she was warm; that almost always surprised him. No matter what, she was always radiating a good degree of heat.

"mmm," she pushed. "Sweaty," her finger coasted over his collarbone. "Somewhere else. Please?"

He agreed to that, as her roomates were being made to do something for another 2 hours, just as the sky split open, and the spring weather really showed its bad side. 2 hours was hardly anything, but he'd just cut their normal activities down a bit, her sheets tangled around them, attempting, it seemed, to replace the lack of clothes. Her hands were in his hair, where she seemed to love having them, and he liked how she'd tug when he did something she liked. Made sure to take note, add it to a growing list.

"Do you like my hair, or something, Zoe?" He asked.

She opened her eyes to him, fingers stringing through his hair. "yea. It's soft and dark. Are you upset that at least one part of you is soft?" Her lips wore the smirk he usually had, and he felt her twirl some of his hair in her finger; he didn't want to shake her off now.

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," he mumbled, shaking his head as he went to her neck, kissing down.

Her collarbone was prominent when she took deep breaths, sweat beading over her skin; and her entire state of broken composure was something that gave him purpose. Zoe's hand rubbed over the back of his neck, hand deviating from his hair for just an instant to trace over the muscles of his back before it returned. She tried to press him down where she wanted him, but he resisted, saw her slender body ripple with a shiver, though it was hotter than hell in here.

"Tomorrow," he said in response to her effort, because sexual favors could be repaid tenfold.

He knew he was abandoning his ideal of clean, but he didn't care.The cadet group had been gone for a week for some government testing shit, and while she was gone, a storm front had rolled through, leaving him stranded in humid hell with nothing to keep his mind off it. So this was him making up for lost time, humidity broken by the cold showers in view of the window. Her skin was almost scalding hot, and if he was a romantic, he'd let her burn him to ashes.

But he wasn't, content to have his name on her lips, as he allowed her on top.

"I could watch you do that again and again," he breathed, not entirely sure if there was any oxygen left in the room, the window closed to the deluge outside.

Zoe fell forward, hands catching, forehead resting against his chest, shuddering like she always did. Levi chuckled, grasping her hands tipping her back up, grasping her hips a bit too tight as she moved to get up. She frowned, voice catching before she managed a sentence.

"Levi, let me get up," she snapped, giving another sharp shudder as he moved under her, oversensitive in a large way this time.

"One more," he leaned up slightly, hand twisting in the back of her hair, kissing her as he rose up on his elbow. "One more, for me." she was so fucking...

"I can't." Zoe glared, twisting her hands out of his, but he had her, legs drawn up slightly behind her, nails digging into her skin.

Her hair was away from her shoulders, the speed at which she'd turned her head causing this. Levi's hand caught against her clit, as he pressed two fingers alongside himself, feeling the way she stretched around him, the space where they met almost hotter than it, and he really needed to open that fucking window. She jerked, leaning into the stimulation even as she tried to pull away, a shaky hand running through her hair.

"Come on." He'd tell her that she could mow down Titans like the grim reaper if she wanted, because it was true, but he was such an ass. And he was going to hold to that character mold, not tell her what else she did, mostly to him, tell her that he couldn't sleep because of her. That was stupid. He'd been the one to establish the grounds of this relationship. "Can't you take me? Ride me just a little fucking longer."

Zoe grabbed onto the top bunk, hand slapping to the wooden sides, and Levi was reminded of the long gone roommate. Especially that one time when the taller boy had complained to the Cadet trainer, and Levi had to sit by while he was told, in trembling tones, 'not to sleep with girls that late at night.' that loud was also added, and the 'girls' narrowed down to Zoe. She was brought in, while her three roommates glared at them, Levi's leg up against the wall, using it to rock him to and fro on the chair.

"I mean, I'll try," Zoe said, flushing through her light brown skin, grabbing her elbow. "Sir, haven't I- I'm-"

"second," Levi said.

"In class," she continued, glaring at him. "I don't deserve this."

"Just keep it down," the man attempted. A week later he was snapped up by titans, and the passed law was forgotten.

Zoe's jaw clenched, pulling him right back down to this moment, and he fucked up into her, for the first time since he'd coaxed her into riding him. Her mouth fell open then, and a strangled little moan reached his ears, making him smirk just slightly as he took over. It had been a nice sentiment, allowing her to fuck him for once, but she did have a tendency to falter.

Levi's mouth fell open as well, and he breathed, "Sweat for it, Zoe."

And when he was able to give her orders, he'd order her to keep going. Because it was that little flash of defiance that made him lose sleep over her.

Zoe walked down stairs, bundled up in one of his shirts, leaning over the balcony, catching sight of the houselady, and waved. The older woman looked up, smile increasing the wrinkles on her face. She continued down, stepping out onto the foyer, everything far too cold, and she crossed her arms over her chest, walking on tip toe.

"Where's Levi?" she asked.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm not too sure, honey, but I do love the fact that this place is still immaculate after they come back."

"So, he's somewhere in house?"

"Oh, did I say the wrong thing, I'm sorry; he's gone, but I don't know where. The regiment moved out at midnight."

"Did he...leave anything for me?"

"No, sorry dear."

She nodded. Whatever.

I'm really over the cryin' thing, wipin' my tears; Who cries anyway? spread like disease all over me. We did ungodly ghastly things, last night I mean... Who's God anyway? You're mine any day. It's burning, take me. I wanna feel your power