Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Relieved for classes to be finished for the day, I speedily navigate my bike through the various streets of NYC. God, I just want to be home already so my bed can put me out of my misery. 

Taking my usual route, I cross the busy avenue, marking the halfway point of my journey home. Sighing at this revelation, I don’t bother stopping before biking across traffic. 

What are they gonna do? Hit me? Pfft. 

Suddenly,  blinding light moves into view out of my right periphery. A gasp escapes through my lips, my world shifting around me. The sensation is like flying through a dream, and before I can even comprehend what's happening, my feet touch solid ground.

I am no longer outside. Gone are the familiar skyscrapers and bustling city, replaced by the gentle whisper of a breeze rustling through leaves, and the soft creaking of wooden planks underfoot. I stand in a dimly-lit room, the air clean yet thick with the scent of cedar and …tea? 

——

My heart pounds against my rib cage, an unknown mixture of fear and anxiety spreading through me. I come to realize that I have no idea where I am or what’s happened—when all of the sudden, I hear the sound of a door opening.

Before I have time to process the person entering the room, I’m thrown against a bookshelf and am stricken by a sharpness digging into the flesh of my throat, as well as the crushing weight of a solid, warm body pressing into mine.

My breath hitches.

I freeze in pure shock and horror—my eyes appearing like a deer in the headlights.

“Who the hell are you?!” a deep, threatening voice growls at me.

I-I what is this? 

The pressure on my body intensifies and I wince in response, my words evading me.

“I asked you a question, you better answer it before I press any harder.” Piercing, silvery orbs glare murderously at me as I feel a coolness trickling down to my collarbones.

“I-I m-my name is eh-Ellie. A-are you going to kill me?” I manage to stammer, despite the huge lump in my throat. Tears begin welling in my eyes as my body trembles in fear.

“What are you doing in my office?!”

“Yo-your office? I don’t understand.” I stutter.

“Are you stupid, brat?! I’m only going to ask you one more time. What. Are. You. Doing?”

My mouth opens, but no words come out. Suddenly it feels like I can’t breathe—my body tingles and I begin to hyperventilate as tears stream down my face. I’m dying. Or dead. Is that smoke?

“Tch. You don’t want to talk? Oka - what the hell?! You’re a titan-shifter?!” The volume of his voice raises to a loud shout.

I feel something hard come down on the back of my head as my world is filled with black and the sensation of falling surrounds me.

When I awake, I cannot move my limbs. My head throbs, and a cool draft sends chills down my aching spine.

After a moment, I’m able to get my eyes open. Still disoriented, my vision slowly focuses in and out as I begin to take in my surroundings—but my attention is immediately taken to the two men sitting in front of me. My body stiffens as I register the sound of metal chains.

“You’re awake.” says the blonde-haired man.

Chapter Text

…

“Tch. Let’s get on with it. We know you’re a titan-shifter. Tell us what we want to know and maybe I’ll allow you to live,” the raven-haired man coldly says. He’s the one from before.

“I-I don’t understand. I didn’t mean to be here. Where am I? Who are you people??? Why am I here? I don’t -“

The raven-haired man takes slow and calculated steps forward, maintaining eye contact with a murderous glare that sends ice through my veins.

I don’t know what to do…

“You have the wrong person! I’m a nobody!” 

“Levi.” The blonde steps towards the single doorway, “A word.”

Both men exit the small cell and the door shuts, leaving me in the pitch black darkness.

Without my sight, I’m unable to visually assess my current situation. Testing out my ability to move each of my limbs, I come to the conclusion that I’m bound at my wrists, forearms, ankles, thighs and neck. What the hell is this? Why me?

Everything is such a blur. Do these maniacs really think I’m someone else? Or are they just trying to mess with my head? The shorter one, Levi—he’s the one whose office I ended up in. How did I even get there in the first place?

No, no. This isn’t real. I must be dreaming. The tears running down my face sure feel real. But no, that’s impossible. This can’t be happening to me!

The door creaks opens again, and light streams back into the room. I weakly look up to see who is here, but before my eyes can adjust—I’m jolted by the feeling of icy water soaking me. My body shakes  uncontrollably as I gasp for air.

“So, are you ready to answer my questions now?” A monotonous voice asks. Levi stands before me with his arms crossed. The stoic expression on his face gives away nothing.

This little shit…

“What the hell was that for??! Who the fuck are you people??! Why??!”

Levi clicks his tongue, an amused glint in his eyes. “Tsk. I didn’t hit you that hard. This amnesia game you’re playing? We’re not buying it.”

I’d love to give him amnesia. “ Let me go.”

With that—his knee meets my stomach, knocking the wind from my lungs. I’m certain I felt a rib crack—the feeling is agonizing. Fuck!

“Explain to me what this is.” The raven-haired man holds up a small card in his hand, which on further inspection is…my driver’s license? Is he asking me what a driver’s license is? What is he getting at?

“My driver’s license?”

“What the hell does that mean?”

What the- nope. This is another trick.

“What the hell? Are you recording this right now? Is this one of those snuff films for freaks like you to watch on the dark web? Am I being sold on the dark web?! What the fuck!!! I’m not giving you freaks any satisfaction so you can go tell your customers or whatever to fuck off! Or if you think for one minute you can auction me off to some sick motherfuckers, I’d rather-“

My accusations are interrupted by a flurry of hard kicks to my face that leave my ears ringing and vision waning in and out. I groan as I try not to lose consciousness again, blood and drool hanging off my chin.

You fucking bastard.

I can’t make out the muffled voices in the background as my world goes dark again.

 ——

I come around to pitch blackness and the rattling of chains. How much time has passed? Time doesn’t really exist here.

I feel like ass. I’m so thirsty. My stomach is eating itself. And I haven’t taken my meds since I’ve been here… I don’t know how long it’s been.

“What day is it?” I weakly say into darkness before a coughing fit strikes my hoarse throat and burning lungs.

The door opens, once again. Levi.

“Please I need water, how long -“

“You can have water if you explain what this… driver’s license of yours is.”

  “Okay.” I weakly groan. “It’s a government-issued card that is used for identification, proof of age, and shows that I may legally operate a motor vehicle.”

  Levi furrows his brows in… confusion? Annoyance? He steps closer and points to a specific spot on the card. “What’s this mean?”

“Organ donor.” He looks on as if expecting me to continue.

“In case of death, I’ve given my consent to donate my organs to save lives.”

He snorts amusedly. “And how’s that supposed to work?”

“If my organs are in viable condition upon my death, I give consent for those organs to go to sick people on the transplant list. Not like I’ll be needing them in hell—anyways.”  I choke out before going into a coughing fit.

The blonde-haired man steps into the room and the two men exchange a glance.

Levi nods, “Erwin.”

He takes something from Erwin’s hand and walks back over to me. He lifts a canteen up to my mouth and I don’t hesitate to gulp down mouthfuls of water, finally quenching my thirst.

While I’m catching my breath from drinking, the two men begin to exit the room. “Wait!”

Here goes nothing… 

They both stop and turn around with a brow raised. “I-I you.”

“Spit it out brat.”

I take a deep breath, swallowing the knot in my throat.

“I need my medication. I’m really not supposed to even skip a dose and I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been here but I assume you have my belongings and just I was hoping-“

“Tch.” and I’m plunged back into the void of misery.

Shit. I know it’s been days because I can feel the cold sweats, tremors, migraine, and zapping jolts- all signs of medication withdrawal.

And getting kicked in the head. And dehydration. And stress. Shit. 

It’s better to sleep than to be awake in this void with only the sounds of my own breathing and chains. I’m exhausted…

——-

“Oi, brat!”

Levi and Erwin are back. Levi holds my pill bottle up. My eyes widen as sweat rolls down my body and I shiver uncontrollably. “This the medicine you mentioned?” I nod my head.

“What’s it for?” Erwin steps up.

My face reddens. “It’s an antidepressant.” Levi furrows his brows. Erwin appears…amused?  

“An anti…depressant. And why do you need it?” Erwin asks.

Not wanting to share my psychiatric history with my captors, I err on the side of cautious truth.

“I- well, I’m experiencing withdrawals right now, if you couldn’t tell…”

“Hm.” The blonde seems to ponder this information. “Will you die if you don’t take it?”  

“I- uh, no. I don’t know.”

“No, or you don’t know?” He replies.

“No, I probably wouldn’t die…” I looked down as tears filled my eyes. There’s no need to humiliate myself any further. I was already ashamed before any of this happened. 

“How long have you been a titan-shifter?” Erwin asks.

“Shitty brat, look at the Commander when he’s speaking.” Levi’s steel-grey eyes shoot a menacing look.

Commander? Commander of shit? This runt is pissing me off!

Glaring at Levi and the Commander, I seethe, “I already goddamn told you that I don’t know what you’re talking about. Titan-shifter? What the fuck does that even mean?! I don’t know what a titan or a shifter is! And COMMANDER? What—am I in fucking Area 51 right now, or are you just really into freaky porn?”

Pfft.

The Commander speaks first, “Huh, this one might actually be more vulgar than you, Levi!”

Levi rolls his eyes, “Tch. Whatever.” 

“I’ll leave you two alone now. Levi.” Erwin nods and turns to leave.

“Great.” I mumbled under my breath.

“What was that?”

“I-I didn’t say anything.” I mutter, my voice barely louder than a whisper.

Levi pulls up a stool. Without breaking eye contact, he reaches to his waistband and pulls out a sharp blade. My eyes widen and I instantly recoil in fear. A tear rolls down my cheek.

I plead. “No, no, please, no. Please don’t -“

“Hm. So you do know manners.” Levi says in a low voice.

My mouth opened but no words came out. I feel my heart pounding against my chest as my pulse quickens. A cold, tingling shiver runs down my spine as I begin to sob.

Fuck. I’m scared. But I need to stop crying like a baby.

“How long have you been a titan shifter?”

This again…

I can’t speak at all right now. The only thing that comes out is a sob.

“Tch.”

Searing pain slices down my chest and abdomen as I scream out. My head drops weakly. It burns. God, it burns !

Levi roughly grabs a fist full of my hair and forces my head back. His expression is murderous as he closes the distance between us, I can feel his hot breath skate against my ear.
 

“You will answer my questions…Ellie.” He growls, causing a scared whimper to escape my lips.

Levi slowly drags the end of his blade down my cheek, throat, and clavicle, before drawing over to my left shoulder and slicing the strap of my top open. He then makes his way to my right shoulder, repeating the action.

With both sides cut, my top falls down slightly, exposing the top of my breasts. Levi hums darkly with his mouth still next to my ear.

Bottom lip trembling—my vision blurs and my mind begins to dissociate in preparation for the worst.

“Do you have an answer to my question?” His voice feels distant.

Levi notices the hazy gloss that covers my distant eyes. He tuts, “Can’t have your mind drifting off like that. Here, let me help you with that.”

Immediately, a blade plunges ruthlessly into her right breast and a strangled cry screams out into the cold, stone room. Gasping for air and shaking at the overwhelming pain, the room shrinks and all senses become far away.

As if my prayers were answered, darkness welcomes me…

Chapter Text

*Levi’s POV*

Ellie’s eyes roll back as her body begins convulsing. Blood starts pouring out of her mouth. What the fuck? Disgusting.

Levi calls for Erwin, who has been listening in just outside the door. “Erwin! Get Hange!”

Erwin looks in at the situation before nodding and moving with haste to retrieve Hange. 

Meanwhile, Levi gets her out of her shackles and lowers her down to the floor as she continues thrashing around. Dammit.

“Ohh. Alrighty!” Hange arrives on scene. “A seizure?!”

Levi relays the last few minutes. “And the blood?” His face bunches.

“She probably bit her tongue, sometimes happens with seizures. But our Titan friend will be just fine!”

“She’s choking. Move her to her side.” Erwin commands. The Section Commander obliges and turns Ellie onto her right side.

“Wow, she’s quite a looker, eh shorty?” Hange wiggles her brows. “And that pink hair! Exciting! Ooo and the skin designs, those are coool-“

Ellie’s convulsions stop. 

“Tch. Filthy brat.” 

“Get her cleaned up and secured.” Erwin says as he begins walking away.

“She’s freezing! Oh wow, that can’t be good!” Hange exclaims with glistening eyes.

“Could it just be a shitty titan thing?”

“Hmm.” Hange thinks. “That’s not typical of shifters from what we know. If anything, they run hot. Though we don’t know much about Ellie here.”

“Her lips are blue.”

Hange nods,“If she’s going into shock, we need to get her warmed up immediately.”

“Run a hot bath.” Levi picks up the limp girl.

——————-

*Ellie’s POV*

I hear muffled voices around me. It feels like I’m separated from my body, the sensation of floating surrounds me, then warmth.

As I begin to stir, memories of my last conscious moments flood my mind. When did I get into bed? Wait- I jolt up with a desperate gasp, as my eyes open widely, frantically scanning my surroundings as the room spins dizzily around me.

“Don’t do anything stupid now, brat.”

My head turns to meet Levi now standing close to my side with eyes squinting down at me.

“Please don’t …anymore… sorry,” Ellie mumbled out in panting gasps.

I don’t feel so good. I try to lift my hands to my chest like that will somehow help me be able to breathe but am stopped by shackles. Wetness runs down my cheeks and onto my lap as a loud sob wracks my body.

“Oi, calm down! Ellie? Ellie. You need to try to calm yourself down. Control your breathing.”

But I can’t stop now because everything is completely out of my control. My eyes close shut before my body goes limp, falling back into unconsciousness.

“Tch.”

-

This time when I stir, I find myself alone. Looking around, I notice the door to my small room/cell has been left open—allowing a thin glow of light in. I’m still shackled and unable to move much. Looking down I notice that my body isn’t covered in blood, and someone has changed me into a white slip. 

There’s no bandages? I search for the painful wounds as best as I can, but don’t see anything. Frowning, I press down on my stomach and am confused to feel no pain. Am I on drugs? 

“Impressive, isn’t it?” I turn to see the Commander at the doorway.

I stare blankly. “Doesn’t even leave a scar. If only humans had such power…”

“What do you mean? How long have I been out and why doesn’t it hurt?”

The commander stands silently in thought.

“Are you keeping me drugged? Is that why?”, my thoughts race faster and I look down at the top of my right breast again deepening my frown. I shake my head, “Are you using drugs to cause hallucinations? Is this some kind of experiment I’m part of? Like MKUltra? Ever heard of the Nuremberg Code? I have rights! You know that?! Unless you’re domestic terrorists or even regular terrorists or something! Wouldn’t think the military would be kidnapping college students off of the streets of New York. What the hell-“

“New York?” I’m interrupted by Levi who is now standing next to Erwin exchanging glances with each other.

“Yeah. New York.” 

“…”

“New York City. In the State of New York.”

The two men look at each other and frown. “State of New York?”

I exhale exasperatingly, “New York State, one of the states…of the United States. Please do tell me that we are still in the US!” Son of a cunt, this just keeps getting better.

“ … “

“Are you the Russians?! Is this Russia!? But the Russians wouldn’t be using torches for light, would they? No, no, haha I’m losing it. Medieval torches and shit, as if—only some cave-dwelling weirdos would do that.” I huff. 

“Damn brat is talkative, too bad it’s raving nonsense.” Levi states aloud.

Erwin leans over to speak to Levi before approaching the bed. 

“Don’t expect me to trust her.” Levi mutters.

Erwin takes a seat next to me before proceeding calmly.

“Can you tell us more about these United States, was it?” Erwin.

Great. They’re Russians. “The United States of America, the country from which I was born and raised. 50 States, United and shit. Star spangled ass and freedom.” I cringe inwards at myself.

“Do you think you can draw it if I bring you some paper?” Erwin asks with an amused expression.

“Yes, it won’t be perfect but I am an Arts major, after all. If I even still have a slot at my college that is, seeing as I haven’t been to class in-how long, boys? Hm? Only you could say! I’ll draw your picture. I’m not a geography buff so don’t look too surprised when it looks a little fucked.”

“Great. Thank you Ellie.” seemingly happy enough with my answer, Erwin turns and leaves you alone with Levi again.

The dark, brooding-type leans up against the furthest wall and crosses his arms across his chest. 

“Not here to torture me again, are ya?”

Levi glances at me with that same hard-to-get bored expression he loves so dearly. Or maybe it’s just a fatal case of RBF.

“And here I thought being tortured by a sexy zaddy such as yourself would be oh-so-dreamy. But I didn’t mean it like that. That was too real. Real-life, real-scary, white & captured in the Middle East by terrorists type shit. Except you did it with mind-control, or drugs, or OMG - did you guys implant me with a chip???” I shudder at the thought.

“Tch. What the hell are you on about now?” Levi scoffed.

Hmph. I scowl at him before turning my attention to Erwin returning with a brunette-haired woman trailing behind. 

“Ooo! She’s pretty when she’s awake too! I need to see her titan form! Does it have pink hair too??? OOO I bet it’s fabulousss!!” the woman squeaks out with a big smile and a crazed sparkle in her eyes.

Another nutjob, excellent.

“Shut your mouth, four-eyes.” Levi grumbles. Yay, a trio.

A clipboard, paper, and charcoal appear on my lap. Levi comes to unlock my wrists before switching me to regular cuffs. “Don’t try anything stupid, brat.”

“Yeah, yeah. Wasn’t planning on it.” I sneer and roll my eyes.

————— 

All three stare down inquisitively at the map I’ve produced. “I didn’t get all the exact borders and names of all 50, but it’s pretty dang close. Whatcha think? Eh?” It’s not terrible. But it’s also not anything to be proud of. “See, I even drew Hawaii in this little bubble in the corner! Though I couldn’t remember how many islands or their shapes, so it’s up for speculation.” 

“Wow! Never seen anything like this! Shorty! How exciting!” ‘Four-eyes’ exclaims.

“Tsk. This is a waste of time. Take your shitty map and get back to whatever it is you do.” Levi grunts.

“Hold on, Levi.” Erwin cuts in and turns to me. “So this is your ‘Country’, yes? What is the United States of America’s position on the people within the walls? What is the objective?”

What the-“I-um. The US’s position on the people within the walls? Hmmm.”
Hmmmmmm. Hm.

“Spit it out.” Levi mumbles.

“Is this a trick question? I’m sorry, I don’t know of any walls or people living within said walls… The only notable walls I can think of are the Great Wall of China and the wall the US President is trying to get Congress to build on the US-Mexico border!” Oof. This is quite exhilarating stuff.

Levi rolls his eyes. Erwin appears to be deep in thought. ‘Four-eyes’ seems like she’s…? She’s crazily tapping her fingers together and her eyes are twitching from smiling too hard. I guess crazy loves company…

“What the hell are you so happy about?” Levi side-eyes ‘Four-eyes”.

“Teehee! Shorty’s in a bad mood today! Is it the dust?” ‘Four-eyes’ cackles and pushes her glasses up on her face. Then she runs off. Unexpected. Alrighty.

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on now? Why am I here?”

Erwin speaks. “Thank you for your cooperation. To be honest, Ellie, you’re not making any sense to us either. Your stories are strange, your belongings are unlike anything we’ve seen before. We don’t know what to make of you. When you were caught in Captain Levi’s office, what were you trying to do?”

I take a deep breath. “I don’t know how I ended up there. To me, it felt like one second I was riding my bike home from classes.” the memory floods back to me, and I feel my eyes become glassy. “I was riding my bike across the street and the last thing I saw was bright lights coming towards me.” I inhale deeply. “And then I was in that dark room and disoriented and I don’t know-I’m sorry I didn’t mean to be there. I don’t know how.” I choke out the last part and my voice cracks. I try to swallow the lump in my throat but a quiet sob comes out. “Am I dead?” I whisper.

That question has been bouncing around in my brain since the moment I landed in this hell.

There’s a pause in the atmosphere.

“No, you’re not dead, Ellie.” Erwin sighs, giving me a small but reassuring smile. I sniffle. “You’re at the Survey Corps HQ right now. I’m Commander Erwin Smith and this is Captain Levi, as you know. I’d like to offer you an official apology on behalf of the Survey Corps for your initial detainment and interrogation. I’d also like to give you an explanation for our actions: We are currently dealing with an unknown enemy hiding amongst our ranks. We have reason to believe that this person is working with others. This group is responsible for the deaths of many and poses a great threat to humanity.” He pauses before continuing “Within the walls. When you were caught in Captain Levi’s office, under extenuating and suspicious circumstances, we had to take extreme measures to neutralize the threat. There is no record of you, Ellie. We have an explanation for that now that we know you come from a place outside of the walls. But we still have many questions. Your belongings that we confiscated, your items are unlike anything we’ve seen before. It’s clear that you come from a place that is decades, maybe centuries more advanced in technology and medicine.”

I take a moment to process his statements and claims before asking, “So, you’re telling me that I wasn’t kidnapped by you?”

“No, Ellie.” Erwin says.

He looks honest enough, even though I know they’re probably full of shit and trying to spoon-feed me it. I’ll bite.

“I still don’t understand how I got here. Or where “here” is?” 

“We want to help you find answers to your questions. I’d like to make a proposal: You join the Scouts Regiment under the close supervision of Captain Levi-“

“Tsk. Erwin-“ glares and a raised eyebrow are exchanged between the two, “Levi.”

Erwin continues, “As I was saying, you would join our ranks under the close supervision of Captain Levi, who will train you in combat. You won’t be expected to partake in expeditions at this time, instead you would be dedicating time to seeking the answers to your questions, as well as ours. If you accept, we can get you settled immediately with your new squad.”

This feels like a fever-dream on shrooms. But I’ll do almost anything to get up out of this shit hole. “I’m in!” 

Erwin’s eyebrows raise in surprise while Levi’s bored expression doesn’t waver. Although, I’m pretty sure I noticed a small twitch of his right eye at my response.

Erwin smiles, “That’s great news, Ellie. You’ll be an important asset to the Scouts and humanity. Thank you.” Levi rolls his eyes at the Commander’s words. An asset, eh? I’m just going to try to ignore the malevolent undertones of that proclamation.

 “Levi, release Ellie from her restraints and get her settled.” Erwin turns to face me once more. “You’re under 24/7 supervision at this time. These conditions may change in the future. Rest and recharge for now, work can wait until tomorrow.” 

With that, Erwin leaves and the last of my bindings are swiftly removed. I let out a breath of relief. Okay, this is good. I move to sit on the edge of the bed slowly and hesitantly. Levi’s presence is unnerving. No surprise. I can feel his intense gaze on my form.

“I won’t kill you for moving at a normal speed.” He speaks. Was that a threat? Or an attempt at reassurance? He really has a way with words… I feel unsteady as I begin to stand and then take a wobbly first step to follow Levi out of the cell when my legs give out from under me. My breath hitches in my throat as I fall to the ground and gasp on impact. Fuck. I feel so weak. Levi’s figure towers over my crumbled form. “S-sorry”, I breathe out. 

I try to get up but my body won’t cooperate. Stupid. I’m so useless. No, I can’t afford to think like that. But it’s true. Pull yourself together!

“Pathetic” Levi mutters. Then, I feel my body being lifted through the air by strong arms. Levi. I flinch at first, but allow my eyes to close—so that I can pretend I’m someplace else and lean into my exhaustion. There’s no use in fighting while in this state.

Chapter Text

“Hey. Wake up.” I feel myself being shaken. “Come on, you need to eat.” I groan weakly and manage to pry my eyes open. I find myself in a different room than before, it looks like a bedroom. I lay in a large bed, with a night stand on one side. There’s a window to my left with a small table and two chairs. To my right, a wardrobe sits against the wall. The corner of the room houses two adjacent doors.

“You need to eat.” A bowl of soup appears in front of me, which I take immediately and begin to feed myself with shaky hands. “Don’t spill on my sheets, brat.” Oh. So, this is Captain Levi’s quarters. It’s astonishingly clean in here, his anal personality must extend throughout all areas of his life. How multifaceted. I carefully finish the meal, feeling soothed by the warmth of the broth. I let out a sigh and take in this small comfort.

Levi interrupts my moment of imagined peace, “You need to get cleaned up. The bathroom is over there.” He nods his head towards one of the doors. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, immediately being hit with a wave of dizziness. I put my hands on my knees to try to steady myself. This has happened many times in the past when I’d let myself get too thin, but I’d been in the privacy of my home when it did. My face reddens in embarrassment. “Oi, brat. You going to pass out?”

“No, no. This just happens sometimes.” I grit through my teeth.

“Tch.”

My vision returns in snowy pixels after a moment. I slowly stand up and make my way to the bathroom.

“I’ll be right outside. Don’t lock the door. I’d rather not have to break anything.”

I go into the bathroom shutting the door behind me. There’s a bathtub and shower, I turn the shower on and remove the thin nightgown from my body, stepping into the hot water. There’s a bar of soap, a scrubber, and a jar of what I assume is shampoo. I scrub my body until my skin is raw and then move onto my hair. When I’m finished, there’s a towel and some neatly folded clothes waiting for me. I avoid my reflection in the mirror, not wanting to see the state of my appearance. I brush my teeth before getting dressed. I put on white trousers with a brown belt that I have to tighten to the very last hole, then I button up a white collared long sleeve shirt. My ribs poke out through the thin fabric. “You almost done in there? We don’t have all day.” I hear Levi through the door as I swing it open. “Yes.” I reply quietly. Levi stares at me for a moment but doesn’t say anything before nodding his head towards the other door.

I walk out into the same office that I first appeared in so many nights ago. This time, the sun is shining through the large window behind the desk, flooding the room with its rays. In this room there is a couch, bookshelves, and drawers. Before I get the chance to look around more, there’s a knock at the door.

“Come in.” Levi commands.

When the door opens, I see Erwin and that woman from before enter and go to take a seat at the desk. Erwin looks at me with a small smile, “please, sit.” I take a seat and take a quick glance at Levi who remains standing.

“Hi! I’m Hange! This is exciting!” Hange blurts out. “Pipe it down, four-eyes, the kid’s exhausted.” Levi interjects.

Erwin speaks next, “We’ve brought some of your belongings with us. We’re hoping you can tell us what these items are and explain their use. We’re most puzzled by this object…” My eyes widen as Hange pulls out my phone and places it on the desk. “My phone!” I go to grab it but am quickly stopped by Levi’s grip on my arm. “No touching.” he grumbles. Erwin and Hange look at me expectantly. “It’s my phone. Although it’s probably dead, since it hasn’t been charged in days. But there should be a power bank in my belongings.”

“A ‘phone’, it’s called? When we first inspected it, a symbol was appearing on it. It seemed to have its own light source. You say it’s now dead? So does that mean this is a living thing?” Hange asks

Huh. I look around me and notice there are no electrical items to be seen, not even light bulbs or power outlets. It’s really as if I’ve traveled back in time. “What are you looking for, brat?” Levi glares at me.

Holy shit, they’re actually cave-dwellers. My lips begin to curl upwards at the hilarity of my own inner monologue.

“It’s just, I’ve noticed that there doesn’t seem to be any electricity here? Not even light bulbs…and I haven’t seen or heard any devices in my time being here.”

Hange seems to think for a moment. “Tell us more. Are these things common where you come from?”

“Well, yeah. But not just where I come from—but common throughout the entire world. I’ve never actually heard of anywhere that was completely cut off from technology to the extent ‘here’ seems to be.”

“What about phones?” Erwin

“Everyone has a phone, it’s practically a necessity in today’s world. My phone is the most popular one to own. It’s not a living thing, though I guess I see where you’re coming from. It runs off of an electrical charge that is stored in its battery, when the battery runs low, it needs to be recharged to power on the device again. We say it’s ‘dead’ when there’s no battery left.”

Erwin pries, “What is the function of this device?”

“Well, it has many functions—you can use it to talk to people through voice, messaging, and video. There’s millions of apps that can be downloaded. Things like games, social media, banking, shopping, food delivery, health, education, reading, writing, almost anything you can think of. You can also use it to search for any information you want that’s on the internet. You can take photos and videos, record your voice, and even navigate with it. It can map out routes anywhere in the world. But…if there’s no service here, which there probably isn’t, it’s kind of useless for all that. You need service to use most of its functions.”

“How the hell is that shitty thing supposed to do all that?” Levi grunts.

“I don’t know. You’d have to ask the people who design it. It has to do with coding, processors, microchips, graphics cards, retina screens, etc. it’s all very technical and the design of this thing is so intricate. Only an engineer who specializes in Apple devices would be able to explain. It’s literally a pocket-sized computer.”

“Is this the power bank?” Hange sets the grey brick on the desk causing my eyes to widen.

Oh. My. Thank you universe! I wasn’t sure that I had that with me. This is good. That thing has a solar charger too. This is great.

“Yes, but it also needs the cord that was in my bag. It can charge without it, but it will be much slower and I think the power bank would drain faster.”

The cord appears on the desk.

“Okay, so I just take this end here and plug it into the phone.” I explain my actions with each movement, “And this end goes into the power bank. Then, I hold down this button until the light comes on.”

“Ooo!” Hange exclaims when the power bank lights up, thankfully showing it has a full charge.

“Now we wait a moment for the phone to charge enough to power on.” I say to everyone. They all gather around me as we wait, and then the Apple symbol appears and my Lock Screen lights up.

“Whaa-?!” Hange loudly shouts from behind me.

“What is that?” Levi asks from my right. I turn to see his eyes are slightly widened, with brows raised.

“That’s a photo of my best friend and I at a rooftop rave in Manhattan.” I swear I can see the beginning of a smirk from Levi as he stares at the photo.

“What next!? What next!?” Hange bounces.

“Okay, now I must enter my passcode. Usually the phone unlocks using facial recognition technology, but a passcode is required any time the phone is powered off.”

“Why does it need a passcode?” Erwin asks.

“It’s for privacy and security reasons. There’s a lot of personal data that I wouldn’t want strangers accessing. Shit, I wouldn’t even want my best friend roaming free on my phone. It’s too…intimate.”

Erwin nods and I unlock my phone.

“All of these icons are called Apps. They each open different things. Up at the top right corner, you can see ‘No Service’, there would normally be bars there if there was service. So, my phone’s capabilities are greatly reduced due to that. I can access my photos, videos, music, old texts, and any offline apps. There aren’t many that work offline.”

I go to my videos and play one from the same evening of my Lock Screen photo. I turn the volume up and show everyone. “See, this is a video of me in New York.”

The video begins with a “tour” of the rooftop party, starting at an onstage view the camera circles around the DJ, and scans out over the crowd that’s raving with laser lights dancing overhead. They are all surrounded by an incredible view of the sparkling city lights.

The guy filming walks off the stage and to the right where my best friend, Leah, and I are dancing.

Leah comes into view with her blonde, wavy shoulder-length hair; she has silver gemstones decorating her cheeks, blue UV eye makeup that fluoresces under the black lights, and is wearing a little black dress to match mine. The bottom hem of her dress adorns swaying fringes, the neckline is squared and the straps thick.

My hot pink balayage falls in perfect waves down to my ass. I wear a dress that looks like it’s a two-piece except for the large ring that connects the fabric above the waist. The dress adorns long, skin-tight, lace sleeves. On my neck sits a silver choker with an ‘O’ in the middle, accentuated by the sweetheart neckline of the dress. For makeup, I wear pink smokey eyes with glitter. I’ve placed two heart-shaped rhinestones next to each eye, one pink and one silver. I have black light activated pink liner drawn in wings on my upper lids.

Leah and I pose for pictures before bursting out laughing in each other’s arms when the camera-man shouts over the loud atmosphere “it’s a video, bitches!” Leah whispers something in my ear, I nod, then get on top of her shoulders, throwing my arms above my head and fisting the air. The camera-man brings us two shots which we both cheers and down together. Leah tries to set me down, I trip over myself and fall to the ground, pulling her down with me. More laughter ensues.

The video ends.

I feel tears pricking my eyes as a sudden wave of sadness hits me. There hasn’t been any time to process all of the events of the past days but I can’t help the feeling that everything has been ripped away from me, yet again. I’m never going home, am I? Grief and despair courses through my body in growing waves, threatening to consume me.

“Oi brat, we’re talking to you!” My glazed eyes look up at Levi. I hum. His brows slightly furrow.

“That’s enough for now. Get some rest.” I hear Erwin say as Hange whines in the background.

I hear movement around me and then it’s quiet. “Are you just going to sit there?” Levi’s words become muffled as I stare into space. My daze is interrupted by a hand on my arm yanking me out of the chair. I let him walk me back into the bedroom where he hands me some nightwear to change into. I change in the bathroom and gaze into my reflection. Staring into my large sunken eyes, I feel completely detached from my body.

I whisper aloud, “Am I dead? Is this real?”

A glint catches my eye, a razor peeking out from a small container. I pick it up with trembling hands. “Only one way to know,” I choke out as I slice across each of my wrists. A shaky breath leaves my mouth and then a sob at the pain. Blood rushes down my hands and drips onto the floor below me. Just as the razor clatters to the ground and my vision becomes spotty, the door slams open.

“What the fuck?! What are you—?!” Levi furiously shouts.

The only sound that escapes me at the moment is a choked sob. I stare at the razor with limp arms at my sides while the blood continues to drip from my fingertips. It doesn’t matter.

Levi grabs my shoulders harshly and shakes me, but my line of sight does not falter. “Ellie. Ellie! Look at me.” The raven-haired man grabs my chin to look at him and I immediately break down into loud, violent sobs.

He quickly wraps my wrists in towels and carries me back into the bedroom—where I cry until there’s no tears left in me and eventually drift off to him tending to my wounds.
————————-

Levi had noticed the sudden shift in Ellie’s mood earlier. He had immediately recognized that look in her eyes. He’d seen it many times back in the Underground and amongst his fellow Veteran Comrades.

That glazed-over look is the expression of a person who isn’t fully present in the moment. Instead, they’re mentally engaged in a battle, lacking in willpower.

The clank of metal set off alarm bells in Levi’s brain—so he made the quick decision to open the door.

There, Levi was faced with the haunting scene of Ellie in her white nightwear—standing motionless, blood flowing down her delicate wrists; at first, he had assumed that she was attempting to transform right there in his bathroom.

But when Levi heard that pained sound escape from Ellie, he’d realized that this was not that.

His suspicions were confirmed when she broke down right in front of him.

Levi didn’t know what to do, other than to treat Ellie’s physical wounds. He’s not here to comfort.

He let her cry herself to sleep as he cleaned and dressed the deep, self-inflicted cuts. Levi didn’t ask any questions—just stayed silent and focused on the task at hand.

————————

When I come to, it’s the next morning; my wrists are cleanly bandaged and Levi is peacefully slumped over in a chair by the window.

I get up and lightly tiptoe over to the bathroom. The room is sparkling clean—not a sign of anything amiss—let alone of the horror scene of yesterday. I stare at the floor while a feeling of numbness takes over.

A hand on my shoulder startles me, “The door stays open from now on. I need to check your wounds, come on.” Levi guided me back to bed.

I wince as the air hits my very fresh wounds. Levi frowns at the angry, crimson flesh. Silent tears roll down my cheeks. I feel so embarrassed.

I close my eyes while he cleans and redresses both wrists. His touch is gentle—a jarring contrast to his typical handiwork. I fell back to sleep with cheeks still glistening.

——
In the adjoining office, Levi meets with Erwin. “Her wounds aren’t healing.”

Erwin pauses for a moment before responding, “Either she doesn’t want to heal or there’s another possibility. Maybe she isn’t aware of her titan abilities.”

“If that’s true, I don’t think now is the time to tell her.” Levi responds.

“Agreed. She’s clearly overwhelmed by her situation. We’ll keep that information to ourselves for the time being. Focus on getting her strength up, let me know if anything changes.”

“Understood.”

Chapter Text

The sound of dishes lightly clattering stirs me from my sleep. Levi walks into the bedroom with a tray—carrying a teapot and two teacups.

“Do you like tea?” Levi asks. 

I remain silent, but nod my head.

Levi places the tray down on the small table by the window before pouring two cups. 

“How do you take it?” He asks. 

I blink, “black.” 

He nods and hands me a white porcelain cup. I take a sip, allowing the warmth to soothe my throat. I notice Levi holding his tea in a very peculiar manner, daintily grasping the rim as he sips. He catches me staring and I quickly look away, feeling extra vulnerable in this moment. 

Levi pulls me out of my thoughts, “You need to eat some. You’re weak.” He nods to the  soup and bread nearby on the bedside table.

“I’m not hungry.” I quietly express.

“Eat.” Levi sternly commands.

Ellie remains silent, staring down at her hands as she anxiously picks at the corners of her right thumbnail.

Levi sighs, “Dammit, what are you trying to do? Starve yourself down to the bone?”

“Wouldn’t be my first time.” Ellie mumbles under her breath, but Levi catches it.

“Eat. Now. That is an order.” Ellie can tell that Levi is getting angry, but she decides to push her luck anyway. “Or what?!” Ellie now turns her head and meets Levi’s gaze with a look of defiance. Levi runs a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. “Damn brat, I’m trying to help you.” He says through gritted teeth.

Ellie scoffs at the irony. “Why is it that people only care or want to help when it’s already too late?”

She’s becoming agitated, and when Levi doesn’t immediately respond she continues.

“You know, every time I ever asked for help before I hurt myself, no one gave a shit. Then all of a sudden after the deed is already done, they’re concerned and want to help!” Ellie stands up and throws a fist at Levi’s chest.

 “I don’t need your damn pity!” Tears begin pricking at her eyes. “You! Fucking. Monster! You. Hurt. Me. I-“ Her voice cracks at the end, each of her words accentuated by a fist thrown at Levi—who seems completely unaffected by Ellie’s attempts at assault. Ellie hits him until she’s exhausted and panting heavily. She drops to her knees and hides her face in her hands, using her elbows for support. Sobs wrack through her body as she rocks herself back and forth.

Then, the words spill from Levi’s mouth, “I’m sorry.”

Ellie sniffles and looks up at Levi with wide glassy eyes, the tears make their color appear more green than usual, wet streaks run down her puffy cheeks, a red bottom lip jutted and trembling.

She wasn’t expecting Levi to say it or mean it, but she sees remorse when she looks into his eyes. The rest of his face doesn’t betray any emotion, but those eyes tell her that he meant it. 

Ellie reaches out a hand, maintaining eye contact. Levi glances at her outreached limb, brow furrowing ever-so-slightly at the action, he hesitates for a moment before firmly taking Ellie’s hand, then effortlessly pulling her up and back over to bed.

As soon as the covers are back over me I hear the door in Levi’s office swing open, 

“Shortyyy and Ellie!!! Where ya at?! Oh! Hello there!” Hange is now in the bedroom. “So THIS is Shorty’s bedroom!”

Levi’s brows furrow in annoyance, “Do you ever knock, shitty glasses?” 

Levi groans, obviously bothered by the sudden intrusion, “What the hell do you want?”

“I want Ellie to come hang at my lab!” Hange exclaims.

“Absolutely not. She’s not your lab rat. And that’s final.” Levi gives a wave of his hand.

Hange pouts. “You’re no fun! Just let me just do some quick tests! I could use some samples!”

“No.” Levi deadpans.

Enough of this! I can’t stand this shit, talking about me as if I’m not in the same ass room as them! “Damn, did I succeed in turning myself into a ghost?!” 

Too soon, girl. Whatevs!

Levi looks at me, jaw clenched and an emotion in his eyes that I can’t quite place.

Hange senses the change in the atmosphere of the room and excuses herself, “I’ll come back later!” And exits Levi’s quarters.

Levi disappears into his office and I decide to eat the food beside me, since I was hungry despite everything. 

Levi flags down the first passing cadet he sees outside his office.

“Captain Levi, Sir!” The startled cadet stands at attention. 

“Cadet, deliver this to Commander Erwin immediately.” He hands him a folded piece of paper.

“Sir.” the boy salutes once more before moving with haste to complete the task.

-

Levi sighs. He knows that he has to do this. It’s his responsibility as a Captain and as Ellie’s superior. Although she hasn’t fully joined his squad yet, Commander Erwin did put her in his charge and therefore he has a duty to fulfill.

He notices that the meal from earlier has been eaten. Good.

“Get dressed.” He grabs Ellie’s attention.

Ellie hesitates, considering that she’ll have no privacy because of her actions the other night. She doesn’t understand why she did what she did. She only knows that in that moment she had tunnel vision, and there was only one way out. She feels shitty. Really shitty. She was hoping to sleep another day away, but realizes that’s not an option now. 

“Get up, Ellie. You need to get dressed into uniform.” Levi uses an authoritative tone that leaves no room for question.

“Okay!” I whine with a scowl.

He hands me my uniform but I don’t move. “Is there a problem?” Levi asks, noticing my hesitation.

“No, um. I know you said no doors, but can you at least turn around maybe?”

Levi nods and turns away while I change into uniform.

I study Levi’s straps and harnesses to figure out which way to put them on. It’s a lot. I’ve worn various body halters and such in my time, but none as complicated as this. “You almost done there? I don’t have all day.” 

“Erm, I think I’ve almost got it figured out.”

Levi turns around and sees the problem. “Tch. First of all, button your shirt all the way.”

Ellie feels like a child being dress-coded at that moment. A small dusting of pink dusts her cheeks. She offers a quick glare before doing up the top buttons of her shirt. 

“Your straps and harness are not tight enough.”

“Okay Levi, they’re tight enough to stay on so what’s the problem?”

“It’s Captain.”

“Huh?”

“You will address me as Captain or Sir from now on. Am I clear?”

Hmm. I nod my head with a small mischievous smile, which is answered by Levi rolling his eyes.

After everything is tightened I look down at my breasts, which look fantastic, if I do say so myself. “A bit raunchy, Captain, don’t ya think?”

The Captain blinks at me, jaw clenching. “My office.”

Quickly putting on my jacket, I follow the tense man into his office.

“Stand here, Cadet.” He moves me by my shoulders to a spot in front of his desk.

“Show me your salute.” Huh, last time I saluted was while banging an Army soldier I met at a bar. And I wasn’t sure I was even doing it right, but he seemed to enjoy it just fine.

Ellie lifts a straightened hand to her forehead and …I’m supposed to hold it like that right? Or do I move it?

“What are you doing?”

I swallow, “Well, um. This is the way soldiers in my country salute. And I think other places too…”

Levi inhales and sighs, pointer and thumb pinching the space between his eyes. “Okay, show me two fists.” Levi adjusts her hands so that her thumbs are on the outside. “Legs shoulder width apart, back straight, shoulders at attention. Right fist to your heart, thumb facing outwards, wrist bent. Left fist resting on your lower back, thumb facing up.” 

Levi walks around me, making adjustments until he’s satisfied. He nods, “That is a salute, Cadet. Think you can manage that?”

I smirk and nod. “Use your voice, Cadet.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, Sir?”

I see a corner of Levi’s mouth twitch upwards for a second.

“Good.” He pauses. “We have a meeting with Commander Erwin and Section Commander Hange.” Wait, that manic pixie is a commanding officer? Lol.

I follow Levi out of his office and into a long stretch corridor and let him lead me through the unfamiliar maze. I’m especially observant of my surroundings, as it’s my first time out of the Captain’s quarters, and take notice of the stone walls that make up the structure we’re in. It feels almost whimsical, with torches lighting the space and small arched windows equally spaced apart allowing the sun to shine through. It’s quite beautiful actually. “Levi, erm…sir, is this a castle?!”

Levi doesn’t look over but responds, “This is the old HQ, it’s an abandoned castle.” 

Ellie’s mouth drops before speaking, “it’s beautiful.”

Levi snorts and finally turns to look at Ellie whose eyes are sparkling in wonder. “You think this dump is ‘beautiful’?”

Dump? Is he blind? “I do. The craftsmanship, architecture, materials—all beautiful. In my time, they don't build things like this anymore. It’s all about efficiency and cutting corners+cost, the art and soul has been all but lost. Structures like this one can stand strong after centuries, on their lonesome. Meanwhile, structures in my time are constantly falling apart and in need of repair. They wouldn’t last even a decade without human intervention.”

Levi snorts,“What do you mean by ‘in your time’”

“Oh! It’s just a theory, but I’m flirting with the ‘time traveler’ scenario right now.”

“Is that possible?”

“I mean, I don’t know. Maybe?”

Levi sighs. “Save it for the meeting.”

Two boys in uniform round the corner towards us, chatting with one another as they walk. They look quite young and don’t take any notice of us at first. When one of the boys spots Levi, he abruptly stops talking and elbows his friend to get his attention. The two scramble to salute the Captain. Levi doesn’t acknowledge them and continues walking which I follow, the boys curiously glance at me as we pass by. I catch whispering before I’m out of earshot. “Who’s that with Captain Levi? Her hair…” 

We don’t encounter any other people before we’re in front of  a set of heavy wooden doors. Levi knocks, then enters. I shuffle in behind him. 

“Commander.” Levi nods in acknowledgement. He glances at me from the corner of his eye. Oh…am I supposed to salute? Uh. I fumble my hands for a moment before trying a salute. “Commander?” I say, feeling nervous all of a sudden.

Commander Erwin smiles amusedly and approaches me, before adjusting my right hand. Satisfied, he nods and says, “At ease, Cadet.” I exhale a breath that I didn’t know I was holding in and my shoulders relax.

“Have a seat.” I nod and take a seat across from the Commander. Levi sits to my right. Hange is nowhere to be seen. “Alright, let’s begin.” Erwin speaks.

“Ellie has some theories about how she ended up here.” Levi gives me a challenging look. 

“I’m listening.” Erwin says.

You snitch! Ugh. 

“To be honest, I have been thinking a lot about it…how I ended up here. I have theories, but they’re all outlandish. Nothing can be proven, and I haven’t seen enough of this place to even confirm anything.”

The Commander sits with his elbows on the table, hands together.

“Go on.”

I sigh. “Okay…so. What year is it?”

“What year do you think it is?”

“It’s 2025 AD for me. Specifically, it was March of 2025 when I arrived here. It’s likely April by now.”

The Commander nods, rubbing his chin before responding, “The year is 850 and it is Month 4, Day 5.”

“Month 4…So that is April for me. The thing is, I’m rather knowledgeable in World History, and this place/people doesn’t fit in.” I take a deep breath. “If what you have shared with me so far is true, this place does not exist where I’m from. The chance of this place going unnoticed by the world is damn near nonexistent. We have countless satellites orbiting Earth, some that take images of the ground. This place, as described, does not exist.”

The room goes silent for a minute.

“Are you saying that you are not from this Earth?”

I take a deep breath, “I’m saying that I’m not from the version of Earth. Or, this timeline? Or. Shit, I don’t know! Maybe this is an alternative Universe. This Earth could be a parallel of my Earth, it could be the same, but also different. This is getting all into Quantum Theory, and I’m betting that term hasn’t even been invented yet. Quantum Mechanics is the most advanced  of sciences from my…time? My planet? My Universe? I don’t know. There’s no way to prove anything.”

“Are you saying that your country doesn’t exist?” Levi asks.

“I think…that’s a possibility. Even if it does exist, it wouldn’t be the same as where I came from. This has to be a different reality.”

Erwin appears deep in thought, “How many countries exist in your reality?”

“195 nations, across the globe. 193 of which are part of the ‘United Nations’ aka the UN, an organization built to maintain international relations and cooperation between countries.” I pause. “Humanity is spread across the globe. Over 8 billion of us.”

“Billion?” Levi’s jaw has dropped. That’s a first. He looks genuinely shocked. 

“Yep. 8 billion. With a B. New York City has a population of over 10 million. The United States has 340 million… How many people live here?”

“About one million.”

“Okay. I think I can say with certainty that this place does not exist where I am from. There’s not a chance that your civilization could be missed by the world.” Hmm. “I’d like to look at the stars tonight.”

Erwin raises his eyebrows. “Explain.”

“I’d like to see if there are any satellites. I’d also like to compare the night sky to what I remember.”

“Sounds like a plan. Permission granted. Levi?”

“Yeah, I’ve got it. I’ll bring the brat up to the roof.” Levi nods.

“Good. We’ll put that topic aside for now.-“ Hange enters, carrying Ellie’s bag. She skitters over to sit in the chair to Ellie’s left. “Nice of you to join us, Hange.” Erwin comments with a hint of sarcasm. “Apologies, Commander! There was an…event. In the lab!” Erwin gives a disapproving look, “Stay back after the meeting so that I may catch you up on what you missed.”

Ellie keeps eyeing her bag. By the 5th or 6th time, Levi interrupts. “Be patient, brat.” Ellie looks at him eagerly, gently clearing her throat and returning her attention to the Commander. 

Erwin resumes the meeting. “Tell us a bit about yourself Ellie.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything. Do you have a family? What kind of life do you come from? General background information.”

“Okay…well, I do have a mother and father back home. We aren’t close.-“ Erwin interrupts, “Why not?” Ellie picks at her thumbnails, a nervous habit. Everyone waits for her to continue. “Well, I had a…difficult childhood. My father raised me, if you can call it that. He was 55 when I was born and my mother was 21. He was an alcoholic and an abuser. He fucked me up in the head during my adolescence. Turned my childhood home into a drug den for whores to shoot up in. Girls who were in their 20s, living in the house, stealing my belongings, stealing from my father. Then I became an adult, I moved far away but he continued to financially support me: paid for my lifestyle, my bills, all of that. But as soon as I stopped letting him treat me like an emotional punching bag, he pulled the rug out from under me and disowned me like I was shit under his shoe. He has shitty opinions and beliefs.” Ellie’s face contorts in disgust. 

“What did you do after that?”

“I lived out of my car for a while. Traveled from place to place working live music events, festivals mainly. I’d already been doing that in the previous years, but I really committed myself to the job that summer.”

“What does that job entail?”

“I worked in several positions, guest services, production, sales, but my main gig was working in harm reduction. I was a supervisor in that department. Hundreds of thousands of people would attend these festivals, so it was a massive operation. I’d make my way through crowds and check all of the dark, hidden places throughout the venue in search of  people who needed help due to drug overdoses, drug-induced psychosis, injuries, and any medical emergencies really. It was like being a field medic without the title, except the field is filled with hundreds of thousands of drunk, high, hallucinating, k-hole diving assholes… my apologies, Commander. For uh, the vulgarities.”

“That’s quite alright, Ellie. Your story is fascinating. You seem to have a wide-range of talents and knowledge.”

I do? Yeah, I do. Those weren’t even my talents though…I haven’t gotten to that part.

“Thank you, Commander.”

“I received a note from Levi, and after some consideration I think it would be alright for you to have your belongings back. Hange is going to want to go over some items with you at another time, but I don’t see any reason to keep them from you.”

Ellie jumps out of her seat with excitement, a shit-eating grin on her face, “Oh my God! Thank you!” She proceeds to do a little dance in place, catching the attention of, well, everyone.

-

I take a deep breath to calm myself and sit back down, smoothing out my uniform. I clear my throat, “My apologies, for that.”

Erwin offers me a kind smile, then Hange hands over my belongings. It takes every ounce of self-control for me to not let out a squeal. “Thank you! Section Commander!”

“I think we’ve covered quite a bit for now. Meeting dismissed. Except for Hange.” Erwin stands up.

I rise from my chair and put on my backpack, adjusting the straps. When I look up, everyone is staring at me.

Why are they staring? Do I have something on my face? I’m thinking real hard. After wracking my brain for a moment, it hits me.

“Oh!” I salute the Commander. “Sir!” And just to be safe, I turn and salute Hange. “Section Commander.” She nods in acknowledgment. 

“Alright brat, let’s go.” Levi opens the door and we’re off.

Chapter Text

By the time we arrive back at Levi’s office, it’s 7 pm. Levi goes over to his side of the desk and removes his jacket before laying it carefully on the back of his chair. He sits down and begins scribbling away on documents.

“Go wash up, be ready in 10 minutes. Doors stay open.” He says without looking up.

Ten minutes? What is this, the military? Oh. Right.

“Sure thing, Captain!” I throw in a mock salute he doesn’t see and slip into the bedroom, backpack in tow.

 She quickly digs out her hairbrush, scrunchie, deodorant, and face wash before pulling her hair into a messy bun and racing into the shower to wash up.

Ellie is clean and dressed again, without a minute to spare. She brushes her hair into a high pony as she walks back into Levi’s office. The raven-haired man is still sat behind his desk. 

He doesn’t so much as glance up when Ellie enters the room and sits down across from him. 

“You’re 2 minutes late.”

Ellie scoffs. “Seriously?” People actually shower and get dressed in 10 minutes? I mean, come on!

Levi pauses, pen in hand, “Excuse me?”

I quickly straighten up. “You’re very intimidating, sir.” My voice strains to stay neutral, but a laugh wants out. This guy is unintentionally hilarious—and I’ve watched enough TikToks and Reels in my life to appreciate dry, unintentionally comical authority figures. But I bite my lip. Now’s not the time to laugh at the man who could snap my neck like a twig.

Just before he can send me a death glare, there’s a knock at the door. 

“State your name and purpose.”

“Armin Arlert, sir. Here with the meals you requested.”

“Come in.”

The door swings open and a boy with soft blonde hair and kind blue eyes walks in carrying a tray with food.

“You can set it on my desk.”

The young man set the tray down, before standing back at attention. The Captain addresses him again, Arlert, “This is Cadet Ellie Lovejoy, she’ll be joining us on the Special Operations Squad.”

 The boy turns to me with a warm smile and extends a hand, “Hi Ellie! I’m Armin. It’s a pleasure to meet you! We’re excited to have you on the squad.”

I return his smile and shake his hand, “Howdy! It’s great to meet you too, Armin! I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone.”

“They’re all very nice, I’m sure we’ll get along well. I like your pink hair, by the way!”

“Thank yo-“

“Alright, that’s enough chatting. Arlert, you can go.”

“Yes sir!” Armin salutes Levi before turning and giving me a small wave. He exits the office, shutting the door behind him.

“Aw, what a sweet kiddo. How old are the people on your squad?” I press on. That kid doesn’t even look old enough to drive a car…

“Most are 15.”

My jaw drops in shock. “15?! Your squad is made up of child soldiers?!” I feel my blood begin to boil.

“Watch yourself, Lovejoy.” Levi warns me. “They may be young, but don’t be fooled. They are all capable soldiers, otherwise I wouldn’t have hand-picked them for my elite squad.”

I’m actually speechless. 

“Eat.” 

We eat our meals in silence. When I’m finished, I stand up to go retrieve my bag. 

“What are you doing? You’re not dismissed.” Oh. He’s serious.

“What, do I need to ask permission to walk 10 feet to my bag?”

“Lovejoy, you better reconsider that attitude of yours.” Ugh, what a jerk.

“My mistake, sir. May I please walk 10 feet to retrieve my bag?” I snark.

The Captain pauses for a moment. “You may. Bring it to my desk.”

I huff before walking to grab my backpack and return to Levi’s office, placing it down on the dark wooden desk that is now cleared of any dishes.

The backpack is a camo-patterned tactical bag with many different pockets for various purposes; it’s spacious and luckily, quite packed with my things. 

“Go ahead. Get what you’re looking for.” Levi watches.

I unzip a few pockets, digging through the bag until I retrieve: my phone, charging bank, notebook, pencil case, AirPods, and lastly, the black cargo pants I was wearing when I first arrived.

I look inside the pants and unzip a hidden pocket inside, then instantly come to the realization that maybe god is real. A miracle! I pull out my cigarette case, which holds three perfectly crafted, perfectly rolled joints of that dank kush—exquisite, potent, sticky icky. And my zippo.

I praise the lord, literally. My hands are raised like Moses parting the Red Sea.

“What the hell are you doing?” Levi grumbles.

“I’m just praising the lord and savior, cause it’s a goddamn miracle!” I sing.

He frowns deeply, “What are you on about?”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. That’s between Christ and I”

Levi scoffs at the statement. He doesn’t push further, just mutters something about brats and paperwork.

“We’re going to the roof in 20 minutes. Need anything?”

“Nope!”

“Don’t make a mess of my office brat, put anything you don’t need in your bag and put it back in the bedroom.”

-

After stowing my bag, I return. Levi now sits with his arms crossed, ankle resting over his knee. The look on his face could curdle milk.

i decide to probe into a lighter topic. “Is there music here?”

“This is a military base, so no.”

I roll my eyes, “funny you say that, our military branches have bands where I come from.”

“Tch. You’re kidding.”

“Nope! It’s good for morale.”

Levi scoffs.

“What, you don’t like music?”

“Don’t have much to say about it.”

“Aw, c’mon! Everyone likes music. It’s one of humanity’s greatest creations!”

“Whatever you say.”

I scoff, then power on my phone. “What are you doing?” Levi looks over at me. 

“Hold your horses…” I grab my AirPods and walk over to Levi’s side. 

“What the hell are those?” He grabs the AirPod case from my hands.

“They connect to my phone and music comes out. Let me show you.” He hesitantly hands it back to me and observes. I open the case and pull the right pod out, the screen on my phone reads ‘Ellie’s Space Pods connected’.

I go to place the pod in his ear, but he flinches away and grabs my wrist. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Relax, it’s harmless!” He hesitantly allows me to situate the Pods. I smile widely and go to my music, selecting the song ‘Cold War’ by Cautious Clay and pressing play. 

Levi flinches slightly, then freezes, brows drawn together in focus. When our eyes meet, there’s something unspoken passing between us—curiosity, maybe. Or understanding. His lips twitch into a reluctant smile.

Holy shit. He smiles.

“You like it?” I ask softly.

“It’s… good.”

I beam. “There’s more. I’ll bring it to the roof.”

Levi nods in agreement. Praise the music gods for never failing to break through barriers!

“Let’s go.”

-

Arriving at the rooftop, I bask in the fresh air tickling my skin and rejuvenating my lungs. “Oh! Fresh air, how I missed you!” The cool, night breeze welcomes me into her arms. “The air is so clean!” I don’t think I’ve ever breathed something so refreshing in all of my life.

Levi rolls his eyes. “We came up here so you could look at the sky. So do it.”

“Yes, sir,” I mock, grinning. I sit on the ledge, Levi settling beside me.

I peer up into the sky and immediately gasp at the sight before me. “Oh my god…” I whisper.

“What is it?” Levi asks.

“The sky… it’s incredible. It’s so clear!”

“Is it the same as yours?”

“I, well maybe. We have something called light pollution where I come from. Because of the light released into the sky by humans, the night sky gets blotted out and isn’t very visible. Only the brightest stars show through, usually. Even outside of cities, it improves and you can see more stars but you can’t see the entire galaxy like this!”

“Galaxy?”

“Yes, Earth is located in the Solar System. Our planet revolves around the sun. There are 9 other planets in our Solar System that all revolve around the sun. Our Solar System is located in the Milky Way Galaxy. The band of beautiful colors you see in the sky, that’s our galaxy!”

“How many are there?”

“Infinite. The Universe is constantly expanding. It’s beyond comprehension for a human being. Our entire planet is like a single-speck of dust amidst infinity.” I look over at Levi. “Pretty crazy, huh?” I grin. Levi nods his head, humming thoughtfully.

I scan the sky, and sure enough, I locate what I believe is Polaris. My eyes wander to the stars around it and make out the Big Dipper and Little Dipper. Ursa Minor. I shake my head and sigh.

“The stars tell me this is Earth.” I point to the brightest star in the sky. “See there? That’s Polaris, known as the ‘North Star’.” Levi nods. “It’s part of Ursa Minor, it never sets below the horizon.” I point a little to the left. “The constellation that looks like a ladle, it’s called the Big Dipper.” I point back to Polaris. “If you look at Polaris again, you can see it’s the end of another ladle. That’s the Little Dipper.”

“Huh.” Levi quietly voices. “What about these satellites? What are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for anything that appears to be blinking or flashing. It can look like just another star to the untrained eye.”

Levi hums in acknowledgment.

I pull out my phone and open the GPS app. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to see if my phone can connect to any satellites now that we’re outdoors.”

I feel a hand wrap around my wrist. “It’s okay. You can watch while I try a few things.” Levi lets go of me and positions himself closer, his body now grazing mine. I open a navigation app and wait to see if anything happens. Nothing. I go to my compass app, Levi shakes his head indicating that it’s incorrect. Lastly, I go to my ‘Emergency SOS’ and attempt to connect to Emergency Services through text. I follow the instructions on my screen, and hold my phone up towards the sky. But it cannot find a connection.

Solemnly I surrender to the situation, “It’s not working.”

“So you really are from another world.” Levi quietly says.

A single tear falls down my cheek. “Yeah, I guess so.” My voice cracks at the end, barely a whisper.

Levi turned to her then, brows drawing ever so slightly together—not in pity, but something quieter. Something more human. He reached out almost without thinking, thumb brushing gently beneath her eye, catching the tear before it could fall further.

 His touch was surprisingly soft. Intimate. Comforting.

He blinked, as if realizing what he’d just done. His hand dropped back to his side in an instant, his posture straightening, sharp.

They sat in silence after that. Not awkward, exactly. Just heavy. The kind of silence that pressed into the ribs, between heartbeats.

After several minutes, Levi broke the somber atmosphere. “You said that you had more music?” 

That brings a small smile to my face. I take out my Pods and we each take one. ‘Line of Sight’ by ODESZA begins to play. 

Hm, now’s as good a time as any. Ellie retrieves the joint and zippo she brought along. She puts it between her lips, but before she can light it, Levi has grabbed her wrist and snatched it from her. “What the hell is this?”

“A joint. It’s to smoke. It’s a plant.” Levi eyes her suspiciously. “Please?”

There was a long pause. Then, finally, he released her wrist and handed the joint back. “Fine. If you pass out or start hallucinating, I’m tossing you off the roof.”

Levi watches closely as Ellie places the joint between her plush lips, flicks her lighter open, and brings the red-orange flame to set the end of her joint alight. Smoke pours out at first, and then turns into a dancing cascade. It stinks. “What the hell?! Why does it smell like shit?”

“Oh Captain, you really oughta relax. This will help, want to give it a try?”

Ellie goes to pass the joint. Levi hesitates, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at both Ellie and the joint, but defying expectations, he accepts.

 “Just inhale, it may make you cough the first time.” Ellie lightly smiles. Levi takes a long drag from the joint and goes into a coughing fit.

Ellie snatched the joint back. “Easy there, cowboy. You’re not getting a medal for enthusiasm.”

Levi shot her a sharp look through watery eyes. “What the fuck is a cowboy?”

That made her laugh. Full-bodied, unguarded.

“ah Ha-oh shit. Right. Um—picture a guy in a wide-brimmed hat riding horses across open plains, with a gun on one hip and way too much swagger. Lots of leather. Lots of bad decisions.”

Levi gave her a long, unreadable look. Then—shockingly—his lips twitched upward into a subtle grin.

“So, Levi. Are you high? Cause I’m high!”

Levi inhaled deeply through his nose, exhaled slowly, and blinked.

“Is that what you call this feeling?” 

“I got my Captain high!” She brags in a sing-songy voice.

He glared at her, but the threat was empty. “Don’t you dare tell anyone about this, brat.”

“I would never,” she said with mock solemnity, holding up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“It’s like a vow,” she said with a wink. “From my world.”

‘Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe’ by Kendrick Lamar begins playing.

 This feels like high school. Lmao.

The music played on, low and pulsing. For the first time since she’d landed in this nightmare of a world, Ellie didn’t feel completely untethered.

She was still lost. Still terrified.

But she wasn’t alone.

And right now, that was enough.

Ellie’s lips curl into a glowing smile as she lets out a relaxed sigh, “See, I told you it was a goddamn miracle.”

Ellie throws her head back, soaking up the music playing in her ear—lyrics dancing all around.

Chapter Text

“Wake up, brat.”

A muffled groan escapes from beneath the covers. “Huh? Wha—what time is it?” Ellie’s voice is thick with sleep, barely coherent through her yawning.

“Five,” Levi replies flatly. “Time to wake up.”

“Five?” she croaks, flopping an arm over her face. “Five more minutes…”

“Brat,” he warns. “You start training today.”

No response.

Levi’s patience, already on a timer, runs out. In one swift motion, he rips the blankets off her with practiced precision. 

“Hey! What the hell?!” Ellie yelps, curling into herself like a pissed-off cat. The cold air hitting her like a slap, and she shivers instinctively. “That was rude!”

“If you’re not up in three seconds, I’ll drag you to the showers and turn on the cold water.”

That got her attention. “Okay, okay, I’m up!” she mumbles, sitting upright—but her eyes remain stubbornly shut. “Sort of…”

Levi scoffs. “Open your eyes, cadet.”

Ellie’s head lolls forward slightly, and she jolts upright again, blinking like she’d just been born. “Ugh—what?”

“Tch.” Levi’s irritation was increasing. He growls, “Get the hell up.”

“I am up!” she insists, rubbing her face.

“You look like a sleep-deprived drunk. Try harder.”

She groans and shakes her head violently, trying to force the fog out of her brain. “Why is it five? Are you all… okay here? Do you like pain?”

“You’re training with me. You don’t get to ask questions.”

Ellie mutters something under her breath that sounds vaguely profane.

Levi ignores her. Without warning, he grabs her arm and pulls her towards the small table nearby. She stumbles behind him like a toddler. “Sit. I need to check your bandages.”

“M’kay…” Ellie plopped into the chair, eyes drifting shut again.

Levi examines the healing cut along her left wrist. When she starts to doze off mid-sitting, he flicks her forehead—hard.

“Ow! You bastard!” She hisses, scowling now, finally, fully awake.

“Good. You’re conscious.”

“I guess,” she mutters, rubbing the red spot on her head.

“Ever heard of a schedule?”

She sighs dramatically. “Doctors back home said I might have narcolepsy.”

Levi arches a brow. “The hell is that?”

“Sleep disorder,” she says with another yawn. “Makes waking up a nightmare. Daytime sleepiness, blah blah. Real thing.”

“Huh.” Levi doesn’t sound convinced.

She raises an eyebrow. “You think I’d make up a sleep condition to avoid training with you?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past you.” He moves to check the bandages on her other wrist, brows furrowed. “This one looks good, too.”

“I’m basically a medical miracle,” Ellie deadpans.

Levi mutters  something under his breath—something between a sigh and a suppressed chuckle—and stands upright. “Ten minutes. You better be dressed and ready. I’m not waiting.”

“You know, you’re a real ray of sunshine in the morning,” Ellie calls after him, dragging herself to her feet.

He pauses in the doorway. “Don’t test me, brat.”

-

Levi leads Ellie through the dark, empty corridors and descending two sets of stairs. Their footsteps echo off stone walls.

“Uh, I’m training in the basement?” Ellie asks with a bit of weariness peeking through her voice.

Levi didn’t break stride. “For now.”

At the end of a long hallway, they stopped in front of a thick wooden door reinforced with blackened steel bands. Levi pushed it open with one hand, revealing a low-lit room. The scent of oil, sweat, and old wood hung in the air.

The floor was cleared in the center, padded with worn training mats. A punching bag hung in one corner, cracked leather held together with stitches and time. The far wall bore racks of wooden practice weapons—knives, swords, batons—each meticulously arranged. The opposite wall was lined with oil lamps, their flickering flames casting restless shadows across the room.

“Stretch,” Levi orders simply, stepping back to lean against the far wall, arms folded.

“Sure thing, Captain.” Ellie drops to the mat and takes a deep breath, sliding smoothly into downward dog.

Levi’s brows draw together. “The hell are you doing?”

“Shhh. Yoga,” she murmurs into the mat.

“Yoga? The hell is that? Stretching while lookin’ like a confused goat?”

“Precisely,” Ellie says, her voice airy. “Now shhh. You’re ruining my zen.”

Levi made a sound between a scoff and a sigh.

Ellie smirks to herself, hands planted firmly as she flows through a series of deliberate movements, her limbs moving with practiced grace. She knew exactly what she was doing—and she was waiting. Waiting for him to notice just how flexible she really was.

She glances up at him with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Just so you know, I know Taekwondo.”

Levi didn’t blink. “So Taekwon-don’t piss me off.”

Ellie blinks, then grins. “Damn. You out-punnied me.”

“Tch. Don’t get used to it.”

She drops onto her back and pulls one knee toward her chest in a stretch, shooting him a sideways glance. “You always this fun at five in the morning?”

“No. You just bring it out of me.”

Ellie snorts. “See? You do like me.”

Levi deadpans. “I tolerate you. There’s a difference.”

Still grinning, Ellie sits up and rolls her shoulders. “Guess I’ll take what I can get.”

Levi pushes off the wall and steps onto the mat with quiet purpose. His voice turned crisp.

“Enough playing. Show me what you’ve got.”

Ellie rises to her feet, brushing dust from her pants and bouncing lightly on her toes. Her expression has shifted—less playful, more focused now. Levi stands across from her, sleeves rolled up, eyes sharp and unreadable.

“Rules?” she asks.

“There aren’t any,” he replies coolly, stepping into stance. “Except don’t die.”

Ellie blinks. “Comforting.”

Levi didn’t wait. In a blur, he lunges forward. Ellie barely manages to sidestep, her body reacting faster than her brain. His foot grazes past her ribs—a warning, not a miss.

“Too slow,” he says flatly.

“Okay, okay—damn.” Ellie shakes her hands out, resetting. “So we’re not easing into this?”

“You think a Titan’s gonna give you a warm-up round?”

She doesn’t answer—just moves. She ducks low, aiming a sweeping kick at Levi’s legs. He leaps over it with infuriating ease and comes down behind her, already pivoting for another strike. Ellie spins and blocks his elbow with her forearm, the impact reverberating up her arm.

“Not bad,” Levi admits. “You’ve had training.”

“Taekwondo, remember?” Ellie grins breathlessly.

“Not good enough. That’s not gonna save your life out there.”

“No kidding,” she huffs, circling him.

They clash again—her kicks fast and deliberate, his counters surgical. Levi doesn’t waste energy. He doesn’t need to. Every movement is tight, controlled, precise. Ellie is faster than he expected, more agile, but her footwork falters when pressured. He sees every weakness as if it was screaming at him.

He knocked her off balance with a swift shoulder feint and caught her wrist, spinning her down to the mat in a clean, brutal move.

She lands with a grunt, air knocked out of her lungs.

“You’re dead,” he states simply.

Ellie glares up at him from the floor, chest heaving. “You fight dirty.”

“I fight to win.” He extends a hand. “Again.”

She takes it, but uses it to launch herself up—and this time, she swings a punch straight at his jaw.

Levi dodges just barely, brows lifting. “Now that’s better.”

Their eyes meet, heat rising between them—not from anger, not quite. Ellie is flushed, sweat starting to bead at her temples. Levi’s breath comes steadily, but his gaze never leaves her.

“I’m not a lost cause, huh?” she smirks.

“You’re still a brat,” he replies. “But maybe one worth teaching.”

Ellie tilts her head. “So… are you impressed?”

Levi’s expression doesn’t change, but his eyes flash with something hard to name.

“Keep up, and maybe I will be.”

He lunges. Ellie dodges, barely. Her heel slips on the mat and she stumbles. Levi’s hand clamps around her wrist before she can recover.

In a flash, he spins, sweeping her legs out from under her. She crashes onto the mat with a surprised gasp, and he’s on her before she can blink—one knee between her legs, one hand pinning both of hers above her head.

“Dead.”

His voice is flat, breath steady, as if this costs him nothing. Ellie, flushed and breathless, glares up at him.

“You really enjoy this, don’t you?”

Levi deadpans. “You flinch too much. You hesitate. You think. That gets you killed.”

Levi doesn’t move. The weight of him, the nearness, is dizzying—Ellie squirms, more out of defiance than discomfort.

She meets his eyes—cold steel, unreadable, but not cruel. Something flickers there. Recognition. Challenge. Maybe something else.

Levi stares at her for a second longer… then slowly rises. He offers her no hand. Just steps back. “Again. This time, don’t think. Move.”

Ellie drags herself to her feet, jaw tight, cheeks burning. Not from the fall. Not entirely.

-

By the time Ellie’s personal humiliation session is over, the sun has risen, spilling pale light through the fortress windows. Her limbs ache, her pride more so.

Levi walks ahead in silence, his footsteps sharp and certain as they wind through the now-bustling corridors of headquarters. Soldiers pass in uniform waves—some carrying crates, others deep in hurried conversation—but all come to a sudden halt when they spot him.

Ellie watches the effect with quiet fascination.

Every person they pass moves instinctively out of Levi’s path. Conversations die mid-sentence. Backs straighten. Salutes snap to attention. It’s not just respect—it’s something heavier. Their eyes say it all: fear, deference, and something like reverence. The kind you offer a storm you hope won’t touch you.

Levi doesn’t glance at any of them. He keeps walking, utterly indifferent to the wake of silence and unease he leaves behind.

Ellie follows, sore and breathless, but her thoughts are sharper than ever.

Who exactly is this guy?

Chapter Text

We walk past a familiar door, “We’re not going to your office?”

“We have a meeting with Commander Erwin before breakfast.”

“What about?”

“Tch. You.”

——-

Ellie sits across from Erwin, “We’ve come to a decision regarding how to handle your presence within the Survey Corps. It’s been decided that it’d be best to keep the details of your existence a secret, so as not to attract the attention of people who may wish to harm you.

 “We’ve drawn up a cover story and new identity for you. This story should be sufficient to explain away your unusual characteristics and appearances—namely, your hair and tattoos.”

Right, right. Those…

“So you want me to lie?”

“Yes. And do it well.”

“Alrighty then! Let’s see this cover story.”

Erwin slides the paper over to her.

Ellie Freya LoveJoy

DOB: 03-12-828 Day 3 Month 12 Year 828 (age 21)

Living relatives: NONE

Cover Story:

Ellie is the only surviving daughter of a family of traveling performers and tradespeople who lived outside of the capital, moving from one region to the next. 

“Gypsies? Okay, Gypsy g0rl.” I click my tongue, leading to frowns from both Erwin and Levi.

Oops.

Her parents specialized in rare dyes and pigments, including ones used for fabrics, paints, and even hair. Her pink hair, though strange, is the result of an expensive and experimental dye they created as part of their trade. She started dyeing her hair young, and it became something of a family tradition and advertisement for their work.

“Okurrr.”

As for her tattoos, they are part of her family’s culture—handed down from her mother’s side, who believed in marking important life events on the body as a record of one’s journey. Her tattoos are designed personally and are not tied to any specific religion or ideology, and Ellie was told never to explain their meaning to strangers. It makes her appear mysterious, which helps deflect further questions.

Ellie’s mind roams to two specific tattoos located in intimate areas. *Well, no one will be eyeing up those two tattoos, which are pretty hard to mince the meaning of… right?*

She continues to the last paragraph.

Her family was killed in a bandit raid while traveling between towns. Ellie survived by hiding, and eventually made her way to the interior where she was taken in and given the choice to train as a cadet. She has no extended family. She doesn’t like to talk about her past—too painful. Levi vouches for her as a transfer who’s under observation due to her “unusual background.”

“Damn, that took a dark turn.” I say in disbelief. 

Levi groans, “This isn’t a joke, Ellie. Your life's on the line.” 

“Okay, okay… I’ll do it. I’ll lie through my goddamn suspiciously bright, pearly teeth.”

“Your teeth are unusually white.” Erwin grins. 

“Yes, that would be the fluoride in the drinking water and super toothpaste.”

“Don’t say that kind of stuff to anyone else. This is serious.” Levi says, tone sharp.

“That’s right. We trust that you keep your circumstances confidential. This includes mentions of anything that could raise suspicions.” Erwin speaks with finality. He rises from his seat. “Thank you, Ellie. We’re done here. Hange is expecting you in her lab.” 

I go to shake his hand before realizing that that’s not what I’m supposed to do. “o-shite, sorry” I mumble lowly, cheeks burning pink.

I straighten my back and offer the commander a salute. “Thank you, Erwin-er, Commander!” I grin like an idiot.

Commander Erwin smile kindly, “You’re dismissed, Ellie.”

“Cool, cool.” Ellie turns to leave with her unimpressed Captain, “Are you always such an idiot?” He grumbles.

“Are you always so… so…dammit!” Ellie fails to come up with a sufficient comeback. “Irritable.” She huffs.

Levi blinks, continuing his steady, disciplined stride down a side hallway. We soon arrive at two wooden doors that I assume lead to Hange’s lab. 
-

“What are you waiting for? Knock.”

“Gee, cranky pants. I’m not a mind reader.” I complain before knocking on the door three times.

“Cadet, I’m warning you.”

Just then, the doors fling open, violently, “Hi!!! Ellie! We’re going to have so much fun! Come on! I’ve got so much to show you, so much to teach, seriously! I’ve been waiting for this moment, oh! We’re going to talk about Titans! Eeeee! My babies! Ooo, it’s fascinating wait till you see, I’ve got-“

“Four-eyes. Cover the topics on the list from Erwin and keep the rest to yourself. We don’t have time for your incessant ramblings. I’ll be back to retrieve her in two hours. Don’t leave this room.” Levi shoots a glare at Hange.

“Yeah, yeah. No fun. I got it.” Hange whines.

“Good.” He pivots to me. “Behave, Cadet… Or else.” A deadly glint in his eyes tells me that he’s not kidding.

“Yes, Captain. I will be on my best behavior.” I can’t help the twitch of a mischievous smirk that pulls up on my lips.

“Tch.” And with that, he’s gone and Hange’s pulling me into her lab by the back of my shirt and shoving the doors shut behind us.

I swear to God, if this bish tries experimenting on me, she’s gonna be catching me outside with these multiversal hands. On God. 

The right side of the room is lined with bookshelves filled to the brim with various texts. Parallel with the shelves, to my left, there’s a wooden laboratory workbench, creating a sort of walkway from the doors. The table is piled high with various stacks of books. There’s what looks like some sort of rudimentary microscope, as well as various glass receptacles with mystery substances scattered…everywhere. It’s…certainly something.

The room opens up behind the workbench. More shelves line the back and front walls, with a chalkboard positioned to the left of the doorway, around the workbench and in front of more shelves. A desk is situated below a rectangular window on the far left side of the room.

“Alright! Let’s get started. What do you know about titans?”

…

“Nothing?”

“Weee! Okey doke!” Hange grins manically.

Hange spends the next 45 minutes drawing diagrams of these so-called ‘Titans’—Giants of unknown origin that love to eat people, not because they need to, but because that’s just what they do. Real scary nightmare shit. 

“They have no dick or pussy? What in the hell?” I blurt out. This shit is craaazy, dude. I need a hit of that unfinished joint from the other night. 

Maybe I can get Levi to take me outside later…

“No reproductive organs! Weird, right?”

“Yeah…you can say that again, endlessly.”

Hange talks on and on about titan anatomy, their regenerative abilities, their weak spots—How the nape is the only way to take one down. She speaks of the range of sizes they come in, how there’s such a thing as an ‘abnormal’, explaining how those types are even more fascinating and cool.—No, not cool. Just reaching to new heights for terrifying shit.

Hange rambles on and on and on…for what feels like forever. When I’m just about ready to jump out a window, there’s a knock at the door. 

Please be Levi. Please be Levi. Please-

“Shitty glasses, open up.” Hange cackles and drags me back over to the entryway, filling my arms with books and notes to take with me. She flings the doors open, revealing an irritated raven-haired man.

“‘Bout time. You get through the list?”

“Yes! But pleaseee Shorty, let me keep her! There’s so much more, and Ellie’s such a great listener! We’re having fun!”

My eyes widen in fear. “Oh-uh, thank you so much Section Commander. I learned a lot.”

“Not now, four-eyes. Let’s go, Cadet.”

I shuffle out of the door, giving a quick salute to Hange before walking off with Levi.

“You feeling okay?”

“Huh, now that you ask. I think not.” Oof. I do feel kind of faint.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Levi plainly states.

“That probably would’ve been preferred.” And more believable…

“Hm. Just don’t pass out on me, I’m not carrying you.”

“Mhm.” I feel nauseous and dizzy. “What if I need to vom?”

“Do you?” Levi stops mid-step and turns towards me. 

…

“Brat, you better not.” He takes my arm and hastily drags me along the corridors.

“Mph!”— Uh oh.

We reach the door to his office, which he unlocks with expert speed, swinging the door open and tossing me in. I immediately drop everything and sprint to the bathroom, salivating, and gagging moments before reaching the porcelain throne. I wretch into the bowl, the bile climbing up my burning throat and exiting. Tears sting my eyes as I hold my own hair back and stay squatted on the ground.

When it’s all out, I sit on the floor, chest heaving up and down as I catch my breath. “Ugh.” 

Levi makes his presence at the doorway known with a sound of disgust, “Brat. You better clean that.”

I shoot him a glare from my spot on the bathroom floor and jut out my bottom lip in a pout.

“I mean it. There’s supplies under the sink.”

I roll my eyes and scoff,  picking myself up off the ground and reaching for the supplies.

I finish up and brush my teeth before exiting the bathroom.—Groaning with each step I take, I find Levi busying himself with paperwork at his desk. “Could you walk less loudly?”

Damn.

“You ever heard of empathy?”

Levi snaps his head in my direction, “What did I tell you about that mouth of yours?”

I bite down a laugh at all the unspoken jokes hidden in his words.

He notices my expression, his steel gaze turning colder, “Do you find this funny, Cadet?”

Mph! My face painfully contorts. “N-no.”

Levi stands up and takes slow, calculated steps towards me—his each movement sending an icy chill down my spine.

Uh oh.

He stands inches away from me, eyes locked on mine. —He’s so close that I can feel the heat radiating off of his body, his warm breath flaring out against my skin. I stare into his steel-grey, unforgiving gaze. Red warmth crawls up my neck, flushing onto my cheeks. I quickly look away.

“What’s wrong, Cadet? Cat got your tongue?” Levi asks mockingly.

I shake my head ‘no’.

“Hm.” He turns on a heel and goes back to his usual spot at his desk, leaving me standing there flushed and confused.

“May I be excused to the bedroom?” I meekly ask.

Levi smirks, “Better. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

My face grows hotter. Ugh, I kinda love this though. “Yes, sir. Er-No, sir.”

A dark chuckle rises from Levi, “Yes, you may be excused. Be awake and ready in one hour.”

“Yes, sir.” I salute and walk back to the bedroom to cool down and get my act together. That joint sounds really good right now. 

Hmm. I wonder…I inspect the window, finding the latch and slowly inching it open, peering out. There’s a small stone ledge on the other side. I grab the half-smoked joint and my lighter, then quietly climb up to a crouching position on the windowsill. The dizzying drop below prevents me from fully committing to a sit outside, this will have to do. 

I light up and inhale deeply, holding my arm outside so that the wind direction blows the smoke away from the window. I lean out and exhale, then repeat once more before snuffing out the joint, leaving a hit or two leftover.

I swivel to go back into the bedroom when steel-grey meets turquoise. “Agh!” I jump and lose my balance, an iron grip around my upper right arm keeps me from falling, at least out of the window.—Instead I find myself on the hard stone floor, darkened eyes dancing with rage glare down at me from above. “Ow!”

Oooh, now that’s a boot-shaking look!

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Fuck man, can we do this later? 

“You’re angry.” I flatly state.

“You shitty brat, you stunk the entire place up. Tch. Disgusting.”

I can’t help but giggle at the insulting name. Shitty brat? C’mon! That’s comedy gold.

Giggles turn into laughter as I curl up on my side, grasping at my stomach.

“Stop that, brat.”

This only worsens my useless state.

Between gasps of air I try to reason, “I - mph! Sorry, sir! Ha-… it’s just-ah I’ve been called he- a brat many times, aha-never a shi-shitty one though,” I wheeze.

Levi’s expression shifts to confusion, then back to anger. “Get the hell up. Your punishment is to clean my office. I better not find a single speck of dust when you’re finished.”

I pout and drag myself up to my feet. This sucks, man.

As I’m cleaning, I can’t seem to find a single spot in this room that actually needs it. But Levi’s words echo through my head— ‘I better not find a single speck of dust.’ I mean, that can’t be literal, right?

When I feel finished, I walk over to Levi’s desk and sit down. He doesn’t look up.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m finished.”

Levi scoffs, “I’ll be the judge of that.” He stands up and makes his way to the bookshelves, sliding his finger over the surfaces then inspecting. “Tch. There’s dust. Do it all over again.”

“You can’t seriously-“

“Shut your mouth, Cadet.” I gulp.

Levi goes back to his paperwork while I redo my cleaning of his office again. This feels like it’s taking forever. I wish I could listen to music right now, but I know that trying to go get my phone would probably piss him off more. So, alternatively, I’ll just have to grace this room with my voice. 

I’m meticulously dusting through the bookshelves as a tune comes to me.

 I quietly hum to myself, then my soft singing voice begins to flow out into the air around me.—I match every note perfectly.

 “Don't you know I'm no good for you?

I've learned to lose you, can't afford to

Tore my shirt to stop you bleedin'

But nothin' ever stops you leavin'”

I inhale deeply.

“Quiet when I'm comin' home and I'm on my own

I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that

I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that

Don't you know too much already?

I'll only hurt you if you let me.

Call me friend but keep me closer

And I'll call you when the party's over

Quiet when I'm comin' home and I'm on my own

And I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that

Yeah, I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that”

My voice increases in volume steadily

“But nothin' is better sometimes

Once we've both said our goodbyes

Let's just let it go

Let me let you go

Quiet when I'm comin' home and I'm on my own

I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that

I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that”

 And I’m done! I spin around to get Levi’s attention, but his eyes are already looking at me intently. “I’d like an inspector, please!” I confidently say.

Levi traces through all surfaces again, this time seeming pleased with my work. “Satisfactory.” He plainly states.

“And the stank is gone! Eh?”

“Still have to work on that mouth of yours.”

Oh shit. Don’t laugh. Don’t fucking do it.

This tiniest of giggles escapes my mouth. Goddammit. 

Levi frowns in confusion? Anger? And then, realization I think. “Damn filthy brat.” He scoffs, then shakes his head.

This draws more giggles out of me. “Mm. Can’t help it.”

I think I can see a dusting of pink settling on Levi’s cheeks, but it’s gone before I can take a closer look. Can’t blame him, who wouldn’t want their cock in this mouth. Oh shit. Stop!

Levi sighs, thumb and pointer pinching between his eyes. “That’s all for today. Dinner is in twenty minutes. Go wash up. You don’t need to wear your uniform off duty.” He pauses before adding. “You can wear whatever you have. One of these days we’ll need to make a trip into town to get more stuff for you.”

I nod, acknowledging his words. “Thank you, sir.” I scurry into the bedroom, snatching up my backpack and digging out my clothes, makeup bag and toiletries. 

Levi walks into the room and strides over to the wardrobe. He opens a drawer, “You can use this drawer for your clothes. You should be getting your boots back, Erwin wanted to have them looked at for possible uniform upgrades.”

“Thank you!” I put my limited clothing items away, taking inventory. There’s of course my black high-rise cargo pants, additionally:

A cropped off-shoulder black long-sleeve with grey reflective strips running up both sides of the arms and a metal buckle detailing the shoulder strap.

My two-piece rave wear—high-rise booty shorts with banded cutouts up each side, a matching short-cropped neck-high sleeveless top with the same cutouts on the sides and back.

Pink knee-high fuzzy socks

Two pairs of panties

A short, black high-rise skater skirt.

A pastel pink oversized t-shirt from protests.—On the front there’s a stoned looking cat with a banner overhead, ‘My Pussy My Choice’,  below reads ‘My Body My Voice’ and lastly, beneath that reads ‘-Politicians Off My Poontang-‘.

I grin widely. Perfect. I grab the t-shirt, skirt, and fuzzy socks to bring with me into the bathroom—Stuffing everything else into the drawer to sort through later. I’ll dig through it another time.

I shower and get dressed, then braid my long, damp hair behind my ears on each side. Cute! I apply a spritz of my signature perfume; a scent of peony, rose, and freesia. I apply a light coat of mascara and lip balm.— I open my jewelry case and pop on some earrings: U-shaped silver hoops with rhinestones that hug closely to my lobes. Finally, I put in a dainty pink gemstone nose stud and small gold septum ring with pink floral gems. Now I’m feeling myself! Okur! 

With a snap of my fingers and phone in hand, I spin around and padder into Levi’s office. I notice that dinner has already arrived. Levi looks up: “You’re late-what the hell are you wearing?”

“My clothes.”

“I can see that.” Levi pinches the bridge of his nose, brows furrowed.

I stand in front of him and point at my shirt. “What Captain? Don’t tell me you’re not a feminist.”

“A what? No.”

“You don’t want women to have rights?”

“What? No.”

“No you don’t want women to have rights or no you do?”

“Shut the hell up and eat your food.”

“M’kay Captain,” I mock salute.

I sit down across from the Captain. He sighs loudly, “What’s on your face?”

“Oh these?” I give a knowing smirk, “Piercings.” 

“Piercings?” Levi scowls.

“Yes, body piercings, on my face. And my pus—er, my belly button too.”

He shakes his head, scoffing, “Is everyone from your world this stupid and vulgar?”

It’s my turn to scoff, “I’ll have you know, women’s rights are not stupid OR vulgar. My pussy, my motherfuckin’ choice, SIR.”

“What the hell does that even mean?”

I go on to explain the women’s rights movement, feminism, and Roe v. Wade being overturned. “And that’s why I have this shirt, from shouting in the streets!”

“You can’t wear that here.”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m wearing it here, in your office.” Duh.

“Although, I’d change if, say, you were to find it in your heart to take me back up to the rooftop tonight so that I can dance a bit.” I lower my chin and bat my long eyelashes, grinning.

Levi lets out a sound between a chuckle and a scoff, “Dance? What the hell do you need to do that for?”

“I’m a flow artist! I have this really cool whip that lights up rainbows, and I dance with it.”

“Of course you do.” Levi pauses before continuing, “Not tonight. We can go tomorrow.”

“Yay!” I cheer excitedly. “Thank you, Levi!”

Levi narrows his eyes at his name, but doesn’t comment on it.

“Training is at 5 again. Go get some rest.”

“When do you sleep?” I pry.

“Tch. Don’t worry about it.”

“M’kay, goodnight…Levi.” I wink before walking off to the bedroom for the night. 

“Goodnight brat.”

Chapter Text

Ellie’s alarm goes off at 4:50 AM. ‘Say My Name’ by ODESZA fills the bedroom. Ellie’s eyes slowly blink open and she shakes her head violently, vibrating her lips and smacking her cheeks. “Ughhh.”

Alarm song still playing, she swings her legs out of bed and jumps up, dancing to her jam. This song has been her alarm song for years and it never gets old.

Suddenly, the bathroom door swings open. A shirtless Levi appears—My eyes! Blessings! That is…more chiseled than a Michelangelo sculpture. Holy. MAN. That’s a MAN. A gorgeous, shirtless man. 

“ELLIE.” 

I snap out of my trance,“Huh?”

“Why is there music playing?” 

“Oh! Right. My alarm clock.” I reach over to the bedside table and hit dismiss on the alarm. Turning back to Levi who hasn’t moved, “It’s my alarm, to wake up.”

He narrows his eyes, “Right…Are you done drooling now or are you going to train in that?” Levi’s eyes scan over my current outfit, a satin nightwear set: pink satin shorts with lace bows on each side, and a matching cami with lace trim at the hems.

“Wait, is that an option?”

He scoffs and rolls his eyes, “No.”

I sigh dramatically.  Then go and get ready for the day.

——

Down in the dungeon fitness center again, I pull out a portable Bluetooth speaker and hang it onto one of the mounts with training weapons.

“Brat, what are you doing?”

“It makes music come out! Is that okay?”

Levi blinks. “No one can know about you. That draws attention.”

I pout, “But no one comes down here! And everyone’s asleep. And I promise I won’t make it too loud.”

Levi scoffs, “Fine.”

Weee! I jump up and down, “Thanks, Levi!”

“Cadet, try that again.”

“Thank you, sir!” Levi hums approvingly.

I press play on the album ‘DAMN.’ by Kendrick Lamar

“This is good shit for punching stuff!” I run to the center of the room to begin stretching. Levi stands in the back left corner, wrapping his knuckles next to the punching bag. 

I stand and decide to do a bit of tumbling. First, a couple of back walkovers. Next, handsprings. It’s a tight fit in this room but I make it work. After that, I handstand against a wall and transition into a partial headstand, then move my legs into a full middle split. I see upside down Levi standing on the ceiling-floor staring at me with arms crossed. “Howdy!” I call out from my position before kicking off the wall and crashing down. Upright again, Levi blinks at me. 

“I can do all the other splits too, wanna see?” I ask as I fall into a right split.

“I can see that. Any reason you didn’t mention this yesterday?”

“How else am I gonna keep you on your toes, Capt—mph!” Levi pins me to the ground, knees pinning my legs, one hand pinning both wrists above my head, other with a grip around my throat.

He glares down at me with darkened eyes. The eyes of a predator. My gaze narrows at him in defiance. He tightens his grip. “Anything else I should know, Cadet?” 

Does he mean about my fitness level, or like in general? Hm. I scrunch up my nose, “Me thinks not?” Levi presses more weight into his hold.

“Like about fitness? No.” More weight crushes me, the pain is starting to make me squirm beneath him. “Argh. No, sir!” I smirk up at him with a glint in my eyes.

“Good girl.” He pushes off of me. —‘FEEL.’ playing in the background.

My face turns beet red as I recover on the floor. Levi smirks from across the room.

Wait.—Wait, bitch. I fan myself with my hands before suddenly stopping at the realization that he’s watching. I clear my throat and stand up just as ‘LOYALTY.’ begins. 

“Show me what you’ve got.” Levi says, getting into position. 

The next thirty minutes are a blur of ass-whoopings courtesy of Levi. The man is inhumanly fast! I mean, that ain’t right.

I lay on the floor, chest heaving in pants. “Ugh…” I groan. “Time to practice punches, Cadet.” 

I glare towards the corner of the room, rolling onto my stomach and pushing myself onto my feet with shaky limbs. Dragging my feet over to the punching bag, I pout. 

“Hands.” I hold out my hands, which he takes one at a time and expertly wraps my knuckles. Wrapping my right hand, he asks, “This tattoo. Mean anything?”

The tattoo in question is a black line I have running from the nail of my middle finger to the back of my right ear. “No meaning, just looks cool.” Levi hums and nods. “Do tattoos exist here?” I ask. “Not really. How does it work?”

Hmm. “Most of mine were done with what’s called a tattoo gun. The artist holds it like a pen, kind of. It has several needles at the end, but the amount of needles can be changed for different effects. The needles stab into your skin at a rapid speed—depositing ink. It uses electricity to power it. Then…you sit through hours of torture to get something beautiful on your skin. It takes at least a few weeks to heal.” Levi hums. “You have a lot of them.”

“Yeah, I love the pain.” I smirk mischievously.

 “Tch.” Levi clenches his jaw. Is he affected? I think he might be.

“You know, tattoos were first done completely by hand. All you need is a needle and some ink.—Early people even used ash. People from my world call it ‘stick and poke’.” I hum. “Maybe I’ll give you one someday.”

Levi scoffs, “In your dreams.”

‘DUCKWORTH.’ concludes the album.

‘Public Apology’ by Attila begins playing.—“…sorry that you’re a little bitch!”

Levi smiles, shaking his head at the lyrics. 

“Yeah? Wanna see how we get down to this kind of music?” Backtracking to the center of the room I start headbanging and whipping my head around in circles, doing windmill arms and kicking around into the air erratically—as if in a mosh pit. 

Catching my breath, I add. “That. But imagine lots of people kicking the shit out of each other.”

A laugh comes from Levi’s mouth. An actual laugh. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, but I am. It’s called a mosh pit, and there are several other variations. I once went into a mosh pit when I was a teenager—and was pulled out one second later with a fractured arm and a concussion. Hurt like a bitch!” 

Levi clicks his tongue. “Huh. Sounds stupid. Start punching.” He nods towards the punching bag, a small smirk on his face.

‘Moshpit’ by Attila plays next.

I spend the next twenty minutes throwing my fists at the punching bag, Levi correcting my form every so often. By the time training is finally finished I’m drenched in sweat and aching all over.

———

Back in Levi’s office, we eat breakfast.—bland oats, an apple, and tea. Food seems to be very limited here. What I would give for a classic American breakfast at this moment.

I speak up, “So…how’s the food situation here? I’ve noticed that nutrition seems to be lacking. Not to be rude, or anything.”

Levi nods, face serious. “Food is scarce. Meat is rare. After the fall of Wall Maria, there was widespread famine. We’re still feeling the effects.”

I nod in understanding. Famine and malnutrition, something that people back home never worried about.

After breakfast, Levi pulls out a large file and slams it on the desk, placing his pointer finger on it. “This is everything you need to have memorized before you can leave this room. Let’s begin.”

Levi lays out a map of the walls. There’s three: Sina, Rose, and Maria. —huge enclosed rings, gradually increasing in size.—at the center, the Royal Capital.

“This looks hella sci-fi.”

“Stay focused, brat.”

“Let me get my notebook, professor. I’d like to take notes.”

Levi lets out an irritated sigh, “Be quick.” 

I return with the necessary school supplies and proceed to take detailed notes as Levi walks through each district, clearly and concisely explaining all of the things I must know. I give him my undivided attention, soaking up his words and learning all about my new world.

He gets to the Royal Capital last when I break my quiet focus, “Who’s in charge, anyways? Like, what kind of government is running things?”

“The King, Fritz. The government is corrupt and serves their own selfish interests.”

Huh, fascinating. “Ah, a Monarchy.—An extinct practice in my world. I’ve learned about them in school. There were many throughout history. They all reached a conclusion, one way or another.” I give him a knowing look.

Levi clicks his tongue, “Careful saying stuff like that outside of the Scouts. There’s a lot of people who don’t like us.” 

I nod, showing him that I understand the insinuation. Don’t get arrested for treasonous remarks. 

“People don’t like us? Who is ‘people’?” I ask. My question goes unanswered.

Finished with the map, Levi swiftly replaces it with a paper depicting three crests. He goes on to explain the military branches, their purpose, and structure. 

The green unicorn crest is that of the Military Police Brigade—tasked with policing the Inner Wall, but the MPs are apparently plagued with corruption throughout. 

The crest of red roses belongs to the Garrison—they are responsible for patrolling and protecting the walls.

Lastly, the ‘Wings of Freedom’ depicted in blue—the Survey Corps. Also known as the ‘Scouting Regiment’—Focused on exploring beyond the walls and actively fighting back against the Titan threat. Fighting for humanity. 

Hm. A noble cause. Why don’t people like us? 

As if reading my mind, he says, “The Survey Corps has a high rate of casualties. And the people running things inside the Capital are keen on staying in their fancy pig-pens leaving the rest of us to starve while waiting to be titan fodder. They argue that we shouldn’t even be going beyond the walls. That it’s an unnecessary waste of resources. That’s all bullshit.”

“Give me liberty, or give me death.” I quietly mutter. Levi’s sharp steel eyes meet mine in unspoken understanding, and something else. Gratitude? Appreciation? No. —Admiration. That can’t be…

We continue going through materials for the remainder of the day, stopping only for lunch. Levi finally concludes my private tutoring session an hour before dinner. 

I let out a sigh of relief. “Welp, that took me back to my days of sitting at a desk in mental anguish.” I groan.

“But also, thank you for the tutoring. Levi.” I shoot him a smile.

“Tch. Whatever, brat.” He crosses his arms in nonchalance but the light blush on his cheeks gives him away. 

“You’re dismissed, cadet.”

I stand and salute. “Sir!” 

With a smirk, I turn and leave to shower off the long day.

Chapter Text

Levi walks into his bedroom to check on Ellie. She’s late for dinner and the brat didn’t respond to him calling her name—probably fell asleep.

His suspicions are correct as he is met with the sight of Ellie asleep on top of his duvet, curled into herself—one hand holding her phone, the other held close to her chest. Her bare legs are on display, covered in beautiful artwork. She looks so peaceful, almost angelic.—Levi stops himself.

He feels torn on whether or not he should wake her, but decides that she needs to at least eat before calling it quits for the night. And she wanted to go to the rooftop later. 

He approaches the bed but stops in his tracks upon noticing some movement. Ellie’s brows are now drawn together in concentration. Her breathing begins to become irregular as she mutters incoherent words under her breath. Is she having a nightmare?

 Levi moves to her side and gives her a gentle nudge. No response. Up close, he can see the sweat glistening against her porcelain skin. 

Her face screws up into a frown and she lets out a pained sound. He shakes her again, this time harder. “Ellie.” No response.  Thick tears roll down her cheeks—-her body shivering. Levi frowns. Is she sick? He holds the back of his hand to her forehead, his eyes going wide with concern. She’s burning up.

“No…why…no no no—NO!”  Ellie bolts up, gasping for air. She meets Levi’s gaze with frantic eyes.

She looks…terrified. Levi tries to calm her, “You were having a nightmare. I tried to wake you.” 

She just stares at him for a moment, panting.—Then lunges into Levi’s body, holding onto him like a small child. She shakes her head against his chest, sobbing. 

Levi freezes. He’s completely taken aback by her actions. What should he do right now? The girl is obviously petrified and alone. But he also needs to consider the fact that he’s her superior and this is teetering on the line. 

Levi takes a deep breath and wraps an arm around Ellie’s waist, pulling her in closer. With his free hand, he rubs gentle, comforting circles around her back—attempting to soothe the trembling form grasping onto his shirt. 

“I-I d-don’t understand.” She sniffles. Levi is unsure what to make of her stutterings. She doesn’t understand what? Levi gently tilts her grief-stricken face to meet her eyes.

 “What?” he gently asks. 

“Sina, Rose, Maria.” 

Levi’s brow furrows with concern and confusion. Maybe she’s hallucinating from the fever?

“Fritz forced them to…” Ellie’s face crunches up into a pained grimace.

What the hell? “Ellie, you’re not making any sense. What did he force them to do?”

“To eat their mother.” What the shit.

“Who is ‘they’?”

“Sina, Rose, Maria.”

“You’re burning up Ellie, we need to get your temperature down.”

No response.

Levi sighs loudly before lying Ellie down and getting up to run a cool bath. 

He undresses Ellie down to her undergarments,“Okay brat, time for a cold swim.” He lifts her up bridal-style and carries her over to the bathtub.

Her eyes stare vacantly and she doesn’t react to the chilling temperature as Levi places her into the water. “Ellie.” 

She slowly turns her head to face him.

Levi can see that she isn’t all there right now. Distant.

“Levi. My sketchbook.”

Levi frowns at her request, but after a moment of hesitation gets up to retrieve the sketchbook and bag he had seen her with earlier at his desk. He brings the items to her and she takes them with desperation— quickly turning to a blank page and grasping tightly onto a pen, knuckles turning white. 

With frantic motions, she begins to draw.

Levi watches intently as Ellie leans her body halfway out of the bathtub, dripping wet, practically naked— scribbling away at her page. He doesn’t know what’s going on right now, but interfering with her doesn’t seem like the right choice.  So he watches in silence until she drops the pen to the floor and hands him the sketchbook. Levi frowns deeply at what he sees.

Three young girls of varying ages stand behind a large table, blood and guts smeared down their faces…they’re feasting. On the table lay the half-eaten corpse of a woman. A king towers behind the girls with a hand on the first and last one’s shoulders. In the background is a crowd of faceless, robed people. Fucking creepy. 

“This is what you saw?” Levi asks Ellie.

She nods.

“Have you had dreams like this before?” 

She shakes her head ‘no’. 

“It’s real.” Ellie whispers.

Levi pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to calm his splitting headache. He can ask her more later. For now, he needs to focus on getting her back in bed. This disturbing shit can wait for tomorrow.— He puts a hand to her forehead again. Normal.

“Alright, fever seems better. Let’s get you out.”

Ellie stands up and exits the tub on her own. Levi wraps her with a towel and walks away to get some clothes. He comes back with one of his t-shirts and a pair of her shorts—which she changes into. Levi guides her back over to the bed and lifts the covers for her.

“Are you hungry?” He asks.

“No.”

“Are you okay?”

Ellie nods once.

Levi turns to leave the room when he feels a tug at his sleeve. He turns back with a questioning look.

Ellie drops her hand and falters for a moment, “Um, do you think you could stay?” She softly asks.

Levi blinks in surprise, needing a moment to contemplate the request.

“J-just until I fall asleep, I mean…you don’t have to of course. Sorry.” She nervously looks away feeling a bit embarrassed for asking.

She feels the weight on the bed shift and looks up to see Levi crawling in next to her. On top of the covers, of course.

Their eyes meet. “Alright, come here brat.” Levi makes a motion with his hand.

———

I scoot in close to Levi and rest my head against him. He stiffens at the movement, but immediately relaxes. I can sense his hesitation.

“Thank you, Levi.” I whisper.

“It’s okay brat. Go to sleep.” I feel his chest rumble against me.

Levi strokes my hair as my eyes flutter shut.  I soon drift off into a slumber, comforted by the warmth of the man beside me.

———-

“Wake up.” 

I groan and roll over, rubbing my eyes. “Training?”

“What do you think? Be ready in 10.”

I get dressed and meet Levi in his office. He wears a dark green cloak which hides the bulkiness at each of his sides.

He hands me a cloak, “Put this on. We’ll be outside today.”

Instantly, I feel excited—taking the cloak from him and fastening it over my shoulders. 

I walk a few paces behind Levi, the air thick with unspoken tension. We make it to a large double set of doors. I follow him out into the cool, dewy morning breeze.

“What are we doing today?” I ask eagerly.

“ODM gear training.”

“ODM? What’s that?”

“Tch. Shitty glasses didn’t mention it? Figures.” Levi tuts and rolls his eyes,“Omnidirectional Mobility Gear. We need it while fighting.”

“Is that what you’re wearing under your cloak?”

“Yes, now keep up.” Levi leads us to the edge of a forest. “Stay here.” He goes over to a nearby cart and retrieves some gear. Upon returning, he fits me with the gear, which is awfully heavy. How am I supposed to move around with this? Let alone fight? Smh.

“It’s heavy.” I complain. 

“Tch. You’ll get used to it.”

“Now watch.” Levi grips onto two triggers, one in each hand. —Then, suddenly, he’s flying through the air. My jaw drops. This fucking Peter Parker ass. 

Levi sticks his landing in front of me. I gawk at him. “What? You look like you’re taking a shit.”

I ignore his poop joke, “I just saw fucking Spider-Man in real time dude. I’m tripping or what?”

Levi deadpans. “Dude? Really? Address me correctly, cadet.”

“That was like Spider-Man, Captain, sir!”

“Enough of your shitty jokes, let’s get started.”

I scowl, “Oh, you want me to do that?” I say while pointing in the direction he just came from. 

“What do you think? Now get over here so I can hook you up.”

I stand my ground. “Oh, that’s kind of you. I think I have to pass on that.” —I nervously push my two pointer fingers together while averting my gaze.

“Cadet, get over here. Now.” Levi firmly commands, his patience running thin.

“I-I don’t think so.”

Levi blinks. “Are you refusing a direct order?”

Oh shit. He doesn’t sound too chipper. “It’s not like that. I…just don’t think I c-can do it.” 

Levi scoffs. “Get your ass over here, Cadet. You don’t want to test me.”

Hm. “Fine.” I huff as I stomp over to him. 

“I’m going to let your shitty attitude slide this once. You’d be smart to consider your next actions.”

He’s got a real stick up his ass this morning…

“Y-yes sir.”

Levi shows me how to grip the hilt/handles and walks me through each trigger and lever. He hooks me up to two wires hanging between trees and lifts me so that I hover just off the ground. I engage my core and legs as he directed, attempting to maintain my balance. It doesn’t take me very long to get the hang of it, which Levi seems both impressed and annoyed by.

“Okay, now you’re going to aim for that tree branch.” He points up to a branch about 15 feet above us. 

Nope. “Already? Are you sure I’m ready for that? I don’t feel ready for that.” I plea.

“Tch. I’m sure.”

“O-okay. Well, if you’re sure.” He positions my hands and directs my finger to the trigger.

Yep. I’m about to die. I pull the trigger and fly into the air. My breath catches in my throat as I land on the branch with shaky legs—immediately grabbing onto the trunk of the tree like it’s my lifeline and closing my eyes tightly shut.

Don’t look down. Don’t look down. If I open my eyes, I won’t be able to keep my composure.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m a tree-hugger now. It’s the only way.”

Levi drags a hand down his face. “Stop that. Come down.”

“No, no. It’s okay.”

“Get your ass back down here.”

“I-I can’t!”

Levi blinks,“Why?” 

“Because! I’m too scared, okay?”

Ellie hears the sound of ODM gear and the branch shifting below her. “Agh! Careful!”

Levi sighs, “You’re seriously that scared?” —“Open your eyes, LoveJoy.”

I slowly open my eyes and look at Levi, then towards the ground—the spinning, dizzying ground. My breath hitches and I slam my eyes closed again, grip tightening around the tree. A tear slides down my cheek. “I’m sorry, I can’t move.”

“Tch. Pathetic brat.” I feel strong arms wrap around me and pull me away from the trunk. Wind whips past my face before my feet are set back on solid surface and I’m let go.

“You can open your eyes now brat.”

I peek with one eye to check that it's safe before letting out a huge sigh of relief. I drop to my knees and place my palms on the dirt floor before releasing a flood of emotions. Sobs wrack through my body in a pathetic display.

Levi stands with his back to me.

When my outburst is over, I slowly pick myself off the ground. Levi looks over his shoulder, “That’s enough for today, remove your gear.” 

He doesn’t say anything as we walk back towards the castle. He suddenly changes direction and walks towards the training grounds.

“10 laps.” Oh, we’re running now. “10?” I questioned. That seems like a lot.

“Yes, 10 laps. Consider it your punishment for not following orders today.”

I sulk, but start running.

By my fourth lap, I’m not doing so well. My pace slows down dramatically as I try gasping air into my burning lungs.

“Pick up the pace, cadet.” Levi shouts.

The sun has fully risen by the time I finish my tenth lap and I collapse to the ground, chest heaving—dirt and sweat drenching my uniform.

“Get up, breakfast will be over soon.” Levi begins to walk away. I drag my exhausted body off the ground and trail along behind him.

Back in his office, “Get cleaned up brat, you look like shit.”

Rude ass. I nod, disillusioned by earlier events. 

“Use your words, cadet.”

“Yes, sir.” I quickly salute and make my way over to the bathroom, peeling off my soiled uniform before getting under a hot stream of water. I scrub away all of the dirt and sweat, feeling my body relax under the shower. My mind wanders to Levi. Why is he acting differently today? Did I do something? 

I recall how gentle he’d been last night. And then, I remember the images from my dream. My hand goes to cover my mouth as I gasp loudly. I knelt down to the shower floor, holding my knees tightly to my chest as the warm water cascades over my form. Disturbing images flash behind my eyes—Maria, Rose, Sina. Three little girls. King Fritz.

 Cannibalism. 

A memory.

“Ellie. Dammit!”

Ellie’s eyes shoot open, it’s Levi.

“Why didn’t you respond? I was calling for you.” an irritated, slightly concerned Levi asks. 

“I—I don’t know. Sorry.”

Levi doesn’t buy it. But he lets the subject go for now, “Get off the floor, you’ve been in here for too long.”

——-

After an awkwardly silent breakfast at Levi’s desk, Ellie speaks up, “Did I do something?”

Levi pretends to not know what she’s talking about, “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know, you seem angry with me.”

Levi sighs, pointer and thumb pinching between his eyes, “I’m not angry with you, Ellie. I’m your superior and you’re my subordinate.—I can’t give you special treatment.”

Oh, so that’s why he’s been so cold.

Ellie tries to hide her disappointment and nods.

“You’ll be joining the rest of your comrades tomorrow. I need to make sure that you’re sufficiently prepared to answer any questions that may arise.”

Tomorrow?! I take a deep breath to keep panic from setting in.

Levi spends the next three hours drilling me on my cover story and background. Asking the same questions over and over again until I can answer without hesitation. 

I’m drained by lunchtime. We eat again in silence.

Is this how it’s going to be from now on? I try to keep my emotions at bay. There’s no reason for me to be upset over this, but I can’t help the feeling of hurt pinging inside me.

“Are you okay?” Levi’s voice cuts through the quiet, tone even.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

He nods before pulling out my drawing from last night. My eyes widened. “Care to explain your creepy artwork?”

I stare at him, words not forming in my mouth. 

“Do you remember what you said last night?”

I shake my head ‘no’. He sighs, “Use your words, LoveJoy.”

“No, sir. I don’t remember saying anything… I remember that…dream that I had. And then I was drawing in the bathtub. It’s all a bit cloudy.”

Levi repeats the words I had muttered to him last night. “Do you know what all of that means?”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, before sliding the drawing over to me. I point with my finger, “Maria, Rose, Sina.”

“Those are their names?” I nod.

I point to the king, “King Fritz.”

Levi frowns, “Fritz? Are you sure?”

“Yes. And those are his daughters. And…” I bring my shaky hand to the table, breathily speaking, “that’s their…mother.” 

Levi blinks and crunches his face up in disgust. “What else?”

“He forced them to…eat her. All of her.” 

Levi grunts, “I can see that. What about the people in the back?”

I shake my head, “I’m not sure.”

He places his elbows on the table, hands clasped together. “You had a high fever last night. Could be just a feverish nightmare.”

I hesitate for a moment, deciding if I should tell the truth, “I don’t think so. Er, I know it wasn’t…I don’t know how to explain.”

Levi deadpans, “Try.”

“It…was real. I was viewing a memory of something that happened. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced—I felt the emotions of the people in the dream. It was like I was there with them.”

He clicks his tongue, “And who’s the mother?”

“I don’t know.”

Chapter Text

The moonlight danced on the surface of a lake that shouldn’t exist. In the middle of a glowing forest, under a sky filled with impossible stars, 

Music thrummed in her bones—music that did not exist here—Ellie spun barefoot in the water, her giggles echoing like wind chimes through the trees.

She felt invincible.

Her skin shimmered like silk in the moonlight, her arms outstretched, a glowing whip of light trailing from her fingertips, moving like liquid fire. Each movement sent ripples of color through the water—violet, teal, gold. The world itself seemed to hold its breath, swaying with her rhythm.

She was not alone.

Levi stood at the water’s edge, still and silent, half-lost in shadow, his eyes locked on her. Something in his posture had shifted—less rigid, more drawn in. Like he did not dare look away. 

She felt him before she saw him, drawn to his presence like gravity itself.

A whip of glowing pink light cracked through the air in rhythm with her steps, swirling like stardust with each flick of her wrist. She laughed—light, unrestrained, hypnotic. Her hair flowed behind her like a comet’s tail, and her eyes shimmered bright cerulean, glowing with some inner storm.

“Come closer,” she whispered—her voice dream-thick and ethereal. Like something older was speaking through her. Softer. More haunting.

He stepped forward like he was under a spell: the world pulsed—time slowed, the stars above shimmered brighter—and the moment his boots touched the water—

“Wake up.”

Ellie jolted upright in bed, eyes wide, heart pounding. The magic evaporated like mist, replaced with cold reality and one very familiar scowl.

Levi stood over her, arms crossed, unimpressed. “You were twitching.”

“I was dancing,” Ellie muttered, rubbing her face. “What the hell, bruv?”

He raised a brow. “Would you prefer a bucket of water?”

“No, I’d prefer if you let me sleep forever.”

“Tch.” Levi turns towards the door. “I can make that happen.”

I glare at his back.—“Get up. We are not finished with preparations.”

Ellie groaned, flopping back onto her pillow. “You really know how to bum a girl out.”

“You say that now,” Levi called back over his shoulder, “but I saw your face while you were dreaming.”

That made her freeze.

He did not wait for her response.

Does he think I was having a—-no fucking shot. Although…that does sound hot. Damn. Ugh! 

Ellie screams into her pillow, letting it all out— before jumping out of bed.

She spends more time than usual getting ready for the day—carefully securing her hair into a smooth bun, taming any frizz or loose ends with small amounts of hair gel. —mimicking the female military-standards from back home. 

She washes her face, then applies a light coverage SPF tinted moisturizer. Next, a natural application of mascara—and lip balm.

Ellie smooths out her uniform, checking herself out in the mirror. Hell yeah, Soulja Boy!

—“Are you taking a shit? I don’t have all morning.”

Ellie snickers, “Just making sure I’m up to standards, if you have ‘em.” —She walks out to face Levi.

Levi’s eyes trail her body, from top to bottom and back up again— meeting her eyes. “You look…clean.”

“Uh, thanks? I just followed military guidelines from my world.”

Levi’s cheeks tint pink for a split second, he clears his throat, “Maybe I should make the filthy brats follow your example.”

Ellie stares down at her shoes, avoiding his gaze and shuffling in place. —hiding her blush. 

The captain walks towards his desk, “Let’s begin.”— Levi gestures to the seat across from his own, directing Ellie to sit.

“You’re joining my squad for mealtimes and training today.” He takes a deep breath, “Don’t fuck up,” he warns. —glinting silvers pierce into Ellie’s glassy eyes.

Ellie gulps down a knot forming in her throat. She nods, “I’ll try not to.”

Levi continues his stare down for another few seconds before nodding his head once. 

He runs drills on Ellie’s new identity one final time before the time approaches to head to the mess hall for breakfast.

——

The door to Levi’s office closes behind them. Levi turns over his shoulder, “One more thing.” —He holds up a key. “Your room. You won’t be using it. But the nosey little shits might ask.” 

Levi leads them a short way down the corridors before stopping in front of a single wooden door. —He unlocks it with a bronze key. “Hange cleaned and made up your bed.” 

The door swings open. His jaw clenches. 

Taking a look around the room, he mutters under his breath, “shitty glasses,” as well as some other incoherent mumblings about incompetence—clearly unsatisfied with the half-assed cleaning job.

The room is relatively small—a single bed on the right wall with a wooden nightstand, —a medium-sized, arched bay window on the back wall with just enough space for a person to sit, —a dresser placed against the center of the left wall,

—to its right, a small corner desk. —a door to the left of the dresser leads to a tiny half-bathroom—boasting a toilet and sink.

Ellie gives her feedback, “It’s cozy.”—to which Levi grunts and tilts his head to the door, “It’s time.” After a moment’s pause, he adds, “Remember what we’ve discussed.” 

Ellie tenses as she follows Levi like a lost puppy. 

Today’s the day that she will finally be joining the rest of her squad.

— Anxiety courses through her veins as she struggles to keep a steady composure. Her mind races with possibilities. What if she can’t do it? What if she ‘fucks up’ like Levi said? 

They draw closer to the sounds of chattering voices echoing from ahead. She’s arrived at the mess hall. 

“Come on.” Levi pushes the wooden doors open. Ellie follows closely behind, straightening her spine, pulling her shoulders back, chin up— feigning confidence. She takes slow, calculated breaths. —her eyes scan the room, soaking up the busy scene in front of her.

Scouts fill up the various long, wooden tables throughout the room. It’s just like in ‘Game of Thrones’… Remember that one transition shot of greyscale skin pus to pot pie? Focus! —The kitchen lines the left wall of the dining area. 

Ellie stays close to Levi as they approach the first table on the far right, with several kiddies rowdily enjoying breakfast. It’s like high-school-cafeteria-meets-medieval-age. 

A girl with pitch black hair that falls to her shoulders and curious grey eyes elbows the brown-haired boy to her left that is currently caught up in an argument with another boy.

Off to the side, Levi rolls his eyes—face wearing a scowl. 

“Arlert.” —Instant silence. All eyes are on us, —their faces a mixture of apprehension, fear, eagerness, calm, focus—

The kind, blonde boy scrambles to his feet. “Sir!”

“Show Ellie to your table.” He turns to the rest of the team.

“Squad, this is Cadet Ellie LoveJoy. As of today, she’s the newest member of the Special Operations Squad. I expect all you brats to be on your best behavior.” He looks pointedly at the brown-haired boy, “Jaeger.”

“Of course, Captain!” ‘Jaeger’ exclaims, “It’s nice to meet you, Ellie! We’ve been excited to meet you! Your hair really is pink!”

The raven-haired girl flicks him in the forehead— “Ow! What was that for?!” He rubs his head while glaring.

“Idiot,” The raven-haired girl mutters under her breath.

I smile at her, “I like you already!” —the boy, ‘Jaeger’ huffs in annoyance.

A voice comes from my left, Armin, “We’re all excited to have you on the squad! Welcome.” An amalgamation of voices rings out with various welcomings. — 

“Welcome!”, “Yay!”, “Totally!”, “Welcome Ellie!” —As well as a few quiet nods and smiles from around the table.

Awe. They’re adorable! I smile widely. “Thanks, y’all. I’m excited to be here!” 

Levi turns to leave me to my own devices, but pauses beside me before walking off, discretely leaning closer to my ear and whispering, “We don’t say ‘y’all’ here.” —causing me to instantly pale—with an air of indifference, he continues his retreat to what appears to be the higher-up’s table. 

It’s giving teachers and lunch-aids. 

Armin grabs my attention, “Let’s go grab some food, then we can all do proper introductions!”

I smile and nod—taking another deep, nervous breath.

He politely leads me through the serving station to get my tray and servings, while I fumble with trying to find my zen—he notices my shaky hands on the tray, and lays a gentle hand on my shoulder, —

“You don’t need to be nervous. They’re all kind, accepting people. I’m sure you’ll get along with everyone just fine!” Armin gives me a reassuring squeeze with a kind smile— I smile in return and together, we walk back to the group.

I take a seat between Armin and a boy who is sporting a buzz cut— across from the raven-haired girl and Jaeger. Further down the table—there’s a brunette girl trying to steal food from her friends—across from her and buzz cut, the boy with ash-brown hair from the argument earlier is looking down at his lap with a dejected expression.

The raven-haired girl looks up and gives me a small smile, “Hi, I’m Mikasa and this is Eren.”

—she’s interrupted. Eren whines like an angsty teenage boy. Literally. — “Mikasa, I can introduce myself!”

“Ignore him.” —her tone is calm and even. I chuckle at the comment, causing Eren’s face to heat up.

I feel a poke from my right, “Hey! I’m Connie Springer, fancy to meet ya! Don’t mind the rest of these idiots.”—he grins slyly and nudges my arm before turning to his right and grabbing the attention of the brunette girl. —“Sasha! Come on! Give it a rest for a minute! Ellie’s here. Remember what Captain Levi said— “ 

 The girl jolts up from her seat and runs over to me, crumbs on her face—she grabs my shoulders and shakes, “Yay! I’m so glad we have another girl. If you ever have leftovers, I’ll eat them! Oh, by the way—I’m Sasha!” 

She lets go of her hold on me and leans over, “Are you going to eat that?”—What? “Yes.” 

Connie shoos her back to her seat. I look back across the table and catch the boy with ashy-brown hair staring at me. His cheeks tint with pink as he shakes my hand and shyly introduces himself, “I’m Jean, Jean Kirstein. It’s lovely to meet you, Ellie.” 

“Yeah, it’s lovely to meet you.” Eren taunts Jean, making him blush more.

Armin finally speaks up, “Guys, come on. Captain Levi’s watching.”

I look past the people in front of me and catch a metallic glare focused directly on me. —I scrunch up my face and stick my tongue out, causing his jaw to clench and frown lines to deepen. Lol.

“Ellie, where are you from?” —Mikasa asks. Everyone turns their attention to me. The boys seem especially interested. Too interested.

Great, here comes the part where I lie to everyone.

Without going into too many details, as Levi and I practiced, I tell them about my nomadic roots. They all nod, intrigued by my story.

Eren speaks up, “How old are you?!” —Jean punches him in the arm, “That’s rude! You can’t just ask a lady her age like that!” 

Eren nervously rubs the back of his neck.

“No, that’s alright. I’m 21.”— I answer. Jaws drop from all the boys at the table, suddenly becoming flustered. The girls are unaffected. 

Jean stutters, “Cool, cool. That’s cool.”

Someone please save me!

Armin speaks, “Enough personal questions for now guys, let her eat.”

Oh bless you, sweet summer child.

I eat my meal slowly, trying to drag out the minutes before I can get out of here.

Mikasa makes small talk, “What do you like to do?”

I smile up at her. A question that I can answer honestly—sans some minor details.

“I’m into art and music—anything creative, really.”

“Do you sing?” Armin asks.

“Yes, I do! I also play instruments, or used to.” My tone shifts glumly at the last part, “There’s no instruments here.”

“Aw man. Ellie, you have to sing for us sometime!” Eren suggests, — everyone nods in agreement. 

I feel my cheeks heat up, “Yeah! I’d love to.”

Our conversation is interrupted by a shadowy presence. Levi. I sigh in relief, allowing my shoulders to relax.

“Brats. We meet outside in 5. We’re doing hand-to-hand combat today.”— “Ellie, a word. —the rest of you, take care of your mess.” He abruptly begins walking out of the mess hall. I politely excuse myself and follow his trail.

He walks us outside and around the side of the castle, where there are no people around. “Anything to report?”

“Nope! I think it went quite well. Can’t believe I can lie like that! Never in my life—“

“Tsk. That’s enough.” —Levi runs a hand down his face. “Training should be easy. Even for you. Not much time to run your mouth when you’re dodging fists.” He states plainly, —turning his back to me and trekking off to the training grounds.

—

Once everyone has gathered, we’re paired off into sparring partners. I’m assigned to spar with Armin, who turns out to be quite a challenging opponent—although, I do manage to land some hits and knock him down to the ground on occasion.

After sparring, Levi has us run circuits. One lap, 10 sit-ups, 10 burpees—On repeat, 5 times. 

I’m the last one on the track—everyone else having already been dismissed from training after completing their circuits.

I finish my final lap and drop to the ground heaving wheezy gasps. Damn asthma. 

“What’s wrong? You’re almost done.”

My lungs whistle, “Asthma.”

Levi blinks, “You have Asthma? Since when?”

“Uh, yeah.” I gasp, “Since birth.” — “Hasn’t acted up since I’ve been here.”— “Must be the clean air.”

“Do you need to go to the infirmary?”

“No, I have an inhaler—medicine, back with my stuff.”

Levi clicks his tongue and nods. “Finish the circuit. Can’t have people thinking that you’re getting special treatment.”

I do—which only exacerbates the issue. I try to remain calm, knowing that asthma is 50/50 physical and mental. Anxiety creeps in, tightening around my chest.—

By the time we make it back to Levi’s office, I’m lightheaded and internally panicking. I messily dump the contents of my bag onto the bed, searching for what I need.

“Oi! Shitty brat. You’re cleaning that up before you’re done.”

I grab my inhaler, giving it a shake and clicking it open. I bring it to my lips with a trembling hand and take one puff, inhaling deeply and holding it for as long as I can manage. I cough out. Then wait.

“That’s it?”

I ignore him. 

I’m trying to use my supplies sparingly. I’m supposed to use two puffs but am waiting to see if I can get by on just the one. My inhaler is one of those things that cannot be replaced or substituted in this world.

Fuck. After a few minutes, I give in and take the second dose. 

“That’s it,” I say to Levi, as I place all my things back into my bag.

“Give me that,” He motions to the inhaler, extending a hand.

I hesitate, before handing it over. “Be careful. It’s fragile. And if it breaks— “

“I got it, brat. Let’s go.”

We head back down to the mess hall.

Lunch consists of more light conversation. —the topic of my unnatural hair color comes up and I have to explain the made-up story about rare dyes and my mother dyeing my hair since I was a little girl. 

I crossed my fingers beneath the table. Please don’t ask about my parents, please—

Then, they ask. More specifically, Eren asks. —And the whole table is attentively listening. 

Fuck fuck fuck. Okay, get into character. 

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, glancing down at my hands. I pick at my thumbnail.

Eren catches my shift in mood, “Oh. I’m sorry for asking. If it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to answer.”

I could take the easy way out, but instead my mouth starts moving—telling the horrific story of my parent’s brutal murders. The words flow out too easily, catching me off-guard and leaving behind a deeply unsettling feeling.

When I finish my story, I look up and see everyone staring at me with looks of horror and pity. 

Fuck. This is making my stomach churn. —Oh. I need to get the hell out of here.

Mikasa grabs my hand with a sad smile, “You’re not alone. My parents were killed in front of me 6 years ago. If it weren’t for Eren and his father taking me in, I would’ve been on my own. Don’t worry, Ellie. We’re your family now.”

Nods of agreement come from everyone around me. “Yeah! We’ve got you!” —Eren place his hand over top of Mikasa’s and mine. 

Armin places a hand on my shoulder, “Yeah, Ellie. You’re with us now. We have each other’s backs.” 

Jean, Connie, and Sasha all agree—moving from their spots to comfort me. 

Oh dear. I can’t do this.

“Thank you, guys. All of you. That really means a lot.” I sniffle.

I abruptly stand up, “Excuse me, I really need to use a restroom.”

I calmly exit the mess hall, not looking back at the faces I’d just abhorrently deceived—then take off in a sprint. With no destination in mind, I end up outdoors running towards the trees. Tears stream down my face as I come to a stop a little way beyond the tree line. I slide to the ground behind a large deciduous tree—holding my knees to my chest and burying my face into my arms. 

All the emotions—shame, guilt, fear, pity, sadness, anger, pain.

I begin to hyperventilate. I’m a terrible person. I don’t deserve their kindness! How dare I lie about something like that?!

I begin hitting my palms hard against my forehead, audible sobs leaving my body.

A firm grip on both of my wrists stops my self-inflicted beating mid-air. I open my eyes and make out a familiar face through my blurred vision. Levi is crouching in front of me.

I choke out a pained sound, incessantly shaking my head side-to-side. —Trying to shake away the pain.

“Hey.”

I try to tear my wrists out from Levi’s grip, but he doesn’t budge.

“Hey. Look at me.”

A few moments pass before I lift my face to look at the man. More tears pour down my cheeks.

Tingles spread throughout my entire body—numbness. I’m seeing stars from the hyperventilation.

“Ellie. Slow down. Take deep breaths.”

I give into the numbness I feel, letting my body go limp. Levi releases my wrists, which fall to the ground at my sides.

My eyes are vacant, yet tears continue to flood them. My breathing slows down dramatically— turning into shallow, long inhales and exhales. 

“I’m a bad person.” I mutter quietly.

This catches Levi off-guard, “What?”

“I just lied to all their empathetic faces. —Exploited their vulnerabilities. I’m an awful human being.” I admit, —my voice void of any emotion.

“Tch. If you’re a bad person, then I must be the damn devil.” 

That sparks something in me, a small chuckle escapes from my mouth. “Okay, Lucifer.”

“Who the hell is Lucifer?”

“The damn devil, Levi.”—I manage a small grin.

“Huh. I’d like a word with him.”

My smile grows larger, “Levi, was that a joke I just heard?”

“Shut up.” He turns his face away, a pink tint on his cheeks making another appearance. Cute. 

A beat passes— “Thank you, Levi.”

His cheeks begin to heat up more, followed by his jaw tightening—his sharp features amplified by the tension. His throat visibly moves as he swallows down things unspoken. 

“You have shit smeared on your face.”

“Huh? —oh, my mascara. Shit.”

“Like I said.”— “You’re off chore duties for the afternoon. I have paperwork, so if you’re finished.” He turns his back to me and begins walking in the direction of the castle.

Well, that’s my cue.

I wash up when we get back, putting on a casual outfit—cargo pants, white bandeau, and an unbuttoned uniform shirt, which I tie together with a knot at the bottom and roll up the sleeves of.

I put in my piercings and clasp my moonstone pendant around my neck before grabbing my bag and going out to Levi’s office, plopping myself down onto his couch. Levi pays no mind to my presence.

“What are you doing?” I ask Levi—who is clearly scribbling away with a quill on paper and working through quite the large stack on his desk.

No response.

Hmm. Okey doke. I take out some art supplies and begin sketching, often pausing to glance up at Levi.

After an hour, he breaks the silence, “Do you need something? You’ve been staring at me for the past hour.”

“Okay, that’s an exaggeration.”

He finally looks up from his work. I roll my eyes.

“What the hell did you do to your shirt?”

“I transformed it from business to casual.” I stand up and give a twirl.

Levi deadpans, “No. Change.”

I huff out in exasperation, removing the button up. —Leaving me in my bandeau.

“Is that supposed to be a top? It covers about as much as my little finger.”

I scoff, “Who made you the fashion police?!”

“Call me whatever you want. It doesn’t change the fact that you look ridiculous.”

I stomp over to his desk and slam both of my hands down on its surface, leaning over, “You’re an ass!” I shout. 

Levi wears an amused smirk on his face, one eyebrow raised, “I’m your Captain, and you’re about to find out exactly what that means.”

My cheeks begin to redden at his words. Flustered, I stutter, “W-well, I—mph! I’m leaving!” 

I go to grab my things and head towards the bedroom before I’m stopped in my tracks, “You’re not dismissed, cadet.”

My nose and lips twitch with frustration. “No, you’re not dismissed!”

“The hell is that supposed to mean?” Levi retorts.

“You’re impossible!”

Levi chuckles, returning his attention to the papers in front of him.

I huff loudly before going back to my spot on the couch, no longer in the mood for drawing. I hum.

“Do you get money or are y’all still stuck on the bartering system?”

Levi scowls, “What’s it to you?”

Sighing audibly, “Just wondering if I’m getting paid for this.”

He scoffs, “For being babysat? I don’t think so.”

I groan, “But what about everyone else?! Aren’t they getting paid?”

“Tch. —This isn’t about ‘everyone else’. What do you need money for?”

“I don’t know…I was kind of hoping there’d be a chance that I could get a guitar, somehow.”

I miss being able to play my instruments back home. I miss practicing and writing songs for hours on end.

Levi grunts, “That’s expensive.”

I pout in defeat, “I used to play every day! A guitar would be nice.”

“Tsk. Too much free time. Did you ever actually work a day in your life?”

I snarl at his unnecessary comments, “Yeah, I did work. From home.”

His eyes meet mine with a narrowing, metallic glare, “I thought you said that you worked at those music places.”

“Well, yes—but that’s not consistent work.” I avert my gaze, nervously picking at my thumbnail.

“Hm.”

Shit. How do I explain this?

A knock at the door.

“Come in,” Levi announces loudly.

The door swings open, and in walks Commander Erwin.

!!!

I scramble to my feet, phone in hand as I salute. “H-Hi.”

“Ellie. Good to see you, no need for formalities.” Erwin gives a small smile and nod, discretely taking in my outfit.

Why is he here?

“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m only here for an unofficial check-in.” (A quick pop-in!) “Have a seat,” he nods towards the couch.

“Ellie was just about to tell me about her other job.” Levi smirks at me from behind Erwin, — a dark, devious glint in his eyes. I scrunch my nose up at him to indicate my distaste for his shitty antics. 

Pfft. I’ll make him regret this…

Erwin pulls out the chair opposite to Levi and turns it to face in my direction, his eyebrows raised with expectation. “That so?”

Whoops, there it is!

I take a moment to think, “I made money on the internet.”

“How the hell does that work?” Levi nods towards my phone.

“I sold photos and videos.”

An OnlyFans. I had an OnlyFans.

“What the shit, people pay for that?” Levi boredly retorts. 

“What was the content of these photos and videos?” Erwin asks.

Hmm.

“They’re of…me.”

Please don’t ask me-

“Oh! How curious. Can we see?” Erwin raises his brows. The two men look at me expectantly.

Ha.

“Oh. I don’t know if that’s necessary…I’d really rather not?” I stumble over my words as my hands move in front of my chest defensively.

My already flushed face heats up as two pairs of eyes burn into me. They are not going to let this go. Of course not. Why would they? I let out a reluctant sigh and avert my gaze to the floor. “It’s just that these photos and videos of me are of a …personal nature.” My voice rises in pitch as I quickly add-on. “The content is explicit in a sexual way, okay?!” Smooth.

Both men look a bit surprised. And I could have sworn, for a fleeting moment, I saw the faintest dusting of pink appear on the faces of both men. No shot! 

Erwin clears his throat, “Apologies. We can move onto the next topic.”

I try to hold back my chuckles but can’t. Their faces! Their reactions! I keel over and burst into laughter.

“Ohhh man. You should’ve seen your faces!” I tease, biting back a huge smile.

Levi’s expression is as unreadable as ever, but those forged eyes of steel give off a deadly aura, daring me to continue. Warning me. I hold his stare in a silent challenge— Erwin chuckles lowly in the background. I’m the first to break the tension, turning my attention back to Erwin.

—the rest of the meeting goes by quickly, mostly questions about how the conversations with my squad members have been going. Erwin mentions that tomorrow is an off-day. I don’t know what day of the week it is, but for me,—it’s Friday, baby! Fuck yeah.

Chapter Text

Levi’s office is quiet, only the sound of quill gliding across paper, dipping into a small glass vessel of black ink every so often. Ellie quietly patters over to Levi’s desk, watching him with curiosity.

“What do you want?” Levi asks with an edge of harshness in his words.

Ellie twiddles her thumbs, twisting restlessly in place, “Whatcha doing?” She asks with innocent eyes.

Levi sighs, rolling his tense shoulders. He looks stressed. “Paperwork.” 

“How is it that you have these jetpack-sword-thingies, yet are filling out paperwork with a feather?” 

He inhales sharply, annoyed by her stupid question, “What’s it to you?”

Ellie smiles sweetly at the captain with her sparkling blue-green eyes. She holds out a pen, “You dropped this.”

Levi does not get the phrase, but his interest is piqued. He had already witnessed her writing with various tools he’d never seen. He reaches out, fingers lightly grazing against Ellie’s as he takes the matte black, oblong stick into his hand. He turns it in front of him, inspecting the object—It has subtle, gold detailing on the outside, with a removable cap at one end that has a gold clip-like piece of metal attached. There is a comfortable weight to it.

“How’s it work?” Levi asks after a beat. Ellie circles around to his side of the desk, invading his personal space, — and delicately takes the pen with her left pointer and thumb. She goes into detail about the function and how it works.

Levi pinches between his eyes, headache worsening. “Brat. I have work to do.” He moves to give her back the pen.

Ellie doesn’t take it, flashing him a grin.

…

“Suit yourself!”

She plops herself down into the chair across from Levi, pulling her knees to her chest to hold her sketchbook as she continues working—glancing up every few minutes. He leaves her pen on the edge of his desk, continuing to fill out paperwork with a quill. An hour or so passes without another word spoken between the two, both focused on their individual activities.

…

Out of the blue, Ellie asks, “What’s your last name, Levi?”

Levi pauses, “It’s just Levi.”

Does he not want me to know his last name? Everyone else here has one as far as I’m aware…

She drops the subject, “When will I be able to…not be a prisoner here?”

Levi deadpans. “When I say so.”

Arrogant ass. “Oh. Do you have an estimate on your timeline?”

“No. Anything else?” Levi’s tone is clipped with growing impatience and nonchalance, —as if Ellie were an annoying fly to shoo away.

She scrunches her nose at the audacity, scoffing. Why do I feel embarrassed and hurt, but also turned on by this?

“That’s all, Captain.” She stands with pointed eyes, “I’ll be napping if you need me.” —spinning on her heel, she stomps over to the bedroom.

“Tch. Lazy brat.” Levi mutters under his breath.

——

Levi walks into his bedroom to see Ellie hugged to a pillow and curled up into a ball at the center of his mattress, —face relaxed and lips slightly parted. His body stills at the foot of the bed, observing. 

“Levi...,” her dream-thick voice mumbles.

Levi’s breath catches.

“Levi…”

His jaw tightens.

“Please…” her voice cracks.

Please what? 

“Mr. Ackerman.”

His heart skips a beat. Who the hell is Mr. Ackerman?

“I love you,” her voice leaks out in a distorted whine.

Brat. What the hell?

Levi breaks away from his trance, “Ellie. Wake up, brat,” he says plainly, reaching out to flick her on the forehead.

“Ow!” She flinches inwards, eyes sleepily fluttering open. Her throat releases a soft groan at the disorienting assault.

“Tsk. That was nothing.” Levi complains with a hint of a threat hidden behind his words.

“Levi.” She croaks.

…

“That’s my name.”

Ellie rolls over suddenly, swinging the pillow that she was previously hugging straight into his face. Levi doesn’t even flinch. She snaps with a hint of playfulness, “That’s for disturbing my peace!”

He blinks, clearly unimpressed with her outburst, “A shitty brat with a pillow.”

Levi rubs a hand over his face. He meets her gaze with contained fury behind the starbursts of silver flecks in his eyes. His voice does not waver, “Mess-hall in 10.”

Before leaving the room, he pauses, looking over his shoulder, “And do not be mistaken. There will be consequences for your actions.” 

His words bring goosebumps running down Ellie’s arms. The hell is that supposed to mean. She pouts, “I’m not a child!”

“Tch,” is all she hears as he disappears into his office.

——

We walk into the mess hall, and I am surprised—actually, delighted to see that they are serving ale with dinner tonight. And it appears that I’m not the only one looking forward to it.

I get myself a tray and head through the line: potato-bean soup, a bread roll, and the Friday’s Special: ale. 

I sit down at my predesignated ‘spot’ between Armin and Connie. When all of Squad Levi has gathered at the table, I reach for my mug and stand up. drawing the attention of others. I clear my throat and hold out my mug—eyes scanning the fresh faces around me and briefly looking out to the next table over—locking eyes with Levi, who looks especially unimpressed.

My comrades seem confused by my actions but follow my lead by holding up their drinks with me.

 Okay, I’m going for it. YOLO BITCHES

“Here's to those who wish us well, and those who don't can go to hell!”— Connie nearly spits his drink. The squad stares. —

‘Na zdorovie’— no, too difficult. Oh! —

— “skål!” I shout, clanking my mug against those around me, everyone catching on quickly to the gesture and following suit. Then, as my final addition, I slam my mug on the table before lifting it to my lips and— chug!

I receive positive reactions from my teammates. —Hearing a mixture of cheers and laughter until I’m nearing the end of my drink, when suddenly, everyone freezes in silence. 

Sensing a disturbance in the atmosphere, I lower my drink and turn to face the shadow standing behind me. Levi.

“LoveJoy, a word.” He shoots me a murderous glare that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I smile back, cheerily.

“Sure!” —I pick up my mug and down the last two gulps of ale, slamming the empty vessel back on the table when I am finished. The room collectively winces. Connie, Sasha, and Jean all try to hide their snickering at the scene unfolding before them—Mikasa looks on, impressed by my gall — while the rest look on in horror. 

Levi yanks me away by the belt of my pants, dragging me out of the mess hall and all the way back to his office. He says nothing. 

I can practically see the steam emanating from him. He is big mad!

Once inside, he shuts the door behind us. He stands there with his back to me as a few minutes go by. —His fists clenching and releasing at his sides. The tension in the air grows with every passing second. Why isn’t he saying anything?

After enough time has passed, he turns around and approaches— taking slow, calculated steps towards me. His eyes never leaving mine as each of his footfalls reverberates off the cold, stone floor—closing in on me and sending shivers down my spine. I find myself shrinking into myself at his crushing, intimidating presence.

“What the hell was that?” He asks—his voice a chilling, daunting tone.

“What was what?” I shoot back, knowing full well ‘what’ it is he is referring to.

Before I can register his movements, I’m pinned against his bookshelves—one hand wrapped around my neck, the other holding both of my wrists above my head. Our faces just mere inches apart—his hot, heavy breaths fanning across my skin. My face reddens at our position. I smirk defiantly, “Did you just get Deja vu, or is it just me?”

In response to my taunt, his grip around my throat tightens slightly—not enough to cut off my airways, but enough to make speech difficult.

He practically growls at me, voice low and lethal, “Do you find this amusing?” He leans into my right ear, his solid body pressing into mine, “You’ve got a lot of nerve pulling that little stunt of yours.”—I involuntarily shudder at his words, his threatening, deep, gruff voice stirring something low in my core. 

And his scent, intoxicating. His pheromones, wafting from his person give off pure sex appeal.

His soft lips brush against the skin of my face as he pulls back to glare menacingly into my eyes. I lick my lips, eyes flitting down to his for a moment before darting back up to meet his glare again — darkened, tumultuous, sharpened steel-grey eyes. A storm brews behind his piercing gaze. His grip tightens on me, applying further pressure as his breathing grows heavier. —

His eyes flicker down, staying on my lips for a few seconds. It feels like eternity.

Then—he exhales sharply and steps back, removing his body from mine. “Tch.”

I am beet red in the face as I stare down at the ground in front of me, evading his gaze.

“You’re dismissed, cadet. Two weeks, stable duty.”

I am dumbfounded. “Stable duty?”

Levi doesn’t so much as glance in my direction, “Not another word. Return to the mess hall.”

I shoot him an annoyed look before heading towards the door and walking back to dinner alone, fingers grazing my face where his touch still lingered on my skin.

…

I am greeted by surprised faces upon my reappearance in the mess hall, —

“We thought you were a goner!” Eren greets me with a smile.

Mikasa slides me my tray, shyly adding, “Yeah, we didn’t think you’d be back, but we saved your food from Sasha just incase.”

“You’re insane! Doing that in front of the captain?! That was awesome!” Connie exclaims, with nods of agreement coming from around the table. 

“Yeah, we were afraid for you. He looked pretty upset.” Armin gently pats my back.

“What’s your punishment?” Jean asks.

“Stable duty, two weeks. Whatever that means.”

Gasps sound from around me. My squad mates exchange looks.

“WOW! Captain went easy on you!”—

“Could’ve been a whole lot worse.”

Two weeks of any duty is too much. Punishment? I’m not some teenager!

Jean gently slides me a mug, “Here, I got you another ale. Since, you know.” He shyly blushes.

Yes! “Thank you! That’s very sweet of you, Jean.” I shoot him a wink and flirty grin. Teenage boys, amirite?

Levi had returned to his table shortly thereafter and had been shooting me sharp daggers upon noticing the second mug in my hand. —Clearly taking it personally.

Once the number of Scouts in the mess-hall had dwindled down to just two tables, Levi walked over to retrieve me, “LoveJoy.” He plainly says. 

Calling me like I’m a dog.

I huff, getting up from my seat, “Guess my ride’s here. See y’all tomorrow!”

Most of them look horrified. “See you…”— “Good night!”— “Bye…”

Levi is holding on tightly to his last thread of restraint during the walk back to his office. I said what I said. I smirk to myself.

Back in his office, Levi shuts the door behind him, turning around.

“Are you stupid or do you just have a death wish?” He snarls at me, taking a step closer.

“C. All of the above?” I respond coolly. 

“Your ride’s here? Disrespecting me with that big mouth of yours in front of my entire squad, —you’re lucky I didn’t make an example of you right then and there!”

Gee. Egomaniacs. I have dealt with more than my fair share of these types of dudes. 

“I’m so sorry, sir. It was never my intention to hurt your feelings.”

“Hurt.” The captain says with an air of disbelief, “You think you can hurt me?”

Oh, he’s down bad. I wonder what his relationship with his mother is like.

Fueled by ale, I continue, “Of course not. —For I am a mere a weakling. A peasant. Your humble servant, monsieur.” I bow dramatically.

Levi is shaking with anger now. On the brink of snapping. “Go to bed. You better stay out of my sight for the rest of the night.”

I gawk at his order, “You’re grounding me?!”

He inhales sharply, “You do not get to question my authority. I am your superior. I give the orders here, cadet.”

Ellie scrunches her face, resentment written in her expression.

“I expect you to show me respect. That includes receiving a proper salute from you when I give a direct order.” Levi bluntly chastises.

“Fine.” Ellie straightens her back and offers a salute.

“You’ll stand like that until I dismiss you. I don’t want to hear another word out of your mouth.”

“Fine.”

Levi’s eyes flash with warning. He walks over to his desk and begins busying himself with paperwork, the stack of documents never-ending.

Ellie stands quietly in place as the minutes continue to tick by. Around twenty minutes in, her arms start to feel tired. 

This is stupid. What’s the point of doing all of this? 

Ellie sighs, dramatically. Levi does not so much as glance in her direction at the noise.

Time continues to pass slowly, the feeling of numbness spreading through her arms from being held in the same position for too long.

How long is he going to keep this up? I’m thirsty.

She decides she’s had enough as she makes it past the one-hour mark. “May I be dismissed, sir?”

Levi looks up from his work, “What did I tell you? You can’t follow simple instructions, can you? That earned you additional time.”

Ellie gulps, redirecting her eyes to the floor in front of her. Ugh, I know he’s right… but this whole thing is making me feel so fucking angry! Why should his shitty rule of law apply to me? I’m not even from here!

More and more minutes turn into hours passing by. Her arms slowly begin to slide as it becomes harder and harder to hold up her position. 

Suddenly, the blood drains from her cheeks—her face buzzes with the sensation of a hot flash and a wave of nausea runs through her. Her heart rapidly thrums under her skin as she breaks into sudden cold sweats.

With a panicked, yet airy voice she grabs the captain’s attention, “Captain I think I’m going to pass— “

He takes in her pale, shaking form and is out of his seat just as her eyes roll back and her body goes limp. Levi moves quickly and catches her before her head touches the ground.

“Tch. Brat.” He mutters under his breath as he lays her unconscious body onto his couch.

Ellie eventually wakes up in a confused haze. Her eyes slowly flutter open, “Huh?” She looks around at her surroundings, realizing that she’s in Levi’s office, “What happened?”

Levi sits doing paperwork, his pile of papers has magically shrunken in size. Dark shadows are casted across his angular features by an oil lamp placed on his desk, —the only source of light casting an orange glow in the otherwise dark room.

Without glancing up, he speaks, “You’re awake.” He pauses. “You passed out.”

Huh? Oh. Right. I remember now…

“Ah, Vasovagal Syncope. Yeah, I’m prone to that.”

“Whatever. You’re dismissed.”

Ellie drags herself off the couch and into the bedroom, slipping out of her clothes and into her oversized t-shirt. She crawls into bed, checking the time. 2 AM!? How long was I out for??? Does Levi ever sleep? He’s been doing paperwork all this time!?

She quickly shoves the thoughts out of her mind and snuggles into the soft sheets, allowing herself to drift off to sleep.

Chapter Text

“Get your ass up.”

“What happened to today being an off day?” I croaked.

— “I let you sleep until 7.”

I roll over, filing a complaint in my mind. “This has to be illegal.”— “Haven’t y’all heard of labor laws? Aren’t I entitled to a day of rest?”

“No. Get up before I show you a real ‘off-day’”

I smack my lips, eyes closed, “Sounds like a plan…”  

Suddenly, I’m viciously yanked by my arm and onto my feet. “Ow! That’s gonna bruise ya know!”

“Pathetic.”

I groan, “Gee, Captain. Maybe you could use a day off too.”

“Ha. You’re hilarious. Now get dressed. In uniform.” He shoves me in the direction of the dresser. Rude!

“I thought you were joking! You’re serious!?” An exasperated Ellie complains, too loudly.

Levi frowns, deeply furrowing his brows. “Why the fuck would you think I was joking?”

I tap my finger to my chin, deep in thought, “Your endless humor and charm?”

“Move, brat. I’ll throw you out the window.” He threatens, all too seriously.

“Captain, are you threatening me with serious bodily harm and/or death?” He crosses his arms with that typical scowl on his face, “Huh, you get it. Maybe you’re less stupid than I thought.” 

She gawks, “Those homicidal thoughts of yours would get you an instant 72-hours of rest and psychiatric treatment, involuntary. In my world.” 

Levi rubs a hand down his face, done with this sorry excuse of a conversation. “I don’t know what that means.”

“Rest or psychiatry?” 

He blinks.

“Psychiatry is the medical specialty dedicated to diagnoses and treatment of mental disorders.” I grin at him.

“You’re the only mental disorder I see.” Levi deadpans.

Goddamn. — “Touché.” I huff defeatedly.

—

I get dressed in uniform, securing my dark-brown, small leather pouch around my thigh. Hmm. When did I get this? A couple of years at least. A vendor at an EDM festival camp. It blends well with my uniform and can be worn around my waist, crossbody, or on my upper thigh.

The first pocket is the perfect size for my phone. The second main pocket has enough room for my lighter, cigarette case, lip oil, and AirPods.

I soon join Levi in his office, who is tapping his foot impatiently—ready to go.

“What’s that?” He asks with a pointed chin nod to my left thigh. 

“Storage. Looks time-period appropriate enough, yeah? Rustic?”

“Tch. Whatever.”

—

The door leading to the outside opens up to the morning light. The temperature is crisp, but comfortable with my jacket. Birds chirp songs of a new day around the unusually quiet training grounds. —I notice Mikasa in the distance, running laps by herself. I wish I had that kind of self-discipline. I groan at my own inadequacies.

I turn my attention back to Levi. My body comes to a panicked, sudden halt when I realize the direction we’re heading. Nuh-uh!

Levi takes a couple of strides forward before noticing the lack of movement in his periphery. He turns around. 

“Move, cadet. Now.”

“You want me to do that on my day-off?”

Levi scoffs, “You don’t get days off until I say you do. You haven’t earned the privilege.”

Excuse me? Excuse you? Now, I’m feeling more offended than I am annoyed. How have I not earned a day off? He must be joking.

I scoff, crossing my arms across my chest, “Wannabe dictator. Pfft.” I grumble.— Levi is in my face within seconds, “What the hell did you just say to me?”

My cheeks redden as I hug my body. I sigh, “Nothing.”

“Good answer. Now are you going to be a big girl and walk, or do I have to carry your ass?”

I huff, puffing out my cheeks. “Fine!!!” — I begin stomping through the grass towards the tree-line. 

“Shitty brat,” Levi mumbles under his breath.

——

Levi helps me attach my ODM gear while I give him the silent treatment. He runs through a refresher on functions, then stands back. Waiting.

Huh? What’d he say? I stare blankly at him.

“Fuck’s sake.” He rolls his eyes, closing the gap of space between us. He moves with speed and tact as he grabs ahold of my hips with expert hands and hoists me up to his waist, grabbing my thighs and wrapping my legs around his back.

Before I can react to the sudden invasion of my space by the captain, he speaks firmly and gruffly, “Hold on if you like your head intact.” —My arms have just reached around the back of his neck when wind slashes across my face. We’re zooming through air, trees blurring past in flashes as Levi aims and fires his wires into branches with exact precision and effortless efficiency. I grip tightly onto him, for dear life.

A high-pitched scream tears out of me before I can bite it back.

“Damn brat,” Levi barks over the wind. “Stop squealing. You sound like a constipated piglet.”

His breath is warm against my ear, jarring against the icy sting of speed. My heart’s trying to beat its way out of my chest—he has to feel it. I grip him tighter, half survival-instincts, half because I’m frozen in pure terror. I think if I let go, I’ll actually die.

I’m clinging to Levi like a terrified monkey. A very dumb, evolution-defying monkey. Darwin can suck it.

“You good?” he asks as we suddenly land on something solid. The abrupt stop sends a jolt through me, and I bury my face in the crook of his shoulder.

My eyes are squeezed shut. I’m not ready to open them. Not if I’m on a twig suspended who-knows-how many feet above death.

“Trees,” I mumble into him, voice muffled. “Are for squirrels.”

Levi exhales something suspiciously close to a laugh. “What was that?”

“Nothing,” I whine, vibrating against his chest. His breath hitches. Brief. Almost unnoticeable.

“You can get off me now. There’s a platform.”

I shake my head, still clinging. “I don’t think I can.”

“You can,” he replies, voice low but firm. “And you will.”

“I don’t want to fall.”

— “I won’t let you fall.”

I hesitate, “Do you promise?”

— “Yes, brat.” A pause. “Down.”

With quivering legs, I slowly loosen my death grip. The tip of my boot grazes something solid—wood, rough and weathered. I slide down cautiously, my hands still clamped to his shoulders, refusing to let go.

I take a deep, trembling breath and look up, meeting Levi’s gaze.

Steel. Stormy, unreadable steel.

I don’t dare look away.

My breathing is erratic—panicked. His doesn’t waver. And somehow, slowly—mine begins to sync with his. 

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

She wills herself to calm down, hands loosening their grip on his shoulders.

 “Okay.” She softly whispers. — “How big is the platform?”

Levi is caught off guard by the choice of question. That’s what she wants to know first? Not how far the ground is?

‘I can’t do this if the platform is tiny. Nope.’

“It’s big enough.”

Why must he always be so vague? Does he do it on purpose?

“You can let go of me now.”

I do. Slowly. —My hands drag down the length of his arms before I allow my right hand to fall to my side. Still apprehensive, —I catch his left wrist, grounding myself as I dare to take a quick glance down. The wooden platform beneath us is roughly the size of a 3x3. Wide enough to not immediately kill me if I stumble. Is this thing secure?

Holding onto Levi’s wrist, I turn and finally take in our surroundings. The trees cocoon us in every direction. Beside us is a crudely constructed wooden dummy that stands tall and menacing—splintery, vaguely humanoid, and about fifteen feet tall. I stare for a moment too long.

“That’s a five meter,” Levi says.

“Okay…” My voice is small. Fragile.

“Those things are about this tall?” I ask, dread coiling in my gut.

He scoffs, “The small ones.”

My stomach drops. “Okay…”

Silence stretches.

“What now?” I ask, trying not to sound as petrified as I feel.

“Now,” he replies, stepping back, “you practice.”

“I just… need a minute.” I sink to my knees, wood creaking beneath me.

Levi’s boots crunch closer. “What are you doing, brat?”

I hum, fishing through my strapped-on bag. “Just need a smoke before I go skysurfing with death.”

“You’re not serious.”

I hold up a cigarette. “Just one. To calm down.”

“Tch.” He crosses his arms. “Fine. Be quick.”

He kneels down to join me. Eyeing the green pack sitting next to my thigh, he questions with a scoff, “American Spirit?”

“Yeah. It’s my favorite. I’m not an everyday smoker though…” I put the stick to my lips, lighting up. — I inhale the tobacco deeply, smoke smoothly filling my lungs before turning my head away from Levi and exhaling. 

“Tch. Let me have one of those.”  

The sudden request catches me off guard. Huh, who’d of thunk. “You smoke?”

“Occasionally.” He gives a clipped response.

I hand him a cigarette and my lighter. — He eyes the zippo for a moment. Right, pocket lighters…hm, when were those invented? They use matches, I think.

“Oh, here.” I snatch my lighter back without explanation and flick it open, — expertly gliding my thumb over the metal to ignite a flame. Levi grunts at the action but allows me to lean in and light his cigarette.

Levi coughs. “This shit is minty. What the fuck is that?”

“It’s called menthol. Flavor. They’re pretty popular back home, but most people probably still smoke regulars.” I shrug.

He silently nods, settling in beside me with his legs dangling over the edge of the platform.

We sit there in silence, shoulder to shoulder, cigarettes in hand, legs dangling off the edge like we’re not up in a tree preparing to murder gravity, and possibly ourselves. Well, me at least. — I’m sure he’d be just fine.

He doesn’t say anything else. Neither do I.

But his body is warm next to mine, and for the first time all day, I’m not completely terrified.

—-

I snuff out my cigarette and place the remains back in my pack. Levi, now standing, holds out a hand. “Get up.”

I take it—reluctantly—and he pulls me to my feet in one smooth motion. I wobble.

“You remember how to fire the cables?”

“I remember learning it.” I wipe my palms on my pants. They’re already clammy. “Actually doing it is only theoretical.”

Levi’s gaze sharpens, reading me like a map he’s already memorized. “You’re not going to fall.”

I huff. “You don’t know that.”

—“I do. Because I’m not letting you.”

My mouth opens. Then closes. Then opens again. “That’s weirdly comforting. Thank you—I think.”

“Tch. Don’t thank me yet. You still have to jump.”

I blink. “Jump?”

He nods towards a branch on the other side of the dummy, just across a pit of doom. “You’ll fire the left grapple first. Hit that branch,” he points, “Then fire the right. Gas burst. Swing. Anchor. Land.”

“That’s like… four things.”

“Congratulations, you can count.”

I exhale sharply, “Ass.”

His mouth twitches.

Holding in a breath, I inch closer to the platform’s edge exercising great caution. My stomach instantly drops just glancing over it. The trees are impossibly tall, like giants themselves, reaching toward the sky in some sick forest version of a death trap. 

I step back. “I—I don’t know if I can.”

How am I going to get out of this? No, better question, how am I going to get down?!

“You can.” His voice is flat. Sure. Unshakeable. “Fear isn’t an excuse.”

“Easy for you to say, Captain Spider-Hulk.”

He steps behind me. “Then pretend I’m about to kick you off this thing.”

Oh —Hell nawww, to the no-No-no.  

I stiffen, paling like a ghost. “You wouldn’t.”

“Would I?” He taunts.

I whip around, panicked. He raises a brow but doesn’t move. — Realization slaps me in the face, “…You totally would.”

“I don’t need to,” he replies coolly. “Because you’re going to jump on your own.”

My mouth is dry. My heart is in my throat. My fingers twitch over the triggers. I stare out at the target branch and try to will myself into someone braver. Stronger.

I exhale shakily, slapping myself in the face a few times and vibrating my heels. — trying to hype up my inner baddie. “WOOF,” I bark with a deep, beastly voice. 

I shake out my arms, “Okay, Ellie. It’s happening! Okurrr.”

…“What the fuck are you doing?”

I hush the nuisance. “Shhh. I need this.”

Levi rolls his eyes but allows my transgression to slide this time.

Flying? Fuck yeah. Sounds cool as shit. “Bad bitch energy, me. Like Nike always says, ‘Just Do It.’ —Be Kylie with the Pepsi. Be grace. Be beauty. Be woman.” 

Levi stares at me with a look of perturbed irritation and a hint of disgust, “Are you on something?”

“No, Captain. This is going to be pussy poppin’!” I make sure to pop my lips on the last word. —And on that note, I clap my hands together.

His jaw visibly clenches tighter at my response as the veins in his neck pop.

Fake it till you make it, bitch. I’m buzzing. Scared shitless, but buzzing.

Before Levi can push me, —before I can think about what I’m about to do, I jump. 

“HOLY FUCKING SHIT!” 

My life flashes before my eyes, — Grapple. Snap. Left wire hits the branch. Right wire—slower—latches into bark with a thunk. My body yanks forward like a slingshot. I shriek. Gas hisses beneath my boots.

Too fast!

I swing wide, spinning off-center, my feet flailing for stability. I crash into a lower branch—not hard, but hard enough to rattle my soul—and skid to a halt, dangling halfway upside down by one line.

Levi’s unimpressed voice rings through the trees. “You call that form?”

I groan, squeezing my eyes shut at the reality of my predicament. “I call that fast and furious.” 

“Barely. Adjust your core. Use your hips, not your shoulders.”

“That is great advice, Captain. Uh. — Mind giving me a hand? I am…frozen until my circumstances change…” I pause. “As in, the circumstances of me currently hanging by a wire while staring death directly in the eye. Nope! Not today, Satan! I refuse to look—” 

— I’m winded by a solid body colliding with mine.

Catching my breath, I steady myself on the sweet, sweet forest ground.

“Ask for help and get a wrecking ball demolition instead.” I grumble under my breath.

“What was that, cadet?”

“Oh-uh! Nothing. Just…that your abs are rock solid.” I quickly ramble out that last part.

For a moment, Levi’s face looks like he’s going to spontaneously combust. “Shitty brat. Stop ogling and maybe you’ll actually learn something for once.”

I hum, pursing my lips at his peccadillo and giving him a single nod. 

“Good. Now do it again.”

-

It takes three more tries. Each time, a little less awful. A little more fluid. Still graceless, but not helpless. By the fifth run, I actually land on the goal branch without smacking into it like a city pigeon finding out about glass windows.

I hang there, breathless, wild-eyed, and trembling.

“See?” Levi mocks, landing beside me with his infuriatingly calm composure. “You didn’t die.”

“That was a close one,” I gasp, hair tousled and limbs shaking. “Have I earned my day off?”

A smirk graces his lips, “What, do you think you get a prize pulled out of your ass every time you do as your told?”

“Do I?”

“Brat.”

I scowl. “C’mon! I almost pissed my pants earlier!”

He grunts, “Disgusting.” A pause. “—Rooftop, this evening.” Levi concedes to my childish groveling.

My eyes widen with sparkling excitement at his words. “You’re the best! Thank you, Captain!” I bounce in place.

“Tch. Don’t. You still have to make it back to HQ.” He blinks once at me before zipping off at inhuman speed through the trees.

“Hey! Wait! I— “I attempt to reason with rationality, but he’s already gone.

Shit. I’m suddenly regretting my choice to keep my eyes shut during my earlier kidnapping. 

Before confronting reality, Ellie takes out her phone and snaps a selfie of herself holding up a peace sign with the titan dummy. She had to document the day she conquered gravity, kinda. 

As it soaks in that Levi is, in fact, not coming back. —She hatches a game plan. Scanning the line of trees in front of her, she plots her route. Steadying herself, she takes off. 

It’s different. 

The sensation of flying through the trees is liberating. Whooshing air drags with resistance —yet her body is weightless, defying physics. Ellie smiles widely, giggling with wonderstruck awe.

She is having fun. 

She grows in confidence and speeds up, howling into the wind.

And—somehow, amongst the absolute chaos, she didn’t fall.

Ellie feels a power within her, pulsing in her blood—calling her name, scratching— begging her, ‘let me free!’

Maybe this place is what Ellie has been searching for all her life. —A place where she can be more.

Mind elsewhere—Ellie doesn’t take notice of the edge of the forest until it’s too late; she flies out into the open sky and prepares herself for an inevitable crash landing—tucking her head between her knees and kissing her ass goodbye. 

Out of thin air, her doomed descent is intercepted by a flash of raven hair. 

“Get your head out of your ass. Are you trying to die?” He barks lowly into her left ear, hot breath fanning across her skin.

Levi effortlessly tosses her onto the ground once he’s landed. Ellie grunts on impact, processing the fact that she was just carelessly thrown into the grass like an object. 

She looks up at him from a kneeling position with keen, big, round eyes, “Not today!”

Right then, her stomach growls—loudly.

Levi groans, scowling down at the brat. “Whatever. Lunch is almost over. Get up.” He begins walking away but briefly pauses on his second step, turning his head over his shoulder and speaking— his voice is edged with something softer, “You did good today, kid.”

Ellie feels a warmth rising in her. Was that praise? From Levi? 

He continues his strides without another glance back.

Ellie pulls herself off the ground, whining in complaint of the aches running through her body. She dusts herself off and begins the walk back to the castle—feeling proud of her newest accomplishment.

Chapter Text

Lunch had come and gone in a blur—bread, stew, water, chatters of scouts conversing in the background. The mess hall was far less busy than yesterday. — Only Eren, Armin, Jean, and Mikasa were present at the table today. Levi had taken it upon himself to join them, positioning himself at the head of the table. — drawing many attentive eyes to his presence and shutting down all conversation within a 10-foot radius.

She believed herself to be observing a new unexplained phenomenon, named the ‘Levi Effect’.

Ellie finished her food quickly to get away from the tense atmosphere—and because she desperately needed a bath.

—

Back in Levi’s office, Ellie immediately begins speedily undoing the suffocating harnesses and straps covering her from head to toe.

Levi cocks an eyebrow, “Brat, take off your ODM gear.” Ellie looks up and blinks.

Oh. My bad. Makes sense.

I follow his lead, removing my gear the proper way and setting it neatly in the corner by the entryway.

“Am I free to bathe, sir?” I ask, words foreign on my tongue.

Levi narrows his eyes slightly, watching me. Questioning something. He nods his chin down, “Yes, that’ll be all for today.”

Woo-hoo! I grin, excitement clear on my face. I patter into the bedroom and grab my toiletries bag, plopping down on the bed to assess my supplies, like a raccoon digging through treasure: An abundance of random samples in a  wide variety, lush products—a bath bomb, soap, sugar scrub and CBD massage bar, my usual skincare products, a mini tool kit for nails and eyebrows, a glass nail file, base coat, top coat, two polishes in black and nude-dusty rose, a matching set of light-pink plush wristbands and headband, face razor, and lastly, hidden within a small inner pocket—a dab pen, brand new. Left on its lone, forgotten and neglected, for who knows how long. My pupils dilate at the discovery. My breath hitches. — “Today.” I whisper to myself, “Just keeps getting better!”

I shuffle through my collection of samples and choose a hair mask, shampoo, conditioner, and peeling face mask. I carefully lay out my selection on the dresser reaching for more items: toolkit, lush products—soap, scrub, and massage bars, the razor, and headband/wristbands. I pack up everything else, sans the dab pen, and toss the toiletry bag into my drawer.

I pick up my items and tiptoe into the bathroom, dumping them onto the ledge inlaid into the back of the shower wall.

I undress and let down my hair— unbothered by the captain’s presence in the next room.— Turning on the water, I step in and bask under the hot, stinging pressure of the stream hitting my skin. I scrub and wash—strong scents of jasmine, rose, sandalwood, and Oudh filling the air around me. My eyes flutter shut as I inhale the familiar fragrances, —I imagine that I’m home right now, in my bathroom. Safe. I savor the moment—clutching onto the comforting feeling of home while it’s still with me.

A deep voice booms from the other side of the open bathroom door,

“Get out, brat! You trying to take a shit in there?”

Ugh.

I groan. “Almost done!” I shout, reaching for the lever and turning the shower off.

I hesitate for a moment, water droplets dripping down me. “You still there? I-I’m naked!”

No response.

“Okay. I’ll take that as a negative.” I ramble under my breath, “Not that I’m opposed to flashing you…naturalists are cool.”

I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body before lightly drying my hair with another. I turn around —

And jump. — “Oh! Jesus H Chrysler, dude!”

Levi stood leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

“Do you have to sneak up like that?!”

Levi doesn’t flinch. “Tch. Next time, don’t take so long to wash. People will think you crawled onto the next shitty planet.”

I scoff. “As if, Captain. You just wanted a peek at what’s going on underneath. Admit it!” I tilt my chin down and give a knowing smirk.

Levi rolled his eyes and turned away. “In your filthy dreams, cadet.”

His footsteps echoed as he left.

“Hey!” I called after him. “You know I’m hot!”

A door clicked shut.

I grinned, towel tucked around me. “Loser.”

——

Ellie spent the next hour completing various skincare and beauty maintenance routines. She trimmed her full, natural eyebrows— carefully cleaning up around the edges with the razor.

Her bangs had grown since she arrived in this world and were beginning to get in the way of her sight—she cautiously and meticulously trimmed her bangs and face framing —tiny pink hairs falling into the sink.

Once she was happy with her work, she returned to the bedroom to get dressed.

Hm. I’m going to dance later, but we still have dinner. I still need to sort through my rave-wear and dance outfits. That can wait.

Ellie decides on her black cargo pants, and the pink satin cami meant as nightwear. It’s not see-through, but it’s sheer. And the fabric doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Oh well. Free the nips!

She sits on the bed and files each of her nails into perfectly shaped oval tips. She’d normally leave a pointy coke nail or two, but that doesn’t seem practical here.— People may think it’s for gold digging, in her nose.

She shudders. I don’t think nail polish exists here either… Ellie recalls a YouTube video she had seen on the ‘Dark History of Nail Salons’. Pfft.

She completes her manicure, sans polish, for now.

Looking like a fresh baby, Ellie tiptoes into Levi’s office. She takes her phone and dab pen along and sinks into the couch.

“Why are you shiny?”

Ellie’s nostrils flare. “It’s called ‘glowing’.”

“Whatever. You look ridiculous.”

She scoffs out a laugh. What the fuck, dude?!

“Not as ridiculous as your face.” Ellie counters.

Levi looks up with a glare capable of making grown men cry. “Excuse me?”

Oh, brother. Someone’s sensitive. “Ridiculously…beautiful?” She tries to recover.

“Tch.” He shakes his head. “Why are you in here?”

Is that a rhetorical question? “Because…I want to be?”

Levi grunts and returns to scribbling away on paper with pen.

—Pen.

Ellie jumps up suddenly, “You’re using your pen! Do you love it!? Isn’t it the best invention since sliced bread?! Or before sliced bread… I don’t actually know—“

Levi barks. “Brat! Quiet.”

After a silent pause he flatly adds, “It’s…nice.”

Ellie smiles widely, “Fuck yeah.”

She receives a warning look from the brooding man and decides to abandon the topic for now. Crashing back onto the couch, she props her legs over the arm.

A moment later, she jumps back to her feet and walks over to the bookshelves lining the wall.

Levi’s jaw ticks with annoyance at her restless movements.

Ellie scans through the vast collection of unfamiliar books. She turns towards Levi. “Which one is your favorite?”

He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You want to read?”

Ellie glances to the shelves then back to Levi.

He gets up from his desk and approaches Ellie. He leans in closely, body brushing against hers as he reaches an arm over and plucks a title from the shelves.

His steel-grey eyes, slightly darkened, hold firm contact with her wide blue-green orbs as he places the book in her hands. A glint of something unknown flashes across his narrowed gaze.

“This one is your favorite?”

Levi nods.

“Yes. It’s a good read.” He boredly states turning back to his desk.

Ellie plops back onto the couch before cracking open the book.

‘Survey Corps Disciplinary Guidelines and Procedures’

Her mind goes blank and her face reddens. This must be a prank. There’s no shot…

She snaps out of it and sarcastically torts aloud, “Haha. Real funny.”

Levi doesn’t flinch. “You should read it.”

She grits her teeth. What’s that supposed to mean? Is he serious? “Bastard.” She mumbles under her breath—but Levi hears her loud and clear.

“Really? You will read it. That’s an order.”

Ellie scoffs with embarrassment. She begins reading quietly.

As she skims through the extensive information, her face contorts into various disturbed expressions. Her eyebrows raise at the long, blasé list of punishments for minor offenses. And the definition of “offense” here is an exaggeration. Talking back is an offense. It’s like this book is intended for wrangling overgrown toddlers. She rolls her eyes.

The text turns more and more serious as the pages continue. Blood rushes to her cheeks and her eyes widen at the mention of ‘corporal punishment’ — with guidelines covering everything from minor ass beatings to public lashings—the latter reserved for the most severe offenses and habitual, repeat offenders.

Her eyes scan down the page. — ‘For a lashing to be distributed as punishment, the superior commanding officer is required to seek out official approval and documentation from the Commander.’

Ellie presses her thighs together, tensing.— Imagining the captain bending her over his knee and—No. Stop that, brain. She squirms at the intrusive thought.

Levi takes notice of her reactions out of his peripheral.

“Enjoying your book?” He taunts.

She shoots him a cloudy death glare. “This is sick.”

He scoffs, a mocking chuckle sounds from his throat. “Too bad. Get used to it.”

That little—grrr! “No thank you, sir.”

Levi tuts. “You’re learning already. Keep it up.”

He is such a—a freak! If he really thinks that I’m just going to go along with all of this, he is sorely mistaken.

Mood soured, Ellie snaps the covers shut and harshly places the finished book in front of Levi. “All done, sir.” She rolls her eyes. Levi smirks, satisfied with his lesson as she turns and stomps into the bedroom.

Time to get stoned as a mofo. Right under the captain’s nose.

She hides away in the bathroom and takes a hit from the dab pen, —inhaling deeply and immediately breaking into a relentless, violent fit of coughs. “Son of a bitch!” She chokes out between her spasming lungs.”Goddamn, need…air.”

But then, a high warmly cloaks her mind and body. Damn. That hit hard.

Dumbass.

She stumbles to the bed and flops face down into a pillow, groaning.

“The hell is the matter with you?” — a booming voice shakes her awake.

“Huh? Nothing…I’m fine!” Ellie reassures him.

Levi frowns, furrowing his brows at her.

She stares intensely into his eyes. “I’m good. Just choked on my own spit.”

He stares at her for a moment longer, searching her eyes with an icy gaze — then, scoffs. “What’s wrong with you?”

With a permanent grin plastered on her face, she stares with wide eyes—freezing like a deer in headlights.

“Brat.” He snaps in her face.

She shakes her head and clears her throat, “Wh-what do you mean? What’s wrong with me?”

“Shitty brat. You’re lying. Fess up or I’ll make you.”

Ellie lazily waves a hand at him, surrendering. “Okay, okay. Just relaxxx, man. Always so serious. Loosen up a little, take a hit from my weed pen!”

She holds out the dab pen.

Levi blinks.

She jerks her hand towards him.

“The hell?”

She brings the weed pen to her lips and takes a hit, blowing smoke rings. Levi roughly grabs the pen from her, pinning her down on the bed angrily. “Who the fuck do you think you are?!” He growls in her face.

“Martha Stewart?” She cheekily replies.

His jaw ticks as he leans in just an inch away from her left ear. He whispers in a deep, threatening voice, “You think this is all a joke now,” he pauses,“— But you won’t when I’m finished with you. You will learn respect, Ellie.”

Her name rolls off his tongue like a bitter promise.

His words send shivers up her spine. Her body tenses beneath his crushing pressure.

She breathily mutters, “Yessir.”—glossy eyes darting to the right.

Levi clenches his jaw—taking a deep breath before lifting his weight from her.

He takes the weed pen and begins walking back to his office, “This conversation isn’t over. I’m confiscating this until you’re ready to stop acting like a bratty child and can address me properly.”

Ellie lays breathlessly on top of the sheets.

Fuck.

—-

The rest of the afternoon is quiet. — Ellie spends some time doing her hair once it has air dried.

She meticulously braids along her scalp on each side of her head. Three rows of braids on each side of her middle part—extending along her scalp up to the back of her ears. She secures everything in place before taking the remaining curtain of hair and pulling it into two perfect-pink space buns. Applying the finishing touches, she brushes out her bangs and the two loose pieces she left out to frame her face. A masterpiece!

As she’s appreciating her work in the mirror, Levi yells from the other room, “Mess-hall in 5.”

Ellie rolls her eyes and groans. She put on her uniform button-up, tucking the bottom into her pant’s black waistband. Can’t have the boys drooling over love at first nipple…

When Levi sees her, he freezes. “You’re wearing your hair like that?”

Ellie looks down at her shoes, suddenly feeling self conscious of her choice in hairstyle.

She quietly explains, “Yes. This is one of the ways I do my hair when I flow dance.” She meets Levi’s scrutinizing gaze. “It took a long time…”

Levi takes a deep breath, nostrils flaring. “Fine.”

—

Dinner is filled with chatter and new faces. Two tall young men sit across from me at the table today, a blonde and brunette. They appear to be slightly older than the rest of my colleagues.

The blonde speaks first, “Hey. I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you, Ellie.”

I stare blankly at him before snapping out of it. I reach out a hand, “Hi, nice to meet you…”

“Reiner. I’m Reiner and this here—“ He grabs onto the brunettes shoulder. “—is Bertholdt.”

There’s something about these two…I don’t know. My gut instinct is sending off alarms. — Despite my instincts never failing, I still somehow manage to ignore the signals my body sends.

Germanic names. Interesting.

I acknowledge the pair with a small nod and half-smile. What is up with these guys?

Eren and the rest of the squad seem to be all buddy-buddy with them—hopefully that’s a good sign.

Reiner proceeds to ask me about my life. I answer his questions, per the script— spewing falsehoods as smooth as butter.

They seem awfully interested in me…

“What does that tattoo mean?” Reiner asks, pointing a finger at the topside of my right wrist. “Never seen anything like it.”

He’s referring to my Vegvisir— tattooed with precise, fine lines on the top of my wrist—centered with the contour line I have running up my arm. The line cuts the Vegvisir into two perfect halves.

—“I was taught to not share the meaning behind my markings…it’s kind of personal. Sorry.” I try to sound apologetic and avert my eyes.

Reiner’s brow slightly twitches into a frown for a moment, but his smile remains. He quickly fixes his expression.

“Surely you can give me something? It is a very interesting symbol. I’m curious.”

Ew.

“No means no.” I snidely remark.

“It’s hard to believe someone like you came from within the walls.”

My body tenses. What the fuck?

“The hell is that supposed to mean? No. Don’t even answer. I’ve had enough of people judging me based on the way I look!” I angrily slam my palms on the table.

Reiner sneers, staring me down. Searching for something in my eyes. I glare at him. Bertholdt stays seated but looks incredibly uncomfortable with the sudden turn in our conversation.

“Hey! Calm down guys. What’s going on?” Eren butts in.

I turn my attention to him and sweetly say, “Nothing. Just messing around.”

Eren chuckles awkwardly. “Well alright.”

Ugh. I hate being pressured by men. They give me the heebie jeebies with a side serving of anxiety.

“It’s a symbol used by warriors.” I boredly state. That should be enough. A nice, vague answer.

The two men have an immediate shift to their demeanor. Suddenly nervous, shifting in their seats and tensing. They share glances towards one another—as if they’re having a silent conversation.

“Um. You good?” I ask, confused by the collective mood swing happening here.

“Uh. Um, yeah. That sounds interesting! Sorry about Reiner here. We actually have to go now!” —Bertholdt speaks up with an arm wrapped around Reiner’s shoulders.

“See you around!” He motions for Reiner to get up.

-

Well that was…strange.

I catch Levi’s gaze and subtly nod towards the exit. Shaping my lips to silently say, “I’m done.” He nods in response. I excuse myself from the table, wishing good night to all of my fellow squad mates before taking my leave.

The unsettled feeling in my chest sticks to me like glue on the walk back to Levi’s office. I’m unusually quiet as I try to make sense of what exactly went wrong back there.

I force the thoughts out of my head, turning my focus to Levi. “Captain.”

He hums.

“When are we going to the roof?”

“Be patient, brat.”

Chapter Text

Levi’s POV

Levi watched her from across the mess hall, the fading light catching in her pink hair like the last embers of a dying fire.

She was laughing at something Jean said, tossing her head back, flashing that reckless grin that didn’t belong in a place like this.

It was dangerous.

Everything about her was dangerous.

She wasn’t supposed to be here. She wasn’t supposed to exist at all. And yet—here she was, loud, chaotic, infuriating—and already wedging herself into places she didn’t belong. Into the squad’s daily rhythm. Into the cracks of Levi’s mind.

He clenched his jaw and forced himself to look away.

Discipline. Order. Rules. That was how things survived.

People like Ellie Lovejoy? They were a match dropped into a room full of powder kegs.

And yet…

When he saw Reiner’s eyes lingering too long on her wrist, when he caught the predatory glint behind Bertholdt’s careful smile, something dark had uncoiled in Levi’s gut. Not the usual awareness of threat. No—this was different. Personal.

It took everything in him not to cross the room right then and put an end to the conversation.

Instead, he watched as she handled it herself—sharp, fast, reading the room better than most soldiers three years her senior. She had instincts. Raw ones.

But she was too trusting. Still too soft in places.

That would get her killed here.

When she caught his eye and mouthed, I’m done, Levi didn’t hesitate. — He gave a short nod.

Good girl.

He exhaled slowly through his nose, rising from his seat a few minutes after she slipped out of the hall. No point in dragging this out.

She spun on her heel to face him, wide-eyed, vibrating with too much energy. “Captain.”

Her sing-songy voice lit something inside of him. He hummed for her to continue.

“When are we going to the roof?”

He almost smirked. Almost.

Impatient. Restless. Brave.

“Be patient, brat,” he said, voice clipped.

——

Upon entering Levi’s office, something familiar catches my eye, “My boots!” I sprint over to the black tactical boots, grabbing ahold of them and inspecting for any tampering.

Levi grunts from behind me, mumbling something under his breath about “shitty glasses” and “breaking in.”

I spin to Levi, hopefulness in my tone, “Can I wear these for training?”

“No.” He grunts.

“But why???” I whine.

“Because I said so brat.” A pause. “No more questions. I have work to do.” He makes way around his desk, picking up a steaming teapot I hadn’t noticed beforehand, and expertly pouring the amber-hued liquid into a porcelain cup.

I stand still in front of him as he goes on with business as usual, ignoring my presence. — I huff, turning away and going to the bedroom. Time to choose an outfit and do my makeup.

—-

Ellie checks herself over, satisfied with her choice in costume:

A black bodysuit, backless, sleeveless, and high neck in design. The high collar, steeped in a deep crimson, bled down to her chest in shapes of licking flames— red flared and crawling downwards. The fiery tendrils flickered and faded into black like smoldering embers.

Under the breasts, a horizontal edge of the fabric kisses an area of exposed skin in the shape of a half-moon and curves up at the navel.

The bottom portion of the bodysuit is high cut, further accentuating her womanly curves. — Black straps buckle together across the bare skin at her sides.

From the navel—a thin, daring sheet of black cascades straight down to the floor with razor-sharp edges—bisecting and slicing down the inner lengths of each leg so that only the outer portions are visible while standing.

Her arms were sheathed in long, sheer gloves that faded from dark crimson to onyx black, the material molding to her hands and ending in fingerless points.

Black tactical boots completed the outfit.

And damn. She looked hot.

Ellie does her makeup lightly — black mascara, white eyeliner on her bottom waterlines, dusty rose blush, blotted, tinted lip balm —and a little bit of ‘war-paint’, as she liked to call it. UV reflective gel that dries clear but glows electric against the light of her whip. She draws three thin, horizontal, indigo lines across the nose of her bridge—lined up pleasingly between her eyes.

She drags her brush in contouring lines of blue under her eyes—three on each cheek, bleeding downwards, and a vertical line from her bottom lip to chin. She accents her work with specks of red.

Ha. I wonder what Levi will think when my face suddenly lights up like magic in the dark.

Satisfied with her work—she packs up her things and steps into Levi’s office.

At first, he doesn’t notice her presence. Or— that’s what she thought.

“We can go in 5.” Levi boredly states without looking up. Ellie stills in the doorway. “Thank you, sir!”

Ellie slinks back into the bedroom, letting out a breath of relief that she had not been aware she was holding in.

He didn’t see me. Probably for the best. Teehee.

She slings on her satchel and covers herself with her scouting cloak—next, she shimmies into her cargo pants, carefully tucking the dress in.

Perfect. He’ll suspect not. Not that I think he’d care... Well — oh. Who am I kidding?

He’s definitely going to give her shit for this.

—

It’s 11 pm when Levi and Ellie leave his quarters and begin weaving through the long corridors— torches casting long, shadowy tendrils up the stone walls and floors. Ellie quickly realizes that they aren’t taking the same path as last time. Their timed steps are the lone echo through the empty, vast, somewhat ghastly halls.

They walk for 10 minutes before the torches begin to dwindle down in frequency, — eventually fading into a pitch-black tunnel of unknown.

Ellie watches as Levi uses the last torch to light a lantern, before continuing to lead the way.

She cannot help but stare at him as they walk. — At how the flame glows and flickers against Levi’s face—shadows cutting across his prominent features, highlighting every angular, sharp edge. Framing him as a near godlike being.

He looks stunningly handsome. And deadly.

My breath catches, “Where are we?” I ask.

“This part of the castle is still abandoned. — No one uses it.”

I hum in acknowledgement.

A bit of ways further down, we reach a wooden door. Levi creaks it open, stepping in; I follow him across the threshold and into a winding corridor of a spiral staircase. We ascend the stairs, spiraling up and up the cylindrical spire—until reaching a matching door at the top.

Crisp, fresh air fills my lungs as the door swings open into the evening sky. We step out onto an upper balcony—overlooking a battlement below. A stone railing leads down short steps and onto a spacious, secluded area of the roof.

The stars twinkle above.

It’s perfect.

(A/N playlist recommended for remainder of chapter—set your cross-fade to 6 seconds for maximum smoothness!) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11EoWKmulYl5lzNVQGRzZp?si=3yF4bC_xTUK6s4r8eN9s2Q&pi=zGYIOS-OTyCo2

Ellie hangs her speaker behind Levi, clipping it onto the bannister of the balcony. She swipes on her phone and presses play on her personalized playlist for flow dancing.

‘Intro’ - The xx

Music flows out, swirling into the air and replacing the silence. The acoustics are perfect.

Levi follows her movements as she removes her green cloak, setting it aside on a stool—then unbuttoning and unzipping her pants.

— “Oi, brat. Do you mind?”

Oops. Ellie pauses her motions—but quickly resumes, kicking off her pants and revealing her badass costume in all its glory.

Levi’s eye twitched. —

It wasn’t modesty that stopped him cold—it was the sheer audacity. She stood in the open air like sin personified, draped in something that could barely be called a dress. Red bled from her throat down her chest in shapes that looked disturbingly like fire licking skin, or blood spreading in water. The material clung and parted in all the wrong places—if there was a rule about decency, she had studied it only to spit on it.

His gaze—sharp, unwilling—flicked downward. A single black strip of fabric trailed from her navel to the floor, bisecting her like a blade, — while her hips were left bare to the world, interrupted only by the thin suggestion of black straps at her sides. The sleeves, long and sheer, clung to her arms like smoke before vanishing into fingerless gloves.

And the boots—laced up—were the only part that made sense. At least her feet looked ready to stomp someone’s face in.

He didn’t blink. Didn’t speak. Just stared—one brow rising the way it always did before someone got themselves killed—or was given toilet duty for a month.

“…The hell is that supposed to be?”

Uh. “…uniform?” Ellie tilts her chin downwards, grinning mischievously at Levi. He doesn’t flinch. “Dance…uniform!” She raises her eyebrows.

Yeah, yeah. Dance uniform.

Levi’s jaw locked. His fingers twitched at his side like they were resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.

“Is this a cry for help,” he asked flatly, “or just a new way to make me suffer?”

She arched a brow, the ghost of a smirk pulling at her lips. “It’s fashion, Captain. Try not to have a stroke.”

Levi narrowed his eyes dangerously, “Fashion,” he repeated, eyes dragging over the absurd ensemble like it personally offended his existence. “That’s not fashion. That’s a wardrobe malfunction held together by spite.”

He stepped closer, boots silenced by the music, as the tension on the roof thickened.

“I can see your—” he gestured vaguely, unwilling to name body parts like this was a goddamn anatomy lesson. “All of it. You planning to distract a Titan with that thing?”

“Maybe,” she said. “Might work if they had testicles.” Ew. Ellie cringes inwardly. Why did she say that? Now those words are out there in the world and can never be taken back. —

He exhaled sharply through his nose. “You’ve got exactly three seconds to change before I confiscate that… fabric experiment and burn it.”

She crossed her arms—barely, given how little there was to cross over—and tilted her head. “And if I don’t?”

Levi didn’t blink. “Then I will have to discipline you.”

Ellie’s cheeks flush red at his words just as the first song transitions—

‘Black On Black – Edit’ — SRVD

“Oh! That’s my cue!” Ellie quickly spins around and grabs her fiber optic whip from its carrying case— then scampers into position.

“Don’t worry Captain, you’ll love it! Relax!” She calls back to him.

“Shitty brat! Don’t cry to me when your actions have consequences!” Levi shoots steel-grey daggers at Ellie from his new position on the upper balcony, leaning against the wall.

Ellie shakes her head, giggling. Oh no! She’s getting dress-coded! — At 21 years old!

She scoffs, taunting further, “Don’t be such a Mormon, Levi! What year is it, again? — Go Feminism!”

He scoffs, not understanding half of what comes out of her mouth, “Shut up and get this over with before I change my mind,” — he rolls his eyes as he observes the strange scene unfolding before him with narrowed eyes.

‘Overthinker’ — INZO

Ellie’s whip lights up in streams of black light—she maneuvers it into a hoop and lays it on the ground, her stood at the center. The light glows up her body, igniting her leg tattoo to life — blue wisteria vines climb the length of her right leg from her ankle to her hip. The ink—UV reactive— sets ablaze in crystallized detail.

Levi’s eyes widen slightly at the effect, brows furrowed. Is that some sort of illusion?

Ellie begins slowly, moving within the ring of light in sensual poses that outline her form against the shadows. She languidly crouches to the ground and grabs a hold of the ring as the bass drops—she spins, wrapping the liquid fire up and around her shoulders, arms, and torso.

Ellie’s body naturally synchronizes with the sound waves invading her thoughts—as if second nature. The show has begun.

‘Spaceboss’ – Liquid Stranger, Space Jesus

Indigo and teal embers flow in streams, glowing against her face and setting her makeup alight in exotic fluorescence. Even the pink of her hair glows like neon.

Levi’s eyes are trained on her when the neon lines appear across her cheeks, chin, and nose. — The makeup shares a striking resemblance to the titan marks that appear on Eren after shifting. He can tell that her’s are hand drawn, even from afar, — but she wasn’t wearing anything visible before.

Her body moved like smoke and silk, the neon lines painting her face in fierce patterns—the tattoos on her leg igniting in brilliant blue.

Hange would have a psychotic break from this.

The colors of her whip transition into hot pink streaks, tipped with purple sparks.

‘ETERNAL NOW’ — LSDREAM, Champagne Drip

Ellie’s heartbeat quickens against her chest as she moves with sharpened grace. The flames slither up her arms, held above her head as she moves like a serpent. — Lava cascades down in rings from her wrists to her feet.

She squats with her bottom resting on the heels of her boots and her legs spread open—weaving infinity signs around her bent knees and thighs at the height of the music.

Levi can’t keep his eyes off her. If he did not know any better, he would think she was playing with actual fire. It’s admittedly, a spectacular display. —

‘Rushing Back feat. Vera Blue’ – FLUME

She transitioned with her infinity moves into a standing position, bending backwards into a near backbend—spinning a lightning noose around her neck, before straightening back up.

Ellie twirled low to the ground, the whip trailing behind her in a comet’s tail, then rose on her toes, spinning faster, faster—until the music and the lights and her own heartbeat blurred into a single riotous thrum.

The background faded into a blur. The air itself—warped around her. She was entirely in this very moment.

She smiled widely, tilting her head to the sky as she continued her movements. She blinks up at the stars, twinkling brighter than usual.

‘Neck And Neck - DNMO Remix’ – Zeds Dead, Dragonette, DNMO

Her feet step across the stone floor, with no hesitation. No fear.

Her breaths echo in her head with each inhale and exhale—her heart thrums in her ears—blending with the music. Her body flows instinctually. — Elation takes over in stormy waves up her limbs, consuming her.

Levi freezes in awe.

‘Same Things (feat. Gabrielle Current)’ – Cassian

Ellie twirls. The look on her face—Alive. Free.

Her flawless skin sparkles under the starlight. Levi stepped closer.

And then—

Her eyes locked with his mid-spin.

For a heartbeat, they glowed. — Not the usual blue green he had come to recognize. No, this was something else—something unnatural. A fierce, brilliant cerulean radiance that shimmered with power. Ethereal.

Time… slowed.

The flicker of the lights left trails in the air like fireflies suspended in a mirage. Her body moved in slow, liquid arcs—her laughter like a haunting chime carried out unto the wind. Not mocking. Not cruel. Just… unearthly. Beautiful. Untouchable.

And Levi—he felt it.

Not just saw it. Felt it.

Warmth flooded his chest, raw and sudden. A spike of emotion—bliss, longing, confusion, awe—all tangled together like some powerful drug. His pulse quickened. He wanted to move toward her, to understand, to—

To feel it again.

It was like being caught in a daydream that wasn’t his.

Ellie twirled again, and the world tilted.

She was feeling joy. Pure, wild joy. And somehow, impossibly, he was feeling it too.

Was this her power? Some ability from the Titan that slumbered within her? An empathic tether? 

— “Ymir.” —

The name echoed through his mind like a whisper caught in the wind.

Levi’s hands gripped the railing. His knuckles went white.

She slowed, breath hitching, and turned—finally noticing him.

Her eyes dimmed, returning to their natural hue—but she was still glowing somehow, lit from within. Her expression softened into something sheepish and vulnerable. Like she knew something had just happened.

Levi moved with ease down the balcony steps.

‘If Love Is A Skill’ – LP Giobbi, Sofi Tukker

“Captain,” she said, almost breathless. “I was just… moving.”

“What the hell was that?” Levi’s voice was low, dangerous. But there was something else under it. Something shaking loose.

Ellie blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

He stepped closer, carefully. “Your eyes. They lit up. You—did something. I felt something.”— His tone was unreadable now, caught between accusation and awe.

Ellie looked away, heart pounding, “I didn’t do anything.”

But Levi knew she had. And he knew—more than anything—that whatever lived inside her wasn’t normal. Wasn’t human. Wasn’t safe.

Yet…

He didn’t want to stop watching.

Something primal pulled him forward, almost against his will.

He reached her in two strides, grabbing her chin roughly between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look at him. His hold was firm, commanding. Testing.

His steel eyes, usually so cold, darkened with something dangerous. Something unsaid.

Ellie gasped softly, the air catching between them.

His other hand traced lightly up her side—hesitating, then gripping her waist hard enough to ground her. The hand on her chin slid lower, claiming her throat. Firm. Possessive.

Not enough pressure to hurt—but enough to make her pulse roar in her ears.

Her lashes fluttered. Her mouth parted. She looked up at him with a heady, dazed yearning, lids half-lowered, her whole being caught in the gravity of him.

“Levi…” she whispered, her voice a tender ache—steeped in need and something deeper. Something electric.

She lifted a trembling hand to his cheek, fingertips brushing the hard line of his jaw, then weaving up into the soft undercut of his hair. The contrast between the shaved edge and the longer black strands made her breath hitch. Her touch was reverent—slow and careful, like cradling something sacred she might break.

For a heartbeat, Levi did not move.

They just stood there—locked in the weight of something unfolding. Something dangerous and raw, and inevitable.

Her palms flattened against his chest, feeling the solid muscles through his white button-up—dense and unyielding, the product of a lifetime spent sharpening himself into a weapon. A protector. A man built from discipline, battle, and duty.

His hand around her throat tightened ever so slightly. —

A tremor passed through Ellie. Her breath left her lips in a shaky exhale, so close to his own that it made the air vibrate between them.

Levi’s gaze flickered down to her parted mouth. He lingered there, a breath away from surrendering to something he knew was dangerous.

Then—

He released her.

The loss of his touch felt like a slap.

Levi stepped back, one measured movement, forcing air and logic between them.

He turned on his heel, voice cool and precise despite the fire still smoldering under his skin.

“Get inside,” he ordered. “Now.”

Ellie stood there, rooted to the rooftop, the night air suddenly cold against her skin.

The space where his hands had been—her throat, her waist—throbbed with the phantom memory of his touch. Every nerve ending screamed at the loss, at the sudden, jarring emptiness he left behind.

She watched his retreating back, stiff and controlled, like if he moved any faster, he might shatter.

Her heart hammered against her ribs, aching in ways she didn’t know how to name.

She could still feel the ghost of his breath, the restrained fury and need tangled between them. She could still see the flicker in his eyes—the moment he almost chose her. Almost surrendered. Almost.

Almost.

Ellie swallowed hard, blinking up at the indifferent stars. For a heartbeat, she thought about running after him, about grabbing his hand, about forcing the moment back into existence.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she gathered the broken pieces of herself, the embers of something beautiful and terrifying, — and followed him into the dark.

—

Ellie did not hesitate.

Light-footed and emboldened, she padded across the rooftop and up to the balcony after him, — the chill of the stone bannister against her skin, the fire inside her burning hotter.

Levi moved fast—silent, precise—but she was faster tonight. High on something she could not define.

She caught up at the stairwell door, slipping through right behind him without permission, her presence a deliberate taunt.

“You’re awfully quick to turn tail, Captain,” she said under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear.

Levi didn’t look at her. Didn’t even flinch. But his hand tightened briefly on the railing as he descended the steps, that tiny crack in his armor was all the answer she needed.

Ellie smiled to herself, trailing him like a shadow.

Down the empty corridors, her footsteps made no sound, but she knew he could feel her there—close enough that if he stopped, she would crash into him.

He did not stop.

Not until they reached the door to his quarters.

There, he turned sharply, cutting the distance between them to almost nothing.

Ellie’s breath caught.—

For a second, the world shrank to just the space between their bodies, electric and trembling.

Levi leaned in, his voice a low growl, barely more than a thread of sound.

“Keep pushing me— and see what happens.”

It wasn’t a warning.

It was a promise.

Ellie’s heart hammered against her ribs—and still, she lifted her chin, looking up at him through her lashes with that same teasing glint.

“I’m counting on it,” she whispered.

For a moment, the tension was unbearable—one breath away from something explosive.

Then— Levi shoved the door open, ushering her inside with a rough, wordless gesture.

She went—still smiling to herself—knowing the war between them had just begun.

And for once… she wasn’t afraid to lose.

The door shut behind them with a sharp, final click.

Levi stood motionless for a moment, back to her, jaw working like he was grinding down words too dangerous to speak.

Then, slowly, — he turned.

His gaze pinned her in place—hard, unblinking, unreadable. The cold precision of a man who’d already made up his mind.

“Strip,” he said simply. “Waist down.”

Ellie’s breath caught. She stared at him, heart hammering against her ribs, blood roaring in her ears. He’s not actually—

“Levi—” she started, unsure whether it was a protest or plea.

His voice dropped lower, dangerous.“You disobeyed me. You pushed me. You taunted me—your superior commanding officer.”

He took a step closer. Not fast. Measured. Heavy.

“You want to act like a brat?” His tone was almost calm now, scarier than shouting. “You get treated like one.”

Ellie’s hands trembled slightly as she undid the button to her pants. She could have said no.
Should have said no.

But she didn’t.

Some part of her—wild and reckless—wanted to see what he would do.

She let the black pants fall to the floor, pooling around her ankles —she removed her shoes—leaving her in the scantily clad bodysuit and green cloak.

Levi crossed to the couch and sat, legs spread, posture relaxed in the way that meant he was anything but.

He crooked a finger.

“Over my knee.”

Ellie hesitated—just for a heartbeat.

Then she moved.

Slowly, shakily, she crossed the room and lowered herself across his lap, her hands gripping the arm of the couch to steady herself.

For a second, nothing happened.

She felt the weight of his hand resting lightly on her lower back, steadying her. And then—

The first strike fell. Sharp. Precise.

The sting bloomed across her skin, sending a shudder through her whole body.

He wasn’t brutal. He wasn’t careless.

Every strike was measured, controlled, carefully placed.

Ellie bit her lip, trying not to make a sound. —She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Asshat.

But her body betrayed her—hips jerking slightly with every sharp, punishing smack.

By the fifth, her eyes stung with tears she refused to shed. Her breaths were erratic and shaky.

Levi’s hand paused, resting warm against the heated skin of her ass. Crimson red flushed her face.

His voice was quiet. Rough.

“You think you’re untouchable,” he murmured, — almost to himself. “You’re not.”

Another strike. Harder this time. Ellie gasped, the sound tearing out of her before she could stop it.

“You think you can play with fire without getting burned?”

Another.

“You don’t know what you’re tempting, brat.”

The final blow left her breathless, — trembling across his lap, heart pounding so hard it felt like it might crack through her ribs.

He rested his hand on her again, fingers splaying possessively across her bruised skin—separated only by the very thin fabric of her bodysuit.

Neither of them moved.

The silence between them buzzed with something thick, heavy, dangerous.

And when he finally helped her up, his touch was gentler than it had any right to be.

Ellie stood in front of him, breathing hard— eyes blazing with humiliation, fury, and something else she dares not name.

Levi leaned back, looking at her with terrifying calm.

“Next time,” he said, voice low, “I won’t go so easy.”

The stinging still blossomed across her skin in hot, aching waves. Her breath came in shallow bursts, legs shaky, body raw and electric from the heat of his palm.

Ellie’s glassy eyes never leave his.

She didn’t reach for her pants.

Didn’t try to cover herself.

She just stood there—bare, glowing with defiance and adrenaline—and let the silence stretch between them like a dare.

Levi looked up at her, calm again. Unreadable. That same practiced stillness he always wore after violence—like nothing touched him. Like he hadn’t just laid his hands on her. Like her skin didn’t still echo his name.

She tilted her head, breath hitching once—then let a smirk curl upon her lips.

“That all you’ve got, Captain?” She bites her lower lip.

His gaze didn’t flicker. But his hand, still resting on his thigh, curled into a fist.

“I thought maybe you were holding back,” she went on, her voice low and teasing—brushing the edges of breathlessness. “Didn’t want to leave a mark, maybe?”

A dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes. Brief. Barely contained.

Ellie stepped forward—bare feet soundless against the stone floor—until she stood right between his legs.

She didn’t touch him.

She didn’t need to.

“Next time,” she murmured, leaning in just slightly, letting her lips hover near his ear, “you should spank me harder.”

His breath hitched—just once. Just enough.

“Maybe then,” she whispered, “I’ll behave.”

She pulled back, watching him like a lit fuse as she tested his restraint.

Levi stood, slow and deliberate, — forcing her to take a step back as the sheer weight of him rose to meet her.

He did not touch her. Did not speak.

But the air between them buzzed like the moment before thunder.

His eyes glared with unyielding steel—furious and starving.

And Ellie? She smiled.

Because he felt it too.

Chapter Text

Levi felt his composure slipping away—fast. He was not a man of impulse. Not a man who loses control.

But there she stood—defiant, unyielding, eyes still blazing after everything. The sting of her smirk. The brazenness. The maddening grip she had on him in this moment.

He had to stop it. Now.

Before he did something worse.

Before the fire in his blood became something feral.

His hand moved on instinct.

Crack!

The sound rang out sharper than thunder in the still air as the flat of his palm met her cheek—hard.

She froze in place, with her head turned to the side—eyes widened in shock.

“Go to bed. Training at 5.” Levi coldly and flatly states. He turned without another word, back straight, boots silent on the floor.

He does not dare look back.

He waits another beat before hearing the soft shuffling of Ellie exiting his office for the bedroom.

Only then did he release the breath that had been trapped in his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose, the ache of regret already blooming behind his ribs.

He had told Erwin that this was a bad idea, argued with the Commander—but the man had been relentless as usual and had insisted. Now, Levi was paying the price.

He needed to find a way to get her moved into her own room.

She can’t be here, with him.

Not anymore.

The plan had originally been to get her out of his quarters once they’d learned more about her hidden titan powers. Tonight was a step towards that.—Except now there were even more questions than answers. What the hell happened up on the roof?

Levi didn’t like it. He didn’t like the inexplicable feelings that tore at his composure and silently peeled away at the layers of his control. He is not a vulnerable man. And he was going to get to the bottom of it. He knew that Ellie knows something more.

What is that brat hiding?

He needed to have a meeting with Erwin. His daily report on Ellie wouldn’t be enough to get the message across—and Levi wasn’t a person who memorialized his own personal shortcomings with ink on parchment.

Not to mention, there’s no way in hell that he was going to disclose everything that occurred tonight. He’ll provide details on the necessary highlights. That will be enough to please Erwin.

——

Ellie didn’t register the cracking impact of Levi’s hand striking the right side of her face. Her mind instantly blanked—as if time stood still—the taste of metallic filling her mouth.

“Go to bed. Training at 5,” she heard Levi’s distant, muffled voice behind the high-pitched ringing in her ears.

She stared at the floor, watching droplets of water splash against the stone. Her breathing and heart rate plummeted to a normal, hollow, calm rate. I should go to bed.

She grabbed her things and quietly slipped into the bedroom, gently shutting the door behind her to a crack.

Ellie changed into pajamas, washed her face, and slipped into bed—sleep quickly taking over.

—-

The next morning, Levi’s voice came flat and detached.

“Ellie. Get up.”

She stirred quickly, groaning, and bringing a palm up to her pounding head and throbbing face.— Levi had already walked away.

She jolted out of bed, feeling a dizzy spell wash over her.

Ellie stumbled into the bathroom, turning to the sink, — and freezing at her reflection.

In the mirror, covering the right side of her face, along her cheek and streaking across to her hairline—an angry, red bruise in the shape of a handprint.

She sucked in a shaky breath, cupping a hand over her mouth as she choked back a sob—she jumps into action.

Ellie hastily applies color correction and concealer, blending furiously against the clock. She cannot be late. Not today.

She nearly trips over herself while rushing to put on her uniform. She fumbles her harnesses a few times, unable to keep her hands steady.

Ellie stumbles into Levi’s office right on time—standing quietly at the doorway and waiting for his direction. She picks at her thumbnail while keeping a neutral expression on her face. She tunes out the tense atmosphere until Levi speaks first, snapping her back to reality, “This isn’t going to work if you won’t even look at me.”

Ellie lifts her gaze to look straight at Levi’s forehead, “sorry, sir,” she mutters quietly.

Levi blinks—“Very well, let’s go.”

Her stomach twists in knots as she walks to the basement with Levi for hand-on-hand combat training. Ellie counts each individual stair she steps on—-, one, two, three, …nineteen, twenty.

She counts the torches that line the hallway to the sparring room. Six.

When they arrive, Ellie goes straight to warming up with some stretches.

She shakes her leg up and down as she alternates sides, tapping her foot anxiously and broadcasting her nervousness.

Levi silently watches her from the corner of the room.

He should have expected this. He should have never slapped her like that.

He knows he messed up—but what is done, is done. And there is no taking it back.

Ellie was feeling a bit claustrophobic under the weight of the room. The walls began closing in on her.

Her vision tunnels as it gets harder to breathe, she clutches at her chest—panicking, “I can’t breathe!”—her eyes dart around her surroundings before locking wild, widened eyes with the captain, “Levi, I need my inhaler,” she trembles on her knees—a few teardrops fall from her face.

Her breathing becomes increasingly erratic and shallow. “I can’t breathe!!!” She screams at Levi.

The expression on his face softened with concern—he lowered himself in front of her, grabbing her by the shoulders, and pulling her into his chest.

Levi had witnessed this before with her. Back in the dungeon.

Ellie tenses for a moment but ultimately surrenders to his warm, comforting embrace. She grips tightly onto his shirt as she tries to regulate her breathing—to no avail.

She cries harder—shaking and sweating profusely in his arms.

Levi pulled back slightly, looking her in the face, “Ellie, I need you to calm down for me,” he gently cupped a palm to her cheek—she flinched away in pain.

Levi’s brows furrowed at her reaction, but he quickly noticed the slightest bits of purple peaking through here and there where his hand had come down on you. He felt guilty.

He pulled her into him again and gently stroked her hair with one hand, using the other to rub her back in comforting, grounding motions.

She closed her eyes and melted into his chest—exhaustion taking over. She deeply inhales Levi’s soothing scent and inadvertently nuzzles her face into him—he doesn’t seem to notice, or if he does—he doesn’t mind.

“Hey. Don’t fall asleep on me, brat.” he gently says.

Ellie sat up sleepily—facing Levi who frowns deeply upon seeing her face. He is staring at her cheek.

I lift a shaky hand to cover it, my eyes darting to the mess I have left behind on his shirt before moving back to his eyes.

Levi’s eyes had already followed my line of vision, then locked back onto my face.—He gently grabbed my chin and turned my head to the left, inspecting the nasty mark that had been concealed previously.

He said nothing. Just studied it, his expression darkening.

I avert my eyes, taking in shaky breaths while feeling every second of his iron gaze burning holes into my skin.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper as a tear drops from my left bottom lashes and splashes onto Levi’s hand.

He clenches his jaw tightly before looking away with a torn expression, “Let’s get that taken care of.”

Levi actively avoids making eye contact as he gently guides her back to his quarters. Ellie allows him to help her—he removes her shoes and jackets, settling her into bed.

Levi leaves the room and shortly comes back with a bowl of cool water and a rag.—He carefully dabs away any remaining makeup on my face, exposing the full extent of the injury.

He sucked in a breath. Fists clenched.

What the hell is wrong with me?

She looked up at him through her lashes, studying his face—the hollows beneath his eyes, the weight in his silence.

He looked like he had not slept at all last night.

No one dared to speak.

He applied salve with a featherlight touch, then stepped back, as if afraid to be near her.

Ellie didn’t stop him.

But the room felt colder the second he left.

—-

Levi felt like shit.

He knew that he had put too much power into his slap last night, but he had not intended for it to go this far.

Seeing the outline of his hand bruised into her cheek like that stirred something in him. He hated it.

She looked like a battered woman, and he was the one who made her that way. She’d tried to cover up his crimes. Why? He couldn’t understand.

She had concealed the marks he left on her, from him.

Why would she do that? Why not show them off? Why not let everyone know that the Captain Levi was the one who made them?

He paced in his office before resting at his desk.

What should he do? Should he wash his hands clean and move forward as if nothing happened? Or does he try to make things right?

She deserved that slap.

Last night, Ellie was way out of line. She needed to be put in her place, and he’d done exactly that. Still — was he too hard on her?

If it were anyone else—Levi would not give a second thought to putting a brat back in their place.

He said that he wouldn’t give her special treatment—but he has been doing exactly that.

He’s an idiot for not knowing better. He should know better.

Ellie is propped up on pillows in bed, silently resting her eyes.

A deep, yet gentle voice speaks, “You awake?”

She opens her eyes to Levi standing at the foot of the bed.

Levi sighs, rubbing the back of his head, “Look, I didn’t mean to injure you. I lost control.” He pauses, “I’m sorry.”

Ellie exhales a breath she’d been holding. She gazes into his stormy grey hues and quietly admits, “I deserved it.”

Levi is taken aback by her response.

He shakes his head.

“No. I shouldn’t have left those marks. That was uncalled for.”

“I understand, Levi… it’s okay.”

It wasn’t okay.

Levi approaches her side of the bed and sits beside her legs, turning to face her.

“I’m always tapering my strength to make sure that I don’t injure scouts. — It never should have happened.”

Tapering his strength? What, does he think he’s the hulk? I mean, sure. He’s ripped. Don’t get me wrong— the man is extremely strong, but doesn’t he think he’s exaggerating a bit?

“We need to talk about what happened last night.”

Ellie nods, bracing herself for this conversation. She knew it was coming.

“I—um.” She closes her mouth, furrowing her brows together.

Levi raises a brow, waiting for more.

“I don’t know.”

Levi deadpans. “You don’t know? Anything?”

She doesn’t respond.

A beat passes.

Levi clicks his tongue, “Could you write it down on paper?”

Ellie nods.

He brings her a blank report to fill out, along with her pencil case, before sitting down with some paperwork of his own at the small table by the window.

Ellie tries to gather her thoughts as best as she can before touching pen to paper.

What the hell was she supposed to say?

‘So, like, back then, my body was like, super light. And uhhh uhhh, it was like badaaaam!! And duurrrr and budaah!! Then my heart went badum badum, and my ears went screeeeeee! And tinkle tankle too!!’

No. —

‘I was dancing, and it felt good. Then it felt amazing, and I started feeling elated? Blissful? And it was like my body was one with the music, like, merged? Everything seemed extra beautiful, and my heart rate thumped with the earth’s pulsating.

Idk how to explain.

I guess “in-sync” would be the best word to describe it. Then, I could hear my breaths too in my head—it was all very overwhelming, but in a good way?

Then I was standing inside of bright light. I could still feel my body moving on its own, but it is like I stepped out of my skin into a time warp. Not by choice, I don’t think… It just happened.

Then I was somewhere else. It felt like a dream, kinda. Idk. I saw these threads all around me—and then I felt sand in my toes. I was moving in slow motion inside, but outside I moved normally.

Then I made eye contact with Levi and came back to my body. He instantly felt magnetized to me. Like I was being pulled towards him. It was familiar. That is all I remember atm.’

-

Ellie hands Levi her shitty report. She knows it is shitty, but she does not have the correct words right now.

Levi silently reads what she has written, scowling at the page. He sighs upon finishing it.

“Is there anything else?” He pauses, “Has anything like this happened before?”

Ellie tenses, averting her eyes.

“Ellie, I need to know if anything else has happened since you’ve been here.”

She closes her eyes and shakes her head before mumbling, “yes.”

Levi grunts, “What is it?”

“I’ve been seeing things…feeling things…knowing things—that I shouldn’t. I don’t know.”

“Like what?”

“Like sometimes I think I’m dreaming memories that haven’t happened, in pieces.” She bites her lip, “I feel like I’m extra sensitive. — I’ve always been emotional, but it is like I can actually feel what other people are feeling. Not all the time, but often enough. I feel like I just know.”—

“I feel like I have heightened senses. Maybe it’s always been that way… I’m just listening to them now.” — And one more thing, you. I feel drawn to you.

Ellie picks at her thumbnail, tears flooding her eyes, “I’m really sorry I didn’t say anything.”

Levi scans her face for any signs of lying but finds none. He takes a deep breath, “Why didn’t you?”

Ellie thinks for a moment before answering, voice wavering, “…because I’m scared.”

Salty droplets slide down her cheeks.

They sit in heavy silence for a few minutes, processing the information.

— “Try to heal yourself.”

Ellie frowns in confusion, “What?”

“Focus. Concentrate on the pain—try to heal it.”

What? Ellie blinks, “I—um. Okay. I’ll try, I guess?”

She sniffles, “Why? I don’t understand.”

Levi sighs, rubbing his chin, “Because we still believe that you’re a titan-shifter.”

There it is. We’re back to day one.

Ellie’s eyes widened, “What?!”

“Titan-shifters have self-healing abilities. We know that you’ve used that ability since arriving—whether you were aware or not.”

She desperately searches Levi’s steel-grey gaze for answers, “Do you mean… the dungeon?”

Levi hums. “Before that too. When you first got here, in my office.”

Ellie squeezes her eyes shut and thinks hard, back to that first night—everything had happened in such a blur. It was disorienting and overwhelming.

I feel cool trickling down my collarbones — “I-I’m-my name is eh-Ellie. A-are you going to kill me?” — “What are you doing in my office?!”

She gasps at the memory, pain in her chest.

“You’re a titan-shifter?!”

She thinks back to the torture she endured.

“Can’t have your mind drifting off like that. Here, let me help you with that.” —

Ellie’s hands fly up and into a defensive position over her chest, trembling, “no-no…no! Please!”

She takes her head in her hands and sways back and forth to self-soothe. She snaps out of it.

Looking at Levi with a pained expression, she says, “Okay. I’ll try.”

Levi follows her over to the bathroom sink. She gasps at her reflection. It looks far worse than it did just hours ago.

“Um—Just will it into being?”

Levi shrugs, “Maybe.”

Ellie studies the bruise on her face, applying light pressure to the tender flesh. She imagines the broken capillaries under the skin and the old blood pooled beneath. Her brows furrow with concentration.

A few beats pass.

She lets out a frustrated sigh, “it’s not working.”

“Keep trying. You can do it.”

Ellie wracks her brain for anything that would help her. She turns around to face Levi and stares deeply into his metallic eyes.

She feels the pull.

She sees a blurry flash of light.

She reaches for his hand and gently guides it to her cheek, brushing his fingers against her skin. Levi allows her touch.

He carefully cups her cheek and softly runs his thumb over the bruised skin, losing himself in the dark red and purples streaks marking her.

Ellie closes her eyes and leans into his touch, focused on the feeling.

Dark reds and purples turn into black and blue— turn into brown and yellow—turn to creamy skin tinted with a light blush.

His touch feels divine—she nuzzles his hand—completely lost in the feeling.

Her eyelashes flutter open, mouth-parted, as she stares back at Levi in a trancelike state.

Levi hesitantly removes his hand and takes a step back. 

He huffs, “You did it.”

They both stand there, face to face. Ellie nods her head, whispering, “I did.”

The air between them is full of static and things unspoken.

Levi feels it, again.

Crimson drips from Ellie’s nose and onto the floor. She lifts a hand to her nostrils—the world slowing around her.

“Hey!” The voice sounds far away.

Levi reacts at once as he watches Ellie’s eyes begin to roll back. He lifts her into his arms before she goes down and carries her hastily to the bed as she starts seizing.

“Shitty brat.”

Levi washes the blood from her face with a towel before he lifts the sheets over her unconscious form.

——

Ellie watches from afar as Leah dutifully attaches posters to lamp posts. Her vision flashes to the content:

MISSING PERSON

Ellie Freya LoveJoy (age 21)

Last seen leaving class on Wednesday, heading east on bicycle.

Race: WHITE

Sex: FEMALE

Height: 5’ 4”

Eye color: BLU/GREEN

Missing Since: 03/28/2025

Last known description:

LONG, PINK HAIR (NATURAL BRUNETTE), Thin build, TATTOOS – Straight black line running from right hand to neck

$50,000 REWARD FOR ANY INFORMATION LEADING TO HER WHEREABOUTS

CALL 311 OR SEND TIPS TO ——————————————

She calls out to her, “Leah!”

But she can’t hear her.

She screams, “Leah!!!”

Leah flings her head around, frantically searching for the source of her name.

“I’m right here!!!”

—

Ellie jolts up in bed, head-butting Levi in the process.

“Ow!” Ellie grabs her forehead.

Levi grumbles and groans, “Brat! You were screaming in your sleep.”

“I must go back! I saw her! I saw her! I was right there!” Ellie frantically tries to form words to explain.

“What are you talking about?”

“She’s looking for me!” Ellie begins to cry, “Levi, she’s out there looking for me right now!”

“What do I do?” She looks up to Levi with wide, glossed over eyes. “What am I supposed to do!?”

“She’s the only person who gives a damn about me in all of the universes!”

Levi huffs in frustration, “Slow down, brat. Start from the beginning.”

Ellie isn’t hearing him, “I don’t understand! I don’t understand!” — She hits herself over the head with her fists—

 “So stupid! So stupid! Useless bitch!”

She brings her fists down over and over until Levi grabs her harshly and shakes some sense into her— literally.

A choked sob leaves Ellie as she snaps back to the present, jumping to her feet and rushing out of Levi’s quarters—barefoot. She sprints through the corridors, weaving through startled soldiers as Levi trails her.

She slams the entrance door open and sprints through the active fields, garnering many stares from her fellow comrades as she beelines it to the forest.

She runs. She runs wherever her own feet take her. She runs until she can’t anymore, stopping at a clearing in the trees.

She looks to the sky, chest heaving in small pants as tears well up in her eyes—she screams out in anguish, dropping to her knees and wailing into the sky. Storm clouds appear and single drops of water begin to hit her face as the first tear spills over— her breath comes as a visible cloud she inhales and exhales—as if it were glitching on reverse and replay, over and over.

It begins to downpour; the raindrops splashing against her face, mixing with her salty tears—time slows down. It’s like the air is pulsating with her heaving chest.

Levi stands off to the side, watching the whole scene unfold. He stares up into the sky with wet hair and soaked clothing. Did she… do this?

Is she doing this?

Ellie shivers, soaked from head to toe and covered in dirt. She inhales and exhales with the surrounding atmosphere—droplets of rain defy gravity, reversing in suspended, vertical streams around her—while simultaneously down pouring. The air pulses outwards from where she kneels—creating the appearance of an ethereal mirage surrounding her radius.

Levi can feel something unknown—powerful— radiating from her in waves.

She is glowing as the emotions flow out of her. She allows her tears of grief and overwhelms to flow freely from her, frozen in this moment.

Levi runs over to Ellie’s drenched form and grabs her by the shoulders, “Ellie! Are you doing this!?”

How?

She doesn’t respond.

“Fuck, you’re freezing! We need to get you inside.”

She looks at him with shivering, trembling lips—her hair a wet mess of long, tangled strands falling into her face.

Her head lolls into his chest. He wraps his arms around her, whispering into her hair, “how are you doing this?”

—

Levi hoists her up into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and holding onto her thighs as he carries her all the way back to HQ—ignoring all the confused, shocked looks from scouts as he passes by—water dripping everywhere. The two of them are completely drenched from head to toe.

Levi kicks Hange’s door open, shouting, “Hange!”

Hange’s eyes bulge at the sight of the two, “Oh my! —Wah—What happened?!”

“Not now, four-eyes. She’s freezing. Help me get her into a bath.”

Hange quickly springs into action, running a hot bath and grabbing handfuls of towels. She looks him up and down, “WOW Levi—you look terrible!”

He glares at his friend, scoffing, “Shut your mouth.”

“Hey Shorty! You came to me, remember?” She wiggles her eyebrows, “for help! Shorty asked me for help!” She sings.

Levi glares and rolls his eyes, “Tch. Never again.”

“And—look at you two! You’re covered in dirt! Dirt is like your worst enemy! Never thought I’d see the day!” Hange continues her jousting.

Levi sets Ellie down on the edge of the tub as Hange peels off her drenched uniform—leaving her in just her undergarments. Once she’s settled in the tub, he excuses himself— shutting the door behind him and leaving Ellie alone with Hange.

Ellie sits with her knees to her chest in the bathtub as Hange gently scrubs the dirt off her body—washing her hair and rinsing with cups of water.

“What happened out there? I have never seen Shorty so flustered before!” Hange squeaks.

Ellie stares silently at the wall in front of her as Hange maneuvers her limbs around like a doll.

“Oh…I see! You’re not talking right now. That’s fine! I’ll do the talking for you!” Hange replies in her all-too-cheery yet unnerving voice.

“You know… Levi hates dirt. He might actually hate it more than titans! He wouldn’t get himself all messed up like that for just anyone…”

Hange loudly gasps, “Oh my walls! He liiikes you!” — “And Shorty doesn’t like anyone! Holy shit! This calls for celebration!”

The kooky scientist stands up, “Be right back! Sit tight!”

They disappear out of sight and return with a dark bottle, “Hehe! This will help. Just—don’t tell Shorty!” She grins mischievously as she returns to my side. Hange pops a cork off and takes a large swig, enthusiastically holding the bottle out towards me.

Now she’s talking my language! I shoot her a sideways grin and grab ahold of the bottle, lifting it to my lips and taking two large gulps — I gag at the offensive taste, coughing— “Jesus—fuck! What is that?!”

Hange snorts, “There ya go!—it’s called wine.”

My voice croaks, “Ha—Son of a bitch! Wine?!”

“Oh! So you do know what wine is. I was about to feel sorry for you!”

That draws a giggle out of me, somehow finding the hilarity of this entire situation. I take another swig of the vile liquid. ‘Wine.’ Heh. I chuckle at the absurdity.

“So, what’s Jee-zits?”

“Jesus Christ? Our lord and savior?” I bite my lip to hold back the laughter.

“That’s it! That’s the one. What’s it mean?”

Jehovah’s witnesses are quaking right now. The LDS could never! Missionary in another universe? Psh.

I lay my forehead on my knees as I burst into laughter. “Legend states that he was a persecuted wizard, like 2,000 years ago. People still go nuts for him!”

“Wow! 2,000 years! He must’ve been a pretty popular guy!”

“Yeah. There’s an entire religion around him—30% of my world follows it. They believe he was the son of God and that he died for “our” sins. As in, humanity’s sins. — Men hunted him down and crucified him on a cross, as the story goes. He allegedly rose from the grave one week later. Which many now celebrate with giant, creepy-ass talking bunnies and by playing hide and seek with painted, hard-boiled eggs.”

“Interesting! That sounds just as whacky as the Wall Cultists. —Though, I can’t imagine 30% of humanity believing in that crap. Heh!”

A cult?! Humanity really is a gift that just keeps giving. Put us together and—wham! Bam! — We killin’ each other in the streets while worshipping sky daddies!

I take another swig from the bottle, now able to tolerate the taste as I feel the alcohol warming my veins. I wonder what the ABV is on this stuff?

“So…tell me about you and Shorty!” Hange looks at you with a manic glint behind their glasses.

I nearly spat out my drink, “Wha-what? That’s not— “

“No need to be shy,” she raises her eyebrows.

This bish. — “Mmkay. Whatcha wanna know?”

“What happened earlier?”

Oh. She just wanted to loosen me up.

Welp—it worked.

 “I needed to get out of here, so I ran until I couldn’t anymore and screamed with all my might—and then my sad tears made the sky weep too. Guess she felt bad for me,” I slurred, “hey, how much alcohols in this anyway???”

“Eek! Twenty, maybe percent-ish.”

“Oh, fuck!” I fucked up. I keel over in giggles. “That S’not wine!”

“Let’s get you out of there before it gets too cold or Levi comes back!” Hange announces—grabbing a towel and helping me up. She steadies me as I step out of the tub, then opens the door and hands me a stack of dry clothes.

“Okee! I’ll be right outside,” she closes the door behind her with a wink.

I peel off my wet undergarments and change into the clothes she provided me—sweatpants and a black, long-sleeved shirt. Nice and comfy!

I stumble out of the bathroom and straight into a solid object—er, “Levi! You made it!”— I pat a hand against his chest.

Levi growls, “Shitty glasses, what the fuck did you do?!”

She cackles from the corner of the room, tapping her fingers together. Devious.

He narrows his eyes at me, “Tch. Your breath reeks of booze.”

Levi tuts, “Disgusting. How much?” — He looks at Hange, “How much, shitty glasses?”

The Section Commander curls into herself, “…half?”

“Dammit. This is exactly why I don’t ask you for help! Are you kidding me?!” He yells.

“Hey! Hey! Stop that!” I push against Levi, “Don’t be mean! She helped!”

“Yeah. She helped, all right.” Levi flatly says—shooting a murderous glare at Hange, who doesn’t flinch.

“Let’s go,” he starts to drag me away by my upper left arm.

I stagger, “W-Wait! What’s that sound coming from?”

Levi pauses in his steps, “What are you taking about, brat?”

“That s-sound! The humming—it’s kinda ringing too!”

“Did you get hit over the head again? There’s no sound.”

I whine. “F-fine! If you say so, Sir Levi.”

Levi blinks once at me before continuing to march off with my arm.

“Ya know, Hange is fun-ner than you!”

“That so? Good for her.”

“Ts-okay though, because you’re so sexy! Like—literally, the sexiest! —Mph! I’m horny.”

Levi coughs, “Brat. Stop that.”

“Heh?” I look at him with glossy eyes.

His jaw clenches. He swings the door to his office open and pushes me in, stepping in behind me before closing the door.

“Can I sit on your lap, sir?”

Levi deadpans. “Brat. Your behavior is inappropriate.”

“…And?”

“Consider yourself lucky because you’re drunk and it’s Hange’s fault this time.—Otherwise, your ass would be getting a beating that’d make last night look like child’s play.”

“Mmm.” I hum.

Levi’s brows furrowed, “Are you looking for trouble?”

“Mm. Maybe.” I quietly sing.

Levi’s jaw ticks at my response. His nostrils flare as he swallows thickly. He pinches the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment.

“Levi”—

“Don’t talk.”

Mph! I make a pouty face at him.

“Stop that.”

I don’t.

I crinkle my nose in response. He’s so cute when he’s angry.

Levi’s hands tighten into fists at his sides, then release.

“Are you just going to stand there?”

Oh. “Mmm. Me thinks not! B-R-B!” I skip into the bedroom and grab my bag before returning to Levi’s office, plopping myself down on the couch. My stomach growls.

“Mister Levi, Sir! I’m hungry!”

He scoffs, rubbing a hand down his face, “Yeah. No shit. You haven’t eaten anything today.” He pauses, “Boozed up on an empty stomach—thanks, Hange.”

I hum. “She just wanted to…” I hop up and break out into song, “Release your inhibitions — feel the rain on your skin!” — I begin dancing with airplane arms as I belt out the rest,

—“ No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten”

I gasp for air and take a bow. Levi stares on—unamused. “Are you done?” He flatly asks.

I nod, “Mhm!”— “Is all of y’all’s wine as vile as what I just drank? That shit was terrible!”

“And you still drank it. Disgusting brat.”

I grin mischievously at Levi, fluttering my eyelashes—

Levi interrupts, “Whatever you’re thinking of doing— Don’t.”

He inhales sharply, “Drink some water. Erwin is expecting you in 40 minutes.”

I blink, “…waiting for the punchline, sir?”

He smirks evilly, “There is none. Better sober up, fast.” He tuts.

I wave a dismissive hand, “Tell the Commander that I’m too crunk to funk right now.”

He growls, “Dammit, brat. Hydrate before I hold your head underwater and hope you don’t drown.”

“Damn. Okay, sexy. Purr.” I relent before spinning on my heel to grab my canteen. I hear a scoff from across the room.

After chugging down some water, I plopped down on the couch again to resume my original task. I dig through my belongings, searching for—Aha! I squeal in excitement.

Hangover patches. —I peel one open and smack that baby right onto my inner wrist, smoothing out the square-shaped sticker.

I look up and instantly flinch at a sudden presence, “¡Mierda! Levi!”

Standing over me, he roughly grabs my wrist, “What is this?”

“It’s a hangover patch! Vitamins and nutrients and all that good shit—delivered in a dermal patch!”

Levi blinks at my wrist, “You’re telling me all that shit is in this?”

“Yepperoni! It’s absorbing through my skin right now. Want one? — I have an entire pack! And you look like you could really use it… if I’m being honest.”

He tosses my arm back, “Tch. How do I know that you’re not trying to poison me?”

I think for a moment, “Hm.—You don’t! That’s the fun part!”

Levi grunts. I grab his right arm and pull him towards me, carefully applying the patch to his forearm and smoothing it out. My touch lingers on his skin for a few silent beats after—I lift my gaze and lock onto his with a sly grin, “¿Te gusta, papi? ¡Quiero que me cojas!”

With that, I kick my shoes off and swung my feet over the chair arm, “There! You should feel a boost in 15-30 minutes. Don’t get it wet. Leave it on for 12 hours to maximize delivery.”

Levi frowns, “What was that you said earlier?”

“Oh, nothing! Just a prayer on a whim.”

“Shitty brat. Tell me now.”

“It’s a foreign language that you don’t know. I could tell you it means anything, and you’d just have to take my word for it—papi,” I pop my lips exaggeratedly on the last word.

“Stop that.”

“Sí capitán.” My lips curl into a devious smirk. What are you going to do about it, capitán?

Levi inhales sharply, gritting his teeth before going back to his desk with an annoyed click of his tongue.

Heh, I think I can squeeze in a quick lil disco nap before the Aryan knight arrives.

My eyes flutter shut and I allow my body to drift off into some much-needed sleep.

Chapter Text

Erwin’s knock comes too soon as I rub the sleep from eyes.

“How are things going with Humanity’s Strongest?”

I scoff, “Humanity’s strongest?”

I blink at Erwin, disbelief written on my face, “What, you tryna hit that?” I gesture with my hand— “Don’t stroke his ego, Erwin.”

“Hit…that?” Erwin looks dumbfounded.

Levi wheezes and chuckles in the background as Erwin goes red in the face.

He clears his throat, “Levi here— really does hold the title of ‘Humanity’s Strongest’—Ask around.”

Levi rolled his eyes.

I continue, “Oh, c’mon! Never give a man a title like that. That’s how wars start. Strongest today, begging for it tomorrow!”—“And you’re literally like 7 feet, Commander. You’re telling me you can’t take shorty in a brawl?”

Erwin responds, even-toned and confident, “He’s undefeated.”

Now I am the one rolling my eyes while Levi smirks tauntingly at me. I can turn this back around.

I turn to Levi, “Your face makes so much sense now…”

Looks of confusion come over the two men, “You know…the whole arrogant, sexy thing you’ve got going on.”

A glint flashes across Levi’s steel-greys as he glares at me.

A small, bemused smirk graces the Commander. “Wow, Levi. You’ve got your hands full.”

Levi turns away from me, “Tch. Told you.”

“I trust that you’re handling it?”

His response is short and clipped, “Yes.”

I scoff, “I’m right here, you know?!”

“I can see that,” Erwin deadpanned.

Levi turned slowly to her, expression unreadable.

Eyebrows doesn’t ask any further questions. Instead, he gets up and walks over to Levi—giving him a pat on the shoulder before turning and… leaving? Oh. Déjà vu.

Once the door has clicked shut, Levi is on me—pulling me up by the collar of my shirt, “Do you have a death wish?! You stupid brat.” He spits in my face, “You think you’re funny? Disrespecting your superior—disrespecting the Commander?”

My eyes widened at his strong grip—an ice cold, murderous glare stares back at me; he’s furious. My lips part to speak, but no words come out.

He taunts, “Huh. Nothing to say now? Why’s that?”

I tried to avert my gaze, but the captain swiftly grabbed ahold of my jaw with crushing force—thumb and pointer pressing deeply into my cheeks.

“Nuh-uh. Look at me when I’m speaking,” he growls.

A light blush paints my cheeks.

Rising to the challenge— I jab, “The Commander left you to do his dirty work? I’m sensing a pattern. He could’ve just used his words. I sure did!”

A dangerous sheen dances across his irises. He speaks with an even, threatening tone, “The Commander doesn’t have time for lowly, insubordinate brats like you.” —

“Lucky—or rather, unlucky for you, that’s my specialty.”

I consider my options here, “Ever heard of due process?”

Levi pulls me closer, “Not another word out of your mouth.”

“Innocent until proven guilty—!”

“You’re asking for it, cadet,” he stares me down challengingly, “Here’s what’s going to happen; Listen very carefully. I don’t want to repeat myself.”

He holds my gaze with restrained fury, “I’m going to think of a suitable punishment for your shitty attitude and insubordination. For now, you’re going to report for stable duty.”

He pauses—, “I was going to let you off today, given earlier events. But I’m not feeling so generous anymore. So—you’re going to shovel horseshit until I deem the job finished to my standards. You are also going to come up with an acceptable apology for your disrespectful behavior—which you will run through me, before personally delivering it to the Commander.”

Gee, that’s like so many words and directions.

“Is that understood, cadet?”

I breathily whisper, “Yes.”

His grip tightens, expression just as furious as before, “Try that again.”

“Yes sir!” I half-shout.

“Tch.” He drops his grip on me and takes a step back.

“Follow me.”

Ellie scrambles into her boots and over to Levi’s side.

As they make way through the corridors, Ellie can’t help but notice the small glances from soldiers as she passes by. That’s right. She had kind of made a bit of a scene earlier….

She follows behind Levi like a duckling following its’ mother as they walk the dirt path to the stables.

“Can’t believe I’m going to be some horse chick now,” Ellie breaks the tense silence.

“Excuse me? There’s no chickens.” Levi firmly replies.

Oh god.

“Bruh—“ I start giggling uncontrollably. I stutter, “I-I mean—Captain.”

Levi deadpans, “What the hell is wrong with you now?”

Cackling between words, I summon an Aussie accent, “Fockin’ hell mate, that hit hard!”

Levi blinks, scrunching his nose up as if he’s disgusted.

I grin the rest of the way to the stables. As we approach, I note, “Animals love me! I’m like a Disney princess! Watch this.”—

Ellie skips into the stables and horses instantly begin whinnying all around with contentment and excitement. Ellie smiles widely, greeting the horsies one at a time.

Levi’s scowl twists on his face at the obnoxious display. Should anything shock him anymore when it involves this cadet?

Too bad I wasn’t wearing my cowgirl boots when I entered the wormhole! It’s a shame. They were a really nice pair too…

Ellie turns around to see Sasha running full speed ahead to the stables, breathless, “Captain! I made it!”

Levi assumes a blank, authoritative stance. “You’re two minutes late, Braus.”

Sasha shakes and sweats nervously, standing at attention in front of the captain. “My deepest apologies, Captain! It won’t happen again—I promise!”

Levi scoffs, “Save your sorrys. I’m not in the mood today. One week toilet duties.”

Sasha—stiffened, responds, “Yes Captain!”

Levi turns towards me, “Braus—you’ll be showing cadet LoveJoy what is expected of those assigned to stable duty. I’ll be back to check your work. Don’t make me come back twice. Do you think you can handle that, Braus?”

“Absolutely, Captain! You can count on me!”

“Tch.” The captain turns on a heel and takes long, steady strides as he retreats back towards HQ.

Sasha spins my way, exclaiming, “Phew! That could’ve gone so much worse.”

Seriously? A week of ‘toilet duty’ for two minutes? Laughably excessive.

“Anyways! This is exciting—come on!”

Sasha walks me through the steps to cleaning each stall—shoveling shit, fresh hay, slop buckets, and fresh water.

Sasha pauses her rant on stealing food from the pantry to question me, “So…what happened earlier? We all… saw you. With the Captain, ya know? All wet and dead looking.”

My eyes widened, “Oh! Haha. Yeah, that was strange. So strange.” I chuckled nervously.

“Yeah. We were worried about you! You missed training today—and then that. What happened?”

She’s not going to let this go. I sigh, “I get these things. Panic attacks. It’s embarrassing—but I had one of those and ran into the forest and slipped into this big puddle of water and it was just a whole thing.”

Sasha looked at me with pity, “You know, we’re all here for you. But how did the Captain end up soaked too? I need to hear the details! Everyone is expecting the full scoop. We’ve never seen Captain Levi like that before! We thought that maybe we were hallucinating or something.”

Oh my god. “I pulled him into the water in a panic. Didn’t understand what I was doing.” That should suffice.

She gasps loudly, “I can’t believe you’re still alive right now.”

I snort, “Is Levi really that bad?”

Her jaw drops and she whispers, “ ‘Levi’? Ellie! What if he hears you?”

I deadpan. “That is his name; is it not?”

After spending far too long hand delivering shit to a pile, working through each stall—we replenish the hay—moving onto food and water.

I walk beside Sasha, “Where do we get water?”

She giggles, “The well, silly!”

Oh, right.  Those.

I grin incredulously, “Of course!”

We each grab a bucket and walk over to the well. I blink at the structure.

Sasha encourages me, “Go ahead!”

Fuck. How does this work? Ropes, pulleys—is there one of those hand pumps? I step forward, hesitantly—scanning the contraption.

Don’t be suspicious. Don’t. Be. Suspicious.

Aha!—A hook. That’s got to be it.

I hang my bucket on the hook and follow the ropes with my eyes—do I pull the ropes? Or is there some kind of gear?

Sasha interrupts my snail’s pace, “…Do you need help?”

“Oh-uh—No! Of course not! I’ve definitely used these before.” I mumble that last part. Fuck it. I tug one of the lines and hope for results.

—“Wait!” Sasha tries to warn me—but it’s already too late. The bucket, hook, and line all zip in a free-fall to the bottom of the well—one after the other.

I exasperatingly shout, “Son of a bitch! —I-I really thought I had it!”— “Motherfucker!” I stomp before covering my face in embarrassment. When I finally look up at Sasha, she looks horrified.

“Oh my walls, Ellie! Captain Levi is gonna freak!”

Whoops.

I scratch the back of my neck, nervously chuckling, “Heh. Oopsies!” — An awkward pause, “What I do now?” I look at Sasha with the face of helpless desperation.

She blinks in response—too stunned to speak.

Yikes.

“Would someone like to explain to me what the hell is going on?”—Speak of the devil!

I turn to face the source of the voice, “Captain—Funny story! You wouldn’t believe it”—

He interrupts, “Get to the point.”

I breathe deeply, “It’s entirely my fault—I did something and then something happened and now a bucket, hook, and line are all at the bottom of that well.” I point to the well, “Right there.”

Levi squeezes his eyes shut, inhaling deeply. He pinches the bridge of his nose while shaking his head. “Dammit, Ellie. Are you that incompetent you cannot be trusted to do even a simple task on your own?”

I inhale sharply, trying to hold back the urge to respond.

Levi glares at my silent form, “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Fuck it. “I do, Captain. But unfortunately, this is not the time nor place—if you catch my drift.” I raise my eyebrows expectantly.

He’s unimpressed by my choice of words.

I cross my arms in front of my chest to mirror his body language.

He blinks. “Braus, you’re dismissed.”

Sasha, who’d been standing at attention since the captain’s arrival rushes her response, “Sir!” —swiftly turning and speed walking away to escape the unfolding situation.

I keep my gaze trained on the ground in front of me, shifting nervously on my feet.

Levi’s voice startles me from its’ sudden intimate proximity, “Go ahead. Explain.”

I sigh, shaking my head and running a hand through my hair, “I’ve never used a well before—I don’t know if I’ve ever actually laid eyes on a functioning one in my life, even once, until now.”

I sigh again, “Sasha was suspicious about how long I was taking. So, I took a chance and tugged a rope. Well—clearly that was incorrect.” I lift my gaze to his—glaring, concentrated eyes.

He grunts, “Ridiculous. But unfortunately, I believe you.” He lightly grumbles under his breath, “This is fucking stupid.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, “Tell me about it.”

The captain narrows his eyes pointedly, “I’ll let Erwin know.” A pause, — “I still have to punish you.”

My nose twitches with annoyance. It was an accident.

A sideways grin curls onto my lips, “If only I had waited to make it rain…”

Levi furrows his brows, “You think that’s funny?”

Oh my god. “Just a little…maybe?”

That is a sour-puss expression if I ever did see one

—his tone firm and serious, “Report to the mess hall for dinner. When you’re finished, you’ll wait for me in my office. Go directly there—-No detours. No stopping to socialize.” He pauses, “Dismissed.”

I bow my head, “Yessir.”

—-

I shoveled down my dinner and went straight to Levi’s office, as directed. When he didn’t show after 5 minutes, I decided to hop in the shower. Horseshit is not my signature fragrance. 

I showered at lightning speed before getting dressed into fresh sweatpants and a tank top.

Please, please, don’t let Levi be here. I patter into his office—

Where…he’s waiting for me—casually sat with legs spread on his couch, one ankle resting on his thigh—an arm slung over the backrest.

“You can’t follow simple directions, can you?”

I gulp. “Guess not…”

Levi stands up and takes slow, calculated steps towards me. I tense.

He clicks his tongue, “Very well—go stand at the front of my desk, elbows on the table.”

A look of apprehension sweeps over my face, “Sir—?”

Levi nods his head towards his desk, voice serious, “You heard me,” — he releases me.

I turn and take slow, hesitant steps towards his desk—leaning over and planting my palms on the smooth surface.

The captain takes clipped, measured steps to his side of the desk, and opens a drawer. He swiftly retrieves the intended item; a heavy, dark-stained paddle made of solid wood. Nothing ornate. Functional. Like him.

He didn’t let himself hesitate.

Her breath hitched when she saw it. He caught the movement — the way her eyes darted down to the desk, how her shoulders rose with tension.

He circled me slowly, silent except for the dull thud of his boots.

She was trembling — not visibly, not enough for anyone else to see — but he saw it. In the way her fingers dug into the wood. In the rigid angle of her elbows.

He places a firm hand on my back and forces me down to my elbows with a rough shove, adjusting the position of my legs with a kick of his heel.

Authority drips from his voice, “Count. Today’s number is 15. Let’s see if this is hard enough for you.”

A shiver runs down my spine at his ruthless tone—not a hint of pity or sympathy in his voice. I swallow thickly.

CRACK!

The paddle landed clean.

My breath left me in a strangled yelp — raw, unguarded. My fingers curled tighter around the edge of the desk, nails digging into the wood.

Levi barks, “Count.”

“W-w-one.” I breathe out. He gives me no time to prepare for the next blow. —

CRACK!

The wind is knocked from my lungs on impact. I fall forward, shaking and gasping for air.

Levi’s voice growls deeply, “Back in position, cadet. Do that again and I’ll restart your count.”

I obediently followed his direction, “Two.”

CRACK!

I let out a choked groan, struggling to keep myself upright on my forearms. White flashes across my vision at the overwhelming pain spreading like fireworks on my rear.

I squeaked, “Three!”

CRACK!

Loud sobs wracked my body, “Four!”

CRACK!

I lurch forward, “F-f-five! Please!”— CRACK!

My pleas are cut short and ignored, “No talking. Count.”

I struggle to choke out the word, “Six.”

My legs shake wildly as white lightning shoots up and down my body.

CRACK!

My head lolls forward, using all my strength to hold myself upright—pulse hammering in my ears.

My lungs burn as I try to suck in short breaths of air, “Seven.”

CRACK!

He comes down on the center of my ass with more power than any other strike before.

A scream tears out of me, salty tears streaking down my cheeks—Levi swiftly clamps a hand over my mouth, growling into my left ear, “Do you want the entire Corps to know that you need to be spanked like a child to behave?”

I sob into his hand, unable to communicate anything.

CRACK!

Another precise hit to the same area, power unrelenting. I scream out, muffled by his hand and perilously squirming to escape his onslaught.

“Hmm. What number are we on?” Levi taunts, lifting his hand from my mouth to speak.

I tremble weakly, whimpering, “Nine—sir.”

He hums, “Seems like this punishment is already effective.”

CRACK!

I choked down a scream, releasing a guttural, animalistic sound. My feet lose their grip, sliding backwards a few inches.

“T-ten.”

Levi clicks his tongue, “You’re pathetic today,” he muttered. “Can’t even take what you earned.”— “I’m feeling generous; I’ll allow you to lay there and take the rest.”

—I collapsed onto the desk, hands gripping the edges of the wood, mind reeling from the searing pain. My body shook violently against the surface.

Levi placed a firm hand between my shoulders, pinning me in place.

“Shall we get these last five over with?”— I made no reply — just a faint whimper as my fingers curled against the desk.

He didn’t wait.

He delivered the final five strokes in swift, brutal succession. My body jolted with each one, the sound of the paddle sharp and final.

My heart hammered—stars covered my field of vision as I shrieked; jaw slack, eyes rolling back, and waves of adrenaline coursing through me in waves.

When it was done, he stepped back.

I collapsed to the floor in a broken, convulsing heap the moment he lifted his hand from my back.

Levi stood over me, glaring down, “Was that hard enough for you?”

-

I couldn’t comprehend anything in the aftershocks of his violent discipline. I looked up to him through dazed, flooded eyes.

He let the silence stretch. Let her stay there, on the floor, long enough to remember how she got there.

Levi stared down at her — ruined, flushed, exhausted, but still not broken.

He hated how that stirred something inside him. Something he shouldn’t feel.

“Hm. You look so pretty like this,” he smirked over me.

My body reacted before my mind did—heat rushing to my core, I gasped through my erratic breathing.

Levi cocks an eyebrow, “Oh?”—“Are you enjoying this?”

His demeaning words have an instant effect on the growing wetness between my legs.

I absentmindedly begin to rub my thighs together, chasing any sensation to offset the throbbing pain.

— The captain’s boot comes down hard on my left thigh, pinning it crushingly to the ground. I yelp.

He narrows his eyes, “Filthy brat. Did you think you were being discreet?”

My chest heaves. Incapable of forming clear thoughts—I whine.

Levi’s eyes darkened above me—authoritative, challenging, lustful—he leaned closer, “Tch. Pathetic.”—his boot still lodged in my thigh, “Acting like a shameless, dirty slut in front of your superior commanding officer—don’t let me stop you. Touch yourself.”

My lip quivers as I blearily gaze up into the captain's eyes—I stare into his darkened orbs as I slowly slide a shaky hand down between the waistband of my pants and begin rubbing small circles on my sensitive clit.

I jolt at the sensation.

My half-hooded eyes don’t wander from the captain’s as small gasps and moans begin to leave my lips. I breathe heavily as tears continue to streak down my stained cheeks—squirming at the feeling of a growing pressure in my core.

Levi doesn’t look away. He keeps intense eye contact—lust and something dangerous dancing in flames behind his bemused expression. My whimpers become more and more desperate as I move my fingers faster, chasing my release—hips bucking.

My lips form into an ‘o’ shape as I moan out—reaching my precipice. My back arches before the pressure in my core explodes.

I throw my head back, crying out as my body shakes with intense waves of pleasure. My walls clenching down rapidly.

I convulse in an explosion of euphoric pleasure and pain that consumes me whole; vision filled with white—I feel nothing but pure bliss wash over me.

Levi chuckles darkly, “So soon? That was quick.” A pause, “Have you learned your lesson in respecting your superiors?”

I hum exhaustedly, face flushed—far beyond humiliation at this point. “Yes, sir.”

“Good girl.”— “Can you stand?”

I whisper with strained vocal cords, “Thank you. No, sir.”

Levi grins at my shivering, obedient state, “That so? Give me your hand—the unsullied one, obviously. Don’t get your filth on me.”

Levi pulls me up as if I weigh nothing at all and wraps my arm over his shoulders; he holds me up by my back, careful to avoid the affected areas.

I limp along beside him into the bedroom where he helps me into bed—wincing as I turn to lay on my stomach.

The captain turns and leaves me to wallow in my undignified, miserable state as I try to find a comfortable position. Exhaustion quickly overtakes me and my eyelids flutter shut.

 ——

“Wake up, cadet.”

I groan in my half-conscious state.

“Now.”

“Yes, captain.”

—I wince at the sensation of sheets grazing against my ass. Heat radiates from the heavily bruised area. I maneuver backwards, slithering off the bed to avoid further contact.

My uniform offers no mercy as the skintight pants chafe against my red-hot skin. I bite my lip to keep down any pained sounds—securing the last of my harnesses before waddling out to Levi’s office.

Levi meets my eyes upon entering, “Are you ready?”

I stand at attention, “Yes, sir!”

He gives me a once over, “Good. Come.”

I follow Levi through the quiet corridors—scouts still sleeping soundly in their rooms. We head outside into the dewy, early-morning air. The sky glows dimly with the break of dawn.

Levi walks us along the same dirt path from yesterday.

As the stables come into view, both confusion and anxiety begin to swirl in my mind. Stable duty again? Or—my body tenses.

We arrive to the first stalls. He turns to me, “Pick a horse. These first three are available.”

Okurrr. Santa’s finally coming through with my pony. 

“Omg, really?!” I exclaim.

Levi gives me a pointed look, causing me to straighten my back—clearing my throat, “I-um. What I meant to say is—yes sir!” I shuffle my feet, “How do I know which one to pick?”

Levi nods, “Use your instincts.”

I slowly walk over to the first horse—a brown steed with black hair. The horse huffs at me as I pass.

The second horse—a female, fully black steed. She whinnies as I pass her. I speak softly, “Aren’t you a pretty girl?”

My eyes widen at my third option—A beautiful, white stallion with a long, blonde mane and tail. He’s absolutely gorgeous. I make eye contact with him, staring into his intelligent, soulful gaze. He bows to me.

Levi stands by my side, “Huh. Looks like he chose you.”

I smile, “As did I.”

I open the stall door and lay a gentle hand on his muzzle, “Hi sweetheart. I’m Ellie—it’s a pleasure to meet you. You and I are going to be most kindred spirits.” — He whinnies in response.

“What should I call you?”— Hm. “A strong soul like yours is deserving of a strong name. Don’t you think?” He nudges my face. “Thought so. How does the name ‘Prometheus’ sound?”

The white stallion stood before me neighs happily in response, nudging me with his mouth. I giggle, “A fine name indeed. Prometheus, it is!”—

“Prometheus defied the gods by stealing fire from Olympus and bringing it down to earth— gifting it to humanity. He is known for his intelligence, and for being a champion of mankind.”

Levi looks at me with a side-glance, “Prometheus? What kind of name is that?”

“Prometheus was a Titan—not the titans of this world,” I clarify, “but ancient, cosmic deities. He stole fire to thwart Zeus’ plans to eliminate humanity and create a new subordinate species— According to Greek mythology, that is.”

Levi scoffs and turns to me, “A new subordinate species? I’m looking at one right now.”

I roll my eyes and crack a smile. That was a clever one. “What’s your horse’s name? Let me guess, is it Levi II?”

He gives me an aimed look, “Watch it, LoveJoy.”

I hum in response. He/she’s definitely a junior.

“Saddle up.”

I blink.

Levi rolls his eyes, “Useless. Follow me.”

I scoff but follow his lead—gathering up a saddle and reins. My shaky, noodle arms struggle to lift the saddle onto Prometheus, but I make do.

There! I admire my work. “Looking good, Prometheus!”—the horse neighs in response.

Levi scowls, “Let me guess—you don’t know how ride.”

I grin smugly, “Actually, Captain—I can ride,” I mumble under my breath, “to a gallop on even terrain.”

Levi deadpans, “Great. Try trotting away from a titan on your first expedition. Let me know how it goes.”

“With all due respect, Captain—I don’t expect you to know how to operate a car. Double standards,” I retort.

He clicks his tongue—jaw clenching, “Fine.”

“In my world, there are vehicles that will drive you to your destination completely hands-free—with no human operation. And no fuel. —Horses? Not a common mode of transportation. The only horses in New York City are the ones belonging to the NYPD, law enforcement—police units on horseback.”

Levi shifts, “That sounds made up.”

Which part? “I grew up in the suburbs and briefly took horseback riding lessons as a child—but I was highly allergic to the hay and kept triggering asthma attacks. Speaking of which—that seems to have magically resolved. Add that to the list of ‘miraculous weird shit’.”

Levi pinches the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer, thinking.

—“I’ve also rode horseback twice as an adult. Never sprinted, and galloping scares me.”

Levi blinks, “Shut up, brat. You’re going to learn.”

I grin widely, “Yes, Captain!”

“Are you taking a shit? Mount your horse.” He flatly commands.

I can’t help the small chuckle that escapes me. Poop jokes. I turn quickly to Prometheus, who is standing tall at the ready.

Okee, I can do this. He’s a tall boy, but I got this!

—I struggle to reach my foot up into the stirrup, but keep trying.

From behind me, “Tch.”

I turn my head and glare swift daggers at him before turning back to Prometheus, “Hey boy, do you think you could lend me some help?”

Prometheus kneels for me; I step into the stirrup, swinging myself over his saddle with a brief, smug grin. When my ass makes contact with the saddle, my eyes widened, and my expression turned into one of pained discomfort. I involuntarily scream-yelped upon contact.

Levi who stood boredly, with his arms crossed, smirked at my reaction. He taunted, “Something wrong?”

I grit down my teeth, hard. Speaking between teeth, “No, sir.”

I tried to ignore the warm rush of crimson blush that was creeping up my neck and onto my cheeks. How am I supposed to ride like this? There’s no way he—Actually, no. He absolutely would have me ride like this. This is 100% Levi-coded, unhinged, mindfuckery—a challenge. A test.

Challenge accepted, Captain. —Well played. Psychological warfare is my specialty; I can do this.

Levi hops up onto his horse—a beautiful, female, obsidian-black steed—the largest horse in the stables. He walks up on my left shoulder.

Of course. The stark contrast between the captain’s height and the horse’s is almost amusing enough to laugh at, but I hold my composure.

We exit the stables on horseback, every tiny bump shooting bullets up my rear—I try to support as much of my body weight as I can with the stirrups. It helps, but if this is how it feels when we’re just crawling along—I can’t even.

The Captain turns over his shoulder and gruffly commands, “Don’t fall behind.”

Then, he signals his horse to speed up into a gallop.

Oh god. My hands tighten around the reins—knuckles turning white. I hesitate.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I signal Prometheus to follow.

Oh fuck. “FUCK!”

Instantaneously fucked.

My vision flashes and blurs, unfocused—when I float back into my body; the movement had stopped. I don’t remember Prometheus stopping?

I groan—head spinning. Something wet touches my arm—huh? I roll to my stomach and realize that I’m not on my horse anymore. I squint my eyes as they adjust to the light.

Wet on my cheek—Prometheus. Oh.

I get onto my knees and stroke Prometheus’ face. “Good boy,” I whisper. He whinnies at my affections.

A scoff, followed by a deep, authoritative voice, “LoveJoy, have you healed at all?”

I turn on my knees, “No, sir.”

He hums. “I think you’ve learned your lesson.”—A pause, “Try to regenerate.”

I exhale the breath I’d been holding onto and meet the captain’s eyes—light, steel, power.

“Thank you, Captain.”

Ellie stands up and straightens her posture. She closes her eyes and takes several deep breaths, clearing her mind and imagining the task at hand.

Nothing happens—

Ellie’s eyes snapped open, shimmers dancing on their surface. She looked straight at Levi and approached him, peering deeply into his eyes.

She grabs his right hand and holds it gently between both of her own, softly stroking her thumbs across his skin.

Before long, she is fully healed.

The shimmering in her eyes flashes off when it’s over. She drops his hand—taking one step backwards, holding her arms behind her back.

A small, golden shimmer still lingered in the air around them, floating suspended like dust particles.

Levi says nothing. They stand face to face—taking in the silence for a minute.

We stare into each other’s eyes while the tense, calm settles around us. I close the distance, moving closer—Levi stiffens but does not back away.

I search his eyes—swirling with conflict. Confusion. Challenge. Desire.

My lips part slightly—shuffling closer; leaving just a few centimeters of space between us now.

Still, he does not waver.

My gaze flicks from his eyes to his lips, then back up again, searching for answers in his smoky greys. Our breaths tangle with one another’s as he watches me; attentive and apprehensive.

I tilt my chin and lean in—closing the final space between us—My lips press against his. I kiss him with a sweet gentleness—softly moving my lips against his in a long, innocent kiss.

He does not move, does not kiss me back—but somehow, it does not discourage me.

I step back. The air around us lays heavy with implications and words unsaid. I lock onto his eyes and smile lightly.

A tiny glimpse of pain and sorrow breaks through the cracks in his gaze. The emotion appears for a fleeting moment before vanishing—so easily concealed by years of discipline and carefully constructed facades. But I caught it.

Just as I notice it, he’s back to his usual stoic demeanor. He clears his throat, “The Regiment should be awake now. Time to head back.”

Chapter Text

Ellie sat in her usual spot with her squad for breakfast. She stared at the bowl of bland oatmeal in front of her—reeling over the events of the past days.

Her fingers grazed lightly over her lips, remembering the feeling of the kiss she’d given to the captain. There had been an indescribable pull in that moment—something inside of her had acted upon pure instinct—drawn in by a powerful, unknown force.

“Ellie”—

“Huh?” She snapped back to the present, looking for the source of her name. Eren.

Ellie chuckled shyly, “Sorry! Had my head up my ass.”

Her statement got a few snickers and snorts from her squad mates—caught off guard by her blasé confession.

Eren smiled widely, “We were all just talking about getting together the night before our next day off. Are you interested? Everyone will be there…”

Ellie perked up at the idea, “That sounds great! Definitely interested. What did you have in mind?” She raised an eyebrow.

Armin spoke next, voice low—as if telling her a secret, “We were thinking of raiding the stockrooms for alcohol and sneaking off into the woods for a bonfire.”

She nearly busts out laughing at the proposition, but doesn’t when she sees the serious expression on his face. Ellie shifts in her seat. She considers the juvenile idea—and becomes excited at the notion.

I am desperate for a fun time, and I suppose teenagers aren’t the worst company to keep. Plus, booze.

Ellie grins mischievously, “I’m in!”

The boys smiled and nodded at her in acknowledgment.

Now, she was going to need to figure out how she was going to pull this little stunt off. —

When did Levi sleep? If she didn’t know any better, she’d assume he was a vampire.

He’s always doing paperwork…maybe if I’m super stealthy, I can slip away unnoticed. — I have a few days to think this through.

—

Levi’s POV

Levi stood at the back of the mess hall, tea cooling in his hand, eyes scanning the soldiers scattered across tables—same routine, every morning. Same grumbling. Same bland slop in bowls.

And then, of course—her.

Ellie LoveJoy sat at her usual spot with her squad; legs crossed in her seat like she was at tea-time in Mitras—and not in a military facility. He watched as she stared blankly into her oatmeal like it had wronged her personally. Her fingers idly grazed her lips—soft, slow, lost in thought.

His jaw ticked.

Brat.

She’d kissed him like she didn’t know what it meant—like some primal urge had taken control of her body and yanked her into him. And he, for one goddamn second, let it happen.

And worse—he hadn’t stopped her. Tch.

And now she sat there, remembering it. Daydreaming about it. In front of everyone.

“Ellie—”

“Huh?” she startled, head snapping towards Eren’s voice.

Levi noted the pink in her cheeks. Flustered. Embarrassed. She muttered something that made her table snicker.

“Sorry. Had my head up my ass,” she said.

Charming—Levi thought dryly, taking a sip of his tea.

Eren leaned in, smiling too widely. That suicidal maniac always had a stupid grin on his face, “We were just talking about getting together the night before our next day off. Are you interested? Everyone will be there.”

Levi narrowed his eyes, listening.

Her tone was reckless. Her eyes glittered with the kind of defiance she thought she hid well. As if he wouldn’t find out. As if she hadn’t already proven she was a magnet for trouble with no self-preservation and no clue to how visible her impulses were.

Ellie perked up—clearly intrigued, “That sounds great! Definitely interested. What did you have in mind?”

Levi didn’t move. Didn’t react. Just listened.

Armin answered next, voice low, as if he were telling Regiment secrets—the only words that registered were ‘Bonfire’ and ‘Alcohol.’

She stilled for half a second. Then grinned.

“I’m in.”

Of course you are.

He exhaled through his nose. She had no idea how obvious she was being.

No idea he was watching. Listening.

He knew her better than she thought.

And still—he didn’t move. Didn’t interrupt. Didn’t call her out.

He just watched as she laughed with her squad—as if she hadn’t turned his world sideways with her impulsive, reckless behavior.

He took another slow sip from his teacup.

She’s going to try it. And when she does—I will be there to drag her back by the collar.

But even then—he wasn’t sure what he’d do about it. Not anymore.

—

Squad Levi headed to the stables after breakfast to retrieve their horses and assemble for ODM training.

“Why do we need our horses for ODM training?”

Armin responded, “We often switch to ODM gear while on horseback, so it’s vital to practice. Plus, it keeps the horses acclimated for battle.”

Huh? “Ah, makes sense!”

Armin shoots me a small, lopsided smile. Ahead, Eren called out from over his shoulder, “Hey Ellie! Try not to break the well this time!”

I paused in my steps, grumbling under my breath, “Sasha, you bitch.”

—

Levi was positioned in front of the group of soldiers; all geared up and poised on horseback. He gave his directive, “We’re running the ODM course today. You all know how this works. — Mikasa, you’re up first.”

I don’t know how this works—

“LoveJoy, you’re with me. Everyone else, get to work.”

Ellie was still as the rest of her squad mates took off in a sprint towards the tree-line—leaving her behind with the captain.

Levi was strictly business, “You’re going to practice switching to ODM gear on horseback.”

“Follow closely and pay attention.”

He turned his horse and began sprinting in the direction of the trees. Ellie signaled Prometheus to follow, hoping that things would go better this time around. She gripped her reins tightly and said a quick prayer—she held on for dear life as her horse ran at a bumpy, jarring speed. The wind whipped past her, threatening to blow her away.

Holy fuck.

Levi looked back, “Oi! Eyes forward!”

Ellie watched as Levi stood on the back of his horse with practiced precision—not slowing—and then, pulled out his ODM triggers, aiming and launching himself onto a branch. Seamlessly.

It’s confirmed. This is a circus. I’ve joined the circus.

Levi shouted, “Stop gawking. Start doing.”

Oh boy, oh boy. Here I come!

I pull Prometheus back to the starting position, rechecking my gear, then begin sprinting.

When it’s time, I release the reins and grasp tightly onto the front of my saddle—I begin to stand in the stirrups with shaky legs—I lift my left foot onto the saddle, then attempt to raise my right foot up—suddenly losing my coordination and slipping; the world blurs around me before I hit the ground forcefully.

The air is knocked clean out of my lungs on impact—pain shooting up and down my body.

I wheeze and groan as I roll over on the ground. Putting my hands to my forehead, I ask, “Am I dead?”

“Tch. Not yet. But keep that up and I’ll consider it.” Levi stood over my form, unimpressed, “Again.”

“Eugh, what the fuck?” I groan, rubbing my head—still dazed from my fall.

I picked myself up off the ground and got back onto Prometheus. Okay. Try not to concuss yourself.

This time, I get both feet planted onto the saddle, still in a sitting position—I begin straightening my wobbly legs before losing my balance and grip.

I’m thrown into the air once again—the world blurring around me—I try to prepare myself for impact, protecting my head.

But there is no painful crash this time; Ellie’s fall is suddenly halted, and when she opened one eye, with caution, to see what’s happened—her gaze widened. Then, she fell the one-foot distance to the grass with a thump and a gasp.

Levi watched it all unfold. Ellie had stopped mid-air, milliseconds before landing—and hovered over the ground before dropping herself. He’d looked over at the rest of his squad to see if anyone had been watching. Luckily, none had witnessed the sight.

Levi clicked his tongue, “What was that?”

“I-I don’t know. It just happened!”

Levi grunts. He leaned in slightly, voice low and cold, ”Cut the shit and think hard.”

She stammered, “Well, the first time I was not prepared to be thrown off. The second time, I was trying to protect my head and focusing on not dying in a total wipeout—but then the impact never came and when I opened my eyes—I was levitating or some shit. As soon as I realized—I fell to the ground.”

She wasn’t lying. He could read it in her eyes.

That’s twice now. Twice she’s done something impossible.

His gut twisted. Unlike Erwin, he didn’t like gambling on unknowns. Especially ones that moved like a liability and danced too close to the edge.

-

Third time’s a charm—I focused clearly on the task at hand. With my eyes closed, I inhaled deep breaths—my heart rate calmed to a steady pace, and I launched myself up onto the saddle.

My hands grip onto my ODM triggers as I look ahead to my target—focused and determined. I rise, feet steady—self assured. My body acts on instinct, keeping perfect balance as I aim my left grapple first, then my right—and pull the triggers. I zip through the wind and onto the target branch.

I exhale sharply.

Victory.

Levi scowls up at me from the ground.

“How’d I do, Captain?”

He mumbles something unintelligible, then turns away, speaking up, “Do it again and I won’t push it down to beginner’s luck.”

“Prometheus! Captain wants us to do it again!” I call out. The horse huffs before coming over as I descend from the tree.

After another perfect execution of horseback to airborne superhero—Levi scoffs, “Tch. You must be cheating.”

“Cheating?” I looked at him incredulously.

“Probably using your powers. Whatever. Join the rest of the squad and run the course.”

Ugh! He may be onto something, but still— the audacity!

‘It wasn’t just suspicion anymore. It was fact. Whatever the hell was going on with her—it wasn’t normal. Not here. Not in this world.’

I regroup with my squad and watch as Jean launches through the trees, slicing into the nape of a dummy titan. It’s impressive. The kid has skill.

Captain calls out corrections to Jean’s form and technique as he zips through the course, adjusting based on Levi’s critiques. I stare, dumbfounded at the way he’s moving and wielding his blades. Are they all this skilled?

While they reset the course, Levi turns to me, “No blades today. Rather not have you cutting off your limbs by accident.”

I sighed with relief.

“You’ll still maneuver around the titans. Focus on positioning.”

“Your wish is my command, Captain.” I shot him a flirty grin. His jaw ticked.

My chest tightened with nervousness—mostly due to the idea of having an audience while I more than likely make a massive fool of myself. I close my eyes and quiet my anxious mind before stepping forward to the starting position.

I launch through the trees, carefully maneuvering between branches—a titan pops out from behind a tree trunk. I maneuver around it, aiming my hook in the opposite direction and swinging back.

Nope. My torso collides with the back of the titan’s head. “Ugh!” I cough.

My eyes scan my surroundings until landing on the faces of my squad, who watch on with amusement and concern. Armin looks on edge. Mikasa—uncomfortable? Jean smiles lightly, encouragingly—that is, before Eren elbows him in the ribs and mutters something. Shit stirrer.

My face reddens at their gawking.

I grin sideways, “Oopsie!”

—

Lunch time came and went—along with stable duties, which I got through without yeeting anymore recently-repaired well mechanisms into China.

After finishing for the day, I dragged my aching body back to Levi’s quarters and showered off the dirt, sweat, and horseshit.

Before dinner, I met with Levi in his office.

-

“You’re going to apologize.”

Ellie blinked at Levi, “…I’m sorry, what?”

Levi didn’t look up from the report in his hand, “Commander Erwin. You embarrassed and disrespected everyone in the room. You made me look like an idiot.”

“I made you—?” She laughed, incredulous, “Because I complimented your handsomeness and sex appeal?”

Levi’s eyes flicked up, sharp as a blade. “Don’t.”

That shut her up.

She folded her arms, leaning back in the chair across from his desk, scowling. “I’m not good at apologizing.”

“Try,” he deadpanned. “It’s a start.”

“Fine. Can I write him a note?”

“No.”

“Can I bake him cookies?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Can I cry a little and blame my acute, traumatic stress?”

He blinked. “You can do that after. Get up.”

Levi stood, fast and final—and Ellie scrambled to follow.

“I can’t believe I’m getting marched to the principal’s office like a child,” she muttered under her breath as they walked down the stone corridors.

“You are a child,” Levi said coldly. “And I’m your handler.”

Excuse me? Or should I say—excuse you? I’m literally an adult. Full-blown. I can even purchase alcohol, legally!

She opened her mouth to sass back—but thought better of it.

When they reached Erwin’s door—Levi knocked once but didn’t wait for a reply before opening it.

Erwin looked up from his desk, expression unreadable, “Levi. Ellie.”

“Commander,” Levi greeted, nodding once, “Cadet LoveJoy has something to say.”

She gave a stiff salute and a tight-lipped smile.

Erwin sat behind his desk, expression unreadable as always. He nodded in acknowledgment, “Go ahead.”

Ellie cleared her throat—suddenly hyperaware of how loud her boots sounded on the hardwood as she approached. Her hands fidgety at her sides. Her hair—still damp from the shower—frizzed slightly.

She looked like a problem child in detention.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out—Levi flicked her sharply in the back.

“OW—okay, okay!” she hissed, stepping forward.

Levi sighed through his nose, “Speak.”

“I am speaking,” she whispered, then shook herself, “Okay, okay. Sorry.”

Erwin simply waited—watching her with that same maddening calm.

Ellie exhaled, squaring her shoulders, “I’m here to apologize, sir! For my behavior at yesterday’s meeting.”

Erwin didn’t respond. Not a twitch of amusement—nor irritation. Just that steady, impenetrable gaze.

She swallowed, “The joke. Suggesting that you wish to have sexual relations with Captain Levi—that wasn’t appropriate.”

Ellie bites back the urge to keel over in laughter—no. She needed to keep her composure.

Levi shifted slightly beside her; arms crossed like a bouncer who couldn’t wait to toss her out of the club.

Ellie winced, “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. I-I mean—I was—but I didn’t mean to undermine anything. I just…” she gulped before continuing, “Sometimes I use humor when I don’t know how to handle a situation. Like for example—when I’m in a room alone with two strong, scary men—and all eyes are on me. It’s a coping mechanism.”

She paused—then added more gently, “I’ll try to keep my jokes to myself during serious stuff. I know it’s important.”

A silence passed between them.

Erwin leaned back in his chair slightly, “Levi says you’re defiant—Argumentative. Disrespectful.”

How observant.

Ellie’s eye twitched, “That’s…clinically accurate.”

Erwin almost smiled. Almost.

“But he also said you showed bravery in training. That you learn quickly. That your instincts are sharp.”

Her mouth opened slightly—That surprised her, “He said that?”

Erwin nodded slowly. “He did. Which tells me that while your mouth may be reckless, your mind is not.”

Ellie soaked in the honest compliment—like a sponge. I think that might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.

“Just…” she muttered. “Sometimes I act like an idiot when I’m anxious. Or scared. Or cornered. Or breathing—Existing, even.”

Erwin let out a soft exhale that may have been a laugh.

“I’m not here to be a burden,” she added more seriously, “I’ll do better—I want to. I just, um, don’t always know how to be ‘correct’ in this world.”

Erwin folded his hands. “Then we’ll teach you. But the desire to do better—that’s a good place to start.”

Ellie met his eyes then. Really looked at him. And for the first time, she understood why Levi followed this man—there was something quietly unshakable about him.

“I accept your apology, Ellie. But understand—humor has its’ place. Meetings involving your superiors are not one of them. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” Ellie said quickly.

Levi turned to leave. “Let’s go.”

Erwin nodded, “You’re dismissed, Cadet.”

She turned to go, but not before shooting Levi a subtle glare over her shoulder.

“Say ‘thank you,’” he ordered dryly.

Ellie gave a quick bow of her head to Erwin. “Thanks for not yelling.”

At that, Erwin’s lips twitched. Almost a smile, “I’ll leave that to Captain Levi.”

“And I’ll try to keep my chaos in check.”

“See that you do,” Erwin replied smoothly. But there was a faint, amused glint in his eye as she left the room.

Ellie followed Levi out of the office, sighing in relief once the door clicked shut.

“That wasn’t so bad,” she quietly muttered.

Levi raised an eyebrow, “You made a gay sex joke. To Erwin. And me. In a personal meeting.”

“…It just slipped out of my mouth.”

He rolled his eyes, “You’re lucky he likes you.”

She looked dumbfounded. “He does?”

Levi didn’t answer. He just kept walking—with that usual, hardened expression carved from stone.

-—

“So…you think I’m brave?” Ellie asked with an evil smirk.

“Don’t push it.” Levi flatly replied.

He thinks I’m brave! And what else? Oh right— “‘Sharp instincts’. I’m flattered—coming from Batman of all people. You’re like, apex!”

Levi inhaled sharply through his nose, then mumbled under his breath, “Dammit Erwin. You really had to share my reports? Tch.”

“Oh?” Ellie grinned, matching his stride,  “Is that what you spend all your time doing? Writing about me?“ She nudged him, “That’s so sweet!”

“Oi, brat!” Levi shot her a sharp look, “I write one report per day. It’s an insignificant amount of work.”

“Uh-huh.” Ellie giggled, giving him a mock salute before speed-walking ahead towards the mess hall. “Sure, Captain. Sure.”

Levi watched her go, the corners of his mouth twitching faintly before he exhaled and followed.

Chapter Text

The next few days came and went—training, stable duty, more training. Exhausting.

The eve of our next day off had finally arrived. Everyone appeared to be in lifted spirit— more than ready to sit back and enjoy some r&r during our much-deserved downtime.

Levi better not try to pull the same shit as last time. Nope! I won’t let him. I’m setting a hard boundary, this time around.

Eren had discreetly given me directions to the meeting point for tonight—admittedly, I still wasn’t sure how I was going to pull this jailbreak off.

The boys were taking care of the alcohol situation. Mikasa had suggested that us girls all go together—which led to me needing to explain that my room was on the second floor, away from the girl’s boarding wing. I told them that I’d be fine sneaking out alone—but don’t wait up.

I was met with some puzzled, weary expressions at my odd explanation.

If only they knew—

These kids are terrified of Levi. They’d probably shit themselves if they knew I had him to worry about tonight.

After dinner, we all went our separate ways. I returned to Levi’s quarters with a renewed sense of determination.

Curfew was at 10 pm. Everyone would be making their way to the designated meeting point at 11 pm.

I excused myself for the night at 9 pm, yawning sleepily in front of Levi—I slinked into the bedroom and changed into my black cargo pants and a tee-shirt, stealthily packing my leather pouch with my cloak and smokes.

I got under the covers and waited.

10:59 pm. I carefully placed my socked feet onto the floor and tiptoed quietly over to the door. I listened carefully—complete silence.

Peaking my head around the corner—a miracle. Levi appeared to have nodded off at his desk.

I immediately took my chance—taking slow, calculated steps. I snatched my boots off the ground and carefully inched the door open. I slipped out, unnoticed.

Holy shit. I did it.

I ran on my tiptoes down the corridors and stairs—making sure to stay alert of my surroundings.

I quickly slipped on my shoes at the bottom of the stairs and exited the castle.

I kept a fast pace as I crossed through the dark field—using the dim light of the stars to guide me on my way to our designated meetup spot.

The forested area was a whole other game—it was dark.

Like, spooky dark. An eerie feeling crawled up my spine—the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

I bit back my anxieties and entered into the woods.

My eyes darted around at every little sound I picked up as I tread further into the darkness—then, I saw the flicker of flames in the distance.

I let out a huge sigh of relief, heart rate calming as I approached the fire to reveal everyone had successfully made it.

Okay. This is tight.

I smiled widely at the group as I stepped out from behind a tree,—“What’s poppin’ homies?”

Everyone greeted me with smiles and/or blank faces—likely due to my foreign verbiage.

The set up around the bonfire was perfect—there were logs and tree stumps placed around the central fire. I sat on a log—next to Armin who was seated to my left.

Moving clockwise—Mikasa and Eren, Jean sat straight across from me, then Connie and Sasha to my right.

There was a wooden crate filled with various bottles situated at Connie’s feet. Sasha had a bottle in hand already.

Armin got my attention, with a gentle smile, “We weren’t sure you were coming. Glad you made it!”

Eren spoke, “Everyone’s here. What are we waiting for?”

I narrowed my eyes, “Waiting for?”

Armin replied, “Eren’s impatient. Ignore him. We’ll pass the bottles around soon.”

I chuckled at that.

As Connie distributed the stolen booze, Jean grabbed my attention, “Hey Ellie! You’ve got to sing for us tonight! I brought an instrument.”

My eyes widened as he picked up a stringed instrument that had been resting against a tree.

It’s not a guitar…fuck, what are those things called. Oh! I jumped up onto my feet excitedly, “A lute! Fuck yeah! I’ll definitely perform for y’all.”

A goddamn lute. Lol.

Jean handed over the lute while everyone looked on with intrigue. Connie and Sasha both cheered me on. Armin gave me an encouraging nod.

I took a sip of whatever god-awful potion that had been handed to me—burping loudly. The crowd snickered at my shameless disposition.

I sat myself back on the log, retrieving a pick from my bag, and got to tuning the instrument. Once I was satisfied with it, I glanced around the fire.

Everyone quieted down from their conversations and turned their attention to me. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

I gently cleared my throat, “This one is called ‘WILDFLOWER’”

I inhaled deeply before beginning—gently strumming out chords. I sang, closing my eyes and rocking my body to the beat,

Things fall apart
And time breaks your heart
I wasn't there but I know
She was your girl
You showed her the world
But fell out of love and you both let go

She was crying on my shoulder
All I could do was hold her
Only made us closer
Until July
Now, I know that you love me
You don't need to remind me
I should put it all behind me
Shouldn't I?

But I see her in the back of my mind
All the time
Like a fever
Like I'm burning alive
Like a sign
Did I cross the line?

Well, good things don't last
And life moves so fast
I'd never ask
Who was better
'Cause she couldn't be
More different from me
Happy and free in leather

I tapped against the body of the lute as I played, creating a beat as I increased in volume.

And I know that you love me
You don't need to remind me
Wanna put it all behind me
But, baby

I see her in the back of my mind
All the time
Feels like a fever
Like I'm burning alive
Like a sign
Did I cross the line?

Softly winding down the song— I gently strummed through the conclusion.

You say no one knows you so well
But every time you touch me, I just wonder how she felt
Valentine's Day crying in the hotel
I know you didn't mean to hurt me, so I kept it to myself

And I wonder
Do you see her in the back of your mind?
In my eyes?

You say no one knows you so well
But every time you touch me, I just wonder how she felt
Valentine's Day crying in the hotel
I know you didn't mean to hurt me, so I kept it to myself

I opened my eyes when it was over, apprehensively glancing around at all the faces around me—they gawked at me like I was an alien.

Oh—wait. I literally am an E.T. Like—hold up.

I picked up the nearest bottle and took a large swig.

“That was…” Connie began—Jean finished his sentence, “Amazing.”

“Did you write that!?” Armin asked from beside me.

I smiled meekly, “Yes. All originals.”

“That’s insane. I’ve never heard anything like that!” Eren exclaimed in disbelief. Mikasa gave me a small smile, speaking softly, “You’re talented.”

“Do more!” Sasha jumped in.

I beamed at all of them. Being a musician was always my dream. My heart warmed at their positive reactions.

“Absolutely. But first”—

I opened my pouch and pulled out a joint, “Alright, adolescents. I brought a surprise for everyone. A teenage rite of passage, if you will.”

I brought the joint to my lips and lit it with a small stick, using the bonfire.

I inhaled deeply, coughing out smoke, “Marijuana, kiddos. Take one hit each and pass the joint to the next person.”

Armin looked at me with hesitation written on his face, “What is it?”

“It’s a psychoactive plant. Harmless. Will make you feel warm and floaty—and makes everything more enjoyable. Completely safe. Trust me.”

I handed the joint to Armin with an encouraging nod. He brought it to his lips and took a puff—breaking into a coughing fit immediately. I giggled, “It will probably make all of you cough since you’re not used to it.”

He held the joint out to Mikasa as he continued to cough himself into tears.

The group snickered as Mikasa had the same reaction. “This is—terrible!” She exclaimed between coughs.

Eren took it next—coughing far less than those before him.

Armin looked at me with worried eyes and said, “I feel funny.” I gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

The joint circled around the group until it arrived back at me—just about finished. I took the one large hit that remained, inhaling deeply.

Aw, man. That’s the stuff.

My squad mates were sitting around in a mix of giggles and wonder. Clearly enjoying themselves. I grinned cheekily, “Now that we all have a bit of that sticky icky in our systems, I present—‘Today I Saw The Whole World”

I began playing:

Baby, pour over
Tell me, are we concrete?
What would you do without my perfect company to your undressed spine?
And I can hear you drag behind my cart by your broken legs
Swallowing stitches in her sleep
As she stole my only view, may I never blink

While you stood over the pavement
I was biting the curb
Sick entertainment
But I'll bet it feels good coming down
Can't bear to wash out the wasted time
Between your lips and mine

Zero friends
Followed your voices into a sea of crosses
She blends in with the foxes gold and feels like home
Under the surface, my love
But beware, beware, beware
And take it slow tonight
We're on the other side of the road
I think we're bleeding out

While you stood over the pavement
I was biting the curb
Sick entertainment
But I'll bet it feels good coming down
Can't bear to wash out the wasted time
Between our lips
So c'mon and swing it back and forth just like
My heart is on a pendulum tonight
If your lungs are mine I only wanna watch your clouds linger in the darkness

Oh, can't you feel it?
You're feeding on my restless soul
Oh, can't you see that
It's never enough, it's never enough
Oh, can't you feel it?
You feed on my restless soul
Oh, can you see that
It's never enough, it's never enough

My fingers expertly move across the strings as I play the riff.

Today I saw the whole world
And I think heaven has a plot to take my life
Listen, I'm the one who made you
I'll be the one who brings you down
But this will be the last time

Oh, sick entertainment
I'll bet it feels good when you're coming down
Can't bear to wash out the wasted time
Between our lips
So c'mon and swing it back and forth just like
My heart is on a pendulum tonight

I only wanna watch your clouds linger in the darkness

When my song concluded, everyone cheered.

“Your songs are really unusual—in a good way! They’re unique!” Eren stammered.

Mikasa glared at him, causing me to chuckle.

“Thanks, Jaeger.” I paused, thinking, “Okay—one more before I take a break. This is a new song of mine. It’s called ‘Take On Me’”

I held my gaze towards a specific point in the void of the forest as I began the soft melody:

Talking away
I don't know what I'm to say
I'll say it anyway
Today is another day to find you
Shying away
I'll be coming for you love okay

Take on me
Take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two

Needless to say
I'm odds and ends but I'll
I'll be stumbling away
Slowly learning that life is okay
Say after me
It's no better to be safe than sorry

Take on me
Take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two

Things I say
Is it life or just to play my worries away?
All the things I've got to remember
You're shying away
I'll be coming for you anyway

Take on me
Take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two

In a day or two
Take on me

Ellie smiled and gently set the lute down—balancing it against the log. She stood to her feet, “I’ll be right back. Gotta piss.” 

As her comrades snickered, she quietly slipped behind some trees—light footed and weaving her way through the shadows—hunting.

But he found her first.

Ellie beamed, “Hey, Captain. I was wondering when you would join us.”

He slammed her back against a tree—pinning her with an arm across her chest.

Ellie swiped her tongue over her lips before biting down, looking at Levi through fluttering lashes.

Her comment had made him waver—just for a fleeting moment. But he quickly reeled in his composure, breathing heavily, “How long have you known I was here?”

Ellie smirked slyly, “Since you followed me out here. How long has it been now? An hour or so?”— Her tone was slightly taunting.

Levi glared murderously into her glassy eyes, growling, “How?”

“Well, Captain—I think you may already know the answer to that.” She bit her lip, analyzing his face.

“Say it.” His eyes widened ever so slightly—

“I felt your energy. It’s unmistakable.”

Levi grunted before stepping back, releasing her from his hold.

“I almost called you out in front of your entire squad—But decided against embarrassing you like that. Don’t want you labeled as a ‘stalker’ now, do we?” He scrunched his face furiously at her words. “Why don’t you join, instead of spending your night doing a ‘recon mission’ on a group of teenagers?”

He scoffed, “Tch. All of you brats are about to face disciplinary action for breaking curfew and leaving HQ unauthorized—not to mention the theft. Although—I might look the other way on that last one, seeing as I don’t have much use for a squad that’s behind bars.”

“Oh c’mon. Captain! Come hang out with us! Have a drink. It’s good for morale! And—they’re teenagers. Do they really get to be teenagers often? There are no victims here. We call this a ‘light offense’ where I’m from.”

Eren suddenly rounded the corner, “Ellie? Is everything oka—,” he froze on sight, stammering, “C-Captain Levi! Sir! Um…”

I stared wide-eyed at Eren—then back to Levi—then Eren.

“Do I need to remind all of you of the Regiment Rules? Tch. Play-time’s over, Jaeger.” He paused, “I’ll deal with all of you in the morning. Clean up and get your asses back inside to your rooms. Leave the booze behind.”

Eren looked at me with a weary expression on his face. He looked like he’d just seen a ghost taking a shit. “Yes, sir!”

Once Eren was out of sight, I teased the captain, “Clean up—leave the booze behind.” I raised an eyebrow, “Are you in need of a stiff drink, Captain?”

“Tch. So what if I am?”

“Mind if I join?”

He glanced sideways at me, expression unreadable. He let out a sigh of frustration before turning and walking back towards the bonfire. I trailed behind him.

“At least that brat knows how to follow instructions,” he commented as he scanned the now-empty seating area. As directed, the alcohol was left behind—neatly placed back into the small, wooden crate.

I plopped down on the log I’d been seated at previously—Levi gave me an incredulous look, before rolling his eyes and taking the seat adjacent to me. He grabbed a bottle of dark alcohol and effortlessly pulled the cork out, taking a drink.

“Is it whiskey? I didn’t ask the kids since I wasn’t sure of its existence.”

Levi deadpanned, “What do you think?” He pushed the bottle into my hands and I lifted it to my lips, taking a swig.

I coughed once, “Yup. That’s whiskey. Shitty whiskey—but nonetheless.”

After taking a second swig, Levi snatches the bottle out of my hands, “Slow down, brat.”

I rolled my eyes.

Silence fell over us for a few minutes—atmosphere tense, listening only to the sounds of the wind bristling against the trees, and the occasional swig of whiskey hitting Levi’s lips.

I broke the silence first, softly asking,  “Did you like my songs?”

Levi’s head snapped towards me—he stared for a moment, “They were…different.”

I smiled, “I have a lot more. I’ve been writing as it comes to me. No instruments—but I can hear the notes clearly in my head.”

Levi hummed, setting down the bottle. He stood and stepped towards me, leaning down and placing a hand at each of my sides—caging me in. “What do you suppose is an appropriate punishment for a disobedient brat?”

My cheeks reddened at the closeness of his body and I swallowed down the knot in my throat—stammering, “Um. I don’t know, sir. What did you have in mind?”

He nodded slowly, expression serious—eyes darkening. He lifted his right hand to my throat, fingers wrapping firmly around it. Not enough to impede my airways. He lightly toyed with my neck, shaking me lightly. “Hm. Your insubordination is a problem. You need some discipline instilled into you. I’ll teach you.” Authority dripped from his low-tone, sending shivers down my spine. My heart rate increased. My chest rising and falling with increasingly heavy breaths.

I whispered breathily, “Yes, sir.”

Keeping my throat in his grasp, he trailed his left hand up my side—then over my collarbones. I trembled lightly at his touch.

His lips twitched with the ghost of a smirk. Levi’s eyes were sharp, darkened—predatory.

I gasped as his hand grazed over my right breast. He lightly ran his thumb over my clothed nipple—already perking up. I flinched at the touch.

He hummed lowly, “Sensitive?” He pinched down hard on the petal.

“Levi!” I half-gasped, half-moaned.

Levi clicked his tongue, “Tsk. Address me properly.”  

He quickly moved his hand to my other side and dished out the same teasing swipes of his thumb. I squirmed in my seat—his fingers around my throat tightened slightly in response.

I tried my best to hold back the noises my body wanted to make—but then he pinched my left nipple and twisted. Hard. I yelped loudly, arching my back and bucking my hips.

He chuckled darkly, “Tch. Pathetic.”

My breath hitched at his words. He squinted at me, trying to figure something out.

“Hm.” He slid his hand down to my waistband, effortlessly undoing the button with expert fingers. He shoved his hand into my pants—bypassing my panties and swiftly swiping a finger up my slit.

He hummed, “You’re dripping and I haven’t even touched you.”

Heat crept up my neck—my face blushing a deeper shade of red. I gasped when he pressed his fingers onto my clit—and left them there, unmoving.

I groaned, softly whining. Wanting more.

He slid his hand down to my entrance, drawing small circles around my hole. I wiggled more at his teasing—bucking my hips. His grip on my throat tightened even further—completely immobilizing me as he plunged his fingers deep into my heat, instantly winding me. My eyes widened at the sudden intrusion—glazed over with dazed desire.

He left his fingers inside of me, unmoving for a minute before curling them inwards and beginning to slowly thrust in and out of me.

My lips quivered at the sensation as he massaged my walls with precision. God, this feels unreal.

His fingers coaxed small, delicious moans out of me as I felt the pressure slowly building up in my core. My lips parted as I stared dreamily into his steel eyes.

Suddenly—he thrust his fingers into me with great force, making my whole body jolt. And when he pulled back, he did it again—repeatedly thrusting into me at a punishing speed with his forceful hand. I screamed out, “F-f-f-fuck—Captain!” I moaned loudly—back arching me further into his hand.

My body shook, “Oh god! Nnnn—I-I”

The pressure was overwhelming, “C-c-cum”

Levi smirked smugly, keeping up his rhythm. I felt my walls clench down around his fingers—and then recoil from the sudden empty space. Wha-What?

He removed his hand from my pants in one, swift movement—pulling the zip and closing the button. Leaving me a panting mess. He maintained direct eye contact with me as he brought his fingers up to his mouth and wrapped his lips around them—tasting my juices and licking his digits clean. His fingers left his mouth with an audible ‘pop’ sound. He hummed, narrowing his eyes.

My jaw slacked open with confusion and disbelief. Did he just—!?

I stared at him with desperate, frantic, wild eyes. He matched my gaze with his usual stoic, hardened expression, “What? You thought I was rewarding you?”

I blinked several times in quick succession—chest heaving. When I went to speak, no words came out. Instead, I whined out loudly—scowling up at him with a deathly glare.

“Take what you earned, brat. I don’t want to hear another word. Bedtime.”

I pouted at him as I stood up—legs wobbling and feet unsteady from my denied pleasure. “Cruel.” I huffed.

He gave me a warning look before turning, wooden crate in hand, and starting the walk back to HQ. I dragged my feet behind me—sulky and tired. Pouting the whole way back to his quarters and into bed. I’ll make him pay for this.

Chapter Text

Ellie groaned as she rolled over, a tangle of sheets clinging to her limbs. Sunlight poured through the window, stabbing directly into her squinting eyes. She blindly fumbled for her phone on the nightstand, tapping the screen.

12:59 p.m.

“Fuck,” she mumbled into her pillow.

With a long, dramatic yawn, she pushed herself up—standing on her tiptoes and stretching her arms high above her head, fingers splaying out before swinging wide.

Half-stumbling, half-shuffling—she padded barefoot into Levi’s office, still foggy with sleep. She blinked at him blearily. “Good morning.”

Levi didn’t look up from his paperwork. “Afternoon,” he corrected flatly. His eyes flicked up for half a second, sharp and assessing, “Busy night?”

I rolled my eyes, flopping into the chair opposite to him—dressed only in a nightgown, bed-head on full display, “…Busy days, consecutively—for weeks. With sleep deprivation.”

I inhaled sharply, “Did you know that sleep deprivation is one of the most effective methods used in enhanced interrogations? And by ‘enhanced interrogations’—I do mean torture. Military and intelligence agencies don’t like to use that word though…upsets the gen pop.”

“Tch.”

I tilted my chin, “Do you ever sleep?”

Levi muttered, “Few hours is all I need.”

Uh— “Per night?!”

“Yeah.” Levi shrugged faintly, “Sometimes less.”

Is he for fucking real? I gawked at him, “You know—studies show that psychopaths tend to sleep far less than the rest of the population. Honestly? Major red flag.”

Levi’s eyes narrowed, his brow pulling into an irritated furrow, “You think I’m a psychopath?”

“Oh, absolutely—not,” I smirked teasingly, “Nah. You’re perfectly capable of empathy. Therefore, you don’t meet the criteria for antisocial personality disorder.”

He blinked, “antisocial personality disorder… what the shit does that mean?”

I took in a deep breath, straightening my back, “It’s the psychiatric diagnosis for people with true sociopathy or psychopathy!”

Levi gave me a long, unimpressed stare.

Then, without warning, he cut in sharply: “We’re moving to a new location in the morning. Pack a bag. Essentials.”

I froze mid-sentence, spine stiffening, “Wait—what? Why?!”

“Commander’s orders,” Levi replied coolly, “The place is secure. Remote. For Hange to run experiments.”

Aw—hell nah. My eyes widened, “Experiments?! On me?! Nope—there ain’t no mothafuckin’ way—”

“On Eren,” Levi interjected dryly.

That shut me up. I blinked, “Eren? Why?”

Levi exhaled, dragging a hand through his undercut—visibly annoyed, “Eren’s a titan-shifter.”

I froze, blinking hard, “Eren? Is a… titan-shifter? Wha-What? Since when?!”

“Brat.” Levi leveled me with a cold, exhausted look, “You ask too many damn questions.”

I shifted in my seat—voice high and incredulous, “Seriously?! Does the rest of your squad know?!”

“All of humanity knows.” His tone was clipped and even, “I just made sure those brats knew to keep their mouths shut around you.”

I frowned, “You! You’re such a—such a—”

Levi closed his eyes in slow, deliberate frustration. “A what?”

I growled, “A… butthead!”  

Levi cracked one eye open, his frown deepening.

“Tch.”

I puffed out my cheeks, huffing, “Tch! Butthead!” Then stood abruptly and stomped back into the bedroom—face planting into bed.

W-T-F man! Argh!

I hid under the covers, curling up into a ball and questioning life.

What else are they hiding from me? Are there other shifters walking around? What even is shifting? Does he expand like a balloon inflating into a giant freak—or is it more like ‘poof!’ there’s a magic giant—no beanstalk?

My eyes throb with the beginnings of a migraine. I sighed before briefly getting out of bed to draw the curtains and grab some water.

After hydrating, I crawled back under the covers to rest my eyes—

Peace lasted maybe a minute. Then—

“What’s wrong with you?” The familiar, deep, monotone voice shattered the silence.

I peaked my head out from under the sheets, with squinted eyes, “Your face.”

Levi blinked. Unamused.

“Let’s try this again, cadet,” he said coolly. “What’s wrong with you?”

I groaned into the pillow. “Nothing—I swear. I’m just tired. And my head hurts.”

Levi stood in the doorway, arms crossed—like a statue of judgmental silence. Then… he shifted. Visibly uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat. “Are you having your… woman time?”

I nearly choked—“My what?”

“Your…” He waved vaguely towards me, voice dropping like the conversation physically pained him, “Time of the month.”

I burst into laughter, slapping my knee through the comforter, “Are you talking about menstruation, Captain? Y’know—the menstrual cycle. Period. Monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus. Vaginal bleeding”—

“Shut up.” He grits through his teeth.

I smiled brightly, “The answer to your question is NO.”

He glances around the room, clearing his throat again—he mumbles under his breath, “Fucking Hange. Why do I always get stuck with this shit?”

He looks me dead in the eye, straight faced, and asks, “Are you pregnant?”

“Am I pregnant?”

He continues to stare me down, his expression becoming more serious by the second.

I raised my eyebrows, “Oh. My. God! You’re serious!” I inhaled sharply, “No, Sir. I am neither pregnant nor menstruating.”

Levi scoffs, scowl twisting in annoyance, “You haven’t had your monthly time since being here. Hange. We—want to make sure you’re…okay.”

Oh. That is…strangely sweet, if not creepy. I sighed, “I don’t get periods. I have an IUD—intrauterine device. It stops my periods and prevents pregnancy. Should be good for another…6 years?”

Levi blinks, “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I had a device installed up my vagina. It’s effective for 10 years—can be removed whenever, if needed. They left a small string hanging through my cervix—I reckon a firm tug would do it.”

He looks utterly disgusted by the information he’s just learned.

He drags a hand down his face, mumbling under his breath, “What kind of fuck shit is that?”

“You poor, pregnancy-scared, STI-ridden folk.” I grimace before mumbling, “Holy fuck. Y’all must have insane rates of venereal disease.”

I visibly shudder, “My world has a metric shit-ton of birth control options—pills, patches, injections, sub-dermal implants, IUDs. Dudes can even get snipped so that they shoot blanks. And we have condoms! Those protect both people from sexually transmitted infections. Not to mention medicine for treatment and prevention. We also have a pill that women can take up to 48 hours after being splooged in that cancels the whole operation.” I chuckle, “It’s called ‘Plan B.’— I’m not fucking with you—it’s really called ‘Plan B’.”

Levi deadpans, “Are you done?”

I nodded sweetly.

“Good. I never want to hear about this again.”

He turns and walks away. Before he disappears, I catch him talking under his breath, “Splooge? Disgusting brat. Tch.”

Yeah. That’s fair.

——

I’d finished packing my bags before heading off to the mess hall for dinner. My stomach was practically eating itself at this point.

I slapped my tray onto the table and dropped into my usual seat. When I looked up—my entire squad was staring at me as if I’d just risen from the dead.

Mikasa spoke first, “Ellie! We were worried about you! We never saw you again last night— and then you weren’t at breakfast or lunch...”

Eren interrupted, “We thought you were lost in the forest! Or—“

Sasha interrupted, “Captain Levi chained you up or—or killed you!”

My eyes widened. Captain Levi can chain me up anytime. I smirked to myself before coughing, “No, no. I’m sorry guys! I didn’t mean to worry you all.” I gave them all a small, reassuring smile, “I’ve just been so exhausted from the new routine. I slept through mealtimes!”

Armin looked concerned, “Where did you go after Captain Levi found us? … How did he find us?”

My face grew red for a moment, “Oh—right! I was talking to Captain Levi when Eren found me—trying to reason with him. Heh. Anyways. He found us because he was listening in on our little conversation the other day.”

A mixture of nods and groans traveled around the table.

Suddenly remembering the information that the Captain had told me about Eren—

I snorted, “Oh—and you little liars!” I slowly pointed an accusatory finger around the table at each and every one of them—with narrowed, suspicious eyes and a playful grin on my face.

They all froze and glanced nervously at one another.

“It’s okay. Captain Levi told me earlier. Eren’s a titan—I was shook!”

“Shook?” Mikasa echoed.

I snorted, “It’s slang. Like when your shocked, surprised, astonished, excited, discombobulated, in disbelief—you’re shook! Or shooketh. And if you’re shook while physically shaking—you’re quaking!”

They all stared at me like I was—an alien. 

Then—they burst into fits of laughter.

Fuck me.

My line of sight landed on Levi, who was glaring straight at me from across the way. I nodded my chin towards him with a teasing curl to my lips before looking away and returning to my meal.

Let him cook.

———the next morning

Levi tightened the saddle straps on his horse with practiced ease. The rest of the squad bustled quietly around them—Eren checking his gear, Mikasa hovering, Armin reviewing the map.

Levi adjusted the last strap on his horse’s saddle, giving it a sharp tug.

Ellie, meanwhile, looked flustered adjusting her harness straps while simultaneously muttering curses under her breath. She fumbled with the buckles like she’d never strapped anything in her life.

Levi approached silently, reached out, and pulled the strap into place with one swift motion.

Ellie flinched, cheeks flushing pink—she mumbled quietly, “Thanks.”

He leaned in slightly, voice low, “You’re going to die if you go out there half-prepared.”

Her breath hitched, “Duly noted. Don’t want that…”

For a brief moment—Levi lingered. Her hair smelled faintly of fresh flowers and something unfamiliar—something from her world, probably. He stepped back sharply, shaking the thought away.

She spoke again, “How far are we going?”

He could hear the nervous energy in her voice. She was uneasy. She thought they were just moving locations because of Eren.

Good.

She didn’t need to know the rest.

She didn’t need to know that Hange had been pestering Erwin for weeks to test Ellie’s abilities, her foreign biology—the strange energy spikes she’d shown.

Levi clenched his jaw—muscles tight. He’d already argued the point behind closed doors.

She’s not a lab rat.

She’s not like Eren.

She’s new. She’s already unstable.

But orders were orders.

And for now, Ellie didn’t need to carry the weight of that knowledge on her shoulders—not yet.

“Not far. Mount up,” he ordered curtly.

————-

They rode for miles. The squad fell into quiet ranks, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

Ellie rode near the back, occasionally making frustrated sounds as she adjusted in the saddle. She’d groaned at least three times about a sore ass and muttered something about lawsuits—Levi heard it all, even without turning his head.

He didn’t react.

But when the sun was high and they paused near a creek for water, he dismounted and walked over to her horse—tightening her saddle straps without a word.

Ellie blinked down at him, surprised. “I thought I had it right…”

“You didn’t,” Levi murmured, brushing a hand across the leather—checking each point of tension. His eyes flicked up briefly, meeting hers. “You’ll get it next time.”

She gave a small, crooked grin. “Look at that. Was that… almost encouraging?”

Levi snorted softly under his breath, straightening. “Don’t push it.”

—-

Levi meant it when he said that we wouldn’t be going far—the trip taking around one hour by horseback.

We had been traversing further and further into the wilderness for the majority of the journey.

How people navigate like this is beyond my comprehension. I was stunned when we actually arrived at our destination without encountering any issues.

There, blending into the surrounding trees and shrubbery—the outpost, owned and operated by the Scouts.

Bearing a striking resemblance to summer camp; there were three wooden structures evenly spaced out in a crescent shape. The central building appeared to be communal shower stalls—with two entrances on each side. Positioned on both the right and left sides—log cabins.

Through the trees behind the cabins, I could faintly catch the twinkling of sunlight reflecting off water.  A lake.

Off to the far left—there was a line of crudely constructed horse stalls.

Levi addressed the entire squad, “This cabin is ours.” He gestured to the one on the right. “Start cleaning. You have two hours, which is more than enough time for you brats to get the job done. If I find a single speck of dust, you’ll regret it.”

Without breaking his stride, he turned to me, “LoveJoy, with me.”

I stumbled behind him to catch up with his quick pace—following him around the right side of our assigned cabin and onto a small, foot trail that descended down a sharp slope.

About fifteen meters down the hill, nestled in the trees, stood another cabin—separate from the others, almost hidden. At ground level, the lake now stretched out beside us, its water lapping gently at the shoreline. It was beautiful.

The wooden stairs creaked with each step onto the front porch. Levi didn’t say a word. He just shoved the weathered door open with a loud groan and stepped inside. I followed hesitantly.

The cabin was set up like a shotgun house—a straight shot from the front door to the back door. The entryway opened to a small kitchen and dining area—wood-burning stove, cabinets, small table with three chairs. There was an old, green couch against the wall next to the front door.

“Shotgun house.” I stated simply.

“What?”

“This layout—it’s a straight shot. You can fire a gun from the front door and straight out the back without hitting anything.”

He looked down the hall and gave a small grunt of acknowledgment. “Can you shoot?”

“Yessir. I don’t know what kind of janky firearms y’all have in this age—but yes. I’ve got all of my certifications and concealed carry permits back in New York.”

“You ever needed to use one?”

“No. But I did pepper spray an assailant once—that was enough.”

“Pepper spray?”

I hummed, tapping my chin, “yeah…it’s an aerosolized compound derived from hot peppers that causes your eyes, nose, throat, lungs—everything to feel like it’s on fire and you can’t open your eyes or breathe—mucus membranes go crazy. It immobilizes a person without the use of deadly force, usually.”

“Huh. I’ll add that to Hange’s list.” Levi flatly stated.

He continued checking each room. Down the hallway, there were two doors on the left—the first opening to a small bedroom with two single beds and a large, dark, wooden chest between them.

The second door, presumably—led to an office.

He grunted, “There’s cleaning supplies in the cabinets—get to work.”

“Um, sir?… I’m staying here? What about the rest of the squad? Won’t they be suspicious?”

“Let me worry about them. You just follow orders and stop asking so many damn questions.”

I nodded with a cheeky grin, “Yes, sir!”

I dropped my pack onto one of the beds before heading to the kitchen to clean.

—

Levi was cleaning silently on the other side of the cabin—except for a few curses muttered under his breath here and there.

The state of the cabin was not nearly as bad as I’d been expecting, but it still took the entire two hours to get it up to Levi’s insane standards.

As I was wiping sweat from my face, a knock at the door startled me. The door swung open and in walked Hange.

Her voice rang out in sing-songy, high-pitched notes, “Levi! Whatcha doing?!”

Levi emerged from the hallway, face already tight with annoyance. “Four-eyes. You’re late.”

“Aw, c’mon! We had issues with the supply cart,” Hange waved a hand dismissively. “You know how it goes. Everything good here?”

“Tch. Whatever. Are you set up?”

Hange looked around, then called out, “Moblit?”

No answer.

She shrugged, “We should be! So, shorty—where do you want to start?” Her eyes gleamed with a manic glint.

Levi’s voice dropped to a dangerous tone. “Hange.”

Without another word, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her back outside. The door slammed shut behind them.

I froze.

What the hell was that?

I crept toward the door, pressing my ear to the wood. Their voices were hushed. Too quiet to make out. Definitely secretive.

When Levi returned, his whole energy had shifted. Shoulders tighter. Expression unreadable.

He cleared his throat, “Go find the rest of the brats. Stay with the squad. No wandering.”

I jumped to my feet, “Okay! Uh… is everything alright?”

He paused. “Why do you ask?”

I tilted my head, “You’re answering a question with a question. That’s definitely not suspicious.”

“Tch. Out. Now.” His voice was flat, but firm.

And I wasn’t about to push it—

I ducked out the door and jogged up the hill—mind spinning, gut twisting. Something was up. I just didn’t know what yet.

—

Back up top—a hectic scene awaited me.

Moblit was hammering posts into the ground for a temporary tent structure while Hange flipped through files and yelled instructions.

Some of my squad was busy unloading the supply cart, while others were scrubbing bathroom stalls.

Dammit. Guess I should help.

I huffed at the universe, stomping toward the supply cart—only to pause halfway there. I had no idea what to do with any of it. Barrels? Crates? Tools I’d never seen before? Hard pass.

Instead, I entered my squad’s cabin where Jean and Eren were currently preparing food. Eren looked up from the potatoes he was peeling, “Hey…Ellie. What’s up?”

I froze. “Um—you guys need any help? I’m kind of at a loss out there with all the chaos…” I nervously chuckled.

Jean came over and slung an arm over my shoulders, “Yeah! Come hang with me. I’ll show you the ropes!”

Eren scoffed, “Get off her, horse-face! I’m sure she doesn’t want your gross smell rubbing all over her.”

I doubled over in laughter—both boys turned to me with confused expressions.

“No need to bicker, boys! There’s enough of me to go around.” I smirked, “So, what are we making?”

Eren shrugged, “Same as always. Soup.”

I made a face. “Why are you peeling the potatoes? The skins are the best part! Loads of nutrients.”

Jean raised a brow, “Aren’t they poisonous?”

“Poison? No way! Only if they’re green. These are fine.”

They exchanged wary glances.

I rolled my eyes, “Do we still need to make bread? Because I make incredible bread.”

Eren smiled, “Yeah! That would be helpful. The baking stuff is in the pantry!”

Fuck yeah. Wait until they get a load of my focaccia—or quarantine sourdough! My poor, poor sourdough starter. She must be starving. I hope Leah adopted her.

While my dough is resting—an idea came to mind, “Be right back! I’m going to go forage around for flavor town.”

I slipped out the door before they could respond and headed out into the forest, making sure to stay close by.

I slowly scan the ground cover with a hunched back and bent knees until—Hail Mary! Rosemary! I crouched down and gathered a large bundle of this beautiful plant, indeed. I wonder—eek!

Very suddenly, a strong hand is gripping the back of my shirt collar and lifting me into the air—Levi’s voice booms from behind, “What did I say about wandering?”

I curled in on myself—my voice fragile and guilt-laden, “Don’t do it.”

“So you did hear me.” His tone sharpened, “What were you doing?”

Dangling midair, I groaned. “Foraging! I’m making bread—and the food here tastes like wet cardboard. I miss yummy food!”

He unceremoniously dropped me with a thud onto my knees. I scrambled to my feet—turning around and casually dusting off my pants. I showed him the bundle of rosemary I’d gathered. “Rosemary!”

“Tch. Brat. Hope it was worth it.” He narrowed his eyes at me, “Report back to my quarters when you’re finished to receive punishment.”

A flush crept up my neck. “Y-yes, sir,” I mumbled—then added, “You think there’s wild garlic around here too?”

He exhaled slowly, clearly done with my shit. “Do I look like a damn forest guide?”

Levi frowned in annoyance—but still, he folded his arms and leaned against a tree. Clearly waiting. “Shitty brat. Make it quick.”

I jumped excitedly, “Thanks, Captain!”

Then—I turned and began scanning the area with haste. It’s not long before I spot what I’m looking for within a dense covering of ground foliage.

I give the sprigs some tugs and—voila!

Itty bitty wild garlics.

Damn. GMOs go hard in my world! This shit is like…barely hanging on.

I added the garlic to my collection before skittering over to some mushrooms I’d spotted earlier. I pluck those from the mossy soil before jumping up and returning to Levi.

Levi squinted when I returned, “Mushrooms? Are you trying to poison us?”

“They’re morels! Completely edible. I’m sure.”

He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Show them to Hange before they end up on anyone’s plate.”

Giddy, I skipped back to camp—arms full. I found Hange hunched over a pile of notes inside her makeshift lab.

She looked up from her notes before jumping out of her seat, “Ellie! What can I do for you?”

I looked down at the pile of treasure in my arms, “Levi won’t let me serve everyone these morels I foraged without getting the green light from you.”

Hange excitedly came over to me and snorted. “Ooo! Let me see what you’ve got! And—green light? What’s that mean?!”

“Oh! It’s a reference to traffic lights—at intersections in my world, there’s lights to direct traffic. Green means “GO.” Yellow means “SLOW.” And red means “STOP.” So, when you say you need to get the green light from someone, it means you need their approval or go-ahead.”

“Fascinating,” Hange mused, taking out her magnifier. She squinted at the morels. “Yup. Morels.”

She plopped one back in my pile. “You’re clear.”

“Perfect! I’m making focaccia. Prepare to have your mind blown.”

I skittered out of the tent and back to Levi Squad’s cabin, dropping my bounty onto the dining table.

Armin, Jean, and Eren were all stood in the kitchen—staring.

Eren broke the silence, “Uh…whatcha got there?”

I pointed at each ingredient, “Rosemary, Garlic, and Morels!”

They all exchanged nervous glances.

“Lev—I mean, Captain watched me forage. And Hange checked the morels! No poison or hallucinogens here.”

I washed and prepped everything while the boys watched cautiously. I pressed the dough into a large pan, poked it full of finger dimples, and layered on my thinly sliced ingredients with a drizzle of oil.

What I would do for some salt…

I slid the pan into the oven and cleaned up my mess as we waited—storing my extra foraged materials in an old basket with a cloth covering.

Armin joined me by the oven, “I’ve never seen bread made like that. Is it a family recipe?”

I grinned, “Something like that. It’s called focaccia! It’s very versatile—you can put anything on it. It’s even good with nuts and berries pressed in!”

Armin smiled, “It smells incredible.”

“The garlic and herbs! Makes a world of difference.”

“World, huh?” Armin echoes faintly.

World. World. Is that word problematic? I—begin fidgeting with my hands.

Armin patted my shoulder gently before stepping away. My heart thudded against my chest.

Did I just mess up? I could have sworn that I have used that word a million times already…

Although, I guess I’ve been letting my guard down and not being as vigilant as I should be… I just—don’t like lying. I’m not a liar! I hate lying.

I snap out of my thoughts to the smell of baked bread—checking the oven, it’s perfect.

I pulled the bread out with a folded rag. The smell was divine. I set it on the table to cool—golden crust glistening, morels sizzling lightly, garlic soft and fragrant.

————

Ellie slipped into the lakeside cabin with a covered basket cradled in her arms and mischief dancing in her eyes.

She entered the second room, which she’d correctly guessed—was Levi’s temporary office.

Levi didn’t glance up from his desk. “Took you long enough,” he muttered, quill scratching across parchment.

She walked up behind him and set the basket down with a soft thud, “Don’t worry, Captain. I come bearing gifts.”

He side-eyed the container, “What is it?”

She grinned. “Focaccia. Bread. The good kind. With flavor. And love.”

“I don’t eat love,” he deadpanned.

“You don’t eat anything if you don’t have to,” she fired back,“Which is probably why you look like you sleep in a crawlspace and live off caffeine and pure spite.”

His jaw tensed, but he said nothing.

Ellie peeled back the cloth to reveal the still-warm bread. The smell hit the room instantly—rosemary, garlic, something deeply earthy and nostalgic.

Levi paused.

His eyes flicked down at the bread. Then back to his report. Then—without a word—he set his quill aside.

Ellie blinked, stunned— “Wait… are you actually gonna try it?”

He gave her a look that said don’t ruin this.

So, she zipped her lips and backed up a step, watching him with barely contained glee.

Levi cut a slice with a practiced hand and took a bite.

Chewed.

Swallowed.

…And kept chewing.

His face didn’t change—but Ellie noticed the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth. Barely there. But not nothing.

“Well?” she prompted, practically bouncing on her heels.

He glanced at her, “It’s edible.”

She gasped, hand to her heart, “Was that a compliment?”

Levi didn’t answer. Just reached for a second slice.

Ellie clutched onto the basket triumphantly, “I’ll take that as a yes!”

“Tch. Don’t let it go to your head.”

He paused, glancing at the pile of papers sitting on the corner of his desk, “Deliver that stack to Hange.”

As she turned to leave, papers in hand and victorious, Levi called after her—voice quieter.

“Thanks—brat.”

She stopped in her tracks and glanced over her shoulder with a soft smile.

“My pleasure, Captain.”

And then she was gone—leaving behind the scent of garlic, herbs, and something else Levi couldn’t name.

He took another bite.

It tasted like comfort.

And it pissed him off.

Chapter Text

The sun was beginning to set—casting deep shadows through the trees as I trekked up the hill to camp. I made a mental note to track down a lantern for later. But first, I needed to deliver these documents to Hange.

Without warning, my right toes catch the edge of a stone and I lose my footing—my hands instinctively move to catch my fall, releasing the stack of paper in my arms.

They go fluttering, everywhere.

Amidst the chaos, I made a panicked movement to catch the documents; reaching my hand out towards them—as if there was a chance of catching the papers shuffling in the wind.

As I reached out, panic clawing in my chest—the messily strewn about documents magically whisked themselves back into a perfect, neat pile. As if they’d never been dropped in the first place.

I gasped, shock written all over my face.

Um—

I exhale shakily, staring at the organized stack of papers with widened eyes before rushing back to my feet and picking them up. My heart thrums erratically against my ribs.

What. The. Fuck. Was. That?

Did anyone see that?

My eyes dart around my surrounding, fear in my eyes.

I spin around—and flinch. My entire body stiffens, frozen in place.

Armin is stood there, gawking at me with his mouth hung open—confusion and shock all over his face.

We stare at each other for what feels like an eternity before I stammer out, “A-Armin! Um. I’m supposed to get these to Hange…” I swallowed thickly, “Y-yeah. I’m just…gonna go…do that.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I nearly trip over my feet, yet again, as I turn and begin speed walking away—chest tightening in panic.

I rushed straight into Hange’s tent, body trembling and vision spinning.

Without glancing up, I announced, “Here!” and slammed the stack of papers onto her desk before bending over, hands on my knees—struggling to catch my breath.

“Wha-?” Hange looked on with confusion.

I shook my head and ran out of the tent—my feet leading me straight back down to Levi’s cabin.

I burst through the front door—slamming it open.

Levi rounds the corner out of his office, scowl deepening and tone severe, “The hell? What’s the ruckus, cadet?”

His expression was replaced with confusion at the sight of me trembling in the doorway, silent tears falling down my face.

“What the shit’s wrong with you?”

I kept my eyes glued to the floor in front of me, curling into myself—my voice sounded quiet and broken, “the-the papers. I f-fell a-and Armin saw me. I-I didn’t mean to.”

His body language reverted back to a disciplined and authoritative stance, “Brat. What the hell do you mean? You better not be saying that you ruined all of those documents.”

I sniffled, a sob escaping my throat, “N-no. The papers are fine. I just—“ My knees gave out as I sank to the floor, placing my head in my hands, sobs wracking my body.

Levi scoffed, “Use your words. Why are you upset?”

“Armin saw me doing something impossible!”

Levi sighed deeply, then clicked his tongue. “Tch.” He contemplated for a moment before I heard footsteps closing in on me, “Get up.”

I raised my chin, meeting his serious gaze with my own. I whispered breathlessly, “I’m sorry.”

“Up, brat. Don’t make me say it again.”

I quickly shuffled onto my feet, wiping my tears away and straightening my uniform.

“Come with me.” Without missing a beat, Levi strode past me. I trailed behind, following him back up the way I just came.

We headed straight for the squad’s cabin.

“Stay.” He evenly commanded, without sparing me a glance—before climbing the stairs and barging into the cabin—emerging a mere moment later with a very nervous-looking, blonde-boy in tow.

“Come on. We’re going to have a little chat.” He gripped my upper arm tightly and dragged me along—straight into Hange’s tent.

——

Hange looked up from her desk, frowning in confusion. She pushed her glasses up with an index finger. “Levi?”

Armin filed in beside us just as Levi let go of my arm. “Arlert. Anything to report?”

Armin shifted anxiously in place, “Sir?”

The Captain sighed frustratedly—scoffing, “Tch. What did you see?”

The soldier cleared his throat, briefly glancing at me, before turning to the Captain, “Well, I’m not exactly sure what it is I saw. It looked like papers had been dropped outside—and then they…. rearranged themselves back into a neat pile. Without being touched…”

Levi hummed, “I see.” He turned to me, “LoveJoy?”

I picked at the edges of my thumbnail, staring at the ground in front of me. I quietly responded, muttering under my breath, “Yeah. That sounds…right.”

He scoffed, “Tch. Care to elaborate?”

I gulped—briefly looking up at the Section Commander, who was focusing intently on me, “I tripped on my way here and dropped the documents. I tried to catch them…but wasn’t fast enough. But when my hand was reaching out—the papers shuffled themselves back into a neat pile…I picked them up and found that Armin was standing behind me. He’d seen the whole thing…I think.”

I exhaled sharply—glancing around the room.

Hange spoke next, “Well, this is exactly the sort of thing we’re here for! I’ll need reports from both of you to compare notes.”

Huh?

Levi shifted slightly but stayed quiet.

Hange met my eyes, “We’ll get started first thing tomorrow! How exciting!”

An unsettling feeling came over me—my gut twisting at her phrasing. I looked at her with uncertainty, gently clearing my throat,“Get started?”

She responded with nonchalance, “Yes! With experiments.”

Armin stood awkwardly off to the side—clearly very uncomfortable with the shifting conversation.

I—

I turned to Levi, glowering and searching for answers—he didn’t meet my gaze. Didn’t even flinch. Instead, he continued to stand there like a statue—shoulders squared, firm and disciplined.

I scoffed, shaking my head with disbelief—incredulity dripped from my voice, “You…lied to me?”

He didn’t respond. Didn’t waver.

But I caught a brief glimpse of something pained flashing through his steel-grey orbs. My voice shook, “I need some air.”

I didn’t wait for a response.

I turned and bolted out of the tent—running straight down the hill and back to my cabin. My body shook. Not just with fear, but with anger.

I shut myself in the bedroom and climbed into bed.

I heard Levi enter the cabin not long after, and listened as his footsteps approached the bedroom—halting outside the door.

He stood silently for a moment, hesitating, before continuing down the hall to his office. His footsteps faded away with the sound of his door clicking shut.

I changed into a nightgown and slipped into bed—tears flowing softly onto my pillow.

Human experimentation? I—I can’t believe he would lie to my face like that. What else is he lying about? Is he going to keep blindsiding me?

I drifted off to sleep, tears still wet on my cheeks.

——-

The moon hung swollen and heavy in the ink-stained sky, casting an eerie silver glow over the Scout’s woodland outpost. All was still—save for the gentle rustling of trees, creaking wood, and the occasional whinny of a restless horse.

Inside the secluded cabin by the lake, Ellie lay curled beneath the sheets—breath steady, eyes shut.

But her body was no longer tethered by the chains of sleep—instead, drawn to a low humming beyond the confines of the cabin.

Her limbs moved before her mind did.

Bare feet slid from the bed to the wooden floor with a soft thunk. The white nightgown she wore, thin, gauzy, and translucent in the moonlight—floated around her body as she rose, her expression peaceful yet vacant.

Her eyes opened slowly, faintly glowing a soft, white light.

She moved without sound, without awareness—her mind submerged beneath some current deeper than thought.

Outside the cabin, the door gently creaked open.

And Ellie vanished into the night.

——

The path through the trees seemed to unfold before her, like the forest had been waiting—like something had been waiting.

Branches parted where they should’ve scratched—

Stones shifted quietly beneath her feet, as if unwilling to harm her. She walked with purpose that she did not understand.

Eventually, the dense forest gave way to a clearing—a ring of ancient stones, crumbled with time but still holding an air of reverence.

Ivy and moss blanketed the cracks. The center of the circle was clear—bathed in a pale shaft of moonlight.The ground, a soft bed of grass.

The air buzzed faintly, charged with something unseen.

Ellie stepped into the center and dropped slowly to her knees, curling onto her side like a child seeking warmth. A thin mist gathered around her as the first birds began to chirp their cautious morning songs.

She did not stir again until the sun kissed her cheek.

——

My eyes snapped open—body shivering violently.

I was barefoot, damp with dew, my nightgown—nearly see-through in the growing light. A gasp tore from my throat as my gaze darted around my unfamiliar surroundings.

“Where the fuck…?”

I scrambled upright, trembling. My skin was ice-cold and pale.

I clutched my arms tightly to my chest.

There were no sounds of people. No signs of my squad. No buildings. Just endless green and this…place.

My breath fogged in the morning air as panic took root in my chest.

Where am I? How far did I…?

The sound of soft rustling caught my attention—a folded note slid off my lap and onto the ground.

What the fuck? I grabbed the small piece of paper and stumbled to my feet, arms wrapped around my body for warmth.

I spun in circles, looking for any sign of the direction I came from. Heart racing, teeth chattering—I decided to try the least dense route. 

I tucked the random piece of paper into the hip of my underwear before trudging off into the forest.

I was a mess. Every step sent a jolt up my legs as the forest floor bit into my bare feet. Time passed, but I didn’t know how much.

Eventually—blessedly—I spotted a plume of smoke through the trees.

Relief surged in my chest, “Thank god.”

But as I neared, my breath caught in my throat and my body instinctively recoiled.

Three rough-looking men stood around a fire outside of a weathered log cabin—drinking, laughing, smoking.

One turned at the sound of my approach.

Then another.

The laughter stopped.

They stared.

One of them grinned. Drawling, “Look what we’ve got here.”

I froze in place, body stiffening. An eerie feeling of dread ran through my body.

The man closest to me took a step forward, holding up his hands in mock innocence.

“Well, ain’t you a sight. What’s a thing like you doin’ all alone, dressed like that?”

I willed my body to move—to turn and run—but the third man had already come around from behind the cabin.

I was surrounded.

Tears pricked at my eyes. “I don’t want any trouble.” My voice betrayed my fear.

The man laughed, “Well of course not!”

Closer.

“Don’t touch me,” I hissed, voice shaking.

“Oh, we won’t… unless you want us to.” Another man grinned, teeth yellowed and rotting.

Another step.

Closer.

What do I do? I-I—

Adrenaline coursed through my veins.

Fight or Flight. Now—Choose.

I screamed out. Loud. Raw. Like my life depended on it.

The sound ripped through the forest, echoing—birds scattering from trees.

—

Levi’s head snapped up from his map, eyes narrowing. He heard it—high-pitched and unmistakable.

“Ellie.”

He was already moving before Hange could even shout after him.

He vaulted onto his horse and surged into the trees, mind calculating every possibility. Every step she could’ve taken. The direction of the wind. The terrain. The exact pitch of her voice.

The air around Ellie changed.

It rose. Fast.

A sharp current whipped through the trees.

Leaves skittered across the forest floor like frightened insects.

One man faltered, looking around. “What the—?”

Ellie’s body trembled, but not with fear—

Her heart pumped her blood through her veins in a rhythm that she didn’t understand.

Her bones buzzed. Her hair lifted at the ends. The wind rose.

“I said… step back,” she breathed again—stronger, unearthly.

The wind answered.

A shrieking cyclone burst from her skin like a scream given form. It roared from her lungs, from her fingertips—from every cell screaming ‘get away’.

The men were flung backwards—howling, colliding with trees, tossed like dolls.

The air writhed. Trees bent. The forest groaned.

And then—

“Ellie!”

A voice, slicing through the storm. Levi.

He’d followed the current. Tracked her through the unnatural wind. His cloak whipped violently around him as he stumbled into the clearing.

His eyes locked on her form—glowing, wild, radiant…and terrifying.

He didn’t hesitate.

It tore at his cloak, clawed at his clothes, tried to shove him back—but he kept moving, shoulders squared, boots digging into the dirt with every step. “Ellie. Look at me.”

She didn’t see him.

Her eyes were glassy, shimmering fiercely. Her hair snapped in the wind as her body hit the ground—the overwhelming pressure pinning her down as the very air around her crackled with raw power.

“Ellie! Look at me.”

She didn’t move. Couldn’t. She couldn’t breathe. Tears flung from her terrified, wide eyes as she fought to keep her head up.

The wind screamed louder. Debris lashed through the air. Another shriek built deep in her throat—unearthly.

Levi crossed the last few steps towards her. Slowly. Steadily. Reaching through the storm.

He dropped to the ground. “Ellie.”

And then—he was there. His hand closed over hers. Firm. Warm.

“Ellie. Breathe. Just…breathe.” He locked onto her eyes with a softened, concentrated gaze.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Her breath caught. Her power pulsed—then—stilled. She gasped. And the wind dropped.

And just like that—the forest fell silent, as if time itself had come to a halt.

She blinked up at him. Her lips parted, quivering—chest heaving with exertion.

Levi pulled her against him. His arms wrapped around her—tight. Grounding. Anchoring.

“You’re alright,” He muttered quietly into her hair—holding her like she would disappear at any second.

That instinctual storm that had been brewing in Levi since the day he’d crossed paths with her—the overwhelming urges and thoughts that he had fought so hard to ignore, to push into a neat little box and shove aside—those instincts had surfaced as an overpowering, primal urge to protect her.

Levi’s body moved with practiced precision, comforting.

His voice was sure and steady. “I’ve got you.”

Ellie broke into sobs, body shaking, fists tangled in his cloak.

He tightened his grip around her—she was weightless, limp in his arms, head tucked beneath his chin like she belonged there.

“I’ve got you, brat,” he echoed.

Now the forest was dead quiet. Not peaceful. Cautious.

Levi adjusted her against his chest and began the trek back.

The walk was slow—her legs dangled, pale and muddy, her arms loosely draped around his neck. Occasionally, she whimpered. He kept his pace steady. Grounded.

He mounted his horse, carefully balancing her against his chest.

“I should be yelling at you,” he muttered, more to himself than her—his chest rumbled, “But I can’t yell at a half-frozen girl in a see-through rag who just conjured a fucking storm.”

Her cheek stirred against his cloak. Maybe she’d heard that. He hoped not.

The trail back to the outpost felt longer than before, winding and cold. Dawn had broken—the early light caught the pink in her hair like fire.

He found Hange already outside, wild-eyed, a lantern swinging in her hand. “Oh my Walls—Levi! You found her!”

“She was deeper than I thought,” he stated simply, brushing past her and heading toward the cabin. “Call off the others.”

“What happened?”

Levi paused at the steps of his cabin. “Later. She needs clean clothes and sleep.”

Hange backed off, watching with barely restrained mania.

Inside, he lowered Ellie carefully onto a bed—brushing away twigs from her tangled hair. Her lips were blue. Her hands ice. He moved fast—stripping the soiled gown from her form without hesitation.

That’s when he noticed the edge of folded parchment—tucked away into the hip of her panties. Levi yanked the paper out by its corner and set it to the side before dressing her with one of his long shirts.

He worked quickly—clinically—until her skin was covered and she lay bundled beneath thick blankets.

He crouched beside the bed, his jaw tight. His chest wouldn’t stop pounding. Not from exertion.

From something else.

He’d thought she’d disappeared back to where she came from.

And later, he’d thought she’d been lost.

Not just to the woods, or to the cold—but to something else. Whatever was awakening in her… wasn’t done.

Levi rested his elbows on his knees, watching her sleep.

“You’re gonna tell me what the hell that was,” he said quietly. “But not now.”

He inspected the parchment he’d pulled from her underwear—it was folded into a neat rectangle, unopened. The seal was unbroken—the red wax pressed with a symbol he did not recognize.

It looked old, ancient even.

He set the mysterious letter aside for the moment and turned his focus back to the fragile-looking girl beside him.

He reached out—without thinking—and brushed his fingers against her temple, tucking a pink strand of hair behind her ear.

“Next time,” he added, voice low, “take me with you.”

—-

I wake slowly—like surfacing from beneath thick water. My limbs are heavy, my skin stiff, and my head—humming. A low thrumming vibrates through my bones, and for a second, I can’t tell if it’s the aftershock of a dream or something real.

Blinking against the warm glow of sunlight—I realize I’m not outside anymore. I’m not cold. And I’m not dead.

I’m in the cabin’s bed.

I shift carefully, as if any sudden movement might trigger the sky again.

And then… I remember.

The stone circle. The voices in the wind. The men. The way the air bent around me like it was born from me. Like it was an extension of my body. And then—Levi.

My chest tightens.

I sit up too quickly and immediately regret it—my vision spins, colors ghosting at the edges.

A voice cuts through the haze. “Don’t even think about moving yet.”

Levi stands by the door, arms crossed, eyes pinned on me like I’m a bomb with a faulty timer.

My heart skips. “Captain…”

“You’re awake,” he says simply.

“What time is it?”

“Late morning.”

I blinked. “How did I get back?”

He cocked a brow, “You walked half-naked into the wilderness and summoned a storm. I carried you.”

Oh.

I glanced down at myself. His shirt.

“I didn’t mean to,” I whisper.

“I know.” His jaw tightens. “That’s the problem.”

I open my mouth, then close it again.

He moves to sit beside the bed, looking down at me with that unreadable expression. “Why did you sneak off in the middle of the night?”

I looked into his sharp eyes, shaking my head slowly. “No. I-It’s not like that. I…was dreaming. I thought I was dreaming. I wasn’t awake.” I shifted my gaze shyly.

Levi exhaled through his nose, “You’re telling me that you sleepwalked?”

I nodded—sadness, disbelief and confusion written on my face, “Yes. I woke up on the ground…I didn’t know where I was. I was in the middle of these stones—“

“Stones?”

“Yes—there’s a stone circle near where you found me. My dream—there was something important there.”

The memory came flooding back to me, realization dawning on me. I searched my body, looking for the letter I’d tucked away.

“Looking for this?” Levi held the folded paper up between his index and middle fingers.

My eyes widened, “Yes. It’s a message…for me. Um. Or that’s what I think it is…”

“Who gave this to you?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t see anyone. It just…appeared out of thin air.” I chewed on my lip—eyebrows drawn together in thought—“Something led me there so that I could receive that message. It’s important.”

Levi cocked a brow, “The stones?”

I frowned, trying to rub the throbbing in my forehead away with the heel of my palm, “I don’t know.”

He doesn’t respond right away. Just looks at me with a strange intensity. Like he’s trying to fit together puzzle pieces that don’t belong to this world.

“Do you remember what you did?” he finally asks.

I do. All of it. The light crackling in the air around me—the way the trees bowed. How the wind obeyed me like an extension of my own body. How it flung those men away from me. How it quickly turned into something uncontrollable.

“I think,” my voice quivered, “I called upon the wind, unconsciously. Those…men.” I inhaled deeply, steadying myself before continuing, “They were closing in on me. I couldn’t get away. They-they were going to…”

I didn’t notice the way my body trembled at my recall of the memory.

I shook my head, “Did I…are they alive?”

Levi’s eyes flickered. For a brief moment, something dangerous passes through his gaze—a glimpse of fury and something else raging behind his steel-grey orbs.

“Get some rest,” he says gruffly, heading for the door.

But before he exits, he stops. Without turning around, he flatly says, “You screamed my name.”

I swallowed, looking at his back turned to me—the way his shirt clung to him, the muscular outlines peaking through the thin fabric.

“I heard you.” His voice is quieter this time. “That’s the only reason I found you.”

And then—he leaves, door clicking shut behind him.

I stare at it for a long time. My pulse still racing—but it’s not from fear now.

Something inside me has changed. Something I don’t fully understand.

——

It is late afternoon when I awaken. I slip on my pants, sitting on the edge of the bed as I lace up my boots—Levi enters without notice.

He stops in front of me, stance anything but relaxed, “How are you feeling?”

My eyes scan over his form before landing on his piercing steel eyes, “Better. Did you open the letter?”

Levi scoffs, “Tch. No. Had to keep it away from Hange’s prying hands.” He removed the folded paper from his pocket—seal intact.

I rolled my eyes. “Thank you.”

He gave a slight nod before gesturing towards the door, “Let’s go see what the hell your creepy little message is about.”

A faint smirk twitched at the corners of my mouth in response to his callous bluntness. “Couldn’t have said it better myself, Captain. Lead the way.”

—-

Hange looks about ready to piss herself from contained excitement when we enter her tent. “We get to see the contents of that letter. What if it holds secrets? Answers to our world?! Science!”

I scratched my neck, “Uh. I’m doing great! Still alive…Thanks for asking, Section Commander.” I sarcastically tort.

Her face falls for a split moment, “Oh! You’re okay? Good! We were real worried about you. Especially Shorty over there! Sent search parties out and everything. I’ve never seen him run after a lady so fast—“

“Hange.” Levi warned, shooting her a murderous glare.

“Okay, okay. No need to be embarrassed shorty. I thought it was cute!”

Levi’s face twisted into an annoyed snarl; he exhaled sharply through his nose before stepping forward to join me at my side.

He placed the note on the tabletop, pointing to the seal with his index finger. “Recognize that symbol? It’s nothing we can identify.”

I inspected the wax, instantly recognizing the shape, “It’s called a Pentacle. The Five-points,” I gestured at the seal before continuing, “represent the five elements: water, fire, earth, air, and spirit. The circle around it represents the universe, I think. This symbol is ancient. But it’s withstood the test of time and is still used in my world.”

Levi grunts in acknowledgement.

Hange adjusts her glasses, deep in thought. “How interesting!”

Levi uses the edge of a small blade to break the seal. He begins unfolding the aged paper—when a small card falls out.

I picked up the card, handling it with care—as if it could dissolve at any second.

It’s about the size of my palm and made of a thicker material—slightly bigger than a playing card.

I laid it flat in my hand.

The side facing up shows an image.

A depiction of a woman—she wears a long, green, hooded cloak. Her long, brown hair flows against a breeze over her right shoulder. Her blue-green eyes glow with power.

Her dress matches her cloak—long, regal, and adorned with golden symbols around the hem. Her hood is lined with similar markings.

She faces forward, with her hands delicately positioned out in front of her body—her right arm lays across her lower abdomen, palm facing up—her left arm is positioned higher, across her chest—palm facing down.

Her fingers connect with threads in graceful motions—weaving them into a symbol. The flower of life.

She holds it between her hands—suspended in air. It glows a radiant gold.

The air surrounding her is filled with various threads that are fainter in color and left untouched.

The faint picture of a Vegvísir emcompasses her being—peaking through threads and vanishing into the background.

Four falcons soar in her direction. Two on the left, two on the right.

There are two additional falcons in the bottom right corner, making a total of six—one appears to be landing, or possibly attacking close to the other that stands facing away from the woman.

These two seem separate from the rest.

The image is bordered with woven patterns, twisting in runes not recognized.

Text at the bottom reads ‘Freyja’

My voice comes out in a hushed whisper, “Freyja.”

Levi speaks, his voice low and steady, “Is there anything on the other side?”

I flipped the card over, revealing a handwritten note:

‘Freyja – Goddess of love, warfare, sex, fertility, death, beauty, magic, and witchcraft.

It is her namesake which shall be held by the powerful witch of prophecy. A witch who stands at the cross paths between worlds.

May she walk in the footsteps of the Goddess. May the Goddess guide her on her path. For She is the one who will alter our understanding of life itself.’

“The old world will die. And a new will be born.”

My breath hitched—heart pounding hard against my ribs. My hands trembled as I read the writing.

Tears prick at the corner of my eyes. The weight on my chest gets heavier, pressing the air from my lungs.

Levi takes the card from my hand with precise, steady fingers—studying it. He hums—but says nothing.

Hange observes with intrigue—jotting down a plethora of notes and sketches of any notable details.

Next—the aged paper that had previously concealed the card. I turned to Levi, “Can you? I…”

I don’t need to finish my thought. He understands.

With precise fingers, he unfolds the paper—holding it in both of his hands. He scans the contents for a moment before clearing his throat—

He tosses the paper on the table, “That’s it.”

It takes me a moment to process his words, “…that’s it?”

Levi speaks in that bored, monotoned voice of his, “The paper is blank.”

My pulse quickens, “No…th-that can’t be right.”

I snatch the paper from the table, flipping it over, repeatedly—blank space stares back at me. Taunting.

“N-no! There has to be more!” My breathing grows uneven and stressed.

Levi glances sideways at me, “Get it together, brat.”

I shake my head viciously, choking back a sob—this can’t be happening. This isn’t real. This is all just some huge, elaborate prank.

Right? …Right?

No.

I turn to run away, but Levi’s faster—his fingers close around my wrist with an iron grip, and he tugs me back from the exit. He grunts, “What did I say about your little escape tricks?”

I pulled back against his grip, trying to free my wrist, “I…need…to…go!” I gasped between words—the enclosed space shrinking down on me. The taste of salty tears hits my tongue. I fight harder against his grip, digging my heels into the ground below me for leverage. He doesn’t budge. His face remains neutral, staring at me with narrowed eyes.

Then—without any warning, he eases his grip and releases me. I go pummeling into the ground, winded by the force of my own strength.

“Tch.”

I glowered at him through tears—body trembling, I shout, “Fuck you!”

You could hear a pin drop.

Levi doesn’t flinch—his expression remains unmoved except for the faintest widening of his eyes.

He stepped closer to me—slow, methodical—before slamming me flat on my back, his boot centered on my chest.

He stood over me, glaring down as fury danced across his darkened gaze. His voice rings in my ears—calm, chilling, “What did you say?” 

I seethed, “Fuck you! Get off me!”

I struggle against his crushing weight—he presses down harder.

Hange watched the whole scene unfold with a stunned expression—her jaw dropped. Her and Levi exchanged a brief glance—she didn’t speak..

He hums, then removes his foot—swiftly dragging me to my feet by my right arm.

He marches me out of the tent and back towards the cabin. I quickly give up on fighting him—his strength overpowering every movement I attempt.

The front door slams open forcefully before he tosses me inside like a ragdoll.

“Ow!” I exclaimed—anger and incredulity dripping from my voice.

He storms in after me, pointing a hand in my face—he shouts angrily, seething, “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?!”

I crawl backwards on my elbows, trying to create space between me and his assault. He gains on me—hauling me back up by the collar of my shirt and lugging me towards his office.

My brain doesn’t have time to process what is going on until my back is up against the wall, his left arm pinned across my neck, right hand firmly grasping my hip.

My wide, frightened eyes meet his dark, narrowed gaze—and time stops.

He drags his soft lips over my jawline, slowly and methodically—moving towards my ear and hovering just a hair away from the surface of my flesh.

His breath whistles through his teeth with each exhale—fanning hotly against my skin.

I trembled, knees beginning to buckle beneath him.

He stopped at my ear, waiting a few beats until gruffly murmuring, “Is this what you want?”

His teeth dragged around the shell of my ear before tugging roughly at my earlobe.

He dragged the tip of his tongue down my throat, tracing small circles where my pulse thrummed strongly against the surface—my breath catches.

Goosebumps coat my arms as shivers run down the length of my spine and straight to my core.

I writhe against his touch—air coming in short, ragged breaths. He presses his body into mine, crushing me with his weight.

And then—I feel it.

The unmistakable, growing hardness in his pants. A desperate moan escapes me.

He moves his arm from my neck, threading a fist through my hair—and roughly wrenching my head back, exposing my throat to him. Soft whimpers leave my parted lips.

His voice vibrates next to my ear, deep and gravelly, something sinister laced beneath, “Answer me when I’m speaking to you. Is this what you want?”

Desire courses through my veins—a small, whining noise escapes me.

He presses further into me. The fabric barrier between us betrays nothing.

I shudder. And then I give him a small nod.

“Use your words.”

My voice comes as barely a whisper, “Mm. Y-yes.”

“Yes, what?”

I groaned softly, “Y-yes, C-Captain.”

“Good girl.”

My pussy clamped down at his praise.

And then—his lips attacked my neck—kissing and sucking at my burning, tingling flesh.

I melt under his assault. Blood rushes to my core as he finds that one weak spot and expertly focuses his attention on the area, lapping, sucking, biting at the skin.

I moaned into his ear.

He growls against my throat, moving his right hand into the waistband of my pants and expertly finding my clit. I groaned languidly—my breaths coming out shakily, becoming more and more irregular with need.

His fingers moved slowly—drawing small, sharp circles on my pulsing nub. My eyes rolled back at the sensation.

I lifted my arms and clung onto his shoulders, digging my nails into his shirt.

He kept going: Sucking, licking, nipping at my jaw—he circled back up to my ear, growling roughly, “Come for me.”

And right on his command—I came.

I unraveled beneath his touch. Beneath his voice. Beneath the weight of his authority. An earthquake ripped through my body—my legs buckling beneath me.

One, long moan tore from my throat as wave after wave of ecstasy crashed through me.

He held me up as I rode out my orgasm—his fingers never faltering in their slow movements.

When it was over—my head lulled weakly into the crook of his neck as I gasped for air.

Still leaning against him in recovery, I reached a hand down between us and palmed at his bulge.

He inhaled sharply, taking a step back.

I looked at him with confusion—until he spoke. His voice dripping with authority—his eyes, darkened with lust.

“On your knees, cadet.”

My eyes widened at his crude words—I swallowed thickly before dropping to my knees.

I look up at him for further direction.

He didn’t speak—just undid the buckle of his belt before pulling his pants and briefs down in one, swift motion.

I salivated at the sight of him—my jaw dropped. He’s…big. To put it lightly.

His cock was sporting massive girth, with an exceedingly above-average length. The skin was smooth, creamy—with prominent veins running down its length. His tip was pink, dripping with precum, and wider than the rest of him.

His cock was beautiful.

I gulped at his size, intimidated by the task at hand.

My eyes flicked from his member to his lust-filled eyes.

I held his gaze as I moved in closer, wrapping a hand around the base of his cock and grazing my lips gently against the sensitive tip. I started with slow, teasing licks—running my tongue along the length of a protruding vein and back down again.

He tilted his head back at the sensations.

I slowly wrapped my lips around his tip, sucking before drawing back with a ‘pop’—

Levi grunted. I repeated the motion, twice.

Before I could repeat the action a third time, Levi took a fistful of my hair and yanked my head back. He commanded in a low, threatening tone, “Open your mouth.”

I obliged, opening my mouth wide for him—he guided his cock into my mouth, slowly.

“Close those pretty lips and stay still.”

I moaned at his words, sending vibrations up his cock. He pressed himself in deeper, groaning lowly as his tip hit the back of my throat. There was still so much more of him to go.

He grabbed ahold of my head with both hands and began thrusting, in and out, slowly—inching himself further in with each movement.

I sucked and swirled my tongue against him—then, without warning—he shoved himself down my throat, pressing in to the hilt of his cock.

My throat spasmed around him, I gagged and sputtered—choking on his size. He held me against his pubic bone before allowing me a moment of reprieve to take a gasping breath.

Then—he began fucking my throat. He held my head in place with one hand, wrapping the other around my throat—feeling the protruding outline of his cock through my skin as he slid in and out.

I gargled and sputtered against his ruthless thrusts. No air entered my lungs—my eyes watered until tears began to fall and saliva dripped down my chin.

My hands clawed lightly at his thighs.

He allowed me up for air, before resuming his punishing assault. I was a sobbing mess—and I loved it.

Levi growled through his teeth, his breathing becoming increasingly heavy, “Fuck.”

“You look so fucking pretty with my cock in your mouth.”

“Don’t have anything else to say, cadet?” He smirked evilly above me, taunting, “Can’t disrespect me with that mouth of yours when I’m shoved down your throat, huh?” He tutted.

My pussy quivered at his degradation, wetness pooling in my panties.

“You gonna swallow your Captain’s cum like a good girl?” I nodded my head frantically, his cock still shoved down my throat—spots began to fill my vision. He hummed.

His brutal thrusts continued.

“Take it.”

He thrust himself in, all the way down to the hilt of his cock, and held my face flush against his pubic bone as his cock twitched deep in my throat—shooting thick, white ropes of cum down my stretched, spasming esophagus.

And leaving me no choice but to swallow every drop.

Once he was finished, he pulled himself out of my mouth in one, swift motion—leaving me heaving on my hands and knees as he pulled his pants up and buckled his belt.

My lungs burned and spasmed as I sucked in air—wheezing and coughing between breaths.

Once my lungs fully expanded again and my breaths evened out, he squatted in front of me and grabbed ahold of my chin—his grip gentle, yet firm.

He cleaned me up with a handkerchief—-wiping away all the sweat, drool, and tears before releasing me.

I stared up at him with dazed, glassy eyes. Completely spent.

He smirked smugly, “Dismissed.”

Chapter Text

The next morning—Ellie received a wake up call, at the crack of dawn, via an obnoxiously loud knock on the doorframe—

A familiar, deep voice rumbled from feet away, “Up.”

Ellie rolled over, groaning into her pillow—she swallowed down the ache in her dry, sore throat.

She croaked, voice rough with tenderness, “Is it already time to break all ten points of the Nuremberg Code?”

Levi rolled his eyes from the doorway, “Tch. You expect me to know what that means?”

Ellie sat up in bed, yawning and looking a mess—rambling, “It’s the set of ten ethical principles for human experimentation—created like, nearly a century ago—after World War II. During the Nuremberg Military Tribunals.”

Levi grunted, “Who said you were human?”

She shot him a pouty glare, “Haha. And who made you a comedian?”

He gave her a look of warning—icy, silvery eyes gliding over her form. “You said World War…two?”

She rubbed her eyes, stretching out, “Yeah. Guess the first one wasn’t enough.”

She yawned again, “It happened from 1939 to 1945.”

She squeezed her eyes shut before quipping, “Hasn’t been a third World War—yet. But tensions were high when I left home, and some believed that we were in the beginnings.”

Levi hummed, contemplating, “Erwin would eat that up. That kind of thing gets him all…excited.”

Ellie’s face twisted into a contorted frown, “…the fuck?”

Not sure what I’m supposed to do with that piece of information…but okay?

He tutted—turning to leave, “Get dressed. Meet out front in twenty.”

Is he acting…strange? Or was he always like this?

——

Levi stood on the porch, one shoulder pressed against the wooden frame, arms-crossed—quietly sipping on a cup of tea.

The door creaked as I slipped outside—hair braided, teeth brushed, and fully dressed in uniform.

I eyed the cup that he was awkwardly holding, “God, what I wouldn’t give for a cup of coffee.” I sighed dramatically.

Levi side-glanced, “You mentioned that before. What is it?”

Hm. How to describe coffee…oh!—

“It’s kind of like tea, but a whole lot stronger. Full of caffeine. Darker. My world practically runs on coffee!”

He hummed, nodding slowly before finishing off his tea. “Let’s go.”

He stepped off the porch and rounded the side of the cabin—where the ground was more open and flat. The lake lapped against the ground nearby, practically at our feet.

I stared out at the water, feeling in awe of the picturesque scene. “Y’all have fishing poles?”

“Excuse me?”

I turned, “Do you think there are any fishing poles around here?”

“Maybe. You gonna catch a fish?” His lips curled slightly up in a smirk.

I narrowed my eyes, “What? You don’t think I can catch a fish?”

“I don’t know. Can you?”

He’s taunting me. I scoffed, “Faster than you can. I’m willing to bet.”

He looked away, letting out a low chuckle, “You’re probably right about that.”

“Mm.” I hummed in victory, looking back out at the water.

Before I could process it, he moved—blindingly fast. My back hit the gravel, air punched from my lungs, his boot pinning my chest. “What the fuck?” I gasped, scrambling to shove him off.

“Lesson one,” he said, voice flat. “Always be aware of your surroundings.”

I glared up at him—fury boiling under my skin, “You cheap-shotting bastard!”

“Tch. Cry about it later.” He stepped back, arms loose but ready. “Get up.”

My mouth dropped—face contorting with disbelief, anger, shock—

I jumped to my feet, cracking my neck, “Oh, I see. You wanna play dirty? Tch.”

Fuck, did I just sound like him right then?

His eyes narrowed, but I swore I saw a flicker of amusement. “Big words. Back ‘em up.”

I charged—stupidly, maybe, but I was pissed. He sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing my wrist and flipping me onto my back again. The impact rattled my teeth.

“That all you got?” he taunted from above, circling me like a predator.

Okay. Now he’s for-real pissing me off.

I got up, wiping my mouth and grinning manically. My eyes focused on only him.

I circled, finding a steady stance—fists raised in front of me. My eyes danced over his form with determination and fire.

He rolled his neck slowly, the tendons in his jaw tightening. “You need to learn what it feels like when someone doesn’t hold back.”

“Oh,” I muttered. “So this is you being nice.”

Levi didn’t respond.

Instead, he stepped into position—feet shoulder-width apart, arms loose but ready, posture coiled like a spring.

I felt a sudden, instinctive tension lace my spine.

He wasn’t joking.

“Begin,” he said.

I lunged first—

A straightforward jab toward his left shoulder—meant more to test his reaction time than land.

It didn’t come close.

Levi slipped to the side like water, catching my wrist with almost lazy precision. Before I could recoil: he used my momentum, pivoted, and swept my leg with a swift kick.

I hit the ground. Hard.

“Ow, fuck—”

“Get up,” he snapped.

I groaned, rolling to my feet—eyes glaring now. No jokes this time.

This time, I didn’t rush in.

We circled. The silence between us buzzed. The only sounds were the rustling of birds, the water, and the crunch of footfalls.

I feigned left, then came in from the right—aiming a roundhouse kick toward his ribs.

He blocked it with his forearm, but it made him shift his footing.

“That one had bite,” he muttered.

I grinned, teeth bared, “I’ve been saving it.”

I moved again, this time slipping low—going for a sweep of my own.

Levi jumped just in time, twisting in midair and landing light on the balls of his feet. He retaliated with a sharp elbow toward my shoulder.

I caught it—barely—and stumbled backwards from the force.

He didn’t let me breathe.

He was already on me—two rapid jabs I ducked, a knee to my midsection that I barely blocked with my forearm: the impact sending jolts through my body.

I was panting now.

“Come on, Lovejoy,” Levi growled. “Is that all the fight you’ve got? You’re not going to talk your way out of this.”

“You wish I would,” I spat, diving forward.

We collided—my shoulder against his ribs, knocking us both off balance for a moment.

Levi adjusted quicker.

He spun me with brutal efficiency—his arm around my waist, chest pressed to my back. Trapping me. My breath hitched.

“Where’s all that attitude now?” he murmured, his voice low—lips too close to my ear.

Tingles shot down my spine.

I didn’t answer. I twisted—half-instinct, half-desperation—and threw my elbow into his ribs hard enough to make him grunt.

He let go.

I dropped to a crouch and rolled away—chest heaving.

We stared at each other across the space—he with sweat dampening his temples—I with bruises blooming under my uniform and a busted lip.

“Better,” he said. “But you let your emotions control your rhythm.”

“I’m emotional,” I gasped, cocking an eyebrow, “Sue me.”

“No excuse.”

We went again.

This time, the blows were messier. Closer. Grit-and-sweat-and-sound. A backhand across my jaw that sent me staggering. A palm-strike to his solar plexus that made him reel.

He was stronger.

I was unpredictable.

I dropped low when he least expected, sprang higher than he thought I could—laughed through the pain like I was reveling in it.

He finally pinned me again, forcing me to the ground—knee pressing painfully into my ribs, both wrists gripped firmly above my head.

His breathing was ragged now, a sheen of sweat on his brow.

“You’re sloppy,” he muttered, “But you’re getting faster.”

I grinned up at him, lip split—eyes shining wildly. “Sloppy with style.”

Levi stared down at me for a long beat—something unreadable flickering in his gaze.

His chest vibrated, “Don’t get cocky.”

“I think you like it.”

He leaned in just a hair closer. His voice was gravel. “You have no idea what I like.”—

Then he let me go.

I coughed—laughing as I sat up—wiping blood from my lip with the back of my hand. “That was the hottest beating I’ve ever taken.”

Not that beatings were a normal life experience before arriving in this circus.

“Tch.”

Levi turned away, but I caught the faint twitch of a smirk before he could hide it.

-

He walked behind the cabin before swiftly returning with several wooden blades—handing over two.

I fumbled with the foreign objects in each of my hands—

“You’re holding it incorrectly.” Levi boredly stated—moving behind me and reaching over—

With his boot, he kicked my feet apart into a wider stance—his chest brushing my back.

His hands—calloused, precise—adjusted my grip, his fingers lingering on mine.

“Nape strike,” he said, guiding my arms through the crisscross motion. His deep voice rumbled behind me as his breath fanned against my skin—sending tingles down my spine and causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stick up.

A pink blush spread across my cheeks. My brain short-circuited.

I gently cleared my throat, “Uh… again,” I mumbled, cheeks burning. “Got… distracted.”

I could practically feel his eye roll from behind me, “Tch. Focus, brat. Unless you want to be titan fodder.”

I swallowed, nodding. He repeated the motion—slower, his hands steady. “Crisscross. Burn it into that thick skull.”

“Yes, sir,” I whispered, half-sarcastic, half…something else.

He huffed out through his nose, releasing me and taking a step back.

I grinned, “Crisscrossed, dual-wielded blades…pretty badass—not gonna lie.”

Levi stood stoically, arms crossed in front of him, “Tch. Try practicing on that tree.” He nodded towards a towering conifer nearby.

“Yes, sir!”

After a ridiculous amount of practice hits to the unsuspecting tree, while enduring endless criticism and brutal remarks—my wobbly arms couldn’t take it anymore.

Who knew swinging blades could be so tiring?

Levi was finally satisfied with my form and dismissed me to join the others for breakfast.

“Eugh.” I groaned, “I think you broke my arms.”

“Tch. Stop being dramatic. You’re fine. Go eat.”

I huffed, offering a salute, “Yessir…,” then turned on a heel, dragging my bruised and battered body up the hill.

Damn. My ribs. My lips. My entire body. M-My throat! Fuck, why didn’t I try healing?

-

I opened the door to my squad’s cabin and stepped inside—looking distraught and defeated.

Everyone glanced up from the table upon my entry—giving mixed reactions. Mostly pity. Yep, I’m pitiful. Poor me.

Mikasa seemed the least surprised by my state, her stoic demeanor giving away nothing.

Eren and Jean both stood at the same time—causing an argument to break out between the two of them—both bickering about helping me.

I shuffled into the kitchen and grabbed a bowl of bland oatmeal, sitting down at the edge of the table—beside Mikasa and across from Armin.

Armin.

He glanced shyly at me—shifting awkwardly in his seat, seeming a bit on edge. Both of our attentions turned to the door opening again.

The cabin creaked as Levi stepped in from outside, the cold trailing in with him like a second shadow. He looked over the table, scanning the faces—landing on mine last.

“Eat,” he ordered plainly.

I didn’t move.

He walked past the others, the floorboards groaning under his boots. The closer he got, the tighter my chest grew.

“You plan to faint in the middle of the forest?” he said as he stopped in front of me, arms crossed. “Because you’ll be doing laps afterwards if you do.”

I glared up at him. “Is that supposed to be motivational?”

He didn’t flinch. “It’s not supposed to be anything. It’s an order.”

Control-freak.

I looked away, jaw tight. My spoon clinked softly as I forced myself to take a bite. It was lukewarm and tasteless, but it was something. I chewed mechanically, feeling the weight of every pair of eyes in the room.

Eren cleared his throat loudly and shoved another spoonful into his mouth, breaking the tension slightly. “Well, at least some of us don’t have weird forest powers.”

Jean elbowed him from under the table.

“You’re one to talk, Titan freak!”

Armin pushed his oatmeal around with a spoon. He made eye contact with me, gently clearing his throat before speaking, “Ellie…are you okay?”

I didn’t answer right away. My voice felt buried under rubble. But eventually, I looked at him—really looked—and nodded once. It was the smallest lie I’d told.

“I’m fine.”

I’m not fine.

Armin looked like he wanted to say more but was suddenly interrupted when the door creaked open again.

Hange burst in, glasses fogged from the morning mist, with a tired Moblit trailing behind her— arms full of notebooks and tea.

“Good morning, science projects!” Hange chirped, completely unfazed by the palpable tension.

I nearly choked on my oatmeal. Under other circumstances, that might be funny. But the way she said it—that sent chills down my spine.

Levi clicked his tongue beside me. “Tch. Tone it down, four-eyes.”

“Oh, please,” Hange said cheerfully, setting a steaming mug in front of me. “We’ll keep things simple. Observation only for now. No need to panic.”

“No need to panic,” I echoed dryly, “You’re talking like I’m a wild animal.”

Hange beamed. “Not a wild animal—an anomaly! That’s so much more exciting!”

Moblit sighed in the background and mumbled something that sounded like “Please stop talking.”

Levi crouched beside me, leveling a quiet stare as the others began clearing their dishes.

“I told you yesterday,” he said low enough for only me to hear. “You’re not the only one dealing with shit in this world. But you’re not going to handle it by running off and locking yourself in a room like a damn child.”

“I’m not a child,” I muttered, heat rising in my cheeks. “I’m just tired of being lied to.”

His gaze darkened. “Then stop expecting people to protect you from the truth.”

I swallowed hard.

Armin gently leaned over from his seat. “Ellie, we’ve got your back. Even if things are weird. Just don’t shut us out.”

My eyes stung, but I blinked it away.

“I’m not shutting you out,” I whispered. “I’m just… scared.”

“Good,” Levi said, standing up again. “Fear keeps you sharp.”

I looked up at him. For once, his expression wasn’t a mask. He looked… tired. And maybe something else, too—something I couldn’t name.

He turned and crossed the room, nodding at Hange. “She’s yours for now. Don’t break her.”

Hange clapped her hands together. “Wonderful! We’ll get started in my tent after breakfast. Light questioning, mild staring, absolutely no torture unless someone gets cranky.”

Moblit groaned audibly.

Jean shook his head. “I swear, you people are insane.”

“You’re just now realizing that?” Connie muttered.

I finished my tea in silence. No one said much after that. The quiet had changed—it wasn’t awkward now. It was wary.

And I couldn’t blame them.

—-

The walk through the clearing was short, but it felt longer with Levi shadowing every step behind me. Cool air bit at my skin—the morning dew curling around our boots.

I didn’t say anything. Neither did he.

Hange’s research tent came into view—Levi held the canvas open, and I stepped inside— reluctantly.

The tent smelled like ink, tea, and damp canvas. A rough wooden table took up most of the space—littered with half-spilled inkpots, open journals, dissected bits of metal gear, unlabeled glassware—including what looked to be a human tooth suspended in a cloudy jar. Gross.

Haphazard stacks of paper were roped together beside a crooked stool.

I stood awkwardly in the center, arms crossed—the canvas walls closing in tighter than they should’ve.

Levi stood just inside the flap, arms folded, watching.

Moblit was already inside, setting up a lantern on a side table despite the weak daylight bleeding through the canvas above.

“Have a seat!” Hange chirped, pointing to a stool in the center of the room. “Moblit, set up the logbook. Levi—make yourself useful and seal the entrance.”

Levi didn’t react to the jab, just secured the canvas behind him with a quiet zip.

Hange glanced back to my not-seated form. “Just a few questions. No dissection today.”

Dissection?

I eyed the stool like it might bite. “Define ‘few.’”

She looked up, grinning. “Less than a hundred. Probably.”

Moblit sighed in the corner.

Levi cleared his throat, “Sit.”

I did, reluctantly, settling onto the stool with my spine stiff and hands clasped tightly in my lap. The tent rustled faintly as a breeze tugged at the edges, carrying in the scent of moss and smoke.

Hange tapped her pencil dramatically and leaned forward, journal open. “Alright. In your own words—what happened yesterday?”

I hesitated, then glanced at Levi. He didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just watched.

I stared down at my hands. “I… don’t know. I tripped. The papers fell. And I—I didn’t want them to be ruined. So I reached.”

“Did you think something specific when you reached?”

I hesitated, brow furrowing. “I thought—‘Oh no! I have to catch them.’— I wanted them to stop scattering.”

“And then?”

“They just… stopped. And corrected themselves. It was like…time reversed and shuffled them back into their original, perfect stack. As if they’d never been dropped in the first place.”

Moblit scribbled furiously.

Hange’s eyes sparkled with pure, unfiltered glee. “Incredible! And you didn’t speak aloud?”

“No.”

“You didn’t touch anything?”

“No.”

She stood and began pacing, fingers tapping against her jaw. “So… emotional stimulus initiated a kinetic response with matter. Same as the windstorm during your sleepwalking episode—but this time, it was precise. Intentional.”

“It didn’t feel intentional,” I muttered. “It felt like…like an accident. A response to my panic in that moment.”

Hange’s eyes glittered behind her fogged glasses. “Fascinating. So, a reflex tied to an emotional spike—possibly panic-triggered sympathetic control of matter.”

I blinked. “Is that supposed to mean anything to me?”

“It means,” Hange said, “that something inside you responded to a threat—instinctively. That’s significant.”

“Did it feel like a reflex?” Hange asked, scribbling notes. “Or like you were… channeling something else?”

I chewed the inside of my cheek. “Reflexive—definitely. Like it obeyed me in the moment. And when I reached… it moved.”

Armin stepped forward, arms loosely crossed. “That’s what I saw, too. It wasn’t just force—it was… an extension of your body. Like the papers were alive.”

Levi made a sound behind me—a barely-there exhale.

Hange leaned forward. “And before this moment… any other incidents? Strange feelings? Visions? Dreams?”

I didn’t answer right away.

The question hit something low in my stomach. I thought of the circle of stones. Of the forest pulling at me. Of the wind whispering in a voice that almost sounded like my own.

The dreams. The visions. I’m not ready to share those.

I nodded slowly. “A few nights ago… when I sleepwalked. Into the woods.”

Levi shifted slightly near the door, suddenly more alert.

I continued, voice quieter now. “I woke up in the middle of a stone circle. It was like some sort of stone-hedge, ancient looking—the air inside of it was…buzzing. Buzzing with energy. I knew that I was exactly where I needed to be.”

The room was silent.

“I was lost—disoriented. I was barefoot. Cold. Very confused when I woke up. That letter was in my possession. The paper and the card that was wrapped up inside—it’s all important.”

I took a moment to unscramble my thoughts, finding the exact words I needed, “That letter had been waiting for a very long time. Waiting for its intended recipient: me.”

Hange’s eyebrows shot up.

Moblit froze mid-scribble.

“And you’re just now saying this?” Levi asked, stepping in closer.

I looked up at him, jaw tight. “Would you have believed me?”

He didn’t answer. But he didn’t look away either.

Hange clapped once, breaking the tension. “Right, well! We’ll take a baseline reading. Observation only. No blood, no samples, no creepy poking. Yet.”

Moblit muttered, “That’s a lie and you know it.”

“I said yet, Moblit.” She turned back to me, “Let’s try something simple. Do you think you can call on it again? Just—try to move something.”

“I don’t know how.”

“That’s the point.”

Hange set a single quill on the cluttered table in front of me—next to a half-eaten apple and unaligned stack of books.

“Focus on it. See what happens.”

I stared at the quill pen. Nothing happened.

Am I really practicing telekinesis right now? Is this actually happening?

Armin watched me from the corner, hopeful. Moblit scribbled something.

I inhaled slowly—trying to summon the same panic I’d felt the other day. The urgency. The terror of being seen.

But all I felt now were watchful eyes. Nothing moved.

The silence dragged.

Levi finally spoke. “Enough.”

Hange raised her hands in surrender. “It’s alright. Not every anomaly performs on command.”

“I’m not an anomaly,” I snapped, standing suddenly, “I’m a person.”

“Exactly,” Hange said gently. “And we want to understand what’s happening to you. So you can understand it too.”

I looked at her, then at Levi, then down at my own hands.

“I don’t want to become something I can’t control.”

Levi’s voice was quiet this time. “Then don’t run from it.”

I took a deep breath, “Okay. Let me try again. Just…let me focus.”

This time, I put my hand out—as if I were summoning the object. I felt a humming in my veins— a power pulsing in my bones.

But still, the quill did not move.

Then, all eyes were turned to the apple—it was as though reality were warping around the fruit.

Slowly, the flesh darkened. Caved in. Mold bloomed in spreading bruises—black veins rippling from the bite mark. In mere seconds, it was no longer an apple.

It was a husk—shriveled, collapsing in on itself, the wood beneath it stained with rot.

No one moved.

My eyes were locked on the apple. My breathing shallow. An eerie shiver ran down my spine. What. The. Actual. Fuck?

“I didn’t mean to,” I whispered.

Moblit dropped his pen.

Armin took a step toward me. “Ellie…”

Levi’s hand went to the hilt of his sword. He didn’t draw—but he was ready.

“I didn’t mean to,” I said louder, pushing back from the table. “I wasn’t even thinking about it—I was trying to move the quill—”

“I know,” Hange said, her voice uncharacteristically serious.

Her eyes were wide behind her glasses, and for the first time since I met her, she looked more curious than thrilled. More cautious than excited.

Levi stepped forward slowly, placing himself between me and the others. His voice was low, firm. “Are you in pain?”

My voice trembled, “Yes. From sparring. But—I wasn’t thinking about that.”

He clicked his tongue, jaw tightening, “Are you dizzy? Nauseous? Cold?”

“No—just—” I clutched my arms, trying to ground myself. “It was like something moved through me. Like part of the air twisted around my chest and squeezed. I didn’t tell it to touch the apple.”

“It responded to you anyway,” Armin said softly.

Moblit swallowed. “That’s decay. Pure biological collapse in less than ten seconds. No Titan ability works like that.”

Hange slowly approached the apple, inspecting it without touching. “Not decay—Acceleration. She didn’t destroy it. She pushed it through time.”