Chapter Text
Hange shot you a warning glance, the kind that clearly said, "Please, for the love of God, behave this time." It was rare to see that from her, usually the most easygoing squad leader of the Survey Corps. But you understood why he was here. The newly ranked Captain of the Scouts, Erwin Smith’s golden boy, the oh-so-perfect Levi. Even just thinking his name made your insides twist. You'd been around much longer than he had, yet here you were, still a lieutenant, while he was now your fucking superior.
And of course, he was watching you. That usual blank, stone-faced expression, his sharp eyes scanning for any hint of defiance. If he found it, you'd regret it, either by a tongue-lashing or by having the living daylights knocked out of you.
Normally, you weren’t one to shy away from a challenge, and Levi’s glare alone would’ve been enough to rile you up, maybe even tempt you to stir some trouble. But Erwin was waiting in the carriage, and you actually respected the Commander. So, with a loud, exaggerated grunt, you threw a judgmental glance at your comrades and climbed into the vehicle, deliberately sitting right next to Erwin, as far from Levi as possible.
"You know why we’re headed to the Capital, right?" Erwin asked, his eyes never leaving the book in his hands.
"Shopping spree?" you smirked.
"Idiot," Levi muttered, settling into his seat opposite Erwin next to Hange.
"We need funding," Erwin continued, ignoring the back-and-forth, still focused on the page. "And you all need to make a good impression."
"As if we’re the problem," Levi scoffed, exchanging a look with Hange.
Oh, this was going to be a long trip.
_
"You’ve got to be kidding me," Levi's voice echoed down the corridor, sharper and louder than usual, bordering on fury.
"Levi, we’re guests here. Don’t make a scene," Erwin muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose in a rare display of impatience, his calm unraveling by the second.
Levi’s finger jabbed in my direction. "You listen to me, I am not sharing a bathroom with her. Not in any fucking case."
His tone was so hostile, so uncharacteristically raw, that it made me laugh under my breath. The absurdity of the situation was almost comical.
We’d arrived at the Capital earlier that day, only to be informed that we’d be staying in the Military Police barracks, fancy, over-the-top quarters right next to the castle. As we were led to our rooms by none other than Darius Zackly, some smug MP sergeant had explained that, due to limited availability, I’d have to share a bathroom with Levi. Hange had claimed the room closest to the lab, and Erwin, being Commander, was granted his own accommodations inside the castle itself. Which left... us.
"Why not? We could do some skincare together," I teased, biting back another chuckle, relishing Levi’s reaction far more than I should.
"Fuck you," he growled, his fury barely contained.
Oh, he was pissed.
"Levi, it's just three nights. You can lock the door when you're using it," Erwin said, his voice slipping into a warning tone.
"She's gonna ruin everything. She's disgusting," Levi snapped, his eyes narrowing at me with pure disdain.
"Disgusting?" I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Take a good look at yourself."
"Enough!" Erwin’s voice cracked like a whip, cutting through the tension. His eyes darted between us, heavy with exasperation. "You two are not teenagers. You’re adults. You’ll take your rooms and deal with it. I expect you both at breakfast tomorrow, 7 a.m., sharp. Don’t kill each other, I need you both." Without another word, Erwin stalked off, leaving us in the dimly lit, over-polished hallway.
The silence was thick, heavy. Levi stood across from me, arms crossed, his eyes locked on mine with cold precision. I knew that look. He was daring me to push him, craving an excuse to take things further. To make me regret every word I’d just said.
"Well," I smirked, breaking the tension, "not that I don’t enjoy your company, but I’ve got a shower to take."
"No fucking way you’re going in there first," Levi snapped, his irritation escalating. "I’ll go."
I raised an eyebrow, my amusement growing. "And why do you get to go first?"
"Because I’m your superior," he said flatly, as if that explained everything.
I leaned against the wall, smirking. "A good leader would let their troops get more rest so they’re efficient in the morning. Don’t you think?"
His eyes darkened. "I’m going to kill you," he deadpanned, grabbing his bag and shoving the key into the lock with far more force than necessary. "I’ll go first. You wait. End of discussion."
"Goodbye," he added, not even sparing me another glance as the door creaked open.
I couldn’t help but grin as the door slammed shut behind him.
Instead of knocking on the door to rile Levi up even more, I decided to retreat to my own room to get ready for the night. As much as I enjoyed pushing his buttons, I was too exhausted to start another argument, and sharing something as personal as a bathroom with him was already strange enough. The thought of battling him every single night for three days was draining, but also kind of amusing. Besides, I’d have plenty of time to get under his skin later.
I dropped my bag onto the king-sized bed, letting out a tired sigh. The luxurious room was worlds away from the rough, no-frills barracks we were used to back at HQ. The furniture was heavy and elegant, and the carpet underfoot was thick and plush, a far cry from the hard wooden floors I was used to. I began unpacking, laying out the few civilian clothes I’d brought along with my spare uniform on the small table, making sure everything stayed neatly folded and ready for the next day.
Once I’d finished, I collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ornate ceiling for what felt like half an hour, trying to shake off the tension of the day. Finally, the allure of a hot shower became too tempting to resist. Grabbing my pajamas, a towel, and a few toiletries, I left my room, the soft carpet muffling my footsteps as I headed down the corridor.
The moment I turned the corner, Levi’s voice cut through the quiet air, low and annoyed. "How do you know I’m just done? Are you spying on me?"
I raised an eyebrow, meeting his glare. "Lucky guess. I just hope you didn’t use up all the hot water," I muttered, rolling my eyes. He was standing in front of the bathroom, towel slung over his shoulder, looking as irritated as ever.
What surprised me, though, was seeing him out of uniform. I’d only ever seen Levi in his typical Scout gear, always buttoned up, perfectly pressed, and ready for battle. But now, he was in casual clothes, loose beige cotton pants and a simple black long-sleeved shirt. He looked surprisingly relaxed, almost normal, if it weren’t for that permanent scowl on his face.
"I knew you’d dress like shit," I said with a smirk, taking the bathroom key he was reluctantly handing over.
"Don’t count on any hot water," he shot back, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. That was rare. He was enjoying this in his own twisted way.
"You’ve got to be kidding me," I groaned, already knowing he’d done it on purpose just to mess with me.
"And hurry up," he added, his voice sharp but tired. "I can hear everything from my room, and I’d like to get some sleep."
I couldn’t help but shoot back with a grin. "Everything, huh? What was that song again…?"
"Don’t you fucking dare," he growled, his voice dropping dangerously low as he turned and started walking away, heading for his room just a meter down the hall.
"Goodnight, neighbor!" I called after him, a playful edge in my voice.
Levi didn’t respond, but I could see the slight stiffening of his shoulders as he disappeared into his room, slamming the door behind him.
With a quiet chuckle to myself, I unlocked the bathroom door and stepped inside. As expected, the room was spotless, everything meticulously in place : classic Levi. The tiles were still warm from the steam, and I could smell the faint scent of whatever soap he used lingering in the air. Of course, the water would probably be ice cold by now, but that was just part of the deal, wasn’t it? Sharing a bathroom with Levi Ackerman was going to be an experience, to say the least.
I turned on the faucet, waiting for the inevitable chill, but to my surprise, a hint of warmth still lingered in the pipes. Maybe the Captain wasn’t as heartless as he liked to pretend. Stripping down, I stepped under the water, letting the remnants of the warmth wash over me, muscles loosening for the first time that day.
As the shower ran, I couldn’t help but think back to the look Levi had given me, defiant, challenging, and just a little playful, though he’d never admit it. The next three days would be filled with more of this banter, this back-and-forth tension that never quite broke, and I couldn’t help but look forward to it. For now, though, I’d take my victory, a semi-warm shower and the satisfaction of knowing that Levi, despite his stoic exterior, couldn’t entirely resist the game we played.
As I finished up and dried off, I wondered how long this uneasy truce would last before one of us snapped again. Probably not long. I threw on my pajamas, grabbed my things, and stepped back into the hallway, feeling the cool night air against my skin.
From behind his closed door, I could hear the faint sound of Levi shuffling around his room. I smirked to myself.
Tomorrow would be another day, and I was already planning new ways to get under his skin.
_
I hated him so much it hurt.
"Are you fucking with me? Why would you say that?" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room as I pointed an accusing finger at Levi’s infuriatingly calm face.
"Because your point wasn’t valid," he replied flatly, his voice devoid of emotion, his expression as blank and condescending as ever. "What you said didn’t make any sense."
My blood was boiling. How could he sit there, smug and superior, acting like he had everything figured out? I turned to Erwin, desperate for backup before I lost control and lunged at Levi right in front of the entire team. "Erwin?"
The Commander looked up from the stack of papers in front of him, his face betraying no emotion. "She’s right, Levi. You didn’t have to comment on that during the meeting," he said, his voice calm, but I could tell he was trying to keep the peace.
Levi shifted slightly, his confidence unwavering as he responded, "Erwin, she just..."
"But," Erwin cut him off, his sharp blue eyes now focused on me, "Levi’s also right. Your proposal was risky. Reckless, even."
I felt the weight of his words, like a punch to the gut. This whole situation had been getting under my skin faster than I expected, and now the Commander himself was siding with Levi. The meeting had dragged on for nearly three hours, with Erwin playing the diplomat, placating the higher-ups like some well-trained bird begging for crumbs. Meanwhile, I had been trying to come up with a solution, something that would give us leverage, a bit of respect, maybe even a fighting chance for once.
"It worked," I spat, my frustration bubbling to the surface.
Levi, leaning lazily against the wall with his arms crossed, didn’t miss a beat. "Yeah, but at what cost?" His tone was dismissive, as if he couldn’t believe we were still having this conversation. "The reports are going to be a nightmare, and you’re not even the one doing them."
"Of course, I’m going to help with the reports. I offered the plan," I shot back, my voice tinged with sarcasm. "And those reports will show we secured more funding and increased provisions for the winter. That’s a win."
Hange, who had been watching this back-and-forth unfold with her usual curiosity, finally spoke up. "I agree with her. It’s a good start. We needed this."
"Thank you," I muttered under my breath, relieved to have at least one ally in this room. "At least someone’s using their brain." I couldn’t resist a jab, glancing at Levi before turning to Erwin. "Not talking about you, Commander," I added with a smirk.
Levi scoffed, shaking his head slightly, but didn’t say anything. He was probably too tired of this conversation to even respond, or maybe he knew I was right, but was too stubborn to admit it.
The weight of the day was pressing down hard, and it wasn’t even midday. The meeting had been an endless loop of arguments, negotiations, and frustration. The higher-ups had demanded too much, as always, and Erwin, as much as I respected him, had given too much in return. They wanted everything from us -resources, bodies, results- and expected us to deliver miracles. My proposal, risky as it was, had at least secured us more funding and provisions to get through the brutal winter.
But of course, Levi had to find fault in everything. The man was relentless when it came to pointing out flaws. It wasn’t enough that we’d managed to scrape together some support for the Scouts, he had to criticize how it was done, like the whole thing wasn’t worth it because he might have to stay up an extra hour writing reports.
I glared at him, still leaning casually against the wall like he had all the time in the world. "You’re impossible, you know that?" I muttered, more to myself than to him.
Levi’s gaze flicked up, his expression as unreadable as ever. "And you’re reckless," he replied coolly. "One of these days, that recklessness is going to get us all killed."
His words hung in the air like a dark cloud, and for a second, I wondered if he was right. But no, I couldn’t let him win this. Not when we’d finally gotten a sliver of what we needed.
"I’d rather be reckless than sit on my hands and do nothing," I shot back, my voice firm. "At least I’m willing to take risks to get us somewhere. You’re just too scared to make a move unless it’s perfectly calculated. That’s why you’re so good at cleaning up after everyone, isn’t it?"
His jaw tightened ever so slightly, and I knew I’d hit a nerve.
"Enough," Erwin interrupted, his voice sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife. "This bickering isn’t helping anyone. The plan is moving forward, and we’ll deal with the fallout as it comes. What matters now is that we present a united front."
The room fell silent, and for a moment, none of us spoke. The tension between me and Levi simmered, but Erwin was right. There was no point in fighting over this anymore, at least not here, not now.
I sighed, rubbing my temples as the exhaustion of the day hit me full force. "Fine. Whatever. Just tell me what you need from me."
Erwin nodded, the commanding edge in his voice softening slightly. "You’ll help with the reports. Levi and Hange will assist in making sure the provisions are properly allocated once they arrive. I’ll handle the higher-ups. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next."
Levi pushed off the wall, straightening his posture, though his eyes were still narrowed in my direction. "Don’t mess this up," he said quietly, his voice a low warning.
I met his gaze, unflinching. "Don’t worry. I won’t."
With that, Erwin gathered his papers, signaling the end of the meeting we ended up only the three of us, and we all filed out of the room. As I walked past Levi, I could feel his eyes on me, like he was still waiting for me to slip up. I didn’t give him the satisfaction of looking back.
_
I was standing under the freezing spray of water, fully clothed, my body trembling from the cold. The icy droplets pelted my skin like needles, but the sharp sting of humiliation burned hotter than anything else. My teeth clenched so hard I thought they might crack.
How had I ended up here, soaked and seething? The story behind it was one of pure spite, driven by the one person who managed to infuriate me more than anyone else : Levi.
Ever since the meeting with the high-ranking officials earlier today, where he’d undermined me in front of everyone, I’d been plotting revenge. He might outrank me, but I had been with the Scouts for far longer, and if he thought he could just waltz in, take command, and disrespect me like that, he had another thing coming.
It was around seven in the evening when the knock on my door came, loud and demanding, as if he was trying to break it down. I had been lying in bed, still in my day clothes, half-engrossed in a book, trying to calm my nerves and let the day fade into the past. The knock made my temper flare instantly. I threw the book aside and stomped to the door, yanking it open to see Levi standing there, arms crossed, looking as impatient as ever.
"The fuck you want?" I mumbled, glaring at him like he was some sort of nuisance that had dared to interrupt my solitude.
"You disappearing from the face of the earth would be nice, but mostly, I need the bathroom key," he deadpanned, his voice as flat as his expression. Typical Levi.
I sighed, glancing around my room for the key. "I have it?"
"If you lost it, I swear..."
"Just wait a second," I cut him off sharply, rummaging through my things. It took me all of five seconds to spot the key, lying right on the windowsill, gleaming in the last bit of daylight.
And that’s when the idea hit me. Revenge. A wicked grin spread across my face as I snatched up the key, and with the same smirk, I gathered my towel and other things, making sure he noticed. I pushed past him, my shoulder brushing his as I headed toward the bathroom. His confusion was almost palpable.
"What the hell are you doing?" Levi’s voice followed me down the hallway, edged with irritation.
I laughed, my tone dripping with satisfaction. "Oh, I’m just going to enjoy a nice, long, hot shower."
He must’ve realized what I was up to because I heard his boots hit the floor harder as he started to follow me. His warning tone rang out like a command. "Don’t you dare, brat."
"Can’t hear you!" I threw back over my shoulder, quickening my pace as I reached the bathroom door. I was so close to my petty victory, I could taste it.
But things happened much faster than I expected.
The moment I unlocked the door and stepped inside, Levi was right behind me. I barely had time to register the anger flashing in his stormy eyes before he grabbed my wrist, his fingers digging in with surprising strength. In one swift, ruthless motion, he shoved me beneath the showerhead and slammed his fist against the button that unleashed a torrent of freezing water.
"Fuck!" I screamed, the shock of the ice-cold water hitting me like a punch to the chest. My clothes clung to my skin immediately, and I struggled to free myself from his grip, but he held me firmly in place.
"You wanted a shower, didn’t you?" he said, his voice chillingly calm, his face as blank and unmoved as ever, like this was nothing more than a routine drill for him.
"Let me go," I growled through chattering teeth, trying to shove him away, but my movements were clumsy and weak from the cold, my strength no match for his.
"No," he said, his eyes narrowing, and there was a dark intensity in his gaze that sent a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold. "You’re going to learn why you don’t mess with me."
He slammed his hand down on the shower button again, making the freezing water gush out even harder. The icy spray soaked through every inch of my clothes, and I could feel my body shivering uncontrollably as the cold seeped into my bones. My anger, though, was burning hotter and hotter, threatening to explode.
"Levi!" I snapped, trying again to twist out of his hold, my voice strained with both fury and the intense chill. "This is insane!"
His grip tightened, and for a moment, he leaned closer, his face inches from mine. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, a stark contrast to the freezing water, and it made my skin prickle in the most confusing way. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes, his eyes were like steel, hard and unwavering, locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
"Insane?" he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "You’re the one who thought you could pull that stunt. You don’t get to walk all over me just because you’ve been here longer. I don’t give a damn how long you’ve been with the Scouts. You will respect me."
There was something strange in the air between us now, something thick and charged. The room felt too small, the space between us too close, as if the hostility was transforming into something else, something neither of us wanted to name.
I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but the words stuck in my throat. My heart was racing, and I couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or the intensity of his stare, the way his eyes flickered briefly over my soaked form before snapping back to my face. I swallowed hard, feeling a surge of something unfamiliar coiling in my gut.
"This... this is ridiculous," I whispered, my voice trembling as much from the situation as from the cold.
Levi’s grip loosened slightly, but he didn’t step back. His gaze held mine, and for the first time, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes, something other than anger or annoyance. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the usual stoicism.
He released my wrist abruptly, taking a step back. "Dry off, I’ll be back in twenty minutes, not one more." he muttered, his voice quieter now, almost restrained. "And next time, don’t try to pull any more of your stupid stunts."
He turned and left without another word, leaving me standing there, soaked to the bone, shivering, but strangely, it wasn’t just from the cold.
_
I was running.
Fast.
My feet pounded against the dirt, matching the chaotic rhythm of my heartbeat as I pushed myself harder, faster, desperate to clear my fucking head. Every muscle in my body burned, but the discomfort was a welcome distraction from the storm raging inside my mind.
Because last night… last night had been a disaster.
Levi had come back, twenty minutes after I had retreated to my room, my hair still dripping wet and my pride even more soaked. He hadn’t said a word, just barged in, took the bathroom key out of my hand, and shoved me aside like I was nothing. His grip had been strong, his touch lingering far too long on my skin. I’d gone to bed after that, expecting my usual restless sleep, but what followed was worse than I could have anticipated.
I ran faster, the thought alone almost making me nauseous.
I had dreamt of him.
Not the kind of dream where I was torturing him, exacting the revenge I fantasized about with gleeful satisfaction. No, this was different. In this dream, we weren’t fighting. We weren’t yelling.
We were making out.
In the shower.
The memory of it made me sick. My stomach churned at the thought of his hands on me, his lips, god, I could still feel them, rough and demanding, like they belonged there. I hated it. I hated him. I hated that even in my sleep, my body had betrayed me, turning my anger into something else. Something wrong.
I pushed myself harder, the trees around me blurring as I sprinted down the empty path. My breaths were coming out in ragged gasps, and my legs screamed in protest, but I didn’t care. I needed to outrun this -outrun him- if only for a moment.
When I finally reached my room, I was breathless, drenched in sweat, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath. I leaned against the doorframe, wiping the sweat from my forehead, my heart still racing, but for a different reason now. The run had helped, if only slightly, but the memory of that dream clung to me like a second skin, refusing to let go.
I needed a shower. A real one this time.
But that meant I had to face him.
As much as I hated the idea, I couldn’t avoid it. The key to the bathroom was still in his possession, and unless I wanted to smell like sweat and regret all day, I had no choice but to ask for it.
I gathered my things slowly, dragging my feet as long as possible, trying to prepare myself for the inevitable confrontation. The walk down the hallway felt like a march toward my execution. Every step was filled with dread, the memory of the dream playing on repeat in my mind. My pulse quickened as I approached his door, my hand hesitating for just a moment before I knocked.
It was early, only six in the morning, but Levi answered almost immediately. He looked just as exhausted as I felt, his dark hair disheveled, his eyes heavy with the kind of fatigue that came from a night of restless sleep.
He didn’t say anything as he stood in the doorway, staring at me with an expression that bordered on indifferent, though there was something else lurking beneath the surface, something I couldn’t quite place. His eyes lingered on me for a fraction of a second longer than usual before he turned around to grab the key, his back stiff, like he was forcing himself not to acknowledge the tension hanging between us.
He handed it to me without a word, his fingers brushing mine briefly before he closed the door in my face with an almost mechanical precision. He hadn’t even looked me in the eyes.
I exhaled, relieved but still uneasy. Whatever had happened in that bathroom last night, whatever strange, charged moment had passed between us, was going to be buried, I told myself. It would fade, become a distant, awkward memory that I would force out of my mind. And the weird tension, the way he hadn’t looked at me just now? That had to be a product of exhaustion, nothing more.
I hated him, after all.
I clutched the key tightly in my hand, heading toward the bathroom, determined to scrub away the lingering discomfort, both from my skin and my mind. But as I stepped inside and locked the door behind me, I couldn’t shake the image of his face. The way he’d looked at me. Or rather, the way he hadn’t looked at me.
It was strange, because for all our bickering and insults, we had never really avoided eye contact before. We fought like wild animals, always locking gazes, challenging each other, daring the other to break. But today, Levi hadn’t met my eyes even once.
I turned on the water, letting the steam rise around me, the sound of the rushing water filling the small space. As I stripped off my sweaty clothes, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My face was flushed, strands of hair clinging to my damp forehead, my eyes wide with something between confusion and anger. I stared at myself for a long moment, the events of the past few days replaying in my mind like a broken record.
Why had that dream bothered me so much? Why had he gotten under my skin in a way no one else ever had?
I stepped under the shower, the hot water a welcome relief as it cascaded over my tense muscles. I tried to focus on the warmth, tried to relax, but my mind kept drifting back to him. The way his hands had felt on me when he shoved me under the cold water. The way his eyes had narrowed, challenging me, like he wanted me to push back. Like he expected me to push back.
I hated him. I reminded myself again. He was Levi, new Captain of the Scouts, the perfect soldier, always so damn stoic and infuriatingly smug. But for some reason, last night had felt different. There had been something else there, simmering beneath the surface. Something dangerous.
And for the first time, I didn’t know if I wanted to fight it.
I finished my shower quickly, shutting off the water and grabbing a towel, my thoughts still racing. I couldn’t let this continue. Whatever weird tension was brewing between us needed to be nipped in the bud before it escalated. We were supposed to hate each other, our dynamic had always been built on that foundation. But now, something had shifted, and I didn’t like it.
As I dried off and dressed, I steeled myself for the day ahead. Whatever had happened in that dream, whatever strange, unspoken thing had passed between us last night, I would bury it.
_
That day was, to say the least, boring as hell. We were stuck wandering through the capital like tourists, led by a bunch of Military Police idiots who seemed to have nothing better to do than brag about their cushy assignments and the luxurious boutiques and pubs they frequented. I walked alongside Hange, who was babbling on about some experiment she was excited to try, but my attention was elsewhere. My eyes kept drifting to Levi, walking ahead of us beside Erwin. Every now and then, I'd catch a glimpse of him through the crowd, his expression locked in that eternal scowl of his.
"Are you even listening?" Hange’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, her tone far too chipper for someone who'd had to endure hours of this nonsense.
"Yes," I lied, deadpanning, not in the mood for another round of her poking questions.
"No, you’re not." She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "What’s wrong with you today?"
"Being here is shit," I mumbled under my breath, still watching Levi’s back like it had all the answers.
"Tonight’s the last night," she sighed, clearly just as exhausted with the day as I was. "We’re heading back tomorrow, remember?"
"Not soon enough." I sighed again. "And sharing that damn bathroom with Levi is torture."
"You’re that bothered by it, huh?" Hange chuckled, completely unaware of the real issue, how the tension between Levi and me had been twisting into something weird, something neither of us could explain or control. And it was eating at me.
Finally, we reached a pub that one of the MPs, a Captain named Gaspard, had recommended. Erwin seemed to actually like the guy, which was strange enough in itself, given how rarely Erwin had anything remotely positive to say about the Military Police. Gaspard offered to take a break from the “tour” and grab a pint, a suggestion that Erwin, tired of this city-runaround, graciously accepted.
I wasn’t thrilled about it. The last thing I wanted was to sit in a cramped pub with Levi and Erwin, pretending like I gave a damn about anything beyond getting back to HQ. But with Hange’s usual enthusiasm keeping things light, I bit my tongue and sat down in the booth. Levi slid in across from me, his arms crossed, looking about as thrilled as I felt. Hange and Erwin carried most of the conversation, while I stared down at my pint, drowning it quickly, already desperate for an excuse to leave.
Then Gaspard, already a few beers deep, leaned in with that sleazy grin. "Well, we also have private access to some… fancy places," he said, with a suggestive tone that made me want to hurl.
Hange tilted her head, curious. "What kind of places?"
Levi's annoyed voice cut in before Gaspard could respond. "Brothels, Hange."
"Oh." She looked more amused than shocked, because of course she did.
Gaspard, clearly misinterpreting our lack of enthusiasm, added, "We’re going with a few of the guys tonight. You’re welcome to join us."
It was the lamest offer I'd heard in ages. I downed the rest of my beer just to keep from groaning out loud.
Erwin, ever the diplomat, gave his standard polite response. "That’s a generous offer, but we’re in desperate need of some real sleep."
I stole a glance at Levi. His face looked like someone had just offered him a drink made of sewer water. Disgust crossed his features, actual disgust.
Oh..
Oh?
Leaning back, I smirked into my empty glass. "Captain Levi’s pretty picky with his women," I said, my voice dripping with fake innocence, just loud enough to draw the attention of the group.
Gaspard, oblivious, nodded eagerly. "Oh, but the ones here are very clean. Top quality. You’ll be impressed."
Levi’s eyes snapped to mine, burning with an intensity that almost made me choke on my smugness. He was angry, no, livid. It was written all over his face. Good.
"I’m good," he spat, the words cutting like a blade.
But I wasn’t done messing with him. Leaning in closer, I lowered my voice, just enough so only those at our table could hear. "You might want to reconsider, Captain. You could use it to wipe out the memory of your last… unfortunate encounter."
Erwin shot me a warning look, but I ignored it. I was having too much fun pushing Levi’s buttons. Gaspard, completely clueless, chuckled. "Oh? Had a bad experience, did you, Captain?"
And just like that, Levi snapped back, quicker than I could have ever expected. "Yes, actually," he said, voice dead serious, eyes boring into mine. "The lieutenant sitting next to you has STDs."
My smug expression froze.
"What?" Gaspard blinked, his gaze flickering between us, utterly confused.
Levi’s eyes didn’t waver, his tone dark and full of icy contempt. "She’s riddled with them. Might want to rethink that invitation."
A flash of heat rushed to my face. I was caught off guard, utterly speechless for the first time in a long while. The pub around us seemed to go quiet, even Hange’s usual chatter cut short by the weight of Levi’s words. My mind scrambled for a response, but nothing came.
Levi just sat there, staring at me with that same infuriating, unreadable expression, daring me to respond, daring me to strike back.
But this time, I had nothing. I had pushed him too far, and he hit back harder than I could’ve anticipated. The tension in the air between us was palpable now, thick with something neither of us could quite define. It wasn’t just anger anymore. It was something darker, something more intense, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle it.
I wanted to fight him. To scream, to retaliate, to tear him down in front of everyone, just as he had done to me. But all I could do was sit there, silent, as the weight of his words pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket.
The rest of the group exchanged awkward glances, clearly unsure of what had just transpired. Erwin cleared his throat, his usual calm demeanor returning as he tried to steer the conversation back to something less volatile, but the damage had already been done.
I had crossed a line. And Levi had made sure I paid for it.
Without another word, I stood up, excusing myself from the table with a forced smile. I needed air. I needed to get away from him, from the pub, from everything before I did something even more reckless.