*

A WEEK LATER 

In a weeks time was the big day that we all waited for, and I've become more concerned. I didn't show it before the recruits, because that would stress them out more than I am. Chewing my thumb nail lightly, I walk down the hallway overthinking about the mission. Usually Erwin's plans have become failures in the past, even Shadis. 

I hated even admitting that, so I'm wishing that the mission will become a success.

Reaching down the stairs I turn the corner lifting my eyes, to lock with a sudden pair.  "Eren, what are you doing?" I ask, out of curiosity. He was taken back to me for some reason, before clearing his throat looking rather timid.

"Um...w-well Captain Levi asked me to make tea for him," He stammers, look rather nervous. He then grows quiet, while I fold my arms with a teasing eyebrow. Assuming he was always nervous to stuff something up with Levi's tea, there's something else.

"Come on, you've been making tea for him for at least a month," I pat his shoulder, causing him to jump in surprise. "What's the worse he could do, to you?"

He laughs nervously, "Run laps around the castle, or make me clean his already polished room," listing the possibilities.

Pursing my lips in understanding why, I shook my head.

"How about this, you get today off?" I suggest, as he looked more taken back and afraid. Yep, I swear Levi really does intimidate him. Couldn't blame him, I was too when I first met my boyfriend down in the underground.

"But--"

"No buts, I was actually heading to his office......" I ensure him softly. ".....and how about I teach you the right way to make his tea, so he won't scold you? Hmm?"

He swallows thickly, before nodding shyly.

Guiding the boy to the kitchen I began to guide him properly, as I've been so busy with paperwork that I barely had time to aid the poor boy. Boiling the water and grabbing the black tea, levi so famously loves, Eren seems to pick up on the techniques and ways I've done it. With me hating to punish the kid, I left it to Levi to deal with.

"There you go, now........let's go," I allow him to take the cup, with me following behind. We start heading up the stairs, as the torches flicker and crackle with a gentle echo.

"Um.......I actually have a question to ask....?" He spoke up, rather timidly while carefully focusing on climbing the stairs.

"Hmm?"

His eyes flicker from the cup and then my face only briefly, afraid he might slip up and spill it. 

"I've only heard rumours.....but is the Captain meeting with someone?" he spoke up, causing me to choke on my air. "The recruits say they see him goi--"

"No, he isn't.........he's too grumpy for anyone's liking," I lie, not sure whether our relationship should be mentioned. We didn't want it to be public, as it would make some uncomfortable. 

He eyes me for a moment almost tripping over, when I held his arm and shoulder firmly. "Be careful, it's hot," Warning him sharply, as we make a turn towards Levi's office. Reaching the floor, we soon easily make our way towards his office door.

"...and anyway, rumours are always false," I chuckle softly, just when Gunther and Eld pass by, from the top main common room at the end of the hall. Giving them a nod, they also give me a suspicious look.

"Actually Corporal, have you heard the rumours?" Gunther spoke up, causing me to give them a deadpan expression. Whoever started this, was gonna be punished severely.

"Yes, I've heard and it's false," I spoke defensively, when Eld pokes my cheek playfully.

"You lie, when your ears turning red," he points out, but I pout with a heavy sigh. "Seriously, is Levi meeting someone? You can tell us, we won't tell a sou--"

Raising both my hands I flick both their foreheads sharply, "There's nothing to tell you, just false rumours by annoying recruits.......in which I will discuss a good punishment."

Eld smirks, "Hmmm you seem to be hiding something Corporal," he teases lightly, while my ears burn in response taking the tea from Eren's grasp. "Anything to tell us, or anything about our Captain?"

How did this day become an interrogation on me? On Levi and I's relationship? 

"No, anyway I'm gonna deliver Levi's tea ....." knocking on Lev's door, with Eren beside me who seemed invested but confused at the same time. ".....so go and bug someone else, or Levi wil--"

Without warning I slam into someone feeling the hot tea spill down my shirt, hissing from the burning contact, causing loud gasps to echo down the now dead silent hallway. My head snaps to the person before me, seeing a pissed off expression across his eyes. His cold stare sent shivers down my spine, forgetting I was even his girlfriend for a moment.

"Levi will what?" He mutters repeating me, before hearing Eld and Gunther coughing loudly glancing away.

"Looks like we have important business," Gunther lies hastily, realising they're backing out on this one. Appalled and betrayed by their actions, I turn to Eren who stood there in sudden fear not sure whether to defend me or turn away. Turning to the two soldiers, I narrow my eyes huffing in defeat knowing I won't be escaping this predicament.

"Good luck kid, Corporal!" Eld adds sheepishly, before running down the stairs leaving me in the dust. 

"Eren....." his voice breaks the still, and heavy silence. ".....weren't you supposed to bring me tea?"

Eren fumbles over his words, but I chuckle half-heartedly.

"I wanted to teach him my way in making your tea, and I was coming by anyway so....." I trail off, trying to let Eren off the hook. He didn't do anything wrong, and I would feel terrible if he was punished for nothing. "......also it's not his fault, you can punish--"

"You're a corporal, I can't punish you," Levi bluntly excuses, causing me to look rather stupid and embarrassed. He then turns to the young cadet and ushers him to leave, before turning to me with a dark expression. "You on the other hand, come inside....we need to talk."

Eren looked quite concerned for me, but I assure him with a thumbs up. Seriously if it was him just now, then he would be one foot in his grave.

Levi pulls me inside the office rather quickly slamming the door shut, as I held the teacup and saucer carefully. If I broke anything else, then may the lord take me away. He then took the tea cup and saucer from my hands hastily, before placing them down carefully.

"You dumbass," cursing under his breath, he goes towards his wardrobe in the next room. He began rummaging through while I sat on his bed, while the tea on my shirt cools down only for a red mark to appear across my breasts. "You should watch where you going--"

"Hold on I knocked, you didn't need to come to the doo--" I interject, correcting him. 

"There was a ruckus, I was about to scold them," he nonchalantly retorts back, as I fold my arms with a small pout. "Wasn't expecting you so soon, but......luckily I wasn't entirely busy."

Playing with the hem of my white shirt, "I suppose," I pause and turn to him, noticing his change of tone. "Wait, you're not furious with me?"

"Tch, no......" he pulls out a larger black shirt, placing it beside me. He quickly checks my shirt, noticing a red tinge dusts across his cheeks. His eyes rested upon my breasts for a moment, before averting his gaze. "Does it hurt? Do you need some cream?"

This is such a cute side of him, and the way his ears tinge red too.

"I'm alright, and you're allowed to look....." I assure him, before taking his shirt. "....but what about you, your shirt is stained.....wait let me go and wash i--"

Before I could finish my sentence he pulls his shirt over his head, placing it in a basket at the corner beside his wardrobe. Blinking a few times taken back by how fast and assertive he was, I couldn't help but admire him. It was rather rare sometimes, but I could tell he trains in his spare time. How his muscles ripple, with his gentle movements. He has lighter fair skin than my olive skin, as I could tan nicely under the sun.

Soon that was gone as he throws a black shirt on, causing me to come out of my dreamy daze.

Fumbling with my shirt, "Um......I'm changing," I stammer, even though he hasn't seen me bare, I did want him to see. It was more the fear of his thoughts of what's on my body, and my weight. I held so many insecurities, that I felt unworthy to be his in my depressing moments. 

Pulling the hem of my shirt I pull it over my head slowly, as the cold hits my exposed skin.

Goosebumps run across my skin while I gaze down to see the redness spreading a little more, than I viewed it. Hissing lightly I hear his feet approaching me, making me quickly lift the shirt to cover up. He knelt before me, eyes filled with concern than anything else.

"Here, I've got some cream to calm the burn," his eyes soften, cheeks still burning. He lowers my hands carefully waiting to see my reaction, but slowly giving in I allowed him to keep moving my hands away. Hesitant at first I felt nervous, but he was rather patient and not pissed off. I literally spilled tea on him, but he isn't yelling at me.

With my chest in view for him to tend too, my cheeks were burning more feverishly.

Feeling the coldness of the cream settle upon my burning skin, my body soon grows relaxed and less self-conscious that he's finally seeing my body. Well, except for my back. That's what I'm worried about the most, and covering my chubby tummy, was next time hopefully. Bunching the shirt around my torso, my heart beats feeling his touch grow tender.

"There.......now, what were talking about before?" He questions sternly, shifting the topic to how this started. Falling dead silent, his silver eyes meet mine, "What rumours?"

Licking my bottom lip, I nervously chuckle.

"Just rumours about you.......meeting 'someone'....." emphasising the 'Someone, as he clicks his teeth together with irritation. "......then everyone started to interrogate me, wondering why I was denying the false rumours....."

He scoffs light before he ducks his head down, pressing a soft kiss to my bare shoulder, rubbing my arm. He takes in my explanation, but he soon was distracted leaving tender kisses against my flesh. The feeling made my body shiver, but soon teeth sinks into my flesh. Wincing slightly a small groan leaves my lips, feeling his hand brush against my neck before resting at the base of my throat.

"Is that bad?" He whispers against my flushed skin, causing my heart to burst.

"No, I just......" my eyes trails away, when his teeth skin a little deeper.

He presses soft kisses against each scar that rested upon my shoulders and chest, as my tummy flutters in response.

".....so you deny my love for you?" his warm breath brushes against my skin, while his voice left me melting beneath his touch. My arms wrap more tightly around my torso, still feeling flustered no matter what he does. He was always a stand off man, but when it came to us alone that's when he decides to be assertive or cuddly. Or even a jerk.

I don't know what's going on in his mind now, but he's definitely not angry.

"N-No....I just....." my breath grew more lighter, finding it hard to find my words. ".....not ready to announce........us yet."

His lips trail up to finally take mine in his, when his hand wraps around my waist pulling me closer. He slowly takes his time, allowing myself to be played by his tender touch. Soon disturbance settles when a knock was heard on the other side, causing the air in my lungs to choke.

He growls against my lips, "State name and business!" 

"It's Hanji! Came to report in with Eren's early morning training!" their voice calls happily, while the position Levi and I were in was making my entire body to burn. "Oh, also I couldn't find Akira anywhere to run down with the report, any ideas where she could be!?"

"Dammit four-eyes, can this be done later?" he questions rudely, while I tried to keep mouth shut. 

"Nope, I must report now.....you can give it to Akira when you see her!" They call, hearing the doorknob twisting. My heart leapt for a moment, fumbling over the black shirt and placed it upon me finding it rather large. Levi storms towards the door, about to slam the door on the scientist. Adjusting myself quickly I stood up, leaning against the wall that separated the two rooms.

They finally open the door wide, cutting Levi off with a surprised glance in my direction.

"Oh........well guess this makes my job easier--" they pause, eyeing me up and down quickly before turning to Levi who still looks rather flustered. "Hmm........eh, anyway here's the report....."

*

Once Hanji had left after addressing their report, I let out an exaggerated sigh running my fingers through my hair. Levi slams the door loudly, vociferously. He curses under his breath before heading towards me, slamming both hands on either side of me. His body cages around me. Flinching from his assertiveness, his eyes narrow with a different expression.

His face leans closer to mine, feeling his warm breath coaxes my flustered face.

The intensity with his eyes was enough to make me question, what was going through his mind. His lips ghosting over mine, while my heart pounds more heavily with every dreading second. His fingertips glides up my neck, along my jawline and cradled my cheek.

Licking his bottom lip he smirks, "Your cleavage is showing," he whispers, causing my eyes to slowly widen. Quickly glancing down to see if he was telling the truth, his shirt slid down on my right side while my chest was showing. Dammit, and Hanj was here too! His hand lifts my chin dragging my bottom lip, as his thick eyelashes flicker from my lips to my eyes. 

Leaning in he captures my lips for only a brief moment, before pulling away.

"You fit perfectly in my shirts," he teases, before pressing a kiss to my cheek softly, while brushing away the wispy ends of my hair away from my eyes. "Now......how about we make some tea? Hmm? This time, we won't spill it?"

With a soft chuckle I nod, "Sure,"

*

LATER

Finally found those two boys I sneak up on them, while they ate their dinner. Finally approaching them quietly I grasp both their heads in my hands, hearing the air in the lungs choke.

"So..........you ready for punishment?" giving them an innocent smile, while digging my fingers into their heads. 

They both turn to me slowly with nervous chuckles, "C-Corporal, so......how did it go?"

Cheeks burning at the memory, I close my eyes.

"I will not speak about it," I seethe through my teeth. "Punishment is running around the castle."

"What? What did we really do?" Eld questions, in alarm. "And you didn't specify how many times around--?"

"Do I need to explain?"

They both shook their heads before standing up, and left the mess halls hastily. Soon someone approaches me, with a question glance, "So.....what did they do this time?" Petra questions, with an embarrassed expression.

Chuckling softly I shook my head, "Absolutely nothing, needed to vent my frustration those two," I reply honestly. "Those damn rumours just irritated me today."

"Does that require you having a crush on the Captain?" She hints teasingly, poking my cheek.

"No, definitely not," pursing my lips together, with my cheeks burning.

*

A WEEK LATER - KARANES DISTRICT 

The thundering of horses bounded down the streets of the village just outside Karanese Districts gates, seeing houses to ruin. Remembering when the fall of Shiganshina came about, titans took over the inner outer circle of our lands. The small villages outside Karanes, Nedlay, Chlorba and Trost districts were taken over by titans, that the people fled into Wall Rose for safety.

Seeing how much five years can do to a small village, but what I was most grateful for was that girl Klara lived within Karanese District. So I didn't have to worry about her as much, assuming she's living better than from how she was treated in the Underground.

With trees and natures growth decorating the torn apart buildings, from the titans aftermath, it made my heart ache knowing here was once lively. All around titans still lingered around, awaiting for their next meal to arrive. No matter what gate you went through, titans will be there. 

Erwin even explained that we must take the nearest district to the giant trees, knowing that's our main goal for today was. 

Nothing else was addressed to me, but I held my faith to Erwin and even Levi for this mission. A trial I knew about, but nothing else beyond that. Training the new recruits to not lose composure when facing titans was hard, being traumatised first day of the fall of Trost. It frustrated me more, but patience was all I needed to keep their fears maintained.

Charging past the ruins of homes and stores, I couldn't help sympathise with the people that lived here.

My hands grip the reigns feeling the wind picking up, feeling more at ease with Levi right beside me. Hanji and Miche were placed right beside Erwin, knowing they were aiding him with something. Soon thundering footsteps were made, making my lift my head up already sensing them before seeing them.

Hanji seemed to beat me to it, "We've got a ten-metre closing in from the left!" She warns us out loud, before gasping in awe. Two soldiers went ahead to take the beast down, "Gah! I want to know what's rolling around in that glorious belly! Nevermind! Let the support squad do their job!"

We kept moving forward while I glance towards Levi, seeing him meet my gaze.

Giving him a stern nod I flick my reigns, keeping in sync with our positions in squads and ranks. Shouts and yells were heard in the distance from behind, as some were trying to encourage the new recruits.

When discussing the formations to Eren, we only had protection from the support squad til we clear from the ruins, so to speak. Soon everything beyond that will be uninterrupted titan territory. So more or less we're on our own from then. Yet, the only thing to fall back on out there is Commander Erwin's long-range scouting formation. With Erens position in the matter, we gave false information to where his location was to some.

I couldn't focus on speaking, trying to run through our mission for today.

Finally we reach the open range of land before Erwin swipes his left arm to the side, "Long-range formation, let's go!!!!!"

We all began to disperse in different positions, as the idea is to extend our spotting and signal range as far as possible. My heart was beating heavily against my chest, my senses started to pick up being more self aware of my surroundings. It's been ages since I've stepped outside the walls, or even an expedition of that matter. No matter, it felt refreshing to finally get back out on the field again. 

With the main soldiers at the front, they'll be spotting most of the titans.

They would send out a red smoke signal nito the sky, if any titans were nearby. Soon they will repeat the same motion, til it reaches us and then soon the Commander will fire a green smoke signal. That's when we would reroute as accordingly, which is mostly evasion. Even though barely anyone knew Erwin's main goal, all I wished for everyone is to stay safe. Titans were unpredictable. 

"Are you alright, Corporal?" I hear a feminine voice, causing me to lift my eyes to see Petra glancing my way. The heavy hooves that bounded down the valley, made her voice a