Huge thanks to @kfreak19 
who gave me permission to use their name

Forty-two Scouts perished in battle. Thirty-five wounded while a few were unconscious. Out of the two hundred Scouts that were brought along this expedition less than a quarter died.

Despite our narrow victory within the Giant Forest of Trees no one celebrated. It seemed inappropriate considering the many lives lost. It took hours to wrap the deceased and place them in carts.

When we arrived back to the castle ruins the rest of the regiment only cried for their comrades. What was felt today wasn't a fleeting sensation of victory. But a sensation of mourning.

Even I had no strength to believe what we did today was a victory. I wobbled off my horse with Levi's cloak still over me. Somehow I couldn't find it in me to rip it off.

I don't bother looking for my squad members. It was important to them to see to their wounded and deceased comrades. There was still no update of Margo's condition but I prayed she was alright.

Those hopeful thoughts became useless when I enter the castle. A large group in the corner was weeping and crying immensely. I had noticed Hanji stand little out of the group.

Her face was contorted into a grave expression. Hesitantly, I approach her as I try to not to bother those who were mourning. I catch a glimpse of a body that was covered by a white sheet.

"Hanji," I murmur with a sympathetic frown. Her eyes slowly rove to me. I flinch at the sight of how dead they looked. I don't say anything for a moment and only observed her behavior.

"She was strong too," Hanji murmurs sadly as she rubs her arm. "One of the best Cadets I'd seen."

I blink with a small frown. "She?"

She nods and looks down at her shoes. Hanji didn't had to explain further for I realized who she meant. I turn back to the covered body and I finally realized who was around her.

My squad members, Edward, and the other Cadets. Daniel was the closest and had a hand over Margo's covered arm. He was sobbing uncontrollably, his shoulders shaking as he wept. I suck in a shaky breath, the blood coating my cheeks quickly disappear.

I stare in horror at her covered body. I wished to believe she was alive. I wished to believe I truly saved her.

But deep down I knew, she was already dead when she was in the Titan's grasp. My heart plummets to my stomach and I suddenly couldn't stand being here. I rush out the Great Room and down the halls.

No one follows. I wished for silence. I wished for a place where I could collapse and have my thoughts to myself. I've tried.

I did everything I could to save her. Yet despite my efforts she died. Swiftly, I turn the corner, my exhaustion not a bother no longer.

When I feel like I was truly alone I stop walking. Leaning my left shoulder against the cold stone wall, I try my best to control my hasty breathing. I've seen death, I've faced it countless times during the three years I've served as a Scout. And yet, each time I witnessed the death of a comrade it still hits me like a ton of bricks.

\/\/\/\/\/\/

Night befallen over us. Silence had engulfed the castle. Talk was barely made amongst the Scouts.

Seeing the many dead and knowing the others were eaten wasn't a pleasant thought. Margo's squad was the only one that was wiped out. We had recovered what was left of them except for one.

Kay. She was the Squad leader, serving for almost a year. I never conversed with her but from I've heard she was quite perky. It sickens me knowing her body now rests in a Titan's stomach.

I wasn't sure if Erwin was willing to push forward or head back to walls. Either way, I wasn't looking forward to the usual routine. Bury the bodies, mourn for the fallen, tell the families how much of a fighter their loved ones were.

You would think after three years of this and countless missions I would be used to it. When, in reality, it was the hardest part of being a Scout.

I had found myself an empty room a couple hours ago. The only furniture inside was a small bed, a chair, and a basin. I brought a gas lamp and place it upon the chair.

My bloodied shirt was peeled off me and discarded in a dusty corner. I had cleaned the marks of blood off my body with the cold water I had placed in the basin. I've been dry for a while now but the cold air was nipping at my skin.

I had no extra shirt and wished I brought along one. I cursed myself for my carelessness. Bringing both Levi's cloak and the old bedsheets closer to my body, it did little to circulate any body heat.

My teeth chattered and my shoulders violently shook. No one knew of my predicament except for Hanji. She had found me out of her great determination to check if I was okay.

Now, I relied on her to find an extra shirt for me to wear. Despite seeing her not too long ago, it felt like hours. My fingers started to hurt from the lack of warmth and the fabrics around me started to feel cold. I bite my lip anxiously as I rock my body back and forth.

"Where the hell is she?" I grumble. I had no desire to go out and look for her. Dressed as I am would be downright inappropriate.

I make note to beat the crap out of her whenever she arrives. As if on cue, a soft rapping came at the door. Releasing a loud breath I shout for her to enter. I make no move to open the door myself, I was too cold.

"The hell took you so long, Hanji?" I demand when the door opens. "I've been freezing my ass off, you know. The audacity to make me wait in a freezing room."

"It's not even that cold in here, brat."

My heart stops. Even my capability to breathe. I was sure Hanji entered through the door.

She only knew of my situation. Not short-stack here. Levi had discarded his ODM gear for the night and simply wore his white pants and buttoned-shirt as well as that white cravat of his.

In his left hand was a neatly folded shirt and what seemed to be a pair of pants as well. I blink rapidly with my mind becoming a jumble of thoughts. I wasn't sure what to think first.

"Well? Aren't you going to take this?" Levi's snappy tone brings me back to my senses. Looking into his irritated gaze, I wasn't sure why he was suddenly annoyed.

"What?" He rolls his eyes in response and gestures his left hand irritably.

"Take the clothes, you idiot."

I cast my gaze to his hand with a sense of relief washing over me. Yet, a frown has tugged down at my lips. I was too cold to move.

I didn't want to in fear of losing what little warmth I still possessed. But seeing how Levi was now standing before me with that annoyed glare of his, I knew staying on this bed wasn't an option. I force myself to stand and clutch both his cloak and bedsheets close to my body.

I took little steps to him. Levi said nothing as I wobbled over to him. He was inspecting me and possibly thinking how stupid I looked.

With a shaky hand I reach for the clothes. When my fingers accidentally brush against his I notice the way his hand flinches away from my touch. I wasn't sure if he was expecting to feel my icy, cold fingers.

"Why are you here anyway?" I question rudely. I narrow my eyes down at him. "Where's Hanji?"

Levi blinks twice before matching my gaze. Lowering his hand he gives off a nonchalant shrug.

"Meeting," he answers simply. "Erwin dragged us into one about tomorrow's plans."

"Meeting? And I wasn't authorized to go?"

"You were but, according to Four-Eyes, you are in no shape or form to attend." His eyes rove up and down my body as if it was for emphasis. He shakes his head with a Tch before crossing his arms. "Now, I see what she means. Your sorry form is nowhere near presentable."

I blush crimson at his insult. I grit my teeth and turn my head to the side. Despite my body being covered my hair and my face was far from normality.

My hair was tangled and stood up in the oddest ways while my face was drained from its color. Well, save for the now hot blush over my cheeks. The way Levi stared at me was nowhere near to my liking.

I despised the way he eyed me as though I was weak. The way his face stays as uninterested as ever while his eyes and lips are the only signs of whatever emotion that's kept inside brought my blood to a boil. I suddenly started to despise the idea of his cloak around me.

"Tomorrow, at eight o'clock yours, Erwins', Hanjis', and my squad will leave to inspect the forest again." Levi informs. "You better stay focused this time. The way you fought earlier was pitiful."

My teeth clench together, and I glower at the stone floor. I don't have to be reminded of the mistake I made earlier. I already know I messed up.

"Shut up," I snap. "I know what I'm doing."

"Tch, didn't seem like it earlier," Levi retorts. He turns to the door and pushes it open.

I wait for him to leave, yet he lingers at the doorway. I glance at his stature while raising a brow in questioning. What was he waiting for?

"Don't pull that type of crap anymore, Emma," he mutters. "It won't do the Regiment any good."

I roll my eyes at his arrogant comment. His unneeded scolding was truly a pain. He's acting like I'm an amateur.

"Okay, I got it," I reply sarcastically. Levi huffs and takes a step out the door. Watching him leave, I begin to remember something. "Hold on."

I take off his cloak while keeping the blanket over me. I hold it out in front of me.

"Take it."

Levi glances over his shoulder. He stares at it for a moment before looking at me. I make a gesture with my hand impatiently. Yet, a wave of uneasiness settled within me as I held out his cloak. A part begins to wish I never said anything.

He doesn't take the cloak. Instead, he looks away and steps out the room.

"You need it more than me, brat."

Before I could make a conjecture he slams the door behind him. I was then left alone, cloak in hand. An uneasy breath escapes my lips. I brought it close to my chest, feeling the comfort it somehow brought me.

The next day became one with many events. I awoke early in hopes of gaining more information from Erwin. The plan was simple, go around the forest, clear any Titans in our path, make sure it'll be safe enough for our cargo team to cross through.

It was swift and straight to the point. However, I wasn't exactly pleased by Erwin's addition to the plan. Our four teams would spilt into two groups.

Hanji and Erwin were to go east while Levi and I head west before meeting in the middle. I had expressed my disliking to it but Erwin had turned the other cheek.

"If I hear you two are unable to work together then you guys are done."

Hours had passed after he gave me that warning. Now I was riding beside Levi despising every second of it. Although, time seemed to go a bit smoother with little communication we had.

It was Petra who played messenger between us. That did little to calm to pent up anger inside me though. Through the edges of the forest I was able to make out three plump Titans.
They were smaller than the normal ones but were also quite the nuisance.

"My squad will take them down." Levi informs as we head closer to the group. "Your group stays on the horses."

"Hell no!" I fume. "We're fighting too!" I take out my blades on emphasis while listening to my members do the same. I wasn't about to let Levi take all the credit.

"You've proven how weak you gotten yesterday!" He snaps. "You're in no condition to fight."

Before I could make yet another objection, he launches himself into the trees. The rest of his squad members quickly follow after him. I glower at the sight and curse loudly when they make a frontal attack upon the three Titans.

I clenched my teeth roughly, I wasn't having it. I'm more than capable of holding up my end and I'll prove it to that jerk.

"Alright, change of plans," I shout to my squad. "If you see a Titan, kill it. Make sure no one, especially Levi, gets a kill." No one replies after a moment. I could sense their hesitation. Sean was the first to speak.

"And when you say make sure none of them gets a kill does that mean--"

"Yes. Do whatever you can to stop them."

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Between Emma and Levi, who do you think would be the "dominant" type in a relationship?

Just wanna know your thoughts(:

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