God damn it, what am I doing? I feel like an idiot standing out here for god knows how long. I've faced almost everyone living in this building already.

It was embarrassing each time to tell them I was waiting for someone. Emma already informed me of her tonight's activities with Hanji and Nifa. I wasn't sure how long those three were planning to drink.

They act like they could hold down their alcohol. And here I am, standing beside Emma's apartment door waiting like a damn dog. I don't even know what brought me here.

Yet, with that thought in mind I couldn't find it in me to leave. My hand unconsciously grazes a part of neck. I click my tongue at the memory of earlier's events.

Damn woman, I think irritably. Giving me such marks truly was a pain in my ass. To think, she would actually do such a thing.

I never even done that to her. I lower my hand and cross my arms purposely. I'll make sure she knows not to overstep her boundaries again.

I'll make her remember what she can and cannot do. And hopefully, she'll be just as vulnerable as she made me today.

"Okay, just one more step."

My ears perk to the sound. I whirl my head to the stairway. Two people, linked together by an arm over the other's shoulders, stumble up the stairs.

"I can walk, Edward. And I know how many steps are here. I live here damn it."

"Hey, I'm just looking out for you."

I immediately grit my teeth at that irritable voice. I've never realized how annoying his voice was. Emma and Edward stumble closer, I stick to my spot and eye them up and down in disgust.

Do they have to be so close? However, as they got closer I take notice to their dirty attire. Dirt was smeared all over Emma's pants.

Her hair disheveled and her face featured a small cut on her cheek. Something in me explodes and begins to run through my veins. I push off the wall and stomp over to them.

"What the hell happened?"

They both abruptly stop before me, clearly Emma was surprised to see me. I was sure I caught a curse word from Edward, however. He seemed in bad shape as well but I could care less.

What I cared about was him releasing his grip around Emma. I eye him more closely, despite the height difference he was like any other idiot. Stupid and clingy.

"Levi!" Emma suddenly splutters with wide eyes. "Um, what're you—"

"I asked a question, Lieutenant!" I snap, turning my attention to her. "What. Happened?"

Emma bites her lower lip and nervously looks to the side. I keep my intense gaze on her, I bet there was bruises blooming under her clothing.

That suddenly didn't seem like a thought I wanted to think over. I scoff with the gesture of my head.

"Damn it, never mind," I growl. "Get inside and wash up."

She perks her head up, locking her eyes with mine. All I could do was narrow my own. I fully expected her to light up her usual feisty tantrums but, she simply pulls away from Edward.

She bids him a soft good night and walks past me to her door. Once I heard the door click, I turn my attention to the Cadet. A long, cold silence spreads itself between us. I could sense the tension in the air.

"What are you doing here, Captain?" Edward questions tightly. His eyes narrow, his shoulders begins to broaden.

I puff my chest slightly, so this brat thinks he can take me on? I praise him for his confidence but I sure as hell hate the way he's looking down on me.

"I could ask you the same." I rebuke coldly. "Why the hell do you both look like you fell in shit? Did you and Emma have a brawl?"

Edward awkwardly shuffles his feet but, attempts to hide that fear in his eyes by popping his neck.

"No, a couple of attackers came at her," he explains. "I just happened to be in the area and saved her."

I raise a brow thoughtfully. That sounded like a bunch of bull. I study him, there was no sign of nervousness brewing about him.

However, there was something gleaming his eyes. And the way he chewed the inside of his cheek seemed odd.

"I-I think I should check on her." Edward attempted to swerve around me but, I quickly step in his way. He stumbles back with a questioning look. "Sir?"

"Shut up," I order. "Why the hell do you look like a sorry kid in trouble?"

I watch him swallow thickly, beads of sweat began to form over his temple.
"What are you talking about?" He asks with a look.

"Don't act stupid," I warn. "If I find out you—"

"I already told you! I saved Emma!" His tone surprised me. I blink twice, allowing both his tone and answer sink in.

Edward gapes like a fish, his face paling as if he saw a ghost. But his cowardly look doesn't last long. His cheeks slightly regain color while his eyes finely set on me. He pressed his lips into a firm line.

"I'm taking my leave," he sighs. "You should do the same, Captain."

"Don't speak for me," I say hotly. "Who the hell gave you the right to?"

Edward casts his eyes down in shame, he clears his throat awkwardly. "My apologies. I guess I'll go then."

I watch him turn around and saunter down the hall. Once I was sure he walked down the stairs and was out of sight, I quickly turn to Emma's door. I wasn't surprised she left it unlocked. Entering the apartment I get a small glimpse of the place.

I scoff at the sight, it's exactly how I left it. I should've felt satisfied as nothing seemed out of place but, only pity consumed me. It still seemed like no one lived here.

I hear a soft sound of running water. I glance at the opened bedroom door and make my way to it.

"Oi, Emma," I call tersely. "We need to talk." She wasn't in the room as I expected her to be but, another door on my right was left open ajar. I hear a small curse and shake my head at the sound.

As I approach the door the running water stops. Slowly, I push it open to see Emma standing before a sink frowning at her reflection in front of a mirror. I notice her white top and jacket weren't covering her upper body anymore and a black bra was in perfect view.

However, that didn't catch my attention as I begin to notice many bruises all over her arms and stomach. The cut on her cheek was now blossoming red, I had no doubt she tried to clean it.

"Like what you see?" She snaps. I blink out of my daze to see her side glaring me. It doesn't faze me, instead I stride towards her.

"Are you going to talk?" I ask.

"'Bout what?" She mutters. "The fact I almost got killed? Or the fact your in my damn apartment."

"Don't give me attitude, Emma. I'm not in the mood."

"And I'm not in the mood for your bullshit!" Her eyes were on fire when she whirls her head to me. They were dancing flames, wild like they never were before.

But I wasn't used to this sort of glare. It wasn't full of anger, but of terror. I didn't have the strength to summon my anger. I simply picked her up and placed her atop the bathroom counter.

"What the hell are you doing?" She demands. I grab a washcloth and turn on the sink.

"You're covered in dirt," I reply. "You shouldn't bring that to bed." I squeeze the water out of the cloth before scrubbing away the dirt off her arms.

Emma winces every now and then when I graze against a bruise but, not another word escapes her lips. Not even a soft grunt when I placed pressure on her stomach. It was quiet as I cleaned her up, I did my best to avoid eye contact but the damn woman kept glaring at me.

It felt like she could see through me or even read my mind. I bite my inner cheek, there were dozens of questions swarming my mind. I wanted to ask them all but knew Emma wouldn't talk so easily. But, she staring at me, like she knew I might break.

"Well?" She finally says. "Are you just going to clean me or are you expecting answers too?" I rinse out the cloth before hanging it on a rack. I turn back to her, I had to clean her cut.

"In truth, both," I admit when I grabbed yet another piece of cloth. "But you obviously won't talk and I'm too exhausted to endure your childish tantrums."

Emma opens her mouth to rebuke but yelps instead when I pressed the cloth against her cheek.

"I'm cleaning the wound," I quickly say when I see her dark glare. "So stop glaring at me like a feral dog."

She breathes out a scoff but doesn't say more. Silence greets us once more, I do my best to ignore this unwanted tension.

"Why?" I hear her whisper. She didn't even bother to put energy into her tone. "Why are you doing this anyway? You weren't the one who got hurt and you're acting like you care."

I stop my movements. The cloth over her cheek lingers as I find myself speechless before her. Why was I helping her?

Emma is a woman who can take care of herself, yet I'm treating her like a child who scraped a knee. But, she was waiting for answer and an answer I must provide.

"Because you look pitiful," I hear myself say. "How can you have this much bruises and a cut on your cheek from whatever brawl you had?"

"It wasn't a brawl," Emma quickly disagrees. She shakes her head and looks to the side. "More like an ambush."

I don't say another word and drop the cloth. I pretend I don't know anything and turned in the sink.

"I thought I was saving a woman from being killed but come to find out it was all a trap set for me."

I raise a brow, for her? What did that mean?

"Why for you?" I question. "Do you think you're that special?"

"Shut up," Emma snaps. "I only think that because they knew my name. They acted as if they'd known me for a long time."

I turn my gaze to her. I can tell this was eating her up. She was biting her lip and looked anywhere but me. Her hands were clasped in her lap as if attempting to resist any urge to explode.

"They said something about me committing sin," she murmurs. "And I know they're probably crazy but for some reason, I was scared when they said that."

Her information was troubling, I'll give her that. But from what I'm understanding is that she didn't see their faces. After all, she would've mentioned it a long time ago.

"I'm guessing Edward just showed up coincidentally then, huh?"

Emma gives a simple nod. I expected a smile to bloom over her lips but a frown had tainted them instead.

"Yeah," she replies. "He did pop out of nowhere. It was weird, actually."

"Weird how?"

"Well, he told me he was taking a stroll through town but he told me earlier he had to get ready for an exercise. And he even knew exactly which ally to take despite the lack of screaming I did."

She unconsciously bites her lip giving me that sudden urge to press her down this stupid counter. I swallow back those thoughts, however and train my mind to only be of this incident.

"Did he at least get a glimpse of their faces?" I ask tightly. Again, she gives a shake of her head. Even she seemed a little upset by her lack of information.

"No, he told me he didn't. We both fought them but they were strong and once I was down only Edward was up. He said one phrase that had them running though."

I stepped a bit closer, my curiosity getting the better of me. "What did he say?"

Emma hesitates as if she contemplated on her answer. She clenches hands before taking in a breath.

"Run, or they'll catch you."

/\/\/\/\/\

Sorry for such a late late update and it being a single one.

I had some personal stuff to deal.
Hope that didn't upset you all.
I'll try harder!>.<

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