There was nothing I could compare to the awkward tension that swamped this entire room. I was paralyzed atop the man I hated with a passion. My hazelnut eyes locked with his silver ones.

They were wide as mine and full of shock just like mine. His eyes had trapped my mind into a empty pit. Every thought I had, every ounce of fear I possessed mere seconds ago vanished.

With my mind blank my body retrieved no instructions to move. I couldn't think. I couldn't move. The only sense I had was touch.

I felt the closeness of his body against mine. The way I laid atop him like the space between couldn't be spared. The warmness of his breath coating my face and the gentle grip he had around my waist.

I found my hands to be gripping his shoulders like a cat's claws stuck onto fabric. My thoughts lingered on Levi's hands and the feeling of them holding my waist in such a gentle yet, secure way. It was a feather's touch, a touch I was surprised he possessed.

As much as I revolted at the idea of Levi touching me, I couldn't help but ponder at this new sensation. It was strange to me, to have a man hold me in such a way as though I was a delicate vase. It was an interesting feeling but, I had to stop it.

I didn't want to be held like this. I didn't want to be anywhere near Levi in the first place. But as many times I told myself that, I couldn't find the strength to push myself off.

Unable to speak or move, I watch Levi blink out of his daze. His eyes were fueled with disgust with his lips creating a deep frown. He tosses me off him and I land on my side.

I shake my head to get rid of those strange thoughts out of my mind. Levi sits up with one leg bent and the other straighten across the floor. He refuses to look at me, his shoulders rising and falling deeply.

I kept my eyes firmly on him, waiting for his reaction. I couldn't understand what he felt right now, yet I was sure his mood became fouler.

"Guess you were right," he mutters gruffly. He stands and sweeps up the injured rat before tossing it in a bag.

"Obviously," I snap with a scoff. "You just didn't want to believe me."

As I stood and wiped the dust off my pants I tried my best to ignore the tension between us. We both did. We spoke little afterwards and did our best to make little to no eye contact.

We both kept our distance, it was the best way to dial down the awkwardness. I did my best to focus on cleaning but my mind wasn't into it. I was trying to figure out the balled up emotions inside me.

Should I be mad or should I even care? It was a dumb accident that could happen to anyone yet, the sensation of his hands on me was like a ghost's touch. I still felt it.

It was still painted visually in the back of my mind. No matter how much I tried to destroy it, it was still fresh like morning dew.

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

Two days. Two days of hard labor and verbal abuse from my Captain did we finally finish cleaning the floor. I was exhausted, my arms hurt and my legs ached. I wasn't sure if I could even hold a pencil.

I do my best to keep myself standing as I watch Erwin inspect the last room on the floor. Causally, he wipes a finger on a desk and inspects his finger.

"Impressive," he praises. "I never thought you two would be able to do it."

"It's just cleaning," Levi mutters. "Everyone should know how to do it."
He side glares me in emphasis and I scoff in response.

"So, you had to redo the work I did," I sigh. "What's the big deal?"

"We could've been done earlier if you weren't half-assing everything, Emma," he hisses.

"Oh, give me a break!" I complain. "I'm exhausted over here."

"And I'm not?"

"Are you two fighting again?" Erwin walks back to us with a warning frown over his lips. He stares at both Levi and I with a raised brow.

We both chose not reply and look away from one another. I still wasn't over our little accident and I doubt Levi wasn't either. The way he looked me sometimes were like daggers piercing into my body.

I would say, it did make me uneasy each time he glared at me as though I was a Titan. Erwin seemed to sense our little tension and inspects with a calculating stare.

"Did my punishment go too well or is this another way to piss each other off?" I scoff with an irritated smirk and cross my arms over my chest.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Erwin." I mutter. "Still can't believe you made us clean this entire floor."

"Well, we needed more space for our young Cadets," Erwin tries to explain.

"Doesn't matter," Levi snaps before Erwin could continue. "Are we done here? Something filthy fell on me a couple days ago and I wish to clean it off."

An irk forms over my temple as I knew he meant me. The audacity to even associate me with the word filth was downright disrespectful. It took all my willpower not curse him out right then and there.

"Very well," Erwin sighs. "Tomorrow I expect you two to behave properly and be at the training grounds nine o'clock sharp."

I was the first down the stairs for I didn't want to spend another second there. If we're to wash up and rest I would rather walk three blocks to my apartment than take a room here. After the mess I saw, I didn't want to be anywhere near this place for a while.

When I reach the doors it was then I realized I forgot to question Levi about something. I dreaded the idea of speaking to him but, I'd rather do it now than tomorrow. Heaving a heavy sigh, I march back up to the fifth floor. I found myself pausing on the last step when I heard soft murmuring.

"So, you're just going to play along with this little lie of yours?" It was Erwin's voice. He sounded displeased.

"I'm not playing along anything!" Another one snaps irritably.

By hearing the deep tone I knew it was Levi. I was dumbfounded to hear them argue, it was rare to see them disagree.

"I'm just not saying anything," Levi restates.

Erwin huffs, "So, we're going to brush pass the fact you said it was me who gave that stupid order in the mess hall and Petra who gave her those flowers."

It came to my realization that it was me they were arguing about. I stay rooted to the last step with my ears perked intently.

"It's not like she'll know!" Levi groans. "So what, I told everyone to give her time to rest? She's vital to our missions outside the wall."

"Okay, fine," Erwin caves. "Then explain the flowers. It's unlike you to make a huge deal out of something like that."

My eyebrows quirk up, my lips tugging into a thoughtful frown. He's the one who brought them in?

"Flowers are just flowers," Levi mutters. "It's something you give when someone is unwell."

This sudden information overwhelmed me. Levi gave me those daisies and even made the order himself for everyone to stay away. He even chose to lie about it.

But what I couldn't understand is why?

"Look, Levi," Erwin sighs tiredly. "I'm not sure why you're choosing not to tell her but, if you did I think she would appreciate it." Levi snorts.

"Are we talking about the same Emma here?" He questions. "The one I know hates people doing things for her and gets pissy when someone tries to show a little bit of kindness to her. It's annoying as hell and I'm not in the mood to put her in her place if she starts disrespecting me."

I release a soft click of the tongue before silently making my down the steps. I immediately lost interest when those displeasing words left his lips. I wasn't the way he says I was.

Sure, I get annoyed when people did things for me but it was only because I was suspicious. Anyone who did something for another always wanted something in return. But, Levi was right that I would get pissy.

If I found out sooner I would've tried to slam his head into something or shouted at him like my life depended on it. I was revolted to know Edward's suspicions were correct. Levi gave me those flowers which only means he did stay by my side till I awoke. I hated the mere idea of it.

I found myself back in the room I spent the last week in. It was empty as I expected. Landing my gaze on nightstand beside the bed I slept in, I walk to it.

The vases of flowers still sat atop the wooden bedside table. I found myself to gazing at the daisies but nothing registered in my head. Silently, I pick up the vase and walk to the nearby window.

For a moment, I linger by the window while staring at the flowers in my hands. No expression laid upon my face for I felt nothing in that moment. I push open the window and without hesitation, I dump out the flowers.

\/\/\/\/\/

The next day I stood in front of twenty Cadets. Some of who made it back alive from the mission two weeks ago. I scan my eyes among the young faces, landing on one in the second line, third row.

It was Edward who was craning his neck the best he could over the solider in front of him. He tries his best to be discreet to greet me with a smile without being noticed. My lips start to tug upwards and quickly I look away before he could see.

I placed my attention back on Erwin beside me.

"It has come to my attention that this year of Cadets makes up almost a quarter of our Survey Corps," he says loudly. "I've decided there is to be more training placed upon you all. The burden of exterminating Titans that threaten to destiny now rests on your shoulders."

I watch him raise his chin with his hands behind his back.

"In a week, we will be going out on another mission. Through the reports Lieutenant Wolfram has given me, there are frequent sightings of Titans a hundred miles from the walls. It's our job to exterminate them all."

A simultaneous and proud yes sir thundered over the training grounds. The loud thumps of the soldiers slamming their fists over their chest filled the air. Erwin nods proudly, a smile whisking over his lips in admiration.

"There will be three stations," he announces. "Each one specializes in the knowledge you must master before heading out there." He gestures a firm hand to Hanji on his right. "Squad Commander, Hanji Zöe will specialize in the techniques used to wound and kill a Titan."

Keeping his hand to the right, he continues.

"Captain Levi Ackerman will help you to better maneuver your ODM gear. Then lastly," he gestures a strong hand to his left. Everyone's eyes land on me and on instinct I straighten my spine. "Lieutenant Emma Wolfram will teach you how to strategize, how to follow smoke signals, and our long distance charge. She will also teach you how to maneuver your ODM gear while on horseback."

The instructions were simple enough, yet the short amount of time we had was overwhelming. In just a week I had make sure these brats weren't going to be cattle once we exit the walls. It's going to be painful teaching them.

I caught a glimpse of Edward grinning widely and I raise a brow at his unusual cheerfulness. When Erwin wasn't gazing in his direction he shows me a thumbs-up. Mouthing the words, You got this.

/\/\/\/\/\

How do y'all like the book so far??

I know there's no "romance drama" or whatever yet but, you know. . . I'm curious lol

Lemme know in the comments!
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