"I told you not to talk to him earlier."

I roll my eyes and turn to lay atop my back. "Don't give me that," I fume. "At least I got something out of it."

"Oh yeah, what you got out of it was hearing about an irrelevant argument over you," Levi mutters sarcastically.

I glare at him from the spot on my bed. He didn't seem to notice or care. His eyes were glued to the document in his hand. After his constant demands to tell him everything I talked about with Edward he's been nothing but a pain in my ass.

He had this snippy attitude without so much as a glance towards my way. I've been on this bed, waiting for him to come to me or even look at me. But his childish attitude was the least of my concern.

Huffing loudly I flop back down on to the mattress with my back turned to my Captain. I thought over Edward's strange behavior. The way his eyes gleamed in hate and the way he chose to wait to tell me more information about Nat.

Nothing added up no matter how I looked at it. On top of that, I wish I didn't tell Edward about my past. It brought back those relentless screams that demanded to take over my mind again.

I was doing my best to keep it together. I won't lose myself, not in front of Levi.

"You've discovered nothing else besides that idiot's strange behavior." Levi's statement brought me back to my senses. With a heavy sigh I pull my legs to my chest for some warmth.

"I don't know what it is, Levi. No matter how I try to look at it Edward seems so—different. More distant and cold, you know?" I shake my head. I bring Levi's cloak closer to my body hoping for some relative comfort. "It just seemed so—wrong."

He doesn't reply, it was like I was talking to myself. But I don't make a comment or sneer about his behavior. I was too tired to.

I listen to his soft sigh before the screeching of the chair. I don't peer over my shoulder as I hear footsteps coming to me.

"Why are you hugging your cloak?"

"Huh?" I turn slightly to meet Levi's questioning gaze. He stares down at me with that is tense stare of his bringing my insides to churn. With no readable expression upon his handsome face, he gestures a finger to the cloak.

"I've noticed how you always hold that close when you're in distress," he observes. "Does it got some sentimental meaning or something?"

I bite my lower lip with my toes curling. He still doesn't know it's his and I don't plan on telling him. It would weird him out I'm sure.

What would he think he finds out the woman who likes had his cloak ever since he wrapped it around her? What would say when I tell him it was my way of keeping sanity? Imagining that it was him I held.

Smelling his fresh, clean scent every time I was in distress. Surely he would find all that weird. But maybe I can offer a little bit of truth.

"Something like that," I mutter with a frown. "It comforts me in a way."

Levi nods still assessing me like I'm sort of equation. "Hm."

He doesn't say more as he jumps into bed with me. I gasp in surprise and unconsciously jump away. My back hits the wall creating a soft thud.

"Ah, Levi! Wha–what are you doing??"

"What does it look like, brat?" He snaps, "I want to hold you."

My eyes widen as my heart pounds against my chest harshly. I watch as his cheeks turned rouge but his gaze doesn't falter. He lays on his side, his right arm out to beckon me closer.

I swallow thickly unable to bring my body to move. I could only stare. Stare at him as if his words were foreign.

It's been a awhile since Levi proclaimed his want and the color in his cheeks only got darker. He rolls his eyes, "You're acting like we never shared the same bed, brat."

I swallow thickly willing my tongue to work. "Yeah, well—it was only one time."

"Then this will be the second, what's your point?" He arches a brow as if trying to solve a tough equation.

I didn't have an answer to that. Only the beating of my heart was it and he couldn't hear it. But he could sense how flustered I became.

With a soft sigh and gentle smirk, he grabs my arm and pulls me in. I collide with his hard chest, my hands planted over his pecks.

My god, I could smell soap and lavender... I immediately shake my head, my eyes widening. "Levi, why—"

"Shut up." He orders. "Just—shut up."

I suck in a breath when his strong arms snake around my lower back, holding me close and tight. My body stiffens, my mind nothing but endless shrieking about how right this all felt. We stay like that not speaking another word.

Levi rests his chin gently upon my head while I stare firmly at his chest. I decided I couldn't help it. I had to ask.

"What's with you wanting to hold me all of a sudden?" I murmur. "Don't you got papers to look at?"

"Didn't I say to shut up?" He sighs tiredly.

"Yes, but I got curious. . ."

Levi doesn't respond. It was like he was weighing the options in his head to either answer me or tell me to shut up once more. His grip around me tightens but not to the point that it was painful.

"You shouldn't be hugging that damn cloak," he finally grumbles. "It's stupid."

"Excuse me?" I pull my head away just enough to glare up at him.

He simply looks down at me with a scowl. "Hugging a cloak for comfort? Utterly pathetic," he spits.

His words shocked me. A flicker of hurt coats my eyes and I immediately look back down at his chest. If this was his reaction what would he think if I told him it was his then?

"Instead of hugging that dirty cloak why don't you just hug me instead?"

I blink, "Huh?" I feel him shift awkwardly as he clears his throat.

"I mean, when you're in distress you should seek me out instead."

I swallow thickly, my stomach churning uncontrollably. I can sense heat radiating all over my face. "Why?" I breathe.

Why was he telling me this so suddenly? Why was he making a big deal out of it?

"Because I said so, brat!" He snaps. "I want you to find comfort in me when you need it. I'll hold you till you feel better or when you stop being a baby."

I clench his shirt whole chewing my inner cheek. My heart couldn't handle this amount of kindness he was offering me. Couldn't handle how sweet he was being. When I don't answer I feel him shake his head while sighing.

"Just do as I say, Emma. I won't appreciate it if you keep doing this behind my back. Got it?"

I swallow thickly, my heart lurching into my throat. I manage a feeble nod, which was good enough for him. I felt like I wanted to scream over the fact how only I was blessed to see this sweet side of him.

I felt like his one and only. Like his precious someone he'll do anything for. I never heard him say those words but I wish they were true.

I will not voice them to him in fear of scaring him off. But it was good enough for me to think them. It was enough to drive away my darkness. It was enough for me to close my eyes and stop thinking.

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

"NiHaru? Isn't that a busy market place?"

Erwin eyes the map in puzzlement while rubbing a thumb and index finger over his chin. Arriving to Trost early this morning we headed over to Erwin's office immediately. Hanji, Levi, and I stood before his desk with the map rolled out for him to see where Edward claimed Nat was kidnapped.

"Exactly. Doesn't it sound strange, Erwin?" Levi crosses his arms while setting a pointed stare at our Commander.

He was the first to inform Erwin of the situation and the first to demand answers. Levi was determined to put end to this, his attention solely this and not once on me. I ships to make a big deal out of because he was helping but I did.

After last night I wanted nothing more than to be with him. Feel his hand in mine. Not once could I stand to be more than six feet away from him.

I wasn't sure what was with me but, I didn't care. Discreetly, I inch closer to Levi. I'm sure he noticed noting the way his body stiffens slightly.

Making sure Erwin kept inspecting the map and Hanji eyeing him closely, I brush my fingertips against his. His fingertips twitch slightly before reaching out for mine as well. A warm sensation taints my blood.

Causing me to hold back a smile as well as the urge to cling to him. I force myself to focus at the matter at hand. I revisit the retained information I've gathered last night and the couple weeks.

"Nat was kidnapped. Edward had told the story but left some pieces out. His behavior is something to take not me of as well." Erwin had voiced these thoughts aloud.

He directed it to neither of us as he stews at the map once more. We all think hoping to create a connection. But nothing did. Everything up until now became a web of confusion and misdirection.

"Up to Nat's kidnap everything was the same," I say. "The killings and kidnapping only happen to those who request leave. Nat didn't. That's a major difference."

Levi nods beside me. "Could it mean the killers changed up tactics?"

"No," Hanji replies. "They might be getting sloppy. If you think about it, it's been a couple of months since the killings started. We aren't any close to figuring out who they are or how to capture them. They're getting cocky."

That made sense but, why become overconfident? How do they know we aren't close yet? Is it truly because the time span?

Or do they know how difficult it is for us with small amounts of evidence? If the latter was true that means that have to somewhat know about our information. But how would they find out if it's strictly confidential?

"We need to act fast." Erwin's declaration brought me back to my senses. "There's a high possibility Nat is possibly killed. Considering how long it takes for those killers to dump the bodies into allies it would be soon enough when we find hers."

My fists clench, "I won't let it come to that." I look at the map then at the stack of papers on top of the desk. "There has to be something. Something that we possibly missed."

I step towards the papers, grabbing a couple in hand. I began to scan them hoping they would have the answers. I looked at each piece of information, ignoring the others as they discuss their theories.

I place the papers on the desk. Up until this surprising kidnap of Nat, the killers knew the Scouts requested a leave. From the recent reports two days ago, I know Nat didn't request for one.

So why her? What made her a target? I held Elise's report as well as her information when she was murdered. Her and Nat were Cadets in the Survey Corps.

Could that be a connection the killers have? The people they killed were Cadets? I shake my head, no the four others were seasoned Scouts. That wasn't it.

I furrow my brows as I thought long and hard. I knew I was close. I was so close I can the sense the answer being right before me. But what was it?

"Emma."

My body jolts in surprise. I whirl towards Erwin seeing how he assessed me with a frown. Hanji and Levi were also staring at me too.

Both seemed concerned as if they've been calling me and I didn't hear. I blink once with a sheepish sigh. "Sorry, I was in the zone."

Erwin nods, "Were you able to make a connection?"

I intended to deny, to tell him there was nothing. But something flickered in my mind. Like an ember burning to life.

Connection. Me. Nat and Elise.

My eyes widen, my god. I look back at the papers. Everything made sense now.

Why these people were killed. Why Nat and Elise were involved. It all clicked together like a missing puzzle piece.

But I didn't feel like I made a good discovery. A shiver crawled down my spine. My eyes widening than ever before. I swallow thickly, picking up Elise's paper before turning to everyone.

"Yes," I breathe. "Me."

/\/\/\/\/\

I hope you all are enjoying the story still!!

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