For the next couple days I endured being followed by two MPs. I still despised the idea of being watched over like some royal but I only complied for Levi. If it wasn't for that threatening glare of his I wouldn't have agreed to this stupid thing.

I wasn't even allowed to go to my apartment. Well, Erwin thought it was fine due to the officers that watched me but Levi thought different. He sought to it that I stayed in his chambers and that he was the only one allowed in his office.

It wasn't long till people began to notice how different we acted around each other. I attempted to not focus on all the murmuring and stares but, it was starting to annoy me. How the hell did I become the center of attention?

I set my expression to neutral as I strode down the halls. I was on my daily patrol again. Edward was nowhere to be found which only made the situation more suspicious.

We already had a hunch he was connected to the murders but, we needed confirmation. And I couldn't do that when he wasn't around. I still wasn't sure how I would go about this situation.

I didn't want to anger or scare him off. But how do you confront a man who was possibly a murderer? That thought became a constant bother ever since Erwin gave me that order and there was no shaking it off.

With a heavy sigh I stop at my office. I could only imagine the loads of paperwork that awaited me. "Alright, Darius and Seth, you can keep post out here."

A ginger-haired man looks down at me in questioning. His thin lips tug into a frown. "Are you sure Lieutenant Wolfram," Darius inquires. "We can go inside and—"

"That won't be necessary," I assure with a hand on the knob. "I'll be fine."

Before any of them could object I scurry inside. I slam the door shut before breathing out in relief. I shake my head, out of all the MPs Levi could've chosen he had to choose those who were dedicated to their job.

I give a small shrug. It was rare to find an MP who actually did their work. Their dedication is quite admirable.

"So you have bodyguards now?"

A small gasp escapes me with my heart almost bursting free from my chest. Whirling around I find the one person I dreaded to see. Edward lounged on my couch right leg crossed over the other.

His arms rested atop the cushions like he was some sort of god. There was nothing pleasant about his demeanor. The way he no longer grinned that wide grinned and only frowned brought a damper to my mood.

Even the way he stared at me. Nothing about that glimmer in his eyes indicated kindness. My palms started to sweat while I swallow thickly attempting to calm my heart rate. Edward keeps his eyes on me waiting for my reply.

"I—unfortunately, yes. It was Levi's orders," I murmur while watching him roll his eyes.

"Tch, of course it was," he snickers. "You two been getting along quite nicely these past couple weeks, yeah?"

I don't answer, instead I try to understand why he was in my office out of the blue. Coming to Trost he had disappeared just as Erwin suspected. Now he was here irritated by a mere protective gesture from his Captain.

I knew the two hadn't really come to neutral terms but, it didn't give him a right to make that disgusted snarl because of Levi. I narrow my eyes and stride pass his dominant figure with a tsk.

"Is that why you're here in my office? To bitch and whine about your Captain?"

A low whistled escapes my friend then a unamused chuckle. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. I was just asking a question, Em." He stands with a sigh. I swerve around my desk and plant myself in my chair. I watch the young man stand before me with a crooked smile. There was nothing amusing about it. "No need to get hostile."

I give him a little huff. My sense of anxiety has swept away. All there was left was boiling irritation and the dash of impatience. I think it is time to assert the situation.

"Edward, why are you here? Out of all the places in HQ you happen to be here."

"Is that such a bad thing?" He raises a brow while titling his head.

Edward doesn't make an advance towards me nor do I inch my hand to the top drawer of my desk. If he wished to play this little, I'm innocent game, then I'm game.

"Fine then answer me this, how come you randomly disappeared when we arrived back in Trost?" I demand. "When I went back to the wagon to ask you for a favor you were suddenly gone. Is there a reason you left your post?"

Edward had shook his head with a tentative smile finally coming into play. "I didn't mean to leave the wagon, Em. Something just—came up. It's nothing to worry about."

"Oh? So, you're telling me I shouldn't be concerned with the many other times you disappeared out-of-the-blue?"

I knew my question surprised him. By the way his lips pursed and his eyes widening I was sure I got him cornered. It took him only a moment to compose himself but, it was long enough for me to confirm part of Erwin's suspicion.

"Yes," he finally answers. "I left because I had to help Arron and Booker with their assignment."

I had to scoff, was he really giving me this bull-crap? What a lame way to lie. I wasn't sure if I should feel angry or disappointed.

"Bullshit," I snarl. "You don't like Arron and Booker. Hell, they weren't even with us when we came back—" A loud gasp abruptly escapes my mouth. My heartbeat stopping so suddenly.

Arron and Booker weren't with us. I didn't see them when we reentered Trost. Nor did I see them around HQ.

They were only present when we were at that cabin. I remember Hanji telling me something about them delivering a letter to Erwin. The one Levi had sent but oddly never made it back to Erwin.

They even also left with Edward and Nat—if Hanji told me things correctly. My mind worked faster than I thought. I pieced everything together, my heart stopping when I knew all the facts connected too him perfectly.

My fingers trembled, I did my best to conceal them. Edward had raised a brow, that darkness showing again in his eyes.

"What?" He asks. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I hadn't realized I was staring at him like a deer caught by a hunter's arrow.

I knew I had to answer, it would only make me look suspicious if I didn't. I swallow thickly, forcing myself to speak.

"No reason," I hear myself say. "What assignment was it that demanded your attention towards the Military Police than the Survey Corps? I may have to speak to Dawk about this—"

"T-that isn't necessary!" I blink once to hearing Edward's hasty reply. I couldn't help but smirk. He was truly playing the cards I threw at him.

"Oh? Then where's Arron and Booker?" I continue. "I haven't heard anything of you three becoming pals. Maybe I could talk to them instead and—"

"Say another word and something's gonna happen, Em." He look suddenly changes. His teeth were bared like a wolf while his eyes shone in aggression.

The mere act had me shove my hand into the drawer for that letter opener. He was threatening me, it took me a moment to realize it was Edward I was talking to. My heart sank, hitting the rock bottom of my stomach.

I purse my lips realizing how much I despised this. I despised how I couldn't see the Edward I used to know. Despised how he glared at me like he's some feral animal. Despised how much he's shown he was the one.

I couldn't handle it. The grip upon that letter opener began to loosen. The stream of my blood stopping cold. Everything was so wrong.

All of this isn't how I want things to be. Did he know that he made it clear me? That he's the killer?

Every fiber in me told me to trust him. That he's always been the sweet Cadet who confessed his feelings to me. And yet, that voice, Levi's voice told me different.

Told me to confront him, to turn all my anger to him. But I couldn't because it was Edward. My friend. My loyal, kind friend. And this wasn't him.

"Edward, calm down." I swallow thickly, dropping that letter opener before taking my hand out the drawer. "I was just asking."

He eyes me for a moment. A too long of a moment before he drops his stance and breathes out a sigh.

"All I'm saying is that I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm just helping a few officers. That isn't bad, is it?" His questions lingers in the air.

I find myself wondering if it truly was terrible. But I shake my head, too eager to get this over with.

"No, but—you should inform Levi of your sudden absences in the future. It caused quite the ruckus a couple of days ago."

Edward keeps his speculating gaze upon me. Not once did it waver. I hold his stare wishing I knew what was going on inside his head.

All I knew what that my response wasn't satisfactory. That dark aura never left him. He gives me a simple nod before turning to the door.

"By the way—" He stops with a hand on the knob, his shoulders tensing upwards a bit. "You weren't asking me those questions because you suspect of something, right?" He glances over his shoulder, his gaze making my body go rigid. I found myself unable to move from my seat. "Or is there something you're not telling me." He said that as more of an accusation than a question.

Immediately my throat begins to tighten and the sense of touch starts to leave me. I began to wonder, does he know I'm onto to him? I ponder for a second before deciding he only suspects.

But I cannot give him reason to do so. Averting my gaze I force myself to speak, "I'm simply asking on the behalf of Levi. He's in a meeting right now and asked me to confront you in order to give you an exact punishment."

My heart thudded against my chest as I wait for Edward to either say I was wrong or simply just agree. It felt like an eternity before I could breathe properly. Glancing through my lashes I notice the way Edward turns back. I couldn't tell what his expression was.

"I see," was his only response before exiting my office.

\/\/\/\/\/

I still couldn't shake off the feeling Edward suspects me in a way. His short response earlier bothered me. Nothing ringed familiarity in his tone. Night had befallen us and I was yet again brought to Levi's chambers.

However, things were different tonight. I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. I told Levi everything making sure I didn't leave out any detail. And it seems I upset him more than I wished.

"I'm going to talk to Erwin," was his immediate response after I finished.

I scurry after him. "Shouldn't this wait till morning?" I ask while following him to his office door. "I mean—Erwin might be asleep."

"I don't give a flying fuck if he's sleeping or fucking someone, Emma!" Levi snaps. "I'm going to tell him everything then hunt this brat down."

"But—"

"Emma, listen to me," Levi whirls around and faces me with a frown.

I stare back with panic in my eyes. This was happening all too fast. To even think about what they'll do when they arrest Edward—I couldn't stomach it. A huge part of me still needed to protect him.

"You're endanger. Edward gave evidence he is involved in these murders. Killer or not. Our only option is to hunt him down and arrest him."

I shake my head, "If we just talk to him then—"

"There's no talking, Emma!" My body automatically flinches to his tone. Layered with such aggression and frustration I knew Levi was finished having this discussion with me. Finished seeing me trying to defend Edward.

My gaze lowers to the floor, every fiber in my body dying to let out all my frustration and disappointment. I felt like crying but I don't allow myself. Not when I knew deep down Levi was right. What was the use talking when he did threaten me?

I hear Levi give out a small sigh before placing a hand upon my shoulder. "Just stay here, alright? I'll be back."

There came a soft click from the door indicating his leave. I was left alone to deal with my thoughts. Left alone in his cold office like a helpless child. I couldn't do anything, wasn't permitted to. And I hated it.

Anxiety started to thrum through me. My body shaking vigorously while cold sweat coated my brows. I needed something, something to cling on to.

Something that will make me feel safe and take away my thoughts. Instantly, I knew what I needed. Levi's cloak, besides him it was what made me feel sane again.

But it wasn't here—it was at my apartment. I knew Levi wanted me to stay here and I didn't care. I needed his cloak—now.

Bursting through his office door I came in contact with a hard chest. I stumble back, cursing at the pain in my nose.

"Evening, Lieutenant. Taking a nighttime stroll?"

Booker grins down at me, his eyes glinting in some sort of devilish mischief. My eyes widen at the sight, what was he doing here? Glancing to my left I also see Arron.

He was leaning against the wall, eyeing me like I was some sort of prey. I swallow thickly, turning back to the man before me.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

He gives me a nonchalant shrug as if his presence wasn't shocking. Shoving his hands into his pockets his grin twists into something dark. It chased my heart to jolt into my throat.

"Isn't it obvious? We're your bodyguards for tonight. Shall we join you on your stroll—Emma?"

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

Y'all this is where I'm hoping things get good😂
Soooo thoughts?
Would be you protective of Emma like Levi?

Lemme know in the comments!!^.^

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