Despite agreeing to Erwin's order it was something I was still irritated over. A couple days have passed and I avoided any sort of contact with the Captain. I know for sure as hell, I would beat the crap out of him.

If it wasn't for him and his damn attitude I wouldn't have to be in this situation. I throw my bag onto the carriage along the others on the ground beside me. We were heading back to Trost, our mission was finished and a voluntary meeting was to be taken place amongst the high ranking officers in a couple of days.

I was the only low rank officer to attend those meetings, I was only needed for the reports and strategies I came up with. It wasn't something I looked forward to, however. Those meetings took up the five hours of my day, a day I could spend wisely under a tree while reading a book.

I fix my black shirt before releasing a sigh. It didn't really matter to me though. As long as I can be back in my apartment I didn't mind.

I turn my attention away from the carriage and to those around me. I walked with purpose amongst the soldiers who were preparing other carriages and horses for the trip. Despite the trip being a short one, I still had to double check the equipment and the number of soldiers coming along.

Everything seemed to be in order until I got to the third carriage. The ODM gears weren't in it, it was odd since I made sure this was to be the first one loaded. I see a solider passing by and wave them over.

"Oi! Where's the gear?" I question with a frown. "I thought this carriage was already filled?" The solider glances at the carriage before shaking his head.

"No, we were told not to pack it up yet," he replies.

"What? Who gave you that order?" I do my best to hide my annoyance. I push my bottom lip out into a pout while my brows form a line. "We're supposed to leave in an hour," I state pointedly. He shifts the objects in his arms before shaking his head apologetically.

"I understand, Emma, but Captain Levi told us not to pack the gear just yet."

To the sound of his name I blink unresponsive. My expression goes blank as I find the piece of information to be surprising. He override my orders? He knows we had to leave exactly on time if we were to make it home by late afternoon.

The young solider, a Cadet perhaps, notices my dampened mood. He begins to panic, his blond hair falling over his forehead.

"I tried to tell him you gave us orders already but, he refused to listen," he explains hastily.

I take in a deep breath refraining myself to loose control of my temper. I force myself to bring a smile to my face. I pat the teenager on his shoulder, assuring him it was okay.

"It's alright," I tell him. "I'll talk to him. Thank you for sticking by my orders."

When a small glint in my eyes appear, it somehow caused him to blush lightly at the sight. He blinks rapidly before turning his attention away from me.

"I-It's nothing! Just following orders. . ." He makes haste to his comrades, all too flustered to stay by me any longer. My smile fades, my mood become fouler by the minute.

"What the hell is he doing?" I grumble irritably. I wasn't about to go and find Levi to tell him off. That was asking to disobey Erwin's orders.

Being around Levi wasn't something I could do, I had to fine another way to tell him. I see Nifa talking to a few of her friends, laughing as they saddle up the horses.

"Nifa!" I rush over to her and was greeted by her sweet smile.

"Hey, what's up, Emma?" She greets happily.

"Can you do me a favor?" I ask as sweetly as I could. Everyone around her rushes off to perform other tasks but, they were avoiding me most likely. She makes an eh sound as she shrugs her shoulders.

"Depends on what it is," She says. "You did give me a lot of things to do." Noticing her pointed glare I mutter a quick apology while rubbing the back of my head sheepishly.

"I just need you to tell Levi to put all the ODM gear into the carriage," I tell her. "It was supposed to be done an hour ago." Nifa was quick to refuse and chuckles at my request in disbelief.

"No way!" She exclaims as though I grew two heads. "I'm not telling him that! I don't want to get insulted!"

"But I need someone to do it, Nifa," I whine. "If I do it then I'll definitely start something."

"Then don't start something." She tightens the supplies on her horse before wiping the sweat off her brow. "Just act like a civilized person, Emma. It's not hard, you know."

She gives me an encouraging smile before skipping off to help the others. I was left to fume in my misfortune. I pray to God I wouldn't slam a fist in his face.

I run to the barracks and open the door to the mess hall. And sure enough, there was Levi, cleaning the gear. I quietly scoff at the sight, my nose scrunching in distaste.

  "That was supposed be loaded up a while ago, Captain," I try to say politely as possible. He doesn't acknowledge my presence and continues to wipe down the gear. I stand by the doorway and lean against it with a frown. "Are you listening to me?" Levi inspects the gear before wiping it with a rag.

"Is everyone here dumb or they're just too lazy to clean this?" He questions aloud. I wasn't sure if that was directed towards me. Instead, I watch him silently clean and inspect the gear.

He seemed alert and attentive to his cleaning and I failed to hide my laugh. It gained his attention and gazes up from his work with a dark aura filling his eyes.

"The hell you laughing at?" He demands.

I shrug with a mocking grin, "Just thinking you'll be better as a maid than a Scout." Immediately Levi slams his rag on the table, his nose flaring. My smirk widens at his anger, I was finally able to grab his attention.

"I'm just cleaning after, you irresponsible idiots, decided to toss this gear to the side like it's nothing," he snaps.

"Oh that's not true," I smirk devilishly. "We only do that so our maid can do the work."

I watch Levi shake in rage, the amusement inside of me overwhelming my veins. I couldn't hide the glint in my eyes and the mocking smile that made my lips curl. Using my temper was out of the equation now but, using dark humor was another way I could go.

"God damn it, Emma! I could just--"

"Just what?" I challenge with a raised brow. "You can't do anything since Erwin gave you an order."

Levi hesitates, his mouth opening and closing multiple times but, not once did he argue back. I found that to be enjoyable, his silence was like peace on earth. There seemed to be at least one good thing that came out of this. I scoff and gesture a hand to the gear.

"Make sure that's in the carriage before the hour ends," I order dismissively. I exit and close the door behind me. Just as the doors clicks shut something hard hits the wooden door. I was positive Levi threw something in his rage and I couldn't help but scoff.

"What a loser," I mutter as I make my way back to the group.

\/\/\/\/\/

We were almost to Trost. By my calculations we would be there in twenty minutes or so. The trip was smooth and peaceful.

Everyone talked among themselves, excited to get some leave time after a three week mission. I found myself also conversing. But only to Hanji and Nifa, of course.

Everyone else steered clear from me, except the young Cadet who I got the name of Edward. He was kind and humorous, each joke he told I couldn't help but laugh. I was surprised by how relaxed I was around him and, so were Nifa and Hanji.

I gossiped how I pissed off Levi by my jokes and the two swore they wish they were there. I was proud of myself, it wasn't everyday when the most intimidating man in the Regiment couldn't snap back.

"You two do seem close," Edward observes after my story. His comment caused Hanji to burst into laughter. He stares at her surprised, wondering if something he said was funny. I, too, joined in on the laugh. "What's so funny?" He questions, oblivious.

"We are not close, Edward," I smile at his lack of information. "I hate his guts more than anything." Hanji nods along while wiping a tear from her eye.

"They're far from it I'm afraid. Ever since they met, they couldn't stand each other."

Edward looks at me in questioning, his brow raising. I wasn't sure how this was surprising to him, everyone knew I had a hating feeling towards our Captain.

"Why?" He questions curiously. "Did something happen?"

Hanji gives me a glance as though she could read me like an open book. I stare back, expressionless causing her to sigh.

"I'm not sure," she admits. "Back in the Training Corps, Levi joined in late along with a couple other people and that's when it started."

"What did?" Edward asks, intrigued.

"The rivalry," Hanji answers dramatically. Nifa chuckles and I couldn't help but shake my head with a smile. "Their rivalry was something I never seen before," Hanji exclaims. "They would compete in everything. And when they do it's like starting a war!"

"It wasn't that bad," I reason.

"You made all of us run laps around the barracks every morning for your dumb arguments!" Hanji reminds with a pointed look.

I blush sheepishly at her statement and avert my gaze. That wasn't something I couldn't argue with.

"Anyway, that's just how it is," Hanji sighs. "Ever since then they never got along and fight whenever the opportunity shows itself. Both of them have strong personalities, you know. She's assertive and testy. While Levi is cold and distant. They just don't mix."

Edward nods along as though the information was important. I could care less, I stare ahead losing interest in the conversation.

"They're just immature kids, that's all," Nifa chimes. Edward hums with a thoughtful frown, I notice how he glances at me and at Levi who was ahead at Erwin's side. He does this a few times before tutting like a mother.

"You two got a strange relationship," he observes. "It's like watching an old couple bicker."

I cough loudly with my eyes widening. Hanji and Nifa laugh loudly with huge grins pasted on their lips. We were far from being a couple! The mere idea of it causes me to withstand the urge to gag.

"The hell?!" I screech with bright red cheeks. "Why would you say that? Didn't you hear what Hanji just told you??"

"I did," Edward answers thoughtfully. "And I say you two are stubborn as they come in. The fighting is over absolute nonsense if you ask me. Don't you think you only do this to get each other's attention?"

Nifa hums in agreement and stares at me curiously. "Edward, has a point," she sides. "It makes sense."

I scoff, my anger boiling inside. This is nonsense! I would never do such a thing, I was too good for that. I know my place, Levi's the only one who has yet to mature.

"You three are being ridiculous," I mutter. "I'm mature enough to keep it to a minimum." Edward shrugs, losing interest.

"He could say the same thing but, what do I know? I'm just a Cadet, after all." Giving us a wave he steers his horse to another group of his friends leaving me in outrage.

"That damn little--"

"Has a point." Hanji states. I stare at her, perplexed.

"Excuse me??"

She looks back me with a calculated  stare.

"Its better than just saying you hate each other." Seeing my upset frown she sighs. "C'mon, Emma it's a more valid explanation."

I look away. Those brats just love to gang up on me, that's all. There's no way that's valid. I hate him, end of story.

I listen to Hanji gush over her Titan notes she took on the mission towards Nifa. I was too deep in my thoughts to contribute and too focused on keeping my temper in check.

/\/\/\/\

I don't care what some AOT fans say: MAPPA is doing an amazing job with AOT despite the very tight schedule they have.

Appreciate their hard work, it's not easy being an animator and taking over a highly praised anime.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter!^.^

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