To my displeasure I was not informed of the exercise that is to be taken place today. In fact, it was only Levi that was told, and the one who told him was Hanji. I was upset when he told me when he arrived by my office the next morning so we can arrive together on time.

I questioned him why Hanji didn't tell me but his only answer was, 'If you're that upset, stop whining and ask her yourself'.

It was then I realized Levi was back to his cranky self. I let it slide for it was too early to make a fuss over something so little. I wasn't quite fond of the idea of speaking to Hanji.

She was still upset with me and I wish to distance myself from her till she gives up. Once she does she'll talk to me first. But I won't be the one to apologize on the spot. My damn pride and shame were holding me back.

Despite the lack of sleep the night before I was wide awake. Not because of the damn work I had to do but because my mind was working like a damn machine. I thought about Levi more than I wished to admit and no matter what I did, he stuck in my head like glue.

Each thought became questionable than the last causing me to wonder what the hell is wrong with me. Sure, his words were deep and inspiring but so were Commander Erwin's every time before an expedition.

Yet, he never lingered on my mind like Levi. No one did. I glance to my left seeing how serious and focused Levi was.

Even though we were walking down the hall he made great show of how dedicated he was to reach his destination. A sudden urge to touch him, maybe graze my arm against his blurred my mind. The mere thought startled me, since when did I have the desire to touch Levi?

In the five years I've known him that thought never crossed my mind. My heart thudded against my chest when I began to realize I was staring longer than usual. I look away before he'd noticed and walked through the double wooden doors.

We entered the mess hall and the memory of Levi and I's moment here last night flourished like a blossoming flower. I glance at the table we sat at and stopped walking momentarily. I suddenly started to remember how close his face was to mine.

The way his deep voice caused my skin to prickle. And the way--

"Good morning, you two!"

The sudden boisterous voice startles me out of my thoughts. When I came to I noticed Hanji entering the mess hall with a cheerful grin upon her lips. Although the she looked more at Levi than at me.

My gaze suddenly lands on him and I notice his eyes were firmly on me. They were were narrowed and hard like stone. His arms were crossed with his lips pressed together.

I couldn't know what he was thinking but it was like he was assessing each move I made. It finally came to my knowledge that Levi had watched me stare aimlessly at the table we sat and that didn't sit well in my stomach.

I fiercely turn away with a heavy blush coating my face. Maybe I was in dire need of sleep.

"You ready for your first bonding exercise?" I hear Hanji inquire excitedly. Levi scoffs in response and sets his gaze on her.

"Better be worth getting ready before the damn sun rises."

Hanji chuckles at his comment with a vigorous nod. She was too cheery early in the morning.

"Trust me, this will be fun. Follow me." Sending use a mischievous wink, she prances down the hall and through another door.

We followed her inside and see her standing across a wooden island. I glance about the room realizing we stood in the kitchen. The kitchen was spacious, big enough for the cooking staff to move swiftly around.

There was a sink behind Hanji. Dried herbs and spices hung on the ceiling above the wooden counters. A stove and a fireplace were placed in the back most wall with a small window in front of the black stove.

The island between Hanji and I was littered with fresh vegetables and grain. I even took notice to the huge sack of potatoes in a corner.

A puzzling frown sets over my lips while I furrowed my brows. I was starting to wonder why no one was here. Shouldn't the cooking staff be preparing for breakfast already?

"Where's the staff?" I inquire as I set my eyes back on Hanji.

She holds my gaze for a moment. Her glasses gleam in the sunlight cascading from the windows. She fixes them with a devilish smile.

"Off," she replies proudly.

"Off?" Levi repeats with a look. "How can they be off? All the Scouts will be here in an hour for breakfast."

"Oh, I know," Hanji hums. "That's why you two are here."

I was starting to connect the dots and each time I did dread begins to fuel my core. I send Hanji a pointed glare as she stares at me obliviously.

"Wait, do you want us to make the breakfast?" Hearing those words slip through my lips Levi growls in anger and sends Hanji a dark glare.

"You better not be, Four-Eyes. I refuse to cook for four hundred something Scouts."

"Oh, but you will," Hanji gleams in delight. "It's your exercise for today. This will strengthen your teamwork as well as communication skills."

"Do you not realize the little time we have?" I demand with a stomp. "You want us two, only two, to cook for the whole regiment. Do you not see the problem here?"

I watch her press a finger over her chin while she gazes up at the ceiling thoughtfully. I knew she was only pretending to think and it brought my blood into a simmer.

"Nope!" She denies gleefully. "Anyway, I'll let you two get to cooking. You got a lot of work ahead of you."

"Tch, yeah no kidding," I grumble sarcastically. She strides past us, Levi didn't take his hateful gaze off of her till she exited the kitchen.

"She's so goddamn annoying sometimes," Levi mutters irritably.

I glance about the kitchen and bite my lip nervously. I was no cook. Hell, I couldn't even cook for myself if my life depended on it.

I curse in my head, and I'm supposed to cook for the entire regiment. Levi walks about the kitchen before stopping in front of the island. He glances at me with an irritated gaze.

"Well? Are we going to start?"

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

Despite minutes that passed by, it felt like an eternity. We opted with the usual breakfast; toasted bread, eggs, and porridge if anyone wanted some. The food seemed easy enough to make and to my surprise Levi handled everything.

Well, almost. He made me toast the bread seeing how I did terrible when cooking the eggs.

"Goddamn it, woman! Why are you making this difficult?!" Levi yells behind me.

"I'm not! I swear, I don't know what the hell I'm doing!" I took out three brunt bread from the fireplace and grimace at the sight.

This was my second batch and they came out looking like charcoal. A shiver walks down my spine feeling aLevi's angry glare upon me. I swallow thickly and turn around slowly.

He was furious. Arms were crossed over his chest, lines formed between his brows while his eyes gleamed red.

"How do you not know how to toast bread?!" He glowers. "That is the simplest task I gave you!"

"No, the simplest task you could've gave me is sit in a corner." I stand with my own frustrated frown and glare.

I was overwhelmed, especially by Levi's constant demands and orders. I didn't tell him I was bad at cooking but I'm sure he was able to figure it out on his own.

"You're hopeless," he shouts. "You can't cook eggs, you can't cut fruit, and you most certainly can't toast fricking bread! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Give me a break, will you?" I groan while dropping the plate atop the counter. "Cooking isn't my forte."

"Tch, and so is cleaning," Levi fumes. "From what I've seen so far, you'd be a terrible housewife."

An irk forms over my temple with my temper taking over. I glower down at him and putting show of my displeased frown.

"I would be a great housewife, thank you very much! And you'd be grateful if I was yours!" I shout.

"Like hell I would! I would come home to a messy house everyday!" He retorts. "I would definitely file for divorce."

"Excuse me, but there's no way in hell you'll divorce me!" I exclaim. "I'll be the best thing that'll ever happen to you!"

"Oh? And how'd you come to that conclusion?" He challenges with a scowl.

I wasn't sure why this became a topic of argument or why this was even important. The mere idea of it all had brought a jittery sensation bloom in my stomach. I do my best to ignore it as it befuddled my thoughts.

Levi was glaring at me in way that he wished to state dominance. I wished for that too. When I open my mouth to unleash a snarky remark, the kitchen door slams open. Levi and I whirl to the body in the doorway.

"What's with the yelling?" Hanji complains. Her eyes rove between us with a small smirk plastering over her lips. "Did I interrupt a lover's quarrel? I did hear the conversation after all. Did one of you propose or something?"

The fact Hanji heard everything was enough to bring a fiery red blush to life over my cheeks. I hastily look away with pursed lips feeling more fluster than ever.

"Tch, in Emma's dreams," Levi retorts with a look. He steps back and focuses back on the task at hand. I whirl my head to him watch him in bewilderment.

"Why me?" I screech. Levi shakes his head unresponsive and ignores my childish shout. He locks eyes with Hanji and gestures to the island beside him.

"Well, we're done. We just won't be having bread today."

With that he sends me a pointed look for emphasis. Hanji follows lead and stares blankly at me. She cocks her head in puzzlement. My eyes widen at the sudden attention and huff loudly.

"Shut up, Levi! Like I said, it's not my fault!"

"Yeah, yeah, say whatever makes you happy."

"What'll make me happy is that you stop being a jerk!"

I hated the position Levi was putting me in. However, I knew Levi was enjoying teasing me. Despite the annoyed scowl upon his face, his eyes glinted in amusement.

Somehow seeing that little amusement I was able I give him in an absurd way brought my anger down to a minimum. I couldn't find it in myself to scowl at the man but only press my lips tightly and cast my gaze awkwardly to the side. I couldn't even stay mad at him anymore.

"I wouldn't say this exercise was a success--"

"But we completed the task didn't we?"

I'd realized I spaced momentarily that I didn't notice Hanji and Levi bickering. I wasn't sure who started it but shot my gaze back and forth to each of them.

"You did," Hanji agrees. "But you guys argued."

"Alright, and?" Levi quirks a brow with lips tugged to a frown. I could tell he was getting impatient by the second.

Hanji was too but does her best to conceal her irritation. She sucks in a deep breath before speaking again.

"Look. The point of this is to establish teamwork and civility to one another. Despite completing the task, you two still disregarded everything to invest in that dumb argument."

I decided not to intervene. It seemed Levi had it all covered. With his haughty glare I knew he was fighting back his ugly temper. I was in no mood to deal with that so I decided to stay quiet and watch.

"You weren't in this damn kitchen, so you wouldn't know," Levi snaps. "The exercise is over. End of story, Hanji. Now leave us be for the rest of the day."

I watch him stomp past her and through the door without much of a look back. I was stunned but expected nothing less from the Captain. I smirk to myself, at least now I can head for Erwin's office.

I do not focus on the tense silence brewing between Hanji and I and gesture to the food. "Just have the Scouts get it themselves like always."

I don't so much as glance her way but felt her eyes firmly on me. I walk towards the door expecting to leave quickly like Levi.

However, it seemed Hanji had something else planned for me. I could feel her hand clamp down my left shoulder.

"We need to talk."

/\/\/\/\/\

Here's the 28th chapter!

So sorry that it sucks:/

Anyway, got a quick question;
If I wrote an Eren Story, would you guys read it?

Lemme know in the comments!

Vote and Comment!♥️♥️