The mess hall was rowdier than ever. Everyone was laughing and shouting despite sitting across each other. They were drunk on wine, their cups clanking each time they cheer.

I try to ignore them, I made no contribution to their little celebration. I simply sat at the edge of my table eating what's left of my broth and bread. No one paid attention to me, not like they did in the first place. I release a heavy sigh, planning to head to my room right after I finish.

"What's your depressed ass doing in the corner?" Someone ruffles my brown hair just before they sit down.

I glance to my left to see an all too smiley, Nifa. I notice the tinted pink coating her cheeks and realized she had too much too drink.

"I'm not depressed," I answer in monotone as I take swig of wine. "I'm just not sociable."

"Ah, that's BS." Hanji joins the table and laughs louder than anyone near us. She takes the seat across Nifa and I before slamming down her bottle.

Her glasses where a bit crooked while her hair was a mess. Her smile fades as its replaced with a serious frown.

"You are depressed," she points out with her finger lazily pointing at me. "Explain how you managed to get an empty table all to yourself."

I look down the table to see no one occupying any part of the benches. It was just us three. I sigh with a frown gaining small chuckles from the two.

"C'mon, Emma," Hanji encourages before pushing a wine bottle to my face.

"Let loose for once!" Nifa joins in, cheering me on to get drunk. I stare at the half-empty bottle, my urge to drink taking over.

I haven't got drunk in months, I only watched everyone around me have fun. I haven't joined in for a while. Seeing the small glint in my eyes Hanji and Nifa grin, feeling triumphant to get me out of my funk. But not matter how much I wish to, I refuse the bottle.

"No, thanks. I'm not in the mood."

"What? Why?" Nifa whines with a pout. Hanji frowns and pulls the bottle away.

"You're so dull," she frowns. I release an airy chuckle and shake my head.

"Don't you guys remember the last time you two got me drunk?" I question with amusement in my eyes. They pretend to think hard, Nifa gasping at the memory.

"It was the time you threw up on both the Commander's and Captain Levi's boots!" Hanji bursts into laughter and throws her head back.

"Oh my God, I remember!" She exclaims. "Didn't Levi give you stable duty for a month?"

I grimace at the part of the memory. Of course, Erwin was fine with it. In his words, You're only young once. Levi, however, saw it differently.

"God, that was brutal," I admit through a sigh. "And in the damn summer heat too."

Nifa snickers, "You did ruin Mister Clean Freak's boots after all."

"And that, is something I'll never regret." Hanji takes another swig from her bottle before burping like a man.

"Oh, speaking of that shortie," she looks to her side to make sure Levi was still with Erwin. "I never understood your hatred towards each other."

Nifa releases a gasp suddenly intrigued on the topic.

"Yeah, why the hell did you attack him at the stables earlier?"

I roll my eyes, are they that dense? Everyone knew how angry I get when no one speaks up for the fallen. It's disrespectful. It's like their sacrifice didn't contribute to anything.

"You saw the way he ignored Sylvia's mother," I spit. "He acted like her death meant nothing!" I take a bite of my bread. "His face is what pissed me off more."

Neither said a word. I watch them cast a gaze towards each other. One I couldn't understand. Their eyes were fogged from the all the wine they drank. They turn back to me, their faces contorted into disappointment.

"Maybe he just couldn't handle with another death on his squad," Nifa sympathizes.

"Yeah, well we all can't handle it," I snap. "Doesn't mean he can be a douche about it."

"Emma, you're taking it the wrong way," Hanji defends. "That's just how he looks. I'm sure there's some guilt in him for what happened."

I scoff at their reasoning. No one can see my side of the story. It's always, Levi this or Levi that. Never once is he made the bad guy.

It irritated me knowing his cold demeanor attitude was always justified. But as I look to my only friends in this Regiment I knew they weren't in their calm state of mind. Their eyes were hazy and their cheeks were pink.

They were drunk, too drunk to even realize what they're saying. I sigh at them in pity. They'll have a hell of a hangover tomorrow. I stand and give them a curt nod.

"Make sure you aren't late for tomorrow's meeting." With that I twist my heel and head out the mess hall. I wanted to get a bit of fresh air.

The smell of vomit and wine was starting to give me a headache. I push open the wooden doors and head out into the night. The sky was glistening with stars while part of the town was still bustling.

I watch a few people rush home, while others stroll through the streets. It wasn't as late into the night, it was still bustling from the open bars and hotels around us. I stay near the barracks, and walk around the building aimlessly.

I figured one lap would be enough before heading to bed. I turn the corner, not really paying attention to where I was going until I hear someone sigh. I look up to see a silhouette on the ground.

Curious, I stay where I was and observe the figure. They were sitting on the ground, one knee close to chest while the other was straightened on the ground. They were staring up at the sky, not noticing my presence.

I wasn't sure who it was but I noticed the couple times they took huge swigs from a wine bottle. Whoever it was, they seem to be more of a downer than I was. Deciding not bother them, I turn around and head inside.

They must've been a Cadet. I knew a few who claimed this was their first expedition. I wouldn't be surprised if this drove them to depression.

Ignoring the rowdiness, I trudge up the steps. I gave no more thought to the person sitting alone outside.

\/\/\/\/\/

"Damn, you all look horrible," Erwin notices with a frown. I stand just a few inches behind him and observe the crowd in front of us.

Every solider groaned and stumbled, their heads not really in the game today. It was mid-morning, Erwin called us all outside for a quick announcement. However, due to last night's activities, it's hard to say when this announcement would truly start.

"God damn it," I hear Hanji curse beside me. "Why the hell did I drink so much?"

Levi scoffs with a scowl, "You're one hell of an idiot, shitty glasses."

Too tired to even acknowledge his insult, Hanji waves a lazy hand while the other massages her temple. I release a pitiful sigh. We'll get nowhere like this. I take a step forward and lean close to Erwin.

"Sir, should we hold postpone this announcement? I don't think no one is in the right mind for it." Erwin contemplates for a moment, his eyes scanning the crowd once more.

"I knew bringing in those crates of wine was a bad idea," he mutters while sagging his shoulders.

I resist the urge to smirk. He figured alcohol could cheer everyone up. Fortunately, his plan worked too well in the end.

"Well, it's their fault for going overboard," I say. "I mean, if this announcement is truly important then it's best to give it when they're sober."

With a heavy sigh, Erwin agrees. I knew he disliked postponing things but, he must let his soldiers recover.

"Everyone, listen up!" He shouts. Everyone cringes at the volume but stare at him nonetheless. "Since you all were too stupid to get drunk last night, I am postponing my announcement. However, it will be held tomorrow. Dismissed."

Groggily, everyone turns to leave while Erwin shifts his attention to me.

"I need to talk to you, Emma," he informs. I look up at him and nod. I figure it'll over some status reports or a meeting we'll soon have. He walks towards the barracks and I follow suit. Until he stops abruptly causing me to collide with his back.

"Sir! What the hell?!" I groan while rubbing my nose. Ignoring my question Erwin looks to the left.

"Levi. You too." My eyes widen in shock with my mind going blank.

"Excuse me?" I exclaim. I glance to my side to see Levi huffing a bit before making his way to us. Erwin notices my questioning gaze and sighs.

"You'll see soon enough." He leads the way back into the building, silence between us tenser than ever.

I can feel Levi glaring into the square of my back, my body begins to itch from his burning gaze. I wished nothing more than to poke his beady eyes. We made it into Erwin's office and he gestures for us to stand before his desk.

"Why are we here?" Levi demands, losing all his formality. I roll my eyes and straighten my shoulders.

Insolent jerk.

"Is there something you need, sir?" I question with respect, my stance unwavering. He should know better than to talk to the Commander like that. I hear him huff beside me and an irk forms over my temple.

"Got a problem?" I hiss.

Levi scoffs, "Look who's the suck-up now?" He mocks.

I turn to him my eyes red with fury. I clench my fists down at my sides.

"It's something called respect!" I shout. "It's what you lack of!"

Levi turns to me, his head slightly craning up to glare at me. His aura was icy, his rage burning silently inside him.

"You know what you lack of?" He questions darkly. "You lack the ability to keep that mouth shut, brat. Should I teach it to you?"

"I swear to God, if you lay a hand on me I'll beat the shit out of you."

"Resorting to violence, as usual," he sighs and crosses his arms. "You're pissing me off, you know."

I get in his face, my teeth clenched as though they might crack. He doesn't hesitate to get in my face too, however, it seems quite difficult for his height.

"You know, that's one thing we can agree upon," I snarl. "You're pissing me off."

"Alright, that's enough!"

The sound of Erwin's commanding voice startles us both. We glance at our Commander, his expression not pleasant. His hands were clasped over his mouth, his eyes darker than usual.

It sent a chilling sensation up my spine and I take a huge step away from Levi. I hear him scoff at my timidness but this time, I ignore him.

"This is outrageous!" Erwin shakes his head in disappointment. "For three years, three years you two go at it like cats and dogs. What is the problem?" My lips tug into a frown and cross my arms purposefully.

"It's simple, really," I sigh hotly. "He's annoying."

"Tch, you sure it's me, brat?"

"Want to go over it point by point?!"

"Captain Levi and Lieutenant Wolfram, shut up!" Erwin yells over our bickering.

Instantly we close our mouths and stare at him wide-eyed. He runs a hand down his face, muttering what I can only presume as swearing.

"My god, you two are an embarrassment to our Regiment!" He snaps.

"Oi! I'm an embarrassment?!" Levi questions in disbelief. "I don't think you're thinking straight, Erwin."

"Oh, I think I am." Erwin assures and stands from his chair. He looks at me with a stern look, his lips forming a line. "I will not tolerate your childish behavior! It can be dangerous on the field but honestly, it's annoying!"

A wave of embarrassment washes over me and I couldn't look him in the eye. I cast my gaze to the side while biting the inside of my cheek. My stomach churns as I wish to be somewhere else but here.

"You two are twenty-years-old! Twenty! And still you act like children!"

Levi scoffs loudly making it clear he's angry to have this conversation. I was too but I won't disrespect Erwin.

"You better fix your acts real soon," Erwin warns. "I'm getting tired of seeing fights and yelling matches everyday. Understood?"

Both of us hesitate a moment. Erwin was asking us to be civilized with each other. An impossible task even if our lives depended on it.

But, this was an order and I had no choice but to obey. I mumble a yes sir with Levi not far behind.

/\/\/\/\

How's the second chapter?

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I will update next week!

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