"Bonding exercises?" I hear myself question. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Erwin answer stiffly. "I am."
I scoff in disbelief while rolling my eyes in the process. Somehow I feel like I am back at the Training Corps once more. I wonder if Sadis gave Erwin this wonderful idea.
"Some plan," Levi mutter sarcastically beside me. "If you must remember, we're not Cadets, Erwin."
"I understand, but you behave like one," Erwin retorts. "Brash, immature, and worst of all, uncooperative. So we'll treat you like Cadets till you learn how to be soldiers."
"This is dumb!" I explode. "I don't need to do this crap. I work well with you, if you need a reminder. And I work well with everyone else! So don't tell me I'm not cooperative."
"Oi, what about me?" Levi questions sternly. I throw my fury glare to him. I raised a brow in questioning while Levi tugs his lips into a deep frown. He glares back as if he was expecting something.
"Tch, what about you?" I snap.
"Are you that incapable to talk about others?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" I ask impatiently.
I wasn't sure why he's getting worked up which was all the reason why I was starting to get angry. He was staring at me with such disappointment that it made my blood boil.
"You're only looking out for yourself, brat!" Levi explodes. "So what if you can be a team player? Don't you have the brains or even the slightest capability to utter the word us? Or is that not in your self-centered vocabulary?"
"Excuse me, but looking out for myself isn't a bad thing! You're a grown man, grow a pair and stand up for yourself! You don't need me to baby you!"
"I wasn't asking you to! All I'm saying is if we're both taking a hit its common courtesy to stand up for you and me!"
"What the hell do you know about common courtesy?!" I spat. "You have no respect for me whatsoever or towards others. Well, save for Petra--"
"Why the hell are you bringing her up?! That's far from what we're talking about!"
"SHUT! IT!"
I flinch at the ear-splitting yell. I cringed at the words that were layered with hot anger. I swallow thickly, my throat sore from the shouting I did. I hadn't realized my face was in Levi's or the way he was glaring up at me.
"This is exactly why these exercises are needed!" Erwin states pointedly. "Ten minutes haven't even past and you guys are going for each other's throats!"
I pull away from Levi to face Erwin once more. My irritated frown still plastered on my lips. I had no response to his claim. If I utter another word, I was sure I would be thrown back in that cell.
"This is pathetic," Erwin sighs like a disappointed parent. "Look, you two are going to learn to get along and if I have to threaten your ranks then I will. You have no say against this."
"Tch, what's new then?" I mutter sarcastically.
"First lesson, Emma," Erwin hisses angrily. He points a finger at me with fire in his eyes. "Learn to keep that trap shut! It's one of the main reasons why you're in this mess!"
My cheeks flush scarlet with my lips tightly pursed together. Levi doesn't discreetly hide his small snicker, an irk started to form over my temple. With my fists shaking, I could only envision shoving Levi's head in a wall.
"Do you have something to--"
"And you, Levi, need to stop provoking her!" Erwin's voice bellowed over mine. I catch his cold glare, he still towered over Levi even with a desk between them. "Your little snide comments and insults are out of the window! If I see or even hear you saying anything rude to her then back in that cell you go!"
I glance at Levi, his eyes wide and lips pressed tightly together. An urge to laugh at his stunned expression started to take over. I wasn't sure if Levi was used to having Erwin yell at him in such a way. After all, he follows the Commander around like a puppy.
"Now, this is final!" Erwin huffs with his eyes scanning us. "Any questions before I dismiss you?"
After a moment I decided to speak up. I mockingly raise a hand, "Uh, yes. When will these stupid bonding exercises be over?"
"When I say so," Erwin replies twice as irritated as I was.
Seeing the cool look in his eyes I deemed it wise to not say more. I'm sure he's fed up with my attitude. With neither Levi or I saying another word, he releases a heavy sigh and gestures to the door.
"Hanji will inform you when your exercises begins. Dismissed."
I turn a heel and make way to the exit. I was not far from Levi but stop abruptly in my trail. A sudden thought sprang in my mind, my heart almost jolts at the mere thought. Quickly I spun around, my demeanor quickly changing.
"Erwin, I've got one question though."
I wonder why Hanji and Levi also stopped in their trails. I heard Levi opening the door but making no move to leave. I curse in my head, nosy asshole.
Erwin takes a moment to re-situate himself on his desk chair before motioning a hand to continue. I swallow thickly and clench my fists firmly.
"Where's Edward?"
\/\/\/\/\/\/
Of course, Nat and the others were on my mind but, Edward was somehow the first I grew most concerned for. I still couldn't get the image of him slamming into a tree by a Titan out of my head. I was given the information that he was in the Medical Center resting.
It brought relief to my core but somehow made Levi angry. When Erwin had spoke his answer the door behind me slammed shut, leaving me to stare at Hanji who was equally confused. Levi's strange behavior was little to no concern to me though.
I didn't care how he reacted nor was it my business to. If anything, I'm relieved to be away from him for a bit. I had made it to the Medical Center but not without several strange stares casted my way.
I did my best to ignore them but I began to ponder over them. I was used to people avoiding me and talking behind my back but this, this was different. I wasn't being stared at or avoided because they were intimidated.
It was because they thought of me as a disgrace. I hid my scowl the best I could, what good would that do?
"Damn, Ackerman," I mutter when finally reaching a door. "You'll pay for this humiliation."
If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be looked down at like some lunatic. I take in a steady breath, let's hope Edward isn't the same as well. I hesitantly reached for the doorknob. My nerves started to kick in and I frantically try to push them back.
I fully expect to see anger fueling his eyes but, a part of me wasn't ready for it. Sweat coats the back of neck with the ability to breathe suddenly becoming a difficult task.
As my fingers graze the brass knob it suddenly turns. The door is pulled open, giving me sight of a startled Petra.
"O-oh!" She blinks wildly while clutching the papers to her chest tightly. I merely stare in surprise, masking my expression the best I could. We hold each other's tense gaze, not saying a word.
I took this as a time to take notice to the simplicity of her face. She looked like any common girl. Her hair, typical short-length, her skin fair. Her body was skinny but lean with muscle. I study her like I've never done before.
What does Levi truly see in her? I ponder thoughtfully. What does she have to offer?
I've came up with no answers to that. And I wasn't sure if I ever will. I push away those thoughts and clear my throat to clear the tense air between us.
"I've just came for a visit," I informed tersely. My voice seemed to startle her, she flinches lightly before chuckling awkwardly.
"O-of course! I've just finished checking up on him." I don't respond but nudge my head to the doorway. I couldn't understand her weirdness.
"Oh, sorry!" She apologizes and steps out the way. I was only able to set a foot into the room before Petra pipes up once more. "I'm surprised to see you out, Emma," she says in a stunned tone. "Does that mean Levi is out too?"
Somehow that question brought an irk to my forehead and a simmering sensation inside me. I send a glare over my shoulder. I watch her stiffen under my gaze.
"Go ask him yourself," I spat bitterly before shutting the door. My eyes were glued to the wooden door for a long moment before releasing a heavy sigh.
Never had I harbored resentful feelings towards the woman as I always casted her off as a simple nobody. Now, she makes my blood run like acid through me whenever I see her.
"Emma?"
When my ears perked at such a soft voice, I could've swore I've felt my body quiver. I swore my heart stopped beating and everything going still around me. Slowly, I turn around.
My lips pressed and eyes wide. On the bed across me sat a young man holding a newspaper in one and clutching his sheets in he other. His hair had gotten longer, the strands was covering the back of his neck.
Taking notice to the bandage over the right-side of his forehead and wrappings creeping out from under his shirt, guilt took dominance over me.
"Hey, Edward," I greet awkwardly. I wasn't sure what to do with my hands so I placed them behind me.
He doesn't respond after that. He only stares. I stare back, unsure what'll happen next. A smile then slowly creeps up to Edward's lips, His coffee-colored eyes suddenly gleaming.
"Em! You're finally out!" He throws his paper to the side and shoots out of the bed. Only, that made him wince in pain.
"Oi, what are you doing?" I rush over to his side. "You have a broken rib, Edward." His hand was pressed firmly against his side while he masked his grimace with a smile.
"It's nothing," he breathes. "Just a little bruise now. . ."
"You can't do sudden moves like that," I scold. "Now, sit back down." He obeys like a puppy and gives me a childish pout.
"But I only wanted to give you a hug," he mutters sadly. "Since I've missed you and all."
I watch him fumble with the sheets, his eyes casted down in disappointment. I watch him silently yet, the word silent meant little to what's happening inside me. My heart was racing and my blood was running rapidly inside me.
I was sure my cheeks were flushed but I couldn't seem to care. I scratch my cheek and look the other way.
"You know, if that's what you wanted I could've came to you instead," I mumble. "You didn't have to put yourself in pain." Edward's eyes were on me, it was like burning iron over my skin.
"You really mean it," he gapes. "You would give me a hug?" I failed to fight back a smile and turn to him.
"Why not," I reply. I watch as his entire face lit up like a child who was given candy.
He grins widely before wrapping his arms around my waist. He pulls me towards him until his face was against my chest. Instantly, I tensed with my arms out awkwardly.
"I've missed you, Em," he breathes.
His grip around me tightens as he nuzzles his face deeper into my chest. I swallow thickly, could he hear the loud beatings of my heart?
"I can't imagine what it was like to spend weeks in a cell with the Captain."
I had to laugh at that as I give in to his hug. I place a hand on his shoulder and the other stop his head. I thought back to my time in the cell and surprisingly found myself not loathing at it.
I then became grateful Edward had his face in my chest. He doesn't have to see the small smile coming to my lips.
"It wasn't bad," I say softly. And to my surprise it was true. My time with Levi wasn't hell on earth like I imagined. "It was nice, actually."
Those words accidentally escaped my lips and was glad Edward didn't seem to hear them. I blink twice as my stomach churned and heart skipping a beat. There was truth in those words.
I've never realized how giddy it made me feel. I've never realized the blooming and overwhelming urge to relive those moments had taken over my mind. I swallow thickly and do my best to focus on Edward.
It was all too confusing.
/\/\/\/\/\
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