Don't Call Me Angel, Jerk [ Levi Ackerman ]

Chapter 71 - Excuses

Levi's voice alone prevented Vien from taking another step, that she halted right before she could get out. She wanted to believe that she was hearing things, but after hearing the sound of the bed sheet crumpling - she knew she wasn't

Vien's heart plunks to her stomach as he spoke "I think we still have a lot of things to talk about, Dr. Vien"

"Uhm, we're about to be late if we don't g-get going" Vien refused to make eye contact with the Captain

"It's 5 am" "I have studies with Ha-"

"Judging from how the two of you drank last night, I don't even think she's awake this early" He crosses his arms, giving her a serious stare

Excuse, excuses, excuses please give me excuses Vien closed her eyes harshly, trying to think of anything. But Levi interposed her ability to do so "Don't try to think of any more excuses Vien, get over here"

Although Vien didn't look at him, his eyes never her as she walked towards him - her fists clenching in embarrassment. She stood still

"Sit."

Vien sat on the area he patted, beside him. She sat down, and spoke "I'm sorry for drinking."

"Do you have the slightest idea on how much you drank last night? You could've had more than a bottle if I hadn't come looking for you" Levi scolded the girl bluntly

A loud scoff came out from Vien. She turned around with widened eyes "D-did you say one bottle!?!"

"This is exactly why I can't let you drink alone" Levi glanced away, sighing at her "You can't control yourself after a single glass. You can't even walk without dozing off, or talk to anyone without throwing something at them. Not to mention falling asleep after forcing yourself to take a bath. Simply put, you are helpless once you drink too much"

The silence that came afterward was because she was at a loss for words. Vien never really drank, so she didn't know how she'd act like once alcohol gets the best of her. But judging from his remarks, she assumed it was nothing bearable

"I-I'm really sorry I-" Vien breaks their eye contact "I really had no idea I drank that much, I can't even imagine how carefree I must've been acting last night. Sorry if I caused you too much trouble Levi"

He didn't respond after that, but instead pulled her wrists towards him. Levi brought her to his lap, and used his chest for her to lean on. Vien shot a look of confusion when she saw a smirk on his lips

"What is it? Aren't you mad for the way I acted?" Vien raised her brow

"Of course. But I think I could still allow you to get drunk, sometimes. As long as we don't have expeditions the day after"

Vien scoffs in disbelief "Don't tell me it's because of the way I act??"

"Mhm, I think it's funny. And I like it too, it's because you usually do things you don't" He laughs lowly

"Do what?!" Vien pulled away from him and wrapped her arms around her body "Is it because I fell asleep on the bathtub? You sly little jerk!"

"It's actually because you called me baby last night" Levi smirks mischievously "But that counts too"

Her heart stopped "What?! Haha- like I'd ever do that. You can stop making up lies to embarrass me.."

"I'm not trying to embarrass you, and I'm not making up lies" Levi pulls Vien back to him, wrapping his arms round her to stop her from moving "You called me that more than once, you even smiled"

Vien imagined the scene inside her head, including Levi's amused reaction to it. She never felt this embarrassed for herself at any point. But Levi only smirked at her dumbfounded expression like he's entertained by every second of it

"Why don't you say it again, hm?"

"Never! I'd rather drown than say that darn word again!" She retorts

"Come on, just once"

"No."

"Why do you hate it so much?

"Because it's so embarrassing"

"Tch, fine" Levi rolled his eyes "If you want to help us out, you can have three people go with you to clear the forest we'll be staying in. The rest of us will arrive with the monkey a little later. We'll be handling the essential supplies too"

"Mhm, sure. I'll see you later then"

---

Vien's POV

"Is this the place?" I asked them

We halted our horses in front of a forest full of humongous trees. The sunlight barely even reached the ground. The two other scouts who were assigned with me. Francis was also with us, because there were more than 30 scouts coming with Levi and the gigantic monkey

Francis halted beside me "Let's go further into the forest and find a wide place to set the camp in. We probably still have five hours till Captain arrives with Beast titan.."

"You meant the Beast titan's holder, Francis. They're not coming with a 17 meter tall monkey" I chuckled

We roamed around the area until we finally found an open space with less trees. But it had several rocks and weeds scattered, which prevented us from setting up tents

"Removing all of these will take us hours" Mumbled one of the scouts

I jumped down from my horse, and got tools from the wagon "We'll get to work right away, don't slack off"

---

Few Hours Later

The whole landscape was cleaned in a span of three hours, and we already finished setting up tents and the campfire. All we did was stay on the lookout on the branches until the rest of them arrived with Zeke and the Captain

"How long do you think we'll be staying here?" Francisco sighed

"Tsk, probably a few weeks. Do you have something to do?" I asked him

He replied "Didn't I tell you? My wife is giving birth in a month.."

"Really?!" I exclaimed, a huge grin visible on my face "Well you don't need to worry, I'm sure you'll be home before that. You have to be"

The sound of horses approaching took all of our attention. We used our maneuver gear to get down once we saw Levi leading the group of scouts towards the camp. A dumbfounded Zeke was also with them, arms tied behind him

Zeke immediately recognized me when I walked towards him, that he greets me impishly "Well well, long time no see Lady Lieutenant"

"A pity, seems like only yesterday you were using me as a war tool for your schemes" Face blunt, but voice full of sarcasm as I respond

"I did all that for the benefit of it"

I harshly grasp Zeke by his collar, pulling him down to my eye level

"If you think threatening me there and was smart of you, think again. The only place that benefitted from it was Paradis. You only served as a bridge for me to steal valuable information from the main offices"

His brows raise in shock "You were the thief they were all looking for?"

"You're right, if you used me as a tool because of my intellect then you obviously wouldn't expect all my actions to be in your level of understanding" I chuckle "Because even if you'd hate to admit it, I'll always be one step ahead of you"

"That's all" I smile before casually dropping him, I went to comfort Francis who was having another breakdown inside the medical tent

Levi's eyes followed Vien skipping towards the tent before he averted his dull gaze at the speechless man

"Don't call her Lieutenant, or else I'll dismember you myself" Levi dragged him "Now stay put scum, you're going to have loads of fun"