𝔇𝔢𝔣𝔦𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 (𝔏𝔢𝔳𝔦 𝔵 ℜ𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔯)

XLIII - Rooftop Murmurs

Levi, huh?

***
~Two weeks later~

Two weeks had gone by in a flash. I had spent the days perfecting my skills for the upcoming mission and the nights doing paperwork. I had become well acquainted with the squad throughout that time, even Oluo had grown to tolerate me.

Hange stole Eren whenever she could, even when Levi showed a fraction of a second of hesitance. You'd blink and both she and Eren disappeared into thin air.

Levi would occasionally check up on me when he hadn't seen me for hours during the day, sometimes bearing a tray of tea, other times just knocking on the door and waiting for a response that signaled my possession of life.

"Ugh, ouch Y/N." Eld groaned as I slammed him to the ground, blowing hair out of my face before giving him a smile.

"Sorry 'bout it." I retort standing up straight. I offer him a hand to pull him up. He reaches forward and opens his mouth to say something.

"You know, for your size, you're a lot more... skilled, than a lot of the others here." He compliments with backhanded intent. Midway through pulling him up, I step forward and swipe my legs under his, pulling his arm and forcing his torso forward before twisting his arm around his back and inching it further up his back.

"Anything you say about my height I'll instantly take as an insult. Watch your back, rookie." I deadpan with clenched teeth, clearly sarcastic with the smile on my face.

"Yes, okay! Get off now!" Eld breathily chuckled. I laugh as I release him and proceed to dust myself off, refusing to offer him my hand again.

The night was perfect for a sparring match. No wind, yet the right amount of coolness. A half moon emitted the right amount of light, blessing the the lands with its silvery blue touch. It was early evening, just before dinner was served. It was Petra and Oluo's turn to cook tonight, Eld and I tomorrow, Levi and Gunther the night after.

We had figured out a schedule, where each of us cook different nights but with different people every night.

"Hurry up, I can hear cutlery and plates." I call back as I turn on my heel and head back towards the castle.

"Wait!" He strained as he slipped on the sand trying to get up. I suppress a laugh as I continue on my way towards the front the door. As I made it there, Eld sprinted forwards making me slip behind the door and slam it shut in front of his face. A loud bang echoed through the hall as Eld's hands made harsh contact with the wooden door, my back pressed against it making it nearly impossible to open.

I laugh at his struggle, hearing him bang on the door before they reduced to light taps and silent muffled pleads.

"Let me in please." He said in a hushed voice.

"What do you say?" I say, mischief event in my voice as I raise an eyebrow.

"What the fuck? I did nothing wrong!" He exclaimed through the door with a smile in his voice.

"Why did I slam your fat head in the ground earlier?" I ask, hinting to his previous insult, now folding my arms for dramatic effect regardless of whether he could see it or not.

"Ouch, surely my head isn't that fat." He replied quietly through the door.

"I beg to differ, rookie." I say back.

"Many apologies for insulting your height a few minutes prior, sire. It was wrong of me to word such inappropriate things." He replies after a long sigh.

"Right. Now less sarcastic?" I retort making an exaggerated groan erupt from his throat. I laughed, patiently waiting for his proper apology.

"I'm sorry for my stupid comment." He finally says in defeat. I fist pump the air in silent victory before moving from the door and turning to open it.