Let's Start Again

Chapter Ten: Focus

***Look at you all, having withdrawals because I haven't posted in 48 hours. XD***

                                                                                                  Levi's POV

"Levi –"

"What?"

The commander and captain stared each other down, both more than willing to defend their side.

"She's your doctor and a cadet. This is not the time for what I just saw."

"You act as if there aren't couples in the Survey Corps! Sure, they don't live long, but they still exist."

"And those people came into the Survey Corps with the same goal" Erwin pointed out, "I'm going to take a good guess and say your goal wasn't to end up doing that with her."

"What's wrong with you?" Levi sneered, "Can't say the word 'kiss'? Has it been so long since you've seen affection that you don't even know what to call it?"

"The point is that she's here for professional reasons, and you've made it personal."

"She was there for me" Levi protested, "For once, Erwin, for once, there was someone there. Before I died...it wasn't the same. I had a commander, I had comrades, but I-I didn't have..."

A woman. A lover.

"You telling me you would've been as intimate with a man that had cared for you?"

"Of course not."

"Then your reasoning is invalid."

Levi was already done with the conversation, but he knew better than to walk out on Erwin.

"Levi, listen to me."

Erwin took a seat behind his desk, his brow covered in sweat.

"I know you enough to know that that – what I saw out there- is going to be a major distraction. On top of that, what if she dies out there? You're already on thin ice; you won't bounce back from that."

Levi pursed his lips, and Erwin added, "Refuse to admit it if you want, but you know I'm right."

"And what do you suppose I do about it, Erwin? The deed's been done."

"And it can be undone before it becomes a problem."

The moment Erwin looked him square in the eye, Levi shook his head vigorously.

"No. Erwin, please, I'm begging you."

"If you already know what I want, then you know it's an order."

"Erwin, PLEASE!"

Levi's knees buckled; he wanted to land on his knees and beg, but he knew that it wouldn't work.

"This is not up for discussion. And don't even dare say you'll go AWOL. One, it wouldn't work, and, two, you don't quit jobs. It's just not you."

Neither is falling for a doctor with a hygiene problem.

"...Erwin, I signed up to be a soldier, not a lifeless waste of space."

"In the long run, you'll see the benefit of what I'm doing. For now, follow orders, Captain. Got it?"

"Got it."

The moment Levi stepped out of Erwin's office, several soldiers scattered. Erwin's office was mostly soundproof, but newer soldiers still tried to eavesdrop.