Hellfire • L.A.

Tapout Round

"Wait, you're actually going to be working with the Titan kid?!"

An older soldier in our squad named Bran looks at me with wide eyes. He's in his thirties, but looks much younger. I've never bothered to ask how he ended up here, but I do know he's definitely a lot cleaner than the rest of us. It's kind of like an unspoken rule to not ask people what they've done. If they tell you, they trust you. If they don't, don't pry.

"Yeah." I shrug and swirl the oatmeal in my bowl around. I'm supposed to start the training with Eren and Levi today, but even though I've had a week to prepare I'm not ready.

Honestly, I'm a bit nervous. Not only is Phoenix Squadron's reputation resting on my shoulders right now, but Perry put so much faith in me to do this. What if I don't get it right?

"Hey, Captain Elton, you there?"

Someone's hand waving wildly in front of my face snaps me out of everything going on in my head. My eyes flicker over to see Laura and Carla, a newer member, looking at me worriedly.

"Yeah, sorry. I'm just...tired."

I wasn't lying.

My sleeping habits weren't healthy at all, especially not for what we do. I either constantly woke up because of nightmares, or never even closed my eyes. Lately though, I had been going downstairs at night to the kitchen for some water. If he was still up, sometimes I would run into Levi. He usually complained about me interrupting his silence, but oddly enough he never asked me to leave. I offered to multiple times and all he did was give me that blank look. Either that or he'd click his tongue in annoyance. Even though he had grumbled about our late night run ins he never actually complained to my face about it.

"You really should see about getting on some type of medication for that insomnia of yours. My cousin has really bad night terrors so they get this weird herbal stuff for her to drink before bed." Bran messes with the eggs on his plate, arranging them into a smiley face.

"It's fine, honestly. Besides, I feel like that stuff would make me too drowsy. I'd probably fall asleep during patrol."

"Oh my gosh you could lose consciousness while on horse back!" Carla's eyes go wide with worry, and Laura snorts.

"Wouldn't that be a show. The great Captain Lix Elton falling asleep on her horse!"

The four of us start to laugh at the idea of me falling asleep on my horse and probably falling, our loud laughter obviously gaining the attention of a few obviously annoyed cadets.

"Oi, Elton."

Levi's monotone voice makes our laughter die down, and I have to wipe a tear from laughing so hard out of my eye before facing him. I turn my body slightly so that I'm facing him, but still comfortably seated with my friends.

"Good morning, Captain Levi."

"We're meeting the brat by the stables in ten minutes. Wrap it up."

Who does he think he is, ordering me around like that?

He doesn't even wait for me to reply before turning away and walking off. When I turn back to my fellow soldiers they all have the same look of disbelief on their faces.

"He seems...lovely." Laura watches the short man walking out of the mess hall.

"He's honestly such an ass, but he makes a pretty good cup of tea." I begin to grab my cape from off the back of my chair, trying to ignore the disgusted the look I'm receiving from Bran.

"He made you tea?" Carla has a tiny smile on her face and I know she's trying not to giggle. "I wouldn't think such a gloomy looking man would enjoy tea."