✓ Blood Lust (Levi Ackerman - Attack on Titan) #wattys2021

Chapter Twelve

"You can't be serious!" I pace in front of my dad, probably undoing all the rest on my ankles. "You're placing me under Levi?"

"I do not know what your issue with him is. He is a good Captain. If you prove to do well under him, I will move you under my command, making you a Captain as well. Do we have a deal?"

"What if he's biased? Saying I'm a bad soldier when really I'm not?" His hand rests onto my shoulder, and I hadn't noticed him getting closer.

"What happened between you two? I thought you really hit it off at the ball?" He raises his eyebrow, a habit we both have.

"We did. Then he acted like an asshole."

"So you've harbored this resentment for eight years? Don't you think you're being childish?" 

"There's that word again!" I yell at him, happy that it's just the two of us in the small room. "That's what he wants you to think!"

"Eliora Liliana Smith! Get a grip! This is not how I want a future Captain on my squad to behave! If you cannot get along with Levi, I'd go ahead and pack your bags and go to the Military Police as I will not want you! Do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir."

He pats my head, as if I'm eight years old again. "Good. Now, for the love of God, get off your ankles. Captain Levi will need you fully rested up." He places a kiss to my forehead before leaving the room. That was such a hybrid of my father and my Commander that I got a neck sprain from it. Following orders, I undress, getting into bed to rest my ankle. Hopefully Jean will bring me food.

We come to the old Scout headquarters, and I stare in awe at it. It literally looks like a castle, more majestic than the one the King resides in. I gingerly get down from my white horse, my ankles feeling much better, but not wanting to take much impact still. I walk past Eren, flicking him on the back of my head as I pass.

"What was that for, Eliora?" he grinds out, trying not to draw attention from Levi's squad members.

"I'm glad you didn't die."

His eyes widen in surprise. "Thank you? Can I ask, why do you dislike Mikasa?"

"I just hate the Ackerman's in general," I say, looking past him to a certain Captain. His eyes catch with mine, a neutral expression on his face.

"I think I understand," Eren says, looking between the two of us. "I'll tell Mikasa it's nothing personal, then."

The rest of the day is spent cleaning up the headquarters well enough to live in. By Levi's attire completed by a bandana, we'll be doing extra cleaning than what's necessary. I never pegged him as a neat freak, but he does keep his hair impeccable.

After a silent supper and then discussing plans over tea, we headed to bed. I think more of it was to do with Hange than being simply tired for the rest of the squad, save for Eren. Petra is a pleasant roommate in the fact that she's quiet and doesn't try to pry much. I should try to make some sort of bond with the others if I'm going to risk my life for them, and them me, but it's hard after the friendships I made in training.

"Are you going to keep your hair long?" Petra asks, watching in fascination as I dye my hair again, then brushing it out after rinsing. 

"Hopefully. I haven't been grabbed by it from a Titan yet, so it's not really a problem." My hair goes up in a bun now, as I don't want my night gown to become stained pink or wet. 

"So you've seen them?" she asks, leaning forward on her knees from her bed. She's just a cute petite character that I can tell why Levi likes her.