symbiosis » levi ackerman

chapter eleven ; divergence

Fallan:

I slept soundly for the first time in weeks that night, and the morning soon rolled around. The mess hall was alive and bustling, the atmosphere almost buzzing with anticipation for the Expedition that was looming ahead. I grabbed my usual bread roll and took a seat at my squad's table, grinning from ear to ear. They looked shocked for a second and sat in silence, before Benjin broke out into a beam and slapped me on the back. Hanji turned to me and laughed.
"It's good to have you back Fallan." she spoke, sincerity in her tone. I nodded and took a small bite out of my roll, drifting off into my own thoughts. I felt eyes on me, as if someone was watching. I knew immediately who it was. I scanned the room and soon met someone's gaze. Levi sat at his usual table surrounded by his squad mates, staring at me over the brim of his teacup. His unwavering gaze almost made me lose my composure, nerves beginning to rise in my chest. I pushed them away and straightened my shoulders, turning my attention back to my teammates. I felt a tug on my hair, and looked down to see Benjin twisting a lock around his finger.
"Like the hair." He grinned, and I sent him a shy smile.
"Sorry, for everything..." I began sheepishly, and everyone immediately began to protest. Benjin wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side and kissing me on the top of my head. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, I hated when Benjin did things like that in front of everyone - they always got the wrong idea. I'd grown used to the teasing and accusations of me and Benjin's supposed romance, but I'd always ignored it. I saw him like a little brother, and knew he felt the same. I chuckled and shrugged him off, taking another bite of my roll. I caught Benjin looking slightly hurt that I'd pulled away from him so quickly, but decided to ignore it.

I stayed a chatted with my squad for a while, but I knew I needed to train. I was determined to get stronger and besides, it had been a long time since I'd brushed up on my combat skills. I'd been so wrapped up with Hanji's various experiments I never really had time to train physically. I stepped out into the courtyard, smiling as the suns gentle rays greeted my face. In the previous weeks, I hadn't much bothered to leave the small confines of the Trost base, so the fresh air was welcome. I headed over to the shack next to the stables, where various bits of training equipment was strewn about. I strolled over to the large sacks of flour suspended from the ceiling. They were supposed to be makeshift punching bags. I wrapped my hands in thick gauze to protect them, the last thing I wanted was a wrist sprain with a recon expedition looming ahead.
I circled the 'punching bag', shifting my weight from one foot to the other. I jabbed my right fist forward, raising my left to cover my face. I winced as my fist made contact with the bag.
Weak.
I jabbed again, spikes of pain rippling through my knuckles.
I jabbed again, and again, and again; the pain building in my hands, but I didn't care. I had to get stronger.
I threw my fist forward once more, yelling out as it made contact with the bag. I noticed a smudge of bright red against the sack, and looked down to see blood seeping through the gauze.
Do it again.
I threw another fist, yelling louder with every punch.
Again, and again, and again I threw punch after punch until every muscle in my body screamed. Exhausted, I finally stopped gulped down ragged breaths.
Weak.
"Your form's all wrong." came a monotone drawl from behind me. I felt hot breath on my neck and a hand snake around my hip to be placed flat on my stomach.
"Suck in your core."
Another hand lightly grazed against my left elbow.
"Keep that arm there. Don't move it,"
The hand from my stomach was removed, and instead placed on my right elbow, lifting it up slightly.
"Left foot forward, shift your weight on to that."
The hands dropped, but I could still feel breath against the back of my neck. My breathing was rapid, the tension between our bodies felt like fire.
"Breathe in,"
I took a slow intake of breath.
"Hold it."
I did.
"When I say, exhale and push forward. Focus, Fallan."
Another hot breath against my neck.
"Now," he whispered into my ear. I extended my right arm with power, exhaling a controlled breath, and made contact with the bag. There was a satisfying thwump. It didn't hurt either, all I felt was a pressure from the connection, but my stance remained strong.
I turned around and grinned at Levi, who was now leant against the wall with a satisfied look on his face. If I didn't know any better, I would've said a smirk had appeared on his face.