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The ground far beneath your feet trembled and crunched with each step the mighty titan took. Each step caused the ground to shake a bit more than the last, alerting you that he was quickly approaching your location. The air surrounding you was so silent, you could hear your heart beating rapidly in your chest. Each breath you took, no matter how quiet, resounded around you. The more you tried to calm your heart, the faster it raced. Knowing you had to do something before the titan arrived, you pressed your hand to your chest and closed your eyes. “Focus, just, focus.” Keeping your eyes closed, you stood perfectly still and listened intently to your surroundings. Just above your head, you could hear leaves rustling in sync with the titan's steps. Kneeling down on the thick branch on which you were standing, you pressed your palm against the tree trunk and felt the vibrations flow from the ground to your hand. Before you'd even opened your eyes, you knew it was time. Without any hesitation, despite being almost face to face with a titan, you quickly used your 3D gear to maneuver through the trees. As soon as you did this, you saw Levi, calmly moving through the branches, his movements almost perfectly mirroring your own. “It looks like we're finally on the same page. All that training must be making a difference.”

“Don't talk.” Not in any mood to deal with your jokes, Levi didn't so much as look at you when he spoke. His voice, though completely calm and flat, held a commanding tone that should have been enough to shut you up. “Focus or you'll end up dead.”

Ignoring his warnings, you released a flippant, carefree laugh. “No, I won't, you promised you'd keep me safe. Remember?” As always, your sarcastic, nonchalant attitude served no other purpose than to hide your growing fear. Now actively fighting the massive titan with only Levi there to aid you, your fear quickly reached a point so extreme, you could taste blood in your mouth. “You think we're going to be able to handle this thing? Because I'm really starting to think this was a bad idea.” Too focused on the fight, Levi didn't bother to answer. “Right, just ignore me then.” Afraid his lack of response might be due to the fact that he wasn't sure of himself, you began to lose your concentration. Your movements became less focused and more erratic, which threw your partner off terribly.

Aggravated that he could no longer anticipate your next action, Levi raised his voice, demanding your attention. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“Absolutely. That's exactly what I'm doing. That seems like the fun thing to do, so why wouldn't I do that?” With your mind too scattered for you to properly pay attention to anything going on, you failed to see one of the titans enormous hands coming right for you. The back of its hand hit you suddenly, taking you by surprise and slamming you directly into the trunk of a nearby tree. Gasping for air and too dizzy to see straight, you fell to your knees and tightly clutched your shirt in your hand. Still within the titan's reach, you watched helplessly as it stretched its hand towards you. Just before it had you in its clutches, a thick stream of blood erupted from the back of its neck. This wounded the titan terribly, but for some reason, didn't kill it.

While the titan was distracted with pain, Levi made his way over to where you were crouching and jerked you onto your feet. “Get up.”

Still disoriented, you tightly closed your eyes and rubbed your temple with your fingertips. “I'll try, but that's a little easier said than it is done partner.” By the time you opened your eyes again, Levi was already gone, busying himself with the task at hand. “Tch, typical.” Embarrassed by your failure, you became determined not to let him down, or give him any reason to need to save you again. Ready to redeem yourself, you readjusted your 3D gear and rushed head first back into the fight. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Now, what do you say we go ahead and finish this up?” Feigning cockiness, you flashed Levi a wide grin before setting your plan into action. You were just as scared now as you had been before, but your desire to live was much greater than that fear. Using its wound to your advantage, you waited until it was adequately distracted before launching yourself towards its already bleeding neck. As the strong scent of blood hit your senses, you pressed your blade deep into its flesh, slicing it cleanly from one side of its nape to the other. The now lifeless titan ceased its attack on Levi and slowly fell backwards, destroying several trees during its descent to the ground. For several moments, even after its death, the forest around you shook from the impact. Finally able to breathe again, you looked over at Levi and smiled. “Looks like we did it after all. I thought we'd be dead by now.”

Perfectly composed and at ease, as if there had never been a fight, Levi began wiping down his bloodied blades. “You should be dead, so don't get too cocky. You've still got a lot of training to do.”

“Hey, I still managed to kill that thing, didn't I?” A little annoyed that he wouldn't let you enjoy your victory, you crossed your arms over your badly bruised chest and scoffed. “That's more than you managed to do.” When you heard your own words, something didn't feel right. He had a perfect shot. There was no way someone like Levi would have missed, which could mean only one thing. “Wait a minute. You didn't kill on purpose, didn't you?” Still meticulously cleaning his blades, Levi gave you no answer. “I knew it. You basically let me kill it.” Feeling like the same failure you'd always been, you lowered your eyes to the blood-soaked ground and sighed. “That makes this much less impressive.”

“You've still improved. You're not a bumbling drunk anymore, and you're actually willing to fight.” Glancing over at you, just for a second, Levi continued speaking in a low, monotone voice. “I don't think I've seen you drinking your beloved alcohol in over a month. It's stench hasn't been on your breath either. You're still nowhere as good as you should be, but at least you're not as worthless as you were.” His words, though harsh and cold, were actually meant as a compliment. At least from what you could tell.

“Aw, thanks Levi. I'd hug you, but I think that titan broke like, all of my ribs when he hit me.” Wincing slightly at the pain, you ran your hand down your side and felt for any obvious damage to your body. “I'm surprised my organs are still in the right place, if they even are, that is.”

“Broken bones are better than death.” With his blades back at his side, Levi blankly looked over at you and uttered a stern warning. “If you don't keep training the way you're supposed to, I can guarantee that you'll figure that out for yourself very soon.”

“Dang, you're just going to tear me down now, aren't you?” Honestly a little hurt by his words, you resorted to teasing him. “I swear you only do that because you have a crush on me.” Shaking your head with feigned disappointed, you stepped closer to him, placed your hand on his shoulder and sighed. “That's such a juvenile way to show your feelings Levi. I had expected so much better from you.”

Quickly shoving your dirty hand off of him, Levi narrowed his eyes at you, warning you not to touch him again. “You're flattering yourself. Stop.”

“That glare doesn't scare me, you know.” Smirking playfully, you ignored his warning and inched yourself even closer to him. “You promised to protect me, so I doubt you'd hurt me.” Acting on impulse, reached out and gently touched his cheek with your fingertips. “Besides, it looks like your blushing a little bit. Last time, I think you blamed the cold on that.” Lowering your hand from his face, you looked up at the cloudless sky. “I don't think you can use that card again today. It's not cold, raining or even windy.”

Taking a step back in an attempt to create some much needed space between the two of you, Levi offered an explanation for his ever so slightly reddened cheeks. “We were just in battle. It would make sense that my face is flushed.” Though all too aware that his excuse wouldn't convince you of anything, he stuck to it. “I've already told you to stop flattering yourself.”

“You've always got an excuse, don't you? I wish you'd just admit that you like me, or at least that you like being around me. If you won't be the first to say something, I guess I will.” Stepping into his personal space once more, you placed your hand back on his shoulder and spoke with the utmost honesty. “I like you Levi. Actually, I like you a lot, even if you are a cold, pompous jerk most of the time. Underneath your unapproachable outer shell, I'm sure there's a very kind, caring person waiting to get out. Don't try to deny it either. If there wasn't, you wouldn't have taken me under your wing like you did. You would have let me die.”

Seemingly unmoved by your admission, Levi simply stared at you. “You have been drinking, haven't you?”

“Nope, not a drop. I was being perfectly honest with you. But, since you don't believe me, I'll have to find a way to convince you.” Though you were all too aware of the consequences that might follow your actions, you decided to risk it. Now uncomfortably close to Levi, you tightened your grip on his shoulder, just slightly, leaned into him and pressed your lips to his. You weren't sure if he was too shocked to react, simply didn't care that you were kissing him, or if he was actually in favor of your actions, but he wasn't fighting back. Secretly hoping that the latter was correct, you felt your heart skip a beat. Though you would have liked to keep kissing him until he finally decided to kiss you back, you knew that wasn't wise. “There, now maybe you'll believe me.” Afraid he might retaliate, you took off running, only to stop a couple of feet away from him due to the pain in your torso. “God, I should have thought that out better.”

Undeniably blushing from your kiss, Levi shook his head at your stupidity, and sighed. “Idiot.”