Once Levi was done torturing me, he gently bandaged up my nose. It was uncomfortable but I wasn't going to complain.
It felt more sore than it had before he started to treat it.
"Do I need to lecture you about being careful while your under my supervision?" he asked, raising a thin brow.
"No captain, I think I'm good." I said softly.
It wasn't entirely my fault that I got injured, but I didn't mention that to Levi. The tension between us was growing and I wasn't about to make it worse.
He shifted off my bed and grabbed his shirt. He slid the first aid kit onto my bedside table, something about treating it myself later.
"Eat something when you get the chance, I don't need my cadets fainting on the battlefield" he commanded.
"Will do sir... so do I get the day exempt tomorrow?" I asked shyly.
I mean, I was injured so I had a valid reason to skip training. It still felt like I was asking too much of him. If people paid attention, they might think I was getting special treatment.
He knew it too, hesitation coursed through him before he replied.
"I'll see if I can pull any strings with Erwin. You will know as soon as I do."
"Alright sir, thank you for... helping me." I said with a cautious voice.
He leaned closer and brought his hand up. It stayed a few inches from my cheek. I could feel the ghost of his touch melting at my skin.
A few seconds went by like this. I worried he would notice the shift in my breathing.
Without warning he dropped his hand and cleared his throat.
"Don't mention it cadet. Now really, get some rest" He said with a slightly strained voice.
I couldn't tell if it was hurt or fear that painted his face. His expression was nearly unreadable.
I stared at his back as he left the room and brought my hand to my cheek. What was that? And why did he stop himself?
Questions flooded my mind, most too frightening to even look into.
I had never seen him let as many walls down with anyone else, except maybe that girl in the photograph.
I had already decided to ask Erwin about her. He was Levis best friend, so I was sure he knew.
I laid my head down on my pillow and tried not to think about it.
The next day I was woken up by a graveling voice. Everyone else had already left for training. They must have seen I was injured and left me to rest.
"Hey, rise and shine cadet." Levi kicked the foot of my bed, shaking me awake.
I put my arm over my eyes to block out the sunlight. It pierced through my eyelids and left me in a sour mood. Rolling away from the sun, I cracked open my eyes.
He was standing at the foot of my bed dressed in casual clothes. It was different to see him out of uniform.
"Your out of training, but that doesn't mean you get to mope around and sleep all day, get up" He ordered.
"Mnnn five more minutes" I croaked out.
I was halfway asleep when he pulled the covers off my warm sleeping body. Grave mistake.
"CAPTIAN NO-" I shouted, covering my legs with my chest.
When I went to bed that night, the air was humid and hot. I peeled off my pants in the night to avoid heat stroke. All I was left in was my t-shirt and my underwear. I wasn't even wearing a bra.
His eyes widened at the sight, he threw the blanket back at me and covered his eyes with his hands. The tips of his ears were slightly flushed.
I poked my head out of the blanket and saw him in this state.
"I'll be outside, get properly dressed and meet me when your done. He said in a strained voice.
I watched as he turned his back to me and walked out of the room. I put my hands over my head and let out a frustrated sigh.
Of course he wouldn't expect me to be half naked, he saw me go to bed the night prior. I rubbed my eyes and tried to gain my composure. No matter what man it was, it was still embarrassing to have one see you half clothed.
I dressed myself and looked in the mirror. The spot around the bandage was beginning to show bruising. It made sense, I hit it pretty hard. I was surprised I didn't end up with a concussion.
I left the bathroom and found my way outside. As promised Levi was there. He was standing beside a massive oak tree. The shade provided a nice cover for him to be out of the sun. Some sunlight found it's way through the leaves, illuminating parts of his face and hair. The parts where the sunlight touched were a slight golden brown, much different from his usual raven black.
"You got the day off too?" I questioned him.
"Erwin was feeling generous yesterday." He replied shortly.
"Oh, okay. So what did you need from me? You could have just sent someone to tell me." I told him.
He looked at me and shrugged
"It beats hanging around in my office, I felt like a walk, so I did it myself."
"Okay, so what are you going to do on this rare day off of yours?" I questioned lightly
"Adjust your question cadet, it's more like what are we going to do" He looked at me with icy eyes. I couldn't decipher what exactly he meant by that.
"...Okay, what are we going to do...?" I asked slowly. I couldn't help but fear his response. It wouldn't be anything too strenuous, he knew I wasn't feeling the greatest from my run in with the ground yesterday.
"I want to show you something...again." He answered.
I looked at him with curiosity. He noticed the bandage on my nose and took a step closer to me.
"Are you that useless? I told you to change this. He brought his hand to my face again, just like he did the last night. This time he followed through. He cupped the side of my cheek and tilted my head to the side a little. He narrowed his focus on the blood soaked bandage and his brows furrowed.
With his other hand he sternly grabbed my wrist the way that a disappointed parent would their child's wrist. He pulled me back to the living quarters and told me to sit down on my bed. I crossed my legs and looked up at him. He silently grabbed the first aid kit from my bedside table and removed the lid.
His eyes were fierce and bothered. He was preparing a new bandage when I asked him a very important question.
"You aren't going to put more antiseptic on it right?" I asked anxiously.
"Depends, why? Are you scared?" he scoffed.
My back stiffened.
"What does it depend on?" I urged.
"If your a fast enough healer for it to be gone overnight." he remarked.
"I don't think-"
"Quiet" he cut me off.
I sent a quick but sharp look at him as he peeled the soiled bandage away. I winced slightly, but he noticed and became even more gentle.
"It's bruising a lot, are you anemic or something?"
"No I just... bruise a bit more than most people, it's not a big deal." I reassured him.
I felt a searing pain on my nose and cried out, instinctively lurching foreword, letting out a cry. I was met with Levi's toned chest. Tears formed and all I could focus on was the pain.
I felt something that scared me even more than the pain in that moment. Levi's strong arms naturally wrapped around my neck and back, holding me in a protective cage while I winced against his chest.
He patted the back of my head
"I had to do it when you wouldn't expect it. Otherwise you would scare yourself more" He whispered into my hair.
I regained my composure and pulled away, not making eye contact with him. My nose stung while he finished up changing my bandage. The worst part was over and he was losing his patience.
"Okay, so about what we're doing today, it's not more cleaning is it?" I asked with dread.
"No I want to take you somewhere. I haven't had many people I could call friends... so it's kind of a special place"