Chapter 16: A Meeting

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~(Y/N)~

I sat in Levi's office waiting for him to get back. He had to step out to step to Erwin leaving me here by myself. I looked about the room once more although I had become quite familiar with the place.

Tapping my foot impatiently, I continued to look around the room. I wonder what Erwin wanted Levi for. When the door opened my head darted back finding Levi entering the room.

Shutting the door he locked it and turned to me. Watching him walk past me, he goes and sits in his chair. Leaning back he looked at me long and hard. "Erwin and I have to leave again for another meeting." he says.

Letting out a sigh I turn my head to the side. "What for this time?" I ask.

He shrugged his shoulders, before sitting up straight. "Erwin didn't really say... probably about the expedition and what not... you're able to come with this time so I told Erwin you'd be happy to." he says quickly, hoping I wouldn't catch it. But I did.

"What?! Why would you do that?!" I ask in a near yelling pitch.

Sighing he rolls his eyes, getting up he walks around his desk before leaning on the edge of it in front of me. "It's my job to make sure you don't go running off again, remember last time you ran off? Your wounds haven't even healed completely yet. I don't want you getting hurt again." he says.

Crossing my arms I let out a huff. "I'd rather stay here... I can help Hanji." I suggest.

Levi simply shook his head. "Hanji has Moblit, besides I've already told Erwin your going so it's final, now go pack." he orders. I tried to be nice and follow through with the deal we had, but he was making it so difficult.

"And what if I don't wanna?" I ask, testing his nerves I watch him flash an annoyed glare my way. He then pushed himself off his desk and placed both hands on the armrests of my chair. He began to lean in, his expression annoyed.

"If you don't I'll go in your room myself and pack for you, and if I have to I'll throw your annoying little ass over my shoulder and carry you out myself." he whispers.

Trembling slightly I move my head away from his. Standing from my seat I glared at him. "Go to hell short stack." I insult as I whip around the chair. As I headed for the door I was up to the wall then whipped around looking back at Levi.

"What did I say about disrespecting me?" he growls.

I go to push him off me letting out a soft grunt. "You never thought to ask if I wanted to go, and when I decided not to go you forced me- So, you disrespected my decision you prick." I groan, with enough force I pushed him off of me and quickly rushed out of his office.

Bolting across the hall I made it into the safety of my room then locked my door. To keep him from barging in I moved a very heavy dresser in front of the door to keep him from opening the door. Darting my head around the room I was ready to bolt again if he managed to break in.

A pounding at my door signified he was angry. "(Y/N) move whatever is in front of this damn door now!" I hear him shout.

Out of fear, I head for the window. Looking back I watched the door slowly open from Levi pushing it with all his strength. When he got in he stopped and stared for only a moment as I sat on the ledge of the window. "Don't you-

I slipped out of the window and fell out on the other side before he could finish. Looking up I watched him come up and look out. "Get back here you shit!" he shouts.

Looking up I shook my head and lifted my middle finger to him. "Screw you old man." I insult once more. With that I hightailed it into the forest. I rushed past the trees, keeping a steady pace knowing at any moment I'll have to speed up. I need to find away home now, screw this mission, I'm no help to anyone, I'm just a lousy researcher I don't know shit. Shaking my head as I continue to run, not paying attention I turn my eye forward and get whipped in the face by a branch.

Stopping for a moment I held my face before pulling my hand back finding it stained in red. "(Y/N)!" I hear Levi call. Stopping I noticed he sounded really close. I turn to head in another direction all while checking behind me.

Again, I gained another injury from not looking at what was in front of me. Tripping over a large rock I tumble over, face planting into the ground. I laid there for a minute before letting out a pained groan. Slowly sitting up I look back and find something unexpected.

It was a blank gravestone. This is my ticket! It looks like the one I came through! Quickly crawling over I place my hands on it. I waited impatiently as I looked around. Nothing happened, no gust of wind, no bright light, nothing. Letting out a sad sigh I slap it a couple of times hoping something would happen. "Oh no, no, no, no! This can't be happening- No!" I panic.

Frantically I tried to remember what happened when I first came here and how the previous stone brought me here.

"You gotta be kidding me!" I mutter. I'm stuck here... I'm fucking stuck here!

Searching around I tried to find something else to help me pass through. But nothing caught my eye. This was it! Why isn't it working!?

A twig snapped behind me, before I had time to react I was grabbed by the arms. "No, no! Let me go!" I beg as I flail. One hand took hold of my upper arm while Levi's other arm wrapped around my waist pulling me away from the grave.

"What the hell is with you?" Levi asks as he scooped me up in his arms again. Kicking and screaming I tried to pry my way out of his arms.

"I have to go back!" I cry.

Levi let out a groan, only tightening his grip around me. "Settle the fuck down!" he scolds.

I shook my head and clawed at his arm. "Let me down right now!" I screech as I continue to kick my legs around. I continued to throw my fit as Levi pushed me away from the grave. I began punching at his chest after he let me down to stand on my own.

After a couple of minutes he got fed up and grabbed both of my hands. "Enough, you need to calm your shit." he says. With his free hand he took hold of my face making me look up at him. Glaring at him I shook my head.

"Go burn in hell you prick." I growl.

Rolling his eyes he nearly smirked at my words finding my childish deportment amusing. I struggled to pull my hands out of his but his grip was tight. "I'm seriously considering on knocking you out if you don't stop." he says. Looking past his shoulder I look over at the grave, I was confused and frustrated. Why didn't it work. Tiredly I rested my head on Levi's shoulder before letting out a shaky sigh.

Tears seeped from my eyes. "You done now?" he asks.

Sniffling I nodded my head. "I still hate you though." I mutter.

Chuckling softly he patted my back. "Of course you do." he sighs.

With ease now Levi took me back to the headquarters where we were greeted by Erwin who informed us that the meeting was postponed for tomorrow due to my stunt causing them to miss their carriage ride. I apologized to Erwin profusely before heading back into my room.

I made little to no eye contact with Levi as he walked me back to my room. Stopping at my door I let out a sad sigh. "Go pack, I'll check on you in fifteen minutes to make sure you don't bolt again." Levi says.

As I continued to stand in front of the door Levi came in front of me noticing something on my face. Glaring at him slightly I watched him grab my face, lifting it slightly he examined my lips. "Looks like you have a small cut, come with me." he says.

I jerk my face out of his hands and pulled his hands down. "I need to pack, or did you just suddenly form short term memory loss?" I ask in a rude tone.

He gave me a slight glare before grabbing my arm. "I know what I said, now cut the attitude and come with me." he growls. He roughly grabbed my arm, prepared to drag me to his office. Smacking my hand on top of his I try to pry it off.

"Let go! I can clean my face myself!" I scream.

He began dragging me over to his office while I pulled back. I was beyond pissed with him right now and didn't want to be anywhere near him. So, much for that fucking deal. Whipping me around he slammed me against the wall. There was a loud thud as my back hit the door. Standing in front of me Levi trapped me, his expression turned dark, I felt my heart drop right after hitting the wall.

This right fist balled up ready to punch, shutting my eyes tightly I waited for it to make contact. But seconds past and I felt no pain, unless finally after years of taking countless beating made me numb to it. A loud crash erupted next to my ear, opening my eyes I looked to find Levi's expression still dark, but his right hand inside the wall right next to my head. He missed, unless he intended to miss.

The people walking by stopped and stared at us in shock. My knees felt weak as I stood there looking at him. Then, a hand came down on Levi's shoulder, quickly darting my head to the right I find Hanji looking at Levi with a confused and worried expression. "What the hell is going on?" she asks.

Quickly I slip under Levi's arm and rush behind Hanji in fear. I didn't want to but the way Levi looked at me with his deadly expression brought images back of my father. As Levi turned his head his expression softened and seemed confused as if he had no idea what he was doing himself. He was blinded by his own anger and lost control for a moment from what I could gather.

Hanji began scolding the short man for his actions while he stood there looking a little guilty but did his best to keep his stoic expression. As Hanji went to slap his back I grabbed her hand. "It's fine Hanji... it's my fault." I say. My back faced Levi knowing he was staring at me now. I could feel his eyes bore into the back of my head.

"(Y/N)-"

"Please... don't blame Levi... I was acting childish." I tell Hanji.

Hanji's lips tugged into a confused smile but finally nodded it off before looking back at Levi. I watched her head down the hall now probably on her way back to her office. Everyone else took their leave before Levi could yell at them.

Before Levi could catch me I head for my room and pack. Locking the door behind me I let out a sigh before wiping the side of my mouth.

~Levi~

I stood in the hall at (Y/N)'s door confused. Why would she do that? It was really my fault... damn, what got into me then?

Shaking my head I turn and head into my office. That damn brat, she's making my job harder than it needs to be. Standing in front of my desk I looked at my scratched up arms. Why was she so clingy to that damn rock too?

Loosening my cravat I let out a tired sigh. Stupid girl.

~Next Day~

It was after the meeting the three of us made it to a small motel in Stohess District in wall Sheena. We were all very much tired, as we entered the lobby (Y/N) immediately walks up to the desk requesting she'd have her own room. Paying the man she took her key and bag and headed for her room not even giving Erwin and I a second glance.

The brat had been avoiding me all day, and it was getting on my nerves. Watching (Y/N) walk out I let out an annoyed 'tch'. "So, damn childish." I sigh. Crossing my arms I stepped up to the desk with Erwin.

"Well, how do you expect her to react? You threw her against a wall Levi... and nearly punched her in the face." Erwin reminds me.

Rolling my eyes I turn my head to the side. "Sorry next time I'll be more delicate when handling that psycho." I mutter.

Erwin chuckled softly as he headed for our room. "I'd just leave her be for a while." he says.

Walking down the hall I see up ahead (Y/N) heading out of her room wrapped only in a towel. "Where are you off to?" Erwin asks.

Stopping she looked up at him. "The hot spring." she says. Clutching the towel tighter she covered her chest more before walking past us.

"Have fun." Erwin says.

Turning I watch as she walked down the hall, now ignoring us, ignoring me. Maybe I'll have a little trip to the hot spring.

~(Y/N)~

After entering the hot spring area, I found that it was vacant. I was lucky to have it to myself. Stripping of the towel I step into the warm water, easing into I let out a tired sigh. God I needed this.

After having at least five minutes to myself I hear feet pattering against the tile. Sinking lower I crossed my arms over my chest before turning my head. Looking up I find Levi walk in with a towel around his waist.

My eyes widened for a moment before whipping it forward. I slap the ground behind me in search for my towel. "I-I was just leaving." I stutter.

"I was hoping you'd stay... I wanted to talk." he says. Keeping my eyes forward I waited as he slowly got into the water and sat rather close to me. Holding myself I slide further away from his all while keeping my eyes forward. Why does he do that?

"You really have a knack for showing up at odd times to chat." I mutter.

"Well, it's not like I could go to your room, you'd have it locked... besides it's just us." he says.

Rolling my eyes I turn my head in the opposite direction. "If you're here to apologize then get it over with." I say loudly.

I could hear the water splash softly as he moved in closer. "You didn't have to do what you did... take the blame. I threw you against a wall which- It was uncalled for okay? I never meant to- you know... hurt you." he says getting quieter towards the end.

"It was the mature thing to do." I answer. Although then I wasn't being so mature.

"Yes, but it wouldn't be the first time I've gotten into trouble, so if you had let me taken the blame-

"Did you want me to tell Hanji that you pushed me against the wall? That you nearly punched me in the face?" I ask becoming annoyed with the conversation we were having.

"No- I... I'm just saying you didn't have to... truly it was my fault." he argues.

There was a long moment of silence between us as we sat there. Glancing over at him I found he had already been looking at me. "Why did you have to come after me? I know I make your job hard, so why not just leave me alone?" I ask. I push myself further into the water now swimming around in front of him.

He rolled his eyes as he swam out to me. "I can agree to you making my job difficult but it doesn't take much to shut a brat like you up." he says now floating in front of me.

"You broke our deal." I say changing the subject. His eyes studied mine while I tried to keep myself from drowning, my mouth going under occasionally.

"I thought you would have wanted to get away for a little while... it can be boring staying in one place on a daily basis." he says.

I could see why he forced me to go, it only made me feel more idiotic then before. Levi noticed I was sinking slowly into the water. "Are you having trouble swimming?" he asks.

I quickly shook my head and tried to keep my head higher. "I'm fine." I say. Rolling his eyes he swam closer to me his hands took hold of my waist lifting me up slightly.

"What are you-" I panic before looking down at him. Nearly exposing my chest to him I wobble in his arms.

"Calm down, I'm just keeping you from drowning." he says. Soon my chest fell onto his as he held me close. My heart pounding at the close contact.

"W-we can just swim back to the shallow end." I stutter. Pushing myself out of his reach I quickly swim back and sit on the lower ledge submerged in water. Watching him swim back to me he trapped me in between his arms that held onto the upper ledge ledge behind me.

I sat there looking up at him as he drew closer. My face felt warm and not just from the warm air of the spring. "So, do you forgive me now?" he asks.

I nodded quickly watching his fingers head for my neck, there he pulled a piece of my wet hair back. He continued to lean in lips inches away from mine, his eyes slowly closing prepared to press his lips into mine. "I-I'm gonna go to bed now." I say loudly as I grab my towel.

Quickly covering my chest I stand up, turning I step up out of the water and cover myself. That was a close one. Looking back I find Levi too getting out, he quickly covered his member and walked past me. "Come on, Erwin is probably wonder what's taking so long." Levi says in a calm tone. Just like that, he's complete disregarding the fact he nearly kissed me. Nodding I carefully walk on the wet tile over to him. It was nice to have discussed our problems and forgive one another. Part of me felt that the only reason why I was still here was because I'm still of interest to Erwin, and to Levi. 

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