Chapter 14: A Day Off

Erwin's POV:

I listened to (y/n)'s breathing grow heavier as she drifted off to sleep. I didn't know what else I could do for her, so I just acted without thinking. I can't believe she was trying to make ME feel better after opening up about her painful past.

Seeing the scars on her back up close was horrible. It's basically a detailed map of her abused past. I felt her shiver every time I touched her, I couldn't tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing...

I sighed as I run my fingers through her (h/l) (h/c) hair, reading the same page of my book over and over again; unable to concentrate on it since my mind keeps getting distracted by other thoughts.

Should I have hugged her? Probably not... This is getting dangerous. My mind has never been this consumed by someone before, not even years ago with Marie...

I can feel (y/n) stir a bit in her sleep, so I tighten my hold on her and she seems to stop.

How am I going to survive having her here? How am I going to let her go when her window is replaced? It should only be a couple of days... But already I'm finding it difficult to keep my hands off of her.

I can feel myself starting to drift off to sleep. I carefully blow out the candle, being careful not to disturb (y/n), and place my book down. I pull the blanket over both of us and slowly fall asleep.

Your POV:

I slowly open my eyes and wonder where I am. Why wasn't I in my bed? Where am I? Then the events of the night before started playing back in my head. Oh right, I'm in Erwin's office.

I look down to see Erwin still fast asleep. He looks so peaceful when he sleeps, his usual perfect blonde hair slightly tussled, it's adorable. It's still pretty dark out, but I decide to get up anyway. I carefully remove myself from Erwin's grasp, he stirs a little bit but remains asleep.

I try to stretch out my aching body, but the stitches in my back cause me to hiss in pain. Showering is going to be so fun...

I go into Erwin's bedroom and find the bag with my things in it. I grab my toothbrush and my uniform and head down to the shower room. I didn't want to use Erwin's, I don't want to wake him up; he's already done so much for me.

I make my way out of his office and close the door as quietly as I can, and make my way toward the showers. I was surprised by how soundly I slept, with no bad dreams or flashbacks. The only person who has ever held me until I fell asleep was my mother and Mac. I didn't know how much I was craving just a gentle touch. Gentle touches were a rarity when it came to staying at Laurie's after all, so I became pretty prickly by nature.

Usually, my body tenses right up at any sort of physical contact, it's just psychosomatic at this point. But I was actually able to relax and fall asleep. Probably shouldn't make sleeping together, even if it is only in a platonic sense, a habit. I don't want to get attached...

Lost in thought I didn't even notice Levi rounding the corner in front of me, and calling my name.

"Oi!" He snapped his fingers at me, "Brat! I asked you a question." I shake my head and look up at him, "Sorry sir -," "You can call me by my first name, brat." Levi 'tched' at me.

"Sorry, Levi," I smiled while using his name and blush a little, "I wasn't paying attention, please pardon me." I try to go around him, but he blocks my path. "Where do you think you're going?" He demands while crossing his arms.

"To the showers," I answer.

"Has anyone checked your stitches recently?" He asked, narrowing his gaze at me. ".... No," I admitted shyly.

He grabbed my arm and led me in the opposite direction of the showers, "We're close to the hospital wing. Come on." He mumbles as he leads me.

Levi shoves me through the door to the hospital wing. I picked one of the beds in the room and Levi pulled the curtain around it. He looks at me, tapping his foot impatiently, "Take it off." He said, looking disapprovingly at Erwin's shirt.

I sigh and turn my back towards him and slowly lift the shirt over my head, keeping the shirt on my arms in an attempt to cover my chest. Levi startled me when he swiftly unhooked my bra to get a full view of my back. I instinctively spin around so I'm facing him, "Tch, you'd rather risk me seeing your breasts than seeing your bareback? I've already seen most of it." He sighed as I glare at him.

"Everyone has breasts, they're not a big deal. They all look different, but they're all made up of fat, breast tissue, connective tissues, nerves, veins, blah blah blah, who cares. Scars reveal secrets and stories that I don't like to talk about." I say to him.

He doesn't say anything, just stares at me and motions for me to turn around. I can feel his steel eyes on me, examining the fresh cuts Hange stitched up last night, but also my old scars as well.

"Where did you get this one from?" Levi asked quietly, fingers gently brushing across my least favorite scar. My body shivers at his light touch, "What scar?" I ask innocently.

"The one that says, 'slut'." He mumbles. I fake being surprised, "Eh? I have a scar like that?! It was Hange wasn't it?!" Levi lets out a frustrated sigh, "Can't you ever take things seriously?"

"Everyone around here takes things too seriously," I shrug, "I'm a breath of fresh air!"

"Whatever," Levi grumbles as he pats at my stitches, causing me to wince a little bit. "It was a welcome home present from Laurie," I explain finally, "Apparently, he didn't like the fact that I ran away and got married."

Levi doesn't respond, just continues to un-bandage, clean, and then re-bandage my wounds.

"Alright, done." Levi finally said, signaling for me to put my shirt back on. "Thanks," I say to him gratefully.

"And change your shirt, brat," He growled at me, "People will get the wrong idea."

I was confused by how irritated he seemed to be at me wearing Erwin's shirt, "I'm sorry, Levi. Are you jealous? Do you want me to wear one of yours instead?" I tease him and smirk when I notice a slight blush across his cheeks.

"So, where are you off to now?" He asked me as I make my way to the door. "Um, shower, breakfast, and then whatever chores and training you have planned for today," I answer simply.

"Are you serious? You're not cleaning or training today, you'll be sweaty and dirty, are you stupid? Do you want an infection?" He scolds me.

"I refuse to sit around and do nothing!" I argue back at him. "No." Levi was not budging, "You're taking the day off, infection free, go and enjoy it." Before I can argue anymore he leaves the hospital wing.

I sigh and once again make my way toward the showers. Maybe it's a good thing to lay low for a couple of days. I'm sure word got out about what happened last night, and I'm not really in the mood to explain it to people.

I try and shower as best I can with the fresh wounds on my back, but they still stung quite a bit. At least brushing my teeth isn't painful.

Showered and dressed in my uniform, I make my way toward Erwin's office.

Erwin's POV:

I haven't slept that soundly in a long time. A lot of the time I find myself waking up intermittently throughout the night. I don't know what it is about (y/n), but I certainly appreciate her company.

But I think it would probably be best if while she's staying here, we don't do that again. I can't afford to get more attached to her than I already am. I should probably shower before (y/n) gets back.

I make my way to my bathroom and quickly shower.

What should I have her do today anyway? She can't do regular training with her injuries...

As I was trying to figure that out, I hear her come through the door as I'm halfway done changing, leaving me standing there without my shirt on.

"Oh sorry! I should have knocked!" (Y/n) says as she covers her eyes. I smirk when I see her face go completely red.

"It's fine, I'm almost done," I reassure her as I start buttoning up my shirt. Should I bring up last night? Does she feel awkward about it? I'm not really sure what to do under these circumstances.

"I'm sorry about last night, I probably made you pretty uncomfortable." I hear (y/n) say, as if she had read my mind. "No, it's fine," I smile at her as I take a seat on my couch, "But it probably shouldn't happen again."

(Y/n) looks at me with a look of horror on her face, "But I was just about to gather all my things and move in! You're mine now, Daddy." All I can do is stare at her in shock of her boldness.

She starts laughing when she sees my reaction, "Unfreeze sir! I'm kidding! You guys really do take things too seriously, huh?"

"What are your plans for the day?" I ask her, trying to keep my composure and keep the conversation going. I enjoy her company too much, and I wanted more of it.

"Since Captain Levi isn't going to let me train, I was thinking of checking out the place Peter wasted my money on." She tries to sound annoyed, but I can tell she feels a little relieved. She needs someplace to call home when she is on leave, preferably not with some other man... What am I thinking?

"So that's where I will be today, I should be back in time to make it to dinner," she says as she leans against the threshold of my bedroom. She tilts her head a little as she studies me. I have noticed she tilts her head when she is listening intently, or contemplating something, it's cute.

She walks closer to me, making me a bit nervous. I guess I just don't really know how to react around her. When she gets close like this it's difficult to keep my composure. She reaches her hand out toward my shirt and my breath hitches.

Then she smiles at me, triggering a weird feeling in my stomach. "You missed a button." She says, pointing to a misplaced button on my shirt. "Thanks." I return her smile as I undo my buttons in order to put all of them in their correct place. As I unbutton my shirt I see her face go red again, and I can't help but let out a confident smirk.

"Anyway, that is where I will be today," She continues, standing in the bedroom doorway again, "I hope you have a good day, sir." She smiles at me again, causing a weird feeling in my stomach again.

"Erwin," I corrected her, as she starts closing the bedroom door, presumably to change into casual clothes instead of the uniform she has on.

"I just have to change, Erwin," (y/n) said, pausing before the door was completely closed, "You're welcome to help me if you so desire, Erwin." She bites her lower lip seductively, (e/c) eyes not leaving my blue ones.

Then she sticks out her tongue at me, causing me to grab one of the cushions on the couch and throw it at her playfully. She laughs loudly and closes the bedroom door.

She may be joking, but for me, it's far too tempting an offer. I better leave before I can't control my actions anymore.

Your POV:

I hear Erwin's office door open and close as he leaves, probably to go to breakfast. I take a look at the clothes Erwin brought for me last night and decide on my favorite fitted (f/c) long-sleeve shirt, but not too tight to bother my stitches, and a pair of black fitted pants that cling to my curves.

I decided to just wear my hair down, letting my (h/l) (h/c) hair dry naturally. I make my way out of Erwin's office and head to my room to pick up the key Peter gave me, along with the directions.

When I got there the room was exactly how we left it last night. There was glass still on the floor and my blood dried into an ugly stain on the floor. My heartbeat quickens as I remember the events from last night.

My hand reaches up to my neck to rub the spot where Laurie grabbed me. I wince as I realize how tender it still is. I try to shake the thoughts from my head and make my way quickly over to my night table to grab the key.

I leave my room quickly and stand outside my door trying to catch my breath. A part of me wants to go down to the dungeons and see Laurie, but something else also tells me that he has probably already had someone bail him out.

Plus, what would be the point of seeing him? I'm not going to get any kind of remorse from him, he will be proud of what he did. Best to avoid him as much as I can... But it won't be long before I see him again. He'll be back.

I rub my forehead, forgetting I still have a scratch from when I hit my head on the bench in the bathroom. I wince again as my hand brushes it harshly.

I'm a fucking mess... I start laughing at myself, even though I just wanted to break down and cry again. But I won't do that; too proud to let myself feel sad and vulnerable.

With my key in hand, I ran out of the room, not bothering to close or lock it behind me. I tried to move as quickly as possible and avoid anyone who might try and come up to me.

Author's POV:

Levi goes to sit with the rest of his squad in the Mess Hall for breakfast. Things weren't as lively as they usually were, soldiers making small talk and jokes were replaced by an uneasy feeling.

Most of them had heard about something happening last night with you and some unknown attacker. But few knew the full story, as anyone who knew the truth was not talking about it to anyone.

Sasha sat unusually quiet, and barely touched her breakfast which shocked everyone.

When Levi sat down all of his squad members stared at him, waiting for him to talk about you. But he remained silent, pretending he didn't feel their eyes on him. "Well," Eren was the first to speak up, "Where is (y/n)?" Levi takes a sip of his tea, "She's taking a personal day."

"Is she okay?" Petra asked, worry written all over her face, "She's fine." Levi replies while shouting daggers with his eyes at Oluo.

"So what really happened?" Eren asked Levi, trying desperately to get something out of him. "It's my fault, isn't it?" Oluo says quietly, not looking up at anybody.

Levi just sits quietly, not trusting himself to speak to Oluo. The group remains quiet for a few moments. The rest of the soldiers looked over at them occasionally, to see if they can listen in on any conversations. Eager for more details about what happened to you.

Without finishing his breakfast, Oluo stood up from his seat and rushed out of the Mess Hall. He made his way towards the dungeon, he wanted to confirm what he already feared. He needed to see the person who caused so much damage because of him.

He burst through the door, startling Mike awake from his sleep in a chair by the door, "Oluo, what are you doing?" Mike asked him irritably.

"Oluo," A man from inside one of the cells said, "I recognize that name." Oluo looks at the man in the cell. The man stood up, shoulder-length silvery blonde hair falling gracefully around his face; amber eyes examining Oluo.

"Antheia told me about you," the man said to Oluo in his silky smooth voice, "I'm Lawrence." He greets Oluo, stretching out a hand between the bars for Oluo to shake.

Oluo just stared at him. It was what he had feared. "Thank you for reuniting my Peitho and I." Lawrence says sweetly to him, "I've missed her so much, I just couldn't control myself."

Lawrence lowers his hand when Oluo shows no interest in shaking it, "I appreciate what you did for me, please allow me to pay you back." Lawrence says as he reaches into his pocket and grabs a generous sack of coins.

He offers it to Oluo, but he refuses to take it. Lawrence sighs, "Well, you like Antheia, correct? How about a night with her?" He smiles widely at Oluo, "Even my best-paying patrons only get at most a couple hours with one of my little pets. So I hope that shows you how appreciative I am of you."

Without saying anything, Oluo rushes out of the dungeons, "Stop by my lounge anytime!" He hears Lawrence shout after him.

As Oluo rushes out of the dungeons, he feels reality crash in on him. It wasn't meant to go like this. He only meant to embarrass you the same way he felt embarrassed by always being bested by you. But he never thought something like this would happen, and he felt horrible.

He looks up to see you running toward the stables. "(Y/n)!" He tried yelling after you, but you either didn't hear him or you were ignoring him. He wouldn't blame you if it were the latter.

But you were alone, and he was worried for you. So he decided to follow you. He followed you as you hurriedly saddle up a horse and take off down the road. He didn't really have time to fully saddle up a horse, so he reluctantly hopped on one bare back and set off after you.