That's MILITARY BRAT To You - Ch. Twenty

A/N: First off, holy cow to TWENTY chapters. How cool! Also - we staying safe out there? Hands washed?

Saying sleep did not come easily would be a terrible understatement. I tossed, turned, wriggled under the blankets, unable to get comfortable. I stared up at the ceiling, waiting for either sleep or a divine answer to show before me; spoiler alert, neither came.

At one point, Sasha came over to make sure I was alright, and if there was anything she could do. I had to remind myself, then, I had roommates and couldn't just make a bunch of noise like I would at home in times of frustration. With an apology, I just explained I had a lot on my mind and insisted she go back to bed. Guilt wracked through me; I was the senior officer here, it should be me checking up on the kids, not the other way around. After forcing my eyes shut for what seemed like an eternity, restless sleep came to me, and I woke blearly eyed but more or less better off than I otherwise would have been.

In a light blue long sleeved shirt and khaki shorts, I headed downstairs before the younger soldiers, starting on breakfast, mechanically making coffee and black tea. If I were to get through the day, I would have to deal with the fact that caffeine and auto-pilot would be my best friend. Setting out plates, the others came bounding in spurts into the kitchen, making their own cups of coffee, careful not to take too much (even Sasha, but being under Connie's and my scrutinized gaze probably helped) as it was considered a luxury item, before claiming a seat and beginning to eat.

To my dismay - though I hoped it didn't show- Levi never came, though I kept the kettle in a warmer in case he did decide to come and get his daily cup. I thought about taking it up to him, then promptly shoved that idea straight into the ground, burying it into the recesses of my mind and allowing it to rot there. I didn't want to see him - not yet - and part of me believed he didn't necessarily want to see me either. I ignored the pang that pulled at my heart while I nibbled on my toast, standing at the counter and watching over the youngsters.

They were starting to wake up, for which I was grateful. I needed some of their energy and silly banter to get through the rest of the day, I knew. Mikasa, Eren and Armin opted to clean the kitchen, and everyone else filed out to begin their daily duties. I decided that, noticing how lovely and sunny it was becoming outside, today would be a good day for laundry. I told everyone of what I was about to do - knowing Levi was particular about how he washed his clothes so not bothering with that cup of tea (no pun intended) - and headed to a nearby creek just behind a row of trees in the forest.

I had two baskets: one with dirty clothes, and one in which I would place the freshly washed clothes in to. I hated washing the boys' clothes; there was a layer of funk that stuck on the fabrics of their belongings that even my face mask couldn't protect me from, so I always worked on the boys' things first before the girls'. Sure, everyone's items smelled like sweat and dirt and a little bit of horse, but whatever else boys did - their clothes held the evidence of it. And, with soap in hand, I was bound and determined to get rid of it.

About an hour later, I had all the clothes washed, and carried my fresh load and empty basket back to the clothes line just a few yards away from the cabin.

I had just hung up a large sheet and bent down into my basket for another clothing item when I noticed a pair of shoes on the other side of the white fabric, and I jumped in response, yelping and stepping back. To my surprise - and delight? dismay, maybe? - stood Levi, hands in his pockets, steel eyes staring at me with that familiar emptiness.

I set down the shirt I had been holding for dear life, as if that could be utilized as a weapon against Humanity's Strongest Soldier, and stepped around the sheet to stand before him. "Can I help you with something?"

By the expression on his face, that came out much harsher than I anticipated it to, but I was also a little bitter he had been avoiding me all morning and most of the afternoon. Sure, as Captain in the Survey Corps, he probably had a lot of paperwork to file, a lot of business to take care of, but - he had business with me, too, dammit. Or at least, I thought he did. I knew it was selfish to think in such a way; he worked very hard to keep his squad and his fellow soldier safe, and as of late, things were growing more and more dire for the Corps, meaning his free time was growing more and more slim.

But, jeez, if he was going to go through the effort of messing with my feelings, the least he could do was offer five minutes to explain why.

To avoid looking at him, I moved the basket closer to me, placing it purposefully between us, and began hanging clothes up again. I knew, undoubtedly, my face turned cherry red just being in his presence, but I was going to stand my ground. Talk to me or leave; we're both busy, after all.

"We need to talk."

I pressed my teeth together, ignoring the sting in my throat at those words. Talks of it's not you, it's me came rushing to the forefront of my memory but I shoved them away so I could focus on him. "Okay..."

With a sigh, he began assisting with my task, not saying anything at first, and for a moment, I believed he planned to just avoid it all over again. I made the mistake of pausing, looking at him, only to catch his gaze.

"About last night... " Here we go - "I would like to pursue these ... feelings."

I felt my jaw hit the ground; that definitely took the complete opposite turn of where I expected it to. Brown eyes watched him for some twitch in his face, something to reveal falsehood. Nothing. Then, I stuttered, stupidly, "R-really?" My voice pitched, probably because I had been trying not to cry this whole time, thinking he was going to reject me before giving us a chance.

And being proven thankfully wrong.

"Yes, but -"

Of course.

"You don't have to explain anything to me." I turned back to my work, head down, voice surprisingly unwavering as I spoke. "You're busy. And I kind of come and go. Not a good -"

"You're misunderstanding." He sounded annoyed now; my interrupting him probably didn't help with his mood. When I faced him again, tears threatening my eyes, he seemed to notice and visibly softened before speaking again. "You are right, I am busy. And with you ... being you, there's no saying just how often I would see you. But you're here now. We're here now. And anytime we've been together before, that was enough for me. Now. So I would like to pursue every now that we get to have, even if it's for a short amount of time."

I wanted to hug him. Hell, I wanted to kiss him again, but he didn't seem the type for public displays of affection. Wringing the cloth in my hands, I said in an almost whisper, "Does that mean I can break up with my boyfriend back home?"

"You're what-" When he saw me break out in a full on grin, despite the single tear running down my cheek, he tossed a towel in my face. "Haha, very funny."

I wiped my face, laughing, filled with absolute joy. This was going to be hard, I knew, and boy it would hurt like crazy. But if he was willing to go through all that to give us a fighting chance, then I would meet him halfway and do the same.

Bending down to get another piece of clothing to hang on the line, I felt that familiar warmth, and I could have just screamed in frustration. He noticed my expression, and eyebrows knit together, asked what was wrong. "I gotta go." I went to reach for him, and that was when I was envoloped by bright yellow light, followed by white-hot heat. Unlike the last few times I've "travelled", this time was very quick, though a little more painful on the landing.

I fell on something lumpy - and it somehow had a heartbeat. I whipped my head up, eyes meeting Levi's, both of us reasonably filled with fear.

"Oh, no," I muttered, glancing around at our current environment. It was nighttime, and we crash-landed into the back seat of my car. Sure, if we were younger, this would be the ideal situation for a new couple to end up. Probably moreso advantageous if Levi even knew what a car looked like.

Pushing myself off of him, I reached into my front seat and grabbed my nearly dead phone. It was the night of the same day I had left. Meaning barely a few hours had passed here, though it literally was several days as far as I was concerned.

"Where are we?" Levi asked, though he sounded like he already had an idea.

"My now."