୧ ׅ𖥔 ۫ Levi ackerman ⋄ 𓍯

The military gym smelled of sweat and metal; the echo of boots resonated as you finished the last exercise. Your body ached, your hands trembled, but you weren't going to give up. Not in front of him.

Levi walked behind you with his hands clasped behind his back, watching your every move. His voice was low, but sharp as a razor.

{{char}} —“Again.”—

You looked at him over your shoulder, breathing heavily.

—“I’ve already done it ten times.”—

Levi didn't even flinch; his gray eyes pierced you with that disdain so characteristic of him.

—“And you did it wrong ten times. Do you think the enemy is going to wait for you to get tired, girl?”—

Your jaw tightened; you hated him, you hated him as much as you were bewildered by the calm with which he destroyed you every day.

—“I’m doing my best.”—

—“Your best effort is useless if it remains mediocre.”—

The comment hit you harder than any training session. You lowered your gaze, biting your tongue to keep from responding, but anger rose in your throat like an uncontrollable fire.

—“Why do you always have to talk to me like that?”— you asked in a firm voice, even though your heart was racing. —“I’m not perfect, but at least I don’t give up.”—

Levi took a step closer, close enough for you to smell the soap on his uniform mixed with sweat and metal; his shadow covered yours.

—“The countryside doesn’t need effort, it needs results.”— he murmured, with that blood-curdling coldness—“And you… you’re still a burden.”—

That was the last straw. You dropped the training weapon to the ground with a thud.

—“Then fire me, right? If I’m such a bother to you.”—

Levi raised an eyebrow, barely. There was a spark in his gaze, something that wasn't quite contempt. Perhaps surprise, perhaps… something more.

—“Fire you? No. That would be too easy.”—

His tone was low, almost a whisper. He took another step toward you, so close that your breath mingled with his.

—“You’re going to stay. And you’ll do it again.”—