Take Over, Pt. 5

Mikasa.

With such impeccable timing too.

Yet I was determined to finish as I slammed Eren's churned face back into the cushion.

"Levi stop! Someone's out there!" Eren whispered.

"Stop worrying. The door is locked, remember?"

"Eren? Are you in there?"

Persistent little bitch, isn't she? I guess something within me wanted to rattle her frame, and I called out, "He's fine."

Little did I know I'd soon regret that teaser as she followed with alarming pounds against the door. I felt her rage seep from the crack beneath the threshold, the hairs on my back standing on their ends. Her lack of self-restraint was slowly making me nervous, the impact of each ear-booming knock triggering Eren's panic. He scrambled for his clothes, and I let out a sigh of disbelief, irritation, and momentary regret.

"I knew this was a bad idea!" Eren whispered as he cladded himself sloppily, and I too slipped into my monkey suit.

"Wouldn't have been if your obsessed admirer wasn't such a—"

"—Eren?! Eren, what are you doing in there?"

The Siamese twin complex was something I had to bear with Eren, but at a certain point I knew I'd have to break his tie with her, whatever means necessary. It seemed her jealousy was beyond her pride and composer, and at that moment, I was unarguably at wits end. So I snatched the peach-faced rookie by his arm, rammed the door open, and laid my widening eyes upfront.

It was then my breath leaped into the back of my throat as I stood frozen before the audience gawking at us. Before I could even sow my words, I witnessed the entire assembly of benefactors, servant boys, and men of might judging Eren and I quietly. The air staled with humiliation; I've never felt so caught with my pants down…

"Levi?" Mikasa questioned.

I could already feel assumptions screaming off her heated, sheepish face. I flashed her an angered mien in return, accepting the fact Eren and I were far from presentable. My grip on Eren's arm tightened just as her lips began to babble.

"Is this how you carry yourself as an invited guest in someone's home?! Is this how you honor our supporters and represent the militia?! And sadly enough, you dragged Eren into your disgraceful ways! How can you call yourself a leader if you can't even uphold your own image? Look at you, drunken and disarranged. You're making a fool of us all!"

"Mikasa, it's not what you—"

"My apologies," I kindly interrupted Eren. "Eren and I had a bit of a scuffle in controlling his drinking habit. You can only imagine what a burden it must be carrying such a great deal of weight on one's shoulders in protecting this country. Almost like carrying a massive boulder on your back. I do not condone his reckless mannerism, but I don't shun him for it either. I am many grateful for this man's bravery and service to this country, despite his lack of maturity. My priority is guiding this young cadet to success, and ensuring our people's safety and fortitude. It might not seem so now, but I believe he is our saving grace in our dire time of need, the only real advantage we have against those heartless giants. With time, the militia as a team will soften up those rough edges and sculpt this country's hero. Mikasa…"

I looked at her flatly, a dash of hatred flickering subtly in my eyes. "Will you pardon your comrade's disheveled state? The same fearless comrade who saved your life?"

Without hesitation, she replied, "I will. Of course." Her fist tightened.

I veered my eyes north to the audience again, asking, "Will you all pardon Mr. Yeager's moment of weakness? He is still part human after all…" The room began to detensify in our favor, followed by a round of applause for the hot-headed hero. Eren erected himself with a bow and a smile.

Surely, I threw Eren under the bus, but that mini monologue of mine was what solidified our funding for the quarter.