Attack on Cravat! Chapter 6

A few hours later, you found yourself in the kitchen with Christa and Armin, helping the cook prepare dinner. You were set next to a large bucket, peeling potatoes with Armin while Christa tended to the soup boiling on the stove. You and Armin made quiet, pleasant conversation, Christa interjecting from tie to time. The kitchen was warm and cozy in the afternoon sunlight. You were quite content sitting and talking with your friends.

"Which is why I think we shouldn't have to do 3DMG tests!" You explained to Armin, who looked at you dubiously.

"But safety always comes first, doesn't it?" Armin asked, pausing from peeling his potato. "I mean, what happens if you don't test your equipment and you go into the field?"

You paused. "Well...yeah."

Armin and Christa laughed.

"By the way." Christa looked up from her pot. "Has anyone else noticed the men hanging around the entrance to the compound?"

You and Armin looked up from the bucket. "No." Armin replied. "What could they be there for?"

Christa shrugged, looking little nervous. "I'm not sure, but when Connie and I went out to the market today to get some things for cook, we noticed them. They kept looking at us like we were roaches. It gave me the creeps."

You shivered. "Sounds scary."

Christa nodded. "It was. Connie told me he would tell Commander Erwin when we got back, but by the time we returned, they were gone. So I'm not sure if he even bothered."

Armin looked to the window of the kitchen suspiciously. "Maybe they were just standing there on accident, but if they were standing there for a reason, I fear it can't be good."

"My thoughts exactly." Christa offered. "And you know, for a few moments, while we were in the market, I thought I saw one of the men following us. It scared when I pointed him out to Connie, he was gone."

Your mouth pulled to the side in thought. "I still think Erwin should know. I mean, strange men hanging out the compound, and then following you? That sounds awful suspicious to me."

Armin nodded. But just as he was about to speak, the cook leaned into the kitchen. "Okay cadets, go ahead and put those potatoes on a tray and stick them in the oven. Then you are free to go."

"Okay" The three of you responded, glancing at each other and chuckling.

After preparing the potatoes, you three meandered into the courtyard, watching as other soldiers finished their chores in time for dinner. Christa and Armin seated themselves on a bench as you leaned on nearby column.

"So, ______." Christa spoke. You looked up at her. "How was your chores with Corporal Rivaille today?"

You felt a slight blush rise to your face. "That's an...interesting question." You replied with a nervous laugh.

Armin eyed you curiously. "What chores did he have you do?"

"Well, let's see. I had to iron his scarf, then he had me running around all morning asking people strange questions,and then..." You trailed off, remembering the scene in Rivaille's office a few hours prior.

"Armin, you should have seen it this morning" Christa laughed, a twinkle in her eyes. "______ slept in, and just as she was getting dressed, Rivaille came in, slung her over his shoulder, and walked out of the room!"

Armin was shocked. "Really?" He looked to you. "Is that true?"

You nodded, bushing. "He didn't even let me get my second boot on."

Armin burst out laughing. "That must have been terrible. I'm actually surprised that he would be able to pick you up, he's so short."

"You're one to talk, Armin." Christa pointed out.

Armin blushed. "At least I come by it honestly." he replied quickly.

In the clock tower above you, a bell chimed, signaling the hour, and that it was time for dinner. You began to walk to the dining hall, looking back over your shoulder. "Coming?"

"Ah, we'll catch up with you." Armin replied, but you noticed how his hand got closer to Christa's. Ah, it was one of those things.

You gave Armin a knowing smirk, then spun on your heel, heading off in the direction of the cafeteria. You slung your arms behind your head, walking with a spring in your step and a hum on your lips. Other soldiers passed by you, talking and conversing, glad to be done with a long day of chores.

You didn't notice one soldier who fell into step beside you, hands stuffed in his pockets, shoulders hunched over nervously.

"Hey, ________."

You looked over, your face brightening. "Oh, Hi Jean. what's up?"

Jean shrugged nonchalantly, but you could see the smile playing on his lips. "Nothing much. How was your day with Corporal?"

You almost stumbled. "How does everyone know about that?!" You asked, a tinge of disbelief in your voice.

Jean laughed, his eyes sparkling. "Ymir hasn't stopped talking about since the incident this morning."

"Ymir...' You growled under your breath. "My day wasn't hard. I actually enjoyed the break from my regular chores."

Jean nodded, his eyes darting over your face. You noticed, but didn't mind it much.

"Um..." Jean looked off for a moment, then turned back to you, raising a hand to let your hair slip through his fingers. "I like your hair down. You should wear it more like that."

You felt your face grow warm. "Thank you, I..." You stopped, not wanting to tell him that it was Rivaille's order.

You both walked in silence for a few moments. Finally, Jean spoke again. "You know, ______ I thought it was pretty brave of you to actually go through with the dare. I have to say, I have some new respect for you."

You smirked at him. "Did you have any in the first place?"

Jean feigned hurt. "Of course I did! I mean...you are...very..." he trailed off, and you could tell he was trying to be careful with his words. "...Pretty." He mumbled under his breath.

You looked at him in surprise. "Jean, do you really mean that?"

Jean nodded, and you noticed the blush rising to his face. "That's why, I was kinda wondering, would you like to sit with me tonight? With me and a few friends?"

You nodded, a smile spreading across your face, but before you could speak, a voice interrupted you.

"_______ will be sitting with me tonight."

You spun on your heel, ready to exclaim in indignation, when you realized who had just spoken.

"Co-Corporal!"

Rivaille stood tensely, his dark eyes glaring at Jean. He stood stiffly, his hands clenched at his sides. A dark, menacing aura seemed to radiate from him, and it was all you could do not to shiver.

Jean's eyes narrowed at Rivaille. "Evening, Corporal." he spoke slowly, coldly.

Rivaille didn't respond. Instead, the air around the three of you seemed to drop ten degrees. The two men glared daggers at each other, and despite his height, Rivaille seemed to be the more intimidating of the two.

Around you, you saw soldiers slow as they passed by, some stopping altogether to witness a fight in progress. It was obvious that, given the situation, if the wrong thing was said on Jean's part, a fight would break out. You sincerely hoped this wouldn't happen, seeing as Rivaille had years more experience than Jean, and would definitely give him a few reminders of that.

You swallowed thickly, caught in between the two men. You tugged on Jean's jacket. "Jean..." You spoke softly. Jean covered your hand with one of his. You blushed at the action, and you saw Rivaille's eyes narrow.

"Do I need to repeat myself, Cadet?" Rivaille all but hissed, getting closer to the taller man.

Jean stared down at the corporal. "I didn't see her agree to that, sir."

The air seemed to spark between them. Rivaille spoke slowly, clearly: "Did I sense a hint of attitude in that, cadet?"

Jean swallowed, but didn't waver. "No sir." he replied.

You felt a grip on your wrist. You looked down, to find Rivaille's hand grasping your hand firmly. You looked up at Rivaille's face, to find his death glare directed towards you for a moment. You straightened, your face growing warm for a moment under his eyes.

Jean held your hand, turning away from Rivaille for a moment. "Come on, _."

Rivaille got close to Jean, quickly, yanking the boy down to his height. "You listen here, cadet." he growled. Jean looked terrified for a moment. Everyone in the pavilion froze, no one dared to even breathe. "I am your superior, don't you forget that. You are to obey my orders. And right now, your orders are to stand down."

Time seemed to freeze. You prayed that Jean would agree, knowing Rivaille would probably set Jean as a demonstration to anyone who disobeyed his orders.

Jean glanced at your horrified face to Rivaille's death glare. Then, ever so slowly, he nodded in defeat.

Before you could object, Rivaille tore you away from Jean's grip. And despite everyone's stares, led you off to an empty hallway. You stumbled after him, the grip on your wrist almost painful.

You heard the door shut behind you, and chose that moment to wrench your hand away from his grip. "Hey!" You exclaimed. "You can't just-!"

"Shut up"

You blinked in surprise, too stunned to speak back. Rivaille chose that moment to advance towards you, until your back hit the wall behind you. Your hands pressed to the stone behind you. Rivaille trapped you with his arms on either side. You had nowhere to go.

Rivaille got close to your face, you could feel his breath on your skin. His eyes radiated darkness. You could tell how angry he was. You only prayed it wasn't directed towards you.

"Don't let him touch you." It came out as a growl. It took you a moment to process it. The confusion must have showed on your face, because Rivaille spoke again: "Don't let his filthy hands touch you."

You shrank under his gaze. "Jean's not 'filthy'!" You protested, which only got you more of a glare. You felt Rivaille's fist tighten next to your head.

"I don't care." he hissed. "You are under my command, and I'm ordering you: Don't let him, or any other kid touch you, understand?"

Your eyebrows knit together in worry. Rivaille waited for an answer. You chose your words carefully.

"Understood, Lance Corporal."

Rivaille growled in frustration. He pushed away from the wall. "Every time you address me as anything but my name, I'll have you running laps for an hour."

It took all you had for you not to shout at him. You bit the inside of your lip hard enough for it to hurt.

He walked away, and you watched his back grow smaller. Finally, he turned around to look at you. Dark eyes clashing with yours. "Are you coming?"

It took you a moment, but you shook your head. Without another word, you rushed away from him, out of the building, and to the training field. You ran as hard and as fast as you could, frustration and anger building in you. Your feet hit the ground loudly, but you didn't care. You just needed to vent your anger somehow.

You ran for what seemed like hours. The sun had already set, and cicadas began to chirp and sing loudly. You took no notice. Footsteps echoed for hours, even after soldiers had retired to their quarters.

Your breaths came in ragged, shallow breaths. At last, when your legs could no longer hold you, did you fall into the dirt, shoulders hunched over, tears building in your eyes. You didn't have the energy to carry yourself back to your bunk. You knew you would pay for it in the morning, but right now you just wanted to sleep.

You fell over onto your back, your breath still coming in quick little breaths. Faintly, you heard footsteps. You turned your head to source of the sound, and managed to make out the image of someone's boots before sleep overtook you and your world went black.