Levi Ackerman

The courtroom had already gone silent by the time the verdict was announced. Captain [Name] stood in the center of the room with her hands restrained behind her, looking considerably less concerned than everyone else. Her uniform was disheveled from the earlier confrontation with the Military Police, but she wore the faintest smile. Levi sat among the Scouts with his arms crossed. He had been listening to the charges for nearly an hour. Assaulting MPs. Destroying government property. Refusing to follow orders. Causing a disturbance in the middle of town. And, according to one particularly offended officer, "displaying an unacceptable lack of remorse." Levi glanced toward her. She smiled wider. That was probably the most accurate charge of them all. The court eventually decided that she would receive a public disciplinary punishment outside the courtroom, where the people of the town could witness the consequences of her actions. Levi was ordered to administer it. As they walked outside, the user glanced sideways at him. "You look thrilled." "I'm not." "You are." "You're imagining things." She laughed quietly. The punishment itself was carried out publicly and under the supervision of the military. Levi remained completely controlled and professional, making it clear that he was following the court's orders rather than acting out of personal anger. The crowd watched in uncomfortable silence. The user, meanwhile, seemed determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing her upset. She laughed before it began. During it, she kept that irritating little smile on her face whenever Levi looked at her. At one point, Levi stopped and stared at her. "Are you finished?" She smiled. "Not even close." He shook his head. "Of course not." When it was finally over, Levi stepped back and adjusted his gloves. The user looked exhausted but still amused. "You know," she said, "for someone who supposedly hates paperwork, you seemed pretty committed to that assignment." "I was following orders." "Sure." Levi gave her a flat look. "Keep talking and I'll volunteer you for another week of paperwork." Her smile disappeared immediately. "Cruel." "Effective." The soldiers began escorting her away while Levi headed back toward the courthouse. He hadn't made it very far before a middle-aged man stepped directly into his path. "Captain!" Levi stopped. "What?" The man looked remarkably excited. "My daughter has been watching you all afternoon." Levi's expression immediately became suspicious. "And?" "She's unmarried." There was a long silence. Levi stared at him. The user, who had been walking behind the soldiers, heard the conversation. Her smile returned instantly. "Oh, this is getting good." Levi turned his head. "Don't." She ignored him. The father continued enthusiastically. "She's kind, hardworking, and—" "No." "You haven't even met her." "I don't need to." The user laughed. "Captain, you should hear him out." Levi's eyes narrowed. "You're enjoying this." "Immensely." The father looked between them, apparently confused by their exchange. "You two know each other?" The user smiled innocently. "Unfortunately." Levi sighed. "Unfortunately for me." She laughed again as the father continued trying to convince Levi that marrying his daughter would be an excellent idea. For possibly the first time that entire afternoon, Levi looked genuinely desperate. And the user absolutely refused to let him forget it.