𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 - ﹝𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐚.﹞

﹝𝟑﹞

〔 𝘛𝘩𝘦 57𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 〕

ﾒ

It's been about a week since the whole spoon incident, and as of today we are making preparations to initiate the 57th Recon Mission to Shiganshina. 

Commander Erwin must have gone over the plans and maps so many times that I bet if Hange cut me open it would be engrained into my skull.

Anyways, I'm currently cleaning the stables, AGAIN.

Of course this is Captain's orders... although it may or may not have something to do with me accidentally setting off an acoustic flare right next to him...

Yeah that's my bad.

But anyways, speak of the devil.

"Arlert, hurry up and get to dinner." Captain walks out as soon as he had walked in.

I stare at where he just was blankly.

Okay, rude.

I turn back and sigh, hanging up a saddle and heading to the dining hall. 

Seriously, what is his problem? If he wasn't such a spinning ball of death he could 100% kill the titans with just his attitude.

I look around at the quiet outside, hearing muffled conversations from the castle. By now the sun is setting and I see the dim torch light at the doors.

I take a breath before going in.

The Walls forbid I do anything to make the Captain even more annoyed...

I push open the doors. 

But as soon as I enter I'm all but tackled by multiple people.

"Y/N!! I knew you would be here! I knew you survived!"

I freeze, before looking down and seeing a familiar head of blonde, black, and brown hair.

"ARMIN! MIKASA! You guys are really here!" I can't believe it, after 5 long years...

"Of course! I know you well even after all this time Y/N." Armin looks up at me.

I take in his face, "You haven't changed a bit..." he smiles.

Hold on. "Wait. What are you guys even doing here!? When did you come? Are you guys recruits? NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THAT!"

Eren speaks up, "Really Y/N? I thought Captain Levi told everyone about the new recruits, he had us give them their uniforms."

"WHAT!?!" the entire dining hall goes silent for a second, staring at me, before continuing to more quiet conversations.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? The Captain KNEW we had new recruits and didn't say anything?? UGH curse that short stack, no good, wrong sword holding-

"Well we're here now!" Armin and Mikasa snap me out of my thoughts, "So come on! Let's go sit and eat, there's far too much to catch up on!"

I let the three of them distract me and lead me to a table. For once I find myself enjoying the horrendous food they serve us.

Maybe it's because my taste buds have gone numb... or maybe because I couldn't get the smile off my face at seeing Armin, Mikasa, and Eren all together again, right here, in front of me.

-

The day of the expedition has finally arrived, and I'm already over it.

We're making our way through the city to the front gate.

I swear I'm gonna end up setting one of these flare guns off by accident again and the Captain will just cut me down where I stand.

Although... that wouldn't be such a bad way to go.

By the Walls, focus Y/N.

I go over the map of positions in my head.

Of course I'm still in Captain Levi's squad, unfortunately, and we are in the center towards the back. Armin is in the right wing. But luckily he isn't that far out, so he isn't too exposed.

Although unsurprisingly it doesn't seem to make my nerves any more calm... but I still refuse to show how nervous I am, neither the squad nor Armin need that right now.

I take a breath and keep my head up, leading my horse with the rest of the scouts.

I look around at Petra and Eren next to me, who has Levi in front of him.

I crane my neck to look for Armin's blonde head, and I see him for a brief second before falling back into my saddle.

Please... for Armin's sake... let this mission be a success.

"Hey Y/N," Petra snaps me out of my thoughts as she puts her hand on my shoulder, "don't look so worried, we've got the best squad here. Armin will be alright, especially since he has you constantly checking on him."

I give her a small smile, "Thanks Petra, and you're probably right."

"Just think about all the wonderful hours of cleaning the stables you'll get from the Captain when we come back!" She laughs at me.

"Ugh don't remind me." I glance at the Captain before burying my face in my hands.

"Don't worry~ I'll always be there to help!"

I look up at her smiling at me.

"Thank you, Petra."

I take one last glance at everyone around me.

Eld, Oluo, Petra, Eren, Gunther, the Captain, and all the other scouts.

I know some of these scouts won't ever make it back... but I can't dwell on that now.

Suddenly the gate starts to lift.

It's time.

I ready my reigns. 

There's a brief silence, until the gate is high enough and Erwin shouts.

"FORWARD!"

"It's officially begun. The 57th Recon Mission!"

"SCOUTS. MOVE OUT!"

ﾒ

﹝𝙖/𝙣﹞

𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙨, 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙩.

𝙞 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙤- 𝙣𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨.