Equanimity » Levi Ackerman

16 | ℭ𝔯𝔲𝔪𝔟𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔴𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔰

𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌: These chapters are not following the original timeline! Also, flashbacks are written in Italic!

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Maria watched her comrades get ready to head to Ehrmich District. Not only did they wait till the last minute to tell her about the capture of Annie Leonhart and the titan in the wall, but they'd also discovered the Order of the Walls held an alarming secret. So naturally, when Jean rushed back to tell her about the breach in Wall Rose, she wanted to join them, being done with not being able to do anything.

Although she had seen it coming, she wasn't allowed to come with them. Her talk with Erwin had resulted in more emotional damage than she could carry at this moment.

"Maria." "Erwin..." The blond male gave her a reserved smile. "I see you're doing well." "Okay, cut it out alright."

Surprised at Maria's sudden outburst, the commander stared at his friend. "We haven't had the chance to talk this over, but now you've called for me, this is the perfect moment for you to tell me why." Erwin let out a small sigh, knowing what she meant.

"Erwin, I know you're a busy man, but would it have killed you to come and speak to me in person?" The pain in her voice made Erwin falter a bit. He crouched down and placed his big calloused hand on her right knee. "We're friends, right?"

"Yes, of course." He hummed watching her face carefully. "Then why would you send Levi to make me retire. You know I can't go back to live in Trost District."

"You don't have to go back to Trost if you don't want to." Maria scoffed, turning her head to look away. "I don't want to leave and retire. All I want is to get back on my feet as soon as possible, and you know that. That's the only reason I would ever get back there."

"In these years I've come to know you, you've shown more determination and strength than many cadets in my division-"

"Then why would you quit on me now!" Erwin frowned and got up to look down at her again. He was a tall man, and now that he towered over her it made her feel especially small. He had an answer for that, and it was the same as he had told Levi before. Erwin's blue eyes darted to the ceiling as he threw his head back a little, a sigh escaping his thin lips. There was no way of telling her off in a manner that wouldn't hurt her.