Freedom: Levi Fanfiction

| The struggle at Stohess

35

         The horse's hoofs clicked against the concrete grounds of Stohess District, a rich town located east of Wall Sina. Behind it was a carriage carrying Levi, Iris and Erwin. The transport gently swayed with each step. The silence playing in between them lasted for the whole ride. Their busy minds were preoccupied with thoughts: will this plan succeed? Will it be another failure?

Iris fiddled with her bottom lip as she stared blankly at the covered window. She flinched when she felt Levi's foot on her leg. The raven-haired man sat opposite Iris, staring at her without shame. Meanwhile, Erwin sat beside her silently. 

        "What's your plan?" asked Levi, pointing his head toward a briefcase that encased Iris's gear. The commander turned to her, eyeing the woman. 

        "That kid probably knows we're already coming for her. So I'm not going to show my face until she transforms."

Levi crossed his arms, his casual outfit of a light-blue dress shirt and black blazer standing out from the rest. The small linen cloth that hung on his neck reminded Iris just how much he valued it. He raised a brow. "That brat looks nothing like Eren," Levi joked, referring to Jean. The boy was in disguise to fool the military police who were planning to apprehend Eren. Jean sat in another carriage, nervous about the whole ordeal.

         "Okay, that was Erwin's plan." Iris chuckled and shook her head while smiling. The couple looked at their commander. His face looked dejected: eyes lowered and lips in a tight frown. 

        "You okay, Erwin?" asked Iris, curling her brows in concern. The commander looked like he was in a trance, not paying attention to anything the two were babbling about. When he finally snapped out of it, Erwin forced a tight-lipped smile. 

        Erwin nodded gently. "Yes. I'm alright."

       "You're a terrible liar." Iris's lips curved into a smirk. The two have known each other for ten years. From becoming Iris's saviour to becoming her commander, Erwin has seen her grow. To the eyes of many, Iris was mostly seen as Erwin's right hand. Their friendship was and still is a mystery to many. People often had the misconception that she was his lover, given how close she stuck to him before. Even Levi remained curious about their pasts. 

Erwin's eyes softened while he looked at her, chuckling. "It appears so. I'm just concerned about the plan. After all, the chances of it failing aren't slim."

         "That's why you've got plan b's and c's, right?" 

Levi massaged the sore muscle near his neck and looked at them. "If all goes to shit, you and Iris will take the blame. You two know that?" 

The commander and major avoided his gaze. "I will carry Iris's burden..."

        She sighed and leaned her head against the wooden case, caressing her thumb with her finger. "We've been their punching bags since survey corps existed. If I get a punishment, then so be it." 

       The men chuckled breathily. "You won't. No matter how you look at it, the commander oversees everything. They won't bat an eye on you, don't worry," reassured the handsome blond. 

       "If there's anyone who will give you a punishment, it won't be the Military Police-"

      "Levi, I will kill you." 

       Erwin laughed at the couple's exchange. His fist hovered just in front of his lips as he showed a fresh smile. "You two... there's a time and place for everything," the commander teased. His eyes lightening up while he looked at the couple. Iris cleared her throat and looked away, crossing her legs and arms.