His Wounded Heart Beats For One (Levi x Reader Fanfiction)

12: Long Distance Enemy Scouting Formation

After waiting long enough to let your excitement calm down and your pain diminish, you leave the board room and head to the courtyard. It's only Peer and the other nurses, and he immediately gets to work teaching you the basics of utilizing gear and ODM supplies. You get the hang of controlling wagons drawn by both one or two horses, and you learn the purpose of the multiple types of crates that could be loaded atop the wagons.

You and the other nurses whisper to each other about why you're learning this. The reason—no, the excuse Erwin gave was just far too weak, and none of you are falling for it. Simultaneously, though, none of you are courageous enough to ask any superior about it. You reluctantly just do as you're told, hoping a better explanation will come along shortly.

The day ends, the cabins cramming with soldiers as they all return to sleep. Tomorrow will be a rehearsal of the Long Distance Enemy Scouting Formation, and the regiment was told to wake and eat early to be ready to go when summoned.

So, you wake up the following morning alongside the rest of the women and prepare swiftly. You pick an outfit suitable for prolonged horse riding while still being light enough to combat the relentless sun.

In the mess hall, bustling soldiers swipe breakfast and eat hastily, your group of nurses dispersing among them. You accept a plate Thea has prepared for you before sitting down with her and Robin, digging into sautéed potatoes and fried eggs.

Several rows away from you, you watch Erwin receive a report from a subordinate, discussing points you can't hear. His soldier shrugs at one point, then sighs as she stands up.

"Soldiers!" the woman shouts. "We're finishing taking role! Has anyone seen Levi?"

The regiment groans at the name, exhausted by the delinquent that never stays in line. Several no's and that fucker's pop up among the crowd, but nobody can confirm seeing him.

"Seriously?" she cries. "Was he not in the men's cabin last night?"

"He wasn't," someone answers. "He wasn't the night before, either. He's never been seen in the men's cabin."

"What? Where the hell is he sleeping, then?"

"No idea."

Robin nods to himself, concurring. "Levi hasn't left any belongings," he says to only you and Thea. "There's open beds, but he hasn't claimed any of them."

That's pretty unusual. It's not like Levi just doesn't sleep, so where does he stay? Does he prowl the grounds all night? Perhaps he returns to Keiski. You ponder over it.

"He'll show up." Erwin is confident in that fact. He rises from his his bench. "My soldiers! Finish up your meal and be horsed up in ten minutes! We're heading out immediately."

The troops answer, and you hasten your feast.

Several minutes later, you're part of a horde of soldiers on horseback awaiting orders from Keith. Supply wagons are being stocked up while squad leaders and section commanders weave through their troops, handing out orders and directing personnel.

"My section!" Erwin shouts as he trots through the horses. "Unless instructed otherwise, you will be making up the middle line of the formation! The two other sections will flank you, the supply wagons within them. Nurses!" He looks to you, given that you're conveniently the closest person of interest. "You will stay with the wagons! Split up between Hange and Miche's section on your own decision!"

"Um, roger!" You direct Cyrus away, quick to seek out the other two nurses under Erwin's orders. Finding Ruth and Oscar, you want to discover their opinion on which section they're claiming. "Guys? Where're you gonna go? Hange or Miche?"