The Captain and the Assistant

Chapter 16: Meat Dinner

Days pass by with preparations and training when one day Erwin calls some of the top members of the scouts to his office. Erwin scans the faces of everyone in the room. Hanges there and so is Levi. He isn't sitting though, he's leaning against the wall near Erwin. You try to push the flutter in your heart down when his eyes lock on yours.

"The plan to retake Wall Maria starts in two days. Please inform the scouts," Erwin finishes his usual, inspiring speech. The other commanders and higher ups nod hopefully and turn to leave.

Once the door is closed Levi immediately starts in on Erwin,

"You can't exactly move like you used to. Let Hange call the shots. You'll just be dead weight."

You quickly smack your hand over your mouth to hide your shock. You can't believe Levi would dare to call Erwin dead weight. Even with one arm, he's probably twice the fighter of some of the new recruits. Besides, Erwin is practically the face of the scouts. Without him, you would be nothing.

"The best option is for me to gamble it all.."

"Hey! Stop using that excuse or I'll break both your damn legs," Levi shouts at him.

"I'd like to avoid that," Erwin admits solemnly. "What you're saying is right, but I must be there when we learn the truth about our world."

Levi stands there, shock plastered on his face. You don't know who to side with, but after being out in Erwins position during the last rescue mission, you feel no one has the right to tell him he can't be there.

Levi turns to leave, "I see... I trust your judgement."

Erwins head falls into his hands after Levi has cleared the room. "Y/N, if Levi is right. Promise me something," Erwin asks quietly.

You turn to him and nod, "Anything."

"The lives of the many have to come before the lives of the few. I cannot stand to be saved when humanity is at stake."

You feel the weight of Erwins statement. You will follow his orders. You nod again, his eyes are more concerned now. You turn to leave and hear Erwin mutter a 'thank you' under his breath.

....

Erwin and the rest of the scouts are able to plan a special dinner the night before the expedition. They've even somehow managed to secure meat for everyone. You can't remember the last time you had meat, especially that was cooked this well.

You sat beside some scouts you recognized from your training. You didn't see them often and they greeted you with open arms. They only cracked a few jokes about your time in the cadets, but they shut up quickly when you told them about your private lessons with Captain Levi.

Suddenly a fight breaks out across the dining hall between Eren and Jean. You can't hear exactly what they are saying, but no one is stopping them. Eren throws the first punch, but Jean doesn't waste time with the counter. You watch enthusiastically as you bite into another tender piece of meat. Imagine, we are entrusting the safety of humanity in the hands of these two. The two go back and forth for a while, clearly slowing down after a few minutes of punching, kicking, and yelling.

You see a flash of movement and watch as someone goes and kicks Eren and Jean, sending them flying in opposite directions. "You're all too damn rowdy. Go to sleep." The man who gave the orders immediately leaves the hall and heads outside.

It's Levi. You never get tired of hearing his low baritone voice and watching him beat people up.

The scouts get to work cleaning up the last bits of food left over and start filing out of the hall. You stick around a bit longer and decide to catch up with some of your old friends since dinner had been cut short.