Laverna [ Levi Ackerman x Reader ]

↳ 𝟐.𝟑𝐚 - 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

AS PER USUAL in the Scouts, you woke up at dawn when the sun was still orange. You didn't wake up the earliest, but you woke up earlier than usual.

As usual, everyone began to prepare for the day in near silence.

You took the extra time to read the letter from your father. You sat up in your uncomfortable bed, reaching next to you and grabbing the envelope.

You carefully broke the seal.

The parchment glowed in the waking sunlight, your father's familiar penmanship a stark contrast.

Dear [Y/N],

     I haven't heard from you in a while. I hope you're well. People have told me you're excelling in the Scouts. It sounds like you're making a name for yourself, and I hope you know I'm proud of you. I heard you leave for an expedition soon. Please stay safe. Don't feel pressured to write back. I love you.

- Dad

You frowned at his letter. You wouldn't deny that you missed your relationship with him before your mother's death— and now that you reunited Levi and Furlan, you felt closer to your life in the Underground than you had for the past few years.

Your heart ached more than you thought it would.

Perhaps it would be cathartic to write back.

Sighing to yourself, you took out a pen and paper from your drawer, deciding to write him before getting ready for training.

Hi, Dad.

   I'm alive. Thanks for writing. They recruited some people from the Underground. It's a long story, but I like them.

- [Y/N]

It was short like most of your letters were, but it would do. You'd have to send it later that day.

✯✯✯

You and your squad planned to meet at the training ground earlier than necessary. Though you'd gone over the plan a handful of times before, this was also the first time a girl named Heidi would be fighting with you.

Only a couple showed up to begin with: yourself and Talia Leitz.

Talia was tall and intimidating, her brunette hair cut to her chin and light eyes perpetually ambitious. There was a regality and elegance she held herself with. You once thought about befriending her, but she didn't seem to like you very much— that, and after spending time with her on your squad, you realized that she was worse than you thought.

Her definition of small talk was much different from yours.

Levi, Isabel, and Furlan were walking with Flagon, getting a run-down before heading to the stables, and both you and Talia observed a little ways away.

"It's terrible how they're letting those criminals in with us," Talia scoffed. "The short one's cute, though. It's too bad he's so pissed all the time. He doesn't talk to anyone."

"They wouldn't be here if they weren't supposed to be— Commander Shadis knows what he's doing," you defended with a frown.

"They don't even have any training," said Talia, glancing up at you. "This one day isn't going to change anything."

"If Captain Erwin says they're skilled with ODM gear, they are. It's that simple."

"Tell them that when they're getting carried back after the expedition."

Her words struck more deeply than she realized. However, despite the horrifying thought, you kept your exterior unmoved.

"We could all be dead outside the walls, Talia," you frowned. "We're just lucky."