The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

The 49th Expedition

One Year Later:

Year 850

Location: City of Trost's Gates

After leaving the Cadet Corps' base, Levi and Tessa had to return to being Captains as they joined the expedition with the rest of the Scouts. They were still wondering about the sudden change since it wasn't supposed to occur until the following week. The details revealed that Titans were pouring into every countryside village and slowly getting closer to Wall Rose. Due to the increase, the Scouts had to say goodbye to their home because they were unsure when they would return or if they even did. Tessa was upset about leaving Headquarters because of many memories, yet she knew this was part of her job as a Scout. It brought back the memory of her leaving her childhood home and her mother's dead body on the living room floor as Kenny took her to Trost. Tessa stared at the house key, wondering if she would ever see that place again and if it would be in the same state as she had left it. It sometimes would leave her restless in the morning, yet no one could tell the beauty with the sky-blue eyes was ever tired. Not even the two people that knew her the best: Levi and Hange. Tessa takes a deep breath and squeezes the key on the already crowded ring before dropping it to the side of the medical bag that belonged to Vanessa before her death. Her hand traces the emblem of Vanessa's initials as the murmuring of the Scouts and civilians wait patiently for the gates to open.

Due to her keen sense of hearing, Tessa could hear some comments from a few men about the waste of money going to the Regiment, which caused her to roll her eyes. Those remarks never bothered her because they have been the same since she joined. There were even kids in awe of them, which made Tessa smile as she heard little girls' say they wanted to be like her and Hange. Of course, Hange and Tessa high-fived each other because they were pleased to have such an impact on the girls. Those compliments are what Tessa looks forward to hearing, unlike the ones she knows will put attention on her. Some older women Tessa sees from time to time have said that Tessa is wasting her youth doing this job and that she should find herself a husband and have a family before it's too late. There's another eye roll, but a smirk tacked with it because Tessa already had someone. She had Levi. He admired her passion for being in the Scouts and wouldn't want her to stay behind while he did the work because that wasn't who he was. Yet that didn't stop young men from throwing themselves at Tessa, which would annoy her even more, but not as much as it pissed off the particular raven-haired male.

Tessa didn't need to turn around to see Levi's glare that he gave the young men because she could imagine it was like the ones he gave Eren and the Cadets. Not to mention, Hange's snickering gave it away until Levi would remark with one of her nicknames, "Shitty-Glasses" or "Four-Eyes," and tell her to shut it. That doesn't stop Hange from continuously pestering Levi, which only annoys him more. Moments like this calm Tessa's thoughts of her past before she has to separate her two favorite people. Tessa gives Hange a look, which makes Hange smile, "Zoe, knock it off." Tessa warns with a smile, yet Hange snickers, "Oh, but why, Cat?" She playfully whines before looking at Levi, "It's not my fault that Captain Grumpy needs to lighten up before we leave the Walls." She defends, and Levi rolls his eyes again, "Remind me why I'm stuck next to you for the next few hours, Shitty-Glasses?" He asks sarcastically. Hange taps her chin before shrugging, "Maybe because I need the perfect listener to hear about my ideas, and you drew the short stick, Shorty." She taunts, and Levi glares, "Watch it, Shitty-Glasses." He warns through gritted teeth.

Tessa covered her mouth to prevent snickering because she knew Levi was annoyed about being stuck with Hange, yet their banter was too good to pass up. Tessa looks at Miche, who is smirking. However, no sound escapes from his lips. She clears her throat while turning away from the duo behind her and gently taps her fingers on Star's saddle, waiting for Erwin to give out orders. He led the Regiment with Miche and Tessa behind him, Levi and Hange following, and Kip at the center of their diamond formation. The five significant leaders and hound are ready to lead the rest of the Scouts outside the safety of the Walls. As the bell beings to toll above the gates, Erwin looks up, "Thirty seconds, prepare yourselves!" He demands, "The moment the gate opens, we ride!" He orders, which Kip barks happily, and everyone smiles at the hound. Tessa pats Kip's head, "Good boy." She grins, then hears Hange groan, which makes her turn around, "Ugh, this bites! Why can't they open it now?" Hange asks while looking at the sky, but before Tessa can answer her, she sees the mischievous glint in her best friend's hazel eyes as she looks at Levi, "Oh, by the way, Levi, I-" She goes to say, but Levi cuts her off, "The answer is no." He responds in his deadpan tone, yet it makes Tessa smile because they already know where Hange is going with her sudden question.