Let Me Fly [Levi|Winged!Reader|Eren]

3. Sunlight

[Name] watched the light and dark grey clouds mingle in the sky. They could feel the merest amount of sun energy through their cover, but it was enough – they would live. But the possibility of their people still being alive chewed at the back of their mind. Could it be possible? The Titans had followed Arrus all the way to the mountain, and pillaged their people brutally. Even just one person being alive would be alright. But, and perhaps it was because they were so weak, [Name] couldn't feel any life energy of her fellows.

[Name] sighed, some colour had returned to their grey arms after a few hours, along with some feeling. It was enough for [Name] to strip off their clothes, and allow as much sun to be absorbed as possible into their skin. There was hours left yet until Miss. Hanji and young Eren were to come around, so lying bare wouldn't be a problem. Sitting up, [Name] carefully moved to lie on their stomach. Trying with all of their might to get their stone muscles to work again. [Name] could now stretch out their wings on their own, and unfolded them to properly absorb what they could. It was going to be a long day if the rain didn't break.

A loud squeak awoke [Name] from their slumber. Looking around, they found that the rain had lessened and the sky had lightened up. But also found Eren, Miss. Hanji and Eren's friends, all utterly shocked at the creature's nakedness. [Name] yawned, sitting up as they coiled a wing around to hide themselves. Poor Armin's face as bright as a cherry, and Mikasa and Eren's held a fair amount of pink; the younger three turned, muttering their apologies. But Hanji only raised an eyebrow. [Name] stood, gathering their soaking clothes and beginning to dress again. The clothes were made of loose, thin material, which made flying easier since the air went right through. The top had to be shimmied over the legs, to rest under the wings, and it tied at the neck and at the hips.  While the pants were baggy and tied around the waistband and knees.

"I am sorry," stated [Name], able to finally talk and breathe normally again. "I had not meant to stay clothe-less for this long. I must have fallen asleep, or else I would have dressed before you arrived."

"Why were you naked?" asked Hanji, to which [Name] chuckled. The woman was relieved that the angel's voice and breathing were back to normal, even if their skin was still stony and grey. They were getting better from the inside out, just like how they became sick.

"Being unclothed allows for more area to draw in the sun's energy," stated [Name] simply before telling the others they could turn around. Hanji nodded like it made perfect sense to her.

"We brought you lunch, you up for a picnic under the tree?" [Name] smiled lightly and accepted the invitation. However, they stumbled while taking their first steps. Eren was the one who caught them, flushing some at the closeness. [Name]'s nerves, muscle and skin were still mostly stone, so it proved difficult for them to walk. [Name] allowed for their wings to extend fully behind them, needing the full stretch. When they had a little more feeling in their numb legs, they would try to fly.

Lunch was nice; [Name] learned about Armin and Mikasa and they about [Name]. The gruel was warm after being out in the rain since dawn, a warm summer's shower or not. Hanji joked, as usual, and Eren found it was a relief to be away from his chores. Moreover, he was just as relieved as Hanji to have [Name] alright. Perhaps even more so than she was. On the hill where they were, it seemed a different world. Everything was peaceful for once. No loud cadets or dumb titans, or cranky corporals or more chores waiting to be done along with training. It seemed like it could just be their little bubble of five forever; however, their little world was dismissed when squishy footsteps made their way up the hill.

"What the hell are you brats still doing out here?!" spat Levi. Had lunch been over so soon? Hanji stood from the blanket immediately, apologizing and saying it was her fault. Levi scrutinized her for a minute before grunting and yelling at the cadets to get back to the castle to do chores. Levi charged Hanji with the task of cleaning his boots when they got back. But before they left, he cast a glare at [Name] who simply sat there with stone limbs.