The Crocus Lawn// Levi x reader BOOK 1

XVI

In the darkness, neither you nor Lydia spotted any Titans. Really, it was only you on the lookout, Lydia was in shock. You tried to be kind, and didn't want to think of her as deadweight, but you knew only one of you would be making it out if more Titans appeared. You ushered both of your horses along, as fast as you could manage without your comrade falling off.

In the near distance, a small light was visible. It was the rendezvous point, clearly the others had already made it there and established a base for the night. Closing the distance, you noticed a figure standing outside. They were impossibly tall, taller than the doorframe at the very least. You soon realised it was Claire. She stood silently, waiting. As soon as you were close enough to dismount from your horse, you called her over to help her twin. She helped Lydia down wordlessly, looking equally as helpless as her twin. Twin telepathy, weird.

"You were late," Levi began, leaving the safely of the hut to bring you in.

"Yeah, I would say ambush, but Titans don't seem smart enough for that," you replied, trying to keep a level head.

It soon became apparent to the others (who were huddled inside around a lone candle) that yourself and Lydia were the only survivors. Any gust of wind or slight shuffle outside left them glancing up, as if expecting to see the rest of your party shuffle in. Of course, they never did. Lydia and Claire were the only ones not surrounding the candle lit table, instead opting to sit in the far corner. The hut was considerably bigger than you had expected, but there were more squads to come. Remembering that, you quickly looked up, signalling to both Eld and Levi to meet you in a small side room.

It wasn't much more than a dusty broom cupboard, but it was sufficient for a small meeting.

"I-I didn't think they were so active at night," Eld began, after the situation was explained.

"I didn't run into any on the way here, sleeping or otherwise," Levi said, looking down.

He was torn. On the one hand, the Titans you had met would have been no match for him, it would've been easy. But on the other hand, he knew he wouldn't have been able to guarantee the safety of his squad either. Either of you, both of you, would have been fine alone.

"It doesn't matter, there was active Titans out there. And they-they killed my squad," you said, your voice quivering slightly, "what matters is that more squads will be coming. Following the same paths as we did. Someone has to go back and warn them before it's too late."

"But we can't leave it until daytime to run the mission, the Titans would be too active!" Eld exclaimed, trying to regain control.

"They're active now, at least we'd have full visibility in the day," Levi retorted, challenging him.

It seemed the two were about to butt heads over what to do. Clearly, Eld was trying to be a good Squad Leader. Not that it really mattered, it was basically already written in stone that Levi would be replacing him. It was almost unfair to make him lead, and you were almost certain that the Commander had set this up. If Eld proved to be incapable, it would make sense that a second in command would replace him.

Not wanting to watch the fight any longer, you decided to leave. Not only the small broom cupboard, but the hut as well. If they wouldn't make up their minds, as a Captain, you would. You were in the main space of the building, gearing up to leave. You wouldn't take your horse, there was enough trees to fly the whole way. You were almost at the door, about to give commands to the last of your squad mates, when Levi stopped you.

"What are you doing?" He asked, grabbing your elbow.

"Someone has to warn them,"

"It doesn't have to be you, not after what you've just been through," he said, steering you closer to him and away from the door.

From the corner of your eye, you saw Claire stand up. She was the more collected of the twins, having not been there to witness the horror firsthand.

"I'll go with you, Captain. You're one of the best we've got, and you were there. You can tell them firsthand and they'll have to listen," she said, eyeing her other Captain cautiously.

She was right, it did make most sense for you to go. Out of the three leading members, you were the only one who was an eyewitness. You did, however, have a sneaking suspicion that the Commander would be more inclined to listen to Levi.

"...Okay, watch each other's backs. And fire a fucking flare, if I don't see it I'm coming back after you," Levi muttered, not looking at Claire.

"They need you here," you reply, quietly.

"I don't care."

———
You made your way through the forest at breakneck speed. Claire had helped you siphon more gas into your canisters. Hers were still full, and she raced behind you just as fast. The pair of you breached a clearing, skidding hard in the dirt as you came to a stop outside the gate in the wall. Several soldiers were there to greet you, including Hange. Instantly, questions arose about the whereabouts of the rest of your squad. The commander seemed especially concerned about Levi. You were begging with them, pleading them not to send the next squad until daylight.

"Please, we need the visibility, the Titans seem just as active in the dark. It's a death trap," you begged.

Finally, blissfully, the Commander nodded.

"It is unprecedented, but I believe you, Captain," he said.

"Thank you, Levi told me to fire a flare so that the team would know we were safe," you began, "they won't leave until daybreak, unless they think we're in danger."

Erwin considered this, and looked up at the dark night sky.

"No, soldier. It would give away our position, especially if the Titans are as active as you say they are."

You crumpled, leaning on Claire for support. She looked just as anxious, knowing nothing would be able to stop her sister barraging into the dark to save her. In the sea of soldiers, you spotted Nanaba, quietly conversing with Hange. Some sort of agreement seemed to be reached, adn a flare gun came flying towards you. Sweet Hange, sweet Nana.

You wanted no time, preparing for Erwin to haunt you. You fired the flare, high into the dark sky, where it exploded into a ball of bright light. The commander swiped at the gun, knocking to the ground. It looked as though he was aiming for your sleeves, intent on ripping them in a ceremonious act of dishonourable discharge. You cried out, attempting to flee, but you were caught. You watched as the sleeves of your jacket sagged down your shoulders.

"Levi," you coughed out, gaining Erwins attention, "Levi was the one who would be coming to retrieve us."

Erwin, for a brief moment, looked surprised. He hadn't expected Levi to come to your rescue, it made him feel almost proud that the pair of you had overcome your differences.

"Get the Captain a new jacket, pronto. The rest of you, head back up the wall," his voice boomed, "Captain Church, make sure they all know the missions been haunted. Make sure no one else leaves the hut until sunrise."

You nodded, happy to be able to return to the small hut. The small hut filled with people that hadn't witnessed the public humiliation of your recent dishonourable discharge and subsequent reinstatement. You looked back once more at Hange and Nanaba, smiling at them. You squeezed the shoulder of Claire as you passed her, promising to ensure the others were safe.

"Take my jacket, Captain," she said, "and I'll come back with you."

You were about to protest, but you had gotten back to the wall without a hitch, that, and the commander cleared it.

"Fly safe, soldier," he said, softly, "and Captain Church? Thank you."