Don't Touch Me {Ereri/Riren}

Chapter 10- bon voyage

Hey guys! Before we get started, I want you to pay attention to the difference between " and ' used in this chapter, mainly in the first half. I think y'all will understand once you read it.

Also, hooray for the long ass chapter that took me two hours to write. Enjoy :D

My hands held tightly onto the reins, and I fought hard to look forward, but it was difficult. I felt my nails dig painfully into my palm, but it was a welcome distraction. It made me furious how people dared to look down upon us, the Scouting Legion, who risk our lives for humanity, and treat us like we're scum.

Our horses trotted to the gates, the only sounds were muted chattering among the crowds gathering us, and the clattering of hooves hitting the ground monotonously. I heard bits and pieces of conversation every so often.

"How can they risk their lives like that? It's pointless! There's no reason to go beyond the walls if we are perfectly safe here!"

"Man, I can't believe we pay taxes just to fatten these shits up. They'll all be dead soon anyway."

I felt my stomach contract and I was almost sick right then and there.

I let my gaze wander ahead of me to Levi's form. His usual impassive glare was fixated on his face, and his eyes were straight forward. He either didn't hear the bastard's comments or wasn't bothered by it. I almost lurched again once I realized that this was the norm for him. Every time there was an expedition, hateful words were spat at him, and he still kept his head high. He still put his ass on the line for the same people that mocked him.

We reached the gate minutes later, my forehead sleeked with sweat. Erwin began speaking but I tuned him out, resorting to staring at Levi again. As if he sensed me, his head turned a fraction and his eyes met mine. I didn't speak, I wouldn't know what to say, but he simply gave me a terse nod. To anyone else it would have only been polite, but I knew what it meant. 'Be careful.'

I nodded. 'Right back at you.'

Our silent conversation was interrupted by the creaking sound of the gate being opened, and the first of the soldiers rode out, and soon I was breathing in open air. The sun was setting as we settled into the formation. It was decided that sneaking the children out in the dark would be easier than in plain daylight.

Clumps of soldiers set off in their designated directions and I was left with my group, which consisted of Levi, Erwin, Mikasa, Jean, and myself. I wasn't all too happy about horse face tagging along, but if push came to shove, he was after all an adept soldier with remarkable training.

The sky was only just getting darker when large footfalls could be heard directly behind us.

"Shit! It's too close!" I cursed, and turned to Erwin. He took in the boisterous Titan, its elbows tucked in and arms splayed about. It ran lopsidedly, which made it thankfully harder to catch up to us. I almost didn't hear him over the loud booms when he gave us our orders.

"We'll have to take it out, it's an abnormal." Erwin declared.

I dropped the reins and gripped my blades, but a sharp voice halted me.

"I've got it. Kirstein, time to prove your competence." Levi drawled. He pulled on his reins and hung back.

Jean whooped, grabbing his blades and unsheathing them. I watched carefully as Levi shouted some orders to him. He was interrupted by a large bang, and the Titan collided with the ground, seemingly have fallen on its own. It started to wiggle, and frantically shot up on all fours. It pounced, shuffling at an alarming rate towards Jean, and his horse screeched and leapt back, almost ejecting the soldier.