Shadows of Truth and Deception (Levi • OC)

CHAPTER 18 - Agendas

agendas /əˈdʒɛndə/ — underlying intentions or motives

     The former headquarters of the Survey Corps was an old castle converted into a military base. It had been abandoned due to its location—it was far from both the wall and the river and was, therefore, useless to the scouts. It became the perfect place to have a titan-shifter locked up.

     The Special Operations Squad rode in silence, with the exception of Oluo, who didn't stop yapping and nagging Eren about this and that. Reinae had to command the boy on his patience —he never once complained about his bullying.

     She rode at the far back, her eyes glued on Eren's hooded head. She knew the boy could feel her stare on him—his shoulders were tense, and he didn't dare turn around to avoid meeting her poisonous eyes. He avoided Levi's stare, too—the captain was less than thrilled they had to move to the old base. It was old and dirty and not at all to his liking.

     "You look in the mood for murder."

     The comment came from Eld, who had slowed his horse to ride next to her. Her gaze immediately softened when she looked at the familiar face.

     "I don't trust him," she said, looking back at Eren.

     "None of us do," Eld replied. "But he's just a boy, Rei. And he's just as lost and confused as the rest of us."

     Reinae muttered something to herself, her annoyed expression making Eld laugh.

     "I've missed you," he said, smiling at her. "We all did."

      She couldn't help but smile back. The last few months had been tough, and she'd wished more than once for the cheerful company of Levi's squad. They were one of her closest friends, her family. She had laughed with them, drank with them, fought beside them. And now they were facing the immediate threat of a Titan together, assigned to kill him if he got out of control.

     "I've missed you too." She felt Levi glancing back at her and noticed the slight smile on his lips, subtle enough for no one else to see it.

     Despite Reinae's displeasure at being picked to look after Eren, Levi was more than happy about Erwin's order. He didn't want to be away from her, wanted to keep an eye on her, that controlling jerk. Even so, Reinae was secretly glad, too. She didn't want to be away from him either.

     A loud yelp made Reinae flinch. She immediately sped up towards Oluo, who was riding beside Eren. She cursed when she saw her worry was unnecessary—the idiot had bitten his tongue again.

     "When will you learn not to blather on a horse?" she hissed at him in annoyance, throwing a napkin at him.

     "I was making a first impression," he defended, pressing the napkin to his bleeding lips. "This rookie is shaking in his boots."

     Reinae rolled her eyes, meeting Petra's annoyed stare.

     "You never used to talk like this," Petra said with sternness she rarely used. "If you're trying to imitate Captain Levi... just stop, would you?"

     "Are you trying to rein me in, Petra?" Oluo smirked perversely. "If you want to act like my wife, there are a couple of steps you skipped."

     "This seems to be a trend in this squad," Gunther sighed. "Reinae's acting like the Captain's wife, too. Such overbearing women surround us..."

     He flinched at the glares he received from said overbearing women. Eld burst out laughing, slamming Gunther on his shoulders in agreement with his words. He received a glare, too.