Your Wings - Reader X Levi Ackerman

Chapter 16: Battle in Stohess

The sound of soldiers preparing for battle echoed through the barracks. People were running back and forth as usual, gathering supplies and sharpening blades. You adjusted your uniform, still sore from your last mission so it's a bit hard to move around, but determined to prove yourself once again as a reliable soldier. As you checked your gear, a scout jogged over to you.

"(Y/N)? Commander Erwin is requesting your presence," she informed you before rushing off to her next task.

You frowned, wondering what this was about. Until now, you had only been gathering bits and pieces of the mission from overhearing the cadets and Hange, but it seemed like Erwin was finally going to fill you in on the full plan. With a quick glance around at the busy soldiers, you made your way into the stone building and straight to Erwin's office.

With a knock on the dark oak door, You hear a quiet, "Come in." from the other side. Upon opening, you found Levi there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking as irritated as ever. His sharp gaze flicked toward you as you entered, but he said nothing, only raising a brow before returning his attention to Erwin, who was seated behind his desk, eyes scanning back and forth through the clutter of papers across his desk.

That's when you realized, you haven't seen Levi for days, not since he visited your room the night of the mission. You remember him saying he was going to check on you in the morning, but he never did. Hange had been checking in on you instead. Maybe you did make things awkward with that hug... You push the thought away as you return your focus to the Commander.

Erwin glanced up when you approached, motioning for you to take a seat. "We need to go over the details of the upcoming mission," he began.

You nodded, though a part of you was already suspicious. Levi's demeanor wasn't helping either.

"As you may have gathered," Erwin continued, "we suspect that a cadet named Annie Leonhart is the Female Titan. We're planning to lure her into an underground tunnel where she won't be able to shift. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin will lead her there under the guise of an escort mission."

He paused, making sure you were following. You nodded again, but something didn't sit right.

"If she catches on, Hange and her squad are setting up traps throughout the city. We'll be ready if she tries to escape. We're also counting on Eren being able to transform and help take her down, should it come to that."

He took a breath and leaned forward slightly, his blue eyes narrowing in determination. "As for you, you'll be assigned to ride with us in a carriage alongside the military police playing as my assistant. Should things take a turn for the worse, I'll need you to evacuate civilians nearby."

Your brows furrowed in confusion. "Evacuating civilians?" you repeated. "I'm more than capable of joining the rest of the scouts to take down the shifter. Shouldn't I be closer to the action? Or at least be closer to where the civilians are most in danger?"

Erwin's eyes flicked to Levi, who exchanged a look in return. You caught the subtle tension in the room.

"I'm placing you away from the front lines for a reason," Erwin stated firmly. "Your injuries haven't fully healed, and your role is crucial, even being far from the shifter—evacuating civilians will save lives. You're to refrain from using your ODM gear unless absolutely necessary."

You opened your mouth to argue, but he raised a hand, stopping you. "My word is final," he said in that authoritative tone you knew all too well. Dismissal clear in his voice, he added, "That will be all."

Frustration boiled up inside you, but you bit back your retort. You stood up, giving Erwin a respectful nod, even if you didn't agree with his decision. As you turned to leave, Levi pushed off the wall and followed behind you.