Your Wings - Reader X Levi Ackerman

Chapter 20: No Rest

Levi sat on a wooden bench within an old wagon, his elbows resting on his knees. Across from him, Pastor Nick fidgeted with the hem of his robe, his eyes darting nervously between the soldiers stationed nearby. The occasional sound of distant chatter broke through the otherwise tense silence. They were surrounded by clusters of Military Police lounging in the sunlight, their uniforms pristine and spotless—a stark contrast to the grime-covered Scouts scattered nearby.

Levi's leg throbbed faintly beneath his outfit. He shifted, wincing at the stiffness in his ankle, still recovering from the injury he received during the chase of the female titan in the woods. But the physical ache was nothing compared to the storm brewing in his mind.

He hated waiting. Sitting there, useless, while everything unfolded miles ahead. His body tensed with frustration as he leaned back, trying to glean what little information he could from the soldiers conversing nearby.

Jean's voice cut through the chatter, frustration evident in his tone. "There weren't any Titans. Not even one. How the hell does that make sense?"

A fellow Scout shook his head. "The way they had us running, I thought we'd at least run into trouble..."

One of the Military Police officers lounging beside the wagon scoffed. "Emergency, my ass. Looks like the Scouts dragged us out here for nothing again."

Levi's sharp gaze shifted toward the speaker. The man was leaning against a barrel, smug as if the mission was some kind of inconvenience.

Another officer chimed in, grinning. "What's the point of being here if Titans don't even show up? Seems like a waste of time if you ask me."

Levi's hand twitched at his side, a dark scowl crossing his face. He shot the officer a glare so icy the man visibly recoiled, his confidence crumbling under the weight of Levi's gaze.

"You'd be wise to shut your mouth before I help you reconsider your career choice," Levi said flatly. The officer opened his mouth, then wisely thought better of it and looked away, muttering something under his breath.

Another was brave enough to speak in his place. "C'mon Captain. Where's the action?"

Levi's eyes dart to him. "You look disappointed. Sorry you didn't get a chance to see titans, but there's plenty of chances outside the walls. Maybe we should combine forces and have you all face them head on. Being military police, I'm assuming you have the training to fight. Just make sure you have the stomach to see blood. Whether it's theirs or yours.

They back off, nervously laughing to themselves. "Yeah well...we have work inside the walls too..."

Levi glares at them, annoyed by their cowardly behavior. He was about to shift his focus back when a Garrison bursts into view, panting as if he'd run all the way from the front lines. His cloak flapped behind him as he stumbled toward the wagon, eyes wide with panic.

"They're back!" Some soldiers yell. "The advance group returned!"

The soldiers around the wagon straightened, tension mounting in the air. Commander Erwin and Commander Pyxis also arrive after hearing the commotion.

The tall thin man steps forward, his gray mustache giving a slight twitch of curiosity. "What happened?"

The Garrison gulped for air, his lungs hurting and heart pounding. "There were no holes in the wall—no sign of Titans breaking through... But..." He hesitated, haunted by the memories he was about to relay. "The situation has turned into an emergency! When we were returning with the report, we witnessed Hange and her team with the 104th recruits..."

Levi stood immediately, jumping off the wagon and ignoring the pull of pain in his ankle as his attention was fully locked on this one soldier.

"And among them, three of the soldiers were titans!"