Rivals (OC X Levi Ackerman)

Chapter 23

I throw my uniform on and squint at the blinding morning sun. Christ.

I pull a brush through my hair as I watch my reflection carefully. I'd calmed down quick, but there were red marks from my tears last night. Pathetic. Freyja, man up. And quick.

I meet Sigyn and get her ready for riding. I notice Levi doing the same with his horse, though I can't bear to even think about greeting him. My confession last night had gone better than expected and yet I was still mortified.

I'm sure he knows I'm nearby, and feels the same. My squad soon join me with their own horses, but they can see from my face I'm not in the mood to be chatty.

Sophie nudges me gently.
"How did it go?"

"How the fuck do you know?" I ask her, and she looks nervous.

"You can tell just from looking at you both."

"It went better than I expected. Now don't concern yourself with it." I reply, firm in tone but try not to scare her too much.

Once all the scouts are assembled, we ride for the coast. It gets dark quick, and I get incressingly nervous. Hange had explained most of it to us, but it wasn't exactly like every stone was unturned. I'd heard of some prisoners being taken from an enemy ship a while ago. I hadn't been invited on that mission since apparently I had been found sleeping in the stables in my nightwear.
I smile to myself at the memory of it.

I don't know how everyone copes. Eren, Hange, Levi. The fact people exist outside these walls is mind blowing and not something I could adjust to as quickly as those guys.

I look back to check on my squad a few times as we ride. Yep. Still alive. No titans to swipe 'em out anymore. I need to not worry so much.

Hours pass. The wind begins to make itself known, the last of the wildlife has gone to bed, and I can't help but wish I was doing the same.
Once we eventually arrive at the coast, we hitch our horses to  nearby trees.

"Maybe being a scout is the easy option now," Sophie says, cheerfully.

"I don't think so." I reply, my guard up.

"Is it true the water is full of salt?" She asks, and I nod.

"Sure is."

She squeals excitedly, and I put my finger to her lips, shushing her.

"It's dark. Our enemies are sending scouting ships. They could be anywhere. Hush."

She does as she's told, and I look up at the moonlight. Why are we doing this at night, dammit?

The wall of the docks obscures it, but as we turn the corner, my heart sinks. Sure enough, a giant, metal enemy ship. Docked there like it's nothing.

I glare at my squad, silently signalling them to stay back, and I walk ahead to meet with squad Levi and Hange.

"What's the plan?" I ask her, and she sighs.

"I don't want to throw Eren into a fight and risk him if we can help it." She admits. "After all, we don't know if there's guns built into the ship. They could be strong enough to kill him."

"So send me onto the ship. I'm an ex MP, remember? I'm the best equipped for anti-personnel. I'll take out the captain and anyone operating artillery."

She thinks about it.
"They're all equipped with guns beyond our technology. You could be killed in seconds."

"Then I'll be quiet." I protest, folding my arms. "Just don't send my squad unless for backup. They're not experienced enough."

Hange sighs.
"Fine. Fire red for backup, green for all clear. But I don't want to slaughter these people. We want to wipe out the threat to Eren, then use Eren to take them hostage. Minimise casualties."