Retrieving Footsteps [Levi x Reader]

Foundations of Change

N/A: hello darlings hope you enjoy this lengthy chapter.

As Eren opened the door for me, I stepped out with my belongings in hand and looked up at the towering building in front of me. Honestly, I was super nervous. I was about to meet new people, start a new job, and embark on a new path—this was my chance to change my future. A smile crept onto my face, but it was quickly overshadowed by the sudden appearance of a group of people coming out of the building.

When I turned to look at Eren, I noticed a smirk playing on his lips. "Get ready," he said, an amused glint in his eyes. "They're going to be curious about the new recruit."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. The group consisted of familiar faces from the stories Eren had shared—Mikasa, Armin, and a few others I hadn't yet met. As they approached, I could feel their eyes on me, assessing, curious.

"Eren!" Mikasa called, her voice firm yet friendly. "Is this her?" She stepped forward, her dark hair framing her determined expression.

"Yeah, this is (Y/n), the one I was telling you about," Eren replied, crossing his arms. "She's starting on the Crystal Project."

Armin, with his earnest demeanor, stepped up next. "Nice to meet you, (Y/n)! I've heard a lot about you already. Eren can be a bit dramatic, but if he's interested in someone, it usually means they're pretty impressive."

I chuckled, a bit of the tension easing. "Thanks, I think? It's nice to meet all of you."

Mikasa studied me for a moment before her expression softened. "Don't mind Eren too much. He can be a handful, but he's got a good heart."

"Hey!" Eren protested, throwing a mock glare at her, but there was no real heat behind it. "I'm not that bad."

"Sure, if you don't count the times you've almost wrecked the training sessions," Mikasa shot back, a teasing glint in her eyes.

I laughed at their banter, feeling the nervousness start to fade. It was refreshing to see how close they all were, how easily they interacted with one another. I could sense the camaraderie they shared, something I hoped to be a part of soon.

"Just so you know," Armin added, his voice earnest, "we're all really excited about the project. If you need help or have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

"Yeah," Eren chimed in, looking more serious now. "Levi can be tough, but you'll get used to it. Just keep your head down and focus on the work."

"Thanks, I appreciate that," I replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I'm looking forward to it, actually."

As we stood there, chatting and getting to know each other, I realized that maybe this new beginning wouldn't be so daunting after all. The support of Eren and his friends gave me a renewed sense of hope. I was ready to embrace this new chapter, surrounded by people who genuinely seemed to care.

As we continued chatting, I felt a buzz of excitement mixed with nerves. Eren's friends were warm and welcoming, but I was still very much aware that I was the new face among them. Just as I began to relax, another group emerged from the building, catching my attention.

"Hey, Eren!" shouted a tall guy with messy brown hair and a laid-back demeanor. He approached with a grin, followed closely by a girl with striking red hair and a fierce look in her eyes. "Who's the new recruit?"

"This is (Y/n)," Eren introduced, nodding toward me. "She's working on the Crystal Project with Levi."

"Nice to meet you!" the guy said, extending his hand with casual confidence. "I'm Jean Kirstein. And this is Sasha Blouse." He gestured to the girl beside him, who was already eyeing the snack stand across the street with keen interest.