Retrieving Footsteps [Levi x Reader]

Rising Above 2

As the murmurs from the higher-ups continued, I could sense a shift in the room. The tension that had once felt suffocating began to dissipate, and I held my breath, waiting for their response.

After a few moments, the head of the group cleared his throat. "Very well, (Y/n). We'll give you the chance to prove your capabilities. But know this—if you falter, there will be consequences."

A mixture of relief and unease washed over me. "I understand," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "I appreciate the opportunity to show what I can do. Thank you for allowing me to lead this project."

Levi's expression softened ever so slightly, though his usual stoicism remained. Eren and Armin exchanged glances, their smiles barely contained.

"Good," the higher-up said, regaining a bit of his composure. "Let's move on to the next phase of the project then. We'll need to discuss timelines and resource allocations."

I felt a wave of determination rush through me as we transitioned back into the meeting. The higher-ups still eyed me warily, but I was ready to prove myself. I took a deep breath and laid out the next steps for the crystal project, confident in the work Armin, Eren, and I had put into it.

As the meeting progressed, I noticed that Levi remained close by, his presence a constant reminder of support. Every now and then, he would interject with precise insights that guided the conversation in a more productive direction.

When the meeting finally wrapped up, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. While there was still much to do, I had faced the scrutiny head-on and emerged not only intact but empowered.

Eren and Armin approached me, their faces beaming with pride. "You were amazing!" Eren exclaimed. "I can't believe you stood up to them like that!"

Armin nodded enthusiastically. "Seriously, (Y/n), you handled that better than I ever could. I'm really impressed."

I felt a warmth spread through me at their praise. "Thanks, guys. I couldn't have done it without you and Levi backing me up."

Just then, Levi stepped forward, his gaze steady. "You did well, (Y/n). Don't let their comments get to you again. You're leading this project now, and that's a testament to your skills."

I nodded, a smile breaking through. "I won't forget that. Thanks for having my back."

As we began to disperse, Hange bounded over, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Wow, I missed quite a show! You really showed them, huh? Maybe next time I'll take some notes on how to deal with stubborn higher-ups."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Thanks, Hange. Just trying to hold my ground."

Levi interjected, his tone sharp but with a hint of amusement, "You don't need to encourage her more, Hange."

Hange held her hands up in mock surrender. "Just saying! A little competition never hurt anyone, right?"

The atmosphere lightened, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the camaraderie we shared. As we gathered our things to head back to the lab, I realized just how far I'd come in such a short time.

Later that day, as I sat down with Armin and Eren to finalize our next steps for the prototype, I felt an undeniable sense of purpose. "Alright, team, let's get back to work. We have a project to finish, and I want it to be the best it can be."

With renewed determination, we dove back into our tasks, brainstorming and collaborating. The earlier tension faded into the background as laughter and ideas filled the room.

"Hey, what if we tried using a different type of material for the core?" Armin suggested, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "It might enhance the stability of the crystal."

"That's a great idea!" Eren chimed in. "Let's look into that. We should gather some samples to test."

As the three of us continued to brainstorm, I felt a rush of gratitude for my teammates. This was more than just a project—it was a chance to build something extraordinary with people who believed in me.

Hours passed in a flurry of activity, and by the time we wrapped up for the day, I was exhausted but exhilarated.

"Alright, let's call it a night," I said, stretching my arms above my head. "Tomorrow, we'll reconvene and tackle the next phase."

"Sounds good," Eren replied, yawning. "I think I could sleep for a week after all this."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I joked. "Now, go get some rest, you two. We have a big day ahead."

As I turned to leave, I caught sight of Levi watching from the doorway, his expression unreadable. I felt a rush of gratitude again, knowing that he had been a steady force throughout this entire ordeal.

"Good work today," he said, his voice low but firm.

"Thanks, Levi," I replied, feeling a sense of pride swell in my chest. "I couldn't have done it without your support."

As I stepped out into the hall, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was on the verge of something significant. The project was just beginning, and I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. I had my team, my friends, and a purpose. Nothing would hold me back now.