It had been five days since eren, I, and the rest of the squad started calling the old survey hq our home. Each night, I made my way to the cellar to join Eren. By the second night, levi had caught on to my routine but offered only a knowing glance.
As dawn's dim light filtered into my room this morning, I was midway through lacing my boots when a knock sounded at the door. Without waiting for a reply, levi pushed it open, leaning casually against the frame. "Morning, penelope. You'd better head downstairs,"
Puzzled, I tucked the last few items into my bag. "What's happening, levi?"
He jerked his head toward the stairs. "Just hurry up. You'll want to see this."
Curiosity piqued, I hastened down the creaking stairs to the main hall. As I reached the bottom, my gaze landed on a heartwarming sight. Mike was standing by the open door, the golden morning light framing him perfectly, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Mike!" I couldn't contain my joy as I darted toward him, wrapping him in a tight hug.
From a nearby table, eren watched us, a piece of bread halfway to his mouth, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Looks like the morning's full of surprises," he commented, his voice light.
Mike laughed as he released me from our embrace. "I told you I'd come to see you, didn't I?" His eyes sparkled with mirth. "levi's cleared me to take you out for a bit today."
As levi walked over, he rattled some coins in his hand. "while you're out, can you grab some cleaning supplies? Here's some cash." He handed me the coins, which I accepted and promptly noted down the list he rattled off.
Eren perked up from his seat, his voice filled with hope. "Can I come along too?"
Levi fixed him with a stern gaze. "You're on rooftop cleaning duty today, Eren."
Disappointment clouded Eren's expression as he set his bread down. "Guess I'll just enjoy the solitude up there..."
Once outside, Mike assisted me onto his horse with steady, reassuring hands. "ready?" he asked, his voice filled with a quiet excitement.
As the horse trotted forward, the headquarters' familiar sounds began to fade, replaced by the rhythmic clopping of hooves on the dirt path.
As Mike and I approached the bustling center of town, the market's lively sounds grew louder, blending chatter, laughter, and the occasional clatter of carts moving along cobblestone streets. The morning was crisp and bright, invigorating me after days confined within the headquarters.
