Birdie (Levi x OC)

twenty-five

A/N

Content Warning - Minor Sexual Assault

We reached the edge of Stohess District quickly on horseback. Dusk had settled, cloaking us in relative darkness as we entered the city. The housing district was quiet, most people tucked into their homes for the night, but other parts of the city were alive with music and the sounds of people drinking.

"Feeling alright?" Levi said, turning his head to meet my gaze.

"Yeah, I think so," I replied, nervousness settling in my stomach as we approached our destination. I didn't like being back in Stohess, my memories of the previous day here resurfacing. My mind drifting to thoughts of Nifa as my eyes lingered on the rooftops.

"Levi?" I questioned, getting his attention.

"Hm?" He responded.

"Do you think we can recover Nifa, Abel, and Keiji's bodies when this all is over?"

"I'm not sure," he answered honestly. "But if we can, we will."

I nodded, not exactly pleased with that response but leaving it be for now.

"We're almost there," Levi spoke after a few minutes of riding in silence through the city streets.

I shuddered involuntarily as the MPs headquarters came into view. Levi stopped the horse about a block away. Close enough we could see the building but far enough away they wouldn't notice us.

He hopped down off the horse, giving me his hand to help me down. Standing across from each other, he buttoned up the top button on my jacket and smoothed the collar. He then knelt by my ankle, brandishing a knife in his hand. He carefully placed the silver blade in my boot before pulling my pant leg back over it, disguising the new weapon.

"Tell me the rules," he spoke, standing back up, facing me eye to eye.

I signed, exasperated, thinking back to the guidelines we had discussed earlier that morning. "Don't talk to anyone unless absolutely necessary. Don't look anyone in the eye. If I sense anything is wrong, I need to leave immediately. And I've got no more than 30 minutes."

He continued for me, "and if you need to—" He gestured to the blade in my boot. "You use that. No hesitation."

I nodded grimly. I didn't have my ODM gear with me, we had discussed that would be best in order to blend in. MPs didn't typically wear ODM gear, especially in the city districts after dinner time. So a knife was the best we could do.

"Okay," he said, his voice stern. "I'm going to wait right here, I'll watch the headquarters for any sign of trouble."

I nodded, "okay. I'll be off then." I reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be back in thirty."

I gave him a wink as I turned around and made my way towards the MP building. Glancing back to see him staring intently at my retreating figure.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and in an attempt to remain as unnoticeable as possible, put my head slightly down.

I quickly reached the entrance, fighting the urge to glance back for Captain Levi. Instead, I mustered every ounce of confidence, pushed open the door, and stepped inside. Two MP officers stood near the entrance, offering only a subtle nod. That small acknowledgement was all the boost I needed to stride past them quickly.

The entrance hall was quiet, lit only by the flickering candlelight from wall sconces. I could hear a distant rumble of voices, probably from the dining hall where they were enjoying their evening drinks. I decided to head the opposite way, down a different hallway. This building was in much better condition than the Survey Corps headquarters, but the layout was surprisingly similar. Knowing that, I headed for what would have been Commander Erwin's office in the Survey Corps. The information I needed was likely in a senior officer's office.