Birdie (Levi x OC)

twenty-six

The skies opened up as Levi and I rode our horses back to the stable, cold drops stinging my face. I looked up, catching a glimpse of the moon and stars, before a shiver ran through me—part adrenaline, part the biting cold as water soaked through my clothes.

"S-shit, it's f-freezing," I stammered, my voice muffled against Levi's back.

He turned, a quick glance taking in my undoubtedly pathetic state. He gritted his teeth, a wave of anger washing over him, "we're almost there. We'll get you out of those wet clothes soon."

I tightened my arms around him, nodding into his back, fighting to hold back another wave of tears. What truly mattered was that we had Eren and Historia's location. I could deal with the misery of this night later, once Eren and Historia were safely back with the Survey Corps, and Erwin was free from the Capital.

Levi, however, wouldn't let it go so easily. I knew he was just putting it aside for now. I sighed, hugging him tighter without even realizing it. I felt his touch on my clasped hands as he gave them a gentle squeeze.

We finally reached the stable, and a jolt of surprise went through me. Two extra horses were tethered to the fence, horses that hadn't been there when we left. Voices echoed from inside the stable as Levi reined in our horse beside the others. A campfire still glowed, casting dancing orange light onto the stable walls.

A cry escaped my lips. Only one thought came to mind about who those horses belonged to. I stumbled off my horse, ignoring Levi's sharp, "Hey!"

I bolted toward the stable, just as Hange stepped into view. I collapsed into her arms, sobbing into her shoulder, every emotion from the past few days spilling out at the sight of my Squad Leader.

"Hey, hey," Hange soothed, her eyes pointedly on Levi as he secured the horse. She spoke jokingly, "Now what on earth did you do to make my precious squad member cry?"

I sniffled, pulling back from the hug to see Moblit standing behind Hange. He stepped around her and rested a hand on top of my head. "We missed you, Birdie."

I nodded, tears threatening to spill again. "I missed you both, too."

Levi came up from behind to stand beside me. "You're both back. Better late than never."

A small laugh escaped Hange's lips as she wrapped an arm around me, guiding me inside the stable. "Oh, but do I have good news for you."

She walked with me into the stable, where I was greeted by Mikasa, Armin, and the others, who were still wide awake at this late hour. Hange and Moblit's surprise arrival had likely kept them up.

Shit. Nifa, Keiji, and Abel. I have to tell her.

"Hange... I have to talk to yo—" I stammered, guilt coiling in my chest.

"Hey," she looked down at me, a sad smile on her lips. She leaned forward, her forehead resting against mine, her glasses bumping the bridge of my nose. "I already know. Levi left me a message to read when I arrived."

I looked at Levi, who was leaning against a stable wall, his expression somber. That small gesture of his was all it took for the tears to start flowing again. I looked down at the ground, rubbing my palm into my eye, trying to make them stop.

Ignoring my tears, Hange continued, "Now let's get you out of these wet clothes, Birdie."

The others gave us space as Hange and I moved to a quiet corner of the stable. She helped me shed my soaking clothes, dropping them to the ground and handing me my dry Survey Corps uniform.

"How are you holding up?" Hange finally asked as I buttoned my jacket.

I met her gaze with a sad smile, a small laugh escaping me. "I've had a really shitty couple of days."