Birdie (Levi x OC)

thirty-six

"Did you sleep okay, Birdie?" Hange asked, pulling playfully on the ponytail falling down my back.

"Ouch!" I said, rubbing the back of my head. "What was that for?"

"Just teasing you," she laughed, her eyes bright but strained.

"No, I didn't sleep well," I replied, the truth simple and heavy. "I was nervous."

Hange nodded, the smile fading slightly. "Me too. Absolutely sick with it."

"Are you sure that's the only reason?" I teased, waggling my brows at her, glancing pointedly at Moblit who was patiently readying our horses nearby.

"Hey!" Hange gave me a light, feigned shove.

"Just teasing you," I replied, echoing her own words.

We were currently high on top of the Wall above Trost, about to be lowered down into the territory of Wall Maria and, eventually, to Shiganshina. The city gate, where Eren had placed the giant boulder all those months ago, was still blocked, forcing us to descend from the top of the wall.

"Are the Thunder Spears with those who are using them?" I asked Hange, keeping my voice low. We didn't have enough supplies for every soldier to carry the new, powerful weapon.

"All is in order," Hange grinned, tapping a cartridge belt. "I can't wait to light that fucker up!"

Typical, Hange, I thought, shaking my head slightly at her relentless enthusiasm.

Below, an unexpected crowd had gathered. Cheers and shouts of support drifted up from the city streets.

"That's surprising," Hange murmured, her face softening.

"Hey Levi! Commander!" she yelled toward the two men, who were deep in discussion a ways off. "When was the last time we had a sendoff like this!"

"Tch," was all Levi said, annoyed at the unwanted attention.

The Commander, however, had a different reaction. His face brightened, and a genuine, powerful smile broke through his usual serious composure. He raised a gloved hand and offered a broad, confident wave back to the citizens, bolstering their cheers.

Down the line, the younger soldiers were ecstatic. Sasha let out a loud, piercing whoop of excitement that startled the horses, earning an immediate glare from Levi. Jean and Connie stood shoulder-to-shoulder, waving back with almost foolish enthusiasm. They hadn't expected the people to be on their side.

Levi turned his gaze to me, his voice sharp against the distant cheers. "Your gear?"

I took a step towards him, patting my ODM gear lightly. My harness was tight, my canisters full, and the blades were razor-sharp. I gave him a quick, mocking salute. "Ready, Sir!"

He rolled his eyes at the overly formal gesture, a small, weary twitch of annoyance, then nodded once, satisfied.

Hange ignored him, putting an arm around my shoulders. "They're fired up," she murmured. "Good. We'll need every bit of that enthusiasm where we're going."

The cheers faded as the first winch began to groan, signaling the start of the lowering process. I grabbed my ODM handles, my focus snapping to the descent. Below, the territory of the Titans waited.

~

It was deep into the night by the time we were close to Shiganshina. We followed Commander Erwin as a group, him leading us expertly through the densely treed forest. We had all opted to walk quietly beside our horses, guiding them carefully through the brush. The faint light of our lanterns was the only thing illuminating our path.