Birdie (Levi x OC)

seventy-two

The tension in Hange's office was thick and heavy the moment I walked through the door. Jean and Armin were there alongside Levi and Hange. The atmosphere between the Commander and the Captain was so brittle and charged, it felt like static electricity; ready to ignite.

All eyes snapped to me the second I stepped through. The immediate attention would have made my cheeks burn if these weren't people I'd considered my family. Levi's eyes narrowed in on me for a moment before snapping back to Hange.

"There's no fucking way that's happening, Hange," Levi seethed, his voice low and dangerous. "And the fact that you would even propose it proves you've finally lost your grip."

My jaw dropped.

What the hell did I just walk into.

"It is a tactical necessity, Levi, and it is my command decision," Hange shot back, her usual eccentricity replaced by a venomous bite.

I approached Jean and Armin who were watching this unfold as if from a great distance. I whispered to them both. "What the hell did I miss? I'm not that late."

Jean gave me a wary sideways glance; he was tall now. He always had been, but the last few years he had grown even more; meaning I now had to strain my neck to look up at him. "It might be best if you sit this argument out, Birdie."

I lifted my brow before Levi's icy tone grabbed my attention back to the unfolding fight.

"In case you need a reminder," Levi pointed his finger hard into Hange's chest, "she may be your soldier, but she's my wife."

Oh. Understanding dawned on my features. So they were fighting about me. Typical.

"Oh, shut up, Levi," Hange shot back, pushing his hand away. "I was the one that witnessed those damn papers."

"Guys—" I began, my voice immediately being drowned out beneath the sounds of their continual arguing.

I gave a pleading, pained look to Armin. "Why do I feel like I shouldn't be here..."

"Just leave them, Birdie," he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Let them get it out of their system."

I stared for a moment; contemplating what to do.

I pulled my shoulder out from under Armin's grip. They were arguing over me like I was a piece of artillery. And I didn't even know why. My gaze fell to the ground, focusing on the rigid curve of the brace that defined my right leg.

No, I knew why. Maybe not specifics but I could put two and two together.

"Enough!" I yelled, my voice sharp enough to cause the both of them to snap their heads towards me. I huffed, "it's not polite to talk about people like they aren't in the fucking room."

Hange winced under my glare. Levi said nothing; his jaw clenched. He was angry. Not angry at me, no. At least not yet.

"Now would one of you please enlighten me as to why you are at each other's throats? It's not even 8:00 o'clock yet." I said, trying to keep my voice tempered.

I could sense Armin and Jean shrink back from beside me. I shot them both glares. Traitors.

Hange sighed, "Eren's letter is here." She pushed the letter across her desk towards me. I limped forward, taking it in my hands and carefully unfolding it. I shot the two of them both dirty looks before I looked back down at the letter. My heart clenched as I recognized Eren's hurried but neat script. I sighed and read:

The opportunity window for an attack is coming soon. There is a large public event that will ensure the maximum command concentration. My position is established.