Pain and Loss [Levi x Reader]

Chapter 8

"Alright cadets!" Levi's voice echoed through the room as he made his way up on the raised platform. You turned your head to look at the short man, at least Commander Erwin looked imposing when he stood there. Captain Levi just looked... pissed. However, the room instantly fell silent.

"Tomorrow will be your first expedition outside the walls, so please try not to shit yourselves while you're out there."

There was a quiet shuffle of people as they started to murmur amongst themselves.

"Quiet down, shit-heads," Levi growled, glaring down at the group of cadets, "Titans are big, horrifying creatures. Most of you will be dead this time tomorrow, no matter how good you are. If you don't die this time, you'll become titan chow next time; so, don't get your hopes up."

You gulped. He sure was... blunt. At least Commander Erwin tried to sugarcoat it.

The air suddenly felt tense as people looked away, no one wanting to accept their impeding doom. You looked around, Charlotte, Noel... and Antony; this could all be their last night. It could be your last night. People were scared. You were scared.

"If you even want the slightest chance at surviving, you will follow the instructions given to you by your squad leader," Levi slowly scanned the group of cadets, his eyes meeting yours, "Don't be a hero. Heroes end up dead."

"I really hope that wasn't supposed to be our pep talk, because I think I feel worse than before," Charlotte whispered.

"You're dismissed, squad placements for tomorrow's expedition are posted outside of the dining hall." Levi called out, "Meetings with your squad take place after lunch."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Lunch was awfully quiet. No one had the guts to talk about tomorrow or about Levi's speech. Terror was written across people's faces, those who didn't weren't considered human.

Charlotte sighed, "I don't want to die tomorrow..."

"Then don't," Noel responded, taking another spoonful of gruel.

You sighed, stretching.

"What squad have you guys been put in?" Charlotte asked.

"Hanji...." you sighed, "I fear I'm going to die in some fucked up Titan experiment rather than from killing titans."

"You won't be alone, " Charlotte exhaled, "I'm stuck with Hanji too."

"You poor children," Noel chuckled, "I'm up at the front with Michael."

Charlotte groaned, "Lucky..."

Levi was with the other squad leaders, eating at their table.

"Dude, your speech sucked!" Hanji exclaimed rather loudly, slapping Levi's back, "Who put you up to it?"

"Erwin..." Levi murmured, trying not to choke.

"Never try to do a speech again, shorty. You may be good at many things, but not speeches."

"Piss off, four-eyes," Levi growled getting up and leaving.

"Anyway, we better be off," you said, standing up, "We wouldn't want to be late to Hanji's meeting, or she will most certainly use us as Titan bait."

Charlotte smiled, "I'll be right behind. Just got to go talk with Michael first."

You raised an eyebrow and shrugged, "Alright. I'll save you a spot."

You walked down the corridor in silence, looking down at the floor. Tomorrow you'd have to face the titans once more. You hadn't forgotten their faces... it was something that you could never forget. Their smiles... the mere thought of them sent shivers up your spine. But, this time, you were bringing the fight to them. You were stronger than before, when Wall Maria fell. This time, you could fight back, you were sure of it.

"Shit watch where you're going!" Levi snapped. You looked up, the short man was carrying a tea pot and you had almost crashed into him.

"S-sorry, I didn't see you..."

"Evidently," he muttered dryly, storming past you. It was a few seconds before he stopped and turned back to look at you, "Get that frown off your face, it doesn't suit you. That's an order."

You felt your face heat up, but you didn't get a chance to respond as he turned the corner and headed towards his office. Something you were rather glad of, considering how your face was burning up.

"Argh! Get yourself together!" you shouted at yourself, slapping your face.

The rest of your walk down the corridor turned into stomping down the corridor.

"You've arrived just on time," you smiled as Charlotte made her way into the room, "I was worried you weren't going to make it on time."

She gave an embarrassed laugh, scratching the back of her head, "It took longer than expected," she said sitting down, "But, I've got a new set of hilts that I can actually hold now!"

"Ooh, look at all the new blood Moblit! Look, look! We're going to have so much fun!"

"Yes Hanji..."

Hanji skipped into the room, dragging a gloomy Moblit behind her. Excited probably wasn't the right word to describe her. Exuberant just about touched upon what her mood was.

"Hello fresh meat- I mean Cadets. Welcome to team Hanji!"

Everyone groaned in unison as Hanji's excessively loud voice shattered everyone's eardrums. This was going to be fun.