Your P.O.V
Once we have returned to headquarters, the troops are gathered near the stables. Erwin coughs and our attention darts in his direction. "Status report." He demands and the soldier beside him salutes intensely.
"Several large spruces found to be a suitable plug for the breech, Sir." Erwin continues with his report at frightening speed.
"Casualties."
"None, Sir." Everyone freezes; a few hushed gasps are heard around me. Even Erwin resumes a persona of shock. He stutters as he speaks.
"How many titans were killed?" He inquires and the soldier hesitates before answering.
"15, Sir. 2 by Mikasa Ackerman, 3 by Levi Ackerman and – " He halts as he reads the field notes presented before him. "10 by (f/n) (l/n)." Silence encases our surroundings and the entirety of the troop turns to face me. They erupt into a fit of rejoice and cheer wildly at the unbelievable success of the expedition. Countless soldiers wrap me in hugs of gratitude and welcome me with smiles of appreciation. Remembering my earlier orders, I slip away from the crowd and make my way to the Corporal's office.
I knock casually on the door and he replies vehemently. "Name and business."
"(f/n) (l/n). You asked me to see you." I answer his calls and he orders me to enter. I cautiously open the door and make my way to a chair in front of his desk. I sit and he immediately lectures me.
"You claim you have nothing to lose, but you're only weakness is ignorance. You fail to see what's around you. How do you think Cadet Yaeger and the others would feel if you didn't return? They bring you happiness, do they not?" He questions, but I am unable to answer. I stare idly at my hands as the impact of his meaningful words stirs my spirit. He continues. "If my facts are correct, today's expedition was our first without casualties. For a regiment with a mortality rate of 60%, that is unfathomable. Our success is indebted to you. If that is not a satisfying enough reason to live then consider this. If we choose to continue living through our suffering, then we will find new reasons to live. You will find more people to cherish." I rise from my seat, silence filling my throat. His words hurt, but they are truthful. A pessimist has no place in the Survey Corps. I thought he was a murderous machine devoid of feeling, but he is wise. I cringe at the thought of the experiences he's accumulated in order to attain that wisdom. He catches me off guard. "You aren't dismissed. Why do you hide your face?" I answer him solemnly, still taken aback by his encouraging words.
"I wish to disappear into the background, hoping the sorrow will pass me as it goes." He seems to disregard my answer, ignoring me entirely. I reach for the handle and prop open the door.
"Come to dinner in absence of your hood or do not come at all. That is an order." He commands and I scurry from the intense atmosphere of his office. My eyes water with fear.
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I turn to the clock and it reads 5:30pm. I lean forward and hug my legs tightly. I am already a half hour tardy for dinner. Eventually, I am able to muster up enough courage to head to the Mess Hall. I approach the large, daunting doors and curiously peer around the edge. The room is ablaze with celebration and energy. I walk forward slowly, twiddling my thumbs and staring at my feet. My cheeks glow a bright pink out of embarrassment as the excitement quells and stares avert in my direction. I quickly find my way to the table where Eren and the others sit. Their faces light up with confusion. Jean leans forward in an intimidating fashion. "That seat is reserved for our friend (f/n)." I look up, my hair falling away from my face, revealing my iridescent (e/c) orbs. I see jean blush heavily and he stutters as he speaks.
"It's me, Jean." I coax and smile warmly. I watch as Jean stiffens and covers his mouth with his hand, attempting to hide his bashfulness. I giggle to myself and notice Eren staring down at his lap. His temple sweating and his cheeks a fluttering rose. I am consumed by confusion and wonder.
Levi's P.O.V
I make my way to Erwin's office, when I pass by the mess hall and notice a sudden commotion. I had left dinner early, disappointed by Cadet (l/n)'s absence. When I enter the room, all of the Cadet's have circled around an unknown Cadet, their mouths watering like beasts. I grit my teeth and call for Hanji. "What the hell is going on?" I snap and she chuckles maniacally.
"It turns out our menacing tiger is nothing more than a helpless lamb underneath her cloak." Her words send a shiver down my spine and her laughter turns to hysteria. I glance once more towards the crowd of soldiers and notice Jean tug on Cadet (l/n)'s arm, pulling her closer towards him. As she is tugged, her face turns towards me. Her glowing (h/c) locks cascade around her, flowing outwards like a lively river. Her eyes catch mine and I feel my breath stutter in my chest. Her (e/c) eyes dance like stars across my vision, reflecting each ray of light like a gem. I feel my eyes widen and my mouth gapes in surprise. Suddenly, Cadet Yaeger leans in and takes one of her strands in his hand, his face a few inches from hers. Her face erupts in a crimson flush and he chuckles at her shy response. The blood inside my body steams and boils, rage creeping through my veins. The close proximity and careless touch of so many soldiers causes an unknown feeling to bound through my chest. My eyes burn with a fiery passion and I shout at the top of my lungs.
"Cadet (l/n). My office. Now!" All faces in the room wash white and turn to me in terror. The room is silent. I exit, fuming at my seams. I look down towards my palms, which sweat heavily. What is this feeling? I enter my office and sit at my desk. Soon after, Cadet (l/n) opens the door shyly, rubbing her palms together with unrest.
"You called for me, Corporal." She mutters sweetly, a blush resting on her cheeks. I tense at her bashful behavior and feel a warm sensation in my chest. I suddenly feel guilty at my uncouth outburst.
"You will perform a training exercise necessary for all Special Operations members."
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Your P.O.V
I kneel on my hands and knees, furiously scrubbing the wooden floors. My hands cramp and blister in protest. The Corporal forced me to wake long before dawn and instructed me to scrub the headquarters from top to bottom until it sparkled. My temples sweat furiously and my muscles ache at the manual labor. Then, an amused chuckle is heard behind me. An eccentric voice greets me. "What on Earth are you doing (f/n)?" She kneels down beside me until we are face to face. I reply curtly, without ceasing my laborious work.
"The Corporal demanded I complete this as a necessary training exercise to join his squad. He stated you had all done it." Hanji immediately erupts into hysterical laughter, rolling back and forth across the floor. She sits up to face me and wipes an amused tear from her eye.
"This isn't a training exercise. I have never scrubbed a floor in my life. The Corporal sure made a fool of you." She jests and I am consumed by a fiery aura. I turn into a demonic creature and stomp towards the door. Hanji grabs me by my arm with a look of worry in her eyes. I struggle frantically against her grasp, punching and scratching at the air.
"Let me at the little troll! I swear I will kick that Shortstack's ass!" I growl from within my throat. Finally, I settle down and Hanji turns me to face her. She places one hand on each shoulder and smiles at me evilly.
"How about we go back to my lab and get you started on something you'll enjoy."
YOU ARE READING
Beyond These Walls (Levi x Reader)
Fanfiction"We wanted the freedom to love. We wanted the freedom to choose. Now we have to fight for it." For 15 years you survived outside of the walls on your own, until one day the Scouting Regiment took you in. With a troubled past and an unnervi...
