Something About You [ Levi Ackerman X Reader ]

Twenty.

Chapter Twenty:

"Prelude to Demise."

~ ~ ~

"Yoohoo! Morning, lovebirds!"

Rather abruptly, both you and Levi opened your eyes, greeting the brand new day with irked groans. Hanji stood at the doorway, hands on her hips, looking far too excited this early in the morning.

"What?" Levi asked sharply, unwinding his arms from your waist. You missed the feeling of security when he held you, and immediately yearned for it again.

"Good, old Commander Erwin wants to see the two of you!" Hanji exclaims, "Now get on it! Today's the day of the expedition after all!"

That explained a lot.

~ ~ ~

You and Levi sat next to each other, peering at Erwin's somber expression. Levi had his legs crossed, one of his hands resting comfortably on his lap.

"Levi," Erwin's deep voice echoed throughout the silent room. "(F/N) and Eren are going to join you and your squad. Is that alright?"

Levi nodded.

"You all have two hours to prepare for the expedition," Erwin said, "afterwards, I want all of you to gather by the horse stables. Understood."

At that moment, a passerby could hear the faint chorus of: "Yes, sir." And if they stayed long enough, they would be granted the pleasure of seeing the Survey Corps' elites exiting the room.

~ ~ ~

All of the Survey Corps, dressed in their uniforms, were clustered around the horse stables, having to bear the heat of the sun, and the constant fear of death.

Some soldiers trembled, others laughed, while others kept silent - you belonged to the ones who kept silent. Even if you couldn't find Levi in the mass of green cloaks and the occasional glint of metal, you knew he belonged to the noiseless ones as well.

But the moment Erwin appeared, even the noisiest ones turned quiet. He faced the crowd, his back turned to the horse stables, and he took a short breath.

"Mount your horses," was all he said before he disappeared into the grubby horse stable. Soon enough, the others did too.

You marched up to your respective pen, and your horse raised his/her head and let out a happy neigh, oblivious to the treacherous journey ahead.

The lock sounded with a click, and the horse wandered out the confining pen. You straddled the animal, petting his/her neck. You looked around, seeing several other soldiers doing the same. Then, your eyes met Levi's.

The two of you looked at each other briefly, before Levi's eyes flickered to his blades. He patted his horse's neck, and it slowly marched out of the stable in slow, casual steps. You mimicked his action, and with a snort, your own horse started marching as well.

~ ~ ~ 

It was unnerving how it felt as if all eyes were trained on you. Even worse when you could hear the murmurs, and you could already picture them pointing their fingers accusatorily. They had no faith.

After all, fifty-six expeditions preceded this one - all with the same endings. They doubted this one would yield a different result.

Erwin's white charge, that contrasted against the sea of blacks, grays, and browns, suddenly halted and, like dominoes, the others followed. Everything was hushed.

Before the horses began galloping, creating a roar of hooves pounding against the pavement, and the sea of blacks, grays, and browns, and the contrasting white charged onward.

And, within moments, you left the restrictions of the walls.