This cruel world [Levi Ackerman x Neko reader]

5.

(Y/n) P.O.V.

It's cold. Cold and humid.

My eyes stare at the ground, where lies an empty plate with some bread crumbs on it. I flick my ears hearing footsteps on a floor above. It's Levi.

I lift my chin up, looking to the side and finally meeting cold light grey eyes. It's been weeks since I last saw them. 

"Get up, brat."

I do as told, but slowly. I didn't move for a long time so my muscles are stiff. I salute, still looking straight into his eyes.

"I have a proposal."

"Yes, sir?" I put my arms behind my back and shift my weight on one leg.

His proposal can be anything. Handing me to the military police would be pretty lucky for me. But I don't expect anything good. It did took half a month for him to reach this decision.

"Join the survey corps."

My body stiffens. I didn't expect that at all.

"Sir, I don't think-"

"You'll be under my watch." Levi crosses his arms. "But don't think it will be easy to get in, brat."

I stay silent for a couple of minutes, counting the odds of me actually being able to join military. It would be a catastrophe, thinking about my kind's history. It could ruin their reputation.

"It was approved by the higher ups. Only left for you to decide."

We stare at each other in silence. I can't believe my dream of becoming a scout regiment cadet has a chance to become true. I stand firmly, saluting.

"Yes, sir."

***

Straps. Too many straps on my body. In my boots, on my legs, waist and finally ending at my shoulders. I jump around in the same spot trying to adjust to this weird clothing. I felt like a wrapped present. But it did make me feel a bit more majestic, I have to admit.

I come out of the cell and head towards the exit of the building, under Levi's orders. I stop near the door, with a corner of my eye glaring to the spot where I fought the blonde guy. With a little push, the doors open.

"Took you long enough, brat." My eyes meet Levi's as he stood surrounded by his other cadets. "They'll show you how to put on the gear. Hurry up."

I watch Armin and Eren approach me as I stand here trying to get my muscles ready for work. It takes a couple of minutes to get my gear ready. I hold the hand controllers in my hands and look around the gear I've seen on many of cadets. It's like a little dream come true moment.

Levi watches us as Eren tries to explain how everything works, but is cut off with Armin's loud sigh and normal explanation.

"Try to launch the hook." Armin takes a step back. Hesitantly, I push the trigger on the mechanism and I feel the machine on my back start to work. "Good. Now try the other one."

I do as told and finally I have two hooks in a pretty tall tree. I look over to Armin, who's thinking how to explain the other, moving part. With a corner of my eye I look at Levi, who's in his gear calmly watching our training.

I look at Eren as he shoots his hooks and disappears from the ground only seconds after. I hear him shout from the tree to try mimicking him and his movements.

I flick my ears and swing my tail around, actually excited about this part of training. I press the release gas switch and finally get off the ground. My eyes narrow as I watch the tree get closer and closer. I touch it with my foot, but with all the power still rushing through my body, lose my balance. I feel my body lean back as I start to fall, both Eren and Armin shouting my name.

I hear a wire fly just past me as strong arms snake around my back and my legs. I look up to see Levi with a cold expression on his face. Wind flicks his hair back as he gracefully lands the jump. I only realise that I had put my hands around his neck for support when he finally sets my on the ground. I let go of him and step back, looking at the ground.

"Don't use so much gas, brat. We don't have enough money to spend on extra resources. "Levi firmly states and crosses his arms. "Your landing was far from perfect. Try again."

I salute, still confused about what had happened.

"Yes, sir."

Eren and Armin land just beside me with worried expressions. I look over at them and bow. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience of my failing. I'll try to be better next time."

"N-no, it's okay, (y/n)!" Armin waves his hands as I get up. "We just got worried that we got ahead of ourselves and you could've gotten hurt. It is us who should be apologizing!"

I see both of them bow before me. I step back, frustrated and not sure what I'm supposed to do.

"Let's try again, (y/n)." Eren looks at me and smiles. I nod slowly watching his happy expression.

"Try that lower branch next." Armin points at a tree with a branch just a couple of meters high. I nod again and stand a bit aside.

It takes me a couple of hours to finally feel a bit more used to the gear. But the landing still difficult. I can't get it right and I don't understand why. I'm doing exactly the same thing every time but I feel either ahead or backwards. I've counted what gas amount I should use, but it still doesn't work.

"Oi, it's getting dark." Levi shouts out as I crouch on the ground, holding balance with my tail. "That's enough for today. Armin, Eren, head back to the building."

The boys salute and start walking towards the entrance. I pant, looking at the ground and running a hand through my messed up hair.

I see a hand reaching out to me and look up. Levi is looking at me with a bored expression on his face. I take his hand and stand up with a little help. I look up, moving my head back looking at a sky that's slowly shifting it's colors. I feel him watching me, all sweaty and exhausted.

"You did good for your first day, brat."

I lower my chin and look over at Levi. My body turns towards him, hands form a salute. I look straight into his grey eyes. "Thank you, sir."

My body relaxes without actually realizing it. 

He complimented me.