Don't Die - Levi x Reader {Book 1}

Chapter 20

"What?!"

(Y/N) couldn't wrap her head around what Erwin was telling her. It didn't make any sense! Why hadn't he consulted her? Why wasn't he giving her an option?

"You can't do that!"

(Y/N) didn't remember when she'd stood up but now she was directly in front of Erwin's desk, her hand slamming against the dark wood.

Erwin didn't seem surprised by her reaction. In fact, he looked like he'd been expecting it. His face still held its dark expression, but he was keeping calm. Slowly, he stood from his seat, his tall form towering over (Y/N).

Despite his intimidating stance, (Y/N) held her ground. She was determined to get the answers that she felt she deserved. Even if she was Erwin's subordinate, she had the right to an explanation.

"Erwin, I am not switching squads!"

"Yes, (Y/N), you are. As I said before, this is not negotiable."

(Y/N) slammed her hand on the desk again. "Why? Why so suddenly? And just after we discussed me keeping an eye on the new recruits! How do you expect me to keep an eye on them when we're on completely different squads?!" (Y/N)'s voice had risen in volume and she was practically yelling at this point.

Erwin stared down at her, his blue eyes piercing through her heart. (Y/N) felt betrayed. He'd made a vital decision without even asking her opinion.

"(Y/N), I know about what occurred during training today."

Everything came crashing into place. If Erwin knew what Flagon had said, it was no wonder he was taking her off his squad. But how had he found out?

"Who told you?" (Y/N)'s voice had fallen to barely above a whisper. Tears were starting to form in her eyes, the humiliation and embarrassment of the day's events flooding back in an instant. Plus, it didn't help that Erwin was now looking at her with some kind of pity. No... pity wasn't the right word. It was more like guilt.

"It was Kate."

(Y/N)'s eyes widened. Kate? Had she even been near enough to hear the argument do down? When (Y/N) had spotted her, she'd been at the treeline, much too distant to have comprehended what was being said. But, then again, that had been after the disagreement was practically over. Kate easily could have been hidden within the endless faces of the regiment. (Y/N) was far too distracted at the time to be picking her out of the crowd.

(Y/N) scoffed. Perhaps Hange wasn't her only new friend. Kate wasn't the type to stick her nose in other people's business. If she'd gone to the trouble of reporting to Erwin, she must've been concerned for (Y/N)'s wellbeing.

"I'm sorry, (Y/N). Our friendship has led to you being ridiculed and humiliated in front of your comrades. I should have been more careful to conceal our relationship."

There was the guilt. (Y/N) sighed and slouched over. The fight had gone out of her. Erwin knew about the very thing she'd been trying to hide and now there was nothing left to do but discuss it as calm adults.

"Don't blame yourself, Erwin. You've done nothing wrong. You shouldn't have to 'conceal' anything for my sake. As the Commander of the Scout Regiment, you can do as you please."

It was Erwin's turn to sigh. "Still, you have been outrageously disrespected and I have half a mind to put Flagon in his proper place."

(Y/N) waved her hands in front of her, panic rising in her chest. "No! Please, don't! That will only make things worse. If you did that, those three would be subjected to endless hours of needless toruture. You know he'd take his anger out on his squad."