symbiosis » levi ackerman

chapter thirteen ; divinity.

Fallan

I trained every morning and evening with Levi. I was eternally grateful for the effort he'd put into helping me, despite his busy schedule he slotted our sessions in between meal times and paperwork. He pushed me to my breaking point, but I felt stronger even in the short space of time.
Our evening session finished as the sun began to set, bathing everything in an orange glow. It dawned on me that our recon expedition begun tomorrow morning at dusk.
I still got beyond-the-wall jitters before every expedition, but I didn't exactly get nervous anymore. I knew some Scouts that still cried themselves to sleep the night before venturing out into Titan territory. I began to wonder how Levi was feeling, as he still hadn't uttered a word about it, despite my asking.
"Good luck," I began, looking to Levi. "For tomorrow I mean. Don't die."
"You too." He replied, almost gently. "Erwin wants to see us before dinner. Make yourself look more presentable then meet me in his office."
I nodded, confusion clouding my mind. It wasn't often Erwin asked to meet with Lieutenants before expeditions - mainly just the Squadron Leaders. I wondered if the other Second-in-Commands would be there.

After showering and throwing on clean clothing, I headed straight to the Commanders office. I knocked once on the large oak door, earning a booming Come in. I stepped inside and saluted promptly, and surveyed the room. It was only Erwin, Hanji and Levi. Strange.
"Lieutenant Reid, a pleasure." Erwin began, "Thank you for joining me. I have a proposal, that of which you may or may not approve of. However, it is only a proposal, and any of you are well within your rights to argue against it."
Erwin paused for a moment.
"I believe it would be beneficial to move Lieutenant Reid from the Central Flanks to the Vanguard for tomorrow's expedition."
The Vanguard? With Levi and Mike's squad? That meant I would be upfront - the first line of defence against the Titans.
Erwin had gone completely mad. Putting a mediocre-at-best soldier in the Vanguard was a one way route to Hell. I knew it, and from the looks of it Hanji knew it. Strangely, Levi stood still.
"Sir, Fallan is extremely capable, I am not doubting that for one second, but the Vanguard?!" Hanji exclaimed.
"This is a reconnaissance expedition. Its pure purpose is to gain more knowledge about the Titans. Having an expert upfront would be beneficial to our studies." Erwin stated firmly. I could tell he was confident in every word he was speaking.
"Sir, if you don't mind me asking, why me? Surely Hanji would be a better fit for the Vanguard." I replied. Hanji was a strong soldier, and a genius too. She knew far more about Titan theoretics than me, and was physically stronger on the field.
"That means separating Hanji from her squad. As Lieutenant, that would leave you as acting Captain of the 4th Squadron." Levi spoke for the first time of that meeting. Clearly he was endorsing Erwin's idea. I gulped at the thought of me leading the central flanks.
"I'll do it. I'll join the Vanguard." I said, standing straight and placing both arms by my side.
"Then it is settled, unless Hanji has anything else to say." Erwin looked to Hanji, who was staring at the floor silently. I could tell she didn't like the idea of this plan.
"Lieutenant Reid, you will be serving in the Vanguard under Captain Levi."
Oh fuck, Levi? I'd be with Squad Levi?!
They were known as the Special Operations Squadron; Petra Ral, Oluo Bozado, Gunther Schultz and Eld Jinn - all handpicked by Levi Ackerman for their incredible skills in the field. I'd seen them around a few times, but never spoken to them properly.
"Is that all, Sir?" I asked politely, and he nodded and waved me off. I headed towards the door, looking back and expecting to see Hanji and Levi following suit. However, they still stood there. Hanji had a grave expression on her face and Levi- well, it was the same old story.

I walked into the mess hall, but the atmosphere had changed once again. I looked around, a few Scouts were huddled together crying, a few were saying goodbye, but the majority were sat at their tables in silence. I took my usual seat at the table and looked to my squadmates. Benjin was awkwardly pushing his potato around the plate, Konomi had tears in her eyes and Tobias was rocking back and forth on his chair looking rather bored. We'd been in the Scouts three years, and in total made it out of multiple expeditions beyond the walls. We'd stopped bothering with the good-byes. Tension hung thick in the air as I lowered myself down on to my seat.
"Where's the Captain?" Tobias asked, inspecting one of his nails.
"She's with the Commander," I mumbled. I'd have to break the news that I wouldn't be with them tomorrow.
"Everything okay?" Benjin asked. I cleared my throat and looked to my teammates. It's now or never.
"I won't be joining you on tomorrow's expedition." I stated clearly, and watched as their expressions changed to confusion.
"Why? Are you injured?" Konomi asked, voice wavering slightly.
"I told you not to train too hard with that damn midg-" Benjin began, his voice raising into an angry tone, but I waved my hands to silence him.
"No, no. Nothing like that." I took a breath, "I will be serving in the Vanguard with Captain Levi. Just for tomorrow, I'll be back with you guys in no time."
Konomi and Benjin's faces morphed into horrified stares, but Tobias began chuckling.
"Damn Lieutenant, I didn't know you had it in you! The Vanguard? That's some heavy shit!" He grinned, which earned a hard smack on the arm from Konomi. Benjin silently seethed next to me.
"That's fucking ridiculous!" He yelled, but I wasn't about to stand for another one of his public outbursts. I narrowed my eyes at him sharply.
"Firstly, watch your language. Secondly, it's not ridiculous. It was the Commander's suggestion, and if you'd just let me explain-"
"You're not strong enough for the Vanguard!" Benjin exclaimed, cutting me off abruptly.
Weak.
"You'll die out there! And you're leaving us a member down!"
"The central flanks is the safest spot in the formation Benjin." I hissed. I was fed up of him constantly undermining me, especially in front of our squad.
"And I will not die out there. I trust in the Commander's proposal, and I will be flanked by the best soldiers the Corps has. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement Sallow. This is the last time I will allow you to publicly disrespect a superior officer." I stared down at Benjin, who now looked like a kicked puppy. I turned my hardened gaze to Konomi and Tobias, who quickly stared down at their plates. I stood up from my seat slowly.
"Finish up your food, then get some rest. Don't die out there tomorrow." I muttered quietly, and left the hall with only one destination in mind.