symbiosis » levi ackerman

chapter thirty-two ; motions.

Fallan

The formation I'd devised was, in essence, fool-proof. I just hoped it would stay that way out on the field.
Erwin and I had begun planning a new formation a few months prior, and I'd based it off that. It was a triangular formation, set out like a sort of pyramid - the most able-bodied soldiers positioned at the front, back and sides, and the weaker members positioned centrally, flanked by the others. Normally, I'd be in the most central position, but as I was leading the expedition I'd have to be on the front line. The mission was essentially just to capture a Titan, ideally we would avoid combat entirely. Hopefully, we could simply avoid the Titans by simply changing our path.
We'd ride at dawn, heading straight for the forest just outside the wall where we could set up the grapple system to fire wires into the Titan and pin it down. Me and Hanji would then conduct the experiments swiftly, while the rest waited in the trees and took out any Titans heading towards us using their ODM gear. As long as there wasn't a freak ambush like last time, we'd be fine.

There was a knock on my door, and Hanji and Levi entered my office. I explained the plan in as much detail as possible, and awaited their feedback. Hanji looked deep in thought, and Levi surprisingly looked interested. Suddenly, Hanji erupted into squeals and scooped me up into her arms.
"I knew you could do it Fallan!" She shrieked, swinging me around like a small child. "Didn't I Levi? Didn't I say she could?"
"I'll admit," Levi hummed. "The plan is excellent. Then again, I never doubted your abilities."
I felt a swell of pride as Hanji set me down. Maybe I could do this. If everyone else was confident in me, why wasn't I? I always was my own harshest critic.
"Thank you." I smiled gently, warmth rising in my cheeks as I blushed slightly.
"When do we ride?" Hanji asked, bouncing excitedly. I'm sure the crazy woman was just excited to be presented with the opportunity of interacting with a Titan again.
"Tomorrow. At dawn." I stated firmly, and Hanji squealed once again.
"I'll notify Erwin!" She yelled and scurried out of the room, slamming the door behind her causing Levi to visibly wince. As soon as she left, Levi walked over to me.
"I told you to stop doubting yourself." He said, kissing my temple. I pulled him down to lay on the settee next to me, grinning up at him as he looked to me with slightly glossy eyes.
"Don't get all emotional." I teased, but he simply leant down and kissed me gently.

The morning rolled around quickly, but since I'd begun sleeping next to Levi, the mornings always did. There were no nightmares when he was there soothing me.
The atmosphere was alive, tensions high as the nine of my squad mates for the day awaited my orders. I'd been feeding Ed hay and sugar cubes all morning, attempting to calm her jitters. 
"I wish someone would feed me hay and sugar cubes." I grumbled under my breath, before putting my feet through the stirrups and swinging myself up on to the saddle. 
"Right then, let's get this show on the road!" I attempted to shout loudly, but instead it came out sounding strained.
"Interesting. Never heard that one before." Levi teased as he trotted up next to me on his horse. 
"Quiet." I hissed to him. "Assume formation!" I yelled, my voice stronger this time. I tried to ignore the nervous butterflies that were buzzing in my stomach. They were less like butterflies now, and more like angry bees. 

The ride through Trost and into Shiganshina was pleasant enough, but it was when the gates to Shiganshina began to rise that the real nerves kicked in. I was about to lead a squad in an expedition, and I couldn't stop my hands from shaking as I gripped the reigns with white knuckles. We cantered through the gates, and entered Titan territory. I kicked Ed into a gallop and looked back to the group. 
"Spread out!" I yelled, and watched as they veered off, putting a few metres between each other. Covering as much space as possible was vital here, in case an abnormal appeared and made a break for one of us. 
I scanned our surroundings; two smaller variants to the left quite a distance away. Luckily they hadn't noticed us and so we carried on our path. Luckily it was only a short ride to the forest, and we reached the clearing without having to engage at all. 
"Switch to ODM gear!" I shouted, and began to clamber on to the saddle. This was always the trickiest bit for me - balancing myself upright while stood on the back of my moving horse. I looked back to Levi, who was stood on the saddle with ease.
Typical.
I drew my blades and clicked the trigger, grappling on to a nearby tree and swinging myself forward. I grinned as I felt the sensation I loved so much - the freedom of a feeling that was so close to flying. The wind whipped through my hair I laughed, swinging myself through the air. I landed on a tree branch and held my hand up, signalling for the rest of my Squad to stop for a moment. I heard the familiar zipping of the gear come to a holt as everyone found safety on one of the trees. I scanned the floor, searching the floor for any Titans. 
"Lieutenant! Down here!" I heard Tobias shout from behind me, and twisted my head in his direction. A two metre was ambling towards him, but Tobias was high enough up the tree that he was out of harm's way. 
"Perfect." I grinned. "Hanji! Have you got the gear?" 
Everything was going smoothly - almost too smoothly. 
"Is that even a question?" Hanji yelled and propelled through the air towards Tobias' tree. She sat on a lower branch and ogled at the beast. "You're a funny looking fella, aren't ya?"
She wasn't wrong. The Titan had a huge head, and a tiny little body, and was clawing up at the tree towards Hanji. 
"Well then," I leered, peering down at the ugly thing. "Let's begin."