Promise me [Levi Ackerman x OC]

✦ XI: Thugs ✦

The government had Shadis under pressure, threatening him they would take his Commander position if the results of the Survey Corps didn't improve.

The man didn't give up. For each next expedition, Shadis hoped they might get valuable information. Instead, deaths and low progress kept adding, not helping his situation.

Erwin would take the rank soon. Thanks to his strategic ability with new formations and leadership, the council thought he was perfect.

Hazel became a Squad Leader and Erwin's right hand, training the section cadets. She built a trusting and caring relationship with her higher-ups and comrades, making it feel like a family.

She was supervising the forest training and teaching ODM manoeuvers, unaware that Flagon, the other Section Commander, was coming her way.

"Looking good, Haze." Flagon introduces his presence, trying to chit-chat.

"Hey, bud. What's up?"

'Bud.'

He was hoping to get rid of the friend zone, and her demeanor didn't help. The man used his guts and shyly came closer, pretending to be casual, looking at his feet. "I heard about a carnival in town. You need to take a rest once in a while, you know? What if... you and I go and check it out. It'll be fun."

Since Hazel saved him on one expedition, the girl piqued his interest, but she didn't seem to notice or care, always bringing up all the work she had as an excuse.

"Hm. Sounds like a good idea."

Finally, Flagon felt a little hope before a tall man arrived to deliver a message. "Little one, Erwin came back already and wants you to join him as soon as possible."

"Oh, well. Work's first. Thanks, Miche. Do you mind looking out for the soldiers?" The freckled captain waved to them before leaving with a smile.

Flagon was left speechless, sending a displeased stare at his comrade.

"Something wrong, there?"

"She was about to agree to go out with me, you idiot!"

Miche laughed at his failure and patted his back, trying to ease him. "Better luck next time, bud."

Erwin had gone to a council meeting with all the military higher-ups and fundraisers. It wasn't strange he was looking jaded when Hazel reached his office.

"How was it?"

In said reunion would be discussed a meaningful matter for her, making the girl anxious about the answer. She sat, waiting for him to end the tension.

"They approved it, and Lovof opposed it as we expected. Also, I set the trap."

The future Legion Commander knew the man's plans of dissolving the survey corps to keep the funds of the Lang Company.

He recently obtained a document with his crimes in order to sanction him. Erwin was a step from getting the corrupt noble into jail and foiling his plans against them.

"We discussed the need for people with exceptional abilities after Nile asked for help to capture the underground city thugs."

For a while ago, the Military Police had been complaining about some thugs, hard to catch because they used ODM gear and appeared to be skillful.

Without a second thought, Hazel knew they were Levi and Furlan, only telling Erwin and Hange their true identities, the ones who shared a home with her. They came out with the idea of recruiting them and saving them from execution.

Hazel was sure if they tried to recruit them, Levi, the boy who despises soldiers, would never accept. He would need an incentive. Erwin was sure Lovof wanted him dead. It would allow him to wipe the Survey Corps easily.

Their trap was to openly announce they would recruit the thugs, hoping the corrupt man would hire them to finish Erwin's life, making it the incentive.

Knowing the scouts would catch them, even with their exceptional skills, the underground girl hoped they would willingly stay if a familiar face was with their captors.

"You don't know the critiques I got, but at last, all agreed." He had turned to look through the window, hiding the excitement on his face from her. "We'll get your friends out, Hazel."

Astonished by the news, the girl started to weep in happiness. She would be able to see them again after years, able to be with them if it worked out how she planned.

Unable to contain the glee, she ran to her loyal leader and hugged him tightly. She left kisses all over his face saying, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. This means the world to me."

He fussed her hair like a little girl once she stopped jumping. "Someone will follow Lovof's moves. When he makes the deal, we will proceed. I need you to save this." He delivered the important proof document to his trusting girl. "If they come to murder me, they would also want it. They won't suspect you have it."

Once Erwin's contact confirmed Lovof made the shady deal with the thugs, the day to go find them was set.

The girl had her usual appointment for the check-up with Dr. Grisha, leaving her out of the rescuing/catching mission, but she let them know a couple of tips. The Section Commanders were the ones going, making it clear they will succeed.

The group was impressed with their unprofessional performance with the ODM. They were cautious with the short male as Hazel informed them, he was the hardest to catch, he even show resistance until he got to see his companions were immobilized, needing to surrender.

The captive thugs, got to the barracks admiring the surroundings, mesmerized by the large trees, the blue sky, the fresh air blowing their hair, the smell of fresh-cut grass, and the sun kissing their skin.

The scouts didn't give them too much time to enjoy the outer world, taking them to change their clothes before introducing them in front of the entire lined-up corps.

Commander Shadis informed them about the situation, assigning them to Flagon's squad. The distrusting captain had to accept the orders begrudgingly, taking them for a tour.

"Hazel is going to go nuts. I can't wait to see their faces." Hange cheered, walking along with the blond Commander.

"I hope everything goes as planned."

The next day, on the first formal training as cadets, the underground rookies were preparing at the side of the woods for the ODM practice, waiting for the leader to get there.

The young redhead was excitingly adjusting the gear, humming uncaring about Levi's bad mood and Furlan's space-off state.

The tall guy was taking avail of the sunny and windy day to admire the landscape. His heart skipped a beat when he turned to the main building. "It can be..." His jaw dropped, unable to believe what he saw.

"Oi, what is it?" Levi asked, tying his straps and not caring to turn in the same direction.

"Furlan, you're pale, like you've seen a ghost," the girl approached him worried, touching his forehead.

"Kind of..." He murmured, before running off his place smiling.