#ODM Performance

[odmeducationalgroup]

Students Shines Dancing to Challeya

Join us in celebrating the incredible talent at ODM as one of our talented students performs an amazing dance to the popular song 'Challeya'. At ODM, we believe in nurturing the all-round development of our students through various extracurricular activities. From dance and music to sports and arts, our students excel in every field. Watch this captivating performance and see the passion and dedication of our young stars. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more such inspiring performances from our ODM family!

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[sicksaucyspaghetti]

still levi.

levi’s hands are dirty. he’s done things he’s not exactly proud of. he’s had to fight, hurt, kill to stay alive. violence barely even takes a toll on him anymore, at least not the way it used to. it’s hard to feel anything at all when you’ve caused as much destruction as he has, when your value to others is reduced to the strength you bring to a fight.

levi knows that he is lethal — and he’s come to terms with it. after all, he’s been taught since he was a boy that whoever hits harder, whoever moves faster is the one who survives. what began as fighting for his survival in the underground became fighting for the survival of humanity alongside the Scouts. over time, levi learned it’s not that different, the underground and the survey corps; blood must be spilt, and if you are strong enough, you have some say in who’s it is. that alone is enough of a reason for people to keep you around. 

it’s hard for levi not to become too detached from himself with all the violence that’s surrounded him, with all the violence he’s created. but, there are moments, however rare, when levi can forget all the wrongs he’s committed. when levi is reminded that he is more than just “humanity’s strongest”. when levi realizes that he is still levi. in these moments, levi experiences a warming hum of peace in his chest. it’s small and gentle and if he blinks he’ll miss it — but it’s there. it’s in a hot, bracing cup of tea resting on his desk. it’s in the warmth of the sun on his face, a luxury he never had in the underground. it’s in clean sheets that smell gently of soap. it’s in the clicking and whirring of his ODM gear as he weaves in and out of the trees. it’s in hange’s crazed smile every time she discovers something new about the titans. it’s in erwin’s speech of encouragement leading up to a fight, urging him to dedicate his heart. it’s in the wide eyes of the each new cadet, who knows only to hope. it’s in the memories of isabel, and furlan, and his mother. 

it may not seem like much to others, but to him? these moments are everything. levi was bred as a weapon with a specific purpose. no one was there to care about levi beyond if he was performing well enough, staying strong enough, killing fast enough — and he always was. but small moments like these are enough to show levi that there is still a beating heart underneath his uniform. that’s he’s still levi. and that is worth more to him than all the glory in the world.

for all the destruction levi has seen — for all the destruction he’s caused — it would be easy for him to disconnect entirely from his heart. but that’s just not who he is. levi may not feel all the time, but the fact that he can even feel at all?

he’ll take that any day. because he’s still levi.

[syoish-aot]

"I Found You" - EREN/READER - REVERSE ISEKAI (part 7)

reverse isekai, time travel, memory loss

post canon

reader/eren

past eren/mikasa (but no love triangle)

word count: 1682

<- PART 6 | PART 8 ->

*****

Red flowers spilled from the hanging baskets attached to the wrought iron fence that wrapped around the upstairs patio of Niccolo’s restaurant.

Mikasa smiled to herself as she leaned against the railing, pulling one of the flowers up to her nose.

From the other side of the patio, as if he was scared that getting too close would break the mirage, Eren’s eyes followed her movements.

His breath came out in shallow exhales, watching the way the setting sun illuminated her features. 

She was so beautiful. She’d always been beautiful. No one could deny that.

Her hair (her long hair, he noted) framed her face and fell past her shoulders, tickling the straps of the red dress that wrapped perfectly around her figure. He hadn’t seen her in a dress since they were kids and it was never something so flashy. Somehow, it still suited her.

Or maybe it was this new life that suited her instead.

Eren could vividly recall the dozens of times that he’d watched Mikasa perform such a simple task, as the mundane action somehow found a way to light a fire in his stomach. Cleaning her swords, adjusting her ODM straps, tinkering with her gas chamber- he’d watch her do it, admiring the way her fingers delicately held whatever tool or object she was fiddling with. But now, with her fingers wrapped softly around a beautiful flower, he felt-

He felt… 

Honestly, Eren wasn’t sure what he felt.

And he didn’t understand why not knowing intimidated him so much.

“So…” Mikasa started, cutting off his thoughts, “Welcome to your new life.”

Eren shoved his hands into his pockets, unsure what else to do with them, as he looked away from her and swallowed a lump in his throat. “...yeah.” He replied.

Mikasa laughed to herself and looked up at the sky, admiring the way the sunset placed a silver glow around the fluffy clouds above. “You’re probably pretty confused.”

“That’s putting it lightly.” Eren scoffed before he finally crossed the patio and joined her. 

“We don’t really get it either, it just slowly started to happen,” Mikasa told him. “It’s random, but everyone’s memories get triggered by something. For Armin, it was seeing the ocean for the first time. Jean’s came back at a farmer’s market. Connie remembered everything the first time he met Sasha. And Sasha well-...” Mikasa smiled, “there’s a reason we still call her “potato girl” even now.”

“What about you?” Eren asked.

“I-...” Mikasa looked down at her hands and smoothed out her dress. “...I was different.”

Their eyes met and a lump formed in Eren’s throat. He felt guilty, somehow. Guilty for being around when all of this had been happening, but somehow remaining completely oblivious to it. All Eren had ever wanted to do was protect the people he loved, so the fact that they’d been going through so much without him even noticing made him feel like he’d let them down.

Like he’d let Mikasa down, just like he had in his past life.

“How were you… different?” Eren asked hesitantly, as if he was scared to know the answer.

Mikasa smiled before she looked down at the street below them. “In this life, we grew up together just like we had before. You, me, and Armin, just the three of us. You and Armin had no idea about our past lives but I-” Mikasa took a breath, “but I remembered everything.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “Maybe it’s another one of those Ackerman powers but-… but from the moment I could have a memory, I remembered. I remembered Shiganshina and the hill we would run up as kids. I remembered the fall of the walls. The titans. Our attack on Liberio. The Rumbling. Everything. I remembered every single piece of it and I- I remembered you…”

Eren’s breath caught. “What do you… remember about me?” He couldn't look away from her, not for a second.

This was everything he had ever wanted. Everything he denied himself from having in his first life.

This was time. Time for them to finally be together.

“What am I to you, Eren?” “Family.”

He wouldn’t let it happen again. “Mikasa I lo-”

“I remembered killing you,” Mikasa cut him off and Eren immediately slammed his mouth shut. “And I also remembered everything that happened after. The years I sat by your grave missing you, wishing you were next to me so we could sit together and watch Shiganshina grow.”

Eren looked at the flowers next to them.

The pretty red flowers that spilled over the railing, reaching out to the streets below.

“Do you remember the cabin?” Eren hesitantly asked.

“I do.”

“So then-” He looked back at her. “Then you and I- we can- now that I’m here and I’m awake and we’re in this life we-”

“We can’t, Eren.” Mikasa said.

Eren was taken aback. Mikasa had felt the same way as he did in their last lifetime, so what was different now?

“Why not?” He asked.

“Because it doesn’t work here, Eren.”

“I- What do you mean? We finally have the time, Mikasa. We can be together and you don’t even want to try!? Why not? I-... I love you. I’ve always loved you so-”

“I loved you too.” Mikasa cut him off.

“But-…” He was in complete disbelief. “But not anymore?”

“No.” Mikasa answered simply. “Not anymore.”

It flashes through his mind quickly. In weird uncontrollable blips:

A new shirt. A black marker.

Eren scowled and shook his head, thinking nothing of whatever that was. He had more important things to worry about.

“Why not?” Eren asked. “What changed?"

Mikasa took a deep breath. “I lived a whole lifetime loving you, Eren. And I spent most of it learning to live without you by my side.”

Coffee. Itchy cloth. A stale, leftover pastry.

Eren shook his head again and focused on what Mikasa was saying.

“When I came back and I was in this life,” she said, “a new life, I had already spent so much time getting over you. At that point, I just-... I couldn’t go back.”

Spaghetti. Wine. Plush couch cushions against his back.

Eren scowled. His head was swarming with meaningless thoughts. Fragments of thoughts, really. He needed to focus on Mikasa! “And you didn’t even try?” He asked.

Mikasa laughed. “No, I did. Once.”

“Once?”

“Yeah. When we were younger we were together for a bit. Nothing serious, and mostly it was just awkward. I felt like I was trying to play a part instead of being who I wanted to be. And then a few months later you-…”

“I what?”

Mikasa smiled before she took a deep breath. “A few months later you… fell in love with someone else.”

Lips between his shoulder blades. A sharp pain in his chest. And then a laugh.

Eren’s fingers dug into his temples, circling against them as the thoughts continued to swirl.

He fell in love with someone else? Someone who wasn’t Mikasa? What was the point of this new life if he was with someone else? Mikasa was the reason he had fought so hard before. She was everything to him but-

“It’ll come back to you eventually,” Mikasa told him. “And when it does, you’ll get what I mean when I say that you and I wouldn’t work.”

Eren scowled. “What if it doesn’t? What if I get my memories back from this weird life and I still want to be with you.”

Mikasa sighed. “If that happens then… then I’ll probably have to kill you again.”

“WHAT!?”

Mikasa laughed at his bright red cheeks and the expression of pure irritation across his face.

She reached up to teasingly tug his bangs, snapping him out of his moment of rage.

Eren pushed her hand away.

He had looked so serious earlier, resembling the man who had tried to end the world. But now, as he pouted after being teased, all Mikasa could see was his bratty childhood self after Carla told him to finish his chores.

“You shouldn’t joke about that…” Eren mumbled.

“It’s not a joke,” Mikasa said. “If you hurt her I really will kill you."

He scowled. “I don’t even know who she is!”

“You’ll figure it out.” Mikasa shrugged. “Like I said, you’ll get those memories back eventually. Just give it some time.”

Marker. Coffee. Spaghetti and wine.

That’s not what that was… was it?

No.

It couldn’t be.

Those weren’t memories they were just-... weird images in his head. Something he dreamed of, probably, something that didn’t mean anythin-

“Wait!” Eren called. Mikasa was half way across the patio by the time he realized she had even left.

He wanted to ask her to stay. He felt like he was supposed to ask her to say, that’s what his head was telling him, anyway; because their conversation hadn’t resolved anything! He still had so many questions for her, so many thoughts to share and feelings to bring up. But Mikasa was just going to leave him like this!? Leave him to- to do what!?

“Just let the memories come back to you, Eren.” She told him.

“What am I-...” Eren’s mouth opened and closed uselessly a few times before he remembered how to speak: “What the hell am I supposed to do while I wait for that to happen?”

Mikasa smiled as she turned around to look at him one more time.

“Follow your instincts,” she told him, “no matter which lifetime you’re in, you’ve always been pretty good at doing that.”

And then she left him on the patio alone with his thoughts.

Alone with his memories.

Alone with a strange sense of deja vu as he looked down at the red flowers that spilled over the railing onto the streets below.

A messy heart on the lid of a paper coffee cup. A hand that fits so naturally into his. The words “I love you” mumbled before falling asleep.

[cosmererambles]

Sanderson is against animation, cause he's a coward but...

Yes, I watched and loved AoT, alright? I thought WIT Studio's animation was peak. The ODM gear sequences were fantastic, especially when they showcased Levi's skills. Take a studio with similar skills and let them have at allomancy. I just want to see it so bad. Put together a team of incredible artists and designers and just let them have at Sanderson's collective works. Can you imagine the RICH colors of Stormlight? The incredible action sequences in Mistborn? (Remember Kelsier's spin to win moment in Kredick Shaw?) None of this would look good in live action. I'd be watching real people perform super human feats it'd be boring, bland and uninspired. Plus they'd butcher the actual story in order for them to find cast members for all the different parts.

[booyakabanga]

I had an idea for a cool Levi x Reader story, where Reader is an engineer/mechanic of some sorts trying to improve or replicate the ODM gear and comes into contact with the survey corps. There she is made to watch and train with Levi, cuz duh he is the best with the gear, so she can improve the performance and quality etc.

She is also under the protection of Levi because no one knows of her talent (because only a select few people actually know how the gear works and it’d be super weird having to explain why this random young woman knows so much of the ODM gear) and Erwin the maniac gambled on her and believes she could help humanity’s fight against the Titans with her knowledge.

Her background is idk.

She could be from the underground trying to make her life easier by recreating the gear so she could complete her heist/robberies easier. If from the underground I guess she‘d be almost completely self thought.

Or

She is from above ground, even grew up fairly privileged but just has an infatuation with anything mechanical/engineered. Parents/mom doesn’t but dad just dotes on daughter and lets her do whatever, don’t approve of that and want her to be proper and ‚ladylike‘. To not raise any suspicions she acts just like that in front of her parents but sneaks out whenever she can and meets this old lady who owns a repair shop of some sorts and learns everything from her.

It could be a enemies to friends to lovers, cuz who doesn’t love that shit, with a slow burn, lots of angst and fluff.

Reader is obviously also a natural with the gear because she understands how the mechanisms work on a crazy detailed level but also has personalized ODM Gear she salvaged from wherever (she stole it from the MP‘s/maybe the old lady gave her a broken one) that she fixed up to suit her style of fighting.

I don’t know that‘s all I can think of for now. If you guys have any ideas just add to it. I have never written a fanfiction so this‘ll probably just stay like this but if anyone wants to actually write this, you have my full permission please just tag me or send a link so I can read it too ;)

[sevendeadlywhispers]

7Seals

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Chapter 10

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•Previous Chapter: Chapter Nine

•Next Chapter: Chapter Eleven

• Chapter List

• New chapters every Thursday

•Content: Levi Ackerman × OC female. Slow Burn! Canon verse!

• Word Count: 2.7k

• Warning: This content may not be suitable for all readers. If you've watched all of AOT then you will understand that the show handles heavy subjects such as abuse, racism, violence, and other heavy subjects. This fanfiction will also have the same heavy themes. Chapters with heavy themes will be marked with * at each chapter.

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The barn felt unusually quiet as I arrived early, beating even Levi to our usual meeting spot. A sense of solitude lingered, was this a consequence of my tardiness on other days?

Last night's events weighed on me, casting shadows over my tired eyes. Sleep had been elusive, and the mess hall became my refuge until breakfast's arrival. I lacked the strength to face Alexander's apologies, his attempts to sweep our....

my reality under the rug.

My ODM harness, once a symbol of freedom, became a painful reminder. Straps pressed against my bruised chest, every adjustment sending jolts of pain through my body. Alexander's violence from the night before echoed with each painful breath.

A few slaps had escalated into something more sinister. Questions circled my mind – was it safer to endure the torment within the confines of his presence, or was escape an option for me? Answers remained elusive, a puzzle I couldn't piece together in this weary state.

Levi's sudden appearance shattered my contemplation. Startled, I dropped my canteen, and it rolled away, farther and farther away from my reach.

"Erwin wants you," Levi's voice cut through the air, disrupting the silence that enveloped the barn. I couldn't bend to retrieve my fallen canteen, I had to watch it roll away. Maybe later I'll find the strength to pick it up.

"Hurry up. Come straight back here when you're done," Levi's instructions echoed, as I walked away, leaving the abandoned canteen behind.

I stood outside Commander Erwin's office, why he would summon me.? Was it about my performance? Levi's tardiness this morning added a layer of curiosity.

"Come in," his cheerful voice beckoned. He seemed to anticipate my arrival, knowing the time it took from the training grounds to his office.

"Commander," I greeted as I entered, a mixture of nervousness and curiosity bubbling within me.

"Take a seat," he instructed, and I complied, feeling a sense of unease despite knowing I hadn't committed any wrongdoing. Perhaps it was about my lax approach to training.

"How are you?" Erwin inquired, his words carrying a certain depth that left me questioning if he referred to more than just my well-being.

"Good, thank you. What about you, Commander?"

"Very well," he replied cryptically, and the atmosphere in the room only thickened.

"How's the new squad?"

"Well, I'm the only member, so good," I chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Ah yes, we will get there," Erwin remarked, pacing around the room. Then, he delved into more pressing matters.

"How do you like Levi as your captain?"

"Um, he's doing well. I'm learning a lot," I replied cautiously, sensing a shift in the conversation.

"Last I heard, you were pretty behind in skills for the squad. How's that going for you?" Erwin questioned, pinpointing the very concern that had been lingering in my mind.

"Still need work, but it's going," I admitted, though the truth was, I felt inadequate compared to Levi's prowess. The looming expectation of meeting their standards weighed heavily on me.

"Right," Erwin said, circling to the other side of his desk, where he sat down in front of me. His gaze lingered a moment longer than I'd have preferred.

"How's Alexander?"

"He's good,"

"Really?" Erwin raised an eyebrow. "He's doing okay with you on the Levi Squad?"

"Yeah, he's been really supportive, helping me with different things," I lied, attempting to paint a positive picture.

"Ah," Erwin mused, sifting through paperwork and extracting two sheets. "Then you won't mind telling me why Alexander was yelling at four in the morning." His smile persisted as he laid the papers on his lap.

I glanced at the papers and back at him. "I'm sorry, Commander," I said with a smile, mirroring his demeanor.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I guess it's best that we both tell the truth," Erwin remarked.

"The incident report is in my hands as we speak."

Why did I think I could deceive him? Erwin wasn't Levi or Alexander; he saw through facades. Rookie mistake.

"Okay, fine," I surrendered, though only halfway. I wasn't ready to reveal everything. "He got mad at me for staying up to do paperwork. He was just concerned for me."

Erwin hummed and stood up, tossing the papers into the fireplace while maintaining eye contact.

"Very well, then." His smile returned. "I wouldn't want to keep Levi waiting. Enjoy your day, Aldridge."

"Thank you, sir," I replied, grateful for the quick dismissal.

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"Iris," Levi's voice echoed through the training grounds.

I propped myself against the nearest tree, gasping for air as the ODM course left my chest throbbing with pain. Levi's call urged me to action.

"Get over here. Quick," Levi commanded, his tone brooking no delay.

He didn't want a casual stroll; he demanded urgency, beckoning me to use my ODM gear to reach him. Releasing my hooks became a symphony of stabbing sensations, each motion harder to conceal.

"Why are you wearing your ODM gear incorrectly?" Levi lifted two fingers beneath my leather straps, giving them assertive tugs.

His fingers glided over my chest as he tightened every buckle, his scowl etching disapproval into his dark eyes.

"There's no reason your harness should ever be this loose," he reprimanded, continuing to cinch my straps. "Your ODM gear was one malfunction away from leaving you hanging by the cords. These wires are very dangerous. You could have lost a limb with how lax your harness was."

In the final tug, pain surged through me. I fought against collapsing, refusing to show weakness. As Levi's eyes met mine, I winced at the pain, trying to conceal it. His fingers grazed one of my bruises, rendering me speechless. I couldn't utter a word, fearing I might unleash more than words in the captain's presence.

"It hurts?" Levi asked, confusion etched across his features.

"No, I'm fine," I lied, suppressing the pain that clawed at me.

"Then get out there and run some drills." His hand patted my head and pushed me forward.

Taking a step away, I released my hooks, aiming for the nearest tree. My body betrayed me, halting mid-air, no movement could save me now. Instead of the graceful landing, I collided with the tree with a sickening thud, a sharp pain radiating through my chest. I crumpled, unable to move, the world spinning in a disorienting dance.

The loud whirls of ODM gear above were a distant echo, my senses dulled by the impact. Strong arms lifted me, and there he was – Levi, his concerned face hovered above me, but my mind was a haze, disconnected from reality. His fingers traced my chin, shifting my face, and then rested on my neck. The contrast between his rough, calloused touch and his usual demeanor was striking. A smile played on my lips at the paradox of his gentleness against the backdrop of his harsh persona.

Above me, Levi's voice echoed, distant and muffled. I smiled, lost in the surreal moment, he seemed concerned. His eyes told a different story than his usual stoic facade.

"I don't feel good." I laughed but the laugh slowly turned into coughing. I threw my hands over my mouth as the blood spilled out of my mouth.

His concerned face quickly turned to disgust as he looked at my bloody hands.

"Yeah. I don't think I'm supposed to do that." My eyes slowly fell closed, the last thing I felt was Levi jerk my body from the ground.

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"Well, good morning, soldier," the lady greeted me in the sterile confines of the infirmary. White walls surrounded me, and a woman in a white coat stood beside my bed.

Maybe it wasn't just a bruise?

"That was a nasty fall you had there," she remarked, helping me sit up. I shrugged off the pain, laughing nervously. Why did it feel like my whole body had been run over?

"You broke a rib; it punctured a hole in your lungs. You'll be fine. Give it a couple of months, and you'll be good to go back flying around on those damn things," she reassured me, poring over some papers.

"Thank you," I said, grateful for the news.

"You know," she began, setting down the papers and fixing her gaze on me, "that rib wasn't a fresh crack."

"Ha, really?" I chuckled, attempting to downplay the situation. "Must've been out for a while."

"No, the way that fella ran in here with you, you wouldn't have had time to have bled as much as you did. You've been bleeding internally for hours, and I know damn well that fall didn't crack your rib," she stated, staring intently.

I was left speechless. What could I possibly say?

"The bruises on your stomach say otherwise."

"Being a scout isn't easy," I deflected with a laugh.

"And I know coming up with excuses ain't easy either," she retorted. "It's a matter of time till they start catchin' the lies and mixups."

"Aren't you tired?"

My eyes met her brown gaze, she looked at me in disappointment. What did she think she knew?

"You're not alone."

I remained silent as she left the room, her words echoing, a subtle offer to share the burdens. What was there to talk to her about? She took one look at me and assumed everything. How?

Levi walked in just as the nurse left, his presence filling the room. His eyes, colder than steel, locked onto mine.

"You idiot," he groaned, arms crossed. "How long did you know your rib was broken?"

I felt the weight of his gaze. Levi, usually pristine, wore the stains of my blood like a badge of annoyance. Why hadn't he changed yet?

"I didn't know," I lied, trying to hold his gaze.

"Bullshit," he spat, his eyes briefly softening as they met mine. The intensity became uncomfortable, and I broke away first. He leaned against the wall, a resigned "Tch" escaping his lips.

Levi had given up, a sight I thought I'd never witness. He looked at me again, breaking the silence, "How you holding up?"

"I'll be fine. Back in two weeks," I assured him. He rolled his eyes but concealed any disagreement.

"I already talked to the doctor," he disclosed. "You won't be ready until the end of October, shit maybe November."

I should've known they spoke, but what else had they discussed?

"I'm sorry, Captain," I mumbled, head hung low. "I understand if you want me off your squad. I'm only a liability."

"Shut up," Levi ordered. "You don't call the shots around here. You are a fucking liability, a pain in the ass. But I'm the Captain, and what I say goes."

He paused, his gaze piercing mine.

"You will become the best soldier the scouts have ever seen. I don't give a damn if you don't want to; you're on my squad now. You better enjoy your rest now because I won't be gentle with you."

Our eyes remained locked as I responded,

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now we—" His voice was abruptly cut off by the door.

The door swung open, and Alexander entered, his gaze immediately locking onto Levi, dismissing my presence in the room.

"Alexander."

Levi's voice sliced through the tension, a rare acknowledgment that sent shivers down my spine. Levi's eyes trailed every move Alexander made, a predator assessing its prey.

Alexander's ocean eyes eventually met mine as he sidled up to my bed, gripping my hand with increasing pressure.

"Where have you been?" His feigned concern rang hollow.

"I got hurt during practice," I replied with a forced smile, my thumb grazing his hand as he tightened his grip. His dismissive response stung. "You'll be fine," he said, brushing off my discomfort.

"She's not fine." Levi interjected, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall near the door.

"I'm sorry," Alexander turned to Levi, ignoring me. "I wasn't speaking to you."

Levi's eyebrow arched, his death glare intensified.

"Seems like you forgot about our little run-in the other night. I'd leave if I were you. Erwin's not here to save you this time."

Alexander's grip on my hand loosened as he backed away, leaving the room with a cryptic promise. "I'll see you later tonight," he uttered before the door closed behind him, and Levi promptly locked it.

"What was that all about?" I questioned Levi, curiosity getting the better of me.

"None of your business," he retorted, his demeanor as stern as ever.

"Well then, I'll just ask him when he comes back later," I responded casually, shrugging my shoulders.

"Doubt he'll say something," Levi remarked, his expression unreadable.

"And why's that?" I pressed.

Levi shot me a side-eye as he pushed himself off the wall, taking a seat in the chair beside the bed.

"Okay..."

"Aye, brat," Levi addressed me. "Did you just roll your eyes at me?"

"Yeah, I did," I admitted, snapping my head towards him.

"I'll remember that," he warned.

"Go ahead, no one is stopping you," I retorted, slumping back into the bed.

"What's got you so pissy?"

I glanced around the room before fixing my gaze back on the bed. "My damn rib is broken," I said, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

"That's your own damn fault," Levi chided. "You should have known better than to practice while being injured."

"Save it," I shot back in frustration. "Outside those walls, if you're injured, there's no relaxing and stepping out. You push through it, or you're dead."

A heavy silence settled in the room, broken by Levi's voice. "You're right," he conceded. "But you're not outside the walls. You're inside. Until then, you are going to do whatever it takes to keep you alive and well. Got that?"

"Yes, sir," I affirmed.

"You guys got it lucky up here," Levi remarked. "Not everyone has access to a doctor or medicine. Take advantage of it while you have it."

Lying in the medical room with Levi keeping a watchful eye, his words about the scarcity of medical care outside the walls echoed in my mind. Not everyone had the privilege we did. Countless citizens in the innermost parts of the wall were in desperate need.

"Hey, Capt?" I addressed him, breaking the silence. "What do you mean by 'up here'?"

"What else could I mean?" he grumbled. "The underground doesn't have shit compared to the lives above."

"Are you from the underground?" I asked without hesitation, a question that had lingered in the air for so long. Levi's reaction spoke volumes – he looked like he wanted to kill me. The words slipped out before I could second-guess myself. It was something I genuinely wanted to know, a piece of the puzzle that was Captain Levi. The rumors were varied – from high-ranking officials' son to a country town, but the most persistent was that he hailed from the underground.

"Yeah, and?" Levi replied, scanning my reaction, as if he anticipated a negative response. But I didn't care. Who was I to judge someone based on their birthplace? If anything, I felt a sense of empathy.

"Ah, so the rumors are true," I remarked.

"It's not a secret," Levi said. "It's not like it's anyone's business either."

"No, you're right. It just explains a lot," I shrugged with a small grin.

"Explains what?"

"The way you act," I said, looking at him. "But also the way you and Alexander despise each other."

"I don't despise him," Levi asserted. I gave him a skeptical look, and he huffed. "I detest him."

"That's the same thing, Captain," I laughed. "Well, it explains the ego contests."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You both act like there can only be one person from the underground up here. Y'all got some unfinished business or something?"

"The hell are you talking about, Aldridge?" Levi was starting to get agitated.

"Did you guys know each other from the past?" I questioned.

"I've never seen that kid before," Levi stated. "Why do you think we know each other? Unless you know something I don't, cadet." His face was stern.

"I thought you guys knew each other by the way y'all acted?"

Levi's eyes widened. The confusion was etched away by anger as received the news.

"Alexander is from the underground."

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

[cosmicjoke]

No Words

God damn, God DAMN, I finally had a chance to sit down and watch Part 3 of the Final Season of “Attack on Titan”, and I really just have no words.  I’m just completely blown away.  MAPPA has done such an indescribably stellar job on every part of this last arc of maybe the greatest story ever written in manga form, and they do not disappoint here.  The gravitas of this hour long episode, including the naked brutality of the opening showing us the true horror of the Rumbling, and Eren’s own monstrosity, was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever had the true privilege to see in animation.  This isn’t a children’s show, as the manga itself was never a children’s story.  This is one of the most intensely relevant and truthful depictions I’ve ever seen of not only the horrors of war and violence, but the tragedy of the human condition.  They not only left Isayama’s panels uncensored here, but even added scenes which drove home the true brutality and tragedy of what Eren was doing.  Seriously, that entire opening sequence left me breathless.  I was just sitting here, stunned, while watching it. Again, this story is such an unvarnished and sincere look at the tragedy of war and the human capacity for violence, and really, in many ways, the inescapability of that nature within us.  I’ve always applauded Isayama for his commitment to that tragedy, and not giving in to the temptation of a happy ending in which all is well and right with the world, in which Eren is able to be redeemed, in which the cycle of violence is miraculously stopped.  Like Erwin once said, as long as there is more than one person, there will always be war.  And this episode by MAPPA captured that deeply dark, ugly and somber reality with such immensity and truth. It’s one of the greatest pieces of cinema I’ve ever seen. That really isn’t hyperbole.  I had tears in my eyes at several points watching this episode.  The cinematic quality and standard of MAPPA’s work remains as first rate as ever.

Hange’s moment, man... Again, I’m left speechless.  Hange really was the hero of this episode.  Their sacrifice, and the way it was rendered here by MAPPA, again, the brutality of it (and I know I keep using that word, but I really can’t find any other), watching them take down Colossal Titan after Colossal Titan, before finally succumbing to the heat, the way they caught on fire, and yet even still, as they were burning alive, they continued to fight and managed to take out one last Titan... Ah, it’s got me all fucked up just thinking about it.  They truly gave their all in the end to save humanity. 

And their farewell with Levi, just... oof, man.  Hange really was Levi’s last, remaining friend from the old days, and he has to watch them go, and there’s nothing he can do to save them, nothing he can do to help.  Another burden on his shoulders, another sense of his immense strength failing to matter.  And again, I have to commend MAPPA here, and their attention to detail.  Levi’s difficulty in even squeezing the trigger of his ODM gear drove home just how WEAK Levi still is at this point in the story.  For all the people that try to criticize him for not being able to do more, for not being enough of a force in the final battle, I think this one, small scene of his physical frailty should shut all those people up.  Because it makes crystal clear to the audience just how physically hurt Levi is, how he’s joining his comrades through nothing but sheer will alone.  His difficulty in performing a physical task which, through this ENTIRE series, Levi was more adept at, more capable of, more powerful in, than any other character, and yet, his hands shake here, and he has to grit his teeth and struggle to accomplish it, it proves Levi’s dedication and determination, even through his own deep impairment.  He’s in no shape to be fighting, and yet he does.  He has to, and he does.  That, like Hange, is the choice of a hero.

The same to all the cast.  Armin, Mikasa, Reiner, Jean, Connie, Pieck, and even Annie, eventually. 

I think MAPPA did an incredible job of conveying the true hopelessness of this situation.  The absolutely minuscule chances of success.  And yet here we are, our hero’s arriving to do what they can, regardless of the odds. 

And then there’s Eren.  Eren, who I will always maintain is one of the most compelling and tragic character’s I’ve ever seen.  While we see his undoubted and terrifying monstrosity on full display, and we understand truly, without question, that he has become the villain of this story, we also see in the flashback to his time in Marley, and his interaction with Ramzi, Eren’s humanity, his remorse, his self-loathing, and his regret.  And it’s that humanity we see in Eren, that genuine horror at what he knows he’s going to do, that makes his final actions all the more horrific and unforgivable.  Because he IS human.  He isn’t a monster.  He’s a human being.  And he chooses to do this.  He chooses to, because he WANTS to, just like he admits tearfully and with genuine remorse to Ramzi.  Is there anything more heartbreaking than that?  Eren’s betrayal of humanities hope is so impactful and so hard to accept because of that humanity.  Because we learned to love and care for and root for him over the entire course of this long journey, only to see him fail so utterly.  My heart bleeds for Eren, even as I know he’s become an unredeemable monster. 

My hat’s off to MAPPA, man.  I’m just floored by this first part of “Attack on Titan’s” conclusion.  I couldn’t be more impressed, or more satisfied with the seriousness with which this very serious story is treated here.  This is art, truly.  This is a story which speaks with total sincerity to the human condition.  And MAPPA has brought it so spectacularly to life.  Thank you MAPPA, and most of all, thank you Hajime Isayama for writing this incredible tale of human will, determination, dreams, triumph, tragedy, violence, cruelty, hate, fear, love, friendship and hope. 

I’m gonna’ stop now before I make myself cry.

I don’t think there’s ever going to be another manga or anime that hits harder or means more than “Attack on Titan”.  It’s truly a masterpiece, and in a class all it’s own. 

[muekyn]

summer character ref!

i realized i never made a character ref for my self insert/oc so here it is <3 she’s a part of the aot universe :3

more information about them under the read more, if you're interested! (it's long i am SORRY)

summary: born in the shiganshina district and part of the 104th cadet corps. they join the survey corps, and ultimately become a part of the special operations squad (squad levi). with a bit of naivety to them, they start off very hopeful for the future of paradis.

as she joins the survey corps, she is in charge of creating maps used for formations and battle strategies. there are also times where she helps in designing equipment, such as the executioner from hell (that large log device used to kill titans) and the new odm gear.

unfortunately, the pressure of dealing with titans on a regular basis, as well as the stressors from her personal life, start to plant a seed of uncertainty in her.

after sasha’s death, she loses a lot of meaningful connections with her friends. she begins to isolate herself and displays behaviors that are abnormal for her, such as excessive fear and panic.

additionally, she loses her ability to maintain a healthy day to day life. no one knows what’s going on- she’s met with resistance towards her “odd” behaviors.

it all becomes too much. since she's unable to “quit”, she runs away, living beyond the walls in a small cabin. she spends her days maintaining her land and learning how to become a fishmonger. her mental health improves slightly, but never really recovers.

occasionally they make trips into marley to sell their fish, forging documents that allow them into the nation. human interaction for them becomes far and few in between, usually only when they visit marley.

her visits to marley really open her eyes; seeing the worst of society. all the blame that’s put on her people, all the injustice, the misinformation.

at first, she takes a neutral stance on the rumbling. ultimately though, she realizes that the rumbling is inhumane and needs to be stopped, so she helps out in the end. she doesn’t fight directly, rather provides support on falco’s jaw titan with levi and gabi.

combat/skills: truthfully, she is not an expert in using her odm gear, being one of the lowest performing students in her cadet days. for some reason, she is unable to get the complexities of the odm gear down, but manages well enough not to get chomped up.

for summer, she is relied upon more for her ability to create diagrams and maps that the survey corps would use, mainly for battle tactics and navigation. she was in charge of making maps for different squads, spending long nights carefully curating each drawing.

personality: summer has an innate curiosity and unique appreciation for the world. she feels a deep connection to nature, the stars, and the moon. she can also be very creative and has a profound love for art, especially paintings and sculptures.

when it comes to interacting with others, she is very shy and withdrawn, opting to avoid individuals rather than approach them. unfortunately, she doesn’t trust easily, making it hard for her to form deep connections with others. nonetheless, she tries her best to be respectful and understanding.

she wants to be an optimist, but has had her hope taken many times, leading her to become increasingly pessimistic as time goes on. her world view can be very negative at times, especially during her visits to marley. but through it all, her love for the world never dissipates. to her, there is always something to find joy in.

appearance: her features are very round and soft. her eyes are an amber color, while her hair is an orange/redhead color. it’s styled to be in a wavy bob with bangs on the left side of her face. 

summer is short in stature, no more than 5 feet tall. she has a very flat/emotionless expression most of the time, even when expressing intense emotion. she also has a hard time maintaining eye contact.

relationships: romantically involved with eren. they have known each other since they were children. as kids, they argued a lot, since summer and eren had similar personalities- the two of them being hotheads. 

however, as they get older, their passion for the world brings them together. summer has a slight crush on eren during her cadet days, silently pining over him for years. after many awkward smiles and shy glances, eren drunkenly admits his feelings to summer at the party in marley, leading them to start dating. 

while summer is living in the cabin, she doesn’t see eren much. when eren becomes a wanted man, he randomly surprises summer with visits that can last a few days. unfortunately he can’t stay for long, otherwise he risks the livelihood of both of them. the two of them simply appreciate the time they have together.

when eren starts the rumbling, they are still together, but summer completely disapproves of his actions, leaving their relationship in limbo (not that it’s that important at that point anyway.) she eventually decides she can’t let him go on with the rumbling and aids in his death.

best friends with sasha. they met in the 104th cadet corps, and instantly became friends after sasha’s potato mishap. sasha and summer’s personalities mesh together perfectly. they stay close friends until sasha’s death, which becomes one of the breaking points for summer.

friends with jean and connie. she’s not as close to them as she is with sasha, but she trusts them greatly and gets along with them very well. connie, sasha, and summer goof off a lot, while jean has to scramble to get everybody back on track. ultimately, the four of them have a solid bond.

aquaintances with mikasa and armin. despite interacting with them since she was a child, she doesn’t know them extremely well. but she gets along with them just fine. she appreciates the level of care they have for eren.

mentored by levi. the two of them have a unique level of trust with each other. levi is familiar with summer’s outbursts and panics, and is able to calm her down alot, especially during battle. summer deeply trusts levi and looks to him for advice and navigating through life. a few sarcastic remarks from levi is all summer needs to push herself forward, or see things from a new perspective.

likes: mystery, thinking deeply, art, the moon and stars.

dislikes: loud noises, being alone, mirrors, and eye contact.

[amywritesthings]

Hello Hello Hello-ween! 👻

This is Episode 1 (...dunno whether there will be more...) of

Oddly Specific Asks🗿✨️

where you will get oddly specific questions and choices that will tingle your pringle. Let's go!

1) Favorite line in Avatar: The Last Airbender?

2) Best Justin Bieber Song?

3) QUICK ROUND! Pumpkin Spice or Matcha Latte?

4) Favorite way to cut a sandwich?

5) Most annoying Anime character?

6) QUICK ROUND! Mint chocolate on pizza or cheesy pineapple on ice cream?

7) Rate yourself: How well would you perform with ODM gear? On a scale from Sasha's potato to Levi VS Beast Titan.

8) In a fight between a peanut, a pistachio and a macadamia nut - who would win and why?

9) QUICK ROUND! Never read FanFic again or never write FanFic again?

10) GET CREATIVE! Write a short dialogue between any AoT character and a mindless titan about the lastest hairstyles in Mitras. Add details of the titan's reaction as well as at least two rhymes.

Thanks for playing! If you enjoyed this stupid game my silly little brain has come up with, let me know in your answer and I will give you another round. I hope this made you smile at least a little!

Best,

a very weird German <3

hallo-sleepover '24! / accepting.

When I tell you that I just finished eaten a chicken pesto sandwich and opened my inbox and went my god. I am so game.

1) Technically, I have two because I'm a LoK truther as much as ATLA. Unironically, they're both Uncle Iroh. "Perfection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love instead." (ATLA) + "If you look for the light, you will often find it; but if you look for the dark, that is all you will ever see." (LOK)

2) I don't know many Justin Beiber songs, but one of my cardio classes once used "Friends" and it's such a good song.

3) Pumpkin Spice, I'll never choose anything different.

4) In half because I am lazy.

5) Bestie you're going to get me in trouble 😭 my heart says Eren from AOT (I'm sorry please don't add me to the weird yeagerist hit list) but I feel like the diplomatic answer is Mineta from MHA. I want that diaper grape eviscerated.

6) Mint chocolate on pizza. Something about a cheesy pineapple makes my texture sensitivity want to fly into the sun.

7) Without a threat? I'd be able to use ODM gear at like a confident 4 because I train with weights 6x a week, but the second you put a titan in front of me? -10. We're getting eaten, my friends. I am so bad with scary things.

8) I'm going to be so honest -- I have never eaten any of these LMAO so I'm going by name, and 'Amy Macadamia' sounds very Myspace to me, so I'm going to sit myself in the mac nut corner.

9) Never read fic again. I've been writing my own self-indulgent fanfiction since I was ten years old on every surface I could pen or type. There is no way I am giving up the ability to hide in my own little escapism world.

10) You're fucking crazy SKDJFKSDF ALRIGHT I DID MY BEST

Chewing on one-half of his slightly stale sandwich, Connie squints at the titan strapped down by Hange's latest invention. Surveillance shifts sucked, but not even the brainless could convince the boy not to talk.

"So... you got a whole head of hair. Wild. Kinda flowy, and stuff -- to be put it mild." He chomps down on another edge, speaking with his mouth full. "How'd you grow that out?"

The titan blinks right through Connie's sandwich, its tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

"Or were you... uh, titan-born that way?"

Another blink.

Yeah. this conversation was going a whopping fuckin' nowhere.

"Thought about growing out my own situation." Connie holds up his free hand to pet it through his own buzzcut. "I'm not bald, for your information."

It didn't ask. Then again, Connie didn't ask to get put on this damn detail, so he keeps going. He puffs out his chest and considers.

"I know Jean's already growing out his mullet, but would that be copying if I did it, too? I mean Mitras has, like -- what, three good hairstyles right now?" He lists on his sandwich-slicked fingers. "Mullet, braid -- ew -- and the undercut thing. I'm not getting flack for copying Captain Levi, though. No, siree."

The titan gurgles, and Connie can't help but feel like it was big guy code for indifference to his plight.

"...damn, you're really no help."

[shadyruinskryptonite]

Titan Bending Chapter 7

Warning: Violence consistent with cannon, NSFW so MDNI, language, major character death (both consistent with canon of both AOT and ATLA as well as diverging from canon), so much trauma literally everyone is so traumatized, very much slow burn, a little enemies to lovers, SO MUCH ANGST, hurt/comfort, hurt and delayed comfort, AFAB reader

Chapter Warnings: fear of horses, graphic depiction of Eren after failed tests (a la S3Ep1 Smoke Signal), death, titans killing people (pretty par for the course but still), loss of entire village, it’s implied that the reader is short (I try not to give these kinds of descriptors so that as many people as possible will identify with it but I’M short and it just fits so well, apologies in advance)

WC: 3967

Previous Chapter, Next Chapter

Masterlist

Tags: @mochminnie @sseleniaa

When Hange said we’d be taking a field trip, she failed to mention that it meant that the entirety of her and Levi’s squads would be going into hiding at a cabin in the woods. It’s not a bad place to stay, it’s actually rather cozy even if it does mean we’re keeping tight quarters. Tight quarters aren’t all that bad though, it means that I’ve gotten to know each of the kids quite well. They don’t always get along, but it’s more in the family sort of way than like they don’t actually like each other. 

Every day they remind me more and more of the Gaang.

“We’ll discuss your complete and utter failure at a later date,” Levi’s voice cuts off my thoughts. “Eren, Hange is anxious to get started on today’s experiment.”

Good, that will give me a chance to clean while they’re all out. I think I’m the only one whose cleaning Levi actually approves of.

My thoughts make me giggle to myself and I notice Levi glance in my direction despite no one else seeming to notice.

God, is there anything that little shit doesn’t notice?

As everyone heads out to the clearing, Krista, or rather, Historia and I stay behind to keep working on the house. As per usual we finish in no time - even the bottoms of the tables and the walls.

“Your cleaning certainly makes up for anything else Captain Levi might not like about you,” Kri- Historia remarks. I laugh at her observation.

“You think so? I don’t know, it seems like he’s always scrutinizing me more than everyone else so I wouldn’t say it completely makes up for it. And besides, it’s like he checks my cleaning more thoroughly like he’s waiting for me to make a mistake,” I lament.

“Honestly, at this point I think he just expects a lot out of you,” Historia counters.

“Oh really? How so?”

“Well,” she begins, “you are able to clean at a level that no one else physically can so you’ve set the bar high there. Then as far as performance goes, your waterbending has proven more than once now to be faster than ODM gear and, frankly, watching you maneuver looks like when I’m watching him so I think he just expects you to perform like him at everything now.”

Her description gives me pause. 

Is it really possible that I’ve been reading him wrong? No, right? While sure he may have this arbitrary set of expectations, he surely is also waiting for me to fail. He’s called “Humanity’s Strongest Soldier” so he probably just views me as a threat to that title.

Unaware of my internal dialogue, Historia continues, “plus, you take care of all of us like a mom, which I’m sure he appreciates.”

This catches my attention. “You think? I don’t understand, why would that matter to him?”

She giggles, and I can see why so many of the boys pine after her because it’s truly a beautiful sound. Her little laughter alone makes me smile before she says, “I think he cares about people more than you give him credit for. I’ve seen him hold dying soldiers’ hands and promise not to forget them and when his squad was killed by the Female Titan, he collected all of their Wings of Freedom patches. Rumor has it he keeps those patches in his desk.”

I feel an immense sense of guilt wash over me. I stand there, pensive, lost in my thoughts for a moment.

I wanted to crack him, figure out how he ticks, and I thought I had but it seems I didn’t even try. I can’t believe I was so shallow…

In the distance, Eren’s titan lets out a scream that sounds more like a platypus bear caught in a trap and I swear I can hear Hange shrieking.

“Should we go check it out?” I wonder aloud.

“We might as well, Hange probably wants to work with you too,” she says with a playful elbow to my side. I throw an arm around her in a hug as we head out.

When we get to the clearing, Hange is tearing Eren out of a sickly looking Titan. His face is gone. The sight is repulsive. 

Historia goes up to where Levi and Armin are standing, and I head towards Eren and a seemingly livid Hange.

As she spouts off whatever, I hear Moblit accuse her of having no compassion to which I frown.

She just gets carried away.

Walking up to them, I call out “ya know, I know he can heal himself but that looks pretty gnarly so I can try to help. We haven’t tried my healing on him yet.” This seems to perk Hange back up, and she nearly throws the poor kid at me, much to Mikasa’s chagrin.

Instead of going straight for his face, since that’s the worst, I go for something with lower stakes - his arm. As I begin healing he lets out some guttural noise and I stop in my tracks. Not only does it seem like it’s hurting him, but it seems like it’s making it worse as I see the spot now starting to bleed where it didn’t previously.

“Huh! Fascinating! Perhaps try a different spot?” Hange inquires over my shoulder.

“What?! No! Clearly that’s hurting him. He can heal on his own, I just wanted to see if I could speed up the process but clearly that’s not the case so no, I’m not going to torture the poor kid!” At my response, I can see Hange almost get angry with me. Just as she’s about to order me to try again, I speak up saying, “remember our agreement Hang. I won’t do anything that I don’t agree with. And I don’t agree with hurting this boy just because you got carried away with an experiment.”

She comes back to reality and her face immediately takes on a bit of guilt. “I-I’m sorry,” she admits quietly. 

I put my hand on her shoulder, catching her off guard, before I say, “It’s alright, everyone knows how into it you get in the moment.” I smile at her before it’s her turn to catch me off guard, capturing me in a tight hug. I smooth down her untamed hair and hear Levi calling from the cliff, stating that he and Hange’s squad were heading back to Trost and for the rest of us to return to the cabin.

I bid Hange a farewell before realizing that everyone besides Historia and I had come here on those horse…things. Eren was in no position to ride alone so he was placed with Mikasa, leaving a horse for Historia.

“I, uh, I’m good walking,” I say while rubbing my neck. All of the kids just stare at me a little.

“Just hop on with someone,” Mikasa says like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

“Oh, no, I wouldn’t want to be a bother,” I say with a nervous chuckle. 

“Have you never ridden a horse?!” Connie cajoles.

“No! I’ve never ridden a ‘horse,’” I say in a mocking tone. “I’ve ridden an OSTRICHhorse but those are far less…intimidating.” Eying up one of the horses, I decide that they are, in fact, terrifying. 

Now it’s Jean’s turn to tease me. “Ahhh come on, they’re harmless! Plus you won’t even be riding alone!”

“Easy for you to say, you’re already half horse anyway!” I retort, drawing unbridled laughter from all of the kids and making Jean blush.

Sasha approaches me on her horse and I take a step back. She gets down and sweetly says, “I’ve been riding my whole life, if you’re safe with anyone on a horse, it’s me. So, you just get up there first and then I’ll join you. You don’t have to do any of the work, just enjoy the scenery!”

I blink at her for a few moments, but I can tell she’s being completely sincere. “You just wanna get back so we can eat lunch,” I joke and her mouth waters slightly. I continue, “but…I’ll give it a try.”

I put my foot in the stirrup and hoist myself up, clutching the little knobby thing on the saddle as if my life depends on it. Sasha gets back up with ease. She wraps her arms around me to grab the reins and I’m struck by the intimate possibility this has.

“Damn, at least take me on a date first,” I say with a wink over my shoulder at her. Sasha, Historia, and Mikasa laugh, but the boys just chuckle, with seemingly all of them blushing.

Then suddenly we’re riding, and the fear returns and I stiffen up. Over my shoulder, I hear Sasha reassure me, “relax, you’re totally fine. Horses can sense fear.”

“Oh yeah, that’s REAL reassuring.”

It’s a short ride back to the cabin and as we continue, I do start to loosen up. I even go so far as to pat the horse’s neck. At one point Connie and Jean decide to try to make Sasha fuck with me by challenging her to a race and then taking off, and while I can tell she wants to join she refrains.

“Thanks, Sash. I think going full speed would traumatize me.” She just giggles at me.

We soon arrive back at the cabin and when we do, the boys are bickering about who won. I simply roll my eyes and laugh as I feel Sasha slide off of the horse’s back before she helps me down. As I’m walking inside, I hear Jean stop arguing with Connie and call out, “Y/n! Tomorrow: you’re learning how to ride a horse even if it kills you!”

I try and fail to hide my distaste for the idea, thinking that it just might kill me. But, reluctantly, I agree shooting back, “Are you going to be the one to teach me Kirstein? Since you’re more at one with the horses, I mean?” I smirk at him as he stands there sputtering to the sound of Connie’s laughter.

With the departure of Levi and Hange, we had to be extra vigilant on watch. I had one of the earlier shifts along with Mikasa. After we were relieved by Sasha and Jean, we return to find Connie also awake. While Mikasa just stares at him, I can tell something is wrong.

“Can’t sleep?” I inquire softly.

“Uh, yeah, you could say that,” he responds.

I shoo away Mikasa to get some sleep and offer to make him some tea which he happily accepts. We sit in silence for a moment before I ask, “so, do you want to talk about the nightmare or would you rather have a distraction?”

He stares at me surprised for a moment, so I explain, “this isn’t my first rodeo. I’m pretty sure everyone I’ve ever been close with has been plagued by nightmares, myself included.”

He smiles slightly as I can tell he’s pondering what he needs. After a deep sigh, he just softly says, “it was about my village.”

I sit quietly, waiting for him to continue. As he stares at his tea, I cautiously say, “I’m sorry Connie, I don’t know what happened in your village.”

It’s almost as if realization dawns on him, and based on the pain in his eyes I quickly add, “-you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, bud.”

“No, it’s okay. I didn’t know that you didn’t know but it makes sense,” he begins talking and it’s clear it’s hard for him to talk about, but it also seems like he needs to talk about it. “After Annie attacked and we captured her, there was a supposed breach in the walls. Titans wiped out my entire village, but,” he trails off.

I reach over and put my hand on his shoulder, overwhelmed with sadness and empathy. He takes a deep breath before continuing, “but there’s something strange about it.” I furrow my eyebrows, searching his face and only finding confusion.

“Strange how?”

“Well, there is no evidence that they were eaten by titans. Neighboring villages, yes. It’s clear that titans killed everyone. But mine is like they all just…vanished. And there was this giant titan too. Looked like some kind of hairy beast. Clearly an abnormal. I think it has something to do with it. The weirdest part, and the worst, honestly, is that there’s one titan that seems like it can’t walk just stuck on top of my house. As weird as it sounds, it looks like my mom and I know it sounds crazy but I swear on everything that it talked to me!”

I can only hope my face doesn’t betray me as he’s telling me this, because I AM shocked but I don’t want to freak him out or worry him more.

I muster all of my composure to respond, “I…I’m sorry Connie. I believe you, and I’m sorry that people have made you feel crazy for what you experienced. That sucks, though. I wish there was something more eloquent I could say but it just truly sucks. When tragedies happen, people often say things like “you’ll be okay,” and shit like that, and while that’s true that eventually you will be okay, it doesn’t make the right now any better. So I guess the best I can do for you is recognize that yeah, what you’re going through is unimaginable. And you’re allowed to be sad, angry, confused -- all of it.”

I see his eyes get glassy, and I rub his shoulder again as I pour another cup of tea for the both of us. Not wanting to make him speak before he’s ready, I speak again saying, “ya know, I think you’ve made Ragako very proud. Even though war isn’t a glorious thing, you’re definitely the hero of the village because you’ll keep their memory alive.” I smile as I finish, and by now the tears have spilled over so I pull him into a tight hug.

After we stay like this for a moment, he shakily says, “thank you, y/n.”

I smile again and assure him that he doesn’t have to thank me. “I’m glad you felt comfortable enough with me to tell me.” I chuckle a little before continuing, “and actually, if there’s anyone that even sort of understands what you’re going through, it’s probably me.” His eyebrows furrow so I give him a sad smile and add, “my village was actually attacked by the fire nation about 10 years ago. So, yeah, I don’t get it, but I know the feeling. So if you ever need to talk to someone, I’m always here for you, Connie.” I pause before smiling wider and saying, “plus, I barely sleep so there’s a good chance that I’m awake whenever you might need me.”

“I-I-I’m sorry. I…I had no idea,” he stutters out.

“Oh no, don’t worry about it I know that you didn’t know -- no one here knows that about me, actually. Not even Hange, come to think of it. But no, I didn’t tell you for you to feel sympathy or anything like that, I just wanted you to know that even though this is a unique situation you’re in, you’re not alone.” I patted him on the shoulder and he smiled back at me.

Finishing his cup of tea, Connie yawns and I bid him a goodnight before he has to take his guard shift. 

Smiling at our interaction, I finish my own tea and clean up before I slip out unnoticed to get some training in.

It’s probably not my brightest idea to go out on my own right now, but I’ve been fine on my own before so I’ll be fine now.

--

I return as the sun is rising and slip back in just as I had slipped out, only a few people are awake now.

Jean confronts me, “Where were you?” It almost sounds like he’s trying to scold me like a parent, making me laugh.

I walk up to him and ruffle his hair, which clearly flusters him. “Just getting a workout in, that’s all.”

At our conversation, more people seem to stir. Jean grunts and grumbles out, “just making sure you weren’t trying to skip out on your riding lesson.”

Fuck. 

I sigh and exasperatedly say, “are you really going to go through with this?” to which I’m met with all of the kids nodding in excitement. 

Huffing, I say, “aight, let’s just get this over with then.”

I can almost feel their excitement in the air, and while I’m putting on an annoyed face, I can’t begrudge them the fun they’re having with this. The joy quickly melts into a dispute about who has the most well-mannered horse for me to practice on. I let them go for a moment before I ultimately made the final decision.

“How about I just use Sasha’s horse since I’m already familiar with it?” I ask. 

This starts a new round of bickering about who should be the teacher because “Sasha can’t teach if she’s not on her horse but Jean isn’t a good teacher and…” so on and so forth.

From over my shoulder, I hear an almost imperceptible, “why not Eren or Mikasa’s horses? Since neither of them are here.” I turn and smile at Historia, who made the suggestion. Knowing I’m the only one that heard her, I clap my hands loudly and declare that it’s settled, I’ll ride whomever’s horse is the calmest between Eren and Mikasa.

To make the final decision, I’m given two carrots and told to try to feed them both and whichever one I “vibe” with the best will be who I ride. Sasha shows me how to feed a horse and I’m horrified that it has to be from the palm of my hand.

Connie, getting a kick out of the situation, mocks me and points out, “oh come on, you mean to tell me you’re not afraid of basically ANYTHING but you’re afraid of horses?”

I grit my teeth because I know he’s right. Putting on some fake confidence I approach the horses at the same time, because they’re next to each other.

Damn, even Eren and Mikasa’s HORSES are in love.

They eat simultaneously, but Eren’s seems a bit gentler and nuzzles me a bit which, while terrifying, melts my heart a bit so that’s the horse I choose. Now for getting on it. I didn’t struggle too much since I had gotten on Sasha’s yesterday, but I’m actually putting my feet in the stirrups to ride today and they BARELY reach. I try my hardest to focus on what Sasha and the others are saying about how to hold the reins, but when they tell me to keep my legs straight I can’t help but laugh out loud.

“What option do I have?! My legs are too short for me to have anything BUT straight legs! How the fuck does Levi do this?” Everyone finds this hilarious, and while I wasn’t intentionally making a joke, I have to laugh along with them.

We begin moving at a snail’s pace and after about 20 minutes, I’m gettting the hang of it. Then Sasha suggests we go a bit faster.

“Just bring your heal back and kick right where the leg and stomach meet, it’ll tell her to speed up,” she instructs.

“Oh hey now, let’s not do anything brash,” as I say this, Sasha makes a noise and speeds off. Not a problem in and of itself, but it makes me jump and kick the horse and against my better judgment, we’re now speeding after her. Running towards the woods at break-neck speed, I realize I’ve made a terrible error. Then Sasha is yelling next to me to turn, I hear the kids screaming to turn from behind us, and I pull the left rein hard. We make a tight left turn just before the treeline and as everyone is cheering, I realize this isn’t so bad. Calling at me to pull back on the reins if I want to slow down, I do so and we grind to a trot.

Everyone approaches me, beaming with pride, and I have to admit, “ya know, that wasn’t so bad. I hate to admit it, but I’m glad y’all forced me to do this.”

Returning to the cabin, Sasha and Jean take lookout and the rest of us start prepping our food for the day. I don’t know how much time passes, but eventually out of the corner of my eye I see Eren emerge.

Smiling, I greet him, “well, well, well. Look who’s out of hibernation!” He and Mikasa proceed to argue about him resting when Connie brings up wanting revenge on the Beast Titan. Silence falls over the room before he suggests that he and Mikasa go relieve Sasha and Jean. As the four of them switch off, Historia makes some comment about someone named Ymir and I can tell it’s a sensitive subject. As Eren turns to talk to her, I take some of the vegetables over to a different table to give them privacy. Just as I do, Sasha calls that Hange and Levi are returning and to meet in the main room.

That’s convenient, at least I can keep working while they talk at us.

I remain seated as everyone enters, and although I smile brightly at the sight of Hange I can tell something is very wrong. No one bothers to sit down before she announces that someone named Pastor Nick was murdered.

I’ll have to ask about what the religion is here. I didn’t think they worshiped, well, anything.

Everyone reacts other than Levi, and in an effort to be less judgemental after what Historia had said about him, I fight the urge to judge him.

It’s so hard though when clearly everyone else cared about this man and the little shit has the audacity to stand there without an ounce of care in the world. It’s like someone just told him that taxes are due in a month.

No matter my opinion, no one else seems to care about Levi’s apathy so I decide to let it go as Hange tells us about her theory that he was tortured, and by another branch of the military at that.

I don’t know if I’m happy or disappointed to hear that other governments are just as corrupt as the Earth Kingdom.

“This was my fault, I should’ve been more careful,” Hange laments. Hearing her say this -- hearing her speak without her normal excitement in general -- breaks my heart.

“...how many nails was the good pastor missing?” Levi asks.

Why that little -

“How many? You saw right?”

I’m gonna fu-

“All of the nail beds I saw were empty,” Hange responds, surprise still laced in her voice.

“People who talk, talk after one. If they don’t, ripping off more won’t make a difference.”

Oh. OH. He’s got a good point. Shit, I hate to admit that. But wait, I know how I know that but how does HE know that? God, he could’ve phrased it differently at least, Hange looks like she’s going to cry.

As all of us sit with our own thoughts, a girl that I recognize from Hange’s squad comes in and gives a note to Levi, stating that it’s from Erwin. I don’t know if I imagined it, but I swear there was a flash of worry on Levi’s face before his features shifted ever so slightly into determination. When he speaks, his voice is subtly deeper and sounds more commanding.

“Get your gear, now. We’re leaving. Make it look like we were never here.”

[hash1ras]

☆the slayer of shiganshina☆

here’s the most recent chapter of my aot fic! the full story is currently being published on wattpad, link is in the description

summary: octavia braus never wanted to be a soldier. but in the year 845, when the colossal titan appeared, she had no choice but to fight back. taking the ODM gear off of a nearby dead soldier, she desperately attempted to protect herself against the titan hordes. when the smoke cleared, standing amongst the carnage, she was immediately arrested by the military police for unauthorized use of military gear. and so, at just 17 years of age, she found herself with two choices: execution for committing a capital offense or enlisting and using her innate talents for the good of humanity.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 The year 847 | Trost District | Wall Rose

Two years later, after the fall of Wall Maria, the 104th cadet corps was introduced. Shadis was once again assigned to turn a batch of rookies into trained, resilient soldiers. On their first day, he performed his traditional interrogation techniques, attempting to intimidate his new recruits. But, while he was in the middle of harassing one of them, something caught his peripheral. Instead, someone did. A petite young girl with light brunette hair, mindlessly munching on a potato. 

Shadis dropped the cadet he was currently holding by the head, a young dimwit named Connie Springer. His wide eyes focused on her, his mouth agape in shock.

“Hey, you. What are you doing?” Shadis slowly asked. She said nothing and continued to eat. Then, finally, he stormed towards her, his face inches away from hers, and began to scream. 

“You! I’m talking to you! Who the hell are you!?” She dropped the hand holding the potato and brought it to the left side of her chest.

“Sasha Braus from Dauper Village in Wall Rose’s southern district, sir!”

The commandant blinked. Braus? Did she just say Braus? He could confirm his suspicion later. 

“What the hell is in your right hand?” he growled.

“A steamed potato, sir,” she said a little too confidently. “I happened to see it in the kitchen, so I took it, sir.”

Shadis couldn’t believe what he was hearing. These kids were a damn joke. First, the Springer boy who thought his heart was on his right side, and now this.

“In other words, you stole it. So why did you eat the potato?” Sasha’s eyebrows dropped, genuine confusion spreading across her face.

“Are you asking me why people eat potatoes, sir?” she innocently asked. Then, she broke off a piece and politely handed it to him. “This half’s for you, sir.”

He couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. The rest of the cadets were anxiously watching, their eyes wide and mouths hanging open.

With Octavia, he could tell she was just a true smartass. There was no lack of intelligence or common sense, just innate defiance. This girl, however, appeared to be plain clueless and inherently stupid.

“You said your name was Braus?” Sasha blinked, her face still contorted into an expression of disorientation.

“Yes, sir?”

Shadis stood in silence for a few seconds before speaking.

“Would you happen to have an older sister? Octavia, perhaps?” Her confusion instantly vanished, replaced with a goofy smile and a look of sincere reverence in her eyes.

“You know my big sis, O?”

Shadis sighed.

Behind him, the cadets began to exchange uneasy glances with each other. Connie locked eyes with his nearby friend, another cadet named Jean Kirstein. 

“Wait, did he just say Octavia? Like, that Octavia? The one from Shiganshina?” he asked in a hushed, frantic whisper.

Jean immediately turned his head towards Sasha, who was now being forced to run laps for the foreseeable future. Shadis was now walking in the opposite direction, looking to unleash his heightened anger on a new, unsuspecting victim. Jean slowly turned back to Connie and scoffed.

“No way. There’s just no way.”

____________________________________________________________________________

The first day for the 104th Cadet Corps was finally over. Gathered in the mess hall, the rookies were enjoying a much needed dinner break when the sound of fists slamming into wood exploded.

“HUH? Your sister is the slayer of Shiganshina?”

Sasha had just returned from her punishment and wanted nothing more than to peacefully stuff her face. Her friends, however, had other plans.

Every set of eyes in the room were now focused on Jean, who was towering over Sasha with an aghast look on his face. Seated to his left was Connie, whose mouth was hung wide open. 

At the sound of this revelation, he dropped his fork and it clattered against the ground, reverberating through the silent room. A smaller, blonde boy named Armin Arlert was seated to the right of Sasha. His luminous blue eyes were glistening with awe and admiration as he turned towards her. His gentle voice broke the stillness around them.

“Wait, really?”

Sasha, still in the middle of cramming bread into her mouth, vigorously nodded.

“Mhm!. Octavia Braus, that's my big sister.”

The tense silence returned. The cadets were now staring at Sasha, who was completely oblivious to the gravity of this information.

Three cadets were seated at the table adjacent to them. One of them had his eyes intently focused on the young Braus girl. He was a little over six feet tall, with short blonde hair and a defined facial structure. His name was Reiner Braun. His narrowed gold eyes glimmered as he spoke.

“You mean that civilian that allegedly stole some ODM gear and fought off the titans?” 

He shrugged as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Personally I didn't think it was true. Kinda hard to believe, if you ask me.”

The sound of Armin’s voice piped up.

“It’s true, though! I caught a glimpse of her while we were being evacuated into Wall Rose. I didn't realize it at the time, but looking back, it was definitely her!”

He threw his arms up before excitedly continuing.

“She wasn't wearing a uniform but she was flying through the air fast. I mean, so fast that if you blinked you would totally miss her. It never crossed my mind that she wasn't a soldier until we heard the news the next day.”

Reiner raised an eyebrow. “Is that right?”

Another male voice chimed in.

“Yeah! No, it’s definitely true! The Military Police were going to execute her but Commander Pyxis himself defended her at the trial!”

It was the other male cadet seated next to Jean, his name was Marco Bodt. His average height build was contrasted by a broad, muscular physique. He had short, parted black hair, prominent freckles and light brown eyes. 

Jean turned to his friend and patted him on the back. “Ease up, Marco. We don't know that for sure. The part about Pyxis, I mean. Besides, I’ve heard that guys a real kook.”

Marco gasped. “Jean, he's the top officer of the Garrison Regiment’s southern territory. You can't say that!”

Connie jumped in.

“Hey, I heard Commander Erwin was there too. You know, from the Scouts? I bet he was interested in her just as much. Don't know why anyone would wanna join them though. It’s basically a death sentence.”

“It’s all true.”

The three boys snapped up to see Sasha, sitting with her hands in her lap and eyes focused on the empty plate in front of her. Her soft voice spoke up again, but her previous excited tone was now solemn. 

“It's true. They were gonna kill her. She- She wasn't supposed to go into the city that day but she went anyway. Probably to get something for me…she’s always been selfless like that. We didn't know anything  until we got the letter. Instead of getting executed, Pyxis offered an alternative. So she joined the military.”

She sighed and turned her gaze upward toward her friends. Propping her elbow up, she rested her cheek on her hand before she continued.

“You know, that was two years ago. I haven't seen her since. That's kind of why I enlisted, so I could see her again.”

The room was quiet for a while until a new voice emerged.

“Hey, Sasha.”

She looked up to see the boy that had just addressed her. He was seated next to Marco, across from Armin. Another male cadet of average height, with a tan, rounded face and expressive teal eyes sitting beneath furrowed eyebrows. He had short, dark brown hair and bangs that naturally fell in a curtain style middle part.

“Your sister’s a hero, Sasha, and don't let anyone tell you differently. I can tell she’s strong, she has the kind of strength it takes to fight. The kind of strength that only someone who’s faced death and survived can have. She fought against those titans not because she had something to prove, but because she has something she wants to protect. She’s the kind of person I wanna be. I bet no one else in this room would have even thought about doing what she did.” He briefly paused before adding, “I’d like to meet her someday.”

Sasha gave the boy a gentle smile. 

“Yeah, big sis O is the coolest. Hey, you should totally meet her!”

Connie immediately chimed in.

“Yeah, well I still don't buy it. I mean, no offense Sasha, but you're kind of an idiot. No way you're related to someone as badass as her.”

The room erupted into a cacophony of laughter and buzzing voices. Armin chuckled before turning his gaze to meet the eyes of his friend across the table. The same male cadet who just defended and praised Octavia. The same boy who longed to meet the fearless slayer of Shiganshina.

His name was Eren Yeager. And, in just three years time, he would finally get that chance.

[screpa]

Your friendship with Levi and Bertolt's insecurity (Chp 1)

Summary:

Bertolt saw you got hurt during your one-on-one training with Levi. But, he saw how strong your friendship is with Levi and became insecure

Tag: SFW, mature, training with levi, mild injury, unrequited love, jealousy, mild angst, romantic friendship

Read here or on AO3, up to you ^^

Not long after Eren’s trial and his custody under Levi’s Special Operation Squad, Commander Erwin put the remaining new recruits from the 104th cadet corps under your command. Eren was separated from the others to stay in the abandoned survey corps fortress. Levi and his squad monitored him as Hange conducted experiments on him.

You were lonely in the beginning since your two closest friends were always away. Hange would come to the headquarter once in a while, so you would spend the night with them to do the infamous pillow talk. Meeting Levi was more regular since he had scheduled one-on-one training for you once a week - which made your life a living hell for a couple of hours.

But then you became less lonely as you started to be romantically involved with one of the recruits, Bertolt. You busied yourself with your duties and shared passionate nights with your sweet giant in the love nest you built especially for him.

Today was the dreaded training day with Levi. You usually had the training in areas outside of the headquarters where he’d give you various challenges using the ODM gear. But today you were supposed to meet him in the training ground for some hand-to-hand combat.

The recruits, including your boyfriend, Bertolt, would be having their own training there under Nanaba, who was your substitute for the day. You did not look forward having your ass whooped in front of your lover.

You went to the training ground to have a little talk with the recruits before their training started.

‘Okay everyone, Nanaba will be my substitute for today’s training. You’ll be in good hands and I expect that all of you would impress her with your performance. I will also have my own training here with Captain Levi. I foresee that you’d witness some, uhm, disagreeable moments on my part, but I hope that you would closely observe and learn from it’.

Nanaba looked at you solemnly, knowing full well the kind of terror awaited you, relieved that she wasn’t in your shoes.

You added with a fake cheerful voice, ‘and I hope I don’t lose your respect after this, ha ha ha’. With that you left, feeling their stare as you walked toward the meeting point.

Levi brought you the obstacle course area in the training ground.

‘Your task is to deliver a jump kick to my face,’ Levi said to you flatly.

You stared at him, knowing that it wouldn’t be that easy.

‘I guess I have to do that while you eel yourself all over the obstacle course,’ you commented with a hint of defiance.

You saw that his stoic face became grouchy after hearing your comment.

He added, ‘and you have to keep moving, no resting until you deliver that kick’.

You groaned as he motioned you to start.

You estimated that two hours had passed, but you still hadn’t had the chance to deliver the kick. There were a handful of times that you managed to get close, but never close enough to reach his face.

The slippery bastard could read me too well, you thought to yourself with annoyance.

Your frustration increased as you knew that he didn’t put in much effort at all. He was floating effortlessly like soap bubbles in the air, while you had to charge him like an enraged wild boar.

At one point, you made an unpredictable move that allowed you to be close enough to deliver the kick.

You saw his surprised expression. Knowing that you were close to winning, you relished at the thought of having his strikingly gorgeous face on the sole of your boots.

But alas, he was too quick! He caught your kick and swept you away.

You were both on top of an obstacle. You plunged to the ground but you managed to swiftly dive roll and broke the fall to avoid further injury.

You then laid sprawling on the ground and let out a guttural scream out of frustration.

Bertolt was watching Y/N from afar, stealing glances as he did his own training.

He was at first captivated by her performance. Even though she struggled to catch the captain, he saw that her technique and endurance were top-notch.

‘What was she supposed to do, you think?’ He heard Sasha whispered to Armin.

‘Seemed like she was targeting his head. Maybe she was supposed to kick his face,’ Armin whispered back.

Bertolt’s heart swelled with happiness at the thought of her maiming his rival. But his hope turned to worry as the first hour passed, and then the second.

He saw her tired, sweaty body versus Levi’s composed body, barely breaking a sweet. She became increasingly agitated but Levi remained calm yet alert.

Bertolt knew that if she let her frustration take over, she could end up injuring herself.

He stood to watch her during the long break, and the others joined him to watch.

‘Squad Leader Y/N is on fire. I would’ve broken down after half an hour, no make it a quarter. Fifteen minutes of that and I’d given up!’ Sasha said in wonder.

‘I agree. Not many, or if any, could match her performance for sure,’ Armin said with twinkling eyes.

‘She’s dangerous,’ Reiner muttered under his breath, for Bertolt’s ears only.

Bertolt didn’t need Reiner to tell him as he was well aware of Y/N's strength. She could manhandle him despite being smaller than him. It showed from the way she controlled and manoeuvred his body as she like whenever they make love. But her performance on the field was something else. It’s reasonable for Reiner to be intimidated.

Yet, Bertolt felt neither intimidated nor impressed, just anguished at the imminent danger befalling her.

Then it happened.

Everyone gasped as they saw her almost kicking the captain.

Bertolt’s heart beat out of his chest as he saw the puny captain caught her leg and swept her from a great height.

He growled and started to make a run toward her falling body, but Mikasa unexpectedly put an arm over his chest to stop him.

‘I know you’re worried and angry. I would be too. But you’d make it worse for her if you go to her now,’ Mikasa told him flatly.

He saw Y/N lying on the ground and let out a guttural scream that sliced his heart. His body started to move again, but Mikasa held out her arm firmly, stopping him.

‘Look closely. She’s okay, just frustrated. The shortie would stop the training now. He lost,’ she calmly assured him.

Bertolt saw the puny captain lazily jumped off the obstacle course and went toward Y/N. Levi bent down slightly and put out a hand to help her out. She took the hand and pushed herself up. She brushed dirt from her clothes. As she bent to brush off dirt on her pants, Levi ruffled her hair. She looked up to him and smiled. No trace of anger or frustration there.

Bertolt sensed intimacy between Y/N and Levi, which was different yet deeper than the one he shared with her. The kind that could only develop over years of trust and deep friendship.

Insecurity welled inside him and his fear of losing Y/N grew.

--

Let's go to Chapter 2! ♥️

This story is part the "Detours to Your Heart" series, comprises of stories of YOUR friendship and slow burn romance with Levi Ackerman. You build many interesting relationships with other AOT characters, such as ambiguous friendship/ romance with Hange Zoe, a whirlwind romance with Bertolt Hoover, sibling-like relationship with Jean Kirstein, and many more!

My Masterlist Archive of Our Own

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[104thsquadfam]

u liked my horses post. i c u. tell me about your characters horses. pls.

-OH! I was not expecting this oh my! I shall do my best to go over the 104ths horses along with Erwin and Levi's just keep in mind these are my HC and not at all canon LOL

Here are the assigned horses for the 104th!

Armin Arlert :

Greta, a 9 year old mare who is very docile and enjoys grazing in the fields with the other horses though she often times prefers spending her time around the Scouts and if she spots one of them she'll neigh and neigh aggressively nodding her head at them and knocking her hooves against the fence until they come over to pay attention to her.

On expeditions Greta, like many of the other horses in the Survey Corp, isn't scared of the titans or the sound of the ODM gear when it's engaged. She'll follow from a distance while the young blond fights with titans but as soon as she hears that whistle she's beside him in an instant allowing him to mount her, but not before messing his hair up with her mouth...she's just happy he's okay.

Bertolt Hoover:

Frieda, a 8 year old mare that much like her rider, Bertolt, prefers to be alone in her own little corner. She doesn't like all the commotion but performs well on expeditions, she prefers the comfort of her stall or being alone in the fields...often times if she spots Bertolt, Erwin or Levi she'll quietly attempt to get their attention.

Sometimes she can have a temper if you push her buttons enough, Connie learned the hard way not to try to make her get in the fields with other horses the hard way.

Connie Springer:

Lea, a 12 year old mare who absolutely refuses to be put in retirement. She is young at heart but mature and well tempered, she has a lot of patience which made her the perfect horse for Connie. Connie thinks he's taking care of Lea but it's Lea who's taking care of Connie, coming in clutch at the last second to snatch the boy just out of reach of the titans grasps.

Lea get's along with all the horses except Frieda who absolutely REFUSES to mingle with her...not a surprise but Lea still tries.

Eren Yeager:

Ingrid, a sassy and cunning 7 year old mare who sometimes gives Eren a hard time when it comes to bath day. Unlike the other horses who don't mind or even love being bathed, Ingrid well huff and kick the bucket over to spill the water and force Eren to go get more....during that time she will attempt to slip away from her restrains. She hates Ymir for reasons no one knows...she must have done something to Ingrid to get her to be so spiteful to the girl.

On expeditions Ingrid is as reliable as any other horse, she knows her place and knows how to do her job and she does it well...this won't stop her from attempting to kick at Eren if he walks up behind her...don't sneak up on her you will get your skull caved in.

Erwin Smith:

Hartwin, a 16 year old stallion who can often times be seen standing or laying under the shade of a tree, he's very docile and loving. If someone's having a hard day they often times can be seen going to the stables where Hartwin will be waiting to nuzzle his face up against them and listen to their problems...whether he's actually listening or just enjoying the free attention is up for debate but nonetheless the Scouts find him to be one of the most loving of their horses.

Hartwin is loyal to Erwin and will be at the Commanders side when called within seconds, he never hesitates to charge head first into battle. And when Erwin was grabbed from his back he was the first to turn and chase down the titan to follow.

Jean Kirstein:

Buchwald, a 10 year old stallion that Jean was first introduced to on the 57th expedition the two were quite compatible. Buchwald enjoyed having Jean as their rider though he can be a bit scatter brained and like Charrette he might try to eat your hair if he's bored enough, luckily it's not a bad habit he does often...sill Jean keeps them at an arms length from his hair...better safe than sorry.

On expeditions Buchwald is as reliable as the others, though he can get a little turned around when looking for his rider mid battle.

Krista Lenz:

Heidi, a 9 year old mare as gentle and loving as the girl that rides her with a hidden temper not many have seen. Often times she can find her standing quietly in her stall or prancing about in the fields with the other horses, actively avoids Ingrid. She loves apples and will consider you her best friend if you can manage to bring her the sweetest one.

There isn't much to say about Heidi when it comes to expeditions, like the others she follows her rider around and waits for the whistle to call her over. She is very mindful not to step on fallen Scout members. Is it out of respect or simply because she trips over them? Who can say.

Levi Ackermann:

Schatz, a 14 year old mare who's bitter to everyone around her besides her rider. She can often times be spotted nudging, licking or biting at Levi's cloth to get his attention. If he's cleaning the stables Schatz will wait for him to pass by her stall before gently nipping at the white cloth on his head to get his attention which surprisingly Levi doesn't mind all that much because she does her job so well the least he can do is give the horse some affection when they wanted it.

Even during breaks between their expeditions you can find Levi gently petting Schatz showing his appreciation to her which was usually rewarded with a lick to his hand or face...sure he's not the biggest fan of the saliva but it was a small price to pay.

Mikasa Ackermann:

Baldavin, a 10 year old stallion who's very cold and calculating. He doesn't waste his time trying to like everyone and focuses on keeping himself alive and happy, he follows orders well on expeditions. Not once has he given Mikasa trouble, the both of them have a clear understanding of where they stand with one another and work well on the field together.

Unfortunately Baldavin would receive an injury later on that prevents him from joining on any further expeditions which would lead Mikasa to get a new horse....however she does visit Baldavin when she can.

Reiner Braun:

Matilda, a 9 year old mare who's quite literally the most pampered of all the horses within the Scouts and that's all thanks to Reiner who takes her health and well being seriously, after all a well tended horse did great on the fields and this was indeed true for Matilda who strives her best to push herself to the limits.

Matilda get's along well with the others with the exception of Ingrid and Buchwald....she absolutely loves to pester Frieda however and does her best to gain her fellow mares attention. But her outgoing and energetic personality just doesn't clash with Frieda's calm and quiet demeanor.

Sasha Blouse:

Luca, a 7 year old stallion who has energy to burn! He can often times be seen running through the fields none stop, how he has so much energy even after an expedition is crazy but extremely helpful. Still Sasha makes sure that he doesn't burn through all his energy...if that's even possible.

Sasha can often times be spotted sneaking carrots and apples out to Luca, who eagerly snatches the food from the girl making a mess all over in front of his stall. He can be playful and sometimes hides tools around the stables and fields....this drives Levi insane but what is he going to do lecture them? No but he does lock him in his stall....

Ymir:

Dusty( formally known as Stefan), a 15 year old stallion who's been renamed by Ymir as Dusty...no reason just because he's old and in her opinion shouldn't be running expeditions anymore. That and she does care about Dusty and often times talks to him during their expeditions asking how the old guy is doing, if he needs a little break, maybe slow down.

However Dusty seeks to prove that he's just fine riding with the others by out running others and showing off just how much energy and sass he has. Did I mention he likes to bully Connie?

[stanurines1mp]

Wanting You

A decision to be made… A path to her life… Erika Smith found her answer. From Attack On Titan / Shingeki No Kyojin, An Armin Arlert x OC Story.

𝙩𝙬𝙤

𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 ← 𝔭𝔯𝔢𝔳 𝔫𝔢𝔵𝔱 → 𝔪𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔱

"Smith?" Armin repeated the girl's last name. 

Just before the girl could say anything more, Eren and another girl came toward Armin. The girl had dark black hair, sharp eyes, and a red scarf wrapping around her neck. 

"Who's this?" Eren asked Armin, looking from the blond to the brunette. 

"Erika Smith," she smiled, holding out a hand for her to shake. 

"I'm Eren Yeager," he replied, taking her hand in a firm shake. 

When the brunette turned to the dark-haired girl, the latter introduced herself. "Mikasa Ackerman," she softly said. 

"Are you all from Shiganshina?" Erika asked politely, not wanting to bring up any bitter memories. 

"Oh, yeah," Eren replied nonchalantly. "But it's fine. You don't have to walk on eggshells around us," he sighed casually, shrugging his shoulders. 

"I really wasn't going to," Erika shook her head as her lips thinned in a purse. 

"Wait a minute! You can't be..." Armin suddenly spoke up, eyes wide in shock. "Are you really..." 

"What ?" Erika questioned with confusion displayed on her face. 

"Erika... Smith... Are you, Commander Erwin Smith's sister?" 

"Oh," she laughed softly as she shook her head. "I'm too young to be his sister. I'm his younger cousin," she explained, still chuckling. 

"No way! That's so cool!" Eren exclaimed excitedly. "So you're probably already good with ODM and all!" 

"You'd think so, wouldn't you?" She scoffed sweetly. "But my cousin wouldn't let me near any of his gear. So during our first ODM training tomorrow... It'll probably go shit for me," the girl shrugged as she laughed. 

Erika's words contradicted the action she displayed during training. Her body had floated gracefully with the gear, much to Eren's annoyance. Because his performance was almost the worst out of many others. Much too different than Erika and Mikasa's actions. 

He had fallen to the ground countless times, earning snickers from the crowd. Specifically, Jean and Connie. But truthfully, Erika too had snickered silently. Unlike Jean, she didn't mean it mockingly but just found Eren's mishap a little entertaining. 

What wasn't entertaining though was his constant complaints after the training ended. He was sitting across from Mikasa who was sitting next to Erika in the dining hall. Armin was sitting on the bench next to Eren and across from the brown-haired girl. Eren was hissing at the pain he felt, having an ice pack compressing the bruises. 

"Eren, can you shut the fuck up, I swear to God," Erika rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I'm trying to fucking read," she added, turning the page aggressively to prove a point. 

"Who even asked you to be here?" He retorted. 

"You literally did?" She quizzically looked at him before rolling her eyes once more at his stupidity. 

"What book are you reading?" Armin politely asked, trying to cease the tension. 

"Not sure. I just took it from my cousin's shelf," Erika shrugged, showing Armin the cover of the book. 

"Woah, that's Commander Erwin's book? So cool," Eren admired dumbly. 

"Are you in love with my cousin or something?" Erika frowned, raising her brows as she did so. "If you are, I can write him a letter telling him that he has a suitor," she giggled. "In this economy, he barely has time to meet anyone, you know?" She laughed even more watching Eren's display of annoyance. 

"Haha very funny," he sarcastically replied, making the brunette giggle. "By the way, thanks for lying to me, Erika," he added bitterly. 

"Hmm? What are you talking about?" She hummed, looking up from the book to Eren. 

"You said you had never used ODM before. How the hell were you so good at it, then?" He scoffed jealously. 

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Guess it just runs in the family." 

"Wow, that's so helpful," he sassed. 

"You asked!" She replied, putting her arms in the air as if accused. "Plus, I wasn't the only newbie who passed," she added, looking at Armin and Mikasa. 

"How did you guys do it but I couldn't?" He pouted, earning a saddened look from Armin. 

"Eren, maybe you're just trying too hard. Just try to let go of all your weight or something. Maybe fucking relax for once," she let out. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm trying to read-"

"How am I ever going to be a Scout in this state?" He groaned, the ice pack discarded on the table as his hands held his face. 

Upon hearing his words, Erika placed her book on the table and looked at Eren with piqued interest. "Eren, can I ask you something?" She asked, head slightly tilted. 

"Yeah?" His voice was muffled but he looked up at her. 

"Do you have a death wish?" Her question shocked everyone there. When Eren didn't reply, Erika continued, "The Scouts have the highest death rate. I personally know that just in one mission, more than half of the Scouts die each time." 

"Let me guess, you want to be a Military Police? Live comfortably on the inside?" Eren crossed his arms, slowly leaning back straight, eyes intimidating the brunette. 

"Absolutely not," she scoffed with a slight smirk. "I'm joining my cousin as a Scout."

"Do you have a death wish, then?" He retorted. 

"Maybe," she hummed plainly. "I guess we're the same in that sense." 

Erika went back to her book, noticing Eren's slight grin as she leaned forward. After a while, she excused herself, asking if anyone wanted to join her but only Armin accepted her request. 

Leaving the other two in the hall, Erika and Armin walked towards the door. He held it open, allowing the girl to walk out first. She mumbled a low thanks to him, sending him a small smile.

"Can I ask you something?" Armin broke the silence as the duo walked towards the dormitories. 

"Sure," she shrugged casually. 

"Why do you want to join the Scouts even though you knew about the risks?" 

His question only made the girl smile as she looked into his bright blue eyes. "I wanna protect my family," she answered. 

"Oh," he nodded. "Your parents?"

"Nah, they died when I was younger. It's just me and Erwin," she explained. "He's protected me for a long time. I wanna do the same for him." 

"That's kind of you," he smiled. 

"What about you, Armin?" She returned the inquiry. 

"H-Huh?" 

"What? You think I didn't notice how you reacted when I asked Eren if he had a death wish?" She giggled softly, seeing Armin's shocked expression. "I saw you, too." 

"R-Right," he dimly said. "I want to explore the outside world," he said. "I read about it when I was a child-"

"You've read books about the outside world?" Erika gasped. "Aren't those illegal?" 

"Y-Yes," he stuttered shamefully. 

"Armin Arlert, I never expected you to do such a thing," she teased before laughing. "So your reason for risking your life is just so you can see the outside world?" 

"Yes," he said, eyes lowering to the ground. "I know it's stupid-"

"Huh? I never said that," she frowned, cutting his words. "I don't think that at all." 

"Really?" He looked up, blue eyes widening with joy and relief. 

"Yeah," she chuckled. "You remind me of my cousin in that sense. He wants to see what's on the other side of the Walls, too." 

"Oh," he nodded slowly. 

"Well, I'm here," she suddenly let out, pointing to the cabin that she was staying in. "Thanks for walking me back, Armin. I really like talking to you," she smiled widely, eyes twinkling under the moonlight. "We should talk more," she nodded. "I'm tired of talking to Eren and listening to his whining. Not sure how you survived your entire life with him," she laughed, causing Armin to break a smile. 

"See you tomorrow, Erika," he waved sweetly before walking back to his cabin. 

[sevendeadlywhispers]

7Seals

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Chapter 8

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•Previous Chapter: Chapter Seven

•Next Chapter: Chapter Nine

• New chapters every Thursday

•Content: Levi Ackerman × OC female. Slow Burn! Canon verse!

• Word Count: 2.7k

• Warning: This content may not be suitable for all readers. If you've watched all of AOT then you will understand that the show handles heavy subjects such as abuse, racism, violence, and other heavy subjects. This fanfiction will also have the same heavy themes. Chapters with heavy themes will be marked with * at each chapter.

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Boulevard of Broken Dreams -  Green Day

0:12 ━❍────── 4:09

↻ ⊲ Ⅱ ⊳ ↺

VOLUME: ▁▂▃▄▅▆▇ 100%

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Levi's Perspective

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The relentless September sun beat down on us as we observed from the roof. Iris stood beside me, clearly uncomfortable in the afternoon heat. Her black hair clung to her face, and she fidgeted with it incessantly.

She couldn't seem to sit still, a habit that grated on my nerves. Perhaps if she focused on functionality instead of treating it like a fashion show, she might find some relief. I couldn't fathom how she managed to avoid getting that mess caught in her ODM gear with its considerable length.

My attention was fixed on the squad's training below, a specific few chosen the night before. As I watched, it became painfully apparent that incompetence ran rampant in the regiment. The veterans, in particular, displayed a lack of commitment to training, acting as if it held no significance. Little wonder that so many of them met their end outside the walls.

I observed several soldiers halting during their laps after practice—an embarrassing display. The captains failed to address the issue, allowing indiscipline to fester unchecked.

"They all lack discipline," I groaned, my frustration evident. "Looks like our selection will have to suffice for the time being."

She didn't utter a word, just observed the training below. But was she truly present? It seemed like her mind had been wandering, neglecting her duties.

If I had known how easily this woman gets distracted, I might have thought twice about choosing her for my squad. Yet, the decision wasn't entirely mine; Erwin had been insistent on Iris leaving Wright's squad.

"Pay attention. Tell me, who performed best on the ODM gear today?" I grumbled at her. "In order."

"Eld. Then Gunther, Petra, and Oluo last," she replied hastily, her words sounding rehearsed, like everything else she said.

"Wrong," I retorted, rolling my eyes at her response.

"Gunther, Eld, Oluo, and Petra," I corrected her. "Petra lacks speed, and Oluo treats it like playtime."

"Right," was all she could muster in acknowledgment.

"If you don't watch out, Gunther or Eld might take your position," I warned her.

She laughed as if I were joking. It fueled my irritation further; the glare I shot her wiped the small smile off her face, replacing it with fear.

"You think I'm kidding?" I stated sharply. "If you don't get your act together, you'll be asked to step down. I'm giving you a month until they're formally invited to join the squad."

"Yes, right, sir," she responded with a salute.

"Meet me after dinner. We'll go over your training plan from there," I instructed. "Don't be late."

I descended from the roof, deliberately avoiding the impending conversation with her. Today, I was too weary to entertain her nonsense. My desk awaited me, stacked with a mountain of paperwork demanding attention before I met with Erwin.

My role was a relentless cycle of paperwork and subpar soldiers—a wearisome existence. How was I to aid Erwin in reshaping the regiment before our next expedition, a topic he incessantly brought up? The whims of that curious fanatic could lead us all to our demise. Erwin's relentless pursuit to reclaim Wall Maria, despite insufficient funding for meals, was a reckless gamble.

"Hey. You," a voice echoed behind me as I strode down the hall.

I saw no reason to halt for anyone other than Erwin. Ignoring the voice, I continued my focus on the tasks at hand.

Before my hand could touch the doorknob to my office, another hand covered it, obstructing my entry.

My eyes met his, recognizing Alexander's presence.

Not this shithead.

"I was talking to you," he asserted, attempting a threatening tone. The look in his eyes meant nothing to me, but it was familiar.

His effort to intimidate was feeble, distinct from the thugs I'd encountered. However, his eyes bore a stain of something darker.

I responded with a blank stare, well aware of his desire to provoke a reaction, as he had since my arrival, tossing empty promises my way.

Glancing at his hand barricading my door, I knew removing him myself would escalate into conflict, resulting in more paperwork. He was already wasting my time.

"Move," I uttered lowly. "You're in my way."

"You don't get to call the shots around here," he retorted, our eyes locked in an unyielding stare. "You haven't earned anything above ground. We don't roll like y'all did down there. Up here, we don't steal. We work hard for what we have."

"Is there a point to this?" My voice dripped with annoyance.

"I want you to stay the fuck away from my squad," he growled. "Remove Iris from your squad and move on to the next."

"I asked for the point of this nonsense. Not your wants. I'm not a damn genie. You want change? Go talk to Erwin," I dismissed, my patience wearing thin.

"I'm not asking. I'm telling." Alexander closed the distance between us, jabbing his finger into my chest.

More paperwork sounded appealing at that moment.

Without hesitation, I grabbed his finger, swiftly twisting his arm behind his back, and pinning him against the wall. I applied pressure, pushing his arm further up his back as he grunted, attempting to break free.

"Resist, and I'll break your fucking finger," I warned coldly. "This is how it's going to go."

"You can't do this." he defiantly stated.

"Wrong. I'm going to do whatever the fuck I want. And you? You're going to watch and let it all happen," I chuckled, tightening my grip. I moved his arm even higher, causing him to yell out in pain. "You're an embarrassment to the regiment if you can't get out of a measly position."

"Levi," Erwin's voice broke from behind me.

I released Alexander's arm, watching him stumble to catch himself.

"What's the meaning of this?" Erwin asked, his gaze shifting between Alexander and me.

"Just comrades being comrades," I stated, crossing my arms and observing the disheveled rat before me.

"Bullshit," Alexander yelled in frustration.

"Language," Erwin chided. "You're dismissed, Wright. Make sure to go to the infirmary to check your arm. I want a full report of the incident on my desk by tonight."

After dismissing Wright, Erwin headed straight to my room, and I had no choice but to follow him.

"You're early," I remarked.

"You were late," he replied, tapping his wrist.

Did I really spend my whole time bickering with that rat?

"Care to explain, Levi?" Erwin inquired.

"Not really,"

"Wasn't an option," Erwin retorted.

"Fine," I replied, walking to my desk and taking a seat. I watched Erwin make himself at home, preparing tea, as I began explaining the recent events.

"Sounds like someone's had their hands full," Erwin commented, handing me a cup of tea.

"Since I just explained the bullshit to you, can I skip the incident report?" I asked, hoping to cut through the bureaucracy.

"No," he said firmly. "We need this for the records."

All I could manage was a scoff.

"This Iris girl is more trouble than she's worth. It's starting to piss me off," I expressed my frustration to Erwin.

"What was your reasoning for this, Erwin?"

"I'm surprised you don't know," Erwin chuckled. "It's highly inappropriate for a superior and a subordinate to be romantically involved, especially in the same squad. Not only is it unfair, but it's extremely unsafe in this circumstance."

Erwin took a moment to pause, sipping his tea.

"There's more, but at the moment, I need to see how this plays out," he finished.

"Is this another one of your gambles, Erwin?"

"It's crucial you keep an eye on her, Levi," Erwin stated. "Nothing must go unnoticed."

He ignored me. What a classy man.

"Is this why you called a meeting today?"

I grumbled, my eyes flickering from the stack of untouched paperwork to Erwin.

"No, we have other matters to attend to," Erwin said. "You're going on your first mission."

"Iris isn't prepared enough," I quickly stated, my gaze intensifying as I thought about her readiness. She's too slow, she can't keep up with me on her ODM gear. Not to mention her skills are still juvenile.

"Alone."

"Where?"

"The underground."

The knock on the door disrupted our conversation.

Who could it possibly be now?

"What?" I barked at the door, irritation evident in my voice.

"Aldridge. Reporting for duty."

Of course, it's her.

"Come in, Iris!" Erwin called cheerfully, inviting her in like it was his office.

"Commander," Iris saluted, her long black hair falling slightly in disarray as she closed the door behind her.

"How are you?" Erwin inquired. "That's a nasty bruise you got there. How'd you get it?"

"Oh, I fell," she laughed, her violet eyes avoiding my scrutinizing gaze.

"You fell?" I questioned, my eyes narrowing, observing the growing bruise on her face.

Another lie fell from her lips.

"It was a mishap during a sparing session. Clumsy me," she chuckled, her hand lightly brushing against her hair.

"Well, I'm glad to see that your bruise isn't causing you any harm. What can we do for you?" Erwin asked, seemingly unaware of my sharper observations.

"Levi wanted me to stop by after dinner," she said, her eyes flickering briefly towards me.

It's Captain.

"Right," I grumbled, my gaze shifting from her to the neglected paperwork. "Do the paperwork before tomorrow. Then we will discuss your training plan. You're dismissed."

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The damp, dimly lit streets of the underground were a stark contrast to the starry nights I got so used to. Lanterns flickered, casting a feeble glow on the worn cobblestone paths. The echoing sounds were no longer the laughter of children playing, but hurried footsteps fleeing from potential dangers.

In this twisted version of home, people didn't approach you to share thoughts on their beliefs; they reached out desperately, seeking aid in a world that turned harsh and unforgiving. Months had passed since my departure, and the return was a solitary one. No one by my side, just the heavy burden of my own existence.

Down here, no one recognized me. But then again, they never truly knew me. I was the thug, the supposed monster, a sheep raised by wolves who ultimately joined the pack. The underground had shaped me, molded me into another one of its ruthless denizens.

Erwin's decision to send me on a mission to this forsaken place caught me off guard. Did he truly trust me after what transpired a few months ago? Perhaps he believed I'd stay true to the cause, but trust was a fragile thing, and I wondered if Erwin's faith in me was well-placed. Was this another one of his stupid gambles?

Walking these streets in Survey Corps uniform would be suicidal. Erwin might think it was an effective approach, but he didn't comprehend the underground like I did. A uniform here was a beacon, a signal to every cutthroat that a soldier had wandered into their territory.

If answers were what Erwin sought, it would have to be done my way. Captain Levi was set aside; I was just Levi— the one who grew up in these treacherous alleys.

My first destination was one of my most reliable clients. A man who dealt in drinks but traded in information. His bar was a hub of secrets, and if anyone had the lowdown on what was happening in the underground, it was him.

When I entered the dimly lit establishment, I was greeted by the familiar scent of cheap alcohol and the low hum of conversations, ones that could cost your life.

"What can I getcha'?" The bartender's voice cut through the dimly lit atmosphere, a stark contrast to the gloom outside.

"Black tea," I muttered, keeping my head lowered.

"Sorry, sir, but I ain't got that," he replied.

"Cut the shit, Rick. I know you got some stashed away for me somewhere," I retorted, lifting my head to meet his gaze.

"Well, I'll be damned," Rick chuckled, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

"I thought you were gone for good. Should've known you'd be back."

He moved around the bar, gathering the necessary items to prepare the tea. As he worked, he continued to speak, curiosity evident in his eyes.

"Now tell me, how did you manage to escape those Royal cocksuckers? There's lots of rumors floating around since you've been gone," he inquired.

I accepted the tea from him, taking a sip as he prattled on about the underground gossip.

"Ya know, boy, " he remarked, cleaning a dish, "you look healthy. I couldn't even tell that was you under that cloak. That's a nice one you got there. Did you get that from above, from one of those fine merchants?"

"That's the point, Rick," I replied, deflecting his question. The less information he had, the better. I leaned against the bar, savoring the bitter taste of the tea.

"So, you gonna tell me how you ended up getting outta there or what?" Rick's gruff voice broke through the ambient hum of the underground bar. "Cause people are saying you died, others are saying you're locked up. But my favorite one is that you're a Royal cock sucker now, living it big in Wall Sina."

Rick was a good man, an old man, but a good one. After Kenny left me, Rick was there. He let me work for food or even a place to sleep at times.

"I'm on a mission for Commander Erwin," I replied quietly.

"A mission?" His eyebrow quirked up. "I'll be damned. The rumors are true. Did the little ones join too?"

All I could do was shake my head in agreement.

He let out a low whistle and smiled.

"I'm proud of ya, Levi. Ya got them all out of here."

I watched the joy brighten his face as he continued to talk. It wasn't going to last long, though.

"Now are they down here too?" he inquired.

Again, I shook my head.

"Well, where are they?" he pressed.

"Dead," I replied.

There it went, fading just as fast as it came. His eyes filled with remorse as he waited for me to speak.

"Titans," is all I said to him. He should get the message.

"My condolences," was all he could offer.

A moment of silence passed by until he was back to himself, putting on a fake persona after the grim news.

"Now, how can I help, Levi?" Rick's raspy voice cut through the murmur of the dimly lit underground bar.

"What do you know about the black market dealers selling ODM?" I cut straight to the point.

"Now, you know just as well as I do that's some dangerous stuff right there," Rick said, wiping down the counter.

"I know it's a lot, Rick. Thought you'd be the best," I explained.

"Let's just say things have changed. They know better than to crawl up in here, especially knowing you could be here," Rick replied.

"That won't last long when word gets out I'm in the Survey," I said to him. "You got what you need to protect yourself?"

"What did you think I did with your old stash as a kid?" Rick chuckled.

"Very well," I said. "Where do they go now?"

"Mal's prolly'. That's where the MPs gamble. Been nothing but pains in the ass," Rick said.

"Thank you, Rick," I said, leaving more than the tea was worth on the counter.

"Levi, you know it's not this much," he protested.

"Don't make me change my mind, old fart," I said, pulling my hood lower and heading out.

Mal's wasn't far, two streets over, and I was already through the door. The bar was filled with men in suits, uniforms, and cloaks. How times have changed since I last graced these grimy floors. There wasn't a trace of the rugged men that ran rampant in the underground.

"What can I getcha, sweets?" Her perky voice spoke out.

"Sit,"

"Now look, you're in my bar—" she stopped when I threw the bag of coins on the table. Her hand quickly reached out to grab it, but mine was faster. I lifted my hood a bit so she could see my eyes as I took back the money.

"Wow," she said. "You really do got your mama's eyes."

"Sit, and you'll get this at the end," I said, shaking the coin bag.

"But ya act like that damn old man," she remarked, complying with my request. "Now what can I do for you, sweetheart? Didn't expect to see you so soon."

"Who's been doing the ODM trades?" I asked her.

She looked around, assessing the crowd. Her voice lowered as she leaned over the bar. "Well, who do you think, babe?"

Her head tilted towards a loud group of men in the corner, gambling as more military police scum walked in.

Of course, it was the MPs. Who else would have access to the latest gear? But how did they manage to get ahold of Scout gear? I scanned over each of the men, none of them I knew, but I memorized each of their faces.

"About dame time. Welcome back!" one of the men yelled my way.

Shit. They noticed me. How, though? I've never seen these men a day in my life. Never once seen them down here before today.

"Oh, shut up." A woman's giggle followed behind the man's voice as they walked past. The green cloak flowed behind the man as he had his arm wrapped around a woman in an MP uniform with blond hair.

"Here. I got what I wanted," I said to Mal as I threw the coin bag towards her on the table, keeping my eyes on the MPs.

"I know your momma's proud of you," she said to me as she dismissed herself from the area.

"One whisky and whatever the women wants." The familiar voice said.

The green cloak was a give away, but who in the Scouts would be dumb enough to do black market selling in the underground? It wasn't until the man turned when I realized who it was.

Alexander.

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