Chapter Text
The familiar clap of boots slamming together at attention drew Levi from his thoughts, prompting him to look up. Two very nervous-looking Cadets walking in the opposite direction were saluting him, having recognized his rank as Captain.
“Sir!”
“At ease,” dismissed the man nonchalantly before moving along down the hallway. Furrowing his brows, he brought his attention back to the questions swimming restlessly in his mind.
Commander Erwin had summoned him to his office, shedding no light on what he wanted to discuss about. The Survey Regiment had come back from a horrendous expedition just hours ago. Erwin’s sudden demand had cut into the Captain’s schedule; he had been checking on his squad to ensure their equipment and spirits were intact. Mildly disgruntled, Levi had left Jean to complete the inspection before promptly heading to the Commander’s office.
What was urgent enough for him to be summoned mere hours after their failed mission? Was the Commander planning on launching another expedition?
Levi shushed his thoughts when the office’s familiar door came into view. He’d find out soon enough.
The ravenhead knocked at the door, waiting briefly before he was greeted with a muffled, “Come in.”
He pushed the door open, finding the blond commander at his desk, glancing over some papers. After a moment, Erwin stood from his chair, his gaze meeting the Captain’s.
“Thank you for coming, Levi,” spoke the man, nodding in acknowledgement. “I am aware you were told to come here on very short notice.”
“Don’t mention it,” replied Levi, leaning against a wall with and crossig his arms over his chest as he made himself comfortable. “So, you needed me?”
“Yes.” The commander placed his hands behind his back. “I need you to go on a special mission with your squad.”
Levi hummed faintly at this, his gray eyes meeting striking blue ones. “I’m all ears.”
“I’m sending your squad on an escort mission.” Erwin paused, reaching over to open the closet sitting near his desk. Levi frowned, intrigued, and watched with a raised brow as a woman, against all odds, emerged from the closet. Despite himself, the ravenhead briefly wondered if his commander used his closet in such a manner in dirtier contexts. “You must ensure this lady here safely arrives to the sisters’ monastery in the Capital.”
The woman in question straightened herself out with a slight sigh, having been rather cramped in her hiding space. Levi scanned her features quickly: (h/c) hair, (e/c) eyes, around his age, with a dark cloak shrouding her identity. His eyes widened as he recognized the woman’s face.
“Isn’t she on those wanted posters that were put up recently?”
Commander Erwin nodded somberly. “That is correct. No one must know she is here. Let me introduce you to (Y/N) (L/N). She is currently being hunted down by the government for her political views.”
“A politician, huh?” Levi eyed you, his composed face betraying no emotion.
You looked up to steadily meet his gaze, nodding. “Yes. The government considers that my views go against their principles. It fears I will turn their people against them. At first, they wouldn’t let me address the public. Now, they’ve labelled me as a traitor that must be imprisoned.”
“Commander,” drawled the ravenhead, turning his gaze over to the tall blonde. “Why are we protecting a criminal?” He ignored your visible flinch. “Won’t the government come after our asses?”
“Perhaps,” commented Erwin, “which is precisely why this will be a stealth mission. Your goal is to reach the Monastery without being detected.” A tense silence fell over the office. Before long, the commander sighed, choosing to grant Levi with the answers he was waiting for. “(Y/N) is a crucial ally to the Scouts. She has used her negotiating skills to obtain important information for us on numerous occasions. We owe many of our successes to her contribution.”
Levi remained quiet, processing the information. “The Monastery, huh? So she can hide amongst the Sisters?”
The commander nodded. “Yes. We have an ally there who agreed to take her in until the situation calms down.”
The Captain had a last question that needed answers. “Commander, if I may. Why are you sending my squad? Aren’t we crucial in the front lines?”
“We’ve lost almost half of our men during this last expedition,” spoke the blonde calmly even as he revealed the troubling casualties. “We need time to replenish our resources and to plan a new course of action. That is precisely why I chose you to complete this mission.” His eyes pierced into Levi’s. “I know you will succeed. The others need to rest.”
That was all the squad leader needed to know. “Gotcha.” He hoisted himself off the wall. “When do we leave?”
“Tonight. It will be harder to recognize (Y/N) in the dark. Will your squad be ready by then?”
“Of course,” rumbled Levi. “Will she?”
You spoke up for the first time since you introduced yourself, nodding firmly. “Yes.”
“Good. Meet us at the staples at 2000 hours.” And with that, the soldier dismissed himself, heading toward the office exit. However, as he turned to close the door behind him, he couldn’t help but hesitate, intrigued by the discussion shushed between (Y/N) and the commander.
“(Y/N),” murmured the blonde, his words holding a soft tone Levi had never heard from his commander before. He was holding your shoulders gently, looking down at you. “Be careful, all right?”
You giggled, smiling up at him. “Don’t worry, Erwin. I’ll be fine. The Captain looks pretty competent.”
Despite your words of reassurance, Erwin averted his gaze, betraying his unease. “You’ll be safe with him. I would’ve wanted to escort you myself, but my duties require that I be elsewhere.”
“Hey,” you spoke softly, prompting his gaze back over to you. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry so much.”
“I can’t help it. I…” The commander’s voice trailed off as you suddenly hugged him, making his eyes fly open in shock. After a moment, he relaxed, returning the gesture with a sigh. “You’re such a child sometimes…”
Levi left it at that, fully shutting the door behind him. The scene he had just witnessed replayed over and over in his mind, filling it with questions. Was Commander Erwin in a relationship he did not speak of? (Y/N) and he clearly knew each other. What past did they share?
It doesn’t matter, concluded the ravenhead, setting his course for his Cadets’ barracks. It only means that if I fail this mission, the commander will be fucking pissed.