Chapter Text
When she saw Ray hover in the air for the moment and then smash into the ground, Y/N hadn’t hesitated to call out for Petra who was heading in the direction of their fallen comrade. The day of the expedition was eerily pretty, with the sun shining down on their heads, and the sound of birds singing happily in the distance.
“
Petra! Get Ray off the ground, I think his ODM machine jammed.” She shouted as she flew toward Petra. Petra’s face paled as she looked at the direction in which Y/N was pointing. Y/N knew better than anyone how much Petra cared for Ray, despite how many times they both denied it.
“But Captain Levi-” Petra stopped to hang of the side of the building. Her cheeks were red, and sweat plastered her dirty blonde hair to her face. Y/N swung herself to the building and used the ODM gear to hang next to her.
“-I’ll take care of the soldier, just give me the gauze” Y/N panted. Petra quickly tossed the two packs over, and Y/N caught them and stuffed them into her belt.
“Thank you,” she smiled
“Stay safe y/n,” Petra smiled back before letting go of the building to fly in the direction of Ray. Y/N did the same, flying through the buildings until she saw where her comrade had landed earlier after Levi killed the titan that had him in his grasp. At first glance, Y/N’s stomach lurched at the sight of all the blood.
“Hey love,” Y/N said softly as she landed a few feet away from him. The man inhaled weakly and pointed at his stomach where the wound was.
“I know I know,” Y/N murmured as she unraveled a piece of gauze. “I’m going to help with the bleeding, don’t worry,”
The man nodded and closed his eyes, tears streamed down his face. The wound didn’t look good at all, blood soaked his coat and shirt, bone penetrating his chest through his shirt-his ribs-she guessed. She glanced under his shirt and the purple bruising stretched across his torso told her there must've been even more bleeding internally.
“What’s your name, soldier?” she asked, as she pressed gauze around the wound. She was no medic, but her instinct told her to avoid touching the bone as much as possible. The soldier violently flinched, and begun to cry louder. His lower half of his face was splattered in blood, the tears doing nothing to clear the blood .In moments, the white gauze she had applied had become soaked, and she reached with one hand to grab the next-last-package of gauze. With the end of the clean strip of gauze she wiped the blood off his face.
“Jackson-” he cri, “Jackson Merin”
“What a nice name,” Y.N hummed, and Jackson shuddered as he breathed. The gauze was soaked again, but this time, there was no gauze left. She contemplated removing her jacket to add more pressure, but the gravity of the injury made her keep it on. She's seen injuries like this before, and they never ended well.
“You did well Jackson,” she smiled, but inside she felt a pang of sadness. She could never get used to her comrades dying. Jackson must've been her age or younger. So young to feel such pain. An image of a smiling redhead flashed through her mind. No. The brief memory made her press harder on the gauze, as if it would make any difference. Jackson inhaled again, but his eyes were wide with panic, and he reached up and clutched her wrist.
“I-it hurts,”
“I know, I know, I’m sorry.” Y/N told him. Just then, footsteps could be heard approaching, light enough that she knew they weren't titan. Y/N raised her to see CaptainLevi walking toward them, titan blood slowly evaporating from his clothes. She scanned the area around them, but didnt see or hear any titans. He must've cleared the area so that Petra could assess the damage without getting attacked.
“Levi-” she glanced at him and then Jackson. She didn’t want to freak Jackson out more but- “How far is the medic wagon, he needs serious medical attention.”
Jackson’s eyes widened slightly at the sound of Levi’s name.
“C-Captain Levi,” he said hoarsely. Levi squatted down next to him, his face stoic as always.
“I’m here,” he said his voice coming out much softer than usual. Jackson shut his eyes and breathed loudly through his nose,
“Did I- did I make a difference?”
She looked up at Levi, urging him to say something. Jackson removed his hand from her wrist, leaving a bloody hand mark, and slowly laid it on his own stomach.
“Don't tell me this was for nothing-tell me this helped the cause.” Jackson begged between wheezes. Levi took Jackson's hand and held it firmly.
“We’ve made great strides today soldier, and tomorrow because of you. You’re strength won’t die with you, the torch will be carried on by me.” Levi spoke with such intensity, as if trying to convince them all, “ I swear on my life, the titans will be eradicated.”
She waited for his reaction, but then upon seeing Jackson's still face, she realized none would come. Y/N looked away, and began to rub the ring on her pointer finger. While normally gold, it had been encrusted with Jackson's blood, filling up the crevices of the wing symbol that decorated it.
“Levi, he’s gone,”
He stared at the soldier’s lifeless body with shock on his face.
“Do you think he heard what I said?” He asked as he looked at her. Y/N nodded, and slowly leaned back from Jackson’s corpse.
“Of course,” she said as she wiped her bloody hands on the rim of her cape. “Look at how at peace he seems,”
Levi glanced at the man’s face, and she could see as his walls came up again, and that terrible stoic dead look returned to his eyes. He stood and offered her his hand. She took it and got up, her knees shaky beneath her. Levi noticed and his grip on her hand tightened.
“Are you alright?” he asked, a glint of worry appeared in his eyes.
“Physically? Fine. Mentally?” she paused, and then shook her head. Levi raised his other hand from beneath the green cloak, and suddenly she could feel her hair being slightly ruffled her hair. When they made eye contact, Levi’s cheeks became a dusty pink color and he pulled his hand away as he looked to the side. He must be out of breath from fighting, she thought. His hand was still gripping hers and before either one could say anything, Erwin came galloping around the corner on his horse.
“All troops are retreating, Captain Levi, regroup with your squad and Captain Y/N report back to HQ quickly.” Erwin shouted at them, and Levi quickly pulled away from her.
“What?” they said in unison. She glanced at the corpse a couple feet away from her-Jackson.
“It’s only been 2 hours-” Y/N said angrily. She couldn’t bear to face the Jackson's family and try to explain how they got nothing out of their sacrifice. As if he could read her mind, Levi shouted at Erwin.
“So you’re telling me these soldiers died for nothing?”
“Something is happening back at home,”
Ice filled her veins. Her cousin, and his friends were in the walls. If anything happened to them-
“The wall?” Levi asked, and Erwin nodded. Y/N didn’t hesitate and whistled for her horse.
“Did they finally break through?” Y/N asked, her heart beating wildly in her chest. No,no,no-
“We won’t know until we get back,” Erwin told them. Levi shook his head and turned around.
“See you, Y/N,”
Y/N grimly smiled and waved good bye. “See you,”
As Levi left on his ODM gear, Y/N realized Erwin was still waiting for her. Erwin, her superior, and once friend. She had been trying to avoid him, to no avail. It was hard to avoid a coworker.
“You should probably go tell the rest of your troops about the retreat.” Y/N said as she bent down next to Jackson. Gently, she closed his eyes with her fingertips, and then took out a blade from her pocket and began cutting away at his badge.
“You should probably go find your horse instead of tending to a corpse.”
Y/N inhaled slowly, before looking up at the big blonde. “You know Erwin, sometimes I really do think the people are right when they say you’re heartless.”
Erwin’s eyes darkened, but as he opened his mouth to say something, the sound of a galloping horse interrupted him.
“Seems as if my horse has found me,” Y/N walked over to her horse, ignoring the fuming man behind her. She knew she had struck a chord with that comment, but Jackson reminded her of a certain redhead, and Erwin should’ve known not to scold her on what she did.
Y/N knew she was stubborn and was told she was too soft, too kind for the world around her (as in Erwin had told her too many times). But she didn’t care. She knew Erwin well, and he always prioritized the safety of humanity over the life of his soldiers.She understood that someone had to do it. But as third in command, someone had to look out for the soldiers' well being. Hange wouldn’t do it, well not with so many soldiers anyways. She was too caught up with her own research. No hate to Hange though. They were best friends, and she loved Hange like a sibling. So she would be the one to care for her soldiers. She didn’t mind it though. Caring for them was easy, and it filled the gaping hole in her heart where her siblings once were.
She mounted her horse, and started to ride over to HQ. Her thoughts wandered to her home. Since Shingashina was trampled with titans, her new home was wherever Hange and Levi were. They were each other's little family, considering that all of them were orphans. So at the moment, it was the barracks outside of Trost. If the second wall broke, that would mean her home was lost again. Anxiety bubbled up in her stomach but she ignored it. Anxiety, panicking, and fear would kill her. She needed to remain calm.
After conjugating with HQ, Hange and her rode side to side towards the walls. Even Hange’s face was slightly grim. The ride back to the walls was relatively quick, as their expedition had only started less than 3 hours prior. Somewhere along the way, they realized that the Colossal Titan appeared in the Trost district and knocked a hole into the wall.Y/N could feel the unsettled and terrified energy that radiated off her comrades. This could very well be the end of humanity.
“Walls of Trost are 800 meters ahead!” shouted Erwin from in front, “Prepare to climb the walls to assist the Military Police in closing the hole in the wall!”
Y/N glanced down at her gear. Her gas was semi low, but she was well stocked on blades. It would have to be enough. As the wall came closer, Y/N propped herself up, so she was standing on her horse. Hange did the same beside her, and the two exchanged a nod before flying off on their gear. Once she made it up the wall, she focused on her goal. Killing all the titans in the vicinity.
Turns out they had successfully already plugged the boulder in the wall. So all they had to do was clear out Trost District. The whole recovery lasted nearly 3 days, and she mostly helped bring the injured to hospital wards and clear out the titans still roaming the city. On the third day, to Hange’s delight, they were able to capture not one, but two titans. To her dismay, Hange named them Sawney and Bean, and couldn’t stop blabbering about experimenting on them.
“I don’t think you understand Y/N” Hange said from their chair. It had been only a few days since they reclaimed Trost, and the Scouts we're exhausted. Breakfast had ended a few hours ago and Hange and her were doing paperwork in her room because unlike Hange’s, it was relatively clean. She nodded along to Hange as she scribbled down all the names of the victims. 200 still missing or dead, most of them civilians. She shuddered at the thought of all those people being killed by a titan.
“-They’re beautiful Y/N,”
Y/N rolled her eyes at Hange, and rolled over onto her back, stretching.
“If thats what you consider beautiful Hange, then you and I have very different definitions of beauty.”
“We can find out a lot more about titans with Sawney and Bean in our custody Y/N,” Hange smiled and threw their hands in the air.
“I hope I get some scientific credit for helping you round those titans," Y/N said before groaning and tossing a paper off her bed. “I hate paperwork,”
“Imagine how much I have,” Hange yawned before leaning down to sign a paper.
“Yeah, how do you do it? I swear you usually finish before I do.”
“Want to know a secret?” Hange said, leaning forward. Y/N nodded and did the same. Anything to figure out how to finish her paperwork faster.
“I usually just write some nonsense in really bad handwriting-”
“Hange!” Y/N laughed, covering her mouth in shock.
“-Or I make Moblit do it for me,” Hange grinned, and Y/N shook her head smiling.
“Poor Moblit, you stress that poor boy out” Y/N said. They fell into a content silence, Hange working, and Y/N let herself fall onto her bed, and stared at the ceiling lost in thought. It was rudely interrupted moments later by knocking at the door.
Y/N groaned and sat up, “Come in,”
The door opened to reveal Levi, in his survey corps uniform. She hadn't seen him since they spoke to Jackson together. He looked much better now-ish. His black hair was glossy in the candelight, as if he had just showered. Yet, his eyes still bore an exhausted look.
“Morning Levi,” Hange said with a smile.
“Look who finally showed up,” Y/N said standing, “I haven’t seen you in days.”
Levi raised his eyebrows and walked in. “I could say the same for you,”
She shrugged, “I got wrapped up in helping Hange with their titans,”
Hange’s face brightened when Y/N mentioned their precious titans.
“Levi you gotta come with me to see them!” they practically shrieked.
“I rather not,” Levi retorted,
"Tomorrow then," Hange promised, and licked her finger to turn a page on her paperwork. Levi's eyes wandered from Hange working at the desk, to the paperwork on the floor. “Are you doing paperwork?”
“Yes, save me, I hate it.” she begged him as she rolled off the bed to pick the paper up. When she stood up Levi was smirking.
“Luckily for you, Erwin wants you to see something.”
Y/N’s face broke into a grin, “Really?!”
Levi nodded, and Y/N whooped.
Hange looked up from their paperwork, “Am I invited too?”
“Nope,”
“Awhh,” Hange pouted. Y/N smiled mischievously as she walked to the door. She lightly smacked the back of Hange’s head before grabbing Levi and running out of the room laughing.
“Bye Hange,” she sang from the corridor.
“Bye shorties!” they sang back and the two of them groaned.
“Stupid four-eyes,” Levi muttered, but a small smile was on his face. It suited him. Y/N thought back on the days when she first met Levi, and how they contrasted to now. She nudged him in the side, and he glanced at her.
“So what does Erwin want to show me?”
He looked away, “I can’t say but it’s the reason why they plugged the hole in the wall.”
She raised a brow, but said nothing. She had heard plenty of rumors from the soldiers around her. Of a titan turned human. Of a girl with incredible strength. She was deep in her thoughts as Levi led her through HQ, pulling her by her sleeve to guide her. Eventually they arrived to the stables, where her precious horse was. They worked in silence as they fastened their saddles onto the horses. She glanced at Levi, who was tightening one of the cinches with crisp precision.
"Levi," She said, and he looked up curiously. "How was recovery?"
He pushed himself up onto his horse before replying. "Fine, Erwin also had me doing paperwork. It's finished though."
"How is that possible? Do you even sleep?" She joked, and then frowned. "You're definitely not sleeping."
He smirked, "I don't need it."
Y/N rolled her eyes and hoisted herself up onto her horse. "I don't like that."
"You don't need to," He called back as they trotted out of the stables.
Once they left Trost, Y/N could feel the stress peeling away. The country air had a soothing effect on her. The scent of wet grass, and sun dried wheat reminded her of when she lived in the countryside as a little girl. She grew up just outside Karanes district, with her parents and two siblings. She could barely remember her father, just her mother and little siblings. They lived happily in a cottage near the forest and regularly traveled to Karanes and Shiganshina to visit her mother’s sister, Carla. When Y/N was 5, her little cousin was born. She could remember the excitement and the hurried packing when her mother said he was finally born. Her little brother, Nico, was only two and her mother and aunt joked about how the two would be inseparable. Then her little sister Violetta was born by a miracle and Y/N couldn’t be happier.
At this time, her father was gone. Violetta, or Letta as her mama used to call her, wasn’t supposed to make it and her father left angry that her mother couldn’t give a healthy birth. He was a dick. So they moved to Shingasina to live closer to her aunt’s family. Y/N was 10 at that time, and the big city amazed her. Eren, who was only 5, and her brother Nico, who was 7 would trail her like little ducks as she explored the city. As they got older, her shadow grew bigger, including Mikasa a girl that Eren and his father had saved, and a plump little blond boy named Armin.
Life was good, and she grew up happy and content. It didn't occur to her to join the survey corps until she was 12. She had wanted to be a doctor when she was little, but now she wasn’t so sure. All she knew was that she wanted to help people. Much like Armin, she began to question what could be behind those walls. How could people be truly happy and safe while being trapped within them? She joined the cadet corps on a whim, and when her mother found out she was terrified. Y/N had to tell her that she wanted to join the military brigade, knowing that her decision was already made. She would join the Survey Corps, and hope that it would be all worth it.
Her thoughts came to a halt once they reached the capitol, and she saw Erwin in the distance talking with a Military Brigade officer. She slid off her horse, and sighed in relief when her feet hit the ground. Her butt hurt from riding for so long. She followed Levi to Erwin, and they exchanged some hello’s before walking toward the court
“So commander, you wanna tell me what I’m about to see?” Y/N asked, Erwin gave her an exaggerated smile.
“You’ll find out soon,”
Y/N frowned and tugged on Erwin’s sleeve so he could stop walking. Better get this out of the way- “Did I offend you earlier?”
Levi glanced between the two of them with a frown, but said nothing. And so did Erwin, choosing to keep walking instead of responding.
“Look Erwin, what I said was harsh, I apologize.” she said, and she wasn't sure she meant it. But the guilt she felt at that hurt look on his face. She knew someone had to be callous, but it seemed like Erwin was still convincing himself too.
“It’s ok Y/N,” Erwin said, and he smiled a little. “Let’s go, we have somewhere to be.”
She could tell he was still upset, but Erwin wanted the conversation to be over, so she said nothing else.
They walked into the court house, and instead of heading toward the offices on the second floor, they turned to go down the stairwell to the basement. Y/N didn’t even know the court house had a basement. 8 bloody years in the Survey Corps yet, Commander blonde oaf still didn’t trust her enough to tell her why the hell she was heading to the cold basement of the courthouse with him and Levi.
I guess this is what I get for temporarily dropping out of my squad to assist Hange with her experiments
She glared daggers into Erwin’s blonde head as she followed him down the stairs. The air in the staircase was cold, raising goosebumps on her arm. Levi was right behind her, silently following them. Now she was annoyed with him too. She just knew Erwin had already told Levi of whatever it is he wanted to show her, and she was kind of jealous. She sighed, who wouldn’t be? Levi and her joined the survey corps the same year, yet Erwin trusted him more. With nearly everything.
“Erwin what are we seeing again?” she whispered, nearly stepping on the heel of his shoe.
“There’s someone I want you to meet,” he said, glancing at her from behind his shoulder. Ugh, could he be anymore vague.
“Sometimes, the two of you make me want to internally combust.”
She heard a small tsch! , from behind her ”Don’t do that here, you’ll make a mess.”
She turned to stick her tongue out at Levi, who in return frowned at her. The cutest wrinkle formed between his brows, and she suddenly had the urge to press a finger over them and smooth them out. Her cheeks grew warm at the thought, and she shook the thought out of her head. Levi was one of her closest friends, someone she knew she could rely on whenever. She didn’t need some weird attraction to ruin that. At this point, Y/N realized they were in a jail beneath the courthouse. All the cells were empty, but it seemed like one was occupied at the far corner of the hallway. As they neared the cell, she could make out a figure on a bed. It was a boy, hunched over looking quite frustrated. He raised his head when he heard their footsteps, and Y/N’s heart skipped several beats.
Holy Sina…
“EREN?” Y/N shoved past Erwin, and grasped onto the cell’s bars. Her little cousin stared at her in shock. Erwin was in a pale tee, chained to the floor. He looked in tact, but he must've been here for a while because of all the dirt and grime on his face.
“Oh my gods, you’re alive,” she cried, covering her mouth with one hand and reaching out with the other through the bars. She had been so busy with Hange, and paperwork, it had completely blew past her that her cousin could've been hurt, or dea.
“Y/N?” Eren asked and tried to reach her, but shackles held him back. She didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry at the fact that he survived. Eren. How many times did her little cousin face the impossible and survive? Twice now. First Shingashina and now Trost? Eren’s hand was bandaged, and her stomach plunged for a moment. Where were Armin and Mikasa? She barely saw Eren without seeing one of the other two. She basically considered those two her cousins too, especially Mikasa.
Erwin cleared his throat from behind them, and suddenly Y/N remembered just exactly where they were.
“What the hell is happening?” she asked, spinning around.
From behind them, Levi watched with a sting of jealousy as Y/N’s eyes filled with worry and love at the sight of the brat. He glanced at Erwin, who was staring at the two with a bit of shock. He must’ve not expected this one. Neither did he honestly. Y/N never could stop blabbering about her baby cousin who was joining the scouts. But he wasn’t expecting for a newbie cadet to survive the Trost invasion. He glanced at the boy behind the bars. There was a fiery determination in his eyes. A fighter just like Y/N mentioned.
“You two know each other?” Erwin asked and the two nodded simentouansuly.
“She’s my cousin sir, “ Eren said, and suddenly it clicked for Erwin. The brown hair, the same nose, and face shape. They looked like siblings when side to side. Yet, Y/N’s hair was wavier and darker, and her eyes a shade browner.
“The cousin?” Erwin’s jaw dropped a bit, and Levi sighed and shook his head.
“This is insane,” Levi said,
“What are the odds, one of our brightest and strongest soldiers is related to humanity's salvation.” Erwin murmured to himself. Levi raised an eyebrow at the comment.
“Tsch! So dramatic,”
Erwin ignored him and sat down on the stool in front of the prison cell while Y/N slowly pulled away from Eren to stand at Levi’s side. He began to recount all the events that had happened in the last 3 days while Eren was out. Most of which Y/N already knew.
“Where am I?” Eren asked.
“Let’s just say you’re in a dungeon of sorts,” Erwin told him.
Y/N snorted. She turned to Levi, who was leaning against the stone wall. "You're right Levi, he is dramatic."
A small smile formed on his face, but he continued staring ahead. She felt giddy from the news that Eren was ok, even more from making Levi smile.
Erwin continued but shot Y/N a glare. “At the moment you’re in Military Police custody, we received permission to speak with you a short while ago.”
Y/N watched as Eren looked around the cell he was in. Erwin raised his fist to reveal a bronze key in it, and Eren gasped.
“That key-”
“Yes it’s yours, I’ll return it to you later,” Erwin stared down Eren like he was attempting to see through his soul. “The basement of Dr. Yeager’s home in Shiganshina district-”
Y/N gasped and stared at Erwin. What did her uncle have to do with this.
“-where you were born. That’s where the secret to the mystery of the titans is. Is that correct?” Erwin asked. At that moment, Y/N got a pounding headache, and black started to seep into her vision. She fought to stay conscious but she still wobbled on her feet, grabbing the closest thing- Levi’s arm -for support. Levi looked at her dazed expression with worry, and grabbed her other arm to steady her.
“Y/N?” he hesitantly raised his palm to her forehead to check for a temperature. She dodged his hand and pulled away. She was feeling hot and cold at the same time, and she didn't need Levi's touch to make it worst.
“I’m good,” Y/N looked up and saw that Eren and Erwin stopped speaking to look at her, while Levi was still staring at her worriedly. “Just a little dizzy, I haven't eaten breakfast because of all the paperwork” she murmured. Erwin raised his eyebrows and turned back to Eren.
“Anyways, was I correct?”
Eren nodded, “Yes, I believe that’s what my father said.”
As they continued to talk, she felt a prickling sensation and turned to see Levi still looking at her. He tilted his head, silently asking her if she was ok, and She nodded with a smile. She hadn't realized he was still holding her arm, until he pulled away, satisfied with her answer, and settled into leaning on the wall again.
“You lost your memory and your father is missing...That’s a very convenient story.” Levi said jumping into the conversation.
Erwin shot him a look, “Levi, I believe we came to the conclusion that Eren has no reason to lie.”
Y/N ignored the jealousy in the pit of her stomach. So Levi did know before her! How annoying. She zoned back into the conversation quickly to catch Erwin say.
“We need your titan strength,”
The dizziness came back again, and in the distance she heard a voice call out to her.
“Y/N!”
It was a girl’s voice, laughing. She sounded so familiar, and by the way Y/N's heart warmed, she could tell she loved this girl.
What the hell? She shuffled her feet around, standing uncomfortably. Maybe she shouldn’t have skipped breakfast.
“-Your intentions hold the key to saving humankind from this despair,” Erwin said, raising the key once again. Eren’s jaw went slack for a moment,
“Me?” he murmured and his eyes clouded for a moment. As if he was remembering something. He looked up at Y/N abruptly and she saw the despair and anger in his eyes.
“Oi, give us an answer scumbag,” Levi said from beside her. Y/N glared at him, and he ignored her look.
“What do you want to do?” Levi asked, and Y/N noticed he said it in a gentler tone. The three of them watched as Eren started trembling as he looked down at his laps.
“I want to join the Scout Regiment and kill Titans!”
If Y/N was in any other situation, she would’ve laughed. How she wished for her child like self back. The one that was so much like Eren. Desperate to massacre all the titans, not knowing what it might cost her along the way.
“Oi, not bad,” Levi pushed himself off the wall to stand next to Erwin, “Erwin I’ll be responsible for him.”
“Huh?” Y/N gaped at him. “That's funny. But no, I’ll do it.” she stated.
“No, you’re his cousin. You would never discipline him the way he might need to.”
“What? No, you’re wrong-”
“-Tell that to the higher-ups” Levi said “It’s not that I don’t trust you. But if he goes out of control or betrays us, you would do nothing. I’d kill him on the spot.”
Y/N glared at him, and he glared back. They were only a foot apart, and he was barely 3 inches taller than her, so they were quite literally staring each other down. Anger bubbled up in her stomach and she had the urge to punch Levi.
“The higher-ups can’t complain. No one is better for the job.”
"Excuse me? Who are you to tell me what I'm capable of?" She told him, digging her pointer finger into his chest. "I raised him, I know his tells. You don't."
Erwin cleared his throat, and they both looked at him angrily. “Very well, Levi will accept Eren into the Scout Regiment, but Y/N will be monitoring.” Erwin stated. Y/N wheeled around to stare him down, but he shrugged his shoulders.
"I can't believe this." She was about to storm out, but not before she checked on Eren.
“Eren, are you being fed well?” she asked, walking up to the bars. She didn't bother moving around Levi, choosing to bump harshly into his side. As expected, he barely moved. “Are you cold?”
Eren blushed and looked at Levi who was still staring him down. “I’m good, thank you though.”
“Good,” she smiled, “If any one of the MP’s lay a hand on you, let me know.” She pulled away from the bars to look at each guard. “-I’ll show them not to mess with a Grys.”
She turned to glare at Erwin and Levi. She wanted out of this place. She hated the underground.
“Are we done here boys?” she asked,
Erwin cleared his throat, “I believe so.”
“Good, because I have paperwork to do.”
She looked at Eren one last time, “Love you kiddo. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then she walked out, nearly tripping over one of the stairs. She peeked down the staircase,but no one saw her. Thank the walls, or else that would’ve been embarrassing. She walked out of the court house, ignoring anyone who tried to speak with her. She was tired and hungry, and didn’t want to go back to doing her paperwork. Suddenly the smell of bread rolls filled her nostrils, and she looked down the street at the marketplace a block over. She probably shouldn’t, she had like barely any money on her, but she was starving. It would be more embarrassing to be seen falling off her horse because she passed out.
So Y/N walked to the marketplace, excited at the thought of having bread rolls for the first time in years. Little kids raced around her, and she dodged a horse dragging a cart of boxes. The environment reminded her of Shingasina and she smiled. She stopped at woman’s stand who was selling sweets. They smelled so good, and Y/N eyes greedily roamed the counter to admire all the diverse goods. She wasn't sure if she could afford the nicer ones, but they were so nice to look at. The woman peered at her from behind the counter, slowly packing bread into a basket.
“Good Morning,” she told Y/N watching her as she looked at the treats.
“Good Morning ma’am,” she said looking up with a smile. The woman was busy staring at the patch on Y/N’s jacket.
“You’re a scout?”
Y/N looked down at the wings of freedom and then back at the lady. “Oh, yeah I am.”
“Do you know Captain Grys?’ the lady asked.
Y/N broke into a grin, “Actually I am Captain Grys”
The lady gasped and stared at her in shock. “Oh wow,”. She dropped the bread she was holding and turned to the booth next to her. “Samson! Come here! Humanity’s guardian angel wants bread from us!” she shouted.
A few people peeked out of their booths to see what the ruckus was and Y/N turned red. She had heard the name before, whenever they were about to leave for an expedition. There would be a crowd in front of the gate watching the scouts leave. Some would glare at them, and accuse the scouts for wasting their taxes, some would stare in awe, and some would have the courage to shout Erwin, Levi, and Y/N’s names. Commander Erwin! Humanity’s Strongest! Humanity’s Guardian Angel!
Meanwhile, Levi had been following Y/N since he saw that her horse was still in the stable, but now he lost track of her and he was just roaming the marketplace trying to find her. Some horse kicked up dust, and he scrunched his nose and waved the dust away from his face.
“Filth,” he muttered under his breath. He walked down the dirt path, debating on whether if he should return to his horse and leave. He wanted to make sure Y/N was ok and not angry like she seemed earlier. Plus he wanted to know what happened between her and Erwin. Levi knew Y/N and Erwin were relatively close, but they often argued. They’re so dramatic, he thought to himself. Suddenly a movement caught his eye and he looked at the booth to his right. Y/N was leaning over the counter, a basket in one hand and money in the other. She kept pushing the money into the lady behind the counter’s hand, but the lady would aggressively push it away while shaking her head. There was a younger boy behind her, intensely watching the two argue.
“Take it! Please, it’s the best I could do after you looked after my brother.” the lady said pushing the money away again. Levi could tell Y/N was frustrated, and her face had a bewildered look on it.
“No, let me pay!” Y/N cried and the woman shook her head. Y/N let out a frustrated sigh and let her head hang back. She saw Levi and instantly stood straight.
"Levi she won’t let me pay,” Y/N explained, showing him the basket. There were a dozen sweet rolls inside, and the sweet smell wafted up to his nose.
“Captain Levi?” the little boy in the back perked up, and Levi internally sighed. He gave a small wave before returning his attention to Y/N.
“Let her treat you Y/N,” Levi said, gently steering her away from the booth. Before they left, he discreetly left a few coins at the counter. Hopefully no one would take them.
“Leviii!” Y/N pretended to glare at him. “They gave me all their fresh rolls!”
“Don’t worry, I left them a thank you,” Levi told her, and he couldn’t help but notice how cute she looked when she pouted at him.
Y/N’s face lit up, “Really? Thanks,” she quickly hugged his side. Levi smiled a little, and patted her back.
“Let’s go home,” He said taking the basket from her hand, and offering her one. She took it and devoured the roll in seconds.
"I'm still upset with you." She told him. They had begun walking back toward the court house, and some people had taken noticed at the two famed soldiers walking the streets.
"Thats fine, what I said was true" he told her and passed her another roll. She glared at him, but took it.
"Whatever, brat." She said mimicking him. Levi rolled his eyes, and continued walking.