*
Late in the afternoon all I could do was prepare for our next destination, which in Erwin earlier discussed that we take Eren to an old former Scout's castle. With food and supplies already packed in a storage compartment, all we could do was wait till morning. Not much notice on any late meetings, or even secret meetings.
That being said, Eren was placed under Levi's supervision for the night. Felt sorry for the kid, but Levi doesn't really sleep much so it was convenient.
With further preparations in order I decided to go check in with the young cadets, being worried sick. It just felt like an instinct. Making my way down the hallways, I could hear chattering echoing down from the small garrison quarters. Having no where else to go because of their graduation, by choosing their regiments soon. Finally reaching the main room, something was thrown past my head standing there stunned.
Two of the cadets stood there, halted in their small little whatever they were doing.
"C-Captain......." Sasha breaths out, earning everyone's attention.
Bending down I pick up the pillow from behind me, and walked in with a small smile on my face. It was like they were relieved, but then some were worried sick about Eren. Suddenly I felt someone grab my collar harshly, feeling my back slam against the brick wall. Grunting in response, my eyes met with burning eyes by none other than Mikasa. Understanding what this was about, it was rather inappropriate hurting a higher rank soldier.
"You let that pipsqueak beat the living hell out of him!!!!" She yells angrily, while Armin trying to pry her off.
My eye narrows looking slightly up, before taking her wrist calmly.
"He's alright, I can assure you," my voice softens, not having the time to snap at my own soldiers. "We only did that, to prove that we can handle him.......he's safe and sound. It's better than being dissected....."
She grits her teeth knowing full well i was right, but didn't like to admit it.
"Please Mikasa, she didn't even do anything," Armin pleads, grabbing her arm to pull her away preventing anymore hurt egos.
"Still, she allowed that Captain, to beat Eren till he bled!" She snaps, her eyes still filled with rage and anger. I knew it wasn't aimed towards me, but she needed someone to blame for now. She was concerned for him, I get it. I grip her wrist firmly, gently releasing my collar allowing my adjust myself while she stood there, shoulders shaking not knowing what else to say, except spurting complete nonsense.
"He's healed, because of those....powers of his," I assure her, before pulling her to me. Slowly I embrace the young child feeling herself tense up, but slowly her body soon relaxes accepting it. Her arms soon wrap around slowly, rubbing her back gently trying to calm her knowing it must've been hard protecting someone she cared about against the Premier and even the Military Police. Those assholes have no brain, but to find the cheapest and easiest way out.
Slowly pulling away I turn to all the cadets, or the remaining cadets.
Some were probably in different rooms, being only still few other cadets than the main ten. My eye scans the room before seeing Jean sitting alone, not being bothered to sit with anyone. With everything that had happened, lives were taken too early. My gut churns in response, while trying to process that I lost precious cadets that day.
"I'm just checking in all of you, making sure you're all okay," I spoke up, as arms soon embrace out of nowhere.
"Big sis!!!!" Sasha cries, causing me to stumble back in surprise.
Chuckling in response I pat her head softly, while she held me tightly. It was like she thought I was some ghost when I stepped in, only to realise it was me. Hearing her crying out loud is dismay, she began rambling on about the whole entire situation and worrying over everything. Finally calming her down, she pulls away before Jean caught my eye.
Walking over to him I sat down on the bed, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I know what happened," my voice lowers, hearing his breath hitch in his throat. "I'm sorry about Marco......."
Without even turning to me, his shoulders slump forward while his head hung shamelessly. "How did you.......know?"
"From the report, I am your Captain," I softly spoke, sympathising with him. "He's in a safe place now, all we can do is honour his death by not forgetting him."
He sniffles while avoiding my eyes, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
He soon sits up exhaling deeply before inhaling slowly, taking a few deep breaths to calm him down. I wanted to help some more, but I could was just console and assure him that he was alright. It felt shitty in my opinion, but what could I do? Many other cadets were dead, and I still stand alive and well.
"You're right, I guess," He murmurs, before facing me only to be surprised. His eyes linger upon my covered wound, while I allow to glance a little longer. He parts his lips, hesitation spills from his words while I smile.
"It's fine.....it's not severe," touching my wound tenderly, before standing up. "Now.....I hope you enjoy the Military Police, congratulations......"
"W-Wait!" he calls, making me pause in my steps turning back around. His face softens, "Thank you.......I needed that."
Softly smiling I close my eye, waving to him before seeing Sasha and Connie resuming their pillow fight. Rolling my eyes playfully, I walk by not wanting to spill anymore news on Eren's whereabouts. It was meant to stay quiet, hidden until further notice.
With the Mp's up our ass about Eren's threatening abilities, who wouldn't want to hide somewhere secluded.
//
~Knock~Knock~
"State name and business!"
"Captain Akira, may we speak with you?" Erwin questions, seeing Miche, Hanji and a few other scouts standing by them. Sitting up from my desk Erwin ushers me to sit back down, as they all enter my office. Closing the door behind them, I gesture for them to sit down at the table in the centre of the room.
Glancing at them with confusion, I notice Erwin about to speak up. The silence was enough to know that it wasn't a catch up, but a meeting. Leaning against the desk, my eye met confidently into his own.
"As you know we've been discussing in making you a section Commander........"
Those few words, made my stomach sink.
"...we wanted to discuss it more, seen it's a bigger responsibility to your current status," He pulls out a file of records, flicking through. His eyes trail along, "With your collaboration with instructor Shadis, your records have shown you have the leadership skills to lead more than a few soldiers...."
"What he's saying he's impressed with your work!" Hanji exclaims, cutting in. "Most of the soldiers are stronger than the previous record from six years ago, from the 103rd regiment.....you have promising soldiers with you."
Erwin nods in agreement, "Your work is commendable, so we have given you the title of Section Commander,"
Taken back by their words, it made me feel rather privileged working alongside the Scouts. With my respect for Erwin slowly and gradually rises, sometimes I would question his own thoughts and actions. He was still new to his position, but I will respect him no matter if he disrespects me if he does so.
"Commander......." sighing deeply, I shook my head.
He lifts his head, "What is it?"
"...I don't deserve this title, my only wish is to serve and fight," I began, thinking it through carefully. I knew being section Commander, was leading a bigger division than a small squad. Hanji was a section Commander, and Miche as well.
Was I even fit for a bigger division? A smaller squad was alright for me so........
"With what I have now as Corporal, all I want is to keep using my skills to make up for the lack of soldiers we have," feeling confident with my words, my head lifts more confidently. "I'm sorry, but I would rather fight than be stuck behind a desk......if I have to be quite frank."
Silence soon drifts around, noticing Erwin in deep thought.
Glancing around Miche sends me an encouraging smile, feeling already encouraged by some. Erwin lifts his head, "Being Section Commander, you will be able to do what you do best," he informs me, my eye opens wider. "With you and Levi supervising Eren, you will be able to still hold that title but remain working with me."
Shaking my head, I push myself up from my seat.
"I will continue my duties as Corporal, and remain working alongside Captain Levi," refusing the title, being no difference but a larger division and power. "I will support you closely from now on.....if that is supported..."
Everyone turns to him waiting for a reply, when he nods simply.
"Alright, it has been confirmed, from now you will continue being Corporal but......" his eyes soften, making me step back from his change of expression. ".....you will be given more support, and access to military.....so from now you will join Levi's squad for the time being."
Nodding understanding this condition, Erwin turns to everyone noticing something's up.
Just by a single glance and nod everyone soon leaves the room, making me stand there confused why Erwin stays back in his seat. Folding my arms we both remain quiet, realising he needed a few witnesses when he announced my title.
Fair enough I guess, but what does he need now? Did I do something?
"Is there....something you're wanting?" I question, leaning against the side of my desk facing him. Folding my arms, I raise my head to keep myself audacious before him. With how our relationship as Commander and Corporal was jagged, I'm trying my best to understand his point of view on things. How he viewed the world. When he belittled me, all I could do was accept and embrace that, I, as a woman, will never be acknowledged.
"You're a formidable soldier and Corporal, Akira......." he breaks the still silence, making me process his words slowly. He closes his eyes for a moment, ".....that being said, I wanted to come here to properly apologise for the wrongs I've done towards you......"
Huh, did he just.....no, this is the Erwin I know......right?
".....with what you went through five years ago, taking that weight upon your shoulders must've been hard for you," his tone grew softer by every word, that came from his own mouth. "Reason why I didn't give you a squad straight after.....was because you've lost three squads of your own. So I considered your feelings, and wanted you to heal til you got back to your feet."
His eyes meets my pathetic state, seeing a flicker sympathy swim in those sea blue eyes of his.
"Why are you apologising now, of all times....huh?" I lick my bottom lip, while tilting my head slightly curiously. "Thought you already did, just before I left to the 104th Regiment training corps?"
Drly chuckling with sarcasm dripping from my tone, I wanted to know his intentions.
"Because I want to be on the same page as you are, and I wanted to explain myself," He replies, his deep voice was so serious. "I will agree I was.....discourteous with my actions and words, but reflecting my mistakes.....I hope we can start anew?"
My eyebrows furrowed together, with confusion.
"E-excuse me? So..........want do you want me to do, forget about everything and move on?" I rhetorically question, even though I kind of forgotten about it and moved on already. Just recalling his mistakes, brought it back which i didn't want.
He pushes himself up from his seat, and walks over to me with a stoic, yet calm expression.
"No, it's not easy to forget........but I want to repair whatever happened between us," He in hopes to fix whatever happened, when really I didn't know how it started. "From this day and on, we hopefully have Eren in our care......by then we will slowly discover the mystery behind titans and beyond the walls."
That's right, wasn't that his very wish? To see what lies beyond the walls, or the matter of the truth behind them. Our Heritage......
I lower my head, "I see........well to be honest Commander, I've already forgiven and forgotten what you did," I admit, seeing him taken back from my words. The way his breath hitched, and the air grew still made me know all too well he was surprised.
"Akira...." still taken back.
"Listen......I'm glad, but right now.....it's the past," I spoke up, getting straight to the point. Wiping the sleep from my eye, my fingers rake through my tousled locks that covered over my face. "Things have gotten more difficult.......many men died......and we now know humans can transform into titans or whatever......so whatever you have planned next, I will follow."
He was stunned for a moment, before understanding reaching in his eyes.
"I see........well, I guess we now have admitted our truths here," he clears his throat, before nearing closer to me. "But there's one I need to ask, and you need to tell me seriously....."
"Huh?"
His hand reaches towards me, before gesturing to my left eye while I step back one step
"This isn't an accidental wound, it was intentionally carved perfectly down your eye," gesturing to my wound, while I cover it not wanting to say anything. To be honest I forgot all about him, with everything else that's been going on. "Who was it?"
"Excuse me?" trying to avoid his question, yet I could.
"Who was it? It will only stay between you, and me," He questions more firmly, while I try gathering the courage to admit. My hands balled into fists, knuckles turning white while remembering how I got this wound.
"Walsh.......Peter....Walsh," I reply, not wanting to repeat his name.
He nods, "Thank you, that's all I need,"
What? Is that seriously his reaction?
Turning on his heel he heads towards the door. Trailing his steps he pauses at the door, before sending me a small small, "Guess we're finally back on the same page, Corporal Akira."
He clicks the door open before leaving the room, while the door closes gently.
The air I held in was soon let out, not even realising I was nervous. Sitting back in my chair my head leans back, staring at the ceiling feeling overwhelmed with evasive thoughts running through my head. With all that happened, we have cleared everything up for the time being. With a huge heavy sigh, I push myself from my seat making my way to Levi's office.
///
Sitting on the couch in Levi's current office, in one of the Scouts headquarters, my head lays back closing my eye. It was a pain having gauze around my head, feeling hot and humid with it on.
Waiting for any further orders, I wanted some time to recollect my thoughts and what just occurred.
Wall Maria was breached, finding out Eren is a titan, the debate in the courthouse and now we're leaving to a old tower to keep Eren confined under our supervision. That's a lot in a few days.
Someone's palm rests across my forehead, making me flutter my eye open to meet with silver eyes. Not wanting to break our eyes awkwardly, but staring into them made me realise how much I really missed him. With everything we've gone through, I'm surprised he still talks and stays by me.
"Good, you're not running a fever," he quietly spoke, before I lift myself back up. I'm just feeling rather exhausted, not having a wink of sleep for a good few hours. "Thought I needed to get you to the nurse."
Shaking my head, "I'm fine, besides we need to start thinking of dispersing not much later than five in the morning,"
Humming softly, my back leans up against the couch taking in what little rest I needed.
"Eren is in the cell for now, we'll collect him when leaving," he adds, while sitting down beside me deeply exhaling. Rolling my head against the couch, I meet his eyes that glance my way. His arms rests behind my head, while propping his right leg over his left knee.
Poking his side playfully, "Aren't you supposed to be doing some paperwork?"
"Tch, that can wait......" he mutters, before feeling him slide his arm beneath my head. Pulling me closer my face becomes a little warmer, as my head rests against his shoulder. "....so how was the meeting with Erwin? You section Commander?"
Humming softly, I shook my head while closing my eye nestling closer.
"I'm still Corporal, by choice," I reply softly, feeling his hand lightly massaging my furthest shoulder from his.
"I see.........why is that? You had a perfect opportunity to be given a better title?" he questions sternly, while remain quiet only hear him click his teeth with annoyance. "Tch, seriously you're a weird brat to push away that kind of offer."
Chuckling tiredly, I close my eye feeling my exhaustion hit me.
"Because I wanted to remain beside you," I admit, not realising the wide eyes he held. He breaths more heavily, before fingers run through my hair slowly and gently. "I want to keep ourselves equal, so I can help you with anything we face together."
He remains quiet, while still gliding his fingers through my tousled locks.
"You don't have to say anything, all that matters, is that I'm still continuing my mission with you," I yawn tiredly, opening my eye slowly.
"Tch, idiot," he scoffs, while hearing him looking a little flustered. "You didn't need to do that, you could've just went up in the ranks.......not stay with me."
Silence falls between us, allowing my heart to beat faster.
Smiling softly, "I wanted too,"
With my time with Levi in the six years I've known him, but three years we spent I still felt comforted with his presence. He always put me at ease, even when he was in his most sour or stoic moods. I knew him well enough that he would help me, while I return the favour. I treasured that bond, especially when I needed someone.
"That reminds too.......where's Lena, is she around?" I question, sitting up I face him to see his ears red. Raising my eyebrow he clears his throat, untangling his fingers through my hair.
"Um.....she's actually on an errand, we won't see her till tomorrow morning," he replies, becoming stoic again. Rolling my eye playfully I stood up about to take my leave, only to feel his hand pull me back down in my previous spot.
"W-What?"
He faces me with a serious expression, "Just rest your damn head, seriously if you keep moving you'll collapse anytime soon," he scolds me, like a parent scolding a child. Puffing my cheeks, his arm wraps around and pulls me closer, using his chest as pillow this time.
Pouting like a child, "But your paperwork--"
"But nothing, just rest dammit!" he snaps vehemently, causing me to give in to his demands. Seriously where did this come from? I was only about to leave to give him space, but if he insists.
"Fine, bossy boots," I retort quietly, when feeling his heart racing beneath my ear. Smirking I close my eyes as my arms wrap around him, shuffling closer into him. His warmth soothes me, allowing my body to finally give in to my exhaustion.
"Dumbass," he mutters, knowing full well he won't leave me alone about it.
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