Rough Edges (Levi Ackerman X Reader)

Chapter 8 - True Colors

Levi's POV

I look down at the reins in my hands as we make our way through the city. Closing my eyes I try to clear my head to get her out of my mind.

You idiot. You were just supposed to get close enough to learn more about Erwin, not develop feelings.

Some child's voice chanting her name pulls me out of my thoughts, I look over and see her run over to three kids. They looked so happy to see each other. After talking for a little bit she hugged and kissed them goodbye before running back.

I look back down, not wanting to make eye contact. She comes off reserved and cold, but underneath she deeply cared and was always willing to help someone in need. And we're gonna repay her by killing one of her best friends and disappearing from her life.

How did it come to this?

In my peripheral field I see her go to mount her horse, but she pauses and looks over. Don't look, don't look, it'll only hurt more . Luckily she quickly turns away and gets up, putting her attention forward.

I start to think back when we first arrived at the Survey Corps HQ. Everyone gave us dirty looks and treated us differently since we were from the Underground. But she immediately took us under her wing and treated us with kindness. Isabel was the one to point her out, she seemed close with the Commander and was a cadet as well, it was the perfect opportunity.

Looking up I see the gates slowly rise and wind rushing out, Erwin raises his sword and shouts "Let the 23rd Reconnaissance Mission commence!" We all rush through the gates and enter the open fields. 

I glance over to see Isabel and Farlan in awe of the sky, "Incredible!"

I look up myself, admiring the blue sky, "Ah, not bad."

(Y/N) turns around and shouts "Hey, Magnolia, eyes forward, you have to stay focused unless you want to get eaten."

We were riding for a few minutes until the booming of loud footsteps could be heard. Flagon shouts "Two fifteen meters approaching from the front!"

Another soldier shouts, "Two more fifteen meters approaching from the rear!"

We turn around to see two titans waving their arms and charging towards us. Farlan looks shocked, "T-that's a titan?"

I felt a slight twinge of fear as I saw them closing in on us, I don't necessarily care about dying, it's Isabel and Farlan that I'm afraid of losing. Erwin's voice booms across the field, "Ready your maneuver gear and prepare to engage! Mike and Flagon take the front, (Y/N) take the rear!"

She flies past us, getting in a crouched stance and readying her blades. Isabel calls out "Be careful!"

We watch her soar up to a tree next to the titans, both turn to her and go to grab her. She moved extremely fast and before we could even process anything, she killed the first titan. Within seconds the other titan was dead on the ground and she was riding towards us. I've seen her train with ODM gear, but watching her on the field was completely different. She seemed to be able to calculate every one of her movements and keep track of surroundings.

She rides next to me, "I hope you newbies took notes."

I give her a half-smile, "Not bad Johansen." I didn't want to say her first name, it was too painful. She had no idea what we are planning. She rides up back front next to Erwin, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly jealous seeing them so close. Christ Levi, get a grip, you're here to do a job and that's it, you can always find someone else. But in the back of my mind, I knew that wasn't the case.