Pluviophile | Levi Ackermann × Reader |

| Chapter 4 | Kindled

I fastened my harness around my waist, ensuring it would hold the weight of the ODM gear and me combined. I flicked a piece of lint off my shoulder before throwing my leg over my horse and situating into the saddle, holding onto the reigns as my eyes pierced into the snow covered walls ahead.

The leather of the reigns tightened under my grasp as I led my horse forward to lead the formation, Erwin close on my side. With him he brought a group of four people.

"L/n, allow me to introduce your squad. Though, I'm sure you are already well acquainted with them," He dipped his head to his left, gesturing toward a man with short blonde hair and a rather scruffy beard- Though it suited him oddly. Before Erwin could introduce him, he was already introducing himself.

"Miche. We've met before," He stated with little to no emotion, staring off into the abyss shortly after. I knew him by small talk here and there around the headquarters or during expeditions. We were no strangers to eachother, but not necessarily friends either.

And then another figure appeared beside Erwin, their shadow casting over me, causing me to frown. I knew who this was.

Levi.

"I doubt there's a need for me to address myself," He said, a lot less friendly than he had been at the stables. I was somewhat taken aback by his unusual hostility. I knew he was known for his sharp tongue, but I had never experienced it first hand.

I wasn't intimidated, however, so I gave him a dull look as I only nodded in response to his words.

He returned the scowl, his entire demeanor had changed. I found it rather confusing, honestly.

Ignoring Levi, I shook hands with the other two Scouts; Xander and Harlin. I had met Harlin once before during my time as a cadet in training long ago, though we rarely spoke, so I suppose you could say nobody on this team was considered a friend.

The Commander spoke once again.

"I leave Captain Levi and Y/n in charge, you will heed to their orders and do as they say. Is that understood?" After seeing the nods, he rode off ahead of everyone, prepared to address the plan to those who were not yet filled in.

I once again took in nothing he said, my mind in a completely different land than the one it stood in. I met eyes with Levi, something I had already expected would happen. But this time, I didn't hold the stare.

"Stop it," I told myself, biting down on my lip to hopefully bring myself to reality. I need to stop letting myself be so worried over that dream. "Focus..." I whispered.

Disregarding my thoughts, I flipped the switch inside my brain that would allow me to bring this mission to a safe close. And after the Commander had called the signal, the Scout's raced outside the walls, me and Captain Levi leading the charge.
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||Chapter 4||
Kindled
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The soles of my shoe slid onto the surface of the saddle, balancing my weight as I clutched my blades in my hand, mouth ajar as I drank in the wind, preparing to hook myself onto the enormous trees that loomed ahead.

"Be on the lookout!" I shouted to my squad, all of them taking note of my warning- All except Levi, who kept his gaze averted away from me and on the forest ahead. "Switch to ODM as soon as we reach the first tree!"

And as soon as we did, I wasted not a single heartbeat in latching myself onto one, looping around the large branches with ease.

I had spotted a titan before it had time to reach the rest of the formation.

I swung onto the side of a tree, sticking there with the help of my hooks as I pointed the tip of my blade in the direction of the titan to signal it's approach. "10 Meter headed for the right wing!" I called out with urgency.