Pluviophile | Levi Ackermann × Reader |

|Chapter 32| Pluviophile

Tainted by the worlds filthy fingers, humanity has lost all hope for a future without a blood stained Earth. To fall captive to love is to wither away with the already-shriveled bodies stacked into a mountain of distant memories. Love is disdainful, yet beautiful.
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|Chapter 32|
Pluviophile
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I fastened the harness around my waist securely, feeling the leather rub against my fingers. My gear was strapped on firmly, and my hair was pulled back to limit any unwanted occurences. I pulled myself up onto Licht's saddle, watching intently as Captain Levi rode beside me. We headed for the wall, ready for the first expedition in nearly an entire month.

The sky was grey, the clouds hiding the sun. The air smelt of dew, and I could tell a storm was preparing to follow us into battle.

I had to swallow the knot in my throat. Levi looked at me, stepping over my fears. He was telling me that he'd be with me the entire time, and yet I couldn't shake the creeping feeling that clung to me.

When we reached the outside of the wall, it felt like my skin was peeling off my bones. But I shook my head and brought myself to focus. It was not the time to be wrapped up in a swaddle of terror.

I was skilled in battle, and Levi was with me.

I would be okay.

My thumb dragged across the gridded handle of my blade as I rode through the damp air. It had begun to rain, the drops turning the soil into mud, all of it splashing up the legs of the horses.

My mind drowned out the sounds of the flares that shot up and plunged through the grey clouds, adding to the fog that scoured the lands. I spit out some rain water that had accumulated in my mouth, my hair drenched in water.

It was hard to see in this weather, and my progressive heartbeat didn't make it any better. I faintly hear Levi's call to switch to ODM, balancing on the back of my horse before I dove into the air as soon as we reached a small forest on the south side of Wall Maria.

It was nothing compared to The Forest of Giant Trees, but it'd provide good hold and hiding.

I swung from branches, my wet hair sticking to my shoulders rather than lashing in the winds. It was an odd temperature out. Despite the cold drops of rain, the world was warm and silent.

There wasn't a single titan in view.

Squad Levi was stationed in the trees, and I stood right next to the Captain, his eyes venturing past the lands.

I placed my blades away when he did, and I held his hand firmly without looking over at him. I kept my eyes in search for titans, but never wavered my faith in Levi. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

If these really were my last moments with him, I didn't want to spend them fighting. But as a soldier I didn't get to pick what kind of valiant death I have.

"Stay close to me," Levi whispered over to me. "Don't fight."

I didn't want to leave the work to him, but arguing was futile.

When he saw a titan in the distance, he placed a kiss on my hand and hooked himself onto the next tree, and then onto the beast. I went as far as the tree ahead, but didn't pursue him any further.

He took down the titan smoothly before returning. The blood on his cloak dissipated, the rain washing some away.

The weight of the rain slowed us down. It was best to stay stationary until titans began to hoard the forests, attracted by the mass of humans.

I sat down and waited in the tree. The branch was thin, and the tree wasn't very tall. We weren't out of reach of titans, but none were spotted anywhere.