Promise me [Levi Ackerman x OC]

XIX: Spirit

After the failure of expedition, Levi limited himself to help the others download the carts. His heart hasn't accepted yet the fact his friends has died in the field.

What would have happened if he didn't leave them alone? But the words of Erwin still in the back of his thoughts repeated on and on.

"If you begin to regret, you'll dull your future decisions and let others make your choices for you. All that's left for you then is to die. Nobody can foretell the outcome. Each decision you make holds meaning only by affecting your next decision."

He was determined to move on and follow Erwin in his task of giving the humanity it's freedom. He will not die, he will not regret his decisions and he will do what it takes to revenge his fallen friends and all the people that have died fighting making their sacrifice worth it.

While he was carrying some wooden boxes with the garrisons he watched the crazy woman, which was coordinating, ran away. Following with his gaze, he found Hazel crying in pain looking through a list beside the corpses of the cadets.

Damn, she knows I couldn't took care of them, how will I face her?

He watched from afar how the two friends went in the main building and kept doing his duties.

The nightmares haunted Levi that night, with the lack of sleep he hoped to see Hazel the next day around the barracks, but she never showed. Erwin called him into his office before the dinner to inform Lovof's situation.

"I see. She went through the court and defended us." All the time after the incident of his friends, he was looking for her, somehow to feel a reassurance but hadn't found her.

"You are free from that criminal. I'm assuming you are staying willingly now."

"I was going to stay anyways." This is what his friends would like him to do and his opportunity to approach Hazel after a long time.

"I like that spirit, you have gained my respect, soldier. Your abilities are required in the regiment."

"Whatever you say, Commander."

"The higher ups want to meet you, I'll introduce you." He notice Levi's disgusted face. "Try to act decent with this people."

Both entered the mess hall and found soldiers gathered in groups which turn their gazes to them, then started to talked to each other again. Levi has gained the attention of every person since they found he killed the abnormal making him uncomfortable.

They walked to a group where former commander Shadis was, along with Captain Miche and other three men. Erwin introduced them as the Premier Zachary, the Garrison's commander, Dot Pyxis and Nile Dawk from the Military Police. Levi saluted the older ones politely but Nile, both gave each other a despised look.

Considering that in the past the Military Police had wanted to arrest Levi, it was obvious that Nile had opposed to recruit him into the scouts and still had his doubts. And Levi has always hate the Military Police for the negligence of the underground city.

Levi wasn't used to people paying attention to him, his comrades were telling about the expedition and how Levi's skills were exceptional to the three higher ups, he just was listening and nodding when needed while zipping wine to bear the moment.

The announcing scream of the bald man interrupted the current conversation of the Premier, bringing Hazel and Hange, both with a fake smile. Levi couldn't take his eyes from Hazel, his concern grew adverting her face still a bit swollen and her reddish eyes.

She had been crying.

He realized he was staring at her when she quickly looked to the floor to avoid his look. He changed his attention to the Premier who wanted to kept his boring talking but Erwin stop him in order to save the ladies from the uncomfortable situation they were involved.

As Hazel excuse themselves to leave he kept on looking at her trying to figure how to talk to her. They reunited with other girls while drinking like everybody else and once in a while he turn his head to take look at Hazel not taking attention to the men with him.

⟿

At the time the female leaders made their way in, the group of men cheered up even more, proving they were already drunk.

"My favorite ladies!" The two of them forced a smile to the Garrison commander who throw both arms over the shoulders of each lady in invitation to join them. "Captain, Hazel, we missed you the other day you had to leave, we were expecting to celebrate the achievement of Lovof's conviction." Hazel looked at Levi quickly but couldn't stand it and looked at the floor. "Captain, Zoe, it's been a long time."

"Been busy around here, sir."

"I was telling the gentlemen how I tortured the man, I really enjoyed myself, want to hear it?" Premier Zachary was proud of his doing.

"I think the ladies may want to have dinner first, right?" Erwin interfered knowing both were uncomfortable.

"Right!" the two friends yelp at the same time.

"If you excuse us, gentlemen." Hazel tried to be polite finally looking up and came across with Levi's sight again who was deeply watching her, and lightly blushed. Both made a short bow and withdraw from there.

They found a table and suited themselves into it serving a glass of wine.

"Thanks heavens Erwin saved us." Hange zipped from her glass and throw her head to the back of the chair.

"What is Levi doing with them?" Hazel kept looking to the group from the conner of her eyes taking care not being caught.

"Maybe they are just good friends now. Leave it for now, Hazel, we came to drink. Cheers." She rose her cup to cling it with Hazel's glass.

"Are we invited?" said Nanaba taking a seat in the table along with other ladies, Anka and Rico, both from the Garrison Regiment, all together made a toast.