"Take someone with you."
Levi let out a humored exhale, but there was no sign of humor in his face. "I don't need someone with me."
"I know," the Commander sighed, turning from the window shortly after Levi did to watch him leave. "But it would make me feel better."
The Captain stopped, cheek turned toward Erwin, for only a moment. "Do you want to go, Commander?"
"I-... too busy here, Levi. So much paperwork... ask one of the soldiers," he sighed, shuffling papers (most likely related to the situation at the capital) on his desk.
Levi then continued onward.
If Eren had not still been recovering from his momentous fight, Levi wouldn't object to taking him along. He went over the available soldiers in his mind. Of the few who weren't currently sticking to Eren's bedside, none of them were capable enough to handle themselves completely against a Titan; none of them would be coming along. Gunther had especially liked to come along on these unofficial scouting trips - but Levi had not had company on one since he last ventured out with Gunther.
Levi's eyes lowered as he caught the sun's glare after he'd mounted his horse and let it trot at its own pace away from the castle.
These trips had been kept mostly secret, but if anyone asked Erwin, he would defend its purpose as Titan-killing practice. Everyone knew Levi needed no practice. Eren, on the other hand... well, he supposed there would be time for practice. For now, Levi was free to have a field day with these human enemies.
The further he and his horse got from the Scouting base, the faster he made her gallop. At first he let her wander with little direction - she'd been boxed in her stall since they'd all returned from their meeting (and Eren's fight with the female Titan) at the capital a week ago, and she first had to stretch her legs. Only then would she be at her peak to bring Levi to the Titans. When he was satisfied with her gallop, he pulled the reigns toward the side. They were now far from the castle and heading toward a long-abandoned little settlement, where a Titan lingered aimlessly until he caught scent of Levi on the wind.
It was common - nothing particularly special. With a large head that was undoubtedly the largest part of its seven-meter-tall body it, frankly, bored him. Still, he had to kill it. He whipped the reigns on the black Warlander before drawing his blades, waiting until the Titan was close enough to shoot the grapple-hooks into its skin.
He jumped from the saddle and was pulled upwards with the cords, swinging around the Titan to shoot the hooks into its back this time. His heart raced as wind forced his hair away from his face. He habitually retracted the grappling hooks and shot them on the opposite side of the Titan, watching as it reached out to grab him. In a matter of seconds he had swung above the nape of its neck, suspended for only a moment in the air, then came down and cut a gash into it with an incredible force.
Levi stood tall in the grass and watched as steam emitted from the gash - and slowly, the rest of its body. He turned and mounted his horse, circled around to survey the area for any more Titans, and had just began to head to the east when he heard a bark. His ear twitched and he turned his horse around.
Through the steam, he saw a very faint shadow of a creature. It was smaller than a human - so certainly not a Titan, unless he was looking at a new variety that didn't pose a threat at all.
". . .Dog?" he exhaled loudly and saw a tail wag. Levi sat still on his horse. It barked again.
A long moment passed. The wind continued to sway strands of hair from his forehead. Finally the animal became visible as it stepped closer to him through the gray veil. Its fur was a mix of brown and black, with dark circles around its eyes - like a raccoon. It was large, so much so that the Captain imagined that if it jumped, its paws would come up to his shoulders. It looked excited to see him. Levi stared, face blank as he reached back into his horse's saddlebags and pulled out a slice of bread. He tore a piece away from the mass and tossed it into the grass before the dog, watching as it eagerly searched the ground for the food. He tossed more bread to the ground.
It must've come from a village on the outskirts - or maybe escaped from inside the walls when Titans had attacked. Either way, it was friendly and hungry. It wouldn't do much in the fight against human predators, but it was against Levi's nature to turn it away. He was slightly disappointed that he had only killed one Titan before finding this dog, but his duty was now to lead it back to the castle. He did just that.
"Oh, Leviii!" Hange cried happily, throwing her arms around the equally excited dog. Levi walked alongside his new companion and fellow soldier, slightly drowning out her usual 'melting' over such animals as he led his horse back to the stables. He'd handed her the chunk of bread and Hange fed the dog slowly; it was eating so fast it'd choke if given too much at once. "She's so cute! Are you keeping it? ...Where are her puppies?"
Levi stopped in his tracks, was silent for a moment, then questioned, "Her puppies?"
"Oh, yes! See?" Hange gently pet under the dog's stomach, feeling along its hanging underside. "She's lactating - milk for her puppies! She gave birth recently. - Where are you going?" she called after him after he'd turned around with his horse, leading it back to the gate.
"Going to get her puppies."