AN: So I'm sure a fair number of you were probably thinking "goddammit, another ongoing story that will never be finished. ah well, may as well follow and see if it'll ever be updated." Well, first of all let me apologize with how long it took me to update. If it makes you feel any better, I now have the first 8 chapters laid out and a general plot going.

Now, I also just caught up on the manga last night (about 1 week after setting the plot) and it turns out that some of my ideas are actually...canon. I went through a brief moment of panic last night debating if I'd continue this story or not because of that. I've (obviously) decided to continue.

So if you're wondering this story starts at the end of the Female Titan Arc. I did this because I started this story while watching the anime, and before reading the manga at all. There may be some parallels to the manga, but at this point (and through ch. 8) those are coincidence.

ALSO since I have 3 ongoing stories now, I decided to make a kind of order of updates. The order will be Insubordinate, The Alley Out Back, then Fallout. Why am I telling you this? Because if you are a guest/just want to see how long till the next update, you can pop over to my author page and see which was updated last. This will hopefully mean you should see an update roughly every 3 weeks. (but we all know that's a joke)

As always, if you see any weird irregularities/glaring typos let me know.

TLDR: Updates approx. every 3 weeks, story starts at end of Female Titan Arc. Enjoy the chapter!

Ackerman arrived at sunrise, bringing their horses along. For a moment, Levi almost asked her how she found them. Then he remembered: he didn't want to know. An unspoken rule passed from him to Eren; don't talk about the events from last night, or else.

"Eren!" The girl clutched his hands earnestly within her own the moment they emerged from the farmhouse. "Are you alright? Do you hurt anywhere?"

Levi did an excellent job of ignoring the two of them, instead walking right to his horse. His body was still stiff from the day before, but he managed to ignore it, instead focusing on the mission to come. But he did need a fresh change of clothes; sleeping in the same pair was disgusting.

"Yeah…" Came Eren's response. "I'm fine."

Levi knew the other's eyes were burning into the back of his head, but ignored it completely. He could deal with Jäger and the problems that came along with him later. Right now they had to meet back up with the rest of their team and continue on the assignment.

"You two can have your little reunion later." He mounted his horse. "Move out." And he rode out without checking to see if they were following behind him or not.

The mission itself was simple; research needed to be done, and with Sawney and Bean dead, they needed new test subjects. And so Levi's team was sent out. Despite Eren's compulsive need to disobey orders, the Corporal was positive they would succeed. After all, if they didn't he'd never hear the end of it from Hanji.

They met with the rest of the squad at the watchtower. Levi dismounted and tossed his reins at one of the newer recruits, informing him to take care of the horses and meet up with everyone after. Eren and Ackerman arrived not long afterward.

"The second objective of the mission," he announced when everyone had arrived, "is to capture a titan or two for research." Nobody reacted at the announcement; they'd already known ahead of time. A benefit of having the 104th trainees as his subordinates was their lack of shock at the parameters. They'd already had to witness the Colossal Titan breach the wall and had been a part of the two operations to capture the Female Titan. This was nothing.

"Springer, Kirschstein, and Braus will remain mounted in order to bring the titans out. The rest of us will lay in wait. The three of them will draw the titans to where we can use the Maneuver Gear, the same location as yesterday, before switching to their own Gear and joining us. Any questions?"

Unsurprisingly, Eren raised his hand. Equally unsurprisingly, Levi chose to ignore him. "Grab your gear." There was a general bustling as everyone made to move out. He saw Eren weaving his way through the others, trying to get to him before he left. Levi ducked out, leaving the other staring around in confusion, wondering where his corporal went.

Levi naturally waited until Eren cornered him in the stables before he informed the boy he wouldn't be participating in the mission. The brunet had been in the midst of saddling his mount when Levi found him.

"Sir I think you're being –"

"Eren," Levi responded calmly, not even looking at the brunet who was practically foaming at the mouth. "You remember what I said last night?"

That took the other for a spin. "W-w-what does that have to do with anything?" The brat spluttered, averting his eyes.

"I said I would punish you." The corporeal continued emotionlessly. "This is your punishment."

The fire returned as Eren met Levi's gaze. "Waiting for the horses? Sir! That's hardly fair! I want to kill titans! I'm here to –"

"We aren't planning to 'kill all the titans', shitty brat. You would know that if you were listening to something other than yourself."

"Fine! I want to capture titans then! Let me do this!" Levi raised his eyebrow. "Sir!" The other amended.

The older man clicked his tongue in an irritated fashion, eyes darting to the saddle now abandoned on the floor. "Look here, shitty brat, this isn't the first time we've captured a titan. Normal humans were able to do this before, and normal humans will be able to do this again. You're transforming ability isn't necessary. Now unsaddle your horse. Is that clear?" Eren wasn't responding. Shitty, shitty brat. If he had to tell him to obey one more time…

The look on the boy's face stopped Levi's thought process for a split second. Eren was standing there, still holding his horse's reins but something was off. He wasn't embarrassed and spluttering, he wasn't defiant, he wasn't…Eren. It was unnerving.

But that was only for a second. In no time at all, Levi regained his composure. It was as if the moment of thoughtlessness never existed. "I said: is that clear?" His voice dropped into the dangerous level, promising Eren a slow, twisted death if he didn't respond soon.

"Yes, sir," the brunet said at last, still wearing the same listless expression, still refusing to look up at his commanding officer.

Levi stalked out, irrationally irritated, to check on the others. He was almost immediately intercepted by one wearing a red scarf. "Sir –" She began before being instantly cut-off.

"I don't have time for this Ackerman, we have a mission to complete."

But she was nothing if not persistent. "I was just wondering if it's wise for you to fight with us." His head jerked toward her at this, but her expression remained neutral.

"I don't believe it's your place to question a commanding officer." The words came out in a harsh growl.

"Eren mentioned you were injured, practically immobile yesterday, sir. Perhaps you should rest."

"Enough." Hearing the green-eyed boy's name was enough for the Corporal to lose what little patience he had. "Saddle your horse and prepare to leave. I won't hear any more questions from you." This time, when he walked away from the graduate of the 104th training division, he didn't go anywhere that would allow another one to appear.

Eren heard, more than saw, Levi and the others leave. He could almost see Mikasa's face when she realized he wouldn't be joining. At first she'd be irritated the corporal didn't tell her anything, then she'd be relieved she wouldn't have to 'take care' of him.

Because, after all, he was just a nuisance.

He'd meant to fight Levi until the end about not at least participating in the mission – this was why he was allowed to be here, allowed to live – but then he'd said it. The one thing Eren didn't want to hear. Not from him.

Normal humans were able to this before.

Because it was true, wasn't it? He wasn't normal; he was a monster. And he'd almost forgotten about that, almost let himself believe he was a human again. But then he remembered; he wasn't really human. He was just a monster.

Mechanically, he unsaddled his mount.

So this was what he was left to do. Wait while everyone else risked their lives yet again, and collect the horses as they returned. What a joke.

Here he'd wasted his life training, dreaming of the day he'd join the Scouting Legion and finally get to kill all the titans. He'd even had Annie teach him her special hand-to-hand combat skills.

Something painful twisted in his stomach at the thought, and he quickly changed to another before he could continue down that path.

He was Eren Jäger, virtually ordinary. He wasn't the brightest in their class; that was Armin. He wasn't the strongest; that was Reiner. And he certainly wasn't the best; that was Mikasa. The only thing he had was his determination, his stubbornness. Without them, he was just another mediocre guy who could do mediocre things with some gas in tubes attached to his hips.

You're not needed.

Fuck… He slipped down into the hay, blanket in hand. I'm so useless right now.

He leaned his head back against the wall, trying to think of something to distract him from his current train of thought. An image of Levi lying on that bed the night before swam through his mind. Unconsciously, Eren closed his eyes, remembering.

The corporal had looked so lost for some reason. His muscles had all seized up in shock, and he was unable to move. Eren supposed he'd felt helpless – probably about as helpless as Eren himself felt now – relying on his subordinate like that.

And he'd always wanted to kiss Levi.

But he hadn't realized what he was doing until it was too late. He tried to fix it, tried to back away before he was murdered by the shorter man.

So it came as a shock when Levi had pulled him back down. For a moment he pretended it meant something; Levi wanted him too. But then the other had taken it further, and Eren realized that the want the Corporal had for him and the want he had for the Corporal weren't quite the same.

And now he was being punished for it.

He shook himself mentally, standing up and moving to unbridle his horse. This was worse than a beating, this waiting. Levi probably knew it too. He probably knew it was killing Eren inside, waiting to find out which of his friends lived and which didn't.

SLAM. He threw his fists into the wall of the stable, causing his horse to jump. He needed to stop thinking if he was going to be of any use when the others returned.

The first horses arrived not long after Eren finally managed to brush his own down. He collected them as they ran in, taking them into the stables and unsaddling them in turn. He concentrated on the movement of his hand, ensuring everything was done perfectly. This was as much to appease the Corporal as it was to calm his own mind. Having something to do helped.

Soon, all but four of the mounts had returned, and all he had to do was wait for everyone. The sun was beginning to ride low in the sky, and Eren was starting to countdown until the time he went out in search of them despite orders, when shouts reached his ears. He bit down on his lower lip nervously, wondering if the sounds were those of victory or defeat. More than anything he didn't want to see a memento of the dead: the pieces of pocket symbolizing someone was once a member of the Legion, or a bit of red cloth that came from Mikasa's scarf…

"Eren! Yo!" A figure burst out of the trees and ran toward him. With the sun glaring on his face, Eren had a hard time telling who it was until they were closer.

"Connie…?"

The boy in question was now standing practically breathless in front of him, grinning from ear to ear. "Check out what we got." He gestured behind him to the rest of the group now emerging. Four were mounted, dragging what looked like two titans behind them. So they really had succeeded. Silently, Eren counted the silhouettes approaching, releasing the breath he hadn't realized he was holding in a sigh at the number. Everyone was there. Everyone survived.

This had to be a new record.

One of the mounted figures jumped down as they reached Eren, tossing the green-eyed boy the reins. When he saw it was Jean, he scowled, but the other simply smirked. "Connie here will tell you he helped, but I'll let you in on a little secret; he didn't."

The other practically screeched in response. "I did too, Jean! Don't go telling lies just because you're a dick!"

"You're ridiculous, both of you." Sasha dismounted next.

"Even Sasha was more useful than you this time." Jean continued.

"Hey!"

"I was just as useful as she was!" Connie retaliated.

"No you weren't." Jean turned back toward Eren, who was listening to them in a state of relieved shock. "You should've seen it. She did this crazy thing with her blades and shot them out like some kind of arrow…"

"Just because she had a cool move did not make her better…!"

"Then Mikasa, well was awesome as usual, and brought the 9 meter class down to its knees practically singlehandedly…"

"Are you even listening to me Jean?! I was just as valuable a team member as Sasha…"

"And I swear Reiner and Berdholt have been doing this since they were born because…"

"Enough." A colder voice broke through their conversation. "It's still daylight, which means there are still titans wandering about." Levi dismounted, tossing his reins blindly at Eren – who managed to catch them without difficulty. "The titans still need to be contained. Leave Jäger to his task." The green-eyed boy could swear the other gave him a condescending glance before stalking away.

Fine. It's not like he waited for them all day worrying if anyone had died. Leave him to his task of 'taking care of the horses'. See if he cared. He pulled the reins harsher than he meant as he led them away and got a snort from Levi's black mount in response.

At that moment, a scream rang out through the air.

He spun around, fearing the worst, not even realizing he'd released his grasp on all the horses. What he saw was a nightmare.

The larger of the captured titans had managed to wriggle free from its bonds somehow, and now had Connie in one hand. Eren supposed he was the one who screamed. The titan raised its fist toward its mouth, the intention clear, and Eren didn't think. He just acted. He brought his own hand to his mouth, biting down harshly on his thumb.

In the end it happened so fast. One moment, he was directing the group in charge of securing the 5 meter titan in how to properly secure it for the night; the next, there was a scream followed immediately by loud footsteps charging toward them.

Levi should've been more surprised, really. But the fact Eren had transformed into a titan and was now beating the one who had been holding one of the new squad members in its hand was not unexpected. He clicked his teeth together in irritation before turning to the members still securing the 5 meter.

"Continue your job. I will handle this." They nodded. Those two at least knew how to obey orders. The others should take a leaf out of their book. Especially Eren. That disrespectful, arrogant, baby-faced…

He activated his 3D gear, latching onto the nearest tree trunk. Eren had to be stopped. When he was in this state, he would rage until his strength gave out, and they needed at least one test subject. The entire mission would be marked as a fail if they couldn't manage that. And quite honestly, they didn't need any more failures. Not after last time.

The Corporal flew into the air as the rogue titan punched his arm straight through the other's neck, out the side where the weak spot was. The 9 meter fell to the ground. Levi ignored that, instead focusing on changing his trajectory to land on the other's shoulder. He would cut that stupid, insolent, shitty brat out of this titan body and give him a beating like he had never known.

As he landed, the large titan's body gave a huge shudder, nearly throwing Levi back off. Were he anyone less, he would've fallen. The rogue titan shuddered again, this time collapsing down onto its knees. Levi thrust one of his blades into its skin, not daring to jump off and allow Eren to escape the now guaranteed beating.

There was a loud growl, and then Eren himself was ejected from the back of its neck. It wasn't like the first time Levi had met the brat, when Ackerman and the other blond one pulled him out. No. This time the boy was literally thrown out of the titan's body.

Levi relinquished his hold on his blade, instead jumping up to catch the other in midair, before landing a bit away from the now rapidly disappearing body. The boy still had bits of titan flesh on him, which were leaving dark red burn marks as they, too, disappeared.

Something was wrong. Eren was normally, well, conscious when he came out of his titan form. But this time he wasn't. This whole mission, something had felt off about the brat, but Levi couldn't quite put his finger on it. This was the last straw.

"Ackerman."

"Yes, sir." She appeared immediately beside him, and he wondered just how far away she'd been to begin with. A quick survey of her appearance revealed her internal thoughts. She was gazing intently at Eren's unmoving form in his arms, fists clenched tightly at her sides. Everything about her reeked of concern for the boy.

"Get back on your horse. You're going to take Eren back to Hanji now." She nodded curtly, walking back to grab her mount. He rose and followed her, easily holding the brat's body. The brat felt lighter than he remembered. It concerned him slightly.

When he reached Ackerman, one of the obedient boys from earlier – he couldn't remember their names, and he wasn't sure it was worth it to try – lifted Eren onto the horse for him. "Take him straight to Hanji, understand? No hospitals. No doctors. Just Hanji."

The girl nodded, her lips drawn together in a thin, straight line. With a final nod, Levi released his hold on the horse's reins – when had he grabbed them again? – indicating her dismissal. She was about to ride out when another thought struck him. "Wait."

He turned back to the blond who had helped him with Eren. "You. Go with her." The other nodded, and within moments the two of them were racing through the growing darkness back to the wall.