Hello you guys! Yes, I know it's been a long time since I've updated but believe me, I'm having a really hard time writing, especially writing Levi! This is a par of his life we almost have no knowledge about and I'm really trying to stay truth to the characters personality. That being said, there might be a little bit of OOC behavior, especially on Erwin's part. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I'll try to be back with more as soon as possible!
Chapter 11
It had been a week since she came back to the headquarters, a week since her argument with Erwin. She had been avoiding him and only accepted to talk to him during training or squad meetings. She even been making excuses to delay their work on the chest. It was petty, yes, but it was the only way she could get a little bit of revenge without dragging herself down.
It was sunny out and they were all waiting for their squad leader. Erwin had given them orders to wait for him in the training grounds. Hange was pestering Marcus about his new girlfriend, the girl he had encountered at the bar a couple of months ago, while Moblit tried to defend to poor guy. Mike and Nanaba were leaning in one of the training ground's fences, both of them had relaxed faces expect for the occasional glare of the woman towards Levi who was a few meters away from the others, leaning against a tree. As expected, Lily on the ground as far away as she could from the grey-eyed man. Nina sat with her back to back as she distractedly pulled the grass from beneath them.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting" Said their leader's voice. They immediately saluted him, all except for Levi who was walking towards the group. "We have a lot to discuss so I'll try to be as direct as possible." He signaled them to sit on the ground once again and began explaining the situation. "We are planning in having another expedition in a month, although it could take more than that to convince the higher-ups to give us the necessary budget so I'd say two months from now would be more accurate."
"Isn't it too soon for another expedition, the corps aren't well organized yet and we've lost too many people! Besides, there's some people who still haven't healed completely." Asked Moblit confused.
"That's right but this expedition will be different" he said pulling out a map. "Only a small part of the corps will participate in this expedition, we are talking thirty people top. We'll only reach the first supply point, it needs to be re-stocked, also we need to evaluate the damage caused by the storm. As you can see, it's quite simple, it should not last more than three days." He then sighed. "But then again, this mission has a peculiarity… As you clearly noticed, we've lost two squad leaders in the last expedition and we are in need of someone to take over their duties. That's why, Mike, starting tomorrow and up until after the expedition, you will be leading a small squad. Depending on how you perform, you may be filling in the position." He announced.
Mike was usually a very calm and collected guy so seeing his surprised, disbelieving face was truly something else. Suddenly, Hange's enthusiastic scream and hug pulled him out of his thoughts and, then again, surprised everyone. Despite his weird obsession with smelling others he was not really keen on touching them… Well, of course Nanaba was the exception to the rule.
Moblit ended up pulling Hange away from a still very confused Mike while Nifa and Marcus congratulated him.
"This is great! We should totally celebrate!" Expressed Hange with her usual energic antics.
"Wow, not so fast!" Exclaimed Nifa. "We still don't know if it'll be for sure. I'm sure you'll do great Mike but we shouldn't celebrate too early."
"Nifa has a point… There's other two cadets to be tested in the next expedition so I recommend you take this seriously, Mike. Starting tomorrow, you need to make the best of the squad you'll have. They'll probably allow you to pick one or two of your companions so think it over tonight." Said Erwin. "For now, this will be the last time you'll be training with this squad for at least two months so make the best out of it. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir!" Exclaimed Mike once again while saluting him receiving a pat on the back by his friend and Squad Leader.
"All right then, everyone. We'll begin with some hand to hand combat so pair up. Mike, you're with me. There's still something else I'll like to discuss."
The next day, Lily stood along with her squad waiting for the Commander to make the announcement. There was an empty spot in which Mike would usually stand.
"Lily… Are you okay? You've been very quiet lately…" Whispered Nifa taking advantage of the rest of the team being distracted. "Is everything fine?" Lily turned to look at her friend who looked at her with a little worry on her eyes.
"Yeah… This last expedition was a bit harsh on me." She said, giving her friend a small smile. "I just need some time to think everything over, I'll try to be back on my feet as soon as I can." Nifa seemed about to object when the Commander attracted everyone's attention.
"Attention!" He exclaimed making every soldier around him shut their mouths and perform the salute. "As you all know, last expedition took a toll on us and we lost two Squad Leaders along with many valuable members of the corps… As a result, we need someone to fill the position, we need someone to lead a squad." Explained the man gesturing to the three people behind him. "Mike Zacharias, Elise Rose and Eric Rogers will be tested in the up-coming expedition in order to decide who'd be a better pick for the position." All three of them moved forward as Shadis called their names. Beside Lily, Nanaba gave a grunt and rolled her eyes and it was easy to see why; she had always hated Rogers… Well, who wouldn't? The guy was an asshole. "The three of them will be leading a small squad each in the next expedition, four other soldiers beside themselves. As a small consideration, they were allowed to pick two of the soldiers they'd want in their squad so, once this meeting is over they'll approach the squad leaders of their respective picks, is that clear?" Everyone gave an affirmative response. "Not everyone is going to participate in this expedition, if you are expected to participate your Squad leaders will provide the information." With a hand gesture they were dismissed.
"I can't believe they're going to give that asshole the chance of becoming a Squad Leader." Said Nanaba crossing her arms over her chest.
"You're just saying that because you want Mike to get the position." Muttered Marcus earning a glare from the blonde. "But yeah, you're right… That guy is awful." They kept talking for a while until both Erwin and Mike approached them.
"So, are you feeling up to it, Mike?" Asked Hange patting him in the back.
"Well, I still need to prepare but I think I can do a decent job." Answered Mike, a little smirk on his face. "Actually, I was hoping to ask you… Nanaba, Marcus, would you be part of my squad for this expedition?" He asked looking at his companions.
"Of course!" Exclaimed Nanaba without thinking. "Well, if Squad Leader Erwin is fine with it, of course…" She said in a lower voice.
"We already discussed it, it's up to you to accept." Said Erwin, a small smile gracing his lips.
"We'll be there, man. After all, you'll need people you can trust out there." Marcus looked pretty happy at the prospect of being picked.
Sadly for them, their happiness didn't last much…
"Hey, Erwin!" Exclaimed a voice behind them. Nanaba and Hange groaned at the recognition of Rogers' voice, earning a pointed stare from Erwin that told them to behave. "Hey, what's up?" He didn't let the blond respond. "Look, thinking about the expedition and all, I really think I could use some muscle. Mind if I borrow your two guys over there?" He asked pointing at Marcus and Levi.
"I'm sorry to inform you that Mike already asked Marcus to accompany him. And Cadet Levi is still not used to our routine, given his circumstances I expect you to understand why I can't let him go on an expedition without being supervised." Levi didn't react to this. He didn't like feeling like they were babysitting him but he already didn't like Rogers.
"Well, he would be supervised, by me. And you are going in this expedition too, it's not like you won't know if something happens." Rogers insisted. Lily rolled her eyes at this. He really was a pain in the ass, couldn't he learn to take no for an answer.
"That would imply me doing part of your job which I don't think would look favorable in your results. I suggest you find better picks for your squad, remember that you only get two." Erwin seemed serious about this. Still, Rogers would not give up.
"C'mon! I think he could do with some more practice. You'll get nothing out of him if you keep him cupped up in here. What do you think, man? You want to be part of my squad?" He asked looking at Levi this time.
"I don't care. But I won't go against this guy's orders, get that around your head." Levi answered, his head gesturing towards Erwin.
"Well, why don't you think it over. You can tell me tomorrow." He said still refusing to leave them alone. "And well, to bad about Marcus but I'm sure that can be arranged. It would be great if you'd let me borrow Dekker instead." Lily fought the urge to roll her eyes. She couldn't stand this guy, how was she supposed to take orders from him?
"You seem to be on a row, Rogers. Cadet Dekker is not eligible for this expedition, she won't be participating in it."
"I'm sorry?" Lily asked, her brow furrowed. Erwin gave her pointed look, silently asking her to keep her mouth shut. Still, it was too late. Rogers had already noticed Lily's displeased look and the confusion in her eyes.
"Wow, one would think she'd be aware of that decision by now… Well, if you change your opinion let me know, Erwin. I'm sure I can save them a spot in my squad if that's what they want." He left with a smug smile on his face. Rogers was overly irritating but he was not stupid, and Lily was not good at hiding her emotions. He knew her anger might favor him in this case.
"All right then, Mike I'm sure you'll have a lot to discuss with your new squad members. If you seek Commander Shadis he should let you know who'll be conforming the rest of your squad." Mike nodded and made a silent sing to Nanaba and Marcus who followed him as he looked for Commander Shadis. "The rest of you, take fifteen minutes. We'll meet in the dining room to discuss the upcoming expedition. That'll be all for now." They all saluted him and left, leaving him and Lily behind.
"I'm guessing asking me to attend the meeting is a mere courtesy, considering you already decided to leave me out of it." Lily said, going straight to the point. She was not trying to hide her anger anymore.
"Lily, please can't you wait fifteen minutes? Everything will be explained in the meeting." Erwin asked, trying to calm her down.
"Don't you think it's too late for that now? You can tell me now and spare me from another one of your meetings." Erwin frowned and narrowed his eyes at her. Lily's fists were clenched at her sides as she did her best to maintain his gaze.
"I don't consider you to be in a good enough condition to head out so soon, that is all." He answered before quickly scanning their surroundings to make sure they weren't attracting any unwanted attention.
"What exactly do you mean by that? My injuries were superficial, they healed and even if they hadn't, there's still a month for the expedition. I am fine, Erwin, you saw me training yesterday." She tried reasoning with him.
"I didn't mean physically. You are clearly healthy and uninjured. It's your mental health the worries me."
"What?" Lily hushed with a shocked look on her face. She felt herself grow pale as she processed her superior's words.
"Yes, I've seen you train; yesterday and this whole week… You are not the same Lily that went outside the walls this last time. This is a simple expedition, the risks are way less than the last time. But in your current state you could get hurt easily or worst… That's why I personally asked Mike to refrain from asking you to join his squad, I don't think you're ready." As Erwin said this, Lily shook her head almost frantically.
"So, what are you going to do? Keep me cooped up in here?" She was trying hard not to lose her composure and snap at him. "Don't you think I should get a say in this? Or that you should at least have discussed it with me first?"
"I was planning to do so today, but Rogers forced me to make the decision before I got the chance to talk to you about it. Besides, this expedition is no more than a simple replenishing mission. Why do you have so much interest in going?" He didn't realize they had gotten closer to each other as they argued.
"That's not it, Erwin! I would have been totally fine with staying. I would have been okay with it as long as you had come up to me and discuss it, face to face, instead of going to Mike, behind my back, and tell him not to choose me for his squad." The effort she was making to keep herself from screaming felt almost inhuman. She had never been this angry with Erwin before. She crossed her arms over her chest and took a deep breath before talking once again. "I want to go… And I want to accept Rogers' proposal."
"You just said you don't care about going or not! Which is it, Lily? I can't keep up arguing with you all day." He was also losing his patience, ever since that disagreement in his office Lily had not been acting like herself. He had done his best to understand and give her time, but this was too much, this was downright insubordination.
"Well, I didn't. But now it seems like my Squad Leader does not trust me and I have to prove myself to him and, as you said, we have no time to keep arguing and if I go as part of your squad we surely will… So I want to go as part of Rogers' squad." A part of her couldn't believe the words that came out of her own mouth… After six years of working together, and her crush on the guy, she neve thought she'd be willingly walking away from him.
"Fine… I'll allow you to be a part of Rogers' squad. I'll just have you know, that if he succeeds and gets that promotion, you'll probably be transferred to his squad permanently…" Erwin explained, his eyes as cold as ice.
"Good… Then you wouldn't have to endure my presence in your squad, you'll still have access to my father's journals; which I think is the only thing that makes you keep me her nowadays, and we'll be out of each other's hair. Everyone wins." She sighed as she finished, she had lost control. Shaking her head, trying to get her ideas in order she began walking away. "I better go find Rogers before he harasses other people about being part of his team…"
"Cadet Dekker." He stopped her on his tracks. "Just wanted to make clear that if Rogers does not succeed, you'll still be part of my squad. I think you know that I don't take insubordination lightly and I'll make sure you receive a fitting punishment once we're back inside the walls." He saw her fists clenching at his threat. "And please, don't forget you are expected to offer a salute every time you leave or enter the presence of a superior." With this, she turned and gave him a quick salute along with a death glare before walking away once and for all.
Nifa couldn't help but frown… She had expected to see three, not four members of the squad missing at the meeting. She couldn't be happier for Mike, he deserve a chance to prove his skills as a leader and of course it was sad to be separated from Marcus and Nanaba too but she was certain they'd be in good hands… But when Erwin told them Lily had decided to accept Rogers offer and join his squad, she felt like someone had punched her in the gut… The rest of the meeting went in a blur as she half listened to Erwin's words.
"So, as you can see, we are already four members down. In this expedition, I'm mostly expected to monitor the three soldiers that are being tested. I have orders not to intervene unless is absolutely necessary and, if possible, with the commander's permission to do so. Due to this, I think just one of you will be able to accompany me outside the walls, the rest of you will stay inside and carry on with your duties as usual. Understood?" Explained Erwin, his hands over the table as he looked at what was left of this team nodded. "Good… Hange, you'll be the one to participate in this expedition, we'll discuss the details tomorrow. You are all dismissed." He finished as all his companions got up from their chairs, one of them emitting a characteristic "Yahoo" before leaving the room. He lifted his gaze once more to see the petite red-headed girl still sitting in front of him, a worried look on his face. "Is there a problem, Nifa?"
"Squad Leader, of course there's a problem…" Her tone denoted her irritation and Erwin's frown deepened; he had no energy left to deal with a discussion again. "You assured me you wouldn't put Lily in danger in her current state. Why would you let her go out on the expedition? Why would she accept being a part of Rogers' squad? She hates that guy!"
"Believe me, Nifa, I tried… In the end, it was her decision to go with Rogers and trying to stop her would just be a waste of time." He sighed. "Has she improved? In any way?"
"Not that I've noticed… She thinks we do not realize but she has troubles sleeping, she keeps stirring, having nightmares or simply does not sleep at all… She's nervous and jumpy when she's awake and during last training session she kept losing her concentration and kept looking elsewhere as we sparred." Nifa explained, her eyes still filled with worry. Erwin sighed as he took this information in, his mind working quickly to formulate a plan.
"Look, I know that you are worried. I know the whole squad is worried but it was her decision to participate in the expedition. True, Rogers is not the most amicable person but he is skillful and, considering his position, he will aim to have his squad come back in one piece…" He tried to calm her down but. "Nifa, I need to ask you a favor… Could you please look for Levi and ask him to come to my office as soon as possible?" He got up from his sit, ready to walk away. "I know how you are feeling right now, believe me. It's now too late to change Lily's opinion but I promise I'll make everything I can to make sure she comes back in one piece… Okay?" He asked putting his right hand on Nifa's shoulder, the read-headed girl only gave him a reluctant nod. "Good… Tell Levi I'll be waiting for him."
Erwin sat on his desk feeling a lot of weight on his shoulders. He needed to calm down before his frustration got the better of him but this whole ordeal was proving to be too much. He'd rather deal with developing a new formation all over again, that was much easier than dealing with this splintering that was going on in his squad. A soft knock on the door made him abandon his thoughts.
"You wanted to see me?" Asked Levi as he entered the room after Erwin's affirmative response.
"Yes, please take a sit." He gestured to the chair in front of the desk. Levi did as he was ordered and simply stared at him, waiting for Erwin to explain the situation to him. Erwin knew better than to try and start small talk, so he went straight to the point. "I want you to accept Rogers' offer and join his squad."
"I thought you said I couldn't go without supervision." He said, his expression not changing.
"I'll arrange everything with the Commander. I trust you'll know how to behave…" Erwin's tone gave away the warning in the statement.
"Tch, does this have something to do with Dekker going to the expedition?"
"As a matter of fact, yes it does… I don't just want you to go, I want you to make sure she comes back safely."
"If that's what you want, I'll go. But I don't think I'm the right person to do that. In case you are stupid and haven't noticed yet, Dekker and I don't really get along."
"I know…" He answered ignoring Levi's insult. "That's why I'm sending you and not somebody else. Make her trust you, I can have two of my soldiers refusing to work together." Looking up, he saw a mild irritation in Levi's eyes and half expected him to deny his orders.
"Fine. If she comes back crying, don't blame me." He turned and left. Erwin decided not to temp his luck by reminding him he had yet to be dismissed. Instead he sighed resting his head in his hands as he silently wished for the next expedition to arrive sooner.
