Sorry this chapter is kinda short! Don't forget to review!

Chapter 21

There was a knock on the door. Levi sat behind his desk, mug of tea in his hand as he poured over the recent reports from the German front. He glanced up from the papers on his desk.

"Who is it?"

The door opened a crack. Eren peeked his head in.

"It's me, sir."

Levi gestured for him to come in, returning his attention the papers on his desk. Eren stepped inside.

"Close the door," Levi commanded. Eren did as he was told and took another step. "And for God's sake, wipe your feet before you come in! It's disgusting…." Again Eren obeyed the command and wiped his muddy boots on the mat in front of the door. "What do you want?" Levi asked tersely.

Eren saluted him in the same awkward fashion, standing at attention with his right fist over his heart. It was weird, but oddly familiar. But Levi had gotten used to it. It was something Eren insisted on doing when greeting his commanding officers—Levi and Erwin.

"I received a telegram from Armin a little while ago. It contains some of the German's upcoming strategies."

He tapped the desk with his index finger. "Leave it here. I have a lot of other shit to get through before I can read it."

"But, Corporal, it's urgent that—"

Levi glared up at him. Eren clamped his mouth shut.

"I don't recall giving you permission to backtalk me, brat."

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Hmph." Levi crossed one leg over the other. Leaning across the desk, he gestured with his index finger for Eren to come closer. Eren obeyed. "I don't think I ever got the full story of how you found the camp we were trapped in. Even though you've explained before, I can't quite understand why you'd go so far for a bunch of Jews?"

"B-because…you're my friends. And I wanted to help you."

"Seems excessive just for friendship. Why risk your life for it?"

Eren glanced nervously at his feet. "Sir, I don't think now is the time—"

"Speak!"

Eren gulped. He didn't what was the right way to tell him. It was all so complicated and confusing. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Levi arched an eyebrow, staring at him expectantly.

"I—"

There was a loud knock on the door.

Eren jumped, startled. Levi sat up straighter.

"Who is it?!" he shouted, annoyed.

The door opened, and Commander Erwin stood in the doorway. His expression was just as unreadable as ever. "I need you to come outside for a moment."

"What for?" Levi growled. "I'm busy."

"Now."

Levi sighed. "Fine."

He scraped back his chair and stood. He followed Erwin from the room, glancing at Eren as he walked past. Eren's heart throbbed as he watched him go. He clutched the fabric of his shirt, just over his heart. His face felt hot as the words he had struggled with finally came.

"…Because I love you…" he muttered.

It was probably for the best that Levi hadn't heard it. Most likely, he would never hear those words. Swallowing them back down, he followed after them. Erwin and Levi strode through the small headquarters and out front. There were several covered trucks parked in front, American flags painted on the sides of some while others had small flags hanging from the rearview mirror. They were the American reinforcements. The Allies were set to invade enemy territory in a few days. There were a few soldiers standing in front wearing green uniforms, their backs to Eren. When they spotted Erwin and Levi, they snapped to attention and saluted them.

"These are our reinforcements," Erwin said, gesturing to the soldiers. "The Americans are sending more soldiers to help with the operation."

"It's an honor to be working with you, sir," the first soldier said. He had short dark hair and tanned complexion. He was a little taller than Eren.

"What's your name?" Levi asked.

"Marco Bodt, sir," the soldier replied quickly. "Private First Class."

The soldier next to him quickly spoke up as well. "Jean Kirschtein. Specialist."

"Hn." Levi didn't seem impressed.

When Eren heard their names, he jaw dropped. He hurried toward them.

"Marco? Jean?"

The two soldiers looked at him skeptically. Levi glanced at him.

"More friends of yours?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Um…sorry," Marco said. "But I don't think we've met before."

"Yeah, yeah." Levi waved off his comment. "He's just weird like that. Don't take what he says too seriously. But we're glad to have you."

"Come with me," Erwin said. "I'll brief you on the upcoming mission."

He lead Marco and Jean into the building, leaving Levi and Eren standing there. Arms folded, Levi stormed after him.

"Corporal, wait!"

"What is it, Eren?" Levi said impatiently.

"Well, about the mission. Armin's telegram said—"

"Yes, yes. I'm going to read it now. We'll discuss the info he sent us later. Anything else?"

"…No, sir."

"Good. Now get back to work. We leave in two days."

V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V*

For some reason, an unsettling feeling stole over Eren whenever he thought about the upcoming mission. There was an air of foreboding about it. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he knew something bad was going to happen. Perhaps it was because they were attacking his mother country or that they might end up fighting Mikasa or run into Armin. All he knew was something bad was going to happen and there was nothing they could do to stop it.

Chapter 22 will be up on Friday!