Recap:

With the Expedition to reclaim Wall Maria now confirmed, Commander Erwin called a meeting with the main squad leaders, to give a brief background on the situation and on the new information gained about Eren's father. With only 2 days left, tensions would have been expectedly high but a night of good food would relax most of the soldiers. Albeit, most.

I stood up from my seat to quietly stretch my legs, which were becoming numb from the long meeting. Stepping out of the immediate circle, I continued listening as Erwin finished up explaining the finer details to the squadron leaders. Levi shifted his weight from his position, leaning against the wall rather than sitting. His eyes trailed me as I silently paced the room to get my blood flowing.

"In summary, Eren's father – Grisha Jaeger – is likely a human from outside the Walls."

There was a pause as that final statement sunk in. I turned back to the group as Hanji continued Erwin's train of thought. Everyone in the room – Erwin, Levi, 4 other squadron leaders and myself – listened intently to her next musings.

"Like Annie, Reiner and Bertholdt – he also possessed the power of the Titans. However, he was different – supportive of humanity within the Walls. If he was so interested in the Scouts, we could have used more of his support." The scientist paused in thought. "I wonder…from the moment he entered the Walls, he was searching for the royal family. All alone too, I'm assuming. That is not something you can do without incredible resolve. That same father wanted to show his 10 year old son the basement of his house. Even on death's door, he said the truth…laid in the basement."

"It takes a lot for any human to drop their life – as they know it – and go in search in an unknown territory with no one to turn to." I piped up, eyebrows furrowing together. "What in the world do you think is down there?"

"Things which mustn't be said. No…Things that he couldn't say even if he wanted to. Those in which the First King wiped from our memories and I'm hoping that it is our memories of the world…" the Commander sighed before returning to his usual voice.

"Pondering about it here won't accomplish anything. The preparations finished today."

With these words, everyone subtly straightened their positions as we final got down to business.

"The operation to retake Wall Maria starts in two days. You want to know what's in the basement? Let's go and see if for ourselves. Why not – isn't that what Scouts do?"

My mouth quirked up as the atmosphere fired up in response.

"Let all your squads know."

"Yes sir." we chroused.

The meeting now over, the rest of the leaders stood up and we filed out Erwin's office.

"On a day like this, we deserve some meat right?" James suggested, rubbing his hands together eagerly.

"Good idea." agreed Thomas.

"I clean my hands of this mess." I muttered, already cringing at how a particular 104th cadet would react to the rare food group.

"What about Commander Sadies keeping secrets from us?" wondered Emily.

Hanji brushed past me out the door. "Forget about him – we don't have time to deal with that."

"Colour me shocked, Hanji. You used to adore him!" I teased.

"Shut up Rina!"

I paused at the doorway for Levi but he simply shifted his grey orbs to Erwin. Noting his look, I followed the rest out of the building, leaving Levi behind.

The immediate dinner was as chaotic as I had imagined, despite the Regiment begin told to keep it down. Being a mere bystander watching the ruckus unfold was amusing, to say the least, but I understood why Levi had opted to have his dinner in his room. Alcohol was shared freely among the Scouts, meat was offered aplenty (when it wasn't being snatched and hoarded by a certain individual) and even a fight broke out between Eren and Jean. To my surprise, it wasn't Mikasa that broke them up but Levi, who had wandered down to return his cutlery. In all the noise, I didn't even notice him until the fighting 104th boys had their asses kicked to opposite sides of the room.

"Hey." The single word uttered from the Captain and a deadly glare was all that was needed to quieten the entire hall.

"You're all too damn rowdy. Go to sleep."

With a quick glance at the state of the place and the distant sound of someone throwing up, Levi made a face. "And clean all this shit up."

The cadets and officers all began to tidy up the space, still chatting loudly as they did. Regardless, the hall was soon spick-and-span and we all left in our individual directions. Tomorrow was going to be the big day of actually preparing everything so most of the Survey Corps had unanimously decided to take the rest of the night easy. Levi convinced me to relax and chat in his quarters and so we headed up after bidding good night to the rest of the leaders.

"Wall Maria, that was hectic. That Sasha girl can really brawl." I exclaimed, falling flat onto Levi's perfectly set bed. As planned, he let out an obvious 'tsk' and I grinned. Shaking his head, he continued to the bathroom.

"That girl is an animal when it comes to food."

Sighing, I let myself muse out loud, comfortable with Levi just hearing my thoughts. Rolling onto my side, I faced into the room.

"When do you think we can eat meat again? If we come back from this mission alive."

"You mean, when we come back from this mission alive."

I made a sound of intrigue and sat up. "That's very optimistic for you Levi. Very unlike you."

"Tsk. It would affect the troops if we start this expedition in such a depressing state." The Captain came out of the bathroom, already in his usual sleepwear. I grinned and held out my arms.

"It's just you and me here, Levi. You don't have to sugarcoat shit from me."

He unexpectedly paused at this statement, his eyes flicking toward me. I gave him a reassuring smile and added on.

"Trust me."

He made a face before gently pushing his way past me and into his bed.

"I do."