Chapter 2
Sorry it took me so long Enjoy!
Kenny stared out the retched carriage window. He was slumped in the seat with his arms crossed over his chest. Rolling hills filled with crops ready to be harvested set the landscape. All this fresh air was bad for his lungs. This wasn't his world. The stink of the underground was ingrained in his bones now. This dog was too old to change back. Every so often he would spot a family of farmers working together to clear the land. Such domestic scenes reminded Kenny too much of his childhood. It pissed him off. The former king of the underground pulled out his flask and took a swig of the bitter whiskey before replacing it in the finely tailored black coat.
Beside him, Commander Jenna Gibson hummed annoying tune that made him grit his teeth. It was as if the bitch went out of her way to annoy him. If he hadn't sworn to himself that he wouldn't give the bitch the pleasure of dying by his hand he would cut out her vocal chords. Today, the bitch was dressed like a poor peasant woman. She wore a dark brown coarse cotton skirt and a cheaply made white blouse. The cloak she wore looked like it was created from used sack of wheat. Even her chestnut locks were messily braided down her back. At first glance, no one would know that she was the commander of the most powerful branch of the military. Kenny gave the bitch another glance before looking back out the window.
When he took Jenna's bet he knew he was going to be in a shit storm of something but he didn't know what. His personal hell was being treated like her pampered lap dog even down to new clothes. She even moved him into a room beside hers in her private mansion. The rest of the thugs that followed the king of the underground were placed in the servants' quarters. The first night Kenny checked the room for traps, when the bitch came back with a servant trailing behind her. The maid carried a bundle of clothes that was clearly too much for the little woman to carry. It turned out that those were things Jenna expected him to wear as her puppet. Something about looking the part of a proper military official. The first thing she pulled out was one of those blasted unicorn short coats
Kenny spit on the coat. By the way Jenna cackled he knew she was fucking with him; poking to see how far she could go. The assassin knew what she wanted. Jenna enjoyed a good show. Instead of being violent he took the bundle of clothes from the overworked maid and tossed them onto his bed knowing full well that he just earned the little maid a beating for his kindness. Kenny knew just how brutal Jenna could be. He figured out just how cruel when they were fucking around in the underground.
Back then, Kenny was collecting a gambling debt at a tavern. If the brat didn't need new shoes Kenny probably would have let the man slide for a few more days. When Son of a bitch didn't pay Kenny cut him up a bit; took the tip of his pinky as a reminder to pay him on time. Most folks underground knew better than to get involved in a dispute; especially when Kenny the ripper was involved, but not Jenna. She turned around on her bar stool to watch the whole thing as she sipped from her mug. If he'd been thinking with his big head he would ha realized Jenna's skin was a little too tan for someone living underground. That her body had the fat and muscles only a regular diet could provide. Maybe that was why he wanted her. Jenna was completely different from the others. It also helped that the grin on her face was wicked enough to get his attention. He bought her a drink with bloody money. Then he bought her another when she didn't flinch at the tip of the man's finger. By the end of the night that were in a dumpy boarding house fooling around like virgins.
"Where the hell are we going anyway?" he asked bored. They road past yet another small town. Based on the way Jenna was dressed he didn't think they would stay there. He guessed they were going to a farm somewhere.
"Why darling," Jenna said with a smile. "We are going to see the king." The commander of the military police reached over to pat his knee.
"Did you hear?" Hange whispered to Levi as they got water after another difficult obstacle run. Captain Erwin's squad trained for the upcoming expedition. Their leader placed his seasoned soldiers along the outside of the main column to act as long range scouts. It would be their job to protect the rest of the Corp by seeing the titans first and, if necessary, taking care of the beasts. Erwin pushed his squad hard so they would be prepared later. He knew by tomorrow morning the corpsmen would all either be too tired or too hungover for anything related training.
"Did I hear what?" Levi asked. He wiped his face with his personal towel. It was one of the luxuries he allowed himself.
"Captain Erwin made a merchant cry?" Usually he ignored Hange once the crazy started but after last night Levi decided to bite. He turned to look at his future squad leader.
"What happened?"
A devilish grin spread across Hange's face. "Apparently, the merchant who was supposed to supply our rations for the expedition tried to pawn off his old grain." The brunette soldier became more animated with each word. "Captain Erwin walked directly over to one of the bags and cut it open with his knife. It was like he knew it was no good from the beginning. Can you imagine the look on the merchant's face?"
"He probably shit himself," said Levi. That bastard, he thought. Erwin knew because they broke into the store. The bastard in question waved for his squad to come together so he could go over his critique of their performance. Levi knew him well enough to know that that meant they were close to being done for the day. Even though Erwin would be in the center column with Commander Shardis he still ran the exercises with his squad. One of the things Levi had to respect was that Erwin didn't expect anything out of his soldiers that he wouldn't do himself. Shardis was also that kind of man.
"Good job everyone," Erwin said. He looked around the group. They waited for the rest of his speech. "Enjoy the rest of your day off." Erwin's squad looked at him surprised. "Dismissed." This time his unit broke up and started taking off their equipment. Levi waited for the tall blonde to make his way over to him.
"You used me," Levi said softly. Erwin's face was a smooth mask.
"How so?"
"To break into that store…"
"I'm sure that isn't the worse thing you're done." Erwin detached his equipment.
"That's not the point," Levi replied. Erwin's lips tugged into a smirk. His gaze turned to look at the shaggy newcomer heading their way.
"Are you telling him my plan?" Mike asked. The behemoth towered over them both.
"You didn't tell me anything ass," Levi spat. Mike snorted.
"Well," he told the duo. "Pack your bags; we leave in an hour."
Mike planned an exciting evening for the partygoers. He hired a large carriage to take them to one of the larger towns that was far enough away from that not to worry about their reputations. Most of the partygoers were from Erwin' squad. Mike also reserved a few rooms at a nice inn that was walking distance from a local lively tavern. Levi was pressed against the door with an oversized John smashed on his other side. The big lout liked to make waving movements pushing Levi until he had to force John away from him. Across from Levi, a smiling Erwin sat next to an animated Hange. The birthday boy was happy to call each one of these people his friend. They shared so many hard times together. These people were more like the family he left behind when he joined the Survey Corps.
No matter how he fought there was still a bitter tinge to his good mood. These were the same people he will use as a buffer between their comrades and the titans. Every person in that carriage stared death in the face and won. Though luck also played a large part in their successes. Erwin knew that this would likely be the last time they were all together like this. Sometimes Erwin wished he could turn his mind off. He should be joking with his friends who choose to spend their free time with him for his birthday, not calculating who was most likely to survive a week outside the walls. He had to force his mind back to the living bodies around him. But this close to the expedition it was hard to see them other than places on a map. The young captain shook his head trying to push maps away if only for a night.
When they reached the inn Mike assigned everyone a roommate with the exception of the birthday boy who was allowed a room all to himself. Mike chose Levi as his roomie for the party night for whatever reason. Levi figured it could be worse. He could've been paired up with Hange. The rooms weren't horrible either. The mice at least had the decency to hide when humans came into the room and the beds looked about as nice as those in the dormitory.
"Does it meet your lofty expectations?" Mike asked. The oversized man flopped onto his twin bed.
"I've stayed in worse," Levi replied. He set his pack on his bed. The former criminal took the bed furthest from the door. Nothing personal. He would check the window for weaknesses after he looked around the room a bit more. "So what are we doing here anyway?" Mike sat up. Levi could see him grinning beneath his mustache.
"Completely forgetting about the upcoming expedition."
Levi raised an eyebrow. He was about say something when there was a knock on their door.
"Come in," yelled Mike.
"When you get killed know it's your own fault," Levi spat at the sprawled out man. He crossed his arms fingering his knife. The door swung open and in walked the party herd. John held three bottles of liquor that would only be considered top shelf in the underground. Nanaba brought cups. Levi recognized the scout as one of the recruits that joined around the same time as Levi and his friends. Nanaba's eyes lit up every time Mike spoke and easily found a seat on Mike's bed. Clare and Hange sat at the two person table just to the right of the beds. Levi tsked when Hange's filthy boots thunked on top of the table. John took a seat on Levi's bed waving the bottles like a champion. Erwin was the last to join the party.
"Erwin!" They cheered as he entered. The birthday boy shied away from the kind words waving them away. His blue eyes quickly took in the room before he took the other seat on Levi's bed beside John. There was no way Levi was going to try to squeeze between the two giants so he propped up against the door. John and Nanaba made quick work of passing out cups of liquor. Levi sniffed his cup. The strong smell burned his nostrils.
"What's wrong roomie? Too strong for you?" John teased him.
"I don't make a habit of drinking piss," Levi replied. Hange burst into laughter nearly falling in the chair.
"To Erwin," Mike raised his cup. "You made it another year!"
"To Erwin!" The other raised their glasses. Levi tossed back the cheap liquor sending a hot burn down his throat. He turned to see John gagging on the shot.
"You drink like a bitch," Levi poked at his dorm mate. The bigger man waved him off still trying to regain his senses.
"The innkeeper makes the best steaks I've ever had," said Mike. "I say we eat then head out to the tavern." After a few more shots the partygoers headed down to the main floor for a hearty meal. To Levi it seemed big ass blondes had a way with waitresses as this one fell all over herself the moment Mike sat down. Levi crossed his arms as he sat between Hange and Erwin The merrymakers ate their fill and drank more. Gone was the small bit of decorum they usually had in the mess hall. The soldiers cut loose telling bawdy jokes and making bad toasts.
"Are you having fun?" Erwin leaned down to whisper in Levi's ear.
"It's your party," he replied.
"True," the birthday boy replied. He sat up and rejoined the party. After another round of beer the party goers headed toward the tavern. A drunk John threw his arm around Levi's shoulders.
"You know roomie," John slurred. "I'll…I'll show you who drinks like a bitch…"
"You fucking reek," Levi shrugged off the drunk man's arm.
"But I'm not a bitch!" said John. He beat his fist against his chest.
"Asshole," Levi rolled his eyes.
Levi set down his coins for yet another drink. No wonder the Survey Corp is always broke, he thought. They spend all their money on liquor and food. He wouldn't be surprised if a few hookers showed up.
Mike made another toast to the birthday boy. Nanaba was by his side like Mike's personal cheerleader. A lively band played a cheerful tone that soon had the merry makers on their feet. Clare and Hange were the first to hit the dance floor. Unable to contain their merrymaking they pulled a couple of townspeople to join their dance. Even Levi had to shake his head. There was something about Hange that wouldn't be denied. A drunk John soon joined the dancers. The big lout was surprisingly light on his feet as he swung one of the barmaids around. Nanaba and Levi were next to be pulled in the fray.
"Shit…" Levi sighed as he reluctantly joined the dancing circle. He'd only danced a handful of times and felt a little awkward. Thankfully Clare guided him through the movements. Mike and Erwin watched Levi gyrate on the tavern floor with the others.
"So what are your plans for him?" Mike nodded in Levi's direction, who at the moment was the center of a Hange and Clare sandwich. Erwin looked at Mike. The two old friends understood what Mike was asking.
"I don't know yet," said Erwin. He watched the small man try to keep up with his squad mates. Mike gave Erwin a skeptical look. "Let me rephrase; I don't know if he would be willing to participate in what I have planned." Mike sniffled accepting the answer. Soon the rowdy bunch headed back to the bar. This time Levi hung back. He refused to get wasted in a town he knew nothing about.
"Ne, Levi," Clare called to him. The young woman swayed from side to side nearly spilling her beer. He took the mug from her and placed his hand on her shoulders. Clare gave him a goofy grin and placed her hand on his. "I was thinking…"
"About?" Levi asked. Drunks could be entertaining. The only time Kenny was funny was after he had a few shots of whiskey.
"Don't be sad about being Humanity's strongest." That shit again, he thought.
"You're drunk," he sighed.
"I am!" Clare exclaimed. If not for Levi's hand on her shoulder she would fallen on the floor. "Think about it. All those people you killed in the underground…maybe you coming with us will balance it out…. or something…" Levi shook his head. He couldn't help but chuckle a little still holding her up.
They danced and drank the night away. Hange even managed to pull Erwin on the floor for a quick dance. Mike knew it was time to go when John started unbuttoning his shirt to fight another patron. While it was true they were far from base getting arrested while on leave was not part of the plan. The close to sober soldiers walked the rest of their group back to the inn.
"I…I toll you I wasn't no bitch…." John said triumphantly when Levi dropped him on the bed.
"Yea, yea," Levi said. He pulled the blanket over the fully clothed drunk. "Try not to shit on yourself in your sleep." Across the room the other bed sat empty. Levi blew out the lantern before walking out in the hallway. Erwin and Mike were in charge of putting Clare and Hange to bed. Levi was a bit surprised to see the two behemoths talking softly in the hallway.
"Four eyes and the other one went to bed without a fight?" he asked. The blondes turned around like children caught in the act.
"It wasn't as hard you might think," Erwin said. He gave Levi a smile Levi was sure he used in Sina.
"Hey Levi," Mike asked. He turned to face him wearing a shit-eating grin. "I have to ask you a favor."
