Faces

Levi found the routine and monotonous habits of the military unbearably stifling. Order, rules, procedure, methods, policy, all of it had been foreign to him before coming here. In the Survey Corps, everyone's face was the same: grim, emotionless, and dutifully taking in the commander's words without question. The underworld may not have been much, but at least then he'd been able to move more freely without having to answer to anyone.

He felt a bead of sweat run between his eyes and squinted. The afternoon sun was glaring down on the entire assembly and not even the slightest wisp of a breeze could deter the heat. Personally, he'd stopped listening to what Shadis was hollering about. As long as it wasn't about the next expedition, it was too damn hot to focus on anything else.

If we aren't dismissed soon, I think I might actually pass out. He thought as the commander stepped past him. Not exactly the impression he wanted to leave with the Scouting Legion. He had a reputation to uphold after all, and coming off as a wuss in hot weather didn't exactly meet his standards.

Discreetly reaching up to wipe away the perspiration sliding past his eye, Levi flinched as he felt a hand on his left shoulder. Recognizing Petra's auburn hair, he was about to hiss a warning when the woman suddenly crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Commander Shadis' turned back.

"The hell are you doing?"

She shrugged and changed her face, pulling at the corners of her mouth and waggling her tongue between her lips. Levi shook his head and faced forward, frowning as Petra snapped to attention again. From the corner of his eye, he saw Shadis had turned back in their direction, glaring as though he sensed what his subordinate had been up to. Seeing nothing, he continued on with his speech.

And Petra with her faces.

"You trying to get yourself killed or something?"

"If it means getting out of this heat, then absolutely." She answered without missing a beat.

Well, she had a point there. It was uncomfortable standing out here like this, especially since he was painfully aware of sweat gathering in his boots and under his arms. He was going to have to wash out his uniform once it cooled down.

"I watched a man pass out from heatstroke during roll call once." Remarked the Scout beside him.

"What's your point?"

"My point is….if the commander's going to keep us in the sweltering weather like this, we might as well take our minds off it or die trying." He said bluntly and pulled his nose up to imitate a pig snout. "Besides, how long do you think we can keep this up?"

Levi cast him a despairing look, then noticed Gunther several rows down elbowing his neighbor and joining in, sticking his thumbs in his ears and waving his fingers. Shadis looked back. Everyone shot back into position, the corners of their mouths quirking slightly, but on the other side of the battalion, Eld jumped out of position to make a fish face. Behind him, Oruo was doing something with his eyes, but he was too far away for Levi to see what exactly. Shadis looked their way. Stone faces. Petra and the Scouts on their side resumed pulling at their faces, sticking their tongues out, puffing their cheeks, and whatever else came to mind. Even some of the squad leaders standing across from them, like Hange, were joining in, others just snickering to themselves.

Did I die in the field and this is my eternal punishment? That would certainly explain the hellish weather they were having. Shadis snapped his head around, a raging glare locked on all of them.

"Oh, shit!"

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Author's Notes: Because, really? Who hasn't thought about doing this?

Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin not owned by me but Hagime Isayama.