Chapter 35: Sips of wine
"It's so boring up here."
Sunshine, a couple birds and nothing but the sound of a soft breeze kissing the meadows resounded from high up on the wall.
A soldier was standing straight, his eyes scanning the area beyond the wall with utmost detail.
"Would you rather have titans climbing the walls?" he questioned his fellow comrade who appeared less dutifully as he leisurely laid on his back with a piece of bread at hand.
"Maybe? At least we would get some action then," he shrugged, biting off another bite of his snack.
"No can do, what a fatality to humanity."
Startled, the soldier shot up from the ground- the piece of bread was shoved aside as quickly as a certain man had appeared at the scene.
"Sir, I apologize I-" the soldier hurried, stammering flowing from his lips in an incohesive string of words as he faced no one but their lieutenant.
Tired eyes looked to the far horizon beyond the wall as he took his stance.
"So? Anything noteworthy in view yet?" Shiki questioned unfazed as he faced the only soldier actually on duty.
"Not yet sir, there has been nothing the entire day!" Shiki nodded shortly.
"Very well. Continue your good work." A glance was cast to the side, where the lazy soldier was busily trying to fix his uniform. "As for you-"
Freezing up the soldier stilled as Shiki placed his hand on his shoulder. "Taking a rest is good at times like these. But you need to be ready to strike when the moment calls."
Surprise reflected on the soldier's face- he had expected a scolding.
"Yes sir!" he quickly agreed and Shiki smiled as he turned to look at the blazing sun.
"We only need to look for one guy right?" the lazy soldier asked.
A smile trailed along Shiki's lips as he hummed.
"You mean Captain Orihara I suppose?"
"Yeah, isn't he the only one that ever-"
"Lieutenant Shiki!" Startled just slightly the two glanced towards the dutiful soldier. His eyes were stuck to the outside of the wall and his hand pointing in a certain direction.
"Did you see him?" Shiki asked with a smile- a smile that suddenly dropped upon the answer.
"Not only him! He brought the entire troop!"
.
.
.
Opening with the harsh creaking sound Shizuo had heard when they left the wall, the gate inside the wall opened.
People were cheering, loudness and agitation greeted the entire troup as they made their way inside.
"Kida!" a woman rushed right for their formation as her hands grasped her child with relief.
"Mom stop that-"
Kida wasn't the only one.
Wives, children, siblings, mothers and fathers- they all gathered around the returning corps as they searched for their beloved ones.
Cheerful noises and happy chatting caused the air to brim with a sense of happiness Izaya hadn't quite expected.
Riding in front he kept his gaze low. He wasn't stupid enough to think all animosity had been dropped from one second to the next.
He was still the grim reaper. The one responsible for more deaths than he could count. People wouldn't forget just because he brought the soldier's back once.
And yet he couldn't help but feel a soft smile creep onto his face.
It might be a rarity to return successfully like this, but with the soldiers he had at hand now...He might be able to work with them.
From now on he might be able to constantly return from their missions.
"Welcome back, Captain Orihara."
The smile he felt on his face disappeared as fast as it had appeared.
Lieutenant Shiki.
Striding through the masses he had approached like a venomous snake, ready to strike its prey.
His expression mirrored the joy the masses reflected, but Izaya wasn"t stupid enough to think it was a genuine one.
Shiki's poker face might be perfectly in place, but Izaya knew just how much his success pissed the guy off.
"Sir," Izaya quickly greeted, returning the polite gesture as there were too many people present to ignore the man.
A smile spread across Shiki's expression.
"Did you find something worth investigating?"
What a question.
Like lieutenants trying to kill their own soldiers? Or the fact that he had mutilated a titan in order to do so?
But Shiki wasn't the only one who could muster a perfect poker face.
"Indeed, I will file a detailed report by tomorrow morning."
The lieutenant nodded understanding.
"Very well."
Shizuo on the other hand wasn't quite as proficient in hiding his hatred.
Located a bit off from Izaya's position he couldn't help but feel his expression unwillingly contort into a deep frown. Pure hatred and the urge to kill the guy welled up inside his body as he watched Izaya play the perfect act of an obedient pawn.
"How was it?! What happened?!" a hysterical woman started shooting one question after the other as she hugged her beloved son.
"We almost died," the soldier truthfully spoke and the woman's expression grew even more shocked.
"What?!" Quickly hushing her to calm down the soldier spoke up, "Don't worry mum, Heiwajima kinda saved us."
Oh no.
Eyes darting to Shizuo the woman beamed as she strode towards Shizuo.
"You did?! Thank you!"
Please god, he didn't even do anything! Couldn't that woman keep her gratitude to herself?
"So this mission's success stems from your actions?"
Startled Shizuo turned.
"Lieutenant Shiki!" the soldier quickly exclaimed, straightening his stance.
Shizuo's eyes narrowed.
Just when had that bastard moved over?
Shizuo didn't notice him approaching at all.
Taking a deep breath he tried to control his temper as he answered.
"I wouldn't say so. Captain Orihara guided us, without him we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did."
Izaya had been the one to lead the troup. He had also been the one to order the soldier's to put up their sleeping place in the tree crown.
Without his idea they would have all died the very same night.
If anyone was responsible for their safe return, then it was him.
Shiki hummed softly, that smile on his expression only growing broader as he spoke.
"Nonetheless, I thank you."
That smile.
So sleek.
Caused goosebumps to travel down Shizuo's spine.
Turning around slowly the lieutenant made his way back. The crowd swallowed him whole within a few moments.
It left Shizuo with a somewhat uneasy feeling. He didn't know why, his guts just told him something was off.
"Join us!" Soldiers suddenly swarmed the blond before he was able to reply. Laughter and happy cheers filled the air and before he knew it he found himself in the middle of their tavern.
"To a successful mission!" The crowd cheered in unison as they lifted their mugs and glasses.
And Shizuo?
Well, he felt really fucking out of place.
"Shizuo! I heard you were quite useful this time around~!"
Shinra.
Approaching with the slightest tinge of red to his nose Shizuo didn't take a minute to realize he was drunk.
It was a firework of feelings really. Returning home, being greeted like they brought victory over the titans- the cheering and alcohol found no stop and Izaya sighed softly as he sat down at a table far off to the side.
People were celebrating.
Shinra was drunk. He had spotted the guy the moment he walked into the hall. Now he was just standing there babbling an infinite amount of words into Shizuo's ear.
Izaya felt the corner of his lips turn upwards. It was a nice feeling. Really.
His soldiers had survived. His favorite wine was resting in his hands too.
With the softest hint of joy Izaya realized this time around he wouldn't have to inform anyone about any deaths.
No blame was going to be handed to him. Shiki couldn't thwart his actions either.
"Captain Orihara."
Having taken a sip from his glass of wine Izaya stopped midway. While the entire room seemed to be busy partying and celebrating, one guy seemed fairly gloomy for the setting.
It was one of his soldiers.
Kida.
The one that recklessly stormed down towards the titans.
Straightening himself, Izaya prepared himself for accusations. For being blamed that they hadn't taken out that titan, maybe hear some more complaints about how they hadn't done a single thing to protect humanity-
But suddenly Kida bowed.
"I apologize. My actions might as well have killed myself as well as some comrades. I'm ready to face the consequences for my actions. I was fed up after what happened to Anri and blamed you for it but-" he faded out.
And Izaya was left surprised.
He had seen a lot coming, but certainly not an apology.
Remorse and regret decorated Kida's face all over as he avoided his captain's glance.
It was quite obvious that no one had forced him to come over.
Otherwise his eyes would hold a certain amount of hatred, but they lacked even the slightest animosity.
Setting the glass to his lips once more Izaya took a small sip from his wine.
"Are you going to do something like this again?" he asked, and Kida seemed somewhat confused by the question.
"What? Of course not-" he quickly assured, his glance traveling to face the ground once more.
Funny.
Izaya tended to forget, but most of his soldiers were still very young weren't they? This guy in front of him? What was he?
Twenty?
Of course he was burning with passion to act. Especially after what happened to his girlfriend.
He probably felt betrayed, abandoned.
A lot of feelings must have accumulated for him to act the way he had on the battlefield.
"What are you waiting for?"
Confusion ruled Kida's expression as he lifted his guilty glance to meet Izaya's gaze.
"Sir?"
Izaya nodded towards the masses. The soldiers were holding some kind of drinking contest in the middle of the room.
"There is a party to enjoy," Izaya informed curtly, trying to get his point across.
But it seemed this young man was even more dense than Shizu-chan.
"But for disobedience it is common practise to-"
"What disobedience?" Izaya interrupted, cutting the guy off before anyone else could possibly hear what he had done.
The soldiers might know, but there were more ears than that.
The confusion previously shown on Kida's expression lifted and made room for gratitude.
"Thank you very much!"
Finally.
Izaya almost feared the kid would never understand what he was trying to imply.
What use would a soldier be that was held behind?
Especially this one.
Watching Kids return to his comrades, Izaya smiled.
This was good.
He would never betray him again. The guilt and gratefulness he felt right now would transform him
into a somewhat reliable pawn.
And he somehow got the troops to move.
Having him in his troop could actually be beneficial.
A bottle of wine passed along the table as Izaya realized his glass was empty and he quickly filled it back up.
It was a good one too, probably a gift from the lieutenants.
What a great day.
They returned with no casualties. Izaya now owned a troupe he could work with. Shiki's face had been a real treat too.
This was the first time within his position as the captain that he actually felt happy.
Relieved too.
They could continue like this.
They might be able to win the fight. Without any further casualties,
no more speeches about how sorry he felt for the deaths, no more informing mothers that their sons died in battle.
Chuckling softly he took another sip from his refilled glass of wine.
"You look happy."
Eyes trailing sideways, Izaya watched Shizuo as he took a seat right next to him.
"Might be because I am," he shrugged curtly, not losing the joy of his expression.
"What did he want?" Shizuo asked, nodding towards the young soldier that had returned to his friends.
"Nothing important."
Shizuo's glance turned towards Izaya. He seemed like he didn't care. And what more-
"Are you actually having fun?" he chuckled and Izaya snorted.
"Maybe? Is that bad?"
"Of course not."
Izaya's glance shifted and a hint of mischief glinted in them as he continued.
"Right, I recall you saying I should be happy and let down my guard around you."
Shizuo couldn't help but feel a little abashed at the phrasing.
He knew what Izaya was talking about. The day before they left for the mission, when they …
"... I didn't say it like that." Shizuo whispered quickly, careful to keep his voice low.
But Izaya seemed to be in the mood to tease him as he tilted his head playfully.
"Did I miss the point?"
He didn't.
Of course he didn't.
Shizuo wanted him to be able to relax around him, to not worry. But with Shiki constantly setting up these plans…
"That bastard seemed way too happy by the way," Shizuo mumbled before he could stop himself.
Izaya blinked, completely having lost track of the conversation.
"What?" Was he talking about Kida?
Harsh way to address one of his soldiers.
But that didn't seem to be the case judging just how deep that frown on Shizuo's expression was.
"Lieutenant Shiki. Even thanked me for supporting the survey corps." Shizuo filed his captain in, and Izaya stiffened.
Shiki approached Shizuo?
Somehow that thought caused goosebumps to travel down his spine.
It was one thing when the guy threatened Izaya, or his siblings. Izaya was smart enough to handle the guy and his various plots.
But Shizuo?
Why did he approach him? Did he realize Izaya had taken a liking to him?
Was he trying to get him on his side?
It was funny, the thought of Shizuo actually helping the bastard was something Izaya couldn't imagine for even a second.
And yet the sheer attempt of trying sent his guts flying.
Shizuo seemed to have realized the mood shift he had caused as he sighed.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to spoil the mood."
Izaya shook his head.
This wasn't about having a good mood.
"No, it's good that you told me. Every second counts in order to prepare against his schemes."
He was grateful for the reminder, he had to be careful at all times.
to be continued~
Had to cut off there or the next scene would have blown this way out of proportion xD
See you next Saturday~!