Another Friday, another update! I hope you guys are still enjoying this, I have had such fun doing this rewrite - and there's sooo much still to come!

My skin was warm as I woke. I nuzzled into the pillow, breathing deep at the sense of rest and satisfaction filling my body. But as I blinked and brought myself to consciousness, I realised that I wasn't alone in the bed. It hadn't been a dream. I had spent the night with Captain Levi. No, it was just Levi. At least, when we were like this. Beside me in the bed, the reason I was so warm when the sun wasn't even risen yet. Still asleep, arms under the pillow, his head rested to one side, facing me. So calm. Serene even. Dark hair fell across his eyes, the shadows underneath seemed less prominent, no lines between his brows either. I reached and pushed his fringe aside, the hair silken, soon drifting back into place. Wow. Of all the things I imagined happening due to that talk, this had not been on the list. Sure, I'd thought of him like that before, there were likely few in the regiment that hadn't. But the idea of him wanting me? Laughable. Though, apparently not.

I sighed, the breakfast bell would sound any minute no doubt. Beyond the flimsy curtains I had no idea if it was a clear dawn, or grey and threatening rain. Part of me hoped for rain. Would it be possible to just hide in this room all day? Go for a few more rounds and pretend the outside didn't exist? I snorted at myself. Greedy. Still, perhaps that was something new to aim for when riding homeward after our mission. To live for myself. For some joy. For even some pleasure.

As I stretched, my back popped and my wrists clicked.

A smirk appeared on his lips. "You creak like an old house."

"Good morning to you too."

Slowly he blinked into the waking world and his eyes travelled along my body without any regard for the fact the covers had slipped when I had stretched. I lay back with a raised brow and he hummed, apparently in no rush to move himself.

He propped himself up on his elbows and smoothed his hair back. "Figured you'd be long gone by the time I woke up."

"Oh? Am I meant to be?"

He frowned and shook his head. "Not what I meant."

"Good." I grinned and put my hands behind my head, comfortable between those sheets. "I don't suit scurrying, and as this was your grand plan, I figure you can deal with the fallout."

"How gracious of you."

I laughed softly. "Did you want me to be all shy about it?"

"Not particularly." He shook his head free of the fog of sleep, or that was my guess with how much brighter his eyes looked in the next moment. "I'm glad you're still here."

"Yeah? Not suddenly regretting this in the harsh light of day?"

He wrinkled his nose. "Hardly. Though we probably should hurry up and get upright for the day I suppose. Is it clear or not?"

"Do I look like I've moved?" I scraped my hair back into a tie and went to the window to peer round the curtain. Clear sky. The beginnings of dawn had begun to pool against the horizon. No doubt, it would be a beautiful day. "Looks like we'll be good to go on the mi…"

My voice trailed as I looked back over my shoulder and found him sitting up, eyes raking over my body in the pale morning light, me wearing nothing but a smile. I turned and tilted my head, his eyes met mine and he snorted, shaking his head and moving his fingers through his dark hair.

"Dammit you're distracting."

"Oi." I sauntered back over to the bed, climbing back on and crawling closer till my nose touched his. "Only in here, right? Or another bedroom, on base." I added with a smirk.

"Mm, absolutely." He nodded, fingers caressing along my cheekbone. "I've no intention of letting this interfere with either of our duties, Brat. I remember what we said. But I can still admire, right?"

"I guess so." I stopped myself from leaning into the touch to my cheek. This felt very familiar, very intimate. Yes, we had tangled in the sheets the night before, but for some reason that morning made it feel all the more… connected. I swallowed and sat back. "I should go get cleaned u–"

"I have a private bathroom. Help yourself." He leaned back against the headboard, covers puddled round his hips, chiselled everything on show. I knew he meant the shower, but fucking hell it took a bit of self control to get off that bed and walk away.

I pretended not to hear his smug chuckle.

The water was hot as it cascaded down my back and I sighed, working the soap through my hair and over my skin. A few tender spots remained, but it was fine. Nothing that would get in the way of my duty, and friendly little reminders of our previous night's blaze. Bubbles glided off my skin and I rinsed my hair.

Water sloshed into the sink nearby, the small shower cubicle shut off from the rest of the bathroom, but I was very aware of how close that meant Levi was. He had been near me in a shower before of course. With communal bathrooms on base, which he had to use if his private one was broken, that went without saying. But this felt different. I could guess his eyes were glancing at the curtain in curiosity. Maybe he wanted to pull back the curtain? I doubted he would though. Didn't seem like his style.

"I meant what I said last night, by the way." He rumbled, and as I heard something being lathered, I assumed he was shaving. "I don't intend to let this get in the way of things on the field. I was foolish before, I know, but it's not something I plan to make a habit of."

It was sweet, really. He had taken my concerns to heart.

I smiled and turned off the water. "Appreciated. And likewise, Levi." I poked my head out the curtain and winked. "It'll be back to 'sir' and 'Captain' once I pass through that door."

He nodded, meeting my eye in the reflection. The razor ran along his jaw, and as he angled himself the muscle along his neck coiled. No, I didn't want to bite it. Shush. I wrapped my towel around myself, stepped out and started towelling my hair with a smaller one.

"So, just to be clear, you consider this…?" I let the sentence hang there, double checking we were on the same page.

He set the razor down, wiping his face before turning and leaning against the sink. "Fuck buddies, was what you called it, I believe?"

"Yeah. So you agree?"

"I do." He nodded, hard to read as ever, but without hesitation. I had my doubts about it in all honesty, he had already risked himself for the sake of saving me, but maybe that would have eased now that it wasn't a case of 'what if'. We had crossed that line. He didn't need to wonder anymore. I wasn't anything special, just another girl, of which there had likely been many, to land in his sheets.

For some reason, that idea got my nerves up.

He tilted his head. "Something wrong?"

"Just to check, but this wasn't some weird right of passage for you, was it?"

He frowned.

I continued. "I ain't asking to be your soul mate, but if I find out you make a habit of this with anyone who lives beyond a certain number of missions or something, or there's a list of some kind or–"

He stepped forward and pressed his lips to mine for a mere instant before stepping into the shower.

"You are the list, idiot."

"Right… Okay then." I wrapped my hair in the towel. "Thanks."

"No problem. Now go get dressed and have some breakfast. We have Titans to kill."

Mission day. I hadn't expected to sleep at all in the lead up to that morning, so I guess I had even more to thank Levi for. Good work out, good sleep, and probably the first proper orgasm I'd had in years – not by my own hands at least. I smiled up at the sunshine. Not what I had expected from this mission, but a damn good start.

"So where did you get to last night?" Isla nudged me with her foot, halting her horse right beside mine. "Hook up?"

How the hell had she known?

I smirked. "And you say that why?"

"Just assuming you found a bunk somewhere." She simpered. "Am I wrong?"

"Nope. Very unexpected but damn good way to relax." I popped by back again and grinned. "How were the bunk beds?"

"Jon snores." She rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Glad to hear you weren't just pacing all night though, we did wonder."

I can't deny, I was touched by their concern. "Sorry, hope it didn't keep you up."

"Nah, we knew we wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. You're the type that has gotta fix your own shit, bad at taking help."

My lips stayed shut. There was no arguing with that. Again, I was touched that they had noticed, even if a little embarrassed my team knew me to be that darn stubborn.

She snorted. "Not even denying it, you getting self aware?"

I winked. "A girl can try."

"Such growth, I'm impressed."

"Maybe I just needed a good fucking." We laughed together and the others soon joined us. The whole regiment was getting into position, the gate waiting for our final signal before it would be raised. Then there was no looking back.

Civilians peered. Some sneered, some judged and scoffed as they passed. Others stared. Some approached old friends, or friends of loved ones who had already hung up their cape, or been buried in it. Wide-eyed kids stared from windows, grinning and waving at the soldiers they had dreams of following. I hoped they got the chance. That they weren't made to live like Eren and the others, in the shadow of fears, in a world far smaller than they had known in childhood.

Petra gave a wave as she passed, sunshine in her smile as she went. Gunter grinned and Eld nodded his head, while Oluo stayed focused ahead and the Captain gave a small dip of his head. All business. What happened last night didn't change things in the day to day, that was the deal. I just hoped he kept that in mind on the field. I'd kill him myself if he pulled anymore heroic shit. I'd slap myself if I gave him reason to.

Excitement filled the street.

"We ready for this?"

My team nodded, raring to go.

"Good luck guys, let's get to that outpost in one piece, with maybe a couple kills under our belts if the opportunity arises, yeah?"

They whooped and I looked ahead again, clinging to the reins to try and hide how much my hands were trembling. Part nerves, part excitement. We were about midway along the line of squads, given a slightly easier position in the formation for our first run. A kindness to us and those around us. A problem for us, was a problem for everyone beyond that gate. The gears groaned and stone grinded against itself, the gate slowly climbing wall Rose. I could see Hanji's squad three positions ahead of us, and I knew Mike's would be behind, bringing up the rear to guard the outer ranks. Well protected, well watched, and well trained.

See you soon, Trost.

The weather was clear, the sightlines were good, and we were off. Rushing through the main street of Trost, beneath the belly of wall Rose and out into the open plains of Maria. Not the openness of the real 'beyond the walls' but it was something. It was a step back towards what we had lost four years ago. The anniversary would come around soon. Last year apparently there had been extra supplies sent to the Scouts, but at the time they had enjoyed a few very successful missions. Without that kind of positive provocation, it was unlikely to be repeated. Extra food and booze, that was some kind of motivation I suppose.

For an hour or so we rode without much beyond a couple of reroutes, and a false alarm on an abnormal. So far so good. We were at a good pace, and the weather looked clear in all directions. Even so, I kept close watch on every small thicket we came near, every small patch of houses. On such flat terrain even the smallest Titans caused issue. But nothing so far. For a moment I dared to hope, but then I swallowed it down and focused on the next hillock ahead. Don't celebrate until you're back behind wall Rose. Before that, it would be foolhardy.

Another hour passed.

A red flare rose along the horizon, soon followed by a black. Nadia sent the message along and we kept our eyes trained for anything moving closer. If it was a fast one, it might have broken through the outer ranks too quick for them to engage. Hopefully that meant a lack of dead, but it didn't guarantee it. Movement to the right of where the flares had fired. I peered and saw a lumbering shape come into view. Show time.

"All right guys, we'll engage if it comes at us. Got your roles?"

"Yes Squad Leader!" They chimed.

We would work as one, with the land we had. Isla would go for ankles–stop. Focus on your own job. I would circle and go in if Jon failed to latch on correctly, or make a deep enough cut. Back up. Support. I was happy to take that role, it suited me as I could adapt to whatever support was needed. Killing blow? Sure. Keep the bastard down by slicing into its ankle or knee? No problem.

It swerved. Right into our path. All right, we were definitely on for this attempt, but we were also in a good position. Use the beast itself guys. We talked about this, use every bit of momentum you can. Make it clean. Nothing fancy.

They launched, they soared, they sliced. I stayed close but rounded my path to stay in a close loop with them, their horses not wandering far. Isla made her cut. Good. Jon overshot. But there was Jacob with a yell and a damn good follow-through. Yes. Downed, taken out, and steaming to nothing. I fired the green flare and they whistled for their horses.

Sanshi Squad: 1

Titans: 0

Long may it continue. I grinned and we rode to catch back up with the formation, no one saying anything until the flares had carried on and another green had come from the flank the abnormal had broken through. The mission carried on.

Isla gave a small cheer. "Our first!"

"Not the last!" I laughed and we enjoyed a momentary group celebration before getting our heads back on straight, eyes fixed on the horizon. The outpost would be another hour away at most, especially with our pace being so good and little interrupted.

Come on world. Give me this win.

The light began to dim as the purple flares hit the horizon, bleeding into the scattered clouds with the light breeze. Almost there. I would be grateful for the break, even if I had to take the first patrol. The slower pace would be welcomed anyway. Regardless of stamina, this hard of a ride for so long wasn't easy on either the riders or the horses. I checked, but my squad each gave a thumbs up in response to my prying eyes. They were fine. We were fine.

As the trees began to loom, a sergeant was attached to a tree at the first line, checkpad in hand.

"Sanshi squad, sir!" I yelled up, allowing my squad to carry on ahead.

"Casualties?"

"None, sir. One Titan kill."

"Noted, keep moving."

I followed my team into the gloom, hating the way the close trees seemed to lean in and sneer. But teams were already zipping along, combing the forest for anything lingering. Titans didn't tend to venture into thickets like this. Not their style. But Scouts took nothing for granted. No one tended to live too long once they did.

Smoke tickled my nose, and the sound of creaking gates. It wasn't much, but an outpost was a huge step for humanity as a whole, and it had been a massive win for the regiment two years after the walls had fallen. There was no telling how long it would last, supposedly a few bases like this had been accomplished on the outside of Maria as well, but all had eventually fallen prey to the Titans getting too clever for their own goods. So as much as it was welcome, and celebrated, it was not 'home'. It was a resting point. Somewhere to take note of the area, to perhaps push on further the next day, but somewhere to take a breath, mainly. If the weather turned sour, we could go back from here without much issue. If we ventured further tomorrow, and then got caught by crappy weather, we could shelter here till it passed. It wasn't much of a security. But it was better than being abandoned to no hope at all.

As we entered the make-shift 'safe zone', I slowed my horse by Jon and Isla's. We made it. I set my head against the mane of my faithful steed. For a few seconds I just breathed, having not realised how hard I was panting until the stillness had sunk in. And then came the momentary relief. Not total relaxation, for previously mentioned reasons, but a breath of satisfaction.

"Robyn, you should get some rest, okay?" Isla smiled. "We'll handle the horses."

I closed my eyes. "I'm good, just letting myself enjoy it for a second, y'know?"

"C'mon, you did good work, let us reward that." Jacob chuckled, holding his hand out to me, helping me down from my horse. "You led us well, thank you."

I gripped his hand tighter and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks for trusting me."

"Hard not to." He snorted, patting my shoulder and letting go to head off with the others. I watched them go and felt a swell of pride in my chest, a foolish swell that had no right to be there until we were behind Rose again. But for that second, I let myself feel it, and then I went in search of somewhere to plant myself. My knees felt full of water.

I heard the tell-tale scampering of boots, before I felt the weight land across my shoulders as Hanji put her arm around me and hugged tight. "So kiddo! How did it go? You look in one piece, and from what I hear, the rest of the team is too?"

"Yeah, all present and accounted for." I smiled and rubbed at my temples. "My head feels like it's going to explode. Does it always feel like this when you're in charge of a Squad?"

"You get more used to it, but I do tend to still get a little ache right under my eye. Here!" She pointed, eyes bugging out at the same time. My brilliant weirdo. I nodded and nudged her. She laughed softly. "You'll get there. And already folks are noting how well your team seemed to be doing. Mike said he barely caught word of an abnormal before you lot were registering it as downed. Get the kill yourself?"

"Nah, it was Jacob in the end, I think. I'm strictly support, because–"

"Ah your nimble butt can be wherever it needs to be. I see! Clever."

"Thanks." I sighed, genuinely glad to hear it first hand that the strategy was good. Of course I had written many reports, and had them checked several times by others, but to hear it from her mouth straight away felt so much more real.

Patrols headed out, food was prepared, and I headed into a tent with Hanji to give the debriefs with the rest of the Squad Leaders. To be standing amongst them as a peer, part way through a mission, was damned surreal. Mike smirked at me and I winked in return. We listened to the run down of the journey to base, and all in all it had been successful. A few injuries. Three casualties were reported within one squad, but judging from the cadet reporting it, things had mainly gone wrong due to someone being more interested in the glory than getting to base.

A few other squads added extra details to reports, but nothing was very noteworthy. Fairly standard stuff. As standard as any of this was anymore. Riding past broken houses of civilians long since dead or moved into Rose's withering spaces. Surreal didn't cover it, and I hadn't even seen the real outside world yet. Or was that the worst part? It had started to feel standard? Best not to think on it too hard I guess.

"The intention is to press on tomorrow for the next large thicket of trees, to begin establishing a base there for our continued efforts back towards Maria, however, we will be keeping a close watch on the weather, as these plains are quick to turn marsh-like when the rains begin. Be on your guard, and rely on your squads to take the patrols. Thank you, everyone. You did good work today."

I met the Commander's eye and gave a salute in time with everyone else. It hit me right through the heart. I had done it.

Are you watching Mum?

I'm doing it.

Little Bird had started to take flight.

And there we have it... The ship has sailed... and now the mission has begun! Hope you guys enjoyed! Thanks for reading, giving kudos, bookmarking, and commenting when you can ^-^ love to hear from folks!