It Started With Cadet Training (Reader/Levi/Erwin/Hange/Mike)

Take Your Shot

"Who, (Y/N)?"

"It's not my decision to make."

"I am asking you as your Commander. Who would you promote?"

"Anyone but you," you hiss, turning on your heel and storming from the office. The door slams shut behind you as you stomp down to the courtyard again.

There's a shout of your name from the mess-hall as you pass by. Ignoring them you gear up, taking off for another lap of the obstacle course to try and calm the scowl across your lips. It wasn't your choice to appoint a Commander. You'd joined the Scouts for their courage, their bravery, their dedication. Yet they were no more than broken soldiers run by a cowardly Commander. It was embarrassing. You were embarrassed to be a part of such an ignorant division.

Blood was on everyone's hands from the day they started. That's the choice you make when you joined the scouts. Or so you thought.

In your blind rage, you don't hear the ODM equipment of someone flying up next to you until they crash into your back. Arms wrap around your chest, preventing you from falling to your death but also from launching off again.

"Breath, Captain. Just breath," Mike mumbles, holding you steady as the sounds of other ODM gear stop around you.

You're held there, in suspension as the wave of anger crashes against the shore, spilling over in tears down your cheeks as your hatred towards the Commander dissolves into tears of betrayal. Hot tears roll down your cheeks as you hang there, sobbing in Mike's arms with your squad around you.

"We shouldn't have left them alone," you can hear Hange sigh from your left.

"It's not their fault, don't pin this on us either. It's his fault," Levi grumbles to your right.

"Just focus on getting the Captain to calm down first. We can point blame later," Erwin huffs next to Levi.

"(Y/N), I'm going to get us down now. Okay?" Mike whispers behind you. He waits for your nod in response before shifting you in his arms so that your legs are over his arm and he's supporting your back, bridal style.

Carefully, he lowers down to the ground with the others, settling down in the Courtyard with a huff as he tries to keep himself steady. He wobbles for a moment, still not used to his new leg, before righting himself so that he stood with you comfortably in his arms.

"Let's get you some tea, finally," Levi grumbles, landing next to you and patting you on the leg.

Any respect you had left for the Commander left you after that day. During meetings you were polite, offering strategies and assistance in planning and training with the other squads, but no more than necessary. It was like a knife to the gut each time you saw the Commander, knowing how cowardly he was.

You'd yet to share your discussion with your squad, however. You felt that it was only fair for them not to know until it was necessary. You had a mission to train for anyways, and this would only hinder it.

Thankfully, the day of the mission came quickly. With your head held high, you guided your horse out of the walls through the streets, until that gorgeous fresh air, unhindered by the massive wall you were so accustomed to, hit your face. It felt refreshing to be free once more as your horse took off charging in the direction you'd planned for weeks to follow.

Glancing behind you, you were overwhelmed by the looks across your squad's faces. Hange's eyes were sparkling in the sunlight as they raise their hands to the sky, a huge smile breaking across their face. Erwin had tears pricking the corners of his eyes as he gazed out across the open freedom, mouth hanging open slightly. Mike's eyes were screwed shut by the massive smile that forced its way across his face. Even Levi had a slight upturn to his usual frown.