literature

ATS: The Expedition (Part 2)

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"RIVAILLE!"

The name was screamed with horror and desperation. You turned your horse sharply, heading for where Rivaille had landed. You could hear Mikasa calling after you, also peeling away from the squad to follow you. 

The giant was advancing towards the small patch of trees where Rivaille had landed, its footsteps shaking the earth beneath you. 

Mikasa rode beside you, yelling above the sound of footsteps, "I'm going after the titan. Make sure Corporal is alright!" Her face, for once, was concentrated into a look of anger and determination. Before you could object, she had pulled out her blades, and rode off towards the titan. 

You watched her ride away, nervousness boiling in your stomach. You pushed it away and concentrated on flying towards the small patch of woods where your corporal lay injured.

You could hear the footsteps of the titan and the whiz of Mikasa's gear as she maneuvered around the giant. You ignored them and rode through the trees to where a gap in the forest canopy let sunlight stream through. 

In that clearing laid a mass of broken branches and logs, and in the midst of them, a figure in a green clad cloak. As you drew closer, you could see a large stain on the back of his cape, the blood marring the wings of freedom a brilliant red.

You called his name as you tumbled from your horse, dragging the rubble off of Rivaille and flinging it aside.

Once you had gotten the bigger branches off of Rivaille, you gently slipped your arms under him and brought his head to your lap. Your uniform was stained with his blood, not that you noticed. You were too focused on the resting face of the man in your arms. 

"Rivaille...” you whispered, eyes widening in fear. A hand hovered above his mouth, searching for a soft exhale, which you were relieved to find. You hugged him closer to your body, trying to encourage him to open his eyes. "Wake up..." you whispered, in an almost inaudible plea.

In the distance, you could hear an enormously loud crash as the titan fell to the ground, courtesy of Mikasa, no doubt.

You looked back to the corporal, whose breaths came in shallow, uneven exhales. Noticing the sticky blood on your fingers, you gently flipped the corporal and peeled away his cloak, revealing a piece of wood lodged in his back, blood seeping through his shirt and jacket from around the object. The sight made you cringe, realizing how much pain Rivaille must have been in.

Hoof beats echoed through the trees as Mikasa neared. You looked up as the girl halted beside you and dismounted, rushing to your side. 

Your eyes connected with hers, clear worry and concern pooling in your e/c irises.

"He's not responding..." you whispered. Mikasa's face hardened as she knelt beside you. Before you could object, she raised her hand and brought it down harshly on the Corporal's cheek. 

It took a moment, but soon Rivaille's eyes began to flutter open, his eyes glassy and unfocused. After a moment, his eyes connected with Mikasa, her hand still in the follow through pose from the slap. 

"Damn, Ackerman... That fucking hurt..." he closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again and focusing on the younger soldier. 

Mikasa regarded him blankly. "Glad to see you are alive, sir,” she replied promptly, standing and looking off into the distance.

You followed her gaze to see a cloud of dust nearing you as the rest of the squad cantered towards you. 

Mikasa glanced back down at you, and upon sensing something, turned away. "I shall retrieve your horse, sir."

Rivaille nodded, finally awake enough for the pain to wash over him. He grimaced, closing his eyes and waiting for a wave of pain to subside before speaking.

"Where are the others?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly.

"Nearby. I can see them riding towards us.” you replied, glancing down at him, then looking away in shame. If you hadn't called out to him, hadn't distracted him, then maybe he would not have gotten hurt. You felt as if it was your fault for his injury. 

"Stop that.” His voice was strict, but you could sense the underlying gentleness in it. You looked to him curiously. You were greeted with a somewhat hostile frown as he stared intensely back at you. "You are blaming yourself. Don't," he said simply.

"B-But-"

"-You don't know how it could have turned out.” The corporal replied. "I still could have been injured even if you didn't interrupt. So stop throwing yourself a freaking pity party over there. It helps nobody."

A small sigh escaped your lips. You closed your eyes for a moment, allowing the Corporal's words to sink in. After a moment you looked down at him with a gentle smile. "You're right." you spoke softly. 

Rivaille looked up at you blankly. He raised a hand and brought it gently to your face. You held his hand against your cheek with your palm. The two of you lay in comfortable silence for a few moments, simply absorbing each other's presence. 

A yell from afar disturbed the silence. You looked up to find the squad riding through the trees to you. Rivaille dropped his hand, never one for public displays of affection.

Reiner dismounted from his horse and trotted to you, Jean, Sasha, and Bertholdt behind him.

"You guys alright?" he asked as he halted beside you.

"Perfect.” Rivaille's voice dripped with sarcasm. 

You swear you saw Reiner wince. 

You looked up at the rest of the group. "He has a piece of wood lodged in his back.” you told them. You could see a few faces pale at the message. 

"Oh, is that all?” Rivaille asked, glancing up at you.

You shot him a look of disbelief before turning back to the group at the sound of Jean’s voice. 

"We'll have to turn back.” He spoke, disappointment tinting his voice.

"No."

Rivaille's voice cut through the air like a whip, making several soldiers flinch. You looked back down at him, his eyes open in determination. 

The murmurs that had grown at Jean's words slowly stilled to silence. Everyone gazed at Rivaille expectantly. 

With a grunt, he sat up, clutching at his shoulder where the wood was lodged. "Continue the mission," he spoke with finality, words not to be reckoned with.

"B-But sir-" Bertholdt interjected. "Your injury..."

Rivaille, whose eyes had been closed for a few moments, stared at Bertholdt for a moment before speaking.

"I shall be returning to the wall, and shall leave the rest of the mission to Ackerman. Understood?"

You felt yourself smile in relief. As stubborn as Rivaille was, he knew when he had exerted himself, and when it was time to withdraw.

"You can't ride by yourself.” Reiner objected, his brow furrowing in frustration or concern, you couldn't tell.

You turned to Rivaille to hear his response, and were surprised to find a small smile playing on his lips. 

"Which is why (Name) shall be returning with me."

"Eh?” The small sound escaped your mouth before you could stop it.

You could swear Rivaille smirked at you.

Fortunately, no one saw. Everyone was looking to where the sound of hoof beats echoed. Mikasa rode up, a second horse beside her. Upon seeing the group, she quickly dismounted and strode over. She must have somehow sensed all eyes were on her, for she walked with purpose. 

"Ackerman.” Rivaille's voice was strained, through he tried to hide it. "You are taking charge of the mission. Try not to get anyone killed, will you?"

Mikasa narrowed her eyes at the corporal. "Yes, Sir. Try not to die on the way back, will you?"

You could see a few smirks at her response. 

Rivaille didn't comment on her insubordinate behavior, instead using you as a support as he swayed to his feet. You stood as well, supporting him as he clutched again at his shoulder, one arm slung over your back.

Standing as tall as he could, Rivaille looked Mikasa straight in the eye as he spoke. "I bestow upon you the responsibility of these soldier's lives during this mission, as well as the temporary role of corporal. Do you accept?” His voice was low, and echoed with a hidden threat if Mikasa failed her responsibilities. 

Mikasa regarded him evenly, and was still for a moment. After a pause, she brought her right arm across her body in a salute.

"Yes, Corporal."

Rivaille let out the smallest of exhales. "Good. Now where's my freaking horse?" He grumbled the last part under his breath.

Mikasa turned, revealing Rivaille's black stallion, tied next to your dappled mare.

Rivaille turned silently to you, a silent signal to depart. 

"Be careful, (Name)" Jean spoke behind you, his voice grave. 

You turned to look at him over your shoulder. "Thanks, Jean. Try to be safe."

He nodded, his face unchanging with his serious expression. 

After mounting, Rivaille climbed up beside you, wincing at the exertion. The squad stared up at the two of you expectantly. 

You turned, giving a silent glance over your shoulder at the squad before spurring your horse onward into the titan infested plains.
I finally finished it~!!
A thanks to my beta readers, who edited this.

There is going to be two more parts, a third chapter, and an epilouge, :3

Now, what to do next?
© 2013 - 2024 Zephyros22
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avatarreiko's avatar
I need to remember that if yelling doesn't work, slapping usually fulfills that job