Hola my readers! I am in the last few stages of my other stories and thinking of all those things made another idea pop up in my head, so this is kind of a side project. I will try to have all 3 SnK stories updated once a week, maybe more for the other 2, since they are in their final chapters.
This is a Levi x OC and I have not decided if I want to write a lemon or not, so for now, the rating will be M. If you like the story, make sure you follow and/or favorite it so that if any changes are made, you can easily find it. I have also used an OC generator to make pictures of my OCs, so if you would like, I will post them on my DeviantArt. My user name is Ulyesses.
I usually dedicate songs to the chapters I am working on and if you are familiar with my other stories, you will know that I am an avid Ellie Goulding fan.
WARNING: This fic is not 100% fitted to the manga or anime and may have a few things pulled out of thin air. This does, however, coincide with A Choice With No Regrets, so we are going way back before wall Maria tumbled down.
Another warning, I am known for cliff hangers. You've been seriously warned.
Reviews are appreciated, though not expected. I check my charts, I know if people are reading or not, but I do love comments and constructive criticism. I can't get better with out it!
Song: I know you care by Ellie Goulding
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SHENGEKI NO KYOJIN OR ITS CHARACTERS. I ONLY OWN MY OC'S AND PLOT LINE.
She was young when she meet him. Starving, cold, sick, and barely able to move. People dying in the gutter in the underground was not uncommon and she was almost one of them. She had no home, no family, no name; there was nothing for her until he found her.
He was young too, in his early twenties. He had two others with him, Isabel and Farlan. Isabel was almost scared of her, while Farlan seemed upset at the other man for wanting to take her back to their home. "She could have diseases." He had argued. But he ignored it.
Levi. His name was Levi. Despite his abrasive personallity, Isabel being extremely hyperactive, and Farlan always at an arm's length, they became her family. Isabel called her 'Sissy' and Farlan called her 'Squirt'. Since she had no name to begin with, the first night she was with them, they named her Hattie.
Levi demanded that she have a bath and get all that gutter 'filth' off of her. Isabel was thrilled to see that once the dirt was cleaned off, Hattie was actually a very cute girl. She had large sky blue eyes, rimmed with dark lashes; fair skin (with a few bruises from being on the streets) with a few freckles on her nose, pouty lips, and long, fair blond hair. Isabel said she was too pretty to be living in the underground. Levi insisted that she wear her hair up so that it would not get caught and was not so easy to pull. He almost smacked himself when she pulled it up into a lop-sided pony tail.
She lived with them for years, growing into one of them and occasionally helping with jobs. Levi taught her how to use a 3DMG and gave her a pair of goggles he had snatched from some one he had killed. Though morbid, she cherished the gift and wore them on her head at all times. They were convenient when flying around.
When she turned sixteen, five years after they had found her, she noticed that Farlan started staring at her more and more and Isabel was sharing more of her clothes with her. It wasn't like she had a lot any way, making more sense to share their clothes.
She didn't get very tall, but she wasn't such a 'squirt' any more either. She was eye level with Levi and though he wasn't very tall, his personality sure made it seem like it. Farlan always found ways to tease her, nudge her side, or put an arm around her. That made Isabel gag and Levi kick Farlan in the shin almost on a daily bases. And then, in a blink of an eye, they were gone. They took a job and Levi made her stay behind, alone, in their little crumbled shack in the underground.
"I think you are being completely unfair, Levi, I am capable of doing this job too." She pouted at dinner, not touching the little amount of food they were able to conjure up.
"I didn't ask you for your opinion. You're not going, that is final." He picked up his tea in that strange way of his, looking over the cup at her. "You are not as experienced as the other two."
She grit her teeth, her nails digging into her palms almost painfully. "That is bullshit!"
"Sissy, when we get back, it won't matter. We will be able to live in the Capital!" Isabel sighed and rested her cheek against her palm. "We won't have to share clothes or sleep in the same bed."
Hattie stuck her tongue out at her, but still boiled in her seat. She wanted to see outside the wall too. She wondered if the sky was more blue.
And they left. Hattie stayed behind in their home, staring at her boots. There was not much to do. Cleaning, patching holes in the ceiling, stitching up clothing. That was all she had.
After a week of being alone, she decided that if she could make it up to the surface, perhaps she could see if she could snag a job. She wouldn't kill, that was Levi's speciality. It wasn't that hard to find one as soon as she reached the surface either. Nobles were rotten people.
When she heard that the gate was opening so the Survey Corps could return, she was one of the first to line the streets to see her friends come back. She was ready to not eat garbage or live in that shack underground. She was ready for good food and her own clothes. She could barely contain her excitement.
The men coming through the gate were torn to pieces, literally and figuratively. They all had hollow eyes and horrified expressions. And the three she was looking for weren't with them. She kept looking, feeling panic rise in her as more and more injured soldiers filed in. Then the cart of the casualties appeared.
On his horse, next to the cart, was Levi. The look on his face wasn't right and the way he stared forward with the same hollow look as the others made her heart beat faster. The caravan stopped and Levi was almost right in front of her. She broke through the crowd, anxious to see her friend and the others."Levi!" She stumbled out, catching her balance. "Wait!"
His head barely turned towards her and she felt her stomach twist. "What happened? Are you okay? Where is Isabel and Farlan?" She tried to take his hand, but he jerked away from her, as if she was filthy. "Levi?"
He sat there for a few moments, as if he was contemplating telling her, before dismounting his horse and looking at her. She swallowed. "Where is Isabel and Farlan, Levi?" She asked more desperately. In her heart, something told her that she didn't want the answer. He turned from her and walked towards the cart, Hattie on his heels. She tried not to cry. Why was he going to the casuality cart? Stopping at his side, she found that no matter how hard she tried, her eyes began to water.
"We were fools." Was all he said before he pulled back some of the tarp, Isabel's eyes appearing. There was no body, her mouth hanging open in a silent scream.
She stepped back, gasping and her tears making hot trails down her face and Hattie felt her despair take over. "No...Izzy...no." She stroked the hair that was showing, hoping that in some way, it would make the nightmare end. She stared at the pile of bodies in front of her.
"I'm staying with them. I have to go." Levi covered the head that once belonged to her friend and turned away.
"What...?" She turned away from them and faced Levi again. "You mean...you're going away?" She tried to reach towards him again, but like before, he pulled away.
He walked toward his horse, the dead look in his eyes never-fading. "Don't go back to the way of life I taught you. Do better. For them." He mounted his horse.
She rushed to his side, grabbing his pant leg, her heart pounding against her ribs painfully. "You can't leave me, we're family. You're all I have left. Please..."
He stared down at her, reaching under his cape and pulling out a chain, holding it out to her. She took it and held it in her hands. It was the key that Isabel used to wear around her neck. "It was Isabel's. Maybe we will cross paths again some day." He nudged his horse and trotted up toward the front. She stared after him, her eyes glistening with tears.
She was alone, again. But that did not drag her down. After that day, no matter how much she resented him for choosing the Survey Corps over her, she swore that she would be by his side again, no matter what it took. She would have her family again.
Five flippin' years and all I have to show for it is shoveling shit. Hattie sighed as she continued to muck out the stalls. She had graduated, survived the attack on Trost, and joined the Survey Corps. She had been in for two years, dealing with the drama of Eren Jaeger and Historia Reiss, following orders, and holding in her sass as best she could, and now all she did was shovel shit.
And she never saw Levi. Occasionally she would see him around or he would run the drills, but she was never able to see him face to face. He had grown old, she noticed. His age just made him more intolerable. Not that she minded. He was alive, that was all that mattered. And not only that, but he didn't seem to recognize her at all. She looked different, but not that different. How could he miss the fucking goggles, that dumbass!
Instead of her messy side pony tail, she now wore it in a bun on her head. It wasn't the neatest bun, but it wasn't as bad as the pony tail. And she tried her best to be clean. Maybe that is why Levi never visited her quarters for inspection.
Commander Hange liked to tease Hattie and liked how hot-headed the younger girl could get. It was almost like the woman got off on how much she could annoy Hattie. But despite that, Hattie genuinely liked her superior. She had also made friends with Mikasa, Sasha, Eren, and a few other's from her graduating class. But she was one of the few people who Mikasa could challenge and actually have a decent spar. They also shared the same wish to be close to those their family and loved ones. Hattie never revealed her relations to Levi with the others but it was obvious she was trying to gain his attention. Jean found it necessary to tease her about it. She found it necessary to punch the side of his head.
Truthfully, she thought she would get her chance to reunite with Levi when they took back Wall Maria. It only made things more complicated since he was now busier than ever. Sometimes she would remember Isabel and Farlan and wanted to run into Levi's arms for comfort. She missed her family. She missed her and Isabel's shenanigans, she missed Farlan's jokes, and she missed Levi's presence.
"Hey! Wester! We're being called! You better not smell like horse shit or you'll get written up!" Connie yelled from the other side of the stalls. She mumbled under her breath and quickly made her way to the court-yard, wiping her shoes on the grass as she went.
She fell in with the others, adjusting the goggles on her head and straighten her jacket. She looked over to see Mikasa talking with Eren. "What did we get called for? We already drilled today." Hattie asked the dark-haired girl. Mikasa shrugged and leaned towards her.
"I heard that some one pulled a prank and now we are all going to get it."
Hattie scoffed and scowled. "Awesome. When I find out who did it, I will give them a reason to cry." Mikasa nodded in agreement.
Coming out of a door into the courtyard was Commander Hange, Captain Levi, and Squad Leader Moblit. The Commander and her sidekick looked like they were about to burst into laughter, while Levi looked like he was going to stab someone. Hattie hated that look. He used to give it to her when she wouldn't do the dishes. Everyone saluted in respect.
"Listen up." Levi stepped forward and Hattie was reminded of how intimidating he was. He was short, but he wasn't a little guy. He could pack a punch. "Some shit bag thought it would be funny," He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of cloth. "To put this in my pillow case."
Hattie looked at the cloth closely and knew why Hange and Moblit were about to lose it. They were underwear. She was about to snicker when she noticed that they looked familiar. They were her underwear. Mortification spread over her face and it turned white as the blood drained from it. Other members of the squad were trying not to laugh, but some failed. Some one shoved underwear up the Captain's pillowcase. It would be funny if they weren't her's.
"Who do these belong to?" He held them out more so the other's could see. Hattie almost fainted. He was touching her underwear. Unknowingly.
"Mikasa..." Hattie whispered at the girl. "Those are mine." She said in even a lower tone.
The dark-haired girl bit her lip and trembled as she tried not to laugh. "You're kidding."
Hattie shook her head, trying to hide her horrified expression. "I'm gonna die."
Mikasa nudged her, glaring at her friend. "Don't be melodramatic."
"Sir, I believe those belong to Wester." Sasha raised her hand and Hattie wanted to throttle her. She had to be in on it! Everyone's eyes flew to her and her face turned beet red. How could some one do that to her? She was doing so well!
Even though Hange looked like she was about to die of laughter, she stepped up next to the captain. "To my office, now." She waved her forward, her voice light. Hattie followed the trio, pretty sure that her career in the Survey Corps was ending today. And possibly her life. The look on Levi's face was only confirming her thoughts. The long walk up towards the commander's office was even more terrifying as every now and then she would find Levi sending her a death glare.
Once the door was shut to Hange's office, she began to laugh as she leaned against a messy desk. Moblit held his laughter but it was obvious he found this funny. Levi tossed the underwear at Hattie, who caught them with shame. "Oh, that is good." Hange sighed once she calmed down. "How did you pull that one off?"
Levi snarled and turned on Hange, crossing his arms. "This is not funny."
"On the contrary, Levi, this is hilarious." Hange put her arm around Hattie. "You are such a sneaky little girl!"
Hattie stuffed the panties into her pocket and kept looking down at the floor. "I didn't do it."
Hange tilted her head and dropped her arm. "Oh. That is a little embarrassing. Some one violated you too." The older woman shook her head. "Shameful."
Levi stepped closer to the two and his brow twitched. "Listen, I don't give a rat's ass who did it, some one is going to pay."
"It wasn't me, sir! I swear! Why would I even do that?" She felt her anger rise up slightly and she puffed up towards Levi. "In all respect, sir, I don't think your are thinking this through and acting irrationally."
"You think you can get away with talking to your superior that way? Two weeks paper work." Levi held up two fingers and then quickly turned away from her.
"But that's not fair!" Hattie looked at Hange, who shrugged at her. Some help she was.
"Four. You want more?" Levi turned around again.
Hange put a hand on Hattie's shoulder. "Why don't you go wait outside for a second?"
She didn't need to be told twice. She almost ran from the room in fear, anger, and embarrassment. She was just as much of a victim as he was! He was being so unreasonable. She didn't remember him being this irritable either.
She sat by the door, stewing in her thoughts while listening to the conversation inside.
"She's right, you are being a giant dick." She heard Hange say.
Hattie heard footsteps. He was pacing. "I don't like waking up to dirty underwear in my face."
"Ohhhhh! Maybe she wants you. You could get laid." Hange snickered and Hattie wanted to run back in there to stab her. That thought was almost...kind of gross. A little.
"Tch. Don't be disgusting. Fratinization between a subordinate and a superior is strictly prohibited. You should know that as the commander, shitty glasses." Oh, now I am disgusting, too. Asshole.
"I don't think she did it. She's a good kid, just doing her best to get by here. She is a victim of the prank too, Levi."
"That brat isn't innocent and cute like you think she is."
"But she isn't the villain you are making her out to be. I will give you the four weeks you sentenced her with for her insubordination, but not because her underwear ended up in your bed."
Hattie didn't care to listen any more. She stood up and walked down the hall way, away from the door. She wasn't even going to wait for the commander to talk to her again and she definitely didn't want to see Levi. She was sure she would hit him.
When did he act so irrational and stupid? He didn't recognize her, he was flipping out over a prank that she was not part of intentionally, and he was acting like she was a nasty little bug under his boot. Heart break set in, but she refused to cry.
In the mess hall, she didn't sit next to any one and barely touched her food. Connie and Sasha were looking at her with sorry eyes, not expecting the consequences and backlash. Earlier, Connie tried to apologize and got a good hit to the gut. The word about her punishment spread like wild-fire and every one knew how pissed she was. Paperwork was worse than titans.
What did I do to deserve to lose my family and be betrayed by friends like that? I didn't get into the top ten in my class, but that wasn't my goal. I met my goal. I have kept my nose clean and I have cleaned up my act. I thought I was doing good. I thought I was going to make him proud...She pushed her food away and left the mess hall, heading to her room for the night. She didn't want to talk or see any one or feel their pity for her.
Opening her door, she stood in the doorway for a moment to look over her tiny living space. It was clean and tidy, like how Levi required all the rooms to be. She had no special belongings and only a couple civilian outfits for her days off (which was rarely ever). She did have a comb that Eren, Armin, and Mikasa got her for her birthday a year ago and the necklace Levi gave her that awful, fateful day.
She closed the door behind her and removed her uniform, hanging her jacket and placing boots in an orderly fashion near the door. She let her hair down and scratched her scalp. She remembered when Isabel would comb her fingers through her hair and yack on about how Farlan was a jerk and/or Levi was being a stupid boy or the home they dreamed of. The home where they would all live and never have to go hungry again.
On the table next to her bed, was a piece of paper. She picked it up and scowled.
'Report in the morning to begin your punishment. Don't be late or I will come find you and put a boot up your ass.'
She crumpled the paper in her hand, clenching her jaw. Her fingers touched the key around her neck. Isabel used to tell her that it was the key to their new home, where ever it was.
Izzy, Farlan, I didn't ever want to imagine a home with out you. Now I have no home and my family is within reach, but he isn't the same.
She shook her head and slipped on her night-gown and crawled into her bed. It would do her no good if she let the thoughts fester in her mind.