As night rolled into day, Levi had returned to Hanji's cell. She was still asleep; yet, her arms were blood stained, as well as her shirt and shorts. He sighed and stepped inside quietly after grabbing a warm, damp cloth. He gently wiped her arms clean and found that she had cut her skin with her nails. Levi then stood up but felt a hand grab his ankle firmly. Hanji looked up at him, her eyes red, puffy and wet with tears.
"Please don't leave again…" She pleaded.
He nodded in understanding; "I won't" he knelt down in front of her and tucked some stray strands of hazelnut brown hair behind her ear.
Erwin gently knocked on the window, looking over at Levi as if asking to talk with him. Levi nodded once and walked out of the cell, closing the door.
"Yes eyebrows?" He questioned.
The blonde just rolled his eyes, "I need you to take her outside for a little bit"
Levi froze up. Take her outside?. So she can run in front of a car?.. He thought to himself, "Sir, I don't think that's a good idea-"
"Do it Levi" Erwin interrupted.
The shorter male nodded; "As you wish" he moved back into the room, "Hey, Zoe, would you like to go outside for a bit?"
Her head darted up to look at him, "As in, outside where the sun is?"
He nodded, "Yes, where the sun is, but you must promise me you won't do anything stupid, unnecessary or dangerous, understand?"
She nodded, "I promise!"
Levi removed the neck shackle and put an electric collar on her neck, "I have no choice to put this on you"
Hanji whimpered and looked down.
He stepped out of the cell with her clinging to his arm and refused to be even a foot away from him. He walked outside. Hanji scowled and hid her face in his shoulder. Levi chuckled and walked along a pathway with her. She started to scratch her arms again. He sighed and pressed a button on a remote that made an electric shock hit her pulse.
"You fucking son of a bitch" She sneered, glaring at him.
"I warned you" He spoke blankly and continued walking.
He waked to a beach with her, taking off their shoes and letting their toes sink into the sand. Hanji giggled and held his hand, walking to the water and kicking her legs, splashing Levi with water. He chuckled slightly but kept walking.
After all that, they sat on the sand dunes and watched the water creep up and then slink away. If anyone saw them, they probably would've thought they were a couple. Hanji rested her head on Levi's lap, using him as a pillow. Levi nonchalantly ran his hand through her hair, thinking to himself. She loved it, finally being able to be outside, apart from the electric collar.
"Come on, I'd better take you back, and, if you're lucky, I can convince Erwin to see if I can take you out tonight for some dinner"
"I would love that" She smiled.
Levi blushed softly, it was the first time she had genuinely smiled since the incident 4 years ago. He slightly smiled back before standing up and then helping her up. She held his hand and rested her head on his shoulder. They walked back silently, enjoying each other's company.
Once they got back, Levi helped her shower and got her dressed into something warmer. He put the collar back on instead of the shackle, thinking she would be alright without it. He sent her to sleep and then went to find Erwin.
"Erwin, can I have a word with you?" He looked up at the blonde.
Erwin nodded, "It's about Hanji isn't it?"
Levi rolled his eyes, "No fucking shit, I was wondering if I could take her out later tonight"
"No" Erwin spoke plainly, no emotion or consideration found in his voice.
"I'll have them raise your pay"
"Deal"
With that, they parted ways, Erwin back to his office and Levi back to the window.
