Levi did not know how or when it had started. He did not even know that such a thing could exist. But, apparently, it mattered enough if Kenny kept persistently bugging him about it.
"Have you met someone?"
At the time, Levi would just frown and shake his head, too young to understand. He still did not understand what Kenny had meant. But as a child, he just took it as one of Kenny's crazy questions. But, the older man had always seemed a bit relieved with Levi's answer.
"Don't go spilling your blood to anyone," Kenny had joked. "Apparently, you don't know who's going to take it." He smirked, sending a small shiver of fear through young Levi's small frame. "You just might find yourself losing your soul." He leaned in closer. "Do you want to lose your soul?"
Levi shook his head timidly. "No."
Kenny nodded, sitting back, as if satisfied. "Good. Now, don't spill your blood rashly."
Levi frowned, cocking his head as he wondered at what that could mean. Did it mean not to lose in a fight? He was already aware that to bleed meant you were hurt, and if you were hurt, you could not fight back properly.
"I won't get hurt," Levi said confidently.
Kenny snorted, leaning back with a frown. "Arrogant brat," he muttered, relaxing in his chair. He cocked his head, gazing at Levi. "You know anything about the Ackerman's?"
Levi swallowed, nervous once more. This question was almost too easy. It was like he was meant to fail, he knew he would fail. "It's my last name," he finally answered.
Kenny scoffed, pushing himself away from the table. "I'm done with you now." With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving Levi alone.
Levi frowned, watching him leave. How had he offended Kenny this time? Was it because of the deceptively easy question? Perhaps, as it didn't take much to offend Kenny. Levi grimaced, hugging his knees to his chest as he dwelled on those thoughts.
Hopeless. That's what he was. He had answered what he thought to be one simple question, and he had driven Kenny away. Confusion was an old friend and a well known feeling to Levi at the point, but he had learned to hide his inner feelings well.
Kenny still had not come back, and Levi had retreated to his room for the night. The four walls and the shut door offered him a sense of safety. He could see everything, and he knew where everything was. The walls were thin, and Levi could hear if anyone was approaching him with ill intentions. In fact, anyone coming after him probably meant him harm in the first place.
At night, Levi would clutch the one pillow he had close, fingering the dagger hidden beneath it. He never took it out, aware that a hidden weapon was a powerful weapon. It was a smooth, small weapon, and it was all he had at the moment.
But tonight, alone and in the dark, he decided to take it out. With what light that was left, he stared at the small blade. It was not much, barely a cutting knife, but it was a knife he knew how to use. It was still sharp, and it was easy to hide.
He touched the tip of the edge lightly with his finger, feeling his skin press against the blade. Any harder, and he would break his skin and draw blood.
"Don't spill your blood ratilly."
Levi frowned at Kenny's words, the very same words that echoed in his memory. He had spilled his blood before. He had scrapped up his knees, cut his fingers, banged up his head. What did Kenny even mean about not spilling his blood? The confusion only grew, along with the first question Kenny had asked him.
"Have you met someone?"
He had met many people, many different people. How was he supposed to answer that? Maybe he should have said 'yes' instead. That way, he wouldn't be lying. But Kenny's final question, the one that drove him off, confused Levi even more.
"You know anything about the Ackerman's?"
His name was an Ackerman. His mother was an Ackerman. It was just another name, an extra word for him to say. But it could be turned into a legend if need be. It could serve as a warning to others, or it could mark him with an unwanted burden, tag him for someone he wasn't meant to be.
But it was still his name.
"I am an Ackerman," Levi whispered softly.
Just a little harder, and he would break the skin. His skin.
He blinked in surprise, coming back to his senses when he felt the small sting of the knife prick his finger. He watched as the crimson blood trailed down the blade before dripping onto the sheets.
He sat up, staring at the tiny droplets. There was nothing different about them. It was just blood. Spilled blood that was shed rashly.
He grimaced, noting that his sheets were now ruined and he would have to figure out a way to clean them. He glanced at the knife, still stained with his blood. The red bled into the tainted metal, and he could not help but stare at it in wonder.
He had never noticed how bright a color red was.
He quickly used a rag to wipe at his bleeding finger, the small trickle of blood finally stopping. Nothing had happened. No one came for him, and he was still intact. So what was so wrong with spilling blood? His blood?
He slid the knife back under his pillow, the tainted blade forgotten for but a moment.
Kenny checked his room.
He never checked Levi's room.
Levi stood in the corner nervously, watching as Kenny stared at the small bed. He wondered what had caused Kenny to even come up here in the first place. There was nothing that should bring Kenny up there.
The small prick on his finger throbbed, causing Levi to winch. He hid his hand behind his back, standing up rigidly. His gaze followed the older man, watching as Kenny simply stared at the small bed Levi usually slept on.
"So," Kenny said, finally speaking up. "You spilled your precious Ackerman blood." He glared at Levi, his gaze unreadable.
Levi stayed still, not daring to speak up.
Kenny continued pointing his glare at Levi, even as he strode towards the door. "Alright," he grouched. "We're heading out." Levi had no choice but to follow after him. He hated walking in the dirty streets, yet he said nothing as Kenny led the way.
"So," Kenny started as he slammed the door shut. "You know about your precious Ackerman Power." He glanced at Levi. "Well?"
Levi nodded quickly, falling into step beside Kenny. "An awakening of power."
"Yeah, well, don't go around relying on that ability," Kenny gruffed. "It'll get you killed." He sighed, actually looking annoyed that he had to explain this. "The Ackerman Power comes with a curse. You actually have to form an Ackerman Bond with someone. You gotta share your blood, or whatever. Touch it, drink it, I don't care what you do. Blood needs to touch blood.
He coughed. "Anyway, you bind yourself to the one person you are meant to follow and protect. That kind of junk. It's bondage to your 'blood bond,' and it's your problem."
Levi took in all this new information that Kenny was spewing, staring silently at the ground. He had been taught many things in Kenny's care. If living with Kenny could eve be counted as 'care.' But he had been taught how to survive, how to fight. He knew the best ways to kill a person, or how to escape out of tough situations.
He had learned how to kill, all thanks to Kenny.
But this odd stuff he was talking about...this Ackerman Bond, he did not know what to make of it. Was it more of the shaded truth that he was not meant to know?
"You bind yourself to someone," Kenny continued, smirking. "For eternity. That person becomes your blood bond. Your 'bonded' if you will."
Levi frowned, confused. "My blood bond?" he echoed. He clamped his mouth shut, realizing that he should not have spoken up if he desired more answers, but Kenny did not seem to mind the interruption.
Instead, he looked almost passive as he nodded at Levi's question. "Yeah, your blood bond or bonded. However you word it, that person is still the same to all Ackermans when they create the bond. They are your master, to put it bluntly."
Levi blinked, nearly freezing up in his steps. A master? He could have a...a master? Someone commanding what he did, someone who controlled his life? He shivered at the thought.
Kenny noted his unease and chuckled madly. "The Ackerman's are slaves. Always have been, and always will be." He scoffed. "That's why you shouldn't spill your blood ratilly. You will feel a connection with whomever you touch, and you will feel compelled to perform a bond with them." He shrugged. "However, I think both individuals, the Ackerman and the other guy, have to acknowledge the bond to make it permanent." He glared at Levi. "Don't go making that mistake. Do you want to be a slave?"
Levi shook his head. "No." The very thought of being a slave to anyone, being forced to bond with someone, was a disturbing thought. What if he was bonded to someone like Kenny?
He instantly thought of his mother. He could only remember her vaguely, but he could not help but wonder about her situation, the situations that led to her death. Had she created a bond with anyone? Was that what got her killed?
If that was what being an Ackerman was about, than Levi hated his last name. It was a name bound with a curse, a curse he did not want. He hunched his shoulders, pulling his worn cloak tight around him as he passed by other people in an effort to make himself smaller than before. As long as he kept a good distance from other and avoided physical touch, than he decreased the risk of becoming a slave to someone else, right?
"Hey," Kenny said, pulling Levi from his thoughts. "Don't go spilling your blood ratilly, you understand?"
Levi stared at the older man, sensing the sudden weight and intensity of his words. Freedom was a rare thing down here. Many were enslaved, either to someone else or to self destructive habits. Those people wound up in a shallow grave or in the ditch.
Levi wanted to be neither. But now, his blood could be his undoing.
He nodded in response. "I understand."
That was years ago, when Levi had been a child. A confused child.
"Hey! Levi Bro!" Isabel shrieked, leaping towards him. The young red head moved surprisingly fast, landing in front of Levi and causing him to blink at her wide smile. "What's got you making a face like that?"
"He's thinking, Isabel," Furlan groaned, not even looking up from whatever he was working on. "Leave him alone."
Isabel frowned peering at Levi. He leaned back a bit at her sudden, close proximity. "Looks like it hurts," she commented.
Levi huffed, leaning forward in his seat and ruffling her hair. Isabel yelped indignantly as he tight pigtails were messed up slightly. "For you, maybe," he commented wryly.
She scowled. "Hey! I can think! I'm actually really smart!"
"Yeah?" Furlan asked. "Than what's twenty-six plus seven?"
Levi smirked as he got up from the stiff chair while Isabel struggled to come up with an answer. "It's thirty-three," he stated calmly.
Furlan frowned. "The question was meant for her."
"Yeah," Levi commented, glancing back at Isabel. "But her thinking looked like it hurt." Isabel stuck out her tongue playfully at his response.
Levi moved towards the ODM gear that Furlan had recently cleaned. His fingers lightly brushed up against the gear, the cold metal igniting a sudden desire to use it once more. Though he never spoke up about it, the feeling of flying through the air was exhilarating.
Stealing this equipment was more than worth it.
"Should we go out for a spin?" Furlan asked, grinning up at Levi. The Ackerman glanced at his blonde companion, catching the knowing smirk. Furlan knew, and he understood the feeling.
Levi smirked back. "Why not?"
Isabel leaped upwards into the air, pumping her fist. "All right! Let's go out and fly!" She eagerly hopped over, gathering her gear. "I'll be faster than Levi Bro!"
Levi couldn't help but scoff. "Don't get your hopes up. And let's try and not catch anymore unwanted attention." He tilted his head up, dark hair falling out of his eyes. "Let's make this a bit more relaxing."
Furlan blinked. "Whoa, you want to be relaxed?"
"Guess all that hard thinking really did do something to the brain, huh?" Isabel teased.
Levi shrugged as he strapped on his ODM gear. "If you want to waste a good opportunity to fly while running from others, be my guest." The gear clicked into place as Levi moved. He knew how to strap on the gear with his eyes closed. It was natural for him, just like using his Ackerman power…
...with his Ackerman Bond-
He pushed the thought away abruptly. No. he was not going to think about that. Not here, not now. Besides, why of all days was he having these types of thoughts?
As Isabel cheered and gathered her gear, and Farlen commented about the noise, Levi stood in silence. He was quickly washed up in Isabel's eagerness and Furlan's wry humor as they all made their way down the streets and up the buildings.
In moments, he was flying through the air. His cape tugged on the breeze as he zipped by, quickly speeding up and ahead of his two companions. The cold air slapped at his cheeks, but it was a feeling of exhilaration that he normally never received. He closed his eyes briefly, soaking in this addicting feeling. The threat of falling always loomed at large for them, and it was that very threat that made this so enjoyable to him.
Yes, this was his relaxation.
"Hey! Levi Bro! You're moving awfully fast. I didn't think this was a race!" Isabel called out cheekily.
Levi glanced back to see Isabel speeding up towards him. Her red hair was whipping about, her twin pigtails flapping about. Her pale cheeks were now pink from the wind, her smile bright. Determination was etched in her brow as she sped up, easily keeping pace with him and Furlan.
"It's not, because you would lose!"
In that moment, Levi looked up as Furlan zoomed past him, his laugh echoing before fading as he pulled up ahead. Levi's eyes narrowed as he took in the silent challenge. He tightened his grip on the handles, already preparing himself to chase after Furlan. After all, Levi never accepted a challenge he knew he couldn't win.
And he knew he could win this one.
"Hey! No fair! I wasn't looking!" Isabel protested.
Levi adjusted his hold on the ODM gear. "Stop fussing and speed up," he ordered before racing after Furlan. He picked up speed, he began chasing after the blonde man. Furlan glanced back, a taunting smirk on his face as Levi passed him by. "You're getting slow," Furlan called after him.
Levi tossed him a look. "And who is falling behind?"
"YAHOO!" Isabel hollored as she flew past them both, her smile widening. The wind once more tugged on her cape, and Levi wondered if she was going to get tangled up in the thick fabric.
"The both of us," Furlan stated, scowling as he tried to pursue Isabel. Levi did the same, pulling up ahead and past Farlen. In a matter of seconds, he flew below Isabel before cutting in front of her, once more in the lead.
"Bro! I'm getting faster!" Isabel shouted.
Levi glanced at her with a small smirk. "Not as fast as me."
Isabel frowned, a challenge igniting inside of her. "I will be!" she promised quickly. "Soon, I'll be faster!"
"Hey! We've got company!" Furlan shouted suddenly.
Levi looked back, his almost relaxing moment shattered somewhat as he looked back and caught the faint shadows of several figures not too far behind them.
"There are four of them, and fifty meters behind!" Furlan shouted. He glanced back. "But there aren't that many today."
Levi frowned, noting how fast their pursuers were moving. He knew this territory well, and losing them wouldn't be too much of a problem. The MP's always gave up eventually.
Isabel huffed. "Those military police guys just don't learn." She brightened up suddenly, turning her attention to Levi. "Hey! Levi! Wasn't that cool, what I just said?"
Levi couldn't help but sigh at her comment. "Don't do anything stupid," he warned, resigned. Because, Isabel was most likely to do something like that. Something that would get them caught, or damage their ODM gear.
"We can't afford to lead them straight to our hideout. I know it's a pain," he started. "But," here, he glanced at his two companions. "Isabel, Furlan."
Both of them brightened up as he addressed them, even as Levi adjusted his ODM gear, they understood what needed to be done. They knew the drill.
He smirked. Well, he wanted to go out for a spin anyway. This wasn't any different, right? "Here we go," he announced, zooming forward.
The many people below on the ground watched as the three humans fell from the sky with rapid speed. Many fell, cowering to the floor as Levi's feet barely brushed up against the ground. He leaped back upwards, his gear carrying him into the sky. The indignant and enraged shouts faded behind him. He was followed after by Isabel's excited shrieks and the mess he left behind.
He ducked in between buildings and through archways, the sound of his gear and the wind filling his ears. He spun, increasing in speed. He knew this area, he knew what to do in these types of situations. His breakneck speed filled him with a careless exhilaration.
"They're still coming after us," Furlan warned. "And they're even closer than before."
Levi glanced behind him once more, eyes narrowing instantly. Where had that speed and determination come from? The MPs were never this good before.
"They might not be military police," Levi said suddenly. He ignored Isabel's confused glance as he turned sharply. "I'll have to see for myself." He nodded to them. "You two, double back fast and leave the rest to me."
Isabel smirked while Furlan grinned. "Of course," the blonde said, his eyes twinkling. "You do what you do best."
"Go get 'em bro!" Isabel shouted as he raced on back, her cheers fading behind.
Levi moved sharply, flying upwards. He past by the hooded pursuers before roughly jerking back. His gaze past over their thick, green capes. His eyes widened slightly as he took in the blue and white crest of the Wings of Freedom.
Tch, so he was right. They were being pursued by the Scouts.
He scoffed. Apparently, they were so well heard of that the Survey Corps had to come after them. In a way, he was flattered, and a bit annoyed.
"Time to lose you guys," he muttered, dropping out of sight. He was curious. Just how good were the Scouts? Did their reputation proceed them? But more importantly, what had he done to gain the Scout's attention? He really did not want the Survey Corps to get involved in his life. They should just stick to battling Titans instead.
He glanced over his shoulder, noting that the Scouts were still not too far behind him. Only two were pursuing him so far. One was even closer than before.
Levi changed tactics, his movements becoming sharper but more controlled as he tried to shake his tail. But the one pursuer still managed to keep him in his sights, even speeding up. In that moment, his hood was pushed back to reveal blonde hair, his blue eyes narrowed in determination.
Levi smirked.
Heh, this one was good.
Levi flicked his wrist, changing direction rapidly.
But, this Scout wasn't not good enough.
He swung back, his speed increasing as he let density do all the work in pulling him down. He quickly lurched upwards, his back arching. But his blonde pursuer changed tactics just as quickly. He didn't move as sharply as Levi, but his speed was maintained as he kept Levi in his sights.
"Alright," Levi muttered. "I've lost interest." With that, he ducked into an alleyway. He flipped and turned, avoiding the tight spots as he moved with blinding speed. He did not lose traction, nor did he stumble as he spun upside down, observing his surroundings.
Nothing. His pursuers were nowhere in sight.
He huffed. In a way, he was a little disappointed that the challenge was over and done with. But...he was still annoyed that his day had been interrupted.
"That got a little crazy," he muttered as he landed, coming to a running halt. His boots scuffed against the ground as he walked. He couldn't help but grin in wry amusement. "I hope none of them crashed."
He was alerted to the rushing sound a moment too late. He barely had time to raise his hands to protect himself as his new adversary crashed into him from out of nowhere. Levi grunted as he was flung backwards, but he regained his footing.
He adjusted his stance, feeling the full force of his enemy land on him. In that moment, his gaze locked with this new man, his face twisted in a scowl.
Levi launched forward, flipping the larger man over his shoulder and sending him crashing to the ground. He leaped upwards, putting some distance between the two of them. His eyes surveyed the area, noting that there should be at least one more Scout.
The man who had been just as fast as him. The man who had been a slight challenge.
He shook his head. Now was not the time to get lost in thought. He had to escape. With that thought, he hooked one of his ODM cables.
Movement from up above caused him to look up, and he received his answer on the missing Scout.
He fell from the sky, literally, his blades drawn. Levi ducked out of the way, his ODM cables snapping as the sword cut right through them. He growled as he was pushed back, flipping over and slamming into a nearby brick wall. His back exploded in pain, but he did not cry out as he crumbled to the ground.
"You brought him down, Erwin?" the first man asked, clearly startled. Levi resisted scowling, even as his hand slipped into his inner pockets to withdraw his dagger.
There is no way he would ever go down this easily.
"No," the man, Erwin, answered.
Ah, so this man was smart.
Levi lunged forward, blade out. The sharp weapon slashed at Erwin's hand, cutting through the skin. Faint traces of blood splattered onto the ground and onto the hilt of Levi's small dagger.
Tch, he'd have to clean that weapon later.
The small cut did nothing to deter Erwin as he brought his blades up to defend himself. Levi brought up his knife quickly, counter attacking. He ducked out of the way, knowing that his small knife would not be enough to hold off those two swords. His best bet was to aim low and end this quickly.
He brought up his knife, but not quickly enough as the blades slashed at his wrists. Levi grunted as his own blood splattered into his sleeves from the swords. Dang it, and this Scout had already managed to injure him!
Erwin lunged forward as they both grappled for control. Levi's wrists were seized, even as his bloodied knife lingered over the Scout's forehead. Levi stumbled back, ready to lash out with his legs and use a dirty trick all knew how to use on bigger men.
In that moment, Levi got a good look of his adversary. He narrowed his eyes as the pressure on his wrists were tightened, his blood now soaking on Erwin's hands. Even hunched over, this Scout was taller than Levi.
This was why he hated tall people.
Levi let out a small gasp, not of pain, but of surprise. His entire body was thrumming, and he became alert. Everything around him was sharper, more intense. He became aware of his surroundings, but nothing was more vibrant than the man holding him captive.
"Don't go spilling your blood ratilly."
Kenny's words echoed back to him, a foreboding message, an unwanted reminder. Even as his own blood dripped on Erwin's clenched hands, the very hand that Levi had cut, he understood what Kenny had meant.
As those blue eyes met his, Levi's own grey gaze widened in shock.
No...it couldn't be…
Was this man now...his blood bond?