AN: I apologize for the long wait between chapters. I would say it won't happen again, but...I'm terrible at keeping promises. This chapter mentions the characters Farlan and Isabel from Levi's gaiden, since I don't think everyone has read it yet. I recommend it; the story is only 4 chapters or so right now, and the artwork is better than the actual snk manga (no offense, but sometimes it's hard to tell characters apart in the canon).
As always, enjoy the chapter and let me know what you think! :)
The next week passed relatively peacefully. Levi was stuck doing paperwork, Hanji was experimenting on her new titan pet – which she had named Donner after a historical cannibal, for some insane reason – and Eren was doing every chore Levi could think of. The boy was still blaming himself for the other experiment going wrong, so Levi figured the more he had to do the less depressed he would get. It was more to keep him from losing his effectiveness than any concern.
Levi was working when a disturbance in the yard called his attention from the inane paperwork he had to do. His eyebrow twitched dangerously as he heard the distinct sound of someone running up the stairs toward his office. If they left a mess on the floor…
"Corporal!" The door flew open and one of the new recruits – a flustered blonde girl whose name he couldn't remember – entered. Without knocking, of course. "There's someone here to see you."
And before Levi could berate her on her poor manners, a larger man stepped into the room. Out of habit, Levi stood. He could see the unicorn head on the front pocket of the man's uniform, and that rarely boded well.
"Corporal Levi, I'm Hans Ludgate from the Military Police Central Branch. I'm here for Eren Jäger."
Levi grabbed blindly for his blades before realizing his gear was lying across the room. Damn. All these years under Erwin's protection had lulled him into a false sense of security. "Eren isn't yours to take," he growled instead, keeping one eye on the other man's rifle.
The man smirked lazily, as if he'd been expecting that exact response. "Oh don't worry Corporal. We don't plan on taking your precious charge against his will." The way the other emphasized the word 'precious' didn't go unnoticed.
"Tch." Levi's eyes darted around the room as he came up with a new plan. "What do you want with him then?"
Ludgate gave him a sly look. "The girl woke up."
That was not what he expected. "What?" Levi immediately stopped looking for a substitute weapon. "What about the crystal?"
"Classified."
"Why are you telling me anything, then?"
The man pulled an official looking paper from his jacket. "Orders from General Zackly himself." He unrolled the paper and read from it. "I am to bring Eren Jäger along with two guards, and yourself, to the building where Annie Leonhart is being held, pending your approval of course." He re-rolled the document and gave Levi a challenging stare. "So do I have your approval?"
"Why do you need Eren in the first place?"
Ludgate let out a fake, cheery laugh. "Oh yes, I forgot to mention it." Levi's eyes narrowed. Whatever it was, was bound to be bad. "Of course, as soon as the girl woke up we wanted to ask her a few questions." An image of what 'asking a few questions' crossed his mind. "But she refused to answer any of them. In fact, she refused to speak at all except to say: 'I won't talk to anyone but Eren.' We, naturally, took that to mean she meant Eren Jäger."
It was most likely a trap. But it was an oh-so clever one. He couldn't say no to them without making it look like he was going against humanity, and if he said yes then Eren would be walking right into the belly of the beast. "You said two guards and myself?"
"Yes. Obviously, we need mankind's strongest soldier to keep both titans in check, and we know you don't exactly feel comfortable in headquarters." His condescending tone was pissing Levi off, but he knew better than to lose his temper.
"…Fine. I will assemble a group and let Jäger know. We'll meet you in the front in an hour. That should give you enough time to rest."
"More than." Ludgate gave a short bow before disappearing out the door. A few seconds later, the blonde from earlier poked her head in. She was so quiet, he hadn't even notice her slip out earlier.
"You, what's your name?" She jumped a little at being called out.
"Christa, sir."
"Christa then, go get Hanji. Tell her I don't care what experiment she's performing; this is more important. Use Moblit if you have to." The girl raced out of the room without another word.
He grabbed his jacket and left, wandering down to the horse stalls he was having Eren clean. This whole situation bothered him. It seemed too convenient that the girl would wake up a mere week after he'd spoken to her, and that she refused to speak with anyone but Eren. The best he could hope for was to find two good guards that could respond well in a fight. As he thought this, he came across a familiar face grumbling about cleaning the windows.
"Kirschstein." The boy froze before turning around, wearing a guilty expression on his face.
"Corporal! I didn't hear you come up behind me...sir. I, uh, was just cleaning and –"
"Quiet. Your shoddy cleaning job is not what I'm here for, nor am I here to discuss your poor work ethic."
Kirschstein had the decency to look ashamed.
"You've posed as Jäger once before, correct?"
The other frowned. "Uh. Yes, sir."
"Good. Put away your cleaning supplies and meet me upstairs in my office. Wait there until I return."
He left the other with a confused expression as he continued on his way to the stables. As he expected, the boy in question was sitting outside, idly talking with his friend. If Levi weren't so preoccupied, he'd have been irritated that the brat was slacking off in that insubordinate way of his.
Levi waited until he was right up beside them before clearing his throat dangerously. Whatever conversation the others had been having stopped short as the brunet turned and gave him the look of a scared deer. "Le – I mean Corporal! Sir! I – uh – was –"
His excuses were worse, if that were even possible, than Kirschstein's were. "Save it." Levi spoke over Eren's continued stuttering. "Both of you follow me. Now."
He turned and walked back to his office, not needing to look behind to see that the others were following him. "Sir, what's going –"
"No questions, brat. Just follow." He wasn't going to talk with them in the open. Not when Hanji still wasn't sure if the 'Ymir' in their squad was the traitor. For once, the brat obeyed him, and Levi didn't have to listen to any more questions until they arrived back in his office. Kirschstein was standing awkwardly in front of the desk, like he wasn't certain he could sit or not, but Hanji had yet to arrive. Regardless, Levi closed the door with a click behind him.
To no one's surprise, it was Eren who spoke first. "What's going on Le – sir?"
Levi walked around to his desk and sunk into his chair, not bothering to invite the others to sit. He crossed his leg and glared at the door, waiting for Hanji to arrive.
Eren couldn't be so patient. "Sir? Who was the man who arrived earlier?"
Levi ground his teeth. Eren would not break him down.
"Sir." He knew the other well enough to sense his irritation.
Like a miracle, there was a knock on the door, and Hanji reappeared with the blonde Christa in tow.
"Thank you," he said to her, motioning that she was dismissed. Christa left, letting the door shut behind her. Hanji met Levi's gaze, her own brows furrowed. Her expression alone was enough for Levi to tell she's seen Ludgate.
"Annie Leonhart has woken up," he began, watching Hanji for her expression. Eren and the other two let out audible gasps, but Hanji's face simply darkened. Good, so she mistrusted the information as well. "Or so they say," he continued. "She has refused to speak with anyone except you, Jäger." With that, he turned his gaze to the brunet. "The Military Police have requested that I escort you, along with two guards, so you can interrogate her for them."
The brat seemed to find his voice. "Why me?"
Levi shrugged. "Who knows? Fellow shifter chat. That is, assuming any of this is true."
Eren and Kirschstein looked confused, but Arlert and Hanji shared similar expressions of understanding. Good. He had been hoping that choosing Arlert as the second guard was a good choice.
"I have chosen you two," he pointed at Kirschstein and Arlert, "to be the guards. I will also accompany you."
"Why me?" Arlert spoke up first. "If you want someone to protect Eren, Mikasa would be a better choice."
Levi shook his head. "You're the one who came up with the plan in Trost and the plan to capture the Female Titan. If it's a trap, we need someone with your strategic thinking, and I can't take Hanji. And you," he turned to Jean, "were ranked in the top ten of your class, if I remember correctly."
"Yes, sir."
"Well, then, I expect your skills will come in handy. You've also replaced Jäger before, so if something happens, then I'm sure Arlert can use that to our advantage. Hanji," he finally gave his attention to the scientist. "If we aren't back within 48 hours, or I haven't sent a note back, then you know what to do." She nodded. "Good. Arlert, Kirschstein, go get your gear. Jäger, wait."
The two exited, but Levi waited until he heard the door shut and footsteps disappear down the hall outside before he stood up and walked before his desk, leaning back against it. "There is a good chance they're going to try to take you. You need to be aware of that."
"Sir, I –"
"Just shut up and listen. When we're travelling, I'll be there, but I guarantee they won't let any of us in the room with you. This is important: whatever happens, do not use your titan power."
"But I –"
"Listen, brat. I'm serious. You've gotten away with it before, but if you use it in there, there's no guarantee of what will happen. Even if you think you were fine before, you've lost control of it."
Hanji spoke up. "He's right you know. Your control over your titan form has decreased drastically from before. Even under controlled conditions, you almost didn't turn back. It's too dangerous."
"What if –"
"No what if's, Eren." Levi snapped. "Just don't."
Silence followed his statement, before Hanji shuffled her feet. "I have to continue my experiment. Is there anything else…?" Levi shook his head. "Well good luck then! Bye!" She disappeared out the door, leaving an irritated Levi and a bewildered Eren.
"Levi," Eren broke the silence after a few moments. "I won't do anything stupid, I promise."
"Tch. All you do are stupid things." He paused. "And don't call me that." The last hardly had a bite to it at all anymore.
Eren took a step towards him. "Levi, are you worried about me?"
"Stop saying my name so much, brat."
"But you finally said mine. It made me happy." He was getting too close, but Levi didn't stop him. Why didn't he stop him?
"You sure have gotten cheeky."
Eren stopped right in front of him. "I really do like you." He leaned in and kissed Levi lightly on the lips. It was soft, just like the first shitty kiss the shitty brat had given him that shitty night. But this time, when Eren pulled away, Levi knew better than to pull him back. "You shouldn't worry about me." At that, Levi really did shove him back.
"Get your gear, brat, and don't say such gross sentimental things." Eren straightened himself and gave a short salute before disappearing to do as he was told. Levi leaned back against the desk and touched his lips lightly. "Brat…"
He should've stopped Eren, really he should've. After the last person he'd kissed, he'd sworn never to get close to anyone again; it was too dangerous in this world. And yet, even after he'd locked all his feelings inside, Eren still managed to get in somehow.
One Year Earlier
"Um, Corporal Levi, sir." A tentative voice called his attention, and Levi turned to see a pretty girl with light ginger hair looking at him. He cocked his eyebrow. "I was chosen to be on your team for this mission, and I just want to say it's an honor to fight alongside you."
She ran off almost as soon as saying that, and Levi was left to gaze after her retreating back. For as long as he could remember, no one aside from Erwin and Hanji had approached him of their own free will. Not since Isabel and Farlan had died.
"Petra Ral. Graduated just below the top ten in her class, but has improved her battle skills since joining the Scouting Legion." Like a mind reader, Hanji appeared directly beside him.
"I didn't ask," he snorted and turned to walk away.
She didn't get the hint. "What? The first person to show interest in you in years and you're just going to ignore her?"
"There's no point in making friends when everyone dies within a month."
"Aw, I'm still here." Hanji poked his nose as she passed him, walking backwards with a stupid grin on her face.
"We're not friends, glasses."
"Of course we are." Hanji didn't let the grin drop, nor did she turn around, until she ran into something. "Oh, sorry – Erwin! My bad…" She slipped away before Erwin could berate her. The taller man turned his attention to Levi instead.
"So you've made a friend?"
Levi's eyebrow twitched. "Don't listen to anything that crazy scientist says."
Erwin's lips seemed to be holding back a smile. "Because the brave Corporal Levi would never have something as common as a friend, right?"
"Shut up." He brushed past the other man.
Erwin didn't even try to hide the laugh that slipped past his lips.
The mission they were on was a longer one than normal, probably due to the influx of new recruits from the most recent graduating class. There were always a few who thought they could be the next hero of mankind. Those ones rarely lasted long; they'd already lost a third of the soldiers they'd brought with them.
But even several weeks later, on their way back to the walls, the girl named Petra didn't die. Nor did her admiration of Levi diminish. He hadn't acted any differently towards her than he had earlier, or than he did with any of the other men in his temporary squad. Yet, she still seemed completely enraptured with him.
The mission after that, she was in his squad again – he had a feeling a certain brown-haired psychopath had something to do with it – and again she made it through without dying or losing that ridiculously happy attitude towards him. He had to admit, her fighting skills and teamwork were impressive, and there was a reason his squad had a lower fatality rate than the others.
And then one day, while everyone was sitting at headquarters – well those who didn't leave to visit their family – she arrived at his new office bearing cookies that smelled strongly of cinnamon. "Gingerbread," she said as explanation as she set the tray in front of him on his desk. Ordinarily, he would've protested putting something that could have crumbs on it on top of his paperwork, but this time he didn't have the chance.
Petra leaned in and planted a kiss on his lips. She broke away so quickly, Levi wasn't even sure it had happened. Her cheeks were flushed a deep pink when she spoke next. "I really respect and admire you and everything you do for mankind, but I also think there's more to you. I really like you." She jerked back suddenly. "B-but don't worry about it if you don't feel the same! I just wanted to tell you! Excuse me!" She ran out of the room, leaving Levi blinking in shock.
"So Petra really is in love with you." Hanji peered over her glasses at Levi a couple of hours later. He was immediately regretting coming to talk to her. "What about you?"
"Tch." He didn't talk about his feelings. He didn't even know why he was here.
"Levi, I can't help you if you don't talk to me."
"Crazy four eyes. Who said I need help?"
She raised her brows. "You did, when you walked in here. Not explicitly, but I can read your body language."
He ground his teeth together and didn't look at the infuriating woman.
"Hey, she said you didn't have to respond, right? So at the very least, you have time to figure out your feelings." She pointed her pencil at him. "I suggest you do that. Now get out, I have important data to record. Unless you want to hear about it? Have I told you about Ilse Länger's journal…?"
Levi slammed the door behind him. Figure out his feelings, huh? He didn't have any. Not toward other humans. At least, that's what he told himself. It helped ease the loneliness that came with losing his two best friends. Love? What a silly concept. He didn't love anyone, not even Petra.
But, Levi thought, as he reached his room once more, maybe being loved wasn't the worst feeling in the world. And he might not feel the same way towards the girl that she felt towards him, but maybe he could grow to love her in time.
In the end, Levi cursed himself for even having such useless thoughts. If he hadn't let Petra get under his skin that way, if he hadn't shared stolen kisses between missions that made him almost think humanity was worth saving, then watching her body fly off the back of the cart wouldn't hurt so bad.
Levi shook his head to clear it. He had to keep an eye on Eren, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down or lose concentration. Petra was gone, and whatever was going on between him and Eren wasn't the same thing at all. Besides, an annoying, shitty brat like Eren wasn't going to let himself die anytime soon. According to the stories, the kid had been eaten by a titan and still managed to come out alive on the other side. Like Eren said, there was nothing to worry about.
That didn't really stop him though.
