The sun broke through the window, illuminating the room in it's peaceful, gentle caress. There was a crisp chill in the air which prickled at my skin. My eyes fluttered open, enjoying the fresh morning atmosphere. A warm, hard object was pressing into my back, setting off alarm bells in my mind. What was there? I rolled over to find a sleeping Levi sprawled out, half naked. Why was he here? My limbs froze in place as I noticed a heavy weight pressing down on my abdomen. Levi had his arm encircled around my waist. Great, now I couldn't escape without waking him up. Up close, Levi's face was peaceful and innocent whilst he was asleep, a complete contrast to the man's actual personality. As if he could feel my scrutinous glance, his eyes lazily opened to reveal sleepy, cool blue eyes. A small smile spread across his face as he noticed me and his grip tightened.
"Morning" He murmured, his voice deeper and raspier than usual. He released me from his grip and sat up, yawning. A serious expression settled on his face and he draped his shirt over his shoulders, only buttoning the bottom four buttons. He ruffled his hand through his messy ebony hair and turned to face me.
"Morning, Captain Levi" I replied hesitantly, trying my hardest to avoid eye contact with him.
"I understand you have an issue with me? What has got you so worked up? As I said yesterday, I thought things were starting to get better. What has changed?" He asked, his eyes were boring into mine as if he looking into my very soul.
"You wouldn't understand!" I replied back sharply, trying to avoid the subject. I didn't want him to know my plan, which I would undoubtedly reveal if I told him anything. However traitorous thoughts flicked through my mind; what if he hadn't betrayed Maria? What if I had misheard them? I shook my head, trying to discourage the thoughts but it was too late, the seeds of doubt had already been planted and were burrowing themselves deeply into my mind.
"I can try to though." He said solemnly. I wanted to tell him, to yell at him for being so stupid to side with the enemy but I couldn't bring myself to form any words; I was truly speechless. He frowned at my lack of response, a glare setting on his cold face. "I heard you last night you know, your someone that sleep talks when you're troubled aren't you?" He spoke softly, his face becoming calmer.
"What did I say?" I exclaimed, mortified. What had I let slip? I hope it was nothing of importance. God dammit Eren! Why do you always have to mess everything up!
"I don't really understand what you said. But it seemed to be the essence of your problem. 'Levi why did you betray us' was your exact words, I think" Levi explained, unsure of the truth behind his words.
"Well, crap. I didn't mean to say that. It doesn't mean anything! Are you sure you didn't imagine that? It doesn't sound like something I'd say, if I'm honest" I bluffed, trying to throw him off. I didn't want him knowing any more than he did.
"Eren, I have no idea what you're trying to cover up, but why would I lie about that? It doesn't benefit me in the slightest. Why don't you just tell me? You can trust me" He said clearly confused but I still made no attempts to clarify my strange behaviour. I could trust him? Was he being serious? With what he was planning, I knew that I could never trust a Sina soldier ever again! But what if I misheard him? The doubt crept into my thoughts again, poisoning everything it touched.
"Eren please. Maybe I can help?" He pleaded, a heartfelt expression held in his eyes. His eyes widened as if he had realised something and then his face became one of pity. "Oh Eren. You didn't over hear the commander and I talking yesterday did you? I have no idea what you heard but you must of heard a bit out of context" He chuckled.
"What do you mean I heard it out of context? From what I heard it sounded like you were planning to betray us!" I shouted angrily. I clapped my hands over my mouth when I realised what I had just revealed.
"So, that was it then. Interesting, I wonder what bit you heard. Care to elaborate?" He asked, raising his eyebrows at me.
"Why should I tell you anything? It'll probably be used against me!" I scoffed.
"Why shouldn't you? Don't you want to know what we were actually talking about?" He questioned, his eyes widened slightly in shock. I did want to know what they were talking about, but how did I know that everything he will say won't be more lies?
"I bet you're thinking 'how do I know if I can trust what he says' right now. That's very predictable and cliché, I have to say. But you have my word, that I will not lie, scout's honour and everything." He said, attempting to mimic my voice.
"Ok then, I heard something along the lines of sacrificing the Maria squad to enable Sina to carryon being the most powerful faction. Now explain to me how that's not betraying us!" I described what I heard yesterday, but my memory was foggy so I couldn't remember the specifics of what was said.
"Now I can definitely say that's not what we were talking about!" He said laughing. "What were actually talking about was sacrificing a couple of months of preparation and training in order to have the element of surprise when we begin our attack. We thought the Maria squad would be the best for leading the attack as the Sina soldiers don't know any of your faces or how you fight. Therefore we'd have the tactical advantaged if we trained you the way Sina fights. And then we discussed what would be the best route to approach the battlefield from while still retaining the element of surprise. We still haven't figured that one out, we'd like Armin's help with that task, and I think he'd be able to come up with the best solution. And we were discussing how Sina were always going to be the most powerful in the battlefield if we didn't take the right approach with the rebellion. So as you can tell we didn't talk about betraying Maria at all Eren. And besides if we were going to do that, we'd at least have the discussion at the Sina headquarters where the commander of the opposing faction can't eavesdrop on us." He explained calmly, adding a little laugh at the end of his explanation.
"Oh…" I said meekly, turning as red as a tomatoes. I had been wrong, oh so wrong and now I felt stupid. "I'm sorry Levi, I jumped to a conclusion and caused you all this hassle when I should of just asked you" I apologised, looking down at the floor shamefully.
"Well that is true but that's in the past now. Plus if you hadn't of escaped I'd never of slept with you" He joked, giving me a cheeky smirk.
"Pervert!" I laughed, throwing the remaining pillow at him, this time I hit him square in the face. I let out a triumphant shriek as the pillow made contact with his face. A secretive grin stretched across his face as he grabbed the pillow and strode towards me. I nervously gulped, what was he going to do? I gasped as I felt the pillow impact with my face multiple times before it was dropped beside me and forgotten about.
"Levi?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yeah?" He replied happily.
"I never got to thank you properly." I stated, staring him directly in the eyes.
"For what?" He asked, his face furrowing into a confused expression.
"Thank you for saving me all those years ago. I thought I was going to die then but you saved me from those three thugs and I'll never be able to repay you. You inspired me to create my own faction to rid the country of those scum, thank you. But there's just one thing I don't understand" I paused. I hoped my words sounded sincere, I wanted him to know what and inspiration he was to me.
"What don't you understand? Oh and you're welcome, I guess. I couldn't exactly leave you there to be attacked could I? What sort of person would that make me?" He laughed nervously.
"Why did you join Sina? Why did you become this person? You're cold, expressionless most of the time. It's almost like you're not human. Why is that? What happened to the kind, heroic man that saved me after everyone else had left?" I inquired, letting my most inner thoughts pour out. Silence. He stared at me, his eyes growing darker and bitterness filled his face. "It's fine you don't have to answer. I was just curious. Sorry if I crossed a line that I shouldn't off" I said quickly trying to recover the situation.
"No, it's fine. I guess I can tell you. I mean it's not like you have anyone to tell. But in case you decide to spread this, don't tell anyone or I'll slit your throat in your sleep. I don't want anyone pitying me." He threatened but I could tell they were empty threats. The last wall between me and Captain Levi was about to come crumbling down around us.
"It all started when I was eighteen…."