Chapter 11

Down by the entrance of the hole was a human, in the direct path of the oncoming titans. Levi took the chance to order his soldiers. "Squad 2, retreat to the wall immediately. Squad 1, continue pursuit until I give another order." As he finished his demand, the captain jumped off Eren's titan shoulder and his gear led him to the unknown human. He used his right arm to grab and rescue the human before zipping away back to Eren.

It wasn't until he landed that he realized he rescued a young boy, about 3 years old or so. "It's okay, I'm here to rescue you, kid. And don't be afraid of the titan I'm on. His name is Eren and he's a good guy." Just then, Eren let out a screech and Levi jumped off with the kid momentarily as Eren punched his fist into another titan's chest. In the time it took for Levi and the kid to come back to Eren, he took down two more titans.

At this point, the boy in Levi's arms was crying. "Calm down, kid. I'll have you out of here in no time." The captain said as he landed on Eren. He set the kid beside him so his feet was on Eren's shoulder as well. Immediately, the kid seemed to calm down a little. Levi saw a few more titans coming from the hole in the wall, and he knew he had to make a choice.

"All units, RETREAT! Now!" Levi shouted. "Make sure Eren and this kid makes it back ALIVE." Levi turned to Eren. "I know you're not going to like what I'm saying, but just listen." Eren screeches again and Levi continues. "Leave now, Eren. Take this kid with you and protect him." Eren kicks a three meter titan and Levi watches it slam into three others. "I love you, Eren. I promised that I would make sure you make it back alive. Now go."

Eren took the kid into his hand and looked at Levi one final time before turning and running away. Levi hopped off of his shoulder and headed straight for the titans in pursuit. The remainder of the ground squads made it back to the top of Wall Maria. The squads on top of the wall began their retreat back the way they came.

Hanji couldn't help but shout at Levi, "Hey, do you want me to help you?"

Levi kills another titan before responding. "No. I got this. I'll kill them all and then I'll catch up with you. Just keep moving forward."

Hanji now addresses her soldiers. "You heard him. I officially cancel our original mission. Now, everyone, make it back alive and protect Eren."

As everyone got further from him, Levi continued to cut the necks of titans. The original group of titans is now dead, but the second wave is closing in on him. I was hoping to someday marry you, Eren. But now, I don't think I will be able to. At that thought, the captain stood on the ground, his back facing the enemy as he watch his lover run to safety.

Once the titans were close enough, he used his gear to zoom passed the titans, cutting their necks with accuracy.

Mikasa x Jean

Mikasa got permission from the other two captains to leave the wall and pursue Eren. It didn't take her long to attach herself to her brother. "Eren, give me the kid."

Eren didn't even look at her as he screeched.

"Give me the kid, NOW."

"Screech."

"Damnit, Eren." She shouted. "You're going to kill it so let go." She used her blade to force Eren's hand open. She saw the boy was sound asleep. But as soon as she touched him, he woke up and started crying.

"Screech." Eren seemed angry. He took the kid into his other hand to protect it from her.

Mikasa looked at Eren in disbelief. "Eren, this isn't a game. If that kid dies, Levi's sacrifice will be for nothing."

Eren didn't bother communicating to her. He just sped up before taking Mikasa in his hand and throwing her back to Wall Maria with the others. Mikasa used her gear to get to safety. When she turned back, she saw Eren had changed direction, heading straight for Wall Rose.

Eren

It was just passed noon when Commander Erwin was walking in the streets of Trost District. This was the first time he was out of the hospital by himself. He met up with Commander Pyxis near the southern wall where Eren once clogged. The two chatted amongst themselves as they observed the boulder plugging the gate. It seemed like your average day, until they heard a loud screech.

The citizens nearby looked around in confusion. A Garrison squad member came running to Pyxis. "Sir, there appears to be a titan outside the wall. What do we do?"

After hearing the screech again, Commander Erwin spoke up. "It could be Eren. Don't kill it unless we confirm it. Go up there and tell me what it looks like. I will make my way up there too."

The soldier looked confused wondering if he was supposed to listen to the other commander. When Commander Pyxis gave him the okay, the young man ran off.

"Help me get up this wall." Erwin demanded of his friend. "If it is Eren, then something bad must have happened."

"You shouldn't push yourself too hard." Pyxis smirked as he passed his flask to Erwin. "This is the best medicine I can offer."

As the two slowly made their way up the wall, the soldier returned with a description of a titan. "Pointed ears, green eyes, and a strange jawline."

"It's got to be Eren. Soldier, go to it's neck and cut around his weak spot. If you cut his limb, it's no big deal because he will heal himself. Be careful."

The soldier looked nervous at the task, but agreed to follow instructions. By the time the Commanders made it up the wall, Eren was already laying there, resting. But he wasn't alone. Next to the steaming Eren was a small child, sitting close enough to him, but not touching.

"Kid, who are you?" Erwin demanded with a harsh voice, from the pain and from being slightly drunk. "Answer me."

The kid winced at the tone of his voice. Erwin slowly came closer to the kid, but once he was almost within arms-reach, Eren woke up to find the terrified crying boy hugging his burning body. Eren, too, began to scoot back once he noticed the Commander coming toward him.

"Eren, explain why you're here and who is this child." The Commander said to him.

"I came on Captain Levi's orders. We were ambushed by titans, but we could have taken them. Then, Levi saw this kid standing right in the path of the enemy titans, and rescued him. Shortly after that, dozens of titans spilled out of Shiganshina's gate. At that moment, Captain Levi told everyone to retreat and for me to return at all costs, protecting this kid."

Erwin just stared at him. "Where is everyone else?"

"They are taking the wall all the way back. I came straight here on my own."

"So Captain Levi just let you run away from him? You expect me to believe that?"

"No, Commander. Levi wasn't with us when I made the decision."

"Where was he?"

"He," Eren looked down and began to shake. "He stayed behind by himself to take care of the titans while we retreated."

Commander Erwin and Commander Pyxis looked at each other momentarily. They knew that the Captain was long dead at that point. Pyxis cleared his throat. "Eren, why don't you go home and rest. We will make preparations for the others' arrival. While you rest, we will take care of the kid and get some answers from him."

Eren's head shot up. "No. The kid stays with me. Levi told me to protect him until he returns. Nobody will come near this boy until Captain Levi returns safely." At that note, Eren stood up and began to walk to the lift.

The two Commanders just shook their heads as Eren walked away.

Two mornings later, the rest of the groups returned, but Levi wasn't among them. Eren remained in his and the captain's apartment and refused to leave or see anyone. The only one with him was the little boy, who refused to talk.

Eventually, Eren gave up on trying to get the kid to talk, so Eren talked to himself. "Where is he? Why isn't he back already?" He often repeated to himself. Eren also cried a lot because he missed his lover.

Then, as Eren began to get impatient, he started to only address Levi as Captain, but did it in a calm matter so he wouldn't scare the kid. "Captain, please come home to me. I miss you, Captain." He was full on crying at that point. "Captain, please come back alive. I love you so much, so don't leave me."