The boy in the forest

by J.A.Kishu

Levi is saved by a titan and is taken care of in his forest. A strange titan that is also a child. Survival is the first thing in his mind, second is to teach that kid how to probably clean itself. Disgusting dirty hand it has.

8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The way to the wall begins

Levi lied. They don't leave when his arm is health. Eren knows that his arms is all healed up for days but still they don't leave. It is as if his little human is afraid to leave and somehow I think it is because of me. He doesn't know how he will protect me inside the wall and most likely doubts that they even reach Wall Maria. Eren knows a lot about the wall and the people that live inside of it. Levi taught him. He uses hours every day to teach him things. Eren loves their time together. Most of it, bathing is still bad but even that is different inside the wall. Levi says they have warm water and the soap is softer and smells nicer when he wants to. That would be nice maybe the soap will taste nicer too. The white stuff doesn't taste very good. Levi told him also about the rules inside, about the military and he promised to teach him how to fly as soon as they arrived. They started already but Levi told him that they have to save the gas, there is no way to fill it up outside. That´s ok for Eren, Levi said he can do already the most important things. Keeping his balance and a trained flexible body, that is strong enough to keep up with the movement.

The morning is quiet, Eren can feel Levi´s eyes on him while the titan boy sits on his favourite branch, enjoying the sunlight. "I think we should go to the wall. Today." Eren looks at him and isn't completely sure what he is seeing because one of the feelings he can see in Levi´s eyes is sadness, why should his little human be sad when he is going home? He also looks conflicted and this feeling is purely because of him.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I will protect you from the titans and you protect me from the humans." Levi looks at me for a second before he offers me a smile. Yes, this solution came to him this morning. They both can´t change the humans or titans around them but they can protect each other, living and fighting for a world were they both are free and no longer alone and lonely.

"Good brat, get your things, we are leaving." With things he means whatever Eren wants to take with him but except for his winged cloak, there is nothing he needs. He has Levi and that's enough.

"I´m ready." Levi back in his original uniform, with his own cloak, the back filled with cut out wing batches and his gear is also ready. They talked about it and the best way to do that is for Eren in his titan form carrying Levi as far as possible back towards the wall. Everything else they will figure out as soon as they reach the prison humans have locked themselves in.

They reach the end of the forest and Eren changes into his titan form and Levi jumps down on his shoulders. "The wall will be in that direction." Levi points out after getting a good view of the area. It's the way he came all this weeks ago, thinking he will die in the hands of there three titans until Eren appears.

The titan starts to walk and Levi feels sentinel as he looks back at their home. Living in the forest had been easy. The titans were no problem thanks to Eren and Levi felt as if most of the giants didn't even try to enter this area. They had food and water (for him) and the cold river water for their bathing wasn't as bad. But still they had to leave eventually. Still Levi will miss this innocent time with Eren.

Levi faces away from the forest, looking forward into the direction Eren is running. He has to protect this child. He will never again let anyone die that means so much to him. "Eren listen. As soon as we get close to the wall or meet other people you have to protect you nap, understand?" Eren nods and makes a growling sound that comes deep from inside his chest. "Whatever they do, don't fight, protect yourself and I will talk to them. Do as I say and everything will be fine." Suddenly Eren starts to purr. "And stop that purring, you are like some stupid cat." A sound that can only be interpreted as a laugh leaves Eren. "Fine do whatever you want but listen to me and when I tell you to run, we run. I would prefer living outside the wall then seeing you hurt." Green eyes fix on him and Levi touches the titans cheek. They understand each other. Living without the other had become something none of them can imagine anymore.