Chapter Eight | Blood | Ali's P.O.V.

Kenny left them down there for about 30 minutes before returning. Levi wasn't going anywhere with his injury, so they stayed where they were. Ali was shaking, the guilt of what she did already starting to consume her, but Levi was doing well to distract her. She was busy focused on him, more specifically, keeping him awake. The wound wasn't deep but there was enough blood to freak her out. Levi was half passed out, exhausted and in pain. Ali couldn't believe Kenny would do this to him. He had promised not to hurt him, and he broke that promise.

"Levi?" Ali whispered, feeling his forehead. He was all pale and sweaty. "Levi." Ali begged, tears dripping down her face. She didn't want to be alone with the man she murdered. And she didn't want Levi sleeping while he was bleeding out. That just seemed like a bad idea.

Levi blinked, letting out a shaky breath.

"I'm tired, Al." He mumbled, leaning into her. Ali sniffed, hugging him while continuing to keep pressure on his shoulder. "Can I sleep?" He asked in a weak voice.

Ali bit her lip, trying to keep it together.

"Not yet. Just stay awake a bit longer." She pleaded, hugging him tighter subconsciously. Levi sighed, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Thank y-you for saving me… I should have killed him b-before you had to." He whispered and Ali's eyes widened.

"Don't think about that. Besides, you killed a guy for me. It's only fair." She rambled, looking anywhere but the corpse. Levi sighed.

"I'm still sorry." He replied quietly. Ali took a breath, glancing at the red seeping through her fingers, her lip quivered.

"If you're sorry stay awake. Make it up to me." Ali said seriously. Levi let out a small laugh.

"Brat." He mumbled and Ali could feel his body becoming limper by the second.

It wasn't until Levi was passed out completely and Ali was on the verge of cracking that Kenny decided to show up again. He sighed, looking at the bloodied children with an unreadable face.

"You know how to do bandages, girly?" He asked. Ali blinked at him, wiping some blood out of her eye. He sighed. "Me neither. I'm sure you'll figure it out in the cart." He shrugged, crouching down to pick Levi up over his shoulder, turning back to the ladder.

Ali stood on shaky legs, keeping her eyes away from the centre of the room.

"W-where are we going?" She whispered, eyes on Levi. She didn't like that man holding him but it's not like Ali could get him up there herself.

"Home." He replied briefly before starting up the ladder and leaving Ali no choice but to follow him.

He didn't even stop to glance around the house before walking straight through the open door and towards the end of the road, into a carriage drawn by a horse, driven by a man in a black cloak. Kenny climbed in and Ali hesitated before doing the same. She was wary but it didn't matter. Levi was in there and it's not like she could ever abandon him. he was all she had.

When they got in the cart, Kenny closed the door and smacked the back with his palm twice before the carriage snapped into action. It was nothing fancy but then again, Ali didn't know what fancy looked like. This may as well have been royalty to her. Kenny passed her a role of white bandages before setting Levi down on the seat next to her.

"Go on then, girl." He suggested, crossing his arms. Ali glared at him before looking at Levi. She moved his shirt over his shoulder to look at the wound, biting her lip. It looked bad.

"I-I think he needs a doctor." Ali whispered, glancing back at Kenny. The man shrugged, not bothered.

"He'll be fine. But if he isn't, they have a doctor at the compound. We'll have him checked out." He said vaguely. Ali swallowed thickly before starting to wrap the white bandages around his arm. It wasn't very neat, but she hoped it would slow down the bleeding.

She still couldn't believe Kenny had stabbed him, just to get her to play his game.

"You're evil." Ali mumbled under her breath, pulling Levi's shirt back over his freshly bandaged shoulder.

Kenny grinned.

"Is that right?" Kenny asked. Ali looked at him for a moment, nodding.

"And y-you're a liar. You hurt him." Ali replied bitterly, tugging Levi closer to her so she could hug him, hoping it would stop his shivers and provide him with some comfort from the pain.

Kenny sighed, taking off his hat and scratching his neck.

"I didn't take pleasure in breaking our promise, kid. I won't do it again." He reassured. Ali frowned, tears glossing over in her eyes.

"I-I don't believe you. Where are you even taking us!?" She yelled, scared. Scared for both their futures. Perhaps it would have been better to starve back in the brothel. At least they would have died with some peace.

"I told you, your new home." He repeated. Ali sniffed, wiping her eyes.

"W-we don't want to live with you anymore." She pointed out. Kenny chuckled, looking out the window.

"It's too late for that, runt. He's already fascinated by you two brats. I told him about you both today. You specifically, he was interested in. You could see it in his eyes after I described you to him, the intrigue. He wants you to be his new pet." Kenny shrugged and Ali's face paled as she felt a shiver run down her spine.

"L-like… a customer?" She whispered in dread. Kenny looked at her, observing her fear and his eyes softened slightly.

"No kid. Nothing like that." He reassured and Ali let out a breath. "Although, it won't be much better. It won't be pleasant training." He pointed out with a scoff. Ali tilted her head.

"Training?" She asked. Kenny sighed.

"Look, the boss has been wanting someone for a while. I've sufficed but he wants someone fresh, young… adaptable. He wants a pet to do his dirty work, understand?" He asked. When Ali didn't reply he continued. "I was actually tasked to find this person. It's been my job for some time. When I stumbled across you two, at first I figured I should leave you out of business for Kuchel's sake but then the runt had to go and open that door-"

"Stop blaming him for that! You were the bad one. Levi was just smart enough to figure it out!" Ali defended. Kenny ignored her outburst.

"And look where his smarts got him." He replied in a low tone. Ali gulped. "As I was saying. It's too late for you two to remain in ignorance. I'm bringing you in. You'll both be trained, brought up into the business. But you'll be trained in different ways." Kenny continued. Ali didn't like the sound of that.

"Different?" She asked. Kenny nodded.

"The boss has been waiting for this for a long time. He's collected various serum and a whole bunch of shit. Shit that's going to hurt. And that pain that will no doubt make a killer out of one of you." He explained and Ali bit her lip, hugging Levi tighter.

"W-who?" She asked hesitantly. Kenny glanced at Levi before back at her.

"Out of respect to our promise, I'll let you decide. Just so you know, it may hurt but it will benefit in the long run. If you decide to let Levi go through it, he'll get that pain, but he'll also get that power. More than he already has." Kenny pointed out, slumping in his seat with a sigh and tilting his hat over his eyes.

Ali looked at Levi, conflicted. After a second's deliberation she made her choice. She didn't give a shit about power. But she wouldn't stand by and let Levi go through pain if she had the chance to stop it.

"I-I'll do it." She whispered. Kenny smirked.

"Good, the boss already wants you. I didn't get it at first. No offense but I thought you were weak as fuck. But the boss told me to pull that shit back in the basement and I get it now. You have something in you, something killer. Aint that right, girly?" He grinned, lifting his hat slightly to look at her. Ali tensed slightly, looking away.

Kenny chuckled.

"No judgment here. The best people have killer in them. One pointer though." He said and Ali looked at him. "Don't underestimate the boss. He's a genuine psychopath if I've ever seen one. He aint normal. Not like us." Kenny pointed out with a shake of the head, setting his hat back down and getting comfy against the side of the carriage.

"Why do you work for him then?" Ali asked. Kenny smirked tiredly.

"Got to pay the bills, kid."

They got to the compound a while later when the day was beginning to start. It was a large place near the centre of the underground. Ali had never been to the centre before. It was where most of the danger was if she remembered correctly. Kuchel had always advised them to stay on the outskirts, should anything ever happen to her and they were forced to leave the brothel. There would be less people but less danger.

"Come on, girly." Kenny said, picking Levi up again and stepping out of the cart. Ali swallowed thickly but followed him.

The compound was a grey building that looked sturdy and yet somewhat dilapidated. There were guards posted on the outside with guns and there was a barbed wire fence surrounding the entire area. The place gave out a sketchy vibe upon first glance and it made a shiver run down her spine.

This was their new home?

Kenny got inside the building with little trouble. The guards stood aside for him instantly which gave Ali the impression that the man must be very well known. The inside was dark. There weren't many sources of light, a dim torch every 10 paces or so. The walls and floor were made of grey cement just like the outside and there were various stains. Some darker, some fresh. Ali shuddered as she passed a red handprint that she was sure was blood. It looked recently made.

Ali followed Kenny deeper and deeper into the maze, her body starting to shake. She had no idea how to get back out. She was at the mercy of this man. She supposed she was at the mercy of his boss too. Their lives didn't feel like their own again.

Finally, Kenny stopped outside of a large dark oak door. He sniffed and pulled up his belt.

"Hold the runt would ya? Stay here. I wouldn't advise moving." Kenny said, setting down Levi, shoving him at her, leaving her to hold him up. Ali blinked as Kenny knocked on the door, hearing a mumbled 'come in' before the tall man opened the door and went inside, closing the door behind him.

Curious, Ali set Levi down against the wall, as gently as she could, tip toeing closer to the door, she lent her ear close to the door, hoping to hear what they were talking about. It took a second, but she was able to hear if she listened closely.

"They're outside?" A man asked, his voice was smooth and deep, not an inch of emotion in it. The sound sent a chill down her spine.

"Yeah. You wanna see em?" Kenny asked. There was a moment of hesitation.

"They'll be time for that later on. I trust you to be able to keep the boy occupied while Hamish works with my pet." He replied evenly and Ali gulped.

Who was Hamish?

"Yeah… I guess. I thought I was training her, not Hamish…" Kenny replied, sounding reluctant.

"Is there a problem Kenny? Hamish is one of the best in the business." He countered.

"She's just a kid, boss. I thought you'd wait until she's a bit older to start the real stuff. Hamish is too-" Kenny argued.

"Too?" He interrupted, sounding unimpressed.

There was a tense silence.

"It was your choice to inform me of these children's existence. You brought me a fine piece of property, but it is mine now. Never tell me what to do with my investments. Is that understood?" He asked icily. Ali's breathing was getting shaky. She really didn't like the sound of this.

"Course. My apologies boss." Kenny answered.

"Good. Take her to Hamish immediately." He ordered.

There was a second more hesitation before there were footsteps and the door opened again. Ali jumped, crouching back down to Levi and looking up as Kenny looked down at them, his face straight but his eyes full of confliction. Ali looked at him pleadingly.

"K-Kenny could we go back home. I don't like it here." She whispered as he shut the door and picked Levi back up. Kenny sighed, not looking at her as he kept walking.

"It's too late for that, girl." He mumbled but said nothing else and they continued to walk in silence.

They got to their destination 10 minutes of walking later. The area got brighter but didn't seem any less sinister. The air had a distinct bleach taste to it as Kenny pulled a lever and a door opened. They walked into the room and Ali looked around. It was white and a place unlike Ali had ever seen before. It looked like a big kitchen but different. The floors were tiled, and the walls had smudges on them, but the colour was originally white. In the centre of the table was a chair that was slightly tilted back, straps for arms and legs. Around the chair were various tools and syringes, a bit like Kenny's torture room but a lot cleaner. There were cabinets and vials with different coloured liquids in them. It was cold. Almost too cold.

Ali shivered as she spotted a man in the corner who turned to them shortly after. He was medium height, bulky build. He had pale skin, slicked back ginger hair, beady black eyes and big ears. He was wearing a white coat that had various stains on them, much like the walls. Ali didn't like the look of him. He sent out a bad vibe.

"These are the kids, huh?" He asked with fascination, walking over to them. Ali swallowed, hiding behind Kenny.

"Yeah…" He looked down at Ali, that confliction more evident on his face. "Look Hamish, you've never worked with runts before. Why don't I start them with simple stuff, when she's stronger-"

"Oh no, I'm sure I'll be fine. There's a first time for everything. It'll be interesting to see what effect my training will have on children. Especially with the serums involved." He smiled a sickening smile, crouching down and looking at Ali with curiosity. "I'll make a masterpiece out of you, my dear." He whispered and Ali gulped.

He stood up again and walked over to the sink, washing his hands.

"Put her in the chair, will you Kenny?" He asked.

Ali looked at Kenny desperately, but he ignored her.

"Where should I put the runt? He's got a stab wound." Kenny replied. Hamish glanced at them.

"Patty! Stab wound!" Hamish called and a few moments later a beefy looking woman with blonde hair tottered out of the side door.

"Stab wound?" He asked nonchalantly. Hamish pointed to Levi, still passed out over Kenny's shoulder. The woman nodded and brought out a gurney, gesturing Kenny place him on there. Kenny hesitated before doing so and the woman rolled him away without a second thought, disappearing behind the door again.

Ali's breath hitched in her throat. Levi was gone. She was alone.

"Levi…" She whimpered, her eyes glossing over as she tried to follow him, but Kenny caught her before she got too far, picking her up and carrying her over to the chair. She sniffed but didn't struggle. What would be the point? She didn't even know how to get out of here.

"Relax. Try not to think about it too much." Kenny suggested as he strapped her in. Ali blinked out a tear.

"Will it hurt?" She asked. Kenny sighed.

"Yes." He replied honestly. She let out a shaky breath and stared up at the ceiling.

Ali reminded herself that she was doing this, so Levi didn't have to. She found it eased her nerves slightly.

Kenny looked at her for a moment before turning to leave.

"Kenny?" She whispered. Kenny stopped walking but didn't turn around. "I forgive you." She added.

Kenny turned around to look at her in surprise.

"Kid… I-" He started but Hamish cut him off.

"Out, out. I have much work to do. The boss likes good results and he likes them quick." Hamish encouraged. Kenny hesitated again before leaving the room. Ali swallowed down a sob, closing her eyes. "Are we ready my precious?" Hamish asked gleefully.

Ali blinked out a tear and took a shuddering breath before opening her eyes and observing Hamish with the large syringe. There was some sort of deep orange liquid in there.

"Y-yes." She whispered. Hamish smirked.

"Then let's begin."

Ali got back to HQ early in the morning. She had stayed out late, drinking with Kenny. They did this a lot and it was a tradition that Ali had come to appreciate. Not that she was overly fond of the bastard's company, but he knew how to drink. And for such a loud annoying man, he knew when to keep his mouth shut. Last night, she needed to drink, and she needed to grieve, and she didn't prefer to do either alone. Then when the bar threw them out onto the streets and the sun was rising in the sky, they abandoned their drinks and they fought.

Ali won, obviously.

She had surpassed Kenny's capabilities a long time ago, but he still managed to get in a few good shots. Her bruised ribs and collarbone said that.

The pair were unlikely partners. After 11 years together she had come to both hate and appreciate him being around. Much like her he was excellent but exhausting company. Maybe that's where she got if from. Kenny was the closest thing to a father figure she had ever had, however fucked up that was.

Ali scoffed at the thought, swinging her legs over the edge of the roof. She had gotten home an hour ago and came up here. Took a minute, due to her heavy intoxication but she had already scouted the place, so she knew where she was going. The roof here wasn't as nice as the one back at the main base and there were no cherry blossoms, but it sufficed. She just sat and watched the sunrise, contemplating life. Contemplating how much of her life she had wasted. She asked herself if it was all worth it and frowned at the answer. Because it was and she had no one to blame, no one to complain at.

If she had to do it all over again, she would because it was to protect Levi.

She would always do her best for him, like she knew if the situations were flipped and he was given the same opportunity to save her that she was given to save him, he would have gone through everything she had in a heartbeat. They loved each other. Sometimes love means sacrifice. Bone-crushing, spine-chilling sacrifice.

"The things I've done…" Ali mused with a cynical chuckle. She stood up on the edge, glancing up at the sky. She wondered if Izzy and Farlan were watching. Had they watched all the shit she had done?

Were they disappointed in her?

"Major… you aren't going to jump, are you?" Eren's slightly scared voice sounded from behind her. Ali smirked, glancing back at him. Levi must have sent him to collect her. She was missing breakfast after all.

"What would be the point in that, kid? Things don't usually work out for me. I'd probably bounce." She chuckled, sitting back down. "Besides, jumping is the coward's way out. You want to die with some dignity, slit your own throat. It sends a statement." She shrugged. Eren walked a bit closer to her.

"What statement?" He asked curiously. Ali looked at him with dark eyes, smirking.

"Fuck the world." She grinned. Eren chuckled and they both looked out at the view.

"Are you okay, Major? You seem tired." Eren asked kindly. Ali smiled, rubbing her eyes.

"I am." She replied simply.

"Maybe you should take a nap? I don't mind waiting for a bit." He suggested, like the cute little shit he was. Ali chuckled, shaking her head.

"You're sweet but no thanks. A nap won't help." She sighed, hopping back down from the ledge and walking towards the roof door.

"What will?" Eren asked curiously. Ali looked at him.

"Blood." She answered truthfully. Eren looked at her in shock and Ali smirked, winking at him before leaving the roof, ready to start another torturous day of life.

Getting back down she came into the dining room where everyone was. They looked up, observing her state. It was obvious she had been drinking.

She chuckled at their surprise, rolling her eyes and collapsing into her seat, rubbing her eyes. Hangovers were the worse. Especially the in-between. She was still a bit drunk. Eren came in after and took his seat. Ali was well aware everyone was staring at her. She didn't give a shit. Sighing, she pushed her plate out of the way and leant her head on the table, pleased as the cold surface soothed her burning skin.

The atmosphere was tense but again, she didn't give a shit.

"Major do you maybe want some water… or maybe an egg? Do we have any eggs, they are supposed to fix hangovers aren't they?" Petra asked, whispering the last bit. Ali heard her perfectly well. The others mumbled something about not having eggs.

Ali ignored them.

She heard a chair scrape and looked up to see Levi standing, glaring at her. He looked pissed about something. She was too tired to figure out what.

"Eat something. Then 50 laps around the track." He ordered. Ali smirked.

"Seriously?" She asked.

"Do I look like I'm joking?" He asked and there was a tense moment of silence.

"What for, if you don't mind my asking, Captain?" She asked, standing up too. The others gulped. Levi met her glare evenly.

"For getting intoxicated. You're on duty. Get yourself together." Levi replied, his voice thick with annoyance before stalking away.

Ali pursed her lips.

"Bullshit." She mumbled, raking a hand through her hair. She sighed and picked up a piece of stale toast, walking towards the exit. "Now's your chance, Petra. Go, comfort him! Be everything I'm not!" She said dramatically, laughing to herself as she walked away.

Damn, I'm bitchy today.

35 minutes later and she had redone her hair, shoving down the toast before starting on her laps. She was on lap 29. Would have been more but the hangover was really kicking her ass. Not that she showed it on her face. No one was out yet. She assumed they were still at breakfast. Levi came out a few minutes later, standing at the edge of the track and crossing his arms. Ali ignored him and kept running.

"You were gone all night." Levi pointed out as she ran past.

"Yep." She replied, pushing herself further. Levi waited until she was back around to talk again.

"You got drunk." He continued.

"Yep." She answered, going around again.

"You fucked someone." Levi accused as she came around again and Ali stopped so abruptly that she almost fell over. She looked at him with disbelief. Is that why he really gave her laps?

"Is that what you think?" She asked, catching her breath and walking over to him. Levi remained neutral.

"Ali take a look at yourself." He replied with a scoff. Ali made a face and looked at herself, seeing she did indeed look a bit ruffled. Her shirt was untucked and the first few buttons of her shirt were undone showing a decent amount of skin. It did look like she had recently dressed messily. But she only looked so crumpled because of her fight with Kenny. "Besides, would it really be that surprising? You admitted it, you've been with others." He added spitefully before Ali could respond. Her face dropped a bit.

It's not like she ever wanted to.

"I didn't sleep with anyone last night." She tried, taking a step towards him but Levi took a step back, looking at her with distrust. Ali stared at him for a moment before sighing and looking down, shaking her head. "Believe what you want Levi, but if you want the truth, I got drunk and got into a fight. I was pissed. I was grieving our friends..." She explained and Levi's eyes softened slightly. "I never wanted to-" She tried but cut herself off, closing her eyes. She couldn't tell him, and it didn't change the fact that she had been with other men. She would never be able to make up for that, even if it wasn't what she wanted. Even if she was doing it for him, not to hurt him.

She sighed and looked away.

"I've got more laps..." She mumbled before jogging away.

That was the first time she realised something. Levi could try but there's always the possibility he might not be able to forgive her for everything she's done. Even if it was for him.

What was the point of freedom… what was the point of life if she didn't have him?

Levi's P.O.V.

Levi winced as he woke up, his head ringing. He blinked tiredly, trying to gain his bearings. He was met with a room that he had never seen before. It was some sort of ward with bright surfaces and a long line of beds with curtains in between. From what he could see, he was the only one here. Where was he? Why did his shoulder hurt so bad?

Clenching his jaw through the pain as he slowly sat himself up, glancing down at his shoulder. His wound was wrapped up, recently too if the bright red blood seeping through the bandage was any indication. Blinking again, he furrowed his brows and held a hand to his head, trying to remember what happened.

A second later the fog cleared, as did the ringing in his head.

Then he registered it.

The screaming. Blood curdling screaming. Screaming for help. Screaming for him.

Ali.

Levi's eyes widened and he threw himself off of the bed, tripping but steadying himself again and sprinting over to the metal door which the screams were coming through. He tried the door, but it was locked.

Damnit.

Ali sobbed on the other side, her muffled cries of pain stabbing him over and over.

"MAKE IT STOP!" She screamed at someone and Levi heard struggling. "LEVI HELP!" She wailed.

"ALI! ALI I'M HERE!" Levi yelled, banging the door.

"Get back to bed, kid. Don't make me come in there." A foreign voice warned but Levi ignored it, continuing to give the door everything he had. If it budged, great. If someone opened it to shut him up, also great. he would just kill them and get Ali out of there.

"Levi p-please… I c-can't- I can't take any more…" She whimpered quietly and Levi's eyes glossed over.

Then he saw red.

"YOU BASTARDS! OPEN THIS FUCKING DOOR! I'LL KILL YOU; I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!" Levi snarled, slamming his foot into the steel and his eyes widened as the door creaked slightly. That actually worked?

Progress.

He could do this.

Levi lifted his foot again, putting more weight behind it but before he could collide with the object he was pulled back by the scuff of his collar, choking slightly at the harsh tugging as he started to be forcefully dragged away.

"LET ME GO!" He hissed, squirming but the arm under his neck had him in an iron grip, he couldn't move. "SHIT, ALI HANG ON! LET GO OF ME! THEY'RE HURTING HER!" He cried as he was dragged out of the infirmary and the muffled sobs of his best friend blurred into the distance. Somehow it was worse not hearing them. He didn't like the thought of her alone. In pain was bad enough but they were always together through it all.

Levi continued to squirm and shout profanities at his attacker until they were well away from Ali and back out in the open. It looked like some sort of courtyard. Suddenly, they let him go and shoved him to the floor. Levi winced, pain erupting in his shoulder, but he pushed himself up with shaking arms and turned his head, finally getting a good look at the person.

His eyes widened in fury and he soon felt no pain over the rage.

"YOU! YOU BASTARD! YOU DID THIS TO HER!" Levi yelled, lunging at the man.

Kenny side-stepped him, hands in his pockets.

"Careful runt, you're going to hurt yourself." He frowned, taking a step back as Levi came at him again. "Hey! I said stop-" He was cut off as Levi threw a rock at his head and it missed him by a hair. Kenny grabbed a clump of his messy hair to hold him in place and swept his feet in one smooth motion, getting him on the ground. Levi's body felt limp at the painful landing, the ringing in his head returning at a lower volume.

Kenny pressed a foot onto his chest, holding him down as Levi attempted to get back up again.

"I said, calm down." Kenny said in a warning tone. Levi tried and failed to pry the foot off of him, breathing heavily with frustration and panic, tears clinging to the edges of his eyes. He needed to get back and help her. He needed to get back to Ali.

"She trusted you! She trusted you and you betrayed her!" He gritted, punching his leg relentlessly but it did nothing. Kenny added more pressure and he choked on the lack of air, his body slowly falling limp.

When he was on the verge of passing out, Kenny lifted his leg and Levi gasped, coughing, painful tears rolling down his face as he struggled to suck in the oxygen, instinctively curling up on his side as his vision slowly returned to him, nails digging into the dirt floor.

"She trusted you." Levi whispered in a broken voice, completely void of any and all energy.

He heard a heavy sigh and there was a moment of silence.

Kenny shifted around in his jacket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, setting one in-between his thin lips and lighting it with a match.

He took a long drag and blew out the smoke.

"I know." He replied.

Levi almost detected a hint of regret in his tone before the world went black.

Levi opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, a sigh escaping his lips.

It was a few days later and little to no progress had been made with his wife. Not only had her lips remained sealed but she had started to avoid him. To an out lookers perspective, it wouldn't seem that way. Ali just looked busy, dedicating most of her time towards training Eren but Levi knew better. Ali hated working. She liked to take breaks, she liked to take time out of her day to annoy him. But ever since their talk on the track… she'd been keeping her distance from him.

Perhaps he had been too harsh. She'd just found out their friends had been dead for 6 years. It was a wave of sudden emotion and Ali wasn't good with emotion. She never had been. She needed to go out, get pissed and try to deal with her emotions. Levi wasn't mad that she'd gotten drunk, he was more annoyed that she had decided she should be alone to deal with her grief. Why hadn't she let him take care of her? He could have made her feel a lot better than a bottle of alcohol would. They always used to share their grief with each other. They would share the pain, together. Always together, never alone.

What changed?

When she came home smelling like shit, sweaty and crumbled Levi only imagined the worst. He figured she'd gone to someone else for a quick release because he wasn't providing like she kept asking him to. It made him feel like shit, especially because he knew that wasn't the first time she was with another man.

But he was wrong to accuse her, and he was wrong to punish her before doing so. No matter what she did she didn't deserve that from him. Not after receiving such soul crushing news. He wanted to apologise, try and talk to her but she was always hidden away from him. Whenever he saw her, she was working and it's not like he had nothing to do either. Getting to the point of his conversations with shitty glasses took about an hour, then he had paperwork and training.

The only time he could think of visiting was at night. He had tried yesterday but her door was locked.

What was he supposed to do in this situation? He was playing cat and mouse with his wife.

With a frown, Levi got up from bed and got ready for the day, heading downstairs. He passed the keys to Eld and the blonde left to retrieve Eren from the basement as Levi sat down at the breakfast table.

He immediately noticed Ali's absence.

He stared at her empty chair for a moment before starting on his breakfast. If she didn't want to eat, he wasn't going to make her. Levi clenched his fist slightly.

Was she really that mad at him? It didn't seem right. It didn't seem fair.

Breakfast continued and Eren and Eld arrived, taking their seats a few moments later. There was a moment of silence coupled with chewing.

"W-where's the Major?" Eren asked, looking around.

Levi frowned slightly as heads turned to him. Like he should have the answers to such things. He was as clueless as the rest of them and it pissed him off greatly.

"Actually, I may have seen her this morning…" Oluo admitted. Levi looked up, raising an eyebrow subconsciously.

"Where?" Petra asked. Oluo chuckled nervously.

"She was sleeping on a tree branch at the edge of the woods. I saw her during my run." Oluo explained.

The squad made a face.

"A tree branch? Why would she be sleeping there?" Eld asked. Oluo shrugged.

The tree branch location didn't surprise Levi that much. Ali always hated cramped spaces. She probably felt suffocated in her room and found a nicer spot. Plus, he was sure the fact that the tree gave her more space away from Levi was appealing. He pursed his lips at the annoying thought.

"And you just walked right on by her?" Gunther asked, confused.

"Well no! I asked what she was doing, and she threw her shoe at me and told me to fuck off!" Oluo exclaimed.

The squad choked on a barely supressed laugh and Oluo glared at all of them.

"You're such a wimp, man." Eld chuckled.

"I'd like to see you go against her!" Oluo shot back heatedly.

Levi rolled his eyes and stood from the table silently, walking out of the door while his subordinates continued to idly bicker amongst themselves.

He walked out into the fresh morning air and took a breath, sighing in relief. He walked across the courtyard and through the rusted gate, intertwined with ivy that he made a mental note to clean, and into the forest, scanning his eyes along the trees for his brat. He found her not long after, curled up on a thick tree branch belonging to a long oak tree. She didn't have her gear on her so she must have climbed it. The distance was nothing special to her, like it was nothing to him. Jumping over buildings of the underground required a lot more stamina than a simple tree climb requires.

God that was a long time ago.

Levi sighed at the thought and started up the tree, reaching Ali's branch effortlessly. He walked over to her and sat down, legs dangling over the edge, Ali's head resting next to his thigh.

He was certain she must know who was sitting next to her. Her body remained limp, her eyes remained closed and she presented herself as defenceless. She only ever acted that way around him. The breeze flowed around them, ruffling the trees and creating a peaceful white noise. Ali shivered slightly so Levi took off his jacket and draped it over her gently.

A small smile pulled at her lips and Levi's eyes softened at the sight as Ali shuffled up the tree branch, eyes still closed she rested her head on his thigh and sighed in content. Levi released a silent breath of his own, a wave of nostalgia coming over him. His hands went to her hair and he stroked through the thick white strands gently, enjoying the soft hum of approval that escaped the woman snuggled up into his side.

There was peace for a long time.

"You've been avoiding me." Levi commented in a soft voice, tucking some hair behind his ear. He wasn't angry but he did want to talk.

Ali rolled onto her back, opening her blood red eyes to look up at him.

"I didn't think you'd want to talk to me." She admitted quietly, allowing herself to be vulnerable for the moment. Levi's eyes softened and he stroked her cheek gently.

"Ali if we have a problem, we talk it out. We always have." He reminded and Ali sighed, averting her eyes in shame.

"Maybe I just thought-" She bit her lip. "That this was untalkable. That… we can't get past it." She whispered, her eyes growing slightly glossy and Levi's heart tugged at the sight.

He sighed. He could get why she thought that. Honestly, he wasn't sure if this was something, he could get past. But that's why they needed to talk it out. He wanted to give her the chance to explain herself.

"We can always try, Al. But we can't do anything if you avoid me." Levi pointed out. Ali sighed, sitting up a bit to look at him.

"But I can't tell you… so where do we go from there?" She asked. Levi didn't have an answer for that. "I just thought… maybe if I avoided you it would be easier on you. You wouldn't have to feel betrayed every time you looked at me." Her voice wavered slightly, and Levi could understand why she stayed away now.

He pulled her into a gentle hug, feeling like they, both needed reassurance and Ali sighed in relief.

"That's not what I feel when I look at you. Besides, what I really wanted to do was apologise. I shouldn't have punished you without hearing you out. If you say you weren't with anyone then I believe you." He assured, stroking her hair as Ali's breaths became shakier.

"D-don't apologise to me. I-I don't deserve it. I've done so many bad things, Levi. I betrayed you, I betrayed you so many times." She cried quietly and Levi closed his eyes tight, her words effectively clawing at his insides.

He just has to believe in her. Believe there was a reason behind it.

"We'll be okay. You'll tell me what happened, and we'll get through it together. Like always." He decided, needing to hear it as much as Ali did.

"How are you so s-sure?" She sniffed.

Levi pulled her back slightly to look her in those glossy red eyes, wiping the tears of her face.

"Because I know you." He said seriously. Ali bit her lip.

"Y-you do?" She whispered hopefully. Levi offered a small smile of reassurance, pulling her back into a hug.

"I know you, baby. I just have to believe in you, I can do that." He said confidently. Ali breathed out shakily in relief, hugging him back tightly.

"Thank you. Fuck, I really don't deserve you. I'm so sorry Levi, I didn't want to." She mumbled and Levi's stomach dropped at that last part.

Another slip-up.

"Ali what do you mean you didn't want to?" He asked quietly, almost hesitantly.

Ali's whole body tensed up. The reaction didn't calm his nerves in the slightest.

"I…" She trailed off, panic in her tone.

Levi pulled her back to look at her, but Ali wasn't meeting his eyes.

"Ali… you weren't…" He swallowed as more tears came to Ali's eyes. He took an almost shaky breath and summoned the courage to ask the question, feeling physically sick. "Ali, were you raped?" He forced out the words, his stomach churning in panic at the very thought.

"No… not exactly…" She whispered. Levi's heart was pounding.

"What the fuck does not exactly mean, Al? You either consented or you didn't. Which was it?" Levi demanded. He never thought he would be so eager to hear his wife say she consented to having sex with another man. But if it was between that or her being violated in such a despicable way, he would choose the first option every time. "Ali!?" He insisted, terrified.

Ali's eyes were distant, and a slight tremor ran through her body before she came back to the present and looked at him, almost confused for a second. Levi's heart hurt at the sight.

She furrowed her brows and took a second before shaking her head.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore." She mumbled, standing up and passing him his jacket before starting to climb back down the tree.

Levi's stomach was in knots.

"Fuck, Ali, you can't do this." He climbed down after her, his feet hitting the ground and taking after her as she started to walk back towards HQ. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him. "Put yourself in my shoes right now. Ali I can barely breath." He said and Ali sniffed. "Baby please. Please tell me you weren't." He begged, tears collecting in his eyes. He couldn't believe it. He just couldn't. She was so powerful, so strong. Things like this weren't supposed to happen to her. She was supposed to be safe from vile men. His job was to protect her from them.

Ali took a shaky breath and smiled at him sadly.

"I-I wasn't raped, Levi. Honest." She replied through tears, quickly wiping them away. Levi felt like his heart was breaking.

"Al…" He whispered. Ali bit her lip, trying to stall the sobs.

"I promise I wasn't." She whispered. "T-trust me." She asked desperately and Levi couldn't deny her.

He pulled her into a hug and held her close, soothing her gently.

"I trust you. I trust you, it's okay." He comforted as Ali whimpered quietly into his shoulder.

Levi wasn't sure what to think. While her statement seemed true to an extent, there was obviously more if the way she was close to cracking in his arms was any indication.

In that very moment, Levi looked down at Ali and realised one thing that his stupidity and shock had blinded him from so far. Ali's 11 years were perhaps even more torturous than his own.

A/N: Yo, I'm back.

Hope you liked the chapter :)