Saph's PoV

His soft snores filled the room, and I couldn't help but think there existed a sort of depth and peace that wasn't there before. I knew I needed to sleep but I wanted to capture every moment with my own eyes. Stretched out on his stomach, Levi's sleeping face rested only a few feet away from me. With his arm extended over the edge of the bed, I could reach out and grasp his fingers with my own. Feel the heat of his skin against mine once again. The smooth warmth that emanates from the curved muscles. I felt such strength in his grasp. His fingers wrapped around me in the most delicious of ways. Gripped each angle and pulled them towards his arches. Points and bends colliding. The collision being guided with all of his strength. A dangerous power that held the capability of serving both life and death, but it made me feel safe and protected. A comfort I cherished and only wanted to elongate, however, I knew he'd refuse to sleep in the same bed after having sex. My own lied in the exact same room, so any argument fell flat. I wanted to conserve the precious space I occupied right next to him with our limbs entangled just a little longer. Who knew if I would have another chance?

Not long after the act, Levi lazily nudged me out of the warmth of the covers. "I need to sleep now," he'd drawled, obviously drained and absorbed in the consequences of his actions. Every motion held a heaviness within that seemed to be derived not from physical exhaustion but from the burden of the world on one's shoulders. The ringing of regret in the back of his mind after our affair. I guess I'd see what tomorrow brings in regards to what he'd say or do.

Wisps of Levi's black hair drifted to the front of his face, shadowing his delicate features. Each strand sticking onto his serene face. I felt my heart swell with joy. Could it be me who brought him this sense of relief? That no matter how tomorrow looked, he felt better after our tryst. His grief dispelling long enough to have a moment of peace away from it? An interesting bond had formed between us over the years. From him hating and wanting me to suffer to bickering companions, we've always been together even if it wasn't in the healthiest ways. We kept each other alive. Maybe now, a chance for us existed. At this. At living. Not just surviving and hoping to not be the next one in the jaws of death. I could put enough away from my past that I could move towards a future with him. Moving my head, I leaned into the pillow in order to look up at the ceiling.

A rush of guilt flooded my body as I considered what would be going through Levi's head and heart tomorrow. He obviously hadn't slept with anyone since Petra. I didn't even know if he'd ever slept with someone before her. Now, I'm sure he resigned himself to never having another lover in his life. Petra had been an exception. I'd never seen him interact with anyone else in the same manner of such love and care since Farlan and Isabel. After losing her and the rest of our team, he seemed to be resigned towards fighting and nothing else. Protecting Eren and the other soldiers in the Corps in the hopes of furthering the future of humanity.

It seemed impossible that another outlier could exist in his life. Could I be another anomaly within his heart? One that's not going to disappear. I could never leave him. I couldn't offer much in the name of protection or a good life, but I'd never leave him to be overcome with grief and guilt. I would make sure that he never felt that sort of burden again. "I'll protect whatever hope and happiness is left for him," I murmured into the night sky. The warmth of my breath revealing itself within the frigid air.

Did that mean I couldn't continue my path of revenge and bloodshed? I saw nothing at the end of that journey but certain death, and I didn't live for my brother anymore. I'd been honest when I told Levi that I wanted a life after this war. Not always just surviving one battle after another. I couldn't give up my fight, but at least it seemed as if my goal and the Survey Corps finally aligned. Now interested in the government and Military Police themselves, I'd be a great asset to them when it came to fighting people clothed in secrecy. An area I excelled at, actually. Fighting Titans? Not so much. My Titan abilities meant new responsibilities rested on my shoulders both in the field and off. Eren or I needed to close the hole in the Wall Maria. Not even Levi could complete that task because it's not one for humans, but monsters.

As Saph the Slaughterer, I didn't need Titan powers to hold a title of something you don't want to mess with. Looking back, I could see how my healing abilities must have come in handy as I slashed through the hordes of my enemies. Being unconscious of my newfound talent didn't mean they weren't activated in times of need. Not even rage could drive someone for so long without collapsing into a heap of broken body parts. All pushed past the extent of possibility. Killing both Titans and humans with little rest in between led to a hard and rough life on the physique and soul. My Titan abilities might help me pursue this rampage, but repercussions for my selfhood will still be knocking at my door as long as I continue to spill blood.

My eyelids began to droop and I felt a heavy sense of tiredness begin to sap into my bones, sinking me further and further into the mattress. Turning my body over, I blinked slowly, wanting to take in the sight of Levi's peaceful face as I fell asleep myself.

I felt as though I'd barely drifted off into unconsciousness before I'm awoken by Levi shaking my shoulder. "Get up."

"What? What's happening?" I rubbed at my sleepy eyes, taking in the room while I tried to straighten myself out. He'd shut the door behind him and began to quickly pack some items.

"Erwin sent us a letter, you need to head to the Underground now."

Wearily, I got up out of the bed and began to dress.

"Hurry," Levi hissed, "they're coming."

Those words got my body in gear, and I scrambled to get my belongings together. "What else did it say?"

"He wants you to go Underground to all of your contacts and see what they know about Rod Reiss and Krista, meet up with us afterwards at the Trost district."

"Yes, sir."

Levi paused in his movements causing me to look up in his direction. "Be careful, Saph."

Shocked, I stumbled over my words and thoughts, "thanks… you too." I rarely felt such a swell of concern from him in the form of words. Partnered with the soft way he spread my name between the two of us, I melted. In awe of the events that had just transpired, I got the rest of my things ready while in a daze. A warm haze lulled my senses, only encouraged by his soft words echoing inside my ears. I'd never felt as though I was floating after having sex before, but I could barely concentrate. What an addicting feeling.

Jogging down the stairs, I saw that everyone had gathered at the crest of the hilltop. Sprinting up the grassy knoll, branches broke in the distance. The snaps cracking out into the cold night. Interrupting the slow seductive silence of before. Feeling the wind biting at my exposed nose and cheeks, I picked up the pace until my limbs could stretch out in their entirety. I'd been wondering if I could push myself into an even faster pace once I take a hold of my Titan abilities and push them to their full potential, but I'd have to settle with my speed until I could experiment.

"Looks like we left just in time," Eren commented. Turning around, I could see dark figures swarming the few houses we'd just been residing in.

"Captain, are those Interior Military Police?" Armin asked.

That got my attention. Glaring into the night, I tried to observe if any of the dark figures happened to look like Kenny. Could I just run down right now and finish him? Could he be right here, within my grasp after all these years? Saliva began to coat my mouth and I licked my lips in temptation. A familiar hunger that'd been driving me for all these years raged it's head in full force and a carnal appetite for death made my stomach growl. I could feel Levi's eyes on him. Wary and cautious, he seemed keen on making sure I didn't fly down there with my blades swinging.

"I wouldn't think so. They wouldn't act directly all the way out here."

"It's them," I stated coldly.

"How do you know?" one of the kids asked me. Jenn? Jean? Jinny? Something along those lines.

I turned my head so I could face everybody as I answered the question. "Because I know almost everything about them. Except where Kenny is at and why they follow Rod Reiss instead of the King."

"Who's Kenny?"

"Someone none of you should mess with." I pointed my finger at Mikasa, "even you, Humanity's Second Strongest Soldier. He's not down there though," I looked at Levi, "because if he was he'd have figured out we were up here by now." I took a deep breath, he might not be there but his presence could still be felt. He was near. Head pounding, I struggled to keep my composure around everyone. I'd just considered what it'd be like to move past my desire for revenge for a brighter future but my desire for blood called me. "I'll catch up as soon as I can at the rendezvous point," I whispered to Levi as I began to walk into the blanket of darkness. Shooting off, I sprinted as fast as I could to the nearest entrance to the Underground.

Agni stared down at me as I pressed some money into her hands. It'd been a long time since I'd visited her and the little brothel. Always a booming business no matter the circumstances. The nearer I'd come to Kenny, the more it made her nervous, but now my reputation preceded his. Kenny didn't kill in the Underground anymore. His hunting grounds now rested elsewhere. Me? Everyone knew what I'd done to Brutus and his associates. That I'd escaped the grasp of Kenny.

"You're becoming bad for business, girl. You've killed some of my customers."

"This is my last time. I promise."

Rubbing the coin between her wrinkled fingers, Agni gave me the once over before beckoning me forward. "Fine. Last time, but I don't know anything new about Kenny or his whereabouts."

I shook my head. "I want information about why Rod Reiss is in control of the Internal Military Police and anything about his illegitimate child."

"The one who got into the Survey Corps?"

"Yes, the one you told me a little about. Have you found anything else? Her name was Krista when she entered the Survey Corps."

Agni pulled out some papers from her desk. "This is the only thing I can find. A massacre occurred at Rod Reiss's place the night of Wall Maria's collapse. His whole family, including him, were in their church to pray. They said a group of bandits ransacked the place and murdered everyone except Rod. Only a few nights later did he go to visit the farm of his illegitimate daughter. The Internal Police intervened and killed the mother."

"I thought he controlled the Internal Police?"

"It appears as though a few people pull those strings. However, I've found rumors that bandits weren't the cause."

"How'd they die then?"

"A Titan."

I blinked. Recognizing that I might reveal some Survey Corps secrets if I reacted to much, I maintained my composure. "That's interesting." I began to head out, "Thanks, Agni. I'll leave you alone now."

She cackled, "You're welcome back, but I'm just going to start charging you more to compensate for the loss in clients."

I sneered, "Sounds like a deal."

Drawing up my hood, I left the building. I didn't want any attention drawn to me, so I tried to move fast but not frantically. Surrounded by enemies. On all sides. Humans like Rod, Kenny, and the rest of the Internal Police and government. Titan shifters like Annie, Reiner, Ymir, Bertholdt, the outskirts village, and the Beast titan. Titans also still presented a huge problem that we've made no progress on exterminating. I thought nowhere was as dangerous as the Underground, but now enemies existed everywhere I went.

It'd been awhile since I'd traversed the Underground terrain. This place never changed though, and after spending half my life in this shithole, I could travel blindfolded from all my experience. I knew exactly where to go to reach the best entrance for the Trost district. Sprinting up the stairs, I dodged between the people until I popped up near the warehouse. Taking to the roof, I leaped and swung my way to the location where the Reeve's company should be keeping who they believe to be Eren and Krista for Rod Reiss. In actuality, they'd taken Armin and Jean. Spotting Levi and Mikasa, I made my way over to them.

"How is your ankle?" I hear Mikasa ask as I'm landing.

Levi glanced at me before turning his attention back to the injured limb. "It's moving pretty well. It's much better."

"I guess you didn't need to put yourself in harm's way that day to save me," I commented as I approached them.

Levi shook his head. "That's not true. The Female Titan still could have killed you. You still need to be aware," he lectured.

"Auruo said I behaved like a monster."

Levi sighed. "I didn't notice."

All his attention had been focused on recapturing Eren. He couldn't even react to Petra's death the way people are allowed to once a loved one dies. I wondered if he felt as though he'd betrayed her by sleeping with me.

"You're not allowed to kill anyone from the Reeves company," Levi said.

"But! Erwin said we needed to be prepared to kill people."

"He didn't mean you, and he didn't mean in every situation."

I glared at him before huffing, "I won't as long as I see it's not necessary."

"It's not going to be. You stay up here while Mikasa and I go release Armin and Jean."

Pouting, I turned around to survey the area around us. Hearing the whoosh of their movements in the wind, I strained to listen to the fighting soon to happen below. Moments later, the sound of bodies being dropped to the floor resounded inside the structure.

"Saph," Levi shouted, so I opened up the hatch to pop my head in, "Is that everyone?"

"Yep," I yelled back before swinging my feet down to land on some boxes. Hopping down, I saw Levi help up a short tubby man with a balding head.

"Boss? Being in your nest makes me feel antsy… let's get some air," he said to Reeves before taking him outside.

Following the two of them, I had to jog to catch up. Desecrated buildings on the verge of total collapse lined the streets, reminding of the Underground. The dilapidation of the entire town left a stark reminder of what the Titan's could do in a short amount of time. Months had gone by since the Battle of Trost, and the wreckage of the invasion left a permanent imprint on the minds of the townspeople. They and a few soldiers remained on the premises. Garrison troops stayed near the boulder and manned the wall. Always aware that one swift kick could remove all progress. They barely glanced at me as I got on the platform with Levi and Reeves.

"Why are you taking me up here?" Reeves asked when we were about halfway up.

"Do you know what we call this place?" Levi asked back. Before enough time could pass for an answer, he continued, "The place where humanity first defeated the Titan, and the place that proves humanity's helplessness. We needed the strength of a Titan to close a hole made by them. No matter what we tried, humanity just couldn't hold up. Not that Eren did it alone since many soldiers gave their lives too. Without him and them, your town wouldn't even be standing on its last legs."

"Hmph. You took me here to lecture me? Give me a break. Being up here isn't easy on my old body."

Levi agreed with him. "You're right."

I trailed off as they continued to chat. A restlessness had begun to build in my bones since Levi woke me up. Could today be the day? Would I finally be able to avenge my brother? It'd taken years to track down that it'd been Kenny who'd kidnapped him. Then even more resources and time to find that he worked for the Reiss family and once I found that out I became a liability. They must feel backed into a corner now. I'd slowly drained their resources and interrupted their business deals. I'd worked this for years alone, now, that couldn't be further from the truth. We'd finally be able to destroy these pigs once and for all. I'd burn everything they love to the ground, starting with Kenny.

"Captain Levi?!" Mikasa shouted, startling me out of my reflection.

"First, the Reeves company has to join the Survey Corps in opposing the Military Police and the royal government. Second, you'll trust us. Lastly, we get first access to commodities such as tea." I chuckled at the very usual Levi request. "If you accept these conditions, you can have Krista and Eren."

"But not Saph?"

"What!" I shouted, as I stepped forward. "What do you want me for?"

Levi paused as well. "I didn't know they wanted you to kidnap her as well."

"They don't want her as much as those two, but they did want us to capture her if we had the opportunity. They didn't tell us why."

So he was unaware that I'm a Titan Shifter. Obviously, most people didn't know that the Survey Corps now had two individuals who could turn into Titans. However, I thought it'd be more common knowledge that the Military Police would be willing to share. I mean, the village that kidnapped us somehow knew. If he didn't know, I could only assume the Internal Military Police did and Rod Reiss, maybe a few other royals.

"You can't have her," Levi stated, "tell them she wasn't with us. Do we have a deal?"

Reeves contemplated him quietly for a second. I thought he might refuse, but he offered his hand instead, "we have a deal."

"You're a smart man."

I'm excited to announce the next chapter will be from Levi's point of view! I want to try to sneak in a few more of these because I enjoy writing them. Just get intimidated about making him OC. Thank you guys so much for your support! I hope you guys enjoyed the two new chapters and the changes I've made to the ones after. I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts!