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"They're in the river, shoot them!" he growled.
One of the men aimed, but Greer was quick to knock his gun off course. This caused another to aim at her.
"No, don't!" Floch yelled as a single gunshot echoed through the air.
Memory...
He wasn't there when she woke up. She sat up in bed, her mind trailing off to the events of last night.
Was it a mistake? Should we have done that? What now?
She got dressed and walked into the kitchen, where Evie was cooking something delicious.
"Morning!" Evie grinned and Greer smiled at her.
She seemed in better spirits today.
"I made breakfast, but Levi ran out of here really fast, so it's just me and you I guess," Evie shrugged and Greer nodded.
A mistake, she decided as she sat down to eat with her sister.
A Few Days Later...
Levi nodded to the large man he had just made a deal with. Farlan shook his hand, sealing the contract and Isabel watched from the steps. When the man left Farlan turned to Levi.
"Are you alright?" he asked and Levi frowned slightly.
"Why are you asking me that?" he asked unsure and Farlan shrugged.
"I don't know. You just seem off lately and you haven't left the underground in a few days. Everything alright with Greer and Evie?" he asked and Levi controlled his face.
"Well, they just lost their mother, so they are as alright as they can be," he said and Farlan nodded.
"Why aren't you with them?" Farlan asked, feeling bold and Levi looked at him.
Silence.
"You know, if you need some time off—"
"—why would I need time off?" he asked and Farlan could tell he was agitating his friend.
Silence.
"You lost her too, Levi," he said simply and Levi shook his head.
"I didn't lose anyone," he said coldly and Farlan nodded, not believing him for a second.
The large man returned; a grin plastered to his face.
"I want to thank you properly for your services. Come on, we're going out," he said and Levi was about to decline when Farlan nudged him.
"Maybe it's what you need," he suggested and Levi thought about it.
What I need?
Isabel went to stand up and follow, but the large man shook his head.
"This isn't a place for little girls, sweetheart," he mused and she huffed.
"I'm not little and don't call me sweetheart, you dick!" she growled and the large man laughed.
"Well, I'm sorry! She'll fit right in! Let's go!" he said and they followed.
Levi watched as Farlan was happily pulled away by several women, upstairs from the bar. Isabel spun in her bar chair.
"Aren't you going to go with one of those women?" she asked as Levi stared at his water.
"No," he muttered and closed his eyes briefly, Greer's face flashing before his eyes.
He missed her, he realized. He hadn't gone back there since that night.
"Hey handsome. You're a real looker, easy on the eyes. Why don't I show you to my room?" an attractive woman asked sweetly.
"Not interested," he said, not looking at her, and she frowned slightly.
"Come on, sweetheart. Tell me what you need and I'll give it to you good," she mused and Levi's eyes widened slightly.
What I need?
The woman took his chin in her hand and he tensed, grabbing her wrist.
"Don't touch me," he said firmly, releasing her wrist and she pulled back and scoffed.
He seemed to realize something and turned to Isabel.
"Get Farlan and go home. Tell him I'll return in a few days. He'll understand," he said standing and Isabel frowned.
"Are you okay, big bro? A few days?" she asked and he pat her head.
"I'm alright. Yes, a few days," he said and she nodded as he left quickly.
It had started raining, but Levi didn't seem to notice as he turned the block onto her street. He hurried to the door, already soaked to the bone, and knocked urgently. After a moment, he saw a dim light go on in the living room. Greer opened the door and her eyes widened.
"Levi...you're soaked. Come in," she said pulling him inside.
She moved quickly, getting a towel from the bathroom.
"Take your clothes off," she said and then blushed madly.
"Because you're wet and I don't want you to get sick," she tried to explain quickly.
He quietly undressed, wrapping the towel around his waist.
Silence.
Silence.
"Where's Evie?" he asked and she gestured upstairs.
"Sleeping; it's pretty late," she said and he nodded.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
"I missed you," she said suddenly and his eyes snapped to hers.
"That wasn't just some way of expressing my grief. That night meant something to me. I needed it. I needed you. But I understand if that's not something you want or need. So, just tell me," she stopped, her face beat red, but she never broke eye contact.
Silence.
"What do you need?" she asked and, after a beat, he moved forward, his lips meeting hers eagerly.
End Memory.
Memory...
"Greer, please tell us what happened," Erwin said calmly and Greer stared at the floor.
She stood in a room with Erwin, Mike, Hange, and Levi. Isabel was resting in the other room. She wasn't in any shape to stand before them yet. Farlan had been instructed to watch her. Greer rubbed her side gently, feeling the bandages beneath her shirt. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Isabel and I were paired together under squad leader Duke," she started slowly.
"It was a routine exploratory mission, but halfway through it we were attacked by titans. We lost several squad members before we found temporary safety in the trees," she paused.
Silence.
Silence.
"Greer?" Erwin spoke softly and she seemed to snap back to the present.
She blinked.
"We tried to come up with a plan to distract the titans so that we could all get away. But we knew we were trapped in the trees. So, squad leader Duke made an executive decision. He decided one of us would play as bait and lure them away," she said almost as if in a trance.
Silence.
"No one volunteered. It was a suicide mission and we all knew it. So, he took it upon himself to choose. And he chose Isabel," she said plainly.
Levi tensed slightly, but was able to keep composure.
Silence.
Greer shook her head.
"I objected right away. I tried to convince them there was another way. But mania had set in for some of the squad and they weren't listening. So, I volunteered to take her place. But squad leader Duke said no…said I was too valuable," she said, her eyebrows furrowing.
Silence.
Silence.
"Greer," Erwin said and Greer blinked coming out of the memory again.
"They hit her. It's why she has the head injury. She fell off the tree and I jumped off after her. I managed to catch her, but her leg hit into the trunk of the tree and only one of my ropes caught onto a thick branch. So, we were left dangling. The squad was upset. They said I had ruined their chance of escaping. So, they came for us and—" she stopped suddenly.
Silence.
Levi was about to stand up and go to her. Greer had lost all color in her face and her eyes were wide staring straight ahead, as if she saw the events playing out in her mind's eye. Her hands were shaking.
"Greer?" Hange called concerned.
Silence.
"I killed them," she said simply and all eyes widened.
Silence.
Silence.
Greer swallowed the lump in her throat and her eyes lowered.
"I cut ropes...I cut limbs...and I didn't stop until they were dead and falling into the titans' mouths. I didn't even notice I was stabbed until I had put a reasonable distance between us and the titans. And even then, I barely felt the pain. I had to get us back here. That's what I focused on," she explained.
Silence.
"I know my actions will have consequences...but please excuse Isabel from this. She didn't kill anyone. She was barely conscious when it all happened," she revealed.
Silence.
Silence.
"Greer, why would I punish you for protecting a member of your squad?" Erwin asked and Greer's eyes shot to his.
Erwin shook his head, never breaking eye contact.
"The rest of the squad was clearly suffering from mania. It's sad, but it happens. I will not punish someone for surviving," he said and her vision blurred.
Silence.
"Thank you, commander," she whispered trying to keep it together.
Silence.
"Are we done here?" she choked out and he smiled warmly and nodded.
She didn't want them to see her cry. She whirled around and left the room quickly. She walked into her room and closed the door, leaning against it. She covered her face, trying to muffle her sobs. She pulled off her clothes, suddenly feeling dirty and went to the bathroom. She turned on the hot water and stepped in, letting it prickle her skin. After a while she stepped out and dressed, walking into her room. She stopped seeing Levi sitting on the bed.
"Hey," she said and he stood and walked towards her, hugging her to him.
"I thought I lost you," he whispered into her hair, his hold tightening.
"You almost did," she admitted, unwilling to let him go.
Silence.
After a moment they pulled away. He glanced at her side and his fingers gently caressed the bandage.
"It's not that bad," she tried, but he barely heard her.
"Levi—"
"—this is my fault," he cut her off and she frowned slightly.
"No, it—"
"—I should have spoken up. I told you that we wouldn't separate. You had to protect Isabel all by yourself. I should have—" he was cut off as her lips pressed against his softly.
She pulled away, leaving it a short, chaste kiss, and he stared at her.
"Isabel is important to me too. I did what I had to in order to keep her safe," she whispered and his eyes softened.
She leaned into him for a moment, enjoying the quiet, before looking at him.
"How m-many more people will we have to kill b-before we find peace?" she whispered and Levi's eyes softened.
"I'm not sure," he admitted and she closed her eyes.
They opened feeling his hand lift her chin. Her green eyes met his blue ones.
"But I can tell you what I do know," he said and she waited.
"I will not leave your side through any of it," he said and her eyes widened.
"No matter what happens or who we become. I'm with you," he revealed and she kissed him deeply.
End Memory.
Unknown Time…
Levi opened his eyes, confused as to why he was thinking about those memories now. He sat up slowly, cautiously, and looked around. The group was huddled around a fire as Hange spoke to them, relaying the plan. He glanced down at his hands and moved the three fingers he had left on one hand. It would be fine. He only needed two to control the blades. He glanced at the rag tag group again. Never in a million years did he think he would be working with the enemy to stop a greater threat. His eyes fell on Annie. He had relented when Hange explained the plan to him, but he still didn't like the fact that she got to breathe longer because of it.
His mind drifted to Greer. Nothing in Hange's plan had them going back for her. She wasn't even in the plan, at all. He would have to address that with her soon. They had both heard the gunshot and the shouting afterwards. He knew Hange thought she was hit, but Levi wouldn't allow such intrusive thoughts into his head. Greer was fine. A bullet wasn't going to keep her down, much less kill her. She had been through far worse.
He was broken from his thoughts when Hange walked over and sat on his manmade cot on the trolley. The commander looked so tired. They sat in silence for a moment before Hange rubbed her head.
"We're going to have to start moving soon. We can't wait here any longer," she murmured and Levi frowned slightly.
"Why were we waiting in the—" and then he stopped.
He realized it then as Hange looked at him, her eye sad.
Silence.
She was waiting for Greer.
"Hange—"
"—I just don't think we have the time. We have to keep going. She'd want us to keep going," she said more to herself then him.
Silence.
They were both distracted by a rustle in the bushes. Everyone stood up alertly, hands on weapons. Greer emerged from the brush and immediately raised her hands seeing all the weapons out and ready.
Silence.
She smiled.
"Found you."
Hange stood up from the trolley, watching her friend. Greer gave her a nod.
"You kept your promise," she said and Hange nodded.
"I did my best," she mused and Greer chuckled.
The group slowly began to relax.
"Who is that? She looks familiar," Gabi said and Pieck looked at her.
"That's Greer Elliot; John's daughter. Porco and I were sent to kidnap her a while back. She is…formidable," Pieck admitted.
Greer smirked at her.
"Thank you," she mused and Pieck seemed to relax.
"Are you with him or us?" Annie spoke up and Greer's smile faded some, her eyes darkening.
"Look who's decided to wake up from her slumber," she said and Annie tensed.
Silence.
Greer stared at her for a beat and then turned to Hange.
"I'm going to fight for you. As for Eren…I'll know what to do when I see him. That's all I can confirm," she said and Hange nodded.
"Good enough for me," she grinned and Greer nodded.
Mikasa was the first to reach her and quickly pulled her into a hug. Greer winced slightly, but returned the hug tightly.
"Missed you," she whispered and Greer smiled softly.
"Missed you too," she whispered back.
When they pulled away Hange gave introductions and filled Greer in on the plan.
"We'll have to move quicky. When looking for you I caught a glimpse of the Rumbling. They move fast," she said and Hange nodded.
"We'll leave first thing in the morning," she relayed and everyone nodded.
The second she could, Greer made her way over to Levi. She carefully sat down on the cot and took in his bandages. His eyes lowered seeing hers become glassy. He raised a hand to her cheek and gently caressed it. She took his hand, keeping it to her cheek firmly.
"I believed Hange would try to keep her promise. I did. But I wasn't certain she would be able to and I—" she trailed off as a few tears slipped down her cheeks.
Silence.
"I'm sorry I took so long to find you. I really didn't have any clues. I just headed toward the port and eventually found tracks," she admitted.
Silence.
Silence.
"How bad is it?" he asked after a moment and she stared at him.
Silence.
"Not that bad. I can move well enough. Bullet left a deep graze. Nothing serious," she said and he closed his eye.
She leaned her forehead against his.
"I'm alright," she said and he opened his eye slowly.
Silence.
"She needs at least one of us to make it home," he said and Greer smiled at him.
"Then go home," she said and he glared at her.
"We made a promise, remember? We have to see this through. For her future. We have to finish this," she whispered and his glare broke.
He gripped her hands tightly and pulled them to his chest, over his heart.
"I need you to live," he said firmly and she stared at him.
Silence.
"How selfish," she mused and his eye snapped to hers.
Silence.
Silence.
"My last thought was of you," he whispered and her eyes widened slightly.
"Or, at least, what I thought was my last thought," he rephrased.
Silence.
Silence.
"It was peaceful. I finally got some decent rest," he mused lightly and she smiled at him lovingly.
"Let's get some more rest," she said and his grip tightened.
"I'm not leaving. I'll rest beside you," she said laying down next to him.
I hope everyone enjoyed it! Please let me know your thoughts by reviewing!