Here is chapter 3. I'm posting as many chapters as possible for you guys since all the chapters are readily available on ao3. As usual page breaks means change in character perspective. Enjoy!
The sun had finally gone down since the boy had fallen into the nest. He recalled tumbling down into the cold depths, but not much that happened after. He remembered the stench of rotting flesh, and the beast's foul body odor. He remembered how they had surrounded him, their red eyes gleaming in the dark, but not how he had won.
He was cold and drenched in blood, he could feel it and smell it in the chilly air. His clothes clung to him in sweat and dried blood and his left hand ached. He could start to feel exhaustion settling into his very bone marrows, his energy depleting the longer he stood among the grave of bodies beneath his feet.
What had happened? How did he win? He was disoriented and confused. Although he was elated that he had been victorious, he was disturbed at his lack of remembrance. Had he blanked out? If so, why? So many questions popping in his head giving him a slight headache.
The sudden stillness of the approaching night was like the flap of a crows wings; quiet and quick but with a certain softness to it. How was he supposed to get out now? His body ached, his feet frozen and the night steadily swallowing him whole within a sea of black.
As if to answer the boy's befuddled mind a sudden noise caught his attention. The rustling of the wind and the echo of a strong booming voice broke into the empty lake making him jostle in both fear and confusion. He swiftly turned behind him and saw something he would never forget in all his years to come.
Six figures descended into the frozen plain, some large and tall, others smaller in figure and standing. From what little light was left he could tell that some were men and others were women. The rustle of the fabric of their clothes disturbing his thoughts and bringing life to the deathly still night. Their green capes floating and fluttering behind them like the wings of a butterfly as they descended. They landed with grace and poise as if they were made to fly. He wished he could fly beyond the confines of the mountain, to be free of this snowy prison and felt an ache like the stab of an arrow etch into his heart for even thinking of the possibility.
They didn't look like the beasts so they must be different, but they have the same smell. The boy thought. They looked human, but one could never be too careful. The beasts had the same form as man, but were nothing like anything he had seen back in Shiganshina. They stood ten feet away, as still as trees, none had dared to move as if to frighten him away like some of the skittish deer he would happen to cross paths with in the forest trail near the cabin.
The shortest one standing in the front middle seemed to have a different air about him than the rest. He was one of the smallest in the group yet he seemed the most dangerous. His silky, coal coloured hair was parted neatly, his face like marble white slabs of stone, and his facial features seemed to be handsome as if carved impeccably by an artist. His jawline was sharp, his eyebrows thin, and nose small yet round, reminding him of one of the many buttons he tried to once sow back on his shirt with a flimsy piece of thread he tore from curtain sheets.
His body seemed fit from what he could see based on the outlines of his figure from the moon's soft glow and his clothing shaping the outline of his physique and muscles. His eyes were the most striking feature that captured the boy's attention. They were cold and resembled the sky after a harsh rainfall during the spring season; a stormy silver with the gleam of the blue sky hidden behind the clouds. The others seemed to be plain in comparison. Their strange clothes and uniforms the only thing striking and unusual thing to him.
He had never seen such strange attire before and wondered why they wore them. For what purpose? What did it mean? Who could these people be? Thoughts zipped into his mind like the sting of a thousand bees. Before he could even try to decipher their meaning, the being with the onyx coloured hair stepped forward, walking towards him. The crunch of the snow and his dark boots sounding intimidating with each step. He eyed the man like a hawk, weary of his every move and doubtful of the man's intention. He stopped a few feet before him and the boy waited for the next move this man could possibly make.
"Boy, will you come with me?" The man asked in a firm tone. His voice was more smooth and deep than he thought. It had a rough under tone that resembled the thunder of a storm, but was soothing and pleasing to his ears.
The man stretched his hand towards the boy in an invitation. The boy was startled yet confused. What could he want with him? Should he go with them? The doubt and fear that crept into his heart had him hesitate. The hand before him was strong due to the numerous calluses that had formed on his palm over the years, telling a different story all on their own.
Could he trust this man? Could he be willing to give himself over to this man who resembled thunder and lightning? He reached for his hand and could not sense any malice, fear or hatred that he usually felt whenever he was around another like he did when he resided in Shiganshina. As if sensing his strife, the man took the initiative and took the last step, clasping his hand with utmost care. He was gentle in the way he held his hand, slow and steady, and his grip was firm but not overbearing. His hand was more warmer than he thought would be given the man's appearance and cold demeanour.
As if feeling all his anxiety, pain and strength from before being sapped away, he let his small frame crash into the man before him, his axe completely falling from his right hand and clanking against the ice of the lake. Strong arms wrapped around the boy, and surprisingly, he pat the boy's head soothingly like a mother would her own child. The boy felt all his fear fade away with each pat, sudden exhaustion overtaking him. The last thing he remembered was the scent of lavender and the caress of a steady hand against his throbbing head before everything faded away like the night sky.
The boy had passed out as soon as he embraced him. Levi hardly had to use compulsion on the boy to get him to calm down. He was smaller than Levi imagined, his body more frail and tiny than he looked. He felt flimsy and was limp like a wilted flower, his bones poking and prodding Levi like thorns on a rose. The boy was ice cold to the touch and Levi wondered how he didn't freeze to death before they had arrived. He gently lifted the boy in his arms, carrying him to the rest of his squad. His lanky legs dangling and head resting against his shoulder. He was light, too light, it almost felt like he was carrying a feather that was ready to be blown away from the slightest wind.
Petra seemed distraught at the scene before her. Her lips stretched into a thin line, brows furrowed and eyes dim and completely zeroed in on the boy in his arms. She stood quietly with the rest of his squad, nobody said a single thing, all waiting patiently for further orders and slightly flabbergasted at the scene before them. The tension in the air was strong and Levi could smell and sense the distress and confusion among the group.
"Back to the horses. It's nightfall. The sooner we head back the better." Levi instructed in a soft tone as he looked over the boy. He was trembling slightly and the boy snuck his head closer towards his neck, snuggling closer to seek more heat unconsciously. A small hand grabbed onto the front of a his shirt in a vice like grip as the boy held on for dear life.
"Sir, you don't think that this is the 'hunter' do you? How could that be? I mean he's just a small boy." Gunther inquired. His brown eyes boring holes into Levi and his body taunt.
"By the looks of things it's highly possible. Right now isn't the best time for speculations. We have our orders and I said that we should leave. Before the boy freezes to death get your asses in gear." Levi pressed in a brisk, deep tone. He pushed through his squad and walked briskly to the base of the cliff without another word and settling the matter. He held the boy closer and more firmly before jumping and climbing up the cliff quickly and reached the top within minutes.
The moon casting a silvery tone to the snow, making it appear like glittering diamonds. The stars sprinkled the sky like fireflies and the trees casting a dance of shadows onto the snowy ground. His squad followed behind him, their steps like hushed whispers against the freshly fallen snow. Their scents telling him of their lingering questions and confusion. The track back was faster than it felt getting there in the first place. Their eyes adjusting to the deadly night, their senses on higher alert and the pressure of dread no longer suffocating them.
Finally reaching the cabin to where the horses remained tied to the trees, Levi went to his steed and with care, gently pulled one of his spare cloaks from his satchel and wrapped the boy in it, encasing him with the promise of warmth and safety. The boy hardly stirred at his ministrations, clearly showing his exhaustion. Levi saddled his horse, the boy still in his arms and ensured he was safely secured against his chest while his arms held him securely and his hands grasping the straps of his steed. His soft breathing and sigh of content indicating that he was steadily gaining warmth to his chilled body. His small head the only thing poking out of the cloak and resting against his firm chest.
"Let's go. We have to hurry back before dawn." Levi ordered kicking his horse to a steady trot, not too fast as to not jostle the boy awake or frighten him.
"Captain, what are we going to do with him?" Eld questioned nervously. He fidgeted in his saddle, almost as if he was uncomfortable with the question. His eyes focused on the dark path, avoiding any form of eye contact.
"Erwin said we had to bring whoever was responsible back with us. Personally, this is something I wasn't expecting. I'm not sure what will happen, but one thing is for sure. This boy is special and he is different than any other human child I have seen." Levi remarked.
He felt uncomfortable with the whole situation. What was he to do with such a small boy? Where would he go? To one of the feeding farms to become a feeder? To become a hunter and get listed under the legislation? There was one too many questions that needed answering and he felt that this was going to be one giant headache. He felt slightly annoyed that the boy was so young since it made the whole dilemma all the more complicated. However, seeing the boy nestle in his embrace, sleeping so soundly against him, didn't feel as terrible as he thought. Although he was covered in dirt and blood, Levi wasn't bothered at all and he felt a tinge of sympathy for him. He was getting too soft in his old age, he simply dismissed. There was no way he was getting attached to the little bundle in his arms. He shook the thought off and continued directing his horse in the dark using his keen eyesight and the moonlight as his guide.
"Still, to think that a child did all that, it just doesn't seem possible, especially a human child. How could someone cause that much destruction?" Eld pitched in solemnly. He sighed as he contemplated, trying to find an answer. He turned to Levi as if expecting an answer from him, his eyes serious and glowing in curiosity and concern.
"It's amazing if you ask me! Honestly astonishing! To think that this poor child had survived up here all alone. The poor little munchkin!" Hanji cooed in adoration and amusement. She cupped her hands together and batted her eyelashes in an attempt to appear sweet and endearing, but her face only reminded Levi of someone trying to take a shit.
"He's honestly so cute like that, all wrapped up in Levi's cloak! He's like a little baby all snuggled up against our grumpy Captain don't you think?" Hanji blubbered in excitement as she leaned slightly towards Levi on her horse and observing the boy sleep.
She leaned in further, her hand outstretched towards the boy, almost as if she was trying to pet him like a cat and her eyes held a gleeful shine that only showed her underlying tone of mischief.
"Stop that, buzz off you damn freak. You'll wake him up. Keep your dirty hands off him." Levi growled suddenly. He pulled the reins of his horse and his horse neighed from the harsh tug. He pressed the boy closer, wrapping one of his hands around him as if he was hiding him. His eyes gleamed brightly, his expression stern and fangs elongated and threatening.
Hanji stilled and her eyes were wide and owl-like behind her glasses. His squad all stopped in their track, all tense from the quick change of their captain. The air thick with tension and apprehension. Then Hanji bellowed with laughter and broke the uncomfortable air. She clutched her sides and squirmed in her saddle.
"Oh my dear! You're already so smitten with the kid it's adorable! You hardly know him yet you're acting like a mother cat protecting her babies! This is just golden. You should see your face!" Hanji cackled gleefully. She laughed so hard that she leaned too far on her saddle and almost fell off, but she quickly grabbed her saddle, adjusting herself upright while laughing.
Levi narrowed his eyes in anger at her bold actions and joyful attitude towards his reaction. He honestly didn't know what overcame him to make him act that way, but somehow, seeing the boy bundled up and safe in his arms made him feel overly protective over him. He usually wouldn't care at all about a snot nosed brat, but this kid had managed to worm his way into his shrivelled heart without even doing anything. It amazed him at how soft he has gotten over the years and perhaps a bit too lenient on Hanji for allowing her to get away with teasing him.
"You done? Or are you planning on waking up all the damn aberrants in the whole entire village with your damn cackling?" Levi snapped. He turned away from her to avoid getting even more pissed than he already was from watching her howl like a damn dog.
"Oh come on Levi, you have to admit that he is cute! Plus your reaction was hilarious, although over the top. We never get to see you like this, acting all sensitive. It's adorable really." Hanji taunted. She smiled wide, her lips stretched into an evil expression and her eyes shining with excitement at the new revelation. He just knew that now that she had discovered another way to taunt him by using one of his lapses in controlling his emotions, that she wouldn't stop teasing him. He was already regretting bringing her along.
"Fuck off." Levi snarled. He regained his composure and pulled the reins getting his horse to move again to avoid her prodding, escaping any further analysis at his behaviour.
"It is strange though, the way you reacted Captain was slightly aggressive, like a new mother don't you think?" Petra smirked as she playfully jabbed at his odd behaviour. She smiled knowingly at him and he felt her previous apprehension and sadness ebb away.
"Don't you start Petra, Hanji is already getting on my damn nerves. I don't need to hear taunting in stereo from you too." Levi grumbled as he felt slightly embarrassed at his overbearing reaction towards the boy.
"A mother! Impossible. Captain Levi wouldn't show such weak emotions! He is one of the strongest Pureblood vampires. His prestigious lineage showing his strength and -"
"Oh shut up Oluo, you're annoying. You're boner for Captain Levi is showing by how much your drooling over him." Petra interrupted him in a snarl.
"Sh-shut up Petra! I don't have a fucking boner!" Oluo barked in embarrassment. He kicked his horse unconsciously in his flustered state and made his horse suddenly take off in a speedy run. His startled yelling and cursing at his horse, disturbing the playful atmosphere. Gunther and Eld laughed and Petra sighed in disappointment, being used to his idiotic behaviour and constant fumbling. Hanji, at this point, was crying and wiping her eyes in glee watching Oluo stumble and fall right off his horse and land ungracefully on his ass into the snow while his horse continued trotting on without its owner.
"Well I'm glad you're having fun Hanji." Petra smiled.
"It's always fun watching Oluo acting like an ass while trying to act cool." Hanji remarked as she shook her head trying to shake off her bout of continuous giggling.
"But seriously Captain, what are you thinking of doing with him?" Petra inquired, her tone of voice losing its previous joy and her expression turning serious again as she addressed one of the many problems that they were in fact saddled with in their current predicament.
"I'm not sure to be honest. We know nothing about the kid. Why he was here, where he came from, who his parents are. Everything is a goddamn mystery at this point. I wanna know more about him before we decide anything. I can sense that the kid ain't normal." Levi explained.
"What do you mean Captain?" Petra asked.
"It's a feeling is all. I can't explain it but this kid is different than any human child I've seen. There's something fucked up going on here and I want to know what it is." He answered in a clipped manner, trying to avoid any further inquiry in the manner.
"The way he killed those aberrants says something about his physical strength and agility. All he had on him was an axe and the way the bodies were torn apart doesn't add up. Do you think I could possibly study him Levi? I'm so curious about how he did it! Did he slash at them or did he use his hands to do it! I WANT TO KNOW!" Hanji shrieked in joy and curiosity. Her expression turning manic and her face flushed with pure joy.
"Study him? He's not a freaking animal Hanji and I'm pretty sure Erwin won't let you near him, especially after what happened to Sonny and Bean. You practically ripped those two apart from all the 'studying' you were doing to them." Levi cringed at recollecting how he was called over for the clean up when Erwin had found out what Hanji had done to the two aberrant test subjects she had in her possession. That was the last time Erwin approved of letting Hanji be in charge of any experiments concerning aberrants.
"Oh come on Levi! That was only one time! You're exaggerating." She whined.
"Whatever. Just keeps your damn claws off him until we decide what we're gonna do with him." Levi sniffed at her in agitation.
After that catching up with Oluo and helping him back onto his horse, the rest of his squad simmered down and remained in a comfortable silence, solely focusing on getting back to Trost district before dawn. They were tired and needed rest, not to mention some of them were hungry and needed blood to sustain themselves. Levi could stand not drinking blood and could even go on for a week without needing blood tablets, which only proved his superior standing compared to others.
They continued riding West for a few hours, following back their trail, the horse footprints from before guiding them back steadily. After passing the forest and reaching the bottom of the mountain the moon was at its peak, meaning that the sun wouldn't be rising just yet and that they still had a few hours until daybreak. They had finally reached the small village of Shiganshina and could tell that they would be leaving the district in due time.
The town itself was oddly still. Even though it was night, the town itself seemed strangely dead and weary of their presence. A gust of dry wind passes through the maze of ancient houses where windows have long shattered in the weakness of their structures and rotting boards, some broken, others hanging trying to cover the empty eyes of every abandoned home. Doors hang on the few threads of their hinges and groan with pain at every sway. Some of the other homes that weren't as badly damaged still looked dreary in comparison. Deserted streets, tumble-down stalls, shutters hanging loosely that didn't seem to shield all the cold night air and some shingles of certain roofs were hanging limply, others chipped and cracked from mother nature herself. Chickens, goats, and a few cows were seen in makeshift sheds; straw, wood and mud were the only materials used that held the structure together and measly posts made of rotting wood acted as a fence to keep in some of the animals that roamed around during the day.
The town itself looked to be on the verge of collapse and the few lights that glowed in the dark showed signs of some life, some semblance of townsmen hiding away from the winter's harsh nights and forsaken creatures that plague their village. As they rode their horses through town, they passed by each home, observing the destruction and pathetic scenery. As they approached the entrance to the town, they could see a few men gathered quietly outside near one of the porches of what looked like a bar. They were all huddled together like vultures gathering around for scraps of meat. Their hushed voices rising as they rode closer to the group.
"Do you think the hunter will even come down from the mountain? He's been stuck there for months!"
"Hunter my ass! He's a thief I tell you! Last month I found some of my chickens in a fright and when I checked on them a few were missing from their pens!"
"What about all the aberrants that haven't been coming around lately? Do you think the hunter is feeding them? Maybe that's why they stopped attacking the village!"
"Don't be a fool! It's that boy I tell you! He's a curse that plagues this village!"
The constant bickering and arguing drew Levi's attention towards the group and he instantly recognized the booming, screeching voice of the man who mentioned a curse. His oily, matt brown, short hair, wrinkled wide forehead showing his receding hairline and his fearful brown coloured eyes surrounded by bags and wrinkles showing nights of restless sleep, expressing his paranoia and stress.
"Well if it isn't Kitz Woermann. I'm glad to see that you're performing your duties so well this late in the night." Levi sassed, stopping his horse in front of Kitz and his fearful group of men.
"Lord… Ackerman what a pleasure to see you here of all places." Kitz grumbled, forcing his face into a pleasant smile, but looked more to be one of pain and irritation. The rest of his men quickly stopped all their activities and stood in fright, their eyes downcast and faces grim.
"What brings you to our little village my lord?" He muttered in fake small talk and pleasantry.
"Well if you had done your job right the first time Kitz we wouldn't be here freezing our asses off trying to fix your fucking mistake now would we?" Levi scoffed.
"My job is to ensure that creatures like you do not enter our village. Your disgusting breed of monsters have been out of control! You can't blame me for your species causing so much chaos in MY village!" Kitz retorted sharply, his voice rising in anger and his face scrunching up in distaste.
"Careful, watch what you say to me you disgusting human. If it weren't for the farming pact you would've been long gone, dead, or spreading your legs to please any vampire who would be dumb enough to buy you. We keep you safe, and I'm here to wipe your ass of your mistake since you didn't have the balls to patrol the area yourself." Levi seethed in anger and revulsion in a low tone. His eyes turning a dangerous cobalt blue, gleaming brightly in the night like a pair of wolf eyes focused on its prey. His fangs sharp and menacing and his face distorted in a scowl.
Kitz jumped at his expression, clearly disturbed and his men all fidgeting at the looming threat of violence and destruction as Levi's aura seemed to crush them. Silence suffocated the air and Kitz avoided eye contact, clearly afraid of challenging Levi any further. His eyes zipping all around until finally zeroing in at the bundle in Levi's arms.
"That boy! Lord Levi where did you find him?" Kitz shouted in sudden fear and agitation. His expression showing his distress.
"That's not your concern, mind your own damn business and focus instead on doing your fucking job." Levi growled in warning, not liking the probing question. He wrapped his hand tighter around the boy's shoulder, pulling him closer blocking any chance of Kitz possibly grabbing or looking at him.
"Please my lord! Leave that thing alone! He's the cause of all this mess! It'll only bring you misfortune." Kitz shouted in panic, waving his arms in fear.
"What the fuck are you saying?" Levi snapped in confusion. He was starting to get really angry. His patience was wearing thin dealing with this moron and he wanted to get the hell out of this shit fest as quickly as possible. He couldn't stand to be in the same area with someone like Kitz. Anyone from the military police that patrolled each district within the three walls was dumber than the next and Kitz was no exception, in fact he took first place in terms of stupidity.
"That boy is to blame for all the attacks on our village! Ever since that boy stepped foot here the amount of aberrant attacks increased! He stole food, would fight with other children in town and was like a wild beast! He was out of control and the aberrants followed the boy around like a curse! He's a fucking plague to our village." Kitz shrilled in distaste. His eyes turning a molten brown as he glared at the boy who continued to slumber on despite the chaos.
"A plague? That's rich coming from you. Do you even realize that this boy that you cursed was the so call 'hunter' that was residing on the mountain top protecting your sorry ass?" Levi retorted in a cold tone. His anger rising, and his blood beginning to boil.
"That's impossible! It can't be! He's a fucking monster!" He screeched, his face turning maroon in anger and embarrassment. He stomped his foot into the snow as he argued, resembling a child throwing a temper tantrum when things didn't go their way.
"Believe whatever the hell you want. This boy is no longer your concern. If you want your village to be safe then I recommend doing your job or else I will have to remove you of your pathetic position here. This boy was doing a better job than you ever did and he's ten times the human you ever were Woermann." He threatened. His tone of voice not leaving any room for argument. With a harsh pull of his horse's reins, he urged his horse to a fast trot and pushed ahead, his squad following behind him.
"That bastard. If I ever see his rat face ever again I swear to God I'll rip his head off." Levi cursed, his voice gruff and frown deepening.
"As much as I hate that man too, you need to chill there Levi. Your aura is kinda smothering me." Hanji suggested in a light tone. Her voice was gentle and calm, her face settling into a small smile as she tried to diffuse the situation and calm his raging aura that was stifling.
"Captain you don't think that boy was possibly protecting the town do you?" Petra inquired as she interrupted Hanji and turned her full attention to him. Her honey coloured eyes serious and gleamed with slight worry.
"I have to agree with Petra. Based on what I observed and saw in that cabin and what we just heard from Kitz, I think that he had something to do with the boy leaving town. My guess is that they made him an out cast and threw him out of the village thinking that they solved their little aberrant infestation problem." Hanji theorized. Her tone clipped yet curious.
"If it's true and the boy somehow was a magnet for trouble they may have thrown him out in fear. If my theory is correct it would explain their hatred for him and not to mention why the boy would stay up in the mountain." She continued, her voice soft and her tone sombre.
"If he did stay up there killing aberrants even after they threw him out then why would be protect the town?" Eld interjected, sounding befuddled. His face expressing that he was doubtful of Petra and Hanji's theory.
"Maybe he knew all along that the aberrants were after him and he isolated himself in fear that he was going to be thrown out elsewhere and chose to stay there since he had nowhere else to go." Petra concluded. She looked sorrowful with her eyes dim and face devoid of any emotion. Her voice a mere whisper.
The thought had crossed Levi's mind, but hearing it out loud sounded possible. Although cruel, it wasn't unusual for human settlements and extremists to cast out people due to paranoia and the power of fear. He had even heard of certain towns offering sacrifices to aberrants in urban areas, tying women and children to outposts and trees outside of town during the night in hope that the hunger of the beasts would be satiated.
As they pondered the thought, his squad became entirely silent. The horses hooves and snorts of exhaustion from their steeds the only thing present along with the feeling of gloom hanging about the group. They continued on in a chilled quite and Levi felt all the more tired and disgusted after all he had seen. His thoughts were turning poisonous and he really wanted to get this boy out of Shiganshina, away from the white long winter he faced alone. Perhaps he did feel sympathetic towards the boy, maybe he did wedge his way into his heart, but that didn't bother him at all. The small boy in his arms was like a precious package of treasure, the weight of him light but significant. He would help this boy, no matter what, this he swore.
He felt light as a cloud, cozy and the feeling of warmth and softness engulfed him. He could feel that he was on some sort of bed judging by how he was lying down but couldn't deduce much else. He slowly opened his tired eyes and looked around in confusion. He was in some sort of bedroom by the looks of things. The bed covers were a soft pastel grey in colour with diamond patterns, the sheets were made of a material he wasn't familiar with. It was cool and seemed to flow like water against his skin. It looked expensive and he never had felt something so exquisite before. A small, sleek white and grey bedside table was to his left and a simplistic navy blue patterned lamp rested on the table casting a soft glow in the room. The bed itself was the largest he had ever seen and was what he remembered someone a long time ago from wall Sina calling a "four poster" bed, whatever that meant. The ceiling was high and the colours bland but somehow the plush white carpets and soft bed made him feel safe.
"Seems like you're finally awake." A low, soft, voice chimed in the otherwise peaceful atmosphere.
His heart nearly leapt out of his chest in panic, he flipped the covers back and stood on weak knees, forcing himself to his feet despite the fear overwhelming him. There sitting in a plush looking desk chair sat the raven haired man from before to his right. His posture was relaxed, one leg crossed over the other, his hands curled around a red leather book and his skin appearing to be smooth and glow in the low light. His attire was simplistic and looked comfortable. He wore black sweatpants and a porcelain white long sleeve, cotton shirt, his feet bare and buried in the white fuzzy carpet, keeping his digits warm.
"Relax kid, you're in my room in Wall Rose in Trost district. Not far from where we found you. We just want to know what you were doing at the top of the mountain all alone." He explained calmly. He closed the book and rested it in his lap, then leaned back in the chair, throwing one of his arms on the back of chair observing the boy.
Trost district? He never ventured that far outside of Shiganshina. By foot it would take about a week so how did he end up here so quickly? He was disoriented and confused at the sudden news. After mulling over that piece of news he realized that the clothes he wore were not his own. They were clean and frankly in a better condition than his previous clothes. They smelled of rain water and lavender and fit his frame well enough and his new shirt didn't slip off like his previous shirt did due to its larger size. The shirt was an olive green, soft to the touch and his pants just as soft in a cream colour. His feet were covered by fuzzy white socks, soaking his bony toes in heat. He felt cleaner too, his skin didn't feel as dirty or oily as it did before and his hair was less tangled. His wounds from before were cleaned and attended to, his ankle that had been cut was wrapped in clean gauze.
As if the man could read his mind he answered his investigation on his cleanliness. "I removed all your other clothes and gave you a sponge bath since you were covered in dirt and blood. I couldn't let you sleep in my bed with that shit covering you." The man deadpanned in a bored tone of voice.
The man stood up abruptly and put his book on the night table as he approached him slowly. Weary of the man's intentions and his overbearing aura the boy jumped into action and growled. His face twisted into a snarl and his viridian eyes burning with warning of aggression and violence if provoked. The man seemed undeterred by his defensive stance or his low growling and continued to walk towards him. He didn't like how close this man was getting, nor did he like this powerful, potential threat looming over him. Without hesitation he hopped over the bed to the other side of the room and found a corner to the wall beside a wooden dresser and managed to squeeze himself there. Still growling he hid, hoping that the man would lose interest and leave.
He stopped when he was a few feet away from the dresser and simply watched the boy. His beady, viridian eyes the only thing visible. He sighed and shook his head in what looked his amusement.
"Looks like you're not as friendly awake as you are when you were sleeping. I have food for you and a fresh bath waiting. If you want to stay hunched up over there all night be my guest." He said in a monotone voice. His facial expression showed nothing and his eyes were warmer than when he first met the man. His whole demeanour more relaxed and his aura changing to a softer one. Almost as if it was caressing him like hot fingers tingling his skin, teasing him and trying to persuade him to leave his hiding place.
"By the way, my name is Levi. I don't suppose you'd tell me your name so I'll call you beastie until you do. I'll be back little beastie." He mocked in a playful tone. With that, he turned and walked to the door, turned the silver door knob and closed it softly behind him. His movements were graceful as the rest of him was.
Levi was a pleasant, although strange name and the boy thought that it fit the man well. So now he knew the name of the man who had brought him out of his wintry prison. He felt a small sharp pain worm its way into his chest and felt odd. What was this feeling? It was strange and new.
Without dwelling too much on this strange occurrence, he remained still, hunched up on the laminate flooring in his corner of safety and tried to decipher some of the odd looking objects that were lying about the room that he never had seen before. Shiny objects with long pointed ends sat on the desk which were possibly used to write with judging by how they rested on piles of paper. Feeling braver now that Levi had left the room, he stood from his spot and walked over to the desk to take a closer look at the shiny stick. The desk was taller than him, his head only reaching the top drawer and the piles of paper resting above eye level. He would have to climb onto the chair to get a closer look. He looked back to the door and waited to see if Levi was coming back, when he heard nothing and deemed the coast clear, he burst into action.
He pulled the chair out from behind the desk and hopped up with nimble movements, his practice of climbing the tall oak trees back in the woods making him agile and confident in his agility. He stood on the seat and hunched over the piles of papers, his curiosity for what was written and the shiny stick winning over his sense of precaution of getting caught. The handwriting was cursive and neat, each line of writing was orderly and each letter was clear. The letters swirled together looking beautiful and reminding him of some of the printed writing he saw in one of the books he managed to steal from the village. Turning his attention elsewhere, he finally could reach the shiny stick and wanted to see what it was. Reaching his small stubby hand over the desk and piles of paper, he picked it up gingerly and felt the smooth cool surface. He sniffed the pointy end and could recognize the familiar scent of ink coming from it. So his hunch was correct, it was used for writing. But how? Where does the ink come from? Feeling daring, he clasped the stick in hand and looked for a blank space in the piles of paper to try out this new invention. He was dying to know how it worked and was excited to find out. Before the stick could touch the surface of the paper he heard the tell tale footsteps of someone approaching the room.
In panic he squeaked and dropped the metal stick, he lost his sense of balance in his rush to get down from the chair and fell down onto the floor with a light thud. The stick rolling along on the floor and stopping near his feet. The door opened shortly after and Levi had returned holding a tray in his hands with a bowl and a cup resting on it. His eyes wide with surprise and his usual bored face was morphed into one of slight shock.
The boy didn't dare to move or breath in fear that Levi would figure out what he was up to and he didn't want to have to defend himself if necessary. Levi's face lost its shock and his eyes shifted to the stick on the floor then to him, taking in the scene as if putting the pieces of a puzzle together to figure out what had happened.
"That's a pen, we use it for writing. Ink is stored in the handle in a small tube that comes out when you write." He explained as he set the tray down on the desk and began setting his papers aside and putting the bowl and glass of water down from the tray.
"If you want you can have it. I have tons anyways. Come and eat. The soup will get cold."
Well that was not what he was expecting. Levi had managed to answer his questions even before he voiced them, as if reading his mind. Levi was an enigma to him. He seemed rough and cold on the outside but was gentle and at times very sharp. Levi was interesting and the boy was curious about him. He felt more comfortable knowing that Levi may be able to answer any more of his questions in the future and stored that tidbit of information for later.
He stood up on his lanky feet and padded towards Levi as he watched Levi pull up another chair that was pushed up against the far end of the room and sat down. Levi was waiting for him to join him now. It was his turn to move now. He was skittish and a bit weary of his new guardian. He could smell the rich aroma from the bowl and was reminded of his hunger, his stomach growling in protest.
"Well hurry up, we don't have all night." Levi huffed as he crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair with impatience.
Letting his hunger win over his fear, he sat on the chair at the desk and grabbed the bowl in haste. Carrots, potatoes, and meat greeted his eyes and he knew that this was stew, one of the dishes he had come to love during his stay in Shiganshina, but was hard to come by due to lack of fresh game and deer with all the aberrants running around and killing any prey. He ate in haste, forgoing the spoon and gulping down the warm liquid and chewing in haste to satiate his hunger. He savoured each bite and felt a sense of calm wash over him as he ate. Levi sat quietly observing him and had what seemed like a pleased expression. His mouth pulled into a small smile and the corner of his lips turned up slightly, eyes gleaming and brows relaxed.
He felt oddly at peace and was greeted with a rush of happiness, an emotion he didn't think he would feel again, and certainly not with this stranger who he had just met. He finished within a matter of minutes, then set the bowl down. His eyes shifting back to Levi in slight caution and inquiry.
The two sat in silence, each watching the other until Levi moved, he placed his left elbow on the desk as he leaned in slightly, his chin resting in the palm of his hand with a small smile on his face. He reached his right hand ever so slowly towards the boy. He jumped slightly and growled as a warning to stay away. His hand was larger up close and he wasn't sure what he was going to do. Levi stilled, his hand hovering above his head. He chuckled softly at his reaction and without hesitation or fear pat his head. His touch feather light and his warm hand tender in its ministrations.
"Don't worry little beastie, you're home now." He whispered faintly. His voice was like a soft rumble and his words echoed in the quiet room reverberating in his chest.
A twinge of pain ruptured in his chest and he suddenly felt dizzy and hot. His skin burned and his eyes stung with unshed tears. The wave of emotions crashing like a storm just like the silver of Levi's eyes.
So this is what "home" was like.
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I was largely inspired for some fluff and comfort in this chapter so ya'll can thank the k-drama "Come and Hug me" for making this chapter happen. Listening to the music for that show really helped me type this chapter since I was stuck for a bit there :P Not to mention the chapter title. I really like to base my chapter titles on something that impacted me and the characters during the chapter, hence the significance of "home".
Not much action going on I know, but I want to try to develop the characters and story first unlike the first time I wrote this fic. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing this!
See you guys in the next chapter!
