Levi remembered that day's events.
The Survey Corps reached Head Quarters and the injured were quickly moved to the medical wing. Levi spotted Erwin missing an arm. He cringed at the sight. But his blood ran cold at the next thing he saw. An unconscious Lyla was propped against Eren's back. She was carried away along with Jean. Levi immediately followed the medics until they said that he cannot go further.
"What happened you shitty brat!" the angry Captain demanded to Eren. Eren just shook his head in distress.
"I don't know sir."
"What do you mean 'I don't know'?" Levi almost looked frantic. Armin stepped in and explained the situation. After hearing him out Levi said,
"So you just found her unconscious with a ring of some rubble circling her?"
"Yes, sir."
Levi let out a frustrated sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. She said she would come back alive, not half dead.
Levi gave out a huff as he went out of the room. Surely the medics would let him see her now since two days past.
The medics did let him visit her. He looked at Lyla who looked like she was sleeping peacefully. Levi looked impassive as ever but anybody who knew him well would see how concerned he was.
"Worried?" A voice came from behind. Levi turned around and found the bespectacled brunette.
"Four-eyes,"
Hange took a seat next to him. She cautiously patted the Captain's back and said, "She'll be fine. She's a strong girl. You know that."
The Captain just gave out a huff. A soft knock was heard and a nurse came in with a clipboard in her hand.
"Miss Peltner is quite well. Her fracture isn't further damaged and has healed, though I don't know how she recovered so fast in the first place. There're no severe injuries, just a couple of burns and a few scratches. Oh, the previous cut on her face recovered as well. She just seems to be tired and sleeping it off. You can take her to your Head Quarters if you like. She should wake up in a few days. The doctor would give you medicine for the burns sir." With that, the nurse left the room.
"See? Just tiredness. Nothing serious," Hange said with a smile. She tried to sound casual but worry laced her voice. "Well, see you around." And she too left.
Tiredness? Of course she was tired. Levi couldn't remember when it was the last time his Second in Command properly rested. These last few days were so hectic and of course she would have nightmares time to time, especially that day of the expedition when the Female Titan sabotaged them. Levi reluctantly stood up. He received the medicine from the doctor and readied a carriage to take Lyla to their Head Quarters along with a few others as he had handpicked a new squad.
...
...
Levi shook his head in dismay. He didn't know why he picked new soldiers in the first place, especially that brown ponytail girl who seemed to always crave food. He heard that she saved a girl from a titan unarmed and it sounded like a good idea to pick her at the moment. Besides, she was in the top 10 when she graduated. He now regretted it as she was trying to steal potatoes. How did she graduate top ten in the first place?
"Oi, shitty brat," He called out. The girl froze, but then bolted up with a salute.
"Yes, sir!"
"Move Lyla to her room with Mikasa. Eren should know where her room is."
"Yes, sir!"
Sasha immediately carried out her orders. Levi went to his office to deal with some documents. He looked at the empty desk beside him. It would be empty for a few weeks. His Second in Command needed rest and rest she shall have. It's not like there were a lot to do at the moment since this base was for Eren's training and only temporary.
After a few hours, Levi fixed himself a much-needed cup of tea and laughed at himself when he unconsciously made two cups. Lyla has grown on him so rapidly. He gave out a sigh and went to the room across his office. He gently opened the door and found an Asian girl staring down at Lyla.
"Captain," the girl stood up and saluted. Levi waved his hand and said,
"At ease,"
Mikasa resumed her seat beside Lyla.
"How is she?" Levi asked.
"Sleeping, sir,"
Levi narrowed his eyes at Mikasa. Of course he knew Lyla was sleeping. Mikasa seemed to catch this.
"I cannot provide with further answers sir since I don't know how Lyla feels right now in her sleep. My apologies sir,"
Levi kept staring at Lyla.
"I'll take my leave sir," Mikasa reluctantly stood up. Clearly not liking the idea of leaving the Captain, who kicked Eren almost to death, with her beloved sister. But she was a person who can read the situation and she knew that her captain wanted to be alone. Levi nodded slightly in response. After Mikasa exited the room with a soft click Levi let out a sigh.
"Ha…"
He face-palmed then looked at Lyla. She looked peaceful for now. Levi again buried his face in his hands.
"You said you would come back alive brat, safe and alive." Levi couldn't see how this was safe and alive. Again, he shouldn't have sent her out. He should've kept her by his side, inside the walls. He made the same mistake and now she was between life and death.
Technically she was alive since she was breathing but this wasn't what Levi meant when he said 'don't get killed'. Just then Lyla stirred a little. Levi's head shot up.
"Le…vi…"
Levi's eyes widened at the words she uttered. He took hold of her hand and whispered tentatively.
"Lyla?"
But his call was not answered. Levi again dropped his head and gave out a sigh. After some time, a knock came from the door.
"Enter."
Eren came in at his command.
"Sir, it's time for dinner, sir," He said. He cast a glance at Lyla and a sad expression appeared on his face.
"It's not your fault sir," Eren said. Levi looked at him. "Lyla wouldn't want you blaming yourself sir," Eren added. Levi stood up and muttered something like 'shitty brat' and went out the door.
Levi's right seat was empty. Ever since Lyla became Second in Command, it was a tacit rule that Lyla sits on the Captain's right side. Everyone seemed to catch this as Eren didn't set the table on that seat but Jean, who was ignorant as ever almost sat in that seat before Armin hastily pulled him into a different seat. Eren noticed the Captain staring at his empty right seat throughout the whole meal.
'He must be really worried about her.' Eren thought to himself.
The table was filled with more people than it had ever been but Levi felt like the whole room was empty. When was it? Since when did Lyla take such a big part of his life? Levi had sent many comrades away, saw them die before him. Every time it hurt, but he was able to let go of them. But Lyla? He wasn't sure if he could let go of her.
...
...
Another two days have past and Lyla still didn't wake up. Levi no longer came downstairs for meals because it hurt to see the empty chair on his right. He just locked himself up in his office.
That evening Hange paid him a visit with dinner.
"Levi, you can't just keep skipping meals," Hange gently scolded her friend. Levi barely acknowledged her words. Hange gave a sigh as she sat opposite to him.
"Look, I know that you're worried about Lyla. But this? This isn't the right thing to do. Do you think Lyla would be happy if she found out that you starved yourself to death because of her?"
Levi stood up and snapped, "Well, she isn't here is she? So she wouldn't find out! No one could if they die!"
Hange stared at him wide-eyed. Levi's face was covered in shock, then guilt.
"I'm sorry Hange. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's just…" Levi gave a frustrated sigh as he faced the window.
"Lyla's not going to die. She's a strong girl. You yourself said that she called your name," Hange said in a calm tone.
"Yes, yes, I know. But that was two days ago and I'm not even sure if I wasn't imagining things." Levi ran his hand through his hair as he let out another sigh. Hange stood up and walked up beside Levi.
"She's special to you isn't she?"
"I don't know. Hange, I'm…I'm scared," Levi whispered the last part as his voice trembled. He looked at her and for the first time in her life, Hange saw true fear in her friend's eyes. Hange placed a hand on Levi's shoulder.
"I checked on her today. She looked peaceful and okay. Just like in a deep slumber."
"What if she doesn't wake up?" A shiver ran down Levi's spine.
"She'll wake up. Believe in her."
...
Levi found himself visiting Lyla's room again.
"Lyla," he gently called.
No answer.
Levi knelt down and rested his head and elbows on her bed. He clasped his hands together as if praying.
"Lyla, wake up. Please. Please wake up," Levi pleaded. He could feel tears threatening to spill. When did this all happen? Somehow this girl found her way into a place inside Levi and now he was afraid to live without her.
"Please… I miss you," Levi whispered out.
...
Lyla opened her eyes and looked around. She was in some kind of city but it was dark and only lit by lanterns. The whole street was dim and it looked like a slum. She looked down at herself and found out that she was wearing a white dress. She looked so out of place compared to this city.
"I look so small…" Lyla muttered to herself as she observed her body. How old was she?
"Oi! Shitty brat!"
Lyla turned her head at the voice and almost froze.
"Captain…Levi?"
He looked younger. Actually he looked like he was in his teens. Levi narrowed his eyes on her.
"Ha? Captain? What are you talking about? Anyway," Levi extended his hand towards Lyla as if expecting something.
"Eh…?" Lyla stared at the hand confusedly. Levi gave a huff and said,
"You said you would give me a cookie if I come."
"Oh…" Lyla reached in her pocket and in no doubt there was a bundle of cookies. She pulled out one and gave it to Levi which Levi started nibbling on.
They sat on the edge of some kind of wall as they looked out down on the city.
"You seem quiet today Birdie," Levi said. Lyla just stared at him. Levi gave a soft laugh and ruffled her hair which made Lyla's heart miss a beat. Birdie? Was that a nickname or something?
Then everything seemed to blur. Levi was gone, the city disappeared and she was shut in a place where it looked like a wooden cupboard. A woman was quickly carving something into the door of the cupboard. When she finished she looked into Lyla's eyes.
"Now listen honey, you got to remember what I say. Don't ever let anyone know what you are. But you must remember who you are. Your vocation is to protect those of our people as the heir of the Peltner household."
She then pulled out a paper with some weird letters on it.
"Remember this address. Find Maggie. She'll help you."
The woman then hugged Lyla tightly.
"Lyla, I love you so much." She planted a kiss on Lyla's head. "Now tell me you would promise to live, to fight, to remember."
Lyla nodded though she didn't quite understand the situation. The woman smiled and stroked Lyla's hair.
"That's my girl."
There was a loud crash. The woman looked back and quickly said,
"There's not much time. May the ancestors always watch upon you," She then touched her first two fingers to her lips and pressed them on Lyla's forehead. She then shut the cupboard doors.
Lyla woke up with a gasp. She slowly sat up.
The morning sun was showering through the windows.
She turned her head at the sound of the door opening. Eren was just walking in but then he halted when he found Lyla sitting up.
"Lyla?
