DILAN'S P.O.V.
"Don't." She coughed as she was strapped back into the shackles, too weak to fight. The guard ignored her. "Fucking, don't. Just... kill me already." She wheezed as the door was slammed and locked. That last round of torture really did a number of her. She noticed that the bastards never touched her face though. They said it was her future money maker and that threatened to make Dilan throw up on both of them. Annoyingly she didn't and now here she was. Back in this god forsaken cell. She missed torture already. She missed the boys that were torturing her. She had been with them so long she gave them names. Dereck and Stew. God she was going to miss those bastards. Yes, she was slightly high from the drugs. She felt like she was underwater.
The room was a small one. Dim lighting, no windows. Simply a bed, a floor, walls, a rug and a stand for the men to hang their clothes on. Was she missing anything? Oh yeah... the girl strapped up against her will. Perfect.
They had tried to put her in his room a number of times. The first time they made the mistake of only restraining her arms. Apparently, they hadn't thought of the fact that she could snap a guy's neck with her thighs. She got a horrendous beating and a few more nights in the torture room for that. The second time, they restrained her arms and legs but failed to anticipate the extent to which she didn't want to be raped. So, she ripped out the bastards jugular with her teeth when they leant over her, watching with a wide bloodied smirk as he bled to death on the floor. She got a week in the torture room for that. The third time however, she knew no one was coming for her. She needed to get out and warn someone at least. So... she forced herself to remain calm as the bastard crawled over her. She forced herself not to react as he groped her. She forced herself to take her mind to a better place when he undressed her and himself. It took a while longer than she liked but she did manage to grab the knife he kept on his belt. She cut herself free before stabbing him to death and she smiled while she did it. That man caused her worse pain that he would ever know.
Shaking slightly, she had gotten dressed again and knocked on the locked door. The guard opened it and she had fun killing all of them. Of course, it wasn't long before the adrenaline ran out. She used the last of it to kick down the entrance door before running out into the open. Seeing the outside, her home, it was too amazing. And yet all good things come to an end. She was half passed out when she made it to Mama P's. she barely managed to cut her finger on the knife to write the message before being dragged away from the guards and thrown back into that hell. So disappointing.
But this time was different. They had restrained her, muzzled her like a fucking animal and her shoved so many drugs down her throat she wasn't sure if there was anyone in the room with her. She was completely and utterly defenceless and she hadn't felt so scared in years. She refused to cry though. She refused to give these bastards the satisfaction.
The distant sound of a key in the lock had her blinking open her eyes. But it was too bright, so she shut them again just as quick. Gun shots and yells of her name. Who was saying her name? She couldn't focus.
"DILAN, FUCKING SNAP OUT OF IT!" A deep voice cut through and Dilan snapped her orange eyes open. She knew that voice. Dilan breathed out shakily her eyes meeting steel grey, noticing Hanji who was also present had unshackled her limbs and Levi was kneeling next to her, working on the cage around her mouth. "Fucking bastards. What are you some animal?" He mumbled; both their eyes wide in horror. Dilan managed a weak laugh.
"I did rip out someone's throat out with my teeth." She croaked, smirking. Levi gave her an exasperated look, taking off the painful cage and helping her sit up straight. More gun shots rang out in the background.
"Can you stand?" Levi asked but the words fell on death ears as Dilan's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell backward onto the bed. "Shit. Brat, what's happening?" Levi hissed.
"Drugs... they shoved some pills... down my throat." Dilan sighed with a sporadic giggle.
"She's been sedated." Hanji's distant voice mumbled. There was some more talking that Dilan couldn't make out, but she smiled anyway. It was nice that they came. She didn't expect them too if she was honest.
"Thanks... b-but you should kill me now..." Dilan whispered; her eyes closed otherwise she might have caught the look of horror on their faces. A sharp shake of her shoulders got her eyes cracked open slightly as she stared into Levi's.
"We did not go through that shit for you to give up. Are you fucking understanding me brat?" He growled, anger in his steel gaze. Dilan smiled tiredly.
"So... grumpy..." She mumbled. Levi sighed.
"This is not going to be enjoyable for you." Levi muttered briefly and Dilan was about to ask what he meant before she was hoisted onto her shaky legs. Levi gave her an apologetic look before sticking his hand down her throat. Dilan's eyes widened in surprise and she spluttered, gagging, trying to push him away. She felt the bile rising and Levi grimaced, removing the fingers to help her lean over as she vomited painfully onto the floor, tears rolling down her face as she gagged and coughed.
"Levi!" Hanji scolded. Levi ignored her.
"Cleared your stupid ass brain yet, idiot?" He asked, holding her upright. Dilan blinked a bit, her mind slightly clearer. She looked down into her own vomit, frowning until she saw the pills that were making her mind so fuzzy. Regaining her senses, a little she didn't hesitate to wipe her mouth with the back of her sleeve and send Levi a furious glare.
"A little warning would have been nice, asshole!" She yelled and Levi smirked as Hanji sighed in relief.
"She's back." He said briefly, grabbing Dilan before she could protest and helping her over to Hanji. She was still very weak on her feet. The drugs had been slightly digested meaning her movements were still slow and sluggish plus her body was riddled with injuries. She would be surprised if she didn't have a concussion. "We're getting out of here, okay? Do what I say and hang onto Hanji. If you die, I will be fucking furious." Levi reminded. Dilan managed a weak smile.
"Yes, sir." She teased. Levi rolled his eyes as he opened the door and they walked out into the chaos.
It was worse out there than she ever could have possibly imagined. Unlike her original beliefs, it was not the corps outside. Kenny and a few of his men were fighting the guards of all people! What the fuck were they doing here?!
"WHAT'S KENNY DOING HERE?! WHY IS HE HELPING US?!" Dilan yelled over the fighting. Hanji hung back as Levi unsheathed his blades and stabbed someone who ran towards them.
"WE MADE A DEAL!" Hanji explained.
"WHAT KIND OF STUPID ASS DEAL INVOLVES KENNY FUCKING ACKERMANN?!" She questioned. She shivered as a laugh rang out behind her before Kenny was suddenly next to her while he shot out a few of the guards up front, helping Levi who was fighting a group of them with the 3DMG.
"THE KIND THAT SAVED YOUR LIFE, DOLL FACE!" He grinned and Dilan grimaced. She hated that the man had seen her face. She had worked so hard to stop that from happening. "HEY GIRL, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR!" He continued, casually dodging a few bullets as they continued moving and shot back. Dilan gulped. Did he recognise her? A scream drew his attention as 2 of the men Kenny was with were shot, leaving one remaining. Kenny didn't look bothered in the slightest. "HURRY THE FUCK UP GREG! I DID NOT BRING YOU ALONG TO BE DEAD WEIGHT! I'LL FUCKING SHOOT YOU MYSELF IF YOU DON'T START BEING USEFUL!" He yelled. Greg flinched and ran to catch up with them. Levi stopped them as they hide behind a wall and he looked around.
"More guards. Fucking perfect." He mumbled.
"How far are we to the entrance?" Dilan whispered, wiping the sweat off of her forehead. She was fucking exhausted and close to passing out but managing. Levi gave her an annoyed look.
"Close. Which is fucking annoying. We would have had you out by now if we came here first than the jail cells." He hissed. Dilan glared at him.
"Well here are my sincerest fucking apologies, sir, for not being tortured in the right fucking place!" She hissed back. They glared at each other and Hanji and Kenny laughed.
"I like them together." Kenny whispered with a smirk.
"Me too." Hanji replied and Dilan and Levi sent the pair an exasperated look.
"WHY ARE YOU BONDING WITH THE FUCKING SERIAL KILLER!" Dilan snapped at Hanji. She pouted and shrugged.
"Say's you, little fox." Kenny whispered and Dilan's blood ran cold. "That's right, I remember you. Those eyes are hard to forget. Besides, it would hard not to remember my best assassin, hm?" He smirked, leaning closer. Dilan gulped, releasing a breath as Levi stood slightly in front of her protectively.
"Not now Kenny. We have bigger things to worry about." Levi warned in a low voice. Kenny didn't answer for a moment, his eyes solely on hers before cracking a smirk.
"Guess your right boy. Let's get out of this alive." Kenny chuckled. Dilan sighed in relief, nodding in reassurance when Hanji whispered if she was alright.
"Let's fucking move it then." Levi suggested. Dilan and Levi shared a worried glance as the same thought ran through their head. Kenny was not going to let this go any time soon.
LEVI'S P.O.V.
It was a fucking struggle to get to the point they were. Things were getting desperate. So desperate that the brat had to lean on a wall so Hanji could contribute to the fighting. Levi was worried about leaving her defenceless, especially since Kenny was continuing to eye her like a piece of meat but there were no other options. It had taken them a while to get back to Dilan. The prostitution part of the compound was at the front and it pissed him off to no end that they had to come all the way back. He knew deep down he was just releasing his worry in the form of anger. It made him sick to think about what Dilan had been going through by herself in that cage. What filthy hands had touched her without her permission. The pain he felt in his chest when he saw her harnessed into the bed like a fucking animal was indescribable. She was bloodied and grimy and her clothes were tattered. He wanted to kill Han for doing that to her. He wanted to burn anyone that touched her and yet they didn't have the time for that. So, he yelled at her instead. Logical. The relief he felt when she yelled back was insane. He had the urge to reach out and hug her which he decided was odd. He hadn't hugged anyone in a long time and hadn't wanted too. What was with that? Pity? Nah, he wasn't the type. Maybe they were friends now? He wasn't sure but he didn't have the time to figure it out.
Levi twisted on his heel and send a boot to one guard face, knocking him unconscious and sending him flying into the guy behind him. They were outnumbered 10 to one. Things were getting difficult.
"Fucking watch yourself." The brat hissed from behind him and Levi turned to find her grabbing the arm of a guy about to stab him in the back, disarming him and kneeing him in the stomach. Levi couldn't believe this girl sometimes. Battered and half dead and she still ended up protecting him. The adrenaline didn't last long though as Dilan swayed. Levi grabbed her to steady her, before kicking the guy who was trying to get up in the face, knocking him down again.
"Oi." He said in a softer tone. Dilan blinked at him through lidded eyes. "Thanks. Now get back to the wall." He ordered. Dilan nodded, stumbling back to the wall. Levi turned in time to stab someone in the stomach as they lunged at him.
"WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PLAN HERE, RUNT!?" Kenny yelled, reloading his gun while kicking someone in the stomach. Levi sliced another throat, crouching down and sweeping some feet by kicking his leg out.
"FIGHT. WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?!" Levi yelled back and Kenny cackled.
"THEY KEEP COMING!" Hanji complained. Levi pushed her shoulder to save her from a bullet. Kenny took out the shooter and they all kept fighting.
"LOOK, THEY'VE GOT TO RUN OUT AT SOME POINT!" Kenny said logically, pausing to slice someone's gut open. "THERE'S FIVE OF US-" Kenny paused as someone took a shot at him, automatically grabbing Greg to use as a shield.
"AH!" Greg yelled as he was shot in the stomach. Kenny grimaced and stabbed the poor sod in the head before throwing his body somewhere.
"THERE'S FOUR OF US," He continued. Levi rolled his eyes and Hanji shook her head in disbelief. "AND WE'RE DOING PRETTY WELL. WE'D BE DOING BETTER IF LITTLE FOX GOT UP OFF HER ASS!" He yelled at Dilan. Levi glanced at her, seeing her slide to the floor in exhaustion. She was pale and looked close to death. This meant nothing if she didn't make it.
"Dilan!" Hanji gasped and ran to her. Levi picked up her slack, glancing over to the pair every now and then. Hanji lifted her shirt and started poking at a rather furious bruise on her stomach. "Levi, we need her out of here! Now! She's got fucking internal bleeding!" She yelled in a panic. Levi's eyes widened.
"Shit!" He hissed, stabbing another guy.
"SHE'S NOT GOING TO MAKE IT!" Kenny said. Levi glared at him.
"SHE BETTER OR YOUR DEAD!" Levi yelled back. Kenny gave him an annoyed look, shooting a few more guards that ran around the corner. Suddenly there was silence. Everyone was dead and they were standing on a rather large pile of bodies.
"The fuck..." Hanji mumbled. Levi agreed. It was too quiet. The stop was too sudden.
"I'm going to check." Levi announced, walking towards the corner.
"L-Levi... don't..." Dilan's weak voice croaked out, but Levi heard it too late and he peered around the corner in time to meet several shots. A bullet grazed his arm, but Kenny managed to pull him back in time.
"Fuck." He hissed, putting pressure on the gushing wound. Hanji sprung up to look at it, ripping off some of her t-shirt to tie it around the wound tightly. Levi gritted his teeth through the pain. There were about 20 guards with guns out there. The distance was too far to close before they would get blown into oblivion. "Any other way around?" Levi asked Kenny. The man shook his head.
"Shit. This is all my fault." Dilan mumbled. Levi rolled his eyes and walked over to her.
"Shut up." He said simply. Dilan glared up at him with glossy amber eyes.
"It's my fault, Levi. I asked you to come here!" She hissed. Levi crouched down giving her a stern look.
"Not your fault. Neither me nor Hanji would be alive right now if you hadn't done something about it in the past. None of us would be here if we didn't want to be." Levi said firmly. Kenny scoffed.
"I could think of better places." He mumbled.
"Minus Kenny." He added and Dilan cracked a weak smile.
"He's right sweetie, you deserved to be saved. Even if we didn't get very far." Hanji smiled kindly, crouching down and stroking some black hair out of her face. Dilan sighed, smiling and shaking her head.
"You're both idiots... but you don't know how grateful I am. I'd rather go out with a bang. Help me up. Maybe I can take down one more of those assholes before I bite the dust, eh?" She smirked. Levi and Hanji smirked back before helping her up. She was unsteady on her feet but pushed past the pain and managed to stand on her own with a grin. Levi couldn't believe this girl sometimes.
"Here." He said, passing her a dagger. She smiled gratefully and for some reason Levi almost smiled back. Kenny sighed and opened his mouth to say something before an elderly voice broke the silence.
"Dilan? Kenny? And your... companions. I'm impressed you've made it this far, I really am. Alas, the gig is up. Surrender and your deaths will be quick." She said seriously. Dilan rolled her eyes.
"Bite me you old bitch!" She yelled and Levi smirked at the brat's vulgar vocabulary. It might even be as worse as his.
"Think about this Dilan... do you really want your friends to go through what you just did?" She questioned and Levi felt Dilan tense beside him as she glanced at the himself and Hanji. Levi didn't like that look. It was clear she was reliving whatever hells she just went through.
"I will never let that happen!" She growled protectively.
"Then do the right thing and surrender." She replied calmly. Dilan looked to Levi and he raised an eyebrow.
"We going to do this brat. Or are you going to keep chatting?" He questioned. Dilan chuckled and rolled her eyes, shoving him gently before looking at Hanji.
"Sorry about... well... your inevitable death." She said simply. Hanji laughed.
"It was an alright life. Don't worry about it, Dil." She replied with a smile. Dilan sighed and looked to both of them.
"It was good of you to come for me. I'm not sure that I deserve it, but I'll always be grateful. I'm glad I met both of you. Even if one of you is a major asshole." She added with a cheeky grin. Levi glared at her.
"Fine. Perhaps I deserved that." He huffed. Dilan laughed and took a breath.
"This is it." Hanji mused.
"Yup." Dilan replied.
"Is this an actual suicide charge?" Levi rolled his eyes. Dilan smiled in amusement.
"Yep. Who's excited?" She grinned. Levi smirked.
"You, obviously. Suicidal maniac." He shrugged. Dilan frowned.
"Oi, I'm not suicidal!" She glared. Levi bit back a laugh.
"Could have fooled me." He replied. Dilan growled at him.
"Should I give you two a quick moment alone to fuck or what?" Hanji smirked evilly. Dilan gaped at her with a red face. Levi scowled, forcing down a blush himself.
"Where the fuck did that come from!?" He hissed.
"Yeah what the shit Hanji!" Dilan yelled. Hanji burst out laughing, waving her hands.
"Nothing, nothing. I just couldn't resist. You two would have been cute though, I was looking forward to it." She mumbled composing herself. Levi's scowl deepened and the brat huffed, crossing her arms.
"Nothing cute about this bastard. Fucking tried to kill me." She snapped. Levi glared at her.
"I apologised for that!" He snapped back. Dilan narrowed her eyes at him.
"Fine. I forgive you, but only because we're about to die." She sighed. Levi took a breather.
"Let's stop fucking dragging it out then. We all know it's what we're doing here." Levi stated the obvious and the others sighed.
"He's right." Hanji muttered. Dilan nodded.
"Let's go then. Whoever kills the most before dropping, buys a round in hell." She grinned. Levi couldn't help but smirk back.
"You're on." The three shared a look and were about to step forward when Levi felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. "The fuck?" He muttered, feeling the warm blood slide down his neck as his vision blurred slightly and he fell backwards to the floor.
"Levi!" Hanji gasped.
"What the fuck did you do!?" Dilan yelled and it all came together. Honestly, he had forgotten about Kenny. Was he standing behind them the whole time? Levi had expected the bastard to run off by now.
"Making a deal." Kenny's smug voice rang out before Levi was suddenly hoisted over the man's shoulder. He heard yelling and a punch but couldn't make out what was happening. "HAN, I WANT A DEAL! THE LEDGER FOR MY LIFE!" Kenny yelled and Levi's eyes widened. That sneaky bastard.
"Kenny... you son of a bitch..." Levi muttered weakly. The world was spinning, and he felt like he was going to throw up. Especially dangling precariously over a very tall man's shoulder.
"Come forward." Han called and Kenny stepped forward. As he turned Levi spotted Dilan passed out on the floor, Hanji yelling at her to wake up. His eyes widened slightly. Did Kenny kill her? He didn't get the time to answer the question as he was dropped to the floor and guns were shoved into his face. He coughed a bit at the sudden winding, a groan escaping his mouth.
"He has the ledger. It'll take a bit of time to get the information out of him... he's a stubborn bastard. But every man has a weakness. That girl around the corner is his. Threaten her in some way and we'll get it out of him. Levi's always cared too much." Kenny's voice rang out and there was some laughing. If he was talking about Dilan, that meant she was alive, for now anyways. Levi tried to get up, but his limbs weren't working. What the fuck did Kenny hit him with?
"Did I ever tell you, your rather brilliant?" Han spoke. Levi heard Kenny scoff.
"If I was brilliant, you wouldn't have killed my men and destroyed my business." Kenny gritted. Han laughed, taking a step forward and resting a hand on his shoulder.
"And you've decimated half my troops. Let's just put the war behind us. We've always been better as friends than enemies." Han smiled. Levi watched with a tired gaze as Kenny leant in close a smirk growing on his face.
"Unfortunately for you, fucking bitch. I care too much sometimes as well. Those were good men and you will pay for them with your life!" He hissed quietly, grabbing Han as her eyes widened too late and Levi watched in surprise as his ex-guardian slit the woman's throat. She gasped and choked and fell to the floor next to Levi, convulsing quietly as the light drained form her eyes. It was only seconds before all guns were off Levi and on Kenny. "You're welcome boys. She was a weak ruler, a cruel ruler. A leader who isn't fit to protect themselves, can't protect their men." Kenny said strongly, gesturing at their fallen comrades and Levi noticed some of the guards drop their guns a little. "Join me, follow under my leadership and I promise you a better life. A life out of this fucking basement. Drink, fuck, kill. Live life to the fullest. I'm freeing you from her pathetic shackles. She wasn't the strong one, in fact she was rather ridiculous. You were who made her strong. Join me and we can be strong together." Kenny grinned. Levi managed to sit up, watching as the men hesitated. It was a risky plan, but they were going to die anyway so he couldn't blame him for trying. Still, he could have just fucking explained instead of clobbering him and knocking out the brat.
A few moments passed and one guard lowered their weapon. Another followed and another. Kenny smirked at Levi as the entire guard was at his commander.
"Wise choice fellers. Pack your shit, we're getting out of this dump. Tell any guard you find on your way and meet at Scamp's bar in an hour for drinks." Kenny ordered and the guards broke out into excited grins.
"Yes, sir!" They replied before running off. Kenny sighed the biggest breath of relief possible when they were alone, pulling a flask out of his pocket and raising it in the air.
"To my genius. May you ever let me live another fucking day!" He cheered before swallowing down the most likely alcoholic beverage. Levi rolled his eyes at the man, managing to stand up.
"You are a fucking piece of work, you know that?" Levi hissed, touching the back of his head and looking at the blood with a grimace before starting to walk slowly back towards Dilan.
"Noted. But this piece of work is why we're all still alive!" He called. Levi ignored him, gritting through the pain and speeding up his pace to around the corner.
"Shit." Levi cursed, dropping to his knees next Hanji and Dilan. The girl was as white as a ghost, her skin sweaty and her breathing laboured. He looked over to Hanji and the brunet sniffed, shaking her head.
"It's bad. She'll die within the hour if we don't get her help." Hanji explained. Levi looked at the girl, his eyes hardening. Not yet. He wouldn't allow her to die yet.
"Then we better get a fucking move on, yeah?" He said sternly, putting his arms under Dilan's knees and on her back to lift her upwards.
"Levi it will take us at least an hour to get back to the underground gates. She won't make it." Hanji said sadly. Levi shook his head.
"I'll use my gear. She'll just have to hold on until then. Let's be clear. Are you giving up?" Levi asked, narrowing his eyes. Hanji blinked, looking to Dilan before determination filled her eyes.
"Let's go." She said firmly and Levi nodded in approval, walking around the corner only to be stopped by Kenny.
"Nu-uh-uh. I want my ledger." Kenny smirked. Levi growled.
"I told you before. She dies, you die. I'll get you your damn ledger once she's stable." He gritted out, trying to move past him. Kenny blocked them again, so Hanji held a knife to his throat.
"Let us past." She said seriously. Kenny smirked, cocking his gun quickly and resting the cool steal on Dilan's unconscious forehead.
"I suggest you back off, little miss." Kenny smiled. Hanji hesitated but pulled the knife back, not wanting to risk Dilan's life. Levi scowled at Kenny as he didn't remove the gun. They glared at each other, unrelenting. Levi ran through all the possible outcomes of this situation, not finding one where Dilan comes out of it alive until they get Kenny that ledger. He's a man of his words. He already wants Dilan dead for fucking up his business. He wouldn't hesitate to kill her.
"Fine. Let's go. Quickly." He growled. Kenny smirked and nodded, holstering his gun as the three jogged towards the exit. Levi looked down as Dilan groaned a bit and gripped onto his t-shirt with a weak fist. Hang on brat. We'll get you help soon. I promise.
DILAN'S P.O.V.
Dilan woke up to the weird feeling of moving without moving her limbs. Was she dead? That fucker Kenny punched her in the stomach. The pain burned so much she passed out instantly and she assumed Kenny took Levi. Where was she now? Who had her? With a lot of pain and effort Dilan blinked open her tired amber eyes. They widened slightly seeing Levi was carrying her.
"The fuck? What's... happening now? You dead too?" She croaked, observing her surroundings. They were out of the basement and on the streets. Levi looked down at her in surprise which quickly turned to relief.
"We have a situation." Levi said quietly. Dilan noticed Kenny was behind them, as was Hanji.
"Course we do. Lay it on me then." She whispered back. Levi nodded subtly, looking straight ahead.
"Close your eyes again. We can't let him know you're awake." Levi instructed and Dilan obeyed, trusting him for once, making her body limp again. "Good. Kenny killed Han, using me as a distraction. Her soldiers are under his command now." Levi explained.
"Shit." Dilan hissed. That was not good for the underground.
"Agreed but that's not our main problem now. How are you feeling?" He asked, something akin to worry in his tone.
"Like death but I've felt worse. Why?" She said casually. Levi smirked a bit, amused by her tone before getting serious again.
"Because like I said, we have a situation. I promised Kenny the ledger in return for helping us find you and getting you out." Levi informed. Dilan scrunched up her nose a bit in confusion. They had mentioned a ledger before, back in the compound.
"What the fuck is this ledger and why does everyone want it so bad?" She asked, annoyed.
"I stole the ledger when I broke into Han's office and hid it in one of your cupboards in the wall. They contain the names and addresses and contacts of most, if not all the criminals in the underground who have worked for Han. It's how I connected her to Jack. Jack's how I connected her to Kenny. I may have let it slip to Kenny that I was in possession of the ledger and now he's holding us at gunpoint while I take it to him." Levi admitted. Dilan snapped her eyes open to glare at him.
"Levi, you, dumbass! Do you even know the shit Kenny will do if he gets a hold of that book?" Dilan hissed. Levi rolled his eyes.
"Course, I do. Keep your fucking voice down." He warned. Dilan huffed but closed her eyes again.
"So, what's the plan, we can't let him have it." She refocused. Levi sighed.
"No choice. With you injuried Kenny has the main advantage. I can't take him if he has leverage over me, that being you and Hanji. Our best option is to hand it over, get you to a fucking hospital and track down Kenny after, stealing back the damn thing." Levi explained. Dilan frowned and didn't reply. It was the best option but that didn't mean it was the right one.
"Drop me." Dilan said suddenly, opening her amber eyes to look at him. Levi tensed slightly and ignored her. "Drop me, grab Hanji and get the fuck out of here. You can't take him when your injuried too. Get to the surface, wait it out and come back when the time is right to get the ledger. I bet Erwin will get a natural high reading that." She snickered at her own joke. Levi looked down at her slightly.
"You really want me to drop you?" He deadpanned. Dilan smirked.
"No. If you could place me down nicely that would be preferable." She teased. Levi rolled his eyes and looked forward again.
"Not a fucking chance. Your life's worth more than some stupid ledger." He scoffed. Dilan had to bite back a smile as her chest warmed slightly. She hadn't been 'worth something' in a long time. It was a nice feeling. But just because it felt nice didn't mean it was true.
"And what about all those innocent people that are going to get hurt when Kenny gets his hands on the thing and decides to go on a killing spree. Sure, most will be scum but there will be more than a few innocents that get caught in the crossfire. Wife's, sons, daughters. Is my pathetic life worth all of theirs? You said it yourself Levi, I'm nothing." She said logically. Levi sighed; remorse clear on his face.
"I was wrong. You're not nothing, brat. I was such an asshole to you." He grumbled regretfully. Dilan smiled, subtly patting him on the shoulder for reassurance.
"It's fine. I've been told I bring out the asshole in people. Something about me makes me untrustworthy. Maybe it's the eyes. My brother always said I was like a fox. He meant it as a complement though." She smiled; it was nice talking about her brother. Guess death makes her open up. Levi looked slightly shocked that she was talking so freely.
"Your brother. Callie told me about him." Levi mentioned. Dilan's eyes widened in delight.
"You really took care of the orphanage?" She asked hopefully. Levi showed a rare, small smile and nodded.
"I'm quite the celebrity. Kids might even love me more than you. I have an original Lifa picture in my pocket." He smirked. Dilan smiled widely at that, her heart warming.
"Thank you." She said genuinely.
"Your welcome." He replied, looking slightly embarrassed. Dilan smiled in amusement thinking of this grumpy man with all the kids. Alas, they were getting close to the alley and they needed to stop sooner than later.
"Now drop me." She repeated, falling serious again. Levi gave her an annoyed glare.
"No." He said stubbornly. Dilan huffed in annoyance, two could play at that game.
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes!"
"No." He continued, his tone telling Dilan that he could do this all day. She forced down a growl.
"You realise you are the single most irritating bastard I have ever met?" She hissed. Levi smirked.
"Thank, brat. Means a lot." He replied mockingly. Dilan sighed. He wasn't thinking of the bigger picture. What was with him? If she thought anyone would be able to sacrifice her for the greater good it would be Levi out of those present. He was a logical thinker, wasn't he? If she should be arguing with anyone right now it should be Hanji! She took a breath before trying again.
"Levi, I am going to die. Whether it's due to my injuries before I get to a hospital or in 5 minutes once Kenny has the ledger and puts a bullet in my brain for ruining his business, since it seems you're forgetting Kenny isn't a man of his word. But it doesn't matter. I am dying today." She said in a softer tone and Levi's eyes widened slightly.
"Brat-"
"I don't want you to feel bad, or like you failed. You got me out of that hell, and I will always be grateful. At least I get to die in the open, with my freedom. I saved you, you saved me. The debt is repaid. You can go back to your life and be a Captain without me annoying you. You can fight titans and... the fuck if I know what you do for fun, drink tea?" She mused, earning herself a snort of amusement from Levi which he quickly covered up with a cough. "Regardless, get out of here with Hanji. Do some good and forget about me, yeah? Try to sort out that attitude of yours, it's really off-putting." She teased, earning herself a half assed glare. Levi sighed, weighing his options.
"I don't want you to die." He admitted quietly, shocking Dilan a bit. "Enough people have died." He added after reading her surprise. She smiled, nonetheless. It was almost cute how hard it was for this guy to express his emotions. Probably why he was such a dick all the time.
"Well, life sucks. I'm not the first and I won't be the last. But if it makes you feel any better, I don't care, and I am slightly more suicidal than before." She smirked. Levi rolled his eyes and let out a puff of amusement. "Come on. We're running out of time. Put me down and go. Don't look back." She said seriously. Levi hesitated and Dilan was hopeful that he was going to agree before his eyes hardened and he shook his head.
"No. I know you better than you think. You're quick. We have 5 minutes. Just come up with a plan before we get there." Levi said simply. Dilan balked at him.
"I came up with a plan, idiot. That was it!" She hissed. Levi glared at her.
"Then come up with a better one because quite fucking frankly. It sucked." He said, unapologetic. Dilan growled at him quietly before taking a breath. Plan. Plan. She could come up with a plan, right? She still had people to say goodbye to before she bit the dust. She still had people to kill. She needed a plan to live long enough for that. Dilan spent a fair few frustrating minutes wracking her brain before the idea wacked her over the side of the head.
"Okay, listen closely..."
LEVI'S P.O.V.
Levi took a breath as they reached the alley way. the brat was 'unconscious' again and this was it. This could either go really well or really fucking badly. Dilan had come up with a plan and Levi had to say, given the limited time it was rather brilliant. The brat could probably be a strategist if she actually invested her time in moving up the ranks at the corps.
"This it, boy?" Kenny asked. Levi nodded. "Pass the little assassin to the other woman then." He ordered. Levi rolled his eyes but got the 'unconscious' brat on her feet, letting her lean all her body weight on Hanji. Hanji gave him a look which clearly said, 'what the fuck are you planning?' and Levi replied with a simple 'trust me' look. Suddenly he was shoved and there was a gun in his face. "Let's get a fucking move on. I have drinks to get to." He smirked. Levi rolled his eyes but started walking.
"You think they are really going to show?" Levi made conversation, needing to distract him for long enough. Kenny laughed as Levi crouched down.
"Course. Those guys are dogs and they will always be dogs. They need someone to follow and I provided them with a strong leader." He grinned proudly.
"Sure." Levi said dryly, pulling out the stone and checking the entrance out of the corner of his eye. He bit back a smirk when he saw the others were gone. Perfect. Refocusing he looked in the cupboard. He faked a slight look of confusion, pulling out different things and looking in the cupboard again. Even though he knew full well he wasn't going to find anything in there. Dilan had directed him to a different alley way that had another secret cupboard in it so it would look like the ledger was stolen when in actuality it was never there in the first place. But Kenny didn't have to know that.
"What?" Kenny spat, sensing something was amiss. Levi sighed.
"It's gone." He said, watching as rage boiled over on Kenny's face.
"What the fuck do you mean it's gone!" He hissed, cocking his gun and pressing it to Levi's forehead. Levi glared at him, standing up.
"I mean it's gone! Someone must have followed me, saw me stash it. It's probably with one of your dogs." Levi spat back. Kenny was breathing heavily with frustration, his finger itching to pull the trigger. Levi remained still, unphased. "Go on. Do it. We both know you've wanted to end me the moment I came into your life." Levi said, monotoned. Kenny clenched his jaw, hesitating. Then a smirk worked its way onto his face.
"How about I kill your girlfriend and make you watch, huh?" He asked, and Levi bit back a smile. The brat knew Kenny well, the script she plan was going perfectly. This was his chance. Kenny turned and made a growling noise seeing the pair gone already. By the time he snapped his head around again Levi's foot was already soaring threw the air ready to collide. He wasn't at his best thanks to the head injury, but he would have to make do. "RUNT!" Kenny yelled after taking the blow and shot two bullets in his direction. Levi pushed himself away, avoiding a grazing and collided with the wall. Kenny ran at him, but he used his 3DMG to flip over, stabbing Kenny in the leg. "FUCK!" he yelled but grabbed the blade with his bare hands before Levi could pull out and pulled him forward and kicking him in the side of the head. Levi's vision went blurry and he couldn't stop himself from falling to the ground.
Kenny laughed, towering over him. Levi could see two of him. He definitely had a concussion.
"Poor little runt, I forgot to teach you one more lesson." Kenny smiled evilly, licking the blood off his hand where he had split it open on his blade. Levi swallowed. Was this it? "You don't let pain control you." He grinned, raising his gun and aiming at Levi's head. Levi blinked as something was falling, his eyes widened as he realised it was the brat right before she collided with Kenny's back, wrapping her legs around him and knocking the gun out of his hands.
"Couldn't agree more you son of a bitch." She growled.
"The fuck!" Kenny said in surprise, too slow to avoid Dilan's attack as she slid down him and brutally kicked the blade in his leg, forcing it all the way through the other side. Kenny yelled out in agony and stumbled, falling over completely when Dilan grabbed a plank of wood and wacked him round the side of the head. "You... bitch..." He choked out. Dilan grinned, her orange eyes glinting wildly like a predator as she picked up the gun and strode over to Kenny, kicking him in the face before he could get up. Levi grimaced at the cracking sound, watching as the brat straddled him, searching him for weapons while he was disoriented and throwing what she found down the other end of the alley. "You're making a... huge mistake girl." He coughed on his own blood. Dilan smirked, trailing the gun down his long face before forcefully shoving it into his mouth and Levi heard another crack. She probably broke a few of his teeth.
"Now listen here and listen good Kenny. We're leaving. Am I going to kill you like I am desperate to do? No. Because you still serve a purpose. We both know those soldiers you have recently obtained need a leader. Without you they are dangerous. They'll raid and pillage and kill a lot of innocence. I'm not saying your better, you, bastard. But thankfully most of the shit's you have killed are scum. I know this because I've never had to deny a job from you, and I don't kill the innocent. So. You're going to let us leave without a fight and forget about this stupid ledger, wherever the fuck it is now. It won't take you long to get your business up and running again. So, I'm going to leave you alive. But know this. You come after me, Levi or the corps and I will not hesitate to put you down like the filth that you are. What we have here is an understanding. Nod if you get it." She spat. Kenny growled and Dilan shoved the gun further into his mouth making him gag. "Tick tock Kenny my fingers are getting itchy." She smirked. Kenny hesitated before nodding. Levi couldn't believe it. The girl was denying all logic. How was she even conscious with her wounds right now? "Good." She smiled, taking out the gun. Kenny took a few ragged breaths, turning his head to spit out some blood before grinning a cracked tooth grin. Levi grimaced again.
"Only my best could defeat me. Who taught you how to fight, little fox?" He croaked. Dilan scowled at him, lifting the blunt edge of the gun.
"Someone with honour." She hissed before knocking him out. There was silence as Levi balked at her. How... just how? Dilan sighed. "Sorry for altering the plan. I didn't want you to die either." She whispered weakly with a smile before starting to fall backwards, the adrenaline clearly gone. Levi's eyes widened and he pushed himself up, skidding to catch her before she hit the concrete.
"Shit, brat, you were supposed to get out! You were supposed to run! Not jump off a fucking building." He yelled in a panic, picking her up. She was wheezing.
"Sorry. But I've done it... before. It's... fun." She choked out a small laugh. Levi shook his head.
"Where's Hanji?" Levi asked, starting to move. Dilan hummed in thought.
"Somewhere close. I had to lose her. She didn't like... that I... climbed a building... with internal bleeding..." She coughed painfully, blood dripping out of her mouth.
"Fuck. Dilan don't you dare die." He growled.
"Yes, sir." She muttered weakly closing her eyes. Levi cursed, speeding up and rounding the corner, into Hanji.
"Shit! Dilan, what the fuck happened?" She yelled, worried.
"Not now, we've got to move. I'll make it if I use my gear. Get back to the inn, it's close. Don't you dare wonder off. I'll send for some men to escort you when I'm back at the corps." Levi said seriously and Hanji nodded, not challenging him.
"I'm fine." Dilan coughed. Levi rolled his eyes, shooting his gears.
"You better be fine, or I'll string you up. We clear?" he yelled over the wind. Dilan managed a weak smile before passing out.
A/N: Hey! We finally made it! The reunion! I hope it was everything you wanted it to be :) Thank you so much for the comments on that last chapter. You're all so nice and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. It'll be from here that we'll see a change in their relationship from intense hate. Perhaps not love but tolerance? Guess we'll have to see! Thanks for reading! X
