Hey! Sorry this took so long! I hope you enjoy the final chapter! Thank you all for the support and encouragement!
Levi wasn't in any position to drive right now, he'd run every speed light and stop sign, so Erwin volunteered to drive him. They arrive at the given address surprisingly quickly and Levi's out of the car like lightning, knocking on the front door before Erwin has managed to step foot out of the car. The door open slightly and Mikasa steps aside to let him in.
"Armin's in the kitchen."
Is all she says, pointing towards a hallway to the right. He turns that way without hesitation, ignoring Erwin greeting Mikasa behind him. His sole focus is on Armin who comes into view moments later, he's sat on the kitchen table, clutching a teddy bear and giggling as Eren tells him jokes, obviously to distract from the fact that Grisha is cleaning Armin's wounds. Levi's world grounds to a halt and his knees nearly go weak in relief. That's when Armin turns his head and sees him, eyes going wide with delight and relief.
"Levi!"
Armin wiggles his way out of Grisha's grasp and off the table to throw himself at Levi, clinging too him as if his life depends on it while he starts to cry. Levi scoops Armin up into his arms to comfort him. Armin is saying something but it's extremely difficult to make out between sobs so Levi just rubs his back and waits patiently till Armin calms down enough to stop crying. Armin sniffles pitifully.
"I missed you."
His voice comes out tiny and oh so sad, it's enough to break Levi's heart.
"I missed you too."
Behind him Erwin spoke up softly.
"Armin, when your ready I need you to tell us about where you were taken so we can tell the police."
Armin shuddered slightly.
"I... I don't know where it is, they put me in a truck but I managed to crawl out the window and hide in the forest. There was a tree with a big hole like a cave and I hid there for a while. Then I walked for a long time till Eren and Mikasa's puppy found me and led me here."
Levi swallowed back his anxiety. They had put him in a truck, had plans to move him to another location... He likely never would have seen Armin again if they hadn't gotten sloppy. Armin is back and safe but just the thought of what could have happened has dread trickling through him. Grisha coughs lightly.
"Armin, I need to finish looking at your injuries."
Armin whines and clings tighter to Levi who just sighs softly.
"I'll be right here the whole time, I'm not going anywhere."
He brushes his hand through Armin's hair comfortingly. Armin gives him a solem look.
"Promise?"
Levi smiles softly.
"Pinky promise."
And, even thought he feels like a sap and is definitely showing more emotion than he'd usually be comfortable with, he holds his pinky out for Armin who smiles brightly (and isn't that smile worth everything?) and wraps their pinkies together.
Levi sets Armin back on the table but keeps a hold of his hand as Grisha goes back to looking him over. Erwin excuses himself to call the police and update Hanji. Levi didn't care what happened now, as long as he had Armin things were perfect. Eren gave him a teasing grin and he gazed back coolly but couldn't find the will to be all that bothered by it. He was entitled to be a little emotional right now and Eren and Mikasa's presence here was the reason Armin was saved.
His gaze shifted to Armin who gave him a look of absolute adoration and Levi, despite the anger and anxiety still lurking at the back of his mind, was at peace.