And here's chapter 3! I hope everyone enjoys it (:
Chapter Three: Levi's POV-
After that, we didn't speak too much. I got lost in my own thoughts trying to figure out how I'd get back to the Walls without becoming some ugly monsters snack, and Eren seemed to understand that I wasn't up for conversation because he started cleaning up the mess from dinner. He even made his way outside at one point and brought in my cape, freshly washed and dry.
I did feel bad ignoring the kid. He hasn't been around other humans in so long, and when he finally finds another one, he happens to draw the short straw (no pun intended) and gets an unsocial jackass like myself. He didn't really seem to mind however. Every once and a while he would go off to refill my canteen, and ask how my head was feeling (unfortunately Titan blood can't cure concussions) before going back to grinning to himself as he hummed the tune of the song he had been singing when I woke up.
Night came quickly, and I laid myself back down on the futon, closing my eyes in an attempt to fall asleep. It stayed like that for a while, him humming softly and me just lying there, listening and slowly falling asleep to the sound until he stopped. Peeking through lidded eyes, I watched as he let the fire die down to embers, before walking to the chest and pulling out an old, tattered blanket.
Opening my eyes the rest of the way and turning my head, I observed quietly as he laid himself down on the dirt in the corner before covering himself with the blanket. He squirmed slightly, unknowingly pouting, before laying his head on his arm like a make shift pillow and closing his eyes. Part of me was content on leaving him there, but another part, a much largerpart, couldn't get the adorable pout out of my head and hated the fact the kid was uncomfortable.
"Oi," I called out and he jumped before sitting up and turning his body to look at me. The red embers allowed me to see the outline of his face and his wide, beautiful eyes, and I could also see that he looked quite startled and confused.
"I-I thought you were asleep," he confessed, and I briefly wondered if he was blushing, but wrote it off as the glow from the embers. I kept my face indifferent, gazing at him coldly before letting out a small annoyed sigh and shifting so I was closer to the wall.
"There's no reason for you to sleep on the floor just because I'm here. There's plenty of room here," I said, my voice seeping with annoyance, while he gaped at me. He started shaking his head and opened his mouth to argue, but I silenced him with a glare and watched in amusement as he swallowed his words and nodded.
He moved quickly, slipping under the blankets and keeping himself as close to the edge as he possibly could without sliding off. I nodded, laying my head back down and closing my eyes. It wasn't long until I felt his eyes on me again.
"Goodnight, uh, Corporal," he whispered suddenly, and I realized for the first time that day that I never gave the kid my name. Again, I debated whether or not I should leave it as is or not, however, just as he began to shift an re-position himself I opened my eyes.
"Levi," I nearly blurted out, just managing to make it sound nonchalant while gazing into those teal green eyes that now stared dumbly back at me in a way that told me I was going to have to be more specific. "My name is Levi," I elaborated, rolling my eyes and suppressing a smirk.
"Levi…" he mumbled, before suddenly beaming at me, his eyes sparkling excitedly. "Goodnight… Levi," he corrected himself, his tone proud like he just accomplished a miracle. I scoffed, this time unable to stop myself from smirking slightly, before closing my eyes. I felt him shift again so he was facing me, curling into the blankets while I let out a silent, yet content, sigh.
"Night, Brat."
…
When I woke up the next morning, I expected to see Eren sprawled out next to me, probably drooling all over himself as he slept, but instead I was greeted with an empty room. However, the fire was already lit, and a big wooden tub (another hand-made item, albeit a well put together one) was now in the room, filled with water.
I stood and noticed for the first time some clothes folded neatly on the futon beside me where Eren should have been. It was a simple white button down collared shirt, probably from one of his parents stolen scouting legion uniforms, and black slacks that, while old, looked like they've never been worn before.
Walking over to the tub of water, I touched the liquid and noticed it was hot, and actually had steam rising from the surface. I didn't even try to hide my surprise that not only did this kid actually bathe, but took the time to prepare water for me, and thank God he did because I felt disgusting.
Stripping off my pants, I let myself sink into the hot water, a soft sigh escaping my lips as my muscles relaxed slightly. Part of me was a little annoyed there was no soap, and that I wouldn't be able to thoroughly clean myself, but considering how lucky I've been the past few days, this was just fine. I'd have plenty of time to bathe when I got back to the Walls.
However, the thought made me frown. Of course I knew I'd have to go back eventually. I was humanity's strongest, the military needed me, but looking around the hut, I didn't really want to leave. It was so calm and peaceful here; I felt I could actually relax, and spend the rest of my life here.
I knew better than that though. It wasn't the hut that had me so enamored with this place; it was the brat that came with it. Somehow I became fond of Eren in the short amount of time that I've known him. Never in my life have I met someone so innocent, yet at the same time old beyond his years. Looking at him, it was obvious he's never seen death, or experienced the hardships I have, but he's definitely seen the world for the cruel place it is, and he's obviously seen something he wishes to forget.
I wanted to know more about him. I wanted to spend time with him, and have him by my side, and I couldn't understand why. He's just a teenager, just barely over the bridge to adulthood. Granted he's fucking gorgeous, incredibly giving, and his kindness is a breath of fresh air, but he's still just another brat.
I sighed again, this time in annoyance because I knew that was wrong. Eren wasn't just another brat. There was something in him, a fire that I had yet to witness and a heart of gold.
"That's enough of that," I muttered, as I finished cleaning myself in the now lukewarm water. Looking around, my eyes fell on a ratty towel that had been placed on the table, so I grabbed the fabric, briefly using it to dry my hair before stepping out of the bath and wrapping it loosely around my hips. It was about time I stopped thinking about the brat and did something productive.
I quickly changed into the clothes left out for me, leaving the top three buttons of the shirt undone and glaring at the pants when I realized they were much too long, before my eyes fell on Grisha Jaeger's journal. Another reason I had to go back, I now had information that was crucial for humanity's survival. Picking up the journal, I held it up, staring at it while putting my other hand in my pocket.
"Ah you're up!" I suddenly heard, and looked towards the door to see Eren standing there, smiling but looking a little fatigue. "I was worried the water would get cold before you woke up," he explained, chuckling to himself and scratching the back of his head.
"Where have you been? You look like shit," I pointed out, causing him to tense as he grinned sheepishly. Looking more closely, I could see his eyes were bloodshot and tired, and his skin looked a little red, like he had been out in the sun too long.
"I was hunting," he said honestly, shrugging his shoulders before stretching his arms upwards. "I was able to get a deer, but I'm just a little tired from carrying it back." The last part was a lie, I could tell, but I didn't press any further.
"Hn," I responded, letting suspicion seep into my tone before turning back towards the journal. "Eren, did your father have any more of these journals? Any more information about Titans I can get will only further assist the military's fight for humanity," I explained, and I swear I saw disappointment and fear flash through his eyes before he nodded.
"Yeah of course, I'll do whatever I can to help," he stated firmly, his fear and disappointment replaced with burning determination. He immediately starts searching through the hut, pulling different journals out, and when he's done, I have three in my hands, including the first one which focuses almost entirely on the Titan blood.
I start from the beginning, pulling a stump over to the wall next to the table and sitting down, my back leaning against the wall with my elbow resting lazily on the table. Eren does the same, sitting diagonal from me, but instead starts cutting up fruit and putting it in a bowl.
We sat like that for a little while. He sometimes asked about what I was reading when my expression changed, and I would explain it to him. Every time he'd reveal that he already knew that, and would then tell a story that involved the fact. The big points on the journals, however, were simple:
1.) Titan blood heals flesh wounds when applied to the injury.
2.) If mixed with food and eaten, it cures illnesses, including some severe ones.
3.) If mixed with water and boiled, the steam cures headaches.
4.) If mixed with water and poured on plants it acts as an amazing fertilizer.
5.) The slime that covers the crystal pellets they regurgitate is extremely flammable.
6.) They rely on their sense of smell more than anything.
7.) The colder it is, the weaker they are.
8.) If their heads are covered they are momentarily stunned.
9.) They can't feel pain.
It also went into details about the slime that covered the pellets the Titans threw up when they consumed too many humans. Grisha admitted in the journal that his theory about it repelling Titans had been more of a guess than anything. He simply assumed that the stuff had to have some type of negative affect on them because, if not, why didn't they just crack the pellets open and re-eat the humans inside considering that was their only real goal?
Besides that, he really didn't have any more information on the slime until he started generating his own plants. Eren, however, did know something about the pellets his father didn't.
"Yeah it's weird. I've seen them throw up the stuff, watching that is gross by the way, but I've never actually went over and checked it out, but I did follow a Titan after it regurgitated once. It kinda walked away until it was pretty far from the crystal, about the width of the forest outside actually, before it just stopped. It didn't move for hours after that, I actually thought it might have fallen asleep, but I realized it was actually just really weak.
"The downside though, was when it did start moving again it seemed stronger, and when I saw it again a few weeks later it was bigger. It took a few years but I realized that the more they throw up, the bigger they get," he finished explaining while I grimaced.
"That means they get stronger the more humans they eat…" I muttered, cursing under my breath while he looked at me, obviously confused. "Titans throw up the crystals when they eat too many humans, so if what you're saying is true, a Titan who throws up more, which means they eat more humans than the others, get stronger and bigger, which means we're nothing but steroids to those mother fuckers," I growled while Eren paled slightly.
"I didn't even think of that…" he muttered; his eyes sad and fearful, before hardening in determination once more. "I'll make sure to tell you everything I know so your military can exterminate the Titans!" he suddenly promised, his fists clenched tightly and I briefly wonder why he looks like a criminal about to admit to a crime.
He pushed a bowl of cut up fruit and a fork towards me, grabbing his own afterwards. I quietly started eating, motioning for him to continue while he nodded.
"I don't really know where to start. I've been out here so long; I've seen a lot of stuff. Um… oh! They're weaker at night. In fact, a few hours after dusk they're basically immobile and just stand around. The smaller they are the more useless they are once the sun goes down.
"It seems like the more sunlight they get, the stronger they are. For example if its cloudy they're more sluggish, and like at night, how much it impairs them depends on how big they are. I also noticed that they won't go near water; it's almost like their afraid of it. When it rains they usually just find a tree to stand under or something and wait there until it stops.
"I also found out that if you're covered in mud, they won't really pay attention to you. When I was sixteen I covered myself in mud and climbed up one and it didn't even notice I was there until after I cut the nape of its neck," he explained, laughing slightly at his story and intriguing me even more.
"You've actually killed Titans before?" I asked, and he nodded fidgeting slightly under my gaze. "I'm impressed," I finally said after a few seconds, and he physically relaxed, shoving a fork full of fruit into his mouth.
"There isn't really much to do out here, so I started training so I could fight them. They're the reason I'm alone out here, if they didn't exist my mother would still be alive, she'd be safe, everyone would be. I usually go out and fight them whenever it rains, or it's cloudy. The crystal, once you can actually cut it, makes a great spear head. It's sharp, and even if you miss the kill spot it stuns them because it's basically a solid version of the slime," he said, his eyes becoming distant again as he retreated into his thoughts.
I, on the other hand, was shocked. This kid was full of surprises. Not only has he survived out here for eighteen years, but he's done it while fighting, and with only a spear on top of it. He was valuable. He knew more about Titans than anyone inside the Walls, and he knows how to fight them without 3D maneuver gear, something that's been unheard of. Also, his own anger and the loss of his mother fueled his spirit, giving him a reason to fight, and I could tell he'd be an excellent soldier. Yes, he would make an amazing soldier, and I told myself that was why I wanted him to come back with me, not just because I wanted to be around him.
"Eren, I want you to come back to the Walls with me," I suddenly blurted out, pushing my bowl away and resting my chin on the back of my hand. He sputtered; choking on the food he was eating and started coughing. I continued to stare at him, waiting for him to finish while he desperately grabbed a canteen and started chugging the water in an attempt to clear his windpipe.
"W-what?!" he finally exclaimed, breathing heavily through his mouth while he stared at me with wide eyes. I on the other hand just leaned back, crossing my arms over my chest, and nodded.
"Not only do you have information about Titans that is incredibly useful, but you've trained yourself to fight and kill Titans without the aid of 3D maneuver gear which is unheard of where I'm from. You'd make an excellent soldier and tool towards humanity's victory. Besides, like you said, Titans are the reason you're out here alone, so why not come back with me? You won't be alone and together we can eradicate them all," I explained, keeping my expression blank while he stared at me, mouth gaping.
"T-together?" he muttered, and I watched multiple emotions flash through his eyes. Hope, happiness, pain, guilt, anger, despair, and then finally defeat as he looked down into his lap. "As much as I would love that… I can't," he mumbled before looking up and forcing a sad smile. "Titans don't belong inside the Walls."
"Wait…what?" I thought, staring at him as my brow slowly pulled together in confusion and annoyance. "What are you going on about, Brat?" I nearly groaned, narrowing my eyes at him while he looked away.
"I don't belong inside the Walls, Levi. I'm not human, I'm a Titan," he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear.
"Oh you've got to be fucking kidding me. He's crazy. He thinks because he lives out here he's a Titan by default. I should've known better. No one can live alone for eight years and be sane. I swear, I'm fly paper for freaks," I mentally cursed, clenching my hands into fist to stop them from twitching in annoyance.
"Right… aren't you a little… small… to be a Titan?" I hissed, and his eyes snapped back to mine, glaring at me; the fire flashing defiantly in a way I haven't seen yet.
"You're one to talk, Shorty," he bit back, catching me by surprise but I immediately glared at the boy for making fun of my height (or lack of). "I know you think I'm crazy. It sounds crazy, but I can prove it," he said quietly, suddenly meek and nervous.
He stood, and without waiting for me went outside, forcing me to follow. I stayed standing in front of the door, while he walked forward until it was halfway across the clearing before turning around.
"Just… don't freak out, okay? I have complete control, I won't hurt you or anything, so please; just don't kill me," he pleaded, fear evident in his eyes while I scoffed and folded my arms over my chest.
"Yeah alright, just hurry up, Titan," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes while he took a deep breath. He widened his stance, planting his feet firmly on the ground and bent his knees before lifting his right hand to his mouth. "Kid sure puts on a show," I thought just as he bit down on the base of his thumb, drawing blood.
Yellow lighting suddenly erupted from the spot he had been standing before imploding into a large cloud of steam. My eyes widened dramatically, eyebrows shooting up in shock, but I managed to keep the rest of my face expressionless as I froze, my arms falling to my side.
I didn't even blink as the dust and steam cleared, revealing a very large, very real Titan where Eren had been standing. Not only that, but it was the same seventeen meter deviant that had protected me only days earlier. Said Titan whined, softly and gently in its throat, before lifting its hands, palms forward in surrender and green eyes pleading silently; resembling the eyes of a lost puppy.
However, looking past those green eyes I saw the fire that was un-mistakenly Eren's and my mind, which had been previously blank, exploded into a frenzy of thoughts.
He had been telling the truth. He wasn't crazy. He is a Titan. What the fuck is going on?! Images of all the Titans I've ever killed flashed through my head. What if they were like Eren? What if they were people?God I think I'm going to be sick…
My brain suddenly felt like thousands of pounds of pressure was crushing down on it, drilling into my skull mercilessly. My ability to make sense of things all but flew out the window as I stared at the form in front of me, nausea bubbling in my stomach on top of my unbearable headache.
As if seeing my discomfort, the Titan quickly, but gently laid down on his stomach, making sure to maintain the distance between us. Its eyes suddenly became lifeless, and the nape of its neck started to release steam, the flesh splitting as Eren nearly dragged himself out, throwing his head back in a way that would have been sexy as hell if I wasn't freaking the fuck out.
And just as suddenly he was in front of me, his eyes shining with worry; the Titan body disintegrating behind him. He stayed a few feet away, and I noticed he was talking and trembling violently. His eyes looked tired, but the fear and concern radiating from them was overpowering
"-orry Levi, I shouldn't have showed you. God I'm really sorry. Are you okay? Shit, you look like you're going to be sick," he rambled, and I clenched my jaw, shutting my eyes tightly, my eyebrows pulling together as I massaged my temples with my fingers.
"Jesus, Eren, just… just shut the fuck up for a second," I growled and he immediately stopped talking. Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and gazed at him while he waited for me to say something. "Are they all like that?" I finally asked, but he just looked at me, confused. "The Titans, Eren, the Titans! Are you telling me that all the Titans I've killed actually had people inside them?" I yelled, balling my hands into fist while he stared at me, shocked.
"N-no! I've checked, and so far I've never found another Titan that was controlled by a human," he insisted, and I instantly relaxed. I knew I should probably still be freaking out. The kid could turn into a Titan for God's sake, but looking at him, I didn't see him any differently. Sure it was a shock, I could never fathom anything like this being possible, and I should probably see him as a threat, but I just couldn't.
…I need to sit down.
Turning swiftly on my heels, I pushed my way back inside the hut, planting myself firmly back where I had been sitting at the table, putting my elbow on the surface and leaning my head against my hand. The dull lighting was already a drastic improvement, soothing the pain in my head slightly.
After a few minutes, Eren hesitantly poked his head in the door way. He looked positively crestfallen, like his world had just come crashing down and I immediately felt terrible for being the cause of his grief. He shrank back when he met my gaze, and I let out a quiet sigh.
"Stop standing there staring and come sit down," I finally said, gesturing towards the other seat at the table. He jumped on the invitation, but made sure to sit as far away from me without moving the chair as possible by leaning away and angling his body to create more distance.
I didn't really know where to start. I wanted to know more, hell I wanted to know everything. Despite my pounding headache, I needed to know how someone could go from a seemingly normal teenage boy, to a seventeen meter tall giant within a matter of seconds. Looking at him though, I could see he was trying to keep himself together and be strong, his eyes betraying him however; showing just how hurt and afraid he really was. I quickly realized how my reaction must look to him. He probably thinks I'm going to reject his existence or curse him, and then cut him down.
That wasn't true though. Titan or not, my opinion of him didn't change. He's still the slightly naïve, clumsy, determined brat that saved my life, took me into his home and cared for me. The details of the rescue may be different now, but that doesn't change the fact that he risked his life to save a complete stranger.
"I still want you to come back with me," I said firmly, my eyes boring into him. His eyes widened, and I could see hope forming in them, but he still looked terrified. However, his raw emotions were quickly replaced with anger as he glared at me.
"What are you saying?! Didn't you just see for yourself? I'm a Titan! Titans are monsters! They don't belong around humans. I don't belong inside the Walls. I don't even deserve to be alive! I'm not human!" he screamed, standing with his fists clenched tightly. Pain flashed briefly across his face before he dropped his head. "It's my fault my parents are dead," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper as his shoulders trembled.
"Well excuse me for having a hard time believing that," I bit back without hesitation causing his eyes to snap up to meet mine. "Look, shitty Brat, I don't know what you did or didn't do, and I don't know exactly what you are, but as far as I am concerned you're still human," I growled, my tone shocking him as his hands relaxed completely.
"And I also know you're not a monster. Monsters don't have dedication like you do. They don't grieve the loss of loved ones or feel regret about things they've done. They don't reveal copious amounts of information even though it may lead to their death for the sake of people they didn't even know existed. And they sure as hell don't risk their lives to protect and save a stranger from nine Titans!" I continued, and I could see his eyes start to water, tears streaking down his shocked face.
"You don't realize it, Eren, but you have more humanity in you than most of the humans back inside the Walls. That'swhat makes you human," I finished, and he trembled slightly before squeezing his eyes shut and furiously swiping at his tears with the sleeve of his shirt.
Once again, with his head bowed forward and his free hand tightened into a fist he looks a lot older than an eighteen year old should. He looks so worn out and tired, like he had been carrying the world on his shoulders for his entire life. However, at the same time he looks much more vulnerable; like a young child again, confused and alone, and I realize he's probably so use to hating himself and must have been holding these emotions in for years. This is probably the first time he's cried since he lost his parents.
Even still, I could see a change in him. He doesn't look up or open his eyes, and he still looks angry and broken, but he looks lighter. And when he opens his mouth, he sounds happy, relieved even, and truly hopeful even though his voice cracks as he's shaken by another sob.
"T-thank you, Levi."