CHAPTER 5

YO! Lol, so I felt bad going away and not leaving an extra chapter, so ai rushed this one a bit and tried to update before I went away. Which I did. *sarcastic yay.*

Anyways, many thanks to all your reviews! You will all be glad to know I WILL NOT be killing Levi or Eren, as A) I don't have the heart, and B) I promised my good friend and fellow Ereri shipper Jess, that if I got asked not to four times then I wouldn't. I have taken onboard the request for more gore as well, so if you don't like it, don't read.

Love you all! Please remember to review!

Disclaimer- not mine, or Erwin would have two arms.

Warnings- LOTS OF GORE. also angst and bad language.

XXX

LEVIS POINT OF VIEW.

"So," Erwin asked, "what's been happening?" They were walking back through the town, (they had to walk, given they were carrying two fully grown teenagers on their backs, as well as their gear) and still quite far away from the wall that lead to the plains. Armin and Eren were lagging behind, helping the slightly less injured walk.

"Too bloody much. Stupid brats have been putting me through too much." Levi sighed. Erwin nodded.

"I can imagine, much the same here, but of course , it's not these guys fault." He heaved the two unconscious bodies back up onto his shoulders, and breathed out deeply. "What about Eren? I bet this has come out well for you really Levi, after all, you don't have to deal with his feelings anymore. The same can't be said for humanity though."

Levi groaned, and looked up into Erwin's eyes. Should he tell Erwin that maybe he had feelings past friendship for the boy? Even though he knew Erwin would disapprove, simply because of the age difference, Erwin was his greatest friend, and meant everything to the Captain, so he decided to tell him.

"Not really Erwin. I think, well, I think I may have grown a little, well, affectionate for him." Levi never stuttered, but he did now. Erwin's eyebrows shot up into his now messy hairline, and he stared at Levi.

"Your kidding right! Oh Levi." He gasped, and stared down at the smaller man.

"This is bad right, and strictly I shouldn't support you in this as your Commander," Levi sighed, he knew Erwin wouldn't approve.

"But as your best friend, I will do everything I can to help. But this won't be easy because of the difference in rank and age difference. Ok? And if asked about it, I will simply deny anything." He smiled warmly. Levi's mouth fell open, and he gazed up at his blonde friend.

"What?"

"Levi, I can't just ignore this. Not with the job were in. We have to take every moment, and every feeling, and live it to the fullest, because we may not be able to tomorrow. So, I will help." He smiled sadly, and gazed at the horizon.

"I know what it's like to loose someone you love, and I won't let you go through that."

Levi shook his head violently.

"No, no. I don't love him Erwin. Just a, well, just lust after him. I don't love anyone." He tutted.

"Fine, you don't have to admit it to me. But that's a lie. You loved Isabel and Farlan, I could tell. And you love me and Hanji, I know you do." Levi grumbled at this and averted his eyes to the floor.

"Here comes Eren now." Erwin whispered.

"Commander Erwin! Armin's collapsed!" He cried. "Please help him! The gear and everything was too heavy for him, and I remember this has happened before, during training!" Erwin's head shot round, and true enough, Armin was fat face on the floor, arms spread out like he was trying to fly.

He quickly, but carefully, laid down the two bodies, and ran over to the blonde. Levi however was running Eren's words over and over again in his head.

"What do you mean, you remember?" He squinted. Eren gasped and clapped his hands over his mouth.

"I- I don't know, but I can see it, as clearly as I can see you Levi! I remember, it was raining, and he was with a tall man with dark hair and freckles, and then he..." he drifted off, clearly deeply buried in his returning memories.

"Ok, good. But we don't have time for this, we have to keep moving. Eren, carry Armin. I will take the gear you were carrying." Erwin yelled. Eren nodded, and went and lifted Armin up so he was cradling the boy in his arms.

Erwin hauled the extra gear up onto his back, and, although slightly slower than before, started to walk again. Eren looked down at his friend, and wondered at how light he was. He could swear that book Armin had showed him earlier was heavier.

"You better be ok Armin." Eren whispered to Armin's sleeping body. "I don't want you to be hurt, I really like you. And we will go and see the ocean with Mikasa and Levi, so be ok." He nuzzled the body affectionately, and quickened his pace so he could walk with his two superiors.

Levi looked over at Eren and sighed. He looked so cute like that, hunched over Armin's body and talking to him softly. Erwin suddenly coughed, and Levi looked up to see Erwin smirking down at him. Busted. Levi rolled his eyes, and walked over to the brunette.

"You ok carrying him?" He asked.

"Yep. What about you, your carrying two people, and enough gear for four people. And your shorter than me." Levi's eye twitched. He was very self conscious about his height. Luckily Erwin came to the rescue.

"He is the strongest human alive Eren. This is most likely only half Levi can carry. I wouldn't worry." He winked. Levi gave him a thankful look. If Erwin kept trying to impress Eren like this, telling him could be a good idea.

Eren smiled to himself and caught Levi's eye. The sight of his alluring ocean eyes made Levi fight the urge to lean closer to Eren and kiss him so hard he would be forced to drop Armin and concentrate only on Levi. But instead he chose to tut and look forward. He mentally slapped himself, he couldn't think things about like Eren like that, not in titan territory. It would kill him, and the last ever thing he would think about would be Eren's eyes, and how beautiful and wild and mysterious and free they were. And How he wanted to weave his hands through Eren's hair, and how he wanted kiss down all the scars that Eren's powers had refused to heal, and how he wanted to press Eren up against a wall and focus on him, and only him, and have Eren focus on him as well. 'Oh Eren, you will never know just how beautiful you are to me...' Levi thought.

He suddenly yelled out loud. How had he let himself drift off again? He needed to stop. He needed a distraction. Yes that was it. He looked about for something else to focus on, breaking his eye contact with the boy. Eren looked mildly, was that disappointed? Levi shrugged it off as a no.

His eyes fixed on Erwin's wounded comrades, and he stared at them intensely, counting the amount of wounds he could see on them, over and over.

All of a sudden Eren screamed, and it was a different scream to his usual angered one, it was ear bleeding and full to the top with terror. Levi spun around abruptly and gasped, two titans, were running towards the small group, arms outstretched. Their hands were both dripping with blood, so much of it, they most have killed at least three people each.

Erwin and Levi shot each other distressed looks. What the fuck could they do? They certainly couldn't fight with the amount weight they were carrying, and they couldn't just leave these people. Of they were dead yes- but alive?that would make them killers.

Eren screamed again, louder and more disturbed this time, and he slowly knelt down and shielded Armin's body with his back. Tears were streaming down his face. Erwin ran over as best as he could, and pulled the boy up.

"RUN! RUN AS FAST AS YOU FUCKING CAN!" He screamed, and shoved Eren in Levi's direction. Levi without a second thought heaved Armin up into his arms as well and pushed Eren ahead of him.

"Go!" He yelled. Eren didn't need to be told twice, and he sprinted off, still crying. Swaying under the sheer pressure his shoulders were carrying, Levi steadily walked foreword, unable to run. Sweat was clinging to his hair line like a flea to a rat, and his legs were threatening to shatter with every step.

His love for Eren had made him do this. Levi suddenly remembered, along time ago, when Farlan had been reading to him, hearing that love was a disease. It would cling to its infected host like a parasite, a sickness, that slowly gnawed and ground its way through all logical thoughts, until the host died. Levi realised that Eren was his sickness, and he suddenly understood.

He screamed aloud, and collapsed to the ground with a loud clatter. Something snapped in his ankle as some gear fell on it, and he screamed again. It had been years since he had screamed or showed any weakness, but this certainly made up for it. Erwin, apron hearing his friends shriek turned, and screeched at the sight.

He hobbled over to help, and pulled Levi up. Levi hissed, but put weight on his ankle al, the same and bent down for the fallen comerades. It was with a horrific yell that Levi realised Armin was bleeding, and quite horrifically. He has one large blade sticking right through his shoulder like a rod impales a fish. He had landed on a blade.

"Leave the bodies Levi, please!" Erwin begged. Levi shook his head and reached for Armin again. What would Eren say?

"Come on Levi, please!"

The thudding of the titans feet was getting louder and louder, and with a cry Erwin threw the spear gear off his back, and bent down to pick up the body.

Levi gazed up at him a gazed smile settling on his face.

"T-thanks..." he grinned. Erwin knew Levi must be in excruciating pain, he never smiled.

"Fuck it- lets go!" Hissed, and he grabbed Levi's hand and sprinted off down the street. Levi shouted loudly, and moaned as they ran. Erwin looked down and saw a large, white bone jutting out of where his foot left his angle, and more blood oozing out of it than any other wound Levi had had. His foot had turned a light blue from loss of blood, and Erwin quickly calculated that the bone must of skewed through his artery. He winced even at the sight of it.

He could feel Armin's blood dripping down his face and shoulders, and soaking into his jacket. It was warm. Then, out of nowhere, a hand swooped down and picked Levi up. Levi shrieked and screamed. He kicked his legs and waved his arms. Blood fell from his foot and landed on the road, making loud splashing noises. Erwin let out a cry.

"Cut his hand of Levi! Cut it off!" He hollered. Levi, overtaken with fear and emotion, took a few seconds to process this, and by the time he had, he was face to face with the titan, and it's huge beckoning mouth.

With a sob, he reached with shaking hands for his blades, and rammed it with all his remaining force through the beasts hand. It screached as it's hand fell off, sending Levi and the blade flying through the air.

Erwin watched, helpless with large eyes as Levi fell to the floor and his blade came spiralling down after him. Erwin saw it happen in his mind before it did, and reached out with one arm to try and warn his friend. But it was too late.

The blade, having twisted its self upright, fell with force and landed, square in the middle of Levi's hand, puncturing the skin and sending blood high in the sky like a fountain. Levi's screamed, and writhed on the floor. He coughed and blood splattered on the ground.

Erwin ran over and with all his might wrenched the blade out of Levi's hand. It had clearly gone straight through. Levi growled and stood up.

"I am not dying here Erwin." He spat, and wiped the blood from his mouth with his still usable hand, and he started to walk. Erwin, as best as he could, healped his friend. The two titans came thundering after, and Erwin looked around, a look of great concern, put his hand on Levi's shoulder.

"Levi my friend." Levi looked at him, curiosity in his eyes.

"I believe we are going to die." Erwin whispered. He was clearly petrified, but he tried his best to look strong. Levi shook his head, and narrowed his eyes.

No, he wasn't going to die, because if he did, then with no doubt Eren and Erwin would follow soon after, and those two people were the two he cared about most. He bit his tongue, and ignored the pain in his hand and ankle. With steady hands, no longer shaking, he activated his gear, and seeing the shocked look on Erwin's face, he flew up to the first titan and with a loud grunt of determination, he sliced the nape, and moved on, blood splattering his clothes like paint coats a wall. Erwin gave a loud cheer as the dead body fell next to him.

He moved quickly to the next titan, and once again aimed for the nape. He missed. Levi yelled, and tried again, and this time succeeded. Exhausted from his large losses of blood, he quickly returned to the ground and breathed out deeply. Erwin, not holding back in the least, ran forewords and threw his arms around Levi and cried into his shoulder.

"You are the most stubborn bastard I know. Thank you." He breathed. He pulled back, and cupped Levi's face in his hands. The relief in his eyes was immense, and Levi smiled back at him.

"Thank you Erwin." He whispered, and hugged him again. Erwin was shocked at first, but soon sank into it. Levi gave one last smile, knowing his friends were safe, then collapsed, and sank deep into a comfortable darkness.

XXX

ERENS POINT OF VIEW

Eren was running. He didn't know where, and he didn't know how long he had been, but he knew why. He wasn't going to die! Not before he got his memories back. Breathing heavily, he stopped outside an old house, and lent against the wall.

"God damnit." He choked, and looked up at the sky.

He wondered where Levi, Armin and the Commander were? Armin would most likely be conscious now, and fighting with the other two. Eren looked around, surely they couldn't be that far behind him? After all Levi was humanities strongest. Apparently. And Eren believed it, Levi certainly looked it.

He sighed, and thaught about Levi slaying the titan earlier. He had so much skill and confidence he realised nothing could even scratch that man. Eren wanted to be like Levi, he was just so..., just so god damned perfect! He was beautiful- could you even describe a man as beautiful? Eren reckoned you could- intelligent, and strong. He was nice too. Though everyone else seemed so afraid of him. Eren wondered if he had ever been afraid of him. He couldn't imagine it.

He was suddenly woken from his day dreams by heavy breathing and footsteps. He turned hope in his eyes, expecting Levi, Armin and the Commander to greet him with smiling faces, and tell him they had easily slaughtered the two titans. He was met with a shock.

Levi was in Erwin's arms, covered in blood- so, so much blood. So much so, his skin, instead of being its usual pale colour was a deep crimson, that over the past twelve hours had become all to familiar to Eren. Erwin was in an absolute state, with bloodied hair and dried blood peeling off his neck and shoulders. His usually neat hair was all over the place, and his usually bright blue eyes were grey and red from crying. But- but where was Armin?

Then Eren saw him, draped over Erwin's shoulder like a piece of pray from a hunt. A large blade was wrenched in his shoulder, and blood was slowly dripping from the wound. His usual peaceful, innocent face was twisted in a frown, clearly in pain. He let out a gag, and looked away, it was disgusting.

What the HELL had happened? What had happened to 'Humanities Strongest?' What had happened to staying alive?

He reached out to Erwin, and opened his mouth, but no noise would come out. Erwin looked at him with an emotion Eren couldn't read. He took Eren's hand, and pulled him closer. Eren looked up at him, and shook his head, mouth still open.

"They will be ok." Erwin whispered. "I'm trained in medical." He set Levi down, and Eren could suddenly see why he was unconscious. His ankle had a bone sticking out of it, and, this was absolutely disgusting, a hole through his hand. Fighting the urge to throw up, he slowly crouched down, and gathered the man in his arms.

"Levi! Wake up!" He whispered. Levi didn't show any sign of hearing him. Eren hugged the older man to his chest, and kissed his forehead. "Levi, please!"

Erwin shook his head. "He won't wake up Eren. I need to do an emergency operation on him, and manipulate the bone back into his place- and his hand- God knows how I'm gunna fix that." He sighed, and put his head in his hands.

"W-what about Armin? You will make him better too- right? You have to!" He tugged on Erwin's cape. Erwin nodded.

"I will try. He should be easier than Levi to stabilise." He heaved Armin off his shoulder.

"Armin is easily fixed- though he will be out for about a month." Eren sighed in relief.

"Though Levi- I doubt if he can ever fight again. His foot will be permanently damaged." He sighed.

"Hopefully though Levi will do what he normally does, and push through."

Eren nodded drastically.

Suddenly, Levi stirred. Eren and Erwin gasped, and leant closer to him.

"Levi? Levi it's me Eren!" Eren whispered. Levi let out a small moan, and opened his eyes slowly. He looked into Eren's, and clearly relaxed.

"Levi? Oh thank god." Erwin said, and wiped his fore head.

"My foot hurts a bit." Levi muttered.

"Well it would. But Erwin's gunna fix it!" Eren beamed. He picked up Levi's body so the man was lying in his lap.

"Erwin, are you all Right?" Levi asked. Erwin nodded.

"I'm fine Levi, and so is Eren. The three of us refuse to die you see- were too stubborn." He laughed, blue eyes awake and shining again. Levi nodded sleepily.

"Go back to sleep if you want Levi- we will look after you." Eren whispered.

Levi didn't need to be told again, he closed his eyes, and was soon far away again.

Erwin stood up.

"I'm gunna operate now Eren, but not here in the open. Please help me carry them into the house over there."

Eren looked down at the two bodies belonging to his friends, and back at Erwin. He really hoped Erwin could make them better- after all, if he couldn't, who could?