Chapter 2: When They Don't Understand
"Rivallie…wake up Heichou."
I heard voices, barely. It sounded like they were underwater. I attempted to open my right eye but a searing pain surged through my head. I squinted into the warm light and my eyes adjusted on Petra and Hanji hovering above me, faces twisted in concern and worry. Their eyes flooded in relief when I showed a response, "How are you feeling Heichou?"
I answered them with a grunt and looked around, "Where am I? I mumbled, attempting to prop myself up on the soft pillows. Petra put her dainty hand on my chest, receiving an annoyed grumble from me.
"The fortress. We carried you back after…" she trailed off, eyes looking off somewhere else.
"After what?" I asked, not having a clue what was going on. I furrowed my brow and squinted my eyes. Petra looked ready to cry when I shouted, "And what are you looking at Jaeger?" That dopey boy was staring at me from behind Petra, at the foot of my bed. The women froze and turned their heads quickly, eyes wide. Hanji's eyes lit up, "Interesting…" she mumbled under her breath, "She was talking about when your right eye was damaged by an aberrant." She said. I furrowed my brow and sighed heavily.
"But I can see perfectly fine," I announced exasperated, glancing to my right to see Petra. She had the strangest, startled expression on her face and when I caught her eyes she just nodded meekly. Eren gave his goofy smile, "Sorry Heichou…It's my fault your eye-"
That child, didn't I tell him to stop apologizing already? As he spoke, his grin faded to an ashamed grimace. I cut him off quickly.
"Shitty brat, get over it. What did I tell you? It wasn't your fault, dammit," I commented quickly, choosing to ignore the extremely puzzled reaction I was receiving from Hanji and Petra at this point. Jesus Christ, I didn't have time for this. I propped myself up as Petra bowed briefly, "I'll be right back," she said quietly, slipping out of my room, Eren following her. The door clicked to a close and Hanji took one of my hands in two of hers, eyes glowing.
"So you can see out of your right eye, Levi?" she said excitedly and I gave a nod, glancing at her hands clasped around mine, un-amused.
"Quite clearly actually, yes," I said, covering my left eye to test my right eye's vision. Everything looked perfectly normal. I slowly lifted my hand away. Hanji shot me one of her trademark, interested grins.
"What does Eren look like," Hanji asked. I frowned, what a stupid question. I was growing more pissed by the minute.
"Dear God Hanji, he looks just like he looks every fucking day," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. And for some odd reason, I find it attractive… I thought, the image of the boy in my mind.
He eyes glowed brightly again, "Fascinating."
What was fascinating? I was spiraling into confusion, and fast. I parted my lips to ask her something when the door opened and the rest of the team trooped in, along with Eren and Petra. The all stopped in the doorframe.
"Oi, what are you looking at?" I asked, glancing at them," You all are acting ridiculous, what's going on?" I glanced over their face and my eyes couldn't help but pause at Eren. He was standing slightly away from everyone else.
Olou cleared his throat ,"Nothing commander, just being respectful. I assume you are doing better than last night?" he asked calmly. I sighed and looked at them all.
"I believe I have amnesia. What were we doing last night, I need a step by step playback," I told them. They all shot each other a glance and Eld began to speak.
"We were on a mission. There was a fleet of titans roughly 3 miles south of here. To protect the fortress, we decided to go and battle and you split us into group. You and…Jaeger…" he said, slightly pausing at mention of the kid's name, "were together. An aberrant came and swiped at your eye an-"
"That's enough Eld," Hanji said, all smiles "I think we've updated him on all he needs to know." The others fell silent and I nodded.
"Well, in that case, everyone get to work.. Since I am apparently bedridden. This fortress isn't going to clean itself, "I snapped. The others scurried around and I laid back down on the bed, closing my eyes and falling asleep.
When I woke up it was dark outside and I sat up slowly, realizing I was still in my uniform. I grunted in disgust, hating the look of the crumpled and creased shirt. I did my best to clean up and walked downstairs, following the prevalent noise of chatter.
"I have no idea what's going on. Should we talk to Erwin about this?"
"Not yet, maybe it will wear off in a while,"
"But he sees-"
"That will most likely wear off with the amnesia."
"Just play along,"
I walked inside with my arms crossed, leaning against the door frame. The room quieted and they all looked up.
"Good evening Levi-Heichou," Hanji said, glancing up from the table with her signature simper. I gave a nod in her direction.
"Anyone care to tell me why we would call Erwin into this situation?" I called out to everyone. They looked at each other.
"You could say we are…concerned about the severity of your amnesia. Nothing more than that, just worried," Olou said to us, putting a hand on Eld's shoulder. Gunther looked at the two men from across the table then up at Levi, the dark haired man giving a grunt in agreement and Petra stood up and walked over.
"Nothing to worry about Rivaille. Have a seat, we were just about to eat," she said happily, but her eyes showed fear. I looked at her for a moment before unfolding my arms and walking over and pulling out a chair.
Conversation resumed, and it returned to a normal evening. We discussed our next movement and further ways to get around the hoards of titans lying outside and inside the breached stone of Wall Maria.
"We need to restock our supply of gas for the maneuver gear, however I was told that fort closest to us has also been run to the ground and predicted to be out of stock tomorrow. I say our best bet is to reach the very edge inside Wall Maria. There are a few crates of extra supplies in a building there." Eld explained carefully. Everyone listened silently, deep in thought.
"That would take us days though, maybe even a week," Petra pointed out, our group isn't very big and it we could potentially be obliterated." I sensed the fear in her voice and sighed deeply as the entire group started to talk loudly at once.
"Enough." I raised my voice and the group quieted, all looking over at me. I stood up slowly and started circling the group, "We need the extra aid of the new Scouting Legion recruits." I looked around at their faces, "The graduates of 104 Trainee Squad, Eren's team." I said nodding in his direction. The group shifted uncomfortably at the mention of his name again and I rolled my eyes. What was wrong with these idiots? I continued," It may take them a few days to return from their current mission but as soon as they return, we can prepare then leave quickly." I turned to face the brunette with glasses.
"Hanji. Would you be able to contact the recruits?" I asked, pointed slightly at her and she stood up with a nod.
"Will do Heichou!" she said, running quickly out of the room. Everyone's eyes followed the energetic female out of the room and I pointed at Eren.
"Jaeger, you're going to aid the trainees in preparing for battle," I said, looking at him straight in the eyes. Petra stood up quickly.
"U-uh I'll help him," she said uncomfortably. I shot her a look then nodded slightly.
"Very well, that works too…" I continued to give them all orders then everyone left the room after a while. With nothing left to do, I retreated to my quarters calmly, questions floating around my head. What did Eren do to make everyone act so nervously? Did the little brat turn into a titan while I was out? That was it. I clenched my fist and took of my jacket, laying it aside on the dresser and climbing into the bed, staring out the window in thought.
I'll kill him. I laid down and closed my eyes. I'll kill the titan brat.
However I couldn't put my finger on the reason why my heart was beating so fast and my palms started to get clammy and damp. I'm acting weak. Pull yourself together Rivallie. N'agissez pas comme un enfant (Don't act like a child). It took a few hours but I finally drifted to a sleep of blank dreams.