Author's Note: I am sooo soooo sooooo very sorry for taking so long. I've been playing hide and seek with my muse for a while now and it has just blah. Thank you for your continued time.
Levi looked over his shoulder, watching the waiting titan as they rode away. It reminded him of the mangy dogs in the underground. The kind that sat beside crippled masters, just as tired and hungry, but loyal. Underground, it was something Levi could see as comforting. Here, he was waiting for it to snap, or worse, bring its master. It was fine as long it doesn't follow, right? Levi had no doubt that he could take the titan on his own, but his life wasn't about him anymore. That is what got Farlan and Isabel killed. In this new life, he had to work with a team; that was the best decision. Speaking of teams, Clare and Hange were waiting for them on their way back to the column.
"Why aren't you riding with the others?" Levi huffed when he spotted the idiots. "You should have rode on."
"And let you two to get lost in the forest?" said Hange. Clare giggled.
"We move as a unit," said Clare sounded more like a squad leader should. "We can still trail them." She pointed to the fading lines of smoke. Fuck, this feeling won't go away, Levi thought. He gripped his reins.
"Let's go already," Levi snapped.
"Yeah, let's go," said Clare. Levi breathed a sigh of relief and nudged Ember forward. They galloped several feet when a blood-curdling cry sent a chill down his spine. Just as he feared, the four-legged titan beat its fists on the ground vibrating the earth they road on. Levi cursed under his breath. If we just keep going…maybe I can keep them safe. Erwin told them they had two responsibilities; look out for titans and live. Clare fired the black flare. The titan crouching low to the ground as it exited the forest, eyeing them like dinner. Thumping pounds on the ground let him know that the titan wasn't giving them another option. It barreled toward them like a rabid dog.
"Shit! Shit!" Levi spat.
"Take it down!" Ordered Clare. A breath later the soldiers turned their horses around ready for battle. Erwin's squad practiced for all scenarios their leader could think of. Separate each of them was powerful, but together, nothing could stop them. Levi reached into the part of him that kept him alive in the Underground
"Left," said Hange.
"Right," said John. They were in charge of cutting at the titan's Achilles's tendons. Because Clare and Levi had more kills under their belts, they were flyers, and their mission was the titan's nape. Erwin's' plans are always perfect. He taught them that if they overwhelmed the titan it should be enough. Levi took a deep breath. He launched his cables to the beast's shoulder. This shouldn't take long, he thought, their unit killed countless titans, this small fry couldn't stop them.
Levi ran up the titan's arm dodging log-like fingers. It turned its head for just a moment but that was all he needed. Levi launched his cables at the nape slicing through the thick flesh with ease. He managed to jump out of the way of the red spray on his way down. As soon as his feet hit the ground he looked for the others. Did I make it in time? He looked around for the others. They practiced this drill thousands of times. It should have been perfect.
Levi ran to the where the titan fell. His cut nearly severed the head from its steaming body. He ran toward a shocked John toward the beast's wrist. Were those...boots coming out of its fist?
"Bastard," Clare spat. She stabbed her blade into the monster's dead eye. It appeared that the titan was bringing the living doll to its mouth when Levi sliced its neck. Huge fingers were still wrapped around Clare's body, blood dripping down her lips.
"You son of a bitch!" Hange roared sliced through the breast's fingers freeing a disjointed Clare. She looked like a discarded toy in child's palm. In the back of his brain, Levi knew, that somehow, he would have felt better if his teammate had been torn to pieces. At least then it would be a death he understood. Saying good bye. Crying. John and Hange crowded around Clare. John brushed stray hairs from Clare's gasping face. She looked around using all her strength to keep breathing.
"Hange's…squad leader…" Clare panted. Levi could tell by the thickness in her voice that her lungs were filling with blood. Hange leaned down to press firm lips to Clare's. Four eye's tears dribbled onto Clare's still panting lips. The act was so intimate Levi had to look away, he could at least keep a look out for other titans.
"I'm sorry…." Clare whispered. "I'm sorry..."
"You're amazing," Hange's voice cracked. "I'll see you again, okay?"
"Not too soon," she whispered.
"Of course not," Hange chocked a chuckle. "I have to give you time to miss me." Levi couldn't take anymore. He completely walked away from his squad. It felt like he was violating something very private. He scanned their surroundings. The horses were obedient enough to gather together. His gaze fell on Clare's horse. A prick of pain touched his chest. Who would take care of Sunshine now?
"You son of a bitch!" Levi whipped around to find Hange stomping on the smoking remains of the fallen titan's head. "Bastard, you fucking bastard!" Levi relaxed. Four eyes was allowed to be angry. They all did. A rustle in the trees caught his attention.
"Shit!" Levi cursed. "Hange, we have to go!" He called. "We gotta go!" The crazed soldier wasn't listening. Instead, Hange kicked the steaming skull. Levi cursed and drew fresh blades. A flock of birds flew out of the trees.
"John!" Levi yelled. "Get that idiot out of here." John wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve. He shook off his sadness long enough to release Clare's limp fingers, tackle Hange in a bear hug, and whistle for his horse. The trained animal came when called. Levi kept his eyes on the forest.
"It's hollow…it's hollow… Clare, it's hollow!" Hange kept yelling until the voice blew away with the wind. They're safe for now, Levi thought. That is enough.
Kenny's current captor appointed himself Kenny's caretaker as well. The king took up a vigil behind his bed like an old maid. Guess he don't want no one else to know about his catch. Fucking nobles were so cocky. He didn't have respect enough to look scared while in close contact. And maybe he was right, Kenny still hadn't figured out how to kill a titan.
Currently, King Uri sat in his in the leather chair with a newspaper in hand. They just finished a heavy lunch full of angry glances and lamb. He also hadn't figured out how the man was slipping the pain medication in his food that kept putting him to sleep but he ate it anyway. Whatever this was it was better than going back to Jenna. The bitch sent his busted-up sack of underground clothes via a messenger. He could see the stack from his bed. King Uri offered to have to garments cleaned so Kenny could change into them but he refused. There's no telling what Jenna did to them.
"The Survey Corp has gone outside the walls again," King Uri said as if they were boon companions enjoying polite conversation after a heavy meal. "They never learn," the blonde sighed. "I wonder how many will die this time?" At that Kenny flinched.
"Is everything alright?" Uri flipped the paper down to look at him. Shit, Kenny thought. Even outside the walls, that brat still got to him.
"What?" Kenny growled. "I didn't say anything." King Uri analyzed him in a way that Kenny hated. The man said nothing but he knew he was thinking. Fucking Reiss. A knock on the bedroom door thankfully made the other man look away.
"Excuse me, just a moment," said King Uri. The king folded his newspaper before walking over to the door. When people knocked on the door he would go to greet them, making sure his body blocked the view inside. Kenny tsked when he heard the turn of a lock. Like a little lock would keep him inside. But first, he had to get back on his feet. Kenny used the brief private moments to flex his muscles, clenching and unclenching so he wouldn't wither away. Living underground he learned that many who lost thumbs, went downhill faster from lack of use. He couldn't be stiff on top of weak when he got the hell out of here. Kenny had to be strong enough to kill a titan after all.
It didn't take long for Kenny to learn the different footfalls of those who passed by his prison. There were the light steps of servants who delivered Kenny's meals and other things the king requested. Then there were the squirmy steps of the nervous guy the Bitch called a prince. Even that man wasn't allowed in Kenny's cage. He wondered if perhaps the prince didn't have the same titan ability or if he was just a chicken shit. Kenny voted chicken shit.
Last, King Uri's steps were a smooth, unhurried cadence that only money could buy. Confident, but not so much to be cocky. Very telling of the man holding Kenny hostage. When he heard those footsteps on the other side of the wall Kenny stopped his exercises. The door opened and in walked the king with what looked like an armload of bed sheets. The blonde noble closed the door with his foot before walking over and placing the pile on the corner of the bed.
"I'm sure you are tired of resting in your own filth," said Uri. "I brought new sheets and a change of pajamas." Kenny raised an eyebrow. Were did he think I lived before, he thought. Underground, Kenny's current state of clean was only dreamt about. The only person who might call him dirty would be the brat.
Not waiting for Kenny's response, the king pulled the blanket off Kenny's body folding it neatly at the foot of the bed. He stepped back for a moment to think of his next step. Kenny's legs were still confined to splints. The most he could do was sit up in the bed without hurting himself. Uri walked over to the chair he used to watch over his hostage and cleared it of the paper. Next, he moved the ottoman and bedside table to the side so there was a straight line to the chair.
"Do you trust me, Mr. Ackerman?" Uri asked. He chuckled, more to himself than the scowl on Kenny's face. "A foolish question I know. Instead, can I trust you will not try to snap my neck while I move you to the chair?" This guy had to be an idiot, Kenny thought. That was like asking a mountain lion not to hunt.
The brave idiot pressed on playing happy little nurse. "Please let me know if I hurt you," he said as he moved to the end of the bed, wrapping his fingers around Kenny's shins.
"1, 2, 3," he said to himself before lifting the assassin's legs, walking around the side of the bed. "There we go," Uri placed Kenny's legs on the side of the bed like he was fucking delicate. Sky blue eyes scanned his captives looking for any signs of pain. "Alright, just a little more." He took hold of Kenny's limp wrists draping them to his shoulders. When Kenny didn't react, he wrapped his arms around Kenny's waist. This fuck is surprisingly strong, Kenny thought. He decided not to fight just yet. Let the shithead believe I need to depend on him. Then when his guard is down I'll strike. He was surprised even more when King Uri didn't just drop him on the cushioned chair. Instead gritting his teeth as he set Kenny down.
"You really are like a cat, aren't you?" Uri took a step back to catch his breath.
"What the hell does that mean?" Kenny growled.
"My cat, Boots, fights the same way when I pick him up." Kenny bit his tongue. If he didn't want to do this he sure do more than be dead weight. "Boots has claws as well. Let's see how long it takes for me to get you to retract yours."
"You're a cocky bastard, aren't you?" Kenny growled.
"Perhaps," said Uri. "I am not nearly as confident in my bed making abilities, so I beg your indulgence."
"Kenny leaned back in the cushioned leather chair. If someone told him he'd have the most powerful man in walls acting as his personal attendant he would punching them in the face.
"Why are you doing this? You got maids for this shit?" The king of the walls stopped stripping the bed.
"I told you Mr. Ackerman. I plan to repay the debt my family owes for you to pay yours."
