Part 2 Complications.

Big Time Skip

Erwin's POV

I screamed at the top of my lungs "Advance, Eren is right there! Advance and save Eren!" Everyone was in shock as they saw my arm being bitten off, but this was the mission, to save Eren. As the titan was knowing on my arm I thought of Levi, 'Please Levi, live, if I die here, if we manage to kill the titans after I die, please go to the sea for both of us'….No, I will not die here. I took all the strength I had to jerk away and cut through those scum titan shifters that I thought were comrades, Reiner you are the armored titan, and Bertholdt the colossal titan. They screamed in shock and pain, and then everything went black.

The next thing I know is that I wake up in the infirmary, the pain was unbearable. With tears in my eyes I go to reach for my right arm… it's not there. It hurts so much; this must be what Hanji called 'Phantom Pain' it's all too real. Does Levi even know, this realization made my hairs stand up, is Levi alright is he safe. All I could do was sit there in pain. 'I only have one arm, can Levi still love me, like this, am I weak to him now, and am I no good' I just quietly sobbed while I laid in bed.

Levi POV

I need to get back as soon as I can. Please Erwin, be alive, be safe, and please be okay. I was nearing the wall, when I approached the wall I felt uneasy, as the gates open I see the MP waiting there with Nile taking the lead. He looks…sad, angry, frustrated. What happened what's going on.

"Corporal Levi, I have news that you need to hear, as a high ranked officer, it's about the Commander of The Survey Corp. Erwin Smith."

My eyes widen in shock, "what happened to Erwin!"

The MP's readied their weapons and aimed my way. "Erwin Smith is going on trial for treason against the crown… personally Levi, I don't think Erwin has anything to do with these accusations, but that's not my decision to make, and my personal feelings to the case won't matter until I stand in the courtroom."

"But Nile, what is he facing as a sentence."

"All I know is that they want him dead."

What? Dead why, after everything we have done for the king. "Where is Erwin, I have to see if he is alright."

"Stop Levi! I know how you feel about him; I can see that you truly love him." I flinch slightly at his boldness and casualty on the subject.

"Levi, you and Erwin have my support on your relationship, but you must leave now."

"Why, I need to see Erwin."

"NO Levi, I have been ordered to take you too, but I know you're innocent so I am telling you to leave now."

I was shocked; they wanted to kill me as well, "Just tell me, is Erwin okay?"

"Well he is alive, he's pretty rough though, but I keep going by to check on him, do you want me to tell him anything."…..

"Yeah, please tell him that I am alive and well, tell him that I will free him and everyone from this false king, tell him that I love him… and to give him this." I ride my horse beside him and give him a quick peck on the cheek which sends Niles cheeks aflame.

"Levi! Y-you know I-I can't d-do that to Erwin."

"Please Nile, just that is fine, but if you try anything else I'll kill you."

"Eh, I think I can restrain myself around him."

"Goodbye for now Nile."

"It shouldn't take long for this to blow over, but if the worst happened, know that I, Hanji, Mikw ans all our followers are on your side."

I just smile and before I leave, "The worst will not happen, this is Erwin, and he always has something up his sleeve."

Erwin's POV

I am composed now as I hear a knock at the door, "come in."

I see Nile which brings a slight smirk to my face, "what brings you Nile."

"Erwin I'm just going to tell you and not mess around, you and your squad are being charged with treason against the king and your trial will be tomorrow and you are all facing death as your penalty if guilty, Levi came to the gate but I sent him away before anyone else got to him, so you can thank me for that later."

"Levi was here? Does he…"

"No he doesn't know about your arm, I left that part out, but I did tell him about the charges against you, and that you were pretty beat up, and Levi told me to tell you,"

My eyes widened, "Tell me what?"

"That he is alive and well and that he will free you and every one of our false king and that he loves you."

I slightly flinch as I heard Nile say the last part. "You mean… he told you?"

"I already knew, its ok, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, just make sure to send me and Maria an invite to the wedding."

I smiled at my friend being so calm and accepting of our relationship. "Thank you Nile."

"Oh and also… Levi asked me to give you something."

"What is it?"

"Er-Erwin just don't make it weirder than it already is for me ok."

"Nile just give it to me."

Nile knelt down and gave me a kiss on the cheek, my face turned a shade of pink as I smiled, "oh god you're blushing, now you're making it weird for me, well now that that is over with how are you feeling?"

I sit back thinking, "well I am better now that I know Levi is alright, but facing death is a lot to take in, I used to think that I would be killed in action, outside the walls on the battlegrounds, then when I became with Levi, I wanted to die old by his side, and have us die together in each other's arms."

I held my head down, I wanted to see Levi by my side, but would he accept. I grabbed my shoulder where my arm used to be cringing.

"Erwin, stop that. *He brings me into a hug* Stop thinking like that, I know Levi enough to believe that he will not think any different of you."

He gently pulls away looking at me very seriously, "Levi loves you; I saw it, the worry in his eyes. He has the exact same look you do now so don't feel doubtful of his feelings."

He smiled and patted my wounded shoulder. "Thanks Nile, you are a great Commander and an even better friend, Thank you."

Nile got up and walked to the door but before he left, "Erwin, good luck, I'm on your side…remember that."

Levi's POV

I was riding to the place where we did experiments on Eren to learn more about his titan form. I said to meet there, I neared my destination and I saw horses, good they are alright. I dismount my horse and see Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, Marco, and Sasha, where's Eren, and Bertholdt, Reiner, Krista, and Ymir? "What happened? Where are the others?"

They jerked their heads up in surprise to see me, then Armin sat up, "Corporal, Bertholdt, Reiner, Ymir, they are all titan shifters, they took Eren and Krista, I'm sure they want to get Eren on their side, but why take Krista, is it because Ymir is her friend, or another theory of mine id that she is more important than we think."

Re ran his thumb along his chin thinking, "You're right Armin, Krista is actually royalty, her real name is Historia and she is the rightful heir. The king that rules us is no true king, just an old fat fool."

Armin and the rest of the group looked at me in shock, "And also, we are facing criminal charges and even facing death for false accusations against the crown, Erwin is inside the walls facing trial and that allowed us to escape the MPs and meet here."

Jean spoke up, "Wait,, Erwin id alive, I was for sure he would be dead after…after." He stressfully ran his fingers through his hair starring to the ground, then gritting his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut.

"After what Jean, what happened to Erwin?"

"He got attacked by a titan and while he was being almost killed he yelled for us to advance and to save and rescue Eren, and he broke free of the grasp of the titan and cut through Reiner and Bertholdt, they fled and we ran after them and… we…w-we left him. We just left Erwin how could we do that. I-I'm sorry L-Levi."

He sunk his head in shame and Marco came to comfort him. So Erwin was really hurt, Nile left that part out. How bad was it, I know Nile said he was beat up not gnawed on by a filthy titan. I put my arm on Jean's shoulder, "it's alright Jean, you did what you could, and Erwin, I'm sure Erwin is proud even though we haven't saved Eren yet, you still followed orders and now we can save him, we need to prove our innocence and dethrone that false king. We owe him that. Are you with me?"

All of them yell 'yes sir' in unison with full salutes, now our real battle begins. We will save you Erwin, even if you are sentenced to death we will save you, I will not let you die this way.

Erwin's POV

Once the king's henchman took me for the infirmary, I was dragged into a cold dark brick room. They slammed me against the wall and landed a right side punch, I gasped feeling blood trickle my lips. The other lands a kick to my leg making me fall on my knees. I just grit my teeth in pain.

"Hey traitor, are you going to talk yet, or do we have to beat you some more?"

"…"

"I see, well it looks like we have no choice."

I cringe as I feel a solid hit to my face, it hurt, I'm sure it will leave a pretty good mark, I'm sure Levi would say 'it was filthy' to have a mark like this or 'you think you're going 11to kiss me looking like that' I couldn't help but smile at the thought. It's kind of funny, even when I'm getting my ass handed to me, when I think of Levi, I always smile, even when he isn't around.

"Oi, what the fuck are you smiling about?"

"Eh, maybe we should think twice about this guy, I mean look at him, with that creepy ass smile, I'm sure he is planning something."

My smile widened, 'I do have a plan, these people are such fools, I feel as if I'm always a few steps ahead of everyone else.' I took a good beating but stayed quiet, then they took me into the trial room were stood or rather 'sat asleep' the king or should I say the man who claims to be king. They chained my body to the post since I only have one arm. All of the men in the room, looks of disgust fill the room with all eyes on me. Mike, Nile, and Hanji are all there as well. All three of them take a look at me and see my wounds. I can feel the anger radiating off of them, especially Nile. Mike and Hanji are loyal and great friends, but Nile has always been by my side, we have had our moments where our friendship could be questioned, but I've always known that Nile would disobey an order from the king if he needed to. Nile knows right from wrong, and what is happening now is all wrong.

Time Skip After The Trial

Everyone now knows about our false king and the Survey Corps innocents and with that all charges were dropped. Nile unchained me and helped me on my feet but still being sore from the beating I took and not fully recovered I stumbled.

"Erwin!"

Nile was able to catch me but barely, "Are you alright, Mike will you help, let's take you back to the infirmary to let you get some rest?"

"No, just take me to my living quarters and just grab a first aid kit, and you can patch me up."

He huffs, "Fine then, you're a stubborn old man you know that?"

He nudged me smiling a little, then mike wrapped one arm around my armpit while Nile puts my good arm around his neck for more stability. Once we reach my room they sit me on my bed. Mike says his goodbyes and stepped out while Nile got out the first aid kit. He began by spreading betadine on the wounds on my face. I never got used to that stuff, it stung like hell. I flinch and try to swat Nile's hand away but he chuckles slightly.

"Quit being a baby and hold still, I don't want to get any in your eyes." So I tough it up and let him clean my wounds on my face. Then he puts his hand on my wounded arm. I look at him with a sad expression. Nile looked back and smiled, "It's okay Erwin, and it's just me. I will be careful."

Nile's POV

I see Erwin nod to continue so I start unwrapping his bandage. I can't lie I am a little squeamish , not towards Erwin but blood in general, I am the commander of the military police, I don't see blood on a daily basis. I see Erwin look at me with a pained expression and turns away from me saddened. "Are you disgusted… at my pitiful state, you don't have to do this you know, I understand."

My eyes widen in shock and I hold Erwin's shoulders forcing him to look at me. "Of course not Erwin, losing your arm doesn't mean we lost you, you're still alive, you're still the Erwin that I became friends with, it's just that I'm not used to blood is all, so don't feel bad."

Erwin nodded and let me continue. Once I took off the bandages exposing the rawness of his wound. It looked awful; I don't know what to say so I just clean the wound in silence. Erwin was in real pain, but he just sat there with his head down. I took in a side glance to see a tear slide down his cheek, I finish cleaning his wound and re-bandage, after I get rid of the red stained cloths and bandages I walk up to Erwin and sit beside him on his bed, he says nothing so I huff making him look at me giving me a weak smile. I smile back and ruffle his thick blonde locks. "You haven't done that since we were in training."

"Ha ha, yeah, those were good times…pff remember when one of the cadets lit that bonfire too quickly and you thought you caught on fire and you were screaming 'My Eyebrows, My Beautiful Eyebrows' and ran around with me chasing after your sorry ass."

Erwin let out a few laughs and he started smiling, "I thought I forgot that, hmph reopening old wounds are we, what about when you actually burnt your beard off and now it can't grow back right ha ha."

"Tch that was a low blow Erwin."

We exchanges a few laughs until we heard a knock at the door.

Levi's POV

I run once I figure out that our charges are dropped and that Erwin is in his living quarters/office. I run to his room and stop to compose myself outside his door; I begin to hear Erwin laughing slightly. I smile now that I know that he isn't hurt that badly. I knock on that door and wait for an answer, "Come in."

I enter slowly; no one is in his office so I enter his living quarters to see both Nile and Erwin sitting side by side at the edge of his bed, both of them look at me in shock, Erwin gives me a pained smile, "Levi, I'm so happy that you're alright, how are you?"

He tried to get up but failed due to Nile stopping him which was a good call, and what is wrong with his…what happened, who or what did this to my Erwin. I held back my tears and tightened my fists until they turned white. I fought my emotions because Nile was right there, I know he knows about our relationship, but I can't look weak, only on front of Erwin can I let everything go. "Nile could you give us a moment."

Nile nodded and left quickly, once I heard the door click I ran to Erwin wrapping my hand around his neck staring at him with tears flowing continuously, and running my fingers through his hair kissing his cheeks, nose, forehead, and then his lips. "Erwin, I'm, I'm so happy that you're alive, I love you, I love you Erwin, who did this what happened?"

He told me the whole story with Eren and the titan shifters taking him. What cowards, I knew most of the details from Jean but hearing Erwin made me sure that they were true. "So a titan did this… you were so brave for them, I wonder why they don't call you 'humanity's strongest', I clearly don't deserve it."

"Levi, you would have done the same, I know you well enough."

He smiled tucking himself in and opening the covers signaling me to join him, "Sure, I thought you'd never ask."