Darkened Eyes

"How is she doing?"

Levi sighed, uncharacteristic worry marring his expression. At the sound of Armin's question, the older man looked back to see the young woman still unconscious, a make-shift blanket from the former Military Police members covering her. The almost white skin contrasted against the dark damp hair lying against her forehead. Although Luz had not moved at all since she had abruptly collapsed, the slight whimpers that had escaped from her had almost ceased, and sweat continued to gather on her brow. Levi remembered of how she had stumbled into his view when he had been conversing with Hanji. Horror and despair echoed in her eyes, looking very much like the eyes that had opened for the first time shortly after the 57th expedition. "Luz, why the hell are you standing there as if you're about to die?"

At his words, she had simply gasped his name, her voice weak and her blue eyes wide, before she collapsed in his arms. Levi had almost released his hold on her immediately after she had fallen unconscious. She was surprisingly light, and her dark hair lightly brushed against his cheek. The other Survey Corps members were shocked when they found Luz in Levi's arms, and did nothing expect appeared concerned as Levi set Luz inside the wagon. The tense atmosphere of knowing that Eren was about to be eaten by Reiss didn't ease, especially since that Luz had abruptly collapsed for no apparent reason.

"There's no change," Levi growled. His dark gray eyes briefly connected with Luz's face before turning to his squad. "We are almost there to the base. Are you ready?"

Everyone nodded, and Levi found himself a small inward smirk. Most of them aren't brats anymore, he thought. His and Armin's eyes met for a moment, and he thought about what the young man had sacrificed at such a young age to protect his friend. Especially him. Levi thought about what he had told them about Kenney. That killer had been like him, once. Orphaned. Frightened. Alone. Levi inwardly scowled, memories resurfacing in his mind. He wasn't fucking alone, he thought as cold anger seeped through him. He had… Levi stopped, remembering of a time when he too hadn't been alone. The dark red hair and soft smirks and breathless laughter echoed in his mind.

I am more like that fucking bastard than I know, Levi thought as he remembered of the blood coating the ground of the rain against his cold skin. That's probably why…I hate him so much. Levi hadn't told them everything about Kenney. He had even lied, saying that he hadn't been aware of Kenney's last name until now. I'm pretty sure shitty glasses and Armin will figure the shit that I just pulled.

How would he not know Kenney's last name, having…grown up with him as hordes of the shitty Military Police would be going on a suicidal mission? For a brief moment, Levi observed the unconscious form of Luz. He knew a nightmare when he saw them. The young woman had started whimpering at some point, almost whining with the high pitch that she had. Perspiration had started to gather on her forehead. Shitty glasses states that she could be remembering her past. Although the majority of the Survey Corps had expressed relief or even excitement upon the statement, Levi could only ponder what Luz was remembering. It must be hell, what she is recollecting in her brain.

"What do we do if she doesn't awake in time?" Jean's question caused a stir in Levi. His thoughts broke, and he knew what he was supposed to see. "Leave the fucking brat behind and hope that she has the mercy of a quick death." There was no possibility that anyone could carry her into the cave.

They would be fighting Kenney's soldiers, leaving no room for liabilities. If left behind, Luz would likely either be killed as she was unconscious by any of Kenney's soldiers that were still alive and outside. Levi's heart had to remain cold and heartless as a member of the Survey Corps. He had ordered the bodies of his comrades to become Titan food to live another shitty day, and had caused his only two friends to die because of his arrogance. Many feared him and hated him, and despite Erwin's words that he was a good person, Levi knew that it was a bullshit lie. I have never been a good person, Levi thought. His hands clenched into fists. He thought of how many people he had sent to their deaths, and of the people that had died because of him.

"No, you're a good person, Levi." A voice that invaded his dreams echoed within his mind. Her soft voice and her warm amber eyes caused Levi to slightly calm, his hands unclasped and his breathing even. "You love all of us, your squad. I see it every time you are in the room with us. You do." She had smiled at him that day. She had put her small hand on his heart, feeling it racing. "Love is what makes us human."

He had left Petra to die alone as she faced the Female Titan, leaving her to die as the blood soaked into the tree, and watching her body crumble to the ground. He had loved her, and she to him. He still remembered her warm lips upon his own, and her fingers caressing his face. And he had let her die. For some reason, Luz reminded him of Petra. Their pasts couldn't have been more different, and their personalities too starkly contrasted. Petra was kind and resilient, but Luz was haunted by her past and remained afraid of herself even though her heart was becoming stronger. We're more alike than she knows, Levi mused. He was aware of the others waiting for his response, and he was about to reply when he heard a heavy gasp.

Levi immediately saw Luz's chest rising and falling rapidly as she kept gasping for breath. Her fingers curled into her palms, white as her face had been when she was unconscious, and her eyes were wide and the pupils almost nonexistent as she attempted to sit up.

"What did you see?" Levi asked harshly, meeting her eyes. For a moment, it seemed that Luz was unable to speak. She opened her mouth, but only rasping remained of what had been speech. Luz closed her eyes, her breathing slightly slowing as she attempted to recollect herself.

"Levi…" His name caused him to turn, and the older dark haired man was surprised when he saw the sudden seriousness and collectiveness that Luz possessed as soon as she opened her eyes, now dark. Her voice suddenly become solemn and cool as she spoke. "Please trust me, everyone." The members of the Survey Corps looked shocked at the formerly weak girl that now spoke as if she was in command. "It is not Historia's father who is going to eat Eren, but Historia." Shocked exclamations and confusion marred their gazes. Even shitty four eyes isn't able to speak for once, Levi thought grimly. I didn't think of this revelation, either. His face remained a mask of stone, but Levi still searched Luz's face at the others were stunned. "We need to save him." Her voice became hard.

"Now."

What the hell did you see, Luz?

Her darkened blue eyes, now the color of the evening flashed through his mind as he studied the girl. What the hell caused you to become…like this?

The next chapter is going to skip the epic fight scene from chapter sixty-four. I am planning on focusing on how remembering her past has changed the main protagonist, and I am also going to stray from the storyline. Tell me what you think! I will do my best to update, but I'm not sure if that is going to work, as I am in college again with a busy schedule.