The Scents of those you miss

Chapter 11

I'm sorry guys, I haven't been able to write since September. Last chapter was in Levi's view in case some of you got confused. We're back to Eren.

His room was dark, no shadows cloaked in the corners. Well besides me. The icy cold weather, months had passed since I left Levi for the Clan, fogged on the windows blocking out all the street lights. Ever since I left my inamorato, my sense of feelings have dissipated like before. I can not feel the warmth nor cold. Which is a good thing, since its December now. I can't stalk my prey if I'm too busy shivering.

Levi was sprawled on his bed, receiving the dream of our reunion for the billionth time. When I left that day, three months ago, I had no intention of really coming back for him. I believed that Levi no longer cared for me like before. But I broke down one night. One of the inamoratos' smelled too much like vanilla, like Levi's vanilla. I couldn't stop myself from remembering that raven asshole afterwards. The blood loss, the smell, missing his presence, it was all too much. So like anyone else, I sought him out. He was already asleep when I arrived, a bottle of whisky sat on the nightstand beside him. I went into his dream, expecting Levi to be dreaming about Erwin or killing vampires but instead found myself. Levi was cooing in my ear and tugging at my sleeve. Begging me to stay. The Levi version of me that is.

I really couldn't stay away after that. So since that night, I've snuck into his house and entered his dreams. Sometimes if the scent of him is too much, I kill him in the dream. He doesn't die in real life just wakes up. I want him to feel all the pain I felt. Still feel.

Levi's alarm starts to beep, its already six in the morning? I didn't realize that the dream went by so quickly. I shake my head and smirk. Levi must have a meeting today or accidently turned on his alarm. I doubt he would voluntary wake up at six on a Saturday. I step out of the shadows and touch his forehead. He has no memory of there being a meeting today. So the dumbass did turn on his alarm by accident.

I lift my hand off his skin and press the end button on his alarm clock. Silencing the damn buzzard. I start to leave, finding that I've already done enough, when I hear his heart beats increase with speed. Why would that happe-

I stiffen with fear, he woke up. Levi Ackerman, Humanity's Strongest, the man who has a gun with silver bullets under his pillow, just woke up. Shit.

"Eren?" His voice shakes with shock and a little bit of doubt. 'Could that really be him?' Again with the accidental mind reading.

Okay I have two options, leave and let him know that I was here or stay and let him know that I'm here. Looks like option one it is.

I push my feet hard against the floor, building up my speed before picking up my right foot. Within a matter of milliseconds, I'm out of Levi's house and four miles away. Well there goes the whole, no one must be seen rule I made. Marco is gonna flip his shit when he hears this. So will Ymir if Christa isn't distracting her.

BEFORE

Ymir and Sasha managed to gather everyone, vampire and human, into the living room. The light grey walls seemed to comfort all the people in my Clan, I left grey where there used to be white. We all needed change after what happened with Annie then Reiner.

"All of you may be wondering why I stand here as your leader instead of Berthold. I guess that's because, when we find Bertholdt I'm going to kill him. Not only did he help Reiner with the massacres, he abandoned his own people. Where is he when we need him? Well off in a void for all I care. I'm standing up here, to protect all of you. It doesn't matter what you are, vampire or human. Those who live under my roof, will not die. We will fight together against the Survey Corps. We are The Maria Clan. Annie brought you together. I intend to keep it that way. That being said," I look around the room seeing all my people smiling with courage. My pedestal allowed me to see everyone. "I am adding some rules. First, your human inamoratos or inamoratas will have to destroy their phones. We can't afford a traitor to contact the Survey Bastards and tell them where we are. For the newest members, they will be watched for a fortnight. If they prove to be loyal then they are free to stay those who aren't will be either killed or imprisoned. Second, no one kills their prey. You don't need to kill to survive. Drink until they fall asleep. If I find out anyone killed a human, you'll be whipped with silver. After you've feed hide the body and make sure no one sees you. No one must be seen. Third, no vampire or human leaves this house without telling the council. Unless you have a job inside Rose then you are not excused from leaving. Until we all trust each other, there's no other option. Again if anyone disobeys these rules, you'll be whipped with silver. Thank you for listening, continue with all your duties." My people stare at me, horror on their faces. One by one they all leave. Taking their fear with them.

Marco crosses the room to stand beside me, I step off the pedestal to make eye-contact with him. "Isn't that a bit harsh?" His softer side comes out, I try not to make him feel worse.

"I'm doing this to help everyone, I can't let anyone die. That bastard, Reiner made the Survey corps pissed and once they realize that there's another Clan here, then we'll be safe. But until then, we need to keep off the charts. We must be innocent until those Sina bitches are discovered. Speaking of which, have they asked to meet with me yet?"

Marco shakes his head, I was afraid that would be his answer. "They want Annie, they've made a promise, without Annie's dead body they will remain anonymous. Pardon my saying but The Sina Clan is starting to piss me off."

I laugh at Marco's cussing, which he hardly does. "Calm it down there Marco, we need you to be focused not pissed." I wink at him and smile. He reflects my face and then

sighs. "Jean will want to kill me for saying this but, Eren you really are a hero. If you hadn't stopped Reiner we'd all be dead."

I grab Marco's shoulders and pull him into a hug. "No problem Marco, I don't think I could've lived with myself if you all were dead because of me. Reiner was the bomb but I was the detonator. Go spend time with that horse of yours. He's neighing from across the room." Marco laughs then joins his partner, reminding me of my partner. The one that wants me dead. What a beautiful world.

NOW

Oh god did I fuck up or what? I broke one of my own rules! Marco and the rest of the council are going to kick my ass. Of course the punishment is ineffective to me. Well everyone but Jean thinks that I have the weakness to silver. If only he hadn't seen me rip silver bars apart. Damn it. I screwed up big time, Levi is definitely going to be on our asses now. Maybe I can meet up with the Sina Clan later today. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan if they cooperate. Which they won't since they're assholes.

I reach the front gate before the sun peaks up. However from the walk to the front door and the gate is a slow one. I really don't want to go inside today. If I slip away maybe I can act like this never happened. But I have to, no one can change that for me.

The basement is where we hold the meetings such like the very one I'm being held in as of right now. Marco, Sasha, Ymir, Christa and Connie all sit as the council. If this weren't my trial then I'd be in those awesome computer chairs that roll everywhere, too. I slump my head against my hand, releasing a deep breath. Of course I would be the one to fuck up. That's me, Eren fucking Jaeger. The man who does nothing but screw up.

"Eren, as you said yourself, you have committed a crime against Clan Maria. By disobeying our laws, the very ones you created, you'll be sentenced to twenty silver lashing. You will also not be allowed to leave this house for a month. We will have our Frequents gather some blood for you. You are free to go now." Ymir announces loud and clear. I rise up from the regular chair and turn my back towards them. Then pull my shirt off.

"Whip me now, I don't feel like waiting." Ymir grunts as she pulls the long metal chain behind her, standing from her chair. The chains make a horrid noise as they come closer to me. I stand still, this won't hurt unless I can ma-

Ah so this is what the price is, either fake the pain or make it real. I deserve the punishment so I take it full force. I shape-shift my rank to Frequent, this way I will definitely feel the pain.

Ymir doesn't give me a warning nor do I want one. When my back suddenly erupts with burning pain, I know that this is the first lash. Nineteen more to go.

Again and again and again. The chains slice my back open, dark crimson blood falls onto the floor. Pooling around my feet, my fingers which were on my knees rip the jean material, leaving long scratch marks on my legs as well.

Biting my lip, sequencing my fist up until my knuckles pop, nothing stops the fire from restarting with every hit. I don't even notice when Ymir stops, it seems like hours have gone by. When it's probably been only a few minutes. I start to walk away but fall.

"Eren!" Marco calls my name out and makes to catch me but I touch his hands to stop him.

"I did this to myself, ah just- shit- let me get my bearings." With one step at a time, I attempt to make my way up the dusty stairs. Once I can move again, I'm going to clean these stairs. They're absolutely disgusting, I'm leaving footprints with each step. Horrible.

I get up the first four steps before fallings so yea me. Marco catches me and carries my body up the rest of the way. I demand for him to put me down but no such thing happens. A small part of me sighs with content at this. Not having to be in pain for those, what two seconds? Amazing, at the least.

Marco sets me down when we reach the doorway, my Clan stands around all of them are curious as to why I was sent for a trial. Now they should know, I know they can smell my blood, probably could from the start. I wave for them to come close, that it's fine if they see me like this.

"I broke one of my own rules today, so I received the proper punishment. Ymir can explain the rest if you wish, I need to lay down." My voice sounds broken, unfit to be the Alpha of this Clan. Shit I probably am, but no one makes a move to stop me as I limp my way up the second flight of stairs. Thomas, one of the Frequent, grabs my arm and throws it over his shoulders, supporting me as we go up.

"Why are you helping me?" I groan out, the scratches on my legs burn from all the movement.

"Because Eren, you've helped everyone here." He smiles like I'm his God.

"I could have murdered someone, you don't know what I've done." My throat contracts, telling me that I'm about to cry unless I shut up.

"I know you, Eren. You were going after your inamorato. Everyone here would have done the same thing. Come on now, let's put you to bed so you can rest." I have half a mind to thank Thomas and another to demand him to let me go. So I just remain quiet. If my people choose to help me then that's there problem.

Thomas lays me against my soft bed and mumbles on about how strong we all are thanks to me before leaving. I barely lean my head back before I fall asleep.