(AN: So, here, there is going to be severe spoilers for further in manga events. Cutting off at the anime ending, and slapping the manga, female titan closure in place, as it's generally much more exciting. Also, this bridges to the Wall Rose/Beast Titan debacle, in varying amounts, though it's hardly touched on, the latter. As well as revealing the Colossal and Armored titan (although it was spoiled for me by tumblr, so, that's sad information on my ability to navigate the spoiler channels), and Ymir. Basically, unless you're caught up on the manga, please don't read this; major spoilers. I'm repeating myself, I know, but I'd hate to have spoilers leak through, so I'm getting repetitive. )
It's kinda sad, but I'm laughing whatever happens; assassins are stabbed in the back of my cabin, Labrador yapping. I'm glad that it happened, I mean it, between us, I think there's something special. And if I lose my mental, just hold my hand even if you don't understand, hold up: No matter what you say or what you do, when I'm alone, I'd rather be with you. Fuck these other people, I'll be right by your side, till 3005(..)Sorry, I'm just scared of the future; till 3005, I got your back, we can do this; hold up.
They stood in front of the crystal, Zoe's hands behind her back, eyes dull as they gazed at the girl. Levi stood close, the suit he wore a bit too long for him, despite it all. She wanted to reach, stroke her hands over the gemlike barrier, maybe shout like the Scout REgiment troop had, tell her to come out, face them, because she had a couple things she'd like to do. Of course, she had made striking innovations in torture techniques; as when you've spent so long being restrained and congenial to people you honestly despise, you at least had to have a couple of creative ways on the backburner, entailing ways to hurt them.
"What a loss," Levi finally sighed.
"At least she's locked up," Hanji said.
"I'd rather her moving so I could cut her down," Levi said.
"Levi, you're injured," Zoe murmured
"Doesn't mean shit," he snapped.
She took a step away from him, giving a tired sigh, walking out of the underground, coming at her Commander's insistence. His (though hers by immediate removal of Nile) men were clustered close to the wall, around all the lifts up close to the breach. Pastor Nick was at the top of the wall, over the hole, slumping visibly, despite his distance, as tarp was draped over the eyes.
Zoe let go of a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding, stiff as she staved off a shiver. She passed a hand over the back of her neck, turning to watch the Scout Regiment troops coalesce elsewhere, then focused back on the main issue. Due to the fact that her job was on the line. And other general things that was going to make her heart pick up another pace.
"We did clear out most of the men and women here? Providing that Eren was the true danger," Nile said.
"Yes, but, there were a couple other more stubborn people who parked their asses in basements, so, witnesses," Zoe pushed her hand under her uniform jacket as she spoke.
Nile raised his hand, "I'll call over Nathan, try and snag Jay; I'd prefer you three elite troops around me, as well as aiding the clean up."
Zoe did manage to wave at Jay and catch his attention, though the tall, slim built man had a habit of looking lost. The expression had increased at the news of the Special Tactile Squad and the expedition numbers being decimated, despite the presence of Eren. She'd managed to gain strength, rather than let it slip, wished Jay didn't give a mirror image of herself, though at least it wasn't as accurate as usual.
Nile walked to them, Nathan at his shoulder, the redhead's always present smirk widening when he saw her. Zoe looked down at her feet, then stopped, chose to raise her eyes, keep them on his, that malignant glint behind the false cheer stronger than ever. And what had Levi told her? To learn how to say no; right after she'd witnessed his quick, emotionless response to Hanji's topic start, though the woman had hardly said anything to him.
But then, she wasn't good at saying no. It'd gotten her into so much trouble, and uncomfortable situations. The most notable occurrence had been when she was still in training, accosted by Lucas, due to her strained guidelines. Being rude wasn't what her mother would've wanted. Zoe had desperately wanted to adhere properly to her mother's ideals, attempted to hold onto them, even with her time away.
Then Levi. Who was a terrible influence. She'd never gotten in trouble for noise levels in, what? Fifteen years: then Levi. Which, she felt, was a simple way to describe his presence in her life, as it always turned out to be abrupt, something like being flipped onto your back with no warning. So cruel to her in many ways at the start, but he did seem to love it when he made her plea to be let back up, and a number of other areas where he enjoyed her begging.
All of this; it'd taken a long time, maybe, for both of them to realize that there was room in their hearts to love someone. To give the emotion and sentiment everything they had. Now, the ghosts wouldn't matter, because they'd hide in sin; and love was certainly a sin of some sort.
Nile shifted, just as Nathan finally dropped his eyes away from her, shoulder slumping, maybe an external show of humility, but she'd never seen that on him. The Commander settled his hand on the pendant at his neck, and Zoe remembered the weight of it. What it'd taken to get it back.
"The Royal Government has clear instructions," Nile said, nail digging into his skin instead, though the action was only noticed by her, perhaps due to her small stature, "the ones who willingly go to Capital should offer no hesitation after we have explained the situation; check their identification. There will be an accompanying amount of 50 Military Police, as well as two Central Military Police who will move with you three through the houses. WE have this area sectioned off; no person who saw this will leave without answering to us."
"And if they say no?" Nathan asked, looking too eager.
"Don't make a mess," Nile said. "And with the identification, allow the blue coded and up a second chance. Towards gold and silver, who, I believe, are only 5 in this area, use the proper chemicals to encourage unconsciousness, and bring them to the capital as such, though we're all in agreement that they're already in Capital, unless a fluke has occurred; to boil it down properly ."
Zoe nodded, murmured, "do they want it done by today?"
"Of course," though it wasn't Nile who spoke, instead a Central Military Police, equipment around his hips she'd never seen before; she'd seen the guns in books, thought they'd been decommissioned as ineffective(hurting humans, rather than Titans, and the price to create them had been outrageous), traded for the rifles now used across the board by MPs to quell crowds. "Now. Let's move."
Nathan was first through the doors, using his shoulder when a lock was in place. Once, they had to shoot through the door, though none of the MPs with them looked comfortable enough to do so. This had to be more brutal and violent than what they'd assumed to sign up for, being that the men and women in the group were hardly in their mid-twenties, and hadn't been in the Regiment for a long time.
The Central Military Police stepped up, set his gun to the keyhole, the sallow man (name tag smeared; Worth)a counterpart to the one who talked, clothes rumpled and dirty. He didn't blink when the gun fired, though everyone else did, Zoe's heart jumping as something on the other side fell. Nathan let the door swing out, got a look at the affected human, the stomach of the woman blown out, still twisting before them, though blood soon bubbled, and she stilled.
Worth pushed the body out of his way, stopping at the first landing, kicking out viciously. Nathan ignored the body as well, jogging to the next landing, doing the same, Jay slipping up the steps soon after, and Zoe followed, used to this, at least. Her kicks held the same power the men did, and hers revealed a man, huddled back against the window.
Zoe cleared her throat, spoke flatly, "With recent events, the Royal Government needs to have you in attendance at the Capital, as well as your identification forms; comply now, and there won't be any harm." She held out her hand, and the man patted wildly around for his forms, speed increasing as she felt a presence at her shoulder. Zoe didn't have to turn to know it was Worth, watching the papers be pushed into her hands.
"Rose," Worth said, reading out the sentence that was to be exacted, though it was one word.
She stepped forward, dropping her eyes away from the man's, wishing he hadn't snuck into Sina without the tell-tale stamp. He was old as well, possibly a grandfather to the inhabitants, though they'd left, and the woman dead downstairs had very much resembled a nurse, or some housekeeper. The dagger in her hand was still sharp; though Worth had given it to her at the start of all this. Almost done. And she was damn good at applying the don't ask, don't tell ideal, fighting off every single inch of her that enjoyed doing this, just like Nathan.
So, maybe Nathan wasn't odd; maybe he'd just broken first. Then Jay, slightly grown out hair the same color as his eyes, the black impenetrable, even to the last light of the day, as the civilian attempted to make a dash for the door. His lunge was quick, grip in the boy's hair tight, exposing his throat before Jay brought the knife down. A smile curled slow over his lips.
And that mirror she found in him was as accurate as ever.
LEVI
Zoe looked up as soon as he walked in, sitting at the table without a book, or papers in front of her. Levi had just peeled off his dark jacket, opened his mouth to question this anomaly as he pushed two fingers under his collar, when she stood, strode to him, kissed him hard. He wasn't one to interrupt a good thing, allowing his arms around her waist instead. Still, the zeal behind this was, to an extent, another odd thing, as she was quieter after the Military Police went and wrecked morality across the board.
She yanked at his cravat, tossed it over her shoulder, dragged him closer. He'd been making some sort of progress towards stopping and talking, but this; fuck. So fucking eager, hands trembling at the buttons of his shirt, though she achieved her goal, pushed that off him. And, once again, he wasn't going to interrupt a good thing, nor stop her when she was like this.
Messy kisses were smeared over his jaw, and she paused close to his ear, spoke, "Come on, Levi."
"Hmm?" his humm was more of a tease, his nails digging into her skin, backing her towards the wall. Briefly, her hand went around the back of his neck, keeping her from stumbling as he moved. Levi stalled, unsure what to do with her, a number of scenarios circulating around his head, and he couldn't pick one decisively. "What do you want?"
"Fuck me," She said, hand tangling in his hair, breaking for an instant to draw in breath, "please, Levi. Baby," he'd never heard the word, and concern flashed again, "I need you to overwhelm me, yea?" Her hand fisted tighter in his hair, desperation carrying a tone to her breathing as well. "Erase me."
Levi was going to ask her a question. Talk it out like they should, because this was a relationship, wasn't it? And now, he'd rather be sure she was okay through a different route now, and he attempted to keep the notion in his mind, but he decided to throw history to hell.
A bit of the worry her face had shown disappeared when he picked her up, dumped her on the bed. Probably the last night they'd have a bed. But fuck it.
"You know, we could settle down," Levi said, knowing it was abrupt, turning from the stove.
Zoe looked up, hand in her hair, eyes ringed with sleep. "Yea? But you always deflect that."
He nodded, occupying himself with cooking for a good time. They'd gotten up at lunch time. And he was surprised no one had knocked down the door, or set a wake up time. Whatever it was, it was luck, to some extent.
"I know. I just; I'm," Levi clenched his jaw, stirred the eggs more forcefully, "worried about you."
She laughed, though it ended with a cough, had her clearing her throat. He watched her hand run through her hair, tug the longest piece in front of her eyes, the ends curled like it always did when it got that long. Zoe began to twirl her hair around her finger, letting the conversation go, focusing on her book. The picture she struck now was a frequent one; one he'd seen throughout the years of knowing her. With her hair around her finger, and book under another.
"Zoe," he said, slapping the button to choke off the oxygen vent, the fire dying slowly. "Answer me."
"What do you want me to say, Levi?"
"I don't want you to even say erase me."
Her lips twisted down, and she mumbled, "I didn't know you heard that."
"I hear everything."
"No you don't."
"No, but I hear enough."
She set her chin in her hand, watched him walk towards her. Zoe let him dip, or maybe he was moving at a speed she couldn't really block, his arm sliding quick around her waist, kissing her, though it was mostly to get her closer. He held her tight, bent over because she was still half sitting, her face pressed to his shoulder. Finally felt her shudder, wrap her arms around him, had him hold her up.
"I'm not going to ever erase you, yea? I've got you. Got someone for when the world ends. Doesn't matter. Even if you can't cook. And dating a girl who likes to cook was kind of on my bucket list, but that's hardly an issue."
Zoe's snuffles stopped abruptly, and she leaned away, eyebrow arched as she said, "Excuse me? What do you mean, I can't cook?"
"...oh fuck, did I say that out loud?"
"Yes you did, Levi, now what do you mean?"
"Nothing."
He made to turn, but she was hot on his heels, blocking his attempts to get away from her, to someplace where she wasn't going to ask him that. Eventually, he had to confess, even if it was with her over his shoulder by that time, hand slapping at his back, promising to kill him. Which she would, he was sure, with all of the shit she did, overtaxing his heart; he'd heard about how having a woman who loved you would increase your lifespan, but frankly, he did recall how peaceful the men who'd died early had looked, compared to the ones who were stuck with a woman. He'd start looking as old as Erwin did, so it was an issue. But he was very, very willing to deal with that.
Levi had her up on a counter close to the stove now, telling her how to cook, "So you-" He smacked her hand away again, "no, you don't put that much salt in there, Zoe, fuck, are you serious?"
She scoffed, "I've read fifty cooking books, and I can remember at least one or two recipes."
"But proportion doesn't hold, and I know you're bad with numbers."
"I had a better grade average than you."
"That's because you're a bookworm, Zoe. And I recall you saying you could guess better than me."
"Yes, my guessing is polished."
He snorted, got a slap, even if it didn't hurt, and he used it to pull her right back to him, turning off the stove again. Zoe pushed at his shoulder for a second, a request to wait hardly clear with her laughter, pressing her locket into his hand.
"What?" he asked, letting the gold peice, along with the braided leather roll in his hand.
"Just; hold onto it."
"Sure."
"And if you retake Wall Maria, and I'm not there-"
"Shut up, Zoe."
"No, I'm serious; just find the place where my mom and dad were buried. Or just, try to find the farm, I don't know, but something close. Yea?"
"Broke the mood."
Then four-eyes stuck her head into the room, and if that wasn't enough, the lovely news of Wall Rose was given. So, no sex. And his leg was still out of it; and Zoe was in danger; and shitty four-eyes was commenting again on how Zoe was her surname.
"Hey Levi-" four-eyes attempted, on horse back now.
"No."
"I didn't say anything yet."
The amount of times this occurred really should give some warning, or premonition towards the result.
Let me hold you in my arms, forever more. These cold nights, the park is ours, standing by the side; Let you go, oh to the sea, just for me. Don't let me lose my life; keep holding on, let the modest go, as my mind moves to and fro, waking up for one last show. We see him in the night; tell him I'm not afraid of him. I'm not afraid of them.
"Hey, keep walking," Levi kicked the pastor forward. "I don't need you getting lost and making extra work for me." His leg hurt. Fuck all if this turned him into an old man, predicting the weather to sour when his leg hurt.
"Wh-what is this?" Nick asked, stalling again in the path, receiving another hit from Levi.
"What else did you expect? Of course, everything's not going to be bright and pretty. The wall's fallen after all."
Levi watched the people move, sticking close to the taller man, glimpsing the tears. The pastor began to move into the group, but his hand shot out, gripping his shoulder, able to just see over it, to the crying child. Honestly, he'd laugh, but then, he wasn't that cold. But it was worth it to observe the man's ashen face, eyes still on the child, searching pitifully for it's family. Nick stepped forward, nudging the edge of the veritable stream of people.
"Hey. Where the hell do you think you're going?"
No response.
"The reality looks somewhat different from the pretty illusions you pictured to yourself while in you little sect, hmm?" Levi wasn't really talking for a response anymore. "these are the faces of those who you're trying to cast away. Take a good long look at the faces of people who lost their homes. They're feeling anxious and insecure right now; but suppose your wishes come true and the lands within the wall get swarmed with titans…" He trailed off for just a moment before he spoke again, "the last expression people will wear on their faces won't be this; something worse. The end will be the same for everybody. Everyone will be losing their lives in between Titans' stinking jaws, but not before getting put through the worst experience imaginable. All the humans, together, like family, best friends; no exceptions."
Levi crossed his arms over his chest, watching the humans pass, allowing Nick to assume, without saying anything, that Levi would meet the same end. Which was something dark and dim; even the best soldier couldn't make it out alive. Zoe beside him, maybe, but it wouldn't make it any better, and he refused to let her die while he was still living, not that he'd tell anyone with the same amount of passion held internally. She stood next to him now, quiet as always, glancing off, eyes tracking over the hordes of people, before falling back on the ground, bothered visibly, which couldn't be said the same for him.
He reached, touching her arm, skin soft, light brown even in the dim light, standing out per usual...Levi turned his head away, resisting a scoff, amused, thinking he'd fall all over her if he didn't collect himself. Zoe turned to him, eyebrows raising, biting her bottom lip, nervous as always, and he didn't want that. He'd like one day to sit down and pinpoint the time she'd began to mean so much to him, but he didn't have that liberty.
"Christa," Nick finally answered Eren, Hanji, and Mikasa's questions (to which he gave the result of his full attention), and Levi didn't know who she was. "That's who can tell you. So, there."
Hanji took a deep breath, restated, "This is true, Nick?"
"Yes."
"You realize the gravity of the situation; what information is to us. The only way we can gain an upper hand is to have the correct information, so please, please, Nick, on whatever remaining honor I assume you've lacked the past years, choose the correct path," Hanji said, a hand nudging up her glasses, other on her side, close to the hidden handles of her gear.
"I have, and my original statement is -and will hold this course, on all of my faith in order provided by the walls- Christa."
Zoe frowned as well, and Levi kept his eyes on the Pastor for now, listening to Eren and Mikasa make up their minds to go after her. Levi was useless, and he hated that, observing the smaller woman, the 3D movement gear clanking when she shifted, armed at least. She did have the added bonus of not being useless, despite the numerous time he'd told her that, which he did regret, but she'd never dwelled on his harsh words.
"Levi, do you know her?" she murmured, standing almost toe to toe with him.
"No," he said, thinking to add something mildly offensive in, to match character or get an elbow, but she was chewing on her bottom lip, a tic he was sure even she didn't realize. Still, it popped up every time she was faced with Titans or other stressing matters.
Levi let his hand brush by hers, felt her twitch, hand moving as well to try and intercept his. He allowed it, body turned to hide the moment from anyone but them, really, head tipping down, meeting her eyes. Remembered every promise he'd made, told her how he'd kill them all, and now he could hardly move. Desperately, he wanted to fight, to assure himself that he could protect her, and in that sense, everyone else here.
"Do you know what's going on?" she attempted, a short laugh breaking from her lips. "I'm so fucking useless, aren't I? Fat chance of me staying Lt. Commander, I'm not even with my fucking troops, because I-"
"You're not useless," Levi cut across her words. "Yea, you made a shit decision by choosing to come with us, directly against me telling you otherwise. But then, you do love to do the opposite of what I say, I mean, out of all the times to step out of line, you do that when it comes down to me."
"I did, didn't I?" Zoe gave a huff, lips tilting up. "And it's on purpose, sometimes."
"Ha fucking ha," His hand left hers, coming to touch under her chin, tilting it to the light. Levi thought briefly to himself, thinking he should've carried out his plan, with her, Isabel, Farlan, wished it had all gone correctly; but that Erwin and his fancy words, appealing to his sense of right and wrong. Chosen the Military Police for her, as another cushy option, mostly, because Erwin was right, he really was a romantic. Deep down. It was more like peeling an onion with him, and he had a very sure rate of affecting the person to the point of crying.
But she'd stuck with him. Didn't really know why, because Levi was fairly arrogant, and damn, she was far too good for him. And she would have died out with him in the Scout Regiment. Because she would've tried to protect him, though he did tell her now that he could handle that; she didn't listen.
"Hey," Levi said, "maybe I should bite myself, or something," he allowed his hand to travel along his teeth. "manifest as a titan. I'm sure I'd make a better Titan than that kid."
His hand dropped back against her, and she shook her head. Zoe laughed, smiled wide, cheekbones not as prominent, tipped her head away from him. Levi reached, turned her back to him, tugging her in for an impromptu kiss, and she hummed, hand playing up into his hair. He'd called out the Pastor on his refusal to take things at their worst, dressing everything up pretty.
And here was his fault, prettier and more distracting than ever, but he kept her next to him, watching her sling herself out of the cart near dawn, walk to her troops as they headed towards her previous location. Levi caught sight of Erwin, zipping up next to Pixis, sighing just slightly, moving his good leg about. His eyes went once to Pastor Nick across from him, before they fell on the Military Police, talking among themselves.
"Hey, Rivaille," one asked, fingers curling to a fist, all raring to go, it seemed, not even a decent fear for the creatures that tore away at everyone's well being; and he wanted to see one, like having a Titan here was something to look forward to. "where's our prey?"
"Oh? You guys look like you regret it's peaceful here, yea?" Levi turned slightly, elbow over the edge of the cart. "Sorry for not providing you with a hot Titan date. Well, you may be outta luck this time time around, but you know, there's always plenty of opportunities to go outside the walls on a scouting expedition." Levi saw Zoe turn, wondered if she was the reason they'd decided to come up to him. "so how about we all join forces and go fight Titans? You know, you and us, together, side by side?"
He wondered if he should chuckle for an added effect, head tipped still, watching their mutters. Numerous 'wells', along with, 'we have work', and a number of things 'suddenly' popped up now that an offer to go outside the wall was given. At least Zoe had the guts to go outside the wall, she'd have his respect for lasting out there.
A man ran from between buildings, turning everyone's head from the uncomfortable silence as he shouted, "The vanguard squad is back! Somebody, inform Commander Pixis! Or Roth! Or; Smith! Ach, I need-" the man set his hands on his knees, panted hard, catching his breath, "Someone in the Commander range!"
Attention was on Zoe now, and she sucked her teeth briefly, taking a running start before she was up in the air, zipping up the face of the wall. Levi cracked a smile that seemed more like grimace, and the action disappeared in an instant. He really had to remember that he wasn't entirely prepared for combat of any sorts, so locking down any extra emotes was once again at the forefront of his mind. Still, Zoe; he'd almost wish to talk about her more, excusing the few times he'd gotten drunk enough for Erwin to squeeze information out of him.
Which he did a lot. So, ignore the few times idea. Swore Erwin spiked his drink.
Erwin and Pixis were down in an instant, Zoe small at their side, and if people didn't move out of her way, he'd assume her to be another troop. When he'd first heard about her move up, he hadn't thought she could handle it, because Zoe hadn't been entirely good at commanding people. Then she'd forgotten about that fault where she had to please everyone, and had adopted a bit of arrogance he usually held.
"W-we found no abnormalities or breaches in the wall," the man from the vanguard squad was saying, kneeling in front of Pixis, mostly due to the speed at which he'd ran to bring his news.
"I see…" Pixis breathed. "I thought so."
"But the situation is grave anyway!" The man's voice rose. "When we were on our way back to Trost to deliver our report, we encountered the Scouting Legion forces, lead by Hanji! They had several new recruits from the former 104th trainee squad, not equipped with the 3D maneuvering gear, with them. Among those recruits, there were three who turned out to be titans!"
Zoe's hand hovered near her mouth, and she shifted slightly, brow furrowing. Levi remained impassive, down on the ground with everyone, gazing at the man, trying to tally the fact in his mind.
A recruit from the Scout REgiment burst from the crowd, shouting, "What the hell are you saying? There were more titans among them? Three, you say! Who?"
"Jean, wait," Erwin spoke, "What happened after their identities had been exposed?"
"The scouting Legion engaged the colossal Titan and the Armored Titan," the informant looked as if he was bordering on one of Zoe's panic attacks, "When we joined in the battle, it was already too late, and in the end-Eren Yeager was taken, along with another troop, Ymir, helped by Bertholdt- The colossal titan- who escaped on the Armored Titan's shoulder."
Zoe narrowed her eyes, "Is anyone after them? The girl, Mikasa, she's rather resourceful."
"No, when the Colossal Titan dropped, his manifest vanished, but for a long while, no one could get near, something- Eren's female friend was out, from what I knew, and his small male companion was unable to pursue. Hanji and the other superior officers were too heavily injured to follow after."
Pixis rose to his full height, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, that is a problem, isn't it?" The old man briefly looked at his boots, stepping forward with that frequently seen bounce. "And, it seems that, with the boy's useful edge, we have no other choice but to send a good amount of men after him. As well as, I'm sure, some of the ones who lost copious amount of fellows in the disaster the other two single-handedly brought around."
Erwin tipped his head to the side, and gave a brief nod. Zoe crossed her arms over her chest, stabbed her foot to the tiles, though the streets were in a sharp decline, as Trost District had hardly a month and a half of recovery. Levi remembered that she had, at least,a excelled above him in strategy, even if she didn't employ this ability well, with her nervous temperament, and severe disability in asserting herself well in a leadership position.
"Let's get horses on the fucking walls," she finally muttered, snapping to her men. "Let's move." When the MPs moved, he was surprised, not seeing a single drifter, or sighs, just obedience. Maybe because of her venture and loss behind the wall; which changed Eren, though the boy once had the air of holding to his beliefs and general attitude, with more solid will to not be swayed than Zoe's stubborn nature.
"Agreed," Erwin said, and everyone really kicked into movement, as Pixis seconded the both of them, his less superior troops still holding the prevalent numbers.
Carefully, horses and troops were arranged along the top of the wall. Pixis waved them off, his little area carefully protected, and Levi sat there, watching her leave him, close along side Erwin. The Garrison Commander plopped back down, and raised an empty bottle to his lips.
"I checked that already," Levi said.
Pixis clicked his tongue, let it drop back to the wall's surface. "Well. Quite a let down, though I suppose I'll do for conversation at the moment; that's your girl, or, and it sounds a tad better, paramour as Hanji has said in passing conversation," Pixis brushed his jacket off, mustache twitching,(fuckin' four-eyes, he thought, gritting his teeth as he listened), " isn't it? I remember the old days. But at least I have this lovely creature hovering over me," Pixis looked over to a squad leader, standing close. "Even if my alcohol does decrease sharply when she deems it necessary."
"I wouldn't exactly say 'my girl', but since I really don't feel like sitting back down in front of Pastor, and listen to nothing, I'll stay up here."
"Well, it's nice to have Rivaille close," Pixis said, once again using the title that'd came from something of a misnomer, but, fuck it.
He repaid that favor by using his common term for the Garrison Troop Commander, "Same to you, old man."
Levi's hand went to his pocket, dug out the locket she'd pressed into his hand last night, and Pixis spoke, "From the same girl?"
"Yes."
He squeezed the locket in his hand, tried to gain some strength from it, faith that she'd come back(though he usually took that into his own hands). Maybe all of them would, and there wouldn't be anymore of his 'demons' screaming in empty hallways. Ghosts, perhaps, he thought, pressing the heel of his hand to his forehead, finger touching against another empty bottle, the glass making noise as he rocked it to and fro.
"I forgot, you're not really a talker. Even when it comes to her, hmm? And what now?" Pixis reached, found a bottle with a good amount left in it, staring down the neck of the bottle. "Thinking that she might never come back, and you'll only herald her ghost; as it is, this old man has found some release at the bottom of a bottle." Pixis began to tip the bottle to his lips, but not before the crows feet at the edges of his eyes indented, spoke, "It's hard to eat when you miss someone to such a wide extent."
Levi closed his eyes, more against the truth of the old man's words, and sighed deeply, heard an empty bottle clatter to the top of the wall. Wondered if the world had a future, concerning himself and Zoe. He still recalled the conversation about children, knew he shouldn't have let her talk, because when she did, Levi found himself lulled. In all honesty, he could see something after this with her. In a simple little house, with no fucking Military Police around, no Titans, enough food, just simplicity. And a large lack of humans, he wasn't looking to socialize, planned to practice with a gun to better fire off warning shots Zoe's father apparently used.
Frankly, the stories she told him about life on her farm were more emotionally scarring than a good amount of shit he was put through in the underground. Especially when she'd said her father would, what was it? Oh yea, kill the animals her and her brother (twin, he kept reminding himself, though Jaz was a opposite counterpart to her) would name. So, that was fun. His veiw of her family life was more dismal than his; maybe because he was able to pick his family. As well as never asserting ideals such as 'ladylike' on Isabel. No matter how much Zoe defended her mother and the reason she had attempted (and still did) to adhere to the rules laid out, Levi would never embrace the, 'my mother was a smart person; she did what she thought best', sentence Zoe trotted out.
But back to simplicity, and firing off warning shots; Levi did have doubts if he could do it, because there was a difference between imagining things, and actually participating in them. Would he turn out like one of those old veterans who'd leap at any chance to experience the adrenaline of battle again? The men who no longer saw the darkside, only felt that the grass was greener beyond the walls, than home. Maybe because some of them had forgotten the serious downfalls, and just wanted to do something.
A few hours later, a lone Military Police was riding back, hoping off horse back, as Pixis stood. "Commander Roth and Smith are beyond wall Rose."
"How big is the search party?"
"As many as we could mobilize; the clear evidence of skirmishing around the wall was glaringly obvious. Apparently, Eren had engaged with the colossal Titan more than we estimated," The MP said, hand fisting briefly at his side, brought around for an incomplete salute. "
He wondered what it all really meant? In broad strokes, he was going to apply the question, boil it down to, at least; why? And now, he wondered if he'd find some kind of closure. Find his dreams; find a way to answer the question.
But please remember me, fondly; I heard from someone you're still pretty. And then they went on to say that the Pearly Gates had some eloquent graffiti. Like; 'We'll meet again' and 'Fuck the man' and 'Tell my mother not to worry'. And angels with their great handshakes, but always done in such a hurry.