CHAPTER 24

Author's Note

Sorry for going quiet for a while! I wanted to include some things last minute (it's hard to explain without spoilers lmao) and I wasn't sure in what chapter to include them so I was going back and forth on that lmao. Worst part is that I ended up editing chapters that are way down the line xD! Oh well! Anyway, there will be a double upload this week to make up for it. These two chapters are probably the slowest out of ARC 2 anyway lmao! Anyway, let's get on to the story!

~Gum

"So, you'd be willing to take the case?" Levi inquired.

Erwin sighed heavily, "I'd be more than glad to. Unfortunately, it isn't so easy. While I've been pushing for preventative action towards Titan consumption, the chiefs of police of the neighbouring cities aren't as keen on it. I'm sure you are both well informed of the rise in drug usage here in Paradis. The other chiefs believe that focusing in on Titan would only take away resources from much more important matters. They do not believe the drug to be as dangerous as I do."

The bodyguard rose from his chair, "Fuck politics, so damn annoying. I'm gonna get a glass of water, anyone want one?"

While Eren shook his head no, Erwin accepted the offer. As Levi made his way to the kitchen to grab a pitcher of water, the robust man kept on talking, "If I were to start an investigation concerning Titan without convincing them of its importance, it would be chaotic."

Eren furrowed his eyebrows, "Even it's just an investigation in the city?"

The bodyguard gave Erwin a glass of cool water. Filling up a cup of his own, he leaned against the dining table, taking small sips.

Erwin hesitated, "It's a... delicate situation. Despite my attempts to make peace, the chiefs of Rose and Maria City are distrustful towards me. They may not say it out loud but I am aware of the fact that they consider me ill-fitting for the job."

"Hah!" Levi interrupted, "Can you blame them? Both of them are prim and proper ladies born and raised into rich families. Now look at you, fuckin' 20 feet tall and 90% muscle, intimidating as hell. You can play the Gentle Giant all you want but one look at you and they see a caveman with his dick in his hand."

Eren widened his eyes in shock of the rawness of Levi's words. When Erwin saw the look on the younger male's face, he let out a hearty chuckle.

"Do not be alarmed Eren, he speaks the truth, as cruel as the truth may be. I'd be more scared the day Levi doesn't speak his mind as frankly as he does."

"Well, I'm sure if you do your job well, they'll come around to liking you." Eren encourage the older man.

"It's more complex than that. There are many reasons they do not like me but I'd say the biggest is that the last chief of police was a very respectable woman. She was strong but kind, she hit with a heavy hand but caressed just as gently. No one foresaw her sudden death. When I was asked to take her place, pushback was inevitable. She left a pretty big role to fill and many think me incapable of doing such a task."

Levi sat the glass down on the table with a noisy clank, "Look, I'm loving this little bonding moment you two are having but let's get to the point. What do we do about this?"

The blond pursed his lips, "We have to disguise the wolf in sheep's clothing. You say this man deals in various types of drugs? I'm gonna need you two to make a bust. I don't know how much information you're holding onto but if you have a lead on where they might have production plants, that would be great."

Levi crossed his arms as he thought to himself, "I might know a person with that info."

"You do?" The teen interjected.

The bodyguard nodded, "I do."

"Fantastic. Take down a location that's not too big, not too small. Gather some evidence for me that shows this is worthwhile. Once we have that, I'll offer all the resources I can spare to you."

Levi whistled, "All your resources?"

The police officer spoke in a serious tone, "Yes. The more junkies I see the more frightened I am for the future of this drug. I have... a feeling, that there is something else going on but I can place my finger on what."

The bodyguard glanced towards the green-eyed boy. In response, Eren dropped his gaze to his lap. Even though the interaction was brief, Erwin's keen eyes noticed it immediately.

"I'm right aren't I? There's something else. Something you can't tell me just yet I imagine."

Levi pulled himself away from the table, "That's all for now Erwin. Eren should have a moment to think things through before starting anything."

Erwin rose to his feet, "Of course, of course. If you would like another conversation or if you have any questions I'll be more than happy to comply, Eren. It was a pleasure to meet you." The robust man stretched out a heavy hand towards the brunet.

The tan boy stared at the hand for a second before giving in and shaking it, "Yeah, nice to meet you."

The officer made his way to the exit with Levi trailing behind him. The two murmured words Eren could not make out. They chuckled at a joke that had been made. Straining an ear, he heard Erwin teasingly say 'don't forget we have lunch next week' and then they exchanged a goodbye.

Eren pouted as he put the chair back in place, opting to settle himself onto the comfy couch. He poked his head from over the sofa to stare at Levi closing the door. Once the bodyguard turned around, Eren turned back and sat like he hadn't been watching the man. He had just had a very serious conversation with the head of police of Sina. He should've been thinking about important things. And yet, he found himself trying to restrain himself from saying something stupid about Levi and Erwin.

'Don't say anything. Don't say anything. Don't say anything. Bro, dude, don't fuckingsayany-'

"So... 's that your boyfriend er something?"

'Goddammit.'

"Hmm?" Levi questioned.

Eren said nothing, hoping that Levi would let it go and move on.

He didn't let it go, "Why are you asking me that? Did Erwin say something to you? Fuckin' man can be such a blabber mouth sometimes."

The brunet felt a hole form in his stomach, "So he is?"

Levi frowned, "No, no. What- what did he say exactly?"

'That you were a vigorous lover.'

"Just said something about being your ex but you two act like a couple, I dunno..."

'DON'T say anything stupid.'

"... he's... he's really big."

'WHY?'

The bodyguard sat where Erwin had previously been, throwing an arm behind the sofa with such force that it startled Eren. He looked at the brunet like he was an alien, "He's big? The fuck is up with that comment. You're such a weirdo sometimes you know that? Yes, we dated a few years back but that's very much done now. Don't concern yourself with that anyway, it's my personal business."

Eren bit his lip. In truth he wanted to know every detail about Levi's personal business. The boy was so fascinated by his bodyguard and the more Levi would tell him to stay away, the more he wanted to know about the silver-eyed man.

Levi continued, "We have much more urgent matters to deal with. You can take a day or two to make the final decision but I am curious as to what your initial thoughts are."

Eren tensed up. He had been haunted by a thought lately. A thought that told him to stop running away, to fight back. He looked back at the people Grisha had experimented on. Many were vastly different from each other, yet they shared that same facial expression; one of exhaustion, defeat and hopelessness.

Annie has offered him a way of seeking revenge. She wanted to make Grisha pay for that very hopelessness he had caused. Grisha had hurt Eren too. Deeply. But for every moment of pain, Eren could think of a moment of joy between father and child. Should he pick the good moments? The bad moments? Or did they, instead, cancel each other out in such a way that Eren was meant to feel indifference towards his father. Maybe that was the answer.

In fact, it made much sense to the boy in that moment. He didn't know how to feel about Grisha but he did know how he felt about his victims. Eren carried the guilt of their pain in his blood. He wanted to help them. He wanted to save them. He wanted to see the hope come back into those hopeless faces. That's what he wanted more than anything else.

He licked his lips, "I want to but what will they do with me if they find out about... my condition?"

He shivered at the thought. There was a reason he didn't go straight to the police when he ran away. Not only would Grisha find him immediately if the police documented him in any way, but the brunet was also convinced that by going to them and confessing about his abilities, he would be subjecting himself to more poking and prodding of his body.

"If Erwin leads the investigation as intensely as he says, they'll find out about the body modifications even if we don't tell them. However, that doesn't mean they need to know you were one of the victims."

Eren made his hands into tight fists on his lap, "You promise? You promise they won't find out?"

"Hey..." Levi laid a hand on the young man's shoulders, "Hey, look at me. I promise."

The green-eyed boy inhaled deeply. He could do it. It was too late for Eren, he was already damaged, but he could end the suffering of everyone that was still under Grisha's claws.

Eren nodded with resolve, "Let's do it. I don't need more time, I've made up my mind."

Such was the boy's determination that the bodyguard found no use in asking if he was sure. He nodded in return.

"So," the brunet started, "who are you gonna get the info from? I dunno where he makes his drugs..."

Levi stretched his body, "Oh, that's right, I haven't told you who we captured."

"Who?"

"Hanji Zoe, we meet again."

"Ah, Levi-! Uhmm... Levi-! ... I don't actually know your last name." They laughed, "What a pleasure for you to come visit lil old me. Ya need something?"

The raven eyed the place. The wall the bed was against had strange writings scribbled onto it. Though he didn't understand them, he recognized them as expressions of chemistry. He decided against making a comment about it.

"You said you had loyalty towards no one, not even Grisha. I was wondering how true that was."

"Hmm?" Hanji scooted to give Levi plenty of space to sit down, "Oooh this is gonna be interesting. Sit, sit. What are you planning on doing to Grisha? Kidnapping him? Torturing him? Killing him? Letting him go? Hiring him?"

The bodyguard cocked his head to the side, wondering if he should sit or not. He decided to keep standing. He did not trust Hanji enough to know whether or not they would surprise-attack him at any moment.

"Does that worry you?" He questioned.

Hanji shrugged, "Not really, I'm just curious."

Levi looked at them sideways. He had met plenty of eccentric people throughout the years but he couldn't get a solid reading on Hanji. There was a lack of fear in their eyes that ticked Levi off. Hanji felt so... open, as if they didn't wear a mask like everyone else did. That openness made Levi all the more weary. Surely, they had to be masking something. No one could be so upfront, could they?

"You don't trust me, do you? I get it. Maybe I should explain it to you. People tend to be afraid of what they don't understand.

"My relation with Grisha was strictly formal. See, I studied chemistry here in Sina University and I was SO excited my first semester, dreaming about the fun things we would do and whatnot. Then I was disappointed to found out how boring it was. It was nothing more than sitting down and listen to old geezers talk to me about subjects I had already mastered, going to laboratories to conduct common experiments to prove things that's been proven MILLIONS of times before. Don't get me wrong, I get why it was structured that way, but it wasn't for me.

"Then, I found Grisha, or he found me- I'd rather not delve into the details of how we found each other, it's a long story. But he promised me a lab and money to do as I pleased and, in exchange, I would help him with his experiments. I agreed. I had my good share of fun in that lab but ultimately I became bored of it just like I became bored of university and I went in search for a new adventure.

"Annie offered one to me. There wasn't much of a plan or a goal but that's what made it so exciting! Now I'm here, in this place completely unknown to me!"

Hanji gestured to their surroundings as if they were in some kind of wonderland and not a claustrophobic room. Their eyes twinkled with madness the same way a small child would look at the world; with chaotic curiosity and unlimited energy.

'Hanji's as mad as everyone says,' Levi thought to himself.

But then again, many people thought Levi was mad too.

He crossed his arms, analyzing the peculiar person. Realizing that Levi was staring at them, Hanji grinned even though they had no idea why the bodyguard was examining them. He decided to take the leap.

"We're looking for something. Know anything about Grisha's production plants? Warehouses? Old buildings?"

"Production plants?" The brunet questioned, "You mean, like, places where he makes drugs? I know a couple." But they didn't elaborate further.

Levi took the hint.

"What do you want in exchange?"

"I want to talk to you... oh! And Moblit!" The brunet said sweetly.

The bodyguard scrunched his face up in confusion, "About what?"

"I dunno... anything! Do you guys use gadgets? Who builds them? Who has been your most dangerous client? Were you ever involved with the infamous killers like the Sunshine Killer or the Rat King? Or maybe you were hired by the KCW gang or that weird cult that wore clown masks a few years ago?"

"...that's really your price?"

"Yup!" Hanji said without a doubt.

He lifted an eyebrow, "What do you want to do with this info?"

Hanji rolled their eyes, "You're sooo paranoid. Your guys already checked me. I don't have anything on me, no way to talk to Grisha or Annie. I just wanna hear what you have to say, I bet you have a lot of cool stories to tell! Come on, come on, spill them out!"

"There's no way that's your price." Levi insisted.

"It sure is!"

Levi sighed deeply. He missed the days when the prisoners would only ask for a hooker for the night and a girthy steak. He finally took a seat. It was going to be a while.

"Uhmm... the Sunshine Killer, right? We didn't know shit about him, he was a weird one. I guess he worked alone. The Rat King, nah, him neither, though I think one our workers bodyguarded his cousin for a bit. The KCW gang are a bunch of fuckin' idiots though. They hired a couple of us for a mission and I was unfortunately among them. The leader was this big rat-toothed guy, you would've thought he was the Rat King..."

Hanji laughed, "Ha, ha! Yeah? And then what else?"

Levi told the story in detail and, every time he would try and cut corners, Hanji would press him for the full picture. The brunet made questions, inside of questions, inside of questions, and every time Levi thought they had exhausted all their inquiries, they would ask another thing. Hanji listened to every word, imagining the scenes vividly. The two sat there and talked for so long, at some point Levi had lost track of time. All he knew was that when he left the room, his mouth had become dry from talking so much.