Hello! Another friday another update!

It was raining again. Dad always got so grumpy when it rained too often, too many days in a row. Messed with his head somehow. But at least he stayed in the basement at those times. Mum had gone to the market with John this morning, asked me to stay in my room, to stay hidden. I wonder if she's okay out there... Or is she soaked to the bone? I hope she doesn't get sick again. That would be terrible, then I'd have to make sure all the jobs were done on my own. I stopped. I stared at my own reflection and grimaced. How selfish could I be? Then again, maybe it was okay to think like that. I'm the child, right?

I see her bright auburn hair bob along the outside wall. She's coming home. She looks completely soaked. I drop from the sill and get some water heating over the fire, helping her with her bags and taking John from her too. He burbles. He hides in the crook of my neck and squeezes a hug into me. He was tired. I kiss his cheek and take him to his room, making sure his hair is dry and his clothes too. All good. By the time I come back into the kitchen, the water is whining in the kettle, but she's just sitting at the table, staring out the windows. The rain is plenty pretty, but how long was she going to leave the kettle? It would bring Dad up from the basement. He hated the noise. He would be mad.

Grabbing the kettle, I set up a pot to brew and pour the rest into a bowl, with some cold to avoid it hurting her. Then I take her feet from her soaked shoes, peeling off her socks next. And I place her feet into the hot water. Like a hot bath, not scalding.

Only then does she jolt, coming back into the room instead of staring at those droplets racing to the bottom of the window. She blinks at me. I smile back. She looks down at her feet and smiles, holding her arms out, and I cannot say no. Yes, hold me. Please. I missed you. I always miss you.

"My sweet Little Bird." She holds me close. "I hope I've done the right thing. I hope… I don't know who to trust, but at least it isn't him, at least… You might be looked after if this all goes the way I expect it eventually will."

"What you talking about, Mum?" I leaned back from her hold, watching her tears fall like the rain. "Why're you crying?"

"Because I've either saved you. Or doomed you. And I have no clue which it is… I likely won't before… B-Before…"

"Before what?" I follow her gaze to the basement door. "Before what?"

"Before he finally…" She sniffs and shakes her head, pulling me back into her embrace. "Nevermind, Little Bird. Nevermind. Maybe I finally did something good, maybe I saved you… Who knows… Maybe I saved us all."

I groaned against the grogginess of my mind.

What the hell had happened? I tried to think back. The market. Right? I had been at the market, by a stall with some apples. Levi. He had gone somewhere. To get the ring resized, or to make the appointment. Right. Yes. No, wait then he came back in a panic. He was running, we both were. But what happened? It's so fuzzy. I rubbed my eyes and tried to stand, but a hand held my wrist and pulled me back down. I bristled but at the sound of his voice I calmed. A little.

"Stay still, brat. And stay calm."

Well now I'm panicked. I blinked harder, impatient at the dullness of my mind, trying to clear the fog in front of my eyes, but it wasn't sleepiness, it didn't shift at all. Shit. Blind? I can't see. My heart raced, but I focused on his words. Stay calm. I could do that. His hand ran up and down my arm, gentle, soothing.

I licked my chapped lips. "W-What's going on Levi?"

"Soon as I figure that out, I'll let you know."

"Okay…"

"I woke up a while ago, but I've no fucking idea where we are. Or how long we've been here… Don't suppose you remember anything specific?"

"Just the market, us running and now… this. Why is it, I can't see?"

"It'll pass." He sat closer and put an arm around me. I tensed. Entire body rigid. He gripped my shoulder tightly. "What is it? Are you hurt? There's no blood but—"

"No." I leaned away. "But if we don't know where we are, or who's got us, should you be that clos—"

"If someone's planning on doing something to us, they already know. Why else put us together?"

"Good point."

"So let me hold you? I don't know what's happening, but it can't be good."

I leaned back in and rested my head on his chest, holding as tightly as he held me. He kissed the top of my head. Fear swamped my mind. He was being so openly affectionate, but it seemed like a farewell. The warm simplicity of that morning, waking to the sight of a simple ring on my finger, soaking in simple happiness. It was turning into something else. Like blood spilling into a puddle, clouding it, turning it dark.

"Levi…"

"I love you, Robyn."

When he said that after proposing, it felt like a promise of the future. Of the golden afternoon's still to come. Of the shared teapots, quiet moments and wintry mornings spent watching snow fill the window. Now? Nothing of the sort. It closed a door. Snapped shut the curtains. It was 'goodbye'. An apology for the time we didn't have. For the warmth that fell to chill.

I blinked back tears as my vision returned. Sitting up, I watched his face become clear. Expression blank, except the slight raising of his brows. Scared. Trapped. I wanted to berate his pessimism, but it was pointless. There's no reason to assure him of anything. The room we were in was vast, like the crystal cavern but made of pale stone; torches littered the walls and doors sat on either side, maybe a dozen or more metres away in either direction. Like an arena. What the hell? I'd never seen anything like it, not so obviously man-made, at least. Maybe it was just a bad dream cooked up by my pessimism. How dare you be happy? Here, have some fresh fears. I'd wake up any second, and start babbling to him about it in the dark. He'd groan, and roll over, covering his ears with the pillow. Or he'd hold me close and shush the nerves. I'd wake any second. Wouldn't I?

The seconds slipped by, and I was very much awake. It was real. The threat was real. Shit.

"I love you, Levi."

I kissed him tenderly, growing insistent as those huge doors creaked open.

Footsteps approached and I kissed Levi harder. He grabbed the back of my neck and held strong, lips so warm and soft. Familiar heat sunk into me. Don't make it end. Not like this. Don't burn out on me. Not yet. We fought the hands pulling at us, prying us apart. No. Not yet! Please. My greedy little heart wasn't finished with that slice of happiness. Don't leave me. I'm not ready to give up on it, on the happiness, the possibilities, the trust, the love. Not yet. Please. Not him. Don't take him.

My shoulders were wrenched back, dragging me as I reached for him.

"Levi!" I screamed, hauling my shoulder away from one, and punching out at the other. I caught a jaw and then some ribs. But they were everywhere.

I stumbled a couple of steps towards him when my knees were kicked out. I landed in the dirt. They clamped down on me, three of them. A stick whacked my back. Air rushed from my lungs. Another strike to the back of my head. My vision swam. I toppled flat against the dirt. Levi was held down by five men. He stared over at me, straining to get to me, with gritted teeth and a murderous rage in his eyes. But as our gazes met, I think we both felt the pointlessness. Outnumbered. No idea where we were. We are at their mercy. And there was none to be given.

A needle appeared. He was injected with something.

He cried out. "Don't give them anything, Robyn! They'll just kill you! Just—gnh." He groaned, movements not so strained against his assailants. Like he was weakening again.

What the hell had they done?

Another shove to my shoulder and the footsteps receded. My captors fled. Fuck it, as long as they were gone. Ignoring my fresh bruising, I scrambled to my feet, and ran over, skidding down by his side. He lay on his back, hands digging into the dirt. The mask had broken, his face contorted in agony, and he breathed heavily through clenched teeth. I put a hand to his forehead, but withdrew with a hiss. He was scalding hot. Like Eren before or immediately after shifting. Not good. Levi grabbed my wrist. I gasped. He held tighter, eyes wild. The silver darkened before it flashed into a dull glow. Glow?

"Hide." He growled, a shudder running through him.

"What?" I tried to escape his bruising grip. He groaned and I shrieked as my arm bruised under his hold. "Levi please, how can I help? Please, how do I—"

"Run."

"No! Are you fucking crazy? It has to be a serum."

"Run, Robyn, and if you have to…" He fixed me with that gaze and I felt cold to my gut. "Kill me."

"Wha—" and he hurled me several metres across the room. He was strong, but not normally that strong.

My head swam as I tried to get back over to him; the stubborn ass needed my help. Then I stalled. He stared right at me, desperation written all over his face. Begging. Pleading. My heart ached. I stayed put, willing it not to be true. Surely a serum wouldn't work on him? But what if it did? Levi as a Titan? There'd be no stopping him, and certainly no surviving that.

If you have to… Kill me.

But I couldn't hurt him. Even if he was about to kill me? As a human, sure, maybe. But as a Titan it wouldn't be him, not his choice or his will. Especially if a pure titan, he wouldn't be in control, not to blame. How could I even entertain such a notion?

His head snapped back, his spine arching as he howled. Shit. It was the mission all over again, when Sente fucked it all up, when Levi saved me from that Titan. Him being crushed in the beast's hand; only this time I wasn't watching from below, barely able to see. I could see it all clearly. The agony ripping through his body. I couldn't look away. I'd go mad watching this.

But then it stopped.

His cries continued, but his body went limp, sweat gleaming on his skin before he started to jolt. Convulsions ran through him. Like it had been with me. Was he somehow immune like I was? Maybe. He coughed and spluttered, his eyes rolled back. I rushed over. Every instinct told me to turn and go the other way, but fuck that. He was in pain. He needed me.

"Levi, Levi, look at me." I angled his head to help him cough clearly, and then held him up when he vomited. He was trembling. His system didn't want it. None of it. Just like mine, his body was refusing the change, rejecting the serum. I stroked his hair back and rocked slightly. "Shh, just breathe. Breathe."

"Can't… Get you… They can't…" He rasped, clutching my arms as he shuddered into another bout of vomiting.

"Right now, I just need you to focus on breathing, Levi." I put my head to his shoulder, hearing the doors opening again.

He stopped being sick, panting hard and rasping through wheezes. If it was anything like how the serums had affected me, it would be days before he came back out of this. I laid him down and cupped his face. His eyes focused on my blearily. Running steps approached. I didn't have a lot of time. This could be it.

I smiled despite how fast my tears were falling. "I love you. I love you, Levi. And no matter what these fuckheads do to us, that doesn't change, okay? You hear me? H-Hold onto that. I said yes to you, I trust you, I love you."

He tried to hold my hand, but his grip failed. "R… Rb..yn…"

"That's right, Levi." I kissed his forehead, the steps so close now. "Your Robyn. Just don't forget that, okay? Don't let them break that, or you. We'll keep on going. We will."

Someone hauled me back, arm gripping my throat in a chokehold, dragging me off Levi. A white cloak fluttered into view, and then something pierced my neck.

"Both stubborn, aren't they?" They sneered and laughed, another figure looming over Levi's prone body.

I struggled, despite the numbing sensation taking hold of my limbs. "Fuck you! Leave him alone! Release him! He's done so much for this world you fuckers. Let him go–"

"Oh we will." My captor rumbled into my ear, hot breath making my skin crawl. "At least, release him from you."

What…

My head filled with ringing and my strength left me, allowing them to cast me back to the dirt. Laying face down, I kept my eyes on Levi. But he was out of it, being lifted by those white cloaks, taken to gods know where. Levi. Shit, I can't do anything. I can't save you.

I can't even save myself…

I woke in a small dark room. There was only a little light filtering from under a door in the right corner, and no sounds above my own breathing, or occasional shuffle of my clothes against the ground. Stone, I think. And iron for the chains. I'm bound, hands behind my back and ankles too. Nothing was distinguishable. I had no idea where I was, or how long it had been – though the dryness in my throat indicated a few hours at least.

A bright light came on. It shone down, blinding me to the movement around me. People had entered the room, I think. I was pulled onto my knees, but otherwise left on the floor, hands bound behind my back. Still no one spoke. Tears new and old fell. I'd been crying in my sleep. My pride stung at the weakness, but this enemy, whoever they were, had seen plenty of weakness from me already I guess. Screaming. Wriggling. Begging them to let Levi go. There was no room for dignity. So I just kept my head down and breathed deep. That was key. Keep breathing. Live and fight another day. Someone would be looking for me and Levi, I knew they would. We were due to arrive at the orphanage a few hours after we were taken – so Historia might be the first to notice. Not bad to have the queen on your side. I'd hold onto that. Because there was literally nothing else.

I couldn't see beyond the pool of light, other than the odd flicker. Perhaps my eyes would adjust. Then again, did I want them to?

Footsteps approached. Familiar boots stepped into the light, standing a pace away from me. Military boots. I looked up. Laughter nearly burst from me, but confusion choked it. A man with a bitter face stood with his feet apart, one hand on his hip, and the other dangling by his side. Apart from his face, he was identical to my Captain; same height, hair, uniform and countenance. I looked beyond him, to the gloom. My eyes continued to adjust. I flinched. Levi sat in a similar position to me, only he stared wide eyed. Bruises covered his face and neck, every inch of skin visible past his torn clothing. A needle glinted in the light. Someone removed a syringe from his neck. He shook his head and breathed hard, a blush running along his pale cheeks seconds later. They were still drugging him.

I gritted my teeth. I'd kill them all.

Levi's voice wavered. "N-No… Bastards… Let h-her g-go. Let her go! I won't do it… I w-won't."

At least he was alive. But the silly man was begging for my sorry life. He was Humanity's Strongest. He was the priority. But before I could make my own pleas, the man in front of me suddenly started speaking loudly, imitating my Captain with eerie accuracy.

"I know you're her, bitch!" I barely registered the words before his boot impacted deep into my gut.

I retched, but thankfully didn't vomit, just whimpered for breath.

He continued. "Stop lying. It's pointless and just wastes time. You killed them, I know it, Erwin knows it. Fucking animal, it was all you. You butchered them on the field like pigs in a pen. My squad. You killed them all!"

What the hell was going on?

The onslaught continued. His boot crunched into me repeatedly, and I soon tasted blood. I looked to Levi but only saw horrified confusion in his watchful face. It was sick. The script continued, and occasionally they altered the method of punishment. A kick. A punch. At one point a whip was introduced. How long it went on for, I couldn't say. Could have been an hour, could have been ten minutes, could have been a day. It became a blur of movement and pain. I did my best, not wanting to give them the satisfaction, or torture Levi further, but eventually I succumbed. As the whip lashed against my already bruised back, splitting my flesh, I cried out. I screamed. But then so did Levi. I hated myself.

He fought against his bonds, struggling to get to me, but being held back by those holding his chains. "Stop. Stop this! Let her go. Stop this, this isn't right. I won't do it. I don't believe it… I… I won't!"

At this point, however long into my torture, only one of my eyes was able to see him. He leaned forward, straining to reach me. Then came another glint. Another syringe.

He groaned, shaking his head. "No… no more. Fuck you. Fuck you all… I-I can't… no…"

A voice slithered from the shadows. "Shh, Levi, we're just helping you remember."

Remember?

Helping him remember…

As another lash caught my back and with it, came clarity. Shit. These maniacs were trying to convince Levi that I was someone else, to build false memories. That was why my torturer looked like Levi. To convince him that he had done these things to me, suspected these things. That he had suspect me, beat me, question me. Shit. Fine. Okay focus. Figure it out, Sanshi. It could be what saves you…

I listened to the ongoing script. Okay, I'd supposedly killed someone. I was lying. I was her. Who the hell was 'her'? I gritted my teeth as the whipping quickened, and then finally they said the damned name. Annie Leonhart. I shuddered.

They were suggesting I had framed Annie.

They were convincing him that I was the Female Titan – not Annie.

That I had killed his team – not Annie.

That he hated me – not Annie.

That he wanted to kill me – not Annie.

That I'd convinced the rest of the Survey Corps that I was their ally. That I had fabricated anything to do with Annie Leonhart. What was the point though? I focused on the puzzle instead of the pain. My cries didn't help me, they just hurt him; just shut up woman!

When Levi couldn't take anymore he passed out, and was dragged away to sleep it off. They laughed, muttering about his weakness, about their new toy. Sick bastards. They'd all pay. I took note of as many faces as I could; and as generic as they were, I wouldn't forget. And if they didn't kill me, I'd make sure they all paid for this. Whatever the hell this was.

Once alone, that slithering voice approached with shiny black shoes. I didn't bother looking up to see her face, she was standing right against the light, totally swallowed in black. Beyond that, my eyes were fucked.

She knelt and gripped my jaw, making me look into the torch above. "Now then, while the Captain has his rest, we have more work to do with you, Sanshi rat."

"The hell… Do you bastards… want…?" I wheezed, ribs aching from the beatings, teeth fizzing from the kicks and slaps, skin itching from the sweat, blood and tears.

"We want our answers. We can't have you Scouts scurrying around ruining everything, more than you already have. So give it to us. Give us the phrasing."

"Phrasing?" Blood pooled at the back of my throat. How the hell did they know about Vincent's–

"Your father's work. What the hell was the phrasing he used to make you obey–"

I spat in her face.

She dropped me like a sack of shit.

Bleeding against the stone, I chuckled. "I don't know anything about a fucking phrase. No clue. Can't help you."

"Mm, we'll see. Gentlemen, begin."

Begin?

And as the first kick slammed into the small of my back, and the dark stars danced before my eyes, I knew my throat would soon be raw from the screaming. I didn't know what they were talking about. Not the specific words. Vincent made me forget so much. But I couldn't explain this. They didn't listen. In all honesty, I think they enjoyed my screams more than they would answers.

When the world swam in bloodloss, only then did they stop. They panted. Quite the workout dismantling a body, I suppose. Someone gripped my hair, and pulled my gaze back to the lights.

That voice purred into my ear. "You're a tough one to crack, huh? Guess I should have expected as much. All right… Hold out. As long as you can, little rat."

Perhaps I shouldn't have spat in her face again. But I did. A big glob of bloodied spit. No, that probably wasn't a good idea…

But who ever said I was the clever one?

Hold out… Yeah I'll do that.

Please Levi… Can you do the same?

KEZA POV

Their place was fine. Pristine even. Then again, what else should I have expected from Scowler? The man was so clean he practically squeaked when he raised an eyebrow. Even so, the hairs on the back of my neck are going nuts. No word all day, even though they were due at the orphanage, and now it had been a full day since. Where the hell were they? Neither were the type to leave without warning, and certainly not without word. Robyn… Where the fuck are you?

I checked again, but none of the windows were forced, so signs of a struggle at all. And no signs of one being hidden either. And I was damned good at spotting when a scuffle was being hidden. I perched on the edge of their bed and clasped my hands tight. Don't panic. You can't think when you panic, just like Erwin said. Stood over me in the sunlight, as I panicked about useless things, or worried myself into corners. He'd smile, run his fingers along my cheekbone and then cup my face. Like I was precious. Like he had found the most wondrous treasure. And then he'd kiss my lips. The waters would settle and an answer would become clear. Alright. Do that. I ran it through my mind piece by piece, and as much as it made my heart burn from the loss, it helped. A little.

Whatever the hell had happened Numbnuts, just hold on. I'll get the Commander together with the Queen, we'll think, we'll get the damn kids in on it as well. That blue-eyed boy Armin would have theories no doubt. He always did. A bitter smirk pulled on my lips – had I not asked already, I'd have guessed the boy was some poorly hidden lovechild of Erwins. The resemblance was odd. But no, my big tall tree of a man had assured me he had not had any children with anyone. Even so, it seemed a lot like this Artlet kid had a lot of Erwin's spirit. Good luck kid. It's a heavy burden, that kind of spirit weighs like stone. But maybe it could help. No. Not maybe. It would. The Scouts would rally to my cries and listen, they loved Scowler and Numbnuts just as much as I did. Do.

I swallowed past the forming lump. They were missing, that didn't need to mean they were gone forever.

I can't lose anyone else right now… Not even Scowler. Don't you bloody dare world.

Robyn please.

Come back.

Dun dun duuuun, cya later!
BeChillDarling: Haha yeah the tempo doesn't really let up at this point in the story. Slower moments are important but they can't hang around too long, lol! Hope you're still enjoying ^-^ thanks for chiming in!