Chapter Text
“Leviiiiiiii”
What the fuck? It’s fucking 5 in the morning. What could Hange want from me at this hour?
“What?”
Levi put down his morning cup of tea and turned around to see an overly excited Hange talking about titans. Again. He didn’t really pay attention to what they were talking. Probably another experiment or something like that. Levi wasn’t especially friendly with anyone at the Scout Regiment, but this person just wouldn’t stop bothering him, so he gave up. He wouldn’t usually listen to their blabbering, but today, he had something on his mind. He still thought about what happened last night with Erwin Smith.
***
Levi hurt his knee on the last expedition, but he absolutely made sure not to look in pain so nobody would have to worry about him. His leg was grabbed by a titan. He still succeeded in killing that damn titan, but he didn’t know if someone saw him almost die. He didn’t like being the centre of attention, not after the news spread about him trying to kill Erwin Smith. He was the black sheep of the Survey Corps and didn’t want any pity or help from anyone.
He walked as fast as he could to join his room. When he was a few metres away from his door, Levi tripped. He was ready to brace for the impact when someone stopped him from falling.
“Don’t touch me whoever you are. I don’t need help.”
“Well, if I didn’t catch you, I think you might have hurt your knee more than it is already. I would not want that for you, Levi.”
Levi looked up and saw a tall blonde man, Erwin Smith, the man he tried to kill a month ago.
“Fuck off. My knee isn’t hurt. Now, can I please go to my room? I’m tired after the expedition.”
Levi tried to pass next to Erwin, but he blocked the way.
“What the fuck? I just want to—”
“I saw you almost get eaten. You walk like you could fall at any minute and well… You need to get that checked up right now. It might get worse if you don’t.”
Why the fuck does he care? I tried to murder him.
“Why do you care so much? You care so much about your little titan killer weapon? Well, you know what? Your little weapon isn’t so strong because it almost got eaten today. It’s just about time before I get killed just like everyone else here anyway.”
Why do I feel this way? Why do I break ESPECIALLY in front of him? Get a grip Levi!
Levi felt a gaze upon him, but he couldn’t look up. He felt so embarrassed from this situation. Erwin let out a long sigh before starting to talk.
“Levi… You are not a weapon. I do not care about you like an object. I care about you because you are human. Yes, you might get killed on our next expedition. You are not invincible, but you surely are stronger than most people here.”
“But I tried to kill you…”
“Enough. I do not care. You did not have the will to kill me. You had the will to give your friends a better life. I am not stupid. I see that your friend’s deaths are still haunting you. Believe me, it will get better with time. Until then, remember that they are in a better place now. It is okay to miss them, to break down, to cry, to be angry and to hate everyone. But remember, you still have obligations and one of them is making sure you are in perfect shape for the mission. Now, let me take you to the infirmary.”
“Okay.”
Levi didn’t want to admit it, but everything Erwin just said was true. His friends were dead. They would never come back. All that Levi could do now was to honour their death by killing every titan until not one is left.
Erwin helped Levi walk until they reached the infirmary.
***
“Are you listening to me?”
Levi was brought back to reality. Hange was staring at him.
“Mhmm? Yeah, no.”
“HOW RUDE. What a kind friend you are.”
“We’re not friends, Hange.”
Levi eyes rolled and left to regain the peace of his room. He was unconsciously smiling.
Maybe this life isn’t that bad?