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jjkamochoso · 5 months

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The Perfect Fit

Story Overview: Levi Ackerman begrudgingly finds himself falling in love with the Survey Corps’ seamstress. Will they be able to own up to their feelings for each other? Or is their love doomed to fail before they discover the truths of each other’s hearts? This slow burn reader insert story will be filled with angst, yearning, and a bit of mystery as we slowly unravel the truths behind Y/N’s past… and explore her and Levi’s future!

Chapter 6

Series Masterlist

Chapter 5 linked here

Chapter 7 linked here

Levi Ackerman x female reader

Warnings: cussing

When Levi woke up, he was thoroughly confused. Where was he? Whose blanket was this? Most importantly, what the fuck time was it? As he raised his face up from the table it rested on, memories came rushing back to him. He remembered your sewing machine lulling him to sleep, but it was still daytime then. He must’ve dozed off for at least 4 hours! That was the longest he’d slept without a nightmare in years. He looked around to greet you but you were nowhere to be seen. A small lantern was shining in your room, seemingly left for him because it wouldn’t give you nearly enough light to work with. Levi wiped his eyes, taking the blanket off his back and placing it neatly on your bed. He felt the chill of the castle run through his bones without the extra warmth he’d been accustomed to for the past however long he was out for. As he eyes adjusted to the dark, he spied a note on the table near where his head previously laid.

Out for a late night snack. Be back soon!

-Y/n

He smiled to himself. You were like a grown up Sasha the way you were always eating. He went to grab his empty tea cup to take back to the dining hall but it was gone. You must’ve taken it with you. He was grateful you chose to stick around him even when he pushed you away; you were a light he didn’t know he needed, but if it ever went out, he’d be lost in the darkness.

You weren’t sure exactly what time it was, just that it was cold and dark and food hadn’t been served in the dining hall for quite some time. There were some uneaten pastries left out, probably forgotten by a drunken soldier, that you munched on. Moonlight shone through a small window at the top of the wall, illuminating where you sat. You hadn’t noticed Levi come up behind you until he shared your spot on the bench. You could tell he needed the rest he got in your office because when you glanced at his face, he didn’t look as worn down. You ripped off a piece of your bread and handed it to him. You two snacked together for a few minutes before he broke the silence.

“I think somebody spiked my tea. I was completely out.”

“Don’t look at me!” you exclaimed, putting your hands up in defense, “I like hearing you talk too much to knock you out like that. I take it you slept well?”

He nodded. “I haven’t slept like that in years. Or ever, really.”

“That’s good then. No offense but I think you needed it. You don’t look like you have heavy boulders weighing down on your shoulder right now.”

“Tch. Thanks for the kind words, brat,” he said, but you both knew the words had no bite behind them.

“No, I’m serious! It was nice seeing you sleep like that. You looked so peaceful and at ease for once, like you didn’t have a care in the world. I hope one day you have the privilege of looking like that while you’re awake.”

Another comfortable quiet washed over you.

“You’re not… going to tell anyone about that, are you?”

You were taken aback at how small Levi’s voice sounded. “What, you sleeping? Why should I, or anyone else for that matter, care?”

“Because you and everyone else were working and I was being foolish.”

“You’re so hard on yourself for no reason, Levi,” you said, nudging him gently with your shoulder, “you need to rest to be ready to deal with the shit you deal with. If that means taking naps in my office while I work, that’s fine. I’m certainly not judging you. I don’t think your squad or anyone else will either. Rest assured, I’d never tell anyone anyway, that’s not my place to do so. I don’t want Hange running sleep experiments on you next.”

Levi exhaled a small amount out of his nose, signaling a laugh. “It’s your turn to get some sleep. I don’t need you fucking up the tailoring of my pants tomorrow.”

“You’re right.” You yawned. “Guess I’ll see you around, Captain.” You stopped in the doorway, speaking one last time. “Whatever you need, my door’s always open for you. Please remember that, Levi.”

He didn’t think he could ever forget it.

As always your high quality work was finished in a timely manner and Levi was happy to receive perfect fitting pants. Just in time, too, because the snow had settled in and the Scouts needed to train. You had an appreciation for the snow ever since you were a kid, finding nothing more peaceful than being outside, wrapped up in warm layers, enjoying the quiet calm of the white blanket surrounding you. It was no different for you as an adult. You found yourself staring out the window and you were in awe at how pretty the castle looked when decorated with snowflakes and icicles. There was no way you’d miss the opportunity to play for a little bit! Your fingers nimbly buttoned up your big winter coat before you yanked your gloves on, practically skidding around the hallway corners to hurry outside. When you made it to the courtyard, you were stunned to see it completely devoid of people, a very uncommon occurrence. You were almost jumping for joy at your luck, happy to have the beauty all to yourself, even for a brief moment. You laughed quietly to yourself as you stuck out your tongue to catch snowflakes. When you tired of that, you had another great idea pop into your head. What fun is a snow day without snowmen friends to enjoy it with? You raced around the courtyard, assembling snowmen anywhere you could. You might’ve looked crazy, but you couldn’t care less.

Levi was greatly relieved that training had gone well. He was expecting his soldiers to be much worse in the cold weather than they were, leading him to have a little bit of hope in the future of the Survey Corps. Now that they were done for the day, he couldn’t wait to get inside and warm up with a hot cup of tea. As he rounded the corner to the courtyard, he stopped in his tracks. He took in the sight laid before him, extremely confused. What were these little piles of snow doing everywhere? And why did they all have smiling faces?

“My friends and I are having a snow day,” you told him, meeting him in the spot he felt frozen in.

“What is all of this?” he asked, eyes never leaving the monstrosity closest to him.

“They’re called snowmen, Levi. Don’t tell me you’ve never made one?”

“No, I haven’t. They’re creepy as shit.”

“Nuh-uh! They’re just little guys, look how cute,” you said, giving him the best puppy eyes you could muster while kneeling next to the snowman.

Levi couldn’t believe this. He was out all day training in the elements, basically hating life, and you were out here willingly? Making weird snow statues? Your zest for life never ceased to amaze him.

Rolling his eyes, he inspected one of the snowmen further. “I don’t get them, but they seem to be good for one thing.”

Your eyes lit up. Was he finally learning to appreciate the world with childlike wonder?

“Do tell, Captain.”

“Training.” Levi lifted his leg and in a flash his foot burst through the snowman, causing snow to scatter all over you two and the icy ground.

“Levi! You asshole!” you gasped, your gloved hand smacking him playfully in the chest. As you laughed and he slightly chuckled, you two were using your proximity to get a good look at each other. You admired how the white snow stood out against his jet black hair, creating an almost halo like glow around him. His cheeks had a slight pink tinge to them from the chilly air. He was a vision of winter perfection and you would gladly hold off the arrival of spring if it meant you could see Levi like this forever. Levi, on the other hand, was watching how the snowflakes fell gently on your eyelashes and nose as he wished he could kiss each one as they landed. He found himself slowly raising his freezing, uncovered hand toward you, his heart telling him to cup your cheek and kiss you like you were oxygen and he was on his last breath-

“You have dirt on your face, idiot. Wipe it off.” His head had come to the rescue and stopped him before he did something terribly stupid.

You giggled, rubbing your cheeks in attempt to clean them. “Oh, that happens a lot when I play in the snow. Thanks for looking out for me!”

Levi’s heart swelled with pride at your praise. That’s all he ever wanted to do in life— all he was good for— look out for people. Having their backs no matter what or for however small of a favor. He was happy to be useful. There was no way you’d stick by him if he wasn’t, he was sure of it.

“Hey y/n! What is all this?”

Jean, Conny, and Sasha made their way to you and Levi and Levi couldn’t have asked for better timing. You were awakening feelings in him he’d never felt before and he needed a break from your intoxicating presence.

“They’re called snowmen,” you beamed, “you guys wanna make some? It’s super easy!”

They agreed excitedly, their hands expertly crafting more additions to your snow army. Before you knew it, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin had joined too, and the whole courtyard was filled to the brim with snowmen of all shapes and sizes. Levi watched you play with the teens, joking around and throwing snow at each other. He knew they deserved someone like you to show them it was okay to be a kid and have a good time every once in a while. He was pulled out of his thoughts when Hange joined him.

“She’s a spunky one, isn’t she? At least now I’m not stuck surrounded by boring men with boring attitudes all the time,” they teased, earning a glare from Levi. They ignored it, opting to run into the chaos and make some snowmen of their own. Levi would never admit it out loud but having you stay with the Scouts had made the cold castle feel ablaze with the makings of a home.

Chapter 7

#levi ackerman x female reader #levi ackerman x reader #levi ackerman x reader fluff #levi ackerman x reader angst #levi ackerman x you #levi fluff #levi angst #levi x reader

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teakookssi · 16 days

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Before I Leave You [Eren/Levi x Reader FF]

[ full story can be found here or here ] [Overview & prologue] ➺ pairing: levi ackerman/eren jeager x fem!reader ➺content: mafia au, crime, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, angst, lol so much angst ➺warnings: violence, blood, strong language, guns/weapons, and illegal activities are all mentioned but hey, that’s aot for you, so if you can handle that, you can handle this (:

chapter 14: here comes a consequence

You’re sitting across from Jean and Connie in the dimly lit parlor of your home playing cards on the coffee table when Sasha walks in, silent as a wraith. Only Bear, who had been at your feet playing with his toy mouse made out of wool, sprints out the door the moment she arrives.

Sasha herself lingers by the door wearing a grim expression on her face, but she does nothing to make her presence known. Just continues to watch you, Jean, and Connie play for a while longer.

You don't acknowledge her either, knowing that she has come to report something you probably don’t want to hear. But there’s also an open bottle of whiskey in the center of the table and a cigarette in between your fingers — two of your main sources of comfort—so you reckon that should be enough to keep you amicable, or as close to it as you are capable of being.

The room itself has a calming ambiance so she has that in her favor as well. The velvet emerald green curtains behind you make the room’s lighting even darker against the forest green walls, while the smoke of the lit cigarettes in the room surround you like a hazy blanket; impairing your vision to anything beyond so that the world outside seems distant and inconsequential.

Eventually, your patience wears out.

“You just going to stand there all day?” you question Sasha without looking up from the cards in your hand. “Or are you actually going to speak?”

Connie and Jean look to you with a puzzled expression on their faces before quickly realizing you’re not talking to them after noticing Sasha standing by the door behind them.

“Sasha!” Jean calls to her in surprise from his seat, craning his neck slightly at the door behind Sasha to look left and right. “Where’s Mikasa?”

“On patrol,” Sasha replies back simply. After a brief pause, she then adds tightly, “As am I.”

You take a long drag from your cigarette and languidly exhale the smoke into the air, already aware of this.

Mikasa had come to you late last night to inform you that she and Sasha had been assigned to join your father to visit Armin's new territory the following morning. This wasn’t surprising to you. Ymir most likely wanted to check how business was doing and if there was any problems he needed to be aware of regarding the sudden change in leadership within the sector.

“Well, let’s hear it then,” you prompt, placing a card from your hand on the table to draw another from the deck in front of you. “Has Armin managed to meet my father’s expectations or is he set on replacing him with one of his own?”

“He seemed satisfied enough,” your wraith reports.

You raise an eyebrow, taking in her worried expression. “Then why do you have that look on your face?”

Sasha’s scowl deepens. “My spies have told me there have been rumors going around the Colossus Sector. Of rebels trying to instigate an uprise against Armin’s leadership—people loyal to Bertholt’s family. Before we left, I confirmed this with Armin.” She steps forward and hands you a piece of paper while Jean and Connie exchange glances. “He gave me the names of the ones he suspects are leading the revolt.”

You take the paper from her and find two names written in Armin’s slanted handwriting. You read the names aloud. “Colt Grice and Marcel Galliard?”

Sasha nods grimly.

You recline back on the couch, cards still in your hand, and though you appear relaxed, your muscles are taut. You poke at the inside of your mouth with your tongue, annoyed. “My father knows about this?”

Sasha looks uneasy. “When Ymir questioned him about the rumors, Armin assured him there was nothing to worry about. That the situation had been handled.”

“But it hasn’t?”

Sasha remains silent.

You nod. “So he lied to my father.”

“Considering your current situation, Armin didn’t want to worsen your situation by telling your father just how actively his enemies are plotting his demise. But Armin thinks these loyalists will make their move soon and urges we be on high alert for any suspicious activity.”

“Annie and Reiner have been awfully quiet since Armin took over the Colossal sector,” Jean points out.

Sasha gives a small shake of her head. “There has been no evidence tying them to these rebel groups.”

“They were close allies to Berthold,”Jean argues back. “Do you really think they’d stand by and let him be humiliated and stripped of his power the way he was without doing something to avenge him?”

“Maybe it’s one of the other sectors allying against us?” Connie offers.

“Regardless of who else is behind it,” Sasha cuts in, arms crossed against her chest, “we have the beginnings of a rebellion in our hands. And Bertholdt’s loyalists are leading the charge. That much we know to be true.”

You rub your temples, fighting off a headache. You’re growing agitated so you reach for the bottle of scotch in front of you to pour yourself a glass.

“It is to be expected, isn’t it?” Connie says absentmindedly. “After the way their leader was treated.”

You down your drink in one swing. “No,” you correct harshly with a growl, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand. “This is what happens when we choose to let them live.”

If your father had just let you kill them all, this would have never happened.

“It was the only way to gain legitimate power over their territory,” Jean reminds you carefully, as if hearing your very thoughts.

You roll your eyes and toss the rest of your cards on the table in frustration, signaling the end of the game.

“Well, it doesn’t matter, does it?” Connie asks. “They’re not stupid enough to step foot here.”

“Armin thinks they are,” Sasha tells him, “which is why he’s sent a warning.”

You rise to your feet, dropping your cigarette in the ashtray. “Then I trust you all to deal with them accordingly,” you say to them through gritted teeth, “before my father decides to lock me up in here for the rest of my life.”

You snatch the bottle on the table by its neck on your way out the door, needing to drown in your frustrations. Hating that you had to rely on others to dispatch your enemies for you while you were trapped in here like some domesticated animal incapable of surviving on its own out in the wild.

But the moment you pass Sasha at the door, she swiftly takes hold of the bottle in your hands, holding it hostage from you and keeping you in place. You frown at the intervention and when you try yanking it back, she gives you a knowing look.

“Fine!” you growl at her viciously, shoving the bottle at her chest. “Take it!” You wave your arms dramatically in the air, gesturing to your surroundings. “Take everything away while you’re at it! Everyone’s doing that already, right?”

You storm out of there and up the stairs to your room the way a child behaves when denied of her sweets, but Sasha, Jean, and Connie know this is more than some childish outburst or tantrum.

You don’t notice the pained look on their faces as they watch you walk away from them, but it’s there. Plain and visible to see. They hate seeing you this way. They know you’re hurting and lonely and struggling with the darkness threatening to consume you, but they have no power or say to alleviate your suffering. All they can do is watch over you helplessly and hope you don’t stray too far away from them they can no longer reach you.

—

Later that night, you’re taking out your frustrations in physical combat and trying to gain back some sense of control with Jean down in the basement. You’ve been at it for the past two hours without pause. You’re both tired and drenched in sweat but you haven’t called it quits yet and Jean knows how much you need this so he won’t stop until you do.

He’s holding a body pad in front of him to serve as your target and to shield him from your kicks and punches. You’re about to throw another series of hits his way when movement over your shoulder catches Jean’s attention. He straightens and bares his teeth, turning hostile.

“You,” Jean snarls over your shoulder in disgust.

Your back is to the door so you don’t see who it is that’s just walked in, but you know there’s only one person that can get Jean riled up that way. You let your fighting stance fall and turn to the door behind you to find Eren walking down the steps leading down the basement. Historia follows right after him, both of them still in their office attire.

Eren’s bright green eyes are blazing and firmly locked on you as he cuts across the room to confront you, looking every bit upset.

“You’re being targeted?” Eren asks you angrily. “You knew about this and you still left last night?”

A muscle in your jaw twitches at the bold accusation, very much aware of Jean’s presence behind you. You’re not facing him but you can imagine the level of shock on his face at Eren’s words.

“He was with you last night?” Jean demands. There’s a hint of jealousy in his voice mixed with outrage at hearing how you let Eren accompany you rather than someone from your inner circle. But instead of answering him, you throw an accusatory glare at Historia who stands beside Eren like some mother hen guarding over her chick despite him towering over her. Connie must have told her about Armin’s warning regarding Bertholdt’s loyalists and for some reason found the need to tell Eren about it.

Yet the girl doesn’t look as apologetic as she should.

“If Eren’s the only one Ymir is allowing to be around you,” Historia reasons with you, “he deserves to know.”

You scoff dismissively. “What good is he going to do? He needs more saving than I do.”

Eren’s cheeks flush at the memory of what happened at the train station the night before and he averts your gaze, ashamed.

You smirk, his reaction proving your point, and you turn away to practice your knife throwing with the cardboard shooting target stationed at the back of the room, thinking you’ve put an end to this conversation.

But Historia is quick to follow after you, not at all done with you yet.

“So train him,” she urges as you collect some of your favorite daggers from where you had laid them out on a nearby table with the rest of your weapons and holsters. “There’s no harm in him learning how to fight.”

You ignore her as she continues to talk, taking aim and releasing a few of your blades at the intended target in front of you, each of your daggers hitting home with deadly precision and landing with a sharp thud.

“If you give him a gun and some time to practice he—”

“Enough Historia!” you cut off, whirling on her and slicing the air between you with the remaining dagger in your hand to silence her.

She backs away, unnerved by the weapon in your hand as you take a menacing step towards her. “Despite what you like to believe, I am not running some damn charity ward. If I invest my time in someone, it’s because they have something worth investing.” You point to Eren behind her with the blade in your hand. “And he has neither the strength, the skillsets—least of all the spine—needed to survive here. You want to hand him a gun to play with? Be my guest. But when it comes down to it, he will never have what it takes to pull the trigger.” Your eyes lock with Eren. “No amount of training or fighting will change that.”

Losing your desire to continue training, you leave for the door, clutching the blade tightly in your hand to keep you from completely losing it as you roughly brush past Eren and Historia.

Eren curls his hands into fists and grits out quietly, “You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

You stop in your tracks, unable to let this slide. “Oh, you’ve shown me exactly what you’re capable of,” you drawl out dryly, turning on your heels to face him again. “And you, Eren Yeager, really don’t want to die.”

Eren lowers his gaze, flexing his jaw, unable to deny the way he cowered against death the night before.

“Not that there’s any shame in that,” you add with a shrug. “All men fear dying, especially when death is staring you in the face. You reacted just as any normally sane human-being would react.”

Anger quickly replaces Eren’s shame as his eyes snap to you. “And what of your reaction? Why put yourself in that position at all? To prove a point? Your father trusts me to keep you out of—”

“My father?!” you snarl incredulously, annoyed by his own ignorance. “Have you not realized it yet?” Your head tilts to the side as you commence to approach him. “The sole reason my father assigned you to me wasn’t because you asked him to. Or because he saw some godly potential in you.” Eren frowns as you draw nearer, subtly noting how violently you’re swinging the blade in your hand as you speak. “Make no mistake. My father wants you dead. If he agreed to your request, it was to punish me. Because he thinks you have some hold over me.”

Eren braces himself as you come to stand before him with eyes cold and hard as stone. “But he miscalculated. Whether you live or die makes no difference to me.”

Fighting back a flinch, Eren forces himself to swallow down your words.

Historia, on the other hand, is a different matter. “So you’re just going to let him die out of spite?” she asks in disapproval, unable to tamper that caring nature of hers. “He’s risking his life for you! The least you could do is provide him with the means to survive.”

You flash her a crooked smile. “OR I could just kill him now. Why prolong the inevitable, right? We all know his number was up the day he crossed my path anyway.”

Historia glowers at the suggestion, hating that you were mocking her, before exhaling sharply, her fists still curled tightly at her side.

“Fine,” she hisses through her teeth. Without warning, she turns on her heels and moves with fierce strides towards the armory room in the back of the training room. “If you won’t train him, then I will.”

But the dagger is out of your hands and strikes the wooden door of the armory across the room like lightning, making Historia freeze in place as it lands inches away from the side of her head.

“No,” you tell her firmly. “You will not.”

Eren whirls at you, eyes wide with alarm, but you ignore him as your gaze slides over to Jean in warning.

“None of you will,” you say to him. “Is that understood?”

Historia turns, aghast. “Then you’ve sentenced him to die!”

You throw Eren a meaningful look, reminding him that you had given him the chance to leave last night and he refused to take it. “He has done that himself.”

“To protect you!” Historia cries out, moving towards you, but Eren quickly steps in her path, holding her back.

“Historia, don’t,” you hear him urge, wanting to calm her down. “Please, stop. It’s okay.”

You watch her struggle in Eren’s arms with a look of disgust. “You have heart, Historia—I’m painfully aware of that,” you say, taking a few steps forward to look down on her. “And I tolerate it because you are useful to me and my father. But if you don’t like how I run things, by all means.” You point to the stairs leading out of the room. “There’s the door. Leave.”

Historia stumbles back, stricken. Your threat hits home, making her look over to Eren helplessly because as much as she wants to help Eren she won’t go against you. She feels too indebted to you for all you’ve done for her to try.

Just then, the door to the basement opens and Levi comes walking down the stairs. Alone. He’s still got his dark coat and gloves on which means he’s come straight from dealing with underground business. Still, he doesn’t look hurt or covered in blood so whatever type of work it had been was done quickly and clean.

His deadpan gaze does a quick survey of the people in the room before resting his grey eyes on you.

“We need to talk,” is all he says to you, but based on that dark look on his face, you’re sure as hell not going to like it.

Jean and Historia get the hint and start to leave. Eren starts to follow right after but Levi throws a hand over Eren’s chest and shoves him back.

“I didn’t say you could leave,” Levi growls at him.

You raise an eyebrow and cross your arms over your chest while Eren, Historia, and Jean all frown in confusion. But Eren does as he’s told and stays put while Historia and Jean leave the basement to give you all some privacy.

When its just the three of you, Levi exhales sharply. “Lord Reiss is hosting a charity event this weekend,” he begins to inform you slowly, “and your father has been invited to attend. He expects you, me, and Eren to join him—”

You let out a sharp laugh and walk away before he can even finish his sentence. “Like hell.” Just the idea of being trapped in the same room as those duplicitous, stuck up fiends with their false smiles and empty laughs was suffocating enough.

“Anya,” Levi chides behind you.

“No.”

“This isn’t a request.”

“I don’t care. I’m not going.”

“You will if you want him to terminate your confinement.”

You stop dead in your tracks, hands curling into fists at your side. Annoyed that your father knew you wouldn’t be able to turn away from this.

“He doesn’t need me there,” you insist through clenched teeth, keeping your back to him. “You’re his business partner, not me,” you add petulantly, glowering at him over your shoulder before resuming your exit. “You deal with them.”

“You’re his daughter and heir,” Levi counters. “He needs you there at his side, to support him.”

You turn on your heels to face him. “Support him with what?” you demand. “He knows I detest the whole lot of them. I have no reason for being there…” You cross your arms over your chest and raise an eyebrow, offering him a sly grin. “Unless he wants me to burn the place to the ground? If so, I’ll gladly help him with that.”

Levi replies to you with a dark smile of his own. “Darling, if you so much as threaten anyone or give off the slightest impression of looking someone the wrong way, your father will not hesitate to take you back to the countryside. And I, for one, will do nothing to stop him.”

“Do it and you’ll be dragging my dead corpse back with you,” you snarl, eyes unyielding. You refuse to step foot in that cursed place for as long as you live.

Levi growls in distaste at your threat. “Then do as you’re told.”

Before you can counter back, Levi turns to Eren. “As for you. Despite my deep opposition, Ymir insists on keeping you as part of the company.” He shoves a manila envelope at Eren’s chest for him to take. “You have until the night of the event to familiarize yourself with the guest list and the names of the ones highlighted. If you’re as good as they claim, you’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand in no time. So find yourself a suit worthy for the night. This is a black-tie event, so play the part and act like you belong there.” Levi’s sharp gaze cuts to you and adds, “Both of you.”

You answer him by flipping him off and walking away.

—

On the night of the charity event, you make your way out of your room with a deep sense of unease nestled in your chest.

There’s a reason your father wants you present at this event — it can’t be solely just to torture you. But if you don’t see this through, as your father evidently wants you to, you won’t ever know why. So you force yourself down the hall towards the staircase whilst ignoring the way your insides burn at the thought of what this night might entail.

As you reach the head of the stairs, you find Levi waiting for you at the bottom of the staircase looking aloof and dangerous as always. But bloody hell, even from this distance he looks more handsome and more human than you’ve ever seen him. And you don’t think its possible but you feel yourself falling even more in love with him.

Your fiancé wears a finely tailored black tux over a white dress shirt that makes him appear sharp and elegant. Nothing like the dark tailored suits he usually wears when out in the field that give him a far more lethal, rugged, and intimidating appearance. His dark curtained hair that usually hangs over his eyes is parted to the side and combed back, giving him a more boyish, princely appearance that painfully reminds you of when he was a boy…Perhaps because his mother used to style his hair in that same manner. The bow tie pinned at his collar doesn’t help in the least.

You would have stood there and admired him all night long, but your black heels announce Levi of your presence at the top of the stairs and he swiftly turns to you in attention, ready to escort you to Lord Reiss’ estate—not only as his fiancée but as the daughter and heir to one of the most highly influential businessman of his time, Thomas Ymir.

But Levi is not prepared by what he sees before him.

As a testament of your father’s well-established nobility, you wear a strapless, skin tight black dress with a high molded waist-line and elbow length black gloves, all made of the finest material. Your long hair is held up with hairpins sharp enough to stab a man’s arteries and fashioned in a loose up-do with a few stray strands left at the front to frame your face. But underneath, strapped to your thighs and tucked inside your gloves, are daggers of all forms, sharp enough to pierce a man’s heart.

The second Levi catches sight of you, he swallows heavily, looking stunned and completely mesmerized. Yet it’s the way he watches you descend down the stairs, eyes running down the length of your figure that makes your stomach twist with longing. And you suddenly think, maybe this night is worth all the hassle, if it means him looking at you the way he does now. Like you’re the most beautiful creature he has ever seen and he can’t afford to look away.

You smirk in spite of yourself.

“Are you impressed, my lord?” you ask as he offers his hand for you to take the minute you arrive at the foot of the stairs.

His eyes drop down to your tinted, blood red lips as you speak. They linger there as he replies softly, “I’m always impressed by you.”

He leans forward, aching for a taste of you, but despite your attraction to him, you’re still upset with him for making you come to this event with him. Before he can touch his lips with yours, you pointedly turn away. This rewards you with a resentful smile from him, but he gets the message and doesn’t try again.

That’s when you notice he’s holding something in his other hand. A medium sized, dark navy, velvet jewelry box. You raise an eyebrow. “Is that meant to impress me?”

His eyes flicker to where your attention is drawn and he straightens, attempting to recover from your teasing. He opens the box to reveal what looks like a fifty something carat worth diamond necklace and matching earrings.

“A gift,” Levi explains. “From your father.”

You stare at it for a moment, breath-taken. But its beauty is not what has your heart caught in your throat. You feel Levi take your hand and walk you over to the closest mirror in the foyer, wanting you to see how it looks on you.

As you stand in front of the oval shaped mirror, you watch through your reflection as Levi removes the necklace first from out of the box and clasp it securely around your neck. You feel the coldness of the stones against your skin instantly but it brings you a strange sense of comfort. Makes their existence all the more real.

“He wishes for you to wear it tonight,” you hear Levi say beside you, studying your reaction closely in the mirror. “He says it was—”

“My mothers,” you finish distantly, touching the stones around your neck and admiring the way the diamonds sparkle against the light of the hallway like newly dead stars in the night sky.

Your eyes glisten with nostalgia as you remember of the times you saw her wear it for your father. The most expensive, luxurious thing he first bought your mother after Ymir & Co became legalized.

“He’s really trying to make a statement with this, isn’t he?” you say as a means to break out of your reminiscing. “Pulling out something so valuable.” You reach for the diamond earrings still in the jewelry box and put them on yourself. “What is this all even worth, like 80k?”

Levi chuckles, placing the empty jewelry box on the console under the mirror. “You’re worth much more than that, love.”

You turn to face him with a raised eyebrow, confused.

“Darling,” he tells you, raising a hand to caress your cheek tenderly, “his most prized possession isn’t something so easily replaceable. What he values most is you.”

There’s an intensity in his gaze as he says this that lets you know he isn’t just speaking for your father anymore, but for himself. And you might believe it, if either one of them was the least bit capable of expressing it on their own.

Guess it runs in the family.

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ackerfics · 2 years

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shall we hold hands and head home? — an anthology ft. levi ackerman and eren

mission title: how i met your father (wc: 6.1k) | masterlist

You have a problem.

“Eren, let’s review for the entrance examination!” you call from the living room, straightening your posture after putting a couple of books you borrowed from the library you’re working in (you got the job) on the coffee table.

Almost immediately, you hear a door slam shut. Specifically, the door to Eren’s room.

You sigh, putting your hands on your hips. “Eren, this is the fifth time you’re doing this now.” He doesn’t answer from behind his bedroom door. “Eren.” Again, there’s only silence. You purse your lips as you narrow your eyes at his door.

This has been going on for three days now and there are only less than five days to prepare for Eleutheria Private Academy’s entrance examination. The day after Eren moves in, you visit the nearby bank for a withdrawal . The documents you received alongside the money contain the application forms, appointments for the examinations, and the test itself. The moment you read the first question, you instantly question whether this academy is right in the head for asking about how many hectares of land George owned or how many kilometers James trekked in five minutes with the proper direction. The questions are truly for the geniuses of this generation. It baffles you that at Eren’s age, you never had the proper education to solve or comprehend any of these. This is why you should try your hand at teaching Eren how to be a proper student. But that’s not as fruitful as you think when he’s scurrying away every time you say the word study .

It’s like he’s a kitten. A terrified kitten. And this terrified kitten is peeking through the crack between his door right now. Green eyes narrow at you. You can’t even see it but you know he’s pouting.

“Eren, you have to prepare for the exam,” you coax. The crack between his door and the frame decreases and decreases by the second. You have no choice but to bribe him. You have enough money to spare anyway. Everything you received from your organization has led to this moment. “I’m going to buy you the limited edition Super Spies blanket and a Merry Meal of two cheeseburgers from the local fast food restaurant.” The crack becomes an open door. Eren is now looking at you like you’re responsible for the positions of the constellations in the sky.

“Pinky promise?” he asks, lifting his pinky in the air.

You smile. “Pinky promise.” He runs to you and loops your fingers together. You seal it with a gentle kiss on his thumb, something that has him beaming. “You have to make sure you have to do the end of your bargain.”

Eren nods, that adorable determined look plastered on his face.

“Now, let’s start with Mathematics.”

At the subject, Eren looks like he’s about to shit himself.

Eren doesn��t like studying.

It triggers nightmares. It gives him chills and he freezes. When the scientists finished their experiments on him, they subjected him to rigorous examinations to maintain the maximum brain power needed for his abilities to occur. Every day for almost twelve hours, Eren was studying in a lab like a newly-bought pet in training. No matter how much he cried or had a tantrum, the scientists never batted an eyelash, including that bespectacled man who took part in his existence. After he escaped, he didn’t touch a single book in the orphanage, except for the times the old bat of a caretaker forced him to do so to appeal to the couples wanting to adopt him, which was quite a challenge because he would fight against it and it would lead to him getting a lashing or not getting adopted in the end.

The marks on his back start itching as he listens to you drone about the basic operations of Mathematics. Addition and subtraction he can solve with ease. But multiplication and division? He might as well listen in on the other applicants’ thoughts while answering the exam. Now, you’re moving on to more complicated parts of Math. Eren’s left eye twitches when he sees shapes and bigger numbers jumbled in the problems.

He sniffles at the one-hour mark.

“Eren?” you ask him in the middle of formulating a problem for him to answer.

His bottom lip wobbles in distress. “I can’t do this anymore!”

You gawk at him, your head bouncing between him, the wall clock, and the pile of books on the coffee table. You sigh, the sound encompassing all the incoming exhaustion leading up to the examination. “Eren, you promised, right?”

Eren looks up at you. “But this is hard, Mama!”

“I know it’s hard but you have to study to pass this test.”

“What if I just read—”

You slightly narrow your eyes at him. “Are you planning on cheating?”

Eren purses his lips shut. That’s a mistake; an act of desperation. He almost revealed his powerful weapon. He stays silent as you huff.

I already have the list of answers from this exam thanks to Hange, maybe I should just let Eren memorize them , he hears from your mind.

Eren’s face morphs into a childish wonder. That’s right, you’re an awesome spy like the main character of the show he loves watching when you’re off running errands or doing what spies do. Maybe you infiltrated a secret base with top-notch security, specifically the hidden vaults of the academy he’s about to enter and suffer from, just to get the test papers and the answers. You’re so cool. Eren keeps on staring at your side profile until you have no choice but to glance at him from the corner of your eye. The both of you regard each other, one gaze filled with admiration while the other is painted in confusion.

Then, he comes up with this brilliant idea. “I don’t want to study anymore,” he whines. He makes sure to take glances at you in an attempt to gauge your reaction. When you give him a blank stare, Eren keeps on lamenting his fate. “This is so so hard! I don’t think I’m going to pass!”

He hears a sigh. That catches his attention. “I suppose I have no choice but to do this. Eren, I hope you have room for more than one promise. You mustn’t tell anyone about this.” You fix him a stern stare, your pointer finger wagging in front of him. Eren prevents a grin from surfacing on his face. “What I’m about to do is something against my morals but since we have no time, we’re going to take a shortcut.” You take out an envelope with a stamp that says do not touch . Eren wants to touch it. His eyes brighten at the document. “This,” you wave the envelope in the air, “is an important piece of paper and it has all the answers to your future. All you have to do is to memorize every single letter in here, Eren, and then we’ll be on our merry way. Do you understand?”

“Yes!” It’s not even a second and he immediately answers. He vibrates in his seat as you raise an eyebrow at him. Maybe he shouldn’t have answered that quickly. Oh, well.

“Here you go.”

Eren takes the envelope from your hands and stares at it. All he has to do is to memorize the answers. That should be easy enough.

It’s the day of the exam and Eren doesn’t remember anything from that blessed envelope.

His eyes are shaking in nervousness. His forehead is breaking into a cold sweat. His hands are trembling to the point that he can’t hold the pencil properly. All your efforts of making him look presentable as possible went in vain when Eren looks like he was about to combust and launch himself from the window of the examination room. It’s on the fourth floor of a large Victorian building. His shaggy hair is messier than usual with all the scratching he did just to lessen this funny feeling in his stomach that’s stirring the breakfast you made earlier in the morning. Eren clutches his tummy with a scrunched face. It’s alright that he feels this way because the other applicants look way worse than him. Others are murmuring prayers under their breath, something along the lines of asking a woman named Ymir for guidance (who is that?), while some are already apologizing to their parents.

Eren doesn’t want to apologize yet. He has to finish this test first.

“D-Do you want some ointment?” A timid voice comes from beside Eren.

He turns to the voice and sees a blond boy handing him a tin of aromatic salve. “What?” Eren dumbly asks.

The boy lifts the tin. “Ointment.” At Eren’s intense gaze, he looks down at the long desk connecting their two seats. He starts fiddling with the tin container. It doesn’t help that Eren looks angry when he’s nervous. “M-My Dad gave this to me before I entered the building. He said that it helped my older siblings when they took their exams, too. He told me to open it when I feel too o-overwhelmed with the exam.” He pronounces the big word carefully and tentatively. “Y-You look like you need it.”

Eren tilts his head, regarding the tin container as if it’s an unknown flying object in his favorite show. It’s a mystery waiting to be solved. He watches as the blond boy twists the cap and almost immediately, Eren gets a whiff of something minty, fruity, and soothing all at the same time. His shoulders relax and he inhales a good portion of the air surrounding them. How can this measly item make all the butterflies in his tummy vanish? Maybe he should tell you to buy something similar, one with a container filled with stickers of his favorite cartoon characters. Eren doesn’t realize it but he’s starting to lean closer to the blond boy’s side, his nose adorably twitching the more he nears the tin container of ointment.

“Here,” the blond boy pushes it to his face.

Eren backs away when a cooling glob touches the tip of his nose.

The boy jumps as well, panicking that he probably scared off his possibly new friend. “I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that!”

Still, Eren looks at him with his tiny hands over his nose. His eyes narrow at the questionable thing that shines underneath the streaming lights of the examination venue. It’s shiny though, he gives it that.

“I’m sorry!” the boy continues to plead.

Eren glances away from the now teary-eyed boy. Great, he made someone cry. Now, if you catch any wind of this, he’s the one crying while going home. He’s never seen you mad. Frustrated, yes, but never angry that has him tucking his tail between his legs. And seeing as he never wants you to be mad at him, Eren tries to stop this boy’s tears by reaching out his hand, palm up, all the while still not looking at him straight in the eye. “The ointment.” Eren pouts. “Can I have some?”

The blond boy sniffles, his blue eyes glistening with tears. “A-Are you sure?”

Eren nods, almost a huff coming out of his mouth.

The boy wipes the tears from his face and flashes him a brilliant smile. It makes Eren squint. It’s too bright. Not as bright as your smile, though. You have the most beautiful smile in his little mind and he doesn’t squint at the sight of it. In fact, he basks in every fiber of your being. The boy says something and it brings Eren back to reality. “You have to apply it near your nose so that the scent can stay until the exam is over.” The blond boy takes a good dollop of the ointment and smears it on Eren’s hand.

Eren follows his instructions and even makes an invisible mustache around his mouth. “I’m going to tell Mama to buy this,” he says, determined to make you buy this.

“I’m glad you like it!”

“Eren.”

“Huh?”

“Eren. That’s my name. What’s yours?” Eren peeks through his eyelashes.

The boy beams. “Armin. My name’s Armin.”

A small hand waits for another. “Wanna be my friend, Armin?”

Now, the lone palm has someone intertwining with it in a handshake. “Yeah! I hope we pass this together, Eren! That way we can be classmates.”

Eren doesn’t expect to have a friend for this exam. But one thing’s for sure, he’s thankful that he was directed to this seat because Armin knows all the answers to the questions. At least that’s what he thinks. After seeing the test papers, Eren wants to go home the next minute. He knows all the answers to this but the nervousness plaguing him minutes before the start of the exam flicks the memorized letters out of his head. So, he tries reading everyone’s mind all at once. It gives him a headache but still, he perseveres. He strains himself but all he can hear is a jumbled mess of children crying in their heads. Until Armin starts mentally narrating his calculations. Visibly, Eren brightens in his seat and vigorously writes on the test paper, the lead of his mechanical pencil a pleasant sound to his ears.

Wait for a second, there’s no 10 in the choices! Armin thinks out loud.

Oh. Now, Eren’s in trouble.

Maybe praying to this girl named Ymir can help him survive this.

He wants to go home and bury himself in cuddles with you. But just like how you have a mission, he has a mission, too. Eren shuts down his mind-reading abilities and starts writing from his memory. It’s a steady flow onward.

You have your hands entwined underneath your chin as you sit in one of the chairs of the ‘waiting room’. With how this area of the academy is constructed, you’d think it belongs to a hospital. The chairs line up the hallway and you’re one of the parents who are praying to some unknown deity just to have your kid pass the exam. You know Eren can do this. Aside from making him memorize the answer sheet, you tutored him in between breaks of memorization just to jog his intellectual and technical reasoning. You still don’t have the heart to break free from your morals of straying from the path of shortcuts. It’s how you achieved where you are right now. You hope Eren took note of that philosophy while you two were studying.

The bell rings, signaling the end of a five-hour exam.

Children crying fills the silence of the waiting room. The doors to consecutive rooms burst open to small pitter-patters of shoes leading the owners to their parents. What the hell? Surely Eren didn’t cry inside his examination room.

You stand from your chair and crane your neck to find that shaggy head of brown hair. After a couple of minutes, you see Eren walking behind a group of rowdy children pushing each other. He doesn’t hold that usual annoyed expression he has when you two go out to the business district. Instead, Eren has his head down, his appearance looking more disgruntled than earlier. Did he battle something in there? You can’t help but think. Like he can feel your gaze, he slowly looks up from the patterned floor. The expression on his face upon seeing you sends a flurry of dopamine inside your body and the next thing you know, a small body clutches your leg in the tightest hug a little kid can achieve. “How was it, Eren?” You gently pull him from your leg before lifting him in the air so that you can carry him in your arms. It baffles you that at six years old, Eren can still be carried like this. He really is too small for his age.

Eren nuzzles himself into the crook of your neck and you catch a familiar scent of an ointment you smell in passing whenever you are with Mike in the headquarters. The big bear of a man briefly mentioned that it’s the rage in the continent after it was patented by someone working in the business district of Liberio, the zone of Eldian people residing in the heart of Marley. “I finished it, Mama.”

Pride settles in your chest. Your hand runs through his hair, fixing the unruly strands popping in different directions. “That’s great, Eren. You’re so amazing like that spy character you very much like.”

He giggles. “I am, aren’t I?”

“Yes, you are.”

From across the hallway, you spot a head of blonde hair done in an elaborate bun, and an expensive dress adorning her figure. She is greeted by a boy sharing the same features as her. Blue eyes that are as beautiful as the sky, are the features only the Tyburs wear with dignity. Suddenly, the little boy points in your direction, the girl following his finger to you and Eren. You look down at Eren who swivels his head from your neck. “Did you make a friend, Eren?” you ask, still staring at the child in your arms. You try not to psychoanalyze the actions of Willy Tybur’s children. Hange once told you that you can be intense when you’re observing someone. Better lay low for now. With the way Eren kicks his legs in the air, you conclude that he did make a friend before the exam started.

Eren and the little boy exchange waves at each other before the former looks at you with stars in his eyes. “Yeah! His name is Armin. He’s the one who let me use this ointment. Do I smell nice, Mama?”

You heed his question and playfully inhale the area where he’s ticklish the most, right behind his ear. His giggles are a manifestation of seraphs; it makes you smile. “You do, Eren. How about we buy some of that ointment to help you in the future?”

He beams at your suggestion, nodding like a bobblehead charm.

“Okay then.”

Armin A. Tybur. The youngest in the Tybur family and the reason why it’s highly encouraged for you to put a child in this year’s academy admissions. According to the file given to you, Armin is a six-year-old prodigy who is expected to sweep the academy off its feet. Despite having no appearances in public, the maids and tutors working in the Tybur estate mentioned that the little boy started learning how to read when he was only two years old. He even wowed his family by expressing highly advanced emotional intelligence when normal people couldn’t even begin to understand emotions as adults. The Tyburs already placed their bets that the boy won’t have friends while attending an institution that’s open to the general public (in other words, those who have money and wits).

Yet here’s your child befriending such a genius recluse on the day of the examination no less. Eren can be the key to understanding more of the Tyburs than you originally thought. At first, you planned to be closer to the Tyburs by being a part of the parent organizations but with this opportunity in your arms, you’re presented with something that puts Eren on a much more purposeful path.

“How about some ice cream on the way home, Eren?” you propose.

“Really?!”

“Really.”

“I want the new flavors, Mama!”

“Anything you want, Eren.”

The mail always comes at seven in the morning.

You open them at nine after your morning routine has settled you in a fresher mindset and a new set of clothes.

On the table a week after the examinations is a plate of breakfast, a glass of juice, a cup of caffeinated tea, and the mail that has been delivered hours before. Eren is happily gobbling spoonfuls of chocolate chip waffles into his mouth as if it’s his last day on Earth and you’re occasionally taking sips of your preferred flavor of tea as your eyes trail on the envelopes with various stamps. You recognize a few of them containing codes that only the Wings of Freedom formulated for any undetected letter sending but your eyes unconsciously move to an intricate piece of scented paper with a wax candle for a seal.

The seal says Eleutheria Private Academy in elegant, cursive letters.

Your breath hitches. The result of the entrance exam is here. You take a quick peek at the little boy oblivious to today’s mail. You try calming yourself down — taking a deep breath while closing your eyes. It’s such a waste to open such an expensive letter but you hardly care now that it carries the fate of your mission. It doesn’t even crinkle at your hold. The seal pops off from the paper and the scent of something floral drifts inside the dining room.

Eren now stares at you. “What’s that, Mama?”

You internally cringe. “The result, Eren.”

The boy gulps down his waffles.

You’re acting as if you’re the one who took the exam. You gingerly take the folded letter from the envelope. The floral theme of this piece of paper mocks you. You faintly hear Eren jump down from his seat in front of you, his small footsteps nearing you until he’s leaning on your knees. “Are you ready, Eren?” He nods at your question with wobbly lips. You nod back before opening the letter.

“Good day!

We are so happy to inform you that your child, Eren Jaeger, passed the written—”

“Oh, my God!” you shriek. “You passed!”

Your mission is still on the go.

Without thinking twice about it, you lift Eren in the air like that cartoon he previously watched, the one where the monkey presents the lion cub to all of the savannahs to see and marvel. You’re the monkey and Eren’s your lion cub. The pride you felt during the entrance examination doesn’t compare to the pride you feel right now. It’s all-encompassing. You can take on any villain right now. The rush inside your veins pushes you to plant kisses all over Eren’s face, his giggles coloring the dining area with the most vibrant hues and shades known to humanity. It’s contagious and it has you laughing along with him. You dance with him in this imaginary tune, your journey leading you to the couch inside the living room. The laughter coming from the two of you dies down a couple of minutes later.

“Did I do good, Mama?” Eren asks you against your chest.

You happily hum, hugging him close to your heart. “You did very well , Eren.”

Eren giggles, nuzzling more into you.

As he relishes in your warmth, you finish reading the letter in your hands.

“The second phase of the admissions is a mandatory family interview. Both parents must attend with the applicant. Absolutely no exceptions. Failure to meet this condition will amount to immediate termination of the application.”

Fuck.

Eren flinches in your hold.

“Why?!” you whine. “Why do they need both parents?!” It’s unbecoming of you to whine.

Eren lifts himself from you. “But I don’t have a Papa!”

“That’s the problem — there is no Papa.”

Where will you find someone who will stand in as your husband?

Levi finds himself in a predicament.

Once a dweller of the ‘Underground City’, the most dangerous place in the continent, it’s befuddling to know that he never leaves any traces of himself after a kill. This is why, as an assassin, nobody has ever uncovered his tracks except for the type of wounds he inflicted on his targets. When one sees holes in the chest right above the heart, that’s the work of Midnight. After his tenth kill he realizes that murdering people undetected runs in the family, only this time, he has an edge compared to his uncle who is literally called The Ripper in Marley and her neighboring cities. Levi kills people who are threats to the government or threats to the clients who hire his services even if those who hire him aren’t ideal citizens, to begin with. He doesn’t even like the lifeless eyes staring at him when he digs his stiletto knives into their chests. He does this to purge humanity of the miasma plaguing its core.

If he wants to continue this gig of his, he has to prove to the government that he’s not a spy. Because right now, he stares from the window of his other job in the City Hall. An Eldian employee of thirty years of age is being dragged by the authorities for being an unmarried man. The man’s screams are piercing and the whispers that follow are ruthless. This is what Marley does to Eldians who reach the age of thirty with no house or family to come home to. They think that by being married under their laws, one pledges their life to the cause and vision of the nation, that there’s no reason for them to betray Marley. Levi thinks it’s bullshit.

“Poor man,” a coworker whispers. “Well, it can’t be helped. It’s better to be wary instead of letting them run around here.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Marleyans.

Levi rolls his eyes and goes back to his desk in one of the large offices.

“Levi!” An irrelevant human being calls for him.

“What?”

The man leans over his divider. “You’re still unmarried, right, and you’re what thirty-five?”

“Twenty-nine.”

“Yeesh, you look older,” the man grimaces. “Better hurry up and find a dame or else you’re the next coworker to be tortured by the Military Police.”

You don’t have to say that again . Levi rolls the sleeves of his button-up to his elbows and starts typing whatever document their manager ordered him to do. On better days, Levi would have stabbed that stingy manager in the chest but seeing as he poses this law-abiding citizen with a penchant for tea and hand sanitizers, he chooses to type whatever shit this is. The man continues droning about whoever he finds attractive these days and who he’s planning on marrying but Levi doesn’t listen one bit.

On second thought, maybe finding someone to pose as his wife would be the best solution. Then again, it’s also a win-win situation when this country hunts down all the bachelors and bachelorettes they have their sights on. Preferably, he wants someone who can comply with whatever condition he throws on the table or someone who’s not that noticeable for his coworkers to suspect. Before he can prevent his mouth from opening, he says the stupidest thing he ever said in his lifetime.

“I’m actually married.”

“What?! For real?”

“I heard that! Dom, you owe me fifty bucks!”

“God damn it!”

Now, Levi starts digging his grave for the sake of his other, more important career and life.

This is all he can think about until he’s on his night job.

Bodies surround him in this presidential suite booked by one of the mafia leaders working on the surface. Someone gurgles their blood, clearly alive despite the wounds, and Levi throws his stiletto knife right in the middle of his forehead without looking. It hits its target and the gurgling dies down. Hours before, this suite is bouncing with sound waves of a random Bossanova song. Women are sitting on every bastard’s lap and money is thrown everywhere without care. Now, the women are safely escorted out but not before Levi pushes a specific nerve to make them forget what happened on this night. The bastards create this painting on the suite’s floor, another one of Midnight’s masterpieces. It’s an elaborate abstract one entailing the dirty deeds of humanity — the perfect shade of red splattered on a dark canvas, with no light for days on end.

Levi sighs, his head tilting to the ceiling. He realizes that there are rips on his black suit. Great, he should visit the tailor shop by his apartment first thing in the morning. For now, it’s another sleepless night of never regretting where he is right now. He’ll put the wife-hunting on tomorrow as well.

The grandfather clock of the suit rings through the room.

Midnight welcomes another day and it’s tomorrow already.

“I fucking hate the world.”

“ Midnight ?”

“Yes?”

“ I have a client for you. ”

“...”

“ He goes by the name Lobov and he wants a man named Erwin Smith dead .”

The line goes dead. The dealer is always like this — cutting to the chase, considering no questions. He dials another number as soon as the call is dropped.

“Farlan, I need you to look into someone.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Erwin Smith.”

Keyboard clacks reverberate from the other side of the call.

“Hmm. Are you sure he’s a real person?”

“Why would I ask for you to look into him when he’s not?”

“Okay, okay, geez.” Another round of keyboard clacking. “Wow, his files are locked in the database.”

“Who are the people in his close circle?”

Farlan whistles. “Are you going through the “ getting close to subordinates to take down someone” route? Damn, okay.” It takes him a minute. “I found something. Belladonna.”

“What?”

“Someone named Belladonna is his closest ally. Get close to her and you’ll be closer to your target.”

“Belladonna, huh?”

“She’s a spy of Eldia, Levi. Be careful.”

One would think you’re too excited to put Eren in this private academy. With his application still in processing, you’re already taking him to the tailor shop to have his uniform fitted. You’re one pretentious, confident mother who fully trusts her son to further explore his academic prowess in a place full of prodigies and children of those who treat money like passing interests.

“Your son is an adorable one, madam,” the owner of the tailor shop gushes as she takes Eren’s measurement. The little boy is trying so hard to make himself taller by standing on his tippy toes.

You chuckle, leaning on the countertop and watching your son do the most ridiculous faces. “He is. He’s so excited to go to this school that he can’t wait to have his uniform already.”

“Eleutheria Private Academy, huh?” The tailor stands up to write down the measurements on a piece of paper that has the design of the uniform, a detailed piece with the insignia and all. “That’s one fancy school. Your son must be a genius.”

I wouldn’t say that , you silently laugh. You don’t notice Eren swivel his head toward you with a scandalized look on his face. As you open your mouth to retort something practiced, you feel a chill down your spine, your blood running cold in your veins. You inhale a sharp breath, the weight of the gun lodged in the thigh strap beneath your skirt creates this foreboding urge inside you to shoot someone. The door doesn’t ring but a person is walking in front of you, sliding past your senses in a completely predatory-like way, as if they’re a creature of the night. You turn to the person standing beside you, waiting for the tailor to accommodate him in the store. What the fuck?

Levi Ackerman .

A man nearing his thirties and has yet to be married. He’s one of the people on the list of probable marriage partners Hange gave you the night before. His file is too empty for him to be called a citizen of Marley. The only things you know about him are that he’s unmarried, an Eldian, and that he works for the City Hall under the Taxes Department. Oh, and he has no historical background. The more you stare at him in the corner of your eyes, the more he seems suspicious. How did someone like him get past the strict security of Marley? Is he a person of importance behind that office worker facade? You narrow your eyes at his appearance. Black hair neatly styled on his head, a three-piece suit with no creases, muscles straining against the material of his clothes — he’s actually attractive. There’s not a single flaw found in him. His side profile is otherworldly and makes him appear like a sculpture made by the finest artist of the century. He puts all the muses for the perfectly-proportioned man to shame.

Silver irises meet yours.

Your face burns now that you’re caught staring at this man.

“Is there something you need from me?” His voice is blunt and takes no shit. It’s almost intimidating the way he trails his eyes from the top of your head down to the toes of your shoes. “I don’t appreciate the staring.”

You fix your panicking mental state. “No, I just found you handsome, that’s why.”

His eyes widen a little. He fully turns to you. God, did the deities take time in making him? “You find me attractive?” He’s not even skeptical. You nod at his question because it’s the truth. “So—”

“Mama!”

Oh, yeah. Eren.

The man you’re talking to is the one Eren saw when he held your hand for the first time. This future of yours that he got a glimpse of is within a golden hour, lights down low and slow songs serenading the kitchen of a much cozier home. Sizzles coming from a frying pan brought the scent of a multitude of savory smells that had Eren wishing he could have a taste of the food being prepared in this vision of his. The two of you are not alone though. The black-haired man staring at you right now also stared at you in his vision, eyes softer and riddled with an overflowing efflux of love and adoration that remained superior to the present. The man was holding you close to him as you were humming along to the tune of one love song, his more muscular build swaying you to the melody. And Eren was sitting on his shoulders, looking over to watch you stir vegetables and meat, his tiny hands holding Levi's ears in a tight yet harmless grip. It was a picture-perfect family worthy of being placed in a museum.

There’s no doubt about it — Eren has to put you two together so that the future will be met.

Shit, she has a kid? Did Belladonna marry someone? How will I go about this situation now? But she’s the one Erwin Smith trusts the most. Fuck. This is the kind of thing that exposes me as an assassin. I can’t exactly terminate her now.

Eren gasps. This man is dangerous. An assassin and he’s after you? Not on Eren’s watch. But the vision didn’t show any sign of this behavior at all.

He grasps your leg tighter, his viridian eyes glaring at the man that’s supposed to be his father. He doesn’t know if he should trust this man that easily yet.

Fathers are cursed anyway.

“ I’m your father, Eren, so do as I say! Stay still and let me inject this so you could be the one who saves us all! ”

Eren shakes his head free of that memory. This is no time to dwell in the past. You’re the one who saved him from that path and you’re happy with this man in your future.

“Oh, Eren, are you finished with letting the kind lady take your measurements?” You lean down and pat his head, something that he nuzzles into. It never fails to make him feel warm. So cute , he reads your thoughts.

“Yeah!” he cheers. He loses his smile and looks up at the angry-looking man staring down at him with furrowed brows. Eren uses his so-called cuteness to hide the fact that he just read something life-threatening from this man’s mind. He tilts his head to ask, “Who’s this, Mama?”

You don’t answer the question. Instead, you turn your head to the man standing in front of you with his hands inside his pockets, expectantly waiting for him to say his name. “I believe he hasn’t introduced himself to us yet, Eren.”

“My apologies. My name is Levi.”

“Okay, Mister Levi.” Eren emerges from behind your skirt. The way he stares at Eren can be adorable but you recognize that look anywhere. It’s the same one he had when he was wiping his face from tears as he was memorizing the answer key to Eleutheria’s entrance exam. You saw it when he was trying to imitate the fighting scenes in his favorite shows. During the times Eren is trying to make himself stronger and older than he is, he has that look on his face. Your first meeting with him was there. When you saw him for the first time, it was blazing, and right now, his eyes hold the summer sun. Levi doesn’t even have time to respond because Eren opens his mouth to say, “Be my Papa!”

Maybe having this man as his new father will be the key to preventing you from getting killed, all the while becoming the best son there is. After all, Levi looked so bewitched and besotted with you in the future. Eren will make everything come true.

taglist:

@misslovingpearl

#rory's passages 🌼#spy x family au 🏡#aot x reader #attack on titan x reader #levi ackerman x reader #levi x reader #attack on titan imagines #snk x reader #levi ackerman x you #eren aot #eren attack on titan #eren yeager #eren jaeger

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ashitakaxsan · 1 year

Text

A Mystery behind the Hijacked School Buses:

I'm grateful to fellow @mj-ackerman . Thanks to him thappened this great discussion,who sheds light to the Weird aspect of the arc.

The arc,where the Red Circus teams hijacked the school buses,ended with a Victory of Anya: She talked to Billy Squire,she masterfully managed negotiating, ending the Crisis with everyone unscathed.She,becky Blachbell,Damian and Watkins were awarde with Stella Stars.

However there's an oddity we hadn't pay attention to it.

How did Squire know the names of the kids,and the social position of the a',b'..Father? The panels with the stunned kids speaks so.

The school doesn't announce to the outside people it's activities(how strict they are),they always prioritize the safety of the students-since most of them are children of VIP's.

Despite their tight securities there are still ways for skilled spies and the likes to get info. Twilight, for example, getting the answers for the entrance exam,and how he can easily sneak in and out of the Academy.

So the explanation is

a)The Red Circus had a very good informant ,or

b) Maybe it had an insider, who sold to them the info about Eden's activities that day,and the names of the children and their families standing in Ostania's government.

To get this clear and solid let's see thoughly This:Before this arc,there's in chapter 64, a "trivial" detail,but likely so crucial: The x' buss driver had a medical issue,so he couldn't come to the duty.Mere coincidence?

See below the scene of chapter 64:

I figure they drugged the real bus driver so to place there members of the Red Circus.

My Conclusion:

Now it makes sense how the Red Circus teams proceeded to their plan,with such Creepy Accuracy-but they couldn't know about the Telepath Anya. Maybe Endo sensei will make an arc with an investigation,about the source of these inside knowledges.Let's wait.

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shiorihyuga · 5 days

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Steadfast Hearts

Levi x OC

In the aftermath of global war, alliances are forged, and new bonds are tested. Dr. Tiana Belrose, a brilliant Androsian engineer, arrives in Paradis with cutting-edge technology, her country's hopes on her shoulders, and a guarded heart. Her brilliant inventions are the reason why Marley invaded and ravaged her country, but Tiana refuses to sit back and do nothing.

Assigned to be her personal guard, the stoic and battle-hardened Captain Levi Ackerman is known for his discipline, but as they spend countless hours together, he finds himself drawn to the woman he’s sworn to protect.

In the midst of battles against Marley, political intrigue, and the weight of their responsibilities, an unexpected romance begins to blossom between two unlikely hearts. As tensions rise on the battlefield and within their own ranks, Levi and Tiana must navigate their feelings in a world that doesn’t allow for weakness.

Love was the last thing either of them expected to find in the midst of war, but it may be the only thing that saves them.

Chapter Eleven:

The workshop buzzed with the sound of tools and machinery. Tiana was in her element, her hands moving deftly as she adjusted the valves on a piece of ODM gear, her eyes focused, her mind sharp. Demetri stood beside her, his sensors scanning the equipment, providing precise feedback as she worked. Across the room, Isaac watched her closely, his gaze filled with admiration and a hint of concern. He was always near, always ready to assist, though today he seemed more vigilant than usual.

Levi, on the other hand, was a silent presence, leaning against the wall near the door. His arms were crossed over his chest, his gaze sharp and unyielding as he watched over the workshop like a hawk. His eyes missed nothing; every movement, every sound, every slight change in the room was noted and analyzed. He was always on high alert, especially when it came to Tiana. She was, after all, a valuable asset, and they couldn’t afford to let their guard down.

Tiana adjusted a final screw on the valve, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. “Alright, Demetri,” she said, her voice calm but focused. “Run the diagnostic. Let’s see if we’ve improved the gas efficiency.”

Demetri nodded, his eyes glowing as he initiated the diagnostic sequence. “Running diagnostic now, Dr. Belrose,” he replied, his voice steady. “Calculating optimal gas flow efficiency…”

Isaac stepped closer, leaning over her shoulder to get a better look at the gear. “You’re really something, Tiana,” he said with a grin. “I don’t know how you keep all these calculations straight in your head.”

Tiana chuckled softly, glancing up at him. “It’s just practice,” she replied modestly. “And a lot of late nights with equations and coffee.”

Isaac was about to respond when Levi’s posture suddenly shifted. His body tensed, and his hand moved to the hilt of one of his blades, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room. Tiana noticed the change immediately, her heart rate quickening. “Captain?” she asked, her voice filled with concern. “What is it?”

But Levi didn’t answer. His senses were on high alert, every muscle in his body ready to spring into action. He felt it—a faint, almost imperceptible shift in the air, a presence that didn’t belong. He drew his blades with a swift, practiced motion, the sound of metal ringing out sharply in the enclosed space.

“Get down!” Levi barked, his voice cold and commanding.

Before anyone could react, the door to the workshop burst open, and three figures in dark clothing lunged into the room. Marleyan spies—Levi recognized them immediately. Everything happened in a blur. The first spy made a move toward Tiana, but Levi was faster. He closed the distance in an instant, his blades slicing through the air with lethal precision. The spy barely had time to react before Levi’s blade cut through his neck, a clean, efficient kill.

The second spy was on Levi’s left, aiming to flank him. Levi spun on his heel, his movements a fluid blur of speed and precision. He slashed downward, cutting through the second spy’s arm, severing it at the elbow. The spy screamed, but Levi didn’t hesitate—he followed through with a swift, merciless thrust, driving his blade through the spy’s chest. Blood spattered across the floor as the spy crumpled to the ground.

Isaac, reacting to Levi’s shout, had immediately pulled Tiana behind him, his eyes wide with shock. “Stay behind me!” he ordered, his voice tense.

Tiana’s heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. She had never seen violence like this before—never seen someone killed right in front of her. The blood, the screams, the sudden, brutal efficiency of Levi’s actions—it was terrifying, overwhelming. She clutched Isaac’s arm, her knuckles white, her mind struggling to process what was happening.

The third spy, seeing his comrades fall, hesitated, his eyes wide with fear. But before he could even think of retreating, Levi was on him. He knocked the spy’s weapon from his hand with a swift kick and followed it up with a brutal knee to the gut. The spy doubled over, gasping for air, and Levi grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall with bone-jarring force.

“Who sent you?” Levi demanded, his voice low and deadly calm.

The spy coughed, blood trickling from his mouth, but he didn’t answer. Levi’s eyes narrowed, and without hesitation, he brought one of his blades to the man’s thigh, pressing the cold steel against his skin. “I won’t ask again,” Levi said, his tone icy. “Who sent you?”

When the spy still didn’t respond, Levi’s patience snapped. With a swift, controlled motion, he drew his blade across the man’s thigh, a shallow but painful cut. The spy screamed, his body jerking against the wall. Tiana’s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. She had never seen this side of Levi—the ruthless, uncompromising soldier who would do whatever it took to get answers.

“Talk,” Levi ordered, his voice like steel. “Or the next cut will be deeper.”

The spy, his face pale with pain and fear, finally broke. “Alright, alright!” he gasped, his voice ragged. “I’ll talk, I’ll talk! We… we were sent by Marley. They wanted us to take her—take Dr. Belrose.”

“Why?” Levi pressed, his blade still poised for another strike.

“Because… because they know she’s valuable,” the spy stammered. “They know she’s smart—too smart. They think… they think she’ll create something dangerous, something that could be a threat to Marley. They wanted to take her before she could… before she could—”

Levi’s eyes were cold as he stared down at the spy, processing the information. He nodded once, then glanced back at Tiana and Isaac. Isaac’s face was a mask of shock and anger, his hands still protectively in front of Tiana, but his eyes were wide, his breath unsteady. Tiana, meanwhile, looked pale, her expression a mix of fear and disbelief.

Levi turned back to the spy, his gaze narrowing. “Is there anyone else?” he demanded. “Any more of you?”

The spy shook his head frantically. “No, no, it’s just us—just the three of us. I swear!”

Levi studied the man for a moment longer, then nodded again. “Good,” he said quietly. Without warning, he slammed the spy’s head against the wall, knocking him out cold. The spy slumped to the ground, unconscious but alive.

Levi turned to face Tiana and Isaac, his expression serious. “Are you both alright?” he asked, his voice steady.

Tiana nodded slowly, though her hands were still trembling. “I… I think so,” she whispered, her eyes still wide with shock. “I’ve just… never seen anything like that before.”

Isaac, his protective stance still rigid, looked at Levi with a mix of resentment and begrudging respect. “I didn’t even sense them,” he admitted, his voice low. “But you did.”

Levi sheathed his blades, his expression remaining stoic. “That’s why I’m here,” he said simply. “To keep her safe.”

Tiana swallowed hard, trying to calm her racing heart. She looked at Levi, her mind still reeling from the violence, from the swift, brutal efficiency with which he had handled the situation. “Thank you, Captain,” she said softly, her voice still shaking. “I… I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been here.”

Levi nodded, his gaze softening just a fraction. “That’s my job,” he said. “To protect you, no matter what.”

Isaac’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He knew Levi was right, knew that without him, things could have gone very differently. But it didn’t make it any easier to accept.

Tiana glanced between the two men, sensing the tension, the unspoken challenge between them. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “Let’s… let’s secure the workshop,” she said finally, trying to regain some sense of control. “And figure out what to do next.”

Levi nodded, his expression serious. “Agreed,” he said. “We need to make sure this place is secure. We can’t take any more chances.”

As they moved to secure the workshop, Tiana couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions—fear, relief, and a new, profound respect for the man who had just saved her life. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but one thing was clear: with Levi by her side, she knew she was in good hands.

….

The tension in the room was palpable as Levi pushed open the heavy wooden doors to the debriefing room. The scouts were already gathered inside, their faces a mix of concern and curiosity. Commander Erwin stood at the head of the room, his expression calm but alert, his sharp blue eyes fixed on Levi as he entered, Tiana close behind him. She was still shaken, her face pale, but she held her head high, trying to maintain her composure.

“Levi,” Erwin greeted, his tone serious. “What happened?”

Levi wasted no time. “Marleyan spies,” he said bluntly, his voice steady and cold. “Three of them tried to infiltrate the workshop and kidnap Dr. Belrose. Two are dead. The third is unconscious.”

A ripple of shock passed through the room. Eren, sitting near the front, leaned forward, his eyes wide with intensity. “Marleyan spies?” he repeated. “Here? Inside the Scout Headquarters?”

Levi nodded. “They were after Dr. Belrose,” he continued, glancing at Tiana, who stood beside him. “Marley knows she’s valuable. They think she’ll create something dangerous to them. They wanted to take her before she could do that.”

Mikasa’s eyes flicked to Tiana, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. “Are you okay?” she asked softly, her voice carrying a rare gentleness.

Tiana nodded, though her hands were still trembling slightly. “I… I’m fine,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “Thanks to Captain Levi.”

Erwin’s gaze shifted to Isaac, who was standing a few steps behind Tiana, his face still pale with shock and anger. “Isaac,” Erwin said, his voice commanding, “take the unconscious spy to a prison cell. Make sure he’s secured. We’ll interrogate him further once he wakes up.”

Isaac nodded, his jaw clenched, his eyes still burning with frustration. “Understood, Commander,” he replied. He moved forward, giving Tiana a brief, concerned glance. “I’ll be back soon,” he said softly, trying to offer her some comfort before turning to leave.

Levi watched him go, his expression unreadable. “We need to tighten security,” he said, turning back to Erwin. “If they got this close, they could try again. We can’t take any chances.”

Erwin nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Agreed,” he said. “I’ll issue orders to increase patrols around the perimeter. We need to know how they got in and if there are any more of them lurking nearby.”

Hange, who had been standing near the back, stepped forward, her eyes alight with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Marley’s getting bolder,” she said. “Sending spies directly into our headquarters… they must be getting desperate. Or they know something we don’t.”

Armin, seated beside Eren, nodded, his expression serious. “They’re scared,” he said quietly. “Scared of what we might be capable of. And of what Tiana might create.”

Jean crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in thought. “What kind of thing do they think she’d make?” he asked, looking directly at Tiana. “Do they really think one person could change the tide of this war?”

Tiana shifted uncomfortably, aware of all the eyes on her. “I’m… not sure,” she admitted, her voice soft. “I’ve developed some advanced technologies back in Androsia, but I haven’t shared everything with them yet. They might be worried I could do the same here.”

Levi’s eyes never left Tiana, his gaze steady and protective. “Whatever they think,” he said firmly, “they’re not getting their hands on her. Not while I’m around.”

Eren nodded in agreement, his expression intense. “We won’t let them take you, Tiana,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “You’re one of us now.”

Erwin looked between Tiana and Levi, his expression thoughtful. “Dr. Belrose,” he said, his voice calm but commanding, “you’re going to stay with Captain Levi at all times for now. He’ll keep you safe. We can’t risk you being alone, not with the threat of more spies. Is that understood?”

Tiana nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. “Understood, Commander,” she replied, glancing at Levi. She felt safer with him, despite the cold, calculating efficiency with which he had handled the situation earlier. She knew he would do whatever it took to protect her, even if it meant being ruthless.

Erwin turned back to the rest of the scouts. “We need to be on high alert,” he said, his tone firm. “Everyone needs to be vigilant. If you see anything suspicious, report it immediately. We can’t afford any more surprises.”

The scouts nodded, their faces set with determination. Levi turned back to Tiana, his expression softer now, though still focused. “Stay close,” he said quietly. “Don’t wander off.”

Tiana nodded again, feeling the weight of the situation settle over her. She wasn’t used to feeling this vulnerable, this exposed. But with Levi by her side, she felt a little more grounded, a little more secure.

Isaac returned then, his face tight with frustration but his posture firm. “The spy’s secured, Commander,” he reported. “He won’t be going anywhere.”

Erwin nodded in approval. “Good,” he said. “We’ll need to question him thoroughly. Find out how they got in, who else might be involved.”

Isaac’s eyes flicked to Tiana, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. “I’m sorry, Tiana,” he said softly, his voice filled with regret. “I should have been more alert. I should have seen them coming.”

Tiana shook her head, offering him a small, reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Isaac,” she said gently. “You couldn’t have known. And we’re safe now. That’s what matters.”

Isaac nodded, though his expression remained troubled. He looked over at Levi, a mixture of respect and resentment in his gaze. “Thank you, Captain,” he said, his tone begrudging but sincere. “For protecting her.”

Levi nodded, his expression calm. “Just doing my job,” he replied. “But we all need to be better prepared next time.”

Tiana glanced between the two men, sensing the underlying tension. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice carrying a weight of sincerity. “Both of you. I… I know this isn’t easy, but I appreciate everything you’re doing.”

Erwin stepped forward, his expression firm but encouraging. “We’re all in this together,” he said. “And we’ll get through it together. Stay alert, stay focused. And most importantly, stay safe.”

The scouts nodded, their resolve clear in their faces. Levi glanced at Tiana, his gaze softening just a bit. “Come on,” he said quietly. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Tiana nodded, following him as he led her out of the room. She could feel the weight of their eyes on her, the concern, the curiosity, the unspoken questions. But she knew one thing for certain: with Levi by her side, she felt a little stronger, a little more prepared to face whatever came next. And perhaps, just perhaps, she was beginning to understand the man behind the stoic mask—a man who was more than just a soldier, but a protector, a guardian, and maybe even… a friend.

….

As Levi and Tiana left the room, a heavy silence settled over the scouts. For a moment, no one spoke, the weight of what had just happened hanging in the air. The reality of Marleyan spies infiltrating their headquarters was a stark reminder of the danger they were all in—a reminder that no place was truly safe, not even within their own walls.

Finally, Jean broke the silence, his voice low and tense. “So, Marley’s coming after our allies now,” he said, shaking his head. “They must be desperate.”

Eren, still seated near the front, nodded, his expression grim. “Desperate or smart,” he replied. “They know how valuable Tiana is. They know what she could do. They’re scared of what we might accomplish with her help.”

Mikasa crossed her arms, her gaze focused on the door through which Levi and Tiana had just exited. “They won’t stop coming,” she said quietly. “Not as long as they see her as a threat.”

Hange, leaning against the wall, tapped her chin thoughtfully. “And she is a threat,” she mused. “A brilliant mind like hers, with the right resources behind her… she could change the game. I can see why Marley’s worried.”

Armin, always the strategist, nodded in agreement. “We have to be smarter,” he said. “We need to protect our assets—Tiana, our technology, everything. If Marley thinks they can just walk in and take what they want, we need to show them they’re wrong.”

As the conversation continued, Isaac stood near the back of the room, his face tight with frustration. He was furious, a deep, simmering anger that he was struggling to contain. He clenched his fists, his knuckles white, his jaw set in a hard line. He couldn’t shake the image of Levi cutting down those spies with ruthless efficiency, the way he had stepped in and protected Tiana without hesitation.

He hated to admit it, but Levi had proven himself. He had done exactly what Isaac had failed to do—sense the danger, act swiftly, and protect Tiana without a second thought. Isaac’s heart burned with jealousy, a mix of resentment and inadequacy swirling in his chest.

“I should have been the one to protect her,” Isaac muttered under his breath, his voice low but filled with frustration.

Jean, overhearing him, glanced over with a frown. “What are you talking about, Isaac?” he asked. “You didn’t even see them coming. Captain did. He’s the reason Tiana’s safe right now.”

Isaac’s scowl deepened, and he shot Jean a glare. “I know that,�� he snapped. “I just… I should have been more alert. I should have been the one to step in, not him.”

Connie, standing nearby, shook his head, his expression serious. “Look, Isaac, I get it,” he said. “You care about Tiana. But Captain Levi’s the best at what he does. We all know that. You should be glad he was there. I mean, he saved her life.”

Isaac gritted his teeth, his frustration only growing. “I know,” he repeated, his voice tight. “But… it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Sasha, ever the peacemaker, tried to offer some comfort. “Hey, you did your best,” she said gently. “And you did protect her, in your own way. You pulled her back, kept her out of harm’s way.”

Isaac glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. “Yeah, I guess,” he muttered. “But it doesn’t feel like enough.”

Eren, always direct, spoke up, his tone firm. “Captain Levi’s not doing this because he wants to show off or make anyone look bad,” he said. “He’s doing it because it’s his job. Because he’s the best at it. And right now, we need the best.”

Mikasa nodded in agreement. “We need to focus on what’s important,” she said. “Keeping Tiana safe, keeping ourselves safe. Captain’s proven he can do that. We should be grateful.”

Isaac let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing a hand over his face. He knew they were right. He knew Levi was the best person to protect Tiana, that he had done exactly what needed to be done. But it didn’t make it any easier to accept. He cared about Tiana deeply—more than he cared to admit—and seeing someone else step in, someone else be the hero, it stung.

Armin, noticing Isaac’s turmoil, approached him with a calm, understanding expression. “Isaac,” he said gently, “we’re all on the same side here. We all want to protect Tiana, to protect each other. Levi’s not your enemy. He’s just doing what he’s always done—what he’s best at. And right now, that’s what we need.”

Isaac nodded slowly, letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “I know,” he said quietly. “I know he’s not the enemy. I just… I just wish I could do more. Be more.”

Jean clapped Isaac on the back, offering a reassuring smile. “Hey, we all do,” he said. “But you’re doing fine, Isaac. We’re all in this together. And right now, that means trusting Levi to do what he does best.”

Isaac managed a small nod, though the frustration still lingered in his eyes. He glanced at the door again, his thoughts turning back to Tiana, to the way she had looked at Levi, the way she had relied on him, trusted him. He wanted to be that for her, to be the one she turned to, the one she trusted most. But maybe, for now, it was enough just to be by her side, to support her in any way he could.

As the scouts continued to discuss their next steps, Isaac took a deep breath, trying to push his jealousy aside. He knew he had a role to play, just like everyone else. And maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to prove himself, to show that he was just as capable, just as dedicated as Levi.

For now, he would wait. He would watch. And he would be ready, just like the rest of them, for whatever came next.

…

Levi escorted Tiana through the corridors back toward her room, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. The events in the workshop had put him on high alert, and he wasn’t about to let his guard down. Not with Marleyan spies sneaking into their headquarters. Not with Tiana as their target.

Tiana walked beside him, still trying to process everything that had happened. The sudden attack, the swift, brutal efficiency with which Levi had dispatched the spies—it was all so overwhelming. And now, as she followed Levi back to her quarters, she felt a mix of emotions: gratitude for his protection, a lingering fear of what might happen next, and a strange, nervous anticipation.

When they reached her door, Levi stopped and turned to her, his expression serious. “Wait here,” he said, his voice low but firm. “I need to check your room. Make sure it’s secure.”

Tiana nodded, understanding his concern. “Okay,” she agreed softly, stepping aside to let him enter first.

Levi pushed the door open and stepped inside, his eyes immediately scanning the space for any signs of intrusion or danger. The room was as he expected—small, with just a bed, a desk, a few shelves and Tiana’s personal decorations. But as his gaze moved over the room, he noticed something that made him pause.

Tiana’s room was… messy. Her bed was unmade, the blankets tangled in a heap. Her makeup was sprawled out across her desk, tubes and brushes scattered haphazardly. Blueprints were strewn across the floor, a chaotic mess of papers and sketches. And on her nightstand, glaringly obvious, was a book with a rather provocative cover—a spicy romance novel with a title that left little to the imagination.

Tiana, following Levi into the room, saw his eyes land on the book, and her heart sank. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she realized what he was looking at. “Oh, no,” she muttered under her breath, feeling mortified. She had been in such a rush that morning, she hadn’t even thought about tidying up, and now Levi—Captain Levi, the cleanest, most fastidious person she’d ever met—was seeing her room in this state.

Levi’s expression remained neutral, but Tiana could see the slight twitch in his eye, the way his hand flexed at his side. His gaze moved from the book to the makeup on the desk, then to the blueprints on the floor. She could practically see the gears turning in his head, his instinctual need for order and cleanliness kicking into overdrive.

Without a word, Levi moved to the desk, starting to tidy up the scattered makeup. He picked up a tube of mascara, carefully placing it back in its spot, then moved on to the brushes, lining them up neatly. Tiana stood frozen, watching him with a mix of disbelief and horror.

“Captain, you don’t have to—” she began, but Levi cut her off with a quick, efficient motion.

“It’s fine,” he said curtly, his tone brooking no argument. “I can’t focus if things are out of order.”

Tiana blinked, still flabbergasted. “But… this is my room,” she said, trying to sound reasonable. “I mean, it doesn’t have to be perfect…”

Levi glanced at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “A clean environment is a safe environment,” he said firmly. “We don’t know how they got in, or if there’s more of them. I need to be sure there’s no place for anything—or anyone—to hide.”

He moved to the blueprints on the floor, kneeling down to gather them into a neat stack. Tiana’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Not only had Levi seen her room in this state, but he was actually cleaning it for her. And then there was the book…

She glanced at the romance novel on her nightstand, feeling a fresh wave of mortification. The cover was bold, depicting a shirtless man holding a swooning woman in a rather dramatic pose. The title, “Passions of the Midnight Marquis,” was emblazoned in a flamboyant script, leaving no doubt about the book’s contents.

Tiana hurried over, snatching the book off the nightstand and trying to hide it behind her back. “I, um… I didn’t have time to put things away this morning,” she said quickly, her voice a bit higher than usual. “I was in a rush.”

Levi looked up from the floor, his eyes briefly flicking to the book she was trying to hide, then back to her face. “You should make time,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “A cluttered room is a distraction.”

Tiana swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure. “Right, of course,” she murmured, feeling like a chastised child. She could feel her face burning, and she wished she could just disappear.

Levi stood, the blueprints now neatly stacked in his hand. He placed them on her desk, then turned to face her fully. “Anything that could cause a distraction should be put away,” he said, his eyes briefly glancing at the book she was still clutching behind her back.

Tiana nodded quickly, desperate to change the subject. “I’ll… I’ll take care of it,” she promised, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you, Captain.”

Levi nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. “I’ll be outside,” he said. “Make sure you lock the door when you’re inside. And if you need anything, call me. I’ll be right here.”

Tiana nodded again, grateful for his concern, even if it was wrapped in his usual blunt, no-nonsense manner. “I will,” she said softly. “Thank you, Captain.”

Levi gave her a final nod, then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. Tiana let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, her heart still racing. She looked around her now-tidy room, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and relief.

She glanced down at the book in her hand, the cover now half-creased from her tight grip. She sighed, placing it back on the nightstand, this time face down. “Well,” she muttered to herself, “that was… something.”

She moved to the desk, straightening the remaining items Levi hadn’t gotten to, her mind still buzzing with the events of the day. Levi had been so focused, so intense, yet there had been a softness in his eyes when he’d looked at her, a hint of something she couldn’t quite name.

As she began to tidy up the last of her things, she couldn’t help but wonder what it was that made Levi so protective, so driven to keep her safe. She wasn’t used to someone being so… attentive. And while it was sometimes overwhelming, there was also a comfort in knowing he was there, watching over her.

She glanced at the door, half-expecting him to burst back in with another order or observation. But the hallway remained quiet, the heavy wood door firmly closed. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Whatever else happened, she knew one thing for certain: Captain Levi Ackerman was unlike anyone she had ever met. And that, more than anything, left her feeling both intrigued and oddly reassured.

…

Tiana lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, the events of the day playing over and over in her mind like a relentless reel. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a lantern on her desk, casting faint, flickering shadows across the walls. She had pulled the blankets up to her chin, trying to find some comfort in their warmth, but her thoughts were too chaotic, too tangled to allow her any real rest.

She had seen death before—the aftermath of battles, the injuries of soldiers—but today had been different. Today, she had seen Levi kill two people right in front of her. It had happened so quickly, so efficiently, that she barely had time to register it until it was over. The memory was vivid in her mind: the swift arc of Levi’s blades, the sudden spray of blood, the sharp, finality of the two spies crumpling to the ground.

She should have been horrified. She should have been terrified. But instead, she couldn’t stop thinking about how… hot Levi had looked. The intensity in his eyes, the precision of his movements, the way he seemed so completely in control of everything around him—it was both terrifying and undeniably attractive. She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks just thinking about it.

“What is wrong with me?” she whispered to herself, rolling over onto her side, her face half-buried in her pillow. Here she was, lying in bed, after one of the most intense, dangerous days of her life, and all she could think about was how good Levi had looked while fighting. How his muscles had tensed under his shirt, how his eyes had burned with a fierce determination that sent shivers down her spine.

She was down so bad for him. It was embarrassing. He probably didn’t even see her as a woman. To him, she was just a mission—someone he had to protect, like a child who needed babysitting. She could almost hear his voice in her head, calm and commanding: *“Stay close. Don’t wander off. Keep yourself safe.”*

She sighed, rolling onto her back again, staring up at the ceiling. “He probably sees me as some little girl he has to look after,” she muttered. “Someone who needs protecting, not… not someone he could actually be interested in.”

But the truth was, Tiana had never felt more alive than when Levi was near. He made her feel… something. She wasn’t even sure what it was. A strange mix of safety and excitement, a thrill that coursed through her whenever he was around. She had always been focused on her work, on her inventions, her ideas. Romance had been a distant thought, something she’d read about in her books but never really experienced herself. She had a few short flings here and there but never anything serious. But now… now she found herself thinking about it more and more.

She couldn’t help but wonder what Levi thought of her. Did he see her as just another person he had to protect? Or was there something more? She had seen a hint of softness in his eyes today, a brief moment where his usual stoic expression seemed to soften, to become almost… tender. But maybe she was just imagining it. Maybe it was just wishful thinking.

She sighed again, closing her eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. “I need to stop thinking about this,” she told herself firmly. “He’s my bodyguard. That’s all. Nothing more.”

But even as she said it, she couldn’t quite convince herself. There was something about him that drew her in, something that made her heart race and her thoughts whirl. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she knew one thing for certain: Captain Levi was more than just a guard. He was a mystery, a challenge, and perhaps, just perhaps, something more.

As she drifted between wakefulness and sleep, her thoughts kept returning to him, to the way he had looked at her, the way he had moved, the way he had fought. She couldn’t help but smile, a small, secret smile, as she finally began to drift off to sleep, her last thought a quiet, hopeful whisper in the back of her mind: Maybe, just maybe… he sees me too.

Masterlist:

#levi smut #aot smut #aot x black reader #aot x reader #aotfanfic #levi aot #snk levi #levi x civilian #captain levi #levi ackerman #levi x reader #aot levi #levi attack on titan #levi x you #levi x oc #levi x y/n

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ptbf2002 · 4 months

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My Top 10 Favorite 20th Century Fox Movies (2024)

#10 Home Alone

#9 Ice Age

#8 Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

#7 Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs

#6 Ice Age 4: Continental Drift

#5 The Peanuts Movie

#4 Spies In Disguise

#3 Alvin And The Chipmunks (2007)

#2 Family Guy: Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story

And #1 The Simpsons Movie

Original Template: https://www.deviantart.com/jackskellington416/art/Top-10-20th-Century-Fox-Films-Meme-665656007

Home Alone Belongs To John Hughes, Hughes Entertainment, 20th Century Studios, Inc. The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney Entertainment, And The Walt Disney Company

Ice Age (2002 film) Belongs to Michael Berg, Michael J. Wilson, Peter Ackerman, Blue Sky Studios, Inc. 20th Century Animation, 20th Century Studios, Inc. The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney Entertainment, And The Walt Disney Company

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Belongs to Michael Berg, Peter Ackerman, Mike Reiss, Yoni Brenner, Blue Sky Studios, Inc. 20th Century Animation, 20th Century Studios, Inc. The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney Entertainment, And The Walt Disney Company

Ice Age 4: Continental Drift Belongs to Michael Berg, Jason Fuchs, Blue Sky Studios, Inc. 20th Century Animation, 20th Century Studios, Inc. The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney Entertainment, And The Walt Disney Company

The Peanuts Movie Belongs To Charles M. Schulz, Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, Cornelius Uliano, United Feature Syndicate, Inc. Andrews McMeel Syndication, Blue Sky Studios, Inc. 20th Century Animation, 20th Century Studios, Inc. The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney Entertainment, And The Walt Disney Company

Spies In Disguise Belongs To Lucas Martell, Brad Copeland, Lloyd Taylor, Cindy Davis, Chernin Entertainment, Blue Sky Studios, Inc. 20th Century Animation, 20th Century Studios, Inc. The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney Entertainment, And The Walt Disney Company

Alvin And The Chipmunks (2007) Belongs To Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Jon Vitti, Will McRobb, Chris Viscardi, Bagdasarian Productions, Dune Entertainment, RatPac Entertainment, LLC, Monarchy Enterprises S.Á.R.L. Regency Entertainment (USA), Inc. FOX 2000 Pictures, 20th Century Studios, Inc. The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney Entertainment, And The Walt Disney Company

Family Guy: Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story Belongs To Seth MacFarlane, Gary Janetti, Chris Sheridan, Alex Borstein, Steve Callaghan, Sunwoo & Company Co., Ltd. Fuzzy Door Productions, Inc. 20th Television Animation, 20th Television, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Disney Platform Distribution, Inc. Disney Television Studios, Disney General Entertainment Content, Disney Entertainment, FOX Broadcasting Company, FOX Entertainment, FOX Corporation, And The Walt Disney Company

The Simpsons Movie Belongs To James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, George Meyer, David Mirkin, Mike Reiss, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, John Swartzwelder, Jon Vitti, Film Roman, LLC, Rough Draft Studios, Inc. AKOM Production Ltd. Gracie Films, 20th Century Animation, 20th Century Studios, Inc. The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney Entertainment, And The Walt Disney Company

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texas-writes · 1 year

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All long-form fics will be linked to Ao3

My entire catalogue of fics are linked under the cut, if there’s no link it means I haven’t cross-posted it yet. (I’m still working on it, I promise)

Many Paths- Leon decides to put off joining the military for one very specific reason

Shifter- An illusion is the truth aka: Leon’s worst nightmare

Special Girl- You finally get Leon right where you’ve always wanted him. Your bed

Strictly Business- A Princess marries Kylo Ren for the sake of her planet (long-form)

Lead Me Home- Two spies fall for each other without realizing they’re on the same side (long-form)

Cool Water- When the outlaw Levi Ackerman gets captured by a handsome Sheriff, he has until the end of their journey to prove he’s really not that bad of a guy (Cowboy au, Long-form)

Winter Break- Your hot step-brother Eren comes home from college, shenanigans ensue

Fraulein- Reiner recalls a summer he spent with a farmer’s daughter (1920s Texas au)

Mister Right- The wondrous algorithms of Tinder lead you to the man of your dreams (Long-form)

Phantom Blood

Gentle Giant- Johnathan Joestar gets down and dirty (respectfully)

Battle Tendency

Stardust Crusaders

Stay With Me- After realizing how close he came to losing you, Jotaro comes clean about his feelings (Star-Crossed Crusaders pt 1/4

Remember Summer Days- You and Jotaro cross paths a few years later when your exchange program sends you to Japan (Star-Crossed Crusaders pt 2/4)

Diamond is Unbreakable

Never Meant- Jotaro tells you he’s married, you can’t take it anymore (Star-Crossed Crusaders pt 3/4) (wip)

Golden Wind

Science Fiction- Ghiaccio has a giant crush on the maid, good thing she’s a loser too

Science Fiction Double Feature- You and Ghiaccio decide to get serious

Antici…pation- Ghiaccio finds out the hard way where babies come from

Simple Solutions- Screaming babies are the worst

Run With Me?- Risotto has more secrets than Passione knows

Easter Sunday- Mista meets a pretty girl at Mass, and then almost fucking dies

Stone Ocean

Highlight of My Evening- Jotaro and his girlfriend smoke some pot and get horny

Lovefool- You knew hooking up with your best friend’s dad was wrong, but just once couldn’t hurt, right?

Right Enough for Me- It was always Joel, no matter what problem you had, he would take care of it.

Calander Girl- You meet Johnny when he accidentally walks onto your modeling set. What could happen?

Come on Princess- Hawks invites you to go out with him and his boyfriend, you end up being their third

Candlelight- In which Eli Sunday is more than happy to consummate his marriage

“Bible Study”- Father Sunday lies to protect your reputation, after all, how would that make him look?

Stars and Oblivion- after years of searching, you finally find her (a Mad Max fic)

#masterlist #resident evil #star wars #the arcana #jojos bizarre adventure #there will be blood #Eli Sunday #mha #the last of us #tlou #attack on titan #aot #jjba #RE

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ao3feed-sobbe · 1 year

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We Can Make No Anthem

by Prevalent_Masters

The old Sander Driesen could not imagine war. He could not imagine death. He could not imagine this fight lasting longer than a few months, even as the Germans overwhelmed them, even as he loaded a gun with inexperienced, fumbling hands, even as he shot it over and over again, even as he watched men die around him and his city go up in flames. He could not imagine what would come as he walked through rain and mud with the remains of his division west to the IJzer. He could not imagine what would come even after that first true battle, sunk down in trenches for two weeks straight, peppered by machine gun fire and shrapnel, awake for days at a time and walking over, sitting on, tripping over, shitting on corpses–even then. Even then. The mind cannot wrap itself around such horrors. Sometimes, instead, it simply breaks apart.

Words: 9633, Chapters: 3/16, Language: English

Fandoms: WTFock | SKAM (Belgium)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death

Categories: F/M, M/M

Characters: Sander Driesen, Robbe IJzermans, Yasmina Ait Omar, Jens Stoffels, Moyo Makadi, Zoë Loockx, Senne De Smet, Milan Hendrickx, Jana Ackermans, Aaron Jacobs (WTFock), literally every named character in wtfock and several from other skamversus show up in this, Guest Starring:, half of the skam nl and skam france casts, allusions to druck characters, and a single italian

Relationships: Sander Driesen/Robbe IJzermans

Additional Tags: World War I, Alternate Universe - World War I, major character death is not the main pairing, Graphic Violence, Blood and Injury, War, Illness, Period-Typical Homophobia, Period-Typical Racism, Mental Health Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Suicidal Thoughts, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Falling In Love, Spies & Secret Agents

from AO3 works tagged 'Sander Driesen/Robbe IJzermans' https://ift.tt/rwFVciv via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Robbe x Sander #Sobbe #Sander #Robbe #SKAM #WTFock #AO3 works tagged 'Sander Driesen/Robbe IJ

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anothanobody · 2 years

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Yap he will manipulate Mikasa to killing Eren. The evil noble man send spies on the priestesses inn, I just want to add as well that he knows levi is Mikasa's cousin and during the exile of Mikasa's mother and her Father's execution, Levi was out of the kingdom so he was not aware of what happened, he only knows it after. And before levi tell Mikasa the truth, Nobleman already manipulated her. So Going back, The Noble already knew that she was actually Mikasa. So when he cross paths with Mikasa he be like "So you've been alive all this, Mikasa Ackerman" Mikasa confused "I am Sorry sir, but you might confused me with someone else" "Stop playing around, I know you know what you're doing!" "I don't know what you're talking about!" The evil noble man realizing that she has amnesia, starts to carefully plan something he pretended that he is the Nice Guy. One day he summoned Mikasa and tells her everything, as he was talking Mikasa remembers everything aside from her relationship with Eren. The noble man didn't also tell about that story because you know he gonna entrapped Mikasa. He just told her that Eren Ordered Mikasa's Father execution because her father betrayed Eren. Imagine Mikasa's shock at that time. She was still in the comprehending all of those things and she don't whether to cry to get mad or anything, when a maid told her that the emperor is sick and have requested her personally to aid him

this is a better plot that i ever expected tbh. i’d write it if you give me permission anon but first tell me more. how the memories come back and how eren reacts as well and even the empire knowing that the appointed and expected empress is actually alive and not dead. and nobleman and nobleman daughter. how will that go on.

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meatmechapilot · 2 years

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Rivaereri FallFest 2022 Day 14 - Prompt: Beach

The Lighthouse Keeper

The story of a Lighthouse Keeper and his selkie lover

There is an old lighthouse in a desolate beach and a single solitary man who lives there. Well, he does not literally live inside the lighthouse but at a little house at its foot. And he is not as solitary as people believe. The little house is richly furnished, despite its size, it can be perfectly described as cozy.

The house has a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. There was a fireplace in the living room to fight the cold winter. The man has decorated the room with furniture he made himself out of driftwood that washes on shore. When the man is not on lighthouse duty, he likes to go to the beach down the small cliff of the lighthouse.

The beach is not warm and sandy, but rather cold, rocky and desolate. There is a bleak beauty about it that draws in the Lighthouse Keeper, for it is here that he met the love of his life.

It was late summer/early fall, and the Lighthouse Keeper, named Levi Ackerman is taking his customary morning walk along the beach, while on the lookout for treasures that washed on shore. Suddenly, he spied someone attempting to swim in the ocean. This was unusual, because the beach here is not suitable for swimming and not even open to the public.

"Hey, you're not supposed to be here!" Levi shouted to the person. The figure in the ocean turned to look at him. Their eyes met and somehow, Levi knew that he was dealing with something not human. When he was small, his mother had told him many old wives' tales about supernatural creatures of the sea after all.

"I think you got it backwards," the figure shouted at him in return, "I'm the one who belongs to the seas, and it is the humans who don't belong!"

Levi couldn't dispute this, so he opted to pry. "What exactly are you that belong to the seas?"

"Can't you tell?" The figure had stood up and is walking toward Levi, he looks to be wearing a seal pelt that just managed to cover his modesty. "I'm a Selkie."

"You're a Selkie!" They ended up saying this in unison.

Just like that, the ice broke, and introductions was made. Levi learned that the Selkie's name is named Eren. He doesn't know why he did it, but Levi gave Eren a pretty piece of sea glass that he picked up on his walk. In return, Eren showed him a good place to dig up oysters. When evening came, they bid their farewells, Levi never expecting to see Eren again.

Eren comes back to the beach a month later, during a storm. He's timing was impeccable because Levi was there and was about to leave when the weather got bad. Levi takes him to his house. Eren brought some fish with him that Levi made into a stew. That night at dinner, Eren was introduced to many strange and unusual human foods to his delight.

After dinner, Levi cleaned up, and Eren didn't hesitate to help. Settled down in front of the fireplace, under the warm glow of the fire, they made love. Eren leaves in the morning but comes back in the evening, and they would eat, do chores and make love. Levi takes to go to town to buy some clothes in larger sizes.

When the weather became too cold, Eren stays with Levi in his house, warming his bed as well as his heart. The first winter was spent in an easy domesticity.

Next spring, Eren leaves. During the winter he spent with Eren, Levi knows that Eren is headstrong and doesn't like to stay in one place. Levi is sad but lets him go, but he knows that dealing with supernatural creatures is a tricky matter and requires utmost delicacy, lest disaster would strike him down.

Eren visits him occasionally throughout spring, summer, fall, each time bringing gifts from the sea. They establish a pattern where Eren stays with Levi during November to March, and leaves to his natural environment during the warm months.

For Levi, the temptation is there to steal Eren's seal skin to keep the selkie with him forever, but he does not do that. Because he knows that if you truly love someone, you should set them free, if they come back, then they are yours. And Eren always came back, even when Levi was old and gray.

#Rivaereri Fallfest 2022

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achiepy · 2 years

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Concealed spy of Eldia And the threat of Marley

They'll never get caught; And you'll never know them

#リヴァミカ #rivamika #mikasa #levi #ackermans #rivamika fanart #rivamika spy au #rivamika modern au #ackermans are spies #rivamika noir #doodle #sketch #i love them sm

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jjkamochoso · 4 months

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The Perfect Fit

Overview: Levi Ackerman begrudgingly finds himself falling in love with the Survey Corps’ seamstress. Will they be able to own up to their feelings for each other? Or is their love doomed to fail before they discover the truths of each other’s hearts? This slow burn reader insert story will be filled with angst, yearning, and a bit of mystery as we slowly unravel the truths behind Y/N’s past… and explore her and Levi’s future!

Chapter 12

Series Masterlist

Chapter 11 linked here

Chapter 13 linked here

Levi Ackerman x female reader

Warnings: cussing, reader scared of thunderstorms, small bit of violence and blood

"Oi, y/n. It’s time to wake up."

Your eyes opened and you were greeted with a gorgeous man standing over you, staring at your face. Levi didn't seem tired at all, his voice without any indication of sleep in it and his side of the bed was cold to the touch; you figured he had been awake and up for a long time. As you groaned and stretched your limbs, your mind wandered to last night’s events and how Levi initiated holding your hand as you went to sleep. You were surprised but flattered that he had allowed you to invade his personal space like that. Thankfully he did because you had woken up extremely well rested, most likely due to the comfort you found with him in the dark.

“Breakfast is on the table. Eat up while you can.”

Your gaze fell upon the small nightstand where a spread of food was laid out before you. Your mouth started to water as you spied all the pastries Levi brought you, complete with a warm drink. However, you found it hard to reach out and take a bite, too caught up in his kind gesture.

“It’s not poisoned, brat,” he said, giving you a look, “but it’s going to collect dust if you keep staring instead of eating.”

“You… remembered?” you half whispered. Levi’s unyielding gaze softened, knowing what you were referring to. You had told him months ago that your dream was to enjoy breakfast in bed again. It was a luxury that you experienced in your youth but hadn’t had in many years, and now here you were, able to have this moment, courtesy of an extremely kind hearted captain. Levi didn’t say anything as he sat on the bed next to you, sipping on the tea in his hands. He was grateful for the warmth of the liquid going down his throat after being in the morning chill, having already been busy outside loading the carriage with your bags and bonding with the horse. The spring season was coming to a close but it didn't want to go out without one more cold spell. You shivered as you nibbled on a muffin, the room becoming a lot colder now that you were out from under the sheets. Levi, of course, noticed your discomfort and was quick to come to your aid, grabbing a discarded blanket from behind him and laying it across your shoulders. You thanked him, feeling the heat reenter your body, and Levi quietly admired you when your focus went back to the good in front of you. You looked utterly adorable first thing in the morning, even with the dried up drool on your chin. When you gave him a lazy smile upon waking, he felt like he was going to explode from the amount of love that was coursing through his veins. Was this what heaven felt like? He wished he could stay like this with you forever. He started to feel shy as he realized how vulnerable he had been around you overnight. All of these loving touches and gentle gestures were still so new to him and he wasn’t used to showing his softer side to anyone. Even this morning had him second guessing his actions. Was he being too overbearing? He wanted to prove to you that he was helpful, useful—that he could be an attentive partner. What he lacked in verbal communication, he made up for tenfold in acts of service. While Levi was lost in his thoughts, overthinking every little action and word he’d previously shared, you were busy thinking about how empty you were feeling without his hand in yours.

After fueling up with breakfast, you were on your way to Wall Sina in no time. It was another day filled with quiet musing as you and Levi both stared out your respective windows, watching the world pass you by. The rain had started a few hours ago but it hadn’t affected your travel plans yet. However, it seemed that your luck might’ve started running out as thunderstorms began overhead. You definitely weren’t a fan of them but you tried to keep your composure as the noise boomed around you. The carriage driver informed you that you couldn’t travel in this weather so he was stopping at a town up ahead for the time being. The horse and carriage were parked under a big awning near the local stables and the driver made a beeline for the coziness of the busy tavern.

“If he gets drunk I’ll kick his ass,” Levi grumbled, crossing his arms across his chest. “You don’t want to go in there too, do you? Though it might be warmer.”

“I’d rather not spend my time around rambunctious loudmouth men if I can help it,” you replied, to which Levi agreed. You decided to pass the time in the carriage by working on your embroidery. You found it relaxing to keep your fingers busy with an idle task and Levi found it relaxing to watch you. He was enthralled with the way your fingers worked to move the needle up and down, back and forth. You moved with such ease, such grace. He was jealous of the way you held the fabric with a delicate touch, selfishly wishing that could be him in your grasp instead. He had given it much thought and decided that he really enjoyed sleeping in the same bed with you. Even with the feelings of self consciousness and uncertainty that came after, your presence gave him a sense of security throughout the night that he hadn’t had in a very long time. As the days go by, he found himself getting more and more comfortable opening up to you and allowing you to penetrate the walls he’d built up his entire life.

“Whatcha thinking about?” you asked him, catching him off guard, but he’d never let you see that.

“Just admiring your work,” he said, gesturing to your embroidered tea towel, “it’s very… elegant.”

“You’re sweet, Levi. If you want, I can personalize one for you right now since I brought two towels with me. Just tell me what design you want and I’ll start on it in a second.”

Before he could refuse, you had already swapped out the towels in the embroidery hoop.

“I only brought black thread,” you rambled, “I hope that’s alright. If you want color I’ll add it when we get back-”

All of a sudden, a flash of lightning burst across the sky as thunder roared, making you yelp in fear as the embroidery hoop clattered on the floor.

“Are you okay?” Levi asked, his eyes trained on your shivering figure. You didn’t know how to respond, feeling foolish at your jumpiness, but you were in no condition to put words to your actions. You scrambled to pick up your project but your shaky fingers wouldn’t cooperate. Levi noticed this and quickly rushed to your aid, collecting your things and placing them on the seat. Another barrage of thunder came upon you and you jumped again.

“I’m sorry, I just-I don’t like thunderstorms,” you said meekly.

Levi furrowed his brows. “Don’t apologize.”

Lightning lit up the inside of the carriage causing you to close your eyes and cower in your seat in anticipation of the loud cracks to follow. What you weren’t anticipating was the feeling of someone sitting next to you and an arm around your shoulders. Your eyelids opened to allow for you to see Levi surveying you, determination lighting up his irises as he brought your body toward him even closer during the next round of thunder.

“I don’t ever want you to feel scared when I’m by your side. I know I can’t protect you from everything in this world but I can damn well try.”

You didn’t say anything—you didn’t have to for Levi to know how much you appreciated (and believed) him. It was obvious in the way you visibly relaxed, resting your head on his shoulder and chest slowing its heaving. You stayed like that for the remainder of the storm, Levi being the anchor you needed to ground yourself against your fears.

Three days later and you were finally in Mitras, the tumultuous weather settling into hot days and cold nights as expected. You felt the familiar buzz of the city as the carriage rolled through the towering buildings and palatial homes. As much as the excess riches sickened you, you couldn’t deny that it felt nice to be back in such a familiar, safe place. You hoped that word of your arrival never made it to your family because you weren’t in the mood to deal with them on this trip, especially not with Levi accompanying you. He didn’t need to be exposed to their advantageous, scheming ways, lest he think that you inherited those same traits (you’d like to think you didn’t). You felt the carriage roll to a stop and you looked out your window to see you’d arrived to the shelter you coordinate your work with. You hopped out of the carriage and ran inside to greet your colleague.

“Ms. L/n! We can’t begin to tell you how excited we are to see you,” said the woman in charge, Mrs. Reimann. You had been working with her since you started sewing clothes and blankets for the needy and if it was any testament to how long you’ve known her, you remembered a time before she sported a head full of gray hairs.

“If my eyes don’t deceive me, it seems you’ve brought a new handsome man to help our cause,” she said, lowering her glasses from the top of her head to her nose in order to get a better look at Levi, who had come in behind you. “A husband, perhaps?”

“I’m afraid not. Just someone wanting to help a worthy cause,” Levi replied, cool as a cucumber, while you were a bit embarrassed by her lack of tact.

“Hmm. What a shame. You know, I’m always telling her that she ought to marry someone before she becomes a wrinkly old maid. Did you know that over the years, I’ve set her up on ten dates and she didn’t go on any of them? I’ve never seen her with a man. Do you think she’s even attracted to them-”

“Alright! Thank you Mrs. Reimann, I’m sure Levi’s not interested in that boring topic,” you said, cutting her off and then glaring at Levi to be silent when he mentioned that he wouldn’t mind hearing more from your blabbermouth friend. “We’re here to help the shelter. Would you like me to get my bags from the carriage and we can get started handing things out?”

“Oh!” she cried out, “Aren’t you the sweetest thing! Actually darling, I need you to make some house calls instead. We’ve had more and more people sneak up from the Underground but the Interior Police has many eyes on this place. So much so that people have stopped coming to stay because they’re afraid of a raid and getting sent back down there.”

You weren’t sure why but you felt Levi stiffen behind you, an unreadable look on his face. Was he super empathetic or did he have experience with the Underground? You had no idea.

“We’ll get started right away. Just give us the addresses and we’ll take the carriage over.”

When you gave the driver the list of addresses, his eyes opened wide and he shook his head with such intensity you thought it’d come off his neck.

“Uh-uh, no way am I going there. Those neighborhoods are way too dangerous!” he yelled, shoving the paper back at you. “Good luck but I ain’t going. I’ll meet you two at the inn you’re staying at to take you home tomorrow. If you’re still alive, that is.”

“Coward,” you muttered as you and Levi pulled your bags from the carriage and the driver took off, wasting no time getting out of there. “Looks like we’re walking, Captain. You up for the exercise?”

“I’d crawl on my ass if it meant getting away from here. We’re being watched from all sides and it’s creepy as shit.”

You couldn’t sense the extra eyes on you, but you weren’t surprised they were there after your talk with Mrs. Reimann. You and Levi left some kids’ clothes and a few blankets at the shelter before starting your journey to the drop off locations. You finally came upon the first one after 30 minutes or so of walking and you were exhausted from the sun beating down on you. How did Levi not even break a sweat? You wiped your forehead with your sleeve as you knocked on the door.

“Tch. Use a handkerchief,” Levi chided, handing you his. You gratefully dabbed it on your skin and handed it back to him as the door barely creaked opened.

“What do you want?” the voice from behind the door asked cautiously.

“We’re with the Reimann group. The shelter told us that you might need some supplies and we’re here to drop them off.” You slowly reached into your bag and set down the requested items, backing away from the door to show you meant no harm. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out. Please, take care of yourself.”

You turned around to leave, not wanting to overstay your welcome. Most of the people you came into contact with were, understandably, jumpy around strangers and didn’t trust anybody.

“Thank you.”

You were startled by the gratitude that left the man’s mouth. You turned to see that he had emerged from behind the door, holding the blankets in his arms and looking like he was going to cry.

“Thank you. For doing this. We all appreciate it.”

You nodded solemnly. “Thank you for being brave. And I’m sorry you have to be. I know things will get better for you.”

The man shut the door as you and Levi were off to your next destination. Levi looked deep in thought after that interaction but you weren’t going to press him on what was on his mind. You dropped off more blankets at more run down houses, your heart aching for these people who have experienced more hardship than you could bear to think about. Levi was a big help, giving everyone you met words of encouragement, bringing in the supplies when someone was too weak to carry them themselves, and even aided one man who’d broken his arm but needed to move an old couch away from a busted window (you two fixed the window as well). Before you knew it, you were finally at the last address as the dark of the evening loomed over you.

“This place requested some blankets and the rest of the kids’ clothes. They must be a big family,” you thought out loud, knocking on the door. It creaked open, a little eye peering at you.

“Hello,” you greeted, trying your best to not scare the child, “we’re with the Reimann shelter. Do you have a parent or adult I can talk to?”

The child nodded, opening the door a bit further but you didn’t dare step inside. A woman appeared after a few seconds, relief all over her features when she spotted the textiles in your hands.

“Oh thank you! You two, please, come in.”

You entered first, Levi close behind you. The inside of this house, like the others, was mostly bare, but was surprisingly cozy. There was a small fireplace roaring in the corner with logs ablaze. You were shocked by the amount of kids running around—you counted 7 but if they stopped moving, you would probably count more. You set the clothes and blankets down by the fireplace to warm them up. You checked to see if Levi was with you as you didn’t sense his presence. He was gone, having been dragged into a game by some of the children. It was a rare occurrence to see the gentle smile he was currently wearing and you couldn’t help but feel a tug at your heart as you saw how kind he was being. You knew he was a good man with a large heart, empathetic beyond all means, but seeing it in action was enough to almost bring you to tears. He was a strong soldier but you knew that wasn’t his defining trait—or a job he probably wanted in the first place. He seemed most comfortable in a position like this, bringing hope and joy to others.

“Please, have some tea,” the woman offered, handing you a cup. You wanted to refuse but you could tell she wouldn’t take no for an answer. You grasped the teacup gratefully, taking a sip.

“Thank you again,” she started, “for bringing those clothes and blankets. My family and I are grateful for everything Mrs. Reimann and her group have done for us. When I was in the Underground, I felt hopeless. I knew there was no way my kids would grow up to be healthy or happy down there, so when they got us up here and into this house, I’ve been counting my lucky stars that we all made it safely.” She turned to the kids. “Everyone say thank you to these kind people for helping us.”

“Thank you!” the kids said, giggling as Levi ruffled the hair on some of their heads.

“It’s no problem, really, it’s the least we can do.” You finished the liquid remaining in your cup and set it down with a careful hand. “We should take our leave as it’s getting late. Thank you for hosting us, the tea was delicious.”

“Of course,” she replied, “let me send some with you as a gift.”

“Oh no, we couldn’t-” You began, but she waved you off with her hand.

“Nonsense. You and this man have just ensured we don’t freeze during the cold nights. We owe you at least this much.”

She gave you a sachet of tea leaves that Levi, now standing next to you, put into the inside of his jacket pocket. You waved goodbye to the woman and the kids and stepped out into the cold night air.

“What a nice woman,” you said thoughtfully.

“She reminded me of my… someone I used to know,” Levi responded, his voice uncharacteristically far away sounding.

You hummed in acknowledgement. “You sound lucky to have known someone like that, then. Cute family, too. You’re good with kids.”

“Does that surprise you?”

“Not really. I know you’re a softie at heart, Captain,” you teased. The capital, for being so populated, was eerily quiet at the moment. You figured it was because you were in a rougher neighborhood and people didn’t want to risk coming in contact with the criminals and thieves that hung around these parts, preying on people that already had next to nothing. You scooted closer to Levi, an uneasy feeling settling over you the further you got away from the safety of the lit up house you were previously in. The houses in the next neighborhood were all but abandoned, no sign of living beings inhabiting the dilapidated buildings surrounding you. Levi took charge, leading you through the shortest route toward the inn you’d be staying at. He was moving so quickly that you grasped the back of his jacket so you didn’t get left behind. In the blink of an eye, he shoved you into a doorway as you spotted the glint of a blade barely miss you; it would’ve sliced your neck if he hadn’t moved so fast. You were stunned by the force of hitting the wooden door but quickly recovered when you saw a group of men with various knives and guns surrounding you and Levi. The latter bared his teeth, gripping a knife he had tucked in his belt, as he began slicing his way through the group, dodging bullets and cutting necks. While they were occupied with Levi, you took the chance to run. You knew of his superhuman strength; there was no way you could match it and you being there would hinder his ability to take them all down. You weaved through streets, the labyrinth of houses becoming more convoluted as you sprinted, but you at least remembered the general direction of the inn. You knew you couldn’t afford to stop moving at top speed but your lungs were ready to give out from exertion. You pulled yourself into a vacated building, panting as quietly as possible. When your heart no longer felt like it was going to burst, you opened the door to make a run for it when all of a sudden, you felt a knife prick the skin on your throat and heard the click of a gun.

“You’re comin’ with us, darling.”

Chapter 13

Taglist: @blueeclipsepaperstudent @raginginferno267 @come-away-with-me87

#levi ackerman x reader #levi x reader #levi ackerman #levi ackerman x you #levi ackerman x female reader #levi fluff #levi angst #captain levi #levi aot #levi ackerman x reader fluff #levi ackerman x reader angst

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teakookssi · 2 years

Text

Before I Leave You [Eren/Levi x Reader FF]

[ curated playlist ][ full story can be found here or here ]

➺ pairing: levi ackerman/eren jeager x fem!reader

➺ status: continuous

➺content: mafia au, crime, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, angst, lol so much angst

➺warnings: SHIT. IS. DARK. YO. violence, blood, strong language, guns/weapons, and illegal activities are all mentioned but hey, that’s attack on titan for you, so if you can handle that, you can handle this (:

Prologue:

The heels of your dark boots grind against the dirt road as you strut your way across town. Thick fog clings in the air and the smoke of factories burning coal paints the sky an ashy grey.

Your armed cadre follow close behind, sporting guns and knives like a second skin. They are your most trusted guards, your closest confidants, and four of the seven members belonging to your inner circle.

Mikasa Ackerman, a tall female with short dark hair, killer instinct, and sharp eyes, flanks your left side. Jean Kirstein, a strong, willful young man with warm brown eyes flanks your right. Holding the rear is Connie Springer, a young man with a slim build and signature buzzcut. At his side is Sasha Braus, a fiercely driven female with big, brown eyes and long chestnut hair tied in a high ponytail.

You don’t usually walk around town baring such tight security. There’s hardly any need. Your father is Thomas Ymir. Crime boss of the Founding Sector. He owns this town. No one in their right mind would dare touch you—his only daughter and heir— unless they’ve got a death wish they want granted.

But today is different.

Today you’re carrying out a business deal. And your cadre deserve a place at that proceeding. It’s the least you can do for them, given the regrettable circumstances.

As you cross through the heart of town, the townsfolk bow their heads to you a safe distance away. Out of respect or fear, it’s all the same to you. You pay them no heed. Yet you don’t miss the way their wary eyes slide over to your cadre behind you, knowing that if they’re with you, trouble is close at hand.

Down the road, coppers patrol the streets in their forest green uniforms. They too notice your cadre at your heels, but they remain unfazed.

They greet you with a tip of their hat. “Miss Anya.”

You walk past them without sparing them so much as a second glance. They’ve learned not to expect a response from you and do well not to linger, promptly taking note of your destination and carrying on in the opposite direction to resume their daily rounds—knowing when they’re not needed and when to look the other way.

You detest the whole lot of them, but these coppers are under your father’s payroll, and it’s the only reason you tolerate their presence. Yet despite their loyalty to your father, they are not to be trusted. They still carry a police badge on their uniform and are therefore obligated to answer to Erwin Smith, the commanding officer of the Paradis Police Force. And that bloody bastard has been after your father for years. He will do anything to bring your father down, even if it means risking the lives of his own men to plant his spies into Ymir territory.

Reaching the outskirts of town a few minutes later, you approach one of the old warehouses owned by your father’s company, Ymir & Co., that stores some of his rather not-so-privy merchandise.

A handful of his men stand guard at the entrance. They nod to you in greeting as you make your way towards them and move aside to let you pass.

Inside, Historia Reiss and Armin Arlert—your blond hair, blue-eyed duo, and two of the last members of your inner circle—are waiting for you in the center of the rusty, dim lit building with the man you’ve come to strike a deal with. He sits on a crate with his hands tied behind his back and a bag over his face. So perhaps hostage is the more accurate term for him.

Nevertheless, this remains a business deal all the same.

“Historia. Armin. Thank you for keeping our guest company.” Your voice is warm and inviting as it cuts through the tension in the room, but there is an undertone of malice present and the dark glint in your eyes promise violence. “I trust you’ve shown him just how hospitable we can be?”

Historia nods and hands you a manila folder from a black suitcase she’s kept at her side, while Armin removes the bag and reveals to you the battered face of the bastard who dared defy your father: Bertholdt Hoover. Crime boss of the Colossal Sector, and the man responsible for the death of one of your men, Marco Bodt.

Your composed demeanor does not change at the sight of him, but you sense your cadre’s knowing gaze on you, watching you with heed. Only they can see how much your eyes are burning with rage, unable to stand the fact that this traitorous bastard was still breathing when Marco was not.

As they all fan out behind you to surround Bertholdt, you notice Jean’s tense posture beside you, struggling to restrain himself.

Marco was an important asset to your inner circle. His loss was felt strongly amongst everyone. But Jean had always held a special bond with him, and if you were to glance over at him now, you would see the frustration and pain twisted on his face at his inability to avenge his fallen comrade despite having the man responsible for his friend’s death sitting right before him.

For that reason you refuse to look in his direction. Your eyes remain focused on Bertholdt, who stares back up at you with vacant brown eyes as he awaits your verdict, a look of resignation already sprawled across his bloody face.

He knows what your arrival means for him, but he has yet to realize that you are far from finished with him.

You let the manila folder Historia handed you fall carelessly out of your hand in front of him, causing the papers inside to scatter on the floor at his feet. Bertholdt stares down at them with a blank expression.

“I’ve had our lawyer draw up these papers,” you inform the traitor in that dangerously calm tone of yours, masking the burning rage boiling inside you with ease. “Every enterprise in your possession— bars, restaurants, warehouses, establishments you own—you will sign over to my family.” Blood drips from a nasty cut on his forehead and you reach out to wipe it away, letting his blood stain your fingers red. “Or you’re gonna die right here.”

Bertholdt turns his face away from you, refusing to be touched by your hands, but this only encourages you further. You cock your head to the side, curious to see how much more humiliation he’s willing to take under your control before he finally gives.

Or before you lose interest—whichever comes first.

“I would have buried you ten feet underground,” you admit with chilly nonchalance. “You and your whole bloody clan—if my father had not stopped me.” Your eyes get drawn to his ruffled dark hair and you begin fixing it to a more reputable fashion with your blood stained fingers, like a mother tending to her unkempt child. “He says it will be worse for you if I let you live. If we take everything you have.”

You can see him clench his teeth as he swallows down the threat, but Berthold refuses to play along with you.

You give him an annoyed frown. “You are beginning to lose my interest,” you warn him sharply as you slip out a dagger from your sleeve, revealing a small glimpse of the centipede—the symbol of house Ymir—tattooed on your wrist. “And that is a very dangerous thing.”

In one swift movement you circle behind him and cut his hands free from the rope tying his hands together behind his back. He winces as his shoulders involuntarily come forward, feeling the release in tension from his muscles after being held in the same position for so long.

You reach into your coat and offer him a pen.

“Sign.”

You then let it drop on the floor in front of him.

“On your knees.”

Bertholdt glances down at the papers at his feet with clenched teeth. When he glares up at you, you’re surprised to find some fight still left in him. Mikasa notices too. His hands ball into fists, as if getting ready to strike, but the second he looks to your cadre, you pull your gun on him and shoot his left knee.

Your voice is cold and low, the playfulness in your eyes gone. “I said,‘kneel’.”

He lets out a scream and unwillingly falls to the floor, a puddle of blood quickly beginning to form near his leg and trickle down to the documents on the floor.

You point your gun to his other leg and pull down the lever, ready to pull the trigger. “Sign before I take away your ability to walk forever,” you hiss at him viciously.

He whimpers and shakes his head for you not to shoot, eagerly reaching for the pen with trembling fingers.

“Treacherous piece of filth,” you mutter with disdain as you watch him struggle to sign every last document amidst labored breaths.

Historia collects them once he’s finished and double checks everything is in order before handing the blood-covered papers over for Armin to sign—House Ymir’s new chosen crime boss of Bertholdt’s territory and his now officially legal replacement.

“The Colossal Sector is now under our jurisdiction,” you announce to everyone in the room as you stand watching over Bertholdt’s withering body with a bored expression on your face, a hand casually tucked in the pocket of your trousers. “By order of house Ymir.”

Your other hand twirls your gun on your finger absentmindedly as Jean and Connie roughly yank Bertholdt to his feet, positioning him directly in front of you. He cries out in pain as he’s forced to stand on his leg. You lift his chin up with the tip of your gun to force him to meet your piercing gaze.

You lean in close and your lip curls in disgust. He reeks of sweat and blood. ”You should have known better than to risk betraying this house.” You press your gun deeper into his face, pushing his head back. “To touch any of my men.”

You step back to let Jean and Connie drag him away.

“Go run to Reiner and Annie,” you tease behind him, taking a quick glimpse down at his injured knee and knowing full well he won’t be doing that—let alone, much walking—anytime soon. “Tell them what’s happened here, and tell them, if they don’t adhere to the deal they made with my father, we’re coming for them next.”

You raise your gun to point to the back of his head as Jean and Connie lead him out the door.

Mikasa tenses beside you and takes a step towards you, as if to stop you.

“Anya,” Armin warns behind you. The fact you’re so unpredictable has both of them believing your need for vengeance would let you disregard your father’s orders. But they needn’t worry. You may be a wild and vicious thing, but despite your crooked ways, you have principle.

And family and loyalty are the two things you honor and value most above all else.

Your father needs Bertholdt alive to send a message to the rest of his enemies. To remind them of what will happen if they attempt to double cross him. In your anger for Marco’s death, you’d argued his death served message enough, but your father was a businessman, and things needed to be done accordingly.

“If I let you kill him,” he had said to you, “a cycle of vengeance will follow and we will have gained nothing. You must practice patience and learn when to let go of your pride. By taking everything Bertholdt’s father spent years to built and forcing him to walk back to his men, alive and well… to make him have to tell them himself that he willingly signed it all away, and that they no longer have any right to any business in that territory—his pride will be more than wounded. The shame and disappointment he will have brought to his family name—” You father had given you a knowing look. “Well, I’m sure you can imagine how deep that wound will lie…what that will do to him mentally.”

He had pulled you in to a tender embrace when he saw the face you’d made at the thought of it, and began to caress your hair in comfort as you rested your head against his chest. “You can torture him. Prolong his death for as long as you want before you decide to finish him off. But you will only be doing him a kindness. In death, you spare him from pain, from grief, from feeling anything at all and—”

Realization began to dawn in your eyes as you met his gaze. “Mercy is only given to those who deserve it.”

He smiled down at you, pleased to hear you recite one of his mantras. “We are but reasonable people, after all. If the Colossal Sector has wronged us, it is only fair we return the favor.”

So you stand in the warehouse watching Bertholdt walk away with his life, knowing that he is merely a puppet in this great game of power and crime. There are more hands at play pulling the strings. But no matter who the enemy is or how many, they will all suffer the same fate.

Unlike them, you have learned the rules of the game. You know how this goes.

You will stand by your father’s side and watch as every last one of your enemies meet their own ruin—a downfall you will have carefully orchestrated. And in their misery, they will think only of you. Of the one who put them there.

“This is how you destroy them,” your father had said. “How you make them regret having ever wronged you.”

“Yes…” you’d agreed out loud, his words still echoing in your head long after he left. And you were coming for them all.

With your gun still raised in position, you close your left eye, as if to take a more accurate shot at Bertholdt from your distance. You imagine pulling the trigger.

“Bang.”

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