The Pact
Author's note: edit (9|14|19) All parts have all been rearranged for better access to the stories that have multiple chapters. So a lot of the authors notes won't make sense from here on out. I'm in the process of deleting them or rewriting those ANs
**********************************
"Levi!" you cried, springing up from a roll after a hard landing on the rooftop. "Roughly a 9 meter Titan and a 5 meter Titan were reported half a league south by Jinn! The team is working to take them down."
Levi barely nodded, not even bothering to look at you. You knew he knew that already; you were merely informing him.
You and Levi, by strange circumstances, were the duo of duos. From the get go, you both had skills beyond those of ordinary soldiers and Erwin took notice of that and demanded you both work as partners. After years of working together to take down titans, your combined tactics were seamless. You knew each other's combat gestures, strategy, and strongest skills. The fluidity of your teamwork, timing, blade precision, and flawless agility the both of you possessed were what made the two of you the perfect combat pair.
In the beginning, Levi was difficult to work with, and even more difficult talking to while off duty. For a while, he outright refused to work with you, stating he worked solo. However, over time, you grew to understand his cold ways, learning subtlety was the key for you to make any sense of him. He wanted to work solo because he wanted to be reckless, and he knew recklessness would needlessly threaten other soldiers' lives. With stern encouragement from Erwin, and perhaps your own brand of insistency, Levi slowly learned to work with you. Years and years working side-by-side created an unspoken yet strong bond of trust and loyalty to the other.
Together, you both were deemed "humanity's strongest soldiers" or recently and lamely dubbed "The Power Pair."
Levi sighed. You knew this was more out of boredom than annoyance; the both of you hadn't seen much action on this expedition. Secretly, you were grateful this was a small scale expedition to clear out some of the Titans within the surrounding area of Wall Rose, and particularly near Trost District. This was a routine thing ever since the attack on Shinganshina four years prior. Generally, only the topnotch soldiers of the Survey Corps were on these small missions. Because of that, casualties were far less likely to occur.
Something caught your eye within your peripherals and you glanced over to your right.
"15 meter sighted," you said without any real worry. You began to re-tie your (h/c) hair quickly back into a tight ponytail since it had loosened a bit from previous combat and maneuvering with the omni-directional gear. "Ready when you are."
Levi turned to face the direction of the Titan in question. "It's a deviant," he said in his usual deadpan tone. "It's fast."
You placed your hands on the trigger hilts and pulled out two sharpened blades. "I noticed."
"You failed to mention that, (f/n)."
You laughed in a good natured fashion. "It's not like you wouldn't notice!!"
With that, you broke into a run before you pulled the triggers to release your cables. "Don't slow me down!!"
You could hear him scoff behind you just before Levi whipped past you, turning to you in midair. "That's my line," he said with the slightest smirk. With a grin, you tailed him while closing in on the deviant Titan. Unfortunately, the surrounding area you and Levi had to undertake the Titan was sparse with usable support for your iron wire propellers. Few buildings were tall enough for for this size of a Titan and even fewer trees were within range. In a way, this was the best situation one could hope for in a nearly flat expanse. Levi and you would have to make due with the Titan himself being your support.
Both you and Levi swung around the titan, trying to gain momentum in order to be able to strike the nape of its neck. Within seconds, the Titan realized it was under attack and quickly started to swat you and Levi away. On the whole, titans were clumsy and lacked reflex time but it was already clear this one was quick.
But you and Levi were faster.
As a giant hand came careening in your direction, you adjusted your speed and dodged it just in time. You kicked off the forearm of the Titan and continued to wrap yourself around it even though it was still running through the small town. Levi made a blade strike along the left shoulder of the Titan to render his arm useless. The strike caused blood to spray over his clothes and face and you distinctly heard Levi click his tongue in annoyance. Even in the midst of your own blade strike on the other shoulder, you laughed, knowing full well how much Levi hated being dirty.
Many soldiers have seen you two in action and all of them were blown away at your seamless movements between each other. Most soldiers would collide into each other pulling off the moves you both did and so it was always impressive to watch you two at work. It's been said that the way you two move in midair is like some strange, yet beautiful art form.
"Achilles'!" you heard Levi shout. That was enough for you to know he wanted to finish this Titan off. With a nod, you spun around in midair and shot your iron cables into the backside of the titan, who was still running but now through a flat expanse of ground.
You and Levi spun around the legs, the both of you flying past each other with only a foot in distance from the other. Simultaneously, the pair of you struck the giant's Achilles' tendons, spattering blood everywhere. With the loss of both vital tendons, the Titan fell forward on its front, unable to stop the fall since its arms lacked mobility.
"Piece of cake!" you cried, pumping the air with your fist in midair.
Levi snorted as he landed on the back of the titan and turned to you. He was going to let you finish the Titan off when his eyes widened.
"(F/N)!!" shouted Levi, obviously distressed. "YOUR RIGHT!!"
But it was too late; you glanced in the direction he screamed only to find a Titan hand careening towards you. The only time you had was adjust your position so that you would be hit mostly in your lower half instead of your torso and head.
The pain that exploded in your body was massive and you automatically let out a loud groan of pain. Although it hurt, you managed to keep the second titan's fingers from wrapping around you by slicing them off mid hit. However, you were sent flying to the ground below instead. Instinctively, you shot your cables out to the tree you were about to hit, despite your blackening vision, but only one cable made purchase. You used some of the shaky momentum to swing around it and create a slightly softer landing on the grass.
There was definitely a sickening snap that occurred as you landed, white hot pain shooting through your body again as you rolled to a heavy stop. You realized how bad this must of looked; that blow was something a recruit could have avoided yet you let your guard down for a second too long and paid for it.
You stared up at the sky with a blank expression, aware of the darkness that was coming over you. You tried to focus on Levi's distant but enraged battle cries, vaguely surprised that he was so furious. He never loses his cool in combat. You couldn't see him, but you could imagine the terrifying look on his face right about now. The thought made you smile to yourself.
He is going to be so pissed, you mused as you made zero attempts to get up. There was an unmistakeable rumble of the earth but you couldn't figure out why it was shaking; thinking required too much effort. You suddenly were so tired. You just wanted to sleep forever.
"Sorry Levi..." you sighed, closing your eyes to the last bit of vision you had.
There was movement around you that you couldn't place but you could hear a little still. "Don't fucking say sorry to me like this, you dumbass!!" you heard Levi say, though it sounded like he was hundreds of feet away. "Oi! (F/n)! Focus on my voice. Don't die on me out here!!"
"I'm sorry..." was the last thing you whispered before you lost consciousness.
************************************
Everything felt heavy and everything was dark.
There was a strange radiating pain from your leg that bothered you immensely and anytime you tried to open your eyes, it proved too difficult. Your head was pounding and your body was stiff.
You also couldn't remember what really happened.
However, there was a pleasant sensation on the back of your right hand, gentle enough to put you at ease. You tried to look but decided it was too much effort so you settled on enjoying whatever it was.
"...so stupid," you heard someone say quietly. "You fucking dumbass. Celebrating a victory before you even finished it off. What the hell is wrong with you? Why weren't you paying attention?"
You knew immediately who that was. No one else calls you "dumbass" with such a weird undertone of affection but Levi.
"It's my fault," he continued. "I should have seen the second Titan."
There was a long silence that followed and you wanted desperately to tell him it wasn't his fault at all. You wanted to pat him on the head like you always did, so he could snap at you to tell you to stop. Like he always did. You wanted to tell him it was okay, that everything would turn out fine and he shouldn't brood over you like this. Humanity still needed him. He was the best of the best.
Your mind wandered on all your conversations you've ever had with Levi in that silence. He doesn't open up to people, but you've worked so closely for so long that he has told you things about himself that no one really knows, save for maybe commander Erwin. Things like Levi's life as a child, living underground and running around with thugs before joining the military. How he actually really likes being short since enlisting in the Survey Corps. He claimed being tall makes it harder to control your body while using the 3DMG and agility and speed were his strengths. Not that he ever let anyone ever make fun of his stature otherwise.
Or why he will never let himself fall in love as long as he is clothed with the Wings of Freedom. You remembered that conversation up on the roof of headquarters over a year ago with a certain fondness. That night, Levi had shaken you awake, whispering to you that he couldn't sleep, and demanded your company on the roof. At the time, you thought it was strange for him to want any company. However, even your bleary state, you snuck out with him because your curiosity got the better of you.
Originally, you thought Levi did not want to fall in love because he just wasn't interested in the idea of being in love; you assumed that he wouldn't like the idea of holding those kind of feelings for one sole person. Or that maybe women annoyed him too much to want to deal with that. But Levi surprised you and shot that assumption down. It wasn't that he was incapable of loving someone or even that he didn't want to, deep down, but because of his profession, he knew it'd be too much heartache and maybe even a distraction.
"There's too much uncertainty in loving someone when she could die the next day at the hands of a Titan," he had said while staring up at the near full moon. "Or I could die."
You had glanced at him, surprised by the soft tone he used. It almost sounded like he was...upset. You agreed with him, since your reasons for being single were fairly close to his.
"Well, if we ever quit the military or something," you said jokingly to cheer him up, "you and I can just get married and have a bunch of kids."
Levi snorted. "What the fuck are you going on about?"
"What? We basically are married now! I see your lame face nearly every waking moment of my life as it is."
You then laughed, thinking he would have punched you in the gut like normal but Levi didn't even react at that like you thought he would; he didn't even look at you actually.
"I suppose that works," he had said in deadpan. "...You're my military wife."
"Pfft, exactly!! So we may as well just get married one day," you said with a grin.
"You annoy the fuck out of me like a wife would anyways." Levi turned his expressionless gaze at you for a moment before he smirked slightly. These looks didn't catch you off guard like they use to but in this situation, you were confused how he was even going along with something so ridiculous. Levi never really played games.
"Oh shut up," you sighed. "You're such a prick."
Levi stared at your for a moment and you stared back in confusion.
"I want five kids."
You burst out laughing at the finality of the statement. "Shit, Levi, I don't think I wanna push more than three out of me," you replied, still giggling. "We can adopt the last two or something."
His expression didn't change. "Why?"
"Excuse me, but I don't want to get all loosey goosey down there. I'd still like to have a ton of great sex even after three kids!"
Levi's smirk widened a fraction more and he even eyeballed you for a second.
You slapped his arm. "Watch the eyes, pervert."
He looked away and out at the expanse of trees, propping his elbow up on one of his legs. "Fine then. I'll settle for three kids since you're thinking about my needs."
"I was thinking about mine, actually," you corrected. He snorted at this.
A moment of silence passed. "So we have a deal then?"
You had thought this was all playful banter up until this point. "Wait what? You're actually serious? No fucking way!"
Levi chuckled, though unamused. "I tolerate you enough already. There's no sense in falling in love with someone when I have my military wife being an annoying little shit all day long."
"Oh because you're such an angel!" you said sarcastically while rolling your eyes. "Mr. Clean Freak over here, being a little asshat wherever he goes. You'd make a terrible father."
This time he really did punch you in the arm, and hard. "I take offense to that." Levi paused, watching you rub your arm tenderly. His expression turned somewhat thoughtful. "Before I agree to this pact though, I need to take you for a test run. I don't want to be sexually incompatible with my own wife."
"You're an ass!" You went to slap him playfully again, but Levi caught your wrist easily. "Hey, let go!"
Levi had pulled you in close, so close that your lips nearly met. Automatically, you narrowed your eyes at him, not perturbed with the sudden proximity. "I have to make sure I can satisfy your needs and you satisfy mine."
You made to bite his face and he pulled back quickly. "I take offense to that!" you snapped. "Of course I'm good in bed! Who do you think I am?"
Levi did not attempt to reply but released your wrist with a very self satisfied smirk.
That conversation was a long time ago, but it held a special place in your heart. Since that day, you and Levi would refer to each other as "husband" and "wife" whenever in private or with close comrades. Whenever those terms came up, it was usually when you both were irritated with the other but didn't want to cause a huge scene.
"Hey..." you heard Levi say presently. "I don't know if you can hear me but...you need to wake up, you dense shit. I need...my annoying wife at my side."
If you could laugh, you would have. You really wanted to but your throat burned intensely. Levi always had a way of knowing what you were thinking about. Sometimes, it freaked you out, especially when he would call you out on fantasizing about sex or something.
"We had a pact, (f/n). Remember?" You felt the gentle sensation on your hand move to your head and you realized he was stroking your hair. "We're getting married one day and we will have more sex than I know what to do with. You promised me, you know."
Again, you wanted so bad to laugh. You knew for a fact you didn't promise anything like that to him. Especially the sex part.
"We're having three kids. I want all boys, but I guess I would settle for a girl if she grew up to be like her mom." You realized his voice was beginning to waver as he went on. For the first time, you could hear the sound of Levi becoming a broken man. "We were going to grow old together. Live to see our grandchildren...maybe one day venture outside the walls."
You wondered why he was saying all this; thinking about it was proving difficult for you still so you kept listening to his shaking voice.
"You know, I lied to you that night. I said I would never fall in love with anyone...but that was because I was already in love with you," continued Levi. "But you're so stupid. You had no idea. You know I don't like people, how I don't want them to get close. You are the only person who is though. You're the only person I want to be close with. You're my partner. You're my military wife so you have to wake up and fulfill those duties to me. Just please, wake up."
By the end of it, Levi couldn't keep it together anymore and he put his head down by your arm. You didn't think he was crying but you thought he might be trying to hold back tears out of pride. Never did you think you'd hear a confession out of Levi. Something awoke in your heart at that moment, and you realized that you yourself had been dodging deeper feelings for Levi for years. It was always unspoken, but now that you thought about it, it had always been clear you both loved each other.
With all the strength you had, you opened your eyes and blearily gazed at the top of Levi's black hair. His hands were balled into tight fists and he was shaking slightly, from holding back his anguish or from frustration, you didn't know.
You reached out quietly and pat the top of his head with all the affection you could muster up. When you spoke, your voice was dull and scratchy. "I've never heard you talk so much."
Levi's head shot up and you were surprised to find the smallest of tears in his normally dead eyes.
"YOU WERE AWAKE THIS WHOLE FUCKING TIME!?" he bellowed, standing over you in a furious rage. Despite this, you laughed quietly, although you ended up coughing violently mid way through.
"Sorry, sorry..." you said dismissively. Levi's chest was heaving but his gaze softened when you winced in pain because you shifted your leg.
"Stop moving, dumbass," he snapped, pouring you a cup of water to clear your throat. You could not mistake the slight blush that dusted his face when he turned back to you. He was definitely embarrassed. "I fucking hate you right now."
You chuckled before you downed the water in seconds and held it out for more, which he granted. "What a good husband," you teased, a mischievous grin spreading across your face. He froze half way through handing back the cup. Levi was glaring at you and without breaking eye contact, he turned the cup upside down and poured the water all over the wooden floor.
"What the hell, Levi!?" You almost leapt out of he bed to lunge at him before blinding pain shot through your body. "Ow fuck."
"I told you to stop moving!!"
Finally, he let you have another cup of water, cleaned up the water in the floor, and then settled back at your side. Levi pressed a cold towel on your forehead after you complained of being too hot and remained completely silent for the next ten minutes. It wasn't uncomfortable; in fact, you liked the idea of Levi taking care of you like this, though your pride also couldn't handle that he was.
You put a hand over Levi's hand that was at your forehead and gave it a light squeeze. "...So, you're in love with me."
Levi shook his head, clearly aggravated with you. "Not everything is some big joke, (f/n). So don't fuck with me."
"I'm not," you replied seriously. Levi turned his gaze to you and lowered his arm. "Levi...don't make the assumption that I am not taking your words seriously because I am. You know me better than anyone...and for the record, I know you inside and out."
"I'm aware."
Levi seemed at a loss for words though and he sighed heavily. Although he met your gaze directly, he appeared distant.
"Hey..." you said to break the silence. "...You're everything to me, Levi. If I lost you, I don't know what I would do. You're my best friend, the only person in the world who knows exactly what I'm thinking and the only man I ever honestly think about ever. You're my partner...my military husband. And as your military wife, I want nothing more than to be by your side until the day I die from old age."
You hesitated before you swallowed nervously. "Because I love you."
Levi stared at you for a long moment; he neither moved not breathed. "Stupid," he whispered, suddenly leaning forward and kissing your lips lightly. As quickly as he touched your skin, he was gone and you automatically pouted.
"Stop that. I have controlled myself around you for the last three years, don't you dare make this hard on me now."
You grinned. "Oh wow, you're kind of naughty. What could you even do to this poor injured wife of yours anyways?" you said teasingly.
He narrowed his eyes at you. "Don't underestimate me."
The conversation flowed well into the night. You found out you had a concussion, that your left femur was broken, and your left collarbone was fractured from when you hit the ground. You also found out that you were in a coma for the last five days and you've had several visitors in that time.
It was like nothing between you two changed, only now Levi had a surprising habit of kissing your forehead or stroking your hair without warning. Yet another side about Levi you were the only one to see.
"So," you said with a sly grin, "when's the wedding? Because, you know, our wedding night will be a long, sleepless one."
"Tch!" Levi scoffed, furrowing his eyebrows. "You're making me wait?"
"Pfft. Depends on how I feel." You spoke with a coy tone. "So when?"
Levi rolled his eyes and kissed you with a gentle passion. After a minute, he pulled back and gave you a very suggestive expression. "The wedding is the second you're cleared for duty again. That way you can't complain about being injured when I make love to you."
You were surprised how you blushed at this, never having been shy about sexual things with anyone, especially when talking about it with him. Levi immensely enjoyed the way you tried to hide your face and leaned in again. His lips barely touched yours, his skin like a feather against you, and when he spoke in a husky whisper, it sent light chills all over you.
"You better be ready, wife...because I will make you mine that night."
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top