Tainted (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 7

It was only a few hours until sunset as you lay supine atop the sheets of your bed, one arm across your forehead, eyes unfocused as they stared directly up at the ceiling. You sighed, wondering what everyone else was up to. So you rolled to a sitting position and from there hauled yourself up.

You started to straighten out your bed when you heard a crackle. You lifted the pillow a bit in confusion and your eyes rested on a single charred piece of paper.

You picked the brittle thing up, staining your fingers as some of it crumbled behind to no more than blackened ash.

Other than the obvious damage, it seemed insignificant. Straining a little, you were able to pick out some of the words toward the middle. '...I was part of the 34th expedition beyond the walls. Second Brigade, in charge of perimeter def...'

Your eyes widened as you recognized the achingly familiar handwriting, and cold anger ignited in the pit of your chest. No way. Who the hell put this here?? And why is it burnt like this?

Heart unable to decide between fury and hurt, you tried to think critically about the situation. I have no enemies in the Scouts, at least none that I'm acutely aware of. Besides, Ilse's notebook should still be safely in her father's possession.

Is this somehow connected to my father? His attempt at capturing me failed. And taking on the Scouts–although not impossible–would come with great losses for him. The only other way he can get me is if I go willingly. But that's absurd. He has nothing on me.

Right?

Head spinning with a familiar fear, you hastily tucked the paper into the drawer of your desk and dusted the ashes off of your hands and the bed.

~*~

You tried to put the finding out of mind as you trained alongside your squad the next day. You were all in the forest, honing your 3DMG skills.

Levi was making you each take a turn maneuvering through a particularly dense part of the forest, observing speed and technique. Gunther and Oluo had already finished, and Eld was up next, with you after him.

You paced back and forth as Eren and Petra chatted, eying you with a mixture of caution and worry.

"Hey (Y/n), you alright?" Eren suddenly spoke up, frowning lightly as he watched you. "You don't look like you've gotten a lot of sleep lately." Petra waited nervously beside him for your reply.

You were surprised by his boldness, and tried to let go of some of your tension as you looked up and gave them a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, I've honestly just been a little worried about the upcoming expedition." Well, it wasn't completely untrue.

Eren and Petra both returned the smile, exchanging a glance.

"It'll be okay. We've got Eren this time." Petra thumped Eren on the back not so gently, making him stumble a bit. Petra's usually kind eyes were stern as she looked at him, seeming to say, 'we're counting on you.'

Eren nodded, turning away with startled green eyes as the distant zipping of 3DMG was heard. Your eyes were pulled to the sheaths of his 3DMG gear as you noticed something scratched onto the side of it. To an unknowing eye it might look like a plain X, common wear and tear to the equipment over time. But you immediately realized the intentional and symmetric shape of twin daggers crossing over one another.

"Eren," you said lowly, meeting his curious gaze as he turned back. "Where did that - "

"You're up, brat!" Levi's call cut you off. He stood on a branch high up and gazed nonchalantly down at his squad.

"Good luck," Eld wheezed as he reached the ground once more and passed you, patting your shoulder as he went.

"Eld, you're limping! What happened?" you heard Petra gasp quietly.

"Hit a tree," he grunted. "Not as bad as it looks, I promise."

"Geez, I hope I have more luck than you when it's my turn," Petra murmured.

"Hey, don't make me wait!" Levi snapped impatiently. Frustrated that you didn't have a chance to question Eren, you deployed your hooks and landed on the branch beside your captain. "All you have to do is get to the other side of the forest as fast as you can with no accidents. Go!"

Harnessing your agitation, you let out a growl and took off full throttle. Your surroundings were a blur as you instinctively, albeit narrowly, dodged trees. You vaulted branches and twisted your body expertly as you navigated, knowing that you were making excellent time. You kept as low as would be logical in a real situation with titans. The branches were bigger but fewer lower down, making for less obstacles, and easier to note in advance.

You reached the end without issue, Levi landing beside you with a curt nod, and you both set an easier pace on the way back.

You glanced over at him now and again, your mind on those scratches on Eren's gear. Why Eren's? Why not put them on mine? There's no guarantee I would've seen them on his. Should I tell Levi..?

You shook your head. No. If I tell him anything, I want to have more information first. I'll just wait and see my father's next move, and act accordingly.

You thumped to the ground back at the starting line. Eren gave you an odd look as he passed, but obediently flew up to Levi with a soft whir of his gear. You sighed, standing beside Petra and the others as Levi spoke to Eren, and Eren took off with the Captain keeping pace easily.

You sat on the arching root of a tree beside Eld as you all waited idly for Eren to be done. Some time passed, and eventually Levi returned, but he was carrying the titan boy slung on his back as he landed, knees bending to absorb the impact.

You all jumped to your feet as Levi placed the unconscious Eren on the ground and Petra scurried over to examine a wound to Eren's head gingerly (ha).

"Captain, what the hell happened?" Eld questioned, limping over while Petra applied pressure to Eren's temple and began to wrap it.

Levi held the end of a hook with some wire still attached, frayed a bit at the end. "His wire snapped not even halfway there." He 'tched, shaking his head in annoyance.

Eren started to wake up, wincing when his hand flew up to touch his head. "Damn, I thought I'd left my days of malfunctioned maneuvering gear behind," he grunted.

"That's enough for today," Levi decided. "All of you head back."

"Wait, did I pass?" Eren sat up quickly, eyes hopeful for a praise from Levi that he'd likely never get.

"Yeah, passed out." Levi clicked his tongue and turned away, signaling to Gunther to help get Eren back.

You watched the whole scene unfold with a sense of horror. His gear had that mark on the side. Could it be that it was sabotaged by the same people after me? Does this mean... they're also targeting my squad, or worse, any Scout?