Tainted (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 18

You stood on the edge of a cliff with many of your comrades, tense as you spectated another titan hardening experiment conducted by Hange. As Eren's transformation ultimately ended up pretty deformed, Levi and Mikasa zipped down to help Hange pull the boy free.

"(Y/n)." You shuffled over as Joan beckoned to you. "Thank god I can talk to you for a minute without shorty breathing down my neck."

You narrowed your eyes, not appreciating the remark. "Need something?"

"Only for you to hear me out." Joan paused to give you a serious look. "I need you to listen and consider what I'm about to say. Levi is no good for you. I'm telling you, (Y/n). A man like him only sees you as some broken thing for him to fix and hoard to himself. He doesn't know just how strong you are. The path you're taking does not end well for either of you."

You were at a loss for words for a moment. But only a moment. "Butt out, will you? All you've done for the past week is provoke him and berate him at every given chance. Enough."

"No, not enough. He coddles you, treats you like a dog to follow at his heels. He's making you soft! I know it's a harsh truth, but that's just what having feelings does. Please, at least pay closer attention. You'll see that I'm right."

"Oi! Back to the cabin!" Levi called for everyone present to hear. He deployed his hooks and landed beside you and Joan on the cliff. "You coming?"

You nodded, gliding to the ground on your 3DMG and mounting your horse. You rode back to the cabin swiftly and silently, still a little annoyed with how Joan was overstepping.

________

After dinner that night, a commotion broke out. Joan had gotten into an argument with Mikasa, which escalated into a fight.

You watched in shock as the two women faced each other, and Mikasa threw a punch. Joan deftly blocked it, and another. And another. But Mikasa's next blow landed. Right in the nose.

Hange broke it up before it could go any further. "Stop this! Don't we Scouts have enough enemies without turning on each other?" they shouted in a scary tone.

"Ask her. She threw the first punch." Joan pinched her nose and tilted her head back as scarlet streaks ran down her face. She stormed out of the cabin. You jumped to your feet and followed.

"(Y/n)." Levi blocked you with a warning look. "Let her cool off."

"No. Joan's hot-headed, but something else is going on to make her act out like this. Don't follow me." You pushed past him and out the door. You looked around, but Joan was nowhere in sight.

"Up here."

She was sitting with her knees bent to her chest on the roof, cleaning up the blood on her face with a handkerchief. You used a crate beside the cabin to jump up and walk over to sit beside her.

"Want to tell me what that was about?" You gave her a pointed look.

She groaned. "You wouldn't get it."

"Try me."

She looked over, clearly deciding whether or not to say any more. She shrugged. "Eh, what the hell. It's just... these people are not my home. Yeah, my home is with some pretty rough characters, but it's my home nonetheless. I felt like I belonged. And here... it's like no one gets me. I can't be myself because any time I do, it causes trouble." She paused and gazed down at her feet. "Truth is, I have this whole side of me that I can't show because no one would understand. Not even you."