Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

NINETY-THREE

'Love in battle is a most treacherous path indeed.'

-An extract from the book 'Evolutions' written by philosopher Adette Briggs.

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NINETY-THREE

Wall Maria, South Region, Port Noaks, Noaks Survey Corps Base of Operations

Lorelai flung open the doors and broke into the corridor. She looked left and right; Levi was nowhere to be seen.

Her minute of hesitation had cost her, where was he? She needed to find him now or forgo the chance of repairing this.

She emerged out the front of the base. Winter's chill nipped at Lorelai's body, but, she didn't care. Her thoughts were only of Levi and the love that was presently slipping through her fingers.

He'd left tracks in the snow. Lorelai wasted no time in following them.

Levi had gone into the forest, she followed his footsteps long into the trees, her nerves screaming the entire time. How in Larken's name was he going to react?

To her knowledge, Levi bore no particular hatred for the Briggs bloodline, nor attachment to the Berviks. Not like Tamsin did. Still, Lorelai had jumped headfirst into their relationship while everything she told him was built on lies. She wouldn't be surprised if he couldn't forgive her for that.

Lorelai hadn't wanted to lie to him. She'd hated it, in fact, every word. But, after so long, she hadn't even known how to tell the truth anymore.

Once or twice, she had considered coming clean to him. But, she'd never been brave enough. Only now, given no other option, was she finally facing the truth.

Lorelai should have expected it, but, she was still surprised to find him at their tree, in the middle of the woods.

Her breath hitched at the sight of him. Levi's back was turned to her, staring at the bark of the tree.

He probably despised her now. What reason did he have not to? She was a filthy liar and a damn coward. Lorelai wouldn't blame Levi if he wanted nothing to do with her anymore. Larken knows she would deserve it.

But none of that stopped her from wanting to beg for his forgiveness. She didn't know if she could take his hatred, well-deserved though it may be.

She walked into the clearing, the snow crunching below her boots. Levi didn't react, Lorelai watched as he tenderly traced the carving they'd made on the trunk— L+L.

What on earth was he thinking? The silence was killing her.

"L-Levi?"

He wiped his eyes softly before turning around. Tears, Levi was weeping for her. Meeting her gaze, even more silent tears sprung to Levi's eyes.

Lorelai gave a soft gasp of horror at the sight. She was awful; she hated herself. How could she make the man she loved so dearly weep for her?

"We should probably change this to an A, hm?" Levi motioned to the carving, his voice trembling.

His words faded to a dull buzz as Lorelai clenched her eyes shut. "I'm so, so sorry. Please don't cry; I'm not worth your tears. I understand if this is it for us but Levi-"

Levi huffed, wiping his eyes and approaching her. She flinched as he raised his hand. He blinked. Did Lorelai really think he might strike her? Trauma ran so deep in her.