Don't Die - Levi x Reader {Book 1}

Chapter 41

WARNING: Extreme fluff. Y'all probably thought I was gonna say smut lol.

The room was quiet for a moment while Erwin processed her words. His brow furrowed and (Y/N) could tell that she'd confused him. Eventually, though, he spoke up.

"A name change?"

(Y/N) nodded.

"Yes."

Erwin continued to stare at her, unsure where this was going.

"And what about your name would you like to change?"

(Y/N) squeezed Levi's hand. He was the only one who knew what was coming.

"My last name. Daremo is a fake, an alias. It's not my real name."

Erwin's eyes widened and he glanced at Levi. There was no surprise on his face. (Y/N) must have already told him. Hange seemed intrigued but not shocked and Erwin realized he was the odd one out.

"What is your real name?"

(Y/N) took a deep breath. Somehow, the word still seemed taboo. She'd spent so long hiding it that it automatically froze on her tongue. She forced her mouth open.

"(L/N). My real name is (Y/N) (L/N)."

Erwin was still. He was having trouble forming a response. Eventually, he settled on another question.

"Can I ask why you've decided to tell me this now?"

(Y/N) leaned back. Her eyes went to Levi. He was the reason she'd decided to reveal her name, to change it even in the records. She was sick of running from a person she hadn't seen in years. Telling her story hadn't made her upset, it had made her mad. She'd exhausted so much of her energy on a person that had only ever shown her hatred. By running from him, she was letting him win.

"I've grown tired of hiding it. I chose the name Daremo so I could escape my father. But, if he wanted to find me, he would have by now, so there's no point anymore."

"Your father?"

(Y/N) turned her head as Hange spoke up. Her expression was as curious as ever but (Y/N) could detect concern, too. Her friend was worried about her.

(Y/N) sighed, realizing that it was time to tell her story for a second time. Her eyes went to Hange, then to Erwin, and then finally to Levi. He stared back and (Y/N) noticed that his usually neutral expression was replaced by a look of assurance. He nodded at her and gripped her hand tighter. If she needed him, he'd be right there.

(Y/N) turned forward again, her gaze landing on a dent in the floor. Her mind was already taking her back.

She started off the same way she had with Levi, explaining where she was born, who her family was, what they did. Then she moved on, describing the abuse and torture of her childhood. Every so often she would peek at Hange or Erwin, taking in their expressions. Hange just looked horrified with the occasional addition of disgust or revulsion. But Erwin's expression worried her most. His eyes were closed and his brows lowered. His mouth was set in a permanent frown and it stayed that way for the entirety of (Y/N)'s speech.

Finally, (Y/N) told them about how she'd run away, changing her name in an attempt to avoid her father. She briefly went through her time in the Training Corps but that was less important and her story soon came to an end.

As soon as the last word had left her mouth (Y/N) took a shuddering breath. The story had been slightly easier to tell this time but it still put her on edge. Again, she didn't feel sad, just bitter and angry.