The Turquoise Cure (Eren X Reader)

Chapter 47: Skeletons in the Closet

    You'd almost fallen asleep in Eren's arms when he abruptly jolted up, your head sliding from his chest. "Oh, sorry!" he whispered, grabbing your arm. The newly formed contact sent a shock behind your eyes again. It felt like there were two of you: one living in the future, knowing all, and the you that was now rubbing your eyes, wide awake from the fresh touch. You squeezed your hands into fists, tears bubbling up in your eyes. So that's Gabi? God, she looks just like Sasha, but she acts just like Eren... Watching her dodge bullets, you shook your head like a dog splashing water trying to pry the memory, or rather premonition, from your mind. "Something wrong?" Eren asked. You nodded your head 'no' and began to pull yourself to your feet. 

    You felt the dizziness hit you as soon as you'd managed to stand up. Feeling your eyes roll back, you began to sway, urging yourself to remain conscious at least until you could get away from the edge of the wall. A strong hand grabbed your shoulder and pulled you back, settling you down on the wall once more. "Easy over there," Levi muttered in your ear, helping you to sit back down. "(Y/N), are you alright?" Eren's concerned voice overwhelmed you. You nodded your head, the waves of dizziness beginning to fall away. 

    You sat there for a while until Levi and Hange had begun to move about, adjusting their gear and siphoning gas from the others to fill theirs. "What's going on?" you asked, not daring to stand up so soon. "I guess we're gonna go see what's in this goddamned basement," Levi answered, his voice almost annoyed. "Jean, Connie, and Floch are gonna stay up here to watch over Armin and Sasha, but the rest of us are gonna check it out." You bit the inside of your cheek, hesitant. "What's with the face," Levi said, looking down at you from where you were still sat on the wall. Looking around to make sure nobody could hear you, you whispered, "I don't think I want to go." Levi squinted his eyes, sizing you up as he digested your words. "Why not?" he asked, his tone as hard as ever. "I'm not feeling well," you knew that it was a believable excuse, but really, you had been through much worse, so you were sure Levi would see right through it. 

    "Do you think you're gonna have some sort of clear vision back to your past or something?" he asked, his voice softer this time. "Something like that, yeah," you muttered, looking below you at the demolished houses, clearly avoiding looking in that one particular area. Levi was silent for a moment, just looking down at you. You nearly jumped backwards when he stooped in front of you, one knee up. "Look," he said, his voice even softer than before, "I know this is pressure you don't need or want, but we need you." You glanced up at him, your eyes struggling to look into his, "but why?" His face didn't change, but he offered a sort of comfort in his eyes. "Because, whether you like it or not, you can see things that we can't, and maybe that'll be useful in the future." 

    You froze, feeling like you were going to throw up. "I-" you mumbled. Levi didn't move. "I- I can't keep," you began to panic, looking anywhere but up at Levi. "Slow down," he urged you, taking in a deep breath to provide an example for you. You followed. After sucking in a cool breath, you said, "I can't use this anymore." He nodded, then made to stand up. Once upright, he extended a hand to you, which you reluctantly took. "Whether you want to or not," he began, "whether you think that you're doing the right thing, whether you think it's your place to be a god in this world or to change what is to come, if it means protecting everyone here," he gestured behind him to the other world of comrades immersed in conversation and healing, "then I expect you to do it." 

    You nodded, biting your bottom lip. "Alright," he said, beginning to speak up, "then let's go!" 

    Back on the ground, the rubble was crunchy underneath your boots, rocks splitting from the ashy piles that they had been prior. You stayed in the back with Levi and Hange as the group, led by Eren and Mikasa, made for Eren's house. Eren turned to offer you to walk with him, but you told him that you wanted to have some time to yourself. He nodded, seeming to understand the touchiness that this place brought to you, and he left it at that.