Tainted (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 28

A hooded figure stood on the sidewalk of the bustling street, unaccompanied as they looked up at a towering building with a maroon roof and windows spaced at even intervals all the way up to the top. The stone was mostly tan, but its white accents seemed to sparkle under the sun. The figure briskly climbed the steps and entered through the double doors.

Inside the nice lobby, they made a beeline for the front desk, raising their chin as the manager turned to them with a warm smile. "Welcome, just for one?"

"Yes," came the reply. "Floor two."

The manager's smile immediately evaporated, and she narrowed her pretty green eyes at the stranger. "Floor two? Are you sure? The views are much better on our upper floors."

"I'm not here for the view."

"Very well. Right this way." She rounded the counter and pushed open a door to a flight of stairs, holding it open to let the potential customer pass. Reaching the top, she led them to the very end of a hall and gave three pizzicato knocks, paused, and knocked four more times.

A moment passed before it opened to reveal a tall, rugged looking man. He leaned against the door frame and gazed down with an unimpressed brown stare and a cigarette hanging lazily from his mouth.

The manager let out a short, offended gasp. She plucked the cigar right from between his lips and unflinchingly crushed it into the wooden floor with a foot. "How many times must I tell you, Boris?! No smoking in the building."

He simply smirked at her. "Come on, Hanna, don't be like that. You need another fixin', eh?" he asked suggestively.

"It's Heather, asshole. And straighten up. Can't you see you have a client?" she spat venomously.

He huffed and rolled his eyes. "Gimme a break. This job is so boring. I'd rather be on the field again. Either way, come on in." Boris stepped out of the way as the figure filed past wordlessly. He shut the door and joined them at a round wooden table far from the window. "So, who's the lucky target, mister?"

"Levi Ackermann." The stranger suddenly tossed a fat bag of coins onto the table.

"Oh? Of the Survey Corps?" Boris' eyes lit up with interest. He didn't even pay any mind to the money as his gaze sharpened on the client. "It's triple for soldier assassination, you know."

"It's all there."

Boris cracked a smile, his hand flying up to stroke his gray-streaked beard. "I'm normally not allowed to ask, but by golly I can't help myself. Why even bother sending assassins after Humanity's Strongest?"

They removed their hood and shrugged, revealing auburn hair and beady brown eyes. "Let's just say, the Corporal made the wrong choice," he growled.

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You walked beside Levi as you both led your horses, moving at an unhurried pace along a broken down fence and up toward a lone house on the outskirts of an abandoned village, still within Wall Rose. "You'll be safe here, and I'll be staying, too," he told you as his eyes surveyed your surroundings carefully.

"Right."

You both splashed through a shallow stream, climbing the bank and entering the house. The door creaked loudly as it opened. You walked in and took a look around. Shafts of golden light slanted in from a window caked in dirt. It illuminated particles of dust that danced in the air as a result of the sudden disturbance.

You sighed, glancing over your shoulder at Levi as he peered in. His fists clenched, and a look of utter disapproval was set upon his face. You walked over to a corner where a seemingly ancient broom was, wiping away the cobwebs that clung to it. You shook it off outside and brought it back in, setting to work.