Bargain (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 8: Not Over Yet

(F/n) was gone again, and since he wasn't really in the mood for anything, Levi wandered the vast hallways of the mansion. It seemed that, no matter how much he explored, there was always more to find, as if the mansion magically extended onward forever. After an hour or so of walking, Levi made his way back to the center of the house.

He stopped on the second level, directly above the grand staircase, where curtained floor-to-ceiling windows covered the wall. As he had done many times before, he leaned on the glass, staring out at the garden that he wished he could walk in.

It was fake – (f/n) had told him. Just like the ceiling of his bedroom, these windows only gave the illusion that there was a living, green garden outside. In reality, Levi didn't know what was beyond these walls, and (f/n) had told him that it would be better if he didn't go outside – that it wasn't safe, and it wasn't pleasant. Given that they were in Hell, Levi wasn't inclined to press for details, or to have a look for himself.

He tried not to let it remind him too much of his days in the Underground. (F/n) had offered to send him back to the mortal world whenever he wanted, and of course, his key would allow him to return at his leisure. He knew he would use it someday, and soon, but not yet. He wanted to stay in this peaceful retreat for a little while longer. Besides, just knowing that he could leave – that he could see the real sky and sea and plants anytime he wanted – was enough to separate this from the dark, inescapable slums.

Levi pressed his forehead against the cool glass and sighed. The fact that Hell was just on the other side of this wall had sparked a question in his mind, one that he had ruminated over for weeks, but that he wasn't ready to ask. He wasn't sure that he wanted to know the answer.

Yet, today, he had decided that he couldn't wait any longer. Knowing was better than not, even if the answer was less than pleasant. As soon as (f/n) returned, he would ask her.

And he prayed that the answer was no.

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"What is it?" (f/n) asked softly, her brow furrowing.

He had been reading by the fireplace when she returned. Smiling and warm, she had come over to sit next to him on the couch. But as soon as she had, it became clear that something was bothering him. So, she had immediately wrapped him in her arms, showing that she was there for him, no matter what was going on.

"I've just been wondering..." he replied quietly, his eyes falling to the floor, "...is there...anyone I know here? I mean...after they died...did they..."

"Oh," (f/n) gasped in understanding, sparing him from explaining further. Her voice was gentle as she murmured, "Actually, the Eldians are neither here nor there, in a manner of speaking."

Levi glanced up from where he had rested his head on her shoulder. "What...?"

(F/n) sighed. "It's complicated. Just as all living Eldians are linked by the Paths, so too are the dead ones. Ymir asked for that specifically, for some reason – though it backfired, since she basically became a slave to every Founding Titan that came after her." She paused for a moment, contemplating. "But anyway, when Eldians die, they go to the Paths, so they're more or less in limbo, since the Paths are a bridge between death and life. In other words, they can't go to Heaven or Hell. They're stuck."

"Oh," Levi breathed, trying to process everything. After a moment, he added quietly, "Are they at least happy?"

"I honestly don't know," she answered. "I'm pretty sure they aren't being tortured, if that's what you mean. I think that they're basically just spectators at this point, watching everything play out between those who are still alive on Earth."