Freedom: Levi Fanfiction

| Hope that was buried underground

25

        "I love you." Her eyes grew wide. Was she hearing things correctly? Yeah. She definitely was. Iris couldn't process the revelation. Well, it's not really a revelation. They've been dating for four years, so why should it be a surprise? But then again, it's Levi we're talking about here.

        "I'm... sorry. I'm just in shock." She awkwardly laughed and looked away, cheeks red in embarrassment. Levi, on the other hand, was as serious as ever. It was the first time he's said such a phrase and it felt... like the world around him grew large.

Iris walked carefully toward him and enveloped him in a warm hug. She'll never let go. Never again. "I love you too. I won't leave your side again, I promise." His eyes softened. Little did she know, his reasons for saying those three words were of fear. What if... he'll never get the chance to say it? What if he'll lose her again? He didn't want any of those to happen. So it was better to love her like there's no tomorrow. He may never say his true intentions, but deep inside his heart, it was all true.

        When they parted from their embrace, Iris was immediately pulled close when he grabbed her by the collar. Their lips met within a few seconds, sharing each other's warmth for the first time in a while. Ah, how long has it been since we last kissed? Iris couldn't help but miss the simple times. Everything has changed now. And both of them think it'd never return.

She raised a brow and smirked. "You're way too aggressive." Iris placed her hand on her waist and chuckled yet he only shrugged confidently.

        His brows quirked up when he suddenly remembered something. He reached for the medal that Erwin had given to him months ago, causing Iris to look at him in confusion. "I was supposed to give this to you months ago."

       "Wear this medal proudly. Your sacrifice meant so much for a lot of people," he had a sad smile on his face as he wrapped the medal around her neck.

       "And to think that some of the people I saved ended up sacrificing their own lives. It comes back full circle, doesn't it?" There was nothing they could have done. And that was the bitter truth of the world. No matter what, the weak will always be the prey. The ones in power will always be at the top. Regardless of the scout regiment's sacrifices, they were always the subject of all judgements.

      Iris gravely sighed and massaged the bridge of her nose. "So. Did you hear any news about my little brother?" Levi placed his hands inside his pockets, enveloping them in his own warmth. The words of her little brother resurfaced in his mind.

     "He's at the cadet training camp just a few miles away from Trost district. Apparently, he joined a year ago."

It was silent for a few good seconds. Iris was still trying to process what he just said. Cadet training? Eren? When she realized what that meant, she clenched her fists.

       "... Really?" Her expression alone told him that she did not like what he said. But what can he do? The boy was angry, full of determination and hatred. Can Iris even stop that? If it was him, he'd do the same too.

       "That boy... would never make it out alive," she mumbled, her hands almost trembling at the thought of him dying. When Levi crossed his arms and looked at her, Iris avoided his gaze.

       "And? What do you plan to do?" Her brows furrowed upon his question. What will she do? She promised Carla to protect her son. Now that she was given a second chance to do so, how would Iris do it?