Tainted (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 40

Levi was steadily gaining ground on Joan, focused solely on the back of her dark brown cloak as she navigated the streets of the Underground just ahead of him.

She turned down a narrow side street lined with cramped apartments. Levi recognized this route. She must have noticed that she's being tailed. She probably thinks I'm some Underground thug who has no idea of her capabilities.

Levi still kept on her trail from a distance, until Joan stopped about halfway down the alley. Hood still obscuring his face, Levi continued to cautiously close the distance.

"That's far enough," Joan called as she half turned toward him, radiating a cold hostility.

Levi ignored it. Quick as a snake, Joan swept an arm out. Levi anticipated the dagger she sent his way and narrowly dodged it with a simple lean to one side. Now he was close enough that he broke into a sprint.

Seeming to sense that he was a risky opponent, Joan started running.

Two hooks shot out from the gear on Levi's waist and embedded in the walls on either side of the alley ahead of him. He hit the gas and zipped forward, easily overtaking Joan. Using the momentum to swing around sharply, he slammed into her with both boots at full force.

Joan was sent tumbling from the powerful kick, crawling onto her hands and knees as she tried to get back up. She coughed and clutched her abdomen with an angry cry. "Goddamnit!"

Levi didn't give her a chance to recover. He swiftly grabbed her by the collar and shoved her face down against the dirt. "You piece of shit," he growled. "You're going to tell me where (Y/n) is, now."

"Shitface! Let me up and fight me like a man—no gear. I've been itching to kick your teeth in!" Joan snarled, thrashing against his hold. Levi was somewhat surprised by her sheer strength, almost losing his grip for a second.

"I don't have time to waste on you right now. Where is (L/n) keeping her?!" Levi jerked her face up and slammed it back against the ground.

"Stop it!"

At the shout, both of them froze, looking up. Further down the alley, Anya stood with her fists clenched.

Joan used the distraction to her advantage, using a surge of strength to throw Levi off and grab one of his swords. She kicked him in the face pulled him back up, holding the blade against his neck from behind.

"Anya, help tie him up! (L/n) will be pleased if we deliver him as a gift." Joan had a grin on her face as the sword began to prick his skin. "Anya, hurry up!"

Anya snapped to attention, approaching and grabbing a pack that Joan had been carrying. Her eyes met Levi's, holding a hint of surprise. She crept closer, suddenly dropping the bag and grabbing the blade with her bare hands, trying to pry it away from Levi's neck.

"Have you lost it?!" Joan bunted Anya away with the blade, just as Levi employed a move he'd learned from you a long time ago. He brought up a foot and stamped hard on Joan's toe, immediately following up by butting the back of his head forcefully against her face. This was enough to throw her off, so he could pick up the blade she'd dropped and point it down at her.

"It's over."

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Levi escorted Joan and Anya up to the surface, taking them to the military holding facility in Stohess, where he was met by Armin and Mikasa.