Complications Throughout Generations

Chapter 20

Eren's POV:

Here I was back in a cell underground for breaking the rules. Still bothers me when I told Armin my plan. It's not like it was a secret. Everyone showed up. And I mean everyone. I don't know why I was expecting Levi not to come. Figured he wouldn't be able to look at me. Instead, he helped me fight against the Jaw Titan. Of course he did. He almost cost me my head.

I sigh, tying my shoulder length, brown hair up. I looked into the mirror in front of me and examined my newly shaven face and toned body. I held onto the sides of the sink and gripped the edges tightly. I needed to stay focused. I needed to, "fight." I was determined. "Fight."

"What are you doing?" Hange appeared outside the cell bars. "Were you talking to that mirror?" I side eyed her. "Right? You said 'fight, fight', didn't you? Fight, fight. What are you fighting with?" I have never wanted someone to stop talking so much in my life. "You said fight twice, so does that mean there are two rounds?" I continued to stare into my shirtless reflection. "I won't understand if you don't tell me. I don't think a person would normally talk to himself like that." God, she just keeps going. "I have never spoken to myself in front of a mirror, you know. I think that hairstyle looks good on you." Thank you for changing the subject, I was about ready to choke you through the bars. "It looks unkempt, but it's as if you tried your best to make it look that way." She was imitating the action of tying her hair up. Just when I thought she was going to be less annoying, I was so incredibly wrong. Yeah, I can't take this anymore.

"What are you here for?" I shouted.

"What, you ask? Well, I'm here to talk. We spent all night talking about Titans the first time we met, didn't we? You stayed quiet and listened through all of my stories. I always knew. That you wouldn't sacrifice Historia." The water dripped from my hair into the pool below, still keeping my focus on my eyes. "I was prepared to think stuff through and feel frustrated along with you. But I don't understand why you acted on your own and put the island in danger. Do you no longer care what might happen to Historia?"

"I ate the Warhammer Titan. This Titan can freely use hardening while in deep underground and create weapons or anything it needs. In other words, it's pointless to lock me up, no matter how deep underground the cell is. I can leave this place whenever I want. And of course you can't kill me since I have the Founder. You might threaten to kill Zeke but that's not an option either." I left my position in front of the sink and walked to her behind the bars. I've clearly grown since the last time we saw each other. We used to be the same height, now I'm towering over her. "So tell me Hange, is there anything you actually can you do?" I grabbed her collar and pulled her forward. She was struck with fear and tried to push herself away. "If you know something I don't then let's hear it!" I shouted. "If you've got something up your sleeve, then tell me what it is!" I felt my Titan powers coursing through my veins the louder I screamed. But she pushed herself away.

"Hands off, you pervert." She gasped. "Ever the rebellious teen, huh? Grow up! Idiot!" With that, Hange left me alone. I went back into my brooding position in front of the mirror.

Just when I thought I had a second.

The cell was unlocked but then closed again.

"I have nothing to say to you." I said first.

"Well we know that's a lie since you just did." I saw him leaning against the wall with his foot pressed against it and his arms crossed through the reflection of the mirror.

"What do you want, Levi?" It's almost as if he actually forgot why he came here in the first place. "Here to kick the shit out of me some more?" I tightened my grip and knitted my eyebrows together. I was angry but I deserved it. I deserve every punch and kick that will definitely come my way. But only from him. Not Armin, not even Mikasa. Just him.

"If that's what you want then I'd be happy to." He spoke with venom even though his face didn't change. I turned around to face him instead of looking into the mirror. We looked at each other in a sad silence, knowing exactly what we want to say and do but also knowing that we can't. I wish I could convince him to be on my side, but he's the one who knew my fate even before I did. There was a war in his eyes. It bounced back between love and hate. It would be easier if he just hated me, but I know that's nearly impossible for him. Unfortunately.

Levi's POV:

I had absolutely no good reason to come to the underground cells to see him. But I wanted to be alone with him. Once I had walked down the hall, my eyes were glued on a boy I didn't recognize. Even when we took him on the airship, he didn't look like this. He was still so beautiful. Even more beautiful than before, which I hadn't believed was possible until now.

"If that's what you want then I'd be happy to." I said coldly. But then he had turned around to face me. I felt myself grow weak at the knees. All I wanted was to forget what he was doing to this world and fall into his arms. But I can't. I most likely can never, ever again.

"Try it and you won't like what happens next." Was that a challenge? I couldn't possibly understand what he meant. I threw a punch as quickly as I could but he caught it in his hand. My eyes widened in disbelief. He held onto my fist and then pulled me to his chest. "Levi?" I nervously nodded. "I never want to see you again. Got that?" My heart shattered. I felt like I was going to pass out. But I showed no emotion. Something I'm best at.

"Got it." I pulled my fist out of his grip and walked out of the cell, locking it behind me. I didn't look back. Once I was out of sight, I let my pathetic tears fall. My straight face remained the same as I kept my head up.

Why, Eren? Why me?