Will of the Broken (Levi x OC)

Chapter 47: Three Killers

Blackened blood and the rancid smell of rot floated through the air, making me gag on the way to Marco's body.

The list Patsy and many others had made was labeled and put into one category.

Dead or Missing.

My eyes glanced around the area for the first time since the battle and caught on a tall, blue, tarped structure.

"Patsy, what's that green tarped structure over there?" I asked, pointing out the structure curiously.

"Oh, that? Section-Commander Hanji had that ordered to set up around two Titans we captured. Didn't she tell you?" A shocked undertone in her voice drew my attention back to her.

"No, my injuries were to extensive to keep consciousness and talk much after the battle." My swift response elicited a stretched silence between us.

"It seems Captain Levi fancies you." Patsy spoke blandly looking back at me with a knowing look after a few minutes of silence.

I tilted my head. "What do you mean, Patsy?" Genuinely, I was confused. Part of me saw the softness but I dismissed it for two reasons.

My injuries and his fear.

"Ever since that young man lost his friends he's been at your side like you'll disappear at any moment. You two grew apart five years ago; yet, he has eyed you enough times for me to know what he's thinking," She responded, tightening her gloves on her hands.

"Oh? What is your interpretation then?" I shot back with a calm and collected tone.

She knows. She's not stupid. She's older than you and has more knowledge.

"You see it too. You're pretending, just like you are now with your emotions. I have studied your interactions from afar and I have learned that both of you hold affection for the other but can't fully express it. He doesn't want to lose you, no matter how hard his iron heart is. You're his soft spot, that subtle action back there and the jacket you wear now is proof enough."

"So, maybe I was playing dumb. He has admitted he didn't want to lose me. Not much more was said." I said, looking beyond Patsy to a slumped body against a building. Jean was there staring down at it.

"By your tone that's only partially true. However, it is not my place to lecture you or pry. Figure this out by yourself. You're smart enough," Patsy again slipped into her cranky mood as we approached Jean. "Cadet, you are dismissed. Move on to the next zone we don't have all day."

Poor kid was too stunned and horrified to hear my elderly subordinate and teacher.

"Patsy, you take the next zone. I'll get him moving. About my emotions... You're right. I'll talk to you and the squad later. I owe you guys an apology. Off you go." I shooed Patsy away and looked at Jean.

"Jean, look at me."

His head rose and he looked at me with saddened and confused eyes. "How... How did he die? Do you know?"

That was all I heard out of him and it was soft as I crouched down with my knees together and sling my arms around my legs so the skirt didn't move around in awkward ways.

My eyes scanned Marco's corpse head to toe and I noticed one major issue.

His gear was gone; stripped from his body straps and all.

"Clear your head, Jean. What do you see? What's wrong with this situation?" I asked gently, looking back up at Jean.

"I.. I don't understand," This time it was harder to hear him as I stood up and brushed imaginary dirt off me. "Uhm... His gear is missing."