Picking up the Pieces.

Prologue.

"Jean!" Levi screamed, struggling against the man that held his arms in a tight grip, preventing him from trying to help his lover as he was forced to watch him be beaten. Tears streamed down the usually stoic Corporals face, the small rivulets leaving tracks on his cheeks.
"I thought I told you to shut him the fuck up!" The one Levi had assumed was the leader roared. A swift backhand met Levi's cheek, sending the smaller man crashing to the ground. A spark of anger flared in Jean's eyes as he watched Levi lay motionless on the floor as he was gagged, the dirty cloth tied tightly around Levi's mouth.
"You Scouting Legion bastards aren't all you make out to be." The leader growled down at Jean, who never once took his eyes off the trembling Levi. "Your superiors will arrive soon enough with exactly what we asked for, otherwise..' He motioned to Levi and then made a slitting motion towards his neck. 'Bye, bye Corporal."
Jean suppressed the shudder that threatened to shake his body. No, he had to keep them distracted long enough so that their attention wouldn't avert to Levi if their superiors didn't show up at the arranged time.
"Yeah but then again you are messing with the Scouting Legion. I'd rather go up against a Titan than one of them when they're pissed. Looks like you've just bought yourself a one way ticket to hell, you insolent fuck!" Jean growled.
The leader narrowed his eyes in a hard glare, turning his head slightly to look at the one who stood above Levi. He then gave a curt nod and knelt down beside Jean. Now you're fucked, he thought, he's gonna beat the shit out of you again but at least Levi's safe.
"You really know how to tick me off, don't you? Well then, let's see if we can tick you off." He grabbed Jean's hair and harshly dragged him into a sitting position facing Levi. Just as he began to question what the leader meant, the one towering over Levi lifted his booted foot and brought it down onto Levi's stomach as hard as he could. Levi had not been prepared for the pain that suddenly coursed through his body, a loud shriek of agony leaving his lips as more tears fell.
"Levi! Stop this! Stop it, leave him the fuck alone!" Jean yelled, watching in horror as the man above Levi leaned down and picked him up by the front of his shirt and threw him into a wooden beam. Jean's anger blinded him as he lifted his foot and kicked the leader in the face. Using this as a distraction, he hauled himself up and ran over to Levi, kneeling beside the small Corporal. Luckily, Jean hadn't been bound whilst they beat the shit out of him as he now took Levi in his arms, rocking them both.
"Levi." He untied the gag from the Corporals mouth and threw it behind him.
Grey eyes opened slightly and stared back at him, pain swimming within them as he groaned.
"They're going to kill us." Levi whispered, his eyes briefly flicking to the leader. He was surprised that they had been left alone.
"I won't let them hurt you anymore, I promise." But Levi shook his head.
"They knew taking two members of the Scouting Legion for ransom was practically a death sentence. They will kill us before the squads can kill them." Levi said, his usual cold tone now laced with fear.
As much as Jean wanted to disagree he couldn't, knowing that Levi was right. The moment they had been abducted and told they were being held for ransom, Jean knew as well as Levi that this would not end well. Their captors knew that kidnapping the Scouting Legion members was a dangerous choice, knowing they would not be given the chance to be put on trial, especially not with the way they'd treated the two soldiers.
"I promise you Levi, I will not let them kill us." Jean whispered, placing a soft kiss to Levi's lips, the small gesture returned from the grey eyed Corporal.
"I trust you." Levi said softly, looking into Jean's light brown eyes. One would argue they were a honey colour in the sun but now in the dim lighting they were a chocolate brown, softly gazing down at Levi.
Both Scouting Legion members were pulled out of each other's embrace when a third man, another one of their captors, yanked Jean away from Levi by the hair.
"Leave him alone!" Levi yelled, scrambling to sit up. The one that had been holding Levi down now stalked towards him, grabbing his throat and pulling him close.
"You're in no position to be giving orders, Corporal." He snapped, throwing Levi down to the ground.
Levi let out a quiet whimper as he landed on his chest, being slightly winded. He looked up to see one of the men holding Jean up by his arms, the rough grip leaving him no chance to escape.
"They're here!" A voice called before their fourth captor ran into the room, a malicious grin on his face. The third and the fourth man ran over and grabbed Levi by his arm, yanking him to his feet. The two taller men smirked down at the small man they held in their grip, giving him a rough shake.
"Now let's see if you live or die." The third growled in Levi's ear.
The door to the room soon burst open with such force Jean was surprised it wasn't knocked of it's hinges. Erwin stormed into the room followed by Mike, Hanji, Petra, Auruo, Erd, Gunter, Eren, Armin, Mikasa, Marco, Reiner, Bertholdt, Historia, Connie and Sasha, their dark expressions shocking Levi as he stared at the livid Scouting Legion soldiers. Erwin threw a brown sack towards the men's feet, his eyes darkened with hatred towards the leader.
"A deals a deal. Now release my men!" Erwin growled. The leader looked to the one who held Jean before looking back to Erwin. The man threw Jean forward, Marco and Eren catching him before he could hit the ground. The one who held Jean moved and stood behind the two holding Levi as the leader now stood by the trio.
"I said men not man. Now release him!" Erwin's voice was low and dangerous, drawing his sword forwards slightly out of the 3D Manoeuvring Gear, his soldiers copying. The leader merely raised an eyebrow, knowing that whilst his men held Levi the soldiers wouldn't dare to attack.
Levi struggled between the two men as they began to drag him backwards and away from the squadron.
"Yes, well a deal may have been a deal but I have realised something that I should have noted earlier." Erwin raised an eyebrow at the leader as Jean was helped to his feet, his eyes locking with Levi's. "You may have paid up the ransom to the correct amount but if I find the right dealer, I can get a higher sum of money for this one,' he grabbed Levi's hair and pulled his head backwards roughly, the Corporal releasing a small cry. 'in the Undergrounds."
Erwin's eyes widened in shock and anger. He pulled his sword out fully as did the rest of the soldiers, ready to move on their Commanders word.
"Then again, a worthless being such as Levi Ackerman won't sell to a high price." The leader turned and glared down at Levi, his faces inches from the others. "The only thing you'd be worth is a sex toy, to be used again and again. Humanity's Strongest, I beg to differ." He spat before releasing Levi's hair with a harsh shove. He backed away through a door followed by the second man. The other two held Levi tightly until they reached the door before throwing the small man into the wall beside them and running after their leader.
"Levi!" Jean struggled out of Marco and Eren's hold, quickly catching the Corporal before he hit the ground.
Levi's arms instantly wrapped around Jean's neck, nuzzling his head into the others shoulder. Erwin knelt down before Jean and looked up at him, his caring eyes watching as Jean carefully rubbed Levi's back in comfort, the younger of the two resting his cheek against the raven coloured hair.
"We're okay, we're okay." He whispered over and over, his eyes glancing up to meet Erwin's gaze.
Erwin rest his hand on Jean's shoulder and gave him a small reassuring smile. Jean stood, picking Levi up and carrying him bridal style as the rest of the squadron led them out. Though Levi knew he was safe in Jean's arms, his grip on him never ceased.