(Ereri) Saving the Broken and the Damned

Only The First Step

**WARNING** may be triggering to rape victims.

I walk out, my eyes still puffy.
Why was I crying?

I switch on my flashlight and walk around, glancing at the map a few times.
What was Levi about to say?

In the dark, I could hardily say anything, and the outside world was getting darker. Making me dwell within my thoughts.

Why did he do this again?

What did Levi mean?

I'm sure Mikasa told him Bout what happend between me a Jean, so why?

"Oh, welcome hom- ACK!" Jean grabs my arm, pulling me towards the couch.
"Jean?!" I ask, only go be muffled by his hand. I was getting scared. His breath smelled of Vodka. Jean starts to pull up my shirt, his cold hands reaching for my waist.
"Jean, stop!" I try to yell, but a stab of pain rushes from my lower waist.
Someone..... help me...

I start to cry again, but this time aware, wipe the tears away.
Enough crying.

I do a run down of the building two times, and dress back into my regular clothes.

I hesitantly walk to Levi's office, and say "I'm done."

"Good, I'll drive you home..." Levi says, wiping something away from his eyes.

---

In the car, I look out the window, trying to make the least amount of eye contact.

Yet.... I seem to be staring at Levi.....
Well shit.

I can't look away. Levi glances at me, and I quickly look away.

Levi sighs and tells me, "look, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that-"

"No, you shouldn't have, because I'm sure Mikasa told you about Jean and me, about that night."

Levi fliches when I say this, but I don't stop. "In fact I know she did, and about what he did to me. He came home drunk one night he beat me, cut my hand open, and-" I choke on my own words. It was to hard to remember.

"He....."

I can't say it....

Even without saying it, Levi got it.

Raped....

Levi pulls over to the side of the road, stopping the car.

"What are you doing?" I ask, inching my hand toward the door handle.

"Yes, I know. But I just thought, if I showed my love for you, you would trust me." Me says, looking at me, stright in the eye.

He loves me?

I take off my seat belt and jump on Levi, tears streaming down my face.

"I hate you Levi..." I say, hugging him tighter. Levi let's out a small laugh, and kisses my head gently.

"That's only the first step to loving me," he tells me, brushing his hand through my hair.