Captivated (ereri

Loss

Chapter 9: Loss

The weight of loss hung heavy in the air as the squad returned from their latest mission outside the walls. The exhaustion etched deep lines of weariness on each face, a somber reminder of the toll that battle exacted on both body and soul. Yet amidst the palpable grief that gripped them, there was a small glimmer of relief—the members of Levi's squad had emerged unscathed, spared from the cruel hand of fate that had claimed so many others.

As Eren, Armin, and Mikasa sat together outside the barracks, the memories of their shared past washed over them like a bittersweet tide. They spoke of days long gone, of simpler times when their only goal was survival, when the weight of the world had yet to bear down upon their shoulders.

But as the conversation turned to more recent events, a shadow fell over their makeshift gathering. Eren, feeling the call of nature, excused himself and made his way towards a secluded spot behind the barracks.

As he rounded the corner, he froze in his tracks, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight that greeted him. There, sitting between the buildings with his head in his hands, was Levi—the stoic captain, the unyielding pillar of strength, brought to his knees by some unseen force.

"E-uh, Captain?" Eren stammered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Levi's head snapped up at the sound of his voice, his expression a mask of fury as he glared at Eren with undisguised contempt. "What the hell do you want, Jaeger?" he snapped, his voice sharp and cutting.

Eren recoiled at the venom in Levi's words, taken aback by the sudden outburst of anger. "I-I just wanted to see if you were okay," he replied tentatively, his concern overshadowed by the palpable tension between them.

Levi's lip curled in a sneer, his gaze icy as he spat out his next words. "I don't need your pity, Jaeger," he growled, his tone dripping with disdain. "Now, fuck off and leave me alone."

Eren felt a pang of hurt at Levi's harsh words, the sting of rejection cutting deeper than he cared to admit. But as he watched Levi turn away, retreating further into his own private torment, he knew that there was little he could do to ease the captain's suffering.

With a heavy heart, Eren turned on his heel and made his way back to the barracks, the weight of Levi's pain weighing heavily on his mind. For even amidst the chaos and uncertainty of their world, one thing remained painfully clear—there were wounds that ran deeper than any blade, scars that no amount of time could ever hope to heal.