Levi's POV
This is the 6th time she ran into the forest with an empty basket for roses. I kept telling her we could plant them on the farm, but she ignored me. She was expermenting with... something. I didn't bother to ask her. She was bothering my nap. I grew fond of this sunny spot on the roof; unfortunately, it was right above the front door. Whenever Hanji rushed in and out, the door slammed shut behind her, always jerking me awake from my slumbers. Instead, I stood watch over her quick travels for roses. The difference between her and my old owner was that she rather did things on her own instead of sending Arian or me.
Speaking of her, Arian flew up to my spot, pecking the roof with her black beak to catch my attention. She cocks her head as she speaks in a mother's tone. Sometimes, I hated having a bird as a parent. Especially if I don't know her. "What are you doing?"
"Resting. Does it matter to you?"
"It doesn't. I'm patrolling."
"Patrolling? For what? No one comes to this forest. Except Erwin."
"It doesn't hurt to be cautious. Besides, that witch is still out there. If he finds you here with Hanji, he'll hurt her. And I'm not letting anything happen to her. Not after all she has done for me."
"I can protect her too. I'm no longer under his control." I stopped talking, remembering what she said. "Arian, what did she do for you?"
Arian took a deep breath, tucking her feet into her body and lying comfortably on the straw roof. Her head twitches a little before staring at me. "It was years ago, when I still retained a human form. Hanji was just a little girl, still experimenting with her magic. To a different village, I was ridiculed for being a monster. Animal familiars were not common, and especially to humans. They hurt me. I nearly died. As I was dying from my injuries, Hanji called her mother and I was forced to hold this form. If I were to return to my human form, I would succumb to my injuries and die on the spot. From that day forth, I vowed to protect her and her bloodline as long as my animal familiar form is intact."
What could I say to that? I looked at my paws, repeating the story in my head. Hanji has many protectors: Arian and Erwin, maybe even more. What am I?
"You'll find something meaningful, Levi." Arian read my mind. "You can take up Hanji's offer to leave and find other happiness with another witch that can take care of you. Far from the witch of your nightmares. Or you can stay. The choice is up to you."
"What do you suggest?"
"Hanji is already growing fond of you. You have done a lot. I protect her and warn her of things that's yet to come. Erwin protects her physically, and will come to her aid when danger comes her way. You have helped organize her life. If you go, she might return to a disorganized home and a broken garden. But she'll be happy knowing you will have a life that's joyful and full of happiness. She might be heartbroken if you leave. But cracks like those can be mended by time. The decision is not mine to make, only yours. I cannot suggest the paths you want, only the ones you have available." Arian wanted to speak again, but the sight of Hanji rushing back home from the forest both closed our mouths. Because Arian is Hanji's familiar, Hanji can hear whatever she's saying. Thankfully, Hanji can't hear my thoughts... not yet, at least.
Hanji caught sight of us on the roof, and my heart melted. I know I loved her smile, but seeing it here in the afternoon sun... something made it brighter and better. Like it could repel every evil in the world, leaving only good. "Well, this is a sight."
"Any luck on your experiments?"
She held up her last basket of roses, all in full bloom when she plucked them. "I'm very close." She turns to me with her caramel eyes sparkling, "I hope you're having a good day as well, Levi. I didn't notice you were on the roof. I hope I didn't bother you."
Hanji rushed back into the house, slamming the door one last time. If I were to choose to be her animal familiar, I would lose any privacy of my thoughts. So far, my thoughts as of late were all about staying with her. I know she wants me to leave her and find a new place, but I can't leave this ray of sunshine behind in a forest with darkness around the corner. No. I made up my mind:
I'll protect you, no matter the cost.
YOU ARE READING
Binded || LEVIHAN
FanfictionA cat familiar finds himself lost in the cursed forest, only to be rescued by the witch that resided in those woods. As fate would have it, they are not binded to each other by the woods and magic, but the strings of love strung them together.
