Cringy Cringe

Chapter 15

A gentle breeze went through my hair. I opened my eyes and took in the view.
I was on a hill in the shadows of a tree. In front of me was a city with tall buildings. Building that reached the sky. I never saw such a city. It was fascinating and amazing.
"There you are." a familiar voice sounded from behind.
I turned around. Levi was leaning on the tree with his hands in his pockets. Even though he looked like Levi, he seemed different.
"Are you okay?" he raised an eyebrow.
I turned back to the city: "Yeah."
"I'm sorry for my actions. I know I shouldn't have done that." he apologized and sat down next to me "You know I love you and I shouldn't have said that to you. Please forgive me."
"Huh?" I mumbled and closed my eyes to blink.

I opened my eyes again. I was inside the barn. Weird dream.
I got up. My body still felt sore from yesterday but the pain in my shoulder got less. After light stretches, I left the barn.
Outside were Connie and Sasha, joking around. I watched them for a bit with a soft smile.
I missed them.
Not just Furlan and Isabel but also our former squad.
I wished I could go back in time, to a time with less chaos.
I wish I've had saved them.
They're dead because of me.
I approached them "Hey, where are the others?"
Both of them flinched and stared at me.
"Man, you scared us." Connie said and dramatically hold his chest.
"Do you always have to sneak up to other people?" Sasha asked.
I smiled sheepishly and tried to laughed it off "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you guys. " I scratched my head "But may you tell me where the others are?"
"Eh they're searching for officers of the military police. The plan is to get some into the military police and gather informations about Historia's and Eren's whereabouts." Connie answered.
We talked and joked around for a while until a firm voice interrupted us.
"Oi, quit joking. We need to go." the squad captain ordered.
The younger ones saluted with a 'Yes, Sir!' before they left in a hurry. I chuckled and wanted to follow them but Levi stopped me.
"Are you fine?" he asked "Your sleep seemed rather restless and your wound isn't fully healed."
"Huh? Yeah, just a bit sore but I still can fight." I replied and looked him in the eyes "How about you? Fighting against Kenny surely wasn't easy."
"I'm fine." he lied. I could tell he wasn't fully fine but he didn't want me to worry. "I didn't expect him to be a part of the military police." Levi explained.
"Yeah, kinda strange. I didn't know that they let someone like him join. Someone of our kind." I agreed.
I remembered back then when we were recruited. Not many accepted or were fond of the idea. Having four criminals near you wasn't something someone wanted. It was frown upon it.
Suddenly Levi touched my hair.
"You've got straw in your hair." he explained and pulled it out.
"Oh thanks." I smiled at him. I felt a small heat reaching my cheeks.
Levi suddenly pulled my head closer to him. I could feel his breath on my lips. Out of shock, I hold my breath.
His lips gently kissed the tip of my nose. Afterwards Levi let go of me and walked away, leaving me alone.
"Eh...? What just happened...?" I mumbled in confusion. He usually kissed me on my forehead or on top of my head.
"(y/n)? Are you okay? You're all red." Jean suddenly appeared next to me.
"Yeah, I guess..." I covered my blushing face with my hands "Please excuse me. I should get ready."
Jean nodded a bit confused while I left.

I was sitting on a branch and letting my legs swing. It was already dark. It took us almost the entire day to reach the headquarters of the interior squad.
Levi insisted that I stay back and be on lookout. I was too wounded to fight, according to him. No matter how much I argued he was too stubborn. He didn't even let me close to the hideout.
It was boring. I really wished to fight alongside the others.
It was like back in the underground. Levi's protection was a privilege I was very thankful for but it sometimes felt suffocating. I was chained to the "safety" of the background.

I saw the rustling of the grass near the headquarters. It didn't took long for them to arrive at the tree I sat on.
Levi kicked an older men at the tree. I jumped down next to our hostage. He flinched.
"Oh nice moustache." I grinned at the man and walked to Levi.
He flicked my forehead "I told you to rest your shoulder."
"I'm fine, Levi." I rubbed my forehead to ease the small pain and looked around "They weren't there."
Levi nodded slightly and turned to the hostage. He walked to him. "Pretty beard you have. And now talk! Where are Eren and Historia?" Levi crouched in front of him.
"Hah...Did you killed my people?" he replied.
"...they at least won't come to your rescue. But I'm not one for killing. So we made sure that they won't be able to walk for a while." our captain explained and got up again "With that the first interior squad isn't ready for use for now."
My eyes shifted to Jean. His hands were shaking. Without saying anything, I walked next to him and stayed on his side while watching the interaction with Levi and our hostage. I didn't want him to feel alone right now.
The man let out a short chuckle "How bold... But everyone can play the hero in front of unarmed people...Did you realize...that in this house...were also servants who didn't have to do anything with that? And you just butchered them."
I put a hand on my hip. Damn I felt like I missed out a ton but at the same time I was glad that I hadn't to hurt more people. I hurt enough people.
"Oh really...? That's sad." Levi replied before suddenly kicking his shoe in the man's mouth.
I grimaced at the sight.
"And I truly apologise. Especially for your mug face." Levi continued "That's why I recommend you to talk as long as you're still able to. Where are Eren and Historia?" He pulled his shoe out of the man's mouth.
The hostage coughed a couple of times before he began to talk "Forget it." his voice sounded firm "It doesn't do anything for you. No matter...what you do...there is only one thing for you left...a life on the run!" his voice grew in volume "You can only wiggle in mud and safe your own petty life! And you'll just abandon your comrades. If you won't follow the subpoena, they will be hang on the gallows! In front of the eyes of the public! The first one will be the one who is primarily responsible for the survey corps...Erwin Smith." his voice grew quieter "But if you surrender and testify that you handled without authority...you could safe your comrades."
The mood was tense.
I put my hands in my pockets. I let out a quiet yawn.
The man with the moustache stood up. "Did you understand, Levi...? That's everything you can do." he put his hands on Levi's shoulders "the only thing left for you to do is to give your life for the life of your comrades. Nothing more. I will plead for it to work."
"I pass." Levi replied "And now tell me where Eren and Historia are!"
The hostage stayed quiet. Did he even know the location of the two? I felt like that we were wasting our time on him.
"Aha...So you're abandon your comrades to survive? Compliment...apparently you guys stick really good together..." the hostage mocked.
I rolled my eyes at the words of the man. "What a waste of time..." I mumbled and sighed. I turned around and looked in the distance.
"Well...some lifes are more valuable than others in our field...And because we're a troop of idiot, it was clear to us since the beginning!" Levi replied.
The other man let out a pained groan. I began to rock on my heels. I felt boredom setting in.
"Furthermore I cannot vision that the government would let go of the once in a lifetime chance to destroy the survey corps in exchange of some small fishes..." our captain continued "Nice try but together with your refusal to talk will bring you a broken arm!"
I heard a bone crack, followed up with an agonised scream.
"Quit your crying and tell me where Eren and Historia are!" demanded the corporal.
"I... I don't know that! Believe me. They have told me almost nothing!" the hostage cried out "Kenny Ackerman is very distrustful!"
I peaked over my shoulder. Ackerman again...
"Ackerman...?" Levi repeated in question "Is that Kenny's... last name?"
I saw shock in Mikasa's face.
"Yes, why...?" the man answered.
"It was clear...this guy never told me anything...not even the important things..." Levi said "But you know something for sure. Should I continue?"
"No! Please!" the man begged.
I looked back at the distance.
"There still are many bones..."
"You..are insane."
"Hm?" I hummed and squeezed my eyes. I looked over to my side. After a short inspection, I just shrugged it off and looked back.
"Maybe." Levi replied.
Suddenly Sasha pointed in the direction I was looking at a few seconds ago while yelling "Someone is coming from over there!"
Everyone went down and hide while pointing their weapons except for me. I stared into the direction.
"Didn't I tell you so..? You can't do anything anymore..." I barely heard the hunting voice of the man.
All of the sudden, a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me down. It was Jean. I blinked a few times. He didn't look at me.
"It's over... Now you will be suffering for your actions." the police military officer continued "And the survey corps will be history."