A Rose by Any Other Name [Yandere!LevixReaderxYandere!Eren]

Strength

After that day, I desired to be the strongest.

My family owned a flower shop. My mother and father were gentle folk- I had long forgotten their faces, but I still remembered the way they would smile at each other.

Loving, doting parents.

The scent of flowers wafting through the air. Lilac and Lily, Chrysanthemum and Rose.

Then there was fire. Then there was blood. And I was weak. Oh so weak, so helpless to do anything as my father was eaten whole, as my mother was smashed into ooze, as my sister's wounded cries melted against my hand as I watched in horror.

That day, I lost everything. But I found a new desire- to never feel so helpless again. I would learn to defend myself. I would learn to defend my sister. Or I would die trying. This was my oath to myself.

However, as my time in the training corps continued, I began to realize that even with weapons, even with gear, I was still weak.

Average. Mundane. I possessed no natural skill in killing. No talent in flying.

Too soft, they said. To delicate.

So I trained myself to become harder. Day and night. It took more work for me than it had for the others. I had to fight for it. But that didn't matter.

Fighting only made me stronger.

Before I knew it I was a member of the Survey Corps.

***** ***** *****

"The meeting with the new members was rather uneventful." Olou said with an exasperated sigh.

"Let's hope it stays that way. With that Eren boy on the squad, who knows what will happen." Eld replied sternly. The others were quite, all looking to Levi. He said nothing, eyes gazing focused on something outside.

That morning, he'd seen something rather unexpected.

"Welcome to the Survey Corps. I greatly appreciate each and every one of you for your willingness to place your life at stake in our bid to protect humanity. And make no mistake- to be standing here today is to gamble your life..." Erwin stated, meeting each of the new member's eyes in turn. Levi stood behind, eyeing the new members as he listened to the commander's speech.

That's when he saw her.

A flash of (e/c), her jaw clenching with deadly resolve. He recognized that look. He often saw it in his own reflection.

"Interesting..." Levi murmured.

"Corporal?" Petra asked.

"Excuse me." Levi stood, pushing away from his desk and leaving the room. "I have some matters to discuss with Erwin."