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

Protection

I awoke to a gentle breeze and dazzling sunlight, making my eyes water. Blinking furiously, I attempted to move, but one arm was bandaged tightly and bound to my chest, and the other was currently occupied. I smiled at Levi's sleeping form, his head resting on the bed, his hair a chaotic mess of black strands. I gave his hand a squeeze before slipping mine free, pushing myself into a sitting position. Then I reached out, gently brushing his hair back f and leaning down to kiss his forehead. He was so cute like this- and made me even happier to know it was a side of him only I was allowed to see.

Levi groaned, opening one eye, his face instantly brightening at the sight of me.

"You're awake." He said happily, pushing to his feet.

"You say that like I've been sleeping for a while." I laughed. Levi's eyes darkened for a flicker of a second, but then he gently cupped my face in his hand, guiding my lips to his.

"Any second not spent with you feels like an eternity." He whispered. "But an eternity is a short time when I'm with you. You had me really worried. I don't know what I would have done if..." He stopped, that same look passing over his face and sending shivers up my spine. That look, it reminded me of something.

"You stay here, I'm going to go grab you some breakfast." He said, getting to his feet and heading out of the room. I watched his retreating form, my heart warming at the sight of the one I loved more than any other. Then, kicking off my blankets, I got up, for the first time giving attention to where I was. It was a normal looking room with a bed, a chest of drawers, a closet, a vanity, and a single window. Opening the chest of drawers I found an array of women's undergarments. Blushing, I quickly moved on to the vanity, which was outfitted with various perfumes and lotions. Finally the closet, which held a variety of dresses and shoes of every size and color. Looking down, I realized that I was no longer wearing my uniform, but instead a silky white slip of a dress. I wondered where I was. It had to be a girl's room. Maybe Petra's? No, the layout of the room didn't match the layout of the building. Then perhaps a strangers? But why would Levi take me here when it would be so much quicker to just return home?

To get a better grip on where I was, I moved towards the window, which was shielded by a billowing white curtain. Something was... off. Moving the curtain aside, I found silver bars running across the sill.

"Wha, what?" I stuttered, reaching out to touch them. Cool and solid. My heart skipped a beat.

Opening the door to my room, I found a long narrow hallway, and, upon investigating each room, I found every window barred.

Turning, I ran down the hallway toward the stairs, every part of me screaming to run, terror gnawing at my gut.

Before I could even go down a single step, he appeared from below, a tray with a bowl of porridge, a cup of juice, and a rose in vase in his hands.

"______, I knew white would suite you well. You look like a bride." He chuckled, eyes gleaming.

"Where am I? Where, where is this?" I demanded, hysteria mounting. Levi frowned, eyes clouding with worry.

"Calm down. Don't you remember? You're safe now. They tried to separate us. They tried to take you away. And after..." He stopped, jaw clenching. There was that look again. Now I knew what it reminded me of. "I knew I couldn't allow that. So I brought you here, and kept you sleeping while I got everything in order. Now you're safe. Now we can finally be happy."

My head began to hurt, and flashes of green eyes burning from madness seared my mind.

"No, Levi, I don't want this, I don't..." I collapsed to the floor, clutching my head. Levi dropped the tray, the glass shattering as it hit the floor. He pulled me in close, holding me like a frightened child. He pulled something from his pocket and pressed it to his lips before kissing me, a sour taste filling my mouth. He held my nose, lips still against mine, forcing me to swallow the bitter substance. Within moments, dizziness overtook me.

"It's alright now. Shh, just go back to sleep, I can wait until you wake again." He kissed my forehead, gently petting my head. My vision dimmed until all I could see was the rose on the floor amidst the gleaming shattered glass, petals shredded and wilting.

"Next time, I promise I'll protect you."