Dollhouse (Ereri || Riren)

1. Rewarding the Monster

"It's like a Dollhouse. The same plastic, emotionless, and pretty faces come out in masses."

"He's nothing but a worthless monster!"

"He's no good to humanity!"

"The Survey Corps is just desperate for wanting to keep a killer like him alive."

All the words spilling from the villagers' mouths made Levi want to cringe. But he pressed on, his horse keeping up with the line of wounded men before him. He rode beside Eren, who had his head bowed in shame. It made the older male sigh quietly.

"If he's so useful, then why do they keep failing?"

"Hard earned taxes spent on a waste of fucking time and space again. We could've had him killed off by now and we wouldn't have to worry about the threat."

Levi noticed that Eren seemed to be gritting his teeth, fighting back tears that threatened to spill. The man didn't break his composure despite the sudden concern he had for the kid. It was easy to tell that things were finally getting to the thick, stubborn head of his.

Honestly, the raven had an admiration for the boy. Chasing his dream to be a soldier even when things were tough, but sometimes dreaming too much can get you killed. The thing Levi found the most admiral about the boy was his drive to be his very best. Even under worst circumstances, Eren would push to succeed with a deep passion of his. He wanted revenge, of course, but Levi knew that Eren was trying to pusue his biggest dream of all. Getting to see the outside world with the ones he grew up with. Even his corporal knew that. After all, the had spent three hours just talking about the ocean and what not a few days ago.

Pushing all thoughts aside, the coroporal finally dismounted his horse at the headquarters, pausing breifly to pet the black horse, praising the poor, tired animal. Eren hopped off his horse and sighed, tying him up and heading to the entrance. Levi followed without any emotion.

****

The look the boy wore through lunch and dinner made the older man's heart ache. He had to do something about it. At least cheer him up somehow. The sad part was that Levi obviously wasn't good at that type of thing. The raven followed Eren back to his cell and just before he could enter, Levi leaned against the wall and called out,"Oi, Jaeger."

"Y-Yes sir?" Eren turned and faced him, startled and tense against the cell door's bars.

Levi knew the boy needed praising. He needed to know that someone had recognized his hard work. "Nice work out there these passed few days. Not a lot of soldiers can withstand what you've been through."

The brunette paused, mouth open and eyes wide. Levi noticed the small amount of pink dusted across his cheeks. "Th-Thank you sir, but you do realize that," he froze up again, looking down at the floor and slouching against the door,"they died because of my decision... all of them."