In The Eyes of A Stranger [Levi Ackerman x Reader]

Chapter 16: Desperate Rush

The Titan roar echoed through the forest, sending shivers down the spines of evacuating Scouts. On horseback, Erwins expression turned grim. 

Mikasa's eyes narrowed. "That's Eren!"

Armin's face paled.

Meanwhile, Levi pushed his gear to its limits, racing toward the source of the roar. HIs mind raced with worry, visions of you and his squad flashing before his eyes. He gritted his teeth, urging himself onward.

As he approached the battle-scarred area, the sounds of destruction grew louder. Levi's heart sank, his worse fears threatening to overwhelm him. 

His gaze frantically scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of you or his squad. The forest floor was strewn with debris, bodies, and shattered ODM gear.

Levi's chest tightened, his breathing quickening.

That's when he saw it — his squad's crumpled bodies, bloodied and lifeless, less than 5 meters apart. 

With ODM gear he traveled over them, his eyes darkening, his mind reeling in horror.

His worse fears had come true. His whole body felt heavy, weighed down by grief. He wondered which body he would see next — and if it was yours, he feared he would shatter. 

Emotions swirled within him as he took in the devastation. Grief for his squad, anxiety for your safety.

Where were you? 

Or, heaven forbid, where lay your body? 

His heart and head pounded, tears threatening to blur his vision.

Eren and The Female Titan came into view. They clashed in the distance, their roars echoing through the forest.

Levi briefly glanced at them, his focus remaining fixed on finding you.

At last, he saw your lifeless form on the ground. He immediately grappled and shot forward with his ODM gear to the ground.

"(Y/N)!" He yelled in horror. 

He landed swiftly and ran towards you. Kneeling down, he examined you, his arms poised but afraid to touch you.

You were badly injured — burns down your legs, gashes covering your body. Your ODM gear was damaged, your body hot to the touch.

Yet, even amidst the devastation, you looked beautiful.

Levi's fingers trembled as he checked your pulse. Relief washed over him, followed by guilt.

"I'm sorry," he whispered to your unconscious form.

"I should've been here... Now you're hurt again."

Self-recrimination flooded his mind.

He berated himself for the distance he had created between you two. He chose that instead of you, instead of telling you how he felt.

The truth wouldn't change anything that's happening now, but even so. Regret gnawed at him, knowing how quickly you could be taken from him. 

He gently lifted your head, examining your wounds further. His eyes locked onto yours, his expression softening.

Levi's gaze lingered on your face, his heart torn between helping Eren and ensuring your safety.

Just then, a fellow Scout emerged from the trees, assessing the carnage. His eyes widened, taking in the fallen squad members and your injured form.

"Captain! What—?" He began, but Levi's conflicted expression silenced him.

He understood the unspoken dilemma. "Captain, you can go help Eren," he said firmly. "I've got this."