The Right Wish (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 10: Crown Imperial

The late afternoon sun painted warm hues over the streets of Trost as you and Levi walked side by side, carrying bags of fresh produce. The bustling market had been a welcome change after the past few stressful days, but even now, exhaustion clung to your body.

Your leg ached with each step, the wound still healing from the last expedition. Your arm, wrapped in a sling, hung uselessly at your side. Akira had insisted you rest more, but Levi had been stubborn about going with you, and honestly, you wanted to spend time with him.

Levi walked slightly ahead, his small hands gripping the bag of dried fruit and tea leaves. He glanced at you occasionally, his gaze flicking toward your injured leg. "You're walking slow," he muttered, though his pace subtly adjusted to match yours.

You huffed a small laugh. "I'd like to see you walk faster with a healing wound."

He clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "Tch. Should've stayed home."

"I'll be fine," you reassured, but the moment you said it, an uncomfortable sensation crawled down your spine.

You were being watched.

The street had become quieter as you entered a narrow alley leading home. The hairs on your neck stood on end.

Then, from the shadows, three men stepped forward, blocking your path.

Their clothes were ragged, their faces twisted with amusement as they looked you over. You immediately knew their intentions-it was in their sneering grins, the way their eyes lingered on you far too long.

Levi noticed it too. His small body tensed beside you.

"Hey, sweetheart," the tallest one drawled, stepping closer. "Pretty little thing like you shouldn't be walking alone."

You shifted slightly, placing Levi behind you. "I'm not alone," you said, your voice firm. "We're leaving. Move."

The second man, a stocky brute, laughed. "Feisty one. I like that."

The third man, thinner but sharp-eyed, nodded toward Levi. "Cute kid. Be a shame if something happened to him."

Your blood ran cold.

Levi's grip tightened on the bag he was holding. He didn't need to understand the words fully-he could feel the threat.

The tall man reached for you. You swung your bag at him with your good arm, but it barely fazed him. With a smirk, he grabbed your wrist and yanked you forward.

Pain shot through your injured arm, and you gritted your teeth.

You kicked out, striking his shin, but he barely flinched. Your body was weak, slow.

"Let go of her!" Levi's voice cut through the alley.

The stocky man scowled. "Tch. Annoying brat." Then, without warning, he kicked Levi in the stomach.

The air left Levi's lungs in a painful gasp. His small frame crumpled to the ground.

Your heart stopped.

"Stop! Leave him alone!" you cried, twisting against your captor's grip.

Levi groaned, trying to push himself up. Another kick slammed into his ribs. He gasped, curling in on himself.

Something inside you shattered.

You stopped struggling. "Please," you whispered. "I'll do whatever you want. Just-just stop hurting him."

The tall man grinned, dragging you closer. His fingers brushed against your neck, trailing downward. You shuddered in disgust.

Then-

A shift in the air.

The moment his fingers touched your skin, something snapped.

Not in you-in Levi.

The world slowed.

A sharp breath. A flicker of something ancient.

Then, Levi moved.

The next thing you knew, the stocky man was on the ground, clutching his throat, gasping. Levi's tiny hand was wrapped around his windpipe.

His small frame trembled, his grip tightening, his entire body moving like he'd done this before.

But he hadn't.

Had he?

The man choked, kicking wildly. Levi's expression was blank-no, focused. Like instinct had taken over.

The thin man lunged at him. Levi released the first thug and ducked-his movements were too fast, too precise for a child. In one motion, he swept his leg under the man's knees, sending him crashing down.

The third man cursed and pulled a knife. You finally regained control of your limbs, lunging forward-

But Levi was faster.

The blade slashed through the air, but Levi dodged, twisting around the attacker. His small hands grabbed the man's wrist and snapped it with terrifying efficiency.

A scream echoed through the alley.

You could barely process what you were seeing.

This wasn't normal. This wasn't just a child fighting back. This was something else.

The men scrambled away, clutching their wounds, eyes wide with fear.

"F-freak," one stammered before they all fled, limping into the shadows.

Silence fell.

Your breaths were ragged. Levi stood there, his chest heaving, his small hands clenched into fists.

His eyes slowly lifted to yours.

And for the first time-you saw it.

The awakening.

His Ackerman blood had stirred.

He didn't understand it, not yet. But you did.

You swallowed thickly and knelt down, despite your injuries. You reached for him hesitantly.

"Levi," you murmured.

His body tensed-but when your hand touched his cheek, he flinched. His wide, gray eyes locked onto yours. And suddenly-he was just a kid again.

The tension drained from him. His hands trembled. His breath hitched.

And then-he collapsed into your arms.

His small body shook violently against you, his fingers clinging to your shirt. "Lily..." His voice cracked. "What-what was that?"

You held him tight, rubbing circles into his back.

"I don't know," you whispered. But you did.

You knew exactly what it was.

Levi Ackerman had awakened. You weren't sure what to make of it, but nevertheless took it with gratitude. At least no one would be able to harm him now.

Discarding the ruined bags, you and Levi resume walking home after picking up after yourselves.

The way home was silent, only sounds you can hear are your boots against the cobblestone. Your mind races with thoughts. Farlan and Isabel are here, although under different circumstances. Levi awakened his powers, although, again, not exactly like in the manga.

There's a gnawing feeling in your gut that you just can't ignore.

How come things are unfolding like they did in the anime?