Birdie (Levi x OC)

seventy-five

"Hange! Take care of Birdie," Levi barked, the command sharp and immediate, his eyes still locked on the seeping blood still running down my temple. He inhaled sharply, as if smelling the spilled blood, a raw reminder of the violence I had faced. His jaw was set so tight it looked painful.

"I'll be right back," he murmured to me, quickly brushing his fingers against my temple one last time, before he broke away.

His anger, palpable and cold, felt like it was pointed at the world, but as he marched towards the airlock door, I saw his focus narrow entirely on the entrance. The fury seemed to coalesce into a singular, devastating target: Eren.

Hange was at my side in an instant, her movements efficient but gentle, taking a field bandage from her pack. I ignored her, my eyes wide and fixed on my husband.

I brushed Hange off as she began to dab at my temple. I stood, limping towards where Levi had gone, the effort sending spears of pain through my leg and ribs. Eren was here.

"Birdie—" Hange said, exasperated, catching my arm gently to keep me from falling.

"One second, Hange," I breathed, giving her a pained expression as Armin helped the long-haired man onto the airship deck.

Eren looked exhausted, his eyes downcast; his Titan marks still faintly visible. His hair was even longer than when I had seen him last, falling just below his shoulders, giving him a gaunt, hollow appearance. Mikasa was also there, her expression caught between relief at being aboard and worry, casting a uneasy look between Eren and the Captain.

Levi was still, every muscle in his frame taut. His face narrowed in on Eren's as he stared down at him sitting on the floor.

He spoke then, his voice cutting and cold, edged with a terrifying quietness. "I'm really fucking angry, you filthy piece of shit."

My eyes widened at my husband's words.

"...Captain," was all Eren said, his tone devoid of surprise or defense.

The sudden sound of Levi's combat boot connecting with Eren's jaw was a sharp, sickening thwack. Eren's face slammed into the hard metal floor of the airship.

Mikasa immediately moved, her eyes blazing in pure, murderous anger directed right at Levi. Armin intercepted her, his arm locked across her waist, stopping her from intervening.

"This really brings me back, Eren," Levi spat, his eyes blazing down at the boy. "You're as easy to kick as ever. Did you forget your place?"

Eren spat a mouth full of blood onto the floor before wiping at his mouth with the back of a hand. All I could do was watch the scene unfold. It didn't feel right to try and intervene with words; this was Levi's territory, his rage, his squad.

Eren said nothing, all he did was hold the Captains steady gaze. His captain. My heart ached. Eren looked transformed. The young boy from all those years ago was gone. It was as if he didn't exist at all; replaced by this cold, determined stranger.

I took a couple of steps forward, managing a clumsy hop on my good leg, and stood beside my husband. I tentatively placed my hand on Levi's bicep, not pulling him, but letting him know I was there.

Levi glanced at me, his eyes flashed; a flicker of the raw fear he'd felt seeing me injured, before he turned his full attention back to Eren.

Eren met my eye briefly, the blood still seeping from my temple; and for a moment, his expression looked pained, before he quickly masked it.

"Restrain him," Levi barked at the soldiers that had come in with Hange. "We'll talk with him when we're back home."

"That's fine by me," Eren said, his voice low and his expression one of utter apathy. "But I explained everything in my letters."