Wherever I Go

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Levi's POV

After my long, exhausting, shitty day at work, I rushed to my car. I had gotten a call from that brat Eren earlier, informing me that Mikasa was in the hospital. With all the things that happened today, this was not helping my mood at all.

I got in the car and cranked it, driving to the hospital.

I lost my entire police squad earlier today... and if I lose Mikasa too, the only family I know I have, I don't know what I'm gonna do...

A few drops of rain were starting to fall on my windshield, so I switched on the wipers. "Tch..."

I had just got used to those guys too.

Petra, Oluo, Gunther, Eld...

My thoughts were interrupted by several cars honking behind me. The traffic light in front of me had turned from red to green and I wasn't paying attention.

I couldn't save them from that criminal...

Pushing my thoughts out of my head I continued on my way to the hospital where Mikasa was. She was my main concern right now.

~

After being informed on what room she was in, I headed up to it. The only two people in the room were Eren and Mikasa. Relief washed over me; she was okay. Eren was sitting by Mikasa's side, calmly holding her hand.

"What the hell happened?"

Eren started explaining to me everything that happened.

"And then Jean dropped us off here..." he finished his explanation.

"Why didn't you tell me anything before you threw yourself into danger like that?!" I exclaimed, my anger taking over me. My emotions have been all over the place today, but I haven't expressed any until now. And of course, I decided to by yelling at Mikasa and Eren.

What a dick move, Levi, I mentally scolded myself.

Mikasa sighed, "I didn't want you to have to get involved..."

"And why is that?" I questioned.

"Because I didn't want you to think Eren was incapable of protecting me, because he is capable." she started, then quietly added, "And I don't want to be a burden to you..."

A burden? "You think I see you as a burden?"

Mikasa gave a short shrug, "I mean, you were kinda forced to take care of me-"

"I wasn't forced." I stated, "I chose to take care of you."

She looked up at me, a sparkle barely visible in her eyes, "Oh..."

"So don't ever think you're a burden, because you're not. If I thought of you as a burden then I wouldn't care as much as I do..." I turned my head to the side a bit, then swallowed as I continued. "You're my family, I wasn't going to abandon you. I hired Eren to protect you, since I can't..."

Their faces flashed through my mind. Before the criminal decided to shoot, we were having such a normal conversation just a half hour before, wishing everyone luck on the mission. It's not the first time I've lost someone close to me, I'm used to it...

"What do you mean you can't?" Mikasa asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Nothing..." I coldly responded, I decided not to mention any of it. Then I watching as the doctor came in.

I was informed that Mikasa could come home, but she needed to be really careful when she moved around. After hearing that, I payed the bill then walked with the two to my car. We got in and rode home in silence.

~

After I parked my car, I stayed in the car for a few moments.

"Aren't you coming?" she asked after opening the car door and realizing I didn't move yet.

"I will later." I responded, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from my glove box in the car, "I'm gonna smoke. Go ahead of me."

"Oh... alright." Mikasa said, stepping out of the car, along with Eren, "See you later..."

I gave a nod and then lit the cigarette in my mouth while leaning against the outside of my car.

When I was done, I made sure my car door was locked and put the car keys in my pants pocket. I threw the cigarette butt out into the parking lot and walked towards the building entrance.

To my luck, my old childhood friend, Hange, was catching up to me from her car. "Leeeevi!" she called from behind me.

"Go away four-eyes." I coldly ordered, putting my hand on the handle to open it, but instead had my hand pulled away. "Oi-"

"What's wrong?" she curiously asked, turning me around to face her.

"Nothing." I replied, pushing her probably filthy hand off me.

"Something's wrong." she insisted, staring right into my eyes through her glasses. "Come on shortie, talk to me!"

"Why should I?"

"Because something is wrong, I can tell. You've been strong for too long." she replied.

She was reading me like an open book.

"If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm right here. You can talk to me about anything." she assured, flashing me a smile.

I hesitated for a long moment, but then to my surprise, I gave in. "Alright..."

With that, she pulled me into her apartment, and we spent a while talking over lots of things.

~

When I left Hange's place, it was getting late and I went back up to my apartment.

On the couch was Eren and Mikasa, cuddled up together while they were sleeping. The TV was left on from playing a movie. I walked over and turned off the TV, along with the lights. The only light source in the room now was a lamp that was next to the couch.

Sighing, I went into Mikasa's room and grabbed one of her blankets from her closet, then went and draped it over the two of them.

Before I headed into my bedroom to go to bed, I took one last glance at the two sleeping teens. A small smile that I didn't even notice tugged at at the corners of my lips.

"Goodnight brats."