How Could I Ever Know (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 9

"The former Survey Corps headquarters," Auruo announced dramatically, as the old castle came in view. "It's nothing more than a renovated old castle. While it definitely looks impressive, it's so far from the Walls and all rivers that it's completely useless to the Survey Corps."

(Y/N) turned to look at Eren while riding her horse. Eren looked at her pleadingly, begging without words to save him from Auruo. (Y/N) laughed, and put on a mock pouting face.

"The story goes back to the ambitious early days when the Corps was formed," Auruo continued. "Who would've thought we'd end up using it again as your hideout?"

Eren felt a chill run down his spine, and glanced back to see Levi's stoic expression, which was more like a glare in his opinion. He flinched at the sight and looked straight ahead.

"Don't get cocky, new blood," Auruo said, suddenly leaning closer to Eren. Does everyone here greet someone by invading their personal space?

"W-what?" Eren stammered.

Auruo's eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped lower and became menacing. "I don't know the deal with this crap about you being a Titan, but we can't have Captain Levi babysit—"

(Y/N) had abruptly stopped her horse in front of Auruo, causing his horse to stop as well. The impact of the quick stop had thrown Auruo back and forth, and he bit his own tongue in the process.

"Sorry, Auruo," (Y/N) said, with Petra furiously giggling next to her. "We don't want any more dramatic monologues."

»»-------------¤-------------««

As Eren dismounted his horse, he saw Petra handing a handkerchief to Auruo, who was sitting on one of the steps.

"That's what you get for talking on your horse," Petra scolded him.

"It was (Y/N)'s fault," Auruo said, but then he smirked. "But the first moments leave the most important impression. That newbie was scared shitless."

"I think he was just stunned silent by how lame you are," Petra said. "Plus, that newbie is (Y/N)'s brother. Treat him like scum and she'll have your head on a platter to serve it to the Titans."

Auruo seemed to ignore that last bit, because he smirked. "Do you want to chain me down, Petra? You're still ways to go to be fitting for my wife."

"If only you'd bled to death from biting your tongue," Petra scoffed, but when she turned away, a faint blush had spread across her cheeks.

Eren could have smiled at the scene, but remembered what they were there for.

Those people are the Survey Corps' Special Ops Squad, commonly known as the Levi Unit.

Petra Ral. 10 solo kills, 46 assists.

Auruo Bossard. 39 solo kills, 9 assists.

Eld Gin. 14 solo kills, 32 assists.

Gunther Schultz. 7 solo kills, 40 assists.

As friendly as they looked and acted, Eren knew that in battle, they were fierce and unbeatable. If I went berserk, he thought. These people would be the one to kill me.

Eren turned to see a couple of horses pull up in the courtyard where they were staying. On the brown horse was (Y/N), on the black one was Levi.

"We're doing a sweep of the perimeter," Levi announced. "Gunther. Take everyone inside."

Gunther muttered his assent. Levi urged his horse into a gallop, heading towards the other side of the castle. (Y/N) winked at Eren as she followed Levi, disappearing around the corner.

Oh yeah, Eren thought. There were two more people in the Special Ops Squad. Though they might hesitate to kill me...their attacks might be the most painful to endure.

Captain Levi. 15 solo kills, 1 assist.

(Y/N) Jaeger. 12 solo kills, 25 assists.

Yes, Eren thought glumly, guiding his horse into the stable and following Gunther inside. Even my sister...she won't defy orders. If commanded to, she would kill me.

»»-------------¤-------------««

"We're done cleaning the upper floors," Eren announced, pulling his mask off. "Where will I get to sleep in the building, sir?"

Levi lowered his mask. "Your room is in the basement."

Eren couldn't help but feel disheartened. "The basement again, sir?"

"Of course. You're not in complete control of yourself yet. If you drifted off and turned into a Titan, at least if you're underground we can restrain you right away. That was one of the conditions agreed upon for us to get custody of you. It's a rule we must follow."

Huh. I guess he has a point. Eren managed a nod.

"By the way, have you seen your sister?"

Eren was surprised. "Not since this morning, sir."

"Tch. Fine. I'll take a look around the rooms," Levi said, his expression darkening. "Eren, you do this room."

"Yes, sir."

As soon as Levi left, Eren sighed. What is up with him and (Y/N)? He thought. They've been weird ever since the court trial...was it because of him beating me up?

"You've got quite a despairing look on your face, Eren." A bright voice brought him out of his thoughts, causing him to whirl around in surprise.

"I do?" he asked.

"Ah, I'll be calling you Eren," Petra said, smiling as she put her broom aside. "Captain Levi and (Y/N) does. Here, their word is the law. I guess the captain more than (Y/N). She doesn't like to exert authority as much."

"Well, I don't really mind that, but..." Eren took a deep breath and began rattling off the questions that had been bothering him since the beginning. "What is the real Captain Levi persona? When did he become a captain? Is he a Lance Corporal or just a regular Squad Leader? When did he recruit you guys? How did he recruit you guys? What is (Y/N) to him? Are they—"

Eren was cut off by Petra laughing. "My, you really are like your sister," she remarked. "When I first met her, she was really inquisitive. Well, I guess that's how she gets to know people."

Petra looked up, searching for the right words. "To answer most of your questions, Captain Levi is first and foremost our squad leader, the head of the Special Ops Squad. He's also the commander's right hand man, but I don't know what that makes him in general."

She looked in the direction where Levi had left, and smiled faintly. "He's not the perfect, invincible hero everyone thinks he is, huh?" she said, almost to herself. "The real Levi is violent, irritable, a clean freak, hard to approach and..." she dropped her voice down to a whisper. "...surprisingly short."

"Well...I suppose that answered some of my questions," Eren scratched his head. "But what is (Y/N) to Captain Levi?"

Petra's cheerful face turned into a more teasing one, as if she was going to let Eren in on a juicy secret.

"She's Captain Levi's second-in-command," she said, a little giddy. "Meaning she takes over the squad when the captain's sick or the commander borrows him for an operation. They're also very good friends, at least, what friendship means to Captain Levi. But we have been hearing rumors about the way the captain looks at her—"

"Oi, Eren!"

Levi rounded the corner, scaring Petra out of her mind, and she grabbed her broom and pretended to sweep determinedly.

"It's no good at all," Levi said, glaring at Eren. "Redo it all from scratch."