Catching a Captain: AOT [OC x Levi x OC]

10

Ayato led the way, bypassing the initial MP guards and going deeper into the prison. He slowed, looking over his shoulder.
"A heads up, we're going down into the earth, so whatever light we have is going to go away. This main tunnel will still be lit, but all of the cells are completely dark. So don't trip or anything." With that, he continued leading the way. "Takada was a semi-high profile prisoner, so he'll probably be held near the end."
Levi was silent, and in the thick darkness, Yuki couldn't read his face.
As they walked farther along, they heard a man cry out from within one of the cells.
Yuki jumped, but Levi shook his head. "Not Hiiro." He kept walking.
Yuki hesitated for a moment before following.
Ayato finally came to a stop at the end of the hallway, looking at the number doubtfully. "Dad said this was the one."
Levi reached out impatiently. "The key."
Ayato nodded and handed Levi the key.
Levi grabbed it and pushed open the door. "Hiiro?"
A series of chains clinked in response as the person inside pressed himself against the wall, like maybe if they didn't see him, he wouldn't exist.
"Hiiro? Is that you? Answer me, dammit," Levi snapped, moving forward. The darkness was so complete that he could only see about three feet in front of his face, so he moved forward cautiously until he began to make out the form of a person. "Hiiro?"
Hiiro was crouched against the wall, his arms over his waist as though to protect himself.
Levi went to touch Hiiro, but Hiiro flinched and edged away.
Levi grabbed his arm. "Hiiro. It's me. Levi."
Hiiro tensed up, but after a long second, he slowly relaxed, sinking down into the floor.
Levi turned to Ayato. "Does this key open his cuffs as well?"
Ayato nodded.
Levi turned and carefully unlocked Hiiro's wrists and ankles, catching him as he fell off the wall without anything to hold him up.
"It's so dark," Hiiro whispered.
Levi froze for a second before nodding. "Cmon, I'll help you into the hallway. There's light in there." He helped Hiiro to his feet, supporting all of his weight, and they moved slowly toward the door and into the hallway behind.
"There. Better?" Levi asked.
Hiiro shook his head. "It's still dark."
Ayato was now behind the two of them. "Maybe his eyes need time to adjust?"
Levi took a long time in answering, for the light had exposed something that the darkness could not.
Hiiro's eyes. They were gone.
"Let's go," Levi said curtly, his voice sharp, his mind racing. He needed to assess the sum damage done to Hiiro. Then he would find the cause. Then he would pay them back. He briefly let go of Hiiro's arm and turned to Yuki. "I need a private room. Not in your father's house."
Yuki nodded, unable to see much of Hiiro. "I can arrange that."
Ayato sighed. "You mean I'll be arranging it."
Yuki nodded and smiled. "Yep!"
Levi turned back to Hiiro, who had stopped, muscles frozen in absolute fear. Gently, Levi took his arm. "I'm still here. I wouldn't leave you in this place."
Hiiro was silent, and Levi cursed quietly but viciously. Why would Hiiro believe him after he'd been alone and without aid for two months? Two months too long.
***
Levi paced, but not too far in either direction, because Hiiro wouldn't let go of his hand. So he took two small strides to the right, and then two to the left, and repeated multiple times. Finally, a knock sounded on the door, and Levi moved to get it, but he was restrained by Hiiro. "I have to open the door. Relax," he said, and after a long moment, Hiiro let go. Levi went to the door and let Ayato in. Yuki stood behind him, but Levi shook his head. "Wait there." Then he shut and locked the door.
Ayato looked over questioningly.
"She doesn't need to see this," Levi justified calmly before going back over to Hiiro.
"Well, I brought medical equipment, like you asked, and a change of clothes...but Levi? Why are all the lights off in here?"
Levi didn't respond, just grabbed the bandages and got to work. Hiiro's whole body was a tidal wave of ebbing bruises, some darker, some lighter, some on top of others. Recent. Besides his mutilated face, Hiiro seemed to be in just about one piece, but his back was marred by a series of small scars, each thin and vertical with the exception of a diagonal line every fifth.
"A tally," Ayato said quietly. "Of the days."
Levi gritted his teeth, furious and desperate to lash out, but he grew even stiller to combat his impulses, his fists clenched in rage. "That's not a tally of how many days I left you, Hiiro. That's a tally of how many days they were able to stop me from getting here, and that will be the highest tally from now on."
Hiiro was just quiet, no doubt in extreme pain.
Levi closed his eyes, trying to refocus his control, before helping Hiiro up. "Let's get you cleaned up."
Ayato paused. "I don't think he can stand up by himself."
"Then start a bath," Levi said.
"But will he even fit?"
Unlike Levi, Hiiro was somewhat tall. After two months, though, he was thinner, almost curling in on himself.
"He'll fit," Levi said, but the words made him angry.
***
After they'd settled Hiiro in to soak for away, Levi pulled Ayato back into the bedroom. "I need a list of the rotation for every guard who was in that room for the past month."
Ayato paled slightly before nodding. "I'll do my best."
Levi paused and turned away. "And...thank you."