By Your Side - EreRi (ErenxLevi)

Chapter 9.5 - Bonded

Wow I am so sorry for such a late update! Between school and sports, not to mention this new program that's running in my school that's fucking up my grades badly. I just haven't been able to do anything on here and I apologize :(

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Hanji's POV

You think I actually left when he told me to leave.

Ha. Wrong.

I couldn't miss it. I couldn't neglect the chance to see how the ever so emotionless Corporal was with his love. So protective, so careful, so compassionate. Which were not words that you could describe him as.

But with Eren...

I listened to them from the stair case. The consistency of their emotions, how things went from loud to soft again.

It made my heart warm but ache at the same time. Knowing Eren's condition I am so unsure of what will happen to him in the future. How it's gotten to the point where he cannot be left alone frightens me. Not as much as it frightens Levi.

I see the absolute devotion he holds to protecting that boy. That devotion is strong in his eyes.

It's unlike Levi.

All of this is unlike Levi. The vicious and infamous Lance Corporal Levi that I've known...long enough, never ever acts this way. So devoted, so protective, so comforting, and all to a teenager who to many eyes would never be worthy.

Yes, I knew of Levi's emotions toward Eren even before he did... When you're a person in the sidelines you observe, carefully. You notice things that are rarely noticed and you can comprehend them more quickly. In this case I was and still am that person.

I don't mind...

When the soft chatter from them stops, I quietly find my way down the stairs and check up on them. As always it was a sight to see with Levi.

The Corporal's back rests against the wall of the cot as the titan shifter lay wrapped in the warmth of his chest. Levi's arms extended down and wrapped around the boy's back and head protectively. Eren's head was cuddled into the crook of Levi's neck and Levi's head was leaned on top of Eren's. It was truly a peaceful sight to see.

I made my way over and pulled the thin, silk sheet over them that was still drenched with Eren's blood and now dried. Then back up the stairs again and looked out a window. It was early, perhaps 5 or 6.

Which means plenty of time to do some persuading. I started towards Irwin's quarters with raging persistence. Although I'm not quite sure he'll be there due to the rough beating he had gotten from Levi earlier.

I approached his door and with no hesitation and gave it a knock.

"Enter."

His voice sounded a bit hoarse, I entered and took in the sight of his mangled face. To be honest I wanted to laugh, not that he deserved it much but it really goes to show the lengths Levi will go to defend his relationship with Eren.