Hellfire • L.A.

Cousin

a/n: How did this story get popular wtf goes on??? Anyway hi hello I'm not dead, just an art student who's life is ruled by freaking color theory and lines lmaoooo. As you can probably tell the story has begun to drift from the original story line. I just wanted to give a warning for those who don't like violence or intense situations: Lux is pissed off. She's not forgiving. ((Also we might get to some actual romance in the next next chapter so if u don't like smooching ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ... ))

It's hot outside. The sun shines down on us harshly while Hanje continues her experimenting with Eren. It's been about two hours since Levi left to find Bran, and it's been about an hour since Hanje sent Sasha with word to Erwin of our current predicament. I haven't stopped pacing or biting my nails since Levi disappeared into the trees, and I sure as hell hadn't eaten anything.

"Commander Lux, are you sure you don't want anything to eat? It'll be be lunch soon and you still haven't had anything to eat all day." Armin stands next to me on the sidelines of Hanje's experiments and gives me a worried glance.

I shake my head. "I'll eat later."

"I know it's none of my business but you really should take better care of your health. Forgive me if I'm speaking out of line here, but Captain Levi was right. You can't fight or defend the walls properly if you're always exhausted."

I look at Armin from the corner of my eye. He's holding a clipboard and taking notes for Hanje, his eyes fixed on Eren's deteriorating Titan form in front of us.

"Armin what do you want to do with your life, if you don't mind me asking?"

He smiles shyly. "Back home I wanted to be a teacher. School and books were my life. But now I just want to live I guess." Armin looks at me and smiles sadly, but I understand. I'm about to make a comment about his intelligence when I hear galloping.

I turn around to look behind me and see in the distance two horses approaching quickly. I have to squint to make out who's atop of them since they're still so far away.

"Hanje, I think that's Levi and Sasha!" I call out to her.

The scientist turns and looks in the direction I'm pointing. She squints as well, and holds a hand over her eyes to block out the sun. Her mouth breaks into a grin as she laughs and nods.

"Looks like they brought back a catch as well."

The closer the two horses get I can make out Sasha as well as Levi, and a third lump on the other horse. My blood runs cold and a bitter taste washes through my mouth.

Hanje turns back to the cadets helping with the experiment and cups her hands around her mouth. "Everyone get back inside, that's all for now!"

"We've just started though!" Mikasa calls back as she helps Eren up from his Titans carcass.

"We'll resume later this afternoon. We have some business to deal with." I respond curtly. Mikasa holds my eyes for a moment before devoting her attention back to Eren. "Armin, I want you to go inside and get the first aid supplies out just in case any one is hurt."

The young blonde boy looks at me wide eyed before nodding and running off into the safe house. I follow quickly, with Hanje right behind me of course, and make it to the cabin just in time to meet with Levi and Sasha.

"Where was he?" I question while Levi is getting off of the horse him and Sasha returned on. I don't look at him though, and instead avert my gaze to look at Bran's bruised face.

"The woods. He said he was going home, wherever that might be." Levi begins to untie Bran's limp body from the saddle and drag him off. "Kitschstein, get over here and help me lug the bastard inside!"