STRONGEST HOPE (ERERI❤RIREN)

CHAPTER 12 - WRONGS MADE RIGHT

Eren lay in Levi's lap while soldiers and cadets readied the pulley system to lower him down to the ground. Levi was unsure if getting him down by ODM gear would hurt him further, considering he'd just gotten one hell of a beating and he was clearly sick. His body was burning up. Levi put his hand on the boy' forehead and surveyed Eren's cuts and bruises. He tried to ignore the waves of shame that rolled through him. He knew Eren would heal quickly through his titan powers, but he knew that everything he had put him through was unnecessary. This kid had shown him nothing but kindness, and he had rewarded him with a beating. Levi swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a moment. Jesus, he thought. What is wrong with me?

The Captain helped the other soldiers move Eren onto the board and used his ODM gear to "ride" down with him to make sure he was safe. It caught everyone off guard to see Levi's care and interest in Eren. He ignored the whispers and stares. He just wanted to get Eren to Hange so she could make his wrongs right.

He'd sent word ahead to have Four Eyes meet him at the infirmary, so by the time they were down, Hange was running up beside him. They led them into a large, brightly lit room and had the soldiers transfer Eren from the board to one of the tables. Under the glare of the lamplight, Eren seemed ghastly, all of his cuts and bruises amplified.

Hange looked up at Levi wordlessly. He looked down and crossed his arms. Biting his lip, he looked up with tears in his eyes. The unspoken lecture was interrupted by a commotion in the infirmary entrance.

"I don't give a shit!" Mikasa cursed. "Let me see him!"

Levi turned and left the room, putting a hand on the guard's shoulder. He got in front of the door and stood in front of Mikasa, Eren's friends crowding behind her.

"He's okay, Ackerman. He's unconscious, but Hange's with him."

Mikasa heard what he had to say and nodded her head. She turned to leave and instead swung a hardened fist at his head. Catching him off guard, she clocked him right in the jaw. Levi stumbled back a couple of steps and shook his head. He shot a surprised look back at her furious face.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" she yelled as she lunged for him again, Connie and Jean wrapped themselves around her waist and arms. Mikasa howled, trying to wriggle herself away.

Daggers shot from all of their eyes at Levi, who dropped his head. He tentatively touched his jaw. He couldn't look at them. "He...he went against orders. I-I..."

At that moment, Armin ran up to the door. "Where is he?" The blonde looked at his friends and then at the Captain. "What did you do?"

Levi collected himself and stood up straight. "I don't have to explain myself to you people. Eren acted against orders and he was punished. I understand you are upset, but your behavior...especially yours, Ackerman...is insubordinate. Eren is fine. Calm the fuck down!"

Mikasa huffed in anger and shook herself out of the boys' arms. Walking away she spit on the ground. "Fucking midget."

Everyone else just stared at the Captain. Armin was the first to speak. "Um, guys, I'll ask Hange if I can stick around to get updates on Eren." He looked into their defeated eyes. "I'll let you know as soon as I know something, okay?"

Jean, Connie and Sasha glanced sternly at the Captain, then softly at Armin. "Okay, man," said Connie." Sasha hugged Armin and the three walked out into the darkness.

Armin turned quietly to Levi and looked at him. Levi knew that there was no escaping the blonde's discriminating glance. "Permission to speak freely, Captain."

Levi crossed his arms and widened his stance. "Go on, Arlert."

"He only wants to please you. He'd give anything to do right by you." Armin lowered his gaze. "It's more than duty or loyalty sir." He looked into Levi's eyes. "Do you understand?"