Childhood Friends (Attack on Titan// Levi Ackerman Fanfiction)

Chapter Nine

As the comfort of Wall Maria neared them, Levi, ankle wrapped in thick bandages to ease the pain of his sprain, regrettably left Nora's side. Only her and Eren were unconscious when they began their retreat, but Eren has shown signs of life, and had even woken up, but was still dazed.

Nora showed no signs of waking up.

Levi could hardly think. Even when Petra's father went up to him and asked him about his daughter, Levi could hardly respond.

Without even saying a word, Levi lifted the unconscious girl and brought her in his arms, taking her to the headquarters infirmary the second they arrived.

~~

"She's got a few broken ribs and had some internal bleeding. Her lungs were crushed, and she's got some bad contusions throughout her body."

"Will she live?"

"It's too soon to tell, Corporal," the doctor says sadly. He dismisses her without another word.

~~

"Levi," Commander Erwin says, breaking him from the flashback from earlier in the day. "The operation with Leonhart is moving along."

"Have all of the new recruits taken their positions?" Levi responds. He's standing against a wall, arms crossed. His eyes look detached and emotionless. Nora lays motionless in her hospital bed. After she stirs slightly, Levi looks at her, going over to push her sweat soaked hair from her eyes.

"From being in the Titan's stomach cavity, she's sustaining some unusual side effects," the doctor also mentioned. Levi waited expectantly for her to continue. "We washed her entire body to get the acid and other remains off of her, and we found bright red marks across her skin. In addition, she's running a high fever that no amount of ice can bring down. We've decided it best not to give her any medication, since this case is still very unusual for us."

"Jean has taken Eren's place for the trial at the Capitol. By the time they realize that it's not actually Jaeger, we should have Leonhart in our custody."

"And the brat?"

"He's with Ackerman, and Arlert should be coaxing Leonhart down the tunnel as we speak. I think it'd be better if you came and provided your testimony to the monarchy as planned."

"I'm not leaving her again," Levi says calmly. "I cannot leave her again." He takes a wet rag and puts it over her forehead, pushing her brown fringe, which is clinging to her skin, away from her eyes.

"Corporal." Erwin never addressed him by his title. He always used informality and called him simply ‘Levi’. But now, his voice was stern. Demanding. "Remember your duty. You are a soldier. You have sworn your loyalty to me."

"I was her friend first," Levi sighs. "And I can't ignore that."