✓ Blood Lust (Levi Ackerman - Attack on Titan) #wattys2021

Chapter Twenty Four

"Try not to walk in a cluster, we'll stand out," Levi says lowly when we come into the main streets. "Eren and Historia, just walk normal."

We walk past a platform with Military Police announcing rations in the name of King Fritz. I roll my eyes. Food could sway the whole population, just look at Sasha.

"What a King! He sure is generous!" Sasha says, looking at the crowd.

"He's got more than he knows what to do with," Levi replies and I nod in agreement. Our eyes meet and I know we are both thinking of the Capitol Ball with all the food that was barely touched by the interior, only us Wall Maria and Wall Rose people attacked the tables with a vengeance. "People are weak, especially when baited with food." With that, we continue walking, taking a side alley. We turn again, coming out to the food vendor road and continue on for a few minutes, until Levi stops, making a noise. I stop in alarm.

"Watch out! Behind us!" He turns to the rest behind us, pushing my body into a nearby stand, narrowly missing being ran over by a cart.

"Shit," I mutter, realizing that the men in the wagon got our decoy Eren and Historia. Levi helps me up, before following after the cart with Mikasa. I sigh, following close behind. Sometimes I wish I was an Ackerman. Nimble little humans that are crazy skilled.

We watch from afar as they drag Armin and Jean inside a warehouse, dropping onto the roof silently when it's clear. Mikasa keeps checking the window.

"How's it going inside?" Levi asks.

"If we don't hurry, they'll see through Armin's disguise."

"How?" I question. "He literally looks like a perfect Historia, even I got confused at first—"

"He doesn't have breasts," Mikasa says, a dark glint in her eyes.

"Oh," I mutter, looking away. They're taking advantage of Armin, and would've done that to Historia. "We need to hurry, Captain."

The formal address catches him off guard but he gives a small nod. "You can handle the rest on your own, these guys are amateurs. I'm heading for Eren." He starts to walk away, still talking. "Once you've dealt with the trash, come and meet up with me."

"Yes, sir," I reply at the same time Mikasa says, "Roger."

With that, he jumps away, leaving Mikasa and I to rescue Armin and Jean. The kidnappers are outside, so I go first, pushing open the window, dropping down in front of Jean. His eyes widen, but I hold a finger over my lips and he nods. Mikasa follows behind me, her concern immediately on Armin as he's her friend, Jean being mainly mine. We hear footsteps getting closer, and we hide behind large crates, waiting in anticipation for the idiots. It's been awhile since I've been in real combat, not just sparring matches, and I'm excited. It's not a Titan, but it'll do.

I'm the first into action when he comes into sight, taking him down with a swift hit with the hilt of my sword. Voices reach us, then, so we return back to our hiding spot, pushing the guard's body out of sight.

"Are you sure this is Eren and Mikasa?" the one asks the other.

"Yes, they match the description." I feel bad for Armin. Even after the feel up, they were fooled.

"Huh? Where's the guard?" Mikasa jumps out, knocking him in the face. I make my presence known then, kicking a skinny man in the throat. A chubby younger man has a gun pointed at me, but I duck, kicking it upwards, then throwing him forward. Jean and Armin run over to us, helping Mikasa and I tie up the men. These really are horrible assassins.

"Go ahead, meet up with the Captain," Mikasa says and I nod, not needing another prompt to find my husband. I fall beside him on the roof, next to the same messenger from my father.