OUR SHALLOW GRAVES

Help me...

"It's about Eren.," those three words ring like a church bell within the captain's mind.

"What's wrong with Eren?" He asked, unsure of what the answer may be. He stares at her as she tries to figure out how to best distribute the news. After a small sigh, Hanji speaks.

"He came to the infirmary sometime during dinner. I was just filing some papers when he said he wasn't feeling too well, so I gave him a small sugar solution to ease his system.," she says, scratching the back of her nape nervously.

"I thought it was nothing, but the moment I reached for his arm, I don't know, something felt wrong.," she said, emphasizing the lingering feeling. Levi nodded his head.

"Is there anything you add, some small detail that could emphasize the reason for the concern?" He asks, wanting to keep faith in Eren. Hanji bites her lip nervously.

"Well?" The captain asks, cocking his eyebrow in anticipation.

"Well, after I tried to administer the dose he pulls his arm away before I even made contact. He said he'd prefer if he did the injection himself, seeing that his father was a doctor. I said that I'd be on the far side of the room so that he'd have some privacy. After he lost sight of me and started to inject himself I hid behind one of the curtains to keep an eye on him. It wasn't until he folded up his sleeve did I realize something.," she says, anxious about her words. Levi's mind started to churn. He knew what the outcome was, he just needed to hear it to confirm it.

"And?" He pushed. Hanji looked away, but her next words broke his heart.

"Eren Jaeger is cutting, Sir.,"

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"You're absolutely sure? You didn't misunderstand any-," Levi started.

"I KNOW WHAT I SAW LEVI!" Hanji exclaimed, slamming her hands on his desk. Levi sat up, posture stiffening. Hanji's shaking form scares him.

"I saw the cuts, the scars. He's been probably been doing this for weeks.," She says, voice broken into hushed tones. Levi nods worry etched into both of their faces. Hanji looks to be on the brink of tears.

"I-I don't know what t-to do, Levi.," she sobbed quietly. Levi grasped her hand, squeezing gently. She looks up at him in fear.

"I don't wanna lose him. I can't lose him. He shouldn't be doing this. He shouldn't be suffering this much. He's too young to die.," she said, falling to her knees. Levi sighs, unable to help. He remembers. All the friends they've lost, because of this. Many of them veterans, who had nothing left. Who lost everything and just fell. So much innocent blood spilled because they couldn't feel anything anymore.

"We'll keep an eye on him, ok? We'll be there when he falls. We'll be there to catch him. He's going to be alright.," he says, as he rubs circles into Hanji's back. Her sobs quiet down to shaking breaths.

"He's going to be ok. You know why?" He asks. Hanji's shaking her head as she looks up at him.

"Because we're here for him. We're always going to be here for him and we're going to save him.," he says sincerely. She nods as she stands up, brushing the dust off her knees. Levi brushes off some stray tears, looking at her straight in the eye. Hanji sighs heavily. Levi opens his arms invitingly and Hanji jumps. She holds onto him like a lifeline, fearing that he too, is going to disappear as choked sobs escape from her again.

"It's going to be ok, Shitty Four Eyes. It's going to be just fine.," he says, but in his own mind, he's breaking.