PROTOTYPE『ᴇᴘɪᴘʜᴀɴʏ 』 - 𝒜𝓉𝓉𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝑜𝓃 𝒯𝒾𝓉𝒶𝓃 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝐼𝓃𝓈𝑒𝓇𝓉 -

Chapter Six - Bonding (II)

You went inside with Hange and Petra, following Levi. Petra went to get a towel for you, but Levi and Hange? They are staring at you, although differently. Hange's was more out of curiosity while Levi's was like demanding to know what just happened.

"I just got separated that's all. I didn't plan to run away or something. I just didn't pay enough attention to where Petra is going." You half lied to the two.

"As if." Levi scoffed.

"Aww, come on, shorty. At least she arrived back safely!" Hange pats Levi's shoulder but it seems like it only makes the short captain even more irritated.

Petra came back with a towel and helped you drying yourself. Not only that, but even Erwin also came too. It seems news about this has reached his ears.

"...." You looked down to your feet, avoiding Erwin's eyes. For some reason, you felt guilty.  Erwin fixed his eyes on you, but he didn't mutter anything just like usual. It was until a couple of seconds later, he dismissed Petra and told the rest to come to his office.

You were walking to his office with Levi on your left and Hange on your right until you felt an awful headache and fell onto the ground.

You could feel your heart beating against your ribcage, racing against the emerging dizziness in your head.

"(Y/n)!?"

You didn't know what's happening, everything around you became blurry and soon after, you passed out.

One thing you remember before passing out is that you were having flashbacks of your mother telling you something back then. But... Were they real flashbacks or... Not?

[ (Y/n)'s Room - Erwin's POV ]

"Ugh-!"

I heard a small groan from (Y/n) then followed by the sound of someone falling. I quickly turned around and saw the little girl falling to the floor.  She held her head and looked in extreme pain. She mumbled something inaudible before she blacked out, but it sounds like gibberish.

"(Y/n)!?"

Fortunately, Hange was right on time. She caught (Y/n)'s head hit the floor. Levi lifted her afterward and muttered, "I'll bring this brat to her room."

I agreed on that so we brought(Y/n) to her room. Levi puts her on the bed then Levi and I left the room for a short while because Hange was changing (Y/n)'s clothing. When she was done with it, Hange lets us back in.

"Don't worry. She has no fever or anything. I don't know what caused this though..." Hange reported to me with worried eyes.

Perhaps it has a relation to her background checks but we shouldn't assume things recklessly.

"Sorry, you two. I have to do something now. Keep me informed, okay?" Hange excused herself and leaving the room. She took one more look at (Y/n), showing how worried she was before she really left.

Levi sat on the chair next to (Y/n)'s bed. Meanwhile, I tightened the blanket around her, I made sure it's wrapped around her correctly and made her feel warm enough.

"Heh, look at you," Levi said in disbelieve.

"I can say the same thing right back at you." I sat on the edge of (Y/n)'s bed.

"Tch, whatever. I need my tea." Levi stood from the chair and left the room. Now I am left alone with (Y/n).

It is rather amusing when I look at her. She looked like two different children when she's awake and asleep. As I'm thinking of it, I couldn't help but smile.

When she's awake. It's clear she doesn't want to show others, especially the one she's not close with, her childish side since she thinks of it as her weakness. Judging from the environment she grew up in, I couldn't blame her and from my own perspective, I think it is the best thing to do for her. Yet, when she's asleep. She's just like other children. She looked vulnerable.

I hesitated at first, I don't have the plan to get attached to the kid. But, my hand moved on its own. It reached for (Y/n)'s head and before I know it, I'm patting her as gently as I could. (Y/n) turned around in her sleep and somehow she is now holding one of my fingers. She doesn't seem to want to let it go anytime soon.

"...He will..Sea.."

(Y/n) mumbled something as she sleeps. I have no idea what it could possibly mean. It could just be random sleep-talking but considering what's written on her background checks, I can't stop myself from thinking it could be related to it.

"..Traitors..An..Rein.."

Traitors? Rein? Any rain? Maybe it really is just meaningless words. Slowly, (Y/n) turned around again and my finger is free. I patted her one more time before I decided to let her sleep and left the room like Hange and Levi.

[ 3rd Person's POV ]

Little did Erwin knows, Levi was actually waiting in front of the room until he heard Erwin about to leave and after letting his finger go, (Y/n) was secretly awaken from her sleep and her opinion towards him changed a little when she felt a gentle pat on her head from Erwin.

(Y/n) began to think that maybe Erwin Smith is not as bad as she thought he was.