symbiosis » levi ackerman

chapter twenty-eight ; awakening.

Fallan

I stumbled down the hill towards the stables. My mind was ablaze with new information. As I reached the spot that had brought me so much comfort over the years, I had to lean against the wooden building to steady my breath. My stomach turned and I doubled over, retching on to the floor.
God I hope no one sees me like this.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? You look like shit."
Just my luck.
"Levi, please. Go." I gasped between fits of gags and coughs.
"Hey, hey, hey," He jogged over to my side and rubbed my back, twisting my hair away from my face. "What's wrong?"
"It's Benjin." I began, and I felt him tense beside me. "He told me everything."

After calming me down and fetching me a drink, Levi sat beside me and watched me sip from the cup of water in my shaky hands.
"Tell me." He said gruffly, and I took a deep breath. 
"I was fucking right." I sighed, and rested my head against the wall. "About the majority of it anyway."
Levi shot me a quizzical look, and I attempted to gather my thoughts. Benjin had piled so much information on to me, I didn't know where to begin.
"It seems," I began slowly, "I was adopted as a baby."
"Fuck," Levi breathed, "That's heavy."
"I know." I nodded, "My real mother was attacked and died while pregnant with me, but I survived. It was too much for my father, so he left me on the streets of Mitras and killed himself soon after. Edward found me and begged his parents to take me in."
I expected tears to well up in my eyes, or at least a pang of sadness - but there was nothing. 
"I'm sorry." Levi mumbled, taking one of my hands in his, and I sent him a small reassuring smile.
"You can't mourn for the loss of something you never really had." I shrugged. 
"But I still don't understand, why would Kenny be after you and your brother? Do you think it's something to do with your parents?" 
"Benjin doesn't know. He was sent by someone to watch over me, but he wouldn't say who. Apparently I'll find out soon enough." 
"I say we go force it out of him." Levi grumbled, and I rolled my eyes. 
"I'm not sure I could handle it at the moment. I've already found out I'm adopted, and my real parents are dead, I think I've had quite enough shocking revelations for one day." I hummed. "I see you've snapped out of your strop." 
"Shut up. I wasn't in a strop." He grunted, and I raised my eyebrows at him. Levi looked to me, and we stared at each other for a few moments. 
"I'm sorry," Levi murmured, and I saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. "I'm not used to this. I don't know how to-"
"Levi. Shush." I whispered, and stroked my thumb over the calloused skin of his hands. "I understand." 
"I just..." He started, but hung his head and trailed off. 
We stayed there for a while in comfortable silence as we both let our thoughts consume us, hands still intertwined. I let my mind wander and reflected on everything Benjin had told me. It was difficult to believe the sweet little boy I'd trained with had actually been watching over me and reporting back to someone else the whole time. He'd refused to tell me why, and I knew I shouldn't push any more than I already had. My thoughts then flitted to my parents; my real ones. I wondered what they were like, or what they looked like, or how they liked their coffee or their eggs in the morning - but my mind was blank. There wasn't even the faintest whisper of a memory of either of them. It was sad, really.

We headed back into the main building when we realised it was nearing dinner time. Levi offered me a seat in the hall with him and his squad mates, but I wanted to catch up with Hanji, Konomi and Tobias. I took my usual seat next to Benjin and sent him a warm smile, which he returned immediately. I'd been pushing Benjin away recently because I'd felt I couldn't trust him, and those feelings still lingered, but I definitely wanted to keep him close so I could find out more information. I was still uneasy at the idea of him reporting my every move to a mysterious figure though. Hanji had seemingly decided to turn up to mealtimes for once, which I was grateful for. 
"Captain! Ko, Tobias." I acknowledge, grinning at them widely.
"How was Mitras?" Tobias asked, in between mouthfuls of potato.
"Same old, same old. How was the night without me? Did you miss me?" I teased, tucking into my roll. 
"The real question is, how was your night Fallan?" Hanji winked, nudging Konomi who giggled. I shot her a quizzical look and sipped my water. 
"Don't think we haven't heard about your night with Corporal Short-Stack." Hanji let out a maniacal laugh, and Benjin began to choke on his bread. I felt a furious blush rise to my cheeks. Damn Hanji and her big mouth. 
"Who's Corporal Short-Stack?" Tobias asked, stuffing another mouthful into his face. "Ohh, wait. You mean the midget with the curtains?"  
Hanji guffawed louder, and Konomi smacked Tobias on the back of the head. 
"Oh please, it was nothing." I waved it off, eager to change the subject. 
"Better be." Benjin warned jokingly, "Else I'll strangle him with his own stupid cravat." 
I rolled my eyes and let out an amused huff, allowing myself to smile a little. I felt almost relieved as the stress of the day slowly began to melt away. 

A/N
Sorry this is so shitty, I hate this chapter I had the worst writer's block whoops