A Devoted Heart (Attack on Titan // LeviHan) - Part 2

Straight Into the Lion's Mouth

Tybur was the Panther. Of course he fucking was, what else? It wasn't like they could live an easy and carefree life after securing Wall Maria for humanity, was it? Humanity, ha. If only! They were just a small bunch of deranged freaks to the rest of the world. Zoë wanted to laugh, but shame burnt through her at how gullible, at how easy a prey she'd been. That asshole had to be laughing about her stupidity. And yet...

"You should have told me what he looks like!" It burst out of her. Her shame wanted her to shake Levi and rail at him, however unfair that impulse was. "Fuck, Levi! Just knowing his name would have helped to be better prepared! That asshole flaunted his knowledge in my face, smiling all the way, making the biggest fool out of me!"

"So this is my fault?" Levi asked grimly. "Okay, if it makes you feel better..."

Zoë groaned and hid her face behind her hands. Of course it wasn't his fault! It was fucking hers. Because she was too stupid, too trusting, and thoroughly incapable. Erwin should never have given her command over the Survey Corps!

Levi got up from the bed to grab his shirt from the floor. He picked up his pants next, shook them, flicked something off that displeased him, then pulled them on and buttoned up.

"We'll figure it out together," Levi said, looking for his shoes. He sounded cold and annoyed, which made Zoë forget her shame for a moment.

"You know what your problem is?" she jumped out of bed, finding her legs a little wobbly and her head dizzy, making a grab for the headboard to steady herself. "You never talk about anything. You pretend never to be rattled. I tried to help you five years ago, I wanted to help you get over what happened to you. But instead of talking to me, you put up a wall. Is the thought of confiding in me that horrible to you?"

Levi frowned and pressed his lips together. Then he stomped over to the window and opened it. Cooler air flooded the room and Zoë shuddered involuntarily. This was bad. The Panther had his claws in her. In them. In Levi. She had fucking delivered Levi to this guy on a platter.

"It doesn't matter what happened to me five years ago," Levi said, staring out of the window. A bunch of kids ran across the courtyard, she heard them shout, laugh and squeal as they sloshed through puddles.

"I think it does," she disagreed. "Was my father involved?"

Levi threw her a dark look over his shoulder.

"Was he?"

"You know he was."

"Yes, but was he the one who tortured you?"

Levi looked taken aback. "No. He is the one who got me out."

"Then that asshole lied. Tybur claimed my father wants to breed Ackermans and that you have information about a serum that is needed to fully transform..."

"Huh?!"

"Yeah, I guess that sounds quite outlandish if you think about it," she mused. But Levi looked much too pensive. "Not outlandish?" She made a few steps in his direction, suddenly feeling miserable. They couldn't be fighting. Not after all they had been through. Not after sleeping together after such a long time of keeping their distance and suffering for it. She just wanted to hold him and feel at home.

"Hmmmmm," he turned towards her.

"It makes sense to you?"

"They did ask me about a serum," Levi shrugged.

"But you don't know what they meant."

"No," Levi took a deep breath. "I believe my mother took great care to make me forget anything that could be useful to our enemies - if I ever knew."