If Only For A Little While

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Eren

I ran as fast as my legs would carry me. I barely noticed the hordes of killers around me, all clawing my flesh. The fight around me was no more than a meaningless blur to me. The only thing that mattered was the small form that I clutched in my arms. Angry tears streamed down my cheeks as I felt the life inside of him flickering with uncertainty of its fate. I held him closer and forced myself to run faster.

"I'm gonna get you out of here Levi!" I cried. I felt as if my whole world was crumbling around me. He was my world. I don't know when, but somewhere along the way my childish puppy-love for Levi had transformed into something deeper and more passionate. I loved him with every ounce of my being. If I were to loose that, to loose him...

No, I can't think of that. It's not a possibility. I will save him.

I fought through the mass of bodies, all fighting for some cause. The Recon's cause was obvious, exterminate the group of merciless killers who burdened humanity. Our cause was just and pure, right?

Our cause. I was a part of this now. I had thought that it was what I'd wanted, to avenge my mother and prevent those who took my mother from me from taking anyone else. It's what I'd wanted, and yet, as I held the limp body of my lover against my chest all feelings of vengeance and anger were gone. The anger that had plagued me for years dissolved in an instant and was replaced with something stronger.

Love. My love for Levi trumped all else and pushed me away from the fighting and bloodshed. Adrenaline surged through my veins allowing me to push through the turmoil unscathed. My vision had become tunneled and focused as I disregarded the fighting around me. I spotted Ms. Zoe through a clearing and her eyes locked on mine. She nodded, as if okaying my leave. Guilt washed over me as I squeezed my eyes shut. I bolted for the nearest alley, my escape. I glanced over my shoulder, back into the torrent. My heart sank at the sight.

I finally understood what people meant when they said "blood bath". Unspeakable amounts of carnage filled the building, spilling out into the streets. Gore blanketed the ground like a sheet. bodies clashed and collided with one another so feverishly that I couldn't make out any faces. Then I saw one face. A face that I recognized only from the nightmares that plagued me for years. He caught my gaze and ran to block my exit. His dark smile rendered me immobile. I was trapped in more ways than one.

"Eren!" A deep voice boomed, "Watch out!" Erwin shoved me aside just as the Smiling Titan's blade came down upon us, missing me by a fraction and piercing the gang leader's arm instead. I gasped and stumbled back, carful not to loose my hold on Levi. The Titan moved to attack me but Erwin stepped in front of me, stealing the Titan's attention. "Take Levi and get out of here!" Erwin gritted, "I'll hold them off!"

"But- but what about you?" I stammered, "It's our- no it's my fault we're in this mess in the first place."

"This would have happened if you weren't here, don't blame yourself! Just get Levi out of here! Don't let your lover die in vain!"

Tears blurred my vision and I pulled away, rushing as far away from the fight as I could.

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I staggered with exhaustion. I couldn't recall how long I'd been running for, I just knew that I'd needed to get as far away from the others as soon as possible. I stumbled to my knees, careful not to drop Levi, panting for breath. I looked down at his wound. Blood seeped through the material of his shirt, staining mine with dark crimson. Levi's breaths were short and gasping. He felt so weak and tiny in my arms.

I shuffled to my feet and looked around frantically searching for some means of help. The barren streets seemed to cry along with me. Their dark demeanor was pained and lonely, helplessly watching me fight to pull my love out of deaths grabby hands. Levi needed a hospital. I was no doctor but I knew if I didn't get help soon he wouldn't make it. The thought sent a surge of panic through me and I set off running again.