(Levi Ackerman x OC) Melting A Frozen Heart ~ Attack on Titan

Chapter 12: Fight

"Alright, alright!" Chi yelled out. "Please, can we go back now?" Levi glanced down at her with a strange expression, but pulled away and brought her to a horse.

"Ride with me," he offered, his hand extended for her to take hold. Her heart fluttered in her chest, but she gladly took it and he hoisted her up onto the horse. He started to climb on as well, perched on one leg to allow him to spring up and onto the stallion. A grunt of pain escaped his throat when the injury he received while fighting earlier throbbed. He fell to his knees and gripped his leg, regretting the stabs of pain around his bone.

"Levi!" Chi cried out, leaping to the dirt. She latched onto his forearm to steady him, and though he tried to be strong, there was no hiding his grimace.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concern written across her face. "Are you hurt? Why? What happened? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's nothing," he muttered, dusting himself off. "Get back on the horse."

"No, let me help you. I can't walk around acting like everything is okay while knowing my lover is in pain." He stiffened at the word, but he neither showed nor felt disdain for it. It almost looked like a grin was tugging on his lips. "Yes, you are my lover." She smiled and poked him.

"Oi, idiot. Stop it." Levi relented, and Chi helped him mount the horse before getting on herself. It took all of her strength to bite her tongue, unable to ignore the questions at the back of her mind, but she postponed them, worried she'd make a scene if she asked now.

Riding with Levi was nostalgic; it reminded her of the first time they rode together, back when she initially joined the Survey Corps. Chi felt Levi press his broad chest against her back, his arms wrapped around her waist to hold onto the reins.

"Let's go!" he commanded, all of the horses surrounding them breaking into a swift gallop.

Over the thundering hooves, her thoughts resonated clearly in her head.

If only I hadn't been selfish.

If only I didn't leave when I did. Then maybe... all of this wouldn't have happened.

It was my choice that he is paying for, and the consequences of my actions, bring but a curse to those who surround me.

If only... I hadn't made that choice.

Despite the wonderful feeling of newfound love, anguish took hold of her heart.

A single tear fell from her eye, as if to apologize and say goodbye to the lives left behind.

~~~~~

"This place feels so... so empty," Eren breathed, washing his gaze over the gigantic house. What once housed the Elite Squadron was soon to be abandoned yet again—only to fall to ruin again, w hollow castle, for there was no one left to inhabit it anymore. A sad sigh escaped Chi's throat and rang in the air as they trudged inside.

Once they'd passed through the door, Levi froze.

"Levi?" Chi called, turning to look at him. Her features were pale and anxious, the complete opposite of his. He was stoic and emotionless, though his eyes gave away that in reality, he was suffering too.

"Come on," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Go to your room and rest. I'll bring Eren to the basement and meet you in a bit, okay?" After a few moments, he nodded and shuffled off.

"Alright, Eren," said Chi, wrapping an arm around his shoulders as she led him down the familiar staircase. His face was fallen, his crystalline gaze stuck on the ground. "What's wrong?"