Hii I Have An Angst Scenario Where Levis So Gets Trapped Under A Collapsed Building After A Titan Attack

Hii I have an angst scenario where levis so gets trapped under a collapsed building after a titan attack because she was saving civilians -with a happy ending please :3

Out of the Ashes

Pairing: Canon!Levi x F!Reader

Work count: 6.4K

Warnings: Canon typical violence

A/N: god you people know me so well at this point. I. LOVE. WRITING. HURT/COMFORT. PLEASE the angst is just the best. i love all your requests but hurt/comfort just holds a special place in my heart… FUN FACT! this is actually named after my favourite Michael Morpurgo book i read as a kid :,)

i hope this is what you hand in mind ^-^

You could never just have one fucking day to yourself, could you? There always had to be one thing after another, one disaster immediately following the next. It was how you found yourself zipping around Trost district, slicing through nape after nape.

Vibrations rattled the legs of your bones as you quickly kicked off the wall of a spire, sending yourself through the outstretched fingers of a 15m, before it's nape too was swiftly taken care of.

This was a shitshow. An absolute fucking shitshow. Once again humanity had been caught unawares by the Colossal and Armoured titans, somehow taking out your defences as if they were punching and kicking through paper. And not a Scout in sight. The Garrison were doing as much as they could, protecting civilian lives and evacuating them to the gates, but it wasn’t enough. It was never enough.

You winced as you landed on a rooftop, your knee giving out slightly as it buckled beneath the impact and your weight. It was the reason you’d stayed behind rather than heading out on the most recent expedition. Managing to pop your knee out of place when taking a hit for another soldier on the last mission had hindered your mobility too much to ride a horse, much to your dismay, and Levi’s relief.

You’d been dating for some time now. When you first met him, you still being a cadet and him fresh from the underground city, you thought he was the most annoying, foul tempered, vile humoured, prickly little bastard you’d ever had the displeasure of meeting, often finding yourselves provoking each other, belittling each other or just plain ignoring each other. That was until a particularly harsh expedition roughly eight months after your begrudging introductions. The same expedition where you’d lost your best friend. She’d been with you since you were cadets. You were partners in crime, two peas in a pod, she was your ride or die. And then she did die. She died protecting you, throwing you clear of a crawling titan’s jumping trajectory and quite literally sacrificing herself to save your pathetic little life.

You were barely holding yourself together, your sanity hanging on by a quickly fraying thread, when he made a comment about you being here and not her. It didn’t have his usual biting tone, but the words were there nonetheless, and you snapped. You snapped and punched him square in the jaw, the faintest crack gracing your ears as you raised your fist to strike again, before two arms looped beneath your armpits and held you back. Of course you struggled against it, you wanted to fucking kill him. Not for what he said, but for being right about it. She had given her life to save you. You, of all people. And you screamed at him. Screamed every damn word about how stupid she was, how fucking ridiculous she was that she’d had chosen you over herself. How pitiful and shameful it was that you were the one to live. How you knew every single damn insult that was about to fly from his mouth because you’d already thought of it beforehand. You’d already realised before he even had time to say anything that yes, it was a great fucking shame that you were the one to return and she wasn’t.

It was only when you fell quiet did you realise the entire courtyard was looking at you in sympathetic pity, and you hated those looks. You didn’t want pity when you were just stating facts, and the raging fire in your shining eyes told Levi just that, before the flames were quenched completely. You relaxed in Hange’s grip, now realising it was your mutual friend who had stopped you from going berserk, and there was no other way to describe you other than fractured. You looked tired, broken. Like an old toy nobody wanted to play with anymore, left on the shelf to gather dust and cobwebs.

When you’d later discussed this incident a little further into your relationship, Levi described you like he was watching sunlight bleach the cover of a book, or grey skies sapping the green from the trees. You drained of colour before his eyes, monochrome replacing the fiery oranges and striking reds he’d always seen you as, before you silently walked away. Nobody went after you, everyone having heard your outburst knew what you’d just experienced, and knew you probably wanted to be left alone. But by the fourth day of not hearing your random biting remarks about whatever tea he was drinking, he’d started to realise he actually missed you. He missed hearing your laughter in the mess hall, as much as he used to claim he hated it. He missed seeing your scowl whenever you made eye contact with him. And though that punch really fucking hurt, he missed when you were paired up during hand to hand combat practice, feeling you give every strike your all, watching your eyes light up whenever you manage to gain the upper hand. He missed you. Fuck, he really missed you.

So by the end of the fourth day, Levi took his metaphorical olive branch in the form of a tray of tea and two bowls of soup, to your door.

You shared a dorm with your best friend, or rather, you did. But it didn’t exactly look like a dorm, more like the site of a titan massacre. Whatever anguished rage you couldn’t take out on Levi had been taken out on your possessions, and on hers. Picture frames had been shattered, pillows had been torn apart, clothes ripped from their drawers or closets and flung in any and all directions. The wooden bedframe had splintered under the weight of one of your kicks, and small splatters of blood decorated the floorboards where you’d sliced your foot open on broken glass.

A sharp intake of breath was the only sound your soon-to-be lover made as the door slowly creaked open. Nobody had been in here, not even Hange, since you’d locked yourself away. Well, not locked, only high up’s doors could lock, but you’d shut yourself away nonetheless. And Levi then immediately understood what you were going through, because he went through something extremely similar not eight months previous. His eyes fell to you, curled up in a corner by your bed, not even sitting on the stripped, ruined mattress. Whether you’d noticed him come in or not, he couldn’t tell, but he set the tray down on the nearest flat surface, having to gently move what looked like a really sweet pencil drawing of the two of you from beneath shards of glass, before kneeling in front of you. He’d removed his own cravat to use it as a bandage for your foot, cleaning the wound with a spare cloth he kept in his jacket pocket.

When you’d finally lifted your head, you’d expected to see Hange, or maybe a member of your squad. The last person you’d expected to see was the man who you swore hated you, and who you could have sworn you hated too. But when his soft eyes met yours, so full of empathy and understanding, you realised that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t so bad afterall.

You ended up talking most of the night, answering his questions about who she was to you and how you knew each other. He, in turn, opened up about his own experience when he lost Isabel and Farlan, explaining who they were to him and how they died. You knew vaguely, of course, you’d lightened up on the insults and general nastiness when word reached you he’d just lost the two people who had come up with him from the dirt. But you didn’t quite understand the connection between the three of them, not until now anyway.

You ended up understanding that the two of you were fairly similar in some ways, and you realised that night, you’d just seen a side to him nobody had ever seen before, at least nobody in the Scouts, to your knowledge. And you sure as hell never expected to see this side of him. Shit, you doubted he even had this side to him. But when he turned your head to look you in the eyes, gently gripping your shoulders and asking you to promise him you would never regret what happened, never regret her decision, you realised just how wrong you had been.

It was after that night you two actually managed to talk without wanting to rip each other’s throats out. You congratulated him on becoming a captain, only to be met with his request for you to be on his squad. You shared his paperwork, his tea –as foul as you thought the drink was–, his thoughts and fears, and all of a sudden you were sharing his bed, sleeping in his arms after you’d both realised you’d fallen in love with each other.

It was with his help you managed to honour your best friend’s life. You fought for her, and for this new relationship that seemed to have blossomed from the seed of grief. She used to take th piss out of the two of you relentlessly, constantly chiming about how thin the line is between hatred and love. And you guessed she was right.

That must have been nine or ten years ago now, seven of those years having been spent by his side as his lover, and three of them as his wife. The thin, simplistic gold band around your ring finger glinting in the midday sun as a testament to your love for each other. You wonder where he was now, whether he too was fighting titans, or whether they were setting up camp. Their return date wasn’t for another couple of days, you knew that, but then again, Erwin Smith was always a little unpredictable. You knew from experience, having known the man for a while now.

Smoke and fire rose from ruined homes, screams of the innocent rising like a choir singing for a malevolent god. You carved through flesh and muscle, felling as many beasts as you could whilst still keeping your injury fairly safe. If you didn’t stop, it didn’t have time to hurt, that was your mentality. Until high pitched cries for help stopped your rhythm, twisting in the air so you could at least deduce where the pleas were coming from.

And your heart dropped as soon as you realised.

There was a school. An entire class worth of children and teachers trapped by surrounding titans and flames. It was a hellscape, but one you had seen before, and wouldn’t hesitate to walk through. Flipping your direction from the original path you’d set yourself on, you drew two more razor blades from your scabbard, metal singing a chorus as they too glinted in the sunlight, before you set to work.

Your first port of call was to clear the area of titans. The giants currently surrounding the building, reaching their large hands through flaming, shattered windows in search for their next morsel filled you with a certain kind of rage you’d never felt before. You’d recently had that talk with Levi. The whole “children” talk. Whether you both wanted one, and whether it was a good idea to bring a child into this world of death and terror. Maybe that was why you sliced through titan flesh so viciously, watching with sick satisfaction as the beasts toppled and fell before they even knew what hit them.

You fired a green flare, a visual sign for backup as you kept up your attack, growing tired as more large hands replaced the ones you just severed. There were too many, and the screaming from within the building wasn’t helping your sense of panic either. You were trying to stay calm. Trying everything you could to keep your breathing regular. If this was any old titan attack, you’d be fine. But there were civilian lives at stake. Children’s lives at stake. Letting them die wasn’t an option.

Relief calmed your stuttering heart as the sound of gas accompanied by the sick squelch of blades through muscle came to your aid. A small squad of Garrison soldiers putting their cadet training to good use by actually killing some titans. You would have been impressed if the current situation wasn’t so dire.

“Keep them at bay! There’s people in there, don’t let a single titan near this building, understand?!” even if they didn’t know who you were, they obeyed your orders without question. Something about your tone of voice screamed authority, and they knew you were everyone’s best bet at survival here.

Without a second thought, and without even considering the faint cracking of strained support beams, you disengaged your gas, running through the small inferno. Smoke clogged your lungs immediately, and you crouched as low as you could whilst still being able to travel at a reasonable pace. You were listening. Over the roar of fire, you were listening for the panicked shouts and hollers for help. You just needed to find where they were, and you’d get them out. You had to.

You managed to look up seconds before a part of the ceiling collapsed in front of you, prompting you to dodge back. The movement had you coughing, and once you started, it was difficult to stop. Pulling a small cloth from your pocket, you planted it over your nose, hoping to filter out the smoke as you continued your painstaking search. Long hallways lit by the blaze taunted you as you ran into each classroom, searching what felt like in vain. Until angelic, blood-cooling screams graced your ears, and you sped up as much as you could without prompting yourself to pant.

Throwing open the door, you surveyed the class of terrified looking kids, all huddled close to the ground. Tear stained and puffy eyed, they looked to you in fear, and your gaze fell to the teachers keeping them as safe as possible. It didn’t look too bad, if not for the fire that separated the two sides of the room, blocking off their exit and preventing you from accessing them. You were now frantic, searching in desperation for something, anything that could help them escape. Some desks and tables had already been consumed by the flames, but others were almost unharmed.

The structure creaked and cracked all around you, falling debris could be heard outside the classroom as you dragged one of the desks as close to the blaze as you could, gesturing for one of the adults to do the same. You had managed to create a sort of makeshift bridge, although they would have to leap across a small gap, fire licking the legs of the desks, as if taunting you, mocking you. Reaching up to pull you into the flames.

“You have to jump! I will catch you, I promise!” you shouted, heart beating faster than you thought possible as a little girl clambered up onto the desk opposite you, her expression one of utter terror. You held your arms out, cringing slightly as the heat from below engulfed and singed your skin, but you didn’t have a choice. You had already told yourself you were going to save these children, so that’s what you were going to do. Mustering all the courage you had, you wiped your own expression, before producing a calm, reassuring smile. Determination sparkled in your now flickering irises, and you took a step closer to the edge of the desk, the toe of your boot now hanging over the inferno. “Trust me.” you implored, before you saw the girl nod, take a small step back, and leap into your arms.

Instinctively you curled her into your embrace, before placing her onto the ground behind you. The next kid, a smaller, brown haired boy, seemed a little braver, and didn’t hesitate to jump over the flames, colliding into your steady body.

“I have to take two at a time! I’ll be back, I promise!” your voice must have carried to one of the teachers, her wide eyed expression, though nodding in confirmation, silently pleaded you to hurry. You had nine more children to help escape, that and the two adults. Hauling the two kids over your shoulders, you started to run. Smoke and ash coated and burned your lungs, but you didn’t stop. Eyes streaming, you gasped for fresh air as soon as your eyes saw the blue sky beyond. A small crowd had gathered in front of the school, the titans nearby having been eradicated, civilians and soldiers alike stopped to watch in awe of a single woman running in and out of a burning school, collective screams ringing out each time a piece of the building collapsed. Some people yelled at each other to help you, but nobody seemed willing to risk their lives in the same way a Scout would.

It was the commotion that drew Levi to the scene. Word had reached the Scouting Expedition that titans had broken through the wall and were running amok in Trost District. His immediate thought turned to you, worry infecting his mind as he constantly wondered if you were okay, unable to think of anything else the entire gallop back to the walls. He’d already seen enough shit today. Some cadet falling from the nape of a titan skeleton was bad enough, but arriving in front of a burning building just in time to see his wife sprint back inside of that very same burning building was enough to drive him insane. Hange ran up to his side, clearly having seen the exact same thing.

“Was that–?”

“Yeah, it was…” Hange’s eyes flicked from the doorway to Levi’s face, slack jawed with fear as he watched wide-eyed. You’d just run head first into a burning building. You. When he finally managed to tear his gaze from the door, Levi realised what was happening. There were people in there. Evident by the Garrison soldiers providing water and blankets for ashen faced children. Soot coating their little bodies, clothes stained black. Dread pooled in his gut. You were injured. That’s why you stayed behind. You had badly fucked up your knee and needed to rest. His stomach roiled as more screams from the crowd pierced the air, another section of the school collapsing to the ground, rubble and embers piling up as only one section remained. Levi couldn’t wait any longer.

There was no hesitation in his step as he ran forward, only increasing his speed with Hange’s panicked shouts behind him. But the longer he didn’t see you emerge, the more the icy hands of terror gripped his heart. He couldn’t lose you. He couldn’t lose you. He couldn’t–

“Levi?!” snapping out of his hazed trance, Levi looked up to see you, covered head to toe in ash, two kids thrown over each shoulder. Neither of you stopped to say just how fucking relieved you were to see the other. It was all conveyed through your eyes anyway. You passed the kids over to him before cupping his neck and pressing your forehead to his.

“You’re okay…” he breathed, eyes flicking between yours.

“I’m fine. Get these ones out of here. There'll be two teachers next, followed by me and the last kid. Don’t do anything stupid like come back in for me, okay? I’ll be back soon.” you reassured him, briefly capturing his lips in a light kiss before you both turned your backs on each other and ran the opposite directions.

The situation was becoming more and more dangerous by the second. Splinters and shavings of wood crested with sparkling embers continued to fall from the ceiling, smoke continued to swirl from shattered windows and broken walls. Levi didn’t know how long you had been doing this, but he was impressed you hadn’t collapsed. His own lungs strained from the excess inhalation of smoke, coughing slightly as he managed to carry the kids out to safety, gently setting them down with the rest of their class. Now was the waiting game.

Hange came to his side again, offering their canteen of water, but Levi was too focused on the doorway to notice. Everything had dulled slightly. The din around him had faded as he could focus on nothing but the door. You had to return. You had to come back.

The crowd erupted as two adults came running from the building, arms stretched out to greet those who had been waiting for them. But that’s not who Levi was looking for. That’s not who he was waiting for.

“There!” a miscellaneous shout to his left brought him back and spurred him once again into action. There you were, limping badly, a little girl clutched in your arms. His subconscious mind briefly admired how good you looked carrying a kid, before he ran back in to help you. Like earlier, you handed the little girl over to him, but as Levi went to put your arm around his shoulder so you could take some of the weight off your injured knee, you immediately protested.

“No! Get her out first, I’ll be right behind you.” you shouted over the sound of fire and destruction around you.

“I’m not fucking leaving you here,” he spat through gritted teeth, hand still clasped around your arm, but your expression remained steely.

“I’m not giving you a choice. You die, she dies. Get the fuck out of here, I’ll be right behind you, I promise!” Levi lost his grip on your arm as you shoved him forward. He gave himself time to look back as you, brows creased with worry.

“You better be.” he said, before leaving you behind. If there was ever a time Levi doubted his speed, it was now. He couldn’t seem to move swiftly enough, run fast enough. Every step seemed like it was taking another hour. But you were, of course, unable to keep up with his speed. Your knee howled in pain, having to make the jump over the fire yourself since the last girl was too scared. You’d managed to fall and land on it, badly. No permanent damage, but enough to keep you a good six or seven feet behind your husband, a man who you could usually keep up with.

But it was six or seven feet too far.

Levi cleared the doorway, shielding his face as a sudden burst of fire exploded to his right. A shrill scream of your name had him whirling, the deafening crack of solid wood hitting the ground an accompaniment to your pained yelp as you once again jumped back. It was Hange who had screamed your name, a fear like one Levi had never seen raged in her hazel irises as he set the girl down before turning back to you.

Or to where you should have been.

The doorway had caved in, creating a barrier of raging heat and smouldering logs. You were trapped. Trapped in a building that was seconds from collapsing. Levi could see it in your face. Could see the sudden, horrified realisation. The paralysing fear that you were now caught in a web of fire. The panic as your eyes searched for a way out, and the grim resolve as you realised, this was it. And it was that gentle, melancholic smile of acknowledgment that speared his chest.

Time came to a standstill. Everything faded into the background as fiery gold met desperate silver through the impassable doorway. Levi couldn’t breathe, the familiar feeling of helplessness wrapping barbed wire around his windpipe. Feet stuck to the ground, heart stuck in his throat. He couldn’t lose you. He couldn’t lose you. He couldn’t–

“I love you.”

Levi’s breath hitched in his throat as he swore he could hear your words. He lurched forward, arm outstretched, fingers flexing, trying in vain to reach you. A roar of your name ripped from his throat, anguish and grief shattering the moment of stricken peace.

Before the ceiling, and his world, came tearing down, snuffing out the flames, and your life, in a heartbeat.

There were no screams around him, or if there were, he couldn’t hear them. White noise clogged his mind as he could do nothing but watch, stuck staring at the last place he’d seen you.

You were gone.

The woman he’d sworn to protect. The woman he’d given his heart to. The woman who’s finger wore the symbol of his devotion. The future he was going to have with you. The memories he hadn’t made yet, had just been snatched away in a split second. No time to say goodbye. No time to tell you yes, he wanted to have a child with you. Wanted to start a family with you. In this world of death and terror, he wanted to bring something joyful, something brimming with such innocent happiness that he could come home to. He wanted that, more than anything.

But you were gone. A reality he couldn’t accept, not yet.

Where his legs found the strength to run, he wouldn’t question, but he was carrying himself forward. His hands didn’t even register the searing burn on his palms as they began tossing smouldering debris to the side. You weren’t gone. You weren’t. You couldn’t be. No, you weren’t. No. No. No, no, no no no nonono–

Halted in his movements by a pair of arms looping beneath his elbows, Levi felt himself being pulled back and away from the rubble. The rubble you were trapped under. Nothing made sense. No sound was distinguishable. An cacophonous amalgamation of shouts swirled together like an oil spill. Thick, stagnant air constricted his lungs as the iron-like grip around his arms dragged him further away from you. And as quickly as everything had slowed, time sped up again.

“LEVI STOP!” it was Hange’s voice, a voice he knew well. One he could easily distinguish in the sudden tsunami of sounds. Everything was suddenly too loud. Too fast. The smokey stench of death curled around him, taunting him, mocking him. But there was a kernel of hope. A small flicker that he clung onto and held tight. You were alive under there. You had to be.

“The fuck are you doing? We’re getting her out. Now.” His voice held the usual authoritative edge to it, but laced with desperation. Hange didn’t lessen their grip, only held him tighter.

“Levi… there’s no point. She’s–”

“She’s not dead.” he snapped, whipping round to face the morose looking scientist. Their expression slowly dimming the small flame of hope. Anger flared in his gut, eyes narrowing in grief stricken rage. “She’s not fucking dead, but she will be if we don’t get her out. She was right behind me, she promised…” his voice was losing what little conviction he had, expression falling as the reality finally dawned on him. He’d left you behind. He’d abandoned you. He shouldn’t have listened, he should have stayed and helped you. And now you’re gone.

You’re gone.

“I’m so sorry Levi…” apologies were worth nothing. Not when he’d survived and you hadn’t. You’d given your life to save him. And he can’t help feeling every single word you’d screamed at him years ago. This was how you’d felt. He’d forgotten the feeling. Forgotten what it felt like to lose someone so close to him. To lose someone he loved so dearly. He never thought this was possible. Losing you. He’d never even entertained the thought because it was simply too terrifying to think about. But now he had lost you, and he realised there would have been nothing he could do to prepare himself.

Sinking to his knees, the bite of the stone didn’t even reach his numbed mind. Unbeknownst to him, Garrison soldiers had been having trouble keeping people back from the devastation. Your act of selfless heroism had struck a chord with the civilian crowd, and though the likelihood of you being alive was small, they wanted to do what little they could to at least recover your body. With soldiers being tired after a day’s battle, there was nothing they could do when the crowd broke through. Immediately people set to work, wrapping their hands with whatever material they could gather to protect their hands from the heat. Though the fires were now out, a few glowing embers still glowed.

Hange watched with tear glistening eyes, their expression awestruck as they surveyed the situation. Levi too had managed to turn his head. In this world of death and terror, the occasional kindness of humanity mesmerised him. This is what your selflessness had done. You’d brought people together, people who were too scared to move, too scared to help. Through the blanket of agony, a small arrow of pride cut through the cloth. Pride over how high you’d soared from how far you’d fallen. He was so fucking proud of you. So–

“SHES HERE!” any more lacerations to his heart and Levi didn’t think he would survive. They’d found you. From beneath the smouldering debris and rubble, they’d found you. His hope reignited, Levi was on his feet, the crowd parting for him like some biblical figure.

Joke after joke had the universe played at his expense. Death after death, loss after loss, heartbreak after heartbreak. But the weak strained cough from your dusty, bloodied body felt like fate giving back. You were alive. You were alive.

Your lower half was still buried, a beam of solid wood preventing you from crawling to safety, but the slow, shallow rise and fall of your back was the proof Levi needed that you hadn’t left him. You were still here. He didn’t have to say goodbye. Not yet. Levi couldn’t quite work out why his vision was suddenly blurry, until wet warmth trailed down his face. Sinking to his knees for a second time, a tentative hand cautiously brushed bloodsoaked hair from your face.

Cracking an eye open, you struggled to focus your gaze on the familiar yet hazy outline of your husband, head spinning from the crushing weight currently paralysing you from the waist down. You opened your mouth to speak, immediately tasting the metallic tang of blood on your tongue, but before you could say anything, Levi was already shushing you.

“It’s okay, you’re okay, we’re gonna get you out, okay? Just hold on for me, you’ll be out soon, just hold on,” whilst his words and gentle caresses of your hair soothed you, a small smile pulled at your lips when you mentally questioned whether he was trying to reassure you, or himself.

Levi briefly looked up from your face to quickly gage how they were actually going to get you out. Currently, the entire weight of the collapse wasn’t on your legs. But there was a steady creak of wood telling him that soon, the supporting plank will give way and completely crush you. He needed to get you out. Now.

“Captain Levi Sir! We’re more than willing to pull together and lift what we can! But we won’t get another chance Sir! That plank is minutes away from breaking and once it does, we won’t be able to lift the full weight.” Levi closed his eyes for a second as the soot stained civilian addressed him. He needed to separate his emotions. He needed to forget that it was your life at stake, because everytime his mind reminded him, panic flooded his system and he couldn’t think straight.

“Alright, thank you. We have one chance at this, I’m counting on you.” he replied, his voice steadier than it was a few moments ago. Reverting his gaze back to you, you seemed a little unaware of what was going on. Drifting in and out of consciousness, you tried your best to stay awake, but exhaustion was proving that task difficult. Levi’s brows pinched slightly, before once again stroking your hair to get your attention. “Hey, ‘m going to need your help. Can you prop up your upper body for a second? Can you do that for me?” it wasn’t really like you had much of a choice. The only way Levi could gain enough leverage to pull you out without ripping your arms off was if he could hook his elbows under your armpits and tug.

You nodded, slowly bringing your arms from their positions to push yourself up. Only, all and any strength had left you. Your arms wouldn’t work, bones feeling like twigs, muscles feeling like foam. You tried in vain to muster any strength, closing your eyes in defeat as you relaxed your body, accepting your fate.

But Levi wasn’t having any of it.

“Don’t you fucking dare give up. Don’t you dare.” he hissed, lifting your head with a finger beneath your chin. Though his words were harsh, his touch was gentle, eyes filled with steely determination. “I thought I lost you earlier, I thought you were dead. I thought you were gone. We’ve been given a second chance, I am not losing you now, understand?” the haphazard, makeshift support groaned in protest to the weight, spiderwebbing cracks only underlying the urgency in his tone. You were tired. You were hurt. But giving up was not an option. Not now.

You nodded as much as you could, a new determination igniting to life as you grit your teeth. You had never felt heavier, but as soon as you’d managed to elevate your upper body high enough, Levi slid beneath you. Bracing a foot against the wreckage, his hand cupped the back of your head, still unable to quite believe you were still alive. Though now wasn’t the time for reprieve, neither of you could help quickly basking in each other’s presence as you buried your face in his neck.

“Levi–”

“It’s okay. You’re gonna be fine. This might really hurt sweetheart, but you’re going to have to trust me, okay? You’ll be safe soon, I promise, just a bit longer,” he soothed your slightly matted hair, reassurance spilling from his lips before he looped his arms beneath your shoulders. He felt your breath against his neck quicken slightly, anxious adrenaline feeding your heart.

“Ready?!” the same man from before shouted, a whole line of both civilians and soldiers alike had their hands braced on the beam that was currently rendering you helpless. Multiple answers of “Yes!” and “Ready!” rang out amongst the crowd, before the countdown started.

“Three! Two! One–”

“I love you too,” Levi murmured, before his arms tensed around you.

“LIFT!”

Wood and brick tumbled from the wreckage as the entire mountain of rubble was lifted from your body. An agonised scream tore from your throat as blood stabbed a thousand needles into your legs, rushing to rehydrate the veins and nerve endings. A grunt of effort left your husband’s gritted teeth as he dragged you from beneath the debris, using his leverage against the collapse to push against, finally pulling you free.

As if unable to bear the weight any longer, as soon as you were safe, the deafening crash behind you told you all you needed to know, the split of the support beam and the rumble of falling shrapnel making you jump in Levi’s embrace.

But, you were free. And your husband wasted no time in gently adjusting you so you were cradled in his arms, secure within the crease of his abdomen. He held you against his chest, your hand coming up to weakly grasp his bicep. You didn’t realise you were shaking.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now. You’re safe. Fucking hell you scared me shitless, fuck.” he muttered, breathing slightly erratic. You could tell by the tone of his voice he was crying. Not that you could blame him. Not when you were crying as well.

“I c-couldn’t breathe, Levi, I th-thought I was going to die, I never thought I’d g-get to see you again,” you stuttered through tears, prompting him to hold you tighter.

“I know sweetheart, I know. But you’re safe now. I’m sorry I didn’t come back for you, I’m so fucking sorry,” you slowly, gently pushed against his chest so you could look up, wanting to show him it wasn’t his fault. And peering into your now shining eyes, Levi saw everything you wanted to say. Your tentative hand came up to softly caress his cheekbone, and though he couldn’t help feeling like he should be comforting you, he couldn’t help leaning into your touch, hand coming up to encase your wrist, holding you against his cheek after being so terrified he’d never feel it again. You guided his head to yours, tiredly raising your head to touch your brow against his, and finally you could breathe again.

A small, calm smile pulled at Levi’s lips, allowing the peace to settle in both his mind and his body. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I swear I will just kill you myself and get it over with,” there was nothing in his demeanor that even remotely suggested he would do such a thing. You chuckled weakly, contently resting your head back against his chest.

“Yeah yeah, like you wouldn’t have done the same thing.” you responded, and though exhaustion swaddled your bones, you had enough energy for a spark of mischievous defiance to enter your gaze.

“Tch, I mean it. Don’t fucking do that again,” he reiterated, though clearly amused by your old self slowly returning. In those brief minutes he thought you were dead, he realised he’d never get to see this again. But you’re here, and Levi silently made a promise to himself to always protect you, no matter what. There was a beat of contented silence, before you spoke up again.

“Sooooo, about that kid…” your smile morphed into a sly, toothy grin. Rumbles of laughter vibrated from his chest at your expression, his hand coming up to cup your face, thumb smoothing your ruffled brow.

“You are in no state to bring that up now. Heal up first, then we can start trying for a brat,” and the look on your face was worth everything the two of you had just been through. Your jaw slackened slightly, eyes widening in realisation as his words processed in your mind. Fresh tears welled in your eyes as your smile broadened into something awestruck, searching his face for any sign of deceit and coming up naught.

“Wait, really? You want one? A family?” you couldn’t help confirming what he’d literally just told you, incredulous disbelief swirling in your irises as he just nodded, admiring your expression.

“Yeah,” he brought you into his embrace again, reslishing in your face once again being buried in his neck. “Yeah, I think I do.”

The Year of O.W.L.s

(Hufflepuff*)!Reader x Draco

Down there

I know there’s tons of burdens I must bear

But from up here

The world looks so small

And suddenly life seems so clear

Fourth Year    The First Summer

Summary: The events of the first semester of your fifth year unfold at Hogwarts and more than your fair share of obstacles head your way. 

A/n: Hello my darlings! So this is from September to December 21st, or the end of the first term at Hogwarts. Don’t dismay at the short time span: This part is over 13k words. I’ve been trying to finish this chapter in lue of what’s happening to offer some escape, so the last bit (thousand words or so) isn’t fine tuned, but I doubt you’ll notice. I love you all so much. Please stay safe and stay creative and always keep fighting. (P.S. some of the canon of the book is changed obviously)

Two people knew what I was doing in the beginning. Then four. Then those four and the rest of my teachers. Then the Head girl for Hufflepuff. The latter knew I would be silent for a month. It had started in the middle of July and would go to the middle of September. It was important that I didn’t say a word. There was something much greater at stake. Something that would take practice and a lot of patience. The latter didn’t know why.

The only one who didn’t know anything, the one that I was doing it for, was Draco. And those that did know, swore secrecy, so Draco would never know. Not unless I decided to tell him.

Keep reading

A Silent Night

Hufflepuff!Reader X Draco

Am I allowed to look at her like that? Could it be wrong When she’s just so nice to look at?

I’d never tell No, I’d never say a word And oh, it aches But it feels oddly good to hurt

Chapter One     Chapter Two    Chapter Three

Summary: Winter break promises soft moments in the snow and laughter… or does it? There’s a darkness looming ahead and it’s harder to escape now than ever before. It doesn’t help at all with how you two feel about another.

A/N: Alright! Y’all told me to follow my heart so here’s about 7k words of a winter holiday that has fluff and angst. Also She by Dodie was on repeat as I wrote this (the lyrics are above). If you’re like me and need music to read, give that song a shot. Also I 100% stan Narcissa in this chapter. There were a lot more cute moments I wanted to add, and rewrote a lot of this, so if you want a headcanon list of things that were going to happen let me know! (Welcome to Christmas in the middle of the summer)

~

Miss Y/n,

It delights me that you have invited us to your home for the holiday. Draco speaks adamantly about you whenever his father is not around. I must apologize for having him keep you from his father’s knowledge. I know it pains him to have to keep you hidden, but I fear at the moment it is for the best.

I must thank you for your understanding and kindness. The burden that he bears is steep and I wish nothing more to see him through it and to keep him safe. You have taken years off of his eyes and heart and now I can begin see my young son shining through.

Draco and I will accompany you for the holiday. Lucius will be away all of the winter holiday and I feel as if it would do Draco some good to see you as it aided him over the summer holiday. I have written a letter to your mother as well, so she is aware. Draco will arrive in the morning of the 24th and I shall join him later in the evening for dinner.

You are a bright and wonderful young wizard with a heart so pure to see what I see in my son. The same thing that keeps us both fighting for him. Thank you for everything you have given. I am in your debt for bringing back my son even for a little while.

Narcissa Malfoy

~

Keep reading

24 Hours With You

Lee Donghyuck/Haechan X Reader | Fluff, Smut, Domestic AU | 12K | NC-17

Summary: A 24-hour peek into the life you spend with your husband, Lee Donghyuck.

Warnings: slightly whipped, clingy husband!hyuck, independent and sassy!y/n, crude humor, endless sex jokes and overall cavity-inducing fluff with nasty smut (oral sex, unprotected sex, praising, slight dirty talk, bondage kink, breeding kink, possibly one of the filthiest sex scenes I’ve ever written) I’m so sorry about this

For my baby Roe @ssunholic​ who’s been taking care of me so patiently during my Attack on Titan depression stage. I love you baby, MWAH ❤️ 

07.02 am

The vibration of your phone slowly lures you out of your dream and you groan against your pillow. As it begins to ring, playing a song that you used to love but now grown to hate, your husband, Lee Donghyuck stirs on the other side of the bed.

“Turn it off,” he moans, voice husky and heavy with sleep. Sinking back into his pillow and pulling his bedcover up until it reaches his ear, he grumbles, “I hate that song.”

“It’s our wedding song. That you chose for our first dance.”

“Yeah, now it’s our alarm song and I hate it. Turn it off.”

“I’m trying.” After blindly reaching for your phone from underneath your pillow, you switched it off with a flick of your thumb. It was tempting to close your eyes again but your work starts in half an hour and with Donghyuck as your husband, you need to get up now or you’ll be late for sure.

Donghyuck turns around to meet your gaze, lying on his side with the bottom half of his face concealed by the blanket he shared with you.

“You’re pretty,” he murmured with droopy eyes.

“Can’t say the same about you,” you teased him, snuggling closer. “Your bed hair is—”

Donghyuck abruptly pushes you down, now settling himself on top of you with his knees placed on each side of your hips. “Let me help,” he says, eyes twinkling in mischief. “The word you’re looking for is cute.” You smiled into the kiss, your fingers naturally find their way to the silver necklace that dangles from his neck, but when he parts his lips to deepen the kiss—

“Eew, morning breath!” You smack your palm against his face. “Brush your—what are you doing?”

Donghyuck is now grinding his teeth against the skin of your neck, his hands slipping underneath your shirt, pressing flat against your stomach. He’s so warm—he’s always warm—and every touch he paints on your skin is both comforting and provoking. 

Before long, his hands find their way to your breasts, cupping each one fully with his palm. “Good morning, girls,” he giggles, squeezing them without permission and you exaggeratedly roll your eyes, faking annoyance when in fact, you find him to be disgustingly cute whenever he does that.

“Hyuck.”

“Hmm?”

You try not to make any encouraging noises when he drags his hand down to your thigh, urging you to wrap your legs around his waist. “Hyuck…” Your protest turns weak when you feel his mouth peppering open-mouthed kisses down your neck, his tongue tasting your skin. “We have to get ready for work.”

He hums, pressing his hips down to meet yours. “Just give me ten minutes.”

Keep reading

Superior

Her being captured is a problem. Him being captured is a bigger problem. But both of them? That’s just shitty, and she doesn't care for it.

starring: reader and levi care about each other and some people wanna be assholes about it, they love each other but they're also professionals, goddammit, and a little torture isn't gonna make them break

warnings: the torture isn't overtly graphic by any means, but content warning for zapping with an unnamed device and a knife cutting into the skin.

a/n: and now all three oneshots are uploaded!! stay tuned for the first chapter in the next part of the series. again, reminder that all these oneshots can be read and enjoyed without reading any of the other works in the series.

Her back aches.

God, it aches bad.

They’ve only been here for what, an hour? Two hours? But they haven’t spoken - in fact, Levi has not even thrown a single glance in her direction, despite their close proximity in the cell. Good. She knows that the worst possible situation has finally come to their doorway. Her being captured is a problem. Him being captured is a bigger problem. But both of them? That’s just shitty, and she doesn’t care for it.

They couldn’t speak even if they wanted to, because there’s two guards at the door and a man whose gaze makes her blood run cold, both because of his reputation as a mad scientist and because he keeps looking at them like he can’t wait to cut them up and see what’s inside.

She finds herself afraid. She hates it.

Why did Levi have to come after her? She can’t even glare at him like she enjoys doing most of the time - instead, they can only sit and stew. She wonders what he’s thinking. Knowing him, he’ll find a logical explanation for why this is her fault, but the blame only extends for getting herself captured. As far as she is concerned, Levi could have easily escaped. So he can blame himself, the asshole.

“Are you in pain?” the scientist - she decides to call him Dick - asks, looking at her.

“She’s fine,” Levi answers for her.

Dick does not seem to like this response. “Captain Levi, while it is an honor to have you with us, I do want to ensure that that lieutenant is not feeling uncomfortable.”

Levi gives the man his most deadpan look, and she winces before he even starts speaking. “I’m her superior, and I didn’t fucking train her to be uncomfortable.”

Well, that much is true. Countless drills at 4 AM in the morning definitely made this jail cell seem like child’s play. But the scientist must have received information that Levi hasn’t. Before he had arrived on the scene, she had taken a rather hard blow to the back, and the sting (both the one on her back and her ego) is still acting up. There’s no need to tell him that though, she doesn’t need the lecture on top of the biting remarks that are going to follow.

“Regardless.” Dick waves a hand, and looks at her with a gleam in his eyes. “If she’s uncomfortable, perhaps...perhaps we should change her position.”

She knows what that means. It means that the torture is about to begin. Apparently she’s going first, oh goody! She is up on her feet before the guards even reach the cell. She doesn’t look at Levi, and she knows that he is certainly not looking at her. This was inevitable, and neither of them are idiotic enough to not prepare themselves for this.

As they drag her out, she does her best to not let the heavy pounding in her chest get to her. Surely, surely, all those times that her trainers beat the absolute shit out of her - as a lesson, a punishment or just because - would be worse than this. She survived those, she can survive this. Right? Right?

None of the uncertainty plays out on her face. It remains impassive, and this time, when Dick asks her once again whether or not she is in pain, she responds before Levi can be an asshole about it.

“No.” It’s simple, no need to make him mad. Her goal is not to gain the upper hand, it’s to survive.

Dick radiates sick positivity as a wide smile grows on his face. “Oh? But I heard that one of our soldiers had delivered a rather well-placed kick to your back. They said they heard a crack.”

“Nothing’s broken,” she says loudly, more for Levi’s benefit than anything else. She will not have him think she’s not ready to fight the second he needs her to. “I am absolutely fine.”

“Is that so?”

With the snap of his fingers, one of the guards moves, and within a few seconds has her pinned against the wall. Her cheek presses against cold stone, and she does her best not to tremble. Her uniform is yanked off, followed quickly by her shirt. Thankfully, none of them are ripped, so she’ll be able to wear them again. The nasty voice in her head tells her that she’s going to want to cover up very soon.

“Well, you were correct, Lieutenant. Nothing appears to be broken, but you may want to get that bruise looked at.”

She is turned back around harshly, Dick picks up some sort of device that looks like it’s crackling with static. She grits her teeth roughly, and gets ready.

He raises the device, she closes her eyes, and -

Nothing happens.

A second passes.

“Now, this won’t do.”

She opens her eyes, confused, and notices he isn’t even looking at her. He’s looking at Levi with a frown, shaking his head.

“Now you see, I can’t do this until you look at her. How else will I get you to talk and spill your dirty secrets?”

Finally, her gaze goes towards her captain, who is standing as well and looking at the wall next to him pointedly. His whole body is tense, with clenched fists and narrowed eyes.

“I don’t plan on talking. You can continue. This isn’t a performance, so you don’t need an audience.”

Dick clicks his tongue. “If you don’t look, I’m going to make this twice as hard on her.”

“Go ahead,” Levi mutters, still not looking. “That’s her problem. Not mine.”

Thanks, she thinks without any real bitterness. She doesn’t want him to look either.

The scientist decidedly likes her more than he likes Levi. Maybe that’s because she acts like a normal human being who is in captivity and not a smarmy asshole who knows he is always in control of his emotions and lords it over people.

He sighs, as though talking to a child. “Now, this doesn’t make sense. There are widespread rumors that you and Lieutenant (L/N) are more than superior and subordinate. I put faith in people’s words, Captain. Is that not true?”

“Please.” Levi scoffs. “That woman has been a pain in the ass since the day I met her. You think I’m interested? I’m not. And just so you know, the sound of your voice is torturing her more than that stupid toy is going to. So if you want this to work, go ahead, keep talking.”

Dick sighs again, and motions to the other guard. The imposing man walks into the cell, grabs a fistful of Levi’s hair and shoves him down on his knees, yanking his head up so he can’t take his eyes off her.

A flare of anger rushes through her at the sight. Levi could take that man down, easily , but there’s no point. There’s about thirty more outside, and they can be replaced fairly easily. But still, the humiliating sight of her captain on his knees, forced to watch the shit they’re about to do her, enrages her. This was worse than anything else they could possibly dream of.

Levi’s face is blank, but his eyes are scarier than normal.

“Now, let’s begin.”

And then her stomach is on fire.

She clashes her teeth together, hard, and barely stops herself from screaming. Instead, her legs buckle and she topples over, a hiss barely escaping her lips. In a second, it is as if nothing happened - she even places a hand on her stomach just to make sure.

Above her, she hears a disbelieving, almost disappointed sound from Dick. When he speaks, he sounds like one of her early professors about to tell her that she could do so much better if she only applied herself.

“Surely you’re not that weak, Lieutenant (L/N)? A woman with so many titan kills to her name can’t even take a little pain?”

She was wrong, dead wrong. Just that small bout had been about fifty times more painful than any time someone had ever kicked her in the stomach. She dares not look at the captain, but a spark of anger rises knowing that he is watching, that these dirty bastards are making him see this. She looks up, prepares, and spits at him.

Dick only chuckles.

She is brought to a standing position by the guard, and is then jolted again. And again.

And again.

“What is the scouts’ next move?”

“Where is Eren Jaeger now?”

What does Commander Erwin mean to do with him?”

“Have tea with him,” she spits out harshly, panting, “I hear human-titan hybrids like oolong.”

He holds it to her skin for just two seconds longer as punishment. This time, she can’t help it - a cry escapes her, and her head falls forward as her eyes shut in pain.

“Do you want to answer, Captain?”

There is a few seconds of silence. God, she can usually tell what he is thinking, but right now all she can focus on is how bad it stings, how much she wants it to stop. An image of her bed back home, warm and soft, flutters through her mind, and she shoves it back down as firmly as she can. She can do this. She can take this a thousand times if she has to.

“She seems fine to me,” comes his uninterested response.

And so it continues. On one hand, she is relieved that they never change the weapon and continue to use the small hellish device. It gets her accustomed to it, and as much as it hurts like a bitch, at least it is not breaking the skin. Certainly burning it, though. Or something. She can’t think straight. It hurts. It hurts.

Cries turn to screams as the questioning is drawn out.

The screams that sound terrible even to her own ears, honestly. With the guard’s vice-like grip on her arms, she can’t even catch a moment’s relief. She has no time to catch up with the pain, to reel herself back in control. Instead, her screams get louder, and her fists clench so hard that her palms burn, and her hair starts coming loose from the tight bun it’s been in.

Half an hour later, or four hours later, they finally stop. The guard lets go, and she falls to the floor in a heap, panting harshly. Every inch of her chest and stomach stings so bad that she is scared to touch the skin in fear that it will turn to ash under her touch. Instead, she struggles to reach forward and grab her uniform, fingers trembling.

With a humorous chuckle, Dick tosses it to the side.

“Fetch it.”

It doesn’t matter. None of the shit they’ve done to her in the past few minutes (hours?) matters. Her pride is still intact, thanks very much. With hateful eyes and her teeth bared furiously, she looks up at him, remaining exactly where she is.

He doesn’t like this response, but lets it go, maybe because he is tired too. Poor guy, she thinks, having to stay up past his bedtime just to torture her.  She hears a grunt to her right - the other goon has let Levi go, and the two of them go stand by the door again without a word. Damn, she bets that her captain wishes she was as silently obedient as these two.

Dick helps her up, and then throws, actually throws, her into the cell. She feels her back hit the wall and remembers that she was injured before as well. Right, both front and back are in pain! This will be such a fun night for her, she thinks bitterly as she crumples to the ground. Her uniform is thrown on the floor in front of her, but her shirt is kept outside the bars. That’s probably fair. Her life for the cause and all that noise.

Except it’s too far and she can’t reach for it. She doesn’t want to try only to collapse and appear more pathetic than she already is.

The cell is slammed shut in front of them, and her eyes meet the scientist’s, who watches the two of them hungrily. “That didn’t quite go the way I was planning. So, tomorrow…” He licks his lips. “We’re going to switch the roles.”

Her fingers twitch angrily, but she can do nothing but glare at him.

“Lieutenant,” he coos in a way that makes her skin crawl, “I know you’re in pain. But I want to assure you that for every bit of pain I’ve inflicted on you, I intend to inflict tenfold on your precious superior. To not spill your secrets would be insubordination!” He laughs as though he’s told the world’s greatest joke.

“Honestly,” Levi drawls, “you really are as stupid as you look. She’s going to enjoy that, dumbass.”

“We’ll see,” Dick responds simply. He whistles a merry tune before picking up his Toy From Hell and leaving the room.

She hears his footsteps as he gets farther and farther from the room, but she still refuses to look at Levi. Besides the humiliation she has just suffered, she’s not sure if she physically can turn her neck to do it. Every movement feels like a burden right now. She closes her eyes, willing herself to push through the pain. This is nothing. This is nothing.

Suddenly a hand is on her bare back, pushing her forward gently. She lets him do the work and move her forward, just a bit. Her uniform is flung over her shoulders and tears spring to her eyes. What is this? If she can go through the entire torture session, then she can certainly deal with Levi being gentle without crying. The tears don’t fall.

Arms are wrapped around her, and a kiss is pressed against her temple before he murmurs, “You are so brave.”

A small cry of anguish escapes her lips and she buries her face in his neck. His arms tighten around her as much as they possibly can, and she can tell he’s trying not to squeeze her too tight.

“He’s gone,” Levi whispers, raw anger creeping in his voice, “he won’t be back until morning. He’s done, he won’t hurt you anymore. Someone is gonna find us soon.”

He keeps going on like this, whispering reassuring things. He doesn’t seem to realize that his close presence is enough to keep her from panicking. She finds what little strength is left in her arms and clutches onto his shirt, closing her eyes and pressing as close to him as she can. This is the easy part. This is Levi, and Levi means safety, there’s no one in this room that she needs to fear anymore.

Still, she chokes out, “I’m not crying.” She simply refuses to.

His fingers are shaking a little. “Why not? You have every right to.”

“I won’t,” she hisses, and this time she means it. She pulls away despite her mind and body both protesting - he’s warm, he’s safe, and it’s him. But she needs to show him she’s not going to break and she needs to show him why.

“I don’t know if you remember.” She sits back against the wall, wincing in pain. “But...before I joined your team, before the Garrison and all that shit, back when I was still training…” She groans, realizing that there really is no comfortable position. “You told me something. When I got that letter from my mother, remember?”

Levi remembers, she can tell by the way his eyes soften, but he lets her continue.

“You told me to stop crying. You said…” She grunts, but manages to finish. “You said that you were the only one allowed to make me cry.”

“That was for training,” he mutters, taking off his own uniform and placing it behind her back so that she has some kind of cushion. “You have full control of whenever you want to burst into tears now.”

She laughs, making him raise a brow. “I have no control over anything whenever you’re around, Captain. Joining your squad was equivalent to selling my soul to you.”

“Then you shouldn’t have done it.”

Her eyes close - she focuses only on his voice. “How could I not, when you were begging?”

“Tch.” She smiles when he sounds like himself again. “I didn’t beg, you insolent minx.”

It still hurts. But her hand finds his and she squeezes and she manages to keep everything in. There is no outpouring of tears. Just him and her, communicating through silence just like they have always managed to do oh so well.

“It’s going to be me tomorrow. I don’t suppose I need to order you to keep your mouth shut?”

She thinks about it. She imagines what it will be like tomorrow, when they’ll force her down in Levi’s place, yank her up by her hair and make her watch as they hurt him, over and over. The thought of it makes her nauseous, but if she can handle it, then he can handle it better. She knows that. Between the two of them, he’s seen more shit, purely due to being in the Scouts longer. And a hard childhood, as opposed to her rather comfortable one.

“You know I’m more likely not to listen if you order me. I’m interesting like that.” She opens her eyes, managing to crack a grin at him.

His shoulders sag, and he gently brushes her cheek with his knuckles. His touch is so soft that she wonders if he thinks it’s going to hurt her. “I like when you joke around. Lets me know you’re okay. Tell another one,” he requests.

Having Levi request one of her jokes makes her wonder if she’s dreaming, because for one thing, Levi never requests anything, he mostly demands and orders and grumbles. And second, he has made clear exactly what he thinks of her jokes - and she’s lucky if he doesn’t roll his eyes or make a scathing remark about her poor sense of humor every time she tries. Which is ridiculous, because her humor is amazing.

“You don’t even like my jokes.”

“I promise I’ll like it, no matter how shitty it is.”

“Okay,” she agrees. “Um…” She bites her lip, thinking. “What do you call a…” She shakes her head. “No. Wait. Wait.” Her stomach is still too sensitive to touch. “How many…” She furrows her brows, trying to focus. Captain Levi is requesting a joke. This is big, feeling pain can wait right now, “Oh, I have one!”

“Tell it to me,” he says encouragingly.

“Knock knock.”

“Who’s there.” When she gives him a look, he asks in a proper tone. “Who’s there?”

“Colossal Titan.”

Levi sighs, shaking his head. “Colossal Titan who?”

“ Pew, ” she says, waving her arm a little.

He stares at her blankly and she pouts. He said he would like it. She makes the motion again, miming the titan breaking down the wall.

A hint of a smile comes upon his face, and he lets out a low chuckle. She looks at him crossly.

“Don’t fake laugh.”

“I’m not.” He looks down and laughs, genuinely. “I get it. It’s breaking down an outer wall. But it knocked first. It’s funny.”

“No, that was bad.” She sighs, looking up at the ceiling. “Because then everyone dies.”

Levi tilts her chin down so that she’s looking into his eyes. No matter what else, she loves how truthful, how genuine he seems at all times, even when he’s not trying to be. His eyes bore into hers, leaning in just close enough that she could lean forward and catch his lips if she tried.

“Knock knock,” he says, his voice low.

“Who’s there?”

“Armored Titan.”

“Armored Titan who?”

“I’m not sure, we haven’t figured it out yet.”

She actually laughs, and then winces, squeezing her eyes in pain as her body protests. How was laughter going to be the best medicine when she couldn’t even laugh? What a stupid saying. Levi’s general negativity is getting to her, honestly.

When she opens her eyes, he is still gazing at her as though he has never seen anything so captivating.

“You look your prettiest when you laugh,” Levi murmurs, “don’t ever stop making your shitty jokes and laughing at them. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Any other time she might have been snarky, cocky even, asking in a singsong voice if he really thought she was pretty , just to annoy him. But being snarky requires effort, and she spent the last of it on that amazingly stupid joke.

Levi notices. He can’t seem to help himself. Still trying his best to be gentle, he wraps his arms around her, moving her just a little so that she’s resting against his chest instead of the wall. She doesn’t mind, he’s much more comfortable anyway. And the day’s events are catching up with her, as evident by the yawn that escapes her as much as she tries to fight it.

“Go to sleep,” Levi orders, no room for argument in his voice. “Come on.”

“Mm...don’t want them to find us like this…”

“They won’t,” he says firmly, “now sleep . That’s an order, (L/N).”

Hearing her name from him only makes the sleepiness worse. A wave of calmness washes over her, and she presses her face in his chest and breathes in against his shirt. It feels impossible to be scared like this, feels ridiculous to think that anyone could possibly hurt her when he’s holding her like this.

Still, she tries to hang on. The logical but dire part of her brain reminds her that this is fleeting. Within a few hours, maybe less, they’ll be woken up and he’ll be snatched from her and they’re going to hurt him and he doesn’t deserve to be hurt and can’t they just leave him alone -

Levi starts stroking her hair. God, her eyes are closing without her consent, goddammit , this is a dirty trick on his part.

“That’s…” She feels her consciousness slipping. “My move...thief...”

She knows she mumbles more, but she can’t tell what she’s saying, or whether it’s even coherent or not. She doesn’t make out his response either, too busy losing herself to his soothing touch and to the welcoming arms of sleep.

Her last thought is that he is way too good at this.

A thud to her head is her wake-up call, and she wakes up with a gasp. The ugly guard from yesterday is in front of her, and before she realizes what is happening, her and Levi are both on their feet, pressed against the wall and made to look at the scientist, who looks like he certainly had a good night’s sleep.

Gratefully, she notices that she and Levi had indeed no longer been sleeping in the same close proximity. Bless him, he didn’t give them away. Even though she misses and craves his touch, waking up in his arms just isn’t a luxury they can afford right now. She also notices that her hair is tied up again, and a rush of love for her captain swells inside her.

“So!” Dick says in his grating chirpy voice. “Did you sleep well?”

Neither of them answer. She is simply too groggy to come up with a clever response right now, and she suspects Levi is too busy trying to kill the man with his glare. Dick does not seem to be bothered - in fact, he looks even more eager than yesterday.

“Let’s give you two a proper wake up call. Are you ready, Captain?”

Her heart beats a little faster, but she prepares herself. Levi can handle this, he’s going to be fine.

“Just get it over with,” Levi mutters dryly, “I’ve been ready for hours.”

“Good!” Dick smiles widely. “Bring her out.”

Her head snaps up, and she gasps in pain as the guard shoves her forward roughly.

“What?” Levi growls angrily. “No, it’s my turn! You said it’d be me!”

Dick finally likes Levi’s response. He lets out a hearty chuckle, motioning for the guard to pin her against the wall. Her breathing quickens, but this time, she’s ready. This is the best option she could have hoped for. As much as she was sure that seeing Levi hurt wouldn’t break her resolve, she is glad that her mental fortitude does not have to be put to the test.

Damn it all, she can do this!

“She’s had enough!” Levi shouts. She hears a movement behind her, and then the guard holding her up leaves her side, knowing she doesn’t have enough strength to struggle. Without looking, she knows that Levi is putting up a fight now. If he doesn’t stop, he’s going to give them away.

She understands the anger. The bastard pulled a clever move last night, letting them prepare for something that wasn’t going to happen. Levi must have spent the night readying himself for this, and so he had no time to consider what would happen if they continued on with her.

An arm presses her further into the wall and a sharp pain explodes from her stomach up to her chest, making her vision go blurry a little. Levi shouts protests that end with a thump and him on his knees again. God, she could kill these sons of bitches.

She feels Dick tug her bun upwards, exposing her neck and making her wince in the cold. “This is your favorite part of the body, isn’t it, Captain?”

“Don’t you fucking dare -“

She’s not sure what’s happening until she feels her skin break right over the nape of her neck, and she lets out a hoarse scream.

“Stop it! Stop it! ”

Red hot blood drips down her back from her neck, pouring from an alphabet-shaped slice. Her world is spinning - she wonders if this is karma sent from the titans themselves.

L.

“I think I’ll leave her a somewhat memorable scar,” Dick crows, “how about your name, Captain?”

“ You’re going to kill her, you bastard, stop it!”

E.

God, now that she knows what he’s carving into her neck like it’s a tree bark, she can feel it all the more keenly. She’s written his name several times, after all, whether it be in copious amounts of paperwork, letters responding to people’s inquiries about how the good captain is doing, or her own notes that she’ll leave next to a cup of tea that will be as simple as dear levi, i accidentally put salt instead of sugar in this, sorry and she’ll see him roll his eyes but pocket the note anyway before forcing himself to drink her godawful beverage.

Dick’s handwriting is nice, she thinks hysterically. The scars will look pretty on her corpse.

V.

Levi keeps screaming and she hears the doors open as more people rush in to contain him. If only he had his gear, he could probably take them all on, but there’s only so much one guy can do without any weapons against ten or so people, even if it is Levi Ackerman.

Right before he writes the final letter, Dick stops, keeping a firm hand on her back just in case she was some kind of immortal goddess and could run away in this state. She’s closed her eyes by now, but her ears are still listening, and she can hear Levi panting harshly. She tries to imagine him, but it hurts to think.

“You can end this, Captain. Tell me what I want to know, and I can get her medical treatment in an instant. It’s your choice.”

There is a pregnant pause in the air, and she assumes all eyes are on him. The tip of the knife rests against her neck, ready to resume when need be.

“Tell me,” he presses, and she feels the blade dig into her skin a little. “What is the commander planning?”

There is more silence for a couple more seconds.

She hears the slightest hitch in breath, and it’s a credit to how well she knows Levi that she knows he’s about to say something. In a split second, she finds a will inside herself that she didn’t know existed until now, and she screams.

“Don’t even think about it!”

Dick laughs this off, digging the knife in a little deeper as punishment. “Well, Captain?”

Everyone waits. Her heart pounds loudly against her chest and she wonders if they can hear it.

“Burn in hell,” Levi hisses, and with a sigh relief she allows herself to submit to the pain.

I.

Several things happen all at once.

Someone screams - besides her - and the door is all but blown apart. From her left, she hears Levi yell something. She thinks a full on brawl has started, how does he hope to come out on top?

The weight that had been pressing her against the wall is gone, and she hears a voice that sounds suspiciously like Major Hange saying, “Let’s see how you like it!”

With nothing holding her up, she feels herself fall, fall, fall until her knees hit the ground hard. The room erupts into chaos around her, and she can only make out so much of it. She tries taking it one at a time. Behind her Hange is waving around a knife like a madwoman which is pretty on-brand of her so it’s not too alarming. Outside the door, it seems like the guard dogs of this hellish lab-place are engaged in combat with the Scouts. People fighting people. Huh. Seems a bit refreshing. At least no one was planning to eat her in this situation.

She’ll take what she can get.

Finally, at the center of the room, shouting something at Hange and throwing punches, is Levi. He looks slightly unhinged and wonderfully furious, with his feral grey eyes (who even has grey eyes) being the only warning any of the poor chaps get before slams into them with his knuckles.

Wow. All this for her sake? She’ll have to tease him if she lives through this.

It doesn’t feel like she will, though. Pain seems to be radiating from every part of her body. She can’t differentiate between areas of her body that are actually injured versus what’s hurting by association. This is actually more than a bit embarrassing, after fighting titans for ages, it was going to be one man with too many toys that was going to take her out?

No, fuck that. She decides, losing consciousness, as Levi elbows his next victim in the face and then finally makes his way to her, his face contorted in anger and his eyes focused, that she absolutely has to make fun of him for this.

In the ten minutes since she’s woken in the infirmary, Hange has asked her about a million questions. Truthfully, she has no problem answering - she even adds hand gestures and extravagant details to entertain the woman more. After all, Hange had led the charge that saved her life, the least she can do is give her something to write about in her collection of horror stories. Hearing about a human monster seems to thrill Hange enough to hang onto her every word.

Besides, it’s much better than sitting and idly twiddling her fingers in her hospital bed.

Eventually, Hange sighs, standing. “Sorry. I’d love to keep you company longer, but there’s a load of work calling my name.”

“It’s fine, Major.” It’s so not fine, she’s going to be damn bored holed up in here. “Er, I was wondering…”

“Short stack hasn’t come in here since after they confirmed you were gonna make it.” She scoffs. “Truthfully, I was surprised, considering how he carried you in here like he was ready to say his vows right then and there.”

Her nose wrinkles. “I’m not a married woman now, am I?”

Hange laughs, shaking her head. “Not yet. Next time, try getting your entire head sliced off and I’ll bring a white dress for you.”

See, this is why she likes Major Hange - at least someone in this military has a sense of humor, she can’t be expected to pull all the weight herself.

“If you see Captain Levi, can you tell him I’m up?” She relaxes back against the pillow. “I want to talk to him.”

Her savior agrees, and leaves with a wink and encouragement to get better. Now that she has time to actually sit back and think, her thoughts are sour.

Levi is avoiding her? She takes two beatings, lets him coax her to sleep using her own genius move, gets his fucking name carved into her neck, stays alive out of pettiness, and this is the thanks she gets? He’s not that cold. She doesn’t know what it is she’s done that made him want to stay away, and she knows that Levi never does anything without his reasons, but that doesn’t stop her from being irritated.

Nearly half an hour later, he arrives - well, he sure took his damn time walking there. He’s in his stupid suit and his stupid cravat, looking as unperturbed as ever, as though him screaming bloody murder and punching people out left and right wasn’t the last thing she saw before she fell unconscious. She thinks she catches the briefest flash of relief in his eyes, but then he looks as bored as she’s been feeling while waiting for him.

She puts her hand to her chest and salutes, because he’s still her superior first and foremost.

“You’re awake, good.” He steps up to the front of her bed. “There’s a shit ton of paperwork with your name on it.”

She waits, but that’s all he says, and she realizes that he’s waiting for her response.

“Yeah, I’m glad to see you alive too, Captain. ” She crosses her arms, glaring daggers at him. “Do you want some tea while I get to my chores?”

“Your tea? No thanks, I’d rather drink Jaeger’s disgusting titan blood than whatever the hell you manage to brew every time you touch a kettle.”

Asshole.

He turns to leave, and not able to contain herself, she squawks out angrily, “Captain! Aren’t you even going to ask if I’m alright?”

Her captain doesn’t even stop walking. Without looking at her, he says, “You look alright to me.”

“Levi!”

There. That stops him in his tracks.

He turns back to her slowly, and she matches his cool irritation with her own, defiantly jutting her chin out, just daring him to punish her for being informal when she’s in this condition. Besides, who was the one cuddling her in a jail cell less than twenty four hours ago? If he reports her for being informal, she’ll report him back even harder and then they’ll be stuck in an endless cycle trying to out-report each other.

He starts walking right up to her and she leans back on the bed a little and raises her hands because if he plans to fight her she needs to prepare her defenses, hold on -

Levi is suddenly crushing her in a hug, his arms around her waist and her face looking over his shoulder. She freezes up as he buries his face in her neck, and squeezes her like she’s going to disappear as soon as he lets go.

Well, she thinks, tearing up for the second time in the past few days, now he’s being even more informal.

“This is what got us in this mess in the first place, (F/N).” He breaths into her neck and without further encouragement she slides her fingers in his hair, keeping him close. “Because apparently we’re so fucking obvious that everyone’s caught on.”

“So what?” she protests stubbornly, eyes narrowing. He’s the best thing that’s happened to her and she doesn’t plan to let him go just because some psycho had too much fun with a knife. “We held out. We’re not stupid or weak - neither of us broke.” She can’t help it, and presses a kiss to his cheek. “I know I didn’t get the chance to show you, Levi, but I could have done it. I would have held out, I swear.”

“I know.”

“But then, why are you -”

“Because I didn’t hold out.”

And there it is, the big confession. She forgets how to breathe for a split second, thinking back to how quiet the room had been, everyone waiting for Levi’s response, seeing if he’d choose to keep his secrets or whether he’d choose her.

And he’d been about to choose her.

“If you hadn’t screamed right then, I don’t...” He sighs, frustrated, holding her even tighter. “I don’t know what I would have done. I was ready to tell them anything just to make it stop.”

“ Levi ,” she whispers softly, not sure how to react to what is such a raw display of love for him, humanity’s strongest, the one who never lets himself care for anyone anymore. “He fucked with your head. I know you’re stronger than that, it was just a bad day.”

He chuckles mirthlessly, repeating her words incredulously like he always does whenever he thinks she’s just said something ridiculous. “A bad day.”

“Yes, a bad day.” She pulls away so she can look up at his face. His expression tightens when he sees the tears pooling at the corner of her eyes, before he reaches up and brushes them away with his thumb. She wonders how he manages to keep his touch so light after all the fighting he’s been thrown in. “And don’t worry, I’ll be there to scream at you next time too.”

This promise seems to only make him even more miserable. “And what happens the day you’re not?”

She opens her mouth to answer, but there is really no good response to him asking what happens when she inevitably dies. It probably will happen, and she doesn’t want to lie to him. She’s made her peace with it.

“Then that day you don’t have to worry about having a weakness anymore. It’s a win-win.”

It’s a dark, fucked-up answer to give him, and she knows that. But Levi doesn’t appreciate bullshit responses, and that’s probably half of why he likes her in the first place (the other half is her strikingly good looks). She’s always been blunt if nothing else - she would always rather tell him the truth than a pleasant sounding lie, as much as she is tempted to do the latter at times, if it would make the haunted look in his eyes go away. Still, she says what her conscience dictates.

Levi nods, closing his eyes for a few seconds before opening them with a newfound sense of peace. Nudging her shoulder, he gestures for her to move aside. “Let me sit.”

“You sure, Captain? This is a hospital bed, you know - think of all the germs and sick people that have crawled all over it.”

He rolls his eyes and pushes her to the side himself, climbing on and leaning back against the pillow. Without an invitation, she lowers herself down until her head is resting against his chest, hand on his waist, and basks in his comfort. In turn, Levi slides his arms around her back and presses a kiss to her forehead.

“I’m still mad at you for stealing my hair-stroking thing,” she mutters, rubbing circles against his hip with her thumb.

He smiles against her skin. “You didn’t invent hair-stroking.”

“Yeah, but it was my tool to put you to sleep.”

“And it works annoyingly well, so I was seeing how you liked it.”

“I did like it,” she admits shyly, hiding her face against his chest. “But still, you’re a damn thief.”

Levi reaches up to the hair tie keeping her hair in a far looser bun than he had tied it in. With a practiced motion, he takes it off, letting her hair sprawl against his chest and running his fingers through it. She feels him press his fingers to her nape and she swallows nervously as his thumb and index finger start stroking his own name on her skin. That’s right, he is touching the scar for the first time, a scar that’ll last pretty damn long if not forever. His Adam’s apple bobs when she places her hand over his, squeezing his fingers gently, letting him know it’s okay, that she’s fine. There were worse things that could have been marked on her skin. This she can deal with.

“It’s easier like this,” he mumbles, “with you.” She understands.

She wants to tell him everything is easier with him there. But the words die on her lips, afraid of pushing him away. If he figures out that she’s ready to die for him, her superior, one day, then he’s going to keep her from doing just that. Instead, she raises her head and gives him a kiss with his fingers still tangled in her hair. She tries to convey everything, and it does feel like he understands, as he cups her cheek with his free hand and kisses her back fervently.

His lips are always such a treat for her, a rare delight that she gets to have when he’s feeling generous or particularly longing. She takes advantage of these moments, pouring her all into it, showing him just how much she adores him. How much she loves him.

Levi hooks their legs together to keep her close, and her heart thrums at this unspoken message that he needs her as much as she needs him. God, fuck , she wishes he could stay this close always. From his low groan and the way he tugs her even closer to deepen the kiss, she knows he feels the same.

Somehow, he pulls back first and makes a small tsk at the pout she sends his way. “I’m not going to make out with you on a hospital bed. Who knows how diseased you are already?”

Just for that, she kisses him again, and smirks victoriously when he kisses back again.

This time, she pulls back, grinning victoriously. Levi makes a show out of rolling his eyes at her obvious desire to have the last word, but doesn’t comment. He pulls her back against his chest, and seems content burying his face in her hair and finally letting himself relax.

Which, she decides, closing her eyes and intertwining her fingers with his, is all she needs for now.

My Type

(Hufflepuff!*)Reader X Draco

Fourth Year

There was a time when I was alone

Nowhere to go and no place to call home

My only friend was the man in the moon

And even sometimes he would go away, too

Summary: (Original request form @darcypottah​) The events of the summer between fourth and fifth year unfold and you find yourself at Malfoy Manor more than you expected. 

A/n: Okay, so I might have said that these summer ones would be shorted, but that was before I started writing it… so yeah it’s like 10k words. But every one of them is so cute and ugh, I’m in love you guys. It’s got fluff, it’s got angst, it’s got magic, what more could you want? Let me know what you think!! Also see the end note for some thoughts from me and my posting schedule!! Love y’all so much 

“Malfoy?” My mother asked. “You want to go to Malfoy Manor?” She was trying very hard not to yell at me and I could tell as I bit my lip and looked down.

“Draco invited me,” I argued weakly. “He… um.”

“He what? He’s tormented you for three years Y/n. And now you want to go to the lion’s den?” Her voice was raising as the invitation in her hand fluttered about with her spastic movements.

“It’s not like that mother,” I insisted. “He’s… you wouldn’t understand,” I shook my head, wrapping my arms around myself defensively. “No one understands.”

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