Chapter Text
Levi had been pacing the moment Erwin left. Leave it to the big bastard to do whatever he wants, not for the sake of humanity, but for his own wants. Levi was going to kill the oaf himself if he screwed this up. Even though Erwin had agreed to Nile’s plan, there was no telling what he would actually do.
Until Nile came to deliver him to court he wouldn’t know either. They hadn’t given him anything else to wear, just the same drab clothes. A leather loop with a ring on the back had been cinched across his waist in anticipation of leading him out, but aside from that he had been left alone.
Several pairs of footsteps approaching him, just like earlier, alerted him to Nile’s presence. Levi was holding his breath until Nile spoke; “He’s doing the deal. Erwin already proposed to Zeke to take over your custody as an apology for not giving you over earlier. Which was like we thought, the only way to get you out of being executed.”
Nile kept talking, but Levi could care less. Relief flooded through him. Erwin was going to be fine, he was going to continue leading the survey corps and everything would be fine. Well, everything would be fine for Erwin at least.
MP’s entered Levi’s cell to start getting him ready. His wrists were chained behind his back and then rope was cinched overtop of them and pulled through the loop at his waist. They then replaced the chains on his ankles with fetters so he could walk to their destination.
Levi tried to keep the fright off of his face, dropping it to an emotionless slate. He walked in the middle of the MP’s group and was docile, reflecting on the first time Nile had led him through these cells. Levi had been years younger, 17 or 18 maybe and had been fighting up a storm. The MP’s had resorted to tying his legs together and carrying him to his cell. Even put a bag over his head to keep him from biting.
Now Levi just walked aside of them, all the way to the courtroom. Being led in was harder than he imagined. All the eyes of his peers were on him, recently released due to Erwin’s confession. Erwin was also unchained and was standing in his spot as Commander instead of prisoner. There were many uneasy glances from the cadets as well as a crying Hange. He ignored it all, allowing them to hook his chains to the floor so he couldn’t go anywhere.
Darius Zachly sat in the judge's chair, just like he had at Levi’s first court. His expression was grim as he started talking.
“Levi Ackerman, you are a major suspect in coercing Erwin Smith to commit treason. How do you plead?”
“Guilty.” Levi spoke, keeping the tremors out of his voice.
“Explain to us how you coerced Erwin into this.” Zachley ordered.
Levi’s lip quivered before he started speaking, and he hoped it was unnoticeable.
“I knew Commander Erwin Smith had a soft spot for me after all of our time training together, and him taking me from the Underground. I didn’t agree with Erwin’s order to stop looking into the Reiss family and urged him to continue in hopes that the survey corps would become the leading group in the government with Historia Reiss on our side. Erwin takes great pride in the survey corps and after the bashing it has taken from the citizens it wasn’t too hard to convince him.”
“Is this true Commander Smith?” Zachley asked, turning towards the Commander.
Erwin didn’t allow a single emotion through when he laid eyes on Levi. The only thing there was anger.
“Yes. It is true, and I apologize for falling for this cretin’s plans. I argued to have custody over this gutter rat, and I understand it was the wrong thing to do. I however think that just killing him would be a waste. Zeke Jaeger from Marley asked for custody over Levi for a project that even we could benefit from. I am willing to release my custody over this criminal for him to be given to the Marleyans. With their help, and this peace offering, I’m sure our relationships can grow stronger and finally defeat the titans.”
Voices went in and out in Levi’s head, after talking and thinking about this nonstop for the past 24 hours, it was done. Erwin was currently telling Zachley about why it would be better to send him to Marley instead of killing him. With Marley owing them one they’d be more likely to help Paradis. As well as when they were finished with Levi, he would be given back. Well that was if they finished. The project’s details were inconclusive, but apparently it had to do with Levi’s family.
As soon as Levi had heard that part, he wanted to scream at Erwin. Tell him that he’d rather die. Anything that surrounded his family and his name was bad. He stood frozen in place though, lips slightly parted and eyes glaring at the floor.
“Very well. Levi Ackerman will hereby be given to Marley until they are finished with him. When he is released from Marley he will be tried again to see what should be done with him. Nile, let Mr. Jaeger know to come to the cells to retrieve Levi. Take him back to his cells, Commander Smith, you are free to go.”
Zachley’s statement echoed in his ears. The clank of chains bounced around in his cranium, and suddenly he was being moved. Nile was guiding him back the way they came, through the doors, down the hall, and then there was a voice yelling at them to wait up.
Erwin’s voice. Levi jerked around almost immediately, pulling one of the guards with him.
Erwin’s face was no longer angry and stone. A deep frown was set on his face and the Commander’s hands were clenched. Erwin followed the group down to the cells and once they were in front of Levi’s there were arms around him. Levi’s face pressed against Erwin’s chest, and there were hands carding through his hair. Levi’s hands flexed in their bindings, wishing nothing else but to reach up and hold Erwin’s face.
Nile ushered his guards back to give them a bit of space, they were still in view though.
“I’m so sorry Levi. Please know that you are more precious to me than anything. More precious than figuring out what's inside the cellar. I’m trusting you to come back to me. What can I do? What can I do to get you out?” Erwin whispered the final question into his ear. Warm breath brushing against his neck.
“Nothing Erwin. I’ll come back to you. I already swore it, but now you can’t incriminate yourself anymore. If they catch you doing anything once I’m gone, I’m more than positive they’ll put you on trial again. Don’t let that happen. Be the Commander for the corps. Don’t worry about me until I’m back.”
Nile told Erwin he needed to leave, Zeke was coming shortly. Erwin dispersed just as quickly as he had come, leaving Levi with the MP’s. They were releasing him from his binds as Zeke walked down the steps.
“Good to see you again, Levi.” Zeke smiled at the group.
“Do you need any help getting him ready?” Nile asked, without the normal smug smile on his face.
“No need, Pieck will help me with everything.” Zeke answered, gesturing towards a woman who was leading two more people who were carrying a crate.
Levi’s eyes narrowed at the crate in suspicion. What would they need to bring down here?
Nile’s group left after some prompting while Pieck started opening the crate.
“Sorry about the extra restraints Levi. You Ackerman’s are a lot more trouble than you’re worth in my opinion.” Zeke smiled once more before turning his gaze to Pieck.
His cell door was opened and the crate was pulled in loudly. He had been focused on trying to get a glimpse inside of the crate that he had noticed a second too late. Zeke injected something into his neck.
Levi started to slump almost immediately and would’ve fallen flat on his face if Zeke hadn’t caught him.
“Shhh, Levi. It’s just to make you relaxed… Pieck, let's do his head first.” Zeke’s soft voice whispered into his ear. Levi was defenseless as something soft in the shape of a ball was pushed into his mouth. Leather straps tightened around his head and Levi squirmed.
“Nothing to worry about Levi. We’re just being wary about that biting problem we heard about.” Zeke said.
Something was pushed into his ears, blocking out his hearing, and then a bag was pulled over his head. Something cinched it closed around his throat. It was a collar, Levi could feel the stiffness of it. Restraints were tied over his wrists and upper arms, ankles and knees.
Another pinch to his neck. Levi couldn’t tell what was going on anymore. The hazy darkness was edging its way in, until there was nothing.