Chapter Text
It was an abnormal. Of course. It's always an abnormal.
The incident happened in a flash and no one saw it coming. How could they?
One second Levi's flying towards two fifteen meter class titans, his incredible speed and clean cuts bringing one down in a blink of an eye. He landed on its fallen back, prepping himself for the next kill.
When he shot his hooks off into the shoulder of his next target he leapt off with grace. Everyone stopped to watch his actions, his right knee bent up to his chest to help him glide with more speed.
A split second. That's all it took. Suddendly there was a hand grabbing at the cords of his maneuvering gear, yanking them to the left. An abnormal had appeared out of thin air, the light fog playing tricks enough to hide it from plain sight. Levi's body was jerked violently away from his objective, a loud crack sounding from his hip. Teeth gritting, he struggled to launch the wire that hadn't been grabbed by the abnormal, at least to keep himself from crashing to the ground where he would most likely die in an instant.
Though his efforts proved successful at keeping him from becoming immediately met with the ground, he was still stuck in the abnormal's grasp. Three scouts went to take down the titan he had been aiming for and another five valiantly went to save their captain.
They kept him from being brought up to its jaws, but in the titans efforts to shoo away its new company, his line was dropped, forgotten. The other hook dislodged, and before he could shoot it out again he was met with the ground in an unholy thump.
Three soldiers went down while trying to kill the abnormal, only for the veterans to kill it themselves. Titan free, for the moment. Now to deal with the horrific sight before them.
One person in particular was shocked into immobility. Erwin Smith, the commander who seemed unphased by anything, had yet to move since his best captain was snatched. It had only been ten seconds, but he was stunned, eyes wide and mouth agape.
A second after Levi hit the ground he had snapped the reigns on his horse, shooting forward with impressive speed. Someone called after him, but he didn't hear them. His eyes were trained on the sight of a fallen cape, one which he held after expeditions, knew its scent, remembered every cut and scrap it had gotten.
"Levi!" he vaguely heard himself yell, voice desperate.
The body wasn't moving. Levi was unconscious; or worse.
No, he couldn't think like that.
When he was within yards of the captain he jumped off his stallion, knees groaning when he came in contact with the ground. Scouts around him were beginning to gather, though he paid them no mind. He needed to know.
"Levi," he called again, and was met with nothing.
When he came closer he found the captain on his side, one arm bent behind his back. A dislocated shoulder. It could be dealt with. A hip out of socket, he could tell from the stretched material of his pants and the way his right leg hung loosely. Easily fixed. What wasn't easily fixed is if he had no heartbeat.
With a quiet curse Erwin went on his knees, quickly unfastening Levi's cape. He pulled it from his throat, the smooth column paler than usual. He choked back his fear as he felt for a pulse.
Faint
It was faint, but it was there, dammit. He knew a few things from Hange as to what to do during this type of situation, so he went on with his mid-battle checkup. Chest cavity clear. A few ribs broken, but nothing near the lungs. Levi was safe. He was alive.
Erwin hardened his features once again, his prior look of shock wiped away. He needed to keep Levi alive, and the only way to do that was to get him back inside the walls as quickly as possible.
"Mike," he turned to find the squad leader near him in an instant, a grim look on his face. He nodded to tell the man that Levi was still alive, and he sighed in relief. "Take the southern and eastern formations and form a stronghold here, bring them back as soon as you finish. We can't afford any more casualties for this expedition."
Mike stepped closer and knelt by his friend. "Of course, sir. Let me help you get him up. You hurt his neck and he'll kill you himself."
Erwin let out a shaky laugh. Leave it to Mike to get him to laugh at a time like this.
They both picked the captain up and Mike held him for the time being, Erwin swinging himself onto his horse again. The former slid him behind the blond, careful not to jostle him too much. After tying his hands together around Erwin's waist to keep him from falling off, the commander nodded at Mike.
"Keep the western team on lookout, I'll bring the northern back with me." Erwin let those be his parting words, as his reigns snapped and he was off again, signaling for his formation to follow.
Erwin wasn't known for separating expeditions for the sake of bringing a wounded soldier back, but no one would question his motives. His scouts knew how important Levi was to the survey corps, how he was the beacon of hope for most. They needed him. Erwin needed him.
On their way back they were met with three titans but no casualties; Erwin was relieved.
Levi had made no sounds at all and hadn't even flinched. The commander grew worried, but he kept his expression that of steel when he made it through the gates.
He didn't stop for a moment, immediately racing for the survey corps barracks. Hange was right behind him, as they were thankfully in his formation. They were one of the best they had in terms of medical care other than their actual doctors, so he knew he needed them.
Minutes later found him being assisted by two other scouts to help him get his captain down, and he held Levi bridal style in his arms on his way to the medical wing, Hange hot on his tail.
Levi's sweat covered forehead was resting against his shoulder, the subtle rising of his chest the only give away that he was still alive. Erwin's steps became faster.
Through the doors, on medical bed, swarms of doctors surrounding them. Hange was the first to begin treating the captain, two nurses helping unbutton his shirt. Erwin pulled away Levi's cravat, trembling fingers slipping the fabric out from under Levi's neck.
He stepped back to give the doctors space, but he hovered close enough to hear what they were saying. Things he already knew, some he didn't.
"Dislocated shoulder."
"Broken wrist."
"Dislocated hip."
"Fractured ribs."
"Critical head wound."
Erwin's heart dropped at that, his body moving closer to see what they meant.
A large gash was on the left side of Levi's head, blood soaking his collar. The cravat he was holding was stained red, he only just noticed.
The doctors and nurses rushed to disinfect it, a table rolled over with supplies for stitching.
Hange glanced over their shoulder to find Erwin still there, shoulders stiff.
"Erwin," they said, voice firm. Erwin didn't like it. "You need to leave. We're going to have to do some things that may not seem humane."
Erwin's brows furrowed. "Excuse me? Anything that happens in this facility is under my orders, I need to know if he's being cared for."
Hange blew out air, frustration evident in their expression. Erwin hated to put them under such pressure, but he couldn't stop himself from doing so.
"Fine. But move back, we need space."
Erwin did as told, stepping back a full ten feet to give them space to breathe.
A nurse got to work hooking him up to an IV while two others began moving his right leg to check its mobility. A moment later a crack filled the air, followed by a groan that came from none other than Levi himself in his unconscious state. They had just popped his hip back into place. Erwin gritted his teeth.
They went on to fix his shoulder, the crack from that making Erwin wince.
Soon his head wound was stitched together, along with the few artificial wounds along his neck and back.
Erwin was asked to help transport him to an enclosed room where he could rest and as they said, "hopefully" wake up. Erwin refused to hear the last bit.
Levi was irreplaceable. He had to wake up. There was no other choice.
Two days. It was two days before Levi woke up.
Mike had come back with his troops, the mission a complete success. There were only two casualties after he left. They would get funding easily for the next few expeditions, but Erwin couldn't even think about that. He was so focused on the man in front of him. He hadn't left his side for the two days he'd been asleep. Only for bathroom breaks and the one meal Hange managed to get him to eat. His paperwork duties were thrust unto Mike and Hange, but they didn't complain. No one complained. Barely anyone spoke a word to the commander since then.
It was just after lunch, just after Erwin once again refused to eat. Hange had brought up a chair to sit beside him, Mike standing against the wall near the door.
Erwin had barely said a word, but he decided now that he had calmed down he should be informed.
"How bad is it?" he asked.
Hange cleared their throat. "Major head trauma. There's no way to tell how long he could be asleep."
Erwin didn't say anything in response.
"Erwin," Hange looked over at him, concern lining their relatively young face. It made them look ten years older. "The brain is delicate. I want you to take that into consideration."
Erwin kept his eyes trained on Levi as he spoke. "What are you trying to tell me, squad leader Hange?"
Hange straightened at the former address, though their voice is as level as before. "Many of the doctors and I believe he could suffer from retrograde amnesia, Erwin. Temperarily, we hope."
"Levi is strong, he will pull through." is all Erwin can say.
"He will pull through, that we know," Hange takes a moment to look back at Mike and then Erwin again. "What we don't know is what his condition will be afterwards."
Erwin remained silent for the remainder of the time. Half an hour passes, the time long and grueling. He almost decides to catch up on much needed sleep, only to have his attention snagged by a faint groan.
He stands up immediately, eyes trained on Levi's face. His eyes seem to be moving under his lids, only for them to begin to open. They shut right away at the sight of light, but Erwin's heart is already pounding.
He ordered for the window to be closed as to not hurt Levi's head and Mike is on it in an instant. Erwin slips his fingers under Levi's palm, connecting their hands in a firm grasp. Those slim fingers automatically grip his in a weak hold and he believes that everything, yes, everything, will be alright.
"Levi," he spoke, voice only above a whisper. "You're alright. I'm so relieved, I thought I lost you."
Levi's eyes are finally beginning to open fully, mouth parting as he licks over his lips, the skin obviously dry.
He's quiet for a moment, mouth closing again. His eyes drift around the room, glancing at different things he can find. The clock on the wall, the two doors, the window, Mike and then Hange, and then finally, back to him.
The fingers that had previously gripped his are now falling away, hand going slack in his hold, almost like it's being pulled away.
"Levi?" Erwin's eyebrows draw downwards, a concerned look on his face.
Levi is looking at him with a blank stare, only for his expression to shift into one of confusion. Erwin can't understand it. His lips part again, the beautiful, pink skin glistening with moisture.
And from those same, beautiful lips, came the most heartbreaking thing he could ever imagine to hear from the one he so desperately adored:
"Who are you?"