Chapter Text
Levi was most certainly at his mid life crisis. Well, not exactly, but something along the lines of that.
Coincidence? His mind reasoned, eyes flicking upwards again, but his reasoning was weak.
I think not. A contemplative and barely recognizable smile tugged at his lips as he blinked down at the printed name he was presented with.
Eren Jaeger.
-11 years ago-
It wasn't that Levi lacked experience or skill, but the problem lied in the different course of strategy they were assigned when the wall was breached; instead of offense, their first priority was to defend the civilians. The military were doing that shitty of a job, and Levi had the mind to find Nile and rub it in his face if his hands weren't so full.
There was an explosion nearby, and a very close one. It must have been one of the abnormals.
"Get out of the way!" Levi's voice was near hoarse from all the directory screaming he had to do, because people just didn't fucking listen and went rooted when they saw a titan, making his job all the more harder. There was such a shortage that an entire neighborhood was only his and Hanji's to defend.
Two more to go-and he had to go sort out the issue with the abnormal before it got worse. Quickly, he sliced down the remaining beasts and made his way to the direction of the noise, to his relief finding the area clear of civilians. He prepared his blades, leaned at the edge of the railing and stopped. Was that a...? Yes, it was a fucking child that didn't have the brains to move before he got splattered all over the concrete. The abnormal sprinted, crashed into nearing buildings blindly, and Levi knew he couldn't kill it without crushing the child.
He grappled, then swung. The titan was too close. Way too close.
Whether he'd reach him first or not all relied on the momentum of his swing. Strong. Strong enough? He wasn't sure.
The abnormal was kicking back, quick and spontaneous-exceptionally dangerous, Levi mused as he narrowed his eyes in focus."The fuck, child." He murmured in exasperation, wishing he'd at least run back a little.
Levi could practically feel the force of the blow that was to come as he hauled the child into his hold, in some mind blowing way making it back to the standing building in one piece. He dropped the child and practically had to push him down to keep him still."Sit and don't move, alright?"
There was a small gasp that grasped his attention, and he did a double take in his distraction before staring down to see what that was about. The brat looked like he'd just seen heaven in itself and was now staring at him all googly-eyed.
"Cowpoal Levi! Woah, can I help you kill that titan?"
Levi blinked down at him twice, a little at a loss of words."Yes. Yes you can. By sitting still for a second."
He had a second to see the kid pout before diving down again, grumbling about his headache from all the smashing it was doing. For a moment, it went still, and Levi took this as his chance, swinging in for the kill. At the last moment, it abruptly jerked his head around.
Levi cursed and aimed for it's eyes instead, successfully cutting up the flesh in two and rendering it senseless for a second. He then moved on to it's nape and after getting rid of it returned to the top of the building, knowing the child wouldn't be able to save his ass or climb down in such a state.
"Wow, you suwe can kick some titan butts! Can you teach me?" The kid was practically dying with excitement.
"I'm afraid not. We'll have to get you somewhere safe, just hold on tight."
"Aw." He visibly deflated."Can I at least get a signature?" Levi couldn't help but notice how he swallowed all his R's.
He sighed, because now really wasn't the time for this, but the kid had already pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil from his pocket. Levi put a knee to the ground and scribbled it down in his chicken scratch handwriting.
"What do you wanna be when you grow up?" He asked idly, although sort of expecting the answer.
"Corpowal Levi!"
Levi paused at this, lips tugging back in a tired smile."Not sure if you could do that. I'm me, and you're you."
"Well can I be super titan killing Corpowal Eren Jaegew instead?"
"Sure you could." Levi added a 'to' and his long wannabe list."Once you join the survey Corps." He hoisted the brat up with one arm.
"Wow, really?"
"Yes, now hold on tight, okay? If you let go you'll be titan brunch."
"Yes, sir!"
Levi winced when it was practically screamed in his ear. He set the kid down in a hideout where he'd probably have someone guide him home later, throwing his cloak around Eren's shoulders as an afterthought when he noticed the dank and cold air of the basement.
-
"Eren Jaeger?" Levi called after a few more seconds, eyes flitting around the trainees for affect.
"Sir!" He saluted, tense and upright and angry looking. Levi nearly smiled at the funny way he matched his mini self, an expected but not necessarily an ununique outcome. He took a few steps towards the kid, expression leveled.
Eren wasn't looking directly at him, but the way his eyes practically tripled in size said enough. Levi was too amused.
"What on earth could you have been doing with your cloak in one night to make it look so worn?"
"It is. Worn, I mean, sir." His voice was a bit lower and gruffer than what would be assumed of his age, but again, quite matching. He could've sworn he heard a murmur of,"By you."
"Still want to be the great titan killing Corporal Eren Jaeger?"
Eren's eyes widened again, and he tensed even more, but then he blinked downwards and heat instantly reached his face.
He quickly pulled something out of his pocket and held it awkwardly for Levi to see, Levi realizing it was the crumbled paper with his autograph.
"I expect you to keep your word."