Chapter Text
Levi heard the whizzing of ODM gear before he saw it. His head shot up from where he had been slouched against a tree. His hands were itching for his blades almost immediately.
“Armin! Sasha! Get up! Someone’s here!” He hissed out, trying not to be too loud in case they hadn’t been spotted yet. Deep down Levi knew they probably couldn’t get out of a confrontation unscathed, but their chances for fleeing weren’t that much better. Their ODM gear gas was limited and he knew they didn’t have a lot left. They’d been on the run now for close to two weeks, and after having to split up with Hanji Squad, they were worse for wear.
A laugh he knew too well split the air. Caven in all of her corrupted glory and a team of MP’s that were associated with Kenny surrounded them almost instantly.
“If it isn’t my favorite rat. Kenny’s been looking for you Levi, he’s been disappointed you haven’t come to visit any.” She crooned at him. Levi tried to ignore her, searching out eye contact with his squad to remain calm. They couldn’t take them, and he knew it. Armin probably knew it too.
The click of guns caused him to redirect his focus back to Caven. Her blonde hair in a high ponytail, her smirk ever present and her attitude beaming like usual straight at him.
“Give it up Levi. You’ve lost, you can’t take all of us on without losing some of your squad.” Caven smirked. Her gun was leveled with Levi’s head while the rest of her squad was making a circle around Levi, Sasha, Connie and Armin. Mikasa and the Hanji squad weren’t nearby, to keep not all of them from getting caught in case there was an issue. Right about now though, Levi was wishing shitty glasses would show up.
Levi met them with silence, but that wouldn’t work for much longer, Armin’s face was etched with fear. There were tears in the corners of Sasha’s eyes. These kids were scared.
“They didn’t do anything except listen to their superiors, let them go. They don’t deserve it.” Levi told Caven with a steady breath.
Caven smirked at that, her eyes dancing around the scene without any worry.
“Our orders were to take in all deserters, fugitives, and one Levi Ackerman to be tried. Are you asking me to skimp out on my orders?” Caven asked.
“It wouldn’t be the first time. You and Kenny aren’t saints, don’t pretend you are.” Levi grimaced at her.
The MP made an act of considering the option, flashing a cheshire smile and pushing her blonde hair behind her shoulder, she nodded. “I’ve got an idea. In exchange for letting your squad go, you’ll give yourself up willingly, and won’t fight us at all on our journey to the inner walls. We’ll even let you see Erwin if you’re a good boy. How does that sound, Levi?”
Levi tried not to let the jest get to him, but he nodded in defeat anyways. He could hear complaints from his squad. “Very well. If I find out you haven’t held up on your promise, I’ll kill all of you.”
“Captain! Don’t do it! We need you.” came Armin’s plea.
“Shut up brat. This is the only way I can keep you all safe. Meet up with Hanji, let them know what happened. Under no circumstances are you to come for me. Do you understand?” Levi questioned, his gaze lifting to each of his soldiers.
“...but sir-” Sasha started.
“No. I’m giving myself to the military police willingly to save you all. I will not have you ruining my decision. I need a verbal confirmation, right now from all of you.” Levi ordered them, unflinching.
Their responses came hesitant and scared, but nonetheless they answered.
Armin was last to answer, along with an aborted plea once Levi fixed him with a hard glare. The blonde’s lower lip quivered before he saluted his Captain.
“Yes sir! We understand, and thank you.” Armin declared.
There were a few chuckles from the MP’s but Levi tried not to let them phase him, he was about to be surrounded by these sniveling roaches in the capital anyways. Of course, he was only behaving for his squad's sake. Once they were on the move, Levi didn’t know if he’d uphold his end of the agreement. He only said he’d come willingly, he didn’t agree to being a model prisoner.
Caven ordered his squad to leave and they finally did, multiple times sneaking quick glances over as if they were worried something was going to happen right then and there. Once they had departed Caven’s grin only seemed to grow.
“I’ve always wanted to belittle you. Always so high and mighty, humanity’s strongest soldier… reduced to a traitor. Of course, it's not that much different from how you started, is it? Kenny told us all about you. Underground thug, turned into a pawn. You’ll be lucky if you get a deal anywhere close to that. I hear they’re going to hang you and the commander. Won’t that be a spectacle? Exposing the traitors of our world. Freeing the people of this corruption. It’ll be… revolutionary.” There was a dark glint in Caven’s eyes as she spoke, but Levi told himself to ignore it, he couldn’t afford to be afraid.
Taking a breath he muttered, “Lets just get on with this.”
“Ah, you’re so right. I forgot you wanted to see Erwin before he gets too roughed up… On your knees Levi, let's make this quick and simple.”
The traitor obliged, settling himself on his knees with his head lowered. They started by disarming him with a very thorough pat down. His arms were tied behind his back with rope, above his elbows and at his wrists. His ankles and knees also had the same treatment. Now laying flat on his stomach, a hand in his hair forced him to lift his head. After a moment’s hesitation, Levi allowed a wad of cloth to be pushed into his mouth. Another cloth was placed over his mouth and tied tightly behind his head to prevent him from spitting it out. Something connected his wrists to his ankles, pulling it tight until his back arched.
With a quiet grunt he shifted on the ground trying to find some slack in his tightly bound limbs. He was met by boots in front of his face. Caven crouched down in front of him, gently reaching for his chin she lifted his head up which strained his back. Caven brushed his black hair from in front of his eyes so she could see him fully. Maybe if Caven wasn’t such a bitch, Levi would’ve said she almost looked motherly in some sort of psychotic way.
“Looks like we’ve finally caught Kenny’s little rat… Let’s get ready to move out!” She dropped his head and then started checking over his bonds. She pulled the gag tighter and felt his wrists for circulation. After that he was barely talked to.
One of Caven’s men picked him up and they were launching into the air. They had to have a wagon somewhere near here, there was no way they were going to carry Levi back to Sina. He was pinned between a side and an arm, the soldier carrying him would have to tire at some point.
Unsurprisingly he was right. He guessed around 3-6 minutes was how long it took them to reach the wagon. It was on a dirt road with two soldiers manning the horses. The soldiers spotted them, and Levi could hear a cheer breach the air as they landed.
“Congrats! You caught him! That didn’t even take that long either. I would’ve thought Levi would put up more of a fight than that.” A woman, who Levi had never seen before spoke to Caven with a grin. They shook hands while Caven explained how they had some leverage against Levi.
He grunted as he was dumped on his stomach in the back of a wagon. Caven took her position on the bench right beside him in order to keep a close eye on their captive. Levi was almost bothered by the amount of security they were surrounding him with, but then again he had never been the most cooperative prisoner.
“Sit tight Levi. We’ll get you to your precious Commander in no time. There’s only seven days until his execution, and I believe we’ll be home in about two. Plenty of time for you two to say your goodbyes.” Caven jested at him.
Levi cringed when her hand messed with his hair, as if she was petting or reassuring a dog. What a bitch.