Chapter Text
his shaking hands searched for the keys in his pocket. fuck fuck fuck there’s not enough time. realizing he had lost his keys, the raven-haired man shuffled back, and kicked the door open, running into his residence.
he was in the button-up shirt he left wearing in the morning, minus the coat and a loosened tie. His white shirt was tainted with dirt and had brand new holes with burnt edges.
“ Cami !” he called, his voice echoed throughout the small space. the place was a mess, more than it had ever been. The welcome mat was feet away from its original position, and the chairs in the living room were scattered on the floor with magazines and shattered glass. Clear signs of struggle.
“goddamnit please,” he yelled once again with a hint of desperation in his voice. As he moved further in, he noticed the source of the shattered glass. and then, his eyes landed on the limp figure on the wooden floor. she was on her side, her hand stretched out close to the gun inches away from her. The visible part of her face had a streak of blood running down it.
he didn’t hesitate to dive into her. now on his knees, the man placed his shaking hands on the unconscious woman in front of him. he reached out his fingers to check her pulse, faint but it was there. she was alive. and he finally let himself breathe.
The man shook her letting the wave of relief run through him, “cami wake up” he said shaking her as if his life depended on it. soon after her eyes fluttered open and she sat up and shuffled backward, ignoring the piercing pain that traveled through her entire body. Her vision set in and she saw him. his burnt shirt, his disheveled hair, and widened eyes staring right at her. Exactly how a man who escaped a fire would look like. His hands lingered on her shoulder
“Levi- oh Levi they took him” she cried once the previous events came back to her. shuffling closer to him this time, looking around manically searching for any sign of him.
“i- I couldn’t stop them. I failed— Levi-“ she spoke hyperventilating. Levi pulled her towards him and attempted to calm her. “it’s not your fault—“
she cut him off, “they took Eren- they took him and i- i-“
tears ran down her face before she could finish her sentence. and on instinct almost immediately, she wrapped her hands around Levi's neck and hid her face in the crook of his neck. the blood on her face and hands staining his shirt, but he couldn’t care less. he wrapped his arms around her back and squeezed her.
“we’ll find him”
— —
Months Earlier
2 pm. Your Unit Chief, Pixis, told you to come to Director Zachary’s office at 2 pm sharp. it was currently 1:59 with one minute to spare and you had escaped the grasp of your dear friend Hange. They were wonderful company but today they refused to let you go, regardless of you pleading about having a meeting. With a case file in hand, you sped-walked out of the elevator and stopped outside your destination. While you catch your breath, you did not seem to notice the dull figure glaring and sitting outside the locked door.
“brat.” the man spat out once you made eye contact.
that was him, the bane of your existence. Levi god damn Ackerman, staring at you with those blue-grey daggers he called eyes. You despised him and took every chance you got to avoid him. But since when was life nice to you.
You were top of your class when you joined the force, which is what led you to join Unit Chief Erwin Smith’s squad. Unfortunately, there was another member in that squad who just like you, was once at the top of his class. Levi. Since your first day, he was bitter and rude towards you. You were informed by several members including Hange and Miche that this was Levi’s normal behavior and that he “means well.”
Wrong! Sure he was cold and ignorant with everyone else but with you, it was as if he had a personal vendetta. he took every opportunity to spite you and embarrass you to show his control. After a couple months you lost your patience and didn’t hold back either. You wanted to rip his head off whenever he was in close proximity, and that feeling was mutual.
you both were brilliant at your job but that was the only thing either of you respected about each other. Due to this the both of you had to work together in cases, most of which ended up successful but the ones you failed in; Levi made sure to remind you who was to blame (even when it wasn’t your fault).
So, after almost 3 years, when you got the offer to transfer to Chief Dot Pixis regiment/squad, you were eager to accept it. It was nothing personal against Erwin’s squad, you cared for them dearly, well most of them. Erwin himself encouraged you to take up on the offer since it had better pay, rank and opportunities for you. It had been 2 years since you took upon that offer. you dedicated your entire time to your work, like Levi and most of the agents.
Though even changing squads didn’t mean you didn’t have contact with Levi, every now and then you had to work together or at the very least, see each other in the building.
Now here he was sitting outside Zachary’s office waiting. ‘brat’ his favourite word in his very limited vocabulary.
“Ackerman! here for your weekly scolding from the Director?” you remarked folding your arms. In an instant he shot up from his seat and stood infront of you, mimicking your stance.
He was a short guy, which you always seemed to forget behind his attitude. You were almost the same height, and it hurt his ego when you wore heels or anything to be slightly taller than him.
“probably here to clean up your mess, ” he clicked his tongue. “Did you fill the report with crayons again?”
It was ONE time Four years ago. One time you accidentally picked up a crayon instead of the pen from your mug.
“suck my dick Ackerman.” you whispered bluntly.
“tsk! you kiss your mother with that mouth?” he was quick to respond, knowing you weren’t so touchy about topics including your family. But neither was he with his family, and you weren’t going to let him win so easily.
“ mhm !” you paused and titled your head to the right, “and your mom.”
His eyes widened for a quick second. fair game right? he mentioned your dead mother, so you mentioned his. He clenched his teeth, looking as if he was about to bite your head off.
But maybe not today.
Hitch, Zachary’s assistant walked out of the door and caught their attention, “agents, they will see you now.”
She gave you both a quick smile, which you returned, and made her way back to her desk.
Through the short time the door was open Levi was able to see the Director, his unit chief Erwin and yours, Pixis, sitting.
You turned back towards him and walked towards the door, “after you my lord” you said mockingly, your right hand leading him to the door.
To which he clicked his tongue and shook his head grabbing the door handle, “no no, I insist princess .”
was what he said to you in the same bitterness, before you walked in with him right behind.