Archive of Our Own ^beta

(Eren's POV)  

"Why are you here, Jean? I mean, not that I don't want y-"  

"Honestly? I don't know. I saw you there and I guess I just wanted to know more about witches. Like I said, I haven't met a witch besides you." he sheepishly smiled and scratched his cheek. How cute.  

"Uh, I don't know what you want to hear from me, though." I truthfully said. Not many people asked me to tell them about witchcraft and all that stuff. Either they already knew or they didn't exactly care.  

"Anything, really." Jean said.  

"Well, do you have any specific questions?" there must be something. I'm not good with words and I wouldn't know what to tell him. Never knew this could be hard.  

Jean pondered for a bit, tapping his finger against his chin. "Do you have wands?" he excitedly asked. Of course, of  fucking  course that's what he was going to ask. The first question and he's asking me such a thing. Tch.  

I sighed. "Actually, yes, we do. Although we don't need it often  and we can, for example,  move things with our fingers and our mind, so there is actually no need for that." I shrugged.  

He nodded in understanding. "Makes sense ." H e briefly looked  away and then back to me. "Can you turn yourself invisible?" he asked curiously.  

Not that again. Now I had to think of that shithead of rabbit again.  

"Well," I grumbled, "I don't know. I wanted to try it out, but then Levi and probably his whole troop came and  my test object  ran away before I could even see if it worked."  

Jean made a noise that sounded like a 'O h that fucking sucks' . You have no idea, buddy.  

"I kind of have supernatural powers. I can set things on fire for example." and many other things, but it's better not to let anyone know all about  you. They could either predict what's going to happen or tell everyone about it. And if the wrong people would hear about it... let's say it wouldn't turn out great.  

"What?! That's awesome, dude!" Jean exclaimed.  

Did he just call me 'dude'?  

"Anything else?" I asked.  

Jean opened his mouth and then closed it again. A few seconds later he spoke hesitantly .  "You've learned how to make potions, right? I mean, that's why you are here, to heal the King, but do you have a spelling book or whatever?"  

I looked him straight in the eyes, narrowing mine. "Do you have textbooks in school?" I deadpanned.  

I know I shouldn't be so rude, but I couldn't help myself, it kind of slipped out. M y bad.  

Jean looked nervous, I would too if someone gave me such a reply, but what did he expect me to say to that? Like, honestly, how do  you  learn something? Knowledge is always to find in books.  

"O-oh, of course you do! I just wanted to make sure, I guess."  

"It's alright." I assured him. Speaking of healing the King and such, I have to pay him a visit tomorrow morning  to see what I am dealing with and what I can do for him.  

I was so tired all of a sudden, and fuck, how late is it? I can't make potions when I am tired, that's pretty dangerous.  

I yawned.  

"Sorry, Jean. It's late and I have to visit the King first thing in the morning and I have to be fit or something horrible can go wrong." I excused myself and climbed down. We couldn't talk for long and I kind of felt sorry, but I have to go to sleep.  

"Goodnight, Eren!" I heard Jean calling from above.  

"Night!" I called back and sprinted into the castle to find my room and get a good night's sleep.  

The second my head collided with my pillow I was already fast asleep.  

I will hopefully not meet Levi in my room again... if that happens I can't think of anything  else but to turn him into a cat and make him my slave. Cliché  says that every witch has a black cat, right? Why not live up to that ? That sure would be funny, imagine Levi looking like a grumpy black cat trying to scratch y our face off, because he is extremely pissed. It would be worth it, though .  I would pay to see that.  

The next morning I was relieved to notice that I am alone i n my room. I threw the blanket off of my body and   gross , I haven't changed my clothes and that meant  I wore them whilst sleeping! I have to shower anyways so it was okay. As long as nobody saw it, everything's good. My room was attached to my own very tiny bathroom. I did n't have much space in th ere, but it was more than enough for me.  

My clean clothes were lying on a counter, ready for me to grab them after I was done.  I  stripped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower. I could practically feel all the dirt getting washed away from my body and down the drain. The warm water soothed  my muscles and I closed my eyes and applied shampoo onto my hair.  

Truthfully, I was nervous to meet the King. I know what I can do and I do my job good, therefore it s houldn't be a problem. There was still some doubt that I wouldn't be able to cure him. I don't want to be responsible for his death.  

Two guards stood in front of my door, both equipped with weapons for emergencies. I took a deep breath. "Good morning." I said.  

The blonde girl looked down on me wordlessly. How rude.  

We strode off to where King Erwin was currently residing, he wasn't with the Queen in case he would infect her .  

It wasn't very long when we stood in front of a large door and they nodded towards the door.  

Oh god, I am so nervous. I usually only have my parents with me when I have to use my magic, so knowing someone else watching me do this is nerve  wrecking  for me, to say the least.  

I entered his room and gaped at the sight. The room was probably twic e the size of my parents living room! The walls had a nice beige  colour  and white curtains and white furniture. The cushions on the couch a wine red with  golden pattern. There were flowers in vases everywhere, making the room seem so  colourful . I briefly wondered  if the rug underneath me had more value than my entire life.  Probably.  

Normally I would say that I didn't like expensive looking things and rooms that were so extravagant. But this room was beyond gorgeous. But, whatever.  

My eyes were wandering through the room and settled on the King in bed. His blond hair sticking to his forehead and his skin looking so pale, almost  translu cent.  

My chest tightened, making it hard to breathe properly. I could feel darker magic in this room and I could only guess that it came from the King himself. If I didn't know better, than I'd say someone cursed him.  

Queen Hanji sat on a chair next to the bed, looking worried. I would be too,  if I was her.  

"Good morning." I mumbled. "How is he feeling?" I asked. His brows were furrowed, maybe he's in pain or he's having a nightmare. I really couldn't tell.  

"He hasn't woken up since yesterday." she licked her lips. "I hope he wakes up soon."  

King Erwin breathed heavily and my hand moved by itself and onto his chest. The feeling of dark magic was so intense that I had to withdraw my hand quickly. Who was it? Nobody used dark magic anymore and I thought I was the only witch with my parents... apparently not. It's quite worrying.  

I had to tell her the truth. "Uhm, I'm not sure what it is exactly, but I can feel dark magic on him. He has been cursed by someone else."  

The door was opened by someone behind me and it fell shut w ith a loud  bang. I flinched and turned my head to see who it was.  

"...Levi? What-" I couldn't even end my sentence as he shook his head and stood silently in a corner. Uh, okay? That's weird. Why was he here?  

The Queen gasped, "A curse?  C an you cure him?" her eyes were wet, she was close to tears.  

I was quickly pulled out of my thoughts.  "I-I don't know. I have never dealt with something like that before. Dark magic was banned. No one was allowed to use it and all the books were burned, so that no one can learn how to control it. I'd have to do a lot of research and hope that some of my potions can keep it in check, such as treating  the fever he has. We can only hope for the best in the meantime." I said.  

it would be hard to find a cure, but I wouldn't give up, I was far too stubborn. I was a witch for fuck's sake, I had to do something!  

"And if anything fails I can always ask my parents for help." I offered and she closed her eyes. "I trust in you, Eren. I'm sure you'll find a way how to beat it." she said carefully.  

She took her husband's hand and gazed at him lovingly.  

Levi cleared his throat.  "A curse, huh? Eren, I am a close friend of the King and have my hope set on you."  

He's a close friend of King Erwin? Now I was curious. But it's not the time to ask him.  

"Of course... I'll work on a potion this afternoon." I promised.  

Now everything was in my hands... and I didn't like it one bit. If it only wasn't for the dark magic, I would've cured him right away. Life was more complicated like that.  

Outside the door Levi stopped me, "You don't have to pressure yourself, you know? I can see it on your face." he said and poked my cheek.  

"You say that like it's so easy. I don't even know what it does to the King and not to mention  the potion I have to make!" I felt helpless and I haven't even started yet. This will be great.  

Not.  

Levi and I walked down the hallway until he jabs me with his elbow. "What?  I  asked.  

"You want to come down to my room and meet my troop?" he smirked.  

My eyes widened  and I felt a bit happier than a few seconds before. "Really? I want to meet  the   other knights!"  

He chuckled, " Uhuh , I bet you want that." with new found energy I was walking with L evi towards his room.  

I was a bit nervous, going into his room with him. But we weren't alone, so it's good.  

His room was bigger than mine, that's for sure. He had stone walls and a big bed next to a window. His furniture was made out of wood and the best of all- he had swords on his wall!  

I ran over to the and touched the blade of one. It was big and shiny and holy shit, it's the first time I'd touched a sword. It was so exciting!  

"Calm down, shitty brat." I heard L evi saying.  

"But it's so cool and just  huge ! Is it heavy?" was I fangirling? Most likely.  

Levi had that weird look on his face again and stepped closer. "If you're so excited about big things, I can show you another sword of  mine." he said suggestivel y and had both of his hands next to my body  on either side and my back pressed against the cold wall.  

I laughed nervously, "N-no thank you, I'm good." my face was hot and that meant my body was betraying me. I was blushing. Fucking hell...  

"Levi! Leave this poor kid alone!" a female  voice called out. I breathed out  of relief.  

"Petra, couldn't you come in a bit later like I told you?" he grumbled and released me.  

"Eren, this is Petra. Petra, this is Eren the little witch."  

"Don't call me little."  

"Whatever."  

The woman named Petra squealed, "You told us he is cute, but not  that  cute! His eyes are a dream and his face is so adorable!"  

Cute? Adorable?  

"You talked about me?" I asked Levi. He wasn't even looking at me! He coughed, "I don't know what she's saying. I only told them a bit about you. But I  haven't said you're cute. You're not even that cute."  

"Says the guy who's flirting with me all the time." I countered.  

Seriously... that guy.  

"Touché." he said and sat down onto his bed. "Where is the rest?"  

"Oh! They wanted to practice a bit more, Sir."  

Levi looked over to me. "Wanna pay them a visit, then?"  

"Where is the rest?"      

"Oh! They wanted to practice a bit more, Sir."      

Levi looked over to me. " Wanna  pay them a visit, then?"  

Meeting knights  who  were trained for the safety of the King? Did he really have to ask?  

I couldn't stop nodding my head and grin like an idiot. Although I have already seen them, it was just so short and they weren't even that close so I didn't had the time to admire them. The truth was that I had been daydreaming being a knight  as a kid and  how I would draw my sword and fight against people and how I'd wear the armor and ride on my own horse.  

Unfortunately I was born a witch, so I had to fulfill my duty as a typical witch. There was no time for me becoming a knight, my fate was already sealed. And that sucked.  

However, being a witch is also pretty cool, because I can make transformation potions and thus I can be anything I want. It's useful and awesome.  

Levi smiled. "Alright, let's go then." he said and we made our way to his troop.  

 
Petra walked right by my side and we both had a 'nice' chat.  

"So," she started, drawing the 'o' out, "How do you like it so far?" Petra asked.  

I shrugged. "I don't know. I am not here long enough to actually say something. But it's okay."  

"Ah..."  

Awkward silence.  

I was never one to talk to people, I usually shouldn't talk to them. Because apparently I could be careless enough to tell someone I was a witch,  so my parents said.  

Not true at all.  

"But it's not like I'm here for vacation, I have a job to do." I said. And that'd be difficult as hell.  

She nodded and chuckled awkwardly, "Of course..."  

Good job,  Eren .  You made someone uncomfortable, because you're-  

"We're here. Hey- Eren ."  

"Oh, sorry, I kind of spaced out there." I admitted. Levi raised one brow, "Well , stop doing that  then." he commanded.  

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yes, sir ." I barked back. I could hear Petra laughing quietly.  

My eyes focused back on Levi and he had this look on his face I couldn't describe, as soon as I said the word 'sir'.  

Levi cleared his throat and adverted his eyes. "We shouldn't... We shouldn't waste our time, come on." he said, the first part was spoken quietly, then he raised his voice confidently.  

Petra and I followed him inside.  

They were training in a huge hall with the light seeping in, making the marble  floor shining brightly and reflects the people in it. It almost looked like a dance hall for all the fancy and important people. I imagined people  with their huge fluttery dresses and their expensive suits, dancing closely with each other, having a good time. And how each step was carefully planned and how they danced with such graceful moves you could think they were born with such skills. But before I could dream of it any further, Levi brought me back to reality.  

"Guys, this is Eren. Eren , this is  Eld, Auruo, Gunther and you know Petra already." introduced us Levi.  

They were all friendly looking, giving me smiles, as of-Auruo. He had his arms in front of his chest and gave me a weird look. What's up with that guy...  

"Don't mind me guys, I just really wanted to see you practice and all that stuff..." I said and trailed off. This was so cool and if it wasn't already enough,  Eld  actually told me I could hold his sword!  

I ogled his silver sword with big eyes and I swear I couldn't look away. Was this heavy? Would this be too heavy for my noodle arms?  

Yeah, it would be.  

"For real? I mean, all I am is a weak witch." I told him. Or you could say, I am a weak bitch, not a witch. Hah.  

He shrugged. "Yeah, why not. You really wanna hold it, I can see it in your eyes." he laughed. Was it that obvious? Goddamnit .  

Eld  held it in front of me with his two hands. I let one finger slide down the blade and I shuddered. This was too good to be real. It was so smooth and so cold.  

"We can see the excitement in your eyes." someone said .  

"Well, I am excited!" I responded. There was no point in lying. I strongly gripped the base of the sword and Eld let go of it. And gosh dang!  

"Shit fucking hell, oh my god!" I cursed. "Why is this so huge and heavy?!" I yelled as I almost let it fall down onto the floor.  

I heard chuckles and laughter around me, obviously amused by my attempt to hold it by myself.  

"You need something smaller to hold." Levi said thoughtfully. Everyone agreed with him. Me included...  

Levi swiftly moved to a cabinet somewhere in the near  and opened the door.  

"Something light and small." he mumbled with his hand on his chin. I gave Eld the sword back and walked over to Levi and stood next to him, looking at all sorts of weapons.  

"Amazing!" I exclaimed. "You have so many different things! And yet, you guys always use your swords..."  

Levi turned to me. "Not true. We sometimes use these things in here." he said.  

"Liar. I bet you don't." I said and struck out my tongue. He smirked. "You really love sticking out your tongue at me, don't you? If you're not careful enough, I'll bite it off."  

"You wouldn't. I mean, who would eat a tongue? That's so disgusting."  

His smirk grew playful. "You're right. So maybe you could use your tongue for other things."  

I took a step away from him. "Please don't." I said as I held up my hands.  

He laughed quietly. "Maybe one day." I scoffed. "Or not."  

"Brat."  

"Who are you calling a brat? You're acting like a horny old man."  

Levi gasped, pretending to be hurt. "Who are you calling old?"  

"Well, how old are you?" I asked.   

"If you're so interested, I am 23 years old. Please don't tell me you're still a minor..." I could only describe his expression with the word fear.  

I close the distance and  and  stood right in front of him and I made myself smaller, so that my face was directly in front of his. "What would you do if I was?" I whispered.  

His breath hitched and I knew he thought that I was actually a minor, so he couldn't be a little horny shit anymore. I looked him deeply into the eyes. "Never thought about it, do you?" I asked.  

I think I liked teasing this man. Maybe this could be my new hobby.  

He gulped loudly. "No..." he whispered back. There was this defeated tone in his voice.  

A few seconds passed.  "Maybe I... should've told you that I turned 20 a few months ago." I laughed and stood straight again. The look on his face was priceless . He looked so pissed, oh so pissed and confused .  

The little man looked angrier than ever. Was this how I would die? When I think about it... we stood right in front of deadly weapons and I teased this man. A man, who could kill me in a mere second.  

How stupid of me.  

"You stupid brat! I actually feared that you're a minor and you decided to be a little shit?" he yelled.  

"I saw the chance and took it." I explained with a grin. Was this worth it? Oh hell yeah it was.  

He rubbed his temples. "Anyways, let's search for a different sword before I decide to kill you." he said and sounded annoyed.  

"Okay." I responded brightly. Levi only gave me a glare in response.  

Only when he found the right one he spoke to me. "This could do. It's actually for beginners." he said and handed it over to me.  

I took it with one hand and yup, feels good. It's much lighter than  Eld's  sword.  

I walked into the middle of the hall to try it out.  

With a good stance I swung the sword forward, as I would do to fight my enemy.  

And then again and again. It was so much fun, especially when I hear it cut through the air, making such a loud  noise. A dream came true.  

Within the next minutes I tried to imitate some fighting scenes I have seen as a kid. I was pretty bad, or as bad as a beginner could be. I felt their eyes on me with every move I made and I even heard them murmuring.  

"Your stance is wrong. Let me show you." Levi interrupted.  

I was confused. "Yeah, well, I know. But it's just for fun right now, I don't need you to show me how to hold it." I wouldn't do it again in the near future anyway, so why woul d I need this knowledge?  

Levi shook his head and proceeded to grab my left leg.  

"Hey-"  

"Your left leg is leading, thus you should keep it forward and then   bend your right leg a bit." he explained and pointed at my legs and touched them  lightl y. His feathery touches of his fingertips sent shivers down my spine. I was suddenly feeling nervous.  

"And now keep your back straight." he touched my back with his whole hand. "Good. You can hold your sword in your right hand. There, you're all good."  

I nodded and my face felt hot.  

"How about I teach you how to fight with a weapon?" he offered. Levi looked to the side, not meeting my eyes. Good. Because I couldn't either.  

"Why?" I asked and stood casually again.  

"I was sure you'd be interested to learn how to do it. That's all."  

My head couldn't think straight. "Y-you and me?" I stuttered.  

"Uh, yeah." he coughed. Oh god. With Levi. Alone. And him touching my body. And we'd fight together, that meant our bodies would be close to each other. All the goddamn time!  

"B-but I possibly couldn't! I have work to do!" I tried to find an excuse. Why couldn't I simply say no? Maybe the child in me said, go for it, that's what you always wanted.  

But why is it that I am so nervous to think about him and me being alone? Is it because of his flirty persona?  

Probably. That must be it. I'm sure of it!  

"So you don't want to do it?"  

"N-no, I'd love to!" I exclaimed. I shouldn't waste a chance like that. Who knows when I get offered something like that again?  

"Okay. We'll begin tomorrow."