❝𝐢𝐟 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝❞ ─ 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧
i don't want your sympathy, i guess ive had it rough but you don't really care
❥ content ; gn reader, eventual fluff, angst, pining, happy ending
❥ warnings ; injury, swearing, mentions of death
❥ synopsis ; when you get badly injured during a mission, only then does levi realize the depths of his feelings for you. now the question is, is it too late?
❥ a/n ; i don't have a taglist yet so feel free to ask to get added!
You glided through the trees alongside your team, adrenaline running through your veins.
Kicking yourself off a tree, you landed your body with ease onto a lone Titan spotted in the forest below you. With a swift swing of the blade, the Titan was on the ground.
Finished, you zipped yourself back into the air, joining your team member's formation as you all flew together.
"Y/N!" Captain Levi shouted, resent dripping off of his words. Here we go again. "Do not deviate from original course! We are here to scout, not to thrill seek."
The team came to a slow. They stood on the branches, overlooking the land beneath them.
"I was not thrill seeking, sir, I was doing my job," you defended, turning to Captain Levi. Though he was shorter than you were, his cold stare and unwavering demeanor intimidated you.
"Your job is to follow my orders, brat, not go off wandering like an idiot!"
"I didn't wander, I was quick to regroup! You're just finding a reason to take your anger out on me," you retorted. "Then again, I wouldn't be surprised. Considering your height, it's no wonder you can barely contain your anger in such a small body."
As much as he wanted to push you off the tree, Levi kept his poise.
By now the team could hear you and Levi's bickering, but considering they were used to it, they decided to butt out and focus on planning the route.
"Stable duty when we get back."
And then he walked away, leaving you fuming.
As you continued with the scouting mission, you encountered too many Titans that you couldn't just brush them off. Angry and left with no choice, Levi shouted orders to forget the original plan and fight back.
Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted two Titans approaching Jean and Armin with intent. You narrowed your eyes. This was your chance. You bolted off the tree, flying fast towards the two Titans. You got your gear out, ready to slice their napes, when one of the Titans looked your way, a sick smile on its face.
"Y/N!" Armin called out in a panic as the Titan extended its arm, swiping at you like a fly. Before its hand could collide with you, you were pushed out of the way by none other than Levi.
He wrapped his arms around you securely, one underneath your bottom and his other around your back. You heard him whisper a profanity, his hot breath fanning your neck as he spoke. Though it wasn't the time or the place, you couldn't help but let your mind wander.
You were brought back to reality when Levi glided deeper into the forest, setting you down onto the ground harsher than necessary.
Totally caught off guard, your back was shoved against a tree. Levi was quick to block your exits, predicting you would try to resist.
His arms caged you between him and the tree, leaving little to no distance between your bodies. You could feel your face get hot, either out of embarrassment or his body heat mixing with yours.
"What the hell is wrong with you, brat?!" Yelled Levi, eyes wild with rage. However, something felt different about this compared to when he scolded you for separating from the group. But you couldn't quite put your finger on it.
"Me?" You scoffed. "You're the crazy psycho who stole me away and cornered me in this forest!" You pushed at his chest, successfully shoving him off of you. "I had everything under control."
"You were almost killed! I can't have reckless people on my team. I'm a captain, not a babysitter, so get your shit together or get the hell off my team."
You stood against the tree quietly, Levi's venomous words stunning you into silence. Levi continued to stare deep into your eyes, his expression never changing. However, as the seconds passed, you saw a sliver of regret in his eyes, lasting only for a mere second.
You took a deep breath, trying to choose your words carefully. "I- Just.. Why do you hate me so much?"
Levi raised a brow while you continued to speak.
"I know I'm not the best fighter. Not compared to Misaka or Eren. But what did I do to deserve so much hatred from you? Even when I'm not doing anything wrong, you look at me like I'm the most disgusting person you've seen."
Despite feeling a sting of guilt at your words, Levi put on a dismissive act. "Tch, you're being dramatic. I'm not about to discuss this with you."
Why the fuck did he say that?
"Maybe if you listened to me for two damn seconds you wouldn't get such an earful."
Why is he being such an asshole? Gods, just tell them already. Stop this bullshit.
No longer finding it in you to care, you began to raise your voice, angry tears spilling down your face. "I try my best to make you like me. I try to show you that I'm capable and strong, but you still treat me as if I'm inferior. Like my skills are nothing. Like I'm nothing."
Emotionless, Levi replied, "Because you are. Look at you. You're a crybaby. You should've stayed back." Lies. All lies.
"Ugh- well maybe you should've just let me get killed since you despise me so much!"
With that, you grab your gear and zip away as far from Levi as possible, tears blowing out of your face and into the wind.
"Hey, where are you going?!"
You ignored him as you continued to speed through the trees, searching for your team. Your friends. Anybody.
"Y/N! Look out!"
You heard Eren shout, making you spin around frantically to search for the danger.
There it was.
An Abnormal ran your way, crawling like a dog on its hands and feet.
It had been chasing the team for a while now, evident in its animalistic, hungry look.
Steadily hanging off a branch, you watch the Titan from afar, then look back at the team.
"I'll distract it! You guys go!"
They looked at you as if you had grown two extra heads.
"You'll die!" Mikasa argued. "We can take it!"
"Just go!"
The Titan started to get closer. The team looked behind you, then back at you. Though they looked ready and determined to take it down, you knew they felt as terrified as you were. Fighting Titans was just something you don't think you'll ever get used to.
"Please be careful. We're gonna find Captain Levi!"
You nodded, then turned around, watching as the Titan ran towards you, totally disregarding the rest of the team.
"You want me? Come get me."
When you decided it was close enough, you darted into the forest and soared through the trees, only narrowly missing them. The Abnormal followed you, but hit itself on the trees and destroyed many in the process.
While the Abnormal continued to run through the forest, leaves and trees blocking its direct vision of you, you took a chance and turned back, flying past the Abnormal.
You did a quick u-turn and hopped onto its back.
You got it now.
As it chased after nothing, completely unaware, you slashed the nape of its neck.
With you still on its back, the Titan went limp mid-jump, falling onto the ground hard enough to create an earthquake. Unprepared for the collision, you went flying off its body.
Instead of bracing yourself for the fall, you frantically reached for your gear in an attempt to glide back up to the trees.
Before you got the chance, your body met with the ground, a loud thud echoing from the impact.
In the distance, the rest of the team continued to fight until they got to the very last Titan. Levi, though he was the last to regroup, helped effectively take down the Titans.
It wasn't evident in his stoic expression, but he searched among his surroundings and the faces of his team for you, afraid the worst had happened. Dammit, why did he have to be such an asshole? What Levi said to you, he meant none of it. But he feared he wouldn't get the chance to tell you that. Idiot.
"Is everybody here?!" Levi shouted as his team gathered around him.
"Yeah, we're alive-"
"Wait, where's Y/N?"
The team began to search among themselves, now becoming anxious as well.
"Well, where are they? Did you not see them at all?" Levi asked in a calm tone, despite his heart beat pounding in his ears. No. He wasn't going to slip up. Not here, not now. He needed to remain strong.
Mikasa spoke up. "We last saw them when we were being chased by an Abnormal! They offered to distract it and take care of it themselves."
Levi shouted, a crack in his voice, "And you let them?!"
"Y/N is strong! One of the best fighters we have here," Eld said. "They've probably already taken it down by now."
"Then where are they?!" Levi growled, becoming more frustrated by the second.
"Hey, look!" Armin yelled, shaking his finger towards the steam in the distance. "Eld was right! Y/N did kill it after all!"
Wasting no more time, Levi commanded the team to follow him. Soon again, they were up in the trees, running your direction. They stopped as soon as they came across a clearing in the forest where the Abnormal laid lifelessly.
"Everyone! Find Y/N!"
The team split, searching the area for any sign of you.
Levi dreaded the thought of finding you like they found the Titan. No. You killed it. You had to be alive.
Levi repeated that in his head. You had to be alive.
Because if you weren't, he wouldn't know what he would do.
Your eyes shot open at the sound of panicked screams echoing around you. You pushed yourself off of the ground in a rush, only to stumble back with an agonizing scream, pain shooting up the lower half of your body.
"Fucking hell! Oh shit," you fell back on the grass defeatedly, hot tears welling in your eyes at the intense pain and aches across your whole body. "Dammit!"
You didn't know which bones were broken, where you were, if you were bleeding out. So you just laid there alone, helpless and numb. Waiting.
Just when the team was beginning to lose hope, a blood curdling scream echoed throughout the forest, easily catching the team's attention. They headed towards the source of the sound, but Levi was the first on it, already sprinting through the forest to find you.
When he did, he felt his heart drop down to his stomach. You laid in a small clearing behind some old trees and bushes, a puddle of blood beneath your body. Your uniform was torn and your 3DMG was rendered useless at this point. If not for the scream, or the fast rise and fall of your chest, he would've mistaken you for being dead.
Levi rushed to your side and got onto his knees, lifting up your body into his arms.
"Y/N? Can you hear me? Y/N?"
You coughed, wheezing and struggling to make a coherent sound. Blood dripped down the corner of your mouth as you spoke, "You were right, Captain. I never stood a chance, did I?Shoulda just stayed." You laughed pitifully.
Now Levi was angry, but not at you. "Shut up! Don't say stupid shit like that! You're going to be okay."
The team found you, stopping short at the sight of Levi holding you carefully, like a porcelain doll, ready to break.
He didn't care anymore. He didn't bother to put up a front. Not when you were like this, half dead in his arms. He pressed his forehead to yours, whispering in your ear so only you could hear.
"I can't lose you too.."
Everyone else only continued to watch the intimate scene unfold before them.
When you fell unconcious, Levi squeezed his eyes shut, trying his best to keep his composure. Why was he acting like this? Usually he would be quick to solve problems without letting his feelings get in the way. Why was he so helpless now?
He turned around, scowling at the group who just stood by idly.
"Get over here and help them, you fools!"
You hated it. You hated having to be looked after or saved like a princess in a children's storybook. You didn't want to run away anymore, or simply stand in waiting, hoping for someone to rescue you. You were done being hunted. So you joined the Scouts after years of hard work and training. If you had only thought more carefully or put your parent's advice in consideration, you wouldn't be in your current situation, regretting ever joining Levi's team. You wouldn't have ended up in the infirmary.
You passed out in Levi's arms after suffering from injuries during your fight with the Abnormal Titan, according to your friends. They came by to visit you when the medic alerted them that you had woken up from your coma.
"How long was I out for?" You winced as you massaged your still pounding head. "When did I even get here?"
"You've been unconcious for two days. We retreated to the city as Captain Levi instructed and you've been under their care since," Eren answered. He noticed your demeanor as you looked around the room and picked at your skin, a nervous habit you recently formed. "Everybody's alive, so don't you worry."
"Where are they?"
"Well, they did have to receive medical attention since they got hurt, but they're okay! They miss you, ya know?" Armin said excitedly. "We'll make sure to fill you in on everything when you're out of here."
You pursed your lips. "Speaking of which, when will I be discharged?"
"You can't exactly walk right now, but.. you should be up and ready to go within a week! Then we can go on another mission and-"
"Eren. Armin. Mikasa." Your attention was torn away from Eren, your eyes darting towards the source of the voice.
"Captain Levi!" They all exclaimed in unison.
"I would like to speak with Y/N in private." He glanced at trio, his eyes narrowing. "Out."
The three walked out, heads bowed like sad little puppies. You waved at them as they went before turning to Levi who now stood by your bed.
"What do you want?" You asked bitterly, nose scrunching up in a sneer.
"Commander Erwin informed me of your decision," he spoke softly, differing from his usual cold tone.
You huffed. "Yeah, took your advice and resigned. You won't have to worry about babysitting me anymore."
A pang of guilt shot through Levi's heart, causing him to flinch. He hoped you didn't catch that.
He remembered his own regretful words as it replayed in his head. Just like your cries and pained expression, which he was unable to simply brush off, he couldn't forget how he mistreated you. And he would never forgive himself, either. The sight of your injured body laying there, all alone. He couldn't shake the scene off his mind, no matter how hard he tried. Even in his dreams.
Evident in his eyebags that seemed to have darkened in shade, he wasn't able to get much sleep the past couple days because of it.
"I take it you hate me, then," Levi suggested, prompting you to laugh mockingly.
"Oh, no, I could never," you said, sarcasm dripping off your voice as you fake fawned over Levi. "Levi Ackerman, Humanity's Strongest.. I just adore you."
Levi hid his offended expression and ignored your antics as he continued. "I was afraid I couldn't get the chance to apologize to you. When I found you there, I.." He squeezed his eyes shut and furrowed his brows together, forcing his tears not to fall. Why now?
"Yeah, well, you fucked up. About time you feel a little heartache," you mumbled, looking around the room, anywhere but Levi.
"A little?! Look, I'm trying to apologize here!" He shouted. "Do you have no idea how fucking terrified I've been for you, you brat?!"
"No, Captain Levi, so why don't you enlighten me on how much you care?!" You huffed, crossing your arms. "Because if you did, then maybe I wouldn't be bed ridden!"
Levi's face softened at the sight of a single tear escaping your eye. He took a seat on the bed beside you and reached out to brush away your tear.
With your quick reflexes, you caught his hand and pushed it back towards him.
"Don't you dare touch me. You've done enough damage, Levi. Just go and stop wasting my time."
Just like you, he was stubborn. He stood his ground.
"I-I'm sorry."
You let out an exasperated sigh. "You must think I'm stupid. No way I'm buying that bullshit."
"You need to stop pushing me away, Y/N!"
"What is that, an order?" You taunted. "You don't get to be sorry, Levi. It's too late for that. You waited for me to almost die just to tell me that? Is that what it takes? What if I hadn't survived? What then?"
"You don't think I haven't thought about that?! That's why I'm here!"
"Yeah, and who's fault is that?"
"You should've listened to me! I was trying to protect you!"
"Well thanks a lot. Now both my kneecaps are broken and I won't be able to walk for weeks!" You shake your head. "You think just because we shared a moment while I was dying that I'm okay now? Trust me, if I had the strength, I would have slapped you then and there."
"Then why don't you now?"
"At this point, you're not even worth getting angry over. So stop giving me that pitiful look. I really prefer you shouting at me instead. At least I'm used to it." You mumble the last part, but Levi catches it easily.
"That's it then, you leave me no choice." You look at Levi curiously. "You infuriate me, brat, you really do. You're so careless and oblivious all the time, you forget to look after yourself. And I'm not ready to watch you throw away your life so irrationally from the sidelines."
"So what are you trying to tell me, Levi?"
"Tch, you're just gonna make me say it, aren't you?" He takes a deep breath. "I'm not good at this, and I hate to admit it, to you of all people. It makes me mad to see you risk your life because I care about you.. and I can't lose you. I've dealt with too much death. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you alive, even if it means dying.." Levi trails off, then scoffs and crosses his arms like a petty little child. "I said it, all right? I like you-- A lot, you stupid brat!"
You searched Levi's eyes for any trace of dishonesty. You hoped he was lying, like he had some sort of script prepared before he came to see you. But you found no lies in his eyes.
You felt your heart break. All this time when you thought Levi just really hated you, he was looking out for you.
"I.. Why didn't you just tell me?" Your voice fell apart as you spoke. "I tried so hard to make you like me back.. And it hurt because I thought you just hated my guts. I had no idea."
"I know, I was being stupid too- It shouldn't have come to this," Levi admitted. "I.. I'll let you rest now."
Levi stood up to leave, but you were quick to pull him back onto the bed with you. Without letting him react, you grabbed his face and interlocked your lips with his. All the tension in his body disappeared and he melted into the kiss, throwing his arms around you tightly like he'd lose you if he ever let go. It wasn't a soft, romantic, movie perfect kiss. It was desperate, tongue and teeth, hands wandering, disheveling the other's hair. You released all of your built up anger and resent, letting it fuel you while you aggresively fought your tongue with his, a faint taste a hint of alcohol now on your own mouth. Occasionally you'd both break the kiss for short intakes of breath and small whispers like 'don't scare me like that again' and 'I've needed this for a while now'. You couldn't help but moan, earning a grin from Levi as he continued to hungrily devour your lips. Just as things escalated, you remembered you were still in the infirmary, and anyone could walk in any minute now. You slowly pulled away, your chest heaving as you panted for breath.
Levi couldn't help but twist his lips up into a little smirk. That was new.
"Well at least you're not a bad first kisser," he spoke nonchalantly, still gasping for air. You playfully punched him in the chest.
"Quite the romantic, aren't you?" You rolled your eyes but couldn't stop yourself from smiling like an idiot. "You're not bad either, old man."
Blush spread across his cheeks.
He took your hand in his, bringing it to his swollen and raw lips and placed a small kiss on your knuckles.
"Promise me you won't leave me again?"
"Promise," you sighed blissfully. "And I guess I'll have to tell Commander Erwin about my change of plans."
"Actually," a deep voice spoke. At the door, there stood none other than Commander Erwin. "I think I already know."
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