Levi X Reader I will Stay By Your Side Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Darele's Hideout
When you woke up, the memories of what happened last night came and flooded your mind. Your hand instantly rose to your lips, and then where Levi had cupped your cheek. 'That fool. I didn't need anyone... Now I'll... I'll lose him too...' You looked toward the nearby mirror, and stood in front of it. The same image you saw when Levi informed you of your mother's death appeared before you, but it was different. Levi now stood there in front, staring at you as if he was waiting on you to come stand by him. You shook your head, and the image faded.
You got dressed, and proceeded to walk down towards the cafeteria. It was larger than the one at the training academy, and the food was way better. You were one of the first people there, and you were the first to leave. A fast set of footsteps behind you caught your attention, and you turned to see Darele rushing up to you. "Pardon me, but Levi and Erwin has requested to see you. I think it's about Eren."
'Oh great.' You thought to yourself, you rolled your eyes in synch with your voice in your head. Darele scoffed before running off. 'Better go check on this... I was hoping to avoid shorty today though. Guess that was too much to ask.'
When you got to the meeting place, you saw Erwin and Levi already sitting and talking to each other. They both glanced up at you, all you did was close the door, and taking a seat closest to a corner far from Erwin's desk. "Ah, Y/n, glad you could make it." Erwin said. The two of you didn't get the option to properly meet, and honestly, you could care less. But if you wanted freedom, you knew to be polite and respectful.
You nodded slowly, and began examining the office. "Why am I here?" Erwin shuffled in his seat, making it obvious that whatever the reason was wasn't exactly pleasant. "I was informed that you were attacked by the military police, and asked Levi if he knew anything. He won't explain anything." You heard Levi 'tsk' below his breath. "I told you that it isn't my place to tell you about her personal life."
"Anyway," Erwin continued, "I was hoping you could shed some light on the situation." You glared towards Erwin, and crossed your arms. "If I do, and if you don't like what you hear, what will happen to me?" Before Erwin will respond, Levi interrupted. "Nothing, I won't let it." Erwin nodded, you took a breath, and explained the situation, AGAIN. Of course you requested that he write the story down so you wouldn't need to recite the story yet again.
"So the MP wants you dead?" Erwin concluded. You nodded, "And they aren't going to get what they want either." Erwin and Levi exchanged glances before Erwin grabbed a manila folder and placed it on the desk. "Well, you see, the other captains and I have been doing some research into the MP. It would seem that our true enemy isn't in fact the titans. Considering how they want you dead, I assume it must be safe to conclude that you aren't working with them."
You raised an eyebrow, "Why would I want to work with the monsters who killed my mother, and attempted to take my own life? I almost killed the ones who would have been responsible for my death." "Yes, I know. I was just saying that I trust you. Do not speak of this conversation with anyone. Is there anyone else who knows about what has happened?"
You nodded, "Armin and Mikasa because they came to my house and read the planted suicide note left by the two... intruders. They would have looked into it themselves, and probably would have got into trouble if I didn't say anything." Erwin nodded again, "That was more than likely the best course of action. Good job. Oh, and the guns you took, I'll be holding onto them."
"I have a question, if I may, commander." "Go ahead." You cleared your throat, and straightened your composure, "When will I be able to work on my goal? And who will be my captain?" "That," Levi said before Erwin could respond, "Would be me. And you will be outside the walls on the next expedition, shortly after the trainees are sent to their chosen garrison." You nodded, and sat back in your chair.
"If that is all, you two are dismissed. I will need to see what I can find about your mother's murder, and I will investigate about the two who were at your house. Thank you, Y/n, Levi." Erwin waved his hand, signaling you and Levi to exit the room, which the both of you did.
"So you refused to tell him anything;" You said in a silent voice, "Why would you do that if you knew he wouldn't be mad?" Levi shrugged, "It's not my place to tell your life to someone." You nodded and before you could say something, you heard someone come running down the hall. It was Darele again. He ignored the two of you, and proceeded to keep running. He wore a face of pure horror, almost as bad as the one when you made him piss himself.
"Y/n, how are you feeling?" Levi asked, completely ignoring Darele. This must have been a normal thing. The question surprised you, it practically caught you off guard. "Um, pardon?" Levi glanced towards you, as if studying you. "It's not that hard to answer. How are you doing?" You opened your mouth to speak, but that is when you realized that you didn't know how to respond. Normally, if anyone asked, you would just say fine and get rid of your glare for a few seconds before turning away. But for some reason, now, you couldn't.
All you could do was stand there watching Levi, confused. "I... I don't know." You finally managed to choke out. "What do you mean by that?" Levi asked. 'He dumb or something? How does he think I'm doing?!' "I don't want to talk  about it." "How come?" "I just don't." "You have to tell someone." "I can't risk it." "You'll be the one dying if you are preoccupied. Tell me." "Not now." "When then?"
His last question struck you hard. It reminded you of a conversation you had with your dad a week before his death.
"Hey, daddy, when are you going to go back to work?" "I don't know dear, some time when I get better. Then I will." "When is then?"
You remembered how hurt your dad looked when you asked him that. You loved the stories he told you about when he was at work, so when he was home, that obviously meant no more new stories. You weren't aware of the danger he was in. Most children didn't.
You didn't realize that tears were forming under your eyes, and before Levi could do anything, you turned and ran. 'I don't need this! I can't be close to anyone. I'm sorry Levi, really. Maybe if mom hadn't of died, I probably wouldn't mind... But I can't... I can't.' You thought as you ran. Somehow, you managed to escape and hide from Levi. About 5 minutes later, you heard running, and recognized Hanji's voice. "Sawney! Bean!" And saw her feet run past where you were hiding. You noticed more people go chasing after her.
It wasn't long before the entire castle was silent again. You took this chance to get a good look at where you were hiding. You knew it was luck that you found a lose stone in the ground that lead to an underground room you could hide in. It was big enough for at least 10 people, so you had plenty of room to move around. There was little light, you could only make out the outline because of the cracks in the tiles above.
You decided to huddle in a far corner, and let your emotions slowly flow out in silent tears. You knew that you had been strong for way too long. You knew that you needed someone to support you, that being alone was impossible. But you were afraid. Afraid that you would be left alone, abandoned, betrayed.
Your father and mother were gone, Eren, Armin, and Mikasa stopped hanging out with you after the fall of Maria. And now Levi. Sure, now it seems that he wants to help. You are unsure why, which makes you even more cautious. But what if he suddenly stops wanting to help? What if his reason suddenly just becomes unimportant? The answer is simple. He would abandon you, and treat you like the average cadet. Or what if he doesn't leave, but he dies? Either way, he would be gone, and your heart would be torn out again.
You stayed in that corner until you heard a huge group of people come back from the direction everyone ran to earlier, and the sunlight before vanished the light of the moon weakly reflected through the cracks on the stone above you. You knew your eyes were red and swollen, and you probably looked like a mess, but you didn't care. You just wanted to be alone.
'If I go out, and to my room, sure enough someone would check there. Perhaps if I manage to get some extra blankets and such, I could stay here for a few days...' You thought. You knew the only person who would check would be Levi, and you didn't want to be around him. So you silently crept out of your den, made it to the supply closet that was about 15 minutes away normal walking, took some blankets and a pillow, and crept back.
You made yourself a basic cot in your corner, and managed to go into a light sleep. You managed to sleep for about 50 minutes when you heard the stone scraping above you. You jumped to your feet, frightened. 'How the hell did someone find me?!' You saw someone dart in quickly, and cover the hole back up. Whoever it was, was obviously a man. He seemed to not even realize you were about 5 feet behind him. "Who are you?" You asked defensively.
The poor soul jumped and shrieked before he fell to the ground. You almost died when you saw his face.
Darele. "Holy fucking hell! Who the hell are you?!" "Darele?!" Darele calmed down, "Wait.... Y/n?!" That is when he noticed your cot. "What the he- Shhh wait! She's coming, quiet!" You were about to ask who, when you heard her. "Darele? Where are you? I just want to talk!" It was Hanji. You heard her pass overhead, and continue walking down the hall calling for him. "Wait, you hide from Hanji in here?" You hissed. "Yeah, I had to build this small room in my spare time... I think she thinks I may have something to do with the death of Sawney and Bean..."
"Who are those two again?" You remember hearing their names earlier, but you paid no heed considering you were dealing with your own problems. "Two titans that were caught, remember?" 'Right. I forgot about them...' "So wait, they were killed?" "Yeah, you didn't know?" "I was hiding in here when everyone left." "Oh. Wait, how did you find this room?"
"I was running from Levi and I happened to trip over the stone, and I pulled it out of place. I took it as my chance of escape, and slipped in." "Why were you running from Levi?" "It's something I don't want to get into at the moment..." The two of you sat huddled in opposite corners for a while in silence. That is when you heard footsteps coming back from where Hanji had gone. "Dammit, where did he go?" It was Hanji.
"Oh, shorty! Have you seen Darele?" 'Shorty? That could only be...' "No, nor am I looking for him. Have you seen Y/n?" 'Shit.' "No. You are the only person I've seen since Darele ran off. And... wait, why would Y/n run from you? Did you scare her with that glare of yours? No, that can't be it. She's just as intimidating..." "I upset her. I asked her too many questions, and pushed too far. I need to find her and apologize." "Oh, shorty has feelings for Y/n~!" "Shut up, shit-glasses." "You can't deny it."
"You're right, I can't, and I won't. And I can't let her get hurt because I fucked up. The longer I'm with you, the less time I am spending searching for her." With that, you heard him stomp off in the direction Hanji came from. "Where are you going shorty?" "Her room. She may be asleep there." 'I knew it.' You thought to yourself. "Well, go ahead. I'll keep searching for Darele." "Oh, and Hanji, don't tell her anything if you find her." "You used my name for once, wow. Fine, fine."
And then their conversation was over. The two of them went their separate ways, searching for their own people. "My, that must be awkward..." You heard Darele whisper in the shadows." "Yeah... Can I stay here for the night?" You asked bluntly. You saw the panic in his face. "Well... uh... I... What if... What if Levi finds out?" "What about if he does?" "He'll murder me!" He hissed. "Why would he do that?" You growled back. "Did you not just hear what they said? He basically said he has feelings for you, and if he finds out you slept in the same room as another guy, and then he finds out I am that guy, I'm doomed!"
"It ain't like we'll be sleeping right next to each other! I'll be in my corner! Dimwit!" You growled again. "Besides, if you can teach me how you built this room, I'll make my own little den so you won't have to deal with my ass anymore!" You saw him give in. "Fine! But only for tonight!" "Thank you, Darele." You whispered.
Sleeping wasn't easy due to the fact that people, likely Hanji and Levi, kept walking right over the hiding spot, but luckily it was never found. You were woke by Darele, "Y/n get up! If we don't get out now, then we'll be trapped here all damned day." He hissed. You nodded, and sluggishly got to your feet. The sun hadn't even rose yet. "I've done this plenty of times. It's been about 40 minutes since Hanji and Levi stopped walking by, signaling that they eventually went to sleep. If you want to stay hidden, then follow me..."
You silently obeyed, half asleep. Quickly, yet carefully, Darele set the stone slab back into place, it didn't even look like it led to an underground room. You were amazed. You now knew how lucky you  really were that you had found it. Darele led you outside to the closet in the stables, which was also set up like a nice little alcove. "So how many times have you ran from Hanji?" "More than I know. When she gets upset or something, then her experiments are extremely deadly and horrifying." "I'm sorry."
"For?" "I was the reason why you got sent here, was I not?" You said. "If I had not been glaring so bad, you wouldn't have pissed yourself, and then you wouldn't be stuck here. So I understand if you hate me and want revenge." "I was mad at first, but now that I think about it... at least I get to stay inside the walls. Titans aren't really my thing. I was planning on joining the garrison so I could get enough money to support my family, and not risk dying. This job is a little more.... dangerous.... but it is nothing like going outside and fighting those monsters in a field where you don't have 30 people with long as poles ready to save you. So, thanks."
You weren't expecting a thank you, but you didn't reject it. You simply nodded, and glanced outside. "So how long till the sun rises?" "About 30 more minutes till we can see it over the horizon." "Good. That is 30 more minutes of sleep." You mumbled before settling down on the ground, and going back to sleep. You heard Darele sigh and walk away to the other side of the room.