The Captain and the Assistant

Chapter 24: Zeke's Plan

Levi returns to the seat next to you. He leans down and props himself up on his knees, eyes still trained on the broken man lying on the floor and crying in front of you.

"Levi," you start and rub small circles on his back, "please remove the spear from Zeke..." you whisper quietly.

Levi doesn't sit up, "I can't. I already told you that. He won't move. The bastards too selfish to die," he says exhausted.

You lean your head on his shoulder, you find his hand and lace your fingers with his. He is stiff with anger. You can't anger him more.

"Levi, please. I'm scared," you plead with him quietly.

Levi sits up this time and pulls his hand away in frustration. "Don't you trust me, Y/N. After everything? Why are you scared I already told you-"

"I'm pregnant," you cut him off. Tears come to your eyes and Levi meets your gaze. His eyes are wide.

"You're what?" He asks, his voice shaking.

"I missed my period last month and I just thought it was because of the stress, but I've been having food aversions and morning sickness. I had my suspicions earlier. I took a pregnancy test the morning of the assassination," you ramble nervously, fidgeting with your wedding band. "I'm pregnant, Levi." Tears are starting to stream down your face.

Levi sits in shock for a minute, his face impossible to read. You look down at the wagon beneath you. Locking eyes with the splintering wood by your boots.

Levi grabs your face with both his hands and stares you in the face. Tears are starting to form in his eyes, "You're so fucking stupid," he whispers. He pulls you to his lips for a kiss.

"What?" You ask him terrified, pulling away.

"You shouldn't be here. You should be somewhere safe," he says desperately, still holding your face in his hands tightly. "Just fucking taking out titans, with a fetus inside of you. What the fuck is wrong with you?" He asks sternly.

You stare at him, more tears flood to your eyes. They flow down your cheeks in rivers. This is not how you expected him to react.

"I couldn't wait to tell you anymore Levi, I'm sorry," you say, your tears are coming harder, you try to drop your head, but Levi forces you to stay upright. He wipes your tears with his thumbs. "I'm sorry this is happening. I thought I was protected. But I must have forgotten to take a dose of my birth control. I'm so sorry," you start sobbing. You're choking out the words through your tears. You breaths shallow and quick.

"Don't apologize," Levi says, tears streaming down his face too now. It's unlike anything you've ever seen from him. "Why are you apologizing? You're carrying our child and you're apologizing?" His hand leaves your face and trails down to rest on your stomach.

"How long have you own?" He asks looking back up at you again. His tears are still coming as yours slow slightly.

"I've known since a few days before the attack on Marley.." you say reaching to cover his hand on your stomach.

"You knew when I proposed to you?" He asks in confusion.

You pause, not wanting to anger him, "I had my suspicions, Levi, I wanted to tell you, but it didn't feel like the right time. Then you came here and I was going to tell you a few hours ago, but then Zeke got away and everything's just been moving so fast," you say starting to tear up again.

Levi pulls your face in and locks you in a kiss. He rubs circles with his thumb on the side of your head to calm you down.

"I hope you aren't mad," you say pulling away from him. His eyes meet yours, "Mad? I've never been happier," he smiles genuinely, his tear strained cheeks rising up. "I always thought about it, all our time with Simon made me wonder if we ever would have our own, and now it's a reality," he says sweetly. You practically melt in his arms when he says that.

"I'll be honest I didn't think it'd come this soon, on the brink of war." He chuckles and you chuckle back. He leans down and presses a kiss on your small tummy, just barely starting to show under your uniform.

"That's why you wouldn't try my wine," Zeke chokes out.

You had forgotten that asshole was there. "One drop of my spinal fluid and Levi, would have had to strike you down like the others,"

You both whip your heads to look at Zeke, eyes wide. What the fuck did he just say.

"You know, I feel sorry for you. I feel sorry for your unborn Eldian child. To be born into such a world of hatred and violence. Why would you do that to the poor child. You should have drank the wine and put both of your lives out of their painful misery," Zeke deadpans.

Levi walks over and stabs his blade into Zeke's side. This time Zeke doesn't scream out, but he winces in pain.

"When I reach Eren, your child will probably be the last Eldian born. I'll save the future by putting them all out of their misery. The only way to save the Eldians is to wipe them out. The sterilization plan is the only way to save humanity."

Levi stabs Zeke further in the chest. You want Levi to step back, you're worried for his safety around that maniac. Especially with that thunder spear sticking out of his chest, he could kill both of you instantly.

"You know I pity you and your unborn child. Thye'll be the last to watch their people die off, left alone in this cruel world with no one to protect them. I bet they'll want to end it all as badly as I do"

You quickly pull yourself to your feet. You hurl yourself backwards off the back of the wagon. You call out to Levi to get back.

"I hope you're watching Mr. Xaver," Zeke yells out.

There's a loud explosion. You feel yourself fall backwards. You worry about Levi. You feel weak. You eyes flutter closed.

.....

You begin to stir awake, your eyes flutter open. You're all wet. You wonder if it's blood. You feel yourself being dragged. A scout cloak surrounds you. It's fucking freezing. Your head rolls to the side and you see trees entering your field of vision. You blink your eyes shut and try to fall asleep.

You wake up a few hours later. It's dark and when you look around, it's clear you are back in a forest. You feel warm again thankfully. There's still a ringing in your ears, but it seems to be dulling over time. What happened? Where are you?

You tilt you head and notice a fire on your right side. You remind yourself to thank whoever put you next to the fire, you were so cold before. You bet it was Levi and you smile to yourself. Then it hits you.

Levi.

"Levi," you call out, your voice horse and weak.

Hands are on you and you feel relief rush over you. He must be okay! You open your eyes to see a pair of glasses staring down at you. It's Hange.

"Thank god you're awake. I need your help!" Hange says, helping you to a sitting position. The world feels blurry and you almost have to lay back down again you feel so dizzy.

"You just got knocked out. A few scratches I patched up quick, but I had bigger fish to fry," They explain, gesturing to the bloodied man beside you.

You find your strength in that moment. You jump to your feet with no regard for how you're feeling. Levi. You have to be okay. You have to be fine. I'm right here.