Until the End || Levi x Reader Insert Fanfiction

Ch 33- A Happy Memory

"Hey!" He says and momentarily releases the grip on your hand to instead grab the child's arm that holds Sasha's small bag of money. "That ain't your purse." You look down seeing the small child Levi has in his hold, his words attracting the attention of onlookers that pass. Sasha turned around, assessing the situation, before frantically patting down the jacket she wore realising that she was missing it from her possession. Suddenly, the lively atmosphere shifts and the once radiant market is enveloped in tension. Bystanders who had just a second ago paid no mind to the presence of your squad turn, eyeing the small child who seems to tremble with unease, a fearful look adorning his face. Your upturned lips suddenly turn into a frown as you realise that the child is likely a migrant from Marley's rival lands and the angered looks of men and women that now surround you pose a danger to his safety. The local Marleyans now move, causing Levi to drop his hold on the child and push you all away as they loom over the small boy, hatred brimming in the depths of their eyes.

"It's another enemy migrant!"

"How'd you get here!"

"Snuck aboard a ship, I bet!"

"He doesn't understand us."

"Let's toss him in the sea."

"Nah, let's smash his hand so he can't pickpocket anymore."

"Tie him up where everyone can see. That'll cut down on crime."

Your once joyful day is quickly bartered to the feeling of dread as more people gather around the small boy spewing insults and threats. What's worse, you know what they say is neither sarcastic nor fictitious; the threats were real. Your squad also look on at the quickly escalated scene, eyes widening as even market vendors who had appeared so welcoming and fruitless in hostility now overflow with it. "That's taking it too far! I already got my purse back!" Sasha's voice reaches the air but that only causes your heart rate to pick up more as the men concerned with the boy now turn to her in irritation. "This isn't about you. We've gotta punish him to set an example. We're trying to make a living here." One man shouts out to Sasha bitterness on his face. "Besides, he could be a Subject of Ymir." Another man turns to Sasha, the same mirrored look governing his eyes. Your frown deepens at his words and your squad tenses, as more people now mutter their thoughts that the boy could be Eldian.

"Countries have been doing blood tests like mad lately."

"No one can sleep at night knowing devils could be in their midst."

You feel yourself sober along with your squad around you. 'That's right... you can't forget that you're on enemy territory now.' No matter how joyous the day was, no matter how welcoming street vendors appeared or how helpful the Marleyans on Paradis slowly turned out to be, it could not rid of the hatred that built within Marley over hundreds of years. No wonder Zeke refused to let you leave the building you were confined to. Your prior delight now felt stupid as you almost felt embarrassed at your lack of cognition. Levi seems to have the same thoughts as you as his gaze darkens with their uttered words. He realises that no matter how much he wished he could pretend it was a normal day, out with you, he was in the middle of a war. We can't let our guard down as we did so easily. So, he moves swiftly and with his strength easily grabs the child under one arm, surprising the men who had been bickering seconds ago. "Hey! What are you doing?!" One of them calls out at Levi's sudden interference.

"Who said he's a thief?" Levi's voice contains his usual bored and yet sharp tone. "All I said was, 'That ain't your purse.'" His gaze then turns to Sasha who looks to him in bewilderment. "It belongs to his big sister here." Sasha quickly catches onto his words as Hange moves forward letting out a forced laugh as they join in on the facade. "My! Talk about a nutty family! Right big Sis?" The men around you seem to look at Hange and Levi in suspicion as they look sharply at Sasha. "Ah...! Sorry about my little brother!" She says quickly bowing at the men around her, but it is for naught as the doubt that lingers scarcely fades. "Yeah?! I smell bullshit!" The Marleyans around you shout out instantly and just as quickly as they do, Levi retorts sharply. "Let's go!" You quickly grab the hand of Sasha who still seems somewhat in a daze at how quickly things escalated. Levi runs, the boy still under his arm as you and the squad follow quickly, ignoring the shouts of the men left behind.