[Chapter 2] No Regrets [Levi x Fem!Reader]

“As soon as I remove the bullet, we leave,” Levi says, pushing Farlan out of the way as he kneels down in front of you.  

“Isabel.”

The ginger nods, and scampers out of the sewers. Farlan looks at you for a moment longer, then follows her out. You watch them go, tensing again. Is this a trap after all? Your attention is diverted to Levi when you feel him grab your leg none-too-gently.

Suddenly feeling nervous, you look towards the ceiling. Wait, does he plan on removing the bullet now? You flinch when Levi turns your leg over, fingers skimming the surface for the wound. Wordlessly, he pries the bullet from your calf, and you can’t help but let out a screech at the burning sensation that shoots up your leg. It’s over sooner than you think, and you lean back against the slab of rock to catch your breath. You wince when Levi’s hand reaches towards your midsection, but you don’t resist when he grasps the end of your shirt, tearing off a good piece of the fabric. Your eyes watch him as he tears up shrubbery from the ground with his other hand, crushing the green texture in his palm to form some sort of salve. He massages the concoction on your calf before binding the wound with the fabric.

“Thank you.”

“Tch,” he straightens up to his full length, ignoring your thanks and instead, looks towards the opening of the sewer line. As if on cue, Isabel and Farlan enter, holding a pair of clothes and some other peculiar items that you’d never seen before.

“Looks like Brother took good care of you while we were gone,” Isabel grins as she eyes the makeshift bandage. “That’s good. He wasn’t too rough with you, I hope.”

You shake your head as Levi lets out a familiar “tch” sound. Isabel giggles as she looks from Levi to you. “Anyway, we got you a few things! I hope they’re not too big…” she trails off as she wraps the cloak around you, fastening the button. “Perfect fit. That’s good – we don’t have to waste any fabric then.” She gestures to Farlan, who hands her a pair of white pants, a blouse, black knee-length boots, and two pairs of brown belts. You stare at them curiously, unsure of what they were for, and blink up at her when she removes the cloak after having just buttoned it. Isabel chuckles at your obliviousness, handing you the items.

“Unfortunately, your clothes got a little roughed up during your run-in with the Military Police,” she explains, gesturing to your torn shirt and pants. “You might want to change into some cleaner clothes before we head out. You know, to avoid suspicion and all.” She shoots the two males a look at the word ‘change.’ You hear Levi sigh, before he and Farlan exit.

“Can you stand on your own?” she asks once they are out of eyesight. You nod, using the rock to support your weight. Thanks to the salve, the pain isn’t as strong, but you still avoid applying too much pressure on your wounded leg.

You shed your battered chemise, exchanging the worn cloth for a clean button-up blouse. Isabel quietly hands you the white pants when you finish buttoning up, and while you’re pushing your pants down, she speaks.

“Brother can be a bit harsh sometimes, but you should know that he has a really good heart,” she starts, glancing at you to see your reaction. You had paused briefly, before resuming dressing. “In time, you’ll learn that you can fully trust him, as well as Farlan and me. He may not seem like the type, but you should know that he did save me when I was at the brink of death.”

“…I know.”

Isabel looks at you, surprise etching her features. She blinks twice, before shaking the shocked expression off her face.

“Wait, he told you?” she asks incredulously. You shake your head as you pull on the twin boots, staring at the harnesses in your hand. “I’ll help you with that. It can be a bit confusing when you’re putting it on the first time,” she takes the belt-like straps from you, setting one down while adjusting the belt around your thighs. “So talk to me. What did Brother tell you?”

You hesitate, half-wondering if it was okay to trust her yet. However, when she looks up to you with expectant eyes, the doubts lingering in your mind die out, and you find yourself speaking.

“Nothing, really. In fact, he didn’t say anything to me at all when you and that other man left,” you start, watching her deft fingers latch the straps around your body. She nods in acknowledgment, a silent gesture for you to continue. Your eyes soften, and your voice quietens. “I know we barely know each other, but for some reason…I feel like I can trust him. I don’t know why, and I don’t know how, but there’s something about him that’s just…”

“I understand completely,” Isabel gently intervenes, her tone serious and quiet. Even then, you can detect a hint of adoration and pride as she speaks about the stoic man. “I felt the same way when I first met him too. It’s an unexplainable feeling, yet so wonderful all the same, ne? Sometimes, I wonder if Brother is aware of it himself!” she grins at you, and the corner of your mouth twitches. She straightens up to tie the cloak back on, finishing all that’s needed to be done, and you allow her to assist you towards the exit.

“Thank you, Isabel,” you genuinely smile at her as you step out of the darkness, and into the light.

Her grin widens, and she gives your hand a light squeeze. “Anything for a sister.”

The term surprises you, but a feeling of warmth spreads across your chest all the same. As Levi and Farlan come into view, you can’t help but feel that the fragment you hadn’t known you’d been searching for had finally been discovered.