Power Doesn't Come Cheap: Chapter Sixteen A

Rose- Sama: Old HQ

Levi POV

Levi stared at the sheet covered woman, observing her troubled face as she was looking for answer in his own eyes, I know you hid Eren's and your secret to protect yourself. Even if those words you said hurt, I saw the pain in your eyes when I asked whether you trusted me or not. I don't want to think of you as the enemy but my team is split: Gunther and Erd understand why you did it, but Petra and Auruo are skeptic of you.

The corporal broke the silence, "(Name)?" She blinked and replied as she looked at the shorter man, "Yes, Levi?" She tilted her head in puzzlement as Levi closed his eyes, "I don't want to think of you as an enemy. I want to trust you but in order to do that, you have to trust me. You are the one who looked over and protected Eren until now right? You will, now, share your responsibilities with me."

Her eyes grew wide as she stuttered, "I-I-" She got up and quickly saluted, "It would be my pleasure to share the responsibility of keeping Eren safe!?" Levi's breath hitched as he saw her in her undergarment, "How about you cover yourself up!"


She blinked and noticed the covers slide down her body, again, when she saluted, "Damn it!" She turned around and bends down, her back? She has a 'wings of freedom' tattoo. For how many years as she bore that tattoo? She's that supportive of our cause? It looks really good on her... Not the time to think of that. Levi shook his head trying to get out the gutter.

Petra looked at the men of her squad, whose eyes were glued to her younger subordinate’s body and Petra loudly scoffed, "EWW! You guys, stop nose bleeding!" Erd released his stare from the young lady, took his cape and wiped the blood away, "I swear, I didn't mean for that to happen, Petra! Right! Auruo, Gunther?"

The two other man mimicked Erd in a vain attempt to calm Petra, "Seriously Petra, why would I stare at a brat like that? It's not like her boobs and butt are that bigger than yours..." Petra angered, kicked Auruo in the face, "Idiot!" Gunther was gesticulating with his hands, 'I want no part of this!'

Levi side glanced away from her half naked body and she then coughed as she mumbled shyly, "Sorry for that." She sweat dropped seeing Levi's squad reaction and she smiled, "When are you guys departing for the old HQ?"

Erwin quickly answered as he bore his gaze on her, "They are supposed to leave right now." She was surprised, took her uniform and went to the bathroom and changed. After 3 minutes she came back with her shorts, t-shirt and jacket then she swiftly donned the straps, 3DMG and boots, "I'm ready to go!" Levi gave her a small nod as she readied her bag with some supplies and extra clothing, "Alright, we are going now, Erwin."

Erwin got up and marched towards the door. He observed (Name) as she walked up to him and tugged on his sleeve, Hum? Why is it that those two are so close? Erwin brought his head lower and she whispered something in his ear to which he replied by whispering in her ear, what is this pinching in my heart? I'm not jealous, am I?

She left Erwin's side and waved at him, "See you later, Commander!" The tall blond man waved back as he left her room and she went by Levi side with her bag and smiled at him, "I'm ready, corporal." He nodded, "Okay, we are all set. Let's move." The (H/C) woman followed Levi and his squad as he got out of her room which she locked.

Your POV

you were walking next to Eren, behind Levi but in front of his squad and you nudged him, catching his attention, "Hey Eren..." You spoke softly as he turned his head towards you, "I want to say that I was sorry I didn't tell you about your dad..." Eren shrugged as he spoke in the same tone, "You had you're reasons, right?"  You bit your lower lip and you nodded, speaking lowly, "I never thought I'd have to kill some of the MP's and it's not like I wanted to. If the MP had known about you, they would have killed you." Eren eyebrow shot up and he replied surprised, "So you don't denied you killed more than just MP's?"

You felt stares burn your back as you continued walking towards the exit of the Scouting Legion HQ, sighing, you answered, "I did hits here and there. Rich pigs, bad merchants or guys who were troubling a group of people." You shrugged it off as Eren spoke, "What if those people had family?" You breathed in and exhaled as you calmly whispered, "Eren, I was hired as an assassin not for my heart or brain. I was a weapon they used. That is all there is to it. I felt no sadness or joy doing what I did. I did it because clients wanted it done and for the cash it brought me."

Eren shrugged and replied unimpressed, "Cash? Your dad was in the military! You didn't need cash!"

You stopped, making everyone stop in the process, as you stared at him head on with an angered expression while you spoke in a low, sassy and quick tone, "You want a list, Eren, of why I needed cash? Who do you think provide for the food at my house in wall Maria when my dad died? Who do you think bought cloths and whatever I needed for me and my mom? My dirty cash did! Even if my dad was in the military, they barely gave us enough to live unless one of starved when he died!!"

Eren took a step back as you continued, "When my dad died, I was 10 years old! 10 YEARS OLD, Eren, but I knew how to fight since my dad taught me. Death is all around us, I just did it once and then it started getting easier. You know what it's like to kill; you did it for survival and Mikasa. I did it for my mom! She might have not known I did hits but at least she was living well! I saved until I was 12 and gave her the cash which she used and when I came back, I killed people again as a part time job because I know I needed the cash for whatever emergency that the future would bring me!"

Eren looked at the ground as he was bracing himself for the rest of the story, "Also, Eren… Don't forget that house in Rose that I bought and let you, Mikasa, Armin and his family stay in. It was paid with money that was made out of death, but if I hadn't bought that house, what would have happened? Sadly, Armin's family didn't have enough to buy a house there. What happened to them? They were thrown to the wolves! Now, ask me again, Eren? Who cares about money? I do! I was able to extend mom's life, even if it was just by a little more."

Eren couldn't answer and you turned your heel as you made it out HQ, pissed off, damn kid becomes emotional for nothing from times to times.

You felt a hand on your shoulder and glanced behind you, finding Levi, "What? You want to criticize my actions too?" Levi shook his head as you were both heading towards the SL's horse stalls, "No, I'm not going to judge, you did what you did to survive and to provide for your mother, right? It’s not for me to judge."

You exhaled and nodded as he briskly marched, "At least, we know that you were an assassin. Anyways Erwin seems to like you and he won't say a word about that incident to him."
You knew exactly who the short man was talking about, Niles Dawk. You shrugged, "Were?" You let out a fit of laughter as you were walking, making Levi's brow furrow in confusion, "Levi... I can't quit that business."

The short man was going to retort but you interrupted him, "That job will die with me. The topic is closed, Levi." Levi snorted and muttered, "Fine, whatever..." You gave him a sad smile, "Sorry about that, I know I’m being trouble."

As you arrived at the stall you immediately went to your horse, patting her nose, "Hey, gaby~" It neigh in response and nuzzled your hand, "We are going to go to the old SL's HQ!" You got the saddle and a carrot, "Supposedly it's far away from Trost. Is one carrot enough?" It nodded and you squealed, "Why are you so smart, my little horse!" You hugged gleefully and put the saddle on her, "Okay!" You got on her and made your way outside.

Levi Pov

The corporal marched into the stall, he glanced over at (Name) as he got to his own horse, petting him, "Aiolos..." The horse nuzzled his hand and he released it. He prepared his steed and got on it and moved out, sweeping his eyes, he saw everyone was ready, "We are leaving." His squad moved, Erd, Gunther and (Name) where in front, Auruo and Eren where in the middle while Levi and Petra were behind them as they made it through the inner gate and galloped towards their destination.

Levi was staring upfront, nobody was in the old HQ for so long, I wonder in what condition it is? If it's dirty, we are cleaning it, completely. The squad was nearing it after two hours of horseback. As soon as the castle was in view, Auruo explained to Eren how the old, renovated castle was far away from the wall and rivers making it useless and that he never though he'd go in there again.

Levi noticed that Eren eying him, to think that I have to babysit a brat. The teen turned his glance away from Levi as he stared back at Eren and Auruo yapped, "Don't get cocky, rookie!" Eren uttered in surprised, "What?!" Brossard replied, "Just because you are special or whatever doesn't mean The captain has to waste time on y-" His horse steeped on a rock making Auruo bite his tongue.

Levi narrowed his eyes when he saw a huge bird following them, what is that eagle doing? He then heard a whistle and saw it dive then set himself on his 'little' sister, she’s communicating with someone!? He pressed his horse to move faster and got near (Name). He saw her read quickly, her brows knit, "What is it about, (Name)?" Her eyes blinked and she stared at Levi, "What? Am I supposed to answer that question?"

The short man glared at her and she shrugged, "If you must know, it was a thank you letter from a client whom required my expertize. Not as a soldier." Levi snarled, "You are hiding something..." The younger girl rolled her eyes, God that brat!

Your POV

You lazily yawned as you were horse riding, Far away was no joke! Geez, why would they make a HQ so far away from the Wall or rivers? Ah whatever, I ain't paid to use my brain. While you were bored as hell, you thought about reviewing the info about Levi's Team:

After 2 hours of brain numbing boredom and speculations about whether Petra is in love with Auruo or Levi, you were almost at HQ when you noticed a big bird flying over you and so you whistled loudly, catching its attention.

The bird glided swiftly and perched itself on your shoulder, Eagles have strong grips, damn it hurts! You quickly took the small, rolled up letter on its leg and read it,

Dear (Name),


You found a lead crayon in one of her pockets and wrote:

To Grisha Jeager



You neatly rolled it, put it back in its place and send the eagle away. You noticed Erd and Gunther eying you but you shrugged it off. Then again you can't really shrug off Levi as he was staring at you, "What is it about, (Name)?"

I can't tell him from whom it is, think of a summarized explanation, "What? Am I supposed to answer that question?" The short man pierced you with an intense glare, Come on, okay I got it! You gave him a looping grin, "If you must know, it was a thank you letter from a client whom required my expertize. Not as a soldier."

Levi wasn't convinced, "You are hiding something..." You rolled your eyes, "If I recall, you wanted to trust me, right? I know I lied and I deceived you. Many of those times were because I thought it wasn't the proper time to show myself.  I wanted to reveal my identity, but I couldn't. I didn't have a choice in the matter. I'm saying the truth." I’m saying half of it, at least.

Levi inhaled and exhaled, "You are as much trouble as Eren, you know that..." You gave him a bitter smile, "I didn't think I'd be giving you so much trouble either, Levi..." I just can't speak to you about something’s.  

As soon as everyone arrived at the gate castle, you took Gabriella to her new home, you set her and gave her food, which she gladly took, "You did good today, hun?!" You gently played with her mane, funny how I give her more love then Levi... Then again, he's hard to come by!?

You left the outdoor stalls and went to the entrance of the castle to be greeted by a horde of weeds, "Well... This place isn't in shape..." You walked towards the group and Levi spoke, "Since, everyone his here... Here are the orders; we are cleaning the fuck out of this castle..." You bit your lips, Oh My God... NO, NOT CLEANING DUTIES...

You were steeping back and gulped when the corporal quickly stared at you,seeing you were moving, "Where do you think you are going (Name)?" You blinked and let out a really fake smile, "I don't know what you are talking about, I just LOVE cleaning! I swear!" As soon as he gives me a room, I clean it then I bolt!

Levi saw right through you, "Don't think you'll be able to escape this time (Name)..." He glared at you and you were paralyzed, "I hate cleaning... I don't wanna~!!" You pouted and were staring daggers at the older man, "(Name)..." is tone was a warning, "You are going to clean and as punishment for not wanting to obey, you are going to clean 5 of them, alone."

Your right eyes twitched in irritation as you ran inside, flailing, "FINE! OH MY GOD! I HATE YOU, LEVI!" You didn't mean the words to leave your mouth but it was too late, whatever! I'll just start the stupid rooms! You roamed around, searching for the storage room. You left your belongings on a table in the mess hall.

The place is pretty big, after searching for around five minutes, found it! Finally! You took two dusters, a broom and a dustpan, leaving the door opened, Maybe that shrimp doesn't know where the storage room is... Pfft as if, I bet he could smell the fibers of the brooms and dusters!

You walked up the stairs with everything you needed and found the first room, kicked the door open making someone downstairs scream, "Brat, don't break the doors!"

You entered the room ignoring him, you donned two handkerchiefs, one on top of your hair and one over your mouth, gosh, I hate dust, I hate it! I'm a titan shifter but I still am weak towards dust! Fricken allergies! You started dusting the the entire room and would freak out now and then. EEEWWW EEEWWW, Cobwebs and small spiders! I want to go back home!

As you were sweeping the dust on the dustpan you saw it, a big, big ass spider and you yelled, "OH MY GOD! EEEEEEEEEEWWWWWW~!" At this Levi go to your room as you were in a corner, cowering away from the creature in question, "What the hell are you doing (Name)?"

You pointed the big spider, wiggling your index finger at it urgently, "Hey, you're a man, Kill it! Kill it with fire!" Levi closed his eyes and exhaled, "for crying out-loud, woman! You're about to kill titans for a living!"

You were shaking in your boots, "Titans are easy targets, spiders are small and quick and they can kill you with one bite!" With a loud squish, the creature was slain, "There, happy?"

You ran to Levi and hugged the smaller man, "Thank you Levi! I hate spiders!" You squashed the man between your boobs and he was thrashing on you, "Let go, stupid!"

You laughed as you released him, he was flustered, "why are you so red, Levi?" Both of you blinked and he pushed you away as he turned his heels, leaving the room, "Is this your first room?"

You replied gleefully, "Yep, not bad, eh?" Levi walked away, "Indeed, it's so well done, you can have 3 more rooms to clean."

You feel to your knees, "AASSSSSSHHHOOOLLLLLEEEEEEE!" You growled, blinked and remembered his flustered face, "Gosh... he's cute when he's blushing." The though made you blush...