The Loop II

Untitled Part 3

His eyes fly open and he jumps out of bed with a start. Someone is knocking on his door and quite urgently at that.

"Levi!"

"Levi, open up!"

Its Erwin and Hanji, thank the fucking walls! He flies out of bed and dashes to the door, ripping it open and yanking the surprised pair inside.

"Levi, wha- EEK!" Hanji exclaims as he slams the door. They watch him for a moment, concern growing as he paces the room, alternating between running his fingers carelessly through his hair, and wringing his hands.

"Levi, we heard you scream." Erwin ventures cautiously. "What's wrong?"

He barks harsh laughter and continues pacing.

"What's wrong? Oh, everything Erwin. I've lost Trinity and something has taken her place. It's almost as if that painting is haunted." He sits down on the floor; all the strength gone from his limbs and stares forlornly out the window.

"Trinity?" Hanji comes to sit with him, giving Erwin a cautious look. 'He's losing his mind', that look seems to say.

"Don't look at me like I'm some lunatic. The painting. The hourglass. Remember? And now there's a new painting but she's gone!"

The silence drags out uncomfortably for a few moments before Erwin speaks up.

"Whatever is going on Levi, I'm sure we'll find a way to help you. Let's go to morning briefing and then we can discuss it."

Levi's angry glare actually causes Erwin to jump and he steps back, unsure what will happen next.

"I don't have time for that shit! I need to find her!"

Hanji rests a soothing hand over his and he relaxes for the time being. How he plans on finding her is beyond him. He knows this and it fills him with despair.

"Whatever we do, you should start with putting some clothes on, Levi."

He looks up sharply at that and sighs. He had taken to sleeping naked just to get a rise out of Trinity. He can almost hear her now:

'Tired of watching your junk waggle when you walk, Levi...'

Ah, Trinity.

"Tell us how you met her."

Erwin's question snaps Levi back from the memory and he sighs, wondering how to begin.

"I kept waking up in her bed with no idea how I got there. I know how crazy it sounds. I eventually discovered this painting she made and somehow it connected us."

"The hourglass?"

"Yes Hanj, the hourglass. You said you thought the sand was moving. Turns out you were right. I didn't want to lose her. I asked that she paint a new painting. She was working on it when the sands slipped away entirely."

"So, what she paints becomes real?"

"I guess so. I just don't understand what happened. The new painting looked normal when I woke with her this morning, I.."

He gives them both a tired look.

"You really do think I lost it, don't you?"

They look to each other with poorly disguised concern for a moment before turning back to him.

"I don't think there's much we can do if this happens only in your sleep. You dreamed all of it. You found the painting and your mind just-

"Wait! That's it! I just have to sleep!" His brain is whirling with the possibilities now and he gets up, pacing the room. "Maybe if you were there when I relocate, the shift would affect you too!"

"I'm calling it", Hanji says with a glance at Erwin. "He's crazy."

"I need to get dressed!" Levi dashes from the room, leaving the two alone for the time being.

"Humor him?"

Erwin sighs. "Whatever we have to do. I can't lose my best soldier and friend to madness."

Later that night:

"You aren't planning on sleeping naked again, are you?"

"No, dumbass.", Levi says, heading for his bedroom. "I thought if I change my routine here, that maybe it would change how things play out over there as well."

"Thank goodness.", Hanji mutters and Levi shoots her a glare as he crawls into bed.

He closes his eyes.

An hour later:

"This is ridiculous", Hanji says. "Nothing is happening."

"At least now we can tell him it's all in his head."

"Yes, he has been dreaming so vividly, he honestly thinks-

Ow! Erwin!"

Hanji turns to Erwin in shock, then follows his pointing finger to the bed.

Levi is disappearing before their eyes.