Lara (Long-Fic Levihan | Armin Arlert X OC)

Chapter 20 - Pain

The soundtrack for this chapter is called "A Oferta de Abel", by Music Solution. It's a short song, so you can keep it looping. It's available on YouTube and Spotify ♥

Cover Art by Matsubaki.

The fact that Levi gave up doing the CPR on Lara, made Hange finally understand the true reality in front of her. She wrapped her arms around the little girl's body, squeezing it with all the strength she had.

"Lara..." she sobbed, her shoulders shaking, "My baby... MY DAUGHTER!"

There, clinging to the most precious thing in her life, Hange gave a scream so loud and desperate, that it echoed through the forest, making several birds fly out of the trees.

It was a cry that came from the bottom of her soul, from the innermost depths of her being.

She felt as if her stomach had been cut open and all of her guts had been ripped out, with her still alive.

When a child loses a parent, it's an orphan. When a wife loses her husband, she is a widow and vice versa. But what can we call when a mother loses her child? This is not the natural order of things.

Hange pressed her cheeks to Lara's, rocking her like a baby, back and forth. Levi watched in silence, his face obscured by the shadows of his hair.

Gently, Hange placed Lara back on the ground, as if she was putting her to sleep in her bed. Now, Hange was sobbing softly, resting her hand on the girl's chest.

Silence reigned in the forest, where even the animals were quiet, as if they were respecting this moment. Even time itself seemed to have stopped in that instant.

The sky already had a few stars peaking here and there. It was a beautiful sunset and shades of purple, pink, and blue filled the sky, reflecting off the clouds like a painting.

"Why...?" whispered Levi, his chin trembling, "Why did you do this to me?"

Hange lifted her head.

"What are you saying?"

On a quick impulse, Levi wrapped Lara in his arms, just as Hange had done seconds ago. Then, looking up at the sky, he drew in all the air he had around him and let it out in a great cry:

"WHY?!" he said, shaking the girl in his arms, "WHY DID YOU DO THIS?!"

Astonished, Hange stared at Levi, who had a look of complete fury.

"SHE TOLD ME," he continued, "THAT SOMEONE WAS TAKING CARE OF HER! SHE TOLD ME!"

Hange couldn't understand anything that was happening and tried to touch Levi, to calm him down, but with violence, he dodged her, still looking at the sky.

"WHY DID YOU TAKE HER FROM ME?!"

Up there, the stars seemed to blink at Levi, as if to say they understood his pain.

"GIVE ME HER BACK!"

Levi lowered his eyes, and pressed his forehead to Lara's, sobbing softly. Hange tried to get closer again, and this time, he allowed her to touch him.

"Please..." said Levi, softly, swallowing a bitter spittle, "I beg you... Give me back my daughter..."

Hange approached Levi, who was now rocking back and forth, and wrapped him in her arms, resting her head on his.

They stayed there for a few moments, not knowing for how long exactly.

A breeze passed through Levi, Hange, and Lara, as if caressing their faces, wanting to wipe away their tears.

"Dad...?"

Suddenly, Levi turned to Hange, as if wondering where that voice had come from. When he looked down at Lara, he couldn't believe his eyes.

Lara was looking at him, with a small smile on her lips, her eyes very tired. Her chest rose and fell in a slow, calm breath.

"Lara...?" whispered Levi, in such a low tone that even he himself didn't listen to his own voice.

"Daddy..." said Lara, softly, squeezing Levi's hand that was holding her, "I don't hate you."

I'd like to thank @efemerane for making this STUNNING fanart of Chapters 19-20 💔 It literally broke me 😭 I freaking love it! ❤ (PS: if you also want to send me fanarts, feel free! I'll love to receive them!)