GIVE YOUR HEART, levi ackerman - book 1

chapter 38; the basement

For now, you chose to keep your guard up, unwilling to let anyone close until you could uncover the truth behind their actions.

"How are you feeling?" You asked, changing the subject as you handed Armin water.

"F-Fine, I think." He said, thanking you for the flask. "What happened?"

You sighed, the burden of relaying the past events was too heavy for you to bear. "I'll let them explain it to you." You said, as you reached for your flare gun to fire off a signal that Armin was now awake.

Within moments, Eren and the others came rushing back, their faces a mix of relief and concern as they surrounded Armin. Sensing their need to reunite with their friend, you excused yourself from the moment, offering up your spot to Eren as you retreated to the outside of the group.

Levi and Hange landed last, their presence drawing your attention like a magnet. As they approached, you shared a look with them, the hurt and betrayal etched clearly on your features. Though you longed to confront them, to demand answers for their actions, you knew that now was not the time.

Keeping your distance, you watched from afar as Eren and the others explained to Armin the truth of his newfound powers as a titan shifter.

As the group clustered together, their bond clearly strong, you couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. Though you stood among them, you remained apart, a silent sentinel guarding the secrets that lay hidden within your heart.

Suddenly, Hange's voice broke the silence as she appeared beside you, drawing your attention away from the group before you. You glanced her way, before following her gaze back to the group.

"It wasn't my choice to leave you out of it, y'know." she confessed, her tone tinged with regret. "Erwin thought it was for the best."

You listened in silence. Erwin's decision to exclude you from the mission had hurt more deeply than you had dared to admit, and hearing Hange confirm it only intensified the ache.

Hange's expression softened as she continued, "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him someday," she said softly.

You remained silent for a moment, the words lingering on your lips as you struggled to find the right response. In the end, all you could muster was a weary sigh. "I'm too tired to talk about this right now," you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper.

Hange fell silent for a moment, seemingly understanding of the weight of your exhaustion and hurt. After a beat, she spoke up again, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency.

"We're about to head to the cellar in Eren's basement," Hange explained, her eyes searching yours earnestly. "I want you to come with us. You might find out more about your family. That's what you found us for in the first place, right?"

Your reaction was muted, but you nodded in acknowledgement, "Alright," you said, your voice carrying a hint of resignation, "I'll come."

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You, Levi, and Hange followed Eren and Mikasa as you departed from the top of the walls. They led you through crumbled streets and devastating ruins, the glow from the sun casting an ironic warmth over you. But this was no happy hometown visit–Eren and Mikasa had emotions written on their face that you didn't dare discuss.

You too, were feeling bittersweet. Shiganshina was the first city you entered after you left your home outside the walls. It was a gut wrenching sight to be met with, and the scene before you brought back all those years of traveling alone.

Your home was closer than ever as well. You hadn't paid much thought to it, probably because you subconsciously blocked out all the hurt, but with the Wall sealed, maybe you too could go back some day.

The five of you weaved through alleyways in silence, still on guard for any possible hostiles in the area. Finally, Eren and Mikasa rounded a corner, hesitating at the eerie sight of their old home, now covered in overgrowth and moss.

"This is it." Eren said, approaching the ruins.

You helped uncover the door to the cellar, using a fallen wooden pole to discard the boulder laying on top of it.

With a resounding thud, Eren swung the cellar open, revealing the basement door that you had spent so many months trying to reach. Nerves took a hold of you as you wondered what could be behind them. You remained silent as you walked down the stairs, letting the rest of your friends go ahead of you.

The room was covered in a thick layer of dust, which infiltrated your senses upon entry. But other than that, it seemed like nothing more than a doctor's laboratory.

"Seems simple enough." You commented, peering over the books that had been untouched for ages.

"Yeah, it does. Which, if you're going to hide something from the MP's, is a great look to have." Hange commented, inspecting the old bottles of medicine.

"Hange's right. Whatever Grisha hid in here won't be seen with the naked eye. Leave no surface untouched. We need to be absolutely sure to check everything." Levi said, sharing a short glance with you.

You sifted through dusty pages and musty drawers, examining any suspicious areas. It wasn't long before Mikasa stumbled across a keyhole hidden in the side of Grisha's desk.

"Eren..." She paused, drawing the attention of everyone. "Come here..."

You stalked across the room, holding your light up for better visibility. Sure enough, there was a key hole that fit the one around Eren's neck perfectly. A hushed tension filled the room as a drawer slid open.

"There's nothing inside." Eren said, growing annoyed, at the empty wooden drawer.

"Wait," You stepped forward, feeling the drawer's bottom. "It's a false bottom. Look," You pushed the wooden panel out of the way, revealing three neatly organized books. The Early Life of Grisha Yeager. Information About the World Beyond the Walls. The Extent of Our Knowledge of Titans and Their History.

You carefully extracted each book from the drawer, anticipation flowing within you as you laid them out in a row. You lingered over the third book, pertaining to the history of the titans. Would any of these be the key to uncovering your family's truths?

However, you stepped back, letting Eren and Mikasa have the ceremonious first look. You stood beside Levi, the closeness of your bodies providing a warmth which you so desperately missed. You sensed tension in him as well, and wondered if he'd hoped to discover more about the Ackerman clan in these books like you did.

You peered over Mikasa's shoulder as they flipped through the pages. Suddenly, the title of one of the chapters caught your eye, making your heart flutter.

Abertine.

There it was. The answer to all your questions. Information about your family–relatives you didn't know existed. All the secrets your grandfather kept. You moved to reach forward, but Levi gently stopped your hand.

"We should get these back to Wall Sina as soon as possible." He said, looking at you, but addressing everyone.

You frowned, watching Eren close the book, a floof of dust polluting the air. Levi was right, you had no time to scour the books now. Who knows if it was in Zeke's plans to capture these books too. He could be laying in wait right now, waiting for the right time to catch you off guard.

You drew your hand back to your side as you watched Hange wrap up the artifacts in a white cloth.

Levi watched you intently, noting your shift in demeanor. "You'll get to read about your family soon enough. I promise," was all he offered as he made his way out of the basement.