The Underground didn't create survivors. It forged them from bone and determination.
You had seen Levi before you met him. Everyone had. He was a shadow, slipping through darkness and flames faster than anyone else. People said he was untouchable.
You didn’t believe in ghosts though, so you made a point of picking a fight with him.
He was crouched near a supply drop, rummaging through a stolen crate full of bandages and other supplies.
You kicked the box. "Looks like Christmas came early for street rats."
He looked up slowly, his black eyes unreadable. “Didn’t know you could talk.”
You drew your bIade. “Try me.”
He moved like lightning. In the blink of an eye, he had you pinned against the wall of the alley, your wrist locked and his breath cool against your jaw.
“You’re new,” he muttered.
“You’re not as fast as they say.”
“You’re not as smart as you think.”
You struggled, but he held you still — not with brute strength, but precision. He wasn’t fighting to hurt you.
He let go and stepped back. “I don’t waste time on trash.”
But his eyes lingered a second too long before he turned and vanished into the darkness.
The following week, you found him alone again after a fight. You could have finished the job.
Instead, you tossed him a roll of bandages and walked away.
Neither of you ever talked about it.
You weren't friends. You were rivals. You stole from each other, fought each other, and kept a close eye on each other.
But deep down, beneath the dirt and pride, you both hated how well you understood each other.
The Survey Corps headquarters buzzed with the usual post-mission chaos...
And then someone said your name.
Levi turned from the map table and saw you standing across the room.
You hadn’t changed much. You still walked as though you owned the place. There was still that same gleam of challenge in your eyes. You were still carrying the kn!fe that you used to hide in your boot.
You nodded once. “Captain.”
He crossed the room in silence and stood in front of you like a storm about to break. “You joined the Scouts?”
You smirked. “Heard the pay’s great.”
He didn’t blink. “This isn’t the Underground. You mess up here, people d!e.”
“Thanks for the lecture. I missed your sweet little voice.”
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Neither should you.”
Silence snapped taut between you.
Hange, watching from nearby, cleared her throat. “Oh boy. Tension. We love tension.”
Levi didn’t flinch. “You’re under my command now. That means you follow orders, or I'II put you in the ground myself.”
“I’d like to see you try,” you said.
The mission was supposed to be simple, but it never was.
The ambush came quickly — there were three Titans, one more than expected. You tried to flank the second one before Levi could stop you. Idiot move.
The steel cable snapped. Screams. You were falling.
Until strong arms caught you — impossibly fast.
With a grunt, Levi yanked you out of the air and slammed you both against the roof of a nearby ruin. You hit the ground hard and he was on top of you, panting.
“You stupid piece of sh-,” he snapped. “Do you want to d!e that badly? Do it alone.”
You shoved him off. “I didn’t ask you to save me.”
He grabbed your collar and pulled you close. “You’re on my squad. That means your recklessness gets people hurt.”
“You think I care what happens to you?”
His voice dropped. “I think you care more than you want to.”
He let go of your collar and turned away. “Next time, I won’t catch you.”