A Bitter Taste

The Captain is already waiting when he arrives at the stables, leaning against the stable door. And Connie salutes, stance resolute. "Sir!"

Levi nods in response. "I've already saddled up your horse we're ready to go."

000

It's hard to concentrate, to keep the thoughts at bay. But he tries his best. He tries to focus on the sound of hooves on the ground, on the squeak of leather, on the occasionally snorts of the horses, on the wind whistling through the trees—anything—anything but his thoughts that are trying to wander off. Because if he lets them, he isn't entirely sure if he can keep the control. And that isn't an option. No, absolutely not. He only needs a little more time, but then, then he will be able to think straight again. Right? Some more time and he'll be able to think further than—

Than mom.

His vision clouds for a moment, but he bites it back. No. No way.

He glances to his right to where the Captain is riding; calm, eyes forward.

000

Connie's struggle is tangible from where he's riding next to him. His face reveals maybe not so much. But Levi doesn't need a facial expression to know—to feel. Grief, anger, confusion. It's all clear as day. Even though, he's really trying to appear calm. The kid just lost his entire family. Possibly all turned into the creatures they fight and struggle against every day. Saying it's a huge shock doesn't even begin to cover it. Titans are actually humans. Merely thinking about the fact that he has been flying around for all these years wielding his blades, slicing up human flesh, leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. He swallows.

Levi once again glances to the boy next to him. They hadn't talked much beyond a few words. Levi gave him his space; to think, to work through this new piece of information. To mourn. Levi sighs inwardly and shifts in his saddle. He's perhaps not the most skilled person when it comes to comforting, others are far better at that shit than him, but that doesn't mean he won't try and lift others up when they fall down. He'll extend his hand and hoist them up. Again and again and again. He'll lend them a little of his strength; to fight, to move forward, to overcome. He's humanity's strongest, after all.

Humanity's strongest, huh. Who has been slicing up human after human to a bloody mess, for all these years?

Heh.

He lifts his eyes up toward the blue sky high above him and swallows again. Trying to get rid of the sour taste that wants to rise up once more.

Disgusting.

I always wondered about the journey of Levi and Connie, back to the cabin, after discovering that titans are actually humans. Poor Connie... :(

What I really love is how Levi manages to help and console others with few words and small gestures. There are so many examples throughout the manga of that! He's one of my favorite characters from AoT (if you hadn't noticed already ahaha). But that's one of the many things I admire about him. *tries not to think about chapter 114 arghhh*

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this short piece! (I've maybe a small idea for a second part).

All the mistakes are mine.