Chapter Text
He hated it when Furlan called him deaf. He wasn’t deaf; he could hear the screams of terror from one of the alleyways around him. He always knew when Furlan was snoring if they were in the same room. He knew even his light-foot steps made noise that bounced off the walls of buildings, even if he couldn’t understand what people were saying, even if they yelled in his ear, he still knew they were talking. The world he lived in was made of soft buzzing and harsh crashes, but he could still hear that much.
And even if he couldn’t hear all that well, he made up for it in other ways. He could read lips, and he knew sign language. That was enough to get by. Even if he did have to constantly scan his surroundings when he was by himself. Having to always be looking around when people were talking in a group, so they wouldn’t know his biggest secret.
He knew what happened when people knew you were disabled down here. He also knew it would be way worse, considering who he was. He made a lot of people mad down here, and once one person down here knew your weakness, they all did.
Finally arriving at his destination, he was met by Henry, the man who took up all weapons before the fights. Not all of them were bare-knuckle, but a lot were, so he had to make sure no one pulled out something they weren’t supposed to. Levi nodded to the man as he pulled the knives from his sleeves and shoes. When he was done, he spread his legs and held his arms out so Henry could pat him down.
When the man was satisfied, he smiled at Levi. “It’s about the rate is set at ten coins per fight, but with bets it’ll go up. You know how it is.” Levi just nods again. Looking away from Henry, not planning to respond to him even if he does say something else. And Henry has known him long enough to know that it’s the end of the conversation.
He had the last of their pot for the week. Twenty coins, it was all they had left. Business had been painfully slow recently. The nobles just didn’t come around as often, and everyone was feeling panicked, so he went back to fighting. They knew there was going to be a shipment of food tomorrow, but they needed money for winter. He could tell that autumn was here and winter would be here in about a month. The cold wasn’t plaguing above ground yet, but it would start to bite in about two weeks.
He walked to the small ring made of candles. Handing his changebag to the bet placer, so he could take the first ten coins. The man in the middle of the ring smiled at him. They always did, even if he hadn’t met them before; they had heard stories about the short black-haired man, and when he was there, they would make a quick buck.
He could see that a few people whistled at him as the man beckoned him into the ring. He did while scanning the crowd. The one thing he noticed was that there were no military police there. A chill ran down his spine at that. He would normally pick them to fight because of how many of they’re buddies would place bets, but them not being there was never a good sign. But he couldn’t not fight tonight. People were already walking up in preparation to place they’re bets.
He just shrugged. He knew what the announcer was asking him. It was the same thing every time. “Who from the crowd do you want to challenge?” When he would shrug, someone who thinks they’re tough enough to take him or just hasn’t heard of who he is would jump out to challenge him. And one did, a man on the bigger side with very short brown hair, placed his coinbag on the table.
Levi studies the man as he steps in. The cocky smile on his face morphs into words. “I want to do knives.” The man was staring at him like he was a slab of meat ready for the taking. It wasn’t the first time. They did this all the time. The announcer pulls out two sturdy-looking knives from his back pocket. Handing one to the man before walking over to Levi to hand him his. He made a point to place the handle in his hand. Leaning down a bit closer to his face. “The more of a show you make, the more money we get. So have some fun.” Levi simply stares at him. The announcer smiles, knowing he understood. Walking himself out of the ring. Yelling about the fight. Levi was looking at him as he switched the hand he was holding his knife in. He used his left hand to hold the tip of the blade. Not really bothering to think about what the man was saying until they saw the distinct shape of the man sounding “Go!”.
So he did. Making sure his left was behind him as he let go of the knife with his right hand. The man had crouched down a bit as he held the knife in his right hand. Out toward Levi.
Reaching his arm back, he threw it, not waiting for it to stick as he rushed at the man. The knife now embedded in his shoulder as Levi tackled him. Scooting up on the man's torso until he could sit on his chest with his knees on the man's shoulders. Planting both hands on the man's right arm. Pulling the hand closer to himself as he man flailed. Gripping the handle when he finally got it close enough to him. Pushing it until it popped out of the man's hand, and he was able to grip it.
Pulling the knife to the other side of the man's head, stabbing it toward the ground, but stopping an inch above the ground. A smug smirk graces his lips as he clambers off the man. Watching as blood blooms around the knife in his shoulder. He looked back at the announcer, who looked just as pleased. “Would you like to take another challenger, sir?” Levi just shook his head as he stepped out of the ring. He no longer needed to prove anything to these people. Slamming the knife he had into the betplacer’s table. Holding a hand out for his change pouch, which was gently placed in his palm. It was definitely heavier, but not too much so. He probably earned about fifteen coins plus the ten that would be put back, which would be enough to get at least some food if the heist tomorrow falls through.
As he slides the coin pouch into his pocket, three MPs bust out from the side of they’re little hideout. People scrambled as Levi whipped away from the three. Sprinting through the crowd of people over to a small alleyway. Slipping in sideways and shuffling through. Popping out the other side as two cloaked MPs round the corner to his left. Shouting something he doesn’t have time to make out. Dashing right, even though he knows there will be some on that side too, simply hoping they’ll be too busy with the others to spot him.
He knew a quick escape route he could take that would make him take the long way home. He just had to be able to get to it. He was partly lucky. The two MPs on this side spotted him as he barreled past them, but were too caught up with the others to reach out and grab him. He weaved between buildings, going over and under different obstacles he knew were purposely placed there to slow people down.
There was something different with these MPs; they’re faster and frankly smarter than all the other MPs he’s been chased by. So he’s going to have to change it up. The next obstacle came up, a wall put up by a shop owner a few years ago to stop this exact situation. Though the prick hadn’t made it tall enough to stop people from scaling it. He already had his running start, so he launched himself at it.
Getting to the top instead of dropping off the other side, he vaulted over to the building attached to it. Not stopping his momentum until he was four buildings over. Dropping down the side of the last building as he shrugged off his vest as he started walking home. It was only a street over. Fuck that was close.
They panted hard, they’re legs felt like jelly after the first three minutes of the chase. The small man was fast, way faster than Hange or Moblit, and now they were both cursing themselves for not bringing their ODM gear after the man took to the roofs. They had no way of getting up there. Moblit had tried to scale the wall like he had, and that ended up with him on his ass, so Hange didn’t even try.
Now they were trudging they’re way back to the Captain's office. They had to inform him of how the mission went. When they got to the door, they barely knocked and more so fell through the door. Moblit would have helped if he hadn’t tripped over them right after. Captain Erwin Smith and squad leader Mike Zakariaus are standing at Erwin’s desk, staring at the door. “Are you two alright?” Erwin asks with a slight smile playing on his lips.
“That little rat is fast.” Hange groans from their spot on the floor. Moblit had tried to get up, but after the second time he failed, he resorted to his life on the floor with Hange. “How fast could he be? Wasn’t he supposed to be fighting tonight?” Mike snickers when he asks. “You have no idea. He must be on some kind of drugs. I have no idea how he was breathing down there. The air is so hot and humid down there.” Moblit mumbles as he lays an arm over his face.
“Well, hopefully, we’ll be able to catch them tomorrow. If they take the bait, everything should be fine.” Erwin says to the room. There was a slight bit of doubt in all their minds. Levi’s gang was smart, as winter rolls around, people get desperate. Plus, with how many people the man seemed to be affiliated with, he’ll have to pay them somehow.
When he got back, they were just where he left them. The two’s limbs were intertwined. Furlan was still holding one of their crudely drawn plans. Levi kicks his shoes off. Slipping out of his filthy clothes, he grabs a random shirt to throw on as he plops onto the couch beside his friends. Letting the fatigue overcome him.