[A/N : So, I noticed that some of you are still quite confused about the things that Levi sometimes mentioned. It's actually from the past. 20 years before where they are now. I actually planned to spill their past through dreams and flashbacks. But I decided to just describe it all in one chapter so that you get all the point hehe. SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE BY THE WAY-]

"Dad ?"

The nine years old little girl wandered aimlessly on the streets at night, still clad in her pajamas. To top it off, she didn't bring anything but a tiny bag that contained unnecessary things.

Her little feet brought her far from home, to the place she had never been before. A place where thugs, thiefs, murderers, and dirty pigs gathered. If she wasn't mistaken, her dad once had mentioned the place. The wise man told his daughter not to step foot to the said area.

Underground.

To be precise, it's not under the ground just like it says. It's just a huge, untouched part of the city that has dozens of tortuous alleys that you could get lost inside. There's barely enough sunlight, even when it's in the morning or afternoon.

The little girl shrugs off her father's warning, and entered the place.

Wait, what was she doing here in the first place again ?

Long story short, just before (Y/n) went to bed, her dear father strided inside her room and told her that he had a few business to take care of.

-

I'm not sure how long it will take but I can assure you I'll be back in at least 5 hours.

-

That's what he said.

And it's been 7 hours since he left the house, leaving (Y/n) on her own. It's near midnight and she began to feel worried about her family of course. So being a child she was, (Y/n) took a quick decision to search for her father alone. To make it worse, she didn't bring any object or weapon for self defense.

Now..

Clueless, (Y/n) walked through the alley, holding her tiny bag tightly to her chest as if it's her safety charm. The more she walked into the darkness, the more unpleasant view she saw.

Drunk men..

Corpses..

Starving human being..

And the list goes on.

(Y/n) shivered upon the sight. The girl immediately regretted her decision to come here. She was about to turn and run away when her keen ears caught rustling sounds from near the trash can beside her.

Curious, she took a step closer towards it.

A horrified gasp escaped her tiny lips.

(Y/n)'s eyes may not be able to clearly descry the sight before her. But it was certainly a boy. She couldn't identify his age, or even his true form. All she saw was a curling pale, emaciated boy dressed in weird white tattered clothes that somehow looked like a piece of ripped dress.

"U-um.. Are you okay ?" The little girl ventured out.

"..."

He stayed silent. However, those lifeless steel blue eyes looked up to her weakly like a stray kitten in need of help. The boy parted his thin lips, but no sound came out.

Cold sweats trickled down her forehead. Indeed, (Y/n) felt scared in the first place. But this particular boy somehow made her forget that she was still inside the scary place called Underground. She's the type of person that can't just leave people who need help easily. And that's what she's doing right now.

She's fully aware that he's a total stranger.

A stranger from a dangerous place..

But somehow.. Something triggered her to strike a conversation with him. "Can you talk..? Can you understand me ?"

Once again, no reply.

"What are you doing here ? You should be with your parents."

And then.. There it is... The boney human finally showed a response.

The moment (Y/n) said the word 'parents', his pale fingers subconsciously clenched the rim of his dirty clothes that resembled a rag. He pursed his lips and looked away from her.

"Come on, I'll help you find your parents !" (Y/n) exclaimed. Without waiting for an answer, the girl had already reached for his hand and pull him up. Her eyes widen upon the skin contact they just made. His skin was cold as ice, and it was thin to the point she could no longer feel any flesh there.

The boy was baffled. No one had done this to him.

Is this a trick ?

Is she a liar ? Was she sent by someone ?

He stumbled on his feet as (Y/n) dragged his body to stand up. Barefeet, the soles of his feet brushed against the dust and dirt on the ground.

"Could you tell me which way is your hous-"

"OI ! LOOK ! A PAIR OF FRESH MEAT !"

(Y/n)'s blood ran cold and her head perked up when she heard someone shouting. The same thing happened to the boy who began to quiver in fear. Frowning, the girl looked around, only to spot seven men glaring at them with a cheshire-like-grin painted on their faces.

To make it worse, all of them had a weapon.

She tightened her grip on his hand as she faced those men, eyeing them carefully. Sure, they're no doubt.. outnumbered. But that didn't give her the reason to just run away without observing them first. (Y/n) locked her gaze on the men while she took a little step forward to shield the boy.

A machete..

Shotguns..

Dagger, knives..

And.. A bottle of booze.

The first one that would most likely attack them is the man with the shotgun. Meaning, he could attack her and the boy from a far range.

"What 'cha gonna do, girly ? Ya know that little shit can't be your shining knight in armor." They laughed.

But then..

(Y/n) did something that she had never done it before.

She spat towards their direction.

Their jaws dropped to the ground upon the little girl's actions. (Y/n) gave them a dirty glance before quickly pulling the boy to run to the opposite direction, to the entrance of the Underground, it'll lead them to the outside.

"GET THEM ! HOW DARE SHE !"

The one with the shotgun then pulled the trigger, sadly, he missed, since (Y/n) dragged the boy with her, running in a zig zag motion. She knew he was gonna get them if they just ran straight.

Meanwhile, the boy still couldn't comprehend what just happened.

First, a total stranger offered herself to take him home. Which... he didn't have. Then after that, this stranger is dragging him along to the exit of Underground, running. He didn't know whether he should be grateful for taking him away from bad people or he should be scared shitless.

(Y/n) pant, she looked at the boy behind her, still running.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out of here !"

Before turning to face forward again, (Y/n) swore she caught the way he looked at her as if she was.. something new.. And every once in a while, she would tightened her grip on him, making sure he was there, running with her. The boy felt extremely light like a feather. (Y/n) convinced herself that she's dragging a boy, a human, and not a kite.

He's so.. thin.

Minutes have passed so quickly. To their relief, the two finally turned into a corner and exited the Underground are through the entrance path.

But (Y/n) didn't want to stop there. Those men could still be after them... right ? We never knew.

After running and turning into more corner of the outside street, (Y/n) led him to a bus shelter. Thankfully, no one was there. Still panting, (Y/n) then crouched down, catching her breath, so was the boy, "I think we're safe now. We could wait here for a bit before returning there again to bring you home."

The boy blinked. His breath already steadied.

Silence fell upon the two kid, until an audible growling noise came out from the boy's stomach. (Y/n) darted her head towards him. Even though he felt hungry, he looked unbothered, because he was used to it. The trash can where (Y/n) found him earlier was the place he was scavenging for something.. edible.

"Hey."

Her tiny hands had dove themselves into the tiny bag that she brought along with her, (Y/n) pulled out a bread, "eat this ! You look like you really need to take more than a bite."

"..." At first, the boy looked hesitant, his eyes showed it all. He took small steps towards (Y/n) and reached out his hand, taking the bread from her quickly as if he was afraid that she was just using it as bait or playing with him.

Then he grasped the bread with both hands, and started to devour it like a starving animal. Crumbs fell out and began to scatter here and there, but he never paid attention to it. On the other hand, (Y/n) only eyed the boy with curiosity in her eyes. Just exactly how long he had been there without any intake ? It pains her to think about it.

He finished the bread.

The boy then looked at her with an unreadable look

He parted his lips, ready to say two words.. However, when (Y/n) noticed his gaze on her, she took it as a sign that he wanted something more. So she offered the thing she had left inside her tiny bag, "oh, I'm guessing you're thirsty.." (Y/n) fished out a tiny plastic bottle filled with water, "drink this. It feels weird to eat without drinking water afterwards, you know."

Ah.. pure mineral water to drink... One of the rarest items to get in Underground.

He chugged down the water, his throat feeling batter.

Giving him an opportunity to speak to her.

Yet, he didn't find the courage to do so.

"Oh, it's raining !" She exclaimed. Cold drops of rain raced down in a series of cascades. Again, (Y/n) pulls on his hand, pulling him to the spot beside her, "stand here, you would likely to get soaked less if you stand in the corner."

The boy obeyed, standing on her side. Soon, it became a downpour.

*BOOM !*

Thunderclap echoed in the air, sending a shock through (Y/n)'s veins. Bad memories began to rush inside her head as a whimper escaped her mouth. Was her brave actions earlier just for a show ? No. (Y/n)'s not like that. It's just.. Thunder, lightning.. are something that she had difficulty to overcome.

A pair of steel blue eyes stole glances at the quivering girl.

The fearless looking little girl had turned into a vulnerable one just in one strike of thunder in the middle of the thunderstorm. A look of surprise took over the boy's face when he heard the girl who had saved him broke into heart-wrenching tears that made him feel something.. different.

She wailed and wailed. Her tiny hands were covering her ears from the clamorous sound of the thunder. Tears were streaming down her soft chubby cheeks. The boy beside her didn't know what to do, for he was used to this kind of cruel weather.

"D-don't cry.." He said in a hoarse and raspy voice.

He spoke.

Don't cry. His ever first words to her.

But the girl seemed to be ignoring his words as she continued to cry her eyes out of fear, "I..." she hiccuped, "I don't have m-my blanket with me. I usually use it t-to.." the girl sobbed, "to shield myself from the evil thunder.." Her small body trembled due to cold and fear.

Tilting his head, the soiled boy was clueless. The sight of the little girl in front of him made his heart clench.

Slowly, his pale bony hands reached out to her. Those hands pulled the girl close to his meager figure and held her close as he caressed her hair softly. His mother always did this to him whenever he was in the same state like her, so he tried copying his mother's actions.

To his luck, her cries slowly ceased down a bit as she found comfort in his arms.

"I never had a blanket.. but I'll try my best to be one. So please, don't cry.." The boy calmed her down, trying to provide her with comfort. Her tiny fingers clenching on his flithy and worn out clothes. And the boy, for once, felt happy that she put her trust on him. She trusted him that he'll protect her from the thunder.

Despite the cold weather and his thin body, she found warmth in him.

And she nestled her tiny body into him.

(Y/n) held him tightly and never wanted to let go. He's the first person ever that gave her a feeling of secure other than her parents.

“Eat...”

She pulled away from his arms, “h-huh ?"

The boy had stretched out his hand towards her, “eat..". A tiny candy was present on his palm. (Y/n) only blinked, she pointed her index finger to herself.

“F-for me ?"

He nods.

Her tiny fingers took the candy from his hand, unwrapping it with shaky hands before plopping the sweet treat into her mouth. A bright smile painted her face as soon as she had a taste, "what flavor is this ? I don't think I've ever tried this kind of candy." She munched.

"Mmm.." (Y/n)'s eyes scanned the candy wrapper, "black tea flavored ? Woah.. Where did you buy this ? This must cost a lot."

The truth is, it was found inside the trash can where (Y/n) found him in the first place. The boy had a habit of bringing home leftovers or any edible things, including that kind of candy. He actually ate it a few times already, he often found them on the streets without a clear reason why. He collected them, saving it for his mother.

He planned to eat it.

But after the girl gave him her whole portion of bread and water, he couldn't help but want to return the favor. Compared to bread, this candy is.. nothing.

Yet, seeing her enjoying it, made the boy feel satisfied to no end. He was glad he could distract her from the thunder by giving her a tiny piece of happiness.

"Feeling better ?" He gave her a tired smile.

To his joy, the little girl bobbed her head up and down in glee, “Mhm ! I'll try to make it up to you." So childish.. Even the boy noticed it. The chance of them being able to see each other again is dangerously thin. He kept his mouth shut, not wanting to ruin her moments.

Unless.. the world has something in store for them in the future.

Who knows ? The boy could only make a wish from the depth of his heart.

------

The rain had stopped. Leaving a whiff of petrichor.

The two children walked back inside the Underground place, however the boy refused to show her where his place was. Instead, he told her to leave him at the place where she met him the first time. They stood there, ready to part ways.

But it seemed like (Y/n) still yearned for his warmth. So the little girl hugged him again, holding the boney boy close to her.

"Will I meet you again ?"

Her soft tiny hands grasped into the old crippled shirt that clung to the boy's body. He looked at her with a gaze that she couldn't read, "I- I don't think we can.." he stammered.

"Then find me, and marry me in the future !" The little girl cried, "promise me that we'll meet again !"

A new wave of emotions that he had never felt before wahsed over him.

"I'll try, I'll try to find you again.." He linked his skinny pinky to hers.

"And then I'll marry you."

(Y/n) giggled, “you better hold into your words-" she froze, “wait a minute.. I never got your name.”

“And so do I."

“What's yours ?"

With a less hoarse voice, he gave her an answer, “Levi. Just... Levi."

'What about his last name ?'

“Well, I'm (Y/n). (Y/n) (L/n)." The little girl extended her hand and they shook hands while exchanging looks, “I think I have to go now, my dad's probably getting worried. You should go back home too."

He only nods.

“Goodbye !! Until we meet againn !”

“...bye." Levi weakly smiled.

'I'll remember that name. Until we meet again.. (Y/n)'