Chapter Text
It had already been three years. Three years since the rumbling. Three years since the event that erased eighty percent of human kind. The efforts to repair the damage done to the environment were so far doing alright. The newly planted grass was slowly filling the giant footprints left in the dirt, making them disappear out of view, while the small saplings were growing day by day into big tall trees.
At the small makeshift home, she shared with Levi, Hange had just finished cleaning the dishes from tonight's dinner. It was so strange to finally be at peace. To finally lead a somewhat normal life. She looked around and her glance fell at the small bottle of medicine on the table, remembering that Levi forgot to take it tonight. She filled a glass of water and took it with her.
"Levi.." Hange called out gently as she approached the bed the two of them shared. "You forgot to take your medicine."
Levi had already began to fall asleep as he heard her voice and opened his eyes. "Oh... yeah..." Levi sat up and took the glass off her as well as one of the pills.
After he was done, Hange sat the glass beside the bed and took a seat next to him. "Hey... Have you been alright lately?" She asked quietly "You seem... quiet. And I mean more so than usual."
"I'm fine." Levi said as he lay back down.
"No, you're lying." Hange said as she removed her glasses, placing them aside, and moved the blanket in order to lay down next to him.
They had been in a relationship for a very long time, yet Levi still needed quite a push in order to open up when something was weighing on his mind. By now though, Hange knew him so well. She knew when he was hiding something and this time was no exception. Hange settled next to him, propping her head on her hand as she peered down at Levi.
"Talk to me." With her other hand, Hange gently petted Levi's chin tracing the scar on it. "Please."
Levi remained quiet for a while longer, simply staring at the ceiling trying to avoid looking her in the eyes. For a long moment, the only sound between them was the faint rustling of the night breeze outside their window.
"I hate this, Hange." He turned his head away to the side.
"What do you mean?" Hange pulled her hand back.
"I'm useless now." Levi finally spoke after a brief pause. "I can't even stand on my own feet, can't even take care of myself properly. I'm just a burden." His tone was filled with frustration and a hint of deep sadness. "And the worst thing is, you're stuck here with me, forced to look after me like I'm some overgrown baby... You should be out there, doing something better, something that actually matters."
Hange sat stunned in silence for a moment, her heart aching at the vulnerability he rarely showed. Carefully, she placed a hand over his, her touch gentle but firm "Levi, look at me."
He didn't. Hange moved closer to him. "Levi, please." Her voice was louder yet still gentle. "I know this is hard for you, but believe me, it isn't easy for me either."
Levi slowly turned around to look at her. His usually sharp, narrowed eyes seemed somewhat softer, vulnerable and filled with self- hatred. Hange got closer to him, wrapping a hand around him and pulling him to her chest.
"You're not useless, Levi. And you're definitely not a burden." Her grip on him tightened, as she continued, her voice filled with tenderness and frustration "Levi... I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but right here with you. It's my own choice. I want to be by your side. No, I NEED to." Hange paused, fighting a sob. "I’ve been through hell too. I’ve seen things I wish I could forget, and sometimes the memories threaten to drown me. But you’re here. You keep me stable, just like you always have. I need you just as much as you need me."
Levi didn't respond. He didn't know how to. He just stayed frozen in place as he let the words sink in. For years, he'd carried the weight of responsibility, guilt, and loss. His life was an endless fight for survival. Now, stripped of his ability to fight, he felt as though he’d lost the very thing that made him who he was. But here she was, telling him he was enough - not as Captain Levi, but simply as Levi. He could feel the tears building in his eyes. Tears he had been holding back for a long time.
Hange glanced down and noticed the shimmer of tears forming in the corners of his eyes. "Levi," she whispered, her voice breaking. "It's okay. It's all over now. You don't have to hold it in. And you don't have to fight anymore."
"I'm sorry." Levi blinked as the tears he could no longer hold back began slowly running down his cheeks.
"For what?" Hange asked, brushing a hand through his hair.
"For making you deal with me." he said.
Hange sighed, a bittersweet smile on her face. "Levi, you stubborn idiot. You’re not something I deal with. You’re someone I care about. Someone I love. And just so you know, you're not getting rid of me anytime soon. As long as I'm breathing, I'll never let you go." As she said this she placed a gentle kiss on top of his head.
For the first time in years, Levi allowed himself to let it all out. His silent sobs were all that could be heard in the room, apart from the faint sound of wind coming from outside.
"I love you so much, Levi." Hange said as she hugged him tightly, almost squishing him in the process.
"I know, Hange... Please, shut up."
Hange smiled. That's the Levi she knows and loves.