That Titan Professor!

Hange Zoe

"I can be replaced!"

Hange read the report on the battle for Eren. Erwin had lost his right arm and nearly didn't survive. But still, he ordered the soldiers leave him behind and continue the attack because, quote, "Don't mind me! I can be replaced!"

Hange knew who he meant.

"No one can replace you, Erwin . . ." She closed the report. "I can't replace you."

She was interrupted when Moblit knocked on the door to tell her the good news.

"The doctor said you can see him now."

Hange rushed over to the rehabilitation center. Erwin was asleep on his bed, a ray of sunlight slipped trough the curtains, illuminating his weak form. His lips looked eerily blue from losing so much blood. His right shoulder was covered with bandages. Hange's heart dropped when she saw his right arm was missing.

She reached out her hand to lay on Erwin's left chest, feeling his heartbeat.

"You're lucky to be alive." Please don't do this to me again.

Erwin stirred, his blue eyes trying to focus. "Hange?"

She blamed herself for waking him up, but was also relieved that Erwin was still functioning properly. Hange gave him a smile.

"How's your skin?" he asked, referring to the explosion from the Colossal Titan.

"Still a little raw and it stings a bit. But I'm fine." She assured him.

Erwin lifted his left hand slowly, "Let me see."

Hange didn't know quite how to act around someone wounded, so she sat on the edge of the bed and leaned in closer so he could see her face.

"I'm really okay." She leaned away but Erwin grabbed her chin. Hange tensed and looked away. Erwin chuckled.

"No, I'm supposed to be the one to ask if you're okay."

"I'm much better, now that you're here." He answered. Hange leaned back, trying to process this sudden sweetness.

"A fresh afterlife?" she asked. Erwin let out a laugh that turned into a wheeze. It still hurt to laugh.

"Next time have somebody cover you. You can't be replaced."

"Ah . . ." Erwin figured she must have read the report. "Same goes for you, next time don't face off head on with the Colossal. You can't be replaced either."

He must have already read her report too.

"I have my squad."

"But I only have you." Erwin wasn't backing down.

"But I can't do what you can."

"And I can't do what you can do either. Hange, I'm not asking you to follow what I'm doing. You have to be confident in your own way."

"But I . . ." Will never compare to you.

"You think I'm good at this job, right? And I trust you. But you don't trust yourself. So really, do you believe in me?"

Hange hated it when Erwin used her own words against herself.

Levi entered the room with a bag of fruits.