In Another Life || Levi x Reader/OC

Bittersweet

Paths was nice.

No people. No hatred. No war.

Just peace and quiet.

It was just endless sand surrounded by the blinding stars - the perfect place to reflect on the transcendence of life while the blended colors of purple and white beamed down from the sky and cast swirling images on the ground. It was pretty to look at. It was tranquil.

But Zeke felt nothing but dread.

It felt like he had been cushioned by this sand for years. Time passed agonizingly slowly here; it was too much isolation for one person. Zeke had been alone all his life, but even this was too lonely for him.

He had no one. Eren betrayed him, and Ymir chose to listen to him instead of Zeke. His plan had gone to shambles, and now, Eren was going to cause far more destruction than Zeke had intended. There was no one he could trust anymore - no one he could go to.

Not even you. Especially not you.

Zeke should have killed Levi when he had the chance. He had him at his weakest point years ago, but he let him slip away from his grasp like the idiot he was.

He was close. So damn close.

Just one more stab in the chest, one more punch in the gut, one more slice in the throat - then he would have been gone. Zeke's ego and arrogance convinced him that he'd get away with torturing him first, but he underestimated the capabilities of the people living on the island; thus, he let him get away.

He just wanted to teach you a lesson - to show you what happens when you fall in love with someone you knew you weren't supposed to. How foolish of you to fall in love with another Eldian, let alone an island devil. How foolish of you to imagine a future with him. To one day marry. To one day have children. Why would you want to bring more Eldians into this tragic world?

Zeke was trying to protect the fate of the world and trying to protect you. The two of you were on opposing sides - Levi was fighting for the justice of the Eldians while you were on the side that subjugated them. There was no chance for it to end smoothly.

You would have gotten over him eventually, then you would have moved on. The heartbreak of his loss would have passed in time. You would have realized how detrimental it was to fall in love with an Eldian and how the idea of continuing the race would only put more harm on a child. The relationship you two had would have never worked out.

Well, it should have never worked out. There was still a subtle pining between the two of you.  Longing glances were hidden behind snarky remarks. Passion was hidden behind tension.

The two of you were still in love, even after everything that had transpired.

Where did it all go wrong? How did he lose you so easily?

He missed you. He knew it was wrong. Deep down, he knew that. He saw what falling for an Eldian did to his parents, but he couldn't help it. There was always a flutter in his heart any time you spoke or stole a glance in his direction, even if it wasn't in good taste. Just the mere presence of you made him feel less lonely. It fulfilled him.

You were the only one that took him in as a child - befriended him. Maybe it wasn't friendship to you, but to him, it was. You were the only one to look in his direction and see him for who he was.

He wanted you back.

Why? Why wouldn't you come back to him?

Why did you choose him instead?

Zeke's sandcastle crumbled in front of him. The sand seeped right through his fingertips.

Just like you did.