𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 || 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐀

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟐 - 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤

The warm glow of the living room lamps cast a cozy ambiance over the gathering. Levi sat poised on the sofa, his slender fingers wrapped delicately around the dainty cup. His eyes, narrowed slightly as he savored the flavor, seemed to hold a thousand unspoken thoughts.

Across from him, Blake and Hange sat side by side on the couch, their postures a study in contrasts. Blake's broad shoulders relaxed into the cushions, his rugged features softened by a gentle smile as he chatted with Hange.

Hange, on the other hand, sat with an air of animated intensity, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she gesticulated wildly with her hands.

Meanwhile, Toji stood leaning against the wall, his imposing frame radiating a sense of quiet strength. His arms crossed over his chest, his eyes fixed on some point across the room, his rugged features set in a thoughtful expression. The faintest hint of a smile played on his lips, suggesting that he was savoring some private amusement.

I stood before my friends, the weight of my impending leaving settled heavily on my shoulders. With only a handful of days remaining before Toji and I would leave the city behind, I knew I had to share the news with the people who mattered most.

Hange's curious gaze met mine, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she asked, "What's this important news you've gathered us all to share?"

I took a deep breath, the words trembling on the tip of my tongue. "I...I know you might not understand, but I'm leaving the city."

But to my surprise, Hange's face broke into a warm, gentle chuckle. "Why would we despise the idea of you taking a vacation?" she asked, her voice infused with a soothing calm. "Everyone needs a break from the city once in a while. You deserve some time to unwind, to clear your head and recharge."

Levi's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he fired off a series of questions, each one a sharp, pointed dart aimed directly at my resolve. "Where are you going?" he asked, his voice low and even, but with a hint of underlying tension. "Who are you going with?" His eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for any sign of weakness or hesitation.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I met his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm leaving with Toji," I replied, my voice steady, but with a hint of trepidation.

Levi's eyes flashed with a fierce intensity, his jaw clenched in a tight, hard line. "When will you be back?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the response. "I won't be coming back," I said.

Blake's eyes widened in surprise, his face a picture of confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "You're just leaving? For good?"

I nodded, "I'm leaving with Toji in a few days," I explained, my voice barely above a whisper. "And I might never come back."

Hange and Blake sprang to their feet, their faces etched with shock and dismay. Hange's eyes blazed with a fierce protest, her voice ringing out in a vehement denial. "Hell no, you can't just leave!" she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in a passionate torrent. "You can't just leave us like this."

Blake's face was a picture of heartache, his eyes welling up with a deep sadness. "I won't let you leave," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "This city is your home, and you're my friend. I won't let you just walk away from us."

Levi's eyes flashed with a bitter intensity as he glared at Toji, his voice dripping with venom. "It was your idea, wasn't it?" he spat.

Toji pushed himself off the wall, his movements fluid and deliberate, and walked to stand beside me. His eyes met Levi's, a hint of defiance sparking within them. "Yes," he said, his voice firm and unwavering.

Toji's gaze shifted, his eyes sweeping across the room to settle on Hange and Blake. A hint of confusion furrowed his brow as he asked, "Why are you both being so sentimental about this? Don't you want her to have a better life, far away from the chaos?" His voice was laced with a deep conviction, a sense of longing that seemed to emanate from the very core of his being.

"This city may be her home," Toji continued, his words painting a vivid picture, "but it's been the source of her suffering for far too long. I want her to start fresh, to make new memories, to leave the pain and the heartache behind. I want her to be free of Ryan's remembrances, of the constant fear and uncertainty that's haunted her for so long."

Hange and Blake's faces fell, their heads bowing in thinking as they weighed Toji's words. The silence that followed was noticeable, a heavy stillness that seemed to press upon us all.

Levi's gaze, however, remained fixed intently on me. His eyes, piercing and perceptive, seemed to bore into my very soul. "You can't just leave everything behind," he said, his voice low and measured.

"It won't change anything. Changing your surroundings won't silence the chaos within you." His words were laced with a deep understanding, a sense of empathy that seemed to acknowledge the restlessness that had long ravaged my heart.

Levi's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he asked, "Are you ready to start over? A new place, new people...do you have the strength to do that?" His voice was a gentle prod, a soft urging that seemed to push me to confront the doubts that had long lingered within me.

I took a deep breath, my voice filled with a sense of determination. "I want to take the chance," I said, my words firm and resolute. "If it doesn't work out, I can always come back."

Hange's face broke into a warm, gentle smile. "We're happy for you," she said, her voice filled with a deep sincerity. "You deserve to be happy, and if this is what it takes, then we're behind you all the way."

Blake nodded in agreement, his eyes shining with a sense of warmth and understanding. "You've been stuck in a rut for so long," he said, his voice low and gentle. "It's time for you to break free, to spread your wings, and see where life takes you. We'll miss you, but we'll be happy knowing that you're finally doing what's best for you."

Levi's face remained impassive, his expression a mask of calm that betrayed no hint of emotion. But his actions spoke louder than words. Without a glance in my direction, he turned and walked away, his long strides eating up the distance as he made his way to the door. The soft creak of the door hinge was the only sound that accompanied his departure, a subtle reminder that he was gone.

Hange's eyes widened in alarm as she realized Levi was leaving. "Levi, wait!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing out as she sprang into action. She hastened after him, her footsteps light and quick as she chased him out of the door. The sound of her voice grew fainter, a distant echo that seemed to fade into the silence that had settled over the room.