Your Wings - Reader X Levi Ackerman

Chapter 40: A New World

The battlefield is eerily quiet as Hange roams through the carnage, stepping carefully around the scattered remains of dozens of bodies and puddles of blood. Limbs and heads lie strewn across the ground, painting a gruesome picture of the battle's aftermath. The scene is enough to churn anyone's stomach, but Hange has long since grown accustomed to such horrors. Her sharp eyes wander over the silent expanse, though the silence is broken by the sound of muffled sobbing.

Hange's gaze shifts, finding Levi still in the battlefield, slumped amidst the destruction. He's drenched in blood, his body trembling with exhaustion—both physical and emotional. The sight of him in such pain stabs at her heart. When he had shown up earlier, bringing the Titan serum to Armin instead of Erwin, she saw it in his face—the complete and utter brokenness. Levi hadn't even wanted to accompany the group to Eren's basement, where they finally uncovered the truth. Instead, he had chosen to stay behind, needing time alone.

And now she's found him here.

Levi sits beside a large scorched spot on the ground, the telltale mark of a Titan's disintegration. His knees are drawn up, his face buried as quiet sobs escape him. Hange approaches slowly and lowers herself to the ground beside him, saying nothing. She simply waits, her presence a silent offering of comfort.

Levi quiets down after sensing her, though the tears continue to fall, unchecked. All his life, he'd bottled up his pain, locking away his emotions. And then you came into his life, unraveling those barriers. How cruel it is to love someone so deeply, knowing how easily they can be taken from you. And now, with you gone, a huge piece of him has gone with you.

Hange gives him space, letting the silence linger until he's ready. Eventually, his gaze lifts from the ground, though his red, swollen eyes remain downcast.

"I knew I'd find you here," she whispers softly.

Levi's voice is hoarse, barely audible. "It's my fault," he mutters. "I should have taken down that piece of shit faster. I should have killed him when I had the chance."

Hange's expression softens as she places a hand on his shoulder. He glances at her, his silver- red stained eyes meeting her tear-filled gaze. A single tear escapes from her one remaining eye, the other hidden beneath bandages. She tries to smile but falters, her own grief evident.

"It seems like we could never keep our little birdy safe," she says quietly. "But at least... nothing can hurt her now."

The words hit Levi like a dagger. He hasn't come to terms with your death, and the thought of you being gone forever is unbearable. His jaw clenches, his fists tightening at his sides. "How can I accept that?" he growls. "She meant everything to me. And I couldn't even keep her safe."

Hange shakes her head gently. "It's not your fault," she insists, seeing the guilt etched into his face.

Something inside Levi snaps. His fist slams into the ground with enough force to crack the earth beneath it. "It is my fault!" he yells. "Ever since I came into her life, she's been in danger. From the moment I met her in the Underground, she was doomed the second she got close to me."

His voice cracks as he adds, "Maybe it would've been better if she never met me. Maybe she'd still be alive."

Hange's sorrow deepens, but she doesn't waver. "Levi," she begins softly, "I've never seen two people more in love than the two of you."

Levi looks at her, surprised by her words. His anger falters, replaced by a stunned silence. Hange's lips curl into a bittersweet smile as more tears pour down her cheek.

"I remember how I used to tease her about having feelings for you," she says. "She was so embarrassed, but she loved you more than anything. And I know she was so happy to have you in her life by the look in her face whenever you were around." Her voice drops to a whisper. "I'm glad she got to experience that in this lifetime. Thank you for giving her that."