The Battle of Shingashina brought many deaths, too much grief and realizations. Hange Zoe was alive and Levi almost lost her that day. After two months, Hange had started to fill the role as the new commander of the Survey Corps. Thus, leads a space...
Note:Manga Spoliers. Battle at Shiganshina District Manga Spoilers. Spoilers for Season 3 Part Two. You have been warned.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
¤ Inside Shiganshina District ¤
It's been a while Levi had seen much smoke in a single day. Smoke that came from burned houses or the presence of titans, not titan-shifters. Everyone one from Levi's squad had hurried towards Armin's titan form with the little bit of gas left in their tanks. Armin had been given the injection. Armin had been the one to consume Bertholdt. Erwin was not picked to be the colossal titan. Thus, the inevitable happened. Levi had let him die; the giant hole on the side of Erwin's stomach was the factor to his demise. Levi allowed Erwin to rest at last from the hell they lived in.
Though saddened at the results Levi had come to conclude and act on, he was blessed at having Hange Zoe by his side. A bandage wrapped over her left bloody eye, but still she made it out alive. He wasn't quite sure how she made it out seeing how the colossal's transformation had wiped the entirety of the Scouting Regiment. How did Hange make it out alive? Did someone save her in time? Where's her assistant Moblit? Did he save her? If so, he would have thanked him for saving the new commander of the Scouting Regiment, his long-time friend and growing companion. He never realized how truly important Hange was to him until now.
He rested his slightly trembling hand on Hange's back. She looked up, her hand retreating from Erwin's cheek. "Hange," Levi said, voice exhausted. Blue eyes gazed profoundly at her brown eye. No words were exchanged between them. It was the closeness of Levi, his grip on her shoulder that was both desperate yet gentle, and the glint of solace yet gratefulness overshadowing his eyes that Hange returned the same feeling. They slowly leaned in to hug each other. Tightly. Breathing in the remnants of post-war.
"I'm glad you made it through," Hange whispered on his neck.
"Thank you for staying alive," he said.
"Armin!" Both heard the cries of relief far away in another roof. Levi glanced up and caught sight of Eren and Mikasa hugging an unconscious Armin, tears running down their eyes with a smile on their faces.
Levi leaned back a little without letting go of her. "Hange," he said, watching her. Their noses nearly touching.
"Yes?"
He closed his eyes, frowning the usual. "Forgive me."
A tear slid down her cheek. "There's nothing to forgive," her voice cracked. She raised a hand onto his cheek. "Levi. I trust your judgement."
¤ Two months later... ¤
"We'll be having our expedition a week from now. Focusing on eliminating any titans remaining outside the walls. With the help of Eren and Armin serving as our shield, we hope there won't be any unnecessary casualties," Hange informed Levi at her new office.
