DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of Shingeki no Kyojin.

WARNING: I've only watched the anime and read up to chapter 54 of the manga. There's only one major spoiler (I think). And there's not as much "romance" as you would expect.

RATING: T, because I consider shounen-ai adult material.

They had done it. They had defeated the Titans. Humanity had succeeded despite the gigantic odds against them. Scout parties had been sent out even to the farthest regions that had barely been explored, and one by one they all reported what everyone already knew to be true: the Titans were defeated. Plans were already being made to start settlements outside the walls.

There was only one last thing to do.

"My beloved citizens, the reign of the Titans is almost over!" the new king—elected by the people after Christa had stepped down—enthused. "We have only one last Titan to kill, and we can rejoice the success of the humans. Eren Jeager!" He pointed to the dark-haired youth, standing silently between two Military Police solider, face shadowed by his bangs and hands cuffed. "The Last Titan will be executed at daybreak tomorrow!"

Eren had known it was coming, had known it the minute he understood that he was a Titan shifter. After all, he had seen all the other shifters hunted down and killed, had even helped taking down some of them. Being in the Survey Corps had taught him that no true victory could be achieved without sacrifice. He was prepared to give his life if it meant the people could once again live in a world free of terror.

He was, however, unprepared for this.

When the king had announced that he would be executed, he had expected someone from the Survey Corps to do it. They were the primary reason why the Titans had been defeated after all. Having one of them kill the last Titan would be fitting, as well as good publicity—the people would love the symbolism of it. He had been ready for any of his friends to do it—Commander Irvin, Christa (who would have been an ideal choice since she was both a soldier and a noble), Connie, Jean, Sasha, even Mikasa (he would have found a way to convince her to do it if the king had chosen her).

It had never even crossed his mind that it could be Levi.

Then he scoffed at his own naiveté. Of course it would be Levi. Aside from the commander and Christa, he was the best, most obvious choice. He was known as Humanity's Strongest, seen as a hero even before almost single-handedly winning several of the final battles with Titans. He was s super-soldier, perfect and unbeatable.

But all those facts had somehow been delegated to the back of Eren's mind, shadowed by his more persistent views of the small man. Since the first time they had met, Levi had been saving him—from the Titan during the reclamation of Wall Maria, from being an experiment of the Military Police, from his own reckless stupidity during missions. The captain may not be the most affectionate or expressive (hell, he was downright taciturn most of the time) but he had been the one source of stability when Eren had found his life turned upside down. Mikasa and Armen always sided with him unconditionally—Levi knew when to praise and when to reprimand. He was level-headed, always ready with a clear logical solution, keeping Eren in check when the teenager's emotions ran rampant. The initial fear and disgruntlement brought about by the severe beating he had been given had quickly turned into respect and admiration for the imperfect man who fought for what he believed in.

Eren had no fucking clue when love had entered the equation.

Now they were facing each other, Levi's dispassionate eyes looking straight at Eren's resigned ones.

"Ready to die, Jeager?"

The boy smiled, but there was no humour in it. "As I'll ever be, Sir."

He waited until the last minute, until he was sure that the slashing blades would not be able to stop in time. Then, determined to die without regrets, he opened his mouth and said the only words that were on his mind.

"I love you, Levi."

There was a flash of silver, and darkness claimed him.

A/N: The bunny for this fic came while I was listening to Jiyuu no Tsubasa. It was supposed to be a drabble containing only the part where they're facing each other and Eren confesses his feelings right before he dies. Then Levi refused to leave it at that, so I've written it... But it's not posted here.

Anyway, comments are appreciated. Also if you want to see Levi's part, just drop a comment *plotting smile*