" We are done. "

Levi saw nothing but her face. Not the impending doom in the coming minutes nor the better future he hoped would happen by doing this. She wasn't expressive, but in all the months he had known her, he definitely knew a million emotions were weaving in and out inside her. Her hand, that trailed and ran across his body countless of times, folded into a fist; no doubt that would leave a scattering of half-moons on her palm. That's a good sign. Good. Good. Good. He has to repeat it to himself that Mikasa believes what was coming out of his mouth in order for it to hurt less in the longhand. Hearing what he was saying left a bitter taste on his tongue and a Mikasa-shaped lump on his chest.

It was time Mikasa learned how brilliant he was at lying.

Rationally, this was the best thing to do. But being with Mikasa often made him question the existence of rationaity and accuracy and precision. When he was with her, he wasn't the Breath of Death, a cold-blooded killer, but he was Levi, a person capable of feeling. Mikasa's presence welcomed a string of unknown emotions in his system. It was, at first, a raging tsunami, entering suddenly and loudly without warning. The longer he was exposed, the faster it took for it to calm down like a serene wave, like it belonged there all this time.

Maybe it did. He wondered then, with her head on his shoulder, the sun draping shadows on her sleeping face, how he managed to get by before without it.
He wondered now, with her chest heaving, her body stanced like it would pounce on any second, how he will manage without it.

" Is there another woman?" Her voice was low.

He shook his head. He crossed his arms to hide his shaking hands. He can't falter now.

" Don't I deserve an explanation at least?"

" I have no interest in being with you anymore. Simple. " Lies. It was never simple with Mikasa. Strangely, he found the challenges that decorated their relationship something that he would never tire of.

If there was a parallel universe where his job was respectable, and Mikasa would agree to be his for the span of their life time, he'd drop everything and go. Unfortunately, he was born in this one.

Levi knew that Mikasa wanted nothing more now than to shake him until her fingers ached and his shoulders bruised. He'd take what he can get before she leaves, taking everything that was alive in his shell of a body with her. He had no choice but to do this, even if it was deceitful and painful for the both of them.

Mikasa was the last person Levi knew that would need protection. She is strong in her own right. But what they have isn't. Admittedly, it was beautiful, more than any flower he'd picked and slid on her ear, but it wouldn't last long. He could die at any time. His enemies could come back and for once, he wouldn't be able to live up to his moniker. He couldn't give Mikasa that. She doesn't deserve to be tainted by a life of death breathing down on her neck.

Levi was ending this now, so Mikasa can move on from him sooner and find a better life for herself, even if it was in another man's arms. Not when it's too late and she's lying down on their bed, filled with sadness and regret for a life not well-lived.

He believed that if Mikasa was content and happy at her life, then that would count for his too.

Levi heard the door slam and saw her red scarf fly out behind her in his peripheral vision for a second.

Though what they had was fragile and done, he'd hold on and remember every frame of his days with Mikasa, until his heart plays it final beat.

A/N: Forever grateful to MikasaAckerman104. Hope you enjoy! ｡◕ ‿ ◕｡