"Heichou," Eren greeted as he moved closer to his squad leader. "It's a nice day out, isn't it?"
Levi kept silent, staring out at the view from the rooftop. Eren slung an arm carelessly on the ledge, taking in the fresh air.
"You know, Heichou, what will we do once all of this ends?" Eren asked, bitterness in his voice and guilt in his heart.
"Live, and continue to fight for ourselves," Levi replied softly, looking down at the young soldier who was staring up at him from the balcony.
"How nice it must be, to live without fear of the titans. To be able to explore the world outside. I wonder what I would do after all of this is over," the green-eyed boy said, with a tiny, sad-looking smile on his face. "Do you think we can do this, Heichou?"
Levi clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Of course we can, brat. Don't ever doubt my ability, and don't ever doubt your own. We've fought for so long. I won't let everyone's deaths go to waste."
Eren laughed as he turned around, his back facing Levi, the wings of freedom seemingly shining on Eren's back in the evening sun. The two were silent, and Levi almost wanted to hug the younger soldier. He knew how difficult it was. He had experienced it all, and now this boy standing in front of him was going through a whirlwind of guilt and regret and self hatred, and it killed Levi to know that because he had gone through the very same emotions Eren was going through at that moment.
"Go wash up and get ready for dinner, Brat," the corporal said, jumping off the roof and onto the balcony floor, landing safely behind Eren. "We've got a long day tomorrow. Pack for the mission to regain control over wall Maria."
"Heichou..." Eren whispered. "Do you believe in me, do you believe me at all?" His hands held on to the ledge tightly, eyes closed as a gentle breeze blew by, the wind speaking a different language. He could hear his dead comrades calling out to him, screaming for help, dragging him down to the fiery pits of the afterlife.
"Damn brat," Levi hissed. "It doesn't matter. Just believe in yourself and you'll be fine. The squad won't go down again." He paused, hesitating. "But for the record," he whispered, this time more gently, but still with conviction - "I do believe in you."
Eren turned around to see his squad leader walk away, head held high as he left the room, the wings of freedom seemingly fluttering behind him.
And that was all Eren needed.
Tell me what you think? My first oneshot published for this fandom.