Levi grit his teeth as he drew his blades. His horse's trot pounded louder and louder in his head as he readied to jump off. Not another death. Not on his watch!
With one leap, he was separated from his horse.
"Hang on, Arlert!" Levi called out, gliding toward the nape of the titan's neck.
Armin's wide, blue eyes glistened with tears as he was lifted closer to the titan's open mouth. He nodded, biting his lower lip impatiently.
Corporal Levi landed on the massive left shoulder, snarling as he prepared to strike. He strode to the titan's weak spot and cut as deeply as he could. Steam and blood sputtered out into his face, nearly burning him.
The giant fell forward, its grip on Armin loosening quickly. Levi swooped down to have Armin grasping onto his side just in time.
The two landed on a nearby tree branch before the titan hit the ground with an echoing thud. The earth shook for a while.
"Thank you, sir," Armin panted, avoiding eye contact with his superior. That man had saved his life too many times to count, even after Armin promised all the scouts, and himself, that he would never be a burden. He refused to be a burden.
"Don't thank me, Arlert," Levi responded quickly, his green cape flowing gracefully in the gentle breeze. "I'm not going to lose any more soldiers."
Armin sunk to his knees, blinking away familiar tears. "I must thank you, sir! You risked your own life for me. You risked your life for a burde-"
Levi made sure no one was looking then pressed his lips to Armin's. His tongue traced along the line of Armin's lower lip before he pulled away and looked at him.
"Cut that shit out, Armin," Levi whispered. "You're not a fucking burden! I love you. Like I said, I'm not losing any more soldiers... Especially you. If I lost you, I'd be..."
Armin smiled a bit. "I love you, too, Levi."
