Pairing: Still Eremika, loves.

Setting: Same.

Summary: Before the final battle for humanity's victory, Levi decides to become the most human he can for Eren.

The coldness of the small piece of metal stung on Eren's chest. It pulsated as if it had a life of its own, disrupting the rhythm of his own heart. The key that was given to him so many journeys ago was soon about to have its moment of glory. While Eren knew he should be excited as humanity's victory was merely a sunrise away, he couldn't forget all the losses he had on his way to get there. More bitter in his mind were the losses he knew he'd inevitably have when the final battle between the Titans started.

In the dead of night he stood by the hallway window, everyone past asleep, dreading how the same time tomorrow, there'd be less of the people he loved. Losing any of them seemed too much. But he knew losing Mikasa would be the hardest blow.

He heard light steps on the wooden floor. "Eren?"

Captain Levi's face emerged from the darkness, looking taut, pale, but still severe. He had a weary look in his eyes. "Why aren't you in your room?" he said in the usual bossiness Eren had gotten used to.

"Couldn't sleep," he answered simply.

"It's good, then we could talk," Levi, with a motion of his head, beckoned Eren to walk with him along the halls. "You are aware, soldier, of what is about to happen tomorrow?"

Eren nodded, and realized Levi's gaze was forward and not on him, so he said, "yes, Sir."

"And you do realize the grave impacts of this fight?"

"Yes," Eren hesitated, "yes, Sir."

Levi stopped abruptly and faced Eren, his pale face emanating an aura of darkness. "You realize this, but are you prepared?" The question stung like heavy metal in Eren's gut, and his head swam with an unfathomable flurry of anxiety, panic, and dread. Was he prepared? He knew he'd seen so much death already, too much for any man to handle. And those deaths – they hadn't been easy. He remembered the tormented screams, and looks of agony. And looking at them, simply remembering them, felt like their pain was being transferred to himself.

Was he prepared to see all that? Truth is, no matter how much death he saw, Eren thought he'd never be prepared. Every new death would ache. He thought he'd be hardened like Levi who barely shed a tear when Petra died. He winced. He looked at the Greatest Soldier of Humanity and wondered if there was a shred of humanity left.

"I see," Levi said, as if observing a little school boy's science experiment, "I see."

"Listen, Jaeger," he looked out the window beside them, to the scenery bathed in moonlight. "We soldiers have chosen this path. And this path only envisions the victory of humanity. And in order to save a greater mass, we have to sacrifice a few." Crickets chimed in the silence that followed.

"Easier said than, done, right?" he said, and if ever he was mournful, he only showed through the tone of his voice. "It's so hard watching someone you love die."

Eren's heart was constricting in his chest. He had never heard Levi say such words before. He dismissed any thought of him earlier. "Eren, your squadmates are going to be there. The people from the 104th are going to be there. Connice, Sasha, Jean."

"Armin's going to be there," Levi paused, and looked Eren sternly in the eyes, "and so is Mikasa."

"Anyone who's there is easy Titan feed. Anyone could die."

"Captain, I don't understand what you're tryi-"

"I don't understand what your relationship is with that girl," the Captain interrupted. "But when you're out there, keep in mind your main priority."

Reseal the walls. Kill the Titans. Open the door to their basement. Unlock the secret of the Titans. Eren knew. Eren knew so well. He could recite this in his sleep, he has burned this in his heart. In fact, the main reason they even have this plan is because of him. The main reason humanity was so close to winning was because he could turn into a Titan, and he had the keys to the secrets.

"All I'm asking is that you focus on that, no matter what," Levi stressed the last words enough for Eren to feel the full weight of them. A lump formed in his throat, and he couldn't swallow it away and it just hung there, heavy and painful.

He knew then, exactly what the Captain meant.

Seal the walls, even if your fellow soldiers die. Even if Ymir dies. Even if Erwin dies. Even if Sasha, Connie and Jean dies. Even if Armin dies.

Even if Mikasa dies.

But how could he? The pain suddenly became very physical, constricting his veins, straining his muscles. His limbs shook. His heart pounded.

"C-captain?"

"Hm?"

"People you loved have died," Eren hesistated at the grimness that washed over Levi's face.

"How have I handled it?"

Eren nodded sheepishly. "I don't," the Captain plainly answered, as if he was asked what his toothpaste he used or if he had a pet cat.

"When you love someone, you'd want to be with them every time. See them happy. See them comfortable and not suffering. Their pain burdens you more. And their loss seems like the end of you."

"Your own, spiritual death."

That's it. That's exactly how he felt about Mikasa.

"But remember we have chosen this path, Eren," Levi turned his back on Eren and began to walk away, "we have to make those sacrifices."

Love? Love Mikasa? Those two words had never seemed to make a good picture together before. Sure, Eren always knew he felt strongly for Mikasa. A sense of responsibility. Friendship. A bond never severable. Like he did for Armin.

He knew he cared for her. He guessed.. he guess he loved her.

But now, love had a different meaning altogether.

He could easily say he loves Armin, and his mother and father, and all his friends. But the way he saw Mikasa, it was all different now. Like if fate's grim hands took her away, he wouldn't be able to stand. His dream came flashing back like a landslide. Mikasa in mercy of a Titan. Mikasa gone. Forever. Her blood raining red like the scarf he had given her. The scarf he would never wrap around her.

He tried to imagine what it would be like if they won, and if they all had lived. What a great prize it would be, besides finally exploring the world beyond the walls, to stay with her. To have him in his arms sometimes the way his father had his mother. It was a different love, that he could understand. He imagined how nice it would be to see her smiling face in a whole new world, a world that's theirs and theirs to enjoy.

He hated it, this realization. He was in love with Mikasa.

The more he realized how hard it would be to let go. How hard it would be tomorrow, if he wasn't strong enough to defend her. How hard it would be if they had won, with her as price. He shook his head. As much as Levi tried to convince him, he couldn't think that way.

He couldn't prepare himself to accept Mikasa's death.

"She isn't dying," Eren whispered to himself, curled up in his bed, "I won't let that happen."

Thanks so much for reading! I hope yah liked. Comments are very much welcome. I'll try to upload the next chapter, ASAP.