A soft summer breeze blew from the half opened window, inside the neatly kept bedroom. The yellow curtains swayed in the wind softly. Yellow like the color of her shirt she mostly wore and liked the most. That's the reason why he had picked them out as Gabi and Falco were nagging hin to decorate his little apartment already.
Pushing himself up Levi sat up, moving his hand through his bed hair, he looked around his bedroom. Quiet... too quiet but peaceful.
His good eye landed on his wheelchair which stood right besides his bed.
Another day, a new day.
Grabbing his new set of clothes for the day from his bedside table he arranged every night there beforehand, he began changing his clothes on the bed. It took a while longer now with two missing fingers. Sometimes buttons just didn't wanted to work like he wanted. But he had all the time in the world now.
Pushing himself up and into his wheelchair Levi huffed and wheeled out of his bedroom. Looking at the clock in the kitchen he noticed he still had about one hour before his two little annoying brats would come to visit him.

~2 years and 8months before~

"Noo! Noo! DON'T COME NEAR ME!"

"Miss Hanji! Miss Hanji please calm down-"

"I DON'T KNOW WHO THIS PERSON IS! GO AWAY!"

More shattering of furniture was heard inside the bedroom in Kyomi's manor.
Dishes or glass shattering and more screams echoed through the whole hallway and could be heard by Kiyomi and Yelena even before they wear anywhere near the door.

"Still no changes?" Yelena asked.

Kiyomi silently shook her head.

"She is awake since a week now but she can't remember anything... her body is healing slowly but her mind... Paradise is in chaos.. the world.. she is too unstable to see any of her friends. Even if we would be able to reach them yet I decided to keep her hidden. This is why I ask you Yelena to please don't tell anyone. I know you will leave us soon... can you do this?"

Rubbing the back of her neck Yelena avoided eye contact and sighed.

"And here I was thinking saving her would be a good idea. To pay back for some of my sins. But hearing and seeing her like this I wonder if this was a good idea in saving her." Yelena grimaced bitterly.

"I won't lose hope. Even if she will never regain her memories her life is precious.. all our life's which we could save after the rumbling is precious."

Bidding Yelena farewell Kiyomi bowed down her head before making her way inside the room, some of her maids already awaiting her help. In the worst cases she was for some reason the only one able to calm down the injured brunette woman.

Stepping inside the room, Kiyomi walked up to the injured brunette woman. As soon as she spotted the elderly woman she stopped thrashing around in her bed and instead began hiccuping until she broke down into loud sobs.

"Shhh.. shhhh calm down. You must calm down or you reopen your wounds."

Carefully Kiyomi reached out and sat down on the edge of the bed before she pulled the injured young woman into a hug.

"I-I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry.. I'm sorry..." her apologizes echoed in the room.

"There is no need to apologize. You had luck to survive the rumbling... rest and get well and live. This is all I demand from you."

The brunette sniffled.
"But I am not 'me' anymore. Who am I!?"

Bitterly Kiyomi gave her a sad look.
"You are you who you are today. If you don't want to remember you don't have to yet. I think for now... why don't we start with giving you a new name and how to call you? The person you are right now, I mean."

Hanji's eyes widened in surprise.

"New name?" Thinking about it. This could be her chance of a new beginning. A new name and concentrating of her new beginning.
Erasing those endless nightmares and painful flames engulfing her every night. "I want to be called Mia..."

Over a year had passed and Mia continued spending her time Hizuru. It was hard so very hard. Each day they had to change the bandages she had to scream from the burning pain on her skin. As if they removed part of her skin as well.
But she forced herself through the pain.
Even if she was alone.
Even if she had no one by her side.
She bad to go through it.
Sometimes she wondered why.
Was truly Kiyomi's words about starting a new life enough?
Or was there something else?
Something deep within her telling her she cannot just leave yet this world.

After her wounds began to heal slowly she had to learn how to walk again.
And how to get used with one eye all over again.
She bumped into furniture, she fell, she hurt herself, but always she got back up on her two feet.
But the worst were her panic attacks and her nightmares every single night.

Flames and big giants she could vague see. The wind was blowing and she was flying?
The next thing was ringing for air and her skin being on fire and she was falling and falling until everything turned black.

Waking up screaming Mia sat up on her bad, panting and trenched in her own sweat.
Darting her eyes left to right it took her a good few minutes until she registered where she was. Her hands were shaking, lifting them up to inspect them.

"Ah... bandages... healing burns.. ahaha.."

She began laughing dryly, curling her arms around her torso and hugging herself while she sobbed.

'Shitty glasses'

This voice... who?
It started appearing frequently in her mind since a while now. But he always just called her by this rude name or 'Hanji' her old name.
All she knew the voice sounded like a male. She didn't knew his name or even how he looks like.
All she knows is this voice and how it made her stomach churn uncomfortably every time she heard it.

"Ahaha.. I'm sorry I don't know who you are.. could you be not any more specific if you are haunting me?"

About 2years and 11months had now passed since the rumbling happened.

After she felt good enough Mia moved out of Kiyomi's house.
Somehow she felt like she wanted to live in a small cottage, somewhere more out of town. Maybe having a little farm or something similar.
In the end Kiyomi helped her live with a nice Asian girl around her her age. She had a husband and a small daughter of 3years old. Asuna and her husband needed help help on her farm and in the house. They gave Mia a place to live in, her own room and she was never alone.

They became very quickly great friends. Hanji loved babysitting the little Sima too.

Asuna always said whenever they took a break from work and sat on the Veranda how Hanji was born to be a mother but Mia always just shook her head and laughed it off, embarrassed.

"No, really... I wonder if in your first live.. before you lost your memories if there was someone special for you there. Won't you want to remember if there is someone like this?"

The brunette blushed. For just a moment there was a silhouette flashing in her mind of a raven haired guy. It was only his back she saw and the moment he turned his head around his face was all blurred.
But his voice she heard very clearly.

'There's an abnormal right here...'

Gasping Asuna pointed at her friend.
"You do remember someone!"

"I-I that's not it! It's not much! You know about my nightmares, right? I mean I woke you up many nights in the past and I am sorry about this even now.." Taking a deep breath she lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her fingers. "I am not Hanji Zoe anymore. I am Mia just Mia. It's over 2years now. I managed to become healthy again, my hair grew back and it's now very long, look! I even braided some parts and pinned a them up into a half ponytail. Besides look at my skin. It's all burned and ugly... even if there is someone would he wait for me and want me like this?"

Reaching out suddenly there was a pair of hands placed onto hers.

"Mia... how much did you remember?"

Her lips trembled.
"I remember I was a soldier. I was fighting for something or someone... maybe both.. what people said there is a plane these Eldian soldiers needed... I think I protected the plane... I didn't go onto it and fought these big rumbling titans.. I remember how I sliced them and how my skin burned away from my flesh and how I fell... I remember how scared I was and how much regrets I had because of not seeing someone again.. at least this is what I feel."

"Mia... no... Hanji don't you think you should try to remember more?" Asuna looked at her with a pained expression.

She wanted the best for her friend even if they didn't know each other very long they were friends.

"I don't know... I am scared to remember... but all those blurred faces... and especially this one man... it always makes me think I should remember..."

This was Hanji's honest reply and the only reply she could give her friend at the very moment.

It wasn't many days ago after their talk. Hanji was working on the field and carrying a basket full of vegetables. Hearing the sound of something flying in the air, Hanji or Mia was looking up into the sky. The moment her brown hazel eye met the plane, the big flying metal piece high in the sky.
At that moment something happened.
Her eye widened as memories flashed like a movie over her view. All was so very fast. Soldiers, no her friends... Erwin, Mike, Nanaba, her dear assistant Moblit all of them fighting titans... for humanity sake.. and of course the strongest of all, fast and always at the front like a black thunder raining down on all the titans and slicing them apart... Levi Ackerman. The scenery changed to younger soldiers.. Levi squad all played out like a fast forward movie. Her head felt like splitting open any moment. It only slowed down again as she saw bits of memories of being in a forest.

"Just the two of us..." her voice trembled murmuring the words she remembered. Forcing down a sob she let go of the basket and fell down to her knees. Tears were now threatening pouring down her cheeks any second.
Her hand moved to her chest, clenching her shirt right above her heart.
She remembered. His last touch. As she decided to sacrifice herself for him and humanity. Dedicate your heart... but his eyes spoke so much more what his words didn't convey and she understood.
"Levi you idiot... you fool.. your words are hard to understand... were you so sure I am able to do it because I am your translator...?"

"Mia? MIA! Are you okay!?"

Startled Hanji hastly got up from the ground and wiped her eyes with her sleeve, almost knocking her glasses of her face as she pushed them up in the process. Turning around she already saw Asuna approaching her worried. Forcing a smile on her face she laughed at her.

"I'm sorry! I-I have to go Asuna. I can't stay any longer here. I am not Mia. I am Hanji Zoe. 14th Commander of the Survey Corps. I must go my comrades Asuna.. I must.. I must..." her voice cracked remembering more and more of a short raven haired male.

His voice echoing in her mind. Calling her name over and over again in various scenarios. During a meeting, during battle, in town, angry, exhausted or in a soft tone she would only ever hear in bed with him.

'Hanji, Hanji, Hanji, shitty glasses.. Hanji!'

"I must go and find Levi!"

Bowing down quickly, Asuna watched her friend before a sigh escaped her lips and she gave her a short understanding smile.

"Go and find your man Hanji Zoe. Take back your missing life. And you better appear not here again in front of my face until you have him, understand?"

A real smile spread over Hanji's lips, chuckling she nodded before she raced off.
The best way to find Levi was to into the city and get into Kiyomi's manor. If someone could help her and know where everyone was it was Kiyomi.
She just hoped they were all still alive... if Levi was still alive...

"KIYOMI!? I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!"

The door burst open with a load crash.
Kiyomi was drinking a cup of tea, the important part was 'was'. Her cup and all the contents slipped out of surprise from her hands and landed on the ground next to her, the expensive china tea cup now shattered in many pieces on the ground.

"Han- no Mia? How did you get past the-"

Behind Hanji a bunch of servants came after her, Kiyomi assumed they were trying to stop Mia but had all failed.
Reaching the table Hanji slammed her hands on it, almost jumping into the elders woman face. Her eyes begging at her hopefully and with worry and fear filled as well because of all the uncertainties she still had or could hear right now.

"Don't call me Mia anymore. I remembered. Not everything but enough. I-I took the whole two day trip to come here! I am Hanji Zoe and I want to find Levi! Please Kiyomi tell me where everyone is! Tell me if they are okay! Help me find Levi. Please I beg you!"

As soon as the asian woman understood her surprised expression changed into a kind look. Somehow she had always hoped this would happen. And finally it was time to help her unite her, the last missing bird with her family.

"I will tell you everything I know. Take a seat."

And so Hanji learned about everything Kiyomi knew what happened after the rumbling. Every whereabouts about Armin, Jean, Connie, Mikasa she knew about... everyone but Levi... because Levi retired and started living a peaceful live. This is all she knew. Apparently he suffered irreparable injuries and didn't wanted to continue being a solider anymore or ambassador. The last thing she knew was how he stayed in Marley behind.

"And does no one of his old squad know where he is!?" Hanji's voice was shaking.

She was happy to hear everyone was alive and working for peace but the person she wanted to see the most is still gone?
This had to be a joke. A sick unfair joke.
And injuries which aren't repairable? How badly was his condition? Worry became more and more prominent inside her.

"I'm sorry Hanji-san. They don't know either. But I will try to find him. I promise. I have contacts all over the world. Maybe I can find someone in Marley..."

"Marley... what about Pieck!? No.. I don't think she and Levi would get along... Onyakopon! You know where he is!? He knows Marley the best and perhaps knows where Levi went off to."

Hanji's mind was moving in lighting speed, trying to figure out how she could figure out the fastest way where Levi is.

Kyomi had to reach over the table and give Hanji's shoulder a strong squeeze to get her attention back.

"I will do everything in my power to find him. Onyakopon might know something yes. He was injured after the rumbling as well. They might have been in the same hospital... i didn't saw him anymore again either."

It took four whole agonizing months to find him.
Loud footsteps racing down the long hallway could be heard.
As fast as his legs could carry him Onyakopon ran up to the big double doors which would lead to the big salon and to the person he wanted to thank since their hope they gave everyone with her noble sacrifice.

"HANJI-SAN!"

The double door burst open with a loud clash and Kiyomi felt a irritating deja vu feeling replaying inside her mind.

"ONYAKOPON YOU'RE HERE!"
Hanji was yelling just as loud as him. Slamming her hands on the table as she practically jumped up on her seat to leap into the arms of the black person she called her friend, not caring how her tea cup fell over and her tea was now staining the white table cloths. Sighing Kiyomi let her irritation slide, feeling her anger disappear upon watching the two embrace and cry into each other arms. It took her almost half a year to track and contact him because he was on a trip and many times somewhere else around the world and not always long in Marley staying.

"I'm sorry! I'M SORRY! Had I known you were alive and trying to find me only! But after what you did Hanji-san I wanted to spread your heroic sacrifice to let the world know only with your help the plane was able to fly and the rumbling could get stopped. You look so good I'm so glad! I still can't believe you are alive!" Sobbing into his arm sleeve Onyakopon tried to desperately wipe his eyes clean from tears but just new ones came out.

Sniffling still and trying to gain her posture Hanji chuckled between tears and patted her friends shoulder.

"It's ok Onyakopon. I was not even knowing who I was for over 3years and left you all. It's not your fault but I'm back and I'm so glad to see you doing well. Better than me with the state of my scared and burned body at least hahaha!"

At this he frowned. "What are you saying. Those burn marks are just a sign of your bravery. I don't think everyone of your friends or Levi-san would think any diffe-"

"YOU KNOW WHERE LEVI IS!? TELL ME! BRING ME TO HIM! HOW IS HE!? WHAT INJURIES HAS HE!? WHAT HAPPENED AFTER I WAS GONE!?"

Onyakopon wasn't even able to finish his sentence as Hanji grabbed him already by his shoulders and stared into his eyes up close just like last time she tried to detect if he was lying to her. Crazy and desperate almost. Bombarding him with questions.

Giving her arms a reassuring squeeze she let go of him, releasing she went too far.

"Calm down Hanji-san. He is alive. I can bring you to him. I visit him from time to time. Whenever you are ready we can go. I would love to reunite you two together."

"Onyakopon..." Sniffling, Hanji hugged her friend again and started wailing into the crock of his neck.
Onyakopon was quite startled at first but smiled fondly and fondly began patting her back. He could only imagine how much she- no they were missing each other over the past 3years. "Please bring me to Levi now. I want to leave right now."

"Of course. If this is your wish we will leave right now. But it will take us a few days to reach Marley with the boat."

Kiyomi interrupted them at this.
"No worries. I have readied a private plane. You can fly Hanji to Marley right now, the airport in Marley is contacted already to receive a plane from us."

Hanji gasped, peeling herself away from Onyakopon just to hug Kiyomi in a tight embrace before she rushed out of the salon, saying something about packing her few things she has so they could leave.

The two watched Hanji off and smiled.

"Miss Kiyomi could I make a quick phone call to Marley?"

The door to his home got unlocked and Levi sat up alarmed on his bed. They were quiet but not quiet enough to not wake up an ex soldier with insomnia for almost his whole life.
It was so damn early. Sleepy eyes scanned the clock on his bedside table. 5AM...
No one was supposed to visit him until the next 3hours at least.
Scanning his room briefly he opened his bedside drawer and pulled out his knife. One of the only few belongings he still had from his past... the knife was a part of him in the underground... saved him numerous times he hoped it would save him now once again. Concealing it under his pillow, he laid back down and pretending to be asleep, his hand under the pillow, holding the knife at the ready to strike at any Bulgar. He might be a disabled person but this won't stop him from getting rid of a few weakling burglars.
Clattering sounds in the kitchen, some hushed voices, whoever these people were they did a hack shit job stealing someone's household.

"Gabi! Be careful! Don't spill the black tea."

"I got it! Go and clean the house. I am having all under control."

His bedroom door opened a moment later and Levi could hear the footsteps coming closer until something got placed on his bedside table. The tea aroma was hitting his nose drills, it had to be the black tea the two brats were quarreling about.
Feeling someone reach out to him, the raven decided he had enough pretending to be asleep and that these brats needed a lesson to not sneak without permission into his bedroom.

"Levi-san it's time to wake up and- Aahh!"

Before Gabi could shake his shoulder wake him up Levi snapped his eyes open and grabbed her arm. With a sudden force of strength unleashed, Levi pulled Gabi onto the bed and flipped their positions around until he was on top of her.

"Brat. What are you and Falco trying to pull? Didn't no one teach you to sneak into someone's else bedroom in the middle of the night!?" Levi asked in a scolding tone, his knife lying next to him on the bed.

Gabi's eyes widened still in shock even if she wasn't really scared of Levi.

"Gabi!?"

Just than Falco came back as well, freezing in place with wide eyes upon seeing Levi pinning Gabi down onto the bed.

"An explanation now you two. What are you two doing here!?"

Letting Gabi go she crawled away from Levi and pouted.

"We have a uhh Surprise for you!" Gabi was first to come up with a lie and grinned at Levi.

Raising his eyebrows he looked questionable at her as he pushed himself up to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Hoh? And why come in such an early hour and barging into my place?"

"For this we have to get you ready early! We know you need longer to shower and get dressed. That's why we came early." Falco explained.

"I need to look present able for this surprise you brats are trying to say?"

Gabi chuckled clearly knowing more and keeping it a secret.

"That's right. But we won't tell you or it won't be a surprise. Drink your tea Levi-san and we will get ready your bath and you need to shave and get dressed. We will clean up your place while you get ready. Yell if you need any help!"

Pushing Falco out Gabi left the bedroom in a hurry and closed the door behind her, leaving a confused Levi behind.
Touching his chin Levi felt the growing beard stubble's and clicked his tongue.

"Tch. I really need to shave at least."

Gabi and Falco readied him a bath and placed out a fresh pair of nice fine clothes for Levi to wear after he was done.
Gabi even helped Levi dry his hair.
Levi was grumbling but his protests hit deaf ears as Gabi snatched the hair dryer away from him and told him to let her help him.

After Levi entered the living room he was taken aback by how much of a good job they did he had to admit. His place even if it was not very big was sparkling clean.
In the kitchen he spotted a nicely filled dinning table.
With freshly made breakfast, a green vase with newly bought purple roses inside placed right in the middle.

Seeing Levi look at the roses Gabi smiled.

"Pretty, right? You said you liked purple because they remind you of her. I saw them at the flower shop across the street near the bakery and couldn't help it, buying a bouquet."

Levi nodded. "Thanks."

Eyeing the flowers again he couldn't help but think once again of a certain smiling brightly brunette. Three years had passed and still he couldn't ever forget about her. And he never would.

The plane landed skillfully without any problems. Hanji was very excited. The last time she had to stay behind and now Onyakopon flew a plane for her and got her safely to Marley.
A part of him felt like he fulfilled a long time promise and could let go of a regret which had burdened his heart for over 3years long.
If only he could have get the plane faster ready or fly better maybe Hanji could have stayed with them back then and not buy them time of the costs of her happiness, her life.

"Here we are Hanji-san. This is Marley." Taking her hand Onaykopon helped her step the last few steps down the latter and out of the plane.

"Thank you. And now? Lead the way my friend!"

Seeing her all giddy made Onyakopon laugh. He understood why Levi loved her so much. She was a bundle of sunshine and raised your mood instantly. You just had to like Hanji Zoe.

"I will call us a taxi to bring us to the city where Levi is living."

The drive took about 30minutes until they continued walking again. She was carrying her big brown suitcase, walking after Onyakopon and gasped. The town was so big and so many people. They decided to walk the last few meters to Levi's apartment.
The longer they walked the quieter and slower her steps got.
Turning around confused, Onyakopon stopped in his tracks.

"Hanji-san? What's wrong?"

Hanji didn't reply and continued walking in silence until she literally walked into him.
Releasing she had spaced out this much she quickly apologized and bowed. A Hizuru behavior she picked up over the years.

"Ah- Sorry, sorry.. I didn't notice you stopped. You said something ahaha?"

"Why did you turn quiet all of the sudden, Hanji-san?" He asked and grabbed her by the shoulders to make her look at him.

She kept her head low, knowing she couldn't lie to him.
"I wonder... what will Levi think of me..? I am a different person now. And full of marks..."

Pulling up his sleeves she revealed more burning marks which spread high likely all over her body. Her cheek had marks, her neck and collarbone... Onyakopon could only imagine how she looked like below her clothes.

"I know Levi-san for three years now. And he would still have feelings for you even if you had lost all arms and all legs or were completely blind or worse. He never stopped thinking about you for all these years. Whenever a plane passed the sky he would look up and think of you and the fated day he had to let you go. I can see the regret in his eyes every time I visited him and he talked about you. If there was any way he would have forced you to stay." He smiled at her fondly and even more as she looked up at him with wide surprised eyes and her flushed red cheeks.

"Huh!? He-he does!?"

"You think I am lying Hanji-san?" Raising an eyebrow Onyakopon smirked and patted Hanji's head before moving around her and push her to continue walking. "Let's go already. Gabi and Falco are already eager to meet you too. They should be at his home and get him ready to meet you properly.

"Gabi Falco? Get him ready? Wait Onyakopon wait! What do you mean by this!?"

"They took care of Levi in your absence. They love him like a second father figure. He is injured as you know... so they were here to help him and live alone. It's good you are here to support him instead. Because at some point Gabi and Falco will have their own life to live... we all worried what would happen to him in a few years but now all will be good since you are here."

Listening to his explanation it didn't really ease her worry. How injured was Levi?
She was happy to hear he had made some new friends even without her help but until she could meet him she probably would not get answers to all of her questions.

Gabi and Falco were nervously looking at the clock every few minutes. Levi eyed them suspiciously but as much as he asked them they didn't tell him anything.
They had finished breakfast and were just now just drinking another cup of tea in the living room and relaxed. The radio was playing some music in a low volume in the background, creating a nice peaceful atmosphere.

Suddenly the doorbell was ringing and the two brats were almost in synchronize jumping up the sofa, looking even more nervous than before.

"I will get the door! You stay here will Levi-san Gabi." Falco stammered and rushed out of the living room to the door.

"I will get us a refill of the tea. You liked it? I got this new tea leaves thinking you would like them. You teached me how good quality tea leaves should look like so I saw them and felt they would be to your high standards." Gabi quickly grabbed the empty tea cups to refill them.

In truth she just wanted an excuse to step out of the living room and take a peak into the small hallway and to the front door.
Her mouth gaped open, excitedly seeing a brown haired woman with long hair and glasses with an unmistakable able black eye on her face. She was here! Oh god she was here!
Onyakopon stood next to her and Falco looked behind himself to see Gabi, placing a finger over his lips to signal her to keep quiet.

"Oi, brats who is at the door? You two take forever."

Hanji's good eye which was not hidden behind her eye patch went wide, her mouth opening but no voice escaped her.
This was Levi. Unmistakably this was Levi's grumpy voice.

"Levi..." she whispered, quickly placing her hand over her mouth to keep quiet.

"Please wait a moment.. we want to surprise Levi-san." Falco whispered to her and she nodded.

The boy had grown so much up and looking to the woman in the hallway this must be Gabi.

"It was just the mail delivery man Levi-san!" Falco yelled loudly enough for Levi to hear.

Gabi rushed back into the living room in the meanwhile.

"I thought you wanted to get more tea, Gabi-"

"Change of plans Levi-san. We have a little surprise for you."

Pushing Levi to face the living room entrance Gabi stood behind Levi's wheelchair and placed both hands over his eyes.

"Brat, you are aware I am blind on one eye..."

"Stop being so nit picky. Just be quiet and wait for Falco to bring in your surprise." Gabi ordered. „I am not trusting you to keep your eyes closed that's why I am covering them up in the first place.

Getting ordered around by a 15years old brat. How low has Levi sunk. Clicking his tongue he crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

Footsteps and the door getting closed Levi heard. At least two people had entered the building, probably more.

Hanji quietly looked around the little place. It was neat and clean. Passing the hallway to the right was a small kitchen with a kitchen table. But Falco guided her to the left and into the living room. Yellow curtains blew softly in the wind. A brown sofa and next to it a small coffee table with a purple roses bouquet standing on it.
A bookshelf on the left side along a table with a small radio on it. Above the sofa was a green cape pinned in a frame... the Survey Corps Emblem proudly on the wall.
Hanji would have loved to study the room more but all of this didn't matter right now anymore.
All that mattered was the man sitting in a wheelchair right in front of her with his eyes covered by a smiling Gabi.

He looked older but barely more. She too was looking older now.
She could see the scars on his face, the scars she stitched together so carefully in the forest three years ago.

Her legs became weak and she almost forgot how to breath.
What should she do now?
Walk up to him?
Wait and stay here?

"Levi-san, can I trust you to remove my hands and you keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them?" Gabi asked in a stern voice.

"Fine." Levi huffed.

Removing his hands Gabi stepped away from Levi and Gabi Hanji a little push before she grinned at her and walked next to Falco and Onyakopon which stood at the sidelines to give them some privacy.

"Open your eyes now."

The moment Gabi said this and Levi opened his eyes he felt like the world was standing still.
Was this a dream?
Was this some kind of joke or magic trick?

"Levi..."

Even her voice was the splitting image of her.
The voice which he heard for the last three years in every dream of his. These dreams that kept him sane in this cruel world.
He was blinking his eyes once and twice but she never disappeared from his sighed. How?

"Levi... I am finally... here..."

Dragging her legs forward Hanji walked up to him until she was right in front of him. Falling onto her knees she leaned forward, but instead of hugging him she reached with her fist out and placed it gently onto his chest, in a saluting pose.

Levi's breath hitched. His eyes going wide and tears dwelling in his eyes. Hanji had tears in her eyes as well. His lips were trembling. This was real, a real fist was pressing strongly against his chest, against his fast beating heart.

"I'm sorry it took so long... but this is my reply which was since long overdue... dedicate your heart..., right?"

"...Hanji..."
His voice was breaking. Never had she seen Levi this vulnerable before.
"You're here..., right Hanji?"

Placing both her hands on his cheeks, she wiped away the tears which were about to run down his face before they could sullen his beautiful face.

"I'm here..."

While Hanji made sure Levi's tears were wiped away, she completely ignored herself and let her tears run down her face without care.

"Hanji..."
Mumbling her name he leaned with his head into her touch, closing his eyes momentarily.
"Hanji.. Hanji..."

Her name fell out over his lips over and over again. He feared if he stopped repeating it she would disappear again from his very own eyes into thin air.

Reaching out he placed his own hands on her wet cheeks to remove the damage caused by those ugly tears and clean her up with his own thumbs, but they just kept coming more and more.

"You're such an ugly mess. Just like 3years ago."

A ugly sobbing sound erupted from her. Not to identify if this was even human like.

"You aren't gonna win any most sexy contest either anymore."

Cracking a joke between her sobs, Levi rolled his eyes but even so a small smile played over his lips.

"I don't need to be popular anymore. Two brats, a black guy and you are more than enough to deal with."

Pulling her closer Hanji rested her head on his chest while he had his chin rested on top of her head. Hearing his heart beat as she continued to cry until there were no more tears able to come out and she calmed down.

The three watched the scene from afar. Gabi had to wipe away some of her own tears. All were just happy for them.

Levi in the meanwhile tried to ignore them, shooting them a short grumpy look to tell them to leave which they understood, quickly leaving the room.