Hi everybody!

I decided to add today the new chapter in honor of the last manga one that came out today. I'm kinda devasted, I don't really know what to say because AOT means a lot to me. It's the manga I've fallen in love from chapter one and I still can't believe it's over, I should really thank Isayama.

I wanted to say something but I'm currently out of words, which is weird but... I don't really know.

I love this opera from the deepest of my heart and I'm so grateful for all of you who are reading my version. Here there's love for all of you.

SHINZO WO SASAGEYO my soliders. I love you.

Thank you.

When I grow up I want to be doubtful.

During Elizabeth and Levi's absence, Hange continued her experiments on Eren and his hardening ability led to the creation of a new weapon against the titans. A detailed report the team leader took care to leave to her friend was enough for her to quickly understand what it was all about before returning to the field. Hange needed her help to fine-tune every detail and she couldn't wait to get back to work.

Two months later, but three months after Historia's coronation as queen, the system was complete and ready to be tested, now also taking advantage of large trunks dropped straight on their nape once the creature got close enough to the walls. It was a fairly invasive and demanding method but, in part, more effective than some guns.

However, just that morning, Eren felt ill and began to bleed, dampening Hange's enthusiasm for the successful kill of a 12-meter. What struck Elizabeth most was seeing Eren increasingly determined to go to Shiganshina.

However, before heading to Eren's hometown, the latter gave them an important lead: it seemed that Rod Reiss had made sure that, among the young man's memories, there was also the presence of a person later identified as Shadis. It was evident that he knew Eren's father and they did go to talk to him in the hope of obtaining some useful information. Elizabeth could no longer get the story of the man out of her head, a question in her head repeated itself over and over, wondering how it was possible that Shadis had met Grisha outside Wall Maria. And because he, again according to the instructor, knew nothing of what their reality was. Was it possible that there was something outside the walls that they were not aware of?

She had too many questions on her mind and the only possible solution was to talk to Hange and Levi about it. As soon as they got back to the barracks Elizabeth decided she didn't want to wait any longer. "Guys, leave us alone."

"Did we do something wrong?" Connie asked, awed by the tone used so abruptly. She smiled encouragingly, shaking her head.

"No, don't worry. You have nothing to do with it."

Eren looked at her intently, fixing his gaze on her looking for any clue that could help him understand the reason for so much mystery. She was always nice to them, but they had to remember that she was still their superior and, as such, there were times when she couldn't speak in their presence.

Mikasa stayed beside him, turning to obey the order but stopping when she saw that Eren did not move. And everyone did the same.

If at first they took a few steps to leave the three alone, they stopped shortly afterwards, worried.

Elizabeth blanched suddenly, bringing her hands up to her belly and squeezing hard. She took a few steps back, losing her balance, and her vision began to blur. She had no idea what was going on but she seemed to be estranged from everything, she couldn't even hear Hange's screams or Levi's hands holding her up.

The last thing she saw was Eren's green eyes in front of her, wide with fear. And then the darkness.

When Elizabeth recovered she was lying on the bed in the infirmary, with Levi beside her watching her in silence. She remembered that look well, it was the same look he had after retrieving her from the underground, when she was about to bleed to death from the wound in her abdomen. Her scar was still there to remind her of that terrible experience and all the conflicting emotions she had felt. That scar had marked a big change in her life.

Her gray irises seemed to light up the moment she opened her eyes but she maintained all her usual composure.

"How do you feel?" he asked helping her to sit up. Her head was spinning a little but she felt so much better, she seemed to be past it all.

"Better."

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" he asked. There was no accusation in his tone of voice but it was evident how much she had worried him.

"Because I wasn't sick. I don't know what happened. Maybe I'm just stressed out."

Levi was not entirely convinced of that. They hadn't stopped for a moment since their return, she helped Hange and the team that took care of the new weapons. Each day was a challenge not only against time but also against ignorance of their surroundings and Eren's power. If they weren't in the field working with the young man, she was in the office with Erwin working on military tactics for recapturing the Wall Maria. And finally she had put her heart and soul, together with Levi, in supporting Historia's project to open an orphanage for children left without parents.

"Hange did some checking on you but I don't know anything yet. I alert Erwin and tell him that you cannot participate in the mission."

"No. You won't leave me here." she replied crossing her arms across her chest.

"Liz."

"No." she exclaimed stopping him before he could continue talking. "No 'Liz'. I'm fine, you can't leave me here while you go throw yourself into one of Erwin's usual suicide plans without me being able to do something about it. Should I wait here for your return?"

Levi seemed to think over it, staring at her. "No. But if you feel bad then please don't fight."

Elizabeth suddenly calmed down. She wasn't used to arguing with Levi, and it usually ended right away, but what started out as an argument died out the moment she realized it was only on her side. He was worried about her and she felt stupid for thinking such a thing. She reached out for her hand, pulling him so that he would join her on her bed and stand beside him.

"If you are next to me I am always fine."

Yet Levi was not convinced. He continued to keep her under control out of the corner of his eye, both during the meeting with Zackly and Pixis on the fate to be reserved for the vial left by Kenny, then entrusted to Levi, and to the one with Erwin and the various Survey Corps' superiors. The story told by Shadis about Grisha evidently coming from outside the walls had to remain a secret between them.

Elizabeth remained absent and thoughtful the whole time, sitting apart from the others in a circle, next to Levi, but never answering and without actually hearing a single word. It was a speech she had already heard anyway. But what worried the Captain most about her was seeing her in that state. The sickness must have upset her more than it probably should, or maybe she was just upset about the upcoming mission, but he didn't like it. She had to stay lucid or she would be in even more danger.

And if Elizabeth wasn't enough to worry Levi, Erwin also added himself, deciding to fight despite missing an arm, throwing himself towards certain death. Suggesting him to stay behind or threatening to break his legs was completely useless because the Commander had now decided to take part in the mission and command it not only as a public face of the Survey Corps but also to see with his own eyes what was hiding in that locked room.

When Levi left the room, even more worried than before, he found Elizabeth on the threshold of the door, not going in but watching the rest of their new team intently. They had been served meat for dinner, which had forced the others to tie Sasha to a column to keep her from eating everything, while Jean and Eren argued as usual. Nothing different, but it was the simplicity of that scene that struck his wife and he was sure of it. He silently joined her, waiting for her to talk about it.

"How did it go?" she asked still staring at the room.

Levi snorted, then crossing his arms over his chest. "He doesn't want to listen anything."

"Obviously." she replied, lowering her head. She wasn't particularly hungry that night, she still felt her stomach upset and didn't understand why. The fact, not even Hange had yet managed to understand it and that worried her more.

"They started fighting." Elizabeth murmured as she then saw Eren and Jean who had started fighting in the center of the room, surrounded by others who encouraged them or asked them to stop. Mikasa stood on the sidelines watching them. For once they deserved it.

"Should I stop them?" Levi asked her, observing her carefully.

"I think it's better. We need them all whole tomorrow."

Levi rolled his eyes, then looked up at the sky and snorted slightly, but that was just his way of worrying and it was enough to earn a sweet smile from Elizabeth.

Sweet, but still too dull.

"Hey." Levi stepped between the two young men, first kicking Eren and then punching Jean, forcing them to stop. "You're all too damn rowdy. Go to sleep. And clean that up."

He didn't even wait for them to carry out the order and went out once more, heading directly to his Vice who looked strangely pale.

"Liz. Are you okay?" he asked, now understanding that she would not have talked about it if she had not been asked a direct question. When she convinced herself she was okay she kept pretending until she was forced to the contrary, stubborn till the end.

"Yes, it's nothing. I'm just tired and hungry, but I have work to finish. I take my food to the office, don't get too tired." Elizabeth answered quickly, taking advantage of the fact that they had just moved away from the door and were therefore hidden by the wall. She reached out just a little, leaning on his shoulder for stability, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek and smiled at him before heading to her office. She but she did it without taking food with her and this detail did not escape Levi's attention.

Elizabeth ran to her office, taking advantage of the adjoining room with her own bathroom. Her stomach had twisted until it hurt and she felt she could no longer hold Levi's worried gaze. It was evident that she feared the mission, it had happened with Erwin's too, but this time it was different because they could have died before each other's eyes.

It was almost ironic because they had this fear at every single mission, every time they had to draw the sword, but in this case she felt extremely doubtful about everything. Even Erwin's plan was even more risky than the others.

She heard a soldier calling her from afar but she deliberately ignored him, quickening her pace and closing the door behind her. A cramp stronger than the others, an excruciating pain that radiated heat up to her chest, and her legs almost moved on their own until they reached the bathroom.

She didn't have much in her stomach but she poured out everything she had. When she finished throwing up she leaned back against the wall and took deep breaths. Her throat burned with acid and she lacked air in her lungs but she wasn't going to worry Levi even more. It wasn't fair. He had too much weight on his shoulders to add what she thought was indigestion.

Once she was well cleaned she left her office to go to Levi's and await his return.

Levi decided to go out and take a few steps. It wasn't the first time he felt this way and he needed to move, he couldn't sit still. The last time he had felt a similar sensation, in the end, Isabel and Farlan had been killed by the titans and of them only parts of the corpses were left.

He hid behind the corner of a small alley, with a mug of beer beside him that he hadn't drunk yet. The man who sold him it seemed particularly in need of money and he bought him one without wanting it in the least. Not that he would still be able to get drunk anyway…

To attract his attention were then Eren, Mikasa and Armin who had gone to sit right behind him, beyond the wall that hid him from their view. They were still very young and knew very little about the world, but he too was realizing that he knew absolutely nothing of the world around them, in reality. He liked Eren, it reminded him terribly of a younger version of himself, determined and, at times, unconscious. The difference was that he got his hands dirty. The three of them were exactly like him, Isabel and Farlan long ago. Too painful memories, which he had shared only with Elizabeth, came back to his mind reminding him that he had indeed felt happiness with them. They were his best friends.

Their chat then moved on to something completely unknown to him, the 'sea'. Nobody talked about it, not even the books that allowed cadets to study, but it must have been something wonderful if Armin wanted to see it so badly.

Eren promised him they would go see the sea. And he made that promise too.

When Levi came back he found Elizabeth sitting at his desk, using it to examine the reports Erwin had left her about the experiments Hange had done on Eren. From the look she had it must have been quite invasive experiments and for the boy it must not have been a walk in the park but he seemed to be fine and it had relieved him. Sure, he was exhausted and this could be easily granted to him but he resisted; he was incredibly tenacious.

But the longing for Armin kept ringing in his mind, that expanse of salt water he so much dreamed of seeing.

Few times he had really wanted something and each time it had been snatched from his hands. Even Elizabeth, shortly after their relationship began, she was sent back to the underground on a near-suicide mission. And there she had been away for six months.

"Hey Levi. Excuse me, I took advantage of your desk, as soon as I finish here I tidy up and..."

Elizabeth looked up as soon as she heard the door open, knowing full well that the only person who could open it without knocking was him, but her smile faded as she saw the look he had on his face. He was visibly shocked.

She got to her feet, leaving the papers she had in her hand on the desk and walking quickly towards her husband. "...hey, are you okay?"

Levi closed his eyes for a moment as he felt Elizabeth's cold hands around his cheeks. She was scrutinizing him closely.

He lifted his hands up to hold them on her thin wrists, stroking the skin with his thumbs but remaining silent. He felt the weight of her gaze on himself. Those irises of two different colors were able to read his soul but he was not ready to externalize this thing. She would never pressure him to talk about it and he knew it but he felt that if he opened his eyes and looked at her, he would collapse. So he did the one thing he felt like doing that he wanted at that moment.

Her. To feel her.

He lowered his face just a little to bridge the distance that separated them and tested her lips.

He asked and obtained permission for their tongues to collide, one against the other, hungry and eager for more and more contact, as if he could get lost in those sensations.

Every time he held her close, his heart beat as hard in his chest as the first time.

He still remembered the happiness he felt when she confessed to him that she liked him and the fear of losing her when he was forced to watch her go.

He knew perfectly well that he could not ask her not to fight, she was the fastest sword after him, intelligent and cunning out of proportion, as well as a great encouragement to anyone.

But, for the first time, he felt selfish. He wanted to be.

He didn't want to lose her; he felt a pounding pain in his chest telling him that he would bring her back lifeless and give anything as long as it didn't happen. He would give up even his title, the most valuable thing he had earned, to keep her safe by his side.

Already with Erwin it was a losing battle just asking him, with her he would not even be able to finish the sentence. He believed too much in her abilities to keep her from it but at the same time he wanted to keep her safe. And it was an unnerving feeling.

With his hands he went down along the entire perimeter of her arms, caressing her as if she could break in his hands, and slowly reached her hips where he took her with more force and pressed her against himself. Every inch of her body responded to his movements, eager in the same way. And, meanwhile, Elizabeth's hands did not leave his face for even a second.

Levi went down to kiss the curve of her neck, reaching as far as the shirt allowed, then opening it with vigor and haste without ceasing to pay particular attention to her skin.

The chills he obviously had were certainly not caused by the cold.

He could no longer think. There were too many emotions inside him that he didn't want to think about, too much fear and too much nervousness. He wanted to scream and at the same time he wanted to lock himself in a room without seeing anyone and avoid going to Shiganshina.

But that was his duty. It was for humanity.

Opening her shirt, he went down to caress her breasts with his lips, then leaving a purple mark above her left.

Her soft moans, alternating with sighs and groans, made him understand that he wasn't doing anything wrong and that, even if he wasn't particularly sweet and delicate, she didn't mind.

Between them it was like this: there were times when he was at his most delicate and others when he was demanding and rude. And they liked it both ways.

He quickly lifted her from her thighs, picked her up and carried her into his room until he reached the bed. Their lips resumed their incessant struggle, a battle between who would win, as more grunts were suppressed in that wet kiss.

When they parted for oxygen, Elizabeth was already back on the ground, with Levi's fingers quickly unzipping her pants and taking off everything that was superfluous for him.

Standing naked before his eyes, he made her lie down completely and took a moment to observe her, almost worshiping her with his eyes which, to her, seemed even deeper and darker. But incredibly bright.

The moonlight came in through the window and illuminated his face, creating a play of light on his dark hair too, but it hardly seemed to dare stain his face with too much light.

Levi climbed up her thighs, running his hands all over her skin and watching her writhe under his touch, never taking his eyes off her

When he reached her hips he decided he didn't want to wait any longer. She was extremely permissive, she must have quickly understood what was going through his head, and maybe for her it was just the same.

He quickly stripped off his t-shirt and pants, after leaving the shoes somewhere around the room and put his hands on her hips again but only to turn her over with a quick and fluid movement.

And then he was inside her with a single push.

Elizabeth let out a strangled cry, lifting her chin up and throwing her head back, at the audacity of that intrusion. But there was no pain in her verse.

Seeing this, he began to move quickly, reaching the deepest point he could touch, without feeling the world around him anymore.

He lost himself inside her, moving at a fast, steady pace.

With his right hand he took her shoulder, helping himself in deeper thrusts, with her arched and resting on the bed with her hands and knees.

She was now near the edge, he could feel her throbbing around him, wet and tight, eager to reach the end.

Their moans were alternated with the sound of skins colliding.

His left hand squeezed her side until it left a slight mark. Levi opened his eyes, looking at her with his eyes shining with pleasure.

Her back moved at the same rhythm as his thrusts, welcoming them despite the force he was using and her hands gripped the sheets almost looking for a hold.

Her blonde hair fell backward, untied, covering her shoulders and his hand, still holding her there to aid in his thrusts, pushing her against himself even further.

She wasn't made of crystal. She never broke, despite everything. And it wouldn't have happened at that moment either.

She was the best thing ever happened to him and he couldn't lose her.

With his hand holding onto her shoulder he slid sideways, toward her neck, and took her lightly, prompting her to pull up on her until her back collided with his chest.

He squeezed her lightly around her neck, stretching his fingers until they touch her chin and let her bring her head back again, resting it on his shoulder.

That position gave him a new angle that caused her to moan even louder.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly and with one hand, she went up to touch his face. She needed to hold on to something to handle the amount of emotion and pleasure he was causing her.

Levi just increased the grip on her side, trying to restrain himself and prolong that act as much as possible. It was a sensation that he considered indescribable, a pleasure that arose from his gut and exploded inside his chest, making every fiber of himself tremble. It didn't matter the speed, the place and the time they had available. It was something that always caused powerful emotions.

He swallowed, trying to moisten his throat that he felt dry, the air was missing and he gasped unevenly in her ear, making her feel what her body was causing to his.

Never stopping to push and touching her incessantly, as if he were drowning inside her.

The hand gripping her side released his grip to go between her legs, stimulating her with his fingers and feeling her tremble even more. He held her close, embracing her in his intercourse but continuing to stimulate her with his member and with his fingers, welcoming every movement of her now at the limit.

But that wasn't the way he wanted to end either. She deserved much more.

Her moans reached a higher pitch but became more disjointed, almost breathless. The air in her lungs had become superfluous, everything had become superfluous and she could only think of Levi moving inside her, rubbing every inch of her walls with his warm skin.

That wasn't something needed only by him.

That awareness brought him back to reality and he stopped getting out of her.

Elizabeth turned confused, she was so close to her orgasm that she did not perceive anything that was not him, not even she felt his hand gripping her side with strength and possessiveness. She only noticed it when he was out of her, but with his hands still in the same position holding her close.

Levi placed his forehead on the back of her neck for a moment, catching his breath for a few seconds before kissing her sweetly on that point.

A kiss, a second, a third, and the longing in Elizabeth grew again as if it never stopped.

His movements became calmer and more controlled, more delicate.

He turned her around again, still on her knees, and he looked intently into her eyes.

For a few moments he saw the same girl who had fallen into the fountain, with the same innocent but suffering gaze and his own reflection in those two colors.

He had become part of her and vice versa.

He kissed her again on her lips, slow, breathing in sync and catching his breath again without ever leaving her. He picked her up again in his arms, bringing her thighs around his pelvis and he climbed onto the bed, making her lie under him and imprinting on her to feel her fully.

"Levi." she murmured again, not moaning this time. She didn't need to talk, he didn't need it. That was enough for her to tell him that she would always be there for him. That she would never go away.

Levi took her hand, bringing it to the pillow and intertwining their fingers as he resumed his place inside her, entering slower this time, fully feeling all her warmth and taking her breath away.

He began to push once more, holding her against him, while she held him against her, putting all the force she could use into her thighs.

And this time they came together, with their foreheads pressed against each other and their fingers intertwined.

Levi did not move aside from her, but he remained almost completely on her, welcomed by her arms which, this time, went to hold him against her chest. The Captain responded to her embrace, listening to her heart beating with his ear and closing his eyes as he felt her caress him gently. With one hand he grabbed the blanket and brought it over their still naked bodies, without opening his eyes and catching his breath.

He couldn't tell how long it was, a few seconds or maybe a few minutes but eventually he felt her return to a steady beat and lifted his head from her chest to kiss her again.

He lifted himself onto his elbow, brushing a strand of unruly hair from her face and then down to her cheek, stroking her with his thumb.

"I'll take you to see the sea. It's a promise."