Levi huffed impatiently as he checked the time on his watch, the train car shaking beneath him. Damn it, he thought, if I'd have known that the train would have been that late, I would have had us ride our horses there instead. This is taking forever.

He ran a shaking hand through the disheveled mop that was his hair, his thoughts concentrated on the knowledge that Hange was alive. He couldn't help the shudder though, as he worried about what state they would be in when he finally arrived at their side and about how the Marleyan doctors could be treating her.

The majority of the ride so far had been in complete silence save for the occasional small talk, as none of the gathered survivors wanted to voice the question that was serving as the elephant in the room. Mikasa and Armin had spent the whole time staring out into nothing, Connie and Jean had been engaged in playing quiet card games, and Levi had been consumed by his thoughts. His worries. He was no stranger to the hatred that some Marleyans had thrown his way, as evidenced by the slurs sprawled across the door of his home in red paint every few days. He had to admit it, he was terrified for Hange's safety while away from him.

"Captain?"

Levi turned and cast his gaze at Armin, who seemed a bit anxious about the sudden eye contact.

"What is it, Arlert?"

"Well, uh, we…we, uh…"

Levi scowled.

"Spit it out, brat. You're starting to make me lose my patience."

Armin swallowed, a bead of nervous sweat making its way down his forehead as he tried his hardest to think of how to word his next sentence.

"Captain, we…We watched Hange perish in the Rumbling. There's no way she…uh, they could have survived that. How can you be so sure that the letter came from them?"

Levi scoffed.

"Tch…I wouldn't have bothered asking you brats to come with me if I'd doubted it myself for even a second…You forget, Arlert, that I've known Hange for a long time now. I would recognise their poor excuse for handwriting anywhere."

He stuck a hand into his coat and pulled out the letter before handing it to Armin, albeit very hesitantly as everyone present in the private compartment turned to look. The blonde took the letter with trembling hands, and with the greatest care, he opened it and was shocked upon seeing the unmistakable penmanship of the former Commander. Paying careful attention, he began to read aloud what was written on the paper.

Levi,

I trust that this letter will reach you in good time as I can imagine that you will need comfort right now. I only wish that I could be there to give you it myself, but it's a shame that some things just don't work out how we wanted them to. I know that this will come as a shock to you, and I just hope that you're prepared for everything that I want to tell you.

As I can only assume you are aware from the arrival of this letter, I survived the Rumbling. I don't quite know how just yet, but I'm guessing that the Founder Ymir must have been feeling particularly merciful that day. I didn't escape unscathed unfortunately, so I can only warn you that, upon our reunion, I may not look like the Hange you knew. I can only hope that you will be able to look past my appearance as I can assure you, I am still the same person inside.

Now, as to what I have been through in the past few weeks, I have quite the story, I guess? I don't know if I was hallucinating from the pain, but I saw Moblit and the rest of our fallen comrades. I wanted to join them, Levi, but he stopped me. God, I really wanted to join them, but Moblit reminded me that I had the rest of my life ahead of me. The rest of our life together.

I then woke up underwater; nearly drowned which wasn't a fun experience I can certainly tell you. I washed up on a beach a fair few miles away from the coast of Odiha belonging to a small village which had mostly avoided the devastation of the Rumbling. If anything would have done me in, it definitely would have been that swim…

"They survived and swam to safety? That's so cool!"

"Connie, shut up!"

Armin sighed before continuing, grateful for Jean's comment to Connie.

I was found by this young Marleyan couple, and they took me in and treated my injuries as best as they could. It was only a few days, and I was asleep for most of it, I'm told. But the hospitality and kindness that they provided me only shows me that we must be on the correct path to acceptance in society.

I did sustain burns in areas across my body, but with the physical therapy and incredible medical care, I'm gaining back my mobility. The only reasons why I'm really writing this letter is because the physical therapist told me it would be a good exercise - I need to practice moving my hands and fingers in order to keep my dexterity – and also because I wanted you to know that I'm okay, Levi. And no matter what it takes, I will always return home to you. That's a promise which I really don't intend on breaking.

I only ask that you please don't respond to this letter. The folks on this island really don't take too kindly to Eldians yet and I'm kinda undercover as a Marleyan victim of the Rumbling. Means I'm having to use my legal first and middle names instead of how I like to be called. Zoë Avery doesn't really have that great of a ring to it, does it? If I know you - which I hope I do, seeing as how we've been friends for like fifteen years – then I know that you're likely to be on your way here eventually. Just make sure to keep a low profile, ok? I don't think I could stand it if anything untoward were to happen to you or the kids if word got out that we're Eldian.

Written on the back is the address of the hospital where I am. Remember, when you arrive, ask to see Miss Zoë Avery.

I can't wait to see you again, Levi, and I love you so very much. I just hope that nothing separates us again,

Hange.

Levi's eyes were teary upon hearing the letter read out properly. He had only skimmed over it when Connie had brought it to him earlier that day, enough to only see the mention of the address and the fact that Hange was injured. He felt sick at the thought of it – Hange had been hurting and he wasn't there to help them get better. He'd always been there for her. And now that they were at their most vulnerable, he was thousands of miles away.

And, as much as he hated to think about it, he couldn't help but remember that fateful day. One of the worst days of his life. How utterly powerless he'd been and being forced to watch Hange prepare to give her life. How terrified they had seemed when approaching him. How they had refused to look him in the eye when giving what they had intended to be their last goodbye. Had she been thinking the same that he had that day? That if they looked him in the eye, they wouldn't have been able to fulfil their duty to mankind?

And he couldn't help but remember the night before – how Hange had been practically pinned beneath him, ankles locked around his back and soaked with sweat and other things whilst screaming his name into the night. Oh, if only the two of them had known what the morning would bring. Then maybe the stupid little argument over something that he couldn't remember would never have happened – their last words that night being ones of anger. His hand automatically went to where she had slapped him before storming off back to their own cabin aboard the ship. How she had avoided his presence up until that fateful moment. But knowing now that he would get the opportunity to apologise?

Levi composed himself, refusing to give into his emotions in that moment. Hange was alive, and that would be his main focus. It just pained him to know that, aside from the four-hour long train journey to the airport from the village he now called home, a five-hour flight stood between him and a bittersweet reunion with the one he loved. Engineers in Hizuru had been busy working on a new type of transport and had developed a new form of flying boat that was capable of flying higher and farther than those that came before it. Levi and the rest of the squad had been awed to hear about it, interesting in how the engines had been built. An airplane, he believed he'd been told. Yet another invention that Hange would be drooling over…

Come on Levi, he thought to himself, hand clenched in a fist, you need to quit thinking like she's dead. You know that they're still alive.

"We'll be there in just under two hours, Captain."

Levi scowled at Armin's overly cheery voice, brows wrinkling as he returned to staring out of the window. He really couldn't fault the boy for being so upbeat – it seemed to be one of the main ways he would try to hide the pain he felt at Eren's death.

"Still a stupidly long time…We'd be at the airport now if the damn train hadn't been so late…"

Levi was struggling to hide his frustration at the fact that the universe itself seemed to be trying to keep him from Hange. He still had to keep reminding himself that they were still alive and waiting in some Marleyan hospital, using a somewhat different name which he knew they hated using. And he wasn't there to keep them safe…

He pushed himself to his feet, taking hold of his cane from where it rested against the table before shakily walking over to the door.

"Captain, where are you going?"

Levi stopped and glanced back at Jean who was now on his feet. Great…What a way to remind me just how short I am, Kirschtein…he thought to himself, sweeping his hair back before placing his hat upon his head.

"To the café and bar car. I just need to clear my mind…"

"I'll come with you. You'll need somebody to hold the doors for you."

Levi merely gave a sigh as he turned away, knuckles white from the hard grasp he had on the cane. As much as he didn't really feel like having company, he had to admit that having Jean with him would help.

"Fine. Just don't expect me to pay for any drinks that you want…"

With that, the pair began the journey to the train carriage containing the café and bar and, upon arrival, they found a seat at the bar and got themselves comfortable. Levi picked up the drinks menu, eyeing the various spirits and liqueurs available. It was incredibly rare that he would drink alcohol as he hated the taste, but he couldn't think of anything better to soothe his mind.

"Good evening gentlemen, what can I get for you today?"

Levi looked up at the bartender.

"Strongest whiskey you have. Make it a double. And he'll have whatever he's having…"

He buried his face in his hand with a sigh, struggling to keep his emotions at bay. The nightmare that he'd had the night before was weighing deeply on his mind – all he could see in his mind's eye was the image of Hange burning alive while slicing through the titans. He'd heard her pained screaming and it still horrified him that he hadn't been able to help. Levi knew that he had to stop beating himself up over the past, but he couldn't even begin to while wracked with the guilt.

"Jean…"

Jean looked up as the drinks were placed in front of them – a pint of hard cider and a small tumbler filled with an amber-brown whiskey. Levi was looking at him, and he could see the pain in his cold, grey eye. He had been slightly taken aback upon hearing the man call him by his first name.

"Tell me, how long does it take for the feeling of guilt to leave you alone?"

He sighed, picking up his pint and taking a long sip, savouring the crisp flavours of pear and apple on his tongue. He didn't really know how to answer the Captain's question, as the circumstances surrounding their losses had been completely different. Sasha had been one of Jean's best friends and every passing day felt somewhat duller without her, but Levi and Hange had been romantically involved with each other for a good few years by that point. For a moment, he considered the way that he had felt towards Marco but stopped at the pained memory that he had been too much of a coward to express his feelings. He took another draught of cider.

"Grief is subjective, Captain. For me, the guilt around not being able to do anything to prevent Sasha's death took an incredibly long time to dissipate, and even now it still feels as fresh as it did that day whenever I'm feeling down. I can only imagine how it must feel for you. We all saw Hange…"

His voice trailed off upon seeing the tears welling up in Levi's eye, a whirlwind of emotion held within. Jean searched through his pockets before eventually pulling out a handkerchief that he offered to his captain, which was gladly received.

"You must think I'm pathetic, Kirschtein. Can barely go even an hour without having a goddamn crying episode."

Levi furiously wiped the tears from his cheek with the square of white cloth, feeling nothing but pure embarrassment at having been seen crying by Jean. He looked down at the glass in his hand, taking in the sight of the brown spirit within. The very spirit that just so happened to be the same colour as her eyes. Levi blanched, vision blurring again as he thought about the letter.

I didn't escape unscathed unfortunately, so I can only warn you that, upon our reunion, I may not look like the Hange you knew. I can only hope that you will be able to look past my appearance as I can assure you, I am still the same person inside.

His grip on the glass tightened, but he quickly threw the drink back in one gulp, feeling the burning sensation spreading down his throat and settling as a warm glow in his stomach. Had Hange really been worried that he wouldn't love her anymore because of the injuries that she had sustained? He hadn't left them when they had lost their eye during the battle for Shiganshina, so he had no idea where that worry had came from.

"I don't think you're weak, Captain. It shows your inner strength that you're able to express your emotions. After all, you're only human,"

Levi signalled to the bartender for a refill.

"Grief gets easier to deal with as time passes, but guilt is something that is always present in the intensity it started as. I feel guilt at not checking on the scouts who were supposed to enter the airship after us. I feel guilt that I didn't react quicker upon seeing Gabi…"

Jean heaved a shaky sigh, staring down at the cider in his hands.

"I feel guilt at the fact that no matter how much Gabi changes, I will never be able to see her as anything but the child soldier who killed one of my two best friends."

Emotion crept into Jean's voice upon remembering that night, and Levi could do nothing but sigh. The air between the two men was awkwardly silent for a few moments as they both finished their drinks, before Levi pulled his wallet out, leaving a pile of coins on the bar top.

"Keep the change."

The walk back to the compartment was yet again silent, and upon arrival, Levi could see that the three friends had fallen asleep on the seat. He carefully made his way to his own space and sat down, removing his jacket.

"Thank you for accompanying me, Jean. I didn't want it but I can admit, it was a well-needed talk that we had."

Jean nodded in response, eyes fixated on Mikasa's sleeping form and Levi swore he could see the blush on the younger man's cheeks.

"We'll be at the airport in two hours and you look like you could do with sleeping, Captain. I'll stay awake and guard our bags. I don't think I'll be getting any sleep anytime soon."

Levi nodded and carefully adjusted himself to get comfortable, the whiskey he'd drank feeling like a soothing blanket as he felt himself drifting away into a deep sleep…

"Levi…"

Levi turned his head, seeing nothing but darkness surrounding him. It was all around him; all he could touch. And yet he'd heard their voice as clear as day. He struggled with all of his strength but found that he felt like he was being pinned down by restraints. He struggled again, but his desperate efforts were immediately impeded by a pair of hands which roughly seized him and shoved him back against whatever it was he lay on. He felt something be torn from his eyes, practically immediately being blinded by light.

"You're awake…It's about damn time, you back-stabbing traitor."

"Hange, what's going on?"

Levi could only see the ceiling above him, recognising the patterns to be the same as the ones in Hange's lab. He struggled again, wincing at the pain of a sharp needle being stabbed into his arm. Whatever it was that they had injected him with, it worked extremely fast as he rapidly found that he couldn't move anymore.

"You left me to die, Levi."

Levi's blood ran cold.

"You left me to die in Odiha, didn't you? Did my life really mean that little to you that you were willing to throw me away to save your own sorry ass?"

They leaned over him, and he could see the enraged glint in their eyes, dangerous and wild like a caged animal. Their skin was burned in places, and he couldn't help but notice that they were glaring at him with murderous intent.

"Hange, it wasn't like that. You know that!"

"Not like that? Not like that?"

She turned and, with a rage the likes of which he had never seen, threw a knife at a wall of specimen jars so hard that they shattered and sent shards of glass and puddles of preservation fluid across the floor. Their shoulders were heaving, and he knew that he would struggle to get out of there alive.

"You all left me. Levi, I thought that you were supposed to protect me…"

The hurt in their voice crushed him. He felt another blade against his throat, pressing down so hard against his skin that he could feel the blood welling up against the weapon. He looked up into Hange's rich, mahogany-brown eyes in desperate attempt to find even a shred of humanity, but he could only see pure, animalistic instinct.

"But you let me die. You wanted me to die, didn't you?"

The blade pierced the skin of his stomach, and he can't help but scream in pain. Hange gave a sick, twisted smile at seeing how much agony their little prisoner was in, and slowly pushed the knife in further while twisting it, delighting in the agonised screams of the man beneath them.

"GODDAMN IT, HANGE I DIDN'T!"

Levi panted in agony, watching as Hange slowly moved around to his head whilst staring down at his prone, bleeding form the way in which a predator might observe their prey. Another sadistic grin spread across their face, and Levi was only just able to make out the blood that covered their clothes in disturbingly large splotches. The red armband around their left arm.

"You know, it's a good thing that Marley was able to rescue me. I would have hated it if I wasn't able to return to my true home. Anyway, I digress. I suppose you really don't need to be able to see, do you?"

Levi's breath caught in his throat as he saw Hange pick up the crude instruments.

"Hange!"

She slowly approached him once again.

"HANGE! NO!"

"Captain, it's okay! You're just having a nightmare."

Levi's eyes flew open, and he was nearly sick at the sudden sensation of being torn from such a deep dream state so quickly. He frantically looked around at his surroundings, seeing the concerned faces of his friends around him.

"You were screaming Hange's name and sounded terrified, what on earth-?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Oh, okay," Armin was somewhat shocked at his cold, harsh tone, "Well, we're about fifteen minutes away from the airport station so we'd better start to get ready to disembark."

Levi only nodded, groaning slightly. What a cruel reminder of the reason as to why he doesn't drink. Alcohol almost always gave him such terrible nightmares. All of his dreams had been about Hange. And something always happened in them, whether it be them blaming him for the turn of events or them dying in front of him. He sighed. He couldn't wait to see them again – it had been far too long.

…

Elsewhere that evening

The glass held loosely in their hand was cold and damp with condensation, but that didn't really bother Hange much. In the few weeks they had spent recovering in the hospital, they had discovered a new vast array of different foods and beverages that the world beyond the walls had to offer, as well as studying the local wildlife that she could see from the window. They quickly drank the rest of the beverage before looking at the cup of tea they had poured.

The nurses had been so very kind to them, aiding them with the short walk to the hospital gardens so that they could get some fresh air. They had spent entire afternoons sat outside, sketching the wildlife that they could see in the sketchbook that Edward and Mary had gotten for her. Now, they were sat in their hospital room, leaning back into the soft blankets covering the chair by the bed. Hange's routine had been to read a couple chapters of their book every night, as it seemed to help them sleep better and calm their mind.

She picked up the cup from the table beside her, taking a small sip of the soothing beverage. Chamomile and lavender, which they had discovered was one of their favourite teas from raiding Levi's personal collection back in the Scout Headquarters. They sighed as they thought of their old life on Paradis. She and the others involved in the Alliance would likely never be able to go back, as they'd heard from word of mouth that rewards had been promised upon their capture and return to the Yeagerists.

Their thoughts drifted to Levi then, and their heart sunk as they saw the burns that were beginning to scar on their hands and arms. With how badly their body had been aflame, she was shocked that the burns weren't worse than they were. So many insecurities had been brought to the forefront of their mind, brought on by the extent of their burns. They had only just been able to look at their clothes body in the mirror, and they didn't know how long it would be until they could bear to look at themselves while showering. The burns and wounds across their back and chest were ugly and raw and had ensured that they would not be able to bind their chest for a while.

What would Levi think if he saw me like this? She thought as she felt the tears welling up in their eye. They removed their glasses before placing them on the table, grateful to have been able to obtain another pair. But they couldn't get the question out of their mind; how could Levi ever love them again after the horrible wounds they had suffered?

"Ah, Miss Zoë, it seems that you're comfortable. I have your dinner and your medication is ready for you to take afterwards."

Hange looked up as the nurse walked in carrying the tray that had what seemed to be some type of soup with a bread roll and a fruit cup for dessert. The younger Hisuian woman set the tray down on the table before closing the door and turning to face the ex-Commander.

"The letter?"

"Delivered safely and quickly, Hange. I saw to it that my cousin living in Lunness Village hand delivered it to Connie Springer with the promise to take it to Mr Ackerman that very minute."

Hange nodded, glad to be able to trust someone with such sensitive information.

"Thank you, Kaida…"

Kaida smiled warmly, before sitting herself down on the spare chair whilst Hange begun to eat their meal. She knew that something was up with the older woman sat just across from her, as she had heard countless stories of the veteran's time in the Survey Corps, but on some nights, they would lose the spark in their eye and become somewhat shut off.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"

Hange sighed, setting the spoon down on the tray.

"It's very rare that I don't think about him. It's been almost a month since the Rumbling was stopped – that's a very long time to have to live thinking that the one you love is dead…"

They closed their eye, trying to stop their emotions from overwhelming them like they had so many nights previously. Hange could only hope that Levi didn't think that the letter they'd written had been faked – he wouldn't come otherwise.

"It is a long time," Kaida soothed as she gathered the empty bowl and plate back onto the tray to return to the trolley, "But if I know anything about Mr Ackerman from what you've told me, he will move heaven and earth to be by your side again."

Hange could only nod at this, knowing it to be true. Ever since Erwin had died in the heroic suicide charge against the Beast Titan, Levi had changed the person whom he deemed worthy of his protection, and that person had been them. They couldn't even count the number of times he had leapt to their defence, even going as far as breaking a man's arm and several ribs because the drunken fool had tried to get a little…handsy…with them when in one of the bars that the Scouts would frequent on days off. He had been grieving the loss of Erwin during that time, and they the tragic passing of Moblit. Both of them had lovers torn away from them in the cruellest manner, and it had been in the comfort of each other's presence that their relationship had blossomed, albeit behind closed doors.

Kaida bid them goodnight, and Hange sighed before taking the pills that had been brought to them and then picking up one of the reading books they had purchased from the little shop in the hospital. Reading had been another thing they enjoyed doing, rarely having the time to do so during their tenure with the Scouts. The books they had bought told an epic tale of dragons and knights which had grasped them immediately, but tonight they found that they couldn't concentrate on anything as the letters on the page seemed to blur into one.

The book was dropped back onto the table with an exasperated huff, and Hange dropped down onto the bed. If they couldn't concentrate on anything, what good would it be trying to do anything? They had to admit it, they really missed the days of riding through towns and saving defenceless citizens from Titans. But those days were long gone, as was the threat that had been so prevalent. They never could have predicted that the final enemy would be one of their own kind.

Curling up under the sheets banished the slight chill of the room, and Hange placed their glasses and eyepatch on the table by the bedside. They really didn't have anything better to do than sleep, even if the next day was likely to bring the exact same routine. But the doctor had said that it would only be another week or two before their progress was enough for him to feel comfortable enough to discharge them from the hospital. Only two weeks maximum, they thought as they settled themself on their back and stared up at the ceiling. Only two weeks stood between them and a life beyond the island of Paradis that they had once called home. A life with Levi. A soft smile formed on their face at the thought, knowing that it truly wouldn't be long until they saw him again…

…

The Next Morning

Levi scowled heavily as he sat waiting for his four young companions to finish their breakfasts. He hadn't been able to eat anything, as the nerves welling up deep inside of him had been more than enough to tarnish his appetite for the day. Still, he steadily sipped his cup of tea as he struggled to keep his impatience at bay. The hotel they had all stayed at for the night had been nice enough – he himself had personally made sure that the group wouldn't be staying in any roach-infested dump for the night – but now he just wanted nothing more than to get out of there and go and see them. To stand by her side again as he had promised them.

He glanced down at his hand, seeing the small silver band of metal encircling his finger. When their relationship had gotten serious enough, he and Hange had gotten each other a promise ring – a sign that, no matter what came between them, they would always find their way back to each other's sides.

"Captain, we're almost ready to leave."

Levi scoffed, draining the remainder of the cup of tea.

"Would it pain you lot to eat just a little quicker? My patience really isn't what it was in the past."

Armin blanched at the older man's words then, making an audible gulping sound as he swallowed the mouthful of porridge that he had just scooped into his mouth. It created an uncomfortable, sticky coating on the inside of his mouth, and he had to take a sip of the glass of pineapple juice in front of him just to clear it.

The ride to the hospital had been fairly smooth and uneventful for the most part, but Levi had still been kept on edge from some of the looks he had seen members of the public throwing their way. The hospital towered over them as they approached, and Levi strode up to the counter with purpose.

"Good morning, how can I-"

"We're here to visit Ha-Zoë Avery…"

Levi cursed his barely contained excitement, unable to believe that it had nearly caused him to slip up at the first hurdle. The receptionist eyed the small crowd in front of her with an expression of suspicion, before sighing and pointing down the corridor with her pen.

"Through those double doors. She's in room 332."

"Thank you…"

The others practically had to run to keep up with the man as he walked across the lobby before stopping at the doors into the corridor. Swallowing, he pushed them open with a great struggle and stepped inside, eager to find the room. He limped down the corridor, supported by his cane until he came across the door. Raising a hand, he knocked gently before walking in. He had to steady himself as his knees turned to jelly, tears springing to his eye.

"Hange?"

"Levi!"

He dropped his cane to the floor and took off running as best as he could manage, and before he knew it, he was in their arms, head pressed into their chest. And he couldn't hold it in anymore; he began to cry, shoulders shaking as he gave loud, broken cries.

"Hey, it's okay, I'm here."

Hange soothed her lover as best she could, gently rubbing circles on his back as he gave a couple gasping sobs. What they didn't know however, was that this was the first time that Levi had let himself cry. They looked up and saw the rest of the survivors enter the room, their faces mixtures of emotions – mostly shock and relief.

"Hange, you really are…"

"Alive? Yeah, I can imagine it must be strange for you to see me here after what I did back in Odiha…" they started, holding Levi close to them as he sobbed. The older veteran never gave them an answer, only holding them tightly as he tried to control his sobs. She smiled and leant down to whisper in his ear, before gently kissing his cheek and turning to the rest of her friends gathered in the room, staring at her in disbelief.

"Now, I believe we all have a lot of catching up to do, don't we?"

…

The birds in the trees sang their songs as the small band of Paradisian survivors sat in the garden at one of the benches. They had chosen a secluded area of the gardens away from the rest of the patients and their families as not to be overheard. Jean, Connie, Mikasa and Armin had all listened intently and carefully as Hange told their tale of survival. Levi could barely bring himself to listen, choosing instead to focus on different things. He refused to be reminded of that day, and even though he still had his beloved by his side again, he couldn't shake the fear that he would lose them again.

Levi glanced up and looked at Hange, daring to let out a pleased sigh of relief when they glanced down at him. Their eyes…When caught in the sun, their eyes shone like the purest, most polished bronze and reminded him of the clearest honey. She smiled gently, leaning down and planting a gentle yet loving kiss upon his lips, and he felt his heart soar. That little gesture had been all that he'd needed to confirm that they were still alive, but he still found himself clinging to them like a frightened child.

"So Commander, what will you be doing once you're released from the hospital?"

Hange gave a slight smile, cleaning their glasses with the hem of their shirt before putting them on again.

"I passed the title onto you, Armin. I think I'd rather sit out on that, especially after everything I've been through."

Levi felt a reassuring squeeze of his hand, and he closed his eyes with bliss as he nestled closer to Hange's side. He could let his walls come down when around them, knowing that they wouldn't tease him – much – for his change in attitude. It was likely going to take an awful lot of therapy for him to be able to process the emotions he had been feeling in the past month.

Armin nodded, understanding fully what she had meant. Being the 14th Commander of the Survey Corps had been something that had taken a truly awful toll on Hange, both physically and mentally. Who was he to automatically assume that they would ever consider retaking the title back from him?

"So, Commander Arlert," Hange began as they took a sip of their drink – a glass of lemon flavoured iced tea – before leaving their chin on their fists, "Tell me, how are peace talks going with the rest of the world? Are the other countries everything that you had dreamed about?"

"Oh, there's so much to tell you, Hange. You won't believe half of it!

Hange chuckled, smiling softly.

"I've got all the time in the world now, Armin, so you'd better spill."

~~~ TBC ~~~