Levi walked out to the yard, feeling an emptiness press on his chest. He turned his head back to look at the castle; nothing inside gave him a slight motivation to go back, he literally could not have a single thing to look forward to in there.

Turning ahead, he saw the forest path expand in front of him covered by trees on both sides. He started walking towards it, eyes suddenly flashing with a sinister determination.

His vision was darkened as he strode ahead, not hearing anything around him, not seeing anything, only his ragged breaths and the slim straight path approaching.

His left shoulder abruptly bumped into something. Levi gasped in surprise as his whole body came to a sturdy halt. He restored his vision to find a redhead sprawled on the ground to his left, he recognized her as one of the section commanders. A confused breath escaped his gaping mouth, not even aware of where she had appeared.

Hange grimaced, hand traveling to check her left hip.

"Dammit, You surely are so strong for that height."

"...Sorry, I didn't see you." Levi said with a low voice, coming back to reality. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alright." He watched her get to her feet, shifting his head to look up at her now taller body. Her expression turned into a warm smile once their eyes evened. "I called for you twice, but it seems you were so immersed in your thoughts that you didn't see or hear me."

"Something you want?"

"Nothing particular, I just wanted to talk."

Levi's gaze skipped to the path ahead, just wanting to go there. He knew this section commander, she tried to come in contact with him and his friends before. She surely was too chatty for his liking. The least he needed now was that, and her. A dissatisfied expression twisted his lips warning of a dismissal, but before he could utter a single word, Hange went on.

"It's good to have you around, Levi. Erwin told me about what you did and I read the report. We are all happy to have someone with your skills join us."

It took him aback for a second, so much so that his focus shifted back to her. Levi found a sincere expression on her face, eyes big, curious, and impressed.

"You believe that?" His voice lacked his usual sureness, coming deep and unenthusiastic.

"Why would I not?" Hange asked him, sincerely confused. It earned her a deep sigh from the shorter man.

"Nothing."

His greys were back to stare at where he had intended to go. Levi took a step forward, not having any motivation to speak further. It didn't matter that someone believed him now anyway.

"Where are you going around the forest at this hour?"

His first thought was to tell her that it's none of her damn business, but he held back. She was the first nice person he encountered after all. Levi sighed again, surprising himself at his openness despite the state of mind he was in —which he was certain wouldn't last long if she kept on noising in. He had but a very very very short patience now.

"A stroll." Flatly he replied.

"Oh, okay. A short one I hope. Don't forget the strategic meeting, it starts in thirty."

He let out a breath. That meeting is the least of his concerns! He will not be attending it, not when this is the last time he sets foot in this place.

"You know if it weren't for that I would've come with you. I would love to go on a stroll too, but Mike is presenting the second part and I promised to help him prepare."

"Tsh." Levi sent her an annoyed glare. What in the hell is this person? What even had her believe he would want her to accompany him? "Do you always offer to accompany strangers on strolls?"

"You're no stranger, you're a Scout! I thought that makes you a comrade." Hange grinned wide, smacking his left shoulder with the last word.

Levi turned his head to the left. His eyes tracked her hand as it tapped him, followed it as it withdrew, before turning back ahead to meet brown eyes with a steady gaze.

Rarely did Hange feel awkward, but the intense way he looked at her made her heat up. The way that he followed her hand with his head, as though she were some strange creature, and the persistent questioning stare that was still burning through her as though he was demanding an immediate explanation...If there's something she did so well it would be breaking ice, but those icy eyes worked differently.

"Well, I wouldn't offer that to everyone, only the ones I find interesting." She added to avoid more awkwardness, still feeling the unusual heat.

Finally breaking the unsettling stare, Levi took another step forward, silently announcing the end of the conversation. His mood and this commander's were at different ends of the spectrum when he had no time to deal with that shit. He won't even care to clean the area she had just touched, maybe later. And he won't rebuke her lest she start a new talking diarrhea episode, she seemed to be constantly on the edge of that.

Levi was even more puzzled by her, however, when she suddenly shifted a step to the right, standing in front of him and blocking his way. His greys widened with surprise.

"Wait, that's not all." She rushed.

It took him a great deal of self-control to take in a deep breath, now turning to the side to stare at a green patch of grass. Just one moment! She was nice, it's the last time you'll see her anyway. Levi turned back to look at her, barely having any patience left in him. It was all so evident in his turmoiled expression.

"I just wanted to tell you that..." Hange paused, her rushing expression shifting into a hint of sadness as she went on. "-I'm sorry about your friends. It was clear that you were so close. They seemed like nice people, both of them."

Levi felt a sting in his heart. He didn't want to hear her describing how they were! It only served to remind him of what he had lost, making him want to either shut her up or close his ears. But there she stopped, and his tightened fists loosened with the silence.

"Thank you." He told her, voice drained of energy, heart clinging, face expressionless.

"I know that it's probably hard for you, nothing would seem to fill their gap now, but if there's any way I could help, you can always come to me."

Levi's greys moved between her right and left eye intently. He was not going to see her again, but that didn't stop him from appreciating her words. It was good to know that not everyone in there hated him, good to see that someone didn't think of him less because of his past. But it was too late now. He simply nodded, just wanting this over with as his gaze skipped over her shoulder to the intended path.

"I hope you're adjusting well after. How are you liking it here?"

"Everything is shit!" He choked honestly, sending her one last glance before jolting forward without giving her a chance to dwell more, almost running away.

Hange continued to watch him over her shoulder. Her mouth corners fell downwards as she watched him walk his way towards the forest.

Levi strode with fast, steady paces. He didn't have a particular destination, only wanting away from the Survey Corps headquarter. He didn't even know how long he'd been walking when he decided to take a rest.

Finding himself immersed in the depths of the woods, he rested his back against a tree, sliding downwards to sit on the ground. The ODM gear he still had on from training weighed him down it felt like his muscles thanked him for finally sitting.

Resting his back against the steady trunk and staring at the long trees and green grass ahead, Levi considered his options again; Now that he left the Scouts and breached his contract, his residency would be lost. Being trapped between walls is not a great place to be a fugitive, there's no way he can run away forever. Both the garrison and the military police will soon be up his ass, and he'll be facing a military trial for escaping duty that would probably result in him being thrown in prison for the rest of his life.

The underground would be the only place where that law wouldn't apply, he even had this ODM gear to grant him a good living down there. But no, he cannot! Then again, as much as he hated it, it seemed like it was the only option he had left.

The images of the place flooded his mind vividly from spending years in it. He could swear his nostrils could pick up the stale smell of it, it made him nauseous just to imagine it. He hated that place! Just thinking about building a life down there again without Furlan made him feel physically choked.

His friends were the sole good thing he had down there. His friends were the sole good thing he had at all! It seemed escaping the awful castle wasn't the solver to his problems when he hadn't the motivation to go to any other place, for Levi, home was nowhere…

He felt lost, covering his face between his palms before passing a hand through his hair. If he lost the sole good thing in life, why should he even bother? It was so hard for him to gather the energy and motivation to do anything at all, so why should he strive with a great amount of effort to gather that energy, to have it then wasted on this life? When it was only shit, and pain, and loss, and loss all over again, distrust, violence, loss, no one to rely on, hate, no one to know him well, no one to trust him, loss, pain, loss of control, he couldn't control it… Levi found his hands shaking, gripping strongly at the ODM handles on each side of him.

He took in a deep breath, exhale coming out shaky. Maybe there was a third option besides being a fugitive or going back to the underground. He pulled his right sword out, staring at it intently. He might as well end all of this suffering. What was the point of living this life anyway? Why pull a fight when he didn't like the prize?

Levi brought it closer, staring at the sharp edge. It would be quick and painless considering the sharpness of this tool, he used it to cut the flesh of titans and it proved its quickness.

But no, he was not a coward to end his life like that. He was not one to escape his problems. This is not the first time this occurred to him, neither the first he crumbles back to zero, nor the first he contemplates the thought of ending it all. But no matter how tasteless life felt, he always found a way to continue forward. The thought of morphing his pain into nothingness seemed appealing to imagine, but he knew he'd never take action to make it happen.

Remembering his position, that he had no place to go to but the cold undergrounds, alone, and all of the pain it took him to rebuild his life again on every occasion he had lost it before... he thought he may have changed this time.

Levi drew the shining silver edge closer to his neck. He closed his eyes, feeling his heartbeats fasten despite having no intent to act upon it. But considering how painless it would be, it would definitely be better than this life. But no, no, he cannot, because, because... his breaths deepened... he cannot find a reason why, he just can't do it... but because of what exactly? What would motivate him to bring the sword down? And where the hell does he go from now on? His future was misty and blank.

"What are you doing?"

Levi jumped in his place, eyes opening wide suddenly. The sharp edge against his neck grazed him, installing a sharp pain on his skin.

"Fuck." He muttered in reflex.

He turned to the sound source on his right, wide eyed, to find the section commander staring at him with equally wide eyes.

"What the fuck are you doing here? Were you following me?"

"I, yes, I'm sorry I just-"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Levi got to his feet, sliding his sword back into its place, eyes not deviating from her a second with a deep frown splitting his forehead.

"I just I…" Hange raised both her hands up in a calming motion "-I thought you sounded off. You had a weird look in your eyes. I wanted to see where you were going, and I'm glad that I did. You shouldn't do that, Levi! You are a great person, you shouldn't put your life to waste."

"Shut the fuck up! I was not trying to do what you think." He raised his voice, looking livid.

Hange glanced at his neck, a thin red line at its front. Levi placed a finger to where her stare laid, it came back stained with red.

"It was not." He pointed that same red index towards her confirmingly.

He turned in the opposite direction, retrieving walking his path, away from where Hange showed up from and from the castle. He didn't want anyone to see him in a weak position, it felt humiliating. He was so mad his entire body seethed. He couldn't get solitude in a room alone back there, and that damned HQ prying still followed him even in the depth of the woods.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your damn business."

Silently, Hange started walking after him. Levi heard her steps disturb the grass. He stopped in his tracks, turning her way fast with a frown.

"Where do you think yourself going?"

"I'm not sure I could leave you now, after what I saw." Hange replied matter-of-factly, gaze on him steady and calm.

"I told you it was not what you think, you shitty four eyes." Levi seethed.

She still kept her steps towards him despite that. "I know it's hard, I know, but-"

"Shut-up! And don't follow me. I quit! I'm not part of the scouts anymore."

"You think I'm following you because you're a scout? This is more concerning than that now. I can't leave you alone because you may-"

"I've been lenient enough with you. This is your last warning," Levi's angry loud tone became suddenly low, yet it was slow and threatening it felt scarier than a shout. It was like a creeping danger, Hange could swear the temperature dropped with it. He went on, lips tightening between the sentences in emphases. "I am leaving. Never to be seen again. If you take another step to follow me, I will break both your damn legs."

Hange halted with his words, feeling a sinister sensation creep around her body. She saw an icy cold gaze take over his eyes, as though an evil spirit had possessed him. She would be an idiot if she didn't give in to his threat, when it was clear that he had the full intention to do exactly as he said.

She watched him turn and walk away helplessly, an inner turmoil bubbling inside of her.

For being so short, he had this frightening aura surrounding him. She was certain he would've made the strongest of men shake if faced with that cold glare and venomous voice. Hange didn't like being at the receiving end of it.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She suddenly yelled. It caused Levi to turn his head to the side, looking at her from the corner of his eye without stopping his steps. Her expression looked twisted as much as her thinking process, between the determination to not let this go and the fear this scary man had caused.

It didn't skip her that he was once a notorious thug, both his willingness and ability to actually break her legs didn't skip her either. She went on regardless, heart shaken, expression sincere.

"I can't leave you."

Then, she took a step.

Without even stopping, Levi turned around. He walked towards her with the same fast and determined pace. Hange gulped thickly, heart starting to pound. Her idiot mouth had brought her to this and now she may as well lose both of her legs at this man's wrath.

Once he reached her, Levi grabbed her by the collar, eyes so frighteningly angry. Finding herself raised from her feet, Hange felt terrified. She kept on staring at him regardless, despite the terrifying gaze she received, and the terrified gaze she sent forth.

For once in her life, she had nothing to say, only pounding inside her chest, fear clouding her mind. But Levi only stared and stared, and didn't do anything. And then suddenly, she found herself thrown down to the ground.

Levi turned around, facing her with his back.

"Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"

Hange let out a breath she'd been holding. The pain in her hip passed unnoticed, as she turned up to look at him from her spot on the ground. Sensing a sudden weakness in his voice, the anger subsiding, she felt safer to think more clearly.

"It is a cruel world we live in. No one deserves to wake up to this shitty existence, where we live in a constant battle with an uneven power. Everyone inside these walls had had their share of loss, Levi. I lost many friends I wish I could get back." Her eyebrows drew together, pouring her pain even though he couldn't see her. "I lost a friend to a very similar death a year ago, because he couldn't contain it anymore, he went into the woods too and did the same. I've seen it in his eyes before it occurred, they looked the same as yours."

"I was not trying to kill myself." Levi whispered weakly.

"Okay. I believe you. I will leave you now. But to finish what I started, we all live in this shitty existence, but we find a reason to go on, to fight for this life! No matter how shitty it gets, there's always a good side to hold on to. Solely the fact that you are healthy could be enough sometimes. You just got your residency, that's another reason, there is so much for you now to discover both in here and outside the walls."

"Residency? The only reason I joined the Scouts was to get residency, for them. Where is the fucking good side in this? Where is the fucking point? I don't see it." Levi choked. He felt his eyes warm up, turning all glassy against his will. It hurt him so much that they're gone! He hated it so much but was helpless against bringing back time.

He was glad he faced Hange with his back. Despite the fact that he would never be seeing her again, he still cared not to show his weakness. But that same fact made him loosen up a bit, tired of fighting the exhausting burden of grief bubbled up inside him alone.

"Everyone loses, Levi. The point is that you discovered your talent, and what it could be used for. Your reason may as well be freeing humanity! No one can take four Titans at once, not even Mike and he's the best of us! But you did, on a first mission! You killed five Titans on a first mission! Are you aware of how amazing that is? Our most skilled soldiers who've been out the walls many times had barely amounted to such numbers with assistance, and you slayed four of them alone!" Hange was getting up to her feet as she spoke, now she was again standing at a height higher than he was. "You are humanity's strongest soldier, whether you like it or not. I see a reason in that, a good side. If you have a better place to go to, it would be good, but if you don't, then I will be so glad if you'd come back with me."

Levi's arms loosened around his sides, falling down heavily. He wanted to fight for humanity, but everything besides that was shit. He saw her point, the point. He didn't realize how special what he did was until she voiced it, and he was never a selfish man, so maybe he should give it a chance.

He still looked down at the floor, not wanting to raise a hand to wipe his glassy eyes nor wishing to turn for her to see it. He was just waiting to make sure it had completely dried.

"You said that everything was shit, let's start with that. What didn't you like in there that you want fixed? How can we make it better?"

Levi slowly turned to her, eyes dubious. There was something in the way she looked at him that felt soft and warm, rarely was he at the receiving end of such looks. He appreciated that despite his previous behavior, she found it in her to treat him like that. He read people so well and could sense the sincerity in her feelings.

"It's the least humanity's strongest deserves." Hange added.

"Stop calling me that."

"It's what you are. Although I'm sure Mike will feel a sting for having that title taken away, but he admits it too." The warm little smile was back on her lips.

Levi stared at her a moment longer, feeling a nice sensation from her leniency.

"I want my own room."

"I will be talking to Erwin as soon as we are back. Consider it done."

"How could you be so sure? I'm nothing but a new addition that's being a pain in the ass of most, and Erwin hates me."

"What had you believe that? He's been cracking my head about you ever since we came back from the walls. He appreciates your existence, as much as the rest."

Levi looked at her a moment longer, he saw sincerity again.

"...Some Genmaicha tea leaves would be nice too." He added with a lower voice.

"Getting spoiled huh, I didn't know we had a snob in the scouts."

Levi chortled shortly. Hange's cheeks flushed in excitement, managing to crack a smile out of that icy face she had seen glooming for the entire past week, something she thought no one would ever see. It felt like an achievement!

"Something else," Levi added, Hange rolled her eyes. "I don't want you telling this to anyone, or us ever talking about this again."

"Wow so demanding! I wasn't planning to anyway." She said before turning around to where she'd came from, Levi looked at her a second before starting to walk alongside her steps.

With all the walls he kept built around him, barely anyone got to know him. Strangely, this is the first time he feels such a connection to someone he hasn't known for so long. Straight from the start, she witnessed what no one else saw, what he always hid, what he never liked seen, all clear to her. And strangely, he didn't feel uncomfortable about it. Not with the way she treated him.

She may be the closest thing he has to his old family now. It was not bad at all...

Yaaaaay it's here! This was a delight for me to write, it flowed easily between the two and I dare say I'm proud of it (coming from the person who obsessively re-edits her work even after it gets posted.)

I hope they didn't come off as ooc in any way, please tell me what you think if you made it this far I'm soooo excited to hear your opinions!