The patch of the Wings of Freedom rested in Hange’s trembling hands, its fabric stained with blood that refused to come out, no matter how hard she scrubbed. Sunlight poured through the window, casting a pale glow on the emblem and highlighting the glint of the golden ring on her right hand. Around her neck hung another ring, one that no longer adorned the finger of its rightful owner—her late husband, Y/N L/N. After years of defying death, his luck had finally run out, leaving Hange grappling with an unbearable void.

Tears dripped onto the patch as Hange’s sobs grew louder, her shoulders trembling with the weight of grief she could no longer contain. Her friends had been checking on her constantly, even Levi, whose gruff exterior masked a deep concern. But no words or visits could touch the raw ache in her chest or erase the image burned into her mind—the moment Y/N drew his last breath.

She could still hear him, his voice ragged yet filled with love, whispering his final words. She clenched the patch tighter, the memory slicing through her like the sharp edge of a blade.

Flashback

The rain poured in sheets, soaking Hange’s hair and cape as she sprinted through the chaos. The battlefield was a cacophony of screams, thundering hooves, and the deafening roar of titans. Her heart pounded wildly as panic clawed at her chest—she hadn’t seen Y/N since they were separated, and the gnawing dread in her stomach grew with every second.

Cutting through a titan’s nape, she landed on the ground, her breath hitching as she spotted a crumpled figure in a green cape. Her legs moved before she could think, her body propelled by pure instinct. The familiar H/C hair, matted with blood and dirt, confirmed her worst fear. 

“Y/N!” 

She dropped to her knees beside him, tears already spilling as her eyes took in his broken form. A massive wound marred his side, and his legs were bent unnaturally. The dullness in his once-vibrant E/C eyes shattered her completely. 

“H-Hange,” he rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. 

Her gaze snapped to his, and his trembling hand reached up to cup her cheek, brushing away her tears. 

“Hey… don’t cry,” he murmured, a weak smile tugging at his lips. “You know I hate seeing you sad.” 

“I can’t help it!” she choked, her voice cracking. “I can’t lose you, Y/N. Please, stay with me. Stay alive!” 

A tear slipped down his own cheek as he smiled through the pain. “I’m sorry, my love. I wish I could, but… even if I’m not here, my heart… it’s always yours.” 

His breath grew labored, blood staining his lips. Slowly, with shaking fingers, he removed his wedding ring and pressed it into her palm. 

“I love you, Hange. Always.” 

His eyes closed, his body going limp in her arms. Her sobs turned to screams that echoed across the battlefield, drowning out the rain and the thunder of distant titans. 

End of Flashback

A cry broke through the silence, pulling Hange back to the present. Wiping her tear-streaked face, she rose and made her way to the bedroom. The sound of her son’s cries filled the room, but as she approached the wooden crib, they softened. 

Inside, a small boy with a mess of brown hair and piercing E/C eyes looked up at her, his expression curious and trusting. Her breath caught as fresh tears welled up. He was a mirror of his father, a living, breathing reminder of the man she’d loved and lost. 

“Y/N Junior,” she whispered, brushing her fingers gently against his cheek. 

He cooed, unaware of the weight of his name, of the legacy he carried. Hange’s grief threatened to overwhelm her again, but as she held him close, she found a fragile sliver of solace. He would grow up fatherless, yes—but he would grow up knowing the courage, love, and sacrifice of the man who gave everything for a future that still seemed so uncertain.