We didn't waste any time when we woke up the next morning. While both of us remained vigilant, ready to spring into action if necessary, no titans seemed to be around. So we began preparing for our long trek home.

"We're less than a day's ride on horseback, but we're shit out of luck on that one. And between the two of us, we only have enough gas for one of us to use our Maneuvering Gear," Levi grumbled.

"So... We're walking," I concluded.

Neither of us was exactly in the best of shape. With my broken ankle and whatever injury was causing Levi's limp (like he would tell me...), we wouldn't be getting very far before encountering at least one Titan. And with my broken arm, I wasn't going to be able to use the Maneuvering Gear, so I'd have to rely on him when the time came to fight. We really were a sad-looking pair of soldiers.

We stripped Mari of what supplies she had left, then gave her a proper burial, as best we could. I stood over her makeshift grave and whispered farewell before turning back to Levi.

"Alright (F/N), let's get the fuck outta here."

As soon as the sun began to set, we ventured away from our temporary means of confinement. We knew to travel by night when the Titans were less active, and our figures could be hidden by the darkness. I had thrown together a few sturdy branches, creating a crutch to help me walk. It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but it was all I had. Levi's gait had subtly improved, so, much to his discontent, he had to slow his pace to match mine.

We mainly walked in silence, trying to focus on our mission to get back alive. We plotted our course along areas guarded by trees or against scattered rubble from old buildings. I forced myself to hide my anxiety whenever we had to venture back out into the open. Even shrouded by darkness, we were completely vulnerable without the ability to use our gear. But I didn't question Levi's route. After all, he knew the terrain far better than I did.

Come morning, we had settled underneath a few large boulders lodged up against a steep hill. It was the best cover we could find, considering we were at the sun's mercy. Levi sat just inside our stone shelter, still alert as ever. I on the other hand was relieved to finally rest my aching body. My underarm throbbed in pain from reluctantly pushing my weight onto my makeshift crutch. My ankle had swelled back up from having to walk on it. My chest burned as my ribs attempted to heal. A few of my wounds had even bled through my bandages. Levi was no different. He chalked up his saturated bandages to old blood, but I knew that was a lie.

He looked so lonely, sitting at his post. I wanted to sleep so badly, but couldn't bring myself to close my eyes. So I pathetically leaned against the boulder behind me, attempting to push myself to a stand. My sudden movement caught Levi's attention, and he turned to watch me struggle to find my footing.

"Tch- sit back down. You're just gonna fuck your leg up more."

I stubbornly limped forward and eased myself down next to him. He stared blankly at me before raising an eyebrow, trying to read my intentions.

"I can't sleep... So I figured I'd take watch so that you can," I muttered blatantly.

"Hrm..." Levi took one glance at my broken body and sighed.

"You're filthy. We need to get those disgusting bandages off of you before you lose your whole damn arm," he started, before muttering under his breath, "God, I'd kill for a bath right now..."

I smiled to myself, knowing he just needed to clean something. Crazy little neat freak.

I kept my attention on the open field before me. I couldn't help but drink in the sound of the breeze greeting the trees above. Birds chirped gleefully within the branches, free to come and go as they pleased. How was it so peaceful out here when it had been such a nightmare just before?

I could hear Levi ripping apart pieces of Mari's cape behind me. We had honorably thanked her for allowing us to use it as bandages. I felt a small pit in my stomach as the tearing began to sound like nails on a chalkboard, evoking a subtle twinge of guilt.
We had been lucky enough to refill our canteens when we passed a stream earlier, so we could have water to drink as well as irrigate our deep lacerations. The abrupt sound of Levi's sharp hissing made me turn to see the cause of his outburst. He was peeling a bandage off his leg that had already begun to fuse with his exposed muscle. I awkwardly pulled myself over to him to assist in its removal.

At first, he refused my aid, headstrong as ever. But I just told him to shut up as I took over the process. I'm pretty sure he was surprised by my assertiveness because he didn't argue with me after that.

In between making sure no titans had ventured our way and redressing our wounds, we eventually began welcoming sleep. Much to my surprise, Levi was the first to fade. I was relieved to find him finally asleep. I had promised to wake him immediately if I sensed any danger, but fortunately, he was able to rest for quite some time. Even though I would have welcomed a short reprieval, I found myself somewhat reinvigorated by my task of protecting him.

Levi never let anyone see his weaknesses, and I began to let my mind wander down a darker path. What had he endured to become this way...? He was the only one who had ever understood what my drive and intentions really were. We both had hardened our exteriors to keep people out. For me, it had been years of torturous abuse and experiencing horrific pain. But, what was it for him?

His face looked so calm, so serene as he slept. I suddenly became fearfully aware of the tender infatuation that burned within me. I tried to distract myself with a different task, but really didn't have many options. I couldn't escape from the thoughts that kept bombarding my mind. I groaned lowly, bringing a hand to my forehead, and squinting my eyes in exasperation.

Even in sleep, Levi seemed to be completely aware of his surroundings. My grumble stirred him awake, and he sat up slowly. I could feel his eyes on me as I hid my flushed face.

"Oi, you gotta get some rest. It's almost dark out, and you're already slow as it is."

I felt an agonizing chill begin to align with the attraction I was trying so hard to push away. Why is this happening to me...?

"(L/N)... Get some fucking sleep."

Without meaning to, I lost all self-control, exploding from within:

"Do people like us even feel anything when we die!?"

Levi widened his eyes at my sudden emotional eruption, as words cascaded from my mouth.

"We must be numb to the sting of death when it happens, right!? Maybe it even feels good--- or at least better than the shit we've been through! Don't you think it would just be better to die than to feel like you're constantly drowning!? I- I can't even fucking breathe anymore! I'm just a goddamn broken liability that no one will miss anyway! Who would mourn the death of such a defiled-"

Without warning, my intensifying cry was silenced by a pair of lips crashing into mine.  My eyes burst wide open to find Levi kissing me, hard at first, as if to shut me up. I was downright stunned. 

Upon successfully silencing my outburst, Levi slightly separated his lips from mine and leaned back, searching my face for answers. His usual cold stare had suddenly grown warmer; his eyes filled with concern. I had never experienced such a passionate kiss before, and I was bewildered by how I was supposed to react. I thought my initial response would have been to violently retaliate at such a moment. And yet, somehow, I wasn't afraid.

I could feel Levi's weight shifting as he lifted one hand to caress my cheek, gently wiping away my tears with his thumb. I wanted to respond so terribly, but I found I could only receive his warmth. He slowly moved both hands to cradle my face, his fingers intertwining with the hair resting against my neck. I could feel his chest begin to meet mine, drawing me in to close the gap between us. His heart began speaking to mine as their pace quickened and matched.

So many overwhelming thoughts had been racing through my mind beforehand, but a cleansing wave washed over me as I leaned forward, allowing my lips to slowly dance and linger with his, gradually softening as we melted into each other. Everything around me began to disappear as we slipped into a world of our own, free from pain and despair... Free from the past that haunted me so.

I could feel my spine gingerly meet the grass beneath me as Levi steadily guided me down to where we would rest. He remained in a close hover, ever mindful of my broken ribs, before finally allowing our lips to part. 

I would have given anything to just stay within that moment, where I could feel myself beginning to trust again, if only slightly. Never before had I consented to such a sensual kiss. Up until now, it had always been malevolently forced upon me by someone else.  And it had never felt like this.

Without another word, Levi curled up next to me, laying his broken body beside mine, before gently pulling me in closer. Everything seemed so comforting and surreal as we seamlessly faded into a dream.

In the end, it was my choice to stay inside the safety of Levi's warm embrace, as his arms continued to provide me solace long into the night.