Hanji's POV

Every time Levi came home, all I could see was anger in his eyes. When we thought 9 months was enough time to catch his uncle, that veil fell through when those months slowly fell into a few weeks. Levi, the one person with the most passion, was slowly sinking into this pit of panic. The deadline was coming... and this baby boy would be born at the end. 

I was resting on the couch with the TV on when Levi came home. The way he slammed the door shut, I knew it wasn't good. Struggling to sit on the couch, I tried to greet Levi to the best of my ability. Despite our son kicking me constantly, I still tried to be cheerful around him. Despite Levi's declining will to continue, I'll try to make him happy. Deep down, I knew that the childhood friend that I always loved playing around with was still there.

"Hey, Levi-."

"Just shut up." He growled at me with his icy glare. It took him a second before he sighed and looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean that."

"I know."

"Did you go to the doctor's?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah, Moblit helped me. If anything, at least 2 weeks." Careful of Levi's anger, I walked to him and held him close. Taking Levi's hands, I gently laid them against my baby bump. I tried to tame his rage with a smile and a low voice. "It'll be okay, Levi... I know it will. Don't worry."

"It will never be okay... not until he's put away for good." Levi lowered his head on my breasts as his voice fell soft. "I don't want anything to happen to you guys."

"That I get." I smiled softly, resting my head on his shoulder. Tears wanted to slip from my eyes as we stood there in silence. Our hands were on my baby bump, feeling the strong kicks of our son. It's now or never. So much pressure was on Levi's shoulders to finish the job quickly before our son was born. I wish I could relieve him of the stress, but I can't. With me being so close to giving birth, I can't stress about anything or put myself in direct danger. I hate this... but after carrying this baby for 9 months... I can't wait to see him.

We waited a few minutes in silence before I broke it. I made some chicken curry if you want to eat it now."

"After we shower."

"We?"

Levi looked up at me with a sly smile. "Do you not want to shower with me?"

"Just be gentle..." I say softly, kissing him on his lips as he guides me to the bathroom. 

The extra care he gave me was the man I loved. He was very gentle with me as he scrubbed parts of my body that I couldn't reach. I never thought that my best friend when we were little would be by my side. Though there were times that I would always think of him, I always chalked it up to my wanting to play with him. When he came over to my house... oh... those memories... I wish I was a kid again to be with him. Oblivious to the danger of the real world, that's where I want to be.

Thinking about that, makes me feel selfish. To disregard the reality of the world for a child-like world... I know many people want that wish to come true. But even if we became children again, there was no way I would ever be this close to Levi as I am now. There are always pros and cons to life.

"Hanji," Levi calls my name, helping me dry off and putting clothes on me. "Let's go eat. You better not have burned anything. And it has to have flavor. Last time, you didn't add enough spices."

"I can't handle any of them, Levi! Not since this baby began to grow."

"So it has no spices in it?!"

"M-Maybe..."

"Hanji!"

Though I shouldn't laugh at his frustration, I did. He was angry, yes, but it's not like it's something he can control. He knows that because I'm pregnant, I have limitations on what I can eat and what I can't. He always has to walk on eggshells around the food I eat. To his gentleman-like manners, he doesn't eat food I can't eat around me. But the most important part was his smile. How brightly it shined in this world of darkness. I don't want anything to happen to that smile. Through rain and fire, Levi would do anything for me and our son.