Hanji's POV

I spent hours talking to Erwin on the phone as I pictured him beside me. Dad has caught me on the phone with him a couple of times. But I didn't care. I wanted to know that Erwin was always there for me. I loved him. And one day, I just got tired of being stranded in this house. Mom and Dad tried to calm me down, but I felt like my wings were clipped and I was forced to sit still and sing quietly in my bird cage. The slightest joy of being with my boyfriend slowly slipped through my fingers like sand through an hourglass. I ran out of space to care for my heart.

Once I heard my parents' door shut for the night, I quickly opened my window and climbed down to the ground. I was as quiet as a mouse. I knew precisely where Erwin lived and made my way there on foot. I had to break free... I hated being locked up in this cage. I needed a way out. A breath of fresh air- something.

*   *   *

"Your dad's going to be pissed at me, Hanji," Erwin chuckles as he caresses my cheek. We lay in his bed, just cuddling as the hours passed. "You have to get home... now."

"Just one more hour..."

"You've been saying that for the past 4 hours, Hanji." I sighed, getting up from his arms and leaning against his bedframe. "Hanji, your dad will kill me. Then we can never go back to being a couple."

"Fine. I'll remember this."

"Hanji," Erwin kisses my cheek as he held my hand tightly, "don't worry, okay? Whatever your dad is doing, it'll be done soon. We'll be together soon- I promise." He pulls me down to kiss my lips, which I desperately wanted. "Go home. Text me when you get home. Else, I'll worry."

"Fine."

*   *   *

I thought returning home would be difficult, but it seems that evidence of me sneaking out was not found. Just as I was prepared to sneak inside the house, I heard his voice booming and made me jump out of my boots. 

"What are you doing out here?" Levi slowly walked out of the shadows with his hands in his pockets. His silver eyes glared at me with daggers, however, I saw a small spark that I couldn't recognize. It was... soft... and gentle. "Your father said you're not supposed to be out here."

"What are you? Some guard dog? My babysitter?"

"You were told to stay in. It's unsafe. Why did you leave?"

"Because whatever is going on is grinding my gears," I say, making my way to the front door. "Levi, you don't have a girlfriend, so you don't know how it feels to be away from someone you love. I thought I could make it... but it seems I'm not strong enough to do so. I had to see him again. Do you know that feeling?"

"What do you mean?"

"You want to be with someone, but you could never be with them. That sort of feeling." I say with the image of Erwin in my mind. I want him to hold me with his warm arms... even now, I could feel the echo of his hug. "Can you please not tell my parents? I'll do whatever you want."

"Do I decide what that 'whatever' now?"

"I guess not... help me sneak back into my room. And I'll take back on what I said about you being a dog. I just... needed some time away from the house."

Levi helped me back into the house and to my room. Thankfully, my parents were asleep the entire time I was sneaking inside. I didn't like the fact that Levi got this close to my bedroom, but he had an excuse because he was 'checking' the house for intruders. But I can't rely on Levi to help me sneak in and out of the house. He might report me to my dad...