The knock on your door was sharp, precise—undeniably his. You stared at it from where you sat on your cot, half-dressed in your uniform, boots discarded near the foot of the bed. You could ignore it. You wanted to.

“Open the damn door.” Levi’s voice was flat, but there was a thread of something beneath it. Not anger. Not quite concern either. Just… Levi.

You sighed, dragging yourself up and unlocking the door. It barely swung open before he stepped inside, arms crossed, gaze sweeping over your room. It was a mess. Papers scattered, a jacket half-thrown over a chair, empty cups collecting dust. Not that he commented on it. He just turned his sharp eyes back to you.

“You missed another meeting.”

You didn’t answer. You just walked past him, rubbing at your temples. “I’ll be there next time.”

“No, you won’t,” Levi said simply. “That’s what you said last time.”

Something in your chest twisted, but you just scoffed, shaking your head. “What do you want me to say, Levi?” You met his gaze, arms folding across your chest. “That I’m fine? That I’ll pull myself together? Because I’m not, and I don’t know when I will.”

He was quiet for a moment, studying you in that way that made you feel exposed, like he saw through every wall you tried to build. Then, he stepped closer.

“I’m not asking you to be fine,” he said. “But you’re still Captain. Your squad is waiting for you.”

A bitter laugh slipped past your lips. “They can wait a little longer.”

Levi’s jaw tensed. “No, they can’t.” His voice was softer this time. “I know what Erwin meant to you.”

Your breath caught. He never said things like that—never acknowledged emotions unless they were undeniable. You swallowed past the lump in your throat, looking away.

“I just…” You exhaled slowly, running a hand through your hair. “I don’t know how to do this without him.”

Levi was silent for a beat. Then, finally, he spoke.

“You do it the way he taught you to.”