The City of Liberio Was Burning.

Thunder spears screamed through the night. Buildings collapsed in sheets of fire. The War Hammer Titan rose from beneath the plaza like a deity of destruction, crystal spires bursting through stone and bone alike.

But above the chaos— You flew.

Commander Lee. Taller than most, cloak tattered but proud. Eyes like polished steel. Blood on your blades—but none of it yours.

You moved like you’d done this a thousand times. Because you had.

And Levi— Levi was terrified.

⸻

“Lee,” his voice snapped through comms, rough. “Slow the hell down.”

“Cart’s rotating,” you said. “I’m taking the vantage point.”

“You’re taking a death wish.”

“I’m calculating. You’re panicking.”

“Yeah,” he bit, “because you’re glowing and reckless and way too far ahead.”

You smiled to yourself.

Because he was scared. For you.

And that was new.

⸻

The Beast Titan Emerged.

You didn’t flinch when the boulder came down. You just launched higher.

“East sector. I see Zeke.”

“Lee, don’t—”

Too late. You were already flying.

⸻

Mid-Strike

Your thunder spear tore the air—slamming near Zeke’s nape. Not fatal. Just a crack in his rhythm.

You flipped off a spire, blades flashing—

Then Levi landed beside you. Hard. Fast. Furious.

“What the hell was that?!”

You wiped soot from your cheek. “I had the opening.”

“You had five seconds before you were crushed.”

“And you had five seconds before I took the kill alone.”

His hands found your arms. Then your sides. His breathing ragged.

Then—he grabbed your face.

Not gently.

Fingers trembling as they traced your jaw, thumbs smudged with blood.

“You’re not dying,” he growled. “Not before I tell you what you’ve done to me.”

You blinked, stunned.

Levi never touched like this. Never said things like this.

“I’ve lost too many,” he whispered. “And I lived with it. But you—”

You placed your hand over his.

“I’m not dying.”

“But you don’t plan to stay, do you?” His voice cracked, barely audible. “You move like you’ve already made peace with vanishing.”

You stared at him.

And whispered, “Then stay tethered to me. Don’t blink. Don’t hesitate. You fall behind once… I leave you.”

“You won’t.”

“Try me.”

He let out a shaky breath, nose brushing yours.

“You make hell feel like something I could survive.”

⸻

End Scene

Later—after smoke swallowed the plaza, after the Beast Titan was down—

You landed hard on a scorched rooftop, blades steaming, lungs burning. You hadn’t spoken yet.

But Levi was already there.

He didn’t speak either.

He grabbed your arm. Then your waist. Then your face.

“Levi—”

He ignored you. His hands moved too fast. Too desperate. Checking your gear, your limbs, your ribs like he didn’t trust you were whole until he felt it.

“I said I’m fine,” you murmured, quieter now.

“You weren’t answering.”

“I was busy.”

“I don’t care.”

He pressed his forehead to yours. His breath was hot, shaky.

“You’re too far,” he said.

“We’re standing still.”

“You’re still too far.”

His fingers tightened at your hip. And he didn’t step back.

Not this time.