You were outside in the training grounds, pushing yourself through the grueling course that Erwin had designed for you. The cold winter air bit at your skin, but you welcomed the chill as it invigorated your senses. Your fast breathing created little clouds of vapor that hung in the air before dissipating into the night.

As you focused on the next obstacle, you noticed a figure approaching from the corner of your eye. Squinting against the fading light, you recognized him instantly—it was Erwin, the commander of the Survey Corps. A rush of questions flooded your mind. What could he need from you? Didn’t he have better things to do than deal with some captain whose emotions had gotten the better of him?

Erwin closed the distance between you, his expression warm and inviting. Despite the chill in the air, there was a comforting aura about him that made you feel at ease. “Levi,” he said, his voice steady and kind, “I wanted to check on you.” His eyes sparkled with a mixture of concern and happiness, as if he had been waiting for the right moment to approach you.

You felt a mix of relief and apprehension. The last time you had seen him, things had ended on a sour note, and the weight of your earlier words hung heavily between you. Yet, here he was, standing beside you, radiating a sense of calm. “I thought you might be out here,” he continued, glancing at the training course. “You’ve been pushing yourself hard. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

His kindness struck you like a bolt of lightning, igniting a flicker of hope in your chest. Maybe this was your chance to bridge the gap that had formed between you. You took a deep breath, feeling the chill air fill your lungs, and prepared to speak, knowing that this moment could change everything.