The Rumbling ended, but not with silence.

It ended with a scream—a scream of history breaking, of ancient hatred cracking open—and somehow, through the ash and agony, you survived.

You, Commander Lee, the golden commander with cold precision and quiet strength. Beautiful without trying, fierce when needed, yet always thoughtful in your stillness. The world called you ruthless, but those who followed you knew: your heart bled in silence for every life lost.

And Captain Levi Ackerman—your blade, your shadow, your echo—survived too.

He had always been near. In battle, he was the phantom behind your every step, striking before harm could reach you. In meetings, he stood in corners, eyes narrowed, listening only when you spoke. And now, in peace, he was closer than ever.

⸻

Tokyo, modern, luminous, surreal.

The Scout survivors arrived like ghosts stepping into a dream. You weren’t soldiers anymore—just people. People with quiet eyes and hands that shook when no one was looking.

You all gathered for the anniversary of peace. Eren was no longer the boy consumed by rage—he had chosen to live. Mikasa stood by his side, finally free of the weight of goodbye. Armin, now a quiet diplomat, looked at the city with wonder. And Hange… she wore her scars with pride, laughing the loudest.

But it was Levi and you who turned heads wherever you went.

Everywhere—he was with you. Opening doors before you reached them, keeping a protective hand near the small of your back, folding your coat carefully when you left it behind. He never said why.

He didn’t have to.

The others noticed, of course.

Hange cackled as she sipped a matcha latte. “Have you seen Levi today? He poured her tea, refilled her water bottle, zipped her jacket. At this point, he’s either in love or training to be her personal butler.”

Jean shook his head. “They even booked one room for two nights. A single. With one bed.”

Armin blushed. Mikasa raised a knowing brow. Connie started laughing until Eren elbowed him.

“She’s his anchor,” Eren said simply.

“She always was,” Mikasa added

Mikasa gave a small smirk. “At least they’re not killing Titans anymore. Just killing us with domestic tension.”

⸻

That night, the group stayed in a sky-rise apartment overlooking the glowing city. But you and Levi had your own shared space. The others tried to hide their smirks when he walked in after you, a bag of your favorite snacks in one hand and your keycard in the other.

Jean raised an eyebrow. “You two—uh—sleep in separate beds, right?”

“No.” Levi’s answer was blunt.

Connie nearly choked on his soda. Armin turned red. Hange howled.

But you just rolled your eyes, slipping your shoes off and heading inside.

the skyline. The world was so quiet here. No Titans. No blood.

Just breathing.

“I’m not used to this,” you admitted.

“To peace?” he asked softly.

“No. To having something that lasts.”

He was silent for a moment. Then his hand found yours—not forceful, just there, warm and steady. “You have me.”

⸻

Later that night, in the shared room.

The apartment was sleek, minimal. You sat by the window, city lights painting your face in gold. Levi knelt behind you, carefully braiding your hair in silence. His fingers were calloused but gentle—he touched you like something fragile, like someone sacred.

“You’re always doing this,” you murmured.

“Doing what?”

“Serving me. Caring for me like I’m going to break.”

His hands stilled for a moment.

“I care for you because I want to,” he said. “Not because you need it.”

You turned to face him. Your eyes held him in place, that sharp commander’s stare softened now. “And what do you want, Levi?”

He leaned in slowly, letting your foreheads touch. His voice was barely above a whisper.

“I want you to let me stay.”

There was no need for fireworks or grand declarations. Just that simple truth.

And so, you did.